A sliort time since, and you were of the elect,
One of the chosen children of the church : —
And will you crucify your Lord anew?
One of the chosen children of the church : —
And will you crucify your Lord anew?
Krasinski - The Undivine Comedy
I feel thy strengthening breath !
I see Rome
blaze !
The dome of her proud Capitol is crowned
With leaping flames ! Ye gods ! her eagles fall !
The clouds swoop down, glowing with crimson light !
Domes, temples glitter, . . , crash in ruins down !
The stars die out ! The sky's on fire ! Fire ! Fire !
*******
Nay, I but dream ! Fires blaze but in my brain !
But where are they? . . . The Christians? . . . All is calm 1
Darker, more silent still it grows on earth ; —
Winds sweep the sky 1 . . . Where are the Nazarenes?
Pilades {entering). Did you call me, my Lord?
Iridion. No. No. Not you.
Yet stay ! Have you heard nothing in the vaults
Beneath the palace, heard no steps approaching
From the deep entrance to the catacombs ?
Filades. I have heard none, my Lord.
Iridion. Bring me a torch ! {Exit Pilades. ')
It cannot be ! they will not fail to come !
Have they not sworn it to me on the Cross?
Jilasifiissa. And if they fail?
Iridion. The doubt is malediction !
Then all is lost ! My hopes are placed in them !
With them I meant to overrun the city,
Startled and breaking everywhere in flames,
Recalling Brennus," shouting " vae victis! "
^Vithout them, all my gladiators, soldiers,
Are insufficient to repel the troops.
If they betray me . . . I will die, old man !
Masinissa. Be patient, son ! Perchance they'll come ;
but first
Must they not finish all their long-drawn hymns?
(JP Hades returns with a torch. )
402
IRIDION.
Iridion. Place it upon the pyre. I die in chains,
As did Prometheus. — A single moment lies
Between me and the banquets of the gods ! . . .
Why are you silent ? . . . Masinissa, speak !
Cry, Long live Hellas I Live Amphilochus !
Masinissa. I'm silent, — for I know the promised hour
Of their arrival is already past !
Each feather in its wrings, as it flits by,
Rustles with long-drawn sneers ! . . .
Now it has passed forever ! I can hear
The bitter laugh no more ! 'Tis o'er, Iridion !
Iridion. In spite of men and fate, my father's will
Be thus accomplished ! {He seizes the torch. ') Glory to
Greece ! Glory !
Thrice-powerful Hecate, come \^ Receive this sacrifice !
{He prepares to fire and spring upon the pyre, when a mes-
senger enters. )
Whence comest thou, black phantom ? Answer me !
li" thou'rt my Evil Genius, thou'rt too late :
Thou canst not hold me now upon the earth !
Messenger. Peace in the holy name of Jesus Christ !
Iridion. Where are the Brethren? Where is Simeon?
Messenger. In his despair he calls on you for rescue !
All the armed Christians are by force detained
By Victor at the gate of Eloim,
Most anxious as they are to join you, Greek.
Iridion. Thanks, servant of the saints. See, I am calm ;
I do not kill you ! Thou alone shalt die !
{He tramples the torch out with his feet. )
{To Masinissa. ) Should any of my men come back, bid
them
Await me here. I will return, old man,
Masinissa. There may be time; it still is far from
dawn.
P Hades {handing the helmet to Iridioti). You have
forgot your helmet, my good Lord.
Iridion. My sword's enough to win the victory ;
To die requires no helmet! {To the messenger. ) All
hangs on haste !
{Exeunt Iridion and messenger. )
IRTDION.
403
Masirnssa {rising and stretching otit his hands toward Rome).
Be blest forever, O my cherislied city !
Sleep sweetly in the shadow of these arms !
Thy baseness, cruelty, have saved thee, Rome !
Live and oppress ! Live on to torture man !
Let all flesh be corrupted in thy torments;
All souls, until they doubt that God exists !
