Cæsa It would be well

Comar. I thank you for the freedom , If the Earth's princes asked no moro.

'tis the only Bourbon. Be silent!

Pay I have taken in your Highness' servlea Cæsar. Aye, but not idle. Work your- Bourbon. Well, sir, to-morrow you shall self with words!

pay yourself. You have few to speak.

Look on those towers; they hold my treasury.
Phil. What means the audacious prater? But, Philibert, we'll in to council. Arnold,
Cæsar. To prate, like other prophets. We would request your presenco.
Bourbon. Philibert!

Arnold. Prince! my service
Why will you vex him ? Have we not enough Is yours, as in the field.
To think on ? Arnold! I will lead the attack Bourbon. In both we prize it,
To-morrow.

And yours will be a post of trust at dayArnold. I have heard as much, my Lord.

break. Bourbon. And you will follow?

Cæsar. And mine? Arnold. Since I must not lead.

Bourbon. To follow glory with the Bourbon. Tis necessary for the further

Bourbon. daring

Good night! Of our too needy army, that their chief Arnold (to Cæsar). Prepard our armour Plant the first foot upon the foremost ladder's for the assault, First step

And wait within my tent. Cæsar. Upon its topmost, let us hope: (Ereunt Bourbon, Arnold, Philibert, etc. So shall he have his full deserts.

Cæsar (solus). Within thy tént! Bourbon. The world's

Thinkst thou that I pass from theo 'with Great capital perchance is ours to-mormw. my presence ? Through every change the seven - hilled Or that this crooked coffer, which contained city hath

Thy principle of life, is aught to me Retained her sway o'er nations, and the Except a mask? And these are Men, forsooth! Cæsars

Heroes and chiefs, the flower of Adam's But yielded to the Alarics, the Alarics

bastards! Unto the Pontiffs. Roman, Goth, or Priest, This is the consequence of giving Matter Still the world's masters! Civilized, Barba- | The power of Thought. It is a stubhorn rian,

substance, Or Saintly, still the walls of Romulus And thinks chaotically, as it acts, Have been the Circus of an Empire. Well! Ever relapsing into its first elements. Twas their turn—now 'tis ours; and let us Well! I must play with these poor pup

hope That we will fight as well, and rule much The Spirit's pastime in his idler hours. better.

When I grow weary of it, I have business Cæsar. No doubt, the camp's the school Amongst the stars, which these poor creaof civic rights.

tures deem What would you make of Rome 3

Were made for them to look at. Twere Bourbon. That which it was.

a jest now Cæsar. In Alaric's time?

To bring one down amongst them,and set fire Bourbon. No, slave! In the first Cæsar's, Unto their ant-hill: how the pismires then Whose name you bear like other curs. Would scamper o'er the scalding soil, and, Cæsar. And kings.

ccasing 'Tis a great name for bloodhounds. From tearing down each others' nests, pipo Bourbon. There's a demon

forth In that fierce rattle - snake, thy tongue. One universal orison! Ha! ha! Wilt never

[Exit Cæsar. Be scrious ?

Cæsar. On the eve of battle, no;-
That were not soldier-like. Tis for the

ACT II.
General
To be more pensive: we adventurers SCENE I.-Before the Walls of Rome. The
Must be more cheerful. Wherefore should assault; the army in motion, with ladders
we think?

to scale the walls; BOURBON, with a white Our tutelar deity, in a leader's shape, scarf over his armour, foremost. Takes care of us. Keep thought aloof from hosts!

Chorus of Spirits in the air. If the knaves take to thinking, you will have Tis the morn, but dim and dark. To crack those walls alone.

Whither flies the silent lark? Bourbon. You may sncer, since Whither shrinks the clouded sun ? 'Tis lucky for you that you fight no worse Is the day indeed begun? for't.

Nature's eye is melancholy

pets : 'lis

O'er the city high and holy.

