Now keep thy promise,
Hieronymus
!
Krasinski - The Undivine Comedy
Summon all your
strength !
I call on you by chains your fathers wore ;
By Nero's butcheries; the arena's bloody sands;
The victims of the amphitheatre ;
Your daughters' shame, — shake off these craven fears !
Be men ! And Rome is yours !
CHORUS OF YOUNG DISCIPLES.
Thy voice, like trumpet-thunders, stirs our souls,
Driving us up to the surface of the earth ;
But our hearts throb, and our hair stands on end !
Simeon of Corinth, speak ! what seest thou ?
Simeon. I gaze with the eyes of John, to whom ap-
peared
The new Jerusalem of the Elect. He sleeps
In his lone grave, and angels bend above him.
To-day or else to-morrow, he will rise.
And then I will retire that he may lead you.
But now 'tis I who call you, prophesy.
CHORUS.
Simeon, strange clouds are sweeping o'er thy brow,
The black cross quivers in thy trembling hands
Like swaying branch upborne by stormy winds !
Simeon. The spirit lifts me up — and bears me on !
My feet are on the ruins of a city.
Idols are overturned like new-mown grass ;
On piles of broken arms, eagles of gold
Lie shattered without beaks or wings; I see
Imperial purple strewn about in rags.
Covered with cobwebs, like flax on the grass.
The fire is out within the vestal's lamp;
Unbraidcd hang the tresses of her hair;
'J'he long robes of the consuls float no more ;
The Caesars' jeweled crown is soaked in gore ;
IRIDION. 369
Flames run along the heaps of festering corpses,
And flying chariots vanish in the distance !
{He falls upon his knees. )
O God, who sufferedst on the cross, inspire
Their souls as thou hast mine ! kindle their hearts
With the consuming fire of battle !
{Rising from his knees. )
High Heaven is overflowing with your prayers, —
The foaming waves repulse the infidels.
The souls of martyrs, of the massacred.
Are placed before the altar which forever burns
Around the Great White Throne : I see Him shine
Who sits upon that Throne ; He counts them all ;
He finds their number all completed now ;
The crimson Book of Martyrdom is closed,
Death banished, and a loud voice cries : " Henceforth
You witness unto Christ through life and victory ! "
CHORUS (kneeling).
Christ ! Christ ! our hearts throb wild within our breasts !
Forsake us not in this our hour of doubt,
Reveal to us what Thou would' st have us do !
Iridion. O ye of little faith, can ye still doubt ?
{He points to the crucifix. )
Lift up your eyes ! gaze on your dying Lord !
His lips are open still ; do you not hear
The last cry breaking from his anguished soul ?
"My Father, why hast Thou forsaken me ! "
Brothers, will you again abandon Him to-day?
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
No ! No !
Iridion {starts and utters a sharp cry). Ha ! what
stands there ?
Simeon. Thou growest pale !
Iridion. Look, 'neath the vaults, where light and dark-
ness meet !
32
370
IRIDION.
One of the Chonis. Some one approaches us with light,
quick tread.
{Metella glides rapidly forward. Her veil is displaced, and
her long hair floats ofi the wind. )
Simeon. We greet thee, virgin ! Bride of the eternal
love !
CHORUS.
Whence comest thou so late, and all alone,
With wild disheveled hair?
(^Metella stops near the tomb where Iridio7i stands. )
Simeofi. Greek, finish quickly what thou hast begun !
Iridion {to Metella). Dost recognize rae ? Remem-
berest thou my words ?
{She sees him and shrieks. )
A Man. Heard you that piercing shriek ?
Other Voices. It fills our hearts with awe !
Iridion. Silence ! she speaks !
Metella. Thou didst reveal Thyself!
Thy wings were swords on which the angels rode !
Thy mighty words came crashing through my ears ;
Since then I run forever to and fro
And cry as angels bid {turning to the people) : To arms !
to arms !
Iridion {aside). Through thee I conquer, Masinissa !
{Addressing the people. ) Hear !
