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The Search of BeUsarius

The Search of Belisarius

A Byzantine Legend

By

Percy Stichiey Grant

New York

BRENTANOS

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i LIBRARY of CONaHESSj Two Ctpies KecoivuG

DEC 19 1907

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Copyright, 1907, by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT

Arranged and Printed at

The Cheltenham Press

New York

TO

THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER

STEPHEN MASON GRANT

Endurance is the crowning quality, And patience all the passion of great hearts.

Lowell.

The Search of Belisarius

PRELUDE

Behold that splendid city of the East, The glory of the Emperor Constantine, When Rome's long, civil leadership had ceased And on her hills, the home of Caesar's line, Mid mouldering palaces and gods supine. Men meanly crept: when kings, in that soft nest Upon the Bosphorus, O sad decline! Obeyed like Persians, and like Persians dressed. Had reigned two centuries; — 'twas then befell this quest.

II

Fain would one linger in that pleasant spot.

Ere he embark on wanderings far and wide.

A city out of regal ruins got.

Where precious gems, to our poor kings denied.

With gold and silver in base labor vied.

O close my eyes to such magnificence!

Lest from my course I, loitering, turn aside.

And marvels mused upon, bewilder sense.

Her silver-filtered hymns and Eastern opulence.

The Search of Belisarius

III

Hail mighty monarch, sage Justinian,

Forever of blind lovers rightful king!

For deep you dived as fishers in Oman,

Who, dazed, to dazzling daylight pearl shells bring.

Of Theodora — Ah! I cannot sing.

The queen-enchantress of the East was she.

To whom all lands sent costly offering:

A heathen goddess, scorning Rome's decree,

Surviving Christian shock, still claiming fealty.

IV

Like Bacchus* Ariadne she used go. Along Ionian cities and the South. Intolerable joys could she bestow. Leader of revels, while the frenzied youth Crowded her progress. As for love, forsooth. She gave none, but a madness could inspire. Whose end was death, or bitter cure the truth. At last her sated passions mounting higher. World-rule from Rome's proud throne became her one desire.

The Search of Belisarius

Yet this love-witch her philters threw aside

Before his eyes that seemed her soul to see;

And Venus she no longer with prayers plied.

Fair Cyprian, inflamed with hate was she.

But, sinuous in her serpent subtlety

To harm the man of whom my verses tell.

By blandished falsehood and deft sophistry,

Justinian, docile in her amorous spell.

She led to crush his friend, his empire's citadel.

VI

!Aji equal rule the royal lovers held.

What is too rich or reverend for love's gift?

Wise Solomon the sacred cedars felled.

For altars whence his heathen wives could lift

Warm prayers to Astaroth. O impious rift!

Great Alexander, so well taught, could err;

Mark Antony flee battle coward-swift.

Yes, senators may frown, dames may demur;

But laws must bend and break when love is arbiter.

The Search of Belisarius

VII

Born like the Queen of shameless circus brood. Child of an actress and a charioteer. Was she who closest Theodora stood In favor and in power, — and I, fear, In imitated vice none came so near As Antonina, Belisarius' wife. I would philosophy could make it clear Why men so great in peace and war's wan strife. By helpmates such as these, were charmed and chained for life.

The Search of Belisarius

PART I

The Forum of New Rome — Justinian's seat?

His palace columns on the south arise;

Here church and Hippodrome and Senate meet;

Sophia's graceful domes cut the north skies.

Near shops for women, libraries for the wise;

Here lawyers watch and clients fret at court.

In sumptuous baths, 'neath Homer's sightless eyes

And marble gods and men, the people sport

And saints torment their flesh — at least so goes report.

II

Mobs multiply in sun and melt in showers. To this bright square crowds jostled out of lanes And slits of streets, dark at the mid-day hours. Where, on the west, the Octagon contains Eight porticoes and monkish learning reigns. Now dirty packs of homespuns push to hear A crimson rhetorician, who maintains The populace must pay their enemies dear : — That danger threatens Belisarius all fear.