(ylle disappears behind the pyre. ')
SCENE IV. The sanctuary of Eloim in the catacombs. A
chalice and a cross wreathed with flowers stand upon the
altar ; tapers are lighted round the cross, and burning
censers emit clouds of perfumed S7)ioke. Simeon, armed,
stands on one side of the altar, Metella on the other,
and armed Christians are seen kneeling in the back-
ground. Victor stands in the centre, on the highest step
of the altar, with many priests surrounding him.
Victor. Lost in the air like clouds of smoke, so will
All traces of you melt from earth and heaven !
Ah ! would, like stones, you might sleep on forever !
But you must wake to conscious agony.
Forever live in the dark home of death.
Wherever falls the thunder of God's vengeance !
{To Simeon. ) Fly from Jehovah's face, like the first
murderer !
Simeon. But hear me, Victor !
Victor. I will not listen more !
Look on this maid, whom I reproach not now,
Because the Hand of God is on her brow.
Wiio killed that soul ? left life within that frame,
Only to grow a scorn 'mong living men ?
Dost thou not hear the voice of one possessed
By Satan, quivering through those wretched lips?
Metella. Thou persecutest me. Priest of my People !
Victor. Silence, rebellious child ! Thou wert an angel.
But, wanting perseverance, thou hast fallen,
And now art damned !
Metella. Alas ! thou knowest him not !
He spake so gently, called me "unfortunate,"
Because he knew that I would suffer shame
404
IRIDION.
On his account. Fear not to trust him, Simeon ;
He'll surely come ! Brothers, forget him not ;
I know he will be here ! Do not forsake him !
He tore me from the fire when raging flames
Were blazing round my body. He will save
Me yet from all my foes. He comes ! He comes !
Simeon. Victor, for the last time, I pray you hear
me !
Have I not always been obedient to you?
What Christian dares to testify against me?
Have I not twice striven for the martyr's crown?
Once in the Antioch dungeons; afterwards
At Tarsus in the ring? Have I not done
Stern penance in the desert for long years?
Have I e'er broken the law, or given offense
To any of the Christian brethren ? Speak !
Victor. - You now offend, thus boasting of yourself.
Like the proud Pharisee the Lord condemned,
You throw a stumbling-block before the humble.
Simeon. I do not boast ; I si)eak the simple truth.
Who has more deeply meditated on
The death of Christ ? Who of you all has felt
A deeper love spring from the agonies
Of Golgotha? a gratitude more fervent?
To save the world our God took human flesh ;
Must we to serve the world not take a body?
Our Lord took flesh : we live but in the spirit !
Where are our temples, churches, kingdom, power?
Can unseen men control the visible world?
Victor. Corintliian sophist, whom would you deceive?
"My kingdom is not of this world," said Christ.
Simeon. Ah ! wherefore did I leave my burning sands?
There the Creator I adored ; and here
I hate the creature !
Victor. Son !
Simeon. A voice I hear
Often at night urges me ever on !
Can such things be but lying prophecies?
Victor.
A sliort time since, and you were of the elect,
One of the chosen children of the church : —
And will you crucify your Lord anew?
IRIDION. 405
Metella. Bow low your heads ! I hear his footsteps
ring
As they descend the golden stairs from Heaven !
{Enter Iridion. )
Immortal youth is on his glorious brow !
{She throws herself at his feet. )
I told them, Lord, that thou wouldst surely come !
CHORUS OF PRIESTS {to Iridioti).
Go ! Heretic!
Victor. The brimming cup of mercy
Once by thy angel held, is now exhausted.
Iridion. I'll fill it up anew with Roman blood !
Who swore to come, and broke his plighted oath?
Simeon of Corinth, — perjured before God !
Who let their arms fall from their sinewy hands,
Licking the dust, feeding on broken vows?
You, Brothers ! . . . Yet at this hour proud Caesar falls,
And all the gods of the idolaters
Wait but the resurrection of the saints
To vanish from the face of earth forever !