A woman's spirit has divined before you
The mysteries of Heaven ! wash off the shame
In the hot blood of the idolaters !
{He places his hand on the head of Metella. )
Become the living voice of promised glory !
Before our people lift the veil of time !
Metella. I saw him armed with dazzling lightning . . .
He went forth conquering, and to conquer all . . .
I looked into his face, and grew immortal . , .
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Is it a vision ? Hast thou a spirit seen ?
Has it yet vanished, or is it present still?
IRIDION.
' 371
Metella. I saw him armed with lightning . . . he
marched and fought,
And triumphed everywhere . . . naught could resist
him . . .
The arrows from his bow compassed the earth . . .
Terror surrounds him as a cloak a king . . .
And when he moves, pale Death accompanies him !
{She hurries onward. )
A Voice. Her long hair floats and flutters like a mist
Amid this surging sea of heads and torches !
Iridion. Where wilt thou go ? Metella, answer me !
Metella. Where the light cannot pierce, my voice
shall reach :
To arms ! to arms !
Simeon. To arms !
All. To arms ! To arms !
Metella. O Darkness, rend your walls before my cry !
Dead rocks remove, — bear witness to the Lord !
Simeon. Urged by the spirit on, she disappears.
Many Voices. And we will follow her to victory !
Iridion. You know the Palace of Amphilochus ;
Whoe'er shall there present himself and say:
"Sigurd, the son of Crimhild," shall receive
Immediately a javelin, sword, and helmet.
Remember: "Sigurd, son of Crimhild. "
First Barbarian. Was Crimhild, Odin's priestess,
child of Sigurd,
Once famous in the distant Chersonesus ?
Second Barbarian. Our sires invoked that name with
love and awe.
Third Barbarian. Our kinsmen from the cold sea of
the North
Chanted to us in the dense Saxon woods
Her funeral hymn. She was from Silver-Land.
Iridion. She was my mother ! Ye are all ray brothers !
{He comes down from the tomb, and moves among the Bar-
barians. )
Give me your hands ! We have abandoned all
Our ancient errors ; let the errors still,
Once common to our fathers, weave new ties
372 ■ IRIDION.
Between their sons !
In the name of Christ, be faithful to me, Brothers !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
Oh, son of Crimhild ! Son of Silver-Land !
From freemen come free pledges never broken !
The blue-eyed, fair-haired, sturdy sons of the North
Will not betray thee ! To thee they give their bodies,
As they have given their souls to their new God !
Iridion. The son of Sigurd thanks his faithful breth-
ren !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
'Tis centuries since Herminius began
The combat against Rome, — the southern elephant !
His bones rest in the woods of Irminsul.
On ! on ! Before a wandering spirit drove us forth
From our dark pines, we had already heard
Our Bards announce the ruin of proud Rome.
Iridion our Herminius shall be !
Lead us to battle ! Lead us to destroy
The palaces of treacherous Italy !
{Subterranean noises are heard. A wild storm rages, ac-
companied by an earthquake. )
Simeon. Why ragest thou, O Earth ? thou mother of
Dead bodies, not of living souls?
Iridion. Earth's voice
Announces judgment on the idolaters !
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
O Simeon ! hear'st thou not the voice of God
In anger, in these dreadful thunderings?
Simeon. The wrath of God is here announced, — I
bless it !
The Almighty rises — the Abyss cries mercy !
{Subterranean fioises increase, with consequent alarm and
confusion. )
The very rocks are shuddering in affright,
And the winds hiss like serpents ! The Furies send
Tempests before them, as they haste to claim
IRIDION. 373
Their ancient worshipers ! Their dead lie here !
Their graves are yawning wide and bottomless !
Hosanna ! See, the Day of Judgment dawns !
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
Now keep thy promise, Hieronymus !
The will of Christ reveals itself through thee !
Iridion. Mithras and Jove go thundering down to-
gether,
As we, the faithful Christians, march to plant
The Holy Cross upon the Capitol !
My treasures all are yours ! My blood to its last drop !
Swear then to follow me !