The Search of Belisarius

III

Gay in its wrath is the great Agora, The swarming square flashes in many dyes. On brazen breasts the sun burns like a star. A monk, with ribboned hair, in scarlet hies ; His mincing step with women's fashion vies. Gray-garbed philosophers, doctors in blue. Are scattered right and left by bare-legged cries That clear for some proud horseman passage through; Church virgins and loose loves wear here the self -same hue.

IV

Before the palace moves a restless crowd. Alert in any turbulence to share: Beneath Justinian's statue clamoring loud For right and justice; filling the vast square As far east as the Senate portals, where Stand empty columns waiting, but in vain. For heroes to be born and sculptured there; While many voices in the crowd complain Of royal insolence and senators' disdain.

The Search of Belisarius

** What senile whim is this ? What envious lip

Begot this lie of treason to the state?

What itching hands of secret foes would strip

Our general's wealth? What sullen, crafty hate

Would pluck his honors off? His wealth is great?

His private guard too large for public weal?

His purse has paid, when soldiers had to wait

For wages, earned in blood, that others steal.

His guard? — ^the sole defense to which we can appeal.

VI

** A kitten-eyed, frank man, bearded for camp.

And combat, red from battle's manly heat;

As out of place among the courtier stamp.

As a lost butterfly in city street.

No talker, flatterer, loller at women's feet ;

Save for one woman bashful as a priest.

His only thought, how best our foes to meet;

Whose sword our realm and prestige have increased;

To guard what others ruled — ^there his ambition ceased.

The Search of Belisarius

VII

" I've seen an oak's young roots embrace a stone

And grow around it, as if by it fed ;

When, later, root and trunk were larger grown.

They still held fast the stone in its firm bed.

But when the tree reared high a glossy head,

A towering king, the forest's chief est pride,

I've passed and found the monarch lying dead.

The barren stone, the blight of which it died.

Had robbed it of its food and deep support denied.'

VIII

" The King builds churches when he should build forts ;

He mumbles creeds when he should face his foes;

He pores o'er books when he should lead cohorts.

And acts with vigor when he best repose.

His Queen he found, where good men hold the nose, —

His fondness dangerous as a bad king's crimes —

'Tis rare a king suits all men, I suppose.

To act one's nature and to match the times.

Is more than often happens, save in poet's rhymes.'*

The Search of Belisarius

IX

" Our times will be remembered for our loss ; Our thoughts no longer range in Plato's school; War, riches, fears are our concern, — earth's dross — Or life lives meekly under monkish rule. Adventurous thought is clipped to please the fool. When mind is shackled, feet are not long free. The consulate is now a broken tool. The Senate feeds on royal bribery;

While Goths and scheming monks hold West and East in fee."

The Palace gates swing open, where, aloft,

To bless its splendors hangs the Nazarene.

Meekly He droops, as when His murderers scoffed;

But armored knights, upon His favor lean.

And emperors' eyes have dropped at this rood-screen.

To-day they pass and leave the Christ alone.

The gilt-bronze roof covers a motley scene;

A prison, barracks, banquet-hall, and throne:

The flatterer's laughing lie; the vrretch's dying moan.

The Search of Belisarius

XI

Marble and gold the throne of mighty Rome! Carved lions alert, its arms, from out whose back Spring twisted columns, corners for the dome Which shades such multitudes of cares, — that rack Of flesh and soul, target for foul attack, — Justinian's throne and Theodora's throne: Whose magic must create what all men lack; Factions consolidate; affronts condone; And build for coming ages while ephemerals groan.

XII

From porch to audience-room, the palace thronged

With men permitted that illustrious place.

To every nation that proud host belonged;

There Roman senators with Vandals pace,

Impatient to behold a friend's disgrace.

Around them, they forget, the storied wall.

Where bright mosaics hate dare not efface.

The wars of Belisarius recall :

His conquests and the Emperor's love speak there to all.

10

The Search of Belisarius

XIII

With accents firm but with a sleepless face,

Justinian bade them Belisarius bring;

Then, musing, wondered at the Empress' grace.

And touched her gold-veined throne. What ails the

king? Why stares he so? Who is this entering? 'Tis Belisarius, as blind as stone. The Emperor's eyes with tears were glistening. But unobserved, all looks were fixed alone On him the gleaming guards led slowly toward the

throne.

