PLACE—A chapel close near the castle. The grave of MARGARET and her child marked by a cross.
Enter HILDEBRAND leaning on the arm of PETER.
HIL. Little did I dream that it was I
Would be the first to go. O Peter, Peter [Page 313],
This world-ambition hath eaten up my heart,
And my life with it. Better to be there
Where she doth lie than to be God's Vicar.
PET. Gregory, if you would only compromise,
And meet the wishes of the Cardinals,
And temper Henry, you might die in Rome.
HIL. Never, never! better end me here,
Than give my life the lie. Do they their worst,
What I have lived for, I will die for, too.
Better the Church go crumble all to ruins,
And Europe be a field of ravening wolves,
Than compromise be purchased at such price,
And sell the Church’s right to impious hounds,
And make the temple of God a den of thieves.
Go, Peter, go; your heart is like the rest.
Go, leave me, I am but a poor old man,
Weak, palsied, leaning slowly to my tomb.
I need no friend, God will be merciful.
Though cold and rude earth’s loves, I can but die.
PET. Thou knowest, Gregory, I will never leave thee.
HIL. ’Twill not be long, and then they’ll have their will.
O Europe! Europe! Peter, wilt thou see
That this place is kept sacred. Yon rose-tree
Kept watered, and yon twin-mound holy,
Till thou dost die?
PET. I will.
HIL. She was my daughter, Peter, and like her mother,
And the poor babe, it looked so sweet in death,
Mine age went to it. O Damiani,
These women and children twine about our hearts.
PET. Wilt thou go within?
HIL. Methought I heard one hum an old-time tune.
PET. Nay, Gregory, thou meanest a chant or hymn.
HIL. Nay, Peter, but a simple ballad tune,
That I loved long ago. Know thee, Peter,
All music is of God, and it be holy [Page 314].
PET. What be that noise? (rising) Who be those coming here?
HIL. Peter, thou wilt keep this place?
PET. Hildebrand! Hildebrand! Gregory! dost thou hear?
Many cardinals and bishops come this way.
Enter Cardinals, Bishops and Lords.
CARDINAL BRUNELLI—Your Holiness!
HIL. (rising suddenly and waving his hand imperiously)
Back! back! this ground be holy!
BRU. We be come, my lord—
HIL. Back! back! or fear my curse. Sully not
These silent, dreamless ears with impious words
Of earth’s ambitions, Church’s greed and curse.
Desecrate not this peace with life’s mad riot.
’Tis dedicate to memories alone
Of youth and innocence. [They fall back; he goes forward.
What be your will?
BRU. May it please your Holiness, we come from Rome.
HIL. I am Rome! And when these old walls crumble,
Rome hath fallen, till another be built.
’Twill not be long.
PET. Know, lord cardinals, that the Holy Father
Is indisposed. Complete your business.
HIL. Nay, not ill, but rather worn of life
And its vexatious evils, foolish toils.
Aye, lord cardinals, weigh you my curse so heavy,
That ye have came so far to crave my blessing?
BRU. We come, my lord, to heal this cruel schism
That rendeth Holy Church and maketh mock
Of Peter’s chair throughout all Christendom.
Henry of Germany—
HIL. Silence! or I’ll forget the Church’s good,
And curse her Cardinal. Name me not that monster,
Save in anathema. Look on me, Brunelli [Page 315],
And these poor hands wherein life’s blood runs cold,
So that they scarce can lift in Church’s blessing;
Look on my face and see Death written there,
In plainest charactry. Yet know, proud cardinals,
I still am Peter till my latest breath.
[He staggers. PETER catches him in his arms.
PET. Great God! he dies! Help! help! lord cardinals, help!
The greatest soul in Europe passeth now.
HIL. (staggers to his feet) I am going, Damiani. Heard you sounds
Of rustling pinions? Did you know a presence
That darkened all the horizon with its wings?
Nay, I can stand alone. Unhand me, Peter!
Lord cardinals and prelates, to your knees!
Take you my blessing, ’tis my latest hour! [All kneel.
All ye who have been true to Holy Church,
Take my last blessing. All who have been false,
Take ye my—Catherine! Catherine! Oh my God! [Dies.
CURTAIN.