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Swear not ! Woe ! woe !
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
We swear ! We swear it in the name of Christ !
Iridion. You'll know no rest, no prayers, nor feed upon
The Body of the Lord, until you plant
His sacred Cross upon the Capitol !
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
We swear !
BARBARIANS.
We swear !
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Earth yawns to swallow sacrilege !
( The tumult continues to increase. Crashing and subter-
ranean noises ; torches flicker and go out; mounds,
stones, and pillars totter; the old graves of the pagans
yawn; groups of Christians are srvallowed up; fires
break from the earth and panic prevails. ')
Iridion. Thus will Rome fall in ashes 'neath our
swords !
32*
374
IRIDION.
Voices. The torches flicker ! Beware ! they will go
out !
Men runving back. Fire ! Fire ! Earth opens, sends
forth flame and smoke !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
Room ! Let us make a way across this crowd !
Up ! up ! where javelins glance and keen blades shine
In the light of day ! Why should the sons of ice
Stay here to perish in this realm of fire ?
Simeon. Friends, follow me ! He whom I bear before
you
Once stilled the storm-waves of a raging sea.
Voices. Back ! back ! Before us flames rise from the
earth !
Iridion. Here ! here ! This Christian tomb is safe
enough.
The Furies play with earthquakes in these graves!
Wild terror blinds you! Cease not to be men !
Simeon. This stone is tottering — throws me at your
feet !
Iridion. Come, lean on me! {^Pointing to his breast. )
This rock has never trembled !
Simeofi. Where are the men who followed after me?
Iridion. All vanished ! . . . I never saw so wild a
night.
How few remain of all our thousand torches !
Simeon. And they, like dying stars, are going out;
First one, and then another. We will be left
In utter darkness in these awful vaults !
Many Voices. It is the hour of death ! Forgive our
sins !
Simeon {to Iridion). Hold your torch high above this
sea of darkness !
Iridion. I hold it firmly, but it throws no light.
Simeon (seizing Iridion). Hear you that frightful crash?
The tumult drowns
The voices of the dying ! all is lost !
{Earth opens, and a group of men is swallowed. )
IRIDION. 375
Iridion. I hear the voices of the living there below !
To me ! to me ! ye who still breathe and move !
Simeon. Oh ! where are they who bnt a moment since
Stood at our side, and called on God for aid?
Iridion. God has already judged them. {Addressing
the voices. ) This way ! To me !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
Through fire and darkness we still wander on,
Pursued by earthquakes, thunder, lightning, flame,
But our strong hearts beat calm as on our sea
Of ice, sleet, hail, whirlwinds, and mist and snow.
Iridion. Look to your steps ! Your torches here ! I
know
The way, can lead you safely to the light.
Voices in the distance. Burn Earth, until the Day of
the Last Judgment !
Simeon. I hear the tramp of feet ; the sound of voices ;
Our brethren on their way to Eloim;
They're safe ! Let us rejoin them !
Iridion. Heard you that cry ?
CHORUS.
On ! On !
Iridion. Fly ! Fly !
A Voice {approaching ever nearer). To arms ! To
arms ! To arms !
{Iridion flies forward. )
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Stop ! stop ! It is the Father of all lies,
Who calls you to destruction !
Iridion. Metella's voice !
Simeon {retaining Iridion). I will not let you go, Hier-
onymus !
Iridion. If I remain, who is to guide them out? {He
moves on, repulsing Simeon. )
I call upon you, O Amphilochus,
Humble these flames of Erebus before me !
376
IRIDION.
Voice of Metella. Near thee, my crown shall be of stars
immortal !
Iridion. O Christ, in whom she trusts, save the un-
fortunate !
{It groivs lighter. Flames break from the earth, Metella
appears in their midst, Iridion rushes forward to save
her. )
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
The helmet of our hero flashes lightning !
It disappears in darkness.
Simeon. Hieronymus !
Baj'barian. Sigurd ! our Sigurd, come !
Voice of Iridion. I hasten to you !