XIV

They left him at the dark steps of the throne, — So near, the king recoiled, abashed and mute, — Nor could he find stern words, or awful tone. So false a charge at once to false words suit. "Surely," he thought, "none can the spy dispute: Yes, Antonina has confessed in tears Her husband's guilt. Only his high repute Concealed so long his treachery from my ears." Then, at his side, the Queen's low, warning words he hears.

11

The Search of Belisarius

XV

Though blazing jewels her bright head-dress made. Her eyes beneath flashed fire more than they. The large gold meshes of her veil o'erlaid Her radiant face, whose beauty's rich display Empallored gold, like starlight rent by day. Her bosom burned, but with a flame apart. Like marble altars where poor pagans pray. And light vain fires: for love, her potent art. Could others melt and mould, but could not warm her heart.

XVI

" Think how good fortune smiled upon his life,

Clad him with strength to conquer every foe.

Until his will with thy will is at strife.

Here he would sit and see you grovel low.

Some inj ured god, who thinks to cause us woe.

Has given him a son, noble and fair,

Upon whose head his power he can bestow.

No children's faces hang about our chair.

Will you permit his race our crowns to grasp and wear.^*

12

The Search of Belisarius

XVII

" My love for thee would save thee from thy love

For those unworthy of that golden dower.

Then listen^ O my Lord! Did I not prove

My firmer mind when all thy guards did cower?

Yes^ generals, too, before the bloody power

Those unchecked factions grasped, the Greens and Blues.

Death is the lot of men; to reign is our

Emprise. Would'st thou again thy sceptre lose.^

The throne's the only sepulchre a king can choose.

XVIII

" A woman knows all friendships have their day. Can men be friends for something else than use? Your kingdom calmed, that hand must not obey That calmed it ? No ! your sword, for foes unloose. Must not strike back at you, or crops produce Of new and nearer foes, — unless you planned To give your friend your throne. The same excuse Should, then, give him to me; — yes, as his hand Falls short my body's service to your loved command.

18

The Search of Belisarius

XIX

** To-day each gains, save one, his heart's desire. You find full freedom from a treacherous friend. Who, tired of serving you, must needs conspire And work to wear the crown he should defend. But his dark ways have found a darker end. Lone Antonina gains young love. While I Pluck out a constant pain, their son, and send Him not to death, but to foul state well nigh As dumb, whence dread can never raise its startling cry.

XX

Then fell the King's voice hollow as a bell

Heard off a hidden reef. " Thine ancient speech

And cunning counsels, now illumined, tell

A love long since estranged. You would impeach

My power; exalted high by me, would reach

To clutch my crown. A wrinkled sorceress

Lured you by dreams and magic to this breach

Of loyalty and friendship. Now confess,

O Belisarius, thy traitor wickedness."

14

The Search of Belisarhis

XXI

But those who heard turned back in memory To that great pageant, meed of victor's might — So grand men flocked from distant lands to see — When he disdained the golden car, his right. And walked before his chosen horsemen bright. Nor looked less tall than that earth-spurning band. A tale for garrulous age was that rare sight ; King, captives, treasures, stripped from Afric land. Brightened his splendid train, acclaimed on every hand.

XXII

At last his calm lips opened and he spake. But his voice thrilled them like the clash of swords. ** My King, all's done. No more shall I awake At dawn to know the light. The barbarous hordes Will Belisarius fear no more. My lords Can sleep now nights, nor vex their drowsy wives With midnight tapers, or dream-murmured words. The lights are out, — at night the thief contrives Against the toil-heaped hoard, and fed by plunder thrives.

15

The Search of Belisarius

XXIII

" Were I a Frank, then should I stand or fall

By oath, by fire, or by my own arm's might.

To prove this lie and wrong before you all.

Who wrest from me unheard, untried, my sight.

What profit me your garnered laws, when right

Of trial. Noblest One, has been denied ?

A thousand years of laws are dark as night.

When citizens are base: for laws but hide

The truth — the right within just minds must first reside.

XXIV

" Rememberest thou the year when Carthage fell?

A century's royal hoard I shipped to thee ;

While Gelimer sent from the citadel.