Ha ! Are ye men? Then leave the old, the dead,
To sit among their tombs till time is o'er; —
Men, follow me, and you shall surely conquer 1
Strike boldly, and proclaim the triune God !
Come ! You shall see the star seen by the kings
When Christ was born, — it leads to victory I
Christ will be born anew in thousand souls
Which else would never know Him ! You shall hear
Again the archangel's song, ringing through Heaven !
Sifneon. I stretch my arms to thee, Hieronymus !
CHORUS.
Beg Victor !
Iridion. Father !
Victor. Nay, this day you have lost
Your Heavenly Father I
Iridion. Old man !
Victor. You'll never live
To reach my age !
35
4o6 IRIDION.
Metella {to Iridion). Forgive the old man, Lord !
He knows not what he says ! To arms ! To arms !
Iridion. Thou only hast remained still faithful to me ;
But fate this hour forsakes thee too, Metella !
Victor. My sons ! A sign from Heaven will be given,
That you may turn from sin and be forgiven,
Saved by the intercession of your Shepherd.
{To Metella. ') Thou who wert ever wont to be the first
At the Lord's table, though to-day the last.
Approach, that I may place my hands upon thy brow !
Metella. Metellus' daughter once was dear to thee;
Father, she comes, — what wouldst thou with her now?
Victor {elevating the chalice). Metella, kneel before
the Blood of the Lord !
Metella {turning round and kneeling before Iridion).
Father, I kneel before the Lord Himself!
{A priest hands holy zvafer to Victor. )
Victor. Spirit ! proceeding from the Father, Son !
Deign to renew thy dwelling in this soul
Wandering from Thee ! . . . As in the hour of baptism,
{He makes the sign of the Cross upon Metella'' s broiu. )
Again I bless thee, consecrate thy brow !
CHORUS.
Sleep overcomes the virgin ! Her head sinks,
And the long lashes droop so \vearily !
Victor {to the priests). Surround ! support her in your
arms ! She faints !
Metella. To arms ! To arms !
Victor. Be silent, evil spirit
Wlio speakest through her voice, and drivest her mad !
I bind thee by tlie mighty sign of the Cross,
And with the strong word, Jesus, I command
Thee, Liar, Fiend, wliatever be thy name
Or power, — release her soul, and quit her body !
Metella. A hundred sighs are wailing through my
breast !
A hundred curses, — none of them my own !
Victor. Yield, Demon ! Go !
Metella. Save me I oh, save !
I RID ION. 407
Iridioti. Here ! Here !
Within my arms !
Metella. Earth, open 'neath my feet !
Hide me forever from his fatal gaze !
Iridion. Metella, thou art mine ! Mine ! only
mine !
Metella. Where is Metella? . . . Do not call her
thus ! . . .
She loved and trusted thee . . . is lost forever ! . . .
I hear wild laughter ! . . . laughter which tears the
earth ! . . .
Black phantoms hover, — circle round my head !
Back ! Back !
Iridion {making his way through the priests). Out of
my way ! Give her to me !
Brothers, we'll tear the maid from the hands of her mur-
derers !
Metella. Whose voice is that ? . . . Ah ! I have
heard it oft ! . . .
Yes, she was mild and so sincere ! She loved
Thee once so well ! Thou wert so beautiful !
Calledst her "unfortunate"! . . . Thy voice was
sweet . . .
Thou saidst to her, " My glory shall be thine ! "
Victor. Apage Satanas !
Metella {to Iridioii). Approach me not !
Fly from me ! Fly ! Thousands of dusky wings
Float over thee ! . . .
Where is the Lord, my God?
Victor {holding the crucifix before her). Here, daughter !
Here!
Metella. Press it upon my lips ! {She kisses the cruci-
fix. ) Forgive ! Forgive !
Victor. Dost thou renounce the evil spirit ? . . . Speak !
Metella. Yes, I renounce him! {She falls. ) He has
deceived me, Brothers !
He has deceived you all !
CHORUS.
Thou grow'st so pale !
White Rose, thou sink'st to earth, to rise no more 1
4o8 IRIDION.
