My fortunes flourish'd, and I grew to power, Anat. That was noble. I did not know what cause you had to love her. Julian. She loved me; more perhaps than might become The emperor's wife; (for when I wedded Helena She was estranged awhile, and saw me not;) But my wife died, and then Constantius fell, Anat. I will, I will. But you will live. Julian. But should I die, my soldier, The imperial splendour. Well! what say you, friend? Anat. I swear by all-by these hot shameful tears: Julian. Look on this paquet. Bear it about thee, and lest any harm (The Gods keep harm from thee !) hinder thee from And be my friend for ever. SCENE II. Julian's Tent.-Evening. JULIAN (on his couch wounded;) PRISCUS, MAXIMUS. Max. You 're easier now? Julian. Much easier: many thanks. -And so you think, good Priscus, that the Soul Doth of necessity quit this feeble clay, When the poor breath departs-that 'tis not hung On muscle or nerve, or buried in the blood, That there is good and evil, and for each Due punishment and reward. Shall we not meet Julian. What think you, Sir ? Priscus. I must believe it. There is in the world Nothing to fill up the wide heart of man ; Max. Hope treads but shadowy ground, at best. Max. A guess. Julian. And yet, Priscus is right, I think: Is Hope, more certain ;) and as, Priscus says, And pictures to our fancies perfect sights, Sounds and delights celestial;-and, above all, That feeling of a limitary power, Which strikes and circumscribes the soul, and speaks Dimly, but with a voice potential, of Wonders beyond the world, etherial, Starry, and pure, and sweet, and never ending. Must perish; why, the words he utters live; Julian. Bid him come. I have not seen [NEVITTA enters.] Your hand, my good Nevitta: Well! you see We beat the Persian bravely to his camp; You'll tell 'em yet, at home, how well they ride In Syria, when we spur their horses on. Indeed-but where is Anatolius ?-Gods! Come near Nevitta. Nevit. He hath given to me Julian. Then he is dead. Great Minos! judge him kindly. He was the bravest soldier. Nevit. He is gone Before us, my dear Lord. He had a task, Which I have sworn to do. Julian. Friend! many thanks. I'll look for thee hereafter, as for one Max. Who? Julian. Anatolius-an old friend : At Anatho, and Anbar, and in Gaul, Nevit. I rejoice To see you better, noble Lord. Julian. I am. The pains are gone, Nevitta, and I pass No ghosts of injured men to come and shriek Golden eternity. Nevit. Your soldiers ask To see once more their Emperor. Max. They cannot. Julian. Bid them come in-I thank you, Maximus, For your kind care, but it will soothe my heart To look upon my soldiers once again, There's little time to spare, and I would fain Say a few words at parting. [NEVITTA calls the Soldiers in.] Max. They are here. Julian. Welcome, my friends. Ah! raise me higher: thanks. Give me a moment for recovery. (A pause.) -* Friends, And fellow soldiers, the good season of My death is now at hand, and I discharge (As doth a ready debtor) every claim Great nature makes; for I have long been taught How much the soul is better than the clay That holds it, and that man should more rejoice I have sought ever your happiness; firm peace • These are nearly the words of Julian. In battle.-Now unto great Jove I offer My thanks for that he hath saved me from disease, False friends, and the darts of foul conspirators. He gave me a career of glory, and now An honourable end: thus much I've tried His blessing on ye, is about to pass Unto the stars. Sold. Alas, Alas! Julian. Weep not. Oh! my good Soldiers, weep not. You have been Before we stain our cheeks with too much tears. Alike; but there are some (a few) to whom Sold. My Lord. Julian. Come hither, my good Marcus. -Now by the God of battle, I shall weep, And shame my death at once, if thus you play The girl before me. Will you then betray Your emperor, now so many eyes look on? Sold. Oh! my dear Master. Julian. Marcus, you have laid A weight of gratitude upon my soul, Which it can ne'er shake off: yet be content For many seasons. Wear it near thy heart, (And through the Persian war,) like a true soldier. So hast thou done to-day. Before ye all I speak this of Fabricius: love him for it. Sold. 'Tis Julian, my great Lord. Julian. So then; my namesake. I am proud of you. Soldiers and friends, be sure, when I am gone, A giant fellow, who perhaps had else Priscus. You're pale. Come, bid the men farewell. Nay- It must indeed be so: Farewell, my friends, Max. So it is. The mind is full Of curious changes that perplex itself: Just like the visible world; and the heart ebbs Julian. You have not The wish to live hereafter, Maximus; (Soldiers go out.) Or you would feel how poor to the Soul's eye Have I not loved and worshipped ye, and turned From other altars to bow down to yours, And will ye now desert me? I do ask, Now as I die, a word (I ask but one For all that I have done) to tell the world My faith was good. I ask ye-shall the grave Clasp us for ever in its chilling arms- And dreams-enchantments for the eye and ear And haunted Styx, where disembodied shapes Filled up with wretches who were their own slaves, |