# BABYLON A DRAMA BY B. H. WILLIAMS COPYRIGHT 1901 BY THE AUTHOR Alvlv RIGHTS RESERVED TH>; L'SRA^Y OF Two OOi-l£3 «ECEIVEO OEC. 21 190ii Copyright snt?;/ 00 f / J. If''' X '"''Upon vellum and farchnent^ hut little can he written of a man^s t7'ue self: his deeds may he carved in marble^ and his heart may he viarhle^ too.''^ CHARACTERS REPRESENTED. Nkbuchadnkzzar, King of Babylon, DanieIv, The Prophet. Argon, High Priest of Babylon. Nergal, Chief Captain of Babylon. Alfgar, a captain; body-guard to Chi^ora. NiTOCRis, Queen Mother of Babylon. Chi^ora, Princess of Babylon. Hkrai^d. Captains, Priests, Soi.dikrs and Attendants. ACT I. Scene I. THRONE ROOM AT BABYLON. Present: Herald^ Captains^ Priests mid attendants. Herald : Place for Arg-on, Hig-h Priest of Belus and Astarte! (^Enter A-RGOi^, left.) Herald: Place for Nerg-al, Prince of Nineveh, Chief Captain" of the armies of Babylon! (^«/^r Nergal, left.) Herald: Let all heads be bowed, for your King- cometh, even Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Kings, and with him is his mother, Nitocris the Queen, and at the Queen's right hand is Chlora, the Princess of Babylon and heir to the throne I {Flourish. E7iter Neb., Nito. and Chlo., attended^ right. ) Herald: Hail to Nebuchadnezzar the King! Captains, etc.: Hail! Herald: Hail to Nitocris the Queen! Captains, etc.: Hail! 3 BABYLON ACT i. Hkrald: Hail to Chlora the Princess! Captains, etc.: Hail! (Neb., Nito. a7id C1U.0. ascend the dais. Argon pre- sents censer to Nkb., who offei's incense.^ Neb. : Peace be unto every man according* to his de- serving- and according- to the will of the Gods! Peace be unto you all, from Nebuchadnezzar the King! Arg.: O King-, live forever! Nerg.: And let they king-dom be established! Her.: So say all peoples, nations and tong-ues! Capt's, etc.: May thy rising- tip be in g"lory, and may thy sitting- down be in peace! (Neb. and Nito. seat themselves; Chi^o. stands at 7'ight of Nito. ) Neb.: Be it known unto you all, that this day my kinswoman Chlora, the Princess of Babjlon and heir to the throne, completeth the six- teenth year of her ag-e, and taketh her seat at my rig-ht hand as the Third Ruler in the King-- dom. Mother, both loved and reverenced, it now becometh thee to surrender the charg-e of which thou hast so well acquitted thyself. (Nito. rises ^ takes Chi.o. by hand, leads her to Neb., who rises; Nito. places hand of Chlo. in that of Neb.) Nito.: Thus do I resign my charg-e. Sv/eet child of yesterday, great Princess of to-day, may the 4 ACT I. BABYLON Gods keep thee ever, and hold thee as close to their hearts as thou art to mine! (N:e:b. leads Chlo. to Altar of Ince7ise,) Neb.: Fair kinswoman, hast thou been fully in- structed in the worship of the Gods who watch over Babylon ? Chlo. : Mig-hty king-, I have been so instructed. Neb. : Hath the g-lory of great Babylon been amply shewn unto thee ? Chlo. : It has been so shewn. Neb. : And dost thou dedicate thy life to the advance- ment of that worship and of that g-lory ? Chi.0. : I do so dedicate my life. (Chlo. kneels; ati. hands tiara to Neb., zvho places it on head of Ciiho. and raises her.) Neb.: Behold the Princess of Babylon, the Third Ruler in the Kingdom! Render unto her the reverence that is her due ! Arg. : Belus and Astarte shall bless thee— Ner. : And the armies of Babylon shall perish ere thou suffer harm — Arg. : If so be that thou boldest fast the faith of thy fathers — Ner.: And betrayest not the glory of their King- dom ! Her. : As ye gave unto her fathers, O, all yc people, so give 3'e unto her — Capt's, etc.: Service and blessing and honor! 5 BABYLON ACT I. (Arg. prescfits censer; Chi,o. offe7's incense; Arg. takes censer^ turns and lifts hand.) Arg.: In the name of Belus, I charg-e ye all: See that ye keep your vows! (Chlo. bends her head,) Capt's, etc.: Our vows are to Chlora, Princess of Babylon I ChIvO. : And mine are to Babylon, its Gods and its glory I Her.: Hail Chlora! Aei.: Hail Princess of Babylon! Neb. : ( Taking Chi,o. by hand) From this hour thou art Third Ruler in the Kingdom. (Neb. leads Chi.o. to th'one at his left^ then retiirris to his own; Arg. extends both hands; all kneel except Neb., Nito., Chlo. and A^g.) Arg.: Blessed be Babylon! Capt's, etc.: And Nebuchadnezzar the King! {Flourish. Neb., Nito. and Chi.o. seat themselves; all others rise; Arg. returns to his place.) Neb. : Let Alf gar, the Northman, approach. Her. : Alfgar, the son of Olaf , called the Northman, approach! (Ai,F. comes to foot of dais ^ and kneels.) Alf.: O King, live forever! Neb. : Rise, Alfgar. I have heard man}^ things of thy courage. I remember well thy valor at 6 ACT I. BABYLON the battle of Sidon, and how thou didst stand betwixt me and death. Also I know that since I made thee a captain, thou hast been faithful to Babylon, thoug-h I hear that thou dost still worship thy northern Gods, and I see that thou dost still wear thy northern harness. Alf. : O King-, the Gods my father served more befit my spirit, and harness such as my father wore better suiteth my frame. The heart of Alf gar is thine, O King, but his mind and his body can not be twisted into new shapes. Neb. : Alfgar, I trust thee, and would have thee as thou art, lest perchance any change were for the worse rather than for the better. In proof whereof, I do this day confide to thine hand the charge of my beloved kinswoman Chlora. Be thou her guard from all harm that may threaten her; leave not her side save during hours spent by her in her chamber, and even then do thou abide near the threshold of her door. Be thou ever girded as for war, and spare neither thine own life nor that of any other in her defense. Wilt thou accept the charge? Alf.: O, mig-hty King, who hast rewarded me so altogether above my deserving, I will accept the charge. Neb.: And wilt thou swear to be faithful even unto death? Alf. : By thy Gods, Belus and Astarte, by Odin and 7 BABYLON ACT i. Thor, and by my g-ood sword the Raven, do I swear faithfully to guard the Princess Chlora, and ag-ainst all to defend her, so long- as hand can g-rasp hilt I Neb.: Take, then, thy station beside her. ( Alf. ascends dais; Chlo. gives him her hand; he kneels^ kisses her hand, rises and stands at her left. ) Neb. : Know all men, that the valiant captain, Alf- g-ar, called the Northman, is by my express command in constant attendance upon the Princess Chlora and is sworn to her defense. Then cross ye not her path, if ye would not that he should cross your own with blood. (Arg. ^/zJNer. exchanges glances and signs.) PIer. : Hear all ye people the words of Nebuchadnezzar the King, and the decree that he hath spoken! So shall ye be witnesses against yourselves if in aught ye fail to observe his command I Capt's, etc.: We are witnesses I Neb. : The business of the day is ended. Let us do reverence to the Gods. (Arg. -pi'esenis censer; Neb., Nito. and Chlo. offer incense; Aro. raises both hands; all kneel except Neb. and Arq.) Arg. : May Belus preserve Babylon and Nebuchad- nezzar the KingI Capt's, etc. : For Belus is the mightiest of Gods, and Babylon is the greatest of Kingdoms, and 8 ACT I. BABYLON Nebuchadnezzar is the King of Kings! (^Flourish. All exit except Arg. and Nkr.) Ker.: The King suspecteth thee I Arg. : The King suspecteth me^ sayest thou Nergal ? Say rather, he suspecteth thee^ O, ostrich of the desert; thou seemest not to know how passing small is the bush wherein thou hast hidden thine head. Ner. : Then must we act speedily. Arg. : Trust all to me. I will not fail thee. Ner. : Yea, it is easy to say trust, trust, trust. But I am a man who is more wont to have others trust him. Thy plans are doubtless exceeding clear to thine own mind, but for myself, I can not as yet see them plainly. Arg. : What! Are not the death of Nebuchadnezzar, the imprisonment of Nitocris, the placing of Chlora on Babylon's throne, and thine own marriage with the new Queen, are not matters like these, things large enough for thine eyes to behold ? Ner. : These are ends. What I would be enlightened as touching, are the means whereby these ends are to be compassed. Arg. : Thou canst at least see that the war with Tyre hath brought little plunder to the army ? Ner.: Yea, and that it hath brought much dis- content. 