Count Julian Part 7

OPAS. He, who can scoff at them, may scoff at me.

Such are we, that the giver of all good Shall, in the heart he purifies, possess The latest love--the earliest--no, not there!

I've known the firm and faithful--even from these Life's eddying spring shed the first bloom on earth.

I pity them, but ask their pity too.

I love the happiness of men, and praise And sanctify the blessings I renounce.

ROD. Yet would thy baleful influence undermine The heaven-appointed throne.

OPAS.--the throne of guilt Obdurate, without plea, without remorse.

ROD. What power hast thou? perhaps thou soon wilt want A place of refuge.

OPAS. Rather say, perhaps My place of refuge will receive me soon.

Could I extend it even to thy crimes, It should be open; but the wrath of heaven Turns them against thee, and subverts thy sway: It leaves thee not, what wickedness and woe Oft in their drear communion taste together, Hope and repentance.

ROD. But it leaves me arms, Vigour of soul and body, and a race Subject by law, and dutiful by choice, Whose hand is never to be holden fast Within the closing cleft of gnarled creeds; No easy prey for these vile mitred Moors.

I, who received thy homage, may retort Thy threats, vain prelate, and abase thy pride.

OPAS. Low must be those whom mortal can sink lower, Nor high are they whom human power may raise.

ROD. Judge now: for, hear the signal.

OPAS. And derides The buoyant heart the dubious gulfs of war?

Trumpets may sound, and not to victory.

ROD. The traitor and his daughter feel my power.

OPAS. Just G.o.d! avert it!

ROD. Seize this rebel priest.

I will alone subdue my enemies. [Goes out.

THIRD ACT: SECOND SCENE.

RAMIRO and OSMA enter from opposite sides.

RAM. Where is the king? his car is at the gate, His ministers attend him, but his foes Are yet more prompt, nor will await delay.

OSMA. Nor need they--for he meets them as I speak.

RAM. With all his forces? or our cause is lost.

Julian and Sisabert surround the walls.

OSMA. Surround, sayst thou? enter they not the gates?

RAM. Perhaps ere now they enter.

OSMA. Sisabert Brings him our prisoner.

RAM. They are friends! they held A parley; and the soldiers, when they saw Count Julian, lowered their arms and hailed him king?

OSMA. How? and he leads them in the name of king?

RAM. He leads them; but amid that acclamation He turned away his head, and called for vengeance.

OSMA. In Sisabert, and in the cavalry He led, were all our hopes.

OPAS. Woe, woe is theirs Who have no other.

OSMA. What are thine? obey The just commands of our offended king: Conduct him to the tower--off--instantly.

[Guard hesitates: OPAS goes.

Ramiro, let us haste to reinforce -

RAM. Hark! is the king defeated? hark!

OSMA. I hear Such acclamation as from victory Arises not, but rather from revolt, Reiterated, interrupted, lost.

Favour like this his genius will retrieve By time, or promises, or chastis.e.m.e.nt, Whiche'er line choose--the speediest is the best - His danger and his glory let us share; 'Tis ours to serve him.

RAM. While he rules 'tis ours.

What chariot-wheels are thundering o'er the bridge?

OSMA. Roderigo's--I well know them.

RAM. Now, the burst Of acclamation! now! again, again.

OSMA. I know the voices; they are for Roderigo.

RAM. Stay, I entreat thee--one hath now prevailed.

So far is certain.

OSMA. Ay, the right prevails.

RAM. Transient and vain their joyance, who rejoice Precipitately and intemperately, And bitter thoughts grow up where'er it fell.

OSMA. Nor vain and transient theirs, who idly float Down popularity's unfertile stream, And fancy all their own that rises round?

RAM. If thou still lovest, as I know thou dost, Thy king -

OSMA. I love him; for he owes me much, Brave soul! and cannot, though he would, repay.

Service and faith, pure faith and service hard, Throughout his reign, if these things be desert, These have I borne toward him, and still bear.

RAM. Come, from thy solitary eiry come, And share the prey, so plenteous and profuse, Which a less valorous brood will else consume.

Much fruit is shaken down in civil storms: And shall not orderly and loyal hands Gather it up? (Loud shouts.) Again! and still refuse?

How different are those citizens without From thee! from thy serenity! thy arch, Thy firmament, of intrepidity!

For their new lord, whom they have never served, Afraid were they to shout, and only struck The pavement with their ferrules and their feet: Now they are certain of the great event Voices and hands they raise, and all contend Who shall be bravest in applauding most.

Knowest thou these?

OSMA. Their voices I know well - And can they shout for him they would have slain?