The Sack of Rome/Act III

Scene I
(Maximus solus, in the Anician Palace, the sun just rising)


 * The bird of death that nightly pecks the roof,
 * Or shrieks beside the caverns of the dead;
 * Or paler spectres that infest the tombs
 * Of guilt and darkness, horror or despair,
 * Are far more welcome to a wretch like me
 * Than yon bright rays that deck the opening morn;
 * That softly gliding o'er the dewy field
 * Give life to nature---cheer the daisied lawn,
 * Where my Ardelia trod the dappled mead,
 * And breath'd fresh sweetness through the blooming dale.
 * What is the sun to Maximus!
 * Its noon tide ray shews him the sport of fools;
 * The simple pander of a lecher's guilt.
 * Ye gods! was reason lost, that, spiritless,
 * My weak, my dastard hand held back this sword
 * From striking instant at the tyrant's heart,
 * When on a frivolous pretence he urg'd,
 * Before another day, I'd see the camp?
 * But by the powers that shake the Ætnean vaults,
 * By all the deities of Rome I swear;
 * And still more solemnly I bind my soul,
 * By the great God to whom Ardelia bow'd,
 * My vengeance shall not sleep.

(Enter Traulista)

TRAULISTA
 * What cause is there for Maximus's grief?
 * Why is thy bosom tortur'd with despair?
 * Unfold the tale, command Traulista's sword;
 * Wake up full vengeance, or forbear to grieve.

MAXIMUS
 * Tortures may seize, and furies tear my heart,
 * But words can't utter what my soul endures;
 * Confusion darkens all my powers of speech,
 * And blushes blast the wretch that sacrific'd
 * His fame---his peace---his honour---and his wife
 * To glut a tyrant's lust.---My brain grows hot---
 * It kindles to distraction---yet Valentinian lives.

TRAULISTA
 * What, did the monster, in thine absence, dare
 * Profane the sacred threshold of thy peace?

MAXIMUS
 * She, ever duteous to her lord's command,
 * Was, by the darkest plot of hell, deceiv'd;
 * This ring, so often by her husband sent
 * In times too dangerous for other message,
 * To her presented, by the base Heraclius,
 * Reluctantly, she hasten'd to the palace---
 * Though terror seiz'd and chil'd her frighted soul:
 * She through each hollow, vacant room was drag'd,
 * Till in the silent deep abode of guilt,
 * As a dark fiend, the emperor alone
 * Waited the victim of his madden'd flame:
 * He seiz'd his prey---nor cries, nor tears avail'd;
 * She Heaven implor'd---to pitying Angels pray'd,
 * And in despair she call'd on her Petronius,
 * Yet thought his sanction back'd the vile design.

TRAULISTA
 * And hates thee for suspected perfidy.

MAXIMUS
 * 'Twas a past the midnight watch when I return'd;
 * With anxious dread and deep suspense I flew
 * To her abode of misery and grief.
 * In sables dress'd---a taper just burnt down---
 * That darkly glimmer'd gloom from side to side---
 * Indignant scorn glanc'd from her languid eye;
 * While tears bedew'd her bright angelick face,
 * As if a cherub wept, the radiant beams
 * Of stars obscur'd, or of extinguish'd suns:
 * Dismay'd she held a dagger in her hand
 * As half resolv'd to plunge it in her breast,
 * Yet trembled at the purpose of her soul;
 * I caught her hand, and drew the weapon thence,
 * Ere she perceiv'd her wretched husband nigh.

TRAULISTA
 * Sure she's too good to let resentment burn.

MAXIMUS
 * "Poor Maximus she cry'd---spite of thy guilt,
 * My soul still pities thee---receive this pledge
 * To cheat some other soft, believing fool:
 * Blot from thy thought that e'er Ardelia liv'd
 * To be the sport of riot and debauch."
 * Then fix'd the fatal signet on my hand,
 * This cursed signet that has seal'd my doom,

(Shews the signet)


 * And branded me with infamy forever.
 * She breath'd a sob as if a seraph sigh'd,
 * Drop'd a kind tear, and smil'd a last adieu.

TRAULISTA
 * Hah! dead!---say'st thou Ardelia's dead?

MAXIMUS
 * All the big passions of a noble soul
 * Thrill'd through her heart, and stiffen'd all her frame;
 * The shining angel left this blasted world,
 * And now methinks, ineffably serene,
 * On yon bright azure golden skirted cloud,
 * Ardelia gently chides this tardy hand
 * That lingers thus while unaveng'd her death.

