 | Arminius |  |
3
ACT I.
SCENE I.
A wild Heath; a strong Castle in View Colours flying on the Ramparts, with S. P. Q. R. in large Letters; German Tents; Officers and Soldiers on the Heath.Gothmund, on Guard; to him Egbert.
Egbert.
How long must we protract this ling'ring siege?
I hate all dull delay; prompt execution,
And manly vigour are the soldier's glory.
Gothmund.
Egbert, 'tis true; dispatch, and sudden onset
Are the great springs of war: but well you know
We have in Inguiomer a gallant chief,
Fam'd for his warlike genius; long distinguish'd
By his heroic ardour; ever active
In the embattled field; still rushing on,
Prompt, eager, fierce, and where the battle rages,
Opposing ev'ry danger.
4
In the field
I grant you, Gothmund, his renown is great.
Arminius scarce out-shines him; But, my friend,
Where now that warlike spirit? Tame, inactive,
We dream away the time, and let that castle
Hold us at bay. You know we might ere now
Have storm'd the works.
Gothmund.
Our numbers are too thin:
To conquer by assault our little army
Was ill prepar'd. To spare the lives of men,
Our General chose to form a close blockade,
And hop'd ere this by famine to reduce
A feeble garrison.
Egbert.
So judg'd our Chief;
For that he plann'd his measures, but we know
Th'envenom'd hate, the more than deadly feud,
That, like a pent-up fire, inflames Segestes,
Ere since Arminius wedded to his daughter.
Veleda is a pris'ner in the castle;
By force her father seiz'd her, dragg'd her with him,
And there detains her, obstinately bent,
Never to let her husband see her more.
Gothmund.
Yet still he may capitulate.
Egbert.
No, never;
Distress and famine may consume them both;
Content he'll perish with her.
5
But Arminius
Will soon be here; he comes by rapid marches
With a vast host, the German world in arms;
And then, my friend, then we may storm the works:
One bold assault shall end this tedious siege.
SCENE II.
Enter a Soldier.Egbert.
Soldier, that look impatient—
Soldier.
On my station
At yonder eastern gate, I saw this arrow
Rise high in air, and soon with quick descent
Fall on the outside of the castle wall,
Short of th'intended mark. It bore this paper
Brac'd round with care.—
(He gives the paper.)
Egbert.
(Reads.)
“Segestes summon all your firmest vigour;
“Inspire your garrison; let no distress
“Compell you to surrender. With his legions,
“Cæcina is at hand to raise the siege.
“Pass but an hour, and he will bring relief.”
What traitor has done this?
Gothmund.
Perhaps the deed
Of those deserters from the tribes of Gaul,
Who came but yesterday with specious seeming
To join our banners.
Egbert.
The whole Gallic race
Conquer'd by Cæsar, to their masters kneel,
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Th'Allies of Rome, they cast a jealous eye
On all the states where liberty is cherish'd,
But chief on Germany, whose true born sons
Maintain their laws, their independent rights,
Brave, unsubdued, and undebas'd by slavery.
(Looks at the paper.)
This may be Gallic fraud; but should the news
Authentic prove, what then will Inguiomer—
Gothmund.
My friend, no more: Lo! where he comes this way.
SCENE III.
Enter Inguiomer, with Officers and Soldiers.Egbert.
The presence of our Chief almost dispells
The sudden gloom that overcasts us all.
These sudden tidings—
Inguiomer.
Speak, nor hold me thus
In wonder and suspense.
Egbert.
Peruse that paper.
Inguiomer.
And is it this alarms you? Let me see it.
(Reads to himself.
Egbert.
An arrow's flight was destin'd to convey
The tidings to Segestes; but this soldier
Safe to my hands deliver'd it.
Inguiomer.
This paper
May be the stratagem of old Segestes.
7
To raise the siege! It is Segestes
That sent his lying arrow through the air,
In hopes by false intelligence to check
The ardour of our troops, and save from ruin,
From certain ruin yon devoted walls.
Egbert.
Might I advise, 'twere best prepare this moment
To storm the works; a feeble garrison
Will not resist a general assault.
SCENE IV.
Enter another Soldier.Inguiomer.
