47^ The Brethren of the 
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THE BEETHREN OF THE CROSS. 
 
The original of tliis book is in 
 tlie Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924026236129 
 
THE 
 
 BEETHEEN OF THE CEOSS 
 
 A DEAMATIC POEM 
 
 FRIBDRICH LUDWIG ZACHARIAS IVERNEE 
 
 TRANSLATED PEOM THE GEEMAN BY 
 
 E. A. M. LEWIS 
 
 " The Cross is the framework of the Star." 
 
 HiPPEL. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 GEOBGE BELL & SONS, YOBK ST., COVENT GAEDEN 
 
 AND NEW YORK 
 
 1892 
 

 CHISWICK PRESS :— CHARLES WHITTINUHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, 
 CHANCERY LANE. 
 
TO THE MEMOET 
 
 OF THE 
 
 J^on. aigernon J^erbert. 
 
 Who smirching long, with insight keen,. 
 All thoughts and writings known of yore,. 
 Just miss'd what younger eyes have seen. 
 Old spoils creating newer lore ; 
 Yet scarce, in learning's twilight dim. 
 Truths yet entomh'd eluded him. 
 
EREATA. 
 
 Page 13, note, /or 1367 read 1307. 
 
 Page 26, line 4, /or- servant's read servants. 
 
 Page 85, note 2, line 2, /or of read or. 
 
 Page 101, last liae, for Lorda read lorda. 
 
 Page 157, line 5, insert Attendant (as speaker). 
 
 Page 206, line 1 of note, /or Heredon read Heredom. 
 
 TEANSLATOR'S INTEODUCTION. 
 
 IN bringing before the public "The Brethren of the 
 Cross," a sequel to "The Templars in Cyprus," already 
 published in Bohn's Standard Library, making together 
 the whole of Priedrich Louis Zacharie Werner's chief 
 work, " The Sons of the Valley," the translator wishes in 
 the first place to disclaim being in any way a theosophist, 
 or having any temptation or leaning towards so-called 
 Buddhistic teachings; for the sufficient reason, if for no 
 other, that Denial of Self -Will with a view to Self- Annihi- 
 lation must naturally fail in attraction to any mind impelled 
 towards co-operation with the energizing power of a 
 Higher Will beneficent for ever, and towards retaining 
 the Free-WiU which is the privilege of being " One and 
 Somewhat." To such there can be no satisfaction in the 
 prospect of attaining a Nirvana by becoming " Nought 
 and All," which is the Transformation held out to the 
 devotees in this poem as their ultimate aim, and it is well 
 to remember this crucial distinction between Bhuddism 
 and Christiaoity, that " Bhudda emphasizes the worthless- 
 ness, but Christ the great and limitless possibilities, of 
 human life." 
 
 • The translator's life-long interest in this poem of 
 Werner's dates from very early years when under the 
 influence of a learned writer who raised a free lance against 
 Gnosticism in every form and hunted it out of every comer 
 
viii translator's introduction. 
 
 in which lie suspected it of guiltily and occultly lurking, 
 but who did not know German ; so that the present trans- 
 lator, then understanding very little of German or of any- 
 thing else, was called upon to assist in developing the 
 meaning of Werner, a writer claiming so intimate an 
 acquaintance with the Occult. 
 
 Prom that time forward the translator never lost the 
 weird interest aroused by that antique mystery of The 
 Head, which has descended through aU historical time, 
 from that extraordinary story of the Head of Medusa, — 
 wonderful throughout the ages, and finding its climax of 
 beauty and appreciation in the " Epic of Hades " — where- 
 with may be classed, as having probably some sort of 
 common origin with it, the legends of the Heads of Nimrod 
 the huntsman, of Memnon, of Orpheus, of Pentheus King 
 of Thebes, of Cyrus, of Tolus or Olus found bleeding on 
 the Capitoline HiU and buried in the Capitol of Eome ; — 
 down to the bardic mystery of Bran's Head concealed in 
 the Tower of London ; to the dripping Head of Mimer, 
 whence Odin learnt his wisdom ; to the snaky Head, 
 Charon, of the sect called Marcionites; to the Head of 
 Auwak Khan set in silver and kept by Zenghis Khan to 
 guard his door ; to the magic Head which spoke, possessed 
 by Roger Bacon ; the Head worn by Attila ; the magical 
 or astrological busts of the Middle Ages ; the Jewish 
 Heads representing a Cabalistic Trinity ; the Kabala's 
 long-bearded Head of Wisdom ; the Architectural Heads 
 of the Gnostics : masks, cats, and so forth ; and the 
 mummy head covered with a skin and adorned with gold 
 and silver, which the Templars were accused of worshipping, 
 the description of it differing in various particulars in the 
 mouths of various deponents, probably because the Idol 
 Heads differed somewhat in the different Precepibories. This 
 Head of the Templars has been brought into comparison 
 with the Teraphim of the ancient Hebrews, a mummified 
 
translator's introduction. ix 
 
 child's head, a sort of talisman. ; but then, how arose that 
 strange custom of our fathers in religion ? In what remote 
 social and religious stratum of a recondite past was it 
 cradled ? 
 
 With the annihilation of the Order of Knights Templars 
 we hear no more in Europe about the Head. The Arabs, 
 of course, were always expecting Layard to unearth the 
 Head of Nimrod, but they are survivals of an elder world. 
 If any existing Secret Societies have yet maintained among 
 their mysteries that of the Head they have kept the secret 
 and have avoided aU repetition of the Templar fiasco ; 
 however, one can hardly conceive the likelihood of such 
 occult mysteries being kept up, even as symbols, in days 
 when the Church has so long ceased to persecute with fire 
 and sword. 
 
 But at the close of the thirteenth and beginning of the 
 fourteenth centuries it was no such incredible matter as 
 modem writers have been disposed to regard it, but was 
 natural enough to Heresy, so much so that the ecclesias- 
 tical judges of the Templars and the accused themselves 
 evidently ranked it in importance far below the other 
 accusations of " Denial of Christ " and " Desecration of 
 the Cross." There were, or had been lately, other sects, 
 avowedly heretical, who worshipped an idol in their 
 nocturnal assemblies and whose teachings were based like 
 the Templars on the system of Dualism. Thus, the idol, 
 Dr. Priitz says, represented the Under God, God of Matter 
 and Evil, a God of lower rank, but not irreconcilably op- 
 posed to the Higher God, God of Spirit and of Good. The 
 Templars, it is said, hailed it as " Fertilizer," " Saviour," 
 as their gold-finder and crop-giver, and to fertilize is not 
 the work of a devil, whose province is rather to destroy. 
 It was not therefore, in theory, devil-worship, though 
 it resulted in a regard for material advantage only, 
 which, from a disregard, passed to a contempt for, and 
 
X TRANSLATOR S INTRODUCTION. 
 
 desecration of, the Cross and Salvation of Jesus Christ, 
 and led to extraordinary outrages to morality on the part 
 of the Catharist sects. For, ■when all ceremonial law is 
 abolished and the law of Christ perverted, the descent is 
 facile into that antinomian licence against which St. Paul 
 warned the Galatians. At the trial, the Templars excused 
 and palliated the idol as a mere exhibition in Chapter of 
 relics from the Holy Land. 
 
 Opinions are divided as to the authentication of the 
 charges against the Order. The various depositions of the 
 Templars, not in France only but elsewhere, as at Florence 
 and in England, have been weighed and compared by 
 Professor Prutz and others, comparisons being made 
 between the admissions and omissions of the witnesses, 
 with due attention to the variations that occur in the 
 evidence, and the obvious pre-agreement in many cases to 
 make use of precisely identical formulas of evasion, con- 
 fession or palliation in the answers to questions. It will 
 not suffice to dismiss as worthless the testimony of the 
 accused on the general ground of its having been elicited 
 by torture. King Philip received some deathbed confessions 
 which were never retracted, and the most coercible class, 
 the serving class, confessed less than the Knights whose 
 sense of the Order's honour was higher. Moreover, the pre- 
 liminary trial of 1307 appointed by the King, under the 
 Inquisition and with torture, should have produced more 
 details, if false, than the clemency of the Papal Commission 
 of 1311 (see " The Templars' Trials," by J. Shallow, from 
 which many of these remarks are borrowed). And it is 
 worthy of reriiark that, in Spain, though the Spanish 
 Templars were interrogated with stern severity by the 
 Inquisition, and torture was used, they confessed nothing 
 under torture and were declared innocent, above all 
 suspicion ; and the same in Germany ; in neither of which 
 countries were the Preceptors ever said to have received 
 
translator's introduction. xi 
 
 the " Secret Statutes." Moreover, thougli in France 
 Philip undoubtedly rushed on the trial from motives of 
 self-interest, and in furtherance of ohjects of his own, 
 popular rumour had murmured for some time over re- 
 ported proceedings of the French Templars, and Pope 
 Innocent III. had addressed to them a warning and 
 reproof as long before as a.d. 1208. 
 
 Notwithstanding, then, the strong point in their favour, 
 that they went to the stake maintaining their innocence, 
 and although Dean MUman and Mr. Froude havfe summed 
 up in favour of it, it is difficult not to feel, all things 
 considered, that they had abused the privileges lavished 
 on them by the Popes, — such as. Confession to members of 
 their Order only, and liberty to remodel their statutes 
 independently of the Church, — and that the days of their 
 energetic service for Christ, as approved by St. Bernard, 
 and of their innocence, were over ; which innocence to 
 maintain seriously now as existing at the date of their 
 trial seems almost like a clinging to the skirts of that 
 romantic enthusiasm which long enveloped both the Order 
 in particular, and the Crusades in general, but is in either 
 case in danger of giving way to a considerable extent 
 under the stress of modem critical examination. 
 
 But for the hostility of the King of France and his 
 Minister — for which neither the Grand Master nor the 
 Pope was prepared — the Order would not have fallen so 
 suddenly and completely. The Papal Court would have 
 let off its favourite proteges with a superficial trial, and 
 would have minimized and suppressed the evidence to 
 obviate the scandal. But Phihp and his Chancellor, 
 Nogaret, forced on the trial in order to be beforehand 
 with the Pope, and collected and poured into his unwilling 
 lap masses of evidence of such a character that the Church 
 would have been involved in a worse scandal by ignoring 
 them, especially after the hard measure dealt by her to 
 
:xn TKANSLATOR S INTRODUCTION. 
 
 such very mucli more innocuous sects as the Waldensians 
 and Poor Men of Lyons. No similar accusations were ever 
 brought against the contemporary Order of St. John, to 
 -whom the Templar possessions were awarded. 
 
 The theory running through the Poem of Preemasonry's 
 assumed direct descent from the suppressed Order of 
 Knights Templars remains debatable, and the uninitiated 
 can hardly be expected to pronounce an opinion on the 
 mediaeval Lodge of Kilwinning and its Scotch degrees, 
 and the seven Templars who escaped to revive the Order 
 on the Island of MuU in the hfetime of Robert Bruce. 
 It is worth noticing that the Carbonari of Italy trace 
 themselves back to Scotland also, as originated by an 
 ancient " charcoal-burner," there in the days of Robert 
 Bruce and his wife Isabella, when they say there were 
 meetings in the forests of associated men disguised as 
 charcoal-burners . 
 
 The theory of the Temple's perpetuation in the Scottish 
 Lodge is at any rate no invention of Werner's, but has 
 been advanced by certain among the Freemasons them- 
 selves, though not, it appears, by the whole body, who, it 
 is understood, would repudiate the idea. Supposing it to 
 be true, society at large has no proof of it. It remains 
 for those Freemasons who have affirmed Freemasonry to 
 be a blending of the mediaeval Mason G-uilds (such as 
 were the architects of Magdeburg Cathedral and designers 
 of Cologne), with the remnant of the Temple Order, to 
 produce out of their private archives and hand over to 
 competent critics documentary evidence to support their 
 proposition, and so settle the historical fact one way or 
 the other. 
 
 To all outward appearance the year 1314 saw the utter 
 annihilation of the Temple Order, and Dr. Hans Priitz 
 deprecates the idea of their possibly having survived, in any 
 form, in so poor a country as Scotland, where the Order had 
 
translator's introduction. xiii 
 
 never played a striking part, and whence, at the time of the 
 Papal Bull of suspension, it had almost entirely disappeared, 
 only about two Knights remaining. There is, however, 
 another way of loolring at this. Not only would those 
 very circumstances avert suspicion from Scotland as their 
 place of refuge, but, as a rule, nothing perishes utterly, 
 nothing is irretrievably annihilated without a remnant 
 remaining. Some spark of the vital fire usually survives 
 somewhere even if in a disguised form, and, for a death- 
 struck, terror-stricken order, with all the world against it, 
 the Ultima Thule of Mull might offer a remote haven, 
 safe from suspicion and prying eyes, wherein to resuscitate 
 the ashes of the Phoenix. 
 
 Moreover, in 1346, David, king of Scots, was made 
 prisoner, and his kingdom crushed by Queen Philippa 
 during Edward the Third's victorious absence in France, 
 a crisis of anarchy peculiarly favourable to maturing such 
 schemes. 
 
 It is true that the period of incubation would be a long 
 one, from the suppression of the Templars tiU the year 
 1688, when Freemasonry sprang to light in Scotland in 
 the political interests of the Stuarts, but here again the 
 argument is of a similar character. It is not likely that 
 Freemasonry arose there full-fledged ; it is incredible. 
 All things have their gradual progress, and the brother- 
 hood may, in silence, and at a distance from all historical 
 events, have been influencing men's minds undemon- 
 stratively, until circumstances called out an expression of 
 their policy. 
 
 In 1646 arose the Rosicrucians, a blend of Masonry and 
 Occultism, with views in affinity to those attributed to the 
 Templars, and they also must have been maturing their 
 ideas for a long while before they produced them to the 
 world. 
 
 The fact is, we are really very ignorant as to the origin 
 
xiv translator's introduction. 
 
 of Freemasonry and perhaps too ■willing to acquiesce easily 
 in that ignorance on so curiously interesting a fact of 
 history. Even those who abandon as chimerical the 
 linking it with the Tower of Babel, or Solomon's Temple, 
 should at least like to ascertain how and when it came 
 among the Buddhists of Thibet. Mr. Moorcroft, who 
 published in the "Asiatic Kesearches," vol. xii. in 1812, 
 an account of his travels in that country, was visited 
 by an ofBcer of the Government, called the Nerba, upon 
 whose striped woollen dress he makes the following obser- 
 vations : " On the back of his habit, and on the right 
 shoulder, were sewed the saw, adze, chisel, rule, and all the 
 insignia of Freemasonry, in iron ; the symbols of a frater- 
 nity of which he said he was a member." Thus, the doc- 
 trine of the divinity of primaeval architecture appeared to 
 be in vigour amongst them. 
 
 As has been shown, in notes to "The Templars in 
 Cyprus," the Scottish Lodge of Freemasons made use of 
 the martyred Molay's name as a password, while employ- 
 ing the names of his murderers in terms of execration 
 expressive of their abhorrence of the excesses of Priests 
 and Kings, their names being substituted for the ancient 
 ones of Hiram, the artificer of Solomon's Temple, and the 
 three apprentices, rejoicing in the appellations of Jubelos, 
 Jubelas, and Jubelum, who are said by the legend to have 
 murdered Hiram at the western, or sunset, door of the 
 Temple, for the sake of the secret word which he refused 
 to reveal to them. Thus the lost password is ostensibly 
 the Masonic mystery. 
 
 Of this execration, a natural enough product of the 
 corrupt and selfish tyranny of a Philip of Valois, origi- 
 nator of the Gahelle, or the infamies of a Philip of Orleans, 
 Nihilism is the outcome. Freemasonry, which began by 
 sympathizing with the exiled Stuarts, we find, later, deve- 
 loped into an active agent of the French Eevolution as 
 
translator's INTRODUCTIOlJ. XV 
 
 shown in an interesting pamphlet by Monsignor Dupanloup ; 
 while the mysterious phase caUed Illuminatism spread in 
 all directions, the cipher of the lUuminati, " L.P.D." 
 (Lilia pedibus destruo), signifying the doom of Kings. 
 
 Whether or no the old Masons can be connected with 
 these modem architectonic firebrands, we owe to the 
 Freemasonic G-uilds the chnrches of the fifteenth and 
 sixteenth centuries; and the decadence of taste in these 
 buildings, — their deficiency in the solemn charm of the 
 old Norman and Early English work is attributed to the 
 fact that they were left to the management of the skilled 
 craftsmen, and not, as formerly, personally planned and 
 supervised by educated clergy who were wont, at an 
 earlier period, lovingly to endow the erections with, as it 
 were, their own soul and feelings. May then an answer to 
 the perplexing problem, why such undisguised types of 
 evil in the form of sculptured Heads, occurring so plenti- 
 fully within many of our Christian fanes, should have been 
 allowed with so little propriety to invade them, be found 
 in the unrestrained influence of the Masonic Cruilds, sup- 
 posing them to have been veritably allied in sympathy 
 with sects that made evil their good ? — There are two fine 
 churches in Lincolnshire within half a mile of each other, 
 one of which has Corbel Heads of a pronounced type of 
 imholiness, while the other, which formed part of a 
 theological coUegiate group with canons' houses still 
 standing, is perfectly clear of Heads throughout its length 
 and breadth. 
 
 In " The Brethren of the Cross," the Templar tragedy is 
 carried through to the bitter end with true Greek fatality. 
 The entrapped and helpless victims, the ruthless and shame- 
 less King, the time-serving Pope, their nefarious agents con- 
 demned eventually by those they served, one after another 
 succumb, till scarcely any remain of the Dramatis Personse 
 
XVI TRANSLATORS INTRODUCTION. 
 
 except the Seven elected to nurse the banished Phoenix 
 out of its ashes into newer life, and perpetuate the mystical 
 doctrine hinted at throughout the Poem. The Brethren 
 of the Valley of Peace, revealed as Carmelites or White 
 Friars at Paris, with enlarged religious views including 
 the worship of Isis and Horus Apollo, and admitting 
 themselves to be " Cloister-Brothers here, but Brahmins 
 on the Granges," apply themselves to the destruction of 
 the Brotherhood of the Templars as being unworthy, by 
 their too open disclosures, to remain guardians of the 
 Mystic Light; and with exultation Werner proclaims in 
 his Epilogue, " That Valley is not dead." We may fairly 
 suppose it, therefore, to survive to-day in the Theosophical 
 Society, who revere the Templars as " men imbued with 
 the mystic learning and hidden secrets of the East," and 
 representing " advanced thought in an age of persecution " 
 (see their organ " Lucifer," August 1891), and who 
 themselves claim to have reached sublime heights far 
 above ordinary Christianity. They thus speak, no doubt, 
 of what they would call the higher aspects of the Templars' 
 tenets, apart from the grossness said to have disgraced 
 their Initiations, which really is not more incredible than 
 that of the tortures inflicted upon them, especially when 
 viewed as sanctioned by ancient custom. For such would 
 seem to have been the concomitant of all Initiations from 
 the rites of antiquity downwards ; it marked the re- 
 ceptions into the Hanseatic League, and the question may 
 even be hazarded whether the Initiations of German Corps 
 Students are at the present day entirely free from it. 
 
 The legend of Phosphoros, which name is of course the 
 same word in Greek as Lucifer in Latin: "Light-bearer," 
 seems to contain the sacred history of " The Valley " for 
 those who can understand it. The Lord shuts up 
 Phosphoros (the spiritual essence of man, Carlyle suggests) 
 in the Prison of Life to punish him for his pride in longing 
 
translator's introduction. xvii 
 
 to be " One and Somewhat," that is, for his egoism in that 
 he cannot forget Self and " Amid the glories of the Majestic 
 AU, is still haunted and blended by some shadow of his 
 own little Me. Therefore he is imprisoned in the Element 
 (of a material body) and has the four Azure Chains (the 
 four principles of Matter) bound roimd him." 
 
 This all seems to point to the Fall of Lucifer, who fell 
 from Heaven to become the Lower God of Matter and Evil, 
 and who is one day to be reinstated, according to the idea 
 of the Luciferians, in his rightful place whence he was 
 Wrongfully ejected. This seems to express symbolically 
 that Matter wiU revert to Spirit, but how that is to come 
 about, who, in short, is " the Saviour from the Waters,'' 
 whom Phosphoros, relieved from his worst burdens, is left 
 still anxiously expecting, on this point we are, as Carlyle 
 says, left in entire ignorance. It is evidently the great 
 secret which we, who remain "blind," are not to know. But 
 though it is not pleasant to give expression to that which 
 is blasphemous, it is only fair, in justice to the Church and 
 the action of her Councils in the condemnation of the 
 Templars, to say that, according to the Luciferian heresy, 
 the reinstatement is to be effected by the deposition of 
 Lucifer's usurping younger brother Jesus Christ ; and what 
 is this but " Antichrist " ? 
 
 It would be curious, did space permit, to dwell upon the 
 ancient connection of architectural tools and craftsmen 
 with the Fall from Heaven. First of all would come 
 Hephaestos, the divine artificer and builder, but also the 
 ante-Homeric god of fire whom the irate Zeus hurled from 
 the sty. Him we trace to the Vedistic god of fire, Agni, 
 who, from being the element used by the smith, came in 
 time to be conceived of as himself the artificer; while, 
 surely by more than a coincidence, that artificer of Solomon's 
 Temple, Hiram, adopted as the principal person of the 
 Masonic legend as emblemizing the Grand Architect of the 
 
xviii 'IRANSLATORS INTRODUCTION. 
 
 TJniverse, is said by Josephus (Book viii. ch. iii.) to have 
 been, the son. of TTr^fire.^ 
 
 Then to Daedalus was attributed the invention of instru- 
 ments of carpentry and cement and glue, and he was the son 
 of Aurora and Tithonus, of which latter it is said, poetically, 
 that Daedalus was : 
 
 "illo genitore creatus 
 Qui vocat Aurorem coeloque novisaimus exit," 
 
 and, historically, that he was a great astronomer who went 
 abroad before dawn to make his observations, but when he 
 became old and infirm Aurora, by the help of oriental drugs, 
 restored him to health and vigour, — evidently the Morning 
 Star. 
 
 Daedalus, his son, made wings for his own son Icarus, 
 but soaring too near the sun their cement melted and he 
 fell, as Phaeton and Bellerophon aspired and fell. 
 
 So also Dsedalion, who was son of Lucifer and fell from 
 Parnassus, and was changed by Apollo into a falcon. His 
 name shows him to have been son of Daedalus and the same 
 as Icarus. 
 
 Again, the son of Daedalus is called Talos, the clever 
 inventor of instruments of architecture, such as the saw, 
 compass and turning-lathe, still more elaborate and useful 
 than those of his father who, from jealousy of his superior 
 attainments, cast him down from a high place, some say a 
 window ; but before he reached the earth Minerva, changed 
 him into a partridge, most cunning of birds, and he was 
 
 1 The statements that Hephajstos, when thrown from Heaven, 
 fell on Lemnos at sunset, and that Hiram fell at the sunset gate 
 of the Temple, seem further to carry on the analogy. The body 
 of Hiram, slain at sunset, will be renewed on the seventh day to 
 symbolize the renewed life of the sun in the seventh month, for 
 the sun's full strength is attained when he enters Leo (July), and 
 this explains the allusions to "the Lion" in the mystic song, 
 Act iv. Sc. 4. 
 
TRANSLATORS INTRODUCTION. XIX 
 
 called Perdix; another version of Icarus. Tliis jealousy 
 reappears in Masonry in the story of the apprentice who 
 made the beautiful pillar in Eoslyn Chapel and was killed 
 by the Master-Mason wljen he returned and found his art 
 surpassed, a legend repeated several times elsewhere. 
 
 It is not necessary to follow Carlyle in his further con- 
 jectures as to the meaning of " the Word," " the Eainbow," 
 etc. ; conjectures which probably only provoke a smile 
 from the " Seeing," who know their occult meanings and 
 see in "the Rainbow" something quite different from "the 
 chivalry, the whole romantic feeling of the^e later days." 
 
 But to Carlyle's theorizings (" Life and Writings of 
 Werner") it may be added, as a reminder, that water 
 figured essentially as the " Isis " element in those Paracel- 
 sian days when water was one of the " four elements," the 
 reharmonization of which should form the fifth element, 
 or quintessence, able to " restore all things " and bring 
 about, in accordance with the desire of the alchemists, 
 endless perfection of body and soul together, and when 
 water was not merely regarded as a something compounded 
 of two separate elements, oxygen and hydrogen, as now it 
 is known to be. Indeed, water is not even pure unless 
 distilled. Bloxam says, " Pure water is not found in 
 nature. Eain water is the purest (undistilled) form, but 
 even that collects gases from the atmosphere during its 
 fa,ll." 
 
 We hear the song of the Hidden Voices (Act V.) adjuring 
 the Illuminated to leave the Earthly and seek the Longing 
 for Water (des Wassers Sehnsiicht Spiiren). 
 
 It has been suggested that , " the Saviour from the 
 Waters," might mean the Sun rising in his glory from the 
 sea, in reference to the prominence given to Horus, the 
 Rising Sun, in both books of " the Sons of the Valley," 
 even as, from the familiar sight of the frog raising head 
 and shoulders out of the water, the Prog-Kiag of folk-lore 
 
XX translator's introduction. 
 
 has been recognized to be the Sun by the devotees of the 
 Solar Myth. 
 
 This is clear, that Horus must be held to represent the 
 sun, fire, gold, and the male element, and Isis the moon, 
 water, silver, and the female element. 
 
 But it is vain to pursue the inquiry further, knowing 
 as we do that writers on these subjects professedly desire 
 to be understood by the Initiated only, and that " Water," 
 therefore, may probably stand, after aU, for something 
 quite different from the literal meaning of the word. Dr. 
 Berdoe, in his " Essay on Paracelsus," suggests that " fear 
 of the persecutions of the Church probably caused the use 
 of an incomprehensible style, symbolic names, and fanciful 
 metaphors." 
 
 Faiths and consciences have grown more elastic since 
 those times, yet " the occult " still professedly survives, 
 and it may well be that even as we are now, hardened and 
 toughened by nineteenth century friction, and not easily 
 surprised at anything, we might yet be too greatly startled 
 were the whole " occult " laid bare before us in language's 
 naked simplicity ; while, " he that walketh in darkness 
 knoweth not whither he goeth," and occult practices and 
 secret- swearing cannot historically be said, thus far, to 
 have led to any good thing. 
 
 We, however, to whom the standpoint of Christ's teach- 
 ing is all-sufficient, are not concerned to inquire further 
 into these mysteries, and will simply remind those to whom 
 Theosophy may have been presented in tempting guise 
 that the whole system of the secret and occult is contrary 
 to the spirit and essence of the Christian faith, which 
 recognizes as the Light of the World Him in whom is no 
 darkness at all, in the true ring of whose incomparable 
 utterances both child and sage alike may read the pure and 
 simple teachings of Life Divine; Love, Peace, Union, and 
 Brotherhood in their highest conceivable perfection. 
 
EEEATA. 
 
 Page 13, note, /or 1367 read 1307. 
 
 Page 26, line 4, /or servant's read servants. 
 
 Page 85, note 2, line 2, for of read or. 
 
 Page 101, last line, for Lorda read lorda. 
 
 Page 157, line 5, insert Attendant (as speaker). 
 
 Page 206, line 1 of note, /or Heredon reorf^ Heredom. 
 
 'i'lien JN emesis strites home, anct, through the ferment, 
 G-lows manifest the lovely star of Peace. 
 
 Meanwhile, ere I shall all these things unfold, 
 
 A dream, a vision let me shovr to you, 
 
 In revelation to old Hugo sent ; 
 
 For dreams are breathings wafted down from Home, 
 
 And night is sunlight to the inward eye ; 
 
 And Grodhead graciously reveals itself 
 
 To guileless goodness in a prescient dream. 
 
XX translator's introduction. 
 
 has been recognized to be the Sun by the devotees of the 
 Solar Myth. 
 
 This is clear, that Horus must be held to represent the 
 sun, fire, gold, and the male element, and Isis the moon, 
 water, silver, and the female element. 
 
 But it is vain to pursue the inquiry further, knowing 
 as we do that writers on these subjects professedly desire 
 to be understood by the Initiated only, and that " Water," 
 therefore, may probably stand, after aU, for something 
 quite different from the literal meaning of the word., 
 
 Theosophy may have been presented in tempting guise 
 that the whole system of the secret and occidt is contrary 
 to the spirit and essence of the Christian faith, which 
 recognizes as the Light of the World Him in whom is no 
 darkness at all, in the true ring of whose incomparable 
 utterances both child and sage alike may read the pure and 
 simple teachings of Life Divine; Love, Peace, Union, and 
 Brotherhood in their highest conceivable perfection. 
 
BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 
 
 PEOLOGrS. 
 
 PEEPAEED is transformation's sacrifice : 
 France holds the Templars ; they have languished sore 
 Through seven long years in gruesome prison- ward. 
 Their foes have sworn to compass their perdition ; 
 Their friends are resolute to rescue them ; 
 While over all, like everlasting Fate, 
 High poised above, the holy Valley floats. 
 
 Now 'neath the ordeal manhood's virtue fails, 
 
 While human malice proud but powerless flaunts ; 
 
 And dimness veils the eyesight of them both ; 
 
 Tet vice is servant to the Eternal Will ; 
 
 Bright virtue, triumphing, lights up the tomb. 
 
 Then Nemesis strikes home, and, througli the ferment. 
 
 Glows manifest the lovely star of Peace. 
 
 Meanwhile, ere I shall all these things unfold, 
 
 A dream, a vision let me show to you, 
 
 In revelation to old Hugo sent ; 
 
 For dreams are breathings wafted down from Home, 
 
 And night is sunlight to the inward eye ; 
 
 And Godhead graciously reveals itself 
 
 To guileless goodness in a prescient dream. 
 
^ BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 
 
 To him it seemed, our earthly globe appear'd 
 Vast, verdant, rounded like a cannon-ball ; 
 Between the air and sea he saw it hang 
 And two misshapen heads gigantic, huge, 
 One wearing with a monkish cowl a crown, 
 One covered by a court-fool's motley cap. 
 Were stationed right and left, each side the ball. 
 
 These both appeared to arm themselves for strife, 
 
 From widely yawning jaws and throats they blew 
 
 Air-bubbles, blood-ensanguined, each to each; 
 
 The bubbles lighted on the verdant earth, 
 
 TiU in a blood-bath it transfigured swam. 
 
 Yet purest flames rose heavenward from the blood. 
 
 And from that fire up-sprang a mighty Cross. 
 
 And all aflame this great Cross soared to heaven ; 
 
 Its upper end refulgent like the sun. 
 
 Its lower carbonized by igneous heat ; 
 
 And lo, of this charred wood from off the Cross 
 
 A fragment feel to earth, and thousandfold 
 
 Small pigmy men, span long, began to swarm 
 
 About the cinder fallen from the Cross. 
 
 They looked upon it, planed it, measured it. 
 And built a little ornamental lodge 
 Wherein to shelter meetly that charred wood ; 
 But could not be of one mind in the building 
 Whence rose much wrangling and dissension there, 
 Por whatsoe'er one dwarf had deftly built. 
 Was straightway by another dwarf pulled down. 
 
 And thus the lodge so handsomely ornate 
 First spiral-formed, and next an obelisk, 
 A coal-hearth next, a sheep-stall next appeared ; 
 Last, crowned they it with finely lacquered roof, 
 But could not shelter under it the Cross, 
 For lo ! 'twas higher than those pigmy walls. 
 And still outgrew the microscopic roof. 
 
BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 
 
 Then frenzy seized upon that pigmy folt ; 
 With torches and with hammers they fell to, 
 And buffeted the Cross until it fell ; 
 But in its fall it brought to ruin quite 
 The little house, and wholly shattered it. 
 And what was still left standing of its wall 
 Soon crumbled all together of itself. 
 
 Then from on high a voice stentorian cried ; 
 
 " Enough, enough of vain, presumptuous folly ! " 
 
 And awestruck crept the pigmy folk away. 
 
 Then, radiant from the open heaven came floating 
 
 The great, the true, the ancient Cross to earthward, 
 
 Unhurt, upborne on wings of doves it hovered ; 
 
 And night absorbed the two unsightly heads. 
 
 Then all the world one vast sole Church stood firm 
 On fresh green burial-turf for ever green. 
 And on the Church stood fixed the mighty Cross. 
 The Church became a sacrament of the Body, 
 The sea a sacrament of the Blood most holy. 
 The dwarfs were changed to giants, for they lifted 
 Their heads and bathed them in the Eternal Light. 
 
 And out of ether and the flames resounded, 
 
 And out of earth and water still it sounded. 
 
 And all creation sang, the choral strain ; 
 
 That o'er death's terrors Life shall rise victorious. 
 
 And dust press upward to its sources glorious, 
 
 If only it will lose itself, and gladly 
 
 Dissolve into the universal Whole. 
 
PEESONAGES. 
 
 The Geand Master. ■* 
 
 The Old Man of Caemel, a grey-headed centenarian, 
 first Elder. 
 
 Adam of Y aiathcovrt, formerly Knight-Templar, now 
 Carmelite-Provincial, second Elder. 
 
 Eight Elders. 
 
 An Associate. 
 
 William of Paeis, Archbishop of Sens, President of 
 the Inquisitorial Tribunal appointed for the Tem- 
 plars, and Disciple. 
 
 A Messenger and three hoesemen, in the Service. 
 
 James B^m^ddSjMolay, Master. 
 
 Hugo de Villaes, Grand Commander. 
 
 GuiDO DE Vienne, Grand-Prior of Normandy , formerly 
 
 superintendent of the Temple-houseatParis, Preceptor. 
 Gottfried von Salza.\^ . . .„ 
 Charlot deGuyonne. /-^»«?«^*- 
 Brother Squin, called Cyprian, Chaplain. 
 Geegee, a serving-brother. 
 Robert of Heredon, a Scot. 
 Heribert, Ex-prior of Montfaucon. 
 Noffo.di Noffodbi, now Captain of the 
 
 Guards. 
 Feank of Beienne, Count ofPoitou 
 Tbilip, formerly Duke ofAnJou, now Royal 
 
 Gardener. 
 Adalbeet of Anjou, his son. 
 
 Of the 
 Valley. 
 
 Who have 
 
 ■ceased to be 
 
 Members. 
 
 Of the 
 Temple 
 Order. 
 
 Philip the Faie, King ofFraiice. 
 
 Caedinal of Pejeneste, Papal Legate, friend of Molay. 
 
 Cardinal of Albano, Promoter of the Datary. 
 
 Henry of Beienne, Count of Poitou, Seneschal and Peer of France, 
 
 Frank's father. 
 William de Nogaret, Chancellor. 
 Du Plessis, Knight and King's Counsellor 
 
O - BRETHREN OF THE CROSS, 
 
 Father Vincent, Augustine-Prior, Supervisor of the imprisoned 
 
 Templars. 
 The Teoubadok. 
 
 A Form exactly resembling him. 
 The Secretary to the Archbishop of Sens. 
 The Gaoler. 
 
 Humbert, servant to Philip of Anjou. 
 Count of Arras. ^ 
 
 Viscount of Chateauverd. 
 Marshal. 
 Cavalier. 
 Marquis. 
 Baron. 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 Two Ushers. 
 
 Of the King's Court. 
 
 KUNIGUNDB, Abbess of the Norbertine Convent of St. Clare, Molay's 
 
 Agnes, Nun in the above Convent, beloved of Adalbert, and Molay's 
 natural daughter. 
 
 Portress of the said Convent. 
 
 Matilda, Countess of Auvergne, ci-devant mistress of the King, now 
 betrothed to Frank. 
 
 Knights-Templars and Serving-brothers, Persons of the 
 Court, Pages, Royal Councillors and Peothonotaribs, 
 Witnesses against the Temple Officers of the Guard, 
 Guards, Mounted Teoopees of the Seneschal, an Eccle- 
 siastic, a Chorister, Beadles, Burghers, a Messenger. 
 People. 
 
 The action tahes place at Paris, in the year 1314/ it begins on the 
 nth of March early in the morning, and ends at sunset on the 
 ISth of March. 
 
ACT I. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 (Boom of the Archhishop of Sens, with two doors opposite to 
 
 one another, one of which leads into the Bishop's Cabinet. 
 
 It is early morning). 
 The Abchbishop's Seceetaet (sitting at a table strewed 
 
 with papers, writing). Pathee Vincent (gliding in at 
 
 the principal door). 
 
 Vincent. 
 IV /r AT the Lord Bishop's Grrace be spoke with yet ? 
 
 Seceetaet. 
 Tes. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Tip so early ? 
 
 Seceetaet. 
 At his desk since foiir. 
 
 Vincent. 
 I have been summoned. 
 
 Seceetaet. 
 Tes. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 No doubt you know 
 The reason why ? 
 
8 brethren of the cross. [act i. 
 
 Sbcbetaet. 
 Yes. 
 
 VlNCliNT. 
 
 'Tis as I suppose. 
 This endless trial of the Templar-Knights. 
 
 Sbceetakt. 
 As you suppose. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Natheless I will not thiak 
 His Grace would misinterpret my true zeal, 
 Or hope, — reward of my devoted service 
 The which I to the Church — you smUe. And why ? 
 
 Secebtaet. ' 
 
 I did but sneeze — 
 
 Vincent. 
 In very truth, Sir Clerk, 
 A signal service you might render me, 
 If candidly as to a faithful friend, 
 You'd but repeat to me such things anent 
 Myself as might perhaps by other tongues 
 Be told his Grace the Bishop. 
 
 Seceetaet (stamping on his pen). 
 Curse the pen ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 And, — most especially, — would you but deal 
 More openly with me in many ways, 
 I should be endlessly obliged to you. 
 The Archbishop now himself — ^well, there's a man 
 One never can sufficiently admire. 
 To whose high gifts one only dare approach 
 With bended knees and countenance cast down. 
 
 Seceetaet. 
 You know perhaps his dachshund ? 
 
sc. i.] brethren of the cross. 9 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Natheless, thus, 
 No man to a right knowledge of him comes 
 And how one stands with him one never knows. 
 Ay, even his zeal towards the Church of Grod 
 Seems som.etimes — how express it ? — to grow cold. 
 Even in relation to proved heretics. 
 
 Sbceetabt. 
 He's had him sent away. 
 
 Vincent (hastily). 
 Who? 
 
 Secketaet. 
 
 Why, his dachshund, 
 Because he fawned too much, and bit behind. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Sir Clerk — I speak in earnest — as a friend. 
 Ton are a worthy man ; but you're too stubborn. 
 Not so are fortunes made ! — The Lord Archbishop 
 Is energy itself from head to foot, 
 A matchless man ! But yet the Pallium surely 
 Is never won by merely reading mass. 
 
 Seceetaet (fluttering his pajpers). 
 Damn'd lot of work ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 However great he be, 
 Still is he mortal. If a prop give way. 
 Then everyone who leant on it looks round 
 To seek himself another ; — then one needs 
 Oftwhile, the friend once stubbornly repelled. 
 Sir Clerk, be we on good t«rms with each other ; 
 See, here's my hand, in honour and good faith. 
 
 Seceetaet (holding up all his fingers as the Father 
 
 offers his hand). 
 All smear'd with ink ! 
 
10 brethren of the cross. [act i. 
 
 Vincent. 
 An interchange of gifts 
 Is friendship, generated by mutual need. 
 Be I confessor, and the shrivelling you ! 
 Such things as may transpire within these walls 
 Do you confess to me ; I'll pay you back 
 With healing of your soul and what pertains 
 Thereunto. — See ! a trifling gauge thereof ! 
 
 [Se draws from beneath his cowl a golden 
 cup and proffers it to the Secretary. 
 
 Sbcbetart. ' 
 
 Nay — 'tis too villainous ! 
 
 [Jumping from his seat and calling into the 
 Cabinet. 
 
 Tour Grace ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 How now ? 
 Seceetakt. 
 Tour Grace ! Here, Father Vincent ! — 
 
 [Enter the Abchbishop op Sens. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 What's the matter ? 
 
 Secbetabt (holding out the cup to the Abchbishop). 
 The Father offers me this cup that I 
 Should tell him in return what passes here. 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 How, Eeverend Father ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 See me here, your Grace, 
 In pleasurable excitement, where the pain 
 One instant to displease you, checks the sweet 
 Delight of finding in this noble soul 
 The faithful friend of excellence ! Long, 'sooth, 
 I've held him verily worthy of the love 
 So richly lavished on him by your Grace, 
 Whose searching eye no mortal may deceive ; 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 11 
 
 But yet the barest possibility 
 
 Of seeing a pearl so priceless squandered, joined 
 
 Witli my illimitable zeal for all 
 
 Your Grace's welfare, drove me — I confess it — 
 
 To blameworthy misdoubting, lest the Clerk 
 
 Might not perhaps in every pbint deserve 
 
 Your favour which so honours him. And thus 
 
 I ventured propositions which my heart, 
 
 Bound ever to the paths of rectitude, 
 
 Abhors most justly. And this cup was meant 
 
 To test if he might be temptation- proof. 
 
 A blundering act, discrediting perhaps 
 
 My head indeed, but not my heart's uprightness. 
 
 I stand reproved ; the uncorrupted wins, 
 
 Whose happiness, no less, the vanquished shares. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Henceforth such idle fictions spare yourself. 
 Spare him the pain of feeling shame for you. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Your Grace — 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 To other matters ! I permit 
 You freely to dissect me if you can. 
 
 [^To the Secretary. 
 Where's the petition of the imprisoned Templars ? 
 
 Sbceetakt (giving him the paper). 
 Here! 
 
 Aechbishop (hands the paper to the Father). 
 Eead ! Has much fresh news come in to-night ? 
 
 [To the Secretary, 
 
 Seceetaet (showing two packets). 
 These are the letters. The reports are here. 
 
 Aechbishop 
 [Looks slightly through a packet, then lays 
 it on the table, and says to the Father, 
 You have finished ? Can you justify yourself ? 
 What, silent ? 
 
12 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT I. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Only by surprise struck dumb ! 
 How deeply fallen is this apostate brood 
 Of Templars ! since in all my ardent zeal 
 To saye their souls they see no worthier airn 
 Than to tomip.rt them.. 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 Sir, tirades are no 
 Exoneration ; but the affair will come 
 Before the Spiritual Court ; there clear yourself. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Shall then a tribe of querulous men whose word, 
 As heretics, no weight can carry, serve 
 In law-courts to accuse a servant true ? 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 Silence ! I know you ! Trusted to your care 
 The Templars were, and you have used them ill ; 
 Your own self-seeking not, as you pretend, 
 A zeal of holiness has influenced you. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Tet pardon me. Eight Eeverend, if I must 
 Pray you remember at my sole suggestion 
 The worthy Brothers Heribert and NofEo 
 Disclosed the abominations of the Order, 
 At my sole instigation, Cyprianus — 
 
 Archbishop. 
 No more of that dull idiot ! How could you 
 Even dream of mixing him up in the plot V 
 And those two others — a rogue, a lunatic ! 
 Two famous witnesses, indeed, for truth ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 Tet through their testimony only — 
 
sc. i.] brethren of the cross. 13 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 That 
 Befell which, more decorously by far, 
 Must certainly, without their aid, befall. 
 Enough. My time is precious. One word more 
 To finish with. If ever by your own 
 Incentive you resort again to torture. 
 Why then — you know me. Father ! 
 