TRAULISTA
 * I bind me by this sword, a soldier's oath,
 * To vindicate in blood her wounded fame.

MAXIMUS
 * Her soul unstain'd, immaculate and pure.
 * Not meagre malice dare impeach her mind;
 * Nor e'en Megara's tongue, though it were dip'd
 * In all the poisons of her curling snakes,
 * Till the gall ganger'd every name but hers,
 * Durst whisper aught to wound Ardelia's fame:
 * But yet her wrongs may urge thy dauntless arm,
 * And give full vigour to a bold design,
 * To smite a scepter'd brow---yes---that is all---
 * The man himself's a poltroon---
 * Yet he's an emperor.

TRAULISTA
 * This makes him worthy of Traulista's sword.
 * My arm shall aid till justice holds the scale
 * To soften grief, or injury repair.

MAXIMUS
 * Go, find thy friends, and ere the work begins,
 * I ask a moment to indulge my grief;
 * 'The luxury of tears' is not for me---
 * My soul's too big for such a soft relief;
 * Yet I may rave and riot o'er my woes.

(Exeunt)

Scene II
(Maximus and Gaudentius)

MAXIMUS
 * That dignity the gods themselves inspir'd,
 * When Rome inflam'd with patriotick zeal,
 * Long taught the world to tremble and admire,
 * Lies faint and languid in the wane of fame,
 * And must expire in luxury's lew'd lap
 * If not supported by some vigorous arm;
 * Th' Armorici 'tis said have pass'd the Rhine,
 * And ruder tribes, both Goth and Vandal hosts,
 * May soon be thundering at the gates of Rome;
 * While here, a treacherous, bloody minded prince
 * Stains the imperial court with slaughter'd friends,
 * And riots in the zenith of his pride.

GAUDENTIUS
 * And are there none in this distracted state
 * Whose courage, zeal, and energy of mind
 * May stem the tide, and break the tyrant's yoke!

MAXIMUS
 * The Roman people, sicken'd by his sloth,
 * Detest a weak, a lecherous, dastard prince
 * Who yet cuts down the bravest men Rome boasts,
 * And mocks the most heroick of her sons
 * Abused virgins rave in wild despair;
 * Affronted matrons weep, and beauty sighs,
 * While groans reecho from the tomb of grief,
 * And cry for vengeance on the emperor's head;
 * For innocence betray'd, and virtue sold.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Dismay'd by blood, the senators detest
 * A sovereign, cruel, impotent and base,
 * And all the army's ripen'd for revolt.

MAXIMUS
 * 'Tis time to dash him from th' imperial throne;
 * Name his successor, and the work is done.

GAUDENTIUS
 * The crown, the sceptre, the regalia wait,
 * Petronius's will to guide the realm,
 * And bid the mistress of the world revive.

MAXIMUS
 * Th' imperial crown has not a charm for me;
 * Hung on a soldier's spear, expos'd to sale,
 * Stain'd with the blood of a long line of Cæsars,
 * From Julius down to Valentinian's reign,
 * 'Tis fall'n too low to wake ambition up.
 * The palace groans with guilt too dark to name;
 * 'Tis but the splendid theatre of woe,
 * From age to age the shambles of mankind,
 * On which to sacrifice the richest blood
 * The Roman annals boast---the crimson stream
 * Has ras'd the memory that a virtue liv'd,
 * Or that a noble deed from virtue sprang
 * In the proud boasts of ancient Roman fame.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Ambition, in a noble, virtuous mind,
 * Is the first passion that the gods implant,
 * And soars to glory till it meets the skies:
 * If it has place in Maximus's breast,
 * Fortune, who sports with diadems and crowns
 * This day may hail him emperor of the west

(Gaudentius pauses a moment, retires thoughtfully a few steps, smothers an exclamation, and only articulate)


 * ---Oh! my Eudocia.

MAXIMUS
 * 'Tis just revenge that animates my arm;
 * But did ambition urge my purpose on?
 * Yet, my young pensive friend, if Valentinian
 * Wraps his mantle o'er his trembling head---
 * Like Julius Cæsar crys---"Brutus my son,"
 * Will not Eudocia unnerve thy arm?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Ah! my Eudocia!---would he were not thy sire;
 * But from my heart I tear thee for a moment,
 * 'Till Ætius's manes are appeas'd,
 * And fair Ardelia's wrongs are all aveng'd.