His fortress-prison, a Moor to beg from me

A lyre, a loaf to ease his misery.

Strength but to wail his pitiable fate

Was all he asked. Around him he could see

Once fertile fields, now black and desolate.

And Roman armor gleaming at his palace gate.

16

The Search of Belisarius

XXV

*' Suspicion even then poisoned your heart,

That I too towering for a subject grew —

*Twas not your thought — my enemies dipped the dart

That almost cost my life, and cut from you

Your mailed right hand. When I returned, you knew

The truth. This medal at my neck, see, shares

Thy head and mine— two sides one face. Now view

The legend my side of the gold disk bears —

• The Glory of all Rome.' Thy judgment it declares.

XXVI

"Is Antonina near me — my wife? No?

May hot tears scorch her eyes till they are dark

As these of mine. Lust, love, how close ye go !

The ravening hawk mates not the soaring lark.

Must love, sweet bird, bound for its heavenly mark.

That sees and sings fair sights as strange as song.

Be pinioned in its homeward flight, and stark

Be fed upon ? No ! No ! my absence long

In thy behalf, Great Prince, has worked me fatal wrong.

17

The Search of Belisarius

XXVII

" I well remember how her love stored up Sweet waters for me, when our vessel's hoard Was spoilt. Mysteriously she filled my cup And laughed like love's magician. She restored The heart of hungry Rome once; took the sword. Went to Campania, levied men, a fleet. And convoyed food to us. At her word The treacherous Pope Silverius lost his seat — But why should I these idle memories repeat?

XXVIII

** Well know I feats of war, not fawning peace And courtier wiles. T' outstrip in desert sands The Persian horse and bid invasion cease. To sail a scanty fleet to Vandal lands. To conquer and return. By Gothic bands Besieged in Rome I starved. Where foes did swarm In broken gates I fought with my own hands. My breast the only bar against the storm — Alas ! how I can boast who cannot now perform.

18

The Search of Belisarius

XXIX

** As useless as a eunuch or a monk

Though I am still a man and not a slave :

My martial usefulness to mere wind shrunk.

Belying the man's strength and voice I have.

Naught but a voice from out an empty cave.

Why speak? Were it so well I won from thee

Thy heart — still I am blind. My Liege, I crave

My son may lead me off." Then, sad to see.

He held his hands out, then, **Where is the child?" cried he.

XXX

" The boy will never come, nor hear again

Thy voice — not dead — I know not where he is,'*

Faltered the king. Oh! pain and passion then

Carved Belisarius' face and knotted his

Big muscles. So he stood in Italy's

Hard wars or Africa's, when blood did flow.

He felt in the dark their hot eyes' archeries.

As a hurt lion feels the jungle glow.

On his death-night, with orbs of hungry, waiting foe.

19

The Search of Belisarius

XXXI

" God ! Let my brain, tempered in war's fierce fire.

Break not at blows of peace, hate's quiet might !

A beacon watching Rome, must I expire

Like lamps kept lit by timid girls at night.

Blown out at dawn, when courage comes with light?

A king's love lost ! A nation's service ceased !

My wife a traitor ! My eyes seared of sight !

My nestling carried off by savage beast.

Heaven! help me humbly to decrease as I increased.

XXXII

** Why did ye not first slay, then bury me ?

What is a man, that ye dare wound him so?

A captive beast crowds in the circus see.

Transfixed with javelins — then in sport let go?

And love of child? Ah, that ye cannot know! "

As when Rome burned the moon and stars grew pale,

So weak and white did King and courtiers grow

Before his flaming wrath and red assail.

And many true hearts bled beneath their golden mail.

20

TJie Search of Belisarius

XXXIII

His soldiers led him to the palace gate,

A beggar's staff they snatched and gave his hand.

And grimly grieved, amazed at his fall'n state

As he went forth alone in that dark land.

Behind him groups of dazzling courtiers stand ;

And many a jest they pass at his lost sight.

He errs, he stumbles — loud laughs that gay band.

Hateful is he to them, as is the light

To flashing fireflies^ that gild a misty night.