 Vincent (shuddering). 
 
 For G-od's sake. 
 My gracious Lord ! I thought by torture's means 
 Truth should— 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 A terrible necessity 
 Is torture, when high motives warrant it ; 
 A giant-sword not meant for dwarfish hands 
 To wield. Eetire ! ^ [Exit Vincent. 
 
 Seceetaet. 
 Ah, pestilent hypocrite ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I know him. Now to work ! 
 
 [Seats himself in an arm-chair placed on 
 the front of the stage. 
 
 Seceetaet. 
 
 This packet claims 
 Your first attention. A petition from 
 
 ^ In the inquiry by the Inquisitors in the autumn of 136(7, ordered 
 and hurried on W Philip the Fair to forestall the dilatory action of 
 the Pope, those Templars who refused to confess were tortured be- 
 cause flbe preliminary inquiry in 1306 had raised a presumption of 
 guilt against them. This torture was administered oy a cleric. A 
 man of so much science (presumably anatomical) Avas required that 
 not one could be found in England, and the Paris one was a monk, 
 W. Roberts ; under these experts were cruel and severe persons of 
 lower position, often drunk. No wonder that the bulk of the 
 prisoners confessed after being merely threatened. See " The 
 Templars' Trials," by J. Shallow, p. 37 — Trans. 
 
14 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT I. 
 
 The Lady of the Gnostic/ introduced 
 By these few autographic lines enclosed 
 By his Lordship the Promoter. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 Let me see it ! 
 (Takes both papers from the Seceetabt; aside reading). 
 " He lies so long in ward, — humanity ! — 
 His sufEering family! " — and his handsome wife, 
 Lord Cardinal ? Te fools ! Since ye destroy 
 By thousands, cast, with them the mask away 
 Whicih counterfeits compassion. (To the Secbetabt giving 
 him bach both papers : aloud). 
 
 'Tis refused ! 
 Where thousands needs must fall, one counts as nought. 
 Who asked the fool to preach truth on the housetops ? 
 Grive me the others. 
 
 Seckbtabt (handing him another paper). 
 A petition from 
 The Prioress of the Convent of St. Clare 
 To see her brother Molay once again. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Last consolation ere the sacrifice ! 
 'Tis granted ! 
 
 Seceetabt (reading the headings of different papers) . 
 Of the Templars to the Pope, 
 Appeal ; from Peter of Bologna, proctor. ^ 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Too late ! — First circulated, then delivered ! 
 
 ^ The author here glances at a point of great importance in judg- 
 ing of the guilt or innocence of the Templars, namely, the fact that 
 France was in the latter half of the thirteenth century overgrown 
 with Gnostic heresies of various tenets, especially in the southern 
 provinces, where the Templars had centralized themselves in 
 quasi regal power. They numbered their tens of thousands— a 
 ciicnmstance not unlikely to foster in the Templars living in their 
 midst a disposition to heresy. — Trans. 
 
 ^ Elected spokesman in defence of the prisoners. — Trans. 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 15 
 
 Secebtaet. 
 " Eevised report of tlie Preceptory 
 Prom the Consistory at Montpellier 
 To say no devil-liead lias there been found." 
 
 Abchbishop (aside). 
 The greater blockheads ! (aloud). Now, the secret papers ! 
 
 Secebtaey. 
 A letter writ in cipher. 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Give it here ! 
 (Takes out of Ms hand the letter, reads it, aside). 
 " E'en now conies Adalbert, in pilgrim garb." 
 What, noosed at last ? — 'Tis well ; that was the means 
 To save thee, Adalbert, and, wild Anjou ! 
 Thy final trial !— 
 
 Enter Servant of the Abchbishop. 
 My Lord, his Eminence 
 The Cardinal Legate — 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 With great pleasure — 
 (seeing that the Servant waits). 
 
 WeUP 
 Sebvastt. 
 A stranger lad in sky-blue livery ^ 
 Has also brought this note. He said your Grace 
 Would know — 
 
 Abchbishop (takes the letter from the Servant, opens, 
 reads it). 
 
 'Tis weU ! 
 
 (Servant goes away). 
 
 A substituted cofEer, — 
 Frank of Poitou, — Ah, rascal crew ! Vile strumpet ! 
 
 ^ The livery of the Valley. See " Templars in Cyprus,'' Act vi. 
 p. 225.— Trans. 
 
16 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT I. 
 
 Tour day shall also come (to the Seceetabt). What more 
 is there ? 
 
 Secretaet. 
 The execution of fifty Templar-Knights 
 At Orleans ; full confession, with absolving 
 Of fifteen votaries and eleven lay ; 
 Advice, that Brother Eenaud of Prouino 
 In frenzy died — 
 
 Archbishop. 
 He also ? (aside) dearly bought 
 Religion, art thou ! Wilt thou compensate it ? 
 The Cardinal ! — {to the Sbcketakt) the rest may wait tiU 
 noon. 
 
 Cakdinal Pk^neste (comes in). 
 Aechbishop (advancing to meet the Cakdinal). 
 Your Eminence — 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Tour pardon. Lord Archbishop, 
 For troubling you so early in the day. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I beg — (to the Seceetaet) Wait in my chamber till I call. 
 
 [Seceetaet goes. 
 
 Caedinal (after a short pause). 
 How slept' st thou last night, William ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Very well. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Well ? — Tet last night died Eenaud of Prouino ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 But now I heard it. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 In wild frenzy died ; 
 His latest sigh breathed forth a curse on thee ! 
 
sc. i.] brethren of the cross, 17 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 Grod's judgment strike me — 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 Man ! thou art horrible ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 G-od's judgment strike me if I ever was 
 The noble Eenaud's foe. — 
 
 Cabdinai,. 
 
 And yet 'twas thou 
 Who, when with honest zeal he vindicated 
 His Order's cause, didst him incarcerate 
 In narrow dungeon hold, wherein he fell 
 Into a raving madness, and there died ! 
 
 Aeohbishop. 
 'Twas I ; and he is not the final victim. 
 
 Caedinai. 
 Thou with thy soul titanic, hard as steel, 
 Dost thou then never feel thou hast a heart ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I value thee ; but {pointing to Jiis hreast) what I feel herein 
 Thou canst not fathom. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 William, lofty soul ! 
 Thou wert a saint wert thou as good as great ; 
 0, why art not thou all thou mightest be ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I can be what I must, naught else. What would 
 Te all of me then ? If one while I be 
 Heaven's thunderbolt, then altogether I 
 Must be so, though consumed by mine own fire. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Thou must be so ? 
 
18 brethren of the cross. [act 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Why, couldst thou he it ? thou — 
 So tender soul'd ? Could Philip ?— Nogaret ?— 
 AjQd should the Lord's judicial sword work havoc 
 In hands corrupt and venal ? — Am I venal ? 
 
 Caedinal. 
 That art thou not, Grod knows, nor ever wert ! 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 Count vengefulness, self-seeking, avarice, 
 Among my faults ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Thy faults ! In poverty 
 A patriarch, — ^nought needing, fearing, hoping ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Am I the slave of passion ? Have I been 
 Ruled ever by voluptuousness, by that 
 Which ye call Love ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 No, fearful being ! through all 
 The thirty years I've known thee, ne'er have I 
 Seen stir within thee love or hate, or ought 
 That beautifies or enervates man's nature. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 And yet hast loved me ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 For I could not help it ; 
 Bound as I was by thy bewitching spells. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Then follow me yet further; censure not 
 The Spirit of the Universe that He 
 Creates the necessary arm to wield 
 His sword of execution. I can do 
 No other — just because you cannot do 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 1& 
 
 What I can. What it costs me, that I charge 
 To Him alone who hath appointed me. 
 
 Cabdinal. 
 Then scourge the guilty still ! But what have these 
 Poor victims, that thou slaughterest daily, done 
 To thee ? these Templars, — that so furiously 
 Thou risest up against them ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 lY Who— IP- 
 Old man, thou ravest Done ? — To me, the Templars ? 
 
 I furious ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Why then, if they nought have done 
 Against thee, O let me, let God through me 
 Speak to thy conscience ! 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 Excellent zealot ! speak 
 By all means ; freely, openly ! 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 I will. 
 This once to-day and never more. I stand 
 Here, God's ambassador, and all around 
 Me ranged the spirits of the murdered men. 
 This day is final. Tet this once I speak ; 
 Then hand thee over to the Judge supreme ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Speak on then ! 
 
 Caedinal. 
 When awoke in Philip's breast 
 The diabolic thought to rob the Temple ; 
 When he resolved to extirpate the Order 
 And so amass the plunder at his leisure. 
 Who fanned that hell-born spark ? 
 
20 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT I. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 'Twas I ! 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 When next. 
 
 Tlie pious Boniface expired a prey ' 
 
 To Philip's vengeance, and when Clement (may 
 
 He clear himself before his Grod) obtained 
 
 From murderous hands the triple crown, — who urged 
 
 Pulfilment of his over-hasty pledge 
 
 The Templars to destroy, in right whereof 
 
 The King the purple gave him ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 I ! 'Twas I ! 
 
 Cabdinai. 
 That sanguinary mandate who conceived. 
 Whereby in an irreparable hour 
 
 All Templars through the length and breadth of Prance, 
 As though o'ertaken by a flood of wrath 
 Divine, were seized?^ 
 
 Aechbishop, 
 
 I still, and always I ! 
 
 Cardinal. 
 And when this master-stroke succeeded also, 
 And Clement called together a tribunal 
 Of stainless men, thus hoping to repair 
 His thoughtless promise, where the Templars thought 
 
 ^ This Pope died, as is known, in consequence of the ill-usaae to 
 which he was subjected by command of Philip the Fedr.— Author. 
 
 ^ The Pope having written to the King on August the 24th, 1307, 
 that he would personally try the Order in a few days, Philip, fearing 
 a decision in favour of the Temple ortliodoxy and being determined 
 to seize the Temple treasure, at once anticipated him Dy arresting 
 the Knights, and by the 13th of October, the Preceptors and almost 
 all the Knights were his prisoners ; an irregular proceeding as he 
 had only power over the goods of lay heretics and the Temple 
 status, though ambiguous, was on the whole clerical. See " Tem- 
 plars' Trials," p. IQ.— Trans. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 21 
 
 To prosecute with zeal their Order's cause. 
 Who iaterrupted— pardon me — with true 
 Satanic craft this holy court ? — Not thou ? 
 Didst thou not summon thy Provincial Council 
 While yet the judges wavered ? — Didst thou not 
 Affright with terror of the threatened stake 
 The hapless victims till thenceforth no man 
 Dared vindicate himself,^ and till Prouiuo, 
 The Order's last support, went mad, and now 
 Perhaps at Grod's throne stands, accusing thee ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Conclude, friend, for my time is valuable. 
 
 Caedinai. 
 But less so than thy soul is, which to save 
 I yet will add a few words more. Thine end 
 Thou hast attaiued, and were the Order guilty 
 (Which freely I deny before my God) 
 Tet he^vy has the penance been, the guilt 
 Atoned. Say what more askest thou, judge ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 To see the sick plant plucked up by the roots. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Oh, barbarous ! Then Molay too ? — 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Must perish. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Is 't not enough for thee, that seven sad years 
 In prison he has languished, — not enough, 
 That Grod's most noble work, his mind, has run 
 So utterly distracted ; not enough, 
 
 ^ The Papal Commission began tiie trial of the Temple Order at 
 Paris in August 1309. After an adjournment it resumed its sitting 
 in 1310, and found that the action of the Provincial Councils, in 
 their trials of the individual persons, had provided it with a set of 
 terror-struck witnesses. See " Templars' Trials, pp. 34-6. — Trans. 
 
22 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT I. 
 
 God ! that an avowal wnmg from him 
 In his delirium, hath destroyed his peace, 
 That deepest melancholy wastes his soul ; 
 But to the faggots thou must also drag 
 The earthly husk of that which is the Holy ; 
 Must doom to death the last poor residue 
 Of that heroic company, e'en Guido,"- 
 
 The strong, the pure, — and that grand relic of 
 
 The pious past, octogenarian Hugh, — 
 
 The few that still survive, the best — all, all ? 
 
 Oh thou, — what shall I call thee ? thou God-man 
 
 Or devil, homewards turn again and tread 
 
 The fairer pathways of humanity ! 
 
 Not as enthusiast speak I, but thine own 
 
 Good angel calls thee and shall call no more. 
 
 [Falling on his knees before the Bishop. 
 A weak old man but strong in God's own strength ! 
 My grave awaits me, — thee I fear not, nor 
 Thy thunderbolt which slays all living things ; 
 
 1 fear but for thy soul. Here lie. I low 
 Thy knees embracing, whilst I thee beseech, 
 Be reconciled with God and humankind ! 
 
 Archbishop (hastily raising him). 
 Extraordinary man ! What mean'st thou ? Cease ! 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Not ere I have convinced thee ! I, the sole. 
 The only mortal whom thou deign' st approach 
 As man to man, and that but seldom. Now 
 Por thirty years I've known thee ; saw in thee 
 Whilst yet a boy, the immensity of spirit 
 Which boldly spumed conventional restraints. 
 Thy teacher called they me ; but thou wert mine. 
 I from that hour when in the seminary 
 Thou read'st St. George's and St. Dominic's Acts 
 With eager, flashing eye, till that wherein, 
 Exchanging the beretta for the casque. 
 To Egypt thou didst go to the Crusade, 
 
 1 Dauphin of Vienne or Auvergne Trans. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 23 
 
 Ceased never to observe thee. How thou cam'st 
 Back famous ; how 'mid all men's marvelling, 
 The hero — thou — didst straightway bury thee 
 Anew 'neath claustral rule, there, months and years, 
 To study Coptic books, and hide thee close 
 From sight of men ; how thou at last didst fling 
 Thyself once more into the stream of life, 
 And like a meteor giving warmth to none. 
 But hurrying all things with it, mountedst up 
 From step to step ; all this I, shuddering, watched, 
 And prayed to G-od the end of it might through 
 His grace be blest ; but ah ! He heard me not, — 
 Oh, terrible ! and yet not therewith ends 
 My obligation : He be Judge ; but me 
 He only made for blessing ; if His voice 
 Eeach not thine ear, hear me ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 What wouldst thou then 
 Of me? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 The Order's remnant still survives, 
 And of those Council-Fathers now convened ^ 
 At Vienne, to further by the Spirit of Grod 
 The Church's weal, the major part inchne 
 To mercy, few insist on rigorous justice. 
 The King so willing, Molay is released. 
 With his companions in adversity. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Just so ! and then ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 Then shall the pious league 
 Of Templar-Knights, to their true discipline 
 Restored, as known to Bernard's saintly soul,^ 
 
 ' By a Papal Bull an (Ecumenical Council was summoned at 
 Vienne for October, 1310, to give a final judgment on the Temple's 
 orthodoxy. — Trans. 
 
 '^ St. Bernard of Clairvaulx drew up the Rule of the Order, which 
 still survives, and by which the Order was governed ostensibly and 
 
24 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT I. 
 
 And from all baleful poison purified 
 Of heresy,— glow splendidly once more 
 For God a glorious altar, 'neath the strong 
 Protecting care of holy Mother Church. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 And who is he shall found this altar? 
 
 Caediwal. 
 
 Thou ! 
 The bold-faced Phihp in thy hands is tame. 
 As e'en the tiger 'neath the lion's glare ; 
 Even Clement trembles, overawed by thee. 
 To-day thou closest thy Provincial Chapter, 
 And if therein the most part of the Order 
 Prom terror of the rack confessed to much, 
 To crimes perhaps of which it ne'er was guilty. 
 Yet art thou chief, the whole depends on thee. 
 All waits thy word to-day. Be thy report 
 But lenient, and the King must surely pardon. 
 While Clement, well I know— will owe thee thanks 
 If thou for his misconduct make amends. 
 His evil deed long since repented of. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Now hast thou finished ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 Wilt hear me speak ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Grod grant thou speak humanely ! 
 
 before the world ; but an immense mass of evidence alleged the 
 existence besides of Secret Statutes, enjoining criminal heresies, 
 which the witnesses called " the Statutes of Pi^rim's Castle," that 
 being the headquarters of the Templars in Palestine. — Trans. 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 25 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 With few words 
 'Tis done. Some questions I will put to thee, 
 As thou didst. But I ask an answer, not 
 A litany ! If something is, then can 
 It also at the self-same time not be ? 
 
 CAEDINAIi. 
 
 Absurd ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Now why did Bernard institute 
 The Templars ? 
 
 Caedinal. 
 For true servants of the Church ; 
 Before the heathen to defend the faith.' 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Which point of faith ranks highest in our Church ? 
 
 Cardinal, 
 The atonement of the G-odhead with mankind. 
 
 Aechbishop (seizing the Cardinal by the hand). 
 Dost thou believe ? — we speak not now as priests, 
 We will not tell each other any lies — 
 Dost thou believe ? — why so cast down thine eyes ? 
 Old man, be honest ! — look me in the face ! 
 Believ'st thou they believe in the Redeemer ? 
 
 Caedinal (in some confusion which he endeavours to 
 conceal.) 
 Tes, they believe — they say they so believe. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 They say it not, my friend ; the point is there ! 
 They tell their beardless boys he is no GrOD 
 Whom we regard as such. 'Tis foolish — eh ? 
 
 1 They were " The poor Soldiers of Christ," a name retained by 
 the Portuguese branch of the Temple Order which remained f aithfirl 
 to Church and Kin", calling itself the " Order of Clirist," and 
 "Knights of Christ,' and was untainted by the heresy of which the 
 other branches were accused. — Trcms. 
 
26 brethren of the cross. [act i. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 A very heinous crime could that he proved. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Not worse than foolish, save for being proved. 
 'Now if the Church's servants turn on her 
 And deal her blows ; are they her servant's still ? 
 And what must then the Church do ? 
 
 Cardinal . 
 
 Castigate 
 The guilty, and reform the erring. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Who 
 Is guilty ? The uuthinting fool who drawls 
 Forth stories learnt from others ? Or the man 
 Of deep intention, who makes proselytes, 
 With forethought and with power ? — Which should be 
 Eef ormed ? Say, can Omnipotence itself 
 Reverse man's ripened will ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 What follows then ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 The principals must die. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 The Chuch then thirsts 
 For human blood ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 The Church, friend, marches on 
 With steadfast step, like every Titan child 
 Of Fate eternal. Not for blood she thirsts ; 
 But treads down, everything that bars her path. 
 And that which she down-tramples is condensed 
 Anew into a fresh and stronger life. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Thou speakest as a priest, not man to man 
 As thou didst promise. Say — since now this once 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 27 
 
 We lay our hearts bare, — is that phantom-terror 
 Which bigots call " the Church " in plain truth worth 
 The holocausts we slaughter for its sake ? 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Where shall we find a better faith for men ? 
 We killed the bolder Past's vitality : 
 How shall we people all the empty space, 
 Unless with warmth's reanimating power ? 
 The brighter-fancied Grreek's world teemed with life ; ' 
 We robbed it of vitality's bright gloss. 
 For us this globe is but a house of death ; 
 Mankind is nullified, unless the ideal 
 Can bear him up on eagle wings to Life. 
 'Tis here the Church in her full glory shines ; 
 The earthly covering that enshrines the Holy 
 Transformed by her, in astral brightness gleams ; 
 And though man trembles at the night of death, 
 As at the solar splendour of the Life 
 That is the Highest, yet a gracious moon. 
 The Mediator, reconciles him then 
 With Nature and with God. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 And to this moon 
 Bring'st thou a bloody sacrifice ? and must 
 Our truth remain the only truth for all ? 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Truth from a thousand sources flows. The Church 
 These sources closes not ; she cannot do it, 
 And dare not wish it, lest she drain away 
 
 ' To make the most of to-day was its highest gospel, and the 
 function of its gods was to help men in tms task. Hence what 
 Heine calls "the deceitful intoxication of life" in pagan antiquity, 
 a life in which there is no element of Spiritualism. . . . The earth- 
 gods disappeared. They were cast out together with the fear which 
 had evoked them. But the region which they had occupied in the 
 human imagination was not to remain vacant. It was gradually 
 peopled hy a host of glorified heings, saintly and angelic. "Chapters 
 in !l5iiropean History." Vol. i. en. iii. LUly. — Trans. 
 
28 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT 
 
 Her alimental juices. Tet let none 
 
 The others' sources trouble. This is Fate's 
 
 Primordial precept. If these Templars be 
 
 The thing they preach, if they can contemplate 
 
 The countenance of God without a medium, 
 
 Tet why did they, from inexperienced eyes 
 
 Of their young brethren, Moses' veil withdraw ? 
 
 Caedinal. 
 And should they not lite others promulgate 
 That which they reckon Truth ? 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 Have they prevailed 
 To do it ? Do the multitude forsake 
 The temples of our images ? Here, friend, 
 The issue is the crucial test ; the great. 
 The really great, can never fail : and that 
 Which could not be successful was not great. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Is error, then, by persecution less ? 
 Tends it not rather to augment thereby ? 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Dost thou, indeed, believe in sober truth, 
 That when I sacrifice these heretics, 
 I aim at extirpating heresies ? 
 And may not persecution rather be 
 The winepress which Fate uses to press out 
 Courageous daring ? What the Truth may be 
 Pronounce we cannot ; but in misery 
 If she abide the test, then, not till then, 
 She shows herself revealed in shining garb. 
 That form which openly the Templars teach 
 (High-toned indeed, if nerveless) — if it be. 
 In truth the goal whereto mankind must come, 
 Eeached must it be, despite all hindrances, 
 If as their Master teaches, he who wields 
 The earthly sceptre shall become the head 
 
SC. l.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 29 
 
 Of the invisible Cliurch, and Deity 
 Become subservient to the human race ; 
 Should that be so, though I cannot conceive it, 
 The future will mature it. If we ask 
 How leans opinion now, the voice of God 
 Speaks to us through the people. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 Well ! and speak 
 The people not most plainly ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Oh, of course. 
 They're weepiug o'er the funeral piles, but would 
 They change the happy Heaven of their belief 
 And take up the ideal, the joyless views 
 Of duty which the Templars hold ? 
 
 Caedinai,. 
 
 No need 
 Have they to do so. First the eminent 
 Should pre-examine ; after, by degrees, 
 The people follow. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 G-ood enthusiast ! 
 Thou reckonest sixty years, and know'st no doubt, 
 Full many a thousand people — dost thou know 
 So many genuine seekers after truth. 
 As were enough to people this small room? 
 So good thou art, thou actually canst dream 
 That these who wear by thousands the red cross, 
 On whom the Order lavishly pours forth. 
 By handfuls, wisdom's higher lore, will yield. 
 As Wisdom's sons, this pound with usury back ! 
 And should perchance some common churl of those 
 To whom they've shown their wisdom's mysteries, 
 Bethink him to expound, with words and fists. 
 The truth he holds as such to some rude youth 
 Bred in our Church's faith, and should this last 
 Defend his God with similar weapons, then 
 
30 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT 
 
 Rush thousands to the fray ; and wilt thou take, 
 
 Old man, upon thy conscience all the blood 
 
 Of many millions shed because thou would' st 
 
 Deliver a few hundreds ; wilt thou rouse 
 
 The demon of religious war, and filch 
 
 The gain of a united Catholic faith. 
 
 That one small gang may unmolested prate. 
 
 And pertly ridicule such things whereon 
 
 The awe-struck sage but gazes lost in wonder ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 They prate not pertly all ; deeds have they done 
 Of immortality. 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 But do they now ? 
 Shines still the Cross upon the pinnacles 
 Of Palestine ? Are not these present sons 
 Of those bold Templars mere reflections pale 
 Of that old company heroic ? What 
 Are their Preceptories now but worthless cloisters 
 "Wherein unmeaningly they jangle soxinds 
 In mimic echo of their high- soul' d Past ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Nay, there thou err'st. Though an unmerited fate 
 Bereaved the Order of its former tenures. 
 Still works it actively to serve mankind. 
 Is 't not the Order, — now as friends we speak, — 
 That counterpoises the o'erweening might 
 Of despotism ? Erewhile when King Philip 
 Betrayed the people with false coinage, who 
 But this fraternity of Templars then 
 Rose up to save the masses ? 
 
 Aeohbishop. 
 
 But how long 
 Availed it ? — Dost thou dream that despotism 
 That masterpiece of Satan's craft shall fall 
 To ruins, shattered utterly, because 
 One staggering blow thou'st dealt it ? If thou fail 
 
SC. I.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 31 
 
 To undermine its base each, blow but tends 
 
 To its stability. — Thou reckonest up 
 
 The exploits of thy Templars ; but I'U tell 
 
 Thee more of what they do ; such things as e'en 
 
 The Princes in their blindness, eager but 
 
 To clutch their coveted gold, have overlooked. 
 
 Their aim is, every throne to overturn 
 
 And on its ruins to construct and form 
 
 Of sages a tribunal, — so they term it, — 
 
 And, naturally, these sages are — ^themselves ! 
 
 Caedinal, 
 And should they do it, man, as man I speak ! 
 Hold'st thou not freedom higher than tyranny ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Thee also names beguile, good visionary ! 
 Say do not lances of a thousand Templars 
 More sternly thrust than one judicial sword 
 G-rasped by the feeble hand-grip of a boy ? 
 And can that greater soul who once awhile 
 Is born to govern (call him what ye will — 
 Dictator, burgher, subject ; 'tis enough 
 He rules, as needs he must, in secrecy. 
 As Nature doth), cannot this greater soul 
 More freely guide the sword (which guide he must 
 Continually) — when held by the weak boy, 
 "Who only seems to wield it, than if forced 
 To wrench it violently from sturdy fists 
 Of millions ? — Oh that ye would rather learn 
 To guide than to destroy ! 
 
 Cakdinai. ' 
 
 But who guides here 
 The sword of justice ? Venal Nogaret ! 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 A mere machine ! 
 
 Cardinal. 
 And where is now the power 
 To keep him within bounds ? Already Philip 
 
32 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT 1. 
 
 Hath, set at nought the State's authority ; 
 The Templar was his only equipoise ; 
 Falls he, then may the tyrant unrestrained 
 Play havoc with the entrails of his burghers. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 The Church is the great equipoise herself, 
 Set up by Fate as an eternal bulwark 
 Ta interdict the rulers of this world 
 From desecratiag man's most sacred rights. 
 So long as she still towers pre-eminent 
 Humanity's best jewel remains secure. 
 That she will stand I pledge my sacred soul ! 
 E'en should she be by bunglers so transformed. 
 As monstrous to appear in good men's sight, 
 Or so by narrow-minded regimen 
 Depressed as seemingly to retrograde ; 
 And should the march of centuries prevail 
 To overcloud her with philosophisms, 
 And then loud-voiced cry out : " She lives no more ! 
 Behold, she fled before our wisdom's darts ! " 
 Should e'er it come to this, — woe worth that time ! 
 'Twere slavery, — while freedom such as ours ! — 
 Tet no ! they could not really overpower 
 That force gigantic, it would rise again ' 
 Victorious, and reconquer every foot. 
 Apparently by that chimera won. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Time's course annuls the miracles of old ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 But not eternal Nature's deathless laws. 
 The Church, friend, is immortal as the Spirit 
 Which chose her for his temple ; evermore 
 A nucleus of anointed ones survives. 
 Distinct and separate from the lower world. 
 Her visible head — and were he even worse 
 Than Clement, the tiara'd Jew, is bad — 
 Is still the link that locks the enduring chain. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 33 
 
 Made fast by inmost workings of the Spirit, 
 That chain no earthbom power can break ; the bridge 
 Ont-spanned 'twixt equity and tyranny, 
 It shows the earth-god how supreme is Spirit, 
 And should he rashly aim at sundering it 
 It coils him round with windings manifold 
 And. drags to earth. So works it, audibly. 
 Such prodigies as Hke to Nature's hushed 
 And silent operations, could not, save 
 In noiselessness, be fashioned !— Should this chain 
 (Forefend it man's good angel)^ — should it yet, 
 Though 'twere not possible, — natheless some day 
 Be snapped ; then were we derelict indeed. 
 But therefore shall the Valley — (appearing to recollect him- 
 
 self) 
 I have spoken. 
 Caedinal. 
 Thy last word ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I have even said too much. 
 
 CABDINAIi. 
 
 The Order then shall perish ? 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 
 Yes -as Templars ! — 
 
 So m.uch of it as is diseased must die ; 
 
 So speaks the will of Fate, which will is iron. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Art thou — Fate ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Had I spirit enough to will 
 To be it, had I strength enough to make 
 Me able so to be, then Fate I am. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 So be it. — ^We part then thus. I give thee up 
 To Him whom thou dost represent ; I know 
 His thunderbolt can reach thee ! 
 
34 brethren of the cross. [act i. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Be it so ! — 
 
 CAEDINAIi. 
 
 Confuted hast thou me, but not convinced. 
 
 Thou wouldst destroy and T would save the Templars ; 
 
 We go our separate ways from this day forward. 
 
 And if thou prove the stronger in the strife 
 
 Tet stronger is the Lord's own strength in me. 
 
 We wage war honourably, do we not ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Thou need'st not ask it ! 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 And let Grod decide. 
 'Twixt thee and me ! 
 
 Enter Chancelloe de Nogaket. 
 
 NoGAEET (to the Aechbishop). 
 
 Excuse the intrusion, friend ! 
 I heard without, you were engaged ; but plead 
 His Majesty's commands. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 I am at your service. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Perhaps my presence — 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 No wise ! This concerns 
 The Templars, and your Eminence, a Prince 
 Of Holy Church, must be of course concerned 
 In every circumstance that bears upon 
 The annihilation of her enemies."^ 
 
 ^ The Pope had sent his two usual Cardinals, to take possession 
 of the prisoners and their goods, on the ground that they were not 
 secular offenders, and the sympathy shown by the Cardinals greatly 
 raised the hopes of the prisoners. — Trans. 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 35 
 
 Caedinai,. 
 To-day, however, I beg to be excused ; 
 The Mass — 
 
 Affairs ! 
 
 NoGAEET (ironically). 
 Must take precedence of the world's 
 
 Oaedinal (bowing). 
 Lord Chancellor, — Archbishop, (aside to the latter) I 
 Must go and breathe fresh air — Eemember Grod ! [Exit. 
 
 NoGAEET. (calls after Mm.) 
 The King holds levee ! — 
 
 [Throws himself carelessly into a chair.] 
 More unpleasant grows 
 That old man every day, and, friend Archbishop, 
 I doubt he means not fairly ; is he not 
 A crypto-Templar ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Matter of opinion ; 
 
 Nogaeet. 
 The King, friend, called me up by six this morn. 
 I as you know am everything to him. 
 All night he could not sleep ; and he insists 
 Most positively that this da,y shall end 
 The examination. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Ah, his Majesty 
 Will yet have patience. The inquiry ends 
 This day, or, rather, night, to guard against 
 A chance of riot ; and the documents 
 We shall submit to-morrow. 
 
 NOGABET. 
 
 Have a care ! 
 You play a difi&cult part ! 
 
 Aechbishop, 
 
 Nay, never that ! 
 
36 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. ACT. I. 
 
 NOCABBT. 
 
 Has notMng more been ascertained anent 
 The devil-head? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Not evidence, mere report. 
 
 NOGARBT. 
 
 Tou ought to have had one made, to be complete ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 liord Chancellor ! 
 
 NOGAEBT. 
 
 Well, — you 're a marvellous man ! ■ 
 Tou act at times as were you one with us, 
 But yet are wholly different in the main. 
 The devil may be in you. 
 
 By God's help !— 
 
 In my way — yes. 
 Be overthrown ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Never he, 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 Tou are hostile to the Order ? 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 NOGAEBT. 
 
 And we are agreed it must 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Tes. 
 
 NoGAEBT. 
 
 WeU then, why delay ? 
 The King will have it so, I will it so ; 
 For more detestable to me than hell 
 Is that vile Order which has ever stood 
 In opposition to my star. Let this 
 Suifice for you, my Lord Archbishop ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 'Tis 
 Indeed too much and more than I require. 
 
SC. I. BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 37 
 
 NOGAEBT. 
 
 Truth told, you are too timid, you proceed 
 
 Too slowly, reverence forms too much ; here crops 
 
 Tour priestcraft out ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 May be. 
 
 NOGAEBT. 
 
 But statesmen must 
 Be hold, be rapid as the thunderbolt 
 And Ughtning-flash, and never hesitate 
 In making choice of means. Those means are best 
 Which carry us most directly to our end, 
 And that which has succeeded must be right. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 ' And why, if I may ask, tell you me this ? 
 
 ITOGAKBT. 
 
 To show you you are but a tyro yet. 
 And yet have many things to learn besides 
 Your breviary, things you can only learn 
 Prom men who worldly matters can combine 
 With spiritual. But whereto many words ? 
 Peruse this ! (gives him a sheet of paper.") 
 
 Aechbishop. (looking at it.) 
 From the Countess of Auvergne ! (reads it). 
 
 Nogaeet. 
 Yes, elevate your eyebrows ! — 'Tis my work ! 
 You read it ? 
 
 \JReads out, looking at the page with the 
 Archbishop.'] 
 " All is won. E'en now, he lay 
 Prone at my feet ; and, cooing like a dove. 
 The fool as sacrificial offering brings 
 His last remaining shred of independence. 
 One short hour more, and Molay's proud disciple, 
 The high-born Prank of Poitou, shall himself. 
 With his own hand, achieve his master's fall." 
 
38 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. ACT. I. 
 
 Aechbishop. • 
 A subtile artifice ! 
 
 EOGABBT. 
 
 Could you do that ? 
 Or have devised the following up this trail ? 
 Could you have brought, by snail-paced monkish synods, 
 The son of France's Peer and Seneschal 
 To such a pass that he should cede to you 
 That casket with the muniments, — a prize 
 Which clenches the whole matter at the cost 
 Of Molay'slife? 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 I might not have been willing. 
 
 NOGAEBT. 
 
 Then learn from this time forth what things one must 
 
 And can do — This is my work ! — I led on 
 
 The Countess, for I knew how fierce the hate 
 
 She bore to Molay who aloud denounced 
 
 Her commerce with the King — adroitly I 
 
 Made capital of this to consummate 
 
 His absolute destruction by her means. 
 
 I learnt by my acute and cunning spies 
 
 That Molay, shortly prior to his arrest, 
 
 Had trusted to the keeping of Poitou 
 
 The Order's secret ritual,' whereof 
 
 The Master is sole guardian, — it was locked 
 
 Within a little coffer whereof Molay 
 
 Has wisely kept the key in his own care. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I learnt that also. 
 
 NOGARET. 
 
 Well ?— 
 
 ' The secret Statutes of the Order were never brought to light, 
 though there is a mass of evidence to prove they existed in a 
 written form, as a private addition to the Rule of St. Bernard. 
 The Preceptors had plenty of warning of the impending trial in 
 time to destroy them or put them safely out of the way. — Trans. 
 
8c. i. brethken of the cross. 39 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 I cared not for it. 
 
 NOGABET. 
 
 Because ? — 
 
 Aeohbishop. 
 This ritual consists of naught 
 But moral laws and ceremonial rule. 
 
 NOGAEBT. 
 
 Exactly so ! — ^But what you do not know 
 
 Is this ; that by my trusty henchman's hands 
 
 I have purloined from our enthusiast's keeping 
 
 That coffer, and replaced it with another, 
 
 Identical in form, but of contents 
 
 Dissimilar ; and its contents are these ; 
 
 A little sheaf of letters from the rebels 
 
 In Flanders who implore the Order's aid 
 
 And countenance ; a packet next of drafts 
 
 Wherein in G-eneral-Ohapter, at suggestion 
 
 Of Molay, said support is offered them 
 
 On promise of a hundred thousand livres, — 
 
 A summons to the people to revolt ; 
 
 In fine, a dozen other documents — 
 
 So ably counterfeit, of so much moment. 
 
 As more than twelve times over would suffice 
 
 To bring the Order's remnant to the stake. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 These papers then ? 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 The enthusiast Poitou 
 To-day will pour into his Lais' lap. 
 Despite the solemn oath he must have sworn 
 To Molay, to confide the priceless box 
 To npt a soul on earth. What lies within 
 He knows but by report, and thinks, poor guU, 
 'Tis but the Order's ritual, and has still, 
 God knows, some sort of scruple forasmuch 
 As at love's sacred shrine he offers up 
 
40 BRETHKEN OF THE CKOSS. [aCT I. 
 
 His last poor spark of honour. — So good luck 
 To manly craft and female artifice ! 
 To think that he, prime favourite of Molay, 
 Should work his ruin — Ah, 'tis exquisite ! 
 And how shall' this rejoice his father's heart, 
 Comrade-in-arms of that old driveller, Molay ! 
 Two at one blow ! — is 't not magnificent ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 And is this all ? 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 Why, is it not enough ? 
 And ample aid in furtherance of your business ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Now God forbid so infamous a plot 
 Should desecrate the holy judgment-court 
 Where I myself preside ! 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 How? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 I shall take 
 No notice of this chest and its contents. 
 
 Nogaebt. 
 What ! — Take no notice ? — Well ! — but you shall see — 
 There yet are other ways ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 But not through me ; 
 I do not lend my name to any such 
 Contrivances. — 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 Lord Bishop ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Sir, your pleasure ? 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 41 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 Tou are — But I am silent — Has Albano 
 Not written to you ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Touching Villaret ^ 
 The Gnostic ? Yes, he cannot have his wish ; 
 He must be brought to justice like the rest. 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 How so ? — you jest, Archbishop ! — 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Never. 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 And 
 My intervention added ? — 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Cannot stem 
 The sacred course of law. 
 
 NOGAKET. 
 
 Lord Bishop, you 
 Are speaking with the favourite of King Philip ! 
 'TwouLd almost seem that you forgot that fact, 
 And our relations one toward the other. 
 I have made you great ; and I can cast you down ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 That you have made me great, I somewhat doubt. 
 And cast me down ? The prudent Chancellor 
 Would hardly take that course with him who knows 
 His worthy deeds. 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 Tou know, what ? 
 
 ' A name chosen at hajD-hazard, and having nothing to do with 
 Fulke de Villaret, at the time Master of the Hospital. — Trans. 
 
42 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT I. 
 
 Aechbishof. 
 
 I confessed 
 Your predecessor whose last unction you 
 Had had to do with ; I — 
 
 NOGABBT. 
 
 O'er hasty man ! — 
 Ah, why so bitter, friend ? Tou know me well ; 
 Friends are we, friends we will remain. — ^And shall 
 This miserable Grnostic discord sow 
 Between us ? Eather let him bum, e'en though 
 His wife were ten times fairer than she is. 
 
 Enter Servant. 
 The Synodal Notaries— 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 May wait. [Exit Servant. 
 
 ISTOGAEET. 
 
 My Friend, 
 You are busy. — Au revoir ! \Ea,it. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 Thou too art ripe ; 
 But ere I tread thee down, unwittingly 
 Must thou complete my work ! — Yet, ah, this work ? 
 Be mute, ye promptings of humanity ! — 
 So in the Valley's covenant have I sworn ; 
 Through death, through death alone can life be bom ! 
 
 \_Exit. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 (Boom in the palace of the Ootjntess Matilda), 
 
 Countess Matilda {seated). Frank op Poitou (dressed 
 as a secular Jcnight, Tcneeling at her feet). 
 
 Countess. 
 Pray rise, you weary me ! 
 
[sc. ii. brethren of the cross. 43 
 
 Frank. 
 Nay, not before 
 Thou dost forgive me, beautiful enchantress, 
 Not till thine eyes smile Paradise once more ! 
 
 CoTTNTESS. 
 
 4-h ! go to Molay ! — Let him compensate 
 Tour giving up for him the love of one 
 A Prince's daughter, one who boasts a heart 
 Of women's hearts the truest ! — Even although 
 Tou failed to save him you might share perhaps 
 His martyr-crown when to the funeral pile 
 Tour oath has — 
 
 Peank (starting v/p). 
 Woman ! peace ! What art thou saying ? 
 
 COTJNTBSS. 
 
 No rudeness, Templar-Knight ! I call my women, — 
 
 Feank. 
 The funeral pile ! He, model of all virtues ! 
 
 Countess. 
 , Thou hast the choice to save him if thou wilt ; 
 I offer Molay's life, I offer thee 
 The King's good will and love with all its joys, 
 But never shall this hand make that man happy 
 Who grudges it one trifling sacrifice ! — 
 This heart may break, but never shall be wasted. 
 
 Feank. 
 And deem'st thou then a deed of infamy 
 A trifling sacrifice ? Oh, why wilt thou 
 So rack with torture my distracted heart ? 
 Have I not done already everything 
 To win thee ? Must the ecstasy of bUss 
 Which from thy favour's fountain overflows. 
 Be purchased only by my hopes of Heaven, 
 By all life owns most precious ? — ^Have I not 
 
44 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT I. 
 
 Tor thee put o£E tlie Order's sacred robe, 
 
 For thee renounced my solemn oath already, 
 
 Which bound me fast— ay, thou may'st smile— for aye 
 
 To that most misappreciated league 
 
 Of men magnanimous ? 
 
 Countess (mockingly). 
 
 The solemn oath, — 
 The sacred league of men magnanimous ! — 
 Great sacrifice indeed to save thy life ! — 
 
 Frastk. 
 My life ? — Nay, Countess. — Tou misjudge me wholly ! 
 Not yet did ever a Brienne break through 
 His honour's sacred bonds to save his life. 
 
 Countess. 
 Repair them then ; ascend the funeral pile — 
 And die a hero ! — grief may kill me too. 
 But what is that to thee ? 
 
 Fbank. 
 0, spare me, tyrant ! 
 Content thee with mine honour, which I brought 
 In sorrow of heart a sacrifice to thee. 
 Which never torture could have wrung from me. 
 That day when I forsook the Templar league ! 
 Demand not thou as guerdon of thy love 
 The basest of betrayals ! 
 