Ha! with that air—those looks—that wild surprize—
What have you seen? What heard? Speak, tell me all.
Soldier.
The Romans are at hand; with eager speed
They sweep along the vale.
Inguiomer.
Deceive me not.
Soldier.
I would not do it: They are now in sight.
On the high summit of yon wood-crown'd hill,
That fronts the western sun, a sudden blaze
Of arms, of shields, and helms, glanc'd o'er the field.
I saw their banners, and their glitt'ring eagles
Display'd in proud array.
Inguiomer.
Could you descry
Their numbers?
8
No; I could not: of their strength
No certain estimate can yet be made.
O'er the fam'd causeway, long since made by Drusus,
Their troops advanc'd. I saw their cavalry
Forth issuing from the wood that skirts the plain.
If their whole army was display'd to view,
Their number is but small. On solid ground
Perhaps their General may pitch his camp.
Inguiomer.
What, ho! my faithful followers, ourself will view
The number and the posture of their troops.
Should they advance, a wide extended marsh
Lies foul and deep before them. On that spot,
If they advance, 'tis fix'd to give them battle.
Their men and horses on the slimy soil
Will fall a sacrifice, and with their blood
Deluge the crimson marl.
Egbert.
In stagnate pools
We have th'advantage; there a German soldier
Fights in his element.
Inguiomer.
While I go forth,
'Tis yours, brave Egbert, to arrange your guards
Around the castle. Let the heralds summon
Segestes to surrender: Should he dare
Still to hold out, a general assault
Shall whelm himself, his castle, and his friends
In one prodigious ruin.
[Exit, followed by soldiers; Warlike music.
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SCENE V.
Egbert, Gothmund, Soldiers, &c.Egbert.
At length he takes th'alarm; but still his valour,
I fear, is rouz'd too late.
Gothmund.
Mean time, my friend,
I'll walk my round, and visit ev'ry post.
Egbert.
Observe both armies; let me know their motions.
Gothmund.
If ought of moment happen, you shall hear it.
[Exit.
SCENE VI.
Egbert.Now let the herald summon to the walls
The proud Segestes.
[A trumpet sounds three times.
A Soldier.
(From the rampart.)
Why that piercing clangor?
What does your signal mean?
Egbert.
To call Segestes
To hear our terms of peace.
Soldier.
Lo! here at hand
Segestes comes.
Segestes.
(From the rampart.)
What now does Egbert mean?
Why am I summoned to the walls?
10
In pity
To all the wretched, miserable Band,
Whom you with fix'd hostility detain
Within those walls imprison'd, I have call'd you,
To treat in friendly parley.
Segestes.
Speak your purpose.
Egbert.
Lay down your arms, and with well-tim'd submission
Atone for errors past; throw wide your gates;
A general pardon will restore you all
To your lov'd friends, to life, and liberty.
With open arms your country will receive you.
Segestes.
Mistaken, artful man! is this a time
To lure us to your purpose? Lo! See there!
Far as my eye can strain, I see the Romans
On yonder plain that terminates the forest;
I see their eagles, their embodied legions;
O'er the wide field their spears, their shields, and javelins
Flash sudden gleams of fire.
Egbert.
There they must halt;
And there encamp. Should they attempt to wade
Through seas and pools, they'll meet with sure destruction.
Or ere they bring relief, our scaling ladders
Shall stand against your walls; our men shall form
Their military shell, to sap your works,
Burst down your gates with ruinous assault,
And in one general havoc all your friends
Will glut the soldiers rage.
11
In vain, proud man,
In vain these menaces; even now I see
The legions form their lines. Behold! see there!
The battle is begun. From yonder tow'r
I can survey the fortune of the field.
You have my answer.
[Exit from the walls.
SCENE VII.
Egbert.If the foe advances
To try the issue of a fierce engagement,
I dread his skill, and his superior judgment.
There Inguiomer may fail. Impetuous fury
And rashness oft have marr'd his noble daring.
Gothmund, what news? Your looks denote your fear—
Haye the two armies met?
SCENE VIII.
To him Gothmund.Gothmund.
They have; at first
The day was ours, and gallant Inguiomer
Mow'd down the Roman ranks. The fight
Was in the marshes, fierce and obstinate.