XXXIV

Loud scoffed a Roman, dressed in Hunnish wear — That barbarous fashion then did gallants nurse, To swagger in fierce garb and flowing hair — '* This work is but half done, so but made worse. The King is kind ? No, weak, and it will curse His tottering throne. Blind adders have their sting; Poison 's in fangs, and not in eyes or purse. Soon treason's voice shall cry this beggar king, New tumults and new wars upon our state to bring.'

21

The Search of Belisarius

XXXV

The sun crept high on Saint Sophia's dome ;

Along the walls the noiseless night stole fast;

The curious following crowd had scattered home ;

But Belisarius groped until at last

He reached the city gates — blind, shunned, outcast-

The gates of many triumphs, now of dole,

Golden to enter out of perils past

And victories won, a homeward, happy goal.

Dark exit now they gave to dark days for his soul.

The Search of Belisarius

PART II

When Antonina learned the awful price Exacted by the Queen for treacherous aid, To rid her of her husband and entice A lover, conscience-calm and unafraid, — Her son's abduction was the price she paid — Seeing her deeper, secret hope had failed. Of goading Belisarius, traitor made. To rouse the people and their king be hailed ; She through her palace raved and her hard fate be- wailed.

II

Her vigorous spirit did not long repine.

Nor yield to hostile skies the sight of tears;

New plots she brooded, wickeder design, —

To kill her husband and so still her fears.

But lest the deed come to the Emperor's ears,

She quickly planned a feast, that night, be made

To trusted friends, older in crimes than years.

Of these three youths, of devils unafraid.

Would do her wish, she knew, with all-too-ready blade.

23

The Search of Belisarius

III

Across the Bospliorus the palace stood —

White marble temples in a park of flowers —

The further side protected by a wood,

Whose grottoes and dim lakes soothed sultry hours.

But sweeter were the hill-side garden bowers,

Amid whose blossoms spouted fountains gay.

Babbling to birds that braved the sparkling showers.

And sang and gleamed and blessed the night and day:

While opposite, in view, Constantinople lay.

IV

The world had been ransacked to build her hall. The gods had burst their tombs and lived anew. Rose marble, swirled to flame, covered the wall. Broken by pilasters of emerald hue. The porphyry floor, — fit rest for Juno's shoe — Mirrored gold ceilings, with their myriad lights. And balconies, lace-marble screened from view. And antique shapes. But brighter than these sights The youths, who on bronze couches leaned, and drank delights.

24)

The Search of Belisarius

She entered and she bade her singers three,

In song, of all her men and maids the best.

To ease the burden of her misery,

And sing to her, for song might give her rest.

And music drive the furies from her breast.

So from their seats thej^ rose and took their stand.

A fresh, young knight in war equipment dressed;

A bearded Cypriot, minstrel of love's land ;

And a pale, troubled girl, a red rose in her hand.

VI

*' O how I hate the man whom once I loved. The bitterer since he could not hold my heart, Transmute by wealth, which should the world have

moved. To greater uses than a woman's part In bed and board. God, what a fool thou art To bring forth heroes from mixed ancestry. Protect them from disease and war's dire dart, A Titan breed for earth's new destiny. Then let mischance' blind blow insult thy prophecy."

25

The Search of Belisarius

VII

** Sing me such songs as once the Sirens sang.

Not they Ulysses mocked with stolid ears,

Whose voices over barren waters rang.

To frighten sailors' wives with jealous fears;

But those who greet the souls that Charon steers

When they tread asphodel. Whose music dulls

All pangs of longing for these mortal years;

And love and hate and all remorse annuls.

Undressing souls of grief, and earth-born terror lulls.

The Girl sings.

Tell me! If you found me in a mart In Asia, where mild-faced camels pass. Bearing slave-girls from far-ofF Circass; Tell me now, yes truly, from your heart! As we stood there, shame-faced, meek.

You, a prince, espy me. Bartered for by merchants sleek;

Would you buy me ?

26

The Search of Belisarius

Tell me ! If you found me where men sin In cities; day's weary toil, at night, Changing for unchaste, unblest delight; Tell me, as you hope my soul to win ! For what others offered you.

Love, could you refuse me? Spite of all that they might do,

Would you choose me?