(^He returns bearing Metella in his arms. )
Lower the torches ! this way ! follow me !
{Barbarians, Simeon, Christians, etc. , follow Iridion, who,
winding through graves and mounds, bears off Metella
in his arms. The flames fall before him, and the scene
is left in darkness. )
CHORUS OF RETREATING BARBARIANS.
Save us, O Son of man, and Rome shall be
Thrice ruined, burned ! First that she is the foe
Of the gay children of the sunny South,
Of the strong freemen of the frozen North,
And of the human race in every clime !
A Voice in the darkness. Storms, go to rest in these
old pagan graves !
You ashes of the ancients, sleep once more !
{New flames rise from the earth and stand like pillars of
fire. Masinissa appears in their inidst. )
CHORUS OF INFERNALS.
Look ! At thy voice how peaceful we become,
Burning like lamps before a sanctuary !
We, (. lamned, who are to burn eternally,
Immortal victims of immortal woes !
I RID I ON. 377
Masinissa. The hour will come when earth shall be
your prey !
Await it ! . . . Your work to-day must finish here !
You must no farther go.
CHORUS OF INFERNALS.
O victory!
AVe will not live forever in despair,
In night eternal ! We will wreak revenge !
The spirits of the Light will one day ask :
Where is the Earth, our sister? Blotted out !
And He who saved her, cry: Where is my Bride?
For answer we will fling her ashes back.
And they will fly beyond the farthest star !
Masinissa. Peace, O my sons ! The moment of revenge
Still sleeps in the depths of your eternity !
Thousands of human generations stand
Between you and that happy, longed-for hour.
Your power must increase with myriads won ;
Men must have worn out much of present force ;
All creeds must first be deeply dyed in blood,
Then given up as false ; every negation
Be covered o'er with slime, then deified !
Men first must drive their God from his own throne,
Then strive to fill it with their dying forms !
Wait till their pride and nothingness are full,
Till their maturity is only folly,
Till power with them means naught but cruelty !
Jnfernals. And they shall perish !
Masinissa.
strength !
I call on you by chains your fathers wore ;
By Nero's butcheries; the arena's bloody sands;
The victims of the amphitheatre ;
Your daughters' shame, — shake off these craven fears !
Be men ! And Rome is yours !
CHORUS OF YOUNG DISCIPLES.
Thy voice, like trumpet-thunders, stirs our souls,
Driving us up to the surface of the earth ;
But our hearts throb, and our hair stands on end !
Simeon of Corinth, speak ! what seest thou ?
Simeon. I gaze with the eyes of John, to whom ap-
peared
The new Jerusalem of the Elect. He sleeps
In his lone grave, and angels bend above him.
To-day or else to-morrow, he will rise.
And then I will retire that he may lead you.
But now 'tis I who call you, prophesy.
CHORUS.
Simeon, strange clouds are sweeping o'er thy brow,
The black cross quivers in thy trembling hands
Like swaying branch upborne by stormy winds !
Simeon. The spirit lifts me up — and bears me on !
My feet are on the ruins of a city.
Idols are overturned like new-mown grass ;
On piles of broken arms, eagles of gold
Lie shattered without beaks or wings; I see
Imperial purple strewn about in rags.
Covered with cobwebs, like flax on the grass.
The fire is out within the vestal's lamp;
Unbraidcd hang the tresses of her hair;
'J'he long robes of the consuls float no more ;
The Caesars' jeweled crown is soaked in gore ;
IRIDION. 369
Flames run along the heaps of festering corpses,
And flying chariots vanish in the distance !
{He falls upon his knees. )
O God, who sufferedst on the cross, inspire
Their souls as thou hast mine ! kindle their hearts
With the consuming fire of battle !
{Rising from his knees. )
High Heaven is overflowing with your prayers, —
The foaming waves repulse the infidels.
The souls of martyrs, of the massacred.
Are placed before the altar which forever burns
Around the Great White Throne : I see Him shine
Who sits upon that Throne ; He counts them all ;
He finds their number all completed now ;
The crimson Book of Martyrdom is closed,
Death banished, and a loud voice cries : " Henceforth
You witness unto Christ through life and victory ! "
CHORUS (kneeling).