But on the marshy ground the Roman horses
Could find no footing; goaded by their wounds
They made the soil more slipp'ry by their blood,
And with their carcasses the troopers lay
All in one purple heap.
12
And what has turn'd
The fortune of the field?
Gothmund.
The foe retreated
Back to the solid plain. Elate with victory
Our men pursued them. There our enterprize
Has met a check, and ruin may insue.
SCENE IX.
Enter Segestes on the Rampart.Segestes.
My friends, I come to warn you of your fate.
Though foes in war, yet you are Germans still.
Break up your camp, or sure destruction hangs
On your devoted heads. A band of Romans
From the high waving forest, where they lay
Lodg'd in close ambush, down the steep descent
Rush'd on th'astonish'd foe. I see them now!
They charge, they fight, they dye their swords in blood;
They bear down all, they follow, and they conquer:
Germans, be warn'd by me; depart at once;
Fly from the fury of a conqu'ring foe.
[Exit.
SCENE X.
Enter a German Officer.Officer.
Haste, Egbert; let us fly; the day is lost.
The Roman arms prevail; our broken ranks
In wild confusion fly.
13
And Inguiomer,
Say, what of him?
Officer.
He sounded a retreat;
To the Visurgis he directs his course;
On t'other side Arminius is arriv'd.
Sound a retreat; retire, ere yet the Romans
Hew down the bridge.
Egbert.
This terrible disaster
Has ruin'd all; the siege at length is rais'd;
Withdraw, my friends; flight is our only safety.
[Exit with the rest.
SCENE XI.
A Shout within; a triumphant March is sounded: Enter Cæcina, followed by Officers, the Eagles, and Colours, with S. P. Q. R. in large Letters.Cæcina.
This day, my fellow-soldiers, this great day
Has added lustre to the Roman name.
The genius, and good auspices of Rome
Have led us on to conquest; by your valour
Not the foe only, but the rugged nature
Of this wild savage country has been conquer'd.
The castle is reliev'd; now let our friends
Throw wide their gates, and here with grateful hearts
Hail their deliverers.
[The folding Gates are thrown open; the Soldiers march forward, and after them Segestes.]
14
Segestes, you are welcome; welcome to your friends,
To life, and liberty.
Segestes.
If ardent zeal
By me exerted in the cause of Rome,
Claims your regard, I have not toil'd in vain.
Cæcina.
Your zeal is known and felt: Germanicus,
Wise, just, and equitable, and still intent
On all th'events of war, no sooner learn'd
That by Arminius you were here pent up,
Than by his orders with a chosen band,
O'er a long track of moors, and fens, and forests
I march'd to your relief.
Segestes.
The virtues of your chief
I honour, and esteem: He has my thanks.
Cæcina.
Of his regard you will have further proof.
For worth like yours new honours are intended.
Segestes.
I want no honours: While I thus address you,
You see a man, who knows nor guilt nor fear.
The Deified Augustus in the class
Of Roman citizens enroll'd my name.
Proud of that title, I have since remain'd
Faithful to Rome, and yet my country's friend,
The friend of Germany. My voice was ever,
For peace with Rome, for harmony, and friendship
Between both nations.
Cæcina.
Had your voice been heard—
15
I had no influence; that flaming brand,
That torch of discord, that ambitious chief,
Arminius, wing'd with the vaunt lightning's speed,
In ev'ry region call'd aloud to arms;
To arms against Segestes, and his friends;
To arms against the Romans: Ev'n now,
He rushes forward, like the lion rouz'd,
Lashing his sides, and goaded on to fury.
'Tis said, he brings all Germany in arms.
Cæcina.
To blast his frantic hopes, Germanicus
By rapid marches from the distant Rhine
Comes with his vet'ran troops. Are all your friends
Releas'd from yonder castle?
Segestes.
They went forth
At th'Eastern gate.
Cæcina.
Did Segimund, your son,
Endure the hardships of the siege?
Segestes.
With grief,
And burning blushes I recall his name.
He has revolted; three whole years have pass'd
Since last these eyes beheld him. He, I fear,
Has join'd Arminius. Lo! our train of women
Comes forth in slow procession.
