 | Belisarius |  |
SCENE I.
A Square of the City.Eumenes, Caius, meeting.
Eum.
Welcome brave Caius from the field of war!
The field of victory! A witness thou
To the defeat of that innumerous host
Which threatened sad Byzantium with destruction,
And shook the Roman empire to it's base.
A witness to the deeds of Belisarius!
His wondrous deeds! A partner in his dangers
While me, the duty of my station bound,
Reluctant, in inactive ease at home.
I envy thee my Caius.
Caius.
Such a day
The ever-circling sun hath ne'er beheld.
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Our legions ne'er encounter'd. Belisarius
Seem'd more than man; beneath the frost of age
He glow'd with youthful fire; his veteran bands
Roused by his great example, rush'd to fight
Like lions when enraged; wheree'er they turn'd
Dismay attended; they alone were victors:
For at the first attack, our new-raised levies
Fled panic-struck, nor join'd, but to pursue,
And slay the routed foe.
Eum.
We feel his worth;
And gratitude swells every panting bosom.
Byzantium pours forth all her sons to meet,
And grace his triumph. E'en his enemies
Now wear the face of joy, and speak his praise.
Caius.
Is it not strange, that he, so great in arms,
So gentle in the placid hours of peace,
So generous, that his hand though ever open,
Is never tired of giving, so sincere
That he ne'er promised what he'd not perform,
Should yet have enemies, who wish his downfall?
Eum.
Envy, my friend, is their's; the toad which lyes
Within the stony heart, changing the air,
The balmy air of heaven, to it's own nature,
And sweltering in it's venom.
Caius.
This success,
This glorious victory will destroy the reptile,
And all it's hated brood. This splendid triumph
Will level opposition with the ground.
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To whom he owes his empire and his life.
Eum.
Alas! I fear—
Caius.
Thou dost not fear Justinian?
Eum.
No, not Justinian: but the treacherous Narbal,
And Theodora's malice. Cruel empress!
Dissembling politician!
Caius.
All their efforts
Will now be vain; and he who saved the state,
Shall guide it by his wisdom.
(Shouts.)
Eum.
Hark! he comes!
I hear the echoing multitude.
Caius.
What pleasure,
What heart-felt pleasure must the godlike man
Experience now! This triumph of his age!
Transcending all his former! They for realms
And nations to the Roman yoke restored:
This, for a victory, which the Roman name,
And e'en the very being of the empire,
Preserved from total ruin.
Eum.
More than this,
To triumph with the youth, the gallant youth
Who wedded his Marcella. He petition'd
That his brave son might share with him the glory,
Who nobly shared the toil.
Caius.
In Phorbas' actions
Will Belisarius live again; his soul
Shines with his fathers' virtues.
(Shouts and trumpets,)
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Hark? more near
The heroes come! I hasten to the palace.
Caius.
I mingle with the pomp.
(Exeunt.)
| Belisarius | |