Metella. The Judgment of the Lord is now upon
me ! . . .
I die . . . but hark ! I die . . .
blaze !
The dome of her proud Capitol is crowned
With leaping flames ! Ye gods ! her eagles fall !
The clouds swoop down, glowing with crimson light !
Domes, temples glitter, . . , crash in ruins down !
The stars die out ! The sky's on fire ! Fire ! Fire !
*******
Nay, I but dream ! Fires blaze but in my brain !
But where are they? . . . The Christians? . . . All is calm 1
Darker, more silent still it grows on earth ; —
Winds sweep the sky 1 . . . Where are the Nazarenes?
Pilades {entering). Did you call me, my Lord?
Iridion. No. No. Not you.
Yet stay ! Have you heard nothing in the vaults
Beneath the palace, heard no steps approaching
From the deep entrance to the catacombs ?
Filades. I have heard none, my Lord.
Iridion. Bring me a torch ! {Exit Pilades. ')
It cannot be ! they will not fail to come !
Have they not sworn it to me on the Cross?
Jilasifiissa. And if they fail?
Iridion. The doubt is malediction !
Then all is lost ! My hopes are placed in them !
With them I meant to overrun the city,
Startled and breaking everywhere in flames,
Recalling Brennus," shouting " vae victis! "
^Vithout them, all my gladiators, soldiers,
Are insufficient to repel the troops.
If they betray me . . . I will die, old man !
Masinissa. Be patient, son ! Perchance they'll come ;
but first
Must they not finish all their long-drawn hymns?
(JP Hades returns with a torch. )
402
IRIDION.
Iridion. Place it upon the pyre. I die in chains,
As did Prometheus. — A single moment lies
Between me and the banquets of the gods ! . . .
Why are you silent ? . . . Masinissa, speak !
Cry, Long live Hellas I Live Amphilochus !
Masinissa. I'm silent, — for I know the promised hour
Of their arrival is already past !
Each feather in its wrings, as it flits by,
Rustles with long-drawn sneers ! . . .
Now it has passed forever ! I can hear
The bitter laugh no more ! 'Tis o'er, Iridion !
Iridion. In spite of men and fate, my father's will
Be thus accomplished ! {He seizes the torch. ') Glory to
Greece ! Glory !
Thrice-powerful Hecate, come \^ Receive this sacrifice !
{He prepares to fire and spring upon the pyre, when a mes-
senger enters. )
Whence comest thou, black phantom ? Answer me !
li" thou'rt my Evil Genius, thou'rt too late :
Thou canst not hold me now upon the earth !
Messenger. Peace in the holy name of Jesus Christ !
Iridion. Where are the Brethren? Where is Simeon?
Messenger. In his despair he calls on you for rescue !
All the armed Christians are by force detained
By Victor at the gate of Eloim,
Most anxious as they are to join you, Greek.
Iridion. Thanks, servant of the saints. See, I am calm ;
I do not kill you ! Thou alone shalt die !
{He tramples the torch out with his feet. )
{To Masinissa. ) Should any of my men come back, bid
them
Await me here. I will return, old man,
Masinissa. There may be time; it still is far from
dawn.
P Hades {handing the helmet to Iridioti). You have
forgot your helmet, my good Lord.
Iridion. My sword's enough to win the victory ;
To die requires no helmet! {To the messenger. ) All
hangs on haste !
{Exeunt Iridion and messenger. )
IRTDION.
403
Masirnssa {rising and stretching otit his hands toward Rome).
Be blest forever, O my cherislied city !
Sleep sweetly in the shadow of these arms !
Thy baseness, cruelty, have saved thee, Rome !
Live and oppress ! Live on to torture man !
Let all flesh be corrupted in thy torments;
All souls, until they doubt that God exists !
