Plays - Roswitha of Gandersheim (ebook reader play store TXT) 📗
- Author: Roswitha of Gandersheim
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have ever dreamed.
Gallicanus
Alas! I foresaw this. He scorns me. (To the Lords) Intercede for me, I implore you.
The Lords
Most illustrious Emperor, we beg you to be generous. Remember his services, and do not turn a deaf ear to his request.
Constantine
I have not done so, but it is my duty first to make sure that my daughter consents.
The Lords
That is only reasonable.
Constantine
I will go to her, and, if such is your wish, Gallicanus, I will lay the project before her.
Gallicanus
It is my wish.
Scene II
Constance
Our Lord the Emperor approaches. He looks strangely grave and sad. What can it mean?
Constantine
Constance, my child, come nearer. I wish to speak to you.
Constance
I am here, my lord. Command me.
Constantine
I am in great distress of mind. My heart is heavy.
Constance
As you came in I saw that you were sad, and without knowing the reason I was troubled.
Constantine
It is on your account.
Constance
On my account?
Constantine
Yes.
Constance
You frighten me. What is it, my lord?
Constantine
The fear of grieving you ties my tongue.
Constance
You will grieve me more by keeping silence.
Constantine
Gallicanus, my General, whose victories have won him the first place among the princes of my realm—Gallicanus, whose sword is necessary for the defence of the Empire—Gallicanus—
Constance
What of him?
Constantine
He wants to make you his wife.
Constance
Me?
Constantine
Yes.
Constance
I would rather die.
Constantine
I knew that would be your answer.
Constance
It cannot surprise you, as it was with your consent and approval that I consecrated myself to God.
Constantine
I have not forgotten.
Constance
I will keep my vow inviolate. Nothing can ever force me to break it.
Constantine
I know you are right, and the greater my difficulty. For if, as is my duty as your father, I permit you to be faithful to your vow, as a sovereign I shall suffer for it. Yet were I to oppose your resolution—which God forbid!—I should deserve eternal punishment.
Constance
If I despaired of divine help I should be more wretched than you.
Constantine
That is true.
Constance
But a heart which trusts in God’s goodness is armed against sorrow.
Constantine
You speak well, my Constance.
Constance
My lord, if you will deign to listen to my advice, I can show you how to escape this double danger.
Constantine
Oh, that you could!
Constance
You must pretend that you are willing to grant Gallicanus what he asks when the war has been won. Make him believe that I agree. Persuade him to leave with me during his absence at the war his two daughters, Attica and Anemia, as pledges of the bond of love which is to unite us. Tell him that in return I will send with him on his expedition my two Almoners, John and Paul.
Constantine
And if he should return victorious? What then?
Constance
We must pray the Father of us all that he will change his mind.
Constantine
My daughter, my daughter! Your sweet words have softened the harshness of your father’s grief! Henceforth I will not give way to anxiety.
Constance
There is no need.
Constantine
I will return to Gallicanus and satisfy him with this promise.
Constance
Go in peace, my lord.
Scene III
Gallicanus
O princes, I die of impatience to learn what has come of this long conference between our august sovereign and his daughter.
The Lords
He promised to plead your cause.
Gallicanus
Oh, that his arguments may prevail!
The Lords
Maybe they will.
Gallicanus
Peace! Silence all of you! The Emperor comes. His face is not anxious as when he left us, but serene and glad.
The Lords
A good omen!
Gallicanus
It is said that the face is the mirror of the soul. If this be true, the calm joy in his reflects a kindly mood.
The Lords
We trust so.
Scene IV
Constantine
Gallicanus!
Gallicanus
What did he say?
The Lords
Forward, forward. He is asking for you.
Gallicanus
Now the good gods help me!
Constantine
Gallicanus, set out for the war with an easy mind. On your return you shall receive the reward you covet.
Gallicanus
This is not a jest?
Constantine
How can you ask?
Gallicanus
I should be happy indeed if I could know one thing.
Constantine
What may that be?
Gallicanus
Her answer.
Constantine
My daughter’s answer?
Gallicanus
Yes. What did she say?
Constantine
It is unreasonable to expect a young maid to answer in so many words. Events will prove that she consents.
Gallicanus
If I could be assured of that, I should trouble little about the manner of her answer.
Constantine
You want proof?
Gallicanus
I hunger for it.
Constantine
Then listen. She has given orders that her Almoners, John and Paul, shall stay with you until the day of your nuptials.
Gallicanus
And her reason?
Constantine
That by constant intercourse with them you may learn to know how she lives—her habits and her tastes.
Gallicanus
An excellent plan, and one that pleases me beyond measure.
Constantine
She would like you in return to allow your two young daughters to live with her for the same period. She thinks she can learn from them how to please you.
Gallicanus
Oh, joy, joy! All things are falling out as I wished.
Constantine
Send for your daughters without delay.
Gallicanus
Are my soldiers still there? Come, fellows, hasten! Run to my daughters and bring them to their sovereign’s presence.
Scene V
Soldiers
Most noble Constance, the illustrious daughters of Gallicanus are here. They are beautiful, wise and virtuous, and in every way worthy of your friendship.
Constance
They are welcome. They are introduced with ceremony.6 O Christ, lover of virginity and fount of chastity! Thou Who through the intercession of Thy holy martyr Agnes hast preserved my body from stain and my mind from pagan errors! Thou Who hast shown me as an example Thy Mother’s virgin bed where Thou didst manifest Thyself true God! Thou Who before time began wast born of God the Father, and in the fullness of time wast born again true man, of a mother’s womb—I implore Thee, true Wisdom, co-eternal with the Father, the Creator, Upholder and Governor of the Universe, to grant my prayer! May Gallicanus,
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