Ronse thee! Rather give the porch But without there is a din

With thy own hand to thy torch, Should arouse the Saints within,

Than behold such hosts pollate
And revive the heroic ashes

Your worst dwelling with their foot.
Round which yellow Tiber dashes.
Oh ye seven hills! awaken,

Ah! behold yon bleeding Spectre !
Ere your very base be shaken!

Ilion's children find no Hector;

Priam's offspring loved their brother; Hearken to the steady stamp!

Roma's sire forgot his mother, Mars is in their every tramp!

When he slew his gallant twin, Not n step is out of tune,

With inexpiable sin.
As the tides obcy the moon!

See the giant-shadow strido
On they march, though to self-slaughter, O'er the ramparts high and wide!
Regular as rolling water,

When he first o'erleapt thy wall,
Whose high waves o'ersweep the border Its foundation mourn'd thy fall.
Of huge moles, but keep their order, Now, though towering like a Babel,
Breaking only rank by rank.

Who to stop his steps are able ?
Hearken to the armour'y clank !

Stalking o'er thy highest dome,
Look down o'er each frowning warrior, Remus claims his vengeance, Rome!
How he glares upon the barrier:
Look on each step of each ladder, Now they reach thee in their anger:
As the stripes that streak an adder. Fire, and smoke, and hellish clangor

Are around thee, thon world's Wonder ! Look upon the bristling wall,

Death is in thy walls and under.
Mann'd without an interval!

Now the meeting steel first clashes;
Round and round, and tier on tier, Downward then the ladder crashes,
Cannon's black mouth, shining spear, With its iron load all gleaming,
Lit match, bell-mouth'd musquetoon, Lying at its foot blaspheming!
Gaping to be murderous soon.

Up again! for every warrior
All the warlike gear of old,

Slain, another climbs the barrier. Mix'd with what we now behold,

Thicker grows the strife: thy ditches In this strife 'twixt old and new,

Europe's mingling gore enriches. Gather like a locusts' crew.

Rome! Although thy wall may perish, Shade of Remus! 'tis a time

Such manure thy fields will cherish, Awful as thy brother's crime!

Making gay the harvest-home; Christians war against Christ's shrino But thy hearths, alas! oh, Rome!Must its lot be like to thine ?

Yet be Rome Amidst thine anguish,

Fight as thou wast wont to vanquish! Near- and near-nearer still, As the earthquake saps the hill,

Yet once more, ye old Penates ! First with trembling, hollow motion, Let not your quenched hearths be Ate's! Like a scarce-awaken'd ocean,

Yet again, ye shadowy heroes, Then with stronger shock and louder, Yield not to these stranger Neroes ! Till the rocks are crush'd to powder,- Though the Son who slew his mother, Onward sweeps the rolling host !

Shed Kome's blood, he was your brother: Heroes of the immortal boast!

'Twas the Roman curb'd the Roman :Mighty Chiefs! Eternal Shadows!

Brennus was a baffled foeman.
First flowers of the bloody meadows Yet again, ye Saints and Martyrs,
Which encompass Rome, the mother Rise, for yours are holier charters.
Of a people without brother!

Mighty Gods of temples falling,
Will you sleep when nations' quarrels Yet in ruin still appalling!
Plough the root up of your laurels? Mightier founders of those altars,
Ye who wept o’er Carthage burning, True and Christian,-strike the assaulters!
Weep not-strike! for Rome is mourning! Tiber! Tiber! let thy torrent

Show even Nature's self abhorrent.
Onward sweep the varied nations! Let each breathing heart dilated
Famine long hath dealt their rations. Turn, as doth the lion baited!
To the wall, with Hate and Hunger, Rome be crush'd to one wide tomb,
Numerous as wolves, and stronger,

But be still the Roman's Rome!
On they sweep. Oh! glorious city,
Must thou be a theme for pity!

BOURBON, Arnold, CÆSAR, and others, Fight, like your first sire, each Roman!

arrive at the foot of the wall. ARNOLD IS Alaric was a gentle foeman,

about to plant his ladder. Match'd with Bourbon's black banditti ! Bourbon. Hold, Arnold: I am first Rouse thee, thou eternal City!