(ylle disappears behind the pyre. ')
SCENE IV. The sanctuary of Eloim in the catacombs. A
chalice and a cross wreathed with flowers stand upon the
altar ; tapers are lighted round the cross, and burning
censers emit clouds of perfumed S7)ioke. Simeon, armed,
stands on one side of the altar, Metella on the other,
and armed Christians are seen kneeling in the back-
ground. Victor stands in the centre, on the highest step
of the altar, with many priests surrounding him.
Victor. Lost in the air like clouds of smoke, so will
All traces of you melt from earth and heaven !
Ah ! would, like stones, you might sleep on forever !
But you must wake to conscious agony.
Forever live in the dark home of death.
Wherever falls the thunder of God's vengeance !
{To Simeon. ) Fly from Jehovah's face, like the first
murderer !
Simeon. But hear me, Victor !
Victor. I will not listen more !
Look on this maid, whom I reproach not now,
Because the Hand of God is on her brow.
Wiio killed that soul ? left life within that frame,
Only to grow a scorn 'mong living men ?
Dost thou not hear the voice of one possessed
By Satan, quivering through those wretched lips?
Metella. Thou persecutest me. Priest of my People !
Victor. Silence, rebellious child ! Thou wert an angel.
But, wanting perseverance, thou hast fallen,
And now art damned !
Metella. Alas ! thou knowest him not !
He spake so gently, called me "unfortunate,"
Because he knew that I would suffer shame
404
IRIDION.
On his account. Fear not to trust him, Simeon ;
He'll surely come ! Brothers, forget him not ;
I know he will be here ! Do not forsake him !
He tore me from the fire when raging flames
Were blazing round my body. He will save
Me yet from all my foes. He comes ! He comes !
Simeon. Victor, for the last time, I pray you hear
me !
Have I not always been obedient to you?
What Christian dares to testify against me?
Have I not twice striven for the martyr's crown?
Once in the Antioch dungeons; afterwards
At Tarsus in the ring? Have I not done
Stern penance in the desert for long years?
Have I e'er broken the law, or given offense
To any of the Christian brethren ? Speak !
Victor. - You now offend, thus boasting of yourself.
Like the proud Pharisee the Lord condemned,
You throw a stumbling-block before the humble.
Simeon. I do not boast ; I si)eak the simple truth.
Who has more deeply meditated on
The death of Christ ? Who of you all has felt
A deeper love spring from the agonies
Of Golgotha? a gratitude more fervent?
To save the world our God took human flesh ;
Must we to serve the world not take a body?
Our Lord took flesh : we live but in the spirit !
Where are our temples, churches, kingdom, power?
Can unseen men control the visible world?
Victor. Corintliian sophist, whom would you deceive?
"My kingdom is not of this world," said Christ.
Simeon. Ah ! wherefore did I leave my burning sands?
There the Creator I adored ; and here
I hate the creature !
Victor. Son !
Simeon. A voice I hear
Often at night urges me ever on !
Can such things be but lying prophecies?
Victor.
A sliort time since, and you were of the elect,
One of the chosen children of the church : —
And will you crucify your Lord anew?
IRIDION. 405
Metella. Bow low your heads ! I hear his footsteps
ring
As they descend the golden stairs from Heaven !
{Enter Iridion. )
Immortal youth is on his glorious brow !
{She throws herself at his feet. )
I told them, Lord, that thou wouldst surely come !
CHORUS OF PRIESTS {to Iridioti).
Go ! Heretic!
Victor. The brimming cup of mercy
Once by thy angel held, is now exhausted.
Iridion. I'll fill it up anew with Roman blood !
Who swore to come, and broke his plighted oath?
Simeon of Corinth, — perjured before God !
Who let their arms fall from their sinewy hands,
Licking the dust, feeding on broken vows?
You, Brothers ! . . . Yet at this hour proud Caesar falls,
And all the gods of the idolaters
Wait but the resurrection of the saints
To vanish from the face of earth forever !
Ha ! Are ye men? Then leave the old, the dead,
To sit among their tombs till time is o'er; —
Men, follow me, and you shall surely conquer 1
Strike boldly, and proclaim the triune God !