9 BABYLON ACT i. Arg. : Do thou, then, g-all this wound until the dis- content grow ripe for mutiny; while I for my part urge the priesthood with the thought that overmuch gentleness is shewn to those of different faith, as in the many marks of favor bestowed upon Daniel the Hebrew, and as in the case of Alfgar even this day. Ner. : It is a weighty hazard on a single cast I Arg. : But the hand of Chlora is a noble prize, and one which bringeth thee close to the throne. Ner.: True; but she will ever stand betwixt me and that throne. Arg. : What difference ? The true power will be thine, backed, as thou wilt be, by the devotion of the army. Only do thou make sure that thy wooing speed. Ner. : Might it not speed better, did I come as a victor ? I am moved to fortify Nineveh, and to repair thither with all who love me. For, in truth, I do believe myself to be a better captain than is Nebuchadnezzar. Arg.: Feathers first, and flying afterward. Be as- sured that without the countenance of Chlora we can prevail nothing. Kven were we to arise and slay Nebuchadnezzar, there remain- eth Nitocris the Queen, who is so beloved of all the people that save in the name of Chlora we dare not lay hands upon her; and she is not one whit more pliable, nor yet one whit less capable than is her son. So, wherein should 10 ACT I. BABYLON we have advantag-ed ourselves ? Let not the desire of thine heart, O Nerg-al, cloud the wisdom of thy mind. We should but bring- destruction upon ourselves did we attempt evil against the King- before having- gained the support of Chlora. Nor do I think that we shall fail with her, for I have weig-hty reasons to bring forward, which I may not as yet revel unto any but herself, being- bound by the g-reat oath of Belus. Ner.: Thou art a smooth reasoner. Argon, and I must needs trust thee in all this, for mine heart is fixed upon Chlora, and there seemeth none other road to her hand. But bear ever in mind that Nergal, the son of Sharezer, setteth thus high a price upon his head, that if it fall, thine shalt fall first. Arg. : If thine head fall, surely mine must fall also, and whether before or after can make little odds. I do not fear thy threats, O Nergal, for I am strong in mine integrity. I seek naught for myself, save only the honor of being he who did restore and purify the ancestral faith of Babylon. Now must I to the Temple of Belus, where I shall straightway take counsel with certain of my friends among the ancient priests. See that thou also dost improve thy time, and may the Gods prosper thee I (^Exit Arg.) Ner. : I am to wield the true power because I sway the swords of Babylon? Methinks I were 11 BABYLON ACT i. nearer to wielding- the true power, did I sway the superstitions of Babylon! Wise Arg-onI I am to aid thy plans, and find my reward in a show of authority, whilst thou dost enjoy the real authorityl It is a great game, O Argon, and if thou dost help to win for me now, surely thou shalt never thyself win from me afterward, for when once mine hand be firmly upon the reins, I will see to it that thou shalt speedily depart unto the land of the Gods, and with thee all of thy friends among- the ancient priests. Then, of a certainty, Nergal and not Argon shall be the ruler of Babylon I SCKNK II. chlora's antechamber. Present: Alfgar and attendants. Att. : The Hig-h Priest Cometh I Do him reverence I {Enter Arg. ; Ai.f. and Att's boiv. ) Arc: Blessed be ye of BelusI Is the Princess Chlora within ? Alf.: She is, O Hig-h Prist. Arg.: I would crave a word with her. 12 ACT I. BABYLON Alf. : Let thy servant pray thee to be seated, and the Princess shall be told of thy coming-. {^Exit attendant; Arg. seats himself.^ Arg.: {^Aside.^ Thus far I prosper. The priesthood is at my beck; this Nergal bendeth before me as a palm to the gale; if but Chlora, hearken unto my speech, I am on the high road to suc- cess. Yea, and a most complete successl The priests shall become mine obedient thralls, Nerg-al shall find a sudden g-rave, wherein his ambition may rest forever, and Chlora shall reign but as I dictate. {Enter Att. and whispers to Alf.) Alf. : The Princess will attend thee presently. Arg. : I will await her. (Arg. takes scroll from bosom and reads.) Alf.: {Aside) How prompt are time-servers to court the rising- sun! It was but yesterday that the Princess took her seat at the King's left hand, and this morning- so early cometh the Hig-h Priest to pay his duty. Kor doth this set altogether quietly on my mind, for Argon is said to be a most wily fox. {Door to Chlora's chamber opens.) Att.: The Princess of Babylon cometh forth I (Arg. puts scroll in bosom and rises. Enter Chlo.) Chlo.: Good morrow, my faithful Alfgarl Argon, 13 BABYLON ACT i. my father in the Gods, I humbly crave thy blessing. Arg.: Blessed be thou of the Gods, my daughter. Now would I speak with thee upon matters of weight, such as are meet for none other ear beside thine own. Chi.0. : (^To Atfs,^ Ye may retire. {Exit AW s.) Arg. : We are not yet alone. ChIvO. : By the King's command, this captain must be ever with me. Arg.: Canst thou not for once strain a point as touching this command? Chlo. : Nay, O Argon, the King's behest is final unto Chlora. If thou wouldst have the matter dif- erent, it is easy for thee to speak thereof to the King. Alf.: (Aside.) Now praise be to OdinI The Princess can match the Priest at his own game of cunning! Arg.: Canst thou bind this captain to silence? He worshippeth not our Gods, wherefore any oath I might lay upon him might hold and might not. Chlo. : Speak, Alf gar. Is there any oath thou dost hold supremely sacred? Alf.: a Northman sweareth the most deeply when he sweareth by the sword upon his thigh, even as I swore to defend thee, O Princess. 14 ACT I. BABYLON Chlo. : Swear, then, to preserve silence as touching- what speech shall now pass between the High Priest and myself. Ai.F. : By my g-ood sword the Raven, do I swear to place the words of my mouth at thy command, O Chlora, both now and hereafter. Chlo.: Thine oath pleaseth me well. How is it with my lord the High Priest? Arc. : Since no better may be, I must fain content myself. But I am about to give mine head into thy keeping-, O Chlora, and would not that my trust in thee should cost me betrayal at the hand of another. Chlo.: If thine heart fail thee, take no risk. A word on the tong-ue is still thine own; but once it be spoken no bird of the air hath swifter wing, nor will it ever return to thy bosom. Arc: Surely, Belus will protect me, for what I do is for him and for the Princess, whereon are fastened the eyes of his worshippers. Tell me: were the king-dom suddenly to become thine, would it not be thy pleasure to increase in dig-nity the worship of Belus and Astarte? Chlo. : To what doth all this tend? Let thy speech, I pray thee, be plain unto thy daug-hter. Arc: Plainly, then, will I speak. The priesthood is alarmed lest those of different faith be al- together preferred above the true believers, 15 BABYLON ACT i. througli lack of zeal for our religion on the part of the King*. Chlo. : Beware, O Argon I Thy words sound over- much like treason, and I am a Princess of the House of Babylon! Arc: Say, rather, thou art the rightful Queen of Babylon I Hearken I Thy grandfather, even Nabopolassar, had three sons: Senadar the first, Nebuchadnezzar the second, and Bel- shinar the third. Now, Senadar and Belshinar both fell at the taking of Nineveh, and both of them left wives. Soon after, the wife of Senadar gave birth to a child; but that child was a girl, and it pleased not thy grandfather that a g-irl should sit upon his throne. AVherefore he caused it to be given forth that the child was born to the wife of Belshinar; and not long thereafter the child's true moth- er and its reputed mother both perished, it was said by the plague, and certain of their attendants and of the physicians died also. But the babe lived, and was given to rear unto Nitocris the Queen, who knew naught of all this. Then Nabopolassar was gath- ered to his fathers, and Nebuchadnezzar took the kingdom as heir; but the true heir was the babe, and that babe is thyself I Chlo. : Can this be so? Arg. : I can bring forward two ancient priests who received confession thereof from thy grand- 16 ACT I. BABYLON father Y/hen be lay dying-. But he bound those priests by the ^reat oath of Belus that they should keep silence until the child Chlora reached the age of fifteen, when they were to speak unto the High Priest who should be in those days, and abide by his judgment. Wherefore a year ago they came unto me, and my judgment was that they should still keep silence until we should see how matters went. Att.: {Without.') O Alfgarl ( Alf. steps to door at side. ) Alf. : Nergal, Prince of Nineveh, craveth audience. Chlo.: I kiss the hand of Prince Nergal, and pray him to return at a more convenient season. Arg. : O Princess, this Nergal is a man well favored and of high gifts. Hast thou marked him? Chlo. : As a maiden may mark a great captain. Arg. : It is in my mind that he hath marked thee more closely. How thinkest thou: would his suit find grace in thine eyes? Chlo. : It were a fitting time to answer that question when Nergal himself asketh it. Arg.: Nay, Princess, lay aside maiden coyness. I am persuaded that Nergal would risk life for thy sake. Bethink thee how many swords he can command in support of thy claim to the throne. Chlo.: Hast thou and he counselled together as touching this matter of the kingdom? 