Arnold. Not so, my Lord.

sense.

Bourbon. Hold, sir, I charge you! Follow! Arnold. Truc. I'll weep hereafter. I am proud

(Arnold covers Bourbon's body with a Of such a follower, but will brook no leader. mantle, and mounts the ladder, crying:

[ Bourbon plants his ladder, and The Bourbon ! Bourbon ! On boys! Rome begins to mount.

is ours ! Now, boys! On! on!

Cæsar. Good night, Lord Constable! (A shot strikes him, and Bourbon falls.

thou wert a man. Cæsar. And off!

(Cæsar follows Arnold ; they reach the Arnold. Eternal powers!

battlement; Arnold and Cæsar are The host will be appalled. -- But vengeance?

struck down. vengeance!

A precious somerset! Is your Countship Bourbon. 'Tis nothing-lend me your

injured ? hand.

Arnold. No. [Remounts the ladder. (Bourbon takes Arnold by the hand Cæsar. A rare blood-hound, when his and rises; but as he puts his

own is heated ! foot on the step, falls again. And 'tis no boy's-play. Now he strikes them Arnold! I am sped.

down! Conceal my fall – all will go well — His hand is on the battlement—he grasps it conceal it!

As though it were an altar; now his foot Fling my cloak o'er what will be dust anon; Is on it, and -What have we here, a Roman? Let not the soldiers see it.

(A man falls. Arnold. You must be

The first bird of the covey! he has fall’n Removed; the aid of

On the outside of the nest. Why, how now, Bourbon. No, my gallant boy :

fellow ? Death is upon me.

But what is one life? The wounded Man. A drop of water ! The Bourbon's spirit shall command them Cæsar. Blood's the only liquid still.

Nearer than Tiber. Keep them yet ignorant that I am but clay, Wounded Man. I have died for Rome. Till they are conquerors then do as you

(Dies. may.

Cæsar. And so did Bourbon, in another Cæsar. Would not your Highness choose to kiss the cross ?

Oh these immortal men! and their great We have no priest here, but the hilt of sword

motives! May serve instead :-it did the same for But I must after my young charge. He is Bayard.

By this time i’ the forum. Charge! charge! Bourbon. Thou bitter slave! to name (Cæsar mounts the ladder; the Scene him at this time!

closes. But I deserve it. Arnold (to Cæsar). Villain, hold your SCENE II.— The City. Combats between peace!

the Besicgers and Besieged in the strcets. Cæsar. What, when a Christian dies ? Inhabitants flying in confusion.

Shall I not offer
A Christian “Vade in pace ?"

Enter CÆSAR.
Arnold. Silence! Oh!

Cæsar. I cannot find my hero ; he is Those eyes are glazing, which o'crlook'd mixed the world,

With the heroic crowd that now pursue And saw no equal.

The fugitives, or battle with the desperate. Bourbon. Arnold, shouldst thou see What have we here? A Cardinal or two France-But hark! hark! tho assault grows That do not seem in love with martyrdom. warmer r-Oh!

How the old red-shanks scamper! Could For but an hour, a minute more of life

they doff To die within the wall! Hence, Arnold! Their hose as they have dofled their hats, hence!

'twould be You lose time, they will conquer Rome A blessing, as a mark the less for plunder. without thee.

But let them fly, the crimson kennels now Arnold. And without thee.

Will not much stain their stockings, since Bourbon. Not so; I'll lead them still

the mire
In spirit. Cover up my dust, and breathe notis of the self-samc purple hue.
That I have ceased to breathe. Away!and be
Victorious!

Enter a party fighting ---ARNOLD at the head Arnold. But I must not leave thee thas.

of the Besiegers. Bourbon. You inust - farewell --Up! up!

He comes, the world is winning. (Bourbon dies. Hand in hand with the mild twins-Gore Casar (to Arnold). Come, Count, to

and Glory. business.

Holla! hold, Count!