Christ ! Christ ! our hearts throb wild within our breasts !
Forsake us not in this our hour of doubt,
Reveal to us what Thou would' st have us do !
Iridion. O ye of little faith, can ye still doubt ?
{He points to the crucifix. )
Lift up your eyes ! gaze on your dying Lord !
His lips are open still ; do you not hear
The last cry breaking from his anguished soul ?
"My Father, why hast Thou forsaken me ! "
Brothers, will you again abandon Him to-day?
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
No ! No !
Iridion {starts and utters a sharp cry). Ha ! what
stands there ?
Simeon. Thou growest pale !
Iridion. Look, 'neath the vaults, where light and dark-
ness meet !
32
370
IRIDION.
One of the Chonis. Some one approaches us with light,
quick tread.
{Metella glides rapidly forward. Her veil is displaced, and
her long hair floats ofi the wind. )
Simeon. We greet thee, virgin ! Bride of the eternal
love !
CHORUS.
Whence comest thou so late, and all alone,
With wild disheveled hair?
(^Metella stops near the tomb where Iridio7i stands. )
Simeofi. Greek, finish quickly what thou hast begun !
Iridion {to Metella). Dost recognize rae ? Remem-
berest thou my words ?
{She sees him and shrieks. )
A Man. Heard you that piercing shriek ?
Other Voices. It fills our hearts with awe !
Iridion. Silence ! she speaks !
Metella. Thou didst reveal Thyself!
Thy wings were swords on which the angels rode !
Thy mighty words came crashing through my ears ;
Since then I run forever to and fro
And cry as angels bid {turning to the people) : To arms !
to arms !
Iridion {aside). Through thee I conquer, Masinissa !
{Addressing the people. ) Hear !
A woman's spirit has divined before you
The mysteries of Heaven ! wash off the shame
In the hot blood of the idolaters !
{He places his hand on the head of Metella. )
Become the living voice of promised glory !
Before our people lift the veil of time !
Metella. I saw him armed with dazzling lightning . . .
He went forth conquering, and to conquer all . . .
I looked into his face, and grew immortal . , .
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Is it a vision ? Hast thou a spirit seen ?
Has it yet vanished, or is it present still?
IRIDION.
' 371
Metella. I saw him armed with lightning . . . he
marched and fought,
And triumphed everywhere . . . naught could resist
him . . .
The arrows from his bow compassed the earth . . .
Terror surrounds him as a cloak a king . . .
And when he moves, pale Death accompanies him !
{She hurries onward. )
A Voice. Her long hair floats and flutters like a mist
Amid this surging sea of heads and torches !
Iridion. Where wilt thou go ? Metella, answer me !
Metella. Where the light cannot pierce, my voice
shall reach :
To arms ! to arms !
Simeon. To arms !
All. To arms ! To arms !
Metella. O Darkness, rend your walls before my cry !
Dead rocks remove, — bear witness to the Lord !
Simeon. Urged by the spirit on, she disappears.
Many Voices. And we will follow her to victory !
Iridion. You know the Palace of Amphilochus ;
Whoe'er shall there present himself and say:
"Sigurd, the son of Crimhild," shall receive
Immediately a javelin, sword, and helmet.
Remember: "Sigurd, son of Crimhild. "
First Barbarian. Was Crimhild, Odin's priestess,
child of Sigurd,
Once famous in the distant Chersonesus ?
Second Barbarian. Our sires invoked that name with
love and awe.
Third Barbarian. Our kinsmen from the cold sea of
the North
Chanted to us in the dense Saxon woods
Her funeral hymn. She was from Silver-Land.
Iridion. She was my mother ! Ye are all ray brothers !
{He comes down from the tomb, and moves among the Bar-
barians. )
Give me your hands ! We have abandoned all
Our ancient errors ; let the errors still,
Once common to our fathers, weave new ties
372 ■ IRIDION.