17 BABYLON ACT i. Arc: We have, and the hour seemeth ripe. Nebu- chadnezzar's ill-advised war against Tyre hath caused much disaffection in the army, and his mildness toward unbelievers hath greatly affronted the priesthood. Do thou but speak the word, and thou hast Nergal with the army and Argon with the priesthood ready to dare all in thy cause. Chlo. : But what of Nebuchadnezzar and Nitocris? Arg. : Thine ears, O Chlora, are tender, and my words may sound harsh; yet are great marks not reached by dainty paths. The grave must claim Nebuchadnezzar ere thou canst claim thine inheritance, and a cell in the Temple of Belus must thenceforth hide Nitocris, or thy kingdom standeth but on a foundation of quicksand. I have now told thee all, and it resteth with thee to decide. Thou canst live and die a dependent upon the bounty of Neb- uchadnezzar; or thou canst raise the standard of Belus, take Nergal for thine husband, and ascend the throne of thy fathers. Surely, thou art no true Heir of the House of Babylon if thou takest long to make thy choice. Chlo.: I must at least take long enongh to offer in- cense unto Astarte and beseech her guidance. Tomorrow I will let thee know what answer I feel mine heart to have received from the Goddess. Arg.: So be it. In the meantime, O thou hope of 18 ACT I. . BABYLON Babylon, may the blessings of Astarte be upon thee I {Exit Arg.) Alf. : Gracious Princess, I feel that danger threaten- eth thee, decide this matter how thou mayst, for I know that Argon is esteemed to be subtler and more crafty than any priest in Babylon. Yet would I have thee confident that betwixt thy life and any who would harm thee, yea, were it the king himself, thou shalt ever find the arm of Alfgar. Chlo. : Wouldst thou choose death and disgrace in my cause, rather than life and honor in the cause of the King? A1.F. : I have met Death front to front ere now, and fear him not. As touching honor and dis- grace, these be as a man looketh at them. Thine hand, sweet Princess, is soft and white, and many a fair gift can it bestow, yea, gifts that men would gladly die to possess; nor am I less than a man, though to thee I be but as mine own sword and harness be to me. Yet ^ are these gifts of thine but for a few brief years at longest. The hand of Odin is hard and brown, but in it are the gifts that shall abide until the stars wax old and the Gods themselves bow their heads for age. And of those gifts doth Odin choose the fairest for him who falleth in the path of duty; for in Valhalla shall the judgment of men be held a 19 BABYLON ACT i. lig-ht thing, nor shall their praise be more esteemed than is the flame of a taper under the noonday sun. Chlo.: I understand thee, Alfgar; and from this hour will Chlora place full trust in thy fidel- ity, knowing- that thou dost hold thy faith above purchase by the rewards of earth. Art thou content ? (Chi,o. gives Alf. her hand\ Alf. kneels.) Ai.F.: Yeal Kven as is the Raven when she feeleth the touch of mine hand amidst the trumpets. Att. : ( Without) O Alf garl ( Ai.F. steps to door at side. ) Alf.: Princess, the master of magicians, Daniel, is without, and beseecheth audience on a matter of life and death. Chlo. : He hath permission to enter. (^«/^r Dan.) Dan. : O Chlora, the God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee with a message. Chlo. : Alf gar, thou mayst retire a few paces. My lord Daniel, the King's command is that Alfgar shall never quit my presence. Now, as to thine errand, mine ear is open and my mind attent. Dan.: I speak not of mine own wisdom, but as the matter hath been revealed unto me in a vision. Wherefore, although I am of the 20 ACT I. BABYLON King's council, I spake not of this to Him, nor can I speak until after that thou hast chosen thy path. Dost thou follow me? Chlo.: I follow thee; proceed. ^ Dan. : Hath not Argon been lately with thee? ^ Chlo.: He hath, O Daniel. Dan. : Did he not counsel thee to lend thyself unto deeds from which thy soul shrank ? Chlo.: He did, he did! But, O mysterious man, how didst thou know me better than I knew myself? For not until this moment was I assured whether mine heart deemed Argon to be a counselor of good or of evil I Dan.: I am but the voice; the words are His in whose hand are the hearts of all. Chlo. : I would hear more. Dan. : Thou shalt; for therefore am I come. Beware the counsel of Argon; for Nebuchadnezzar is a chosen instrument of Heaven, and they who oppose him, oppose the might of Jehovah, against whom no sword can hold nor any wis- ^ dom prevail. Chlo.: O Daniel, thy words are acceptable unto me, and I shall weigh them well. Yet would I know of thee whether thy Jehovah be in truth able to protect me from the wrath of Belus and Astarte, if I scorn the counsel of their High Priest ? Dan.: To this end, power hath been given me to 21 BABYLON ACT i. shew thee a sig-n. Look, then, into thine own heart, whilst I tell thee that of thyself which thou hast never suspected. For art thou not a virg-in among- virgins, and is not Babylon and its glory thy lover and thine husband ? Chlo. : I tremble at thy words I Hath mine heart harbored unknown to me one thought of treason to mine high estate? Dan.: Nay, for the mark whereon thine eye hath fixed itself is lofty and befitteth thy station. Know then, assuredly, that as from out the earth springeth a little shoot whose tendrils are to spread and clasp the oak above in ever- waxing fullness of embrace, so in thine heart (Chlo. and Dan. both rise) hath sprung un- seen a love for him who sitteth in thy rightful place upon the throne of BabylonI Chlo. Thy Jehovah is indeed the God of Gods I Yet — ah, unsay those words I It can not be — it must not be I (Chlo. totters; Dan. supports her,) Alf. : {Advancing) Here is the arm devoted to such service! Dan.: Alfgar, I make no challenge of thine honest purpose; do thou respect mine own integrity, nor seek to stand betwixt thy mistress and the light of Heaven I Alf. : Truly, that light shall never shine the less on her for any act of mine I (^Aside) Has Alf- 22 ACT I. BABYLON ^ar, the son of Olaf, lived to yield before a priest, as believing- him to be honest? Chlo. : Daniel, thy Jehovah must be a terrible God I Dan. : Na}^ Princess. To the evil doer He is indeed a God of wrath, but to the just His words are ever those of comfort; and if thou wilt lay to thine heart this saying- of Solomon the Wise, *' Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth," thou shalt live to know that the righteous is never forsaken. (^.v/ZDan.) Chlo.: Was ever woman so hard bestead? Raised within the very shadow of the throne, and taught to prize above all other things the thought that one day it might chance that I should sit thereon, and now offered that throne as mine undoubted right — and yet, that I should reign, he who I love must die I Alfgar, my trusty Alfgar, I need the counsel of a friend as never did woman before I Alf.: Would that thou hadst it! Would that it were mine to give I But, alas, Alfgar can bring to thee only devotion; it is not from a hand such as his that thou canst receive the high gift of friendship. A rough soldier is but a rough soldier, and must never think to rise above his place through the troubles of those who are higher. 23 Bx^BYLON ACT I. Chlo.: Thou speakest truly, Alfgar, and I honor thee for so doing-. But where, ah where, can I turn for counsel ? ( Alf. points upward. ) 24 ACT II. SCKNK I. THRONED ROOM AT BABYLON. Present: Nebuchadnezzar^ Herald and attendants. Hkr.: Place for Chlora, Princess of Babylon, the Third Ruler in the King-dom! {Enter C^-hO. and Alv.: Chlo. kneels to Neb.) Chlo. : O King-, I have a suit unto thee, and one that is meet for thine ear only. Nkb. : Sayest thou so? Methought thy countenance seemed troubled. {To Her. and Airs') Let all men g-o forth I {To Chi.o.) What of Alf- g-ar? Chlo. : I would that Alf gar did remain. {Exit Her. and Atfs. ; Chlo. takes her seat.) Neb. : And now, my pretty kinswoman, what is thy suit ? Hast thou some importunate lover, or some even more importunate creditor ? Chlo.: Nay, O Nebuchadnezzar; it is thy life and thy kingdom 1 Nfb. : My life and my king-dom I And whose hand is raised against them? Surely it can not be thine? 