MAXIMUS
 * But art thou sure thou canst this test sustain?
 * This test severe, of friendship, honour, love,
 * Will try thy soul, and probe thee to the heart.
 * Will not thy purpose shake, when her soft image
 * Dances in thine eye, and pity pleads?
 * But yet thou hast a struggle more severe;
 * Thou may'st as well avenge thy bleeding friends
 * And draw thy sword in injur'd virtue's cause:
 * 'Tis whisper'd through the court the Suevick chief,
 * The valiant Ricemar, has purchas'd peace
 * With Genseric the terror of the west;
 * And that the heiress of the imperial throne
 * Is the rich price---that Hunneric his son
 * Is on his way to wed the fair Eudocia.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Petronius, thou hast fix'd my wav'ring will;
 * Let me lead on---my sword alone,
 * Without another's aid, shall find its way
 * To Valentinian's heart.

MAXIMUS
 * The hour draws nigh---the exercise begins---
 * Arm thy brave heart, and bid adieu to love.

(Exit Maximus)

GAUDENTIUS
 * How would my eyeballs from their sockets start
 * To see Eudocia in that monster's arms?
 * Can her fair soul mix with the horrid brood,
 * Begot and nurtur'd in the Quadian lakes!
 * Beneath the vaulted, black Carpathian mount,
 * Amidst the darkness of Cimmerian damps,
 * As nature sported with infernal fiends
 * She gender'd there this ill form'd squalid birth
 * And mid'st the jargon of discordant sounds
 * She call'd the beardless, uncouth monster, Hunneric:
 * And shall this savage violate her charms?
 * Save her, ye gods!---oh! save the Roman name
 * From such a stain, indelible and dark.

(Exit)

Scene III
(Maximus and Traulista)

MAXIMUS
 * Hail, mighty prince of great Hermanric's line!
 * Is thy sword whetted to avenge thy friends?

TRAULISTA
 * No eagle darting down the slaughter'd field
 * Of human carnage strew'd with mangled limbs,
 * More swiftly bends its talons to the prey,
 * Than shall my sword deal thunderbolts around,
 * Whene'er Petronius wishes for its aid.

MAXIMUS
 * But art thou sure that not one traitor lurks,
 * Nor coward heart in thy selected band?

TRAULISTA
 * There's not a man but what would bay the lion,
 * Or meet the tyger growling from his den,
 * By hunger urg'd to prowl for human prey.
 * When Cæsar's dial marks meridian day,
 * They'll spring to action at the trump of war;
 * As the train'd steed who snuffs the northern air
 * Leaps through the crowd, and leaves the winds behind.

MAXIMUS
 * Have they ne'er trembled at an emperor's frown,
 * Nor felt the servile homage of a slave?
 * Will not the valiant arm grow sick and flag,
 * And the drawn dagger droop e'en in thy hand
 * As it approaches Valentinian's breast?

TRAULISTA
 * Have I not sworn by Mars's fiery sword,
 * The redden'd symbol of the Scythian faith,
 * To aid thee to avenge thine injur'd love?
 * Not Casca's arm e'er gave a surer blow
 * Than shall Traulista's.

MAXIMUS
 * The great Triumvirs of the world have fall'n
 * By weaker hands than thine---thou art my Cassius---
 * But I fear Gaudentius---he's of a softer mould---
 * Humane and tender---though a valiant prince
 * He feels the softest passion for Eudocia.

TRAULISTA
 * He feels no pang but for Eudocia's sake;
 * Yet jealousy has wak'd a war within;
 * Resentment, love, and rage, by turns distract,
 * And make his soul a chaos of despair.

MAXIMUS
 * Will he o'ercome this painful struggle
 * In a noble breast?---Can he renounce her charms?
 * When filial tears are leagu'd with just revenge,
 * When duty, fame, and glory combat love,
 * Will the fond lover act the hero's part,
 * And snatch the princess from a rival's arms,
 * Mid'st blood and slaughter, and the fresh grown yews
 * His sword may strew around her father's tomb?

TRAULISTA
 * Strike, now's the time, before his passions cool.

MAXIMUS
 * Will Valentinian venture to the sports?

TRAULISTA
 * The emperor comes with more than usual pomp,
 * A chosen cohort added to the guards.

MAXIMUS
 * Though guilt makes cowards, justice finds them out:
 * Not all the legions of the western world
 * Shall screen him from my sword, my just revenge.

