University of Virginia Library

SCENE IV.

—Grand Conclave, lighted with splendour. Gregory, seated as Pontiff, surrounded by Ambassadors, Cardinals, Nobles, the Empress Agnes, the Countess Matilda, Brazute, Damianus, &c.
Gre.
I claim the empire of the West: and, claiming,
The cities and the people bow assent.
Into the bosom of light, as to its source,
Were nations conscious of their best behoof—
Would all authority be gladly poured;
But since mankind do need a helping hand,
It is the province of paternal sway
To lift them from blind earth, and place with care
I'the sanctuary of peace. We live in a time
When lion-mouthed war with brutalised force prevails,
And monarchs bathe in most abhorrent glory:
The which, not sanctioning—but from my soul
Loathed as man's self-made pestilence—I denounce.
Take up the world in your hand, and look at it!
You see on one side sworded kings—on the other,
Our lofty ordinances! Here are two powers:
Christ's mission, and man's sword—ye are to choose.
Clear are my words, and palpable to sense
As yon high crucifix! Wherefore, 'tis good,
Most just, and dutiful, ourselves to range
'Neath heaven's white banner, and take special charge
Of all that lives and moves. It is not much—
My children—'tis not much. What embassies
Are here assembled?

Amb. of France
(rising).
On the part of France
In your Supremacy's presence I appear
To offer reverence and gratulation,
From our loved king, who, in his people's name,
Vouches all fealty and devout regard.

Gre.
'T is well: bid him remember!

Amb. of Venice
(rising).
From the Doge
Of Venice, may it please your Holiness,
I bring most humble tribute of all duty,
And deep assurances of stedfast love.

Gre.
Bid thou the Doge thy master to repent
His manifold vices, lest we turn our back,
And darken supplication. I am advised
That Geisa, King of Hungary, and the Princes
Of Capua and Beneventum, swear
All fealty.

Enter an Officer.
Off.
Craving audience straight,
Lanfranc from England, greets your Eminence.

Gre.
(after a pause).
Admit him!
[Exit Officer.
(Aside).
He hath pitched his tone full high.

Enter Lanfranc.
Lanf.
William of England, surnamed the Conqueror,
Sends friendly greetings towards the Vatican;
Offering his duty to the Roman See,
And unto Gregory his mailed hand.

Gre.
(to Mat.)
This Norman woodcutter must be endured;
He may be over-strong for our reproof.
(Aloud).
We take his hand; and herewith ratify
His royal claim unto the throne he holds.
Enter an Officer.
Speak! (after a pause).
Why, speak!

Off.
Your—from Germany—supreme—

Gre.
Who comes from Germany?

Off.
Count Eberardus.

Gre.
Well, on what?—take that trembler from our presence,
And send the other in.

[Exit Officer, accompanied.
Mat.
(aside to Agnes).
Madam, be firm!

Enter Eberardus. He advances to the centre. Enter Godfrey, Centius, and Guido; who stand aside.
Gre.
Big with what errand come you, sir, to Rome
Thus suddenly; and, lacking reverence,
Usher yourself, all unapprised, before us?
I trust your royal master doth preserve
His soul's health with his body's?

Ebe.
Hildebrand!

[Loud murmur, ending abruptly in silence.
Godf.
(aside).
Oh, this is premature! Would he had waited!

Ebe.
Thus in full conclave am I bade to speak,
By our imperial sovereign, Henry!

Gre.
Speak, then, for your sovereign.

Ebe.
Hildebrand!
Self-styled and self-created Roman Pontiff,
With titles, revenues, authorities,
As Gregory the Seventh—down from thy chair
Descend! Put off thy triple crown! and know,
Imperial Henry sanction doth refuse
To thy election, and deposes thee!

[The whole Assembly rise.
Braz.
(calmly).
Shall the rocks fear the shipwreck?

A Car.
Strike him down,
Low on his knees!

Voices.
Down! down!

[Cardinals and Nobles rush towards Eberardus. Gregory descends, and interposes.
Gre.
Forbear! stand back! A more becoming answer
Should Gregory make.
(To Agnes).
Madam, do you know this gentleman?

Agn.
(with scorn).
I do: he is the valet of my son.

Ebe.
The Empress Dowager!

[Gregory resumes his throne.
Agn.
Ay, sir; and hither
I came to raise my voice against the crime
Of my son's impious message to the Pontiff.

Ebe.
Could it be thought!

Gre.
(solemnly).
Return to Germany!
And bear my mandate to the Emperor,
That he should straightway from his throne descend;
Put off his crown, and fill it full of dust,
Which sprinkling on his head, let him repeat
His words to me, applying them to himself.
Clad in the garment of supernal wrath,
An impious creature visiting, I take
Health from his body; from his limbs and thews,
The life elastic; with his fluent blood
A sluggish vapour mingle; and i'the face
Of the last frantic hope that rushes out
From the fierce-flaming prison of his soul,
The gates of Mercy close in thunder!
[Rises with extended arms thrown forward.
Behold!
He is deposed, and excommunicated!

Voices.
Away!

[Eberardus is hurried out.
Cen.
(to Godf.)
Must it end thus! What 's to be done?

Godf.
(to Cen.)
'S death! but 't is plain, despite all secrecy,
That Gregory was prepared.

Cen.
(to Godf.)
Then we are foiled!

Godf.
(to Cen.)
Not foiled!—it shall not be!—my plan still holds,
And tenfold reason for its execution.
See! 't is my emissary!

Gre.
Dismiss the Conclave!

[Descends from his throne. Exeunt Nobles, Cardinals, Agnes, Matilda, &c.
Enter a Major-Domo, meeting Gregory.
M.-Do.
With profound reverence I approach the feet
Of Sanctity, and present my master's duty!

[Kneels.
Gre.
Well?—
Who is he?

M.-Do.
The aged Prince of Beneventum.

Gre.
Well?

M.-Do.
He has but now arrived in Rome, and lies
On his death-bed.

Gre.
And what is this to me?
Can I give him back his youth?—can I stop him,
Does he think?

M.-Do.
He would unburden, ere he passes,
His soul of all its loads; and thereunto
His vast possessions add most grievous weight,
Not knowing how he should bestow them best—
But seeking your advice.

Gre.
Oh!—he shall have it.

M.-Do.
Beseech your Sovereign Holiness lose no time!

Gre.
Lead me to where he lies.

[Exeunt Gregory and the Major-Domo.
Gui.
Said I not well?
All merciful Heaven, thy servant's thanks receive!

Godf.
Stalk to thy dungeon!

Gui.
Hist! hist!

Cen.
Follow now!

[Exeunt cautiously after Gregory.