25 BABYLON ACT ii. Chlo. : (^Looking at her hand) Mine were a weak hand for such a task, were it not ? Yet, did I so choose, this very day all Babylon's priests and all her captains should obey the lifting- of that hand, weak though it be I Then what were thy life, O Nebuchadnezzar, and where were thy king-dom? Neb.: Chlora, I will not believe thee traitor, albeit thy words sound strangely. Chlo. : Yet were it treason, and my plans so laid that thou hadst no escape, what then? Neb. : {Rising and drawing sword) Then assuredly we twain die here I {Advances on Chlo.) Call in thy fellow-traitors 1 Alf. : {Interposing) Remember, O King, that I am sworn to defend the Princess against all men I Neb.: This to me? Then look thy last upon thy Princess, for never yet did man stand single- handed before the arm of Nebuchadnezzar! Chlo. : {Drawing Ale. hack) O my kinsman and my King*, mine eyes do feast themselves upon thee as thou dost stand thus royally on thy defense for life and crown I Learn, then, that here thou dealest with no traitor, but rather with one who hath come to expose the treason of others. Neb.: Said I not so? Thy face could never mask treason. {Sheathes sword) Yet if thou dost thus play with fire, my pretty kinswoman, 26 ACT II. BABYLON some day it may burn thee. (Alf. kneels) Nay, Alfg-ar, thou didst but according- to thine oath, and I will not so wrong thee as to sa}^ thou art pardoned. Alf.: {Rising) O King, may thine enemies be con- founded I Chlo. : {Kneeling) Canst thou pardon my folly? Neb.: Yea, if thou canst pardon mine in being- vexed and chiding thee. {Raises Chlo., zvho takes her seat. ) Now tell me all thine errand. Chlo.: Runneth not thy memory back to the day when Nineveh was taken? Methinks thou must then have been full eighteen years of age. Neb.: Yea, I can well remember it; and how thy father, Belshinar, though but a youth scarce passed sixteen, fell like a g-ray-bearded warrior upon the bodies of those whom he had slain, as likewise did mine elder brother, Senadar. Truly, that was a bloody day! Chi,o. : Dost thou remember the wife of Belshinar ? Neb.: She who was thy mother ? Partly I do; but better do I remember the wife of Senadar, and often have I thought that there was some- thing- in thy face which brought her back to me. Chlo. : Now come we to the point. Arg-on, the Hig-h Priest, holdeth undoubted proofs that it was not the wife of Belshinar, but the wife of 27 BABYLON ACT ii. Senadar, whose was the child called Chlora. Neb.: Thou amazest me I Then thou art the daug-h- ter of Senadar I Thou art — Chlo. : The Queen of BabylonI Nkb. : Can this indeed be true! And comest thou to claim the kingdom at mine hand '^ Chi.o. : Of the tale's truth thou canst certify thyself by summoning Argon, and his every word was spoken before Alfgar. As touching the kingdom, had I seen best to claim it, I had not come to thee, but had pledged myself unto Argon, who, backed by his priests, standeth ready for revolt, being over-zealous for the honor of Belus. And by his side also Nergal, the son of Sharezer, backed by his captains, standeth ready for revolt, being chafed by the outcome of the war against Tyre. Now, this could I have done. I could have certified Argon that the worship of Belus should be strictly observed of all men, and to Nergal could I have pledged mine hand in marriage: so should the kingdom have been mine. But being warned by Dan- iel the Hebrew, and also by mine own better self, I have chosen rather to divulge the whole matter, which indeed reached mine ear but yesterday. And now, O King, it is for thee to do what seemeth good in thine eyes. If the fall of Chlora's head shall make thine own rest the easier, I am but a weak girl, 28 ACT II. BABYLON and will even release this captain from liis oath. Neb. : Enough wrong- hath been done thee already; it needeth not that I should add thereto by taking- thy blood upon mine hands. And yet I can not jaeld thee up the kingdom, though it be thy right. Chlo. : Keep thou the king-dom, and defend it wor- thily, as thou hast done hitherto. So shall Chlora be content, nor ever trouble thee. Neb. : Yea, but thy children I Chlo. : Have not I frowned upon the suit of Nergal ? It is not in my mind that children shall ever call me mother. Neb. : Alf g-ar, thou mayst retire beyond the sound of our words. Tell me, Chlora, hast thou never seen a man thou didst deem worthy of thee? Chlo. : That is a keen question. I pray thee, do not urge me on a subject so ill befitting a maid- en's tongue. Neb. : (Aside) She doth not say, nay. And why did she refuse the kingdom? Why, indeed, if her heart did not gainsay her ambition? Unhappy Chloral I must deal gently v/ith thee. {To Chlo.) Dear kinswoman, I have not as yet thanked thee for this great service; and indeed no thanks that I could offer were worthy either of my giving or of thy receiving, for the power of a King oft falleth below the 29 BABYLON ACT ii. desert of those he would reward. In this, it is an hard fate to be a King*, that it cutteth a man off from his kind. His tasks are not his own to select as he would; his pleasures are not his own to enjoy as he would; even his heart is not his own to bestow as he would. In all these he is but the gilded slave of the crown he weareth. Behold I shew unto thee a matter of high policy of state. Babylon's only rival is Egypt, and with a Princess of that kingdom must I wed, that the two be drawn together under one crown in later days. Such is the freedom of choice permitted to me, the King of Kingsl For thyself, since thou hast told me of thy parentage, can I see no better fate than to remain ever virgin, if that thou boldest the weal of Babylon supreme; and when thine heart first beginneth to flutter its wings, thou must clip them, cost thee what it may, for love is a thing which appertaineih to them whose lot is cast on a lower level. Chlo. : O Nebuchadnezzar, thou art a great King, and I am but the creature of thy breath. Thou hast thy policies of state, compared with which the weal or woe of one poor woman's heart seemeth a matter too small for thought. Yet had not that heart pleaded for thee, surely before this sun had set would all thy plans have been but as a thistle-down upon the summer breeze! Yea, I know that thou hast fathomed my secret; nor do I blush 30 ACT 11. BABYLON to avow that I love thee, for when thou art thine own true self, unwarped by these thy dreams of glory, thou art a man worthy to be loved ! Then cast not thou lightly aside the love of one who hath resigned all and dared all for thy sake. What ! Not a word ? Not a look ? / have this day given thee a king- dom; am I to receive but thy contempt in return ? Ai.F. : i^Aside) Now can I tell that she is pleading for more than life, even for love. And yet shall not her pleading prevail, for the King's heart is given to Babylon and to glory. Neb. : Think not, dear Chlora, that I prize this thy latest gift more lightly than it should be prized, for none knoweth better than I that the love of a pure virgin is a gift for the Gods. But calm thy troubled bosom; thou hast been over-wrought, and rest will cause many things to change their seeming in thine eyes. Now must I turn my thoughts unto these traitors and their overthrow, wherefore will I bid thee farewell for a space. Mean- time, let all these matters rest between our- selves, and be assured thy confidence shall never find betrayal at mine hand. Chi.0.: Soft words can sometimes kill, O King, as well as sword and axe I (^Exit Chlo. and Alf. ) 31 BABYLON ACT ii. Nkb.: What hoi Without I {Enter Herald.) Her.: Did thy servant hear the King's voice? Neb. : Have word quickly sent unto Daniel the He- brev7, for I would speak with him. Also sum- mon Arg-on the High Priest, and let him wait without until Daniel leaveth me. {Exit Herald; enter Dan.) Dan.: Peace be unto thee, O King! Thy servant had but now come within the palace gate, when it was told him that thou didst desire his presence. Neb.: I know, O Daniel, that thou art favored of Heaven, and that nothing is hid from thee. Wherefore tell me this: Is Chlora indeed the daughter of mine elder brother, even Senadar? Dan. : She is in truth, O King, for so it hath been revealed unto me in a vision. And also are the other thoughts of thy mind true; for Ar- gon and Nergal have plotted