 Countess. 
 Ah, Poitou ! 
 In truth thou art not worthy that this heart 
 Which even Philip wooed in vain, this heart 
 Framed to adorn yet disregard a throne. 
 Should beat for thee, fanaticism's slave ; 
 So ready for a childish, vain romance. 
 And in the indulgence of a proud caprice. 
 To scorn the intoxicating joys of love ; 
 Thou who — 
 
sc. ii.j brethren of the cross. 45 
 
 Feank. 
 To scorn ! 
 
 COTJNTESS, 
 
 Nay, interrupt me not ! 
 I know what to myself I owe, how much 
 To woman's dignity, — that every word, 
 I lavish now on thee discredits me, 
 All that I know, — -yet must I speak, because — 
 Infatuation inconceivable ! 
 So little as thou thankless hast deserved, 
 Thou hold'st enchained this heart of mine till now 
 Indomitable ! 
 
 Pkank. 
 Oh, Matilda ! 
 
 Countess. 
 What 
 Require I then of thee ? — Give if thou wilt 
 Myself to be the prey of death. G-o, hate me ; 
 But grant me only this one boon, thy life ! — 
 The actual worst thou know'st not yet, — now hear it ; 
 'Tis known thou hast a coffer, known besides 
 'Twas given to thee by Malay, and contains 
 Writings of vast importance. Well, they shrink 
 From bringing to the judgment-seat a peer 
 Of France ' and therefore they have formed a plan 
 My God ! I shudder e'en to to think of it ! — 
 To assassinate thee secretly, and take 
 Possession of the box. — 
 
 FKAlfK. 
 
 Me?— Horrible!— 
 
 ' The Supreme Council and Court of Peers was also the great 
 judicial tribunal of the French crown from the accession of Hugh 
 Capet ; by this alone could the Barons of France or tenants-in- 
 chief of tne King be judged. It is a much controverted question, 
 at what time this exclusive dignity of peerage, a word obviously 
 applicable by the feudal law to all persons co-equal in degree of 
 tenure, was reserved to twelve vassals. Their precedence does not 
 seem to have carried with it any other privilege, at least in judi- 
 cature, than other Barons enjoyed. Hallam's " Middle Ages. " — 
 Trans. 
 
46 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT I. 
 
 COTTNTESS. 
 
 The deed is destined for this very night — 
 
 And thou, strange fanatic, well knowing this box 
 
 Bears witness to the Order's purity — 
 
 And its contents, the Order's ritual, 
 
 Are proof of Molays innocence enough 
 
 To save him, hesitatest still to break 
 
 Thy word when only this can save him, ay. 
 
 And me, who wiU not live since thou must die ! 
 
 Enough said — go ! — (rises from her chawr). 
 
 Frank. 
 Oh, angel, sent from God 
 To save me ! — how can I repay thee thanks ? 
 
 Countess {weeing). 
 Ah, leave me ! — 'Sooth, thou art not worth these tears ! 
 
 Pbank. 
 I haste to fetch- the cofEer. 
 
 COTJNTESS. 
 
 Is that in truth 
 Thy positive intention ? {Goes to a table and seizes a little hell 
 
 that stands wpon it.) 
 
 rEANK. 
 
 Yes, I swear it ! 
 What art thou doing ? 
 
 Countess (rings'). 
 
 Wait one moment — 
 
 Enter Chancellob, de Nogakbt. 
 
 Countess. 
 
 Ah, 
 Lord Chancellor, I have made you wait. Forgive me. 
 The Count of Poitou holds a document. 
 Most influential in the matter of 
 The Temple Order — ^he beseeches you 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 47 
 
 To bring him to the King that he in person 
 May hand it over to his Majesty. 
 
 NOGAKET. 
 
 Countess ! Sir Count ! you quite surprise me. Sir, 
 Tou could not find a lovelier medium. — I 
 Am, with great pleasure, forthwith at your service 
 If you are ready ? 
 
 Peank. 
 I am thunderstruck, 
 Matilda ! 
 
 COTINTBSS. 
 
 Gro, pray go at once ! Thine own 
 WeU-being is at stake, and Molay's life ! — 
 
 (Pbank hastens away, panic strucJc, the Chancblloe 
 following him; Matilda laughs contemptuously as 
 he retires. The curtain falls). 
 
ACT II. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 (Dense forest not far from Paris, on one side of the fore- 
 ground a cave.') 
 
 Noon, the same day. 
 
 Philip ob Anjou (alone in the dress of a gardener). 
 
 NOW from the tower of Notre-Dame strikes twelve, 
 And yet he conies not — though when last he wrote, 
 He promised me for certain, without fail. 
 Even last night here to meet me. This suspense 
 Is tilling me. Perchance some accident 
 Has by the way befallen him ! — or what 
 If Nogaret, appriz'd of my design. 
 Have had him seized, — have even, — dreadful vision, 
 Avaunt ! I m^ust not picture it. — Then Humbert 
 Comes neither. Has he failed to meet him ? Might 
 My Adalbert be wandering round in search 
 Of me ? Hart ! something stirs ! a pilgrim — yes, 
 'Tis he, thant aod ! 
 
 HuMBEET, Adalbebt (dressed as pilgrims). 
 
 Humbert. 
 A lucty find ! 
 
 Philip. 
 
 At once, 
 Go to thy post ! — Lie prone, and if thou hear 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 49 
 
 The approach of any footstep hasten hither. 
 We are utterly undone, if here discovered. 
 
 HrMBEET. 
 
 Eely on me. (Exit quicldy.) 
 
 Adalbbbt. 
 My Father ! 
 
 Philip. 
 Son! (warmly embracing Mm.) Be this 
 Our last embrace' till in a tyrant's blood 
 Is humankind avenged ! — 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 Oh, father ! this 
 Thy -welcome ? — I await with shuddering soul. 
 The sequel! 
 
 Philip (leading him, to the cave) . 
 Enter here. — ^The dwelling-place 
 Once of a wolf was this ; not e'en the sun's 
 Par radiating eye could pierce the screen 
 This sanctuary offers us — But hark ! 
 What rustles yonder ? 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 'Tis the wind that sighs 
 The tender leaves among. 
 
 Philip. 
 Hast thou perchance 
 Had word already of the Order's fate ? 
 
 Adalbert. 
 Naught definitely, — when, seven years ago, 
 At thy behest I from our frontier house 
 At Aix took flight, an irrepressible 
 Desire of visiting the Saviour's tomb 
 Impelled me, there my earthly griefs to drown 
 In consolation's only source and spring. 
 
50 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 What there befell me is too wondrous liigh 
 
 For mortal ears to hear, so let it pass. 
 
 Enough. I -went thence comforted not cured. 
 
 The wilderness of the Thebaid next 
 
 I dwelt in, where 'mong holy Anchorites 
 
 In contemplation and in pious service 
 
 I found at last my peace of mind once more. 
 
 Or thought so, but the omnipotence of love 
 
 Can penetrate e'en consecrated cells. 
 
 Long conflicts over, and self-combats vain, 
 
 I took again my coctle-ha,t and staff, 
 
 And made my pilgrimage to Damietta 
 
 To visit once again with love-filled heart 
 
 My fatherland, and, risking e'en my life, — 
 
 To see my unforgotten Agnes' grave. 
 
 I learnt at Damietta what a doom 
 
 Had struck the Order ; whether merited 
 
 Or not, I heard not, but my heart pronounced 
 
 Its free acquittal ; how thereon I wrote 
 
 To you through Humbert ; you through him conveyed 
 
 Tour charge forthwith to speed to you at Paris 
 
 You know — but as mysterious were your letters 
 
 As you yourself, in your wild looks and tones. 
 
 Appear before me now ! 
 
 Philip. 
 
 I'll solve the enigma — 
 Hearken ! — Thou knowest when seven years ago 
 We went from Cyprus, that our noble Molay 
 What time our feet first touched the soil of France 
 Betook himself to Poictiers to the Pope ; ' 
 And, travestied in menial garb, where'er 
 
 1 The question arises why Molay should have at once obeyed tlie 
 Papal summons and brought the treasure Avith him to France, as 
 though intending permanently to remain there. Perhaps he 
 thought Cyprus liable to be taken ; perhaps, the Templars' interest- 
 in the East having dwindled since the evacuation of the Holy 
 Land, be thought it wiser to look after, and discipline, their rich 
 western provinces, and found also their remittances from Europe 
 were liable to be stopped on the way, as in fact they were. Per- 
 haps he wished to avoid the Pope's scheme of union with the Hos- 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 61 
 
 He went, I bore him faithful company. 
 
 Also thou know'st how that deceitful priest 
 
 Had welcomed him with feigned respect and loTe. 
 
 We came to Paris ; there King Philip too 
 
 Concealed his evil heart's malignity. 
 
 The new Crusade, proposals to unite 
 
 The Templars with the Hospitallers,^ formed 
 
 The trap set to ensnare the noble Molay. 
 
 His great soul, all too great to harbour doubts. 
 
 Betrayed him all unwittingly a prey 
 
 Into those toils by mahce spread for him. 
 
 Vain all my warnings ; frankly he declared 
 
 It monstrous to propose to amalgamate 
 
 Both Orders (to the Mastership whereof 
 
 PhiHp designed his minion) ; joined in one 
 
 They must infallibly decline, whereas 
 
 Each separate remained invincible.^ 
 
 This was his downfall, they had looked for this ; 
 
 The question was a pretext merely. Long 
 
 The Order's great possessions, and its pride 
 
 Of independence, which had never cowered 
 
 Beneath the yoke of tyranny, had been 
 
 A thorn in Philip's side.' Still he controlled 
 
 Himself to seeming mildness, and stirred up 
 
 The fire in secret only ; yet the flames 
 
 jjital by keeping his headquarters as far as possible from those of 
 the Hospital, and securing himself against Kome in a kingdom 
 where the Order was strong and Papal influence weak. He was 
 probahly more or less influenced by all these considerations, and to 
 show his independence of Philip he began by calling in a loan the 
 Templars had made him ; but was not at all expecting Philip's 
 energetic action on the question of heresy or anything worse than 
 a superficial trial at the hands of the Pope. — Trans. 
 
 ^ Werner here calls the Hospitallers " the Maltese," but this is 
 an anachronism, as they did not go to Malta till 1530. — Trans. 
 
 ' For this account, see ' ' Histoire critique et apologetique de 
 I'ordre des chevaliers du Temple de Jerusalem, dit Templiers." — 
 II. Tomes, Paris, 1189.— Author. 
 
 ' Philip's antagonism, though disgraced by violence and fraud, 
 was not without grounds of its own. The Templars had sided 
 against liim with the Arragouese, with the Papal Curia, with his 
 own offended people, and had shown themselves anti-monarchical 
 by supporting the Croat Nobles in rebellion against their Duke, 
 
52 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT II. 
 
 Burst out too soon, by his accomplice fanned, 
 
 Tlie villainous Nogaret, to OTerwhelm 
 
 Tor ever the fraternity of Templars. 
 
 Two Templar-Knights, the Prior Montfaucon, 
 
 And that notorious scouudrel Noffodei, 
 
 Who, as thou heard' st, escaped from prison then 
 
 When we were leaving Cyprus, were the tools 
 
 Selected as a pretext, by the King, 
 
 To ruin us ; they and the canting priest 
 
 Squin, whom our Molay had to fortune raised 
 
 From out the people's lowest dregs and, since 
 
 He deemed him dull but honest, had o'ercharged 
 
 With confidences. 
 
 Adalbbet. 
 Cyprian ! — Tou amaze me ! 
 
 Philip. 
 
 This precious trio led by Nogaret's spy 
 
 The shrewd Augustine Father Vincent, were 
 
 Reviewed by the most Christian King himself 
 
 In audience strictly private, no one save 
 
 The Chancellor present. Then was brought to light 
 
 A shameful melodrame of crimes ascribed 
 
 Most falsely to our Order, and pourtrayed 
 
 So glaringly, so grossly, that, forsooth, 
 
 The veriest dullard could but see therein 
 
 A trumped-up villainy ; so did not Philip ; 
 
 What all men counted lies was truth to him 
 
 And nothing recked he of the means employed, 
 
 Attained he but his end. An expert stilled 
 
 In all dissimulative artifice, 
 
 The Master Molay he invited to 
 
 His royal aunt De Valois' obsequies 
 
 And deluged him with flattering courtesies. 
 
 Six hours after in the grey of dawn, 
 
 and by assisting the Lord of Tyre to dethrone the weak King 
 Henry II. of Cyprus. Moreover, the Order was so powerful in 
 France as to threaten a serious danger to his kingdom if left to 
 prosper and increase, and perhaps unite with his many disaffected 
 barons against him. —Trans. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREX OF THE CROSS. 53 
 
 Morning most terrible of all my life ! 
 
 Was Molay in tlie Chapter's midst with all 
 
 Tlie Knights, the Priests, and Serving Brothers thrown 
 
 By JSTogaret into prison ; that same hour 
 
 A similar fate on all the Templars fell 
 
 Throughout the realm ; so accurately planned, 
 
 So finely dealt, this master-stroke of Hell ! — 
 
 Adalbert. 
 Why was I absent then ? Why might not I 
 Achieve this crown of martyrdom ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Because 
 I had foreseen, and would preserve in thee 
 The rescuer of our league — But briefly further ; 
 The vile barbarities a gang of priests. 
 Become the Templars' judges, lent themselves 
 To perpetrate, confession to extort 
 Of crimes that had no being, were abnormal. 
 Too hideous that my tongue should be profaned 
 By naming them. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 But yet,— the Holy Father ? 
 
 Philip. 
 Had been himself constrained when Boniface, 
 His predecessor, fell through Nogaret's 
 Accurst ascendancy, most solemnly 
 To pledge his word unto the Moloch Philip, 
 The Templar-Order, ofEshoot of the Church, 
 To immolate to him, such being the terms 
 Whereby to win his sacred dignity ; 
 Tet being himself too base a soul to deal 
 In open villainy, he farii would wear 
 The guise of righteousness ; the noble Molay — 
 My brain reels ! — hold me up ! — 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 Alas ! how is 't 
 With you, my father ? — 
 
54 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 Philip (sobbing). 
 
 Wherefore can I not 
 In lieu of tears pressed from my stifled rage — 
 The august old man, through heaped-up griefs of years, 
 Through tortures planned by furious human hate, 
 Through all the fine self -torments of a heart 
 As angel's pure, too tender for this world. 
 Already to its utmost fibres torn ; 
 This great-soul'd Molay into madness fell 
 Soon after his most scandalous arrest. 
 
 Adalbbet. 
 Madness ? — My G-od, are these the Palms ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 The Pope 
 Clement, abetted by three scoundrel prelates. 
 Had this just man examined at Chinon ^ 
 Disabled as he was, to wring from Mm 
 Confession of such crimes as not one sinner, 
 Not wholly cast away, but shudders at. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 And Molay h 
 
 Philip. 
 In his frenzy he confessed 
 All that the direst malice could desire. 
 The exhibiting to him the Protocol 
 
 Was weU, forgotten — and what else was wanting 
 
 Was added later supplementally. 
 After this masterpiece of sacred Justice 
 
 '■ The Pope'splan of trying the prisoners personally having been 
 frustrated by Philip, he stipulated to be at least allowed to hear 
 the Grand Master and' four chief Preceptors ; and it must have 
 been from a desire to protect them from the French power that 
 they were taken to Chinon and not allowed to cross the French 
 frontier. 
 
 History does not seem to say that Molay was mad, except that 
 he was carefully watched in prison lest he should commit suicide. 
 He appears to have alternately confessed and retracted several 
 times. — Trans. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 56 
 
 The inquiry dragged through two full years its length, 
 
 Conducted first and last on similar Unes. 
 
 Whiles used they torture, next fair promises 
 
 As means to extort confession of the lie 
 
 And oft did so extort it, yet obtained 
 
 At last but a confused and tangled web 
 
 Of contradictions. Many among the people 
 
 Cried out the Templars were unlawfully 
 
 Being murdered ; martyrs to a righteous cause 
 
 For championing the burghers' liberties. 
 
 Adaibeet. 
 And what did they, the people P 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Oh, the same 
 As they have ever done — did nothing I^murmured, 
 Were trapped and pacified with formulas 
 And then betrayed as usual. Whether 'twere 
 With this in view, or that the Pope desired 
 To right himself before the eyes of Europe, 
 Not easily by fables to be dazzled, 
 And win a good repute of equity ; 
 Howe'er that be, some certain honest men 
 Who albeit priests, could reverence none the less 
 The dignity, the rights of humankind. 
 Were called together ; then appeared to rise 
 A new good star of fortune for the oppressed ; 
 And had it not been quickly clouded o'er 
 By cunning machinations, — they were saved. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 Oh, tell me further ! 
 
 Philip. 
 By their judges charged 
 To own without reserve the open truth. 
 Their consciousness of absolute guiltlessness 
 Awoke the most part of the Order soon 
 To active measures — Molay was of course 
 Too ill and too delirious to conduct 
 
56 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT. II. 
 
 The Order's business, but the Prior G-uido 
 Of Normandy, tbe noble Daupbin's wise ^ 
 And great-souled brother, — Peter of Bologna 
 The Proctor, and Prouino's priest devout 
 In God, and many more deserving well 
 Tbeir names were noted in tbe book of saints. 
 Came forward and at peril of their lives 
 Spoke boldly for the truth. Aye, several men 
 Who 'neath unheard-of tortures had confessed 
 To things they never did, encouraged by 
 Their judges' mildness, audibly proclaimed 
 The Order's innocence, till only dull 
 And ignorant serving-brethren, often prone 
 To misconceive its holy usages. 
 And men deluded, caitiffs also whom 
 The gold of Philip dazzled, now remained 
 To testify with countless contradictions. 
 To fabulous crimes or heresies. And still 
 With imperturbable serenity 
 The judges plied their task. Oh, might they but 
 Have brought it to conclusion ! Then the Order, 
 If not restored, had been at least preserved 
 In part. When suddenly arose a man 
 Like G-od's avenging sword, a man in whom 
 The keenest sight is powerless to discern 
 If saint he be or Satan's delegate ; 
 
 William of Paris he, of Sens Archbishop — (glancing fur- 
 tively round). 
 
 ' This Guido, according to Dupuy , was a brother of the Dauphin 
 of Viennois. — Author. 
 
 The country now called Dauphin^ formed part of the kingdom of 
 Aries or Provence bequeathed by Rudolph III. to the Emperor 
 Conrad II., but the dominion of the empire being little more than 
 nominal, a few of the chief nobility converted their respective fiefs 
 into independent principalities.. One of these was the Lord or 
 Dauphin of Vienne, whose family became ultimately masters of the 
 wliole province. Humbert, the last of these, made John, son and 
 heir of Philip of Valois, his heir. Hallam's "Middle Ages," vol. i. 
 p. 94. Thus John was the first Dauphin of France as eldest son 
 of the King, and as Philip of Valois was contemporary with 
 Edward III., Shakesjjeare's "Lewis the Dauphin" (in "King 
 John ") is an anachronism. — Trans. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 57 
 
 Draw nearer, son ! — the very leaves have ears, 
 If this man be but named ! — 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 
 You know him then ? 
 Oh, tell me more about that marvellous man, 
 Of whom while all men speak, none speak alike, 
 Already have I heard in the Thebiiid 
 Much talk of him. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 To utmost Thule go. 
 There also shalt thou hear his fame discussed 
 And still hear nothing true ! — Go hide thyself 
 Within the' deepest pit and on the morrow 
 He'll tell thee with precision where thou wert. 
 And what thou wilt do next. 'Twere strange indeed 
 Pound he not out, what even in this cave 
 Has been the subject matter of our talk. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 Did I so well not know you, Father, really — 
 
 Philip. 
 Then would'st thou deem what I have told thee now 
 But old wives' fables. Nay thou err'st, my son ; 
 The court, the capital, the whole of Prance 
 The King himself — none know his secret mind ; 
 But tremble all before the omnipotence 
 Of spirit sparkling in his eyes, and shown 
 In all his silent workings. Nogaret 
 Alone assumes the air (so is it ever 
 With impotence before superior force) 
 Of over-riding this gigantic mind. 
 Because the Bishop he at court presented, 
 A few years since, he fancies him his creature, 
 But is, as I believe, himself no more 
 Than a blind tool to carry out the scheme 
 That great man harbours in his breast concealed. 
 
68 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT II. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 And has lie no opponent ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 He lias thousands ; 
 Yet e'en his deadliest foe must honour him ; 
 Tes, even I well knowing him to be 
 The Order's bitterest enemy — yes, I 
 Who next to Philip, next to Nogaret, 
 Can name no man I more intensely hate, — 
 Remain impressed, against my conscious will. 
 With reverence when I meet him face to face. 
 The awe-struck multitude look up to him 
 As to an idol ; he unmoved and calm 
 Spares all men living just so long as they 
 Disturb not his constructions ; unchastised 
 A child may flout him ; should a giant dare 
 To tamper with his plans, the next day's dawn 
 Would find him in the kingdom of the dead. 
 
 Adalbebt. 
 Men in the East talk much of him ; in Syria 
 He passes for a hero ; in the deserts 
 Of Egypt, where he sojourned long, a saint 
 Is he reputed. Often was he seen 
 So those who know him, monks of the Thebaid, 
 Have told me — wandering thoughtfully around 
 The ruins of old Baalbec, where days long. 
 Not tasting food, he would remain absorbed 
 In gazing on the wondrous works of old. 
 His sole companion beiug an Arab Sheik 
 Who as they say interpreted to him 
 The hieroglyphics of the ancient time. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 May be — and were he even greater still. 
 He yet remains a devil ! — Now when all 
 Inspired new hope that this just-minded council 
 Would recognize the Order's guiltlessness, 
 Then this dread man of whom e'en now we speak, 
 Called the Archbishopric's Provincial Council, 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 59 
 
 And his first action was the sacrifice 
 Of more than fifty knights those very men 
 Who manfully had led the Order's cause ; 
 The funeral pile was their reward ! 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 Oh, horror ! 
 
 Philip. 
 Then terror even paralysed our noblest, 
 And those so zealous in the Order's cause 
 From mortal fear confessed to even more 
 Than ever priestly lies had fabricated. 
 
 Adalbekt. 
 And Clement ? 
 
 Philip. 
 Was throughout a mere machine 
 Referred to never by the Bishop ; too 
 Infirm of purpose to attempt to stem 
 That over-ruling man's defiant course, 
 He posed as though the other's work were but 
 The expression of Ms own unbiass'd will. 
 A few weeks passed, and then that just tribunal 
 Of worthy men from whom we all things hoped. 
 Was broken up and half the Order sentenced. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 And Molay ? 
 
 Philip. 
 Still he lives, but only as 
 The shadow of his old nobility. 
 Oppressed with gloom, his spirit can no more 
 Surmount its depths of anguish ; numbed by sorrow, 
 He knows of paia no more, weighed down instead 
 . As by a leaden load of deep dejection. 
 And by him, like two sculptured saints there sit, 
 The aged Hugo, lapsed to second childhood. 
 And Guido wrestling stoutly with the chain 
 Which yet he cannot break. These and the best 
 
60 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 Surviving relics of the Order, who 
 
 Have ne'er defamed themselves with lies, have languished 
 In rigorous durance these last seven years. 
 ' Their gaoler is the ill-conditioned Vincent 
 Who alternates hypocrisies with tortures, 
 By such Satanic wiles to vex their souls. 
 
 Adalbbet. 
 And Molay has no comforter ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 That minstrel 
 Set free by Molay, when he loosed thy chains. 
 The self-same day, who followed him to France, 
 And into prison, stands alone by him 
 In loyalty unshaken. Whiles indeed 
 The genial sun of song can melt the ice 
 Wherein lies frost-bound his heroic heart ; 
 But all too quickly it congeals again. 
 
 Adal^beet. 
 And how could you your friend forsake, your own 
 Sworn friend of youth ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 It was that I might save him. 
 To-day the Archbishop's own Provincia,l Council, 
 Por years the Templars' scourge, will terminate 
 Its sittings ; — bloody will its judgment be 
 As have been its proceedings. True, the Pope, 
 Por very shame before the eyes of Europe, 
 So far as possible would neutralize 
 His own achievement, and preserve the last 
 Eemainder of the Order ; and for this 
 Has he a Council summoned which shall meet 
 Ere long at Vienne ; ^ but he has sunk so low 
 No man now trusts him, even when he means well. 
 
 ' Vienne was the ancient capital of Dauphine. " A council was 
 held here in 1311 which abolished the Order of the Templars." 
 Beeton's " Encyclopaedia." — Trans. 
 
SC I.] BRETIIREX OF THE CROSS. 61 
 
 The tigerisli Philip is athirst to see 
 The Order's death. The band of holj Fathers 
 Before him do but tremble. E'en did they 
 Desire to save our League they could not do it, 
 Being abject slaves and cowardly. The Bull 
 E'en now may be already on its way 
 With mission to destroy us, sacrifice 
 Our last remainder, and devote perhaps 
 Himself the Master to the flames. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 Just God ! 
 Is every means exhausted ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 All but one ; 
 That is the death of Philip !— 
 
 V Enter Httmbeet. 
 
 'Tis high noon ; 
 And from their pastures home the flocks return. 
 
 Philip. 
 Well we're nigh ready ; yet a little while 
 Gro to thy post again ! 
 
 HUMBEET. 
 
 I go. [Exit. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 I now 
 Suspect why you have sent for me. . 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Aye truly 
 To grace that feast of blood I promised thee 
 Before the Martyr's altar. "^ 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 We two only ? 
 
 ^ See " Templars in Cyprus," Part I. act v. scene i. 
 
62 bkethren of the cross. [act ii. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 One would suffice alone. All things a man 
 Can do if he be steadfast, with fixed aims, 
 Nor flinch before the spectral face of death ! 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 And soon? 
 
 Philip. 
 To-day or never ! WeU matured 
 My plan is ; these seven years I have cherished it 
 Within my inmost heart ; craft have I used 
 For its accomplishment. As serving-brother. 
 Dragged to the seat of judgment, I confessed 
 To all just as they would, and thus dissembling 
 My judges I out-witted ; freedom thus 
 And absolution gaining, aye and more, 
 The favour of the black-souled Nogaret, 
 Who sought not me in this disguise I wore. 
 At his good pleasure straightway I obtained 
 The place of under-gardener and ere long 
 Became head-gardener in the royal gardens, 
 Where every foot of ground I know by heart, 
 And year by year have waited for this day 
 To plunge my dagger into Philip's breast. 
 The day is come. — To-day if Phillip die not. 
 My Molay must be sacrificed to-morrow ! 
 
 Adalbert. 
 And knoweth he thy purpose ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Vainly I 
 Thus far have striven to apprise him of it. 
 Most closely is he watched, perhaps he thinks 
 Me false, O God ! — to our sworn covenant. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 But regicide ! This very day ! Appalling ! 
 
 Philip. 
 Bethink thee of thine oath ! — Pled not that Terror 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 63 
 
 When thou with resolute courage didst confront it ? ' 
 
 'Tis only when too closely looked into 
 
 The horrible strikes terror. — He whom thou 
 
 Call'st King, what is he but the murderer 
 
 Of millions ! Blood his purple stains ; then stain 
 
 Him with his own life-blood ! 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 
 To murder him, 
 Here in the very heart of his dominions ! 
 
 Philip. 
 The whole round earth is holy Nature's heart ; 
 And she, who only deals out life and freedom, 
 Pursues with hostUe energy the man 
 Who, devastating at his own caprice. 
 Defies her sovereign rights. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 
 The Eight Divine 
 Safe-guards the anointed head ! 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Divine Eight shields 
 The righteous dealer, hut the despot who 
 His brother would compel to that which only 
 Is right in his own eyes, him hath the law 
 Of everlasting right itseK proscribed. 
 But why am I delaying? This midnight 
 The King comes forth to seek his paramour. 
 The shameless Countess of Auvergne, with no 
 Companion save the pander Nogaret. 
 He'll traverse a dense shrubbery which divides 
 The mansion of the Countess from the grounds 
 That skirt the royal palace. There will I 
 Armed with this vengeful dagger wait for him. (Draiving 
 
 out a dagger.) 
 Wilt thou me follow, or wilt thou me forsake. 
 Or e'en perhaps betray ? the choice is thine ! — 
 
 ' See " Templars in Cyprus," Part I. act v. scene ii. 
 
64 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 You are quite determined ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Ay. 
 
 Adalbebt. 
 
 Then I will follow. 
 I will avenge you, or will die with you. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Swearest thou this ? 
 
 Adalbebt. 
 By Grod and knighthood's honour ! 
 
 Philip. 
 Oh, come then to my heart, beloved son ! 
 I've mixed for thee the bitter cup of pain ; 
 Now taste thou of the sweet ; — thine Agnes lives ! — 
 
 Adalbebt. 
 Lives ? — Agnes ? — 
 
 HuMBEET (comes running in haste). 
 
 Through the wood the hunter's horn 
 Eesounds ! — 
 
 Philip. 
 We luust away ! 
 
 Adalbeet {beside himself with joy). 
 
 She lives ? — lives ? — lives r 
 
 Philip. 
 Tes, in the convent of St. Clare she lives, 
 And this day thou shalt see her, I will guide 
 Thee thither — I already have disclosed 
 Myself to her, she is apprized of all ; 
 And should my coup succeed then thou shalt start 
 This night with her for Flanders. 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 66 
 
 AdaIiBBET. 
 
 Agnes lives ! — 
 And I shall see her ! Father ! 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Let us haste 1 — 
 [Drags him hy force from the stage, 
 HuMBBET following. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 (Prison in the Temple Tower with two doors of iron, one in 
 the centre behind, the other on the right.) 
 
 G-KAND-CoMMANDBE HuGO, Geand-Peiob GrXTiDO {seated 
 on opposite sides of the stage, clad in white, hut without 
 sword or mantle, chained hand and foot). 
 
 COMMANDBK. 
 
 Yes, Brother, I was then a man of might 
 Grod mend it ! — Acca, oh, I see it now 
 Spread out before me with its ruddy towers ! 
 Fiercely the heathen host beleaguered us ; ^ 
 Already of the Christians thirty thousand 
 Had fallen, with the aged Master William. 
 Three hundred only of the Templars' small 
 But gallant company remained alive, 
 
 ' Acre, after the loss of Jerusalem, had become the metropolis of 
 the Latin Christians, and was adorned with strong and stately 
 buildings. In 1291, the Sultan Khalil marched against it with 
 60,000 horse and 140,000 foot, and a great train of artillery. After 
 thirty-three days the city was stormed, and 60,000 Christians 
 were killed or carried into slavery. The fortress of the Templars 
 held out three days longer ; but the Grand Master was pierced by 
 an arrow, and of 500 knights only 10 survived, who, with the King 
 of Jerusalem, Master of the Hospital, etc., evacuated the Holy Land 
 for Cyprus. Gibbon's " Decline and Fall." Ch. lix. 
 
66 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 With, several thousand Turks arrayed against us. 
 From Acca and from that whole neighbourhood 
 The honourable women all had fled 
 For safety to our tower, and we fought 
 Like lions ; but the stress of hunger drove 
 TJs to surrender. Then the Sultan pledged 
 A safe retreat to us, and swore untouch'd 
 And unassail'd should be the women-kind. 
 Grod mend it ! — But he broke his oath. 
 
 GtriDO. 
 
 Ay, such 
 Are Princes' promises ! 
 
 Commander. 
 
 Whilst our retreat 
 Sounded, the raging heathen swarmed our tower. 
 And made fierce havoc of the women's honour. 
 Then high my fury flamed ; I called the Brethren, 
 And mad with blood and slaughter we aveng'd 
 Those women's woe. When this the heathen saw. 
 Huge blocks of stone they hurled upon our tower ; 
 It fell, and falliag, was one common grave 
 For all.' 
 
 Gtjido. 
 Ah, happy fate ! 
 
 Commander. 
 
 Grod mend it, yes ! 
 They lost not honour, only life. Of those 
 Three hundred, ten alone were saved, and I 
 Of all those ten, oh misery, survived 
 Alone, to see what now I see. 
 
 GUIDO. 
 
 The storm 
 Hath spent itself. Old man — be calm — The Fathers 
 In Council are entirely on our side, 
 
 ' For this fine incident, see Anton's "History of the Knights- 
 Templars. " — Author. 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 67 
 
 Clement Mmself will help us. One month more, 
 Perhaps, and we are free, and satisfied 
 Our honour. 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Be it as Grod will ! No more 
 Shall any joy — ^God mend it ! visit me 
 On earth. — Sooth, twenty years ago when I 
 Tet wheel'd my battle-steed, yet swung my lance, 
 Tes then — ah, then — 
 
 GrXJIDO. 
 
 And even were they all 
 United to effect our overthrow. 
 Did even the Pope himself, the Holy Father, 
 Approve our immolation, are we not 
 Still men ? Have we not arms ? and will the people 
 Forget we once delivered them ? 
 
 Commander. 
 
 The people? 
 Alas, Grod mend it ! William de Beaujeu, 
 My master, often said : " the people is 
 Nought but a giant bulk without a head." 
 
 GtriDO. 
 We gave them one, — ourselves supplied its place. 
 When ruthless Philip falsified the coinage 
 And plundered the exchangers by false pretexts, 
 'Twas we who raised our voices in behalf 
 Of innocence unrighteously despoil'd. 
 
 Commander. 
 I put not faith in men. Deceived is he 
 Who trusts to them. Nor is there any help 
 Except on High ! 
 
 GrUIDO. 
 
 Tet man must not submit 
 To let himself be led, bound like a lamb, 
 To slaughter shambles ; must not seek on High 
 
68 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT II. 
 
 AcHevemeiits lie is equal to himself ; 
 
 Not die when called upon to wort, and strength 
 
 Eemains for working. 
 
 COMMANDEK. 
 
 What then wilt thou do ? 
 
 GrUIDO. 
 
 Thou knowest, this night assembles finally 
 
 The Holy Council (as they please to term it) 
 
 Of that terrific person the Archbishop 
 
 Of Sens, that we may face to face be brought 
 
 With our accusers and the doom pronounc'd. 
 
 Thus far haye I and thou escaped the torture. 
 
 Thy silver'd hair, and that illustrious race 
 
 From whence I sprang have shelter'd us ; but now 
 
 I fear these will not help us. My resolve 
 
 Is taken. While the Council still pursue 
 
 Investigation, boldly I'll assert. 
 
 As hitherto, our League's integrity. 
 
 The first degrees of torture I will bear. 
 
 But should they venture on the extreme ordeal- — 
 
 Why then, — thou knowest, old man, I fear not death : 
 
 But now thy hand heroic shakes with age 
 
 And sorrow-numb'd is Molay's noble soul ; 
 
 I stand alone, I have to live for you ; 
 
 I must not merely with but for you die. 
 
 Should I be meuac'd with extremest torture 
 
 Then, and the first time in my life, God, 
 
 Will duty call for honour's sacrifice. 
 
 Then guile shall match with guile. I vrill confess 
 
 To all as they would have me, ay, and more. 
 
 Will offer to proclaim as they would vsdsh 
 
 This testimony to the people. Then, 
 
 If I must mount the scaffold, loudly I 
 
 Will publish forth the Order's innocence — 
 
 Will bring back to the people's memory 
 
 How much we've for their welfare done, how much 
 
 These seven past years for freedom and the right 
 
 Have suffered. At the people I will hurl 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 69 
 
 All Ughtning fires of deeply wronged mankind 
 Which burn and surge within my inmost soul. 
 They tnow my voice which ever has been rais'd 
 For truth and right, — 'twill rouse them to revolt ; 
 And if I fail, — and if we are not sav'd, 
 I die a hero on our Temple's ashes ! 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 In Grod's name, Silence ; here comes Father Vincent — 
 Father Vincent (entering iy the door on the right). 
 
 Vincent. 
 'Twould seem you're troubled with a fresh attack 
 Of childish rage, my Lord Grand-Prior of Hell. 
 Oh ! fix me with your penetrating gaze ! 
 I 've seen ere now full many a flashing eye 
 Retire abash'd 'neath a lack-lustre film 
 What time the funeral pile began to blaze ! 
 Was 't you invented that fine libellous charge 
 Wherein complaint has to the Lord Archbishop 
 Been made, that I forgetful of my duty 
 Have played the deuce with you and all your gang ? 
 Come, answer me ! 
 
 GriDO. 
 What answer from a man 
 Of honour to a knave corrupt and false ? 
 
 Vincent. 
 Evil from you, Lord Prior, requite I not 
 With evil. Thus Christ teacheth me ; though you 
 Yourself accuse me falsely, yet I bum 
 To save your life. 
 
 GuiDO. 
 Abandon'd wretch ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 This night. 
 
 Investigation closed, will be proclaim'd 
 
 The Order's trespass ; for long since 'twas prov'd 
 
70 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT II. 
 
 ^at they blasphem'd our Saviour, recogniz'd 
 Themselves as heathen, worshipping the Devil, 
 Endow'd hy him with power all things to do ; 
 'Tis known your Order by unheard-of crime 
 Obtain'd from him this absolute potency. 
 And bought it at the price of their salvation : 
 A monstrous bargain, truly ! 
 
 Commander. 
 
 Eeverend Eather, 
 I reaUy think you 'd do, God mend it, wiser 
 To preach to other ears these fabulous tales 
 If needs must be the lie be told at all : 
 And let us rest awhile ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 Tou also, brought 
 Already to the brink of death, my God ! 
 Could I but save you ! — Wherefore should this head 
 Frost-silvered, not depart in peace ! Gives not 
 The ancestral tomb a softer rest than doth 
 The funeral pyre ':• 
 
 Commander. 
 Ay, truly, — ne'er thought I 
 Thereon to end my life. Thy will be done, 
 O Father !— For I cannot lie ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Perhaps 
 You know not all the abominable crimes 
 Of this vile faction ; cunningly, maybe, 
 They hid them from you, knowing you so pious. 
 But mark my word, the whole of Christendom, 
 The Holy Father, God Himself, would He 
 Vouchsafe a sign to you, could tell you this : 
 The Order's crimes are as the seashore sand 
 In number, and herein their mortal sin. 
 That they will not confess them. Have compassion 
 Upon yourself ; as your good angel I 
 Implore you, rescue not your life which you 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 71 
 
 Yourself oft gave for God and honour's sake, 
 But save, oh save your soul from wrath eternal. 
 
 COMMANDEK. 
 
 Father, your speech rings like the word of Grod ; 
 Yet, God forgive me, from your mouth, per contra, 
 It sounds quite otherwise. I feel that God 
 Has planted of our guiltlessness ii sign 
 Within my heart ; so is my heart at rest ! 
 To this sign hold I fast. — God grant to you 
 Another like it in your dying hour ! 
 
 Vincent (aside). 
 Accursed grey-beard ! — {Aloud to the Commandeb.) 
 
 But if now I pledge 
 To you my word of honour that confession ■ 
 Of your already long-establish'd guilt 
 Shall life and freedom win for you, the Master, 
 And all survivors of the Order — 
 
 GtriDO (starting wp and making a dash at him). 
 Villain ; 
 I could so long as thou blasphemest God 
 Keep silent, since His bolt shall surely strike thee : 
 But that thou dare upon thy word of honour 
 To lie to me is more than I will sufEer. 
 A Knight am I — and rather, with these chains 
 I'd smash thee to a thousand fragments. 
 
 (Springs upon hiin.) 
 
 Vincent. 
 Help! 
 
 (Several pbison-guaeds enter precipitately from the side 
 door. At the same instant, the middle-door opens, dis- 
 closing MoiiAT, clad like the other two knights, sleeping 
 on a bed, and the Tbotjbadoije standing near him, with 
 his harp in his hand.) 
 
 Teoubadoue. 
 Oh wake not the poor Master ! — he is sleeping — 
 
72 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 GuiDO {to Vincent). 
 Doth such a sight not move thee, ruthless man ? 
 
 Vincent (indicating G-uido to the guard.) 
 Away with him into the deepest dungeon ! 
 He would have murdered me ! — Wait, heretic ! 
 Ripe, over-ripe art thou for my revenge !— 
 
 (GuAEDS lead away GririDo). 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Sir ! — Father ! — Sooner will I burn, God mend it ! 
 Than I would stand in your' skin. — 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 You, old man, 
 Cannot offend me, any more than he, (pointing to Molat). 
 That other whom the Lord's just judgment hath 
 With madness visited. 
 
 CoMMANDEE (rising). 
 
 God mend it, priest ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 The message sent you by the charity 
 Of tender Mother-Church, for whom I speak, 
 Tou cast aside ; so be it ; I have done 
 The best I could for you. Nought can I more 
 Save pray for you. 
 
 CoMMANDEE. 
 
 Ah no ! God mend it, no ; 
 Let not your lips pray for me : — curse me rather ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 Enough of this ! — I come to you to-day 
 Obedient to His Majesty's command. 
 The pleasure 'tis of our most Christian King, 
 Wont ever with stern justice to combine 
 Sweet Mercy's milder sway, to grant to you 
 An audience ere you come in court to-day 
 For j adgment ; — recognize this act of grace 
 And show yourself deserving. 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 73 
 
 Commander. 
 
 AudieBce. — I ? 
 Long past, God mend it, are the days when I 
 Was wont to show myself at Princes' courts. 
 Audience ! — The King !— The King is — 
 
 Vincent Qiastily). 
 
 What, may I ask ? 
 
 Commander. 
 Human, and an anointed head, G-od mend it ! 
 Himself set up by God to govern men. 
 His eyes will surely open to the woes 
 Of suffering humankind. Yes, reverend father, 
 I'll drag once more my aged limbs before 
 The throne ; ay, verily I'll do it. — True, 
 I'm very weak and ailing, yet, I'll do it. 
 God, maybe, has selected for his purpose 
 The old man's feeble lips. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Well, come with me ! — 
 Yet one thing more. . (To the TKOTrBADOUB.) Sir Minstrel, 
 
 tell your master 
 That by the Lord Archbishop's orders, he 
 This afternoon will be conducted to 
 The Abbess of St. Clare, his sister, who 
 Desires to see him. Let him therefore hold 
 Himself prepar'd. You hear me ? — 
 
 Tkoubadotje. 
 
 Yes! I'll see to 't. 
 [Exit Father Vincent with Com- 
 mander Hrcto. The Troubadour 
 advances to the front of the stage. 
 
 Teoubadour (looMng after the Father). 
 Thou being, devoid of tone and harmony ! 
 
 (looJcing at Molay.) 
 He sleeps, how sweetly ! Peace which still forsakes 
 His waking hours enwraps with pinions soft 
 
74 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT II. 
 
 The slumberer, and, most lovely phantasy ! 
 The tender Father's dew makes cool for him 
 His weary sleep. Oh, we of dust created ! 
 Awake, we wander blindly ; only when 
 Art's dream, or when the sweet sleep of the grave, 
 Enfolds us are we conscious of the Sun ! 
 