Dainty women, if they passed your way Or stopped? Queens and ladies, fair to see. Looked at you, and smiled imploringly? Tell me, for I cannot longer stay! Would you close your precious eyes

Tight to their vanity, Shapely breasts and marble thighs.

And dream of me ?

27

The Search of Belisarius

VIII

" Child/' Antonina said, " is this thy dream. To fill a man's thought so exclusively ? No! No! Their minds with many faces teem, Which fancy fondles in heart's truancy. Playing with might-have-been or what might be. And when some staunch heart holds a single face. Then duties, cares, great plans by land or sea, — Such men take gravely, — chill their rare embrace. Absorb their little minds and leave for love no place.

The Knight sings.

My lady loves her radiant garden. Gently moves among her flowers,- Iris, poppies, oleander. O the garden!

Sweet, she rests amid its sweetness. Laughs and dreams, her face in blossoms. While the sunshine feeds rich colors. O the sweetness!

On the one side flows a river. Sparkling, merry. Boats bear on it Companies of youths and maidens. O the river!

28

The Search of Belisarius

And she^ smiling, flings them flowers. Back they sing their answer to her. Floating past her with their music. O the music!

On the other side a high-road. Toiled upon by horsemen, footmen: Dusty travelers know that garden. O the high-road!

And the lady gives them bounty, Food and wine and kindly speeches, Till_, refreshed, they journey onward. O the toilers !

So she gives the happy pleasure. And the weary soft refreshment. O my lady, from your garden. Give me love!

29

TJie Search of Belisarius

IX

** Poor Knight/* and Antonina almost smiled, *' Where is her garden ? I would see that sight. Dreamer art thou, as is this anxious child. Must women be but givers of delight? * Give, give/ you shout, as to some goddess. Knight. Does she want nothing .^ What ! Has she no need ? Yes, women wish what few men have to plight — Great tenderness with strength. Should beggar plead With beggar for his food? or hailed to, will he heed? '

The Cypriot sings.

Two things the gods cannot destroy^

Although they envy human joy.

And blast men's smiles.

Washing their face with tears: —

Beauty of women, that beguiles.

Strength of men, through youth's brief years;

Eyes of brightness.

Limbs of lightness.

These must the gods desire ;

Or end the race they made

And quench the altar-fire,

Where sacrifice is paid.

30

The Search of Belisarius

" Cyprus is right, beauty will never die.

Young eyes will shine ; young limbs with lightness move ;

Strong beasts will prowl; the happy birds will fly

In silent groves or in the blue above.

But what for you and me does all this prove .^

Our bodies soon will rot beneath the grass.

Feeding fat glow-worms, not the flame of love.

Flesh, flesh you weary me! Unquiet mass

Of festering, fetid pulp ! Pah ! beauty soon will pass."

XI

But Antonina's ears could bear no more Youth's dream of love, in breathing tones so sweet; It clangored on the deeds her bosom bore. And crashed in discord past her strength to meet. Seizing a torch beside her throne-like seat. She hurried into silence, night and air. Crushing closed flowers with her sandaled feet, And sought a lane of cypress, pacing there Between imperial busts, that out of darkness stare.

31

The Search of Belisarius

XII

Soon he must come. How would he look? What say?

Would his blind fingers grip her jeweled throat.

And purge its laughter and its lies away?

Kill the white flesh on which he used to dote ?

And — should her dagger stab him if he smote.

Both dying there, sneered at by marble kings ?

She stops. That sound ! At last — is it his boat.

Or pebble-chasing waves? Now armor rings.

Too noisy is the slave, who Belisarius brings.

XIII

Well might his murderous wife recoil afeard

From presence of her lord. But was it he?

This aged man, — wliite hair, white face, white beard.

And vacant eyes that rolled but did not see ?

Does midnight ghost confront her treachery?

Cheeks fear blanched not, brown hair war could not

harm. Bleached by his broken heart's hour's agony ; Lips trembling that once laughed at death's alarm. And voice uncertain now that war's worst shocks could

calm.

32

The Search of Belisarius

XIV

** Antonina ? Why have you called me back ? You run grave risk in this. Upon the road Your servant found me, struggling in the black Abyss of double night. Without abode, I groped alone, where once my legions strode. I find you in a song-cage, sweet with scent Of sleeping flowers. What wantonness, what toad Of lust is here .'' On new loves are you bent ? My fall you quickly wrought. Why stay my banish- ment.^ "

XV

" Be short of speech in what you have to say.