together against thy life, that they might set thy crown upon the head of Chlora. But let not thine heart be troubled because of them, for save in this one thing that they would fain see Chlora in thy room, they hold not closely together, be- ing envious and fearful one of the other, and that with good cause. Wherefore, so soon as they find that Chlora will none of their plot, they must needs be quiet. Howbeit, O King, 32 ACT II. BABYLON I say unto thee that thou mayst not shed their blood, for their time is not yet come. Neb. : Nay, Daniel, tell me not what I may do, for my spirit is too proud that I should suffer this, even though I know in mine heart that thy Jehovah is indeed the God of Gods and that thou speakest as His mouth. Nor yet do thou forestall my questions, but rather let me ask and do thou answer; for my thoughts must needs be clear, and over-many marvels cloud the mind. Dan. : Put forth thy questions, and thy servant will reply as it shall be given him. Neb. : Will Chlora remain true, as she hath promised? Dan. : She will remain ever true unto thee, O King. Neb.: Then shall my kingdom be indeed secure I And how fare mine ambassadors to Egypt? Is the Princess to be given unto me in mar- riage? Dan. : Nay, my lord the King. Thine ambassadors are even now returning, laden with rich gifts; but the hand of the Princess shall not be added unto those gifts. Neb. : What I Did proud Pharaoh scorn the suit of Nebuchadnezzar ? Dan.: Pharaoh answered not with words of scorn. His "nay" was spoken with voice of velvet, yet was it spoken with lips of flint, for he hateth thee because of the destruction of 33 BABYLON ACT ii. Tyre, which was a bulwark betwixt himself and thee. Neb.: Methinks I am like to repent the war with Tyre, for out of it seemeth to spring- a brood of vipers that rise against me on every side. And yet thou didst encourage me therein, as speaking for thy God. Dan.: Now will I plainly shew unto thee what thou hast been profited by the Tyrian war. Thy border doth now touch that of Egypt, nor doth any foe stand in thy path betwixt thee and that kingdom. Thou hast an army well knit together, proved in battle, and eager for plunder as a famished wolf is for the prey. Moreover, thou hast received an affront from Pharaoh, and canst turn thine arms against him, thereby taking a shorter and more cer- tain road to gaining Egypt than were the road of marriage. Neb.: My resolve is made! Pharaoh shall be hum- bled I Dan. : Go forth, O King, in thy might, for Jehovah is with thee! Neb.: Beseech thy God that He may be favorable unto me, and I will offer him a daily sacrifice. I thank thee for all thou hast made known unto me, and will see thee again at the Great Council, which I must straightway call to- gether. Go in peace I (^Exit Dan. ; enter Herald, ) 34 ACT II. BABYLON Her.: O King, the High Priest is come, according to thy command. Nkb. : Let him enter. And do thou give forth that all my councilors are to meet me here when the sun is three hours low, for there are weighty matters to be considered. {Exit Hei'ald; enter Arg.) Arg. : Blessed be thou of Belus, O King! Neb. : For Belus is the mightiest of Gods, as it saith in the service of the Temple. And thou, O Argon, surely art the most zealous of his priests. Yea, and by his favor hast thou been gifted with wisdom to solve hard problems; wherefore have I now sent for thee, that thou mayst aid me in answering some deep ques- tions. Arg. : Speak, O King, for thy servant listeneth. Neb. : Truly, O Argon, thou art in a lowly frame of mind to-day; it is long since I have heard thee use that phrase, "thy servant." But to the matters on my mind. This is the first. A certain merchant had many servants, of whom two were the chief. Now, these two men had been long in their master's service, and each was proud of his own wisdom. So it came to pass that one day they communed between themselves after this fashion: "The ways of our master please us not, for we love our own ways better. Let us speak unto the son 35 BABYLON ACT II. of our master and make him to think that our ways are better than the ways of his father, so that he may cry unto the judg-es and cause them to g-ive the inheritance into his hand, lest his father waste it foolishly by reason of his age. Thus shall we be enabled to follow the ways of our own choosing-." All this came to the ear of the merchant, for his son straightv/ay told him thereof; and his wrath waxed hot ag-ainst those two servants, so that he paid them their wag-es and bade them g-o. But they came and besought me that I should command the merchant to take them back into his service as before, since it had been in the integrity of their hearts that they had done this thing, lest the inheritance of the heir had indeed been wasted. Now, my sen- tence, is that it is for a master to rule and for a servant to obey, which endeth the matter; while others say that a servant hath good right to esteem his own wisdom above that of his master. What sayest thou? Arc: Thy sentence, O King, is the just sentence. For why doth a man pay wages unless it be that he shall be served ? And why should a man wish to be served, unless the service be according to his own mind ? Neb.: Such, then, shall the sentence be. Now would I call upon Ihy wisdom from another quarter, and one most pertinent to thine own interest. Thou, O Argon, hast been greatly favored by 36 ACT II. BABYLON me, and by my father before me. Thou hast been raised to the dignity of Hig-h Priest, and a goodly provision made for thee out of the royal treasure. Thine authority over thy fellow priests hath never been curbed, though seen to increase daily until thou hast become more of a God to them than merely an High Priest. Thine hand hath even been known to meddle in matters of state, and thou hast escaped rebuke. Hence, that thou shouldst be something puffed up with pride is scarce mat- ter for amazement. But from this day and forward, lay it to thine heart that the circlet on Nebuchadnezzar's brow is there by the favor of Heaven, not by any favor of thine; and that whatsoever rewards thou mayst claim to be in thy gift as touching the world to come, the rewards of this world, such as crowns and thrones, are not committed into thy keeping. Mark me, and mark me well I If thou dost heed this my counsel thou shalt prosper, nor shall I ever refer to any disfavor thou mayst have done me in the past. But if thou dost not heed it, (^Laying hand on axe) I will hew off every head in the priesthood of Babylon, but I will make sure of thine I Answer me not, but go thy way, and peace be with thee I Arc: May Belus preserve thee, O King! i^Aside) And me also I (^Exit Arg.) 37 BABYLON ACT ii. Neb. : Truly, Belus hath little leisure if he attendeth to all these pleas for protection! But this much thereof am I minded to spare him; I will see to protecting- myself for the next few hours. ( Taking axe in hand and looking at it) The Great Council meeteth when the sun hath dropped half way down the western sky; and ere that sun is set, the fate of Babylon's throne will have been decided. Then lift up thine head, O Nebuchadnezzar, and strength- en thine heart I {Rising, axe in hand) Thou hast lived as a King, and thou canst die as a Kingl -e®g3®9- SCENE II. Enter Chlora and Alfgar, Chlo.: Scarce can I catch my breath since speaking- with the Kingl How stern a man is he I For a moment it seemed that there was but one step betwixt me and death I Ale.: The metal that heweth through king-doms needeth to be stern stuff. But as for death, Alfgar was betwixt thee and it, and he may count for at least the second step. Chlo. : Yea; and in this have I svirely proven thee, 38 ACT II. BABYLON that thou wilt stand firm in my defense, even against the King-. Accept my thanks and the renewed assurance of my trust I {Enter att.) Att. : O Princess, the noble Prince Nergal craveth audience. Chlo. : Let the Prince enter. {Exit att. ; enter Nkr.) Ner.: O Chlora, beautiful as the morn in spring- time, I salute theel Chlo. : Peace be unto thee, O Prince. It was with regret that I did defer thee yesterday. Ner. : Mine was the keener regret. But at last do I see thy face, which is even as the face of Astarte for glory and for beauty. Might thy servant pray that thou wouldst of thy grace grant him a few words with thee between ourselves alone? Chlo.: Wast thou not there when the King com- manded that I see no man save in the pres- ence of Alf gar ? Ner.: Yea, I was there. But for this once, sweet Princess, let me beseech thee to forget that command. Chlo.: I can not do this