 MoLAT {in his sleep). 
 Agnes ! 
 
 Tboubadoue (hurrying to him). 
 He moans, — he stirs, — might he but wate 
 A prey no more to madness ! — Vibrate, strings ! 
 And cradle in sweet melodies his heart. 
 
 {Plays on the harp, and sings.) 
 
 Love's holy song is thrilling 
 From far-off starry sphere, 
 Its dulcet strains the air 
 And heart with rapture filling. 
 What message does that song convey ? 
 What means that love-born music, say ! 
 
 From distant hill-tops drifted 
 
 Fresh streams the morning breeze. 
 Life's breath, whereon with ease 
 Our spirits' wings are lifted. 
 Say where this living breeze is born ? 
 Whence these reviving airs of morn ? 
 
 That strain from space far flowing. 
 
 In home-like melody ; 
 That radiance through thee glowing, 
 
 Are hidden, here, from thee ; 
 Yet that which in thy soul resounds. 
 Which through each pulse of life rebounds, 
 Is God's own spark, whose upward flight 
 Is striving towards the eternal Light 1 
 
 (MoLAT waJcing, and hurrying to the front.) 
 Hold her ! She flees my grasp ! 
 
 TROHBADOrB. 
 
 Dear Master, who ? 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 76 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 A beauteous woman's form ; but tell it not ! 
 Mine Agnes 'twas, thou saw'st ber, sure ? Unkind 
 Minstrel ! Thou shouldst have held her ! 
 
 TBOTJBADOrrB. 
 
 Who, good Master ? 
 Why, 'tis delirium ! Agnes ? Ne'er a soul 
 Has been within this room. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 'Tis true, 'tis true. 
 Ah, my poor head ! — 'Twas but a dream, — a dream ! 
 Long sleeps she in her grave ! 
 
 Tboubadoue. 
 
 Who? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Nay, I know 
 Naught. Tell it no one ! dost thou hear, dear singer ? 
 Else might they bring her spirit to the rack. 
 
 Teoubadotte. 
 What wandering words ! — Come, cheerly ! you shall see 
 This afternoon the Abbess of St. Clare, 
 Tour sister. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Sister ? Ah, thou false of heart ! 
 Thou wouldst ensnare me ? — from my bosom drag 
 My secret !— What, wouldst thou betray me too. 
 Like Anjou ? — Anjou ? he betray me ? — No. 
 He could not do it. Forgive, departed Anjou ! 
 Thou sleep' st in peace already ! Happy I, — 
 Were I but with thee ! — 
 
 Teotjbadotie. 
 
 Still this senseless talk 
 Of Anjou. Tell me who this Anjou is 
 Who haunts you thus like a tormenting ghost ? 
 
76 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT 11 
 
 MOLA.T. 
 
 Ha, ha!— That, too tliou'd'st spy into V Dost think 
 
 I would betray my friend r" No, hide thy head, 
 
 Thou serpent ! Though the Order I betray' d, 
 
 Must I betray my friend, too ? No— the Order, 
 
 'Twas sure an evil Order ; for it chose 
 
 An evil man for Master, — sumamed Molay. 
 
 The Knights elected when G-audini died ^ 
 
 The Prior Hferibert of Montfaucon : 
 
 But he by guile contrived to set aside 
 
 The election ; and he, Molay, was elected : 
 
 Then Heribert, who could not suffer this, 
 
 Was sent to prison. Heard' st thou naught of it ? 
 
 Tkoubadotje. 
 Forget this single fault ; — Oh ! with a life 
 Of purity angelic, and through pains 
 Of Hell, thou hast aton'd it. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 What say'st thou ? 
 Am I myself that Molay ? How is this ? 
 Or did I dream ? — 
 
 Teotjbadouk. 
 OGod! 
 
 Molay. 
 
 Tes, I am he 
 Indeed. Thou 'rt silent — and thou weep'st ! My friend. 
 My Anjou, dost thou weep ? — Aye even thus 
 I once could weep ; but now, thank Grod, I weep 
 No longer. Only one thing gnaws my heart ; 
 Dost thou believe that Heribert, who holds 
 The scales, they say, up yonder, and requites, — 
 That he will pardon my unrighteous deed ? 
 
 Tegubadoub (raising Ms eyes to heaven). 
 Father, how couldst thou send a heart like this 
 
 '■ The last Temple-Master before Molay. — Aiithor. 
 
8C. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 11 
 
 TVom thy pure ether to this ice-bound world ? 
 
 MoLAY (urgently). 
 Believ'st thou it ? — believ'st thou ? 
 
 Tboitbadottk. 
 
 He is nam'd 
 All-Merciful, his balance is called Love. 
 His healing peace shall salve thy broken heart, 
 Poor martyr ! 
 
 MOLAT, 
 
 'Twas no act of mine. Not I 
 Condemned the Prior to prison, — 'twas the Chapter 
 That sentenc'd, and I could not save him. Oft 
 Have I bewail'd with tears of blood my fault. 
 Will he forgive it ? 
 
 Teoubadotjr. 
 God, not man, forgives. 
 Forget that wretch who hath so fiendishly 
 Keveng'd himself already. Come, take heart ! 
 Ere night you'll see your sister. 
 
 MOLAT. ' 
 
 Lives she stiU, 
 The pious Kunigunde ? 
 
 Tegitbadotje,. 
 Ay, she lives, 
 And you shall speak with her. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 'Tis well ; — she shall 
 Invoke for me our Father. Come at once ! 
 These eyes shall see her. Come then — let us haste ! 
 
 Trotjbadour. 
 Master belov'd, not yet ; this afternoon — 
 This joy too strongly sways you. Come ! pray sit ; 
 Tour limbs are all a-tremble ! 
 
 (He leads Molat to the bed, and seats him on it.') 
 
78 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT II. 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 Canst thou feel 
 How G-od is yet my Father, Minstrel? — yet 
 Pours happiness into my frozen heart ? 
 
 TEOUBADOtTB. 
 
 Why, so I said ! But you are faint, repose 
 Tour head on me and take a little rest ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Ah, thanks. In sooth, 'tis very sweet to rest 
 In loving arms. Long since they all forsook 
 Me, every one ; thou, thou remain' st alone. 
 Hast followed me of thy free choice to prison, 
 Eemaining here through seven years, and how 
 Have I deserv'd it ? 
 
 Tkoubadoxtb. 
 
 Scarcely by free choice ! 
 In unison our heartstrings vibrate. E'en 
 As yonder golden lyre sounds from the depths 
 Of starry heavens the music of the spheres. 
 E'en so thy soul re-echoes every tone 
 Breath'd from the all-harmonious universe ; 
 Not even that which men call madness rings 
 As discord from thy lips : 'tis but the free 
 Art-spirit, awe-compelling, which proclaims 
 Its coming in dark tones of mystery. 
 My lyre but echoes thy sublime chorale. 
 What can it do, unperfeot, but repeat 
 Pure-toned its starry sister's lofty strains? 
 
 Dost thou see that ? 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 TROtrBADOTIK. 
 
 What? 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 How my friends do rend 
 This troubled heart of mine ! Seest thou my Frank ? 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 79 
 
 Why, even he drinks greedily my blood ! 
 Good Minstrel, I am sure thou 'rt not athirst 
 For blood. — Alas ! To thee I nothing gave 
 But shelter, but to them I gave my heart ; 
 And ah ! they lacerate it ! — There remains 
 No more to give thee ! 
 
 TBOtrBADOTTB. 
 
 Nothing doth he need 
 Whom Fancy rocks on her maternal breast ; 
 Oh, nothing but a heart which beats with his. 
 Thou gav'st me that ; — and cruel men may rend 
 But cannot dispossess it. Thus endow'd 
 I roll in riches, opulent, while they 
 Disguise their poverty with chains of gold. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Then, Minstrel, sing to me, for here (laying his hand on his 
 
 head) I feel 
 So empty, so inanimate, so benumb'd ! 
 
 Troiibadotjk. 
 Wilt hear the Song of Hope ? 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Nay, not that song, 
 A truce to that deceiver ! 
 
 Teoubadotje. 
 
 Wilt thou have 
 The song, in Cyprus, wont to please thee so : 
 Of wisdom's balm for sorrow ? 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Nought of that 
 I pray thee by thy love. As men's hearts cold 
 Is philosophic wisdom, with a gleam 
 That warms not, nor brings comfort ! No, that song. 
 That lay of the dead bride — and Sidon's Knight ; 
 
80 BRETHKEN OF THE CBOSS. [ACT II. 
 
 in g me the song of Love ! For slie too lov'd 
 Me, even to death ! — By her last pledge, this glove 
 
 Qie draws out a woman's glove) 
 I supplicate thee, — sing the song of love ! 
 
 [Tboitbadottk sings to the harp, Molat 
 listening with rapt attention. The 
 curtain falls. 
 
ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Tlie King's audience- chamber decorated with full-length 
 portraits of his ancestors : behind the throne, on each 
 side, doors, that on the right hand leading to the ante- 
 chawher, and that on the left to the Eistg's Cabinet. 
 
 The same day about noon. 
 
 Marshal, Vicomtb de Chateattvbet, Babon, Makqtjis, 
 Cavaliee, Chamberlain, several other Couktiees. 
 
 Behind Guards and Pages. 
 
 Marquis. 
 The Bang comes late to-day. 
 
 Baron. 
 
 How now ? Is 't true 
 That into Flanders. . . . ? 
 
 Chambbelain. 
 
 Hush, pray ! the Archbishop ! 
 
 Aechbishop (enters from the door on the right). 
 Grood morrow, Lords, — ^Where is the King ? 
 
 Chambbelain. 
 
 Still in 
 His Cabinet. 
 
82 beethken of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Baeon. 
 May I ask, my Lord Archbishop, 
 How stands it with the Templars ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Well, and yet 
 Not well. {Goes into the King's Cabinet.) 
 
 Makshal. 
 The arrogance ! 
 
 Maeqtjis (to the Chambeelain). 
 
 Friend, do you know 
 If now His Majesty alone is ? 
 
 Baeon. 
 
 With him now 
 Should be the Chancellor. 
 
 A CouETiEB {with irwportance). 
 
 Oh, the Chancellor ? 
 Excuse me ! — ^Monsieur Nogaret, but now 
 Stood at the window of young Count Poitou. 
 
 Maeshal {to the Maequis). 
 You question sometimes idly ! Who besides 
 His Grace the Archbishop now is privileged 
 To enter previous to the Lev^e ? 
 
 Chambeelain (lightly). 
 True! 
 To all appearance sacred justice now 
 Is smothered by the pallium.^ 
 
 Baeon (to the Captain). 
 
 With Poitou?— 
 Son of the Seneschal, did you say ? the ex- Templar ? 
 
 ^ The pallium or pall, an ensign of dignity conferred by the 
 Pope on Archbishops. — Trans. 
 
so. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 83 
 
 COTJETIBE. 
 
 Ay, on my honour, there I saw the Chancellor ! 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 They meet, no doubt, to choose a wedding-gift 
 Appropriate to the Countess of AuTergne. 
 
 Maeshal. 
 Labour in vain, forsooth ! since long ago 
 By higher hands 'twas chosen. 
 
 Chambeelain Qenoivingly). 
 
 Nay, my lords, 
 I am well assured the conference of Poitou 
 With Nogaret has deeper meaning. 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 
 Then, 
 Maybe the Count has told the Chancellor 
 The secret of the Templar-Knights. 
 
 Baeon. 
 
 Tou mean 
 About the demon-head which they adore 
 In secret in their temples ? — 
 
 Cavaxiee. 
 
 Fiddlestick ! 
 Pine mystery that ; this head — why, I myself 
 Have handled it ; an uncle of my own. 
 Commander of the Order, showed it me. 
 
 Maeshal. 
 Tou? 
 
 Chambeelain. 
 
 Tell us ! 
 
 Babon. 
 
 Terily ? 
 
84 brethren of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 Speak, Cavalier ! 
 
 Bakon. 
 What aspect tlien lia'd this portentous thing ? 
 
 Catalibe. 
 Oh, well ! Jnst like a head, a devil's head, — 
 As big — what shall I say ? — big — more or less — 
 As a cat's head. 
 
 Babon. 
 But what like ? Was it then 
 A veritable, living, devil's head ? 
 
 Cavaliek. 
 Why, big as 'twere a moderate hogshead of 
 Cahors — of good Cahors. — There, now you know ! 
 At top, it had some sort of cap . . . 
 
 Baeon. 
 
 The horns ? 
 
 Cavaliee. 
 Just so ! the horns, perhaps, or else a cap ! — • 
 
 Bakon. 
 And flesh and bone the rest of it ? 
 
 Cavaliee. 
 
 Of course ! 
 Gilded in front, and silver'd o'er behind — ^ 
 
 ^ The Head vas differently described by various deponents. 
 Some said it was of metal, others that it was a sort of mummy- 
 head covered with a dried human skin, adorned with gold and 
 silver, having carbuncle eyes, having a beard, having two beards, 
 one before and one behind, that it was a face painted on a piece of 
 wood, and so forth, according as the recipiendaries saw it. It pro- 
 bably varied in the different Preceptories, and the Chief Preceptory 
 had a Chief Idol which was only produced on important occasions 
 and great festivals. The notion of the idols arose probably from the 
 dualistic conception of a Higher and a Lower God, and represented 
 the Lower God, author of matter, and sender of treasure and good 
 
sc. i.] brethren of the cross. 85 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 Then did they really worship it ? 
 
 Catalieb. 
 
 No doubt.' 
 The Master when the Chapter met produced it 
 Out of his pocket — 
 
 ViSCOTJNT. 
 
 What, the whole great hogshead? 
 
 Cavaliee. 
 Why, certainly ! his pocket or his knapsack — 
 
 Baeon. 
 Pray interrupt him not ! 
 
 Catalieb. 
 
 Then spake the Master : 
 " Behold the head ! It fructifies our fields. 
 Gives us our heart's desire. Look on it, EJnights," — 
 And by the beard he lifted it. — " Adore it, 
 This is the genuine thaumaturgus, this 
 Can speak with our Lord God whene'er it will ]"'■'' 
 
 gifts to the Templars, whose religion had by this time pretty well 
 resolved itself into a worship of material possessions and profit. — 
 Trans. 
 
 1 This account of the miracle-working head was actually affirmed 
 by some of the witnesses in the trial of the Knights-Templar. See 
 IStoldenhauer. Some of the superior knights carried it in their 
 knapsacks or portmanteaux when travelling. 
 
 ' The character of " the Head " which the Templars are charged 
 with having worshipped in their " secret encampments " of 
 " mystic lodges " has been the subject of much dispute. Some say 
 it was the head of Proserpine, or of Isis, or of the " Mother of 
 Nature." Professor Priitz traces it to the Under God of the 
 "Luciferians." This embodiment of the Under God is not repre- 
 sented as an enemy of the Great Spiritual God, but as a god 
 of lower rank with smaller and, as it were, more earthly powers, 
 and a lower, more earthly, more material scope of work. Jean de 
 Cassanhas affirmed that he was told it could speak with God when- 
 ever it would, and would fulfil all His wishes. On another occasion 
 power was ascribed to it to give back liealth from sickness, and 
 to endow the knights with earthly blessings and the Order with all 
 
86 brethren of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Baeon. 
 Now, God be witli us ! 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 Blasphemy ! 
 
 Cavalieb. 
 
 Thereat, 
 The Brothers all fall prostrate, and adore 
 The ugly thing ! 
 
 Baeon. 
 God save us ! 
 
 Maeshal. 
 
 Then from what 
 Source necromantic did they get the head ? 
 
 Cavaliee. 
 As my late uncle told me, it was found 
 At Sidon in a grave, where a brave knight 
 Descried it lying, and at the same time heard 
 A voice proceeding from the nether earth : 
 " Preserve this head : thou shalt be lord of fate ! " 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 Go on ! 
 
 Cavalieb. 
 And this fell true. Soon after that. 
 This tnight repaired to Cyprus to the war. 
 Not far from thence the Grissons dwell, a race 
 Of cannibals who, as I live, will eat 
 For lunch ten men in armour cap-a-pie. 
 Against these heathen hordes now march'd the knight 
 With all the Christian host. They bore themselves 
 Like Turks, — put all to flight, — already sank 
 
 the splendours of the world. It was said to make the trees 
 hlossom and the earth hear fruit. The dualistic idea is that the 
 Under God alone is approachable hy man, the Superior God being 
 far removed from everything mortal. — Trans. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 87 
 
 The oriflamme — but in tlie end when all 
 Help failed, came help — 'twas from the head. 
 
 Viscount. 
 
 Of course 
 
 Tou were not there ? 
 
 Cavaxieb. 
 
 Attention, pray: the knight 
 With sudden action to the hostile walls 
 Held up the magic head, when in a trice 
 They prostrate fell, and with them all their towers 
 Piled like a hayrick, on my oath. Then fled 
 The pagans and the field was won. 
 
 Babon. 
 The devil do ? 
 
 What can't 
 
 VlSCOITNT. 
 
 Not make a head, unless 
 God aiding. 
 
 Cavaliee. 
 Further when our knight set sail 
 From Cyprus homewards, in a golden box 
 He guarded carefully the wondrous head. 
 The sailors thought to find in such a shrine 
 Some treasure rich and rare, and stole the key. 
 And when at, night he lay in sleep profound 
 The box they opened, and among them one. 
 The boldest, touched the head. Then, odds my life. 
 Began the sea to roar : a hurricane 
 More terrible than e'er conceived by man 
 Sprang up, the waves towered high : the north wind raged, 
 Ajid quick as thought were man and mouse engulphed ; 
 The very fishes were so terror-struck 
 That, to this day, not one within the space 
 Of ten miles round is ia those waters seen. 
 
 Maeshai. 
 Well? and the knight? 
 
88 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT III. 
 
 Cavalibe. 
 Was drown'd with all the rest. 
 
 Marquis. 
 And what befell the box ? 
 
 Cavalibb. 
 
 It swam unhurt 
 To Damietta, where the Templars found it. 
 And they, being skill'd in devilry, were glad 
 To give it place among their other gear."^ 
 
 Chambeblain. 
 'Tis thus they are so wealthy ! 
 
 Baeon. 
 
 By St. Eoche, 
 I'd willingly exchange for this one head 
 The heads of all my serfs ! 
 
 Unter a Couetieb. 
 
 CorETiEE. 
 
 Dear sirs, hon jour ; 
 They are ushering the old man in. 
 
 Maequis. 
 
 Who then? 
 
 COUETIBB. 
 
 De Villars, the Commander. 
 
 Baeon. 
 
 What ? Do you mean 
 The aged Templar ? 
 
 Couetieb. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 ^ The Secret Statutes of Pilgrim's Castle appear to have been also 
 mentioned as " Statutes of Damietta," and may possibly have been 
 completed at the siege of that city whither the Order marched from 
 Pilgrim's Castle and whence their survivors returned to it. — Trans. 
 
sc. i.] bsetheen of the cross. 89 
 
 Chambbklain. 
 
 He has been summon' d 
 To private audience of the King. 
 
 Cavaliee. 
 
 And see ! 
 He comes ! 
 
 [Father Vincent leads in the Commander, apparelled in 
 the complete vestments of the Order. 
 
 Vincent {to the Commander). 
 Thus far I have brought you — now must I 
 In Pate's hand leave you. Should His Majesty 
 Concerning me interrogate you, think 
 Of your most faithful friend, who — ■ 
 
 God mend it ! 
 
 Commander. 
 
 Ah, well, well, 
 
 [Exit Father Vincent. Commander 
 remains standing a/part from the 
 Court party, who observe him cu- 
 riously. Pause. 
 
 Marshal. 
 'Tis a quaint old figure-head ! 
 
 Marquis (aside). 
 How think you, sirs ? Suppose we drew him out ? 
 I think he might — 
 
 Bakon (aside). 
 Leave 't to the Cavalier ! 
 He 'U do the trick for you right handsomely. 
 
 Cavalier. 
 Trust me for that ! 
 
90 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [acT III. 
 
 [Be approaches the Commandbe, who 
 during this interval has been con- 
 templating the paintings in . the 
 audience-chamber, and addresses 
 him aloud, while the rest of the 
 company gather round them both. 
 How now, Lord Grrand-Commander ? 
 You are looking round ? You see liere much that 's new ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Yes, much that 's new. — G-od mend it ! 
 
 Cavalieb. 
 
 I suppose 
 'Tis long now, very long, since hereabouts 
 You went a-pleasuring ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Five and sixty years. 
 
 Cavalieb. 
 Is 't possible ? — and still so spruce, so strong ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 By Grod's strength and good guidance. 
 
 Cavalieb. 
 
 That, of course. 
 
 Commander. 
 Tell me, dear sir, is yonder portrait not 
 The saintly King St. Louis ? 
 
 Cavalieb. 
 
 Certainly ! 
 
 Maeshal. 
 You knew him then ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Oh yes, God mend it ! — 'Tis 
 As though I saw him stand before me now, 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 91 
 
 Wrapped in his woollen mantle, his barett 
 
 Of sammet green, slouched thus o'er his left eye. 
 
 Maeshai,. 
 A green barett ! — Heavens ! — what atrocious taste ! 
 
 COMMANDBE. 
 
 In such attire my honoured liege embark' d 
 
 At Toulon for the blest Crusade, I being 
 
 A youthful page of honour in the train 
 
 Of Blanche, Queen-Mother, the Castilian. On 
 
 Her right hand stood the King, and on her left 
 
 His youngest brother, Count of Anjou, Charles ; 
 
 And 'twixt them both, the Queen. I bore her train. 
 
 She, as the way of women, G-od mend it, is, 
 
 Did weep ; but Louis rais'd his hand towards heaven, 
 
 And, " Mother, weep not," said ; " thank rather God 
 
 For that our Saviour has made choice of me 
 
 To rescue from wild heathen hands His tomb. 
 
 What though e'en by a sword thy soul be pierc'd. 
 
 As once the Mother of Grace, so sorrow-rich. 
 
 When she beheld her Son, the Saviour bleed : 
 
 Tet shall that crown of martyrdom, whereto 
 
 He hath appointed me, rejoice your heart. 
 
 With joy like hers." So spake the heroic saint. 
 
 While secretly he brushed the tears away 
 
 Which well'd in his own eyes, and stepped aboard 
 
 The ship, no more, for ever, to return, 
 
 E'en as the spirit had prophesied by him. 
 
 Babon. 
 Blanche of Castile you serv'd then, daughter of Charles 
 The Great ? An age ago ! — 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 The Emperor Charles 
 The G-reat, was yet more ancient and remote,' 
 G-od mend it ! — 
 
 ' Because Blanche was Queen Dowager when De Villars was yet 
 a young page. — Trans. 
 
92 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT III. 
 
 Maeqtjis. 
 Say, Lord Grrand-Commander, how 
 Was th.en tliat princess dressed ? Did she put on 
 Slashed satin sleeves, and little feather hat, 
 Aslant, as now the ladies of our hearts 
 Affect ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 The women of this present time, 
 Grod mend it, I know naught of ; but I know 
 My noble Lady Blanche, deceas'd, maintain'd 
 Such graceful and decorous bearing ever, 
 That beauty could not quench her modesty, 
 Nor modesty her beauty subjugate. 
 
 Marqitis. 
 Well put, indeed ! 
 
 Marshal. 
 And like a herald spoken ! 
 
 Cavalier. 
 Ho ! ho ! Sir Knight ! so old and reverend, yet 
 So fine a connoisseur in woman-kind ! 
 This learnt you of the pious princess ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Much 
 I learnt of her, God mend it ! Specially 
 This, that wise sayings only fall asleep 
 In a fool's ear. Therefore, Sir Cavalier, 
 God mend it, or whatever you may be. 
 Do not apply to me to tell to you 
 The sayings of that princess. 
 
 Marshal. 
 
 That I call 
 A setting down ! 
 
 Marqitis. 
 Friend Cavalier, he has 
 Tou by the heels ! 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 93 
 
 Viscount {to the Commander). 
 
 Brave veteran, blame not us 
 If yon small man {pointing to the Oavaliee) presume to 
 
 measure out, 
 By his own scale, the giant's seasoned limbs. 
 
 Cavalibe. 
 Whom is 't you call a scale ? 
 
 CoMMANDBE {gently patting him on the shoulder). 
 Sir ! no offence ! 
 For heaven has even'd me with you to-day : 
 We both must stand and wait ! It was not thus 
 With my Saint Louis when he in judgment sat. 
 Permit me to refresh my heart a space 
 By feeding on his features, and, meanwhile. 
 Pass, as ye list, the time. 
 
 [ife walks up to Louis' portrait, his hack 
 turned to the entrance. 
 
 Makqtiis. 
 
 A good old babbler ! 
 
 Cavalier. 
 He is unarm' d, else would I .... ! 
 
 YlSCOTJNT. 
 
 Not do much! 
 
 Page. 
 The Cardinal ! 
 
 [Caedinal de Pe^neste : then several 
 courtiers, among them, the Count of 
 Aeeas, all entering from the ante- 
 chamber. 
 
 Cardinal {to the Chamberlain, who offers him a seat). 
 Trouble not yourself. Has not 
 His Majesty appear'd yet? 
 
94 brethren of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Chambeklain. 
 
 No ; at once 
 I hasten to announce your Eminence — 
 
 Caedinal. 
 I can be patient. Who is that old man ? 
 
 Chambeelain. 
 Hugo, the Grand-Commander. 
 
 Caedinal (quickly). 
 
 De ViUars ? 
 
 Chambeelain. 
 The same. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 I knew him once. 
 
 CoMMANDEE (turning round, loud). 
 
 Whose voice is that ? 
 Is 't not Prseneste's ? Yes, God mend it ! — God 
 Be with thee, pious priest ! (shahing Mm iy the hand). 
 
 Caedinal (in some confusion, which he seeks to conceal, 
 aloud). 
 
 My Lord Commander ! 
 I am pleased to see you looking well. (Aside to him.) 
 
 Hush, friend, 
 For God's sake, silence ! We are not alone 
 Together, and the very walls have ears ! 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Maybe ! but not the hearts, God mend it ! Much 
 Have I to learn from you. 
 
 Chambeelain (issuing from the door of the Kings' Cabinet, 
 and throwing it open). 
 
 Koom for the King ! 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 95 
 
 \The Cowrtiers form a half-circle rov/nd 
 the throne. Enter King Philip, 
 the Archbishop, out of the King's 
 Cabinet. The King steps under 
 the baldachin, the Caedinal stations 
 himself on his right ha/nd, the Abch- 
 BiSHOP on his left. 
 
 King. 
 We greet you, noble vassals of the realm ! 
 Doth any of you ask our royal hearing, — 
 Then let him speak ! 
 
 Chambeblain. 
 Your Majesty, the Count 
 Of Arras doth desire — 
 
 King. 
 Ah welcome, Count ! 
 How stands it now with Manders ? 
 
 COITNT. 
 
 Neck and crop 
 The rebels hare been beaten. All before 
 The lUies bow of the Most Christian King. 
 
 King. 
 Heaven heard our prayer. What doth our brother Valois ? 
 
 Count. 
 Commends himself unto your Majesty 
 And lays on me the joyful task to bring 
 Tou news of victory. 
 
 King. 
 'Tis well. Now shall 
 This badge of honour, by our ancestors 
 
 [Me hangs the collar of an order round 
 the Coitnt's nech. 
 Devis'd, become a brave knight's meed of thanks. 
 Would Grod the secret foes of G-od and State 
 
96 BEETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT III. 
 
 Might likewise fall. And you, Lord Cardinal, 
 Tou wish no less ? 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Ay, sire, that they should fall 
 Or turn repentant to the fold again. 
 Of Mother Church. 
 
 King (smiling sardonically). 
 
 Tour faith is strong forsooth ! 
 Remains ought else ? 
 
 Chambbelain. 
 Vicomte de Chateau-verd, 
 Returned from England. 
 
 King. 
 
 So ; — what message sends 
 My cousin Edward ? Did you my behest. 
 Acquainting him with all the needful facts 
 Relating to the Templar cause and process? 
 
 Vicomte. 
 King Edward greets your Majesty with heart 
 And hand. And thus his words run, " Extirpate the sia. 
 Reprieve the sinners." ' 
 
 King. 
 
 Our good cousin talks 
 At random, — as for you, you have, methinks. 
 Unlearnt by Thames's tide, how men address 
 Their King. Retire ! — [Hxit Vicomte. 
 
 Bad weather, eh, Archbishop ? 
 
 ' King Edward wrote to the Pope expressing his disbelief of the 
 horrible and detestable rumours spread abroad concerning the 
 Templars. Afterwards, whether, convinced by a bull issued to him 
 by the Pope, of the guilt of the Templars, or hoping to turn the 
 proceedings against them to profitable account, he yielded com- 
 pliance to the Pope's desires, and eventually the treatment of the 
 Templars in England was fully as atrocious as in France. 
 Addison's "Knights-Templars," ch. ix and x. — Trans. 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 97 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Perhaps 'twill clear up by to-morrow's dawn. 
 
 King. 
 Now, is that all ? 
 
 Chambeelain. 
 For audience yet remains 
 The G-rand-Commander, de Villars, who by 
 Tour Majesty was summon'd. 
 
 King. 
 
 Ay, 'tis true, 
 
 (to the COMMANDEE.) 
 
 Draw nearer, valiant warrior. Tou, I think. 
 Once serv'd with our most saintly grandfather 
 Louis ? 
 
 Commander. 
 Yes, Sire, and in my arms have borne 
 Eight many times your Majesty, when yet 
 You could not speak. 
 
 King (with, a haughty smile). 
 Well, that is past ! 
 
 OOMMANDEE. 
 
 Ah, yes, 
 God mend it, many things are past ! Old times. 
 And your good sire, St. Louis, and my strength. 
 And many more things will a century hence. 
 Be overpast and done with, save the deeds 
 Of pious men : they last a little longer. 
 
 King. 
 'Tis plainly seen you are hermaphrodite. 
 Half spiritual, haM temporal, as is 
 The Templar Brotherhood. 
 
 CoMMANDEE. 
 
 My gracious Liege, 
 With your permission, I am nothing great. 
 But I am wholly what I am. 
 
98 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT. III. 
 
 King. 
 
 Enough ! 
 Let all the rest retire. Archbishop, stay. 
 And you, Lord Cardinal-Legate. 
 
 [Hxeunt all the courtiers, leaving only the 
 two Pbelatbs, the Commawdee and a 
 Chambjeblain. The Kvsa leaves the 
 throne, and comes to the front of the 
 stage. 
 
 King (to the Commandee). 
 
 Grood old man, 
 I sent for you because I will not hide, 
 It griev'd me to devote the heroic son 
 Of ViUars' noble stem to share the doom 
 Of that pernicious gang with whom hard fate 
 Had yot'd him. That, so doing, I mercy chose 
 Before strict justice you I hope must feel. 
 
 Commandee. 
 My King ! — Tour hand to kiss ! you strengthen me 
 With hope at my grave's very brink ! Then this 
 Is tnie, that Louis' grandson deviates not 
 Prom righteous ways. All thanks be unto God ! 
 He follows justice, to the voice of Truth 
 He hearkens ; Grod be praised, the Villars yet 
 Are unf orgotten ! 
 
 King. 
 Merit then our grace. 
 My mercy grants you liberty and life. 
 Aye, more than that, I make you Seneschal 
 Of Flanders. 
 
 Commandee. 
 Oh, my King ! 
 
 King. 
 
 And one sole thing 
 I in return exact from your respect. 
 Tour Christian duty, and your sacred oath 
 Of vassalage ; that pubhckly you shall 
 Acknowledge how the Temple's rabble crew 
 Have sinn'd 'gainst Church and State, G-od and ourself. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 99 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Let not my just and gracious King alloy 
 
 The mercy-cup his goodness proffers me 
 
 With bitter wormwood dregs. No shameless band 
 
 Of caitiffs is the Order I have serv'd 
 
 Full sixty years through weal and woe. Maybe 
 
 It hath not all accomplish'd whereunto 
 
 Strict duty pledged it ; we are human only ; 
 
 E'en Louis your grandfather stumbled, yet 
 
 Arose again with glory. 
 
 King. 
 
 Name that saint 
 Not in one breath with criminals like these ! 
 Moreover, he himself fell, sacrific'd 
 To your disgraceful deahngs. To this day 
 'Tis well known how at Acca he was made 
 Through your high-treason prisoner. 
 
 COMMAUDEE. 
 
 'Tis known, 
 My King, that Acca never fell at all 
 Till three and twenty years ago, when I 
 Was present. On my knightly word, we bore 
 Ourselves as valiant Knights. The holy Father 
 Himself proclaim'd our Master Beaujeu, who 
 Fell there amid so many thousands slain, 
 Proclaim'd him martyr. How St. Louis fell 
 Is well known too to all the world. He was 
 At Damietta, not at Acca, made 
 A prisoner, forty years ere Acca fell. 
 Through his bold brother's rash temerity ; 
 He was not by the Templars over-reach'd 
 'Twas his own brother, Robert of Artois, 
 Who by our Master Sannak wam'd in vain, 
 (No less a hero, and more vers'd in war) 
 Eushed too fool-hardily to battle. We 
 Sped after him ! then Robert fell, then f eU 
 Our Master, then two hundred Templar Knights 
 And forty went to honourable death ; 
 And there the sainted King through this mishap. 
 
100 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT. III. 
 
 Which was not of our causing, sever'd from 
 His most devoted adjuncts — fell with all 
 His company into the enemy's hands. 
 
 King (ironically). 
 And you of course were there ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Tes, a mere boy, 
 Tet having eyes even then that could discern 
 'Twixt black and white, and I have got them still. 
 
 King. 
 
 But are not cognisant of what is due 
 To your Liege-Lord ! 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 My Liege-Lord never will 
 Eequire of me to sin against my vow 
 Of Knighthood, against truth, against my faith ! 
 
 King. 
 
 Vainly, old man, you craftily enveil 
 
 TourseK with holy nimbus, offering us 
 
 For facts tales fabulous whose baselessness 
 
 Appears too evidently in the light 
 
 Of day. It has been proved that heinous crime. 
 
 And heresy, and rank high treason, shame 
 
 That villainous scum that takes the Temple's name 
 
 So deeply to degrade it. Gainsay not ! 
 
 'Tis prov'd, say I ; you know I have no need 
 
 To argue facts which e'en the Church's Head 
 
 Pronounces certain, with a garrulous babbler 
 
 Who is my vassal. Only this from me ! 
 
 What you have said I will attribute to 
 
 The feebleness of your extreme old age 
 
 Which makes you quite oblivious what you owe 
 
 My clemency, and God, and fealty's oath. 
 
 To stretch forbearance further would be sin. 
 
 Tou have your choice. Avow the Order's guilt, 
 
 And take the Marshal's staff — or, otherwise. 
 
 Ascend the scaffold with the Templar crew. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 101 
 
 OOMMANDEE. 
 
 Now God forbid that, one foot in the grave, 
 
 And near the close of no inglorious life. 
 
 That staff of honour I should purchase at 
 
 The price of a most shameful lie ! Keep it 
 
 For I deserve it not. Tet hear in mind 
 
 You also must appear before a Eing 
 
 Who justice and injustice weighs, and who 
 
 Will ask by what authority you slay 
 
 Pure innocence, and right confound with vreong ! 
 
 King. 
 Thou dar'st defy me, Greybeard ? 
 
 COMMANDEE. 
 
 Spare your threats ! 
 Pull in the eyes I oft have look'd on death 
 God mend it ! You I fear not. But if God 
 Not wholly hath withdrawn himseK from you. 
 Think on your death, and save your soul, while yet 
 'Tis time. The sand runs out.^ 
 
 King (fo the Chambeelain). 
 
 Awsij ! — the rack 
 For him, to bring him to his senses ! 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 Oh! 
 My gracious King ! 
 
 King. 
 We know you, Cardinal-Legate ! 
 Speak when you are ask'd. My course of government 
 Brooks no man's interference, no, not e'en 
 The holy Father's. Bear me out, Archbishop ! 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 I risk not to decide in what degree, 
 
 ' Dantespeaksof Philip IV. as " il mal di Francia." He makes 
 his father, Philip the Bold, and his father-in-law, Henry of 
 Navarre, lament together at the confines of Purgatory, because 
 " Sanno la sua vita viziata e, Lorda." 
 
102 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT III. 
 
 Above you or below, the holy Father 
 Stands in relationship to you. 
 
 King- (smiling). 
 
 Ah, rogue ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 As touching this old man, (indicating the Commandee) 
 
 there almost seems 
 Small need by publickly exposing him 
 To give him prominence. 
 
 King (after reflection). 
 
 Tou are right. Old man, 
 
 [To the Commander. 
 I exempt you from the ract, but should you dare — 
 
 Commander. 
 I'll not deny my Grod. 
 
 King (to the Chamberlain). 
 Away with him ! 
 Take measures that this fanatic be kept 
 In strictest ward. 
 
 Commander. 
 Saint Louis ! thou hast liv'd 
 In vain, and so have I. Shall then the seed 
 By pious hands sown never bring forth fruit ? 
 
 Chamberlain. 
 Away ! (Leads out the Commander.) 
 
 King. 
 Old dotard, chattering foolishness ! 
 Tet his demeanour wondrously impress' d me. 
 To other matters. Now, Lord Cardinal, 
 "We are alone. — Speak freely. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 Dare I speak ? 
 And dare I hope the voice of truth which spoke 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 103 
 
 E'en now to us with, vigour, if unpolisli'd, — 
 
 The anguish'd cry of innocence, — perchance 
 
 Has moved to some result the great King's heart ! 
 
 King. 
 With this for prelude thank my present mood 
 That I still deign to hear your further speech, 
 As Legate only ; pray remember that ! 
 Tou stand not now in your confessional. 
 
 Cabdinal. 
 Yes, Legate, Sire ; deputed by my Lord 
 The Shepherd of our Churcli, as, too, by Him, 
 The Church's Head Supreme, of whose great glory 
 Crown and tiara but reflect, the splendour, 
 I speak, and boldly ; in His name I speak 
 Who soon perhaps may summon me to Him 
 To take my reckoning of this actual hour. 
 
 King. 
 The matter, please. 
 
 Cakdinal. 
 The Pope, your Majesty, 
 This Brief sends with his blessing, and enclos'd 
 Two letters from the Kings of Portugal 
 And Scotland, recently deliver' d to 
 His Holiness. 
 
 King. 
 Present them. 
 
 [BTe takes the letters and peruses them. 
 Bold indeed ! 
 Archbishop, read ! — E'en Portugal, forsooth ! 
 
 (Gives paper to the Archbishop.) 
 And naught but moderation, justice, grace. 
 For these down- trodden Templars ! Verily 
 The cowl 's to all appearance creeping towards 
 Precedence of the helm ! How is 't, Lord Legate, 
 The holy Father, once so complaisant. 
 Brings out his holiness just now when he 
 Should keep his word ? 
 
104 brethren of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Perhaps, great King, because 
 He realizes now tliat what is holy 
 May not be trifled with ! 
 
 King. 
 
 And I. — What part 
 Should I play ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Hold one finger up to save 
 What stiU to save is possible : build up 
 The overthrown ; reflect that power is best 
 Made manifest through leniency ; that comes 
 At last an hour when power itself shall fail 
 And gentleness survive alone ; and then 
 The solemn hour arrives when that veneer 
 Which here gives lustre shall be seen no more. 
 If there it cannot bide the test. 
 
 King. 
 
 Tou speak — 
 
 Cardinal. 
 As echo of that voice which even now 
 So mightily cries out within you, Sire ; 
 'Tis only sometimes silenced, stifled never. 
 
 King. 
 Forgive the Templar Brotherhood ? Not I ! 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Tet this the world, the Pope, and Grod in Heaven 
 Seek from your Majesty ; immortaUz'd 
 By History's pen, stem judge of princely deeds, 
 'Twill meet the verdict of posterity. 
 
 King. 
 This verdict then, — I scarce can comprehend 
 How I can be so patient, so restrain' d — 
 To gain this verdict shall I not chastise 
 The heretics whose crime is proved ? 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 105 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 Me, Sire ! In sucli a solemn hour 
 To jest seems slightly out of place. 
 
 King. 
 
 Lord Cardinal ! 
 
 Excuse 
 
 To jest ?- 
 
 Cardinal. 
 The thoughtful Philip will 
 Not seek from God, nor ask the world, to be 
 More credulous than conscience is that dwells 
 In his own breast. 0, King, attend to that 
 Appealing voice ! Oh, hear it now, ere yet, — 
 Dire thought ! — 'tis mute for ever. 
 
 King. 
 
 But shoidd I 
 Indeed — Nay, 'tis impossible. E'en now 
 The Order's goods are confiscate. The thing 
 Is over and accompUsh'd. — Things have gone 
 Too far already — Had I earlier — Nay 
 It cannot be ! — Tou really. Cardinal, 
 Annoy me greatly. 
 
 Caedinai. 
 'Tis the Lord, not I 
 Awakes this stir within you. Oh, give ear 
 Thereto, that in your own extretnest need 
 God, in His turn, may pity you. 
 
 King. 
 
 Archbishop ! 
 No word from you ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 A Prince's clemency 
 Can grant itseK such latitude as could 
 No minister dare venture to advise. 
 Tour Majesty's command appointed me 
 To be the Temple-Order's Judge : to-night 
 My work will consummated be. To-morrow 
 
106 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT III. 
 
 I stall present the acts. 'Twill then depend 
 On your wise judgment whether to let fall 
 The fruit of evidence, with care matur'd, 
 A sacrifice to one emotional moment. 
 
 Enter a Page. 
 Sire, Monsieur Nogaret and Count Poitou. 
 
 King. 
 
 Another time ! Well (Exit Page) Legate, he assur'd, 
 I shall consider all that you have said : 
 Wait till to-morrow. 
 
 Page (returning). 
 Sire, the Chancellor 
 Is very urgent. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Graciously permit 
 That I retire. Already the Commission 
 Has been assembled : every moment now 
 Is precious there. 
 
 King. 
 'Tis well ! — But we must speak 
 Again to-day. (Exeunt Aechbishop and Page.) 
 
 Caedinai. 
 And I, your Majesty, 
 Will trouble you no further. Sire ! I take 
 My leave with heavy heart ; God's angel still 
 Is present with you, who will testify 
 One day of this momentous crisis. He 
 With your illustrious ancestors looks down 
 On you. (Goes and comes hack again. With emphasis.) 
 
 Though free is action, what 
 Is done remains, and in the Book of Life 
 Will be recorded. 
 
 King. 
 