For if a palace spy saw me borne hence.

And carried word, we both should be their prey.

Your banqueters might speed a message thence;

And while my life has little consequence,

I must not die until I find him out

Who owes to us his life." In dark suspense

He waited her reply, groping about.

She could not speak, or touch his hand, or still his doubt.

S3

The Search of Belisarius

XVI

" I would I knew to-night what hands prepare His couch, or give him water, if he thirst, Whose knees he kneels at for his bedtime prayer ! God grant some woman, who strong sons has nursed. Who in the needs and ways of boys is versed! She will awake and answer if he call; Will quiet his new fears and even durst Defend him, if a slave in anger fall Upon him, or a soldier crazed from drunken brawl.

XVII

" You bring me back only to feed your tears ? Yet this is much ; they were not used to flow And splash from your dark eyes in former years. Weep ! Weep ! Now I believe the wondrous blow That Moses smote the rock. But let me go. I came — I know not why. There is an end To all things, past which lies no hope and no Beginnings. Youth, child-bearing, sight, a friend Once lost, no prayers can alter, no remorse amend."

S4

The Search of Belisarius

XVIII

** My Lord, never thought I to see you thus !

My eyes will weep themselves to blindness too.

You must see. Look, my torch ! No, cavernous

Thine eyes as these deep shadows, or yon view

Of inky weltering waves, that once you knew.

Vast punishment is mine! I've lost my son.

Snatched from my arms by a masked, murderous crew.

My husband's all despoiled ! I — I have done

This hideous, bootless wrong and towards worse evils run.

XIX

** How could I know the King would take our child?

My dream was to inflame you, driven to bay.

To lead the people, who had often styled

You king, to crown you. Like a sheep you lay

While vultures picked your eyes out — filched your day.

A feeble woman may well fawn to power.

But you the head of all Rome's armed array !

God, what a man ! Before the King you cower,

Who might have sat his throne with me, this woeful hour.

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XX

" Justinian and his Empress are less fit

To rule the world than we. They do not look

So much a regal station and they sit

Their twin-thrones negligently. You'd have shook

The world from Bosphorus; Justinian's book —

His laws — trash to your name. Your sword had flashed

Its threats to far frontiers, till every nook

Of empire throve in peace — where Parthians dashed.

Or flying Gothic spears against our armor clashed.

XXI

" I remember the first time you saw me.

In the new theatre by the Hippodrome !

The Emperor and you were there to see

Our famous Theodora, newly come

From her Ionian revels, sick for home.

Oh ! how we others teased and envied her,

Who had the friendship of the throne of Rome !

How anxious of our looks and steps we were,

If, haply, we some pulse in his cold frame might stir!

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The Search of Belisarius

XXII

" When all was done, Justinian called her forth.

You summoned me. I thought my breast would burst.

Your every deed I knew — your unstained worth.

My father said you were of all men first;

But were in war's harsh cares too deep immersed

To heed light pleasures. By the King you sat.

Like Mars with Jove, quenching with gold our thirst.

How courteous your words, as you gazed at

My player's gauds. 'Twas then I vowed to leave all that.

XXIII

** My father — yes, he was a charioteer. Who safely drove his madly dashing team. His only spur the people's jeer or cheer — Thought you a god, and me child of a dream. To wed so near the throne. How would you seem. Think you, to him now} Yes, horses he drove; But held them steady to the clanking beam. He steered his life and in the circus throve, Better than you have shaped your life, who with kings strove.

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The Search of Belisarius

XXIV

" How often have I saved you from yourself. Dejected to digest the worst of ills Your enemies could concoct. Your wealth was pelf They dared not seize; so as a hunter kills A tropic bird and all its heart-blood spills, For one gold feather, these men planned your doom. You fled the palace and its treacherous sills. Escaped to me, to make your bed your tomb. And heard assassins' stealth when footsteps passed our room.