thing, O Nergal. Speak freely what thou hast to say, for Alfgar can be trusted. Ner. : I yield to thy behest. Listen then patiently, yea, and graciously; for mine be words that 39 BABYLON ACT ii. heart. O Chlora, thou art the Princess of Bab34on, the Heir to the Throne, the Third Ruler in the King-dom; and thou art learned in all wisdom, so that men of gray hairs bow before thy knowledg-e; more- over, thou art beautiful, with the beauty of a Goddess. Yea, mine eyes do fail and mine heart f ainteth as I gaze upon thee and think of all thou art I Yet am I, even I, Nergal the son of Sharezer, not wholly unworthy of thy glance. For I am in mine own right Prince of the broad domain of Nineveh, vv^here I do hold a court second only to that of Babylon, and though but thirty years of age, I am chief of the captains, proved in many a hard fought battle, for since my youth have I ever worn harness; but above all, O Chlora, with such a love as never yet did man give unto v/oman {kneeling) I do love thee I Chi.o. : Prince Nergal, I can hear no more. Rise, I pray thee. Ner. : Chlora, Chlora, be not deaf unto my suit I I will be thy slave! I will make thee Queen of my life! Yea, if thou sayest it, I will make thee Queen of Babylon I Chlo.: Peace, O Prince I I can not listen to thy love; still less can I listen to treason against my King. Ner.: {Advancing) Chlora, thou must be mine, whether thou wilt or no I 40 ACT II. BABYLON Chi.0. : Stay, Prince Nerg-al I Bethink thee what thou doest I I warn thee to hear my voice I Ner. : It is but the voice of a maideni (Ner. advances; Alf. interposes.^ Alf. : Yea, but as speaketh the voice of that maiden, so striketh the arm of Alfgarl Ner.; (^Stepping back and drawing szuord) If there be a better swordsman than is Nergal, among-st the captains of Babylon, it were time I knew thereof ! Alf.: (^Striking sword from hand of Ner.) / have long- known thereof I Chi.0. : (^Placing foot on swoj'd) Stand by the door quickly, O Alf g-ar I Art thou content, my lord Nerg-al ? A fine tale it were to come unto the King's ear, that his Chief Captain had been brawling- within the apartments of the Princess of Babylon I And what better could have been looked for, if mine attend- ants, hearing the clash of arms, had broken in upon us? Hast thou gone mad? I could indeed think so, for very pity. Truly, a brave figure dost thou make, standing with thy life in the hand of her whom a moment since thou didst flout as being but a maideni Yea, and in my present temper it were easy for me to sheathe this dagger in thine heart 1 Yet take thy life for this time, and see thou dost amend thy ways I 41 BABYLON ACT ii. Scene III. THRONE ROOM AT BABYLON. Present: Neh., Nito.^ Chio,, Dan., Arg,, Alf., Her,, Captains, Priests and attendants. Her.: Place for Nerg-al, Prince of Nineveh, Chief Captain of the armies of Babylon! (^;2/^r Ner., left; Arg. detains him in passing.^ Arc: (^Aside to I^^isl.') All is discovered, and onr plot is ended I Be prudent, if that thou val- uest thine head I (Ner. gives Arg. an expressive look, and takes his place, ) Her.: Hearken, all je men of wisdom, and all ye men of war; for Nebuchadnezzar the King is about to speak! Neb. : O ye of the Great Council of Babylon, heark- en dilig-ently unto my words. Be it known unto you all, that I did send ambassadors to Egypt, even unto Pharaoh, that he should give me the Princess his daughter in marriage; a thing which, as it seemed in mine eyes and in the eyes of them with whom I took counsel, would greatly advantage the kingdom of Babylon. But this day have I heard sure tidings that Pharaoh utterly refuseth my suit. Wherefore it seemed good unto me to call the 42 ACT 11. BABYLON Great Council tog-ether and to speak with those of je who are the chief thereof, that I mig-ht know what were your temper and whether ye were minded to sit tamely down under so g-rievous an affront. Nitocris, my beloved mother, what sayest thou? NiTO. : Only this: that were thy father Nabopolassar in thy room, he had not waited to call the Great Council tog-ether, but had been in harness and on horse, with his face set toward Eg-ypt, ere the blast of a trumpet could have died away I Neb. : Princess Chlora, what is thy mind ? Chlo. : I am young- to speak on affairs of state, O King-, neither had I before heard of this am- bassag-e. Wherefore would I wish that my voice be not given. Neb. : Arg-on, thou wert of those with whom I coun- selled ere I sent to Pharaoh. How likest thou his answer? Arg.: Doubtless, O King Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh doth feel secure in the protection of Isis, the chief of the Gods of Egypt. But we of Babylon hold that the might of Belus is greater than that of any other God. Wherefore would I counsel that a fast be proclaimed, and I will implore Belus that he send upon the land of Egypt such plagues as shall leave the Temple of Isis with but few to worship there- 43 BABYLON ACT ii. in. So shall all men see that Belus is indeed the God of Babylon. Neb.: Nerg-al, thou also knewest of this offer of alliance. Thinkest thou with Argon that it were better to leave Belus to fig-ht out the quarrel for us, or shall we aid him with a few swords and perchance a chariot or two? Ner.: It is a long- march to Kg"ypt, O King-, and Pharaoh hath mighty armies. Methinks it were as well to wait until Belus hath begun to smite the Egyptians before we draw our swords. Neb.: Daniel, thou didst approve my asking that Pharaoh give me the Princess to wife. What thinkest thou of the outcome thereof ? Dan. : My mind, O King, is as the mind of thy moth- er the Queen. Neb. : Two speak for war, two speak for peace, and one speaketh not at all. The scales seem balanced marvelous even. Princess Chlora, canst thou not find courage to give thy voice? Chi,o. : Wilt thou that I depute Alf gar to speak in my stead ? A captain is fitter to judge of such a matter than is a maiden. Neb. : For this once, thou hast permission so to do. Alfgar, let us hear what thou sayest. Alf. : What saith the eagle when her eye is upon the prey? Yea, what saith thine own heart, O King? For a just war is the breath of a 44 ACT II. BABYLON captain's nostrils, and a righteous quarrel doth make the ag-ed soldier to renew his j^outhl Shew to the Gods that thou canst fight for thyself, O Nebuchadnezzar, and then mayst thou indeed rely upon their aid I Nee.: Now are the voices of three for war. And mine o\vn voice goeth also with them. Then, Argon, thou and thy priests, pray for the success of Babylon's armies! Let the sacri- fices be slain and let the incense arise, whilst thou chantest the hymns of invocation! And thou, Nergal, and thy captains, prepare to strike boldly in the cause of thy King"! Let the chariots be brought forth, and let the men of might gird on their swords and take shield and spear! So shall we descend upon Egypt as a tempest of hail upon a fruitful field, and the heart of Pharaoh shall die within his bosom when our chariots flash before his eyes as the lightning and his ears are filled with the thunder of our horsemen! Sound, trump- ets! For war is declared against Pharaoh! {^Floitrish of trumfets; sho7't.) Hbr.: Hear all ye people! War is declared against Pharaoh of Kgypt by Nebuchadnezzar the King! {^Flourish of Trumj;)ets ; longer,) Neb, : Methinks I can see doubt in some faces, and discontent in others. Some of ye priests per- 45 BABYLON ACT ii. chance are doubtful, as fearing- lest I relj too little upon Belus and too much upon mine armies. Some of ye captains perchance are discontented, as remembering the Tyrian war and how small was the prey thereof in compar- ison with its labors. Now, to those priests, can I say this. Your High Priest, even Ar- gon, and myself have come to such an under- standing as hath satisfied him of my devotion to the service of the Gods of Babylon and of my well meaning" toward the priesthood, inso- much that when we parted he did especially commend me unto the protection of Belus. Was it not so, O Argon? Arg. : So was it in truth, O King. Neb.: Then let me hear your voices, O ye priests, whether or no ye will render cheerful support unto your King. Arg. and Priests: O King Nebuchadnezzar, may thine enemies be confounded I Neb.: And now, O ye captains, this can I say to you. The labors of the Tyrian war shall more than be made good unto us in this war against Pharaoh, for Tyre no longer lurketh as a lion by the wayside to spring upon us from behind when once we be on the borders of Egypt; and the spoil of Egypt shall be great, so that it shall make us to forget the disappointment of Tyre. Yet this also would I say unto you. I have heard many murmur- 46 ACT II. BABYIyON ing-s because of the war against Tyre, whereby I know that some amongst you do lack confi- dence in my leadership and others do seek color for rebellion against mine authority. But such must not be the temper wherein ye march against Pharaoh. Ye must go down into Egypt knit together as one man, for the bare thought of treachery will cause tried warriors to flee after that they have won the battle. Now, therefore, decide amongst your- selves, which is he who is best fitted to lead you. Shall it be I, or another ? {Rises and steps to edge of dais) If any will put himself forward, I, Nebuchadnezzar, will here meet him, face to face, before you all; and he who is the victor, let him wear the crown of Babylon and win the crown of Egypt 1 {De- scends from dais and throws robe from his shoulders') There lieth the King! {Draws sword) Here standeth the Captain! Which of you dare do battle with him for the Kingdom? ( Capts, fall back in disinay. ) 47 ACT III. SCKNE I. STREET BEFORE THE TEMPLE OF BEI.US. Present: Nito.