(Exeunt)

Scene IV
(Eudocia and Placidia)

EUDOCIA
 * Alas ! my fears---my throbbing heart lie still,
 * Nor startle thus, e'en at a quiv'ring leaf:
 * The downy pillow gives me no repose,
 * And slumbers fly from the soft silken couch;
 * Ill boding terrors shake the gilded roof;
 * Methinks I hear a distant din of arms---
 * ---alarms---and shouts---

(Shouts without)


 * As though from heaven's battlements were burst
 * Some dreadful ruin, that may empire shake.

PLACIDIA
 * Another shout---I fear some signal blow:
 * This early morn, as sleep forsook my lids,
 * I from my window saw Traulista haste;
 * Two chiefs beside led on a chosen band,
 * So like Thuringian blood hounds in their gestures,
 * I trembled at the sight; yet as they pass'd
 * I caught a signal meant to be conceal'd,
 * A hoarse, low, hollow voice growl'd from the midst,
 * "Haste to the Campus Martius."

EUDOCIA
 * Ah! what new shock?---the tumult bends this way---
 * Oh! Valentinian!

(The noise draws near)

PLACIDIA
 * The furious multitude rush towards the palace
 * I hear the legions shout---long live the Emperor
 * Petronius Maximus

EUDOCIA
 * Undone---undone forever!
 * Where is our father?---Oh! where the good Edoxia?
 * And midst the group of misery and woe---
 * Would heav'n permit---ah! where is my Gaudentius?

(Gaudentius rushes suddenly into the Palace---Soldiers and Guards in tumult without)

GAUDENTIUS
 * He's here, my princess---he guards the fair Eudocia---
 * Protects her life from every ruffian hand,
 * Nor fate again shall snatch her from mine arms.

EUDOCIA
 * Oh! leave a wretch abandon'd to her fears.

GAUDENTIUS
 * What! leave Eudocia midst this furious storm!
 * Name it no more---death stalks abroad,
 * And vengeance lifts his arm---but Heaven forbid
 * That innocence should feel the dread effects
 * Of cruelty and guilt.

EUDOCIA
 * If e'er thou lov'd---if pity touch thy soul---
 * Fly hence to succour Rome, and save my father.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Thy father!---he had a friend whose arm---
 * Yes, Ætius was his friend---Oh! Ætius.

EUDOCIA
 * Barbarous man! can'st thou reproach Eudocia,
 * And chill her with the terror of a name
 * That rives her inmost soul with guilt and horror?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Forgive me, princess.

EUDOCIA
 * Oh! Gaudentius---
 * Could my poor life atone---my clay cold corse
 * I'd lay on Ætius' tomb---sprinkle his urn---
 * Refresh his memory with the last purple drop
 * That warms to love, the heart of thy Eudocia.

GAUDENTIUS
 * Pardon the transports of my filial breast,
 * That pours its sorrows o'er a father's tomb;
 * Great Ætius's virtues justly claim
 * A tributary tear from half the world.

EUDOCIA
 * Had'st thou a marble heart, or stoick soul,
 * Unmov'd at aught the destinies decree,
 * Though death cut down the hero, father, friend,
 * I'd spurn a wretch that mock'd these tender names
 * Back from my soul to ravage the wild woods.
 * But say, what tale hangs on thy tongue---
 * Thou durst not name?

GAUDENTIUS
 * If fate commands, and wraps both in a shroud,
 * We must forget that e'er our fathers liv'd.

EUDOCIA
 * Hah! parricide!
 * Hast thou the death of Ætius aveng'd?
 * What! durst thou lift thy sacrilegious hand,
 * And hurl a blow that severs me forever
 * From thine arms? then come with this bold front
 * And subtle tongue, to lay thy sword
 * Wet with her father's blood, at his Eudocia's feet?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Not all the wrongs I suffer'd from thy sire,
 * Nor yet the vengeance that my own demand
 * Could urge my arm to aim an impious blow
 * That might a moment interrupt thy peace!
 * But Maximus---

EUDOCIA
 * What of the traitor Maximus?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Ought never to forgive Ardelia's wrongs.

EUDOCIA
 * Tell me the worst---am I the only wretch
 * Of all my house, that lives to weep?

GAUDENTIUS
 * Like the thrice heated bolt from heav'ns high arch,
 * Through the dark gloom of dreary night and horror,
 * That falls and blasts the cedar's lofty top,
 * The light'ning fell on Valentinian's head.

EUDOCIA
 * From heaven?---no, 'twas hell that belch'd the flame;
 * By jarring fiends the pointed sword was whet,
 * And thou wast witness to the horrid deed.
 * Let us, Placidia, haste with trembling steps,
 * (Ere earth shall sink beneath his guilty feet,
 * Like the twin sisters of misfortune lead,
 * If yet the empress lives, to her apartment.