4

Arnold. Away! they must not rally. Arnold. And my thirst increases - but Cæsar. I tell thee, be not rash; a golden I'll find a way to quench it. bridge

Cæsar. Or be queneh'd thyself? Is for a flying enemy. I gave

theo

Arnold. The chance is even; we will A form of beauty, and an

throw Exemption from some maladies of body, The dice thereon. But I lose time in prating; But not of mind, which is not mine to give. Prithee be quick. But though I gave the form of Thetis' son,

(Cæsar binds on the scarf. I dipt thee not in Styx; and 'gainst a foe

And what dost thou so idly? I would not warrant thy chivalric heart Why dost not strike? More than Pelides' heel; why then, be

Cæsar. Your old philosophers cautious,

Beheld mankind, as mere spectators of And know thyself a mortal still.

The Olympic games. When I behold a prize Arnold. And who

Worth wrestling for, I may be found a Milo. With aught of soul would combat if he were Arnold. Aye, 'gainst an oak. Invulnerable ? That were pretty sport.

Cæsar. A forest, when it suits mo. Thinkst thou I beat for hares when lions I combat with a mass, or not at all. roar?

Meantime, pursue thy sport as I do mine: [Arnold rushes into the combat. Which is just now to gaze, since all these Cæsar. A precious sample of humanity!

labourers
Well, his blood's up, and if a little's shed, Will reap my harvest gratis.
Twill serve to curb his fever.

Arnold. Thou art still
(Arnold engages with a Roman, who A Fiend!
retires towards a portico.

Cæsar. And thou--a man.
Arnold. Yield thee, slave!

Arnold. Why, such I fain would show mo. I promise quarter.

Cæsar. True-as men are. Roman. That's soon said.

Arnold. And what is that? Arnold. And done

Cæsar. Thou feelest and thou seest. My word is known.

(Exit Arnold, joining in the combat Roman. So shall be my deeds.

which still continues between detack [They re-engage. Cæsar comes forward. ed parties. The Scene closes. Cæsar. Why, Arnold! Hold thine own; thou hast in band

SCENE II.-St. Peter's. The Interior of
A famous artizan, a cuming sculptor ; the Church. The Pope at the Altar. Priests,
Also a dealer in the sword and dagger. crowding in confusion, and Citizens Nying
Not sa, my musqueteer; 'twas he who slow for refuge, pursued by Soldiery.
The Bourbon from the wall.

Enter CÆSAR.
Arnold. Aye, did he so?
Then he hath carved his monument.

A Spanish Soldier. Down with them, Roman. I yet

comrades! seize upon those lamps ! May live to carve your betters.

Cleave yon bald-pated shaveling to the Cæsar. Well said, my man of marble !

chine! Benvenuto,

His rosary's of gold! Thou hast some practice in both ways; Lutheran Soldier. Revenge! Revenge! and he

Plunder hereafter, but for vengeance nowWho slays Cellini, will have work'd as hard Yonder stands Anti-Christ! As e'er thou didst upon Carrara's blocks. Cæsar (interposing). How now, Schis(Arnold disarms and wounds Cellini,

matic! brut slightly; the latter draws a What wouldst thou ? pistol and fires; then retires and Lutheran Soldier. lo the holy name of disappears through the portico.

Christ, Cæsar. How farest thou? Thou hast a Destroy proudAnti-Christ. I am a Christian. taste, methinks,

Cæsar. Yea, a disciple that would make Of red Bellona's banquet.

the Founder Arnold (staggers). Tis a scratch. Of your belief renounce it, conld he see Lend me thy scarf. He shall not 'scape Such proselytes. Best stint thyself to me thus.

plunder. Cæsar. Where is it?

Lutheran Soldier. I say he is the Devil. Arnold. In the shoulder,not the sword-arm, Cæsar. Hush! keep that secret, And that's enough. I am thirsty: would 1 Lest he should recognize you for his own. had

Lutheran Soldier. Why would you save A helm of water!

him ? I repeat he is Cæsar. That's a liquid now

The Devil, or the Devil's Vicar upon Earth. In requisition, but by no means easiest Cæsar. And that's tho roason; would To come at.

you make a quarrel

With your best friends I You had far best Casar. And that were shame! Go to ! be quiet;

Assist in their conversion. His hour is not yet come.