^ Dan.^ ^'^S-, Her,^ fi'iests^ captains and attendants. Chant of Priests. All hail to him who doth return in peace, The double crown of Egypt on his head. Acknowledged now his reign in ev'ry clime, From turbid Nile to our Euphrates fair. Then let us chant our joyful hymns of praise, While clouds of incense rise to Heaven's dome I {Enter Neb., Chi.o., Ai.f., Ner., captains^ soldiers and prisoners.') Chant of Priests. Hail unto him who hath humbled proud Egypt I Hail unto him who hath scattered her armies I Hail unto him who prevailed against Pharaohl Hail unto Nebuchadnezzar the King I Neb.: {Kneeling to NiTO.) Mother, thy son is re- turned I NiTO. : Son of mine heart, thy mother's arms are open to receive thee I Rise, and accept of 48 ACT III. BABYLON this my proud embrace I And likewise receive thy crown, which more than ever thou art worthy to wear! ( Takes crown from her head and places it on head o/ I^-e^b.) For Nebu- chadnezzar the King- is returned in peace, and again reigneth in his own land I Her.: Hear all ye people 1 Nitocris the Queen giv- eth back the crown of Babylon, which she hath worn according to his command, unto its rightful owner, even unto her son, Nebuchad- nezzar the King! (^Flourish of trumj)ets.) Chi.0. : {Kneeling to ^iro.) My more than mother, hast thou no word of welcome for Chlora? NiTO. : (^Raising Cwi^o.y embracing her and sfeakirig side to her) Dear child I Would that I could give unto thee thine heart's crown, even as I did but now give unto Nebuchadnezzar the crown of his kingdomi But fear not I Summer ever followeth after winter I (^A prisoner breaks his chai^i^ snatches dagger from belt of^nn.y rushes up behind Neb. a^id strikes at him; Alf. interposes his shield^ against which the dagger breaks, ) Alf. : {Picking up broken dagger) Now, praise be to OdinI I always doubted me of those be- spangled trinkets jpf Damascus! {Prisoner is seized by soldiers,) 49 BABYLON ACT III. Nkr. : (^Drawing sword) I will teach thee, O thou Egyptian — Neb. : Spare him, O Nergal I I would not that this day of rejoicing- v/ere stained with the blood of any man I (^Prisoner is hurried off by soldie7's) Brave Alfgar, how often am I thus to owe my life unto thee? Alf. : Nay, O King, this bit of frippery could scarce have harmed thee much; it seemeth to be flawed. Neb. : Thinkest thou that I deem my flesh to be of such proof as is' thy shield? Then, of a cer- tainty, should I never bear the weight of harnessi Content thee, Alfgar; I spare further praise, but I shall not forget I ( Turns toward Arg.) Argon, I thank thee and thy fellow priests for the prayers offered on my behalf, report whereof was brought unto me in Egypt. I shall not delay to present mine offering of praise before Belus, nor shall I neglect the tithes due unto his Temple. Arg.: Peace be unto thee, O King! Thy servants have done what they could, and rejoice that Belus did hear their cry. Neb. : And thou too, Daniel. I shall not forget that which I promised thee. Moreover, I have dreamed a dream, and would know the inter- pretation thereof. Dan. : Let my lord the King now speak. 50 i ACT III. BABYLON Nkb. : I dreamed, and behold a tree, and the height thereof was great. As I gazed, a voice cried aloud and said: *' Hew down the tree and cut off his branches, nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth; let his heart be changed from man's and let a beast's heart be given unto him, and let seven times pass over him, to the intent that he may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will." This dream hath greatly troubled me; wherefore, O Dan- iel, tell me the interpretation: keep nothing back. Dan. : O King, let the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies I The tree which thou sawest, it is tJwu, O KingI For they shall drive thee from men, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou knowest that the Heavens do rule. Wherefore, O King, let my counsel be accept- able unto thee, and set thine affairs in order, for thou knowest not the day nor the hour when this thing shall come upon thee! (^Exit Dan.) Neb.: This is indeed a message of evil ! Seven years of exile I Would any remember me so long ? Chlo. : Those who love thee would remember, were it seven times seven years> Nkb. : I thank thee, dear Chlora. Thou wouldst not forget Nebuchadnezzar, wouldst thou? 51 BABYLON ACT III. Chlo. : {Looking pointedly at ^ito.^ And there are many others who would not. Neb.: Mother beloved, I know thou wouldst not. NiTO. : Never, my son. Nor do I think thou dost need that thy mother should tell thee in words what her whole life hath told thee in acts. Neb. : Nay, mother, I know it well. And as thou didst guard the kingdom whilst I was in Egypt, even so couldst thou guard it again. Where- fore it is my command that if this thing which Daniel hath foretold cometh to pass, all men shall yield obedience unto my beloved mother, Nitocris the Queen, as if it were unto mine own person, until such time as the curse shall be lifted from off me. Her.: Hear all ye people the words of Nebuchad- nezzar the King and the decree that he hath spoken! So shall ye be witnesses against yourselves if in aught ye fail to observe his command I Capt's, etc.: We are witnessessi NiTo. : I will accept this trust, my son, should need arise; which, may the Gods avert I And it will make my task the easier, that I shall have a strong prop whereon to lean. (^Smiling at Chlo.) Chlo. : Nor shalt thou find one amongst thy subjects more dutiful than Chloral 52 ACT III. BABYLON Neb.: And thou, Alfg-ar; wilt thou stand true to thine oath, in mine absence as in mj presence? Alf. : A Northman, O King-, sweareth as unto that which is ever present, even his own honor! Neb. : Now, g-o we to the feast, and drown in tank- ards of Egyptian wine all these foreboding-s of evil I --et^Bes- SCENE II. TERRACE BEFORE THE PALACE OF BABYLON. Enter Nitocris, Chlora and Alfgar^ right. Chlo. : Mother dear, thy first words unto me on my return from Kgypt, even yesterday, have lain in my memory. What didst thou mean that I should understand by them? NiTO. : My meaning- was that thou didst love, but as yet found not thy love returned; and that I wished it had been in my power to give thee thine heart's desire. And moreover, that thou shouldst be patient. Chlo. : Surely I deemed myself to have ever behaved with discretion. Tell me, I pray thee, how didst thou divine my secret ? NiTo. : Dost thou, a woman, ask this of me, another woman? Is it not the gift of our sex, to read 53 BABYLON ACT iii. each other's hearts? And that there be no attempt at further disg-uise between us, I will tell thee this also, that the one on whom thine heart is fixed is none other than my son the King-. Chi,o. : Would that my choice had fallen upon any other I For he is wedded already, even unto his own g-reatness, and there is no room left in his heart for poor Chloral NiTO. : Despair not, my daughter, for a man's love may long" lie sleeping", yet awake in marvel- ous streng-th. I have looked forth at night upon this city of Babylon, and all was dark; no beauty met mine eye, nor aught save huge dusky piles looming dim under the quiet stars. Yet have I again looked forth as the sun shot his first beam across the Plain of Shinar, and lo, what a change I For now, the domes and spires and pinnacles seemed like some mighty host with trap- pings all of gold, and mine heart rejoiced exceedingly to behold the glory thereof I Bven thus, in a man's heart oft cometh the day-spring of love. Wherefore again I say, despair not I (NiTO. e?nbraces Chlo. a7td exit^ right. ) Ai.F. : {Aside) Truly, O Queen, thou canst read the hearts of meni Chi,o. : {Soliloquizing) How keen is the torture of 54 ACT III. BABYLON this long- suspense! I must end it speedily! Yea, this very hour will I know the best or the worst! {^ExH Chlo. and A.