 God be with you, Legate. 
 We will consider. [Exit Caedinal. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 107 
 
 King- {alone reflecting, and somewhat disturbed). 
 What if this ' be not 
 Mere vulgar superstition ? 
 
 Enter Chancellor de Wogaeet. 
 Pardon, Sire, 
 My zeal compelled me. We've secured Poitou. 
 He brings in his own hands the little box 
 Tour Majesty already wots of. Now, 
 All 's clear as day. Omnipotence itseK 
 Can't save the Templars. 
 
 King. 
 
 Would 'twere otherwise ! 
 Thank Nogaret, thy devil whom thou serv'st, 
 That thou hast no such feeling. — Tremble, though, 
 Should that appear which now I but surmise. ^ 
 
 NOGABET. 
 
 My King, I marvel at this tone ! It was 
 Tour own desire, and only yesterday 
 Tour Majesty vouchsaf'd — 
 
 King {irritably). 
 I know. 
 
 NOGABET. 
 
 Perhaps 
 The Cardinal, who — 
 
 King. 
 Nay, calumniate not 
 The excellence thy baseness cannot grasp. 
 We went too far ; this shameful procedure 
 Dishonours me to-day and evermore. 
 
 Nogabet. 
 Ah, now I understand! {With assumed calm.) Tour 
 
 Majesty's 
 Grood pleasure shall be done. Shall I unlock 
 
 ^ i.e., a judgment to come. — Trans. 
 
108 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT III. 
 
 The Templars' chains, that they releas'd and free, 
 Triumphant o'er the failure of our power 
 And leagu'd in concert with your Mngdom's foes. 
 May openly and fearlessly proclaim 
 The insurrection which in secret they 
 Have long heen plotting ? Only give the sign 
 And I will open wide the treasury 
 That soldiers they may buy themselves again, 
 To turn against my King ! Good Grod ! and 'tis 
 His own command. {After a pause.) Tour Highness, 
 shall IP- 
 King. 
 
 Thou 
 Shalt hold thy tongue ! 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 Alas, to thini the world 
 Must smile to see the failure of a Prince 
 Of Princes wisest ! that a faction could 
 Accomplish this, who impiously, and from 
 Their very dungeons, mock at him of Kings 
 The greatest ! 
 
 King. 
 Mock ! Man, thou dost lie too crudely. 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 The Countess be my witness : when your grace 
 Gives her her rendezvous to-night, she will 
 Herself — 
 
 King. 
 Ah, true ! 1 almost had forgotten ! 
 Is that arrang'd ? 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 At midnight she expects you. 
 
 King. 
 
 Poitou then ? 
 
 NOGAEET 
 
 WUl obtain to-morrow-mom. 
 The lovely lady's hand — whose butt he is — 
 Tou giving your consent. 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 109 
 
 King (smiling). 
 
 Well done, thou rogue, 
 Well done ! Thou 'It come with me to-night ? We'll make 
 The interchange of mantles, as before ? 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 I'll follow you to Hell, Sire. 
 
 King. 
 
 Thither thou 
 Shalt go in front. 
 
 NOGAEET. 
 
 May I then tell the Count ? — 
 
 King. 
 By all means. 
 
 NOGABET. 
 
 He already waits without, 
 Nursing his little box, poor fool ! 
 
 King. 
 
 Why then. 
 We'll have him in ! Produce him ! 
 
 , NoGAEET (calling into the ante-chamber). 
 Count Poitou ! 
 \The King goes to the door of the CaMnet, 
 Feank comes in with the coffer. The 
 King gives Mm a careless nod, and 
 goes into the Cabinet, followed by 
 Feank and Nogaeet. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Parlour in the Convent of the Norbertine nuns of St. 
 CiAEB ! on the left an altar with image of Mary. 
 
 Agnes (alone, holding in her hand a letter). 
 He is coming, ah ! he's coming ! 
 This day once more I'll see him. 
 And breathe into his lips 
 
110 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT III. 
 
 My overburden'd soul ; 
 
 And I shall draw new life 
 
 "Prom his deep azure eyes, 
 
 His eyes of living KgM ! 
 
 Enlarg'd from this my prison, 
 
 Far in the distaaice golden 
 
 Encircled by his arm 
 
 Shall I rejoice exulting ; 
 
 In heaven's aethereal azure. 
 
 And mid enamell'd meadows. 
 
 Breathe love and liberty. 
 
 O, might this rapture bring me 
 
 Death, — on his heart dissolving 
 
 Into a sea of Are ! — 
 
 Yet doth this exultation 
 Not wrong the vow that to the Lord I vowed ? 
 
 This fierce wild perturbation 
 That storms and rages here within (with her hand on 
 her heart) so loud, 
 
 This fever as I near the goal, — 
 Are these the feelings of a blissful soul ? (Pause.) 
 Then, when with him this deed I shall have done. 
 Surcease of suffering won, and from these walls 
 (Where, horror that appals ! so long have I 
 Pin'd while sad days rolled by) have fled, shall then, 
 I, when he is mine again, endure the change ? 
 Or this dejection strange, this fear, may it be 
 Prelude to an eternity of punishment 
 Sleep- shadowed now, but sent to wake one day 
 My soul with horror ? May not God with blame 
 Rebuke this earth-bom flame ; to whom untrue. 
 My troth I pledg'd and who approv'd me bride ? 
 Will hell-fires round him glide, and bring to naught, 
 Whom for myself I've bought even at the cost 
 Of my salvation ? Lost must he then be. 
 My Adalbert, and die eternally ? 
 
 \^She turns to the image of Mary, and 
 throws herself with fervour on her 
 hnees before it. 
 All gracious Mother, joy's blest fount ! to know 
 The thorns that form love's crown was given to thee : 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. Ill 
 
 Eternal yearnings in thine eyes we see, 
 
 Those wondrous founts of deepest love and woe. 
 
 Oh, once, while from thine eyes the tears did flow, 
 
 Thine own Son died our Mediator to be. 
 
 Yet, stiU undried, thy Mother tears fell free. 
 
 Despite ascended Mercy's solar glow. 
 
 Thou hast known love. Queen of the heavenly choir; 
 
 Can then thy child, clay's helpless sufferer, learn 
 
 To hate the flower of clay-bom flowers most pure ? 
 
 By thy Son's agony and death-pangs dire. 
 
 Oh, hear, while weak, from Grod to love I turn ! 
 
 Must I forsake my love, my God abjure ? 
 
 The Abbess {who enters during Agstes' last words). 
 Come to my heart, my daughter, God is Love ! 
 
 AUNES. 
 
 Ha ! I conceive thee, consolation's Queen, 
 And I wiU f oUow thee ! 
 
 {Perceiving the Abbess as she rises.) 
 Good Mother? Tou? 
 
 Abbess. 
 'Tis I, poor child of sorrow, come to fill 
 With joy thy troubled heart ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 To bring me joy ? 
 Your words disturb me ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 Come, sit down by me. {Both sit down.) 
 Agnes. 
 My God ! Could she suspect . . . 
 
 Abbess. 
 WeU know'st thou, daughter, 
 How constantly since that dread midnight hour 
 Which robbed thee of thy highest earthly joy. 
 The man thou lovedst, I have ministered 
 With care maternal to thy wounded heart.' 
 
 ' See "Templars in Cyprus," Act vi. 
 
112 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT III. 
 
 Agnes. 
 Oh, dearest Mother. 
 
 Abbess. 
 Interrupt me not ! 
 He granted this who is exalted high 
 Above aU pain, all light, and floods our hearts 
 With peace eternal. Fleeing earthly joys, 
 Thou mad'st the veil thy choice. A bride of Heaven, 
 Thy refuge was the Deity Himself ; 
 That priceless gem, thy innocence was sav'd ; 
 Thy ravening foe was, through a false report, 
 Persuaded of thy death, and thou wert free. 
 
 Agnes. 
 What should this solemn preface lead to. Mother ? 
 
 Abbess. 
 I would fore-arm thee with due strength to meet 
 The most momentous hour of all thy life : 
 Grood maid, earth yet has joys to give, tho' oft 
 More difficult to bear than pain. Is 't long 
 Since died thy mother, Agnes ? 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 'Tis eight years, 
 I think. But in the name of Grod, what means 
 AUthis? 
 
 Abbess. 
 That Percival thou knew'st was not 
 Thy mother. 
 
 Agnes. 
 She was not ? . . . 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Was not. The Princess 
 De Valois was thy mother. 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 What ! the good 
 Old Princess V 
 
8c. ii. j brethren of the cross. 113 
 
 Abbess. 
 Even she. 'Tis now seven years 
 Since her decease. With her expiring breath 
 Her jewel she commended to my care, 
 Her only child. 
 
 Agnes. 
 Yet, pardon me — the Princess, 
 She surely was not married ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Thou of love 
 Forbidden wert the only offspring. 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 Love 
 Forbidden ! (aside) 'tis inherited, alas ! 
 (aloud) Oh, name my father, that with tears of love 
 I to my heart might clasp him ! 
 
 Arm thyself 
 With fortitude. Alas ! my hapless brother, 
 The Temple-Master, Molay, is thy father. 
 Foredoomed, perhaps (Oh, mysteries of God !) 
 To win the Saviour's crown of martyrdom ! 
 Thou tremblest, thou art pale as death ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 OGod! 
 Then not witheut a cause this tragic name 
 Has ever weighed so strangely on my heart ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 Pray Heaven for strength, for thou shalt see thy father 
 To-day, this very hour ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 Is 't possible ? 
 
 Abbess. 
 His Judges to my prayer have paid regard 
 
114 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT HI- 
 
 At last ; and after fifteen weary years 
 I shall to-day behold Mm, and, my heart 
 Forebodes, 'twill be the first time and the last ! 
 
 Agnes (solemnly). 
 The first time and the last ! — I cannot. Mother — 
 
 Abbess. 
 Thou canst not what, my child ? 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 I cannot bear 
 To see him once, then lose for evermore. 
 
 Abbess. 
 We meet again on high ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 Ah no ! — ah no ! 
 I, sinner, cannot see his saintly face ! 
 I could not possibly endure it. 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Daughter ! 
 My heart has suffer'd like thine own, and now 
 Is Hghten'd of its load. The strife is short 
 Ajid quickly overpast. Pear nought ! The Grod 
 Of love condemns our ardours not. He gave 
 To women, iasight clear, in place of strength. 
 And only love reveals what strength is ours. 
 
 Agnes (turning to the image of Mabt). 
 And wilt thou say so too from thy high Heaven ? 
 Thou strengthenest me and I will look on him, 
 Another victim of eternal Love. 
 I will behold him — ay — and also him ! 
 God grant I faint not in the combat dire ! 
 
 Enter Pobteess. 
 
 POBTEESS. 
 
 Two pilgrims from the Holy Land implore 
 Admission. 
 
sc. ii.j brethren of the cross. 115 
 
 Abbess. 
 Let them be refresh'd with food 
 And wine. [Exit Poetbess. 
 
 Agnes (aside). 
 Oh, surely, 'tis the good Anjou 
 With Adalbert ! My beating heart ! — 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Again, 
 What ails thee, Agnes ? 
 
 Re-enter Poeteess. . 
 
 They most urgently 
 Desire to see you, reverend Mother ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Great 
 My wish to be at such a time alone — 
 Yet they are needing help, so bring them in. 
 
 [Exit Poeteess. 
 
 Abbess (to Agnes.) 
 I think thou art not well. Retire awhile. 
 
 Agnes (entreatinghf). 
 Tet, oh ! two pilgrims from Jerusalem ! 
 They come lite heralds of eternal spring. 
 Oh, let me stay, dear Mother ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 As thou wilt ! — 
 
 Enter Philip and Adaibeet, hoth in 'pilgrim garb. 
 
 Philip. 
 Forgive two pilgrims, Holy Ladies, who 
 Would briefly for a moment interrupt 
 Your pious contemplations. 
 
 Agnes (aside, looking at Adalbekt). 
 This is he ! 
 Dear Mother of compassion, give me strength ! 
 
116 brethren of the cross. l-*^ct iii. 
 
 Abbess. 
 Be welcome to our humble house and take 
 At win your share of simple cloister food. 
 
 Philip. 
 Our wants have been supplied. 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Be seated then — 
 So, pious pilgrims, from the Holy Land, 
 Te hail ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 I, noble Lady, only come 
 From Cyprus ; he, however (indicating Adalbeet), has 
 
 retum'd 
 But recently from holy pilgrimage 
 To Christ's own tomb. He brings your Reverence 
 Kind greeting, pious messages of peace 
 Prom Aix' devoted Abbess, ruhng o'er 
 The Order of the Holy Sacrament. 
 
 Abbess. 
 Aix, say you, where my lov'd Matilda, — she 
 Was, in the world, Marquise de ViUars — 
 
 Adalbert. 
 Ay, even she — 
 
 Abbess. 
 She lives then still, and is 
 The Abbess of her convent ? 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 
 Ay, a type 
 Of perfect discipUne and holy worth, 
 Like you, her saintly friend. 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 How manifold 
 Thy gifts to me, my Grod, this day ! I pray 
 Tou, pUgrims, bide with us. 
 
sc. ii.] bhethren of the cross. 117 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Ere evening fall 
 We must to Saint Denis. 
 
 Abbess. 
 But first repose 
 A little while at least. {Aside to Asnes.) A well-bred. 
 
 man 
 The younger pilgrim ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 True. 
 
 Abbess (aloud to Adalbert). 
 
 But that 'twould seem 
 To you mere feminine curiosity, 
 1 fain would ask, young man, what made you press 
 So early to the Holy Place, resort 
 Most commonly of sinners worn with age ? 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 By early sorrow fed before my time 
 I learnt, still young, this world is not the place 
 For joys to blossopa in. 
 
 Abbess (glancing at Agnes). 
 Thy mate in grief, 
 My girl ! Alas, poor man ! and yet, how rich ! 
 Oh, blessed he who even in life's sweet spring 
 Learns self -negation and to suffer pain ; 
 And cultivate those flowerets of the heart 
 Which life's fierce drought to no perfection brings. 
 
 Philip. 
 As kind you are as wise. — Come, Conradin, 
 Lay bare thy troubles to these saintly ladies, 
 Then shalt thou homeward wend, not unconsol'd ; 
 For God made woman tender, thus to man. 
 While travelling down his thorn-set road of pain, 
 To be an angel ministrant. 
 
118 brethren of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 Oh, yes. 
 Good pilgrim ! pray you let us hear about 
 Tour pilgrimage. 
 
 Adalbbet (aside). 
 
 Ah rae ! her silvery tones ! 
 God grant me strength ! (Alovd.) My noble ladies, brief 
 But mournful is the story of my Ufe. 
 My name is Conradin: as pursuivant 
 The valiant Seneschal of Montferrat 
 I served. Not many years ago I hoped 
 To be made blest for ever with the hand 
 Of one 'mongst maidens noblest. Loyal love 
 Had bound our hearts together — and in hers 
 Shone natural freshness bright with roseate mom 
 Through which, lite earliest sun-rays dawning, broke 
 The spark divine of love. The day was fix'd 
 Which should by priestly blessing make us one 
 For evermore ; when perish'd my fair flower, 
 Consiuned by death's destroying breath. 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Poor youth ! 
 Adalbeet. 
 And when I heard it, all I ask'd was, death. 
 I might perhaps have given it to myself 
 Had not a godly priest reminded me 
 Of Him Who by His dying dowered Love 
 With Immortality. An impxilse blind 
 Impell'd me then to seek the Saviour's tomb. 
 Prom Calais I shipp'd forth, and in few weeks 
 We reached Eosetta, borne by favouring winds. 
 
 Agnes. 
 And was your further pilgrimage to reach 
 The Holy City still from danger free ? 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 Ay, Lady, Pate disdain'd to desecrate 
 My nobler sorrow with mischances base. 
 Now death and I were leagued in combination ; 
 The waves, upheaving erst, grew calm and still ; 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 119 
 
 The Assassin hordes refrain'd from molestation. 
 E'en fierce Sirocco slept, nor wrought me iU. 
 Content to see my heaTen a desolation, 
 Death passed me by, nor would my prayers fulfil. 
 So, spent with fruitless longing, reach' d I slowly 
 That home of pious tears, the Tomb most holy. 
 
 And I beheld Jerusalem adorning 
 The land whence stream'd of Mercy's sea the flood, 
 And Pilate's house of martyrdom and scorning. 
 Where earth was sprinkled with the Just One's blood, 
 And Golgotha, where first 'mid flush of morning, 
 God's spring for us did germinate and bud ; 
 And there absorb'd in prayer's most rapt desire, 
 Within me also light's pure spark took fire. 
 
 Aud grace being thus vouchsaf'd to me for seeing 
 
 The Sepulchre, of heavenly joys blest shrine, 
 
 At once a holy awe possess'd my being. 
 
 Earth seemed to melt before these eyes of mine. 
 
 Cold sorrow thawed, my heart-strings tension freeing 
 
 To revel in the beams of Love divine, 
 
 And, parted from this world with all its sadness, 
 
 God's peace around me breath'd exceeding gladness. 
 
 No power have words to paint for your conceiving 
 The strange transforming now within me wrought ; 
 Eor, Agnes' imag'd form, my soul now leaving 
 Eieturn'd full soon, with new high splendour fraught, 
 Towards me wafted ; lower aether cleaving, 
 Meseem'd His empty tomb the Saviour sought ; 
 Mine eyes must close and I, with all completeness, 
 Be mingled with the mom's aroma'd sweetness. 
 
 Then dawned on me, amid bright rainbow-gleaming, 
 A hum, like murmuring brook or distant choir ; 
 As thoiigh, from forth earth's wreck and ruin streaming. 
 Up swung my spirit to the heavenly fire. 
 And through the sound, and through the light's soft 
 beaming. 
 
120 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT III. 
 
 Clear spoke the Saviour to my heart's desire : 
 " Bring me the infant, Love ; be not affrighted, 
 For in My breast its life's first spark was lighted." 
 
 Then, strengthen'd, to my former griefs returning, 
 
 I rose, and from the holy tomb I went 
 
 With heart devout still o'er my Agnes yearning 
 
 My weight upon my pilgrim staff I leant. 
 
 Through night, o'er wastes, like tapers mildly burning, 
 
 To light my path the gracious stars were sent. 
 
 So reached I the Thebaid sands,^ there meeting 
 
 Kind welcome and the Brothers' friendly greeting. 
 
 Enter Pokteess. 
 
 POBTEBSS. 
 
 The guards bring in the Temple-Master — 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 . . . G-od! 
 [Hurries away, the Poeteess with her. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 Oh, mine own Agnes ! 
 
 Agnes (flying into his arms'). 
 Oh, my Adalbert ! 
 
 Adalbeet (warmly embracing her). 
 Dost thou stiU love me ? 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 Art thou mine again ? 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 Oh, why have I not wings wherewith to cleave 
 Triumphantly with thee the upper air, 
 And to my heart enfolding thee, proclaim 
 Exultant to the angels : She is mine ? 
 
 1 In the Thebaid the brethren of the Valley are supposed by 
 Werner to have learnt the secrets of the .society devoted to Isis and 
 Horus ; especially the Archbishop of Sens, who applied them to 
 the destruction of the Templars through the medium of the Car- 
 melites or White Friars at Paris. — Trans. 
 
8C. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 121 
 
 Agnes. 
 Why can I not fling ofE this mortal shell 
 And, through this kiss aetherealized, dissolve, 
 We two united in one single flame 
 Upon God's altar burning ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Children, talk ! 
 The Abbess will return immediately. 
 
 Ad ALBERT. 
 
 'Tis true. (To Agnes.) We must take flight a few hours 
 
 hence. 
 Midnight will find me in the Convent-court. 
 With this slight whistle I shall signal thee ; 
 Thou when thou hear'st it thy descent must make, 
 Using this net; {gives her a net) then with it we shall 
 
 climb 
 The lower walls ; our palfreys will be there, 
 Already saddled, and ere dawn we shall 
 Find safety ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 But my vow r* — Shall then, alas ! 
 The votary of God— Oh, Adalbert ! 
 
 Adalbbkt {to Philip). 
 Away then, to our death ! 
 
 Agnes. 
 
 Nay Adalbert ! 
 I'll fly with thee ! 
 
 Enter Molat, brought in by the Gtiaed. 
 
 Abbess (to the Captain of the Gttakd). 
 No further than this room ! 
 And I entreat you, let my brother be 
 Alone with me. The Archbishop gave us leave. 
 
 Captain. 
 If no misuse — 
 
122 brethren of the cross. [act iii. 
 
 Abbess. 
 Forget not I am Abbess ! 
 
 Captain. ' 
 Well ! — [Emit with the GriTAED. 
 
 Abbess (to Molat, who has meanwhile seated himself). 
 Dost tbou know me yet ? 
 
 Molat. 
 
 I rather think 
 'Tis Kimigunde. 
 
 Abbess. 
 Thou dost think? OhG-od! 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 Thou art that little maiden, art thou not ? — 
 "Who, when I came from my first battle home. 
 When yet a boy — art not — that little maid, 
 Who wash'd my wounds so tenderly ? 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 Alas! 
 Now breaks again my sorely stricken heart ! 
 
 Molat. 
 The Acacia trees where we as children played ; — 
 I was St. George and thou the Magdalene ; — 
 Methinks I see them still ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 I also (looking wpwards) Oh, 
 My Grod — might only this cup pass from me ! — 
 
 Molat. 
 Art thou indeed my sister Kunigunde ? 
 Beloved sister ! God be prais'd for thee ! 
 Hast thou not seen my dear departed Philip ? 
 
 Philip (who has hitherto been standing apart with 
 Adalbert, aside). 
 Oh, this I cannot bear, not e'en to save 
 
SC. II.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 123 
 
 My life (to Molat) Thy Philip lives ; thy Philip dies 
 For thee ! Farewell, good Abbess ! — 
 
 [_Exit hastily, Adalbebt following Mm. 
 
 Abbess. 
 
 What means this ? 
 Molat. 
 My Philip ! 
 
 Abbess. 
 Be collected ! Howsoe'er 
 This riddle be explain'd, our time has wings. 
 
 Molat. 
 I think that was his spirit, was it not ? 
 
 Abbess. 
 Command thyself ! 
 
 Molat. 
 And thou no spirit art. 
 But art in truth my faithful Kunigunde ? 
 
 Abbess (with inspired tone). 
 True ': and from glory-lighted heights of Heaven 
 The authors of our birth look down on us ; 
 Behold I their reflected radiance ? Stands 
 The future's open door before me? — James, 
 My brother, be thou steadfast ! Unto me 
 My inner consciousness proclaims, we both 
 Shall see no second morrow's sun ! 
 
 Molat. 
 
 Thou art. 
 In truth, my sister ! Heaven's effulgency 
 Me also has possess'd, and as 'twere scales 
 Now from my eyes are falling. 
 
 Abbess 
 
 Ere we part 
 "We have one thing yet to do. Drain thou the last 
 Drop of felicity. 
 
 Agnes (aside). 
 I tremble ! 
 
124 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT III. 
 
 Abbess (leading to him Agnes). 
 Now 
 Embrace thy daughter ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Does my daughter live ? 
 "Where is she ? Where ? 
 
 Agnes (casting herself lef ore him, on her Tcnees, and throwing 
 her arms round his neck). 
 
 She rests upon thy heart ! 
 
 Abbess (raising her folded hands, whilst contemplating them 
 
 both). 
 Mine eyes have look'd on thy salvation, Lord ; 
 Now let thine handmaiden depart in peace ! 
 
 [Gwrtain falls on the personages thus grouped. 
 
ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I. ' 
 
 Augustinian Monastery. Viitcent's cell : two cwndles and 
 a bottle on the table. 
 
 The sa/me day towards midnight. 
 
 Eatheb Vincent, Chaplain Ctpeianus. 
 
 Vincent. 
 You are incorrigible — Go ! 
 
 Ctpbian, 
 
 Mother of God ! 
 I did your will ia every circumstance. — 
 
 Vincent. 
 Oh yes — but bow? — The Archbishop is quite right. 
 What ail'd me to confide in such a fool ? 
 
 Ctpeian. 
 Set I not NofEo and Montfaucon free ? 
 Confessed I not before the judgment-seat 
 In all details as you instructed me ? 
 To wit, the devil-head, the shape with eyes 
 Of carbuncle, — the cat that would appear 
 Amid the sitting Chapter ; all, about 
 The spitting on the Holy Cross ; ^ and more 
 
 ' All of ttese accusations having been actually brought against 
 the Templars. — Author. 
 
 " The Cat's insiauating head and waving tail are veiy suggestive 
 of a serpent : Attila's banner wa.s a green Cat, and his coin a 
 
126 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 Like horrors whicli I never saw, and which. 
 To hear in mind and o'er and o'er repeat 
 Went nigh to split my head ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 A curse on you 
 And all your parrot gabble ! Who believes it ? 
 Especially from such a mouth as yours, 
 Which muddles all thiags and to folly turns 
 The most refined conceptions ! 
 
 Ctpkian. 
 
 Would indeed 
 That every man were satisfied, like me, 
 With those good gifts God lends him ! Formerly 
 Folks knew me well, and oft my sainted Prior 
 Would say of me : " Ah, that's indeed a Homo ; 
 True, too much use he lets men make of him." 
 Ay, God forgive me that ! Things go so Ul, 
 In these late captious times, that usefulness 
 Itself is quite used up. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Tou, useful ? yes 
 For some lay-figure, on whose back to hang 
 An alb, before a tarnish'd altar ; 'twixt 
 His fists a flambeau thrust, and an oremus 
 Drumm'd into his duU cranium ! So far 
 Tou may be useful ! but to be a monk 
 Whose mind should change its colour every hour. 
 Make capital of every wind, take, note 
 Of every glance ; and, if need be, transform 
 
 ghastly head ; and a Cat surveys the Gnostic Conunnnion and 
 guards the Tree of Knowledge on the walls of Austrian Churches." 
 " Templars' Trials," by J. Shallow, p. 63. 
 
 "The Cat was known (at the tune of the trial) to the official 
 world as an object of worship in wild districts, among the Stadin^, 
 and in Switzerland, and the Alps, where the Waldenses adopted it 
 with other errors from the old heretical refugees ; and its cult 
 has survived to this day in the Caucasus, where it forms an oracle 
 forthe Teulutians." Ibid. p. 56. 
 
 " In the Provincial Chapters, a Cat of the pantomime variety, 
 prowled round and about promising gold and good seasons to Ms 
 votaries." Ibid. p. 55. — Trans. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 127 
 
 Himself completely, yet the while lose sight 
 No moment of his aim ; for such the Lord 
 Did in his wrath create you. 
 
 Otpbian. 
 
 Merit oft 
 Is overloot'd. 
 
 Vincent. 
 What have you merited ? 
 The cap and bells ! — Where are those proofs whereon 
 To found the Order's overthrow ? Think you 
 'Tis done hy fables clumsily devis'd ? 
 Where is the devil's head I ordered you 
 To bring me hither ? 
 
 Otpbian. 
 
 God have mercy on us ! 
 The monstrous head — ^which reaches to the frieze ! 
 Is that a thing to move from place to place 
 In secret ? 
 
 Vincent. 
 Blockhead ! could you find no means ? — 
 But time is wasted on you^ — Have a care, — 
 The council sits to-day and then no more — 
 Beware you chatter no more nonsense ! 
 
 Otpkian. 
 
 God 
 Will speak through me ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 Yes, as through Balaam's ass ! 
 Moreover, from the Ajchbishop you need look 
 For nothing good. Apparently he knows 
 About the murder of the sexton Otto.' 
 
 Ctpeian. 
 Lord God in Heaven ! Dear father ! 
 
 See "Templars in Cypnis,'' Act v. — Trans. 
 
128 brethren of the cross. [act it. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Serves you right ! 
 What mov'd you to such folly as to give 
 That stupid fellow, -who hy his own fear 
 Must have been silenc'd, such a dose as needs 
 Must settle him, with every open sign 
 Of poison, giving it with your own hands ! 
 What signified that creature ? How could he 
 Bear witness to your injury ? you, a monk ! 
 A Priest !— And such a clumsy murder ! Fie ! 
 Tou bring disgrace on Simon's ordination.^ 
 
 Ctpeiait. 
 Alas ! thou lambMn of Grod's flock ! The Archbishop 
 Will surely — 
 
 Enter Noffo di Noitgdei, dressed as a secular Knight. 
 
 NoFFO (to "Vincent). 
 G-od be with you ! (to Ctpeian) Bon eoir, 
 booby ! 
 At last we've wing'd our bird ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 How? 
 Noppo. 
 
 Why, Poitou, 
 The youthful erudite, the darling of 
 The Master's heart, gives evidence to-day. 
 His very self, against him. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Can this be ? 
 
 Noppo. 
 At noon, I at the Palace being on guard. 
 The King him audience gave ; the Chancellor 
 Conducted him, and then the Count gave up 
 The casket to the King. — 
 
 ' The ordination of Priests in the Catholic Church. 
 
SC. I.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 129' 
 
 Vincent. 
 Ha!— 
 
 NoFro. 
 
 Wiidi you know of ^ 
 The audience lasted quite an hour, then pale 
 As death, but decorated Tdth a chain 
 Of gold already, came our pretty Count 
 Forth from the royal presence. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Well ? and then ? 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 What wiU you give me if I teU it you ? 
 
 Vincent. 
 Proceed, dear Captain ! 
 
 NOPEO. 
 
 As the Chamberlain, 
 Who listened at the door, in whispers told me. 
 The young lord's eyes were opened very wide 
 When not the Order's holy Eule which we 
 Abstracted deftly, but quite other matters 
 Were in the little box expos'd to view. 
 He first began to elevate his voice, 
 With lofty sentiments and flourishing talk. 
 Until the Chancellor whispered in his ear 
 Two words about the Countess of Auvergne 
 For whom he's ardent ; finally the King 
 Hung with his own hands round his neck the chain. 
 Whereon he, sensibly, convinced himself 
 Of Molay's sins, and now the shallow fool 
 Prepares at midnight to denounce the Order. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Poitou, the Master's closest friend ? I scarce 
 Can credit it. 
 
130 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 My friend, when at the top 
 It sputters, and when underneath it boils, 
 
 (pointing to his head and his heart). 
 Then is the Devil master. 
 
 Ctpeian. 
 As Grod wills ! 
 Would only I were honourably free 
 Prom all this racket ! 
 
 Enter Heribbet of Montfaijcon, likewise divested of the 
 garb of the Order. 
 
 Heeibeet. 
 This is excellent ! 
 Here are the cunning trio all together ! 
 'Tis certain should Beelzebub desire 
 To seek a locwm-tenens, he would find 
 It hard to choose between us ! 
 
 NOEFO. 
 
 Mad again ! 
 
 Heeibeet. 
 And first, friend Cyprian, a word with you. 
 'Tis now seven years ago you promised me 
 The Master's mantle. How about your promise, 
 Tou scoundrel ? ' 
 
 Ctpriakt (pointing to Vincent). 
 
 Ask the Father ! I know naught 
 I 'm more dead than ahve ! 
 
 Vincent (to Heeibeet). 
 
 Methinks, Sir Knight, 
 To-day is scarcely a convenient time 
 To indulge yourself in that splenetic vein 
 
 See "Templars in Cyprus." Act ii. scene 3. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 131 
 
 To which alas ! too often you give way. 
 
 Think ! now the trial ends ; the hour draws near 
 
 Which can your work destroy or crown for ever. 
 
 Hbeibeet. 
 Destroy ? Nay, never that ! E'en though the Conrt 
 Absolve him, I will hurl him down ! 
 
 Consider, 
 
 Vincent. 
 Then, what, to-day, your need is. 
 
 Hekibbrt. 
 
 Ay, I have 
 Indeed considered of my need. That I 
 Have fallen to the level of your faction. 
 Have cast my knightly honour off, to die 
 A nameless thing and loaded with disgrace, 
 'Tis there my need is. That doth gnaw my heart 
 With serpent fangs ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 Take courage ! 
 
 Hekibbrt. 
 
 Could at least 
 I once see Molay burning on the pile ! 
 But no ! your crawling justice holds in chains 
 Revenge and honour both, and if a man 
 But stir a limb you drag him back again 
 With your intriguing wiles. 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Have patience yet 
 Awhile. 
 
 Heeibebt. 
 Then let the Devil have patience when 
 He sees strength bound and swath'd in swaddling bands 
 By cowardly impotence. 
 
132 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IV. 
 
 Enter a Bot. 
 
 Boy. 
 
 The High Court is 
 E'en now assembled. 
 
 Vincent. 
 G-ood ! [Exit hoy.'] We must mate haste. 
 
 [To Heribbet, as he offers Mm, a glass of wine ^ 
 
 Pledge me, Sir Knight, this glass ! Long live revenge ! 
 
 Hebibeet (quaffing it). 
 Ha ! well said, Priest ! Long live revenge ! And then — 
 
 [He shatters the glass on the floor. 
 And then, at last, may my undying curse 
 O'erwhelm the slanderer Molay ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Captain NofEo ! 
 
 [Gives Mm a glass. 
 
 NoBFO (drinhing}. 
 Here's life to him who knows what 'tis to live ! 
 And death to him who ever wasted one 
 Small drop of cheer at G-ammer Virtue's call. 
 
 Vincent. 
 Come, Cyprian ! 
 
 NOFEO. 
 
 He already hangs, I think, 
 'Twixt earth and heaven. Come to, thou plump and bald ! 
 Drink this to brace thy nerves. [Grives Mm a glass of wine. 
 
 ■ Ctpbian. 
 Ah, let me be ! 
 And yet I'U have it. It may serve as my 
 Last unction (having drunk it). Pill again ! 
 
SC. I.J BRETHBEN OF THE CROSS. 133 
 
 NoFEO (refilling Ms glass). 
 
 Thou guzzling Priest ! 
 
 Cypeiast {drinks, and again holds out his glass). 
 Now fill once more ! (drinking) and G-od compassionate 
 My Elsie and the Church, when Cyprian falls, 
 The niain support of each ! 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Now hasten we 
 To the tribunal. Woe betide the league 
 Of Templars ! Its well-being is death to us, 
 Its demolition is our life. 
 
 All. 
 Aye, aye! 
 Away with it ! for by its death we live. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Midnight. Court in front of the Convent of the Norbertine 
 Nuns ; on the right a wall, on the left, in the background, 
 the Convent. 
 
 Philip, Adalbert (in pilgrim clothes, poniards in their , 
 hands), afterwards Agnes. 
 
 Philip. 
 'Tis done ! 
 
 Adalbert (entering behind him). 
 Was 't certainly the King ? 
 
 Philip. 
 
 It was. 
 I knew him by his mantle. But begone ! 
 We dare not lose a moment. [Adalbert whistles. 
 
134 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 Agnes (behind the scenes). 
 I am coming. 
 
 Adalbeet. 
 May she but reach the ground without mishaip ! 
 
 \_Hastens in the direction of the Convent. 
 
 Philip. 
 Thou art aveng'd, lost Anna ; dost thou look 
 Down on me from thy starry home ? 
 
 (Enter Adalbert and Agnes from the direction of the 
 Convent.) 
 
 Adalbert. 
 
 My father, 
 We have her safe ! 
 
 Philip. 
 Then go, — be God your guide ! 
 Hid in the cave we know of, wait for me 
 Until to-morrow midnight ; — then, I come. 
 
 Adalbert. 
 Come rather now ! My heart forebodes no good. 
 
 Philip. 
 No. I must first make sure of Molay's fate. 
 
 Adalbert (imploringly). 
 Father ! 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Away, — or take my curse ! Away, 
 Or ruin'd is thiae Agnes ! 
 
 Adalbrt. 
 
 Grod thee guard ! (to Agnes). 
 Come, maiden of my heart, in life and death 
 Mine own ! 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 1B5> 
 
 Agnes (embracing Mm). 
 In life and death ! (turning towards the Gonvent.y 
 Oh, loving Grod, 
 Forgive ! — ^forgive me, Eunigunde, fare 
 Thee well ! 
 
 [Agnes climbs over the Gonvent wall by 
 means of the rope ladder, Adalbbet 
 follovjing her. 
 
 PhiIiIP (alone, looJcing over the wall). 
 
 They are down, and Humbert brings the nags ; 
 They mount. The Power that vaits on innocence 
 Attend your path ! Now to the Temple tower ! 
 No soul can recognize me thus disguis'd ; 
 Sav'd are the children ; only Molay, — Him 
 I wait to see made happy, or if death 
 Must be his portion, let me die with him. 
 
 [Exit in the direction of the Gonvent. 
 
 Voices (behind the scenes). 
 The murderer cannot be far off. See ! What 
 Glides yonder by the wall? — Stand ! 
 
 Philip (behind the scenes). 
 
 Hell has conquer' d t 
 
 SCENE ni. 
 
 Cheat Hall of Judgment ; behind, a long table covered with 
 a red cloth, and lights upon it, around which sit the 
 CoTTNCiLiiOES : in front, a smaller table, and seated at 
 it two Pbothonotaeies. 
 
 (The Caedinal - Legate Pe^eneste, Chevaliee dtj 
 Plessis, several spiritual and lay Coitncilloes (sitting 
 rownd the table) Peothonotabies (in front) the 
 Caedinal-Pbomotoe Alb and (entering). 
 
 Albano (to Caedinal Pe^neste). 
 Colleague, bon soir I Are all conven'd already ? 
 
136 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IV. 
 
 Dtr Plessis. 
 AH but tte President. 
 
 Albano {taking Ms seat at the table hy the side of Cakdinal 
 Pb^neste). 
 
 Not yet arriT'd ? 
 We need not wait for him as both of us, 
 My brother here, the Legate, and myself 
 Promoter of the Holy Chair sit here. 
 Where, Prothonotary, is the protocol 
 Of our last session ? 
 
 Peothonotaet. 
 Doth your Eminence 
 Command it to be read ? 
 
 Albano. 
 
 What ! read it through ? 
 Just give it me. 
 (To the CouNOiLLOES after he has run through the protocol). 
 
 The affair grows wearisome — ■ 
 The endless nightly sessions, — tedious matter. 
 Detestable formalities ! — By G-od ! 
 If but these dreadful Templars had been burnt 
 At first, or liberated, — either way, 
 So one could get to sleep ! Ey, colleague ? 
 
 PB.ffilNESTB. 
 
 Sleep 
 Is only earn'd of right when one has watch'd 
 Where one is bound to watch. 
 
 Albano. 
 
 Aye ? — How do you mean ? 
 
 Ps^aiNESTE {aside to Albano) . 
 See, they all smile ! And have they not good cause ! 
 
 Peothonotaet. 
 'M.J Lord the President. 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 137 
 
 (Enter the Aechbishop op Sens.) 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Tour Eminences ! — 
 Lord CoTincillors ; — I am late ! — a circumstance, 
 Which, God be prais'd, of no great moment prov'd, 
 Detain'd me more or less. 
 
 \_8eats himself at the table, on the presidential chair. 
 
 Albano. 
 
 A circumstance ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 The subject-matter of this day's session is 
 The final trial of ihe Templar-Knights, 
 With verdict, as you kaow. The point at which 
 We have arrived has often been discuss'd ; 
 Tet it is of so much consequence I must 
 Again bring it before you, and commend 
 To your consideration. It involves 
 The condemnation or acquittal of 
 A school of men so nearly to the Church 
 Related that their crimes and overthrow 
 Must needs be to her hurt. Whate'er may be 
 Tour verdict, — have a care that ye are mov'd 
 By no compassion and by no respect 
 Of persons, — nor by aught save righteous zeal 
 Por justice. \ 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 Easy to decide must be 
 The verdict I presume. Too blatant are 
 The crimes of the accus'd, and seeing that 
 His Majesty the King — 
 
 Aechbishop (interrupting him). 
 
 When he named me 
 Chief of this Council, signified his wish 
 That justice should be done. 
 
 PB.a:NESTE. 
 
 Most certainly 
 No other rule is our judicious King's 
 
138 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 Or ours, — and any other point of view 
 
 Would be in two, ways culpable, since if 
 
 In very deed the Templars have trangress'd. 
 
 Here is no question save of an offence 
 
 Against our Church ; and since this Holy Mother, 
 
 By His example whom she imitates. 
 
 The sinner doth chastise but not destroy, 
 
 To represent her we are here ; and if 
 
 Before the law's decree, as reason is. 
 
 The voice of feehng must be silenc'd, yet 
 
 When son and mother are the htigants 
 
 There seems to be one only question, how 
 
 To harmonize strict equity with feeling. — 
 
 This is the standpoint whence the Holy Father 
 
 Desires to view the subject. I am charg'd 
 
 To impress it thus upon your hearts, my Lords. 
 
 AliBANO. 
 
 I too — quite right — so wills my Uncle Clement ! 
 He now thinks otherwise — 
 
 Pejeneste (nudging Mm, aside). 
 Colleague ! 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 Of course 
 The Holy Father's utterances must be. 
 How oft soe'er he please to vary them. 
 Infallible. Meanwhile — I dare to hope, 
 From his own moderation and from these 
 Wise Princes of our Church (indicating the Cardinals). 
 
 They will not wish 
 To impinge on justice for a sentiment 
 Which, worthy of all honour though it be. 
 Is nowise competent to abrogate 
 The statutes of the Fathers of the Church 
 Which must inspire our verdict. But 'tis time 
 That we proceed to business. All we now 
 Require is that the witnesses should be 
 Confronted with the accus'd. (To the Pkothonotaet) 
 
 So bring them forward. 
 
so. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 139 
 
 Peothonotaey 
 The Master has not yet appeared. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 No matter ; 
 His turn comes last. 
 
 Enter Heeibert, Nopeo, Ctpeian, Vincent and other 
 witnesses ; after them, escorted by a guard, GxriDO 
 Chaelot, Gottfbied, and other Templae-Enights 
 and Seeting-Beothees (m the habit of the Order, but 
 without swords and in chains) . The first-named four, with 
 the rest of the witnesses, proceed to the right side of the 
 judgment-table, the others to the left. 
 
 Aechbishop (addressing the newly-arrived) . 
 Ye know why ye are here ; 
 To hear the heads whereunder stands accused 
 The Temple-Order of Jerusalem. 
 According to your conscience, witnesses, 
 Te are bound to testify to truth ; to you. 
 The Accused, 'tis granted to defend your cause 
 With seemliness. Wliatever you may say, 
 Eemember God discriminates the truth 
 And judges sin. Now, Prothonotary, 
 Eead out the heads. 
 
 Albano. 
 As briefly as you may. 
 
 Peothonotaet (reads out the accusation). 
 PBOTHOifOTAET (reading). 
 The points of accusation entered in . . . 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Pass to the substance — 
 
 Peothonotaet (reading). 
 
 Firstly, ' that the Templars 
 
 1 These are the principal points as to which actually the Templaro 
 were examined. — Author. 
 
140 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IV. 
 