(The Princesses in an agony of grief retire.---Exit Gaudentius)

Scene V
(The Palace--- Edoxia, sola)


 * When will these dark and lowering clouds pass o'er,
 * And brighter aspects tinge the western skies?
 * This day is big with omens of despair,
 * And some wild tumult rages loud abroad;
 * Each face is pale, and every eye's askance,
 * As wrapt in dark mysterious intrigue:
 * That Maximus must meditate revenge
 * There's not a doubt; and when he strikes
 * 'Twill be a deadly blow---his arm disdains
 * A mean or vulgar stroke---and his bold spirit
 * Shakes at no resolve---yet 'tis too soon
 * To execute the deed---his dreaded rage,
 * Oh! Heaven!---just Heaven restrain!
 * Hah! who art thou that ent'rest thus abrupt?

(Leo enters hastily in disguise)


 * Disguis'd, as if beneath a vizard, lurk'd
 * Mischief and treason---murder---guilt and death!

LEO
 * There is no time for leave of audience now;
 * Haste hence my empress---fly the palace gates
 * Ere all the avenues are seiz'd by Maximus.

EDOXIA
 * Is then the emperor slain!
 * Am I the slave of Maximus?
 * Forbid it all ye powers of heaven and earth!

LEO
 * Thy person may be safe, if not a moment's lost.

EDOXIA
 * What! like a timid fugitive to fly,
 * And rove a friendless world from court to court?
 * Though royalty is toss'd from gale to gale
 * On fortune's fickle wing, the sportive bubble,
 * The plaything of her most capricious hour;
 * Yet know, Edoxia dares to hold a throne,
 * And has a soul to scourge a traitor's guilt.
 * Name thou the first who struck the impious blow
 * That shakes the glory of the imperial crown,
 * He'll feel what vengeance 'tis my arm inflicts.

LEO
 * Petronius led the band---the cohorts join'd---
 * Traulista waited at the Campus Martius,
 * 'Till Valentinian enter'd.
 * The fierce barbarian struck his helmet off,
 * And, swift as light'ning, fell an hundred blows;
 * His trembling soul escap'd without a groan;
 * The army and the Gothic princes cry'd
 * Long live the emperor, Petronius Maximus.

EDOXIA
 * Forsook---betray'd---and widow'd in an hour!
 * Alas! my daughters!---where are the lovely maids?
 * Are my Eudocia and Placidia safe,
 * Or are the charms or innocence and worth,
 * Of virgin beauty, piety, and truth,
 * The sport of Gothic slaves?

(Enter Princesses)


 * ---Ah! my Placidia!
 * This tender woe becomes thy filial eye:
 * Alas, Eudocia!---lovely in thy grief;
 * I can no more than sighs and tears bestow.
 * 'Tis all I have to lend my hapless children.

EUDOCIA
 * Lend not a sigh to me---I am too wretched---
 * But spare thy tears for those who may be blest.

EDOXIA
 * My tears for thee can never cease to flow;
 * Yet tears are but unseemly gifts indeed,
 * And ill become the soft hymenial hour.
 * This was the day, by solemn promise made
 * His noble sire---Gaudentius might have claim'd
 * His lovely bride, and seal'd his nuptials
 * With the fair Eudocia.

EUDOCIA
 * Name him no more---
 * Let me forget that e'er I was belov'd.

EDOXIA
 * These tears indulge, to bathe his sacred urn,
 * And while they trickle o'er thy blooming cheek,
 * Water the willows round thy father's tomb,
 * Till the brave veteran Ætius shall chace
 * The bold Petronius from the imperial throne.

EUDOCIA
 * Ah! Ætius!---Oh! happy Rome, if Ætius had liv'd.

EDOXIA
 * Had Ætius liv'd!---Just gods! what means Eudocia?
 * Has the monster slain the noble Ætius,
 * And rais'd so high the mounds of death around,
 * That justice cannot reach a traitor's heart?

EUDOCIA
 * Great Ætius is dead---spare me the rest,
 * Nor from my bleeding breast the story wring.

EDOXIA
 * I'm lost and wilder'd in this mazy path;
 * What furious fiend presides this awful day!
 * On every side some spectre ghastly grins,
 * Through floods of reeking gore, and beckons down
 * To Hades' dark, benighted, dismal shore.

(Exeunt)