-L^.y right; enter '^^b. left.') Neb. : Now have I reached the utmost bound of mine ambition! The world lieth at my feet, the voice of treason hath been silenced, and every- where reigneth peace! Henceforth is Nebu- chadnezzar indeed the King of Kings! {Enter Cb.1,0. and A.'lv.^ right,) Chlo.: {Kneeling) O King, live forever! May I speak with thee? Neb. : Rise, Chlora. Let us bend our steps toward the edge of the terrace, and gaze on the glorious view that spreadeth beneath. How mighty is Babylon! Surely it passeth the thought of man to picture her future! Chlo. : Cometh it ever into thy mind, how that but for Chlora all this had been different ? When the crown was offered me did I not spurn it, yea, and bring thee warning* also? Have I not kept the secret of my birthright and eaten the bread of a dependent, when I might have claimed the kingdom for mine own? Did I not g-o down with thee into Kgypt, de- spising- all the perils of war, lest perchance my name mig-ht be made the rallying cry for treason did I remain in Bab34on? Nor do I say this in any spirit of vain-glory, for what L.DfC. 55 BABYLON ACT III. I did was done freely; but I do bring these things to thy remembrance that thou mayst judge whether the heart which hath loved thee so well be not worthy of thine affection. Then incline thine ear unto this my last appeal I Neb. : Hast thou said all ? ChIvO. : Methinks that I had said enough to melt an heart of ironi Yea, I have said all. Nkb. : Now, have I hearkened patiently unto thy words; hearken thou patiently unto mine. Urge me no further upon this question, for never could I answer thee as thou wouldst. Marriage is not for me, my greatness is too great. Comfort thine heart with the thought that in the due course of events thou shalt over-live me and one day wear Babylon's crown thyself. Of this thy right I will never seek to defraud thee by marrying another. But, bethink thee, this right thou hast utter- ly resigned as between thyself and myself, and we do stand unto each other as though that right had never been. What, then, art thou? And what am I ? Thou art one who dost eat of my bread and art supported of my bounty; yea, did I so choose, I could make of thee mine handmaid — Chi,o.: This is indeed too much I O God of Daniel, smite him in his pride, even as Thou hast foreshewnl 56 ACT III. BABYLON Nkb.: Nay, I did not say that I would do this thing- — Chi,o. : It were enough that thou couldst think it I Nkb.: Calm thee until I shall have ended. Such, then, art thou. / am the King- of Kings! Look beneath thee and consider this city with its palaces, its temples, its innumerable mul- titudes! And where had been all this but for mine hand ? For is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the House of the Kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? {Thunder: ^^^. looks upward and falls: Ai.T. draws stvo7'd, looks tipzuardy lozvers point of sword and bends his head: Chlo. looks upward, starts hack, then rushes to Nkb., kneels beside him, raises her face and ar?ns imploringly, clasps her hands and falls forward on breast of Nkb. : all lights go out A Voick: The Kingdom is departed ! 57 ACT IV. SCKNK I. A GROVK ON THK PLAIN OP SHINARI HUT IN FORK- GROUND. Enter K-RQ. ancH^n^.^ left. Arg. : I tell thee there must be no violence! Ner.: And I tell thee that did I need to pile one corpse upon another until they climbed the sky to rival yonder dome of Babylon's palace, Chlora should yet be mine! Win her I will ! Arg. : Then must thou win her with thy tongue, or at the most with some small show of force. Also will I, so far as in me lies, back thine appeal with mine authority as the High Priest of Belus. Ner.: Soft! She approacheth! (Arg. and Ner. conceal themselves; enter ChIvO. and Alf.) Chlc: How vain a thing is the glory of this world ! How slight the grasp in which it can be held, even by the strongest! Seven years ago, Nebuchadnezzar had all that thought could wish; and now, what hath he! Then, the 58 ACT IV. BABYLON palace of Babylon was but too humble for his majesty; now, this rude hut is all too grand I Then, his servants were the nations of the earth; now, we twain are his only attend- ants, and even we are more than he knoweth how to employ I Alf. : Yet is the service of one true heart better than is the tribute of many kingdoms I Chlo.: Ahl Had he but his reason! Then how quickly should he have all else I For well hath Nitocris acquitted herself of the charge of the kingdom, and loyally hath she main- tained that in all her acts she but stood in the King's room until the time when he should again be himself. This day, more- over, must we keep our ward with double care, for it endeth the seven years foretold in Daniel's prophecy. Alf. : Then shall this day bring tidings unto Baby- lon, for I do firmly hold that the words of Daniel shall in no wise fail. (Arg. and'^^iEi, shoru themselves.^ Nbr.: Hail, beauteous Chloral Arg.: May Belus protect thee, O Princess! Chlo. : Peace be unto you both. Ner.: Fair Chlora, through all these years mine heart hath never swerved from its devotion! Then let me again bespeak thine ear while I do urge my suit! {^Kneels,') 59 BABYLON ACT iv. Chlo. : Rise, Prince. Thy suit can have none other answer than it had before. Ner. : Say not so, Chloral Think what is thy life: each day, each night, a weary vig^il; whilst the 3^ears drag- their slow length along, tin- marked by aught save one long waiting for what Cometh not, no, nor shall ever come! Arg. : The v/ords of Nergal are true, O Chlora, for I have had a vision wherein Belus did shew unto me that never more should he who was the King be other than he now is. Chlo. : Then nevermore will I be other than I now ami Ner. : Can not the fond devotion of an heart that loveth thee but too well; the glory and pomp of Nineveh's Principality; the ease and pleasure of a court where each shall strive to gain a smile from thee, and he who is thine husband most of all: can not such things as these weigh with thee as against a dull round of existence scarce better than is thrown grudg- ing by the Gods unto an Kthiop slave? Chi.0. : Here, with my King, are watching, fasting and prayer. There, with thee, were dancing, feasting and revelry. But here is mine heart; yea, and here stayeth Chloral Ner.: This is but folly I If thou hast not wisdom to choose, I will choose for thee! (Ner. advances; Alf. di'aws sword and interposes.^ Ai.F. : Hast thou forgotten? 60 ACT IV. BABYLON Arg.: Touch not the Prince, I do command thee, Alfgar! He is with me, the High Priest, and violence offered unto him would be as unto myself, which were sacrileg-el I could call down upon thine head the vengeance of BelusI Alf. : Doubtless thou couldst <:«//. But hear me tell thee, Argon, that wert thou Belus himself, it should make no difference; for I will strike dov/n thy Prince, and thee after him. if he approacheth one step nearer to the Princess I Nkb. : ( Within the hut) What hoi What hoi Chlo. : Alf gar, go to the Kingi AivF. : Go? And leave thee with these men, all un- protected? I, who am sworn to thy defense? Chlo.: So shalt thou best discharge thee of thine oath; for thou shalt defend me from mine own reproach hereafter, if that the King did lack for aid when most he stood in need thereof. Yea, did I know that the words should mean my death, yet would I speak as becometh a Princess of the House of Babylon, and bid thee to leave me and to succor my King I Nor am I unprotected; for within my bosom is an heart that never yet hath quailed, and above mine head is the God of Daniel I i^Exit Alf.) Nkr. : {Adva7icing) Chlora, thou must be mine I I will yet make thee Queen of Babylon I 61 BABYLON ACT iv. Chlo. : (^Drawing dagger) Never I This heart shall beat its last, ere it be pressed in love to thine 1 Nkr.: (^Drawing sword) Then die thou shaltl None other shall possess thee I Arg. : {Restraining l^^iR.) Nay; thou shalt not slay her I What would her death advantage us? Ner. : Unhand me, if thou wouldst not share her fate I Arg.: Thou madmani Stay thine hand I Nkr. : Will nothing" less satisfy thee? (^Stabs Arg.) There I Arg.: (^Dratviiig dagger) Thou worse than mad- mani Thou y