 Had scant belief in G-od : and each of them 
 Was to the Order only secretly 
 Admitted ; secondly, when one should be 
 Eeceiv'd, he to a darken'd room was led, 
 And must therein deny the Lord his God, 
 Must tread upon the Cross, and spit on it. 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 That last I was compeU'd to do myself. 
 
 Peothongtaky (reading). 
 That thirdly they a heathenish idol shape 
 Ador'd, which with a skin was cover'd o'er. 
 And smear' d with unguent ; further, was supplied 
 With eyes of carbuncle ; that they believ'd 
 In this, and recogniz'd as Grod. 
 
 Albano. 
 
 Grood Lord ! 
 What blasphemy f — Now had its eyes been eyes 
 Of lady fair— 
 
 Ctpeian. 
 Tes, eyes of carbuncle, 
 And beard of silver, twenty feet in length. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Be silent ! — 
 
 Pe^neste. 
 On the other hand, I beg 
 To put on record that, so far, this idol 
 Has never been produc'd. 
 
 Peothonotaet 
 
 It shall be enter'd. 
 (reading) Fourthly ; ia Egypt, tbey dealt treacherously 
 Against St. Louis ; also, on a time. 
 Delivered Acca to the enemy. 
 That, fifthly, they, by similar malpractice. 
 The Christian army to the Sultan sold 
 
SC. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 141 
 
 Of Babylon : that, sixthly, they misus'd 
 The treasures of the King (whom G-od defend !) 
 To iajiiry of his Grace and of the realm : 
 And, seventhly, permitted heresy 
 And sanction'd crime. 
 
 Cypeian. 
 
 Tes, by your leave, indeed ; 
 Eank heretics they were, nor even kept 
 The great December feast ! (All the councillors laugh). 
 
 Vincent. 
 
 Wilt hold thy tongue ? 
 
 Peothonotaet (reading). 
 That eighthly, when one of their Order died. 
 They burnt the corpse to powder, and consum'd. 
 Instead of our Lord's body which they scorn' d. 
 Its ashes. Ninthly, that like votaries vile 
 Of Mahomet, they with a girdle girt 
 Themselves, wherewith they previously had touch'd 
 The idol head ; and that was for a sign 
 That they consider'd they had freed themselves 
 From Holy Church's law. That, tenthly, ne'er 
 Had Templar child baptis'd nor lifted from 
 The holy font. 
 
 Chaelot. 
 That, Cyprian, you must know. 
 
 Ctpbian. 
 Defend us ! Ne'er have they prepar'd a child 
 For holy baptism. 
 
 Peothonotaey (reading). 
 Eleventh and last ; 
 To any Templar should a child be born, 
 His vow forgotten, living on the spit 
 The babe they roasted, and secured the fat. 
 And used it to anoint the idol shape. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Enough! (To the Witnesses.) 
 
 Now once more vou have heard read out 
 
142 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IT. 
 
 Tour allegations previously declared 
 Before us. Can you now, before the accus'd, 
 Grod, and ourselves, bear veitness to their truth ? 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 Tes, by our service and our knightly honour. 
 
 Hebibekt (casting down A.is glove). 
 Here lies my glove ! I pubhckly proclaim 
 The Master Molay and the Templar-Knights 
 A pack of worthless reprobates ! 
 
 GniDO. 
 
 Base villain ! 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 On both sides, moderation ! — Bear in mind 
 The presence where you stand. 
 
 Cyprian. , 
 
 Would, graciously. 
 Tour very reverend Grace excuse me, might 
 I venture on one very small request ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 What is it ?— Speak. 
 
 Cyprian (showing Ms mantle of the Order). 
 That I might put away 
 This sinful robe and absolution seek 
 For this my sin that I so long have serv'd 
 The Devil, however unsuspectingly. 
 
 Gottfried (coming forward). 
 I make the same petition. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 What's your name? 
 
 Gottfried. 
 Gottfried von Salza, at your service. 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 143 
 
 Archbishop. 
 And 
 By birth ? 
 
 Gottfried. 
 A German. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 I remomber, yes ! 
 
 (To the CotTNCILLORS). 
 
 I think this man may justly be absolv'd 
 As altogether blameless. 
 
 Albano. 
 Blameless quite ! 
 He has the loot of it. 
 
 Archbishop (to Gottfried). 
 
 You are free. Depart ! 
 
 Gottfried (tea/ring off Ms mantle and flinging it from Mm). 
 A thousand thanks ! Lie there, thou devilish mantle ! 
 Now once again shall I go hunting hares, 
 And goad my serfs. So, Germany for ever ! ^ 
 
 Archbishop {indicating Cyprian). 
 For this same monk, 'tis true he hath confess'd 
 His Order's guilt, but o'er his head a charge 
 Of murder hangs which must be look'd into ; — 
 So take him hence, and let him not escape. 
 
 Cyprian. 
 Lord God ! Tour Eeverence ! — My anointed head ! 
 
 Guard. 
 Come out ! [Cyprian is led out. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 And Father Vincent, too, a word 
 With you. 'Tis proven that you have abus'd 
 Your office as the prisoners' supervisor ; 
 
 ' No evidence of Heresy was brought against the German 
 Knights-Templars. — Trans. 
 
144 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [acT IT. 
 
 Moreover, other statements are to hand 
 
 Concerning you, which, were but half well-founded. 
 
 Must bring on you the punishment of death. 
 
 Till these be proved authentic, I arrest 
 
 You in His Majesty's name : I shall meanwhile 
 
 Assume myself the care to supervise 
 
 The imprison' d Templar-Knights. 
 
 Vincent (half -defiantly). 
 
 These gentlemen 
 Are not, I hope, oblivious that his Grrace 
 The Chancellor — 
 
 A Lay Cottncillok. 
 Tes — I was thinking, that 
 Consideration for the Chancellor — 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Had even this consideration been 
 Of weight, yet could not it avail to stem 
 The even course of justice. {To Vincent.) The Chartreuse 
 Has been appointed to receive you. Gro ! 
 
 [Vincent is led away. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 The other witnesses may now retire. 
 
 [Exeunt Hebibeet, Nofpo, and the other 
 
 Witnesses. 
 
 Archbishop (to the Templars. 
 Te now have, for the last time, heard whereof 
 The Temple-Order is accus'd. Have ye 
 Tet anything to say in answer ? 
 
 GiriDO. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 But bear in mind, that arrogant denial 
 Diminishes not guilt, but rather adds 
 Thereto. 
 
sc. iii. j brethren of the cross. 145 
 
 Pe^nestb. 
 And that, for penitents, return 
 To Mother Church's arms, stands open. 
 
 GrUIDO. 
 
 I 
 
 Claim only to be Knight, and cannot gUd, 
 With phraseology, that truth my sword's 
 Point is debarr'd from puhlisMng ; but in 
 My death, as in my life, shall I remain 
 Obedient to it. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Are you authoriz'd 
 To speak for the defence ? 
 
 GiriDO. 
 
 That is my charge ; 
 Our eldest Brother, G-rand-Commander Villars, 
 Since noon with violent fever prostrate lies. 
 
 Pe^neste. 
 My God ! Another victim ! 
 
 GiriDO. 
 
 As he feels 
 ■ His life draws near its end, he charges me 
 To ask of you a thing which never e'en 
 To murderer at the scaffold was denied. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 And what is that ? 
 
 GuiDO. 
 
 The holy Eucharist, 
 And with it the Last Unction. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 And by whom 
 Have these things been denied him ? 
 
 GtriDO. 
 
 Father Viacent — 
 
146 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IT, 
 
 In order, said he, from the dying man 
 To force a true confession. 
 
 Vrxtu'este. 
 Horrible ! 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 Most dreadful. 
 
 \_Bings : to the Lacquey who im/mediately 
 
 enters. 
 To the Temple Tower a priest 
 Must go at once and give the Sacrament 
 To Grrand-Commander Villars and to all 
 Those prisoners 'who are wishing to receive it. 
 
 [Exit Lacqtiet. 
 
 GriDO. 
 Thank you. There many others languish who 
 Have long been of the sacred rite depriv'd. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 And sternly shall reward be meted him 
 Who hath withheld it from you. Now, proceed — 
 
 GrUiDO (aside, with a glance to Heaven). 
 Oh, grant me self-control ! {Aloud.) Tou have read aloud 
 To us the things whereof we are accus'd. 
 But have you well consider'd who they are 
 That so accuse us ? Does the Devil himself 
 Not cloak his lies beneath a shining veil 
 Of truth, and is the lie transform'd to truth 
 By that ? These, our accusers, what are they ? 
 Axe they ensamples of chivalric life ? 
 What, are they not the scum of infamy 
 Who, prompted by the malice of their hearts. 
 By lucre dazzled, or aghast through fear, 
 Would make us victims of their devilish scheme ? 
 Are they not spawn of him, of lies the father, 
 A'VTio, worse than man's hereditary foe. 
 Allow their lies to wanton undisguis'd 
 By garb of truth ? For what they say, in part 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 14/ 
 
 Is out and out invention, and in part 
 
 Perversion crass and foolisli. And 'tis men 
 
 Like these who testify against us ! — And 
 
 A faction such as this inspires belief ! 
 
 Such human dregs as these had power to bring 
 
 The foremost Order in all Christendom, 
 
 To languish in a gaol for seven years, 
 
 And more than half our Brotherhood, alas ! 
 
 To perish in the flames ! 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 You are forgetting 
 Tour answer to the points of accusation. 
 
 G-TJIDO. 
 
 Ah well ! Forgive me that so poorly skill'd 
 I am in the great art of silencing 
 All human promptings ! If my memory serves, 
 This was the first indictment, that our Order 
 Does not believe in God. Long since methinks. 
 Our warfare in God's cause has amply prov'd 
 The opposite. — Well-founded is the charge 
 That in a narrow chamber closely shut 
 We hold the Order's Consecrations ; yet 
 The founder of our holy faith Himself 
 Connected darkness with the mysteries ; 
 We never desecrated the true Cross, 
 But in the East a system was devised 
 To prove the spirit of our Neophytes 
 By calKng on them to deny our Cross."^ 
 Withstood the young man steadfastly this test, 
 We hoped no Saracen on earth could then 
 Make havoc of his faith. The Idol Shape 
 Is just a coarse invention ; we pray not 
 To this world's Idol, and our only crime 
 Is that we ever with undaunted brow 
 
 ^ Touching this circumstance and other following data which 
 are quoted in perfect accordance with the depositions, see 
 Moldeuhauer's work already cited and Miinter's statute-book of 
 the Temple Order. — Author. 
 
148 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. ' [ACT. IV. 
 
 Have combated against liim. This to do, 
 
 Our League was organiz'd, and Honour pure, 
 
 With Duty, is the name of that false God 
 
 To whom we sacrific'd; and neither treason 
 
 Nor venal knavery, but careful thrift. 
 
 With gallant deeds, amass'd for us that wealth 
 
 Which now is wrested from us. But, thank Grod, 
 
 Man's richest treasure none can take from us; 
 
 A Conscience pure will bear us company 
 
 As far as to the scaffold. Then if this 
 
 Clear consciousness of single hearts, if pride 
 
 Built up like ours on light and right, if such 
 
 As this deserves the name of heresy ; 
 
 If confraternity of noble minds, 
 
 If interfusion of strong virile souls. 
 
 If glow and counterglow of purest love, 
 
 If interchangement of fraternal warmth. 
 
 Which, kindled at the actual shrine of Grod, 
 
 The world from nether vapours purifies — 
 
 If that be counted sin, then we are sinners. 
 
 Then we are heretics. Perhaps indeed 
 
 'Twas sinful, for we built on human worth ; 
 
 And yet, — woe worth the Saint incapable 
 
 Of so much sinning ! 
 
 Albano. ! 
 
 Very well declaim'd ! 
 
 Gtjido. 
 I will be brief, for all the other points 
 Are lies too palpable for wasting words 
 In contradiction. To consume with fire 
 The corpses of our brethren, such excess 
 Of madness never came into our minds. 
 Nor was from Mahomet the girdle borrow'd ; 
 It was the mutual high and holy pledge 
 Of brothers' love and truth through life and death. 
 The first who wore it was the Master Hugo, 
 Illustrious founder of our Templar League, 
 Who once, in saintly lowliness of Soul, 
 
SC. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 149 
 
 Touclied in the Chapel of Gennesareth,^ 
 
 Its pillars with this girdle, — there where first 
 
 Love's earliest tear-dews Jesus shed, rock'd on 
 
 The bosom of the Mother of all grace, — 
 
 For a continual remembrancer 
 
 That we should, like that Just One from the stem 
 
 Of David sprung, win victory over death. 
 
 And reconcile and glorify mankind 
 
 By love. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Te hold yourselves then guiltless ? 
 
 GrUIDO. 
 
 Nay. 
 Through human frailty we have err'd perhaps 
 Tet are no criminals, and merit not 
 The doom unparallel'd which, centuries hence, 
 Will stiU exemplify to how great length 
 A monarch's sole arbitrament can go 
 When still the holy will, collective, fears 
 To give itself expression. 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 
 For this speech 
 Alone you merit — 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Let him be! (to G-tjido). Ought else 
 Have you to say in self-defence ? 
 
 GXJIDO. 
 
 Too proud 
 I am to bring before you all we once 
 "Were to the Church, aye, to the world itself ; 
 Gro, ask it in the East ! 
 
 PK.aiNESTE. 
 
 And do you make 
 No further claim ? 
 
 ' One of the charges against them was that they bound, or 
 touched the head of an idol with cords wherewith they bound 
 themselves above their shirts or next their skins. — Trans. 
 
150 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT. IT. 
 
 GrUIDO. 
 
 To him we mate appeal 
 Who is OTir only rightful judge : our suit 
 Is to the Holy Father's Chair. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 We are 
 In his name here. 
 
 Albano. 
 Oh yes, — himseK my Uncle 
 Commission'd me to judge you ! 
 
 Gtjido. 
 
 Well then, judge 
 As righteous judges should ! Shun cruelty. 
 Eestore us all of which we're now despoil' d,— 
 Pr^edom, and wealth, and honour. Eeinstate 
 The remnant of the Order as of old. 
 In expiation of the guiltless lives 
 Cut ofE. 
 
 Aechbishop (to the Attendant who had entered and said 
 something in his ear). 
 This instant ! [Hxit hastily with Attendant. 
 
 Du PiEssis {to G-triDo). 
 You will not confess F 
 
 GrtJIDO. 
 
 I will not lie. No — 
 
 Dtj Plbssis. 
 
 My Lord Councillors, 
 This person's statements are unprov'd, whereas 
 The depositions of the witnesses 
 Are given on oath. His unsupported word 
 Kequires corroboration, wanting which 
 I advocate a trial of the rack. 
 
 Albano. 
 Oontent ! content ! So shall we sooner finish. 
 
SC. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 151 
 
 Pb^neste. 
 Sir Knight, I think we are not authoriz'd — 
 
 Dtr Plessis. 
 How, authoriz'd ? — Excuse me, Eminence ! 
 The King's will is that this perpetual suit 
 Should terminate. Wherefore these gentlemen 
 Beiag Eoyal Councillors will not forget 
 I hope — 
 
 All the CoTJNCiLLOES, Pr^neste excepted). 
 Agreed ! The rack, the rack ! 
 
 Dtr Plessis. 
 
 Away ! 
 With him ! (to GtTJIdo), a truce now to thine insolence ! 
 
 Gtjido. 
 Not silenc'd by thy threats, bloodthirsty man. 
 
 [GiriDO is led off. 
 
 Albajsto. 
 But what detaias our President ? 
 
 Enter a Peothonotaet, immediately after him the Abch- 
 
 BISHOP. 
 
 Prothonotaet. 
 
 Grod help us ! 
 The King is murdered. (All start from their seats.) 
 
 Several Cottncilloes (exclaiming together). 
 
 Murdered ! How ? The King ? 
 
 AiiBANO (going towards the Archbishop who enters). 
 Archbishop ? 
 
 Other Councillors. 
 What ? The King ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 I pray you all 
 Eesume your seats. 'Tis nothing. 
 
152 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IT. 
 
 Albano. 
 
 Then the King— 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Thank Grod, is living. The attempt miscarried 
 And only the good Chancellor succumb'd. 
 
 A Lat Coitncillob. 
 The Chancellor ! Eeally ? 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 Order, gentlemen ! 
 (He and the Oottncilloks sit down.) 
 
 Archbishop (to the Attendant). 
 The Temple Master, Molay ! 
 
 Albano. 
 
 What ! the madman ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 I hear he has to-day exhibited 
 Strong symptoms of returning intellect ; 
 Moreover quite essential to us is 
 His testimony. 
 
 Enter Molat in fetters, wearing the mantle of the 
 Order hut without sword, brought in by the G-ttard. 
 Pause, during which all regard Molat with amaze- 
 ment. 
 
 PR.a;NESTE (to the Prothonotart). 
 Would you be so kind. 
 Dear Prothonotary ! a glass of water — 
 
 (Prothonotabt gives him one.) 
 
 AliBANO. 
 
 What ails you. Cardinal ? 
 
SC. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 153 
 
 Pe^neste. 
 
 A passing faintness. 
 (Aside) O God, I cannot bear it ! 
 
 Aechbishop (also shocked at Molat's appearance). 
 
 James de Molay, 
 Be seated ; we liave keard, and heard with pleasure, 
 Tou have recover'd fi"om your malady. 
 James Molay, do you know why you are here ? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Well, — for an angel shows me from afar 
 The crown of martyrdom. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Collect yourself ! 
 You are now to repeat the evidence 
 Tou gave at Chinon to the Holy Father 
 Some while ago, three Cardinals being present. 
 Read it aloud once more, (to the PEOTHOifOTAET), 
 
 And give to him 
 The protocol. (Peothonotaet hands a paper to Molat.) 
 
 Attendant (entering). 
 The Count Poitou. He begs 
 Permission to come in. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Admit him then. \JExii Attendant. 
 
 Aechbishop (to Molat). 
 Have you perus'd it ? 
 
 Molat. 
 God in Heaven ! — are these 
 The servants of thy sanctuary ? — Hear, 
 Te judges, as God hears me now ; I vow 
 That, surely as I feel His influence round me, 
 Of all the tissue of monstrosities 
 This document records, I nothing know 
 At all. What I ! I give such evidence P 
 Impossible ! This deposition's false. 
 
154 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [acT IT. 
 
 And slanderers are those lying priests who thus 
 
 Have forg'd my testimony. Slanderers, I 
 
 Denounce them before Grod ; 'twere very meet 
 
 That they should expiate so vile a crime 
 
 With tongues torn out,^ as 'mongst the Saracens, 
 
 The penance of defamers is. 'Twere meet — 
 
 Alas, my head ! (Sinks half fainting on a seat.) 
 
 Archbishop (to the Pbothonotaet) . 
 He faints. Assist him ! 
 
 Pb^nbstb (hastening to Molat and embracing him). 
 
 God! 
 
 Molat (loohing up at him very feebly). 
 Thou too, my brother ! (falls back in the Cardinal's arms). 
 
 Enter Attendant, Prank of Poitou (carrying under his 
 arm the casket, a gold chain round his neck). 
 
 Attendant (throwing open the door to Pbane:). 
 Enter ! 
 
 Prank (not observing Molat). 
 Pardon me, 
 Te sapient judges, if I interrupt 
 Tour council for a few brief moments. Molay, 
 Last Master of the Order, unto whom 
 Unhappily for me I once was bound. 
 Entrusted to my keeping at the time 
 Of his arrest, this casket. It contains 
 As T too late discover'd, many matters 
 Of moment, which my fealty to the King 
 CompeU'd me to lay bare to him. I come 
 By his command to give into your hands 
 These documents, the while I dare to hope 
 Tou will not harshly judge my action. True, 
 
 Molay's actual words. — Author. 
 
SC. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 165 
 
 The Master was my friend, my secolid father, 
 But sentiment is silenc'd at the call 
 Of duty. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 It concerns us not. Sir Count, 
 To appraise the sacrifice you bring the King 
 In right of vassalage, if at the cost 
 Of knightly honour. I know these documents 
 Which you desire to give us, and our forum 
 Does not require them. There the Master sits, 
 Restore, if it so please you, to himself 
 The charge which he committed to your care. 
 
 Dtr Plbssis. 
 Extraordinary ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I am President 
 And what I do shall he accounted for. 
 
 MoiiAT (looMng mowrnfully at Feank). 
 Prank! {raising his eyes to Heaven). 
 
 'Tie enough ! Now, Lord, receive m.y spirit ! 
 
 Pkank (horrified at the sight of Molat). 
 Oh, woeful sight ! I dare not look on him ; 
 Walls, fall on me,, and cover iny disgrace ! 
 
 [Hastens away distractedly, having thrown 
 the casket from him. 
 
 Aechbishop (after a pause, to Molat, who mea/rvwhile has 
 
 risen, swpported ly the Caedinal). 
 Old man, draw nearer. Bitter is the cup, 
 Tet may not pass from thee. Confess to us 
 The Order's guilt, which has been prov'd already. 
 
 Molat. 
 Let it content you that ye slay my body 
 And ask me not to sacrifice my soul. 
 
166 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 Enter Pbothonotaet. 
 
 Peothonotaet. 
 The announcement comes that now the Prior Gruido 
 For whom was just prepar'd the third degree 
 Of torture, has confess'd as was requir'd, 
 And has himself moreover volunteer'd 
 To announce the Templars' guilt to all the people. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Father in Heaven ! Such is Thy will ! we perish. 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 Who sent him to the rack ? 
 
 Dn PiEssis. 
 
 By my advice 
 Just when your Eeverence for a space retir'd, 
 Since gentler measures failed to make him speak, 
 It was resolv'd to put him to the question. 
 
 Archbishop (to the Attendant). 
 See that it cease at once and let him be 
 Conducted to the Tower again. [Exit Attendant.] Sir 
 
 Enight 
 Du Plessis, be assur'd that for this deed 
 I shall remain your debtor. — It grows late. — 
 James Molay, for the last time, we adjure 
 Thee here in sight of G-od and men, to own 
 The truth, as thou hast done already. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Pure 
 The Order, as the martyr's robe wherein 
 My hope is shortly to appear before 
 Grod's presence. , 
 
 Pesineste. 
 Ah, torment no more the poor 
 Old man ! 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 157 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Is this thy last word then, James Molay ? 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 It is my last. [Enter Attendant. 
 
 A Messenger in blue 
 Has hrougit this letter. [Gives a letter to the Aechbishop. 
 
 Aechbishop (having opened and hastily read the letter). 
 Then I must ! — {to the Attendant). 
 Bring in 
 The apprehended gardener ! 
 
 Attendant. 
 
 Sir, at once. [Exit. 
 
 Aechbishop (to the Cotjnoilloes). 
 I must beseech you, gentlemen, to leaye 
 Th' accus'd and nie alone together, just 
 A few brief moments. , 
 
 [Exeunt all present, except Molat and the 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 PsaiNESTE (going, aside to the Aechbishop). 
 
 William, think of God ! [Exit. 
 
 Aechbishop (aside, looKng at the letter in his hand). 
 Te ask me more than I can do. Too cruel 
 The conflict is, — and I am only human ! 
 Tet I have sworn it ! — - 
 
 Enter Philip (still in pilgrim dress, hut in chains, a gag 
 in his mouth) an Attendant (who introduces Philip 
 and imrmediately retires). 
 
 Aechbishop (to M.O'lay, pointing to Philip). 
 Dost thon know this man ? 
 
158 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 My God ! 'Tis PMlip ?— Kill me, if you wUl, 
 But let him live ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 He has confronted death 
 For thee, hath aim'd at murdering the King 
 For thee, and will for thee, to-morrow morn, 
 Be quarter'd for high treason. 
 
 MoLAT (m most fearful distress) . 
 
 Cease, oh, cease ! 
 
 AaCHBISHOP. 
 
 But thou canst rescue him. Confess, and I 
 Eelease him. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 O my God! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 Thou wilt not? Well, 
 Then I must call his executioner. 
 
 {Goes to the table andrings.) 
 Thou shalt behold him die. 
 
 Enter a hoy dressed in cerulean blue. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Oh, agony ! 
 I will confess. Eelease him ! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 Dost thou promise 
 To make confession of the Order's guilt 
 To-morrow morning openly to all ? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 I promise all — he he but sav'd ! — 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 So be it ! 
 
SC. IV.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 159 
 
 (To the lad pointing to Philip). 
 Conduct this stranger to the Sons of Death, 
 I also -will be there, by Blood and Azure. 
 
 [Exit. The lad conducting Philip. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Man ! Who then art thon ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 More than thou ! — 
 (Aloud into the room into which the Cotincillobs retired). 
 
 The Master 
 Has made confession. Judges, come to judgment ! 
 
 SCENE IV. 
 
 (Prison as at the end of ACT II. It is still darh night. The 
 scene is dimly lighted hy a lamp.) 
 
 Geand Commakdbe Httgo (lying on a bed which is spread 
 wpon the floor), an Ecclesiastic (standing before him 
 in stole and surplice) an Acolyte (with the bell), the 
 Tkoubadoue. 
 
 CoMMANDEE (in feeble tones to the Peiest). 
 Thanks, Father, for supplying me with strength 
 To start on my last pilgrimage. 
 
 Peiest (laying his hand on him). 
 Grod's peace 
 Be with you ! 
 
 Commander. 
 That I do not lack — Farewell ! — 
 [Exeunt Peiest, and Acoltte ringing the bell before him. 
 Dear singer, be so kind as to draw back 
 
160 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IV. 
 
 The curtain from tlie grated window pane 
 
 That I may once again behold the moon. {Looking v/p at 
 
 the window after the Teotjbadoue Aag withdrawn the curtain.) 
 
 Ay, there she stands ! Art thou the same old moon ? — 
 
 Dear singer, see how Notre Dame's grey tower 
 
 Gleams golden in the moonlight ; — just like that, 
 
 In olden days when I was yet a child. 
 
 The moonlight fell upon the tower that crown'd 
 
 The hoary castle of my ancestors 
 
 And on my boyish sports. Not there shall I 
 
 Be buried, — nor these eyes behold again 
 
 The habitation of my fathers. Tet (looMng at the moon) 
 
 My old playfellow, thee, Grod mend it ; thee. 
 
 Shall I behold, and my eternal Pather ! — 
 
 (Pause; then to the Teoubadoue), 
 Do I not hear a clattering at the gate ? 
 
 Teotjbadotje (looJcing out of window). 
 Ay truly, and I see a torch and lances ; 
 It is the prison- guards and in their midst 
 A Templar-Knight — and carried — God in Heaven ! 
 'Tis Prior Guido. 
 
 Commander 
 What ! he comes again ? 
 I thought my journey would begin, without 
 My bidding him good-bye. 
 
 Enter Jailee, Waedees carrying Peioe Gtjido, — one 
 
 with a torch. 
 
 Jailee (to the warders for whom he holds open the door). 
 
 Move gently with him ! 
 They have rack'd him finely. Soft ! He is one mass 
 Of wounds and yet he must not die ! 
 
 GuiDO (looTcing at theGowMjk'ST)'E% and feebly raisinghimself). 
 
 Ho ! thou 
 Tet liv'st ? Oh, my old feUow-soldier, die ! 
 Die ! and when thou arrivest yonder, say 
 No word of our disgrace. Oh me ! alas ! 
 Lay me upon my bed. I can no more ! 
 
8C. IV.] BRETHKEN OF THE CROSS. 161 
 
 Jailer (to the Wabubrs pointing to the middle door). 
 That room ; no further. Take good care of Mm. 
 
 (To one of them.) 
 To-morrow, dost thou hear ? he must confess 
 In public from the scaffold. Should he die, 
 Thy neck pays forfeit for the heretic's life ! 
 
 [Waedees carry out Pkiok. GtriDO through the central 
 door, the Tobchbeaeeb, lighting them. 
 
 Teoubadotjk. 
 They have tortur'd him ? 
 
 Jailee. 
 Devil take you ! I should like — 
 What's that ? More knocking yonder — Hang it ! Tes ! 
 
 (looking out of window) 
 They're bringing in the Master. [Exit in haste. 
 
 Commander. 
 
 Heavenly Pather ! 
 Must pain's sharp sword transpierce me once again ? 
 Thy will be done ! 
 
 Enter Molat, wearing an expression of utter despair, and 
 a Waedee with a torch who leads him inandim,mediately 
 retires. 
 
 Teottbadoue (looking at Molat). 
 Oh ! had I tears enough 
 To wash awav in one resistless flood 
 Thy weary being ! 
 
 Commander (feebly to Molat). 
 Brother dear. How is't 
 With thee ? — What, no reply ? What ails thee, brother ? 
 
 Teotjbadotte. 
 Oh, dearest Master ! — not that stony gaze. 
 That utter blankness. Master ! only give 
 One sound, one sign of life ! for oh, this look 
 
 M 
 
162 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IV. 
 
 Of thine, so fix'd, so lifeless, and thy smile 
 So terrible, so dead, and meaningless, 
 Are killing me ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Has it already reach'd 
 Tour ears, ye people ? — Certainly the price 
 Was rather high, but it has ransom'd Mm ! 
 
 TEOUBADOtTE. 
 
 A new apostasy ? 
 
 Commander (with inspiration). 
 Nay, Minstrel ! not 
 Apostasy ! I understand thee, Molay ! 
 I tnow what thou hast said before the Council ; 
 And more than that I know, because the power 
 Of Grod has come upon me : yea, I feel it ! 
 Where thou hast sinn'd, because thy flesh was weak. 
 Thou also wilt atone. Look up, take comfort ! 
 Soon dawns the great Eevealing. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Would that I 
 Could bring myself to nothing, and expel 
 My being from this substance ! 
 
 COMMANDBB. 
 
 Brother James, 
 Come here, the last kiss give me, — once again, 
 A third time ! So ; and also thou, my singer, 
 A brother's kiss for thee ! 
 
 (Embracing them both as he says it.) 
 Te feel no fear ? 
 What, see ye not where stands the angel-boy 
 Beside me ? Be not terrified. — Hear ye 
 The golden harps how sweet they sound ? — Draw up 
 The blind ! — See ye the Cross a-flaming ?— See 
 Te Eobert ? — Lo, the Temple yonder ! — See 
 How bright the radiance from the cupola ! 
 So — ah ! — ^I come ! (stretching out his hands). 
 Madonna Marv, take 
 
SC. IV.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 165 
 
 Thy servant home ! — (Sinks hade on Ms pallet.) 
 
 TBOTTBADOrE. 
 
 He is gone. 
 
 MoLAT (kneeling by Httgo's corpse). 
 
 Praise God, I feel 
 Once more the dew of heaven's refreshing grace ! — 
 Oh ! take me with thee ! Yet, no, — stain'd with sin, 
 I may not come anigh thy purity. 
 Betrayer and a terror to myself ! (to the TiioirBADOTrB) 
 Spoke he not, singer, of atonement ? — Singer ! 
 
 Tbotjbadotjb (who has sunk down quite exhausted on the 
 
 corpse of the Commandee, by which he has been kneeling.) 
 I think so, yes— My head ! — alas, dear Master, 
 I am so tired ; one little hour of sleep ! (falls asleep.) 
 
 MoLAT (lost in thought). 
 Atonement. Tes, he said so. Ay, I will ! 
 Then Anjou dies — and can I sacrifice 
 My friend to G-od ? No, never ! Tet, thanks, Hugo ! 
 
 (Sinking down by the corpse.) 
 On thy cold lips I swear it ; inasmuch 
 As I have sinn'd I will atone for it. 
 On duty's shrine I lay the sacrifice. 
 So beautiful and awful, of my friend. 
 And by my death confirm it. (To the TEorBADOUB) 
 
 Thou shalt be 
 My witness. Hear'st thou ? What is this? He sleeps ! 
 Minstrel ! Great God ! How is it possible 
 To sleep at such a moment ? — and so sound ! 
 I will not wake him ; (rising) but how strange to see 
 One dead, the other sleeping. — Haunting sight ! 
 Nor have I even paus'd to mourn the dead ! 
 Oh, is he conscious of it ? Ghastly ! ghastly ! 
 And round me all the doors fast dos'd ! 
 (Goes to the locked middle door, as though he would open it.) 
 
164 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT IV. 
 
 [A FoEM exactly resembling the Tbottba- 
 DOUE, with harp in hand, makes its 
 appearance whilst Molat is going to 
 the door, and stands in front of the 
 sleeping Teottbadotte, so as to conceal 
 him from Molat' s view. 
 
 FoEM (to Molat in the Teoubadotte's voice). 
 LoVd Lord ! 
 
 Molat (turning towards him). 
 Thou hast awakened of thyself ; 'tis well. 
 How' canst thou sleep ? 
 
 FOEM. 
 
 I ask your leave to sing 
 One little song to you. Does that displease you ? 
 
 Molat. 
 Is this a time for singing ? Eather lay 
 Thee down again and sleep ! 
 
 FoBM (imploringly). 
 
 I do entreat ! 
 
 Molat. 
 Old man, thou dost amaze me ! Pardon me, 
 But if thou thinkest with thy song- singing 
 To lull my pain, I cannot. 
 
 FoEM. 
 Ah, just once ! 
 
 Molat (with displeasure, flinging himself into a seat). 
 Peace, peace, I pray ! 
 
 FOEM. 
 
 Well, if thou wilt not hear 
 ril touch the lute-strings lightly to myself; 
 Sleep thou the while.— To this old fellow here 
 
 (pointing to the Commands a'a corpse.) 
 I'll sing. 
 
SC. IV.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 16& 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 He is grief-distraught. What ails thee, man ? 
 
 FOEM. 
 
 Come, ancient strings, awake, sound forth new times ! 
 
 (Sings to the harp.') 
 In the starry round 
 As of old are found 
 Forms strangely intertwining, 
 Thou'dst grasp them, subtly shining ; 
 But to endless laws which then circuit bound 
 Must yield, pursuit resigning. 
 
 'Neath dark power's sway 
 
 It must obey. 
 The Cross's banner lying, 
 (God's will brooks no replying) 
 "To coming races yet the way 
 Points out to Light undying. 
 
 An impost dire 
 
 Is paid when fire 
 Dries up the sap, life's river ; 
 Which yet consum'd is never ; 
 Where sounds 'mid lions the golden lyre,' 
 It glows in strength for ever. 
 
 If rose-red hues,^ 
 
 Death's Cross saffuse 
 Dark gloom no more is reigning ; 
 But that not all are gaining, 
 For One thing must they find and choose 
 T'wards One good part still straining.' 
 
 With ceaseless change 
 
 Dream-phantoms range, 
 From gloom to brightness turning, 
 But quail before the burning 
 Of that bright fire-fount strange ; 
 First, night ; then dawn's discerning. 
 
 ' To the lyre were accredited of old mystical and even masonic 
 powers, as when the walls of Ilion were ' ' Phoebi structa canore 
 lyrse " and Amphion similarljr raised the walls of Thebes. Orpheus 
 with Ms lyre floated the ship from its stays, and fixed firm the 
 Simplegades. The constellation Lyra was called by the mystical 
 British bards, Arthur's Harp. One of the mystic figures recurring 
 in the Temple Church of London is a rampant llame-like lion 
 surrounded with stars. — Trans. 
 
 ' The apparent reference to the death of the Templars contains 
 a Eosicmcian allusion. The underlying idea is esoteric— JVasns. 
 
 ' "Mary hath chosen thatgood part." St. Luke x. 42. — Trans. 
 
166 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT IV. 
 
 All seek its Light, 
 
 In metal bright 
 Some, some in foolish dreaming ; — 
 Yet it evades their scheming. 
 True songs nor suns their search requite, 
 But vain sounds, vacant gleaming. 
 
 MoLAT (listening more attentively). 
 Whj, what a mystic song ! 
 
 POBM. 
 
 A tale that's new. (continues singing). 
 
 A man shall find, 
 
 Who, proud and blind. 
 Creation's veil would sunder. 
 An isle, whereto with wonder 
 When many more their course shall wind, 
 'Twill sink the waters under. 
 
 A widow's son,-"^ 
 
 Around whose throne 
 Are sorrow's sons not weeping, 
 A house of stones upheaping,' 
 Shall, 'midst of shame and scorn, at one 
 The brethren's guild be keeping. 
 
 Then shall prepare 
 
 And fashion there 
 A Sign the Master-mason, 
 Of neither stone nor brazen ; 
 From phantoms free who breathe pure air. 
 Those only shall that vision share 
 Though all to seize it hasten.' 
 
 In western laud 
 
 Shall, thick as sand. 
 Disciples troup and tower, 
 Nor yield to tyrant power. 
 'Tis ease and sloth with withering hand 
 That shall their strength deflower. 
 
 ^ An apparent allusion to Horus. Perhaps because he diffuses 
 around him joy ; but the meaning is intentionally left obscure. — 
 Trans. 
 
 ^ An apparent Masonic allusion. — Trans. 
 
 ^ An apparent allusion to the San Graal, which was a Templar 
 legend. — Trans. 
 
8C. IV.] BRKTHREN OF THE CROSS. 167 
 
 When feelings best 
 
 Are called a jest. 
 And truth and faith delusion, 
 Shall many meet confusion. 
 Yet from that ferment Light exprest 
 Shall triumph o'er illusion. 
 
 Then from the Vale, 
 
 The Lion's pale, 
 Shall spring the youth expected. 
 The Lost to seek selected : 
 That Cradle where, 'mid sorrow's wail. 
 The Highest new birth elected. 
 
 The hero bears, ^ 
 
 From Eastern airs 
 What he himself fears viewing ; 
 Faint hearts with dread subduing. 
 Yet ardour, wed with faith, repairs 
 Cold error's blank undoing. 
 
 A mystic gii-th 
 
 The rim of earth 
 Shall then all round be pressing ; 
 All, one descent confessing, 
 ShaU own one kindred birth. 
 And Peace, through Faith, shower blessing. 
 
 With peal of chime. 
 
 And choral rhyme, 
 The new sign shall surrender 
 To archetypal splendour ; ^ 
 Hard ice will melt to tender, 
 Man be high Heaven's ascender ; 
 The world's expanse shall render 
 
 Full-flowing prime 
 
 Of Love sublime 
 To organize, in ordered time 
 In form and tone, in word and song. 
 In spirit and deed, chaotic wrong. 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 A ■wondrous song ! Like far-off whispering Larps 
 O'erwhelm'd by thunder peals ! Who taught it thee ? 
 
 ' " Sithence (since Galahad saw it unveiled) was there never no 
 man so hardy for to say that he had seen the Sancgreal," says 
 Malory. — Trans. 
 
 '' The Microcosm, or man as an epitome of the Universe ; con- 
 trasted with the Macrocosm, or the Universe one vast archetypal 
 man. — Trans, 
 
168 BKETHREN OF THE CROSS; [aCT IV. 
 
 FoEM (i?i loud and much altered tones). 
 The Marshal Eudo ! ' 
 
 [JBTe draius nearer to Molat, so that the 
 still sluvibering Teoubadotie is dis- 
 closed to view. 
 
 MoLAT (astonished). 
 
 Eudo?— What is this? 
 (He becomes aware of the TEOtrBADOirE, and springs in terror 
 
 from his seat.) 
 Jesu Maria ! Have we two minstrels here ? 
 
 EOEM. 
 
 Be not affrighted. Seven years ago 
 
 The promise that I made thee I have kept.' 
 
 Thou shalt end nohly, as thou didst begin. 
 
 Not vainly hast thou lived ; thy building stands ; 
 
 And this same tower, memorial ages hence 
 
 Of thy sore martyrdom, shall, by a dark 
 
 And fearful doom of retribution, be 
 
 His prison ^ who in time to come shall wear 
 
 This Philip's crown who now doth scorn the claims 
 
 Of justice and of duty, aye, and his ^ 
 
 Who, sprung from that same stem, his tiger claws 
 
 Blood-stain'd shall in thy pure league's vestment hide. 
 
 (One o'clock strikes from the Temple-tower.) 
 But hark, here strikes the hour which sets me free 
 Erom this my weight of earthly frame resum'd. 
 Remember me, to-morrow when the sun 
 
 ' See " Templars in Cypu.s,'' Act v. Scene 4. 
 
 ■' Louis XVI. was imprisoned in the Temple. 
 
 " Philippe Egalit^ ; but Werner has confused the prisons, as he 
 was brought from Marseilles to the Conciergerie, and occupied a 
 chamber next to that in which Marie Antomette had been kept 
 prisoner. He is aptly characterized by " tiger claws " ; and he was 
 initiated into the mysteries of a masonic branch called Kadoseh, 
 where an oath was taken to avenge Molay 's death ; as may be seen 
 in Barruel's "Memoiresde I'Histoire du Jacobinisme. " His con- 
 nection with a so-called Templar Lodge explains what is meant by 
 his hiding his claws "in the pme League's vestment." — Tram. 
 
8C. IV.] BRETHEEN OF THE CROSS. 169 
 
 Shall shine upon thee first, and last on earth ! 
 His first ray gives thee glimmerings of the Light ; 
 His last unites thee with it. So, fare well ! 
 
 [FoBM vanishes. Molat falls on fcis Jcnees 
 in prayer. Gwrtain falls. 
 
ACT V. 
 
 SCENE I. 
 Towards the end of the same night. 
 
 Inner forecourt of the Cave of the Valley, in the rock beneath 
 the Carmelite Cloister at Paris. Central in the bacJc- 
 grov/nd, the colossal statue of a couchant Sphinx; on 
 each side of it, iron doors, which lead to separate par- 
 titions of the Valley. In front, on a slight rising, a 
 Lotus-flower and a Rose-tree. The scene is lighted hy 
 the flame of a small Grecian altar standing in front of 
 the Sphinx ; on it stand three cups. 
 
 The Old Man op Cabmel, in hermit's garb, with a long 
 beard descending to his girdle. 
 
 Adam of Valincottet, in Carmelite robes. 
 
 The right-hand door opens, and through this opening the Old 
 Man op Cakmbl is seen sitting, and reading in a great 
 booJc.^ 
 
 Old Man of Caemel (after a silence, in a strong but 
 m,onotonous voice.) 
 Make ready the cradle of Life, 
 Ye Brethren, make ready the grave ! 
 
 \_The door closes again, so that he is no 
 longer seen. 
 
 ' Even if this occult Society of Werner's describing had no exist- 
 ence in fact, it is at any rate rather a curious coincidence that at 
 the base of Mount Carmel some Germans calling themselves " the 
 Temple Society " have established a flourishing colony with a view 
 to building a spiritual "temple worthy the worship of the future 
 on the ruins of a crumbling ecclesiasticism " by "embodying the 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 171 
 
 Hidden Voices of the Ancients of the Valley 
 (intoning with hollow voice). 
 All to Being are pre-elected, 
 All through dying have Birth effected, 
 And no seed-corn fails rejected. 
 