Come ! You shall see the star seen by the kings
When Christ was born, — it leads to victory I
Christ will be born anew in thousand souls
Which else would never know Him ! You shall hear
Again the archangel's song, ringing through Heaven !
Sifneon. I stretch my arms to thee, Hieronymus !
CHORUS.
Beg Victor !
Iridion. Father !
Victor. Nay, this day you have lost
Your Heavenly Father I
Iridion. Old man !
Victor. You'll never live
To reach my age !
35
4o6 IRIDION.
Metella {to Iridion). Forgive the old man, Lord !
He knows not what he says ! To arms ! To arms !
Iridion. Thou only hast remained still faithful to me ;
But fate this hour forsakes thee too, Metella !
Victor. My sons ! A sign from Heaven will be given,
That you may turn from sin and be forgiven,
Saved by the intercession of your Shepherd.
{To Metella. ') Thou who wert ever wont to be the first
At the Lord's table, though to-day the last.
Approach, that I may place my hands upon thy brow !
Metella. Metellus' daughter once was dear to thee;
Father, she comes, — what wouldst thou with her now?
Victor {elevating the chalice). Metella, kneel before
the Blood of the Lord !
Metella {turning round and kneeling before Iridion).
Father, I kneel before the Lord Himself!
{A priest hands holy zvafer to Victor. )
Victor. Spirit ! proceeding from the Father, Son !
Deign to renew thy dwelling in this soul
Wandering from Thee ! . . . As in the hour of baptism,
{He makes the sign of the Cross upon Metella'' s broiu. )
Again I bless thee, consecrate thy brow !
CHORUS.
Sleep overcomes the virgin ! Her head sinks,
And the long lashes droop so \vearily !
Victor {to the priests). Surround ! support her in your
arms ! She faints !
Metella. To arms ! To arms !
Victor. Be silent, evil spirit
Wlio speakest through her voice, and drivest her mad !
I bind thee by tlie mighty sign of the Cross,
And with the strong word, Jesus, I command
Thee, Liar, Fiend, wliatever be thy name
Or power, — release her soul, and quit her body !
Metella. A hundred sighs are wailing through my
breast !
A hundred curses, — none of them my own !
Victor. Yield, Demon ! Go !
Metella. Save me I oh, save !
I RID ION. 407
Iridioti. Here ! Here !
Within my arms !
Metella. Earth, open 'neath my feet !
Hide me forever from his fatal gaze !
Iridion. Metella, thou art mine ! Mine ! only
mine !
Metella. Where is Metella? . . . Do not call her
thus ! . . .
She loved and trusted thee . . . is lost forever ! . . .
I hear wild laughter ! . . . laughter which tears the
earth ! . . .
Black phantoms hover, — circle round my head !
Back ! Back !
Iridion {making his way through the priests). Out of
my way ! Give her to me !
Brothers, we'll tear the maid from the hands of her mur-
derers !
Metella. Whose voice is that ? . . . Ah ! I have
heard it oft ! . . .
Yes, she was mild and so sincere ! She loved
Thee once so well ! Thou wert so beautiful !
Calledst her "unfortunate"! . . . Thy voice was
sweet . . .
Thou saidst to her, " My glory shall be thine ! "
Victor. Apage Satanas !
Metella {to Iridioii). Approach me not !
Fly from me ! Fly ! Thousands of dusky wings
Float over thee ! . . .
Where is the Lord, my God?
Victor {holding the crucifix before her). Here, daughter !
Here!
Metella. Press it upon my lips ! {She kisses the cruci-
fix. ) Forgive ! Forgive !
Victor. Dost thou renounce the evil spirit ? . . . Speak !
Metella. Yes, I renounce him! {She falls. ) He has
deceived me, Brothers !
He has deceived you all !
CHORUS.
Thou grow'st so pale !
White Rose, thou sink'st to earth, to rise no more 1
4o8 IRIDION.
Metella. The Judgment of the Lord is now upon
me ! . . .
I die . . . but hark ! I die . . .