XXV

" I pleaded with the Emperor for your life. Explained you to him, cleared up what seemed strange; Adjured him, by my girl's love for his wife. To give your life to me — take in exchange Whatever pleased him — all I would arrange. When to your ears I brought my message sweet. You kneeled to me like one great fears derange. Embraced my knees, and kissed my sandaled feet. And vowed you owed me more than two lips could re- peat.

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The Search of Belisarius

XXVI

" You should have worshiped me and let me guide

The fortune of your house. What wife but I

Would leave a capital and seek your side

In far campaigns, fatigueless, fearless, my

Ambition thine ; — with thee, perchance, to die,

Or for thee do great deeds, my only thought?

Your troops I saved, when generals dared not try:

Ranging a hostile land for food, I brought

It back to Rome. Was such love, such devotion naught?

XXVII

" Your soldier couch I shared, your soldier fare,

And fancied that I shared your heart and mind :

But there I missed. Of help you stripped me bare ;

The fruit you gave Justinian, me the rind.

Yes, crowns were proffered you, which you declined,

' For King and state.' ^le you put after both.

At last the King and state have stripped you blind.

What can a woman do, frail as a moth,

When men are weak and blind ? No wonder I am wroth !

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The Search of Belisarius

XXVIII

"What matter you are blind? You never saw.

You took my best^ as you from slaves took wirie.

I hate your " king/' your ** state/' your " dutj^/' " law/

You gave to them what was not theirs but mine,

Vague to my soul^ dull when my heart did pine.

A woman's want is not her husband's fame.

Ah, no! She dreams she clasps a god divine^

Wlien love enhanced by a resounding name.

Her beauty, worth, and fortune to all time proclaim.

XXIX

"What is your loyalty? A forced faith kept

Between your word and deed, your lips and ears;

Like royal missives none may intercept?

Is it a man's odd honor to his peers;

Or dull fidelity of shields and spears.

That, do he as he will, protects a king?

T plight my faith to glorious ideas.

That rule beyond our lives and swiftly wing

Their flight from God to man, his soul inspiriting.

AtO

The Search of Belisarius

XXX

** Can you not see you owed me duty, too?

And owed your son ? We should have been the first

You planned for, fought for, prayed you might be true.

Ours should have been your best and not your worst.

A woe is mine ! My blood by Christ accursed !

Why did I hate the circus and the stage.

For mind, affection, power and splendor thirst.

In sleepless watch of court and camp engage.

To lose now all I earned, and win a lonely age ?

XXXI

" You've seen me stoop to pick an acorn up. Discovered in my path. I knew it held A mighty oak within its rough-chased cup. Its future, in its signet-seed, I spelled; Strivings of root, trunk, bough — all these enshelled My palm could hide. Twin acorns were a toy I saved for months. Why was I thus impelled? You were my kindred hope, you and our boy. Genius and youth — with love — can world-wide rule enjoy.

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The Search of Belisarius

XXXII

" So when I found your courage had no root Or prime in love — that soil of mighty deeds — And further saw that all your great repute You bluffly laughed at^ calling laurels weeds. Glory, a dainty dish on which time feeds, And courted honors only as they patched The robe of state; for me and for my needs What was there left, except, what you unlatched — My heart — and entered not, open to guests that matched/'

XXXIII

Her body failed her, then her fertile mind; Her throat was gripped, but not by human hand; Nor could she, fainting, further logic find; For by her pity she was so unmanned. She had forgot the very deed she planned. The rising wind waved wildly the black trees ; The heaving waters grated on the sand; Clouds hid the stars. Then strike, for no one sees ! But no ! She waits his words, with weak and trembling knees.

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The Search of Belisarius

XXXIV

" Antonina, you talk but do not think;

Or brood too much on self, which clouds the mind.

You never fathomed where my spirits sink.

Or lightened by sweet glances that divined

The terrors my soul sees. Would I were blind!

I see the empire falling, and I know

Nothing can hold it — war and prayer combined.

God and our foes decree it shall be so:

My victories^ like Hesper, creeping darkness show.

XXXV

" I shielded you from every breath of blame.

Warded all danger from your glorious head;

Till foes pronounced my loyalty my shame.

Found my mind warped, my moral nature dead.

Sisaura's battlefield for you I fled.

My friends,