 [^During this and the scene following, is 
 heard behind the scenes the shovelling 
 of the Bkothees of the Valley, at 
 work at digging their graves. Adam 
 OF Valincoitbt enters hy the door on 
 the left which he leaves open. In the 
 space thus shown, Philip and. Adai- 
 BEBT in pilgrim garh with Agnes are 
 seen in a group, sleeping. 
 
 Adam (with emotion as he looks on the group). 
 So, softly, Father, with thy children sleep 
 
 {More strokes of a hell are hea/rd). 
 And may God send yon Light. — A Brother of Death ? 
 
 Enter the Archbishop of Sens, masked. He kneels. 
 
 I give thee greeting, Man of Blood ! Stand up. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Who through Blood and Night has wended. 
 Almost has his troubles ended ; 
 Welcome ! Hail ! thou, Blood-attended ! 
 
 Aechbishop {who meanwhile has arisen). 
 I thank you in the holy sign. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Thou bring' st 
 Us tidings from the world ? 
 
 moral teaching of Christ in daily life.'' This colony, says Oliphant, 
 established in 1808, has already exercised an influence for good 
 over the inhabitants such as the monks of Carmel never obtained or 
 attempted during their centuries of occupation. 
 
 The Temple Society numbers over 5,000 persons, of whom more 
 than 300 are in America, 1,000 in Palestine, and the rest scattered 
 over Europe, principally in Germany, Russia, and Switzerland. 
 
 See Laurence Oliphant's " Haifa. 
 
172 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 The son of dust 
 Has not withstood his first proliation, he 
 At sight of Anjou has been overwhelm'd. 
 I too was deeply shaken ; had I not 
 Been by the Holy strengthened, I was lost. 
 
 Adam. 
 Thou art the Valley's son, thou wilt not fail. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Who the Word most holy findeth, 
 Him no more Blood's terror blindeth, 
 Dust no more in bondage bindeth. 
 
 Adam. 
 He wiU confess ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 He will, This very morn 
 Proclaims he publicly — 
 
 Adam. 
 He will not do it, 
 For he shall be illumin'd ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Is it then 
 Immutably — ? 
 
 Adam. 
 The Valley's child must sink. 
 And from the Temple's wreck a tree of Life 
 ^looradn the eternal garden of the Lamb. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Form exists for transformation, 
 Life must see disintegration, 
 Eays, their source of emanation. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 I venerate( your wise decree. (To Adam.) Hast thou 
 Yet any more commands ? 
 
8c. i.j brethren of the cross. 173 
 
 Adam. 
 If he, now blind. 
 Sustain the last probation, bring him here. 
 That he may be transmuted. 
 
 Abchbishop. 
 
 And his brother ? 
 
 Adam (indicating the sleepers). 
 Behold him where he with his children sleeps. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Love high Faith enfolds securely. 
 From the world's hate shields her surely. 
 Keeps her from earth-smirchings purely. 
 
 [The door on the left closes, so that Philip, 
 Adalbert and Agnes, asleep behind 
 it, are hidden from sight. 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 The Strong Ones took them ? — 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Have they ever fail'd ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 You sacrifice Anjou ? 
 
 Adam. 
 He is not ripe 
 Yet for it. He must first in the Thebaid 
 By innocence be purified. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 And Robert 
 Of Heredon ? 
 
 Adam. 
 Will be brought here, and by 
 The son of dust received. His sacrifice 
 
174 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT V. 
 
 Consummated, the young Scot thou shalt call 
 And send him with the six elected ones 
 Together to the distant Hebrides 
 Charg'd with the Evangel of the Eosy Dawn. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Morning saw its inchoation, 
 Midnight watched its incubation, 
 Fire and Azure are its ovation. 
 
 {The bell is struck thrice.) 
 
 Adam. 
 Eetire. For now the bell proclaims to me 
 The arrival of the Strong Ones. Go in peace ! — 
 
 [Exit Aechbishop. 
 [Adam op Valincoitet. An Akmed 
 Man in bright blue from head to foot, 
 with closed vizor, holding in his hand 
 a sword and a lance ; followed by two 
 more similarly armed, leading on the 
 stage by force, Eobeet of Hekbdon, 
 with his eyes bandaged. Eobekt is 
 not in the dress of the Order, but in 
 armour. 
 
 Adam (to the first Abmbd Man). 
 Ye bring the blind-born Scot ? 
 
 Armed Man. 
 Ay. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Lead him in. 
 
 EoBEBT (struggling violently with the Armed Men who are 
 
 bringing him in). 
 Assassins ! Would ye slay me ? Try it not, 
 Else terribly my death shall be aveng'd. 
 
 Adam (to the Armed Men). 
 Eemove the bandage from his eyes. 
 
so. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 175 
 
 RoBEET (after the Abmed Men have relieved Mm of the 
 bandage, looking wildly round). 
 
 Where am I ? 
 
 Adam. 
 Present to him the Cup of Strength ! 
 
 (An Abmed Man offers Eobekt a chalice.) 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Ha, poison! 
 
 Adam. 
 I drink to you thereof ! 
 (Drinks out of the same chalice, and then hands it to Eobeet.) 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 So be it then ! 
 (Drinks at once, then says to Adam) 
 Old man, who art thou ? — ^Ah, what fire ! What is 't 
 I feel ? As though new born ! A quicken'd breath 
 Of life is surging through me. Do I breathe 
 The rapturous atmosphere of heaven ? 
 
 Adam. 
 \ Sit down. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 When dust's son to Light attaineth 
 He in twilight dim remaineth 
 TiU the fiery glow constraineth. 
 
 Eobeet. 
 Singing ! — Where am I then ? 
 
 Adam. 
 
 What seek'st thou here ? 
 
 Eobeet. 
 I ask thee that, and thine associate roughs 
 Who fell upon me in the open street. 
 
176 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [acT V. 
 
 Adam. 
 What dost thou want in Paris ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Who gave thee 
 The right to ask ? 
 
 Adam. 
 One weightier than thou. 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Perhaps some headsman of the crown'd oppressor ! 
 
 Oh, had your comrades not so carefully 
 
 Divested me of every kind of arms, 
 
 I'd hack me soon a passage from this cave 
 
 And hew it, traitors ! through your heart of hearts ! 
 
 Hidden Yoices. 
 Thou must from the Earthy sever 
 Water most to crave endeavour,^ 
 Wouldst thou reign in Azure ever. 
 
 Adam. 
 Here hast thou sword and lance. 
 
 [Takes the sword and lance from the first 
 AembdMan, andoffershothto'Ro'B^ER'i. 
 Then turning to the Aemed Men 
 Depart in peace. [Exeunt Abmed Men. 
 
 Adam {to Eobekt). 
 I stand alone, unarin'd and old. Proceed ! 
 
 EoBEET (looTcing at him in amazement). 
 By what all-potent force, thou strange old man, 
 Stir'st thou my soul as never man did yet ? 
 
 Adam. 
 One Higher than I does that. 
 
 ' See page 186, line 32. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS, 177 
 
 EOBBBT. 
 
 Beneath thy gaze 
 I falter, impotent.^0, speak, Old Man ! 
 Explain, you who so strongly work on me 
 Like influence from the spirits of the past ! 
 What is thy will with me ? 
 
 "Adam. 
 
 If with clear soul 
 Thou hast determin'd what thou will'st thyself. 
 Then also canst thou know what others will. 
 
 Hidden Voicbs. 
 Would' st the world probe, through^ behind it. 
 Only in thyself thou'lt find it ; 
 Who would see must first be blinded. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 That which I will awakes in me no shame. 
 Wert thou indeed, Old Man of saintly mien. 
 Base Philip's adjutant, I'd say to thee 
 And to thy King, unflinching, face to face, 
 Tes, I am come to force that righteous man. 
 My father Molay, from the tyrant's clutch. 
 On Scotland's border, where for seven years past 
 I, separated wholly from the world. 
 Have liv'd for nature and my duties only, 
 I learnt but recently — too late, perchance ! — 
 How horrible a doom was menacing 
 The heroic Order, and, alas ! the best 
 Of living men, e'en him to whom I owe 
 Par more than life. If yet the frost of age. 
 If baseness have not tum'd thy heart to stone, 
 Then think thyself what I must feel, and what — 
 I flew to ship, reach'd Paris, and — whereto 
 Would lying serve ? — I meant this very night 
 To break Lato the royal butcher's palace. 
 Ay, murder him, and for my father die. 
 If so be by the King's death he were saved. 
 Then on a hill- side- fell thy followers 
 Upon me, yes, thy followers, dost thou hear ? 
 They smote me like God's lightning suddenly. 
 
178 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCTJ V. 
 
 Like nought I ever felt ; they set on me. 
 There on the hill-slope — and I fought as ne'er 
 Before, but all in vain — thej overmanned me, 
 Thy underUngs, I say ! they bound me, threw — 
 What was I saying ? — They threw me in the water. 
 At last I came — ay, 'twas a sturdy fight — 
 I must deliver him ! — What's this I feel ? 
 Your potion has intoxicated me, 
 I reel ! 
 
 \_Durmg his last speech he has heen raving 
 
 louder, and now sinks exhausted on a 
 
 seat. 
 
 Adam (offering him another chalice, which he lifts from the 
 Altar). 
 Disciple, take the cup of Beauty ! 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Fire breeds Light, and war Peace tender. 
 Thee unwearied aye to render, 
 Prom the South streams rosy splendour. 
 
 EoBBET {having drunh, much exhausted and coming to himr 
 
 self hut slowly). 
 Old man, where am I ? Here, thy hand ! methinks 
 Thou art my friend ? 
 
 Adam (giving his hand). 
 
 Thy brother unto death. 
 
 EOBBBT. 
 
 I am waking up from an oppressive dream. 
 How is 't with Molay ? 
 
 Adam. 
 Even as with thee. 
 
 Egbert. 
 I fancy I was rather overcome, 
 And in delirium said perhaps too much. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 179 
 
 Adam. 
 'Twas wliat we knew already. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 And you love 
 Him also, the unhappy, noble Molay ? 
 
 Adam. 
 We both of us are effluent from One 
 Source, and to One Bourne shall we both return. 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 I feel such grief, such joy ! Oh, do these eyes 
 Deceive me, or does rosy light indeed 
 Stream from your countenance ? See I aright ? 
 What ails me ? One brief moment since, thou wast 
 An old man stiU, and, and now thou standest here 
 Beside me, vigorous and rejuvenate ! 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Follow Art, with clear-soul'd musing. 
 Self, to gain the power of losing ; 
 Into Beauty self transfusing. 
 
 Egbert (inspired, starting up in ecstasy). 
 Am I transported to the under- world ? 
 I hear deep waters rushing, and the roar 
 Of winds. The eternal spheral song of stars 
 Eesounds in my enraptur'd ear, and flowers 
 Are glowing all around me, fervent-hued, 
 Like coloured asteroids ! — Is that a grove ? 
 And are these flamelets leaves ? and oh, those sounds 
 Melodious, but awful ; murmuring 
 Amid the leaves and from the breezes ! — ^Ah ! 
 I cannot cope with it ; I needs must yield 
 My being in the magic of these sounds. 
 These waves ! My soul must melt and flow away. 
 Longing — unspeakable ! — Exist I still ? 
 Waves, breezes ! I am here — there — everywhere — 
 Inundated, divided — set at large — 
 In cognate drops,— in fruitful dust of flowers — 
 And oh, such rapt beatitude withal ! 
 
 {Sinks exhausted on the seat.) 
 
180 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Adam {taking the third chalice from the Altar and handing 
 
 it to Eobeet). 
 Illuminate Brother, take tlie cup of Wisdom. 
 
 (Eobeet drinks from it.) 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Only when thyself evading, 
 In the great AH merged thou'rt fading, 
 Falls the band thy vision shading. 
 
 Adam. 
 How is 't with thee ? 
 
 EOBBKT. 
 
 I muse on what I willed. 
 And what my will is now. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 What was thy will ? 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 To sacrifice on feeling's ardent shrine 
 The eternal laws of high morality ; 
 To save the Master by a deed of crime. 
 
 Adam. 
 And now what will'st thou ? 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Not to clog the wheels, 
 Presumptuously, of justice absolute ; 
 The Master to respect, but let him die. 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 Brother, — earth thou lea^'st behind thee. 
 That no care of Self should bind thee 
 Were Hope, Love and Faith assigned thee. 
 
 Adam. 
 Thou hast conceiv'd of Nature's chaos ; thee 
 We honour, and we hold thee worthy now 
 To contemplate her harmonies as well. 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 181 
 
 Robert. 
 Tou shall not teach me auglit. Myself from self 
 I will evolve it, or for ever lack. 
 
 Adam. 
 I hear thee gladly, seeing thy good spirit 
 Already has reveal'd to thee its source. 
 Come here, my Son and Brother, frankly tell, 
 Where dost thou think thou art ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 At first I thought 
 I was transplanted to a brigand's lair ; 
 But now magicians I would deem you, could 
 My heart concur ; I would suppose you spirits 
 Of higher nature, could my reason yield 
 To such a dream. 
 
 Adam. 
 Thy doubts are justified ; 
 But that we are no tricksters shall be prov'd 
 By what ensues. Co-heirs of dust are we 
 Like you, begotten of the Element. 
 But that we understand the eternal link 
 Which makes primordial matter one with spirit. 
 And can perfectionize the element 
 To equal value with its primal stuff, 
 This separates us from thee. Thou hast beheld 
 The Light. Already I may much reveal 
 To thee without a metaphor. 
 
 EOBEKT. 
 
 Pray do so ! 
 
 Adam. 
 Canst thou recall how, seven years ago, 
 The morning of thy sailing forth from Cyprus, 
 A prescient thought was surging through thy soul ? 
 
 Robert. 
 The morning that I left ? 
 
182 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 Adam. 
 What thought had'st thou ■ 
 When that last time, in matutinal dawn, 
 Thy gaze was on the Masters' antique forms ? ^ 
 
 Egbert. 
 Aha ! Thou would' st entrap me ! 
 
 Adam. 
 
 I forgive 
 Thee this. — " Creation and Eenoun cement." Was't 
 Not so ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Thou dost amaze me and with shame 
 Pervade. — If thou indeed can'st understand 
 The secrets of the soul, do not confound 
 The youth who confidently spreads his wing 
 With the grown man who in humiUty 
 Doth fold it. If the first has dar'd to dream 
 The last has need to thinh. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 'Tis not the dream, 
 It is the Thought deceives. The Dream was right ; 
 " Creation, then Eenouncement." But, transpos'd. 
 It teaches thee to know the highest aim 
 Of earthly intellect ;~the way to that 
 Which was thy primal source. 
 
 EOBEKT. 
 
 Explain thy words ! 
 
 Adam. 
 We say not thus, " Creation, th^n Eenouncement" 
 Eenouncement and Creation, is the phrase ; 
 Eenouncement firstly ; that was won for thee 
 By the eldest-born of Spirits' power divine 
 Which when he fell was lost, yet in our Valley 
 
 ' See " Templars in Cyprus,'' Act vi. scene 2. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 183 
 
 Shall be preserv'd till highest noon.^ 
 
 EoBEKT (quicldy). 
 
 What say'st thou ? 
 Oh, blind, that I suspected not ! Tou are 
 
 Adam. 
 The Valley's Brotherhood. Eememberest thou 
 What on that morn a messenger in blue 
 Brought thee ? ' 
 
 EOBEBT, 
 
 Ah, my presentiment ! — how all 
 Grows clear to me. 
 
 Adam. 
 Not so, by far ! — ^but shall 
 Become perspicuous. 
 
 Egbert. 
 Then tell me — 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Nay, 
 
 Be not too curious. Thy bosom foe 
 
 Is called Impetuosity, the child 
 
 Of rough-cast matter, aboriginal foe 
 
 Of sublimated Nature. In thy breast 
 
 ThysQlf subdue it, e'en as she smooths down 
 
 The rude Volcano to an Eden fair. 
 
 Thou can'st, unblinded, look on the Divine 
 
 Nowhere, except reflected in the fount 
 
 Of holy calm. 
 
 1 This is a part of the teaching of the Luciferians, a sect which 
 gi-ew up on the same soil as did the Templar heresy, in the 12th 
 and 13th centuries, and resembled it in many points. 
 
 They held that God's iirst-horn son, Lucfier, being at variance 
 with his Father, was by him unjustly oast down from Heaven and 
 deprived of his birthright there, but will eventually regain his 
 birthplace. 
 
 When cast out fi-om Heaven he became Creator of this world, 
 and he alone has a claim to man's reverence, he and Matter by him 
 created. — Trans. 
 
 ^ See "Templars in Cyprus,'' Act vi. scene 2. — Trans. 
 
184 BRETHKEN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 EiOBBET. 
 
 Without a metaphor 
 
 Would'st thou 
 
 Adam. 
 Those few things that in words can be 
 Express'd I would declare to thee, but yet 
 Thou canst in figure, only, seize the words' 
 True import. Hast thou well considered of 
 The letter brought thee by that messenger ? 
 
 EOBBBT. 
 
 Its meaning was obscure to me. It seem'd 
 To indicate the Temple-Order's fall. 
 
 Adam. 
 That riddle through another shall be solv'd. 
 
 (He leads Mm up to the Sphinx) . 
 Behold this Sphinx ! Half beast, half angel, both 
 Fus'd into one, she images to thee 
 The ancient Mother, who, herself a riddle. 
 Can only by a harder one be baffled : 
 By endless clearness in the endless ferment. — 
 The riddle of existence comprehend 
 Thyself, (this is the meaning,) and that other 
 Then lay before the Mother, — and she serves thee ! 
 
 [The door on the right opens, and in the 
 compartment behind it reappears The 
 Old Man op Caemel, sitting at a table 
 and reading in a large booTc. Three 
 loud strohes of a bell are sounded. 
 
 Old Man oe Caemel (reading aloud, in a tone of unvarying 
 
 monotony.) 
 Now when the Lord had Phosphorus 
 
 EoBEET (interrupting Mm). 
 
 What ! again 
 A tale like that of Baphometus ? — ^ 
 
 ^ See " Templars in Cyprus," Act v. scene 2. 
 
 The Templars familiarly named thus the idol which imaged their 
 Under God, author of Matter and Evil. It is a name certainly 
 akin to Mahomet, but the idol is not therefore to be supposed to 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 185 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Nay, 
 Thou errest. What thou uttered' st then but names 
 Familiarly the lower counterfeit 
 Of our All-Holy. But be silent now 
 And interrupt no more the Mystery 
 By sacrilegious, indiscreet remarks ! 
 
 Old Man of Cabmel (reading). 
 Now when the Lord had Phosphorus cast out, 
 His boldness to chastise, he made him fast 
 In prison, and the name thereof was Life ; 
 A garment gave to him of earth and water, 
 And in four azure chains he shackled him. 
 And held to him the bitter cup of Fire : 
 Moreover spake the Lord : because thou hast 
 Forgotten me, and my all-holy will. 
 Misled by lust of being even as I, 
 I give thee up to be the element's prey. 
 And all remembrance of thy origin 
 Will take away from thee, and memory 
 Of my high throne ; and in that thou hast sinn'd 
 Against me through presumption, and the dream 
 Of being One aiid Somewhat, I will give 
 This dream to be thy chastisement, and make 
 Thine impotence to be thy bit and bridle. 
 Till in the water rise for thee a Saviour 
 Who shall baptize thee in my heart anew 
 That so thou once again be Nought and All. 
 And when the Lord the closing word had spoken. 
 He vanished with a mighty roaring sound ; 
 
 have been in any way derived from Mahometanism, for the believers 
 of Islam admitted absolutely no image, and actually abhorred the 
 Cliristian worship of saints and images as idolatrous. The fact is, 
 it became a custom in the Middle Ages to apply the names 
 Mahomet, Mahound, Maphomet, Baphomet, Baffom, to every kind 
 of idol worship or power of evil magic. Hence also " Mnmmery," 
 used of superstitious ceremonies, and possibly "Bufibon." The 
 Knights probably used it as the natural term by which to designate 
 the idol. It had perhaps some ineffable name, unknown to many 
 of the simple Knights who had seen it, and not to be uttered. — 
 Trails. 
 
186 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 Then raged the element round Phosphorus, 
 
 And reared itself in anger up to Heaven : 
 
 And want he knew and unvailing pain. 
 
 But now when Phosphorus' first-born sister saw 
 
 His anguish dire, it fiU'd her heart with grief. 
 
 And with veil'd countenance she turn'd herself 
 
 To seek the Lord, and thus Mylitta spake : ^ 
 
 " Have pity on the consanguineous seed. 
 
 And let me sisterly console my Brother ! " 
 
 Then turn'd the Lord, and ope'd in Phosphorus' prison 
 
 A little rift that through it he might see 
 
 His sister's countenance. And every time 
 
 She look'd within his prison quietly, 
 
 A mirror for his comfort show'd she him ; 
 
 And when he look'd therein the robe of Earth 
 
 More lightly press'd on him, and dimly he. 
 
 As in morn's twilight, felt the memory dawn 
 
 Of whence he sprung. But yet she could not break 
 
 The chains, nor take from him the bitter cup 
 
 Of Fire. Then she to Mithras pray'd, her father. 
 
 To save his son begotten. Mithras went 
 
 And sought the Lord upon his throne and said, 
 
 " Have pity on my son ! " Then spoke the Lord, 
 
 " Have I not sent Mylitta to him, so 
 
 That he may contemplate his origin ? " 
 
 But Mithras answer'd him, " What help in that ? 
 
 The chains she cannot sunder, nor can take 
 
 The bitter Cup of Fire away from him ! " 
 
 " Then I will send him salt," the Lord replied, 
 
 " That he therewith the Cup of Fire may sweeten ; 
 
 Tet must he still endure the azure chains, 
 
 TJntil arise his Saviour in the Water." 
 
 The Lord then gave him salt upon his tongue, 
 
 Which quickly quench' d the fierceness of the fire. 
 
 But then the element froze the salt to ice 
 
 And numb'd was Phosphorus. So there he lay 
 
 And could not stir. Then look'd the Lord's wife down 
 
 On him, and thus old Mother Isis spake : 
 
 ' In the old Persian Mysteries, Mylitta is the Moon ; Mithras, 
 the Sun. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 187 
 
 " Eternal Father, Strength and Word and Light ! 
 
 Must ever then my grandson latest born 
 
 Eemain his brutal brethren's lower slave ? 
 
 The Lord then pitied him and to him sent 
 
 The envoy of the Saviour from the Waters, 
 
 The Cup of Fluidness, and ia the Cup 
 
 The drops of Sorrow and the drops of Longing, 
 
 The ice was melted then, the fire was cool'd, 
 
 And suffering Phosphorus might breathe again. 
 
 Tet press'd upon him sore the robe of Earth, 
 
 And over- weighted him the Azure Chains ; 
 
 And yet again he had the memory lost 
 
 Of that high name the Lord had taken back. 
 
 Then swell' d the heart maternal, and she call'd 
 
 The Lord's Son, and in this wise spake to him : 
 
 " Thou that my nursling art, yet more than I, 
 
 This robe of earth take and appear before 
 
 Poor Phosphorus in his prison, and remove 
 
 That prison's cramping roof." Then spake the Word, 
 
 " It shall be as thou sayest." And Disease, 
 
 His handmaid, he sent out, who broke the roof 
 
 Of Phosphorus' narrow prison, so that he 
 
 Could see once more the source from whence he sprung. 
 
 The dazzling rays made blind the Element, 
 
 But Phosphorus could recognize his Father, 
 
 And when the Word in earth that prison reached 
 
 The element looked on him as its co-equal ; 
 
 But Phosphorus thus address'd him : " Thou art sent 
 
 To set the sinner free, yet art thou not 
 
 The Saviour from the Waters." Spake the Word: 
 
 " The Saviour from the Waters I am not ; 
 
 Tet I will set thee free when thou hast drain'd 
 
 The Cup of Fluidness." Then Phosphorus drain'd 
 
 The Cup of Longing till his raiment dripp'd 
 
 With drops of sweetness, and with those sweet drops 
 
 The handmaid of the Word his garment wash'd. 
 
 Till yielded its stiff folds and it began 
 
 To turn to lightness. And the prison. Life, 
 
 When she had touch'd it, thin and lucid grew 
 
 Like crystal : But she could not loose the chains. 
 
 The Word then offered him the Cup of Faith, 
 
188 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 And lie look'd up when he had emptied it, 
 
 And saw the Saviour standing in the Waters, 
 
 And both his hands the prisoner stretch'd to him 
 
 That he might grasp the Saviour ; but he fled, 
 
 And sorely was he troubled in his heart. 
 
 Then sought the Word to comfort him, and gave 
 
 The pillow Patience to make soft his couch. 
 
 And after he had rested him, he said : 
 
 " Wilt thou not also free me from my prison ? " 
 
 Then spake the Word : " Endure yet seven moons. 
 
 E'en nine may be, until thine hour shall strike." 
 
 And Phosphorus said: "Lord, be it as thou wilt." 
 
 And when these things the Mother Isis saw. 
 
 It broke her heart. She call'd the rainbow up, 
 
 And said to him, " G-o hence and pray the Word 
 
 That he forgive the captive those seven moons ! " 
 
 The Eainbow did her bidding, and as he shook 
 
 His wings, they dropp'd the oil of Purity ; 
 
 Wherewith the Word that chalice fiU'd again. 
 
 And purified the sinner's head and bosom, 
 
 And then went out and sought his Father's garden, 
 
 And breathed upon the ground ; forthwith sprang up 
 
 A floweret, white as milk, as rose-bloom red, 
 
 Which having moistened with the dew of Rapture, 
 
 He crown'd therewith the captive's brows, and, last. 
 
 He grasp'd him by his right hand, by his left 
 
 The Rainbow held him, and Mylitta stepp'd 
 
 In front of him and held the mirror up ; 
 
 And writ in radiant gold upon the mirror 
 
 Amid the Azure of Infinitude, 
 
 His Lord's forgotten name read Phosphorus, with 
 
 Remembrance of the source from whence he sprung. 
 
 Then from his eyes there fell from him like scales ; 
 
 The dream of being One and Somewhat pass'd ; 
 
 His Being in the boundless All was fus'd. 
 
 And like a sigh, came cooling from above. 
 
 Till with delicious ease nigh burst his heart. 
 
 No longer Chains and garment weighed him down ; 
 
 Eor into regal purple changed his robe. 
 
 To shining jewels were his chains transform' d. 
 
 True, still delay'd the Saviour from the Waters ; 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 189 
 
 Yet o'er him came tlie spirit ; tinto tim 
 The Lord vouchsaf 'd his gracious countenance, 
 And Isis ^ held him in her Mother arms. 
 This is the last Evangel ! 
 
 {The door closes, and conceals the Old Man op Cakmbl). 
 
 Image op The Sphinx {with shrill and rapid utterance). 
 Phosphorus and Word and Saviour, 
 Yea, and more, AH, thou thyself art. 
 If thou All art, and not Somewhat !— 
 
 {Solemn Pause). 
 
 Adam {to Eobeet). 
 Perceivest thou thou the meaning of these words ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Not wholly. Yet my inmost soul thereby 
 Is wondrously impress'd. 
 
 Adam. 
 Whom dost thou think 
 We are ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 I know not, yet I shrewdly guess 
 What ye believe yourselves to be — 
 
 Adam. 
 
 And what ? 
 
 ' We seem to have here the picture of Phosphorus (Lucifer?) 
 cast down from the glories of the Heavenly Throne to become the 
 Under God overweighted with Matter, and the cares that pertain 
 to it, but gradually lightening and purifying himself and it, and 
 never wholly divided from the care of the Father, — who answered 
 his prayer for aid when he found himsell unable to endow his 
 human creation with Life ; — and buoyed up with the hope and 
 prospect of final restoration to his Birthright, through the medium 
 of that unknown quantity, " the Saviour from the Waters." 
 
 On this "Saviour fi'om the Waters," Carlyle has bestowed a few 
 words, but he could not tell the occult meaning of the expression, 
 and therefore has not helped to interpret it. — Trans. 
 
190 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 EoBBET. 
 
 The enigmatic tale's conclusion seem'd 
 
 To point to knowledge of those Powers occult 
 
 Which give the law to Nature. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Heard' st thou nought 
 About us in the Temple ? 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 Molay had 
 Disclos'd to me the existence of a league 
 He called the Valley, secret seat of some 
 "Unseen superiors of the Temple-Order. 
 But he himself by name alone appear' d 
 To know this Valley, and, openly to speak, 
 Methought he also somewhat seem'd to doubt 
 That Goodness needed veiling. His own head 
 And heart no cloak requir'd. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Error must 
 Like crime pay penalty, so Molay where 
 His head was erring, with his heart atones, 
 And now his fate is reconcil'd. 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 Then you — ? 
 
 Adam. 
 We are the radix of that tree, whereof 
 The Temple-Order's league is only one 
 Small bough. E'en as the boughs are seen to spread 
 In sight of all, so doth the root expand 
 In darkness secretly, — on Ganges, Nile, 
 On Indus, Tanais, on Oxus' brink. 
 Many our brethren are, our sons are many. 
 
 Egbert. 
 Tour charge then is ? — 
 
sc. i.] brethren of the cross. 191 
 
 Adam. 
 
 To consummate by Will 
 What Nature works by Force. 
 
 EoBEKT (half ironically) . 
 
 Almighty, then ? 
 
 Adam. 
 As effluence from God is always so, 
 Wlien it can comprehend itself. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 WeU, then ! 
 Almighty if ye be, invest with one 
 Small drachm of your omnipotence that bough 
 Which bore fruits worthy immortality, 
 And Molay, blossom of it, than which Grod 
 Himself no fairer could create. Are you 
 Endow'd with power enough to rescue these ? 
 If you can do it I will worship you. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 No! 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Ah ! Tour Art then is but conjuring ! 
 You have confus'd, but not convinc'd my mind. 
 I thank you that your latest potion gave 
 That back to me you took from me before. 
 You say you know me ; — Right ! and I know you. 
 My guiding-star is Reason's searching light ; 
 What yours may be I know not, but it gives 
 No power to you for Grood ; oh, therefore 'tis 
 A false light only, bright howe'er it shine ! — 
 We follow different roads ; so let me go. 
 
 Adah. 
 Thou'lt stay with us, because thou hast our love. 
 We wish not to confuse thee, gallant youth ! 
 Thou shalt discern with thine own eyes ; for that 
 Which by another may be shown to us 
 Is but phantasmagoria hastening by, 
 
192 BRKTIIREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT T. 
 
 A tangled chaos, which only we ourselves 
 Can shape into an order'd goodly World. 
 
 EoBEKT (with increasing vehemence). 
 Then make it clear to me how you so cooUy 
 Can sacrifice the glorious Brotherhood 
 With its great Master, — nobleness to crime ! 
 Tou capable of All, creation's lords. 
 Is only Good impossible to you ? 
 
 Adam. 
 Patience ! we will yet more do. We will lay 
 Before you, bare, our spirit's inmost shrine. 
 Thou say'st that we should save the Order ? Hear 
 What now I openly declare to you ; 
 We, we are they who overthrew your Order, 
 Without us it would stand, and through our means 
 Alone it falls a victim to the flames 
 
 Egbert (furious, rushing on him with his sword). 
 Silence, Assassin ! 
 
 [As the point of his sword touches Adam's 
 clothing, a sharp flash of artificial 
 lightning issues from it ; the sword 
 falls from his hand. 
 What was that ? 
 
 Ada3i. 
 
 Thou who 
 Art ignorant of Matter, wilt thou judge 
 Of spirits ? Gro ! Thy strength is impotence. 
 
 EOBEKT. 
 
 Weird Being ! Cease to stab my heart ! Have pity, 
 What other can I do but love him ? 
 
 Adam (giving him his hand). 
 
 Brother ! 
 What can we do, and what can Nature do, 
 What other can the Godhead do, but love ? 
 What should we be without the power to love ; 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 193 
 
 Not loving Molay, whose heart's inmost core 
 Is naught but love ? 
 
 Egbert. 
 Oh, man inscrutable ! 
 You love him, yet could sacrifice him guiltless ? 
 
 Adam. 
 If thou hadst understood the Evangel, then 
 Death thou hadst comprehended. Not until 
 Thou canst take in that masterpiece of Love 
 Eternal, couldst thou even thee with us ; 
 But till thou canst upon our Holiest look. 
 Let me sketch out for thee its rudiments 
 In thine own feeble colours. Canst deny, 
 According to the rules of cogent reason. 
 That down from times primeval, better minds 
 Have been together knit in closest bonds ? 
 
 KOBEKT. 
 
 No, that is true enough. The eagle shuns 
 The humble swallow's nest. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Canst thou deny 
 That less good, dull of soul, and vicious men 
 Have marr'd God's world involuntarily, 
 Alas ! and also vfiKuUy ? 
 
 Thou spak'st untruly ! 
 
 ROBEET. 
 
 Oh, would 
 
 Adam. 
 Granted this, which thou 
 Canst not deny, and which thou must admit. 
 Amid this darkness paramount what part 
 Eemain'd for better men ? ^hotdd they look on 
 And see God's world deform'd ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 No, all their strength 
 They must oppose in counteraction. 
 
194 brethren of the cross. [act v. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 When 
 Works strength most strongly ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 I perceive your drift. 
 
 Adam. 
 Is 't not when joined in one with other strengths ? 
 Strength closely interliaks itself with strength ; 
 And there thou hast the embryo of our Valley. 
 But I inquired further, if the worse 
 And lower natures could, though disunited, 
 Disfigure the Creator's beauteous world ; 
 Could then the bettermost united fail, 
 (Being so much stronger in that they are better,) 
 To make that graceless dissonance dissolve 
 In lovely harmonies ? 
 
 EOBEKT. 
 
 This faith alone 
 Supports me. 
 
 Adam. 
 Hold it fast ! It is the patent 
 Ennobling thee to be creation's firstborn. 
 That spirit-union then, conformably 
 With its intrinsic nature, stronger is 
 Than crime, and can confront it ; but will crime, 
 Will, let me rather say, each foe to Light, — 
 Called crime or called stupidity, — submit 
 To Light without a conflict ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Never ! 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Fight 
 If then there must be, canst thou, sturdy Eobert, 
 Defeat a foe, less strong than thou but arm'd. 
 Without thy weapons ? 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 195 
 
 E.OBBET. 
 
 Hardly. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Must there not 
 Be equal arms to wage an equal fight ? 
 
 Egbert. 
 So rules chivahic custom. 
 
 Adam. 
 Rightly so ! — 
 But now, if night and darkness screen from sight 
 Stupidity's true nature, and sly crime, — 
 Thereby more surely to conceal itself, — 
 The other's weapons borrow, and with blood, 
 Its own blood foul them : tell me, with what arms 
 Wilt thou with those foes fight ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Woe's me, that I 
 Thy meaning solve ! — In conflict with the serpent 
 The dove must — 
 
 Adam. 
 Not her nature change, but spread 
 Her tender pinions o'er with serpent's scales. 
 So also Light must blood and darkness borrow ' 
 When waging war with darkness and with blood. 
 Tet further, Eobert ! Though the child of Light 
 In virtue of his nature be the stronger 
 Stupidity and crime outnumber him. 
 Thou art a soldier, how wouldst thou prevail 
 Against the enemy's superior force ? 
 
 EOBEKT. 
 
 I'd try to disunite him. 
 
 ' "Werner, tchose opinions were at ttat time distinctly Masonic, 
 said in his " Confessions " in 1804, " I believe that far from enlight- 
 ening humanity any further, it ought to be disenlightened by the 
 communion of saints." — Trans- 
 
196 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. TaCT. T. 
 
 Adam. 
 By what means ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 By conquering one division. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Good ! suppose 
 Thou battiest then with senselessness and crime. 
 Which think' st thou to discomfit ? 
 
 E.0BEKT. 
 
 Baseness seems 
 More hard than error to eradicate. 
 
 Adam. 
 So, thou 'dst enlighten error, and conjoin'd 
 With it make war on crime. But if one blind 
 Receives sight suddenly, endures he well 
 The sunlight ? must he not learn gradually 
 To meet its glare ? 
 
 EoBEET. 
 
 'Tis true. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 And if the folk 
 Be blinded by some old delusion, canst 
 Thou cure it otherwise ? Thou understand' st me. 
 So wilt thou understand me when I ask ; 
 Which is the illusion that has deepest root 
 In human hearts, and causest sharpest paiu 
 When torn away from us P 
 
 EoBEET. 
 
 The sharpest pain 
 Is felt when faith ia the divine is stol'n 
 From men. I also was bereft of it, and mourn'd 
 It deeply ? 
 
 Adam. 
 We are getting on. What faith 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OP THE CROSS. 197 
 
 In your Ideal is to you, its Saviour, 
 
 Its Fetish, to the people is. All else 
 
 Save only that may be withdrawn from them. 
 
 That least of all when not made good to them. 
 
 Tou must not take it from them, for the faith 
 
 In something higher, something that's divine, 
 
 Is certainly creation's noblest crystal. 
 
 Like Nature in her play of fantasy. 
 
 The Spirit's humour is not rein'd by law; 
 
 Tet always is it Crystal : what the form 
 
 Its prisms shoot into is no great matter ; 
 
 Aye, better 'tis to tolerate its most 
 
 Eccentric forms, than smash the growing crystal. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 And all this leads — 
 
 Adam. 
 It leads me to the grounds 
 Why we in reverence hold all people's faith ; 
 Wliy Cloister-brethren here, we on the Granges 
 Are Brahmins ; why our aim is but to purge 
 This drop, — ^which, though polluted, mirrors yet 
 Its primal Fount, — and not to wipe it out ; 
 And why — since man has never d^red behold 
 His God without a Mediator, — we 
 Lend pinions to the dust-clogg'd spirit through 
 Messiah, and Prometheus, Horns, Vishnu, 
 Through Eros, Thor and Christ ; that it may launch 
 Its upward flight to its original Source. 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Thou rhapsodizist weU; but now enough, 
 Eor how concerns this me ? 
 
 Adam. 
 
 By proving how 
 Tour Templars, who have robb'd their neophytes 
 Already of the comfort of their faith 
 Inherited, not only have defac'd 
 
198 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT 
 
 The work entrusted to them, — uiito which 
 We call'd them, — but ofEended Nature's law 
 Who wisely honours the eternal forms 
 Of energy ; how they have sinn'd against 
 God, Nature and ourselves. If only they 
 Had something new created in the place 
 Of what they canceU'd ! 
 
 Egbert. 
 
 Thou knowest not, Old Man, 
 The Order thou so slanderest ; we had plann'd 
 The splendid structure of the general Will 
 Already in our minds. A few more years 
 And we should have created it, upon 
 The ruined wreck of despotism. ^ 
 
 Adam. 
 
 Tet 
 Thyself thou know'st not what creating is. 
 If thou shouldst take from me my linen robe 
 And dress me in a silk one, would that be 
 To uncreate me ? 
 
 Egbert. 
 Thou confoundest me. 
 
 Adam. 
 That policy, those forms, wherein to-day 
 The world like a chameleon clothes itself 
 And otherwise to-morrow, can these be 
 The kernel of our entity ? Are not 
 They rather the mere husk which be it light 
 Or heavy, cannot change the actual body ? 
 Can despots rob thee of that inner strength. 
 Thy Self, which makes of thee God's counterpart ? 
 Can commonwealths bestow the heavenly ray 
 For which alone thou liv'st ? 
 
 Egbert. 
 
 The circle then 
 Of consecrated souls — 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS, 199 
 
 Adam. 
 Who can create, 
 Should they do tailors' work ? Patch worn-out rags 
 On tattered clothes of men, the while they feel 
 Themselves appointed and endowed with power. 
 To make them gods ? This shall they do ? Embark'd 
 Towards their high aim (the time being sparingly 
 Allotted for their course) should they take heed 
 To try which bench within their circle has 
 The softer seat, while wastes that precious time ? 
 In one word, shall and may the elite forget 
 Their lofty aim and supereminent powers. 
 And share the lower people's lower cares ? 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 What now thou say'st I think has dawn'd on me 
 Before, though not reduced to definite thought ; 
 In such a sense I scarcely may deny. 
 Our League perhaps has miss'd its aim ; but still 
 Why must it die ? 
 
 Adam. 
 It is already dead 
 If miss'd its aim. Each individual life 
 Has its Own silver gleam ; when 'tis gone out. 
 Its flash perhaps extinguish'd as it rose. 
 The spark has pass'd to marriage with the Light ; 
 What's left behind is ashes. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Figures stiU ! 
 Now on your honour, on your conscience, tell 
 In truth's unvamish'd clearest tones. Old Man ! 
 E'en though the Order be not allit ought. 
 Why not improve it, rather than destroy ? 
 
 Adam. 
 To this thou canst not have the answer till 
 Thou graspest that Destruction is, like Death 
 And Evil, nothing but an empty sound. 
 
200 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Who told thee then, -we would destroy ? would aim 
 At that which even Deity itself 
 Has not the power to will ? 
 
 KOBERT. 
 
 Thou surfeit' st me 
 With words. Destroy or sacrifice, all's one ! 
 If on the Altar, or the brigand's cave. 
 To slay is stiU to slay. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 But killing is 
 Not all the same as murder. Action's shell 
 Is nothing, but the kernel everything. 
 All comes to a head in — Will. It can as high 
 As Grod ennoble us, to beasts degrade. 
 Hast thou ne'er heard of men who simply through 
 Their Will's prepotency have overturn'd 
 The world of mind, and fashion'd it anew ? 
 Was not that little Macedonian king, 
 Or that brave Eoman, once a god ? Was not 
 The world a pellet in their hands ? 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Again 
 Tou turn me from the point. I cannot guess 
 Whence patience comes to me. Like witchcraft's spells 
 Tour personality entangles me. 
 
 Adam. 
 Thou must go with me ! Answer. Is the fate 
 Of nations in the main aught else except 
 A product of men's individual Will ? 
 Has not man power, and man alone, to guide 
 The enormous mass of moral nature ? 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Yes, 
 If his own moral nature be of weight. 
 Sufficient, and if fortune prosper him. 
 
sc. i.] brethren of the cross. 201 
 
 Adam. 
 My meaning thou f orestallest ! Personal power 
 And favouring chance the potent levers are 
 Wherewith he can control the mind of dwarfs 
 Who is 'mid dwarfs a giant. But does that power 
 Admit of being given ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Much I douM it. 
 
 Adam. 
 Is 't not a largess merely, sent from Heaven ? 
 A gift of kindly Nature, who in giving 
 Chastises oft ? 
 