Between their sons !
In the name of Christ, be faithful to me, Brothers !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
Oh, son of Crimhild ! Son of Silver-Land !
From freemen come free pledges never broken !
The blue-eyed, fair-haired, sturdy sons of the North
Will not betray thee ! To thee they give their bodies,
As they have given their souls to their new God !
Iridion. The son of Sigurd thanks his faithful breth-
ren !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
'Tis centuries since Herminius began
The combat against Rome, — the southern elephant !
His bones rest in the woods of Irminsul.
On ! on ! Before a wandering spirit drove us forth
From our dark pines, we had already heard
Our Bards announce the ruin of proud Rome.
Iridion our Herminius shall be !
Lead us to battle ! Lead us to destroy
The palaces of treacherous Italy !
{Subterranean noises are heard. A wild storm rages, ac-
companied by an earthquake. )
Simeon. Why ragest thou, O Earth ? thou mother of
Dead bodies, not of living souls?
Iridion. Earth's voice
Announces judgment on the idolaters !
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
O Simeon ! hear'st thou not the voice of God
In anger, in these dreadful thunderings?
Simeon. The wrath of God is here announced, — I
bless it !
The Almighty rises — the Abyss cries mercy !
{Subterranean fioises increase, with consequent alarm and
confusion. )
The very rocks are shuddering in affright,
And the winds hiss like serpents ! The Furies send
Tempests before them, as they haste to claim
IRIDION. 373
Their ancient worshipers ! Their dead lie here !
Their graves are yawning wide and bottomless !
Hosanna ! See, the Day of Judgment dawns !
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
Now keep thy promise, Hieronymus !
The will of Christ reveals itself through thee !
Iridion. Mithras and Jove go thundering down to-
gether,
As we, the faithful Christians, march to plant
The Holy Cross upon the Capitol !
My treasures all are yours ! My blood to its last drop !
Swear then to follow me !
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Swear not ! Woe ! woe !
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
We swear ! We swear it in the name of Christ !
Iridion. You'll know no rest, no prayers, nor feed upon
The Body of the Lord, until you plant
His sacred Cross upon the Capitol !
CHORUS OF THE YOUNG.
We swear !
BARBARIANS.
We swear !
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Earth yawns to swallow sacrilege !
( The tumult continues to increase. Crashing and subter-
ranean noises ; torches flicker and go out; mounds,
stones, and pillars totter; the old graves of the pagans
yawn; groups of Christians are srvallowed up; fires
break from the earth and panic prevails. ')
Iridion. Thus will Rome fall in ashes 'neath our
swords !
32*
374
IRIDION.
Voices. The torches flicker ! Beware ! they will go
out !
Men runving back. Fire ! Fire ! Earth opens, sends
forth flame and smoke !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
Room ! Let us make a way across this crowd !
Up ! up ! where javelins glance and keen blades shine
In the light of day ! Why should the sons of ice
Stay here to perish in this realm of fire ?
Simeon. Friends, follow me ! He whom I bear before
you
Once stilled the storm-waves of a raging sea.
Voices. Back ! back ! Before us flames rise from the
earth !
Iridion. Here ! here ! This Christian tomb is safe
enough.
The Furies play with earthquakes in these graves!
Wild terror blinds you! Cease not to be men !
Simeon. This stone is tottering — throws me at your
feet !
Iridion. Come, lean on me! {^Pointing to his breast. )
This rock has never trembled !
Simeofi. Where are the men who followed after me?
Iridion. All vanished ! . . . I never saw so wild a
night.
How few remain of all our thousand torches !
Simeon. And they, like dying stars, are going out;
First one, and then another. We will be left
In utter darkness in these awful vaults !
Many Voices. It is the hour of death ! Forgive our
sins !
Simeon {to Iridion). Hold your torch high above this
sea of darkness !
Iridion. I hold it firmly, but it throws no light.
Simeon (seizing Iridion). Hear you that frightful crash?
The tumult drowns
The voices of the dying ! all is lost !