[The Soldiers disperse; many quit the Lutheran Soldier. That shall be seen!

Church, others enter.
(The Lutheran Soldier rushes forward; Cæsar. They are gone,

a shot strikes him from one of the And others como: so flows the wave on wave
Pope's Guards, and he falls at the Of what these creatures call eternity,
foot of the Altar.

Deeming themselves the breakers of tho Cæsar (to the Lutheran). I told you 80.

ocean, Lutheran Soldier. And will you not While they are bat its bubbles, ignorant avenge me?

That foam is their foundation. So, another! Cæsar. Not I! You know that "Ven- Enter Olimpia, Nying from the pursuit-She

geance is the Lord's : " You see he loves no interlopers.

springs upon the altar. Lutheran (dying). Oh!

Soldier. She's mine. Had I but slain bim, I had gone on bigh, Another Soldier (opposing the former). Crowned with eternal glory! Heaven, You lie, I track'd her first; and, were she forgive

The Pope's niece, I'll not yield her. My feebleness of arm that reach'd him not,

(They fight. And take thy servant to thy mercy. "Tis Third Soldier (advancing towardsOlimpia). A glorious trinmph still; proud Babylon's

You may settle
No more; the Harlot of the Seven Hills Your claims ; I'll make mine good.
Hath changed her scarlet raiment for sack- Olimpia. Infernal slave!
cloth

You touch me not alive.
And ashes!

(The Lutheran dies. Third Soldier. Alive or dead! Cæsar. Yes, thine own amidst the rest. Olimpia (embracing a massive crucifis). Well done, old Babel!

Respect your God!
(The Guards defend themselves des- Third Soldier. Yes, when he shines in gold.

perately, while the Pontiff escapes, Girl, you but grasp your dowry.
by a private passage, to the Vati- (As he advances, Olimpia, with a strong
can and the Castle of St. Angelo.

and sudden effort, casts down the Cæsar. Ha! right nobly battled !

crucifix; it strikes the Soldier, who Now, Priest ! now, Soldier! the two great

falls. professions,

Third Soldier. Oh, great God! Together by the ears and hearts! I have not Olimpia. Ah! now you recognize him. Seen a more comic pantomime since Titus Third Soldier. My brain's crushed ! Took Jewry. But the Romans had the best Comrades, help ho! All's darkness! then;

[He dies. Now they must take their turn.

Other Soldiers (coming up). Slay her, Soldiers. He bath escaped! Follow !

although she had a thousand lives: Another Soldier. They have barred the She hath killed our comrade. narrow passage up,

Olimpia. Welcome such a death! And it is clogged with dead even to the door. You have no life to give, which the worst Cæsar. I am glad he hath escaped: he

slave may thank me for't

Would take. Great God! through thy In part. I would not have his Balls abo- redecming Son, lished

And thy Son's Mother, now receive me as 'Twere worth one half our empire : his I would approach thee, worthy her, and Indulgences

him, and thee! Demand some in return;-no, no, he must not

Enter ARNOLD. Fall;- and besides, his now escape may furnish

Arnold. What do I see? Accursed Jackalls! A future miracle, in future proof Forbear! Of his infallibility. (To the Spanish Soldiers. Cæsar (aside, and laughing). Ha! ha! Well, Cat-throats!

here's equity! The dogs What do you pause for? If you make not Have as much right as he. But to the issue! haste,

Soldiers. Count, she hath slain our There will not be a link of pious gold left. comrade. And you too, Catholics ! Would ye return Arnold. With what weapon ? From such a pilgrimage without a relic? Soldier. The cross, beneath which he is The very Lutherans have more true devotion: crushed ; behold him See how they strip the shrines !

Lie there, more like a worm than man; Soldiers. By holy Peter!

she cast it He speaks the truth; the heretics will bear Upon his head. The best away.

Arnold. Even so; therc is a woman