Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 5).djvu/225

]

He cried, "Long live the Emperor Julian!"

Ah, hush, hush! What are you saying?

Long live the Emperor Julian!

What is afoot?

They are proclaiming Julian Emperor!

Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor Julian!

[The cry spreads in wider and wider circles without; all talk together; cannot make himself heard for some time.

Oh, I entreat you! Soldiers, friends, brothers in arms,—see, I stretch out my trembling arms to you! Be not alarmed, my Decentius!—Oh that I should live to see this! I do not blame you, my faithful friends; it is despair that has driven you to this. You will have it? Good; I submit to the will of the army.—Sintula, call the generals together.—You, Tribune, can bear witness to Constantius that 'twas only on compulsion that I [He turns to .] Go, captain, and make known throughout the camp this unlooked-for turn of events. I will write without delay to Rome