{Earth opens, and a group of men is swallowed. )
IRIDION. 375
Iridion. I hear the voices of the living there below !
To me ! to me ! ye who still breathe and move !
Simeon. Oh ! where are they who bnt a moment since
Stood at our side, and called on God for aid?
Iridion. God has already judged them. {Addressing
the voices. ) This way ! To me !
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
Through fire and darkness we still wander on,
Pursued by earthquakes, thunder, lightning, flame,
But our strong hearts beat calm as on our sea
Of ice, sleet, hail, whirlwinds, and mist and snow.
Iridion. Look to your steps ! Your torches here ! I
know
The way, can lead you safely to the light.
Voices in the distance. Burn Earth, until the Day of
the Last Judgment !
Simeon. I hear the tramp of feet ; the sound of voices ;
Our brethren on their way to Eloim;
They're safe ! Let us rejoin them !
Iridion. Heard you that cry ?
CHORUS.
On ! On !
Iridion. Fly ! Fly !
A Voice {approaching ever nearer). To arms ! To
arms ! To arms !
{Iridion flies forward. )
CHORUS OF THE OLD.
Stop ! stop ! It is the Father of all lies,
Who calls you to destruction !
Iridion. Metella's voice !
Simeon {retaining Iridion). I will not let you go, Hier-
onymus !
Iridion. If I remain, who is to guide them out? {He
moves on, repulsing Simeon. )
I call upon you, O Amphilochus,
Humble these flames of Erebus before me !
376
IRIDION.
Voice of Metella. Near thee, my crown shall be of stars
immortal !
Iridion. O Christ, in whom she trusts, save the un-
fortunate !
{It groivs lighter. Flames break from the earth, Metella
appears in their midst, Iridion rushes forward to save
her. )
CHORUS OF BARBARIANS.
The helmet of our hero flashes lightning !
It disappears in darkness.
Simeon. Hieronymus !
Baj'barian. Sigurd ! our Sigurd, come !
Voice of Iridion. I hasten to you !
(^He returns bearing Metella in his arms. )
Lower the torches ! this way ! follow me !
{Barbarians, Simeon, Christians, etc. , follow Iridion, who,
winding through graves and mounds, bears off Metella
in his arms. The flames fall before him, and the scene
is left in darkness. )
CHORUS OF RETREATING BARBARIANS.
Save us, O Son of man, and Rome shall be
Thrice ruined, burned ! First that she is the foe
Of the gay children of the sunny South,
Of the strong freemen of the frozen North,
And of the human race in every clime !
A Voice in the darkness. Storms, go to rest in these
old pagan graves !
You ashes of the ancients, sleep once more !
{New flames rise from the earth and stand like pillars of
fire. Masinissa appears in their inidst. )
CHORUS OF INFERNALS.
Look ! At thy voice how peaceful we become,
Burning like lamps before a sanctuary !
We, (. lamned, who are to burn eternally,
Immortal victims of immortal woes !
I RID I ON. 377
Masinissa. The hour will come when earth shall be
your prey !
Await it ! . . . Your work to-day must finish here !
You must no farther go.
CHORUS OF INFERNALS.
O victory!
AVe will not live forever in despair,
In night eternal ! We will wreak revenge !
The spirits of the Light will one day ask :
Where is the Earth, our sister? Blotted out !
And He who saved her, cry: Where is my Bride?
For answer we will fling her ashes back.
And they will fly beyond the farthest star !
Masinissa. Peace, O my sons ! The moment of revenge
Still sleeps in the depths of your eternity !
Thousands of human generations stand
Between you and that happy, longed-for hour.
Your power must increase with myriads won ;
Men must have worn out much of present force ;
All creeds must first be deeply dyed in blood,
Then given up as false ; every negation
Be covered o'er with slime, then deified !
Men first must drive their God from his own throne,
Then strive to fill it with their dying forms !
Wait till their pride and nothingness are full,
Till their maturity is only folly,
Till power with them means naught but cruelty !
Jnfernals. And they shall perish !
Masinissa.