16
SCENE XII.
A Number of Women from the Castle, and after them Veleda, in pensive Silence; her Hands strained to her Bosom, and her Eyes fixed on her Womb.Segestes.
Lo! Veleda!
You there behold my daughter.
Cæcina.
There I see
In that fair form, in that majestic mien,
Each blooming grace, and dignity of mind.
Segestes.
She was my only joy, my best delight,
My lov'd Veleda, till with treach'rous arts
Arminius stole her from her father's arms.
Cæcina.
Afflicted fair! why does that cloud of sorrow
Obscure those eyes, and bend you to the earth,
Like some fair flower beneath the beating rain
That droops its languid head? Dispell your grief,
And let those eyes no more be dimn'd with tears.
Veleda.
Tears have forgot to flow; their source is dry.
Despair is now the portion of a wretch,
Whom you have robb'd of all her soul holds dear.
Cæcina.
Why charge my conduct?
Veleda.
Wedded to Arminius,
Why am I sever'd from him?
17
That, you know,
Was by your father's order.
Veleda.
Even now
I bear the fruit of our connubial loves.
And must my infant, must my blameless child
Be born in slavery?
Cæcina.
Germanicus
Will soon be here: The virtues of the Prince,
His tender sympathy, his social love
Will soften all your cares, and give you comfort.
Veleda.
Think you a heart like mine, a German heart,
That without liberty deems life a burthen,
Think you a mind so form'd will bear to live
A day, an hour in execrable bondage?
Is that the comfort Rome affords the wretched?
Cæcina.
Ungen'rous thought! for you a safe retreat
Shall be assign'd in the delightful clime
Of Italy, where grief and busy care
No more shall cloud the sunshine of your days.
Veleda.
And can the charms of luxury and vice,
Can warmer suns, and soft Italian seasons
Lull to repose a mind upon the rack?
Infuse a base oblivion of my friends,
And my lost husband? In our boisterous clime
Fair liberty can soften all our cares
'Midst forests, rocks, and fens, and hills of ice,
It is our sun: It gilds the horizon round.
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[To Segestes.
I see the spirit of Arminius
Not of her father, kindles in her breast,
And thus inflames a weak deluded mind.
Veleda, hear me.
Veleda.
Must I hence be dragg'd
A wretched captive, with my babe unborn,
Far from my native land? And do you Romans
Unsheathe your swords to triumph o'er a woman?
Do you wage war with infants in the womb?
Cæcina.
Speak your request.
Veleda.
Restore me to my husband.
Cæcina.
Segestes, Speak your will.
Segestes.
'Tis yours to judge;
Yours to decide, which has the strongest claim
Her husband, or her father. She is the wife
Of fierce Arminius, and she sprung from me.
Cæcina.
Since sprung from you, she merits gentle treatment:
Arminius will be struck with Roman virtue.
Veleda, you are free; a chosen band
In safety shall conduct you to your friends.
[Exit with Officers, &c.
19
SCENE XIII.
Segestes, Veleda.Segestes.
Alas! my daughter, can you leave me thus?
Veleda.
And will you linger in this hostile camp?
Segestes.
The duty that a daughter owes her parent—
Veleda.
Our country is our parent: 'tis to her
Our love, our duty, all our faculties,
Our wealth, our pow'r, our very lives are due.
She is the common mother of us all.
To you she calls; to you she lifts her hands;
She tears her hair; implores you not to plunge
A Roman Javelin in her matron breast.
Enter an Officer
Officer.
A chosen band is ready to conduct you
To the Visurgi's banks.
Veleda.
Alas! my father,
Here must I leave you?
Segestes.
Go, farewell, my child.
Veleda.
Yet, ere we part, should the embattled armies
Meet in fierce conflict, let my warning voice
Withhold you from the field; whether you fall,
Or conquer, friends in a fierce civil war
20
'Tis kindred blood that stains the crimson plain.
Segestes.
Farewell, my child.
[Exit.
Veleda.
[Looking after him.
Farewell; perhaps for ever.
May all the Gods of Germany direct him.
[Exit.
End of the First Act.
| Arminius | |