 Robert. 
 Chastises oft, ay, truly ! 
 
 Adam. 
 Were it not glorious could we but extort 
 Prom that close-fisted mother of our being 
 The wealth she often wastes on her caprice ? 
 Then might we be, methinks, an equal match 
 With Chance, if only we had eyes ; maybe 
 That Chance is Nature's chisel wherewith she 
 Who makes all smooth, and will not tdlerate 
 Excrescences, planes those protrusions down 
 She rais'd herself before. Then were it best 
 To be beforehand with her, and if we 
 Have rais'd ourselves, to fall back then and there 
 With subtle craft to union with the whole. — 
 Enough that Chance is impotent, if we 
 Can guide it or evade ; yet power indeed. 
 If it sit firmly thron'd above, might well 
 Be harder to dislodge. 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 Oh, had I power ! 
 Oh, could I give it to myself, and so 
 Eoot every horror out ! 
 
202 brethren of the cross. [act t. 
 
 Adam. 
 
 We to its source 
 Desire to track it, possibly to seize. 
 How thinkest thou ? The passion wanting, canst 
 Conceive thyself with Power ? Thy human power, — 
 And human is the highest thou canst he, — 
 Can it awate, unless emotion shake 
 It out of sleep ? 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 Thou reconcilest me 
 
 With Self. 
 
 Adam. 
 Just now my purpose was not such, 
 Tet if thou hast conceiv'd me, is not Power 
 When lapp'd in powerless Sleep, a nullity ? 
 And if emotion rouse up Power in thee. 
 Doth it not also then create it ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 It seems to me. 
 
 So 
 
 Adam. 
 If the creator then 
 We bring beneath the yoke, the thing created 
 Must certainly obey us. 
 
 E.0BBET. 
 
 Well, it might — 
 
 Adam. 
 Be not so very hard to conquer passion ? 
 Well, in the schools they teach us so ! — But, friend. 
 Complies thy body with the cant of schools ? 
 And if — concede me speech awhile — our body 
 A prison were, and passion were a flash 
 Of Light Eternal, kindling with its beam 
 The fuel Power, and driven this way and that 
 Because impeded by the prison wall. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 203 
 
 Or breaking forth : — Canst thou, if thou wilt guide 
 This lightning, Well command it ? Wouldst prefer 
 To spying out its zig-zag course and so 
 Breaking the corners of thy prison walls. 
 That they by coimter-thrusting should succeed 
 In leading it ? 
 
 KOBEBT. 
 
 Thou mak'st my head turn round. 
 
 Adam. 
 Because thou are not wont to sound the depths. 
 Look up on high, and so thou shalt not fall. 
 
 KOBEET. 
 
 The body therefore is — 
 
 Adam. 
 
 The only thing 
 We can comm.and by which we can compute 
 All that it is not, and can all direct 
 That is its like. Thou smUest, Brother ! well, 
 I can forgive thee ! Yet, that I may speak 
 Down to thy level, say : which feat ranks highest. 
 To introduce amongst a savage horde 
 A world of culture, or to govern that 
 Which is its outer covering only, — matter ? 
 And if the man — the individual, can 
 As thou thyself admit' st, transform the spirits, 
 Though fetter'd by opposing power and chance ; 
 Then would not — say thyself ! the united strength 
 Of many good prevail by a pure will 
 To glorify the corporal world which knows 
 No Chance, and ever strength with counter- strength 
 Unites harmoniously. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 rU not dispute 
 
 That possibility. 
 
 Adam. 
 I ask no more ; 
 
204 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT. T. 
 
 Tet this one thing ! (leads Eobekt to the lotus-flower.) 
 
 If, like this lotus-flower, 
 The world can only in the solar beam 
 Unfold itself, can earthly fire avail 
 To give it being ? and must it not before 
 It act upon the flower be purified. 
 And join'd in marriage with the Sun's pure ray ? 
 But now enough. I've shown to thee our scheme 
 Of working. Whether it be sound thou now 
 Shalt test. To man belongs aU power if he 
 WiU but forget himself, and from the world 
 Of sense be free ; the primary act of self- 
 Enfranchisement is epuration, and 
 The last is Death ; the crown of both is that 
 Which gives us back into the Whole again, 
 Glorious disintegration. This to learn 
 We are here. To fuse the sapience of great minds. 
 And art, together with the Infinite : 
 This makes the wisdom of a Valley Brother. 
 The analysis of Matter teaches us 
 We are almighty, by its dissolution 
 We gaia our omnipresence. Yet whereas 
 The spirit only sinks into itself. 
 And by destroying that which is not it, 
 Compiles the eternal code of thinking's law. 
 So too must thou, would' st thou o'er Matter reign 
 Lose idiosyncrasy by killing self. 
 When spirit and matter do but seem to thee. 
 Seen in the mirror of the Infinite, 
 Then, only, — thou with systematic will 
 Canst rule their fitful fluctuations. 
 
 Eobekt. 
 
 Tet 
 Those fluctuations ? 
 
 AlDAm. 
 
 Nature show to thee 
 In her most beautiful and simple forms. 
 For spirit and substance are as air and water ; 
 The first sheds splendour which the next reflects. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 205 
 
 Nor clouds would veil the first could it retire 
 
 rrom water's exhalations. Only when 
 
 The Sunray dissipates the mists begot 
 
 By water, can the air, impregnated 
 
 With heat thereof, o'errule the water's power ; 
 
 Then is it fecundated by the Light 
 
 It liberates, and from the bridal kiss 
 
 Of both the elements the beauteous Earth 
 
 Springs forth, an image of the Sun. E'en so 
 
 Are Light and Substance mirrored in ourselves. 
 
 Reflection shed on matter from the Light 
 
 Is Fancy called ; what matter gives to Light, 
 
 As water clouds to yonder atmosphere, 
 
 Is called Emotion ; soon enough 'twould quench 
 
 Its fire in us, did not the Spirit's sun. 
 
 The Godhead, pierce illusion's clouds ; alone 
 
 When fus'd with it can we o'er matter rule, 
 
 And, thereto wedded by free will, and not 
 
 As heretofore constrain' d by force, beget 
 
 The image of the Eternal, peace in strife. 
 
 Naught further can I teach you ; what remains 
 
 Is but the outworking of these principles. 
 
 By losing self thou leamest to discern ; 
 
 By Will, refin'd and holy, to create ; 
 
 And when thou canst accomplish all thy will 
 
 Then all thy will is God, and so thou 'rt perfect ! 
 
 EoBBET (after reflection). 
 Thou 'st plung'd me in a chaos of ideas ; 
 Yet I can feel them intimately mine ; 
 Thou only hast develop'd them but not 
 Origiaated. Egoism, e'en ' 
 
 The slightest, of all greatness is the grave ; 
 Society ne'er knew a hero yet 
 Without self-sacrifice, and what beseems 
 The hero, the creator too befits ; 
 For who can hero be, and not create ? 
 Death — thus it dawns on me — that leaves of us 
 Scarce anything remaining, death perhaps 
 May symbol be of this self-sacrifice. 
 Perhaps yet more ; perhaps, — (Old Man, I have it !) 
 
206 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 That crippled immortality wMcli doth 
 
 But launch our own poor pitiable I, 
 
 So bare and woeful, so irrationally 
 
 Into the vortex of eternity, 
 
 Must perish, is 't not so ? Our shallow self, 
 
 We are not nail'd to it eternally ? 
 
 We can and must be quit of it at last 
 
 To revel in the Universal Strength. 
 
 Adam {joyfully calling into the interior of the cave). 
 Brethren ! he hath renounc'd ! Himself hath found it! 
 Oh, Praise be to the Light ! The North is sav'd ! ^ 
 
 Hidden Voices of the Eldbes. 
 Hail and praise to thee, thou Strong One ! 
 Power and Light descend upon thee 
 From above ! — Crown, crown the work ! 
 
 Adam (embracing Eobeet). 
 Come to my heart ! what I can teach to thee 
 Lies, even now, all hidden in thyself. 
 The form was shatter'd of the Templar League, 
 Por he who was commission'd but to cleanse 
 By moral purity the glass we had 
 To fiU, has overstepp'd his lawful powers. 
 And fill'd it with sheer foolishness himself. 
 
 ^ AUudingto the Mother Lodgeof Heredon of Kilwinningin Scot- 
 land from which the majority of the fraternities of Europe prefer 
 to deduce themselves. According to the Abb^ Baruel (" Hist, de 
 Jacobinisme ") most of the Freesmasons regard the Scotch Grand 
 Lodjge as the cradle of all the others, the surviving Knights Templars 
 having assembled there to preserve their mysteries, and from 
 thenceFreemasomypassedinto England, France, Germany, and the 
 other countries. If, however, it be a fact that the Templars carried 
 to the remote Hebrides their dead Phoenix there to resuscitate in 
 silence and mystery its ashes, the fact cannot be proved historically, 
 or in the ordinary way of literature. It rests with the Freemasonic 
 body to verify it out of their private archives which are inaccessible 
 to the uninitiated, and this may be they cannot do, and probably 
 would not if they could. In default of this verification, it is a 
 good deal to be asked to believe that the mysteries slumbered in 
 Scotland from 1314 to 1688 when Freemasonry first manifested 
 itself in the political interests of the Stuarts. — Trans. 
 
SC. I.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 207 
 
 To thee be it trusted now ; and as the spirit 
 Within me cannot lie, thou'lt hand it on 
 To coming generations. 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Shall I, then ?— 
 
 Adam. 
 Where waves the Cross's banner far and near, 
 Thou'lt rule the Cross's silent Brotherhood. 
 And thus ordain I thee to be their Master ! 
 
 [He burns the sign of the Gross upon his 
 breast with a Crucifix made red-hot in 
 the flame of the altar. 
 
 The Image of the Sphinx (thoroughly transplendent by 
 the glow of the fire raising itself erect, in a voice shrill 
 and piercing and rising in tone as it continues speaking. 
 
 Reconciler ! 
 
 They are palsied ! 
 
 Thou atonest ; 
 
 So that they love, 
 
 They are ardent. 
 
 And are siaking 
 
 In the mother's 
 
 Infinite sea ! 
 
 EoBEET {stunned). 
 ! O Molay ! — League ! Forgive i 
 
 I must give in ! O Molay ! — League ! Forgive me ! 
 
 Adam {while he is speaking breaks off a rose from the rose- 
 tree, shows it to EoBEBT, bwrns it in the flame of the altar, 
 collects the ashes of the burnt rose u/nder an optic glass, 
 and holds it under Eobekt's eyes). 
 Behold this Rose. I burn it now. Here lie 
 Its ashes. Take this glass. What dost thou see ? 
 
 EoBEET {enraptured as he looks into the glass). 
 What glorious play of colours ! Doth miae eye 
 Deceive me? For the flower is whole again ! ' 
 
 "^ It was a vaunt of Paracelsus that lie coiild restore the original 
 rose from the ashes settling from its combustion. — Trans. 
 
208 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 Nature is poor beside tHs rich display 
 Of luminous glowing colour !- 
 
 Adam. 
 
 That is death ! 
 The Temple's fall and reconstruction are 
 A symhol to the people shown, a ne'er 
 To pass away remembrancer of that 
 Which is our teaching's essence.^ But e'en now 
 The morning-star is rising from the waves. 
 That is thine emblem. To thy Brethren come ! 
 E'en now, unveil'd, the Mother waiteth thee ! 
 
 \_Leads Robebt away. Scene changes. 
 
 SCENE II. 
 
 Hall in a Royal Palace as in ACT III. Early dawn. 
 
 Two EoTAL Chambbklains. 
 
 TOTJNGBST ChAMBBELAIN. 
 
 Is it not almost mom? 
 
 Eldest Chambeblajn. 
 
 But now struck four. 
 
 TOTJNGBST ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 Devil take the Templars ! — One can get no sleep 
 All night because of them. 
 
 Eldest Chambeelain. 
 
 The King himself 
 Gets no sleep either. 
 
 ^ i.e. The fall and final restoration to his birtliright of Lucifer, 
 Son of the Morning, whose emUem is the Morning Star, and who 
 is himself to the Adepts an emblem of their Material Philosophy. 
 • — Trans. 
 
so. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 209" 
 
 Youngest Chambeeiain. 
 When is it to be ! 
 
 Eldest Chambeblain. 
 It was appointed for the stroke of four. 
 I saw myseK the platform yesterday 
 Whereon they will harangue ; 'tis fine enough, 
 All fiery red. 
 
 Youngest Chamberlain. 
 That's artifice ! that when 
 A cheek grows red with lying it should seem 
 As 'twere reflection from the crimson cloth. 
 But will the Master only, and alone. 
 Proclaim the Order's sins before the people ? 
 
 Eldest Chambeelain. 
 No. Prior Gruido also will, whose bones 
 Last night they dislocated. 
 
 Youngest Chambeelain. 
 A brave knight ! 
 
 Eldest Chambeelain. 
 Be careful how thou speakest ! 
 
 Youngest Chambeelain. 
 
 No one hears. 
 Those hung up yonder {indicating the portraits of bygone 
 
 royalties), cannot swallow me. 
 For beasts of that kind only can devour 
 So long as they themselves are not devour' d. 
 
 SJldest Chambeelain. 
 Thy speech betrays thy inexperience, boy ! 
 Look to thyself and leave all foolish problems. 
 One thing alone is needful — that is, bread. 
 And only one thing right, that is the stick. 
 So long as it can cudgel. Eat thy bread. 
 Take all thou canst lay hold of. Outside thee, 
 Is bakehouse or the stick ; within thee, stomach ; 
 
 p 
 
210 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 The intermediate, connecting thee 
 
 With that which is outside, and which protects 
 
 And covers what is in thee, is thy back. 
 
 Be this but broad, and that of good digestion 
 
 Then art thou a made man ; nice problems then 
 
 Complete thy full equipment. Let them wait ! 
 
 TOTJNGER ChAMBBKLAIN. 
 
 Ah, thank thee for the golden ABC 
 
 Thou dost with paunch and shoulders illustrate 
 
 Thyself. 
 
 Eldeb Chambbblain. 
 Not I alone. Just look at NofEo, 
 He who was Templar Knight is Captain now, 
 And all from, knowing how to turn his coat. 
 
 TOTJNGBE ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 Now, people say, the Chancellor was thy teacher. 
 
 Eldbe Chamberlain. 
 A fig for him ! He has done with Chancelloring ! 
 
 TOXTNGEK ChAMBEKLAIX. 
 
 Lieth he then so dangerously hurt ? 
 
 EliDEE ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 A wound close by the heart three inches deep. 
 A portion of four entrails torn away 
 Shows skilful surgery ! — Like a very fiend 
 The fellow must have thrust ! 
 
 TOUNGEK ChAMBBELAIN. 
 
 'Tis well they have him ! 
 
 Eldee Chambbelain. 
 And possibly not well ! But what is that 
 Tons? 
 
 TOTJNGBE ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 But, query, was this good thrust meant 
 Expressly for the Chancellor ? 
 
so. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 211 
 
 Eldee Chambeelain. 
 What know I ? 
 There's many hit the mouse, but mean the cat. 
 
 TOTJNGEE ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 Hem ! curious ! and, what motive may have led 
 The Chancellor and some one else so late 
 At night into the garden ? 
 
 Eldee Chambeelain. 
 
 Friend, I doubt 
 Thy prospering at Court. Thy wit blurts out 
 Par too unceremoniously. Thou must 
 Not ask. 
 
 TOTTNGEE ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 But yet ?— 
 
 Elder Chambbblain. 
 
 But yet I'll teU thee this : 
 If thou take service as the Lion's varlet 
 And go witH him a hunting, interchange 
 Thy ass's skin not with his lion hide. 
 Lest by mistake the tiger fall on thee. 
 
 Totjngee Chambeelain. 
 'Tis well. I understand ! 
 
 Enter ISTofeo di Nopi'Odei. 
 
 Eldee Chambeelain. 
 
 Ah, Captain ! Well, 
 What progress ? Are they there yet ? 
 
 JSTOFFO. 
 
 Did you hear 
 No sound of it ? They went an hour ago. 
 
 TOTTNGEE ChAMBEELAIN. 
 
 And are the gentry of the cowl there too ? 
 
 NorFO. 
 Surely the elder Cardinal and the younger. 
 That windbag the Promoter — 
 
212 brethren of the cross. [act v. 
 
 Elder Chambeblain. 
 Ah ! no doubt 
 Desirous in his holy Uncle's name 
 To sermonize the people. 
 
 ToTJNGEE Chamberlain. 
 But, 'tis strange 
 That such a scene should be 'twixt light and dark ! 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 The whole affair is play'd 'twixt light and dark, 
 Eh, Captain? 
 
 NoFPO. 
 You're a wag. But let them go, 
 The rubbish ! They 're detestable to me. 
 The fellows ought to crackle and recant. 
 From fair beginnings, like an empty tale 
 The end is ; — ^but enough ! quite other news 
 I know. 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 Ah? 
 
 Younger Chamberlain. 
 Tell us it in Heaven's name ! 
 
 NOEFO. 
 
 The Chancellor's murderer has escap'd ! 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 
 No less 
 Had I anticipated ! 
 
 NOEEO. 
 
 The Archbishop, 
 Who had the charge of him will smart for this. 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 He ? — Why, this twenty minutes past he sits 
 
 (Pointing to the King's Cabinet) 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 213 
 
 Ensconc'd within, there. I'll go bail for him, 
 He'll wriggle out of that. 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 And yet more news ; 
 For his illustrious Excellence, my Lord 
 The Seneschal of Poitou, enter'd here 
 But half ah hour ago. 
 
 Eldee Chambbblaibt. 
 
 What, old Poitou? 
 
 YoTJNGEE Chamberlain. 
 No douht to grace the marriage of his son. 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 I doubt if he will care to join that dance ; 
 Besides, he brings too many wedding guests. 
 
 Elder Chamberlaiu. 
 How so ? 
 
 NOPEO. 
 
 Just now I saw him marching through 
 The gate, completely arm'd, and in his train 
 A thousand spruce well-mounted men-at-arms. 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 A thousand men-at-arms ! — Go to ! you lie ! 
 
 NoFro. 
 'Twere well if I did lie ! But not for nought 
 The old man comes. He is Molay's friend, and now, 
 If I mistake not, will the old campaigner 
 Exact by force what long the Pope in vain 
 Has pleaded for. 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 Why then, my friend, pack up ! 
 
 Noppo. 
 Not quite so fast ! I build upon this hour, 
 
214 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 On priestly subtlety, on Guido's maiming. 
 Nor least on Molay's heart, which always gets 
 The better of his head. 
 
 Eldek Chamberlain. 
 
 Silence ! — the King ! 
 
 Enter the King and the Archbishop, from the King's 
 private room. The rest draw hack respectfully to the 
 bach of the stage. 
 
 King. 
 No news yet from the scaffold ? 
 
 Elder Chamberlain. 
 
 None, my liege. 
 
 King. 
 Go, NofEodei, and bring me news. 
 
 (Turning to the Chamberlains.) 
 Betire ! 
 [Exeunt Noefo and both Chamberlains. 
 
 King (flinging himself on a seat). 
 Oh, Friend Archbishop, I'm not well. 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 The shock 
 Of last night's terror naturally — 
 
 King. 
 
 Oh no, 
 Not that ! To tell the honest truth, I should 
 Feel pleasure that the Order's high Of&cials 
 By owning publicly the Order's guilt 
 Should set me right before the world. And yet, 
 That I must pardon them if they confess, — 
 G-uido, this idol of the populace, 
 And Molay, freedom's leading fanatic, — 
 Must spare them whom I would so fain destroy, 
 Whom I so hate, and whom I ne'ertheless — 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. alS 
 
 Ay, ne'ertheless there 's something forces me 
 To reverence them ; I bum to slay them, yet 
 Eecoil and shudder. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I think my King forgets 
 That who would take the world into account 
 Must first hare clos'd the reckoning with himself. 
 
 King. 
 And if I could, could I control as well 
 That boiling over of the blood which you 
 Call conscience ? Could I others curb ? — ^Alas ! 
 That none can ever wholly break all chains, 
 And be sole lord ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 And who prevents your Highness ? 
 
 King. 
 Who ? That o'erweening pack of vassalage 
 Who never can be bridled, and whose will 
 Is ever bent on mastery. E'en now 
 Th' old Seneschal of Poitou sends me word 
 That he has with a thousand troopers come 
 And craves most urgently for leave to wait 
 On me this morning early. Think of that ! 
 A thousand lances ! And the reason why 
 He comes, you well can guess ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 He 's Molay's friend, 
 A stifiE-neck'd blade to boot. Tet should he threaten, 
 I would have thought — 
 
 Kins. 
 
 Am I of power enough 
 To curb him ? You are wrong. This old man is 
 Too influential in this country ! — Would 
 Indeed, that stupid thrust of yesterday 
 Had not of Nogaret depriv'd me ! He, 
 Poor rogue ! was dexterous in all things, prompt 
 
216 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT V. 
 
 In everything a King could — not command — 
 Bnt simply wish, for : indispensable 
 Almost !— Look you, it somewhat troubles me, 
 It vexes me, to think you should have let 
 The murderer escape. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 What else but that 
 Was possible ? This crazy gardener, 
 ■Can he your Highness injure ? And would not 
 The least investigation have revealed 
 The rendezvous intended in the park, 
 With many other matters which methinks 
 Tour Highness would prefer should be forgot ? 
 
 King. 
 
 Well, yes, you are right. We'll let the fellow run. 
 
 Enter a Page. Behind him, Chevalibe du Plessis. 
 
 Page. 
 It is announc'd that Monsieur Nogaret 
 Has just now breathed his last. 
 
 King (horrified, starting from his chair). 
 
 What say'st thou, fellow? — 
 Tet he was ripe enough ! — 'Tis well ! — [Exit Page. 
 
 Dead then 
 Is he, bound by so many a link to me ! — 
 'Tis strange ! I never did esteem him, yet 
 His death unnerves me ; had I any faith 
 In a presentiment, I should suppose 
 This tremor herald of impending death ! 
 
 {To the Chevaiiee df Plessis, who enters.) 
 Du Plessis, thou ? What tidings dost thou bring ? 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 I tremble to entrust my lips with that 
 Which smote mine ears with horror. 
 
 King. 
 
 Ha ! What now ? 
 
SC. II.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 217 
 
 Aechbishop (aside). 
 Now Grod be prais'd ! 
 
 Dtj Plessis. 
 
 E'en as your Majesty 
 Commanded, were the Master of the Temple 
 And Prior Guido to the platform led 
 An hour ago, to publicly announce 
 To all the popidace the Order's guilt 
 Which they had preTiously confess'd, before 
 The Council. Though the hour was early, yet 
 From every side the surging people swarm'd 
 With murmurings that the Martyrs — so they caU'd 
 Them openly — were being murdered. 
 
 King. 
 
 Ha, 
 But I will bridle you ! 
 
 Dtj Plbssis. 
 The Cardinal- 
 Promoter, — by command, took up the word. 
 Expounding to the crowd the object of 
 This morning's spectacle. But all in vain. 
 On all sides rose a furious clamour : loud 
 The people cried, " We will not hear the Priest ; 
 To Gruido we will hearken ! Father Guido ! " 
 
 King. 
 And could my guards not fell to earth the brawlers ? 
 
 Dtr Plessis. 
 What possibility ? One hundred men 
 And all that mass of people ! 
 
 King. 
 
 Well, go on ! 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 Then ceas'd from speaking the Promotor. From 
 His litter then was Guido lifted up, 
 
218 BRETHBEi\ OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 And hush'd were all the people. Not a breath 
 Was drawn— and he — I scarcely dare repeat it. 
 
 King. 
 
 Say on. 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 The recreant said not much, but what 
 He said like lightning and like thunder fell. 
 " Te men of Prance " I think he thus began, 
 " I have told a lie. 'Twas pure invention, all 
 That I confess'd to yesterday, the last 
 And only means of making known to you 
 My Brethren's rectitude ; ye know our deeds, 
 Te know what we have been to you ; the least 
 Among you was our brother, and our bread 
 We shar'd with him that needed ; shielded him 
 Whom tyranny oppress'd. Recall to mind 
 (Sire, pardon) the debasement of the coinage. 
 The shameful sequestration of the goods 
 Of money-changers ! ' Brethren, all these things 
 Eemember, and then tell me, who but we 
 Pour'd boldly forth our money and our blood 
 And foil'd the despot who desir'd to make 
 Ton beggars, and devour your children's means ? " 
 
 King. 
 Oh, silence, I will hear no more ! Te cowards ! 
 Te let the rebel live ? 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 What could we do 
 In such a moment ? 
 
 King. 
 Well, go on ! 
 
 Du Plessis. ' 
 
 The Prior 
 Went on, attended by the people's cheers : 
 " We are now forsaken utterly. The Pope 
 
 ^ Transactions which Philip the Fair really permitted to himself 
 against his subjects. — Authm: 
 
so. ir.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 219' 
 
 Has sworn in concert with the tyrant Philip 
 
 To effect our overthrow. Both liberty 
 
 And life they promise us for one small trifle, 
 
 That we should lie, and that I will not do. 
 
 My funeral pall is waiting for me now, 
 
 Tet I will mount it with untamish'd fame 
 
 As did my Brethren, rather than disown 
 
 Grod's Truth. Shall I proclaim the Order's crime? 
 
 To you I just now nam'd it, battling for 
 
 The truth and your just rights, that was our League's 
 
 Offence : that we are guiltless is our crime. 
 
 Tour bulwark, Burghers, they would overthrow 
 
 And by our death, ye perish. Therefore, brethren. 
 
 If ye would rescue, rescue not myself, — 
 
 For I am fain to see the end, — but save 
 
 My noble Master, save the noble League's 
 
 Small remnant, that has spent its life for you. 
 
 And dies for you to-day. 
 
 King. 
 
 Oh, Traitor ! then— 
 
 Du Plbssis. 
 The people with tumultuous uproar burst 
 The barricades, and towards the platform surg'd : 
 And would have surely torn us limb from limb. 
 But Molay with his saintly countenance 
 Advanc'd, and by a single gesture, calm'd 
 That wild upheaving sea. 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 
 Tell on, Sir Knight ! 
 Then Molay ? 
 
 Dtj Plessis. 
 What he said I cannot quite 
 Recall ; but in a trice it quench'd the fire 
 Of wrath out-flaming. Also he maintain'd 
 That his confession had been forc'd from him 
 By pity and by terror only ; pure, 
 He said, the Order absolutely was 
 Prom all the guilt attributed to it ; 
 
220 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 He, he alone had smn'd, and overborne 
 By tumult raging in his heart, had lied, 
 AJid in the flames would joyfully atone 
 For this offence, confirming now with death 
 The Order's innocence. 
 
 King. 
 Fanaticism ! 
 
 Aechbishop (aside). 
 He is ours ! 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 The people's wild acclaim foreclos'd 
 His speech. All cried, " We'll to the rescue ! Curs'd 
 Be our oppressors ! " But a sign from Molay 
 The people silenc'd ; " Citizens," he said, 
 " Respect your fealty, honour also us 
 Who stainlessly have Uv'd and so would die. 
 EebeUion's torch once lighted burns the hand 
 That was the first to grasp it ; then the flames 
 Eage uncontrollably. Would ye obtain 
 Kight government by first destroying it 
 And, stain'd with brothers' blood, deserve the death 
 Te bring upon yourselves ? 0, death is hard 
 For him who hath deserv'd it : grant us leave 
 To meet it guiltlessly ! " 
 
 King. 
 
 Ah, hypocrite ! 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 Then many cries arose of " Hear him not ! 
 Hear we our Gruido ; " but, confus'd, he spoke not. 
 And Molay said, " An honourable man 
 Is Gruido ; but be speaks not for himself, 
 And I am Master. All of us can do 
 What he can. For myself, for him, and in 
 The names of all the Brethren — I choose death 
 For truth and right : and God's eternal curse 
 Alight on him who swings one single lance 
 In our defence ! We wish'd to make you free, 
 Not lawless ; for apart from law and duty 
 
SC. II.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 221 
 
 There is no liberty ! and if we fought 
 
 As champions of your rights, then may our death 
 
 Persuade you to deserve them ! " 
 
 Akchbishop {forgetting himself). 
 Truly he 
 Is worthy death ! 
 
 Dtj Plessis. 
 Eight Reverend Lord ! although 
 A soldier, I am less austere than you, 
 For verily this man could melt a flint ! 
 
 King. 
 Come, cut it short ! Conclude ! 
 
 Dtr PiEssis. 
 
 When Molay ceas'd, 
 There supervened a silence as of death 
 And reverently G-uido went to him 
 And kissed his hand. No word was spoken more. 
 The crowd dispers'd ; and, proud as conquerors, strode 
 The Temple-Knights, between our ranks, to prison. 
 
 King (after a pause). 
 Archbishop ! 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 I foresaw this. 
 
 King. 
 
 Scandalous ! 
 Their hour is come if I am still to live ! 
 
 Dv Plessis. 
 And Molay ? 
 
 King. 
 Hypocrite and traitor, he. 
 Even as that Gruido is an overt rebel. 
 The people hang on both and they must die ! 
 I will it. Not a word, on pain of my 
 Displeasure ! and without the least delay ! — 
 
222 BEETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Akchbishop (hastily). 
 Tour Higlmess tlien commands — • ? 
 
 King. 
 
 At this day's close 
 Shall flam.es destroy them by the Augustine Convent 
 That stands upon the island ; I myself 
 Will witness it with joy. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Shall I announce 
 The sentence to the criminals ? 
 
 King. 
 
 Plessis shall. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 At least I crave permission to conduct 
 The Master to the Carmelite cloister, where 
 He long has wish'd to take the Sacrament 
 From its Prior's hands, his friend ; an act of grace 
 He scarcely can in reason be denied. 
 
 King. 
 Do what you will so he elude us not. 
 Tou are responsible to me for him. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Sire, with my head ! [Exit. 
 
 Enter a Page. 
 
 The Seneschal of Poitou, 
 The Count Brienue. 
 
 King (aside), 
 
 Of all confounded fools ! 
 
 (Aloud to the Page.) 
 With pleasure ! (Exit Page.) (Aside, considering,) 
 Whether I — I can nought else. 
 
 (Aloud, calling towards the wings.) 
 Ho, Bourignon ! 
 
80. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 223 
 
 Enter the Sbnioe Chambbelain. The "King draws him 
 aside, speaking to him low and earnestly ; during which 
 enters the aged Seneschal ov Poitoit, fully armed, 
 except that he has no helmet; from, his left thigh he has a 
 wooden leg : he remains standing at a certain distance ; 
 the Chambeblain retires to hack of stage. 
 
 Seneschal (approaching the King). 
 My royal Liege ! 
 
 King (with assumed vivacity') . 
 Well met, 
 Lord Seneschal ! so active still and fresh ! 
 G-ood sooth, it gives me pleasure ! {Turning to Dr Plessis) 
 
 Verily, 
 Poitou '11 outlive us both ! 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Sire, have I come 
 At a convenient season ? 
 
 King. 
 
 What a question ! 
 My bravest hero surely cannot come 
 Unseasonably ! 
 
 (Sits down and motions the Seneschal to a seat.') 
 Tou have brought, I hear, 
 A thousand warriors with you. Why is that ? 
 
 Seneschal (who has seated himself). 
 Because I'd rather show than hide my claws. 
 
 King. 
 Tou are ready with your jokes still ! (To the Chambbelain.) 
 
 Bring a cup 
 Of wiue for my Lord Seneschal ! the best. 
 Dost hear ? — {JExit Chambbelain. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 First do, then drink ! 
 
 King. 
 
 What happy chance 
 
224 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Has broTiglit us tiieii tlie pleasure of your presence ? 
 Perhaps your son's approaching marriage with 
 The Countess of Auvergne ! 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Your ? Well, no. 
 
 Most certainly not that ! 
 
 King (starting up). 
 
 Tou speak . . . . ! 
 
 As peer 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Can speak to his pre-eminent peer, and as 
 A father of his son in peerage born. 
 Tet this concerns myself : if my son be 
 A scoundrel, I will deal with that, and not 
 Presume therewith to incommode the King. 
 
 King (with difficulty forcing himself to a tone of 
 indifference). 
 Well, to the point then ! What has brought you here ? 
 
 Enter Chamberlain with a cup. 
 
 Come now, a morning draught ! 
 
 [Chambeblain presents an earthenware 
 cup to the Seneschal. 
 
 Seneschal (taMng the cup and offering it to the King). 
 
 Vouchsafe, your Grace ! 
 To drink to me in knightly 'fashion. 
 
 King (rejecting the cup with assumed negligence). 
 
 Nay, 
 I drink no wine of mornings. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Nor do I — 
 I only drink in company. 
 
 [Lets the cup fall as if by accident, whereby 
 it is broTcen in pieces. 
 Behold, 
 
SC. II.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 226 
 
 Great King, the potent draught, (pointing to the spilt vrine) 
 
 apparently 
 Green wine, is not my portion yet ! 
 
 KiirG (vnth restrained fury to the Chambeblain). 
 
 Eetire ! 
 {To Dtj Plessis, who stands behind his ehair.} 
 But thou, Du Plessis, stay. Well, Seneschal ? 
 I am -waiting — 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Sire, I have a boon to ask, — 
 And am not ■wont to make request in vain 
 When in the right, much less am wont to beg 
 Por aught which is not right. Wherefore I beg, . 
 For your sake and my own, that you will grant 
 Me hearing and consent. 
 
 King. 
 
 Eight willingly 
 I grant the thing that's right ; but first must judge 
 MyseH of it, and then make answer. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Molay, 
 The Temple-Master is my friend — 
 
 King. 
 
 On your 
 Account I must regret it. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Not so I. 
 Tou have imprison'd him unrighteously. 
 
 King. 
 
 Who says so ? 
 
 Seneschal. 
 I, and chivalry, and God ! 
 
 King (menacingly^ 
 Lord Seneschal ! 
 
226 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 I have not finisli'd yet. 
 He was a Sovereign Lord as well as you ; 
 Was not your vassal ; notwithstanding which 
 Tou apprehended him ; that was unjust. 
 Seven years you have tormented him, and that 
 Was horrible ; you profited by his 
 Too noble heart, extorting lies from him. 
 And that was evil. 
 
 Kiua (starting from his seat in fury). 
 Ha! By death and heU ! 
 
 Seneschal (who has also risen). 
 May 't please your Grace ? I'm lame of foot, but with 
 My arquebus I still can hold my own ! 
 
 King (haughtily). 
 The King of Frenchmen may not stoop so low. 
 There yet are means, thank Heaven, to chastise 
 Eebellious vassals' insolence. 
 
 Seneschal (very carelessly pointing to the pieces of the 
 broken cup). 
 
 There lie 
 The fragments of one means. 
 
 King. 
 
 It shall be seen 
 If you may venture with impunity 
 To beard me ! 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Truly, Sire, it shall be seen ; 
 The Peerage, which enthrones the King, shall judge "^ 
 
 ' The Supreme Council or court of peers was also the great 
 judicial tribunal of the French Crown from the accession of Hugh 
 Capet ; by this alone could the Barons of France or tenants-in-chief 
 of the King be judged. 
 
 It is "■ very controverted question at what time this exclusive 
 dignity of peerage, a word obviously applicable by the feudal law 
 to all persons co-equal in degree of tenure, was reserved to twelve 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 227 
 
 What right the King can claim to trample right ; 
 And if the first Knight can deny his peer 
 The right of combat. 
 
 King (contemptuously). 
 
 Devil take your peerage ! 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Of that hereafter more. Now only this ; 
 Ton will have heard that Molay did this morn 
 What knightly duty bade him, and proclaim'd 
 To all the people that the statement wrung 
 Prom him was nothing but a lie. — Had not 
 He done so, I had tum'd me home ! He did it, 
 And now I need not blush for him. I ask 
 What, therefore, will you do ? 
 
 King. 
 
 I tell you then 
 He has lied to-day ; and your own blood, peer-born. 
 Your own son, that old sinner's favourite, 
 Has testified against him ! 
 
 Seneschal {horrified, looking upwards). 
 O, my God ! 
 Thy hand is heavy on me ! Truly, King, 
 Tou have weapons that can wound ! 
 
 King. 
 
 What say you now 
 To that? 
 
 vassals. At the Coronation of Philip Augustus, 1179, we first 
 perceive the six gi'eat feudatories, Dukes of Burgundy, Normandy, 
 Guienne, Counts of Toulouse, Flanders, Champagne, distinguished 
 hy the offices they performed in that ceremony. Duringthe reign 
 of Philip Augustus, six ecclesiastical Peers, the Count-Bishops of 
 Beauvais, Chalons, and Noyon, the Duke-Bishops of Rheims, 
 Laon, and Langres were added. Their precedence does not seem 
 to have carried mth it any other privilege, at least in judicature, 
 than other Barons enjoyed. But their pre-eminence being fully 
 confirmed, Philip the Fair augmented their original number, by 
 conferring the dignity of the Peerage on the Duke of Brittany and 
 Count of Artois ; other creations took place subsequently. — 
 Hallam's "Middle Ages." 
 
228 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT T. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 I say that I repudiate 
 Tke abject mongrel. He is not my son. 
 But that can wait. What will you do with Molay ? 
 
 King (coldly). 
 His sentence is pronounc'd. This evening he 
 With Guido, fire-brand of mutiny. 
 Will in the flames atone. 
 
 Seneschai (threateningly). 
 King ! 
 
 Page (opening the door). 
 
 Sire, the Legate — 
 
 lExit Page. 
 
 Enter Cardinal Pe^neste. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Oh, in God's name ! What have I heard but now ? 
 Can this be true ? and have you clos'd indeed 
 Tour heart to mercy ? Molay is to burn ? 
 
 King (to Du Plessis). 
 Take this old fool away ! 
 
 Cabdinal (falling at the KiNG's/eei). 
 Here at your feet 
 And in the name of our compassionate Church 
 And His, who in His hour doth terribly 
 Avenge the innocent, I you beseech 
 To spare the noble Molay, who subdued 
 To save you, even at his scaffold's base. 
 The people's fury ; him, as martyr pure 
 Spare, that of innocence the avenger may 
 Not visit you hereafter, and your house ! 
 
 King. 
 
 Silence ! My will is fix'd unalterably. 
 And Molay dies. (The Cardinal rises.) 
 
SC. II.J BRKTHREN OF THE CROSS. 229 
 
 Seneschal (who has been standing hy in restrained rage, 
 now approaches the King). 
 He dies? 
 
 King. 
 
 Tes, by the fiend!' 
 Thou blustering churl, he shall ! 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 He shall not die ! 
 E'en must I carry these grey hairs before 
 The bar of justice — Molay shall not die ! 
 
 (Draws his sword.') 
 
 King. 
 Eebellion ? (Galling towards the private apartment. At the 
 same time he and Du Plessis draw their swords.) 
 Guard ! 
 
 Seneschal (blowing a horn that hangs rov/nd his neck ; then 
 to the King). 
 
 Look to yourself ! — I know you ! 
 [The King's G-tjard enters from door of 
 the private room. At the same moment 
 enter the Seneschal's Troopees in 
 complete armour from the opposite 
 door of the ante-chamber. Bothparties 
 stand prepared for encounter. 
 
 Seneschal (to the King, pointing to his Teoopees). 
 They wait my signal. Sire, declare your purpose. 
 
 King. 
 Eebel, I will ! The criminals must bum, 
 E'en were I doom'd myself with all my race. 
 E'en should my kingdom's heir upon the block 
 Die like a common serf and overthrown 
 Be Prance's ancient crown. I will avenge 
 Myself, or else — 
 
 (The portrait of King Louis the Saint falls down from the 
 wall with a crash.) 
 
230 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT V. 
 
 Cakdinal (aside). 
 My blood runs cold ! 
 
 King. 
 
 What now ? 
 
 Dtj Plessis. 
 A picture fell. 
 
 Kino (regarding the picture with terror). 
 Griv'st thou thy sanction' — or? — 
 Take that away ! — It stands as I have said. 
 
 lExit hastily into his apaHment. Du 
 Plessis stations himself before it 
 with the GuAED. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 So be it ! (looJcing at the picture.) Then hear, Liege Lord, 
 
 now laid in dust, 
 Beneath men's feet ! Hear, men of France ! I mean 
 To save the innocent, or if I fail. 
 To set ablaze your desecrated throne, 
 A funeral torch for you Come, comrades, come. 
 
 [Exit with his Tkoopbks, and Dtr Plessis 
 luith the GrlTARD. 
 
 Cardinal (alone, with hands folded and raised to Heaven). 
 
 O, take me from the horrors of this world 
 
 To shelter of thine everlasting arms ! [Exit. 
 
III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 231 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 The exterior of the Cavern of the Valley, which is closed by a 
 colossal door of rock approached by nine steps. In front 
 of it a grove, gilded by the newly rising Sun. 
 
 Choie Song or the Concealed Old Men oe the 
 
 Valley 
 
 (sounding from the interior of the Cavern). 
 
 The voice of Memnon surgeth 
 When first the Sun-rays smite ; 
 The perfect number purgeth 
 The unnumbered infinite ; 
 The Martyr, crowned, emergeth 
 From realms of pain to Light. 
 
 The star is clear, 
 
 The future near ; 
 In songs of praise the Light revere ! 
 
 Hallelujah ! 
 
 [-4 Beothee of the Valley and the 
 Aechbishop Off Sens, both clad in 
 long grass-green vestures with a wreath 
 of myrtle on their heads and bells in 
 their hands, lead Molay, dressed in a 
 pure white robe, up to the Cavern door. 
 
 Molay. 
 Where are ye bringing me ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 To find thy sorrow's goal. 
 [_He and the Beothee op the Valley 
 ring their bells three times. Sounds 
 of harps are heard from the interior 
 of the Valley. 
 
 Beothee of the Valley. 
 He has aton'd, — So open him the door ! 
 
232 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT. V. 
 
 Voices {from within). 
 Whom bring ye us ? 
 
 Bkothee of the Valley. 
 
 The blinded Son of dust, 
 Victorious for his Father. 
 
 Voices {within). 
 
 Let him come ! 
 
 Bbotheb of the Vallet. 
 May he receive the Light ? 
 
 Voices {within). 
 Amen! 
 
 Bbotheb of the Valley. 
 Shall he be sacrificed ? 
 
 Voices {within). 
 Amen! 
 
 Bbotheb of the Valley. 
 Will he be metamorphosed ? 
 
 Voices {within). 
 Amen ! 
 
 \The great door, occupying nearly the whole 
 breadth of the stage, opens, and the 
 interior of the Gave of the Valley 
 appears entirely hathed in golden 
 light. Within it, in the centre of the 
 haclcground, rises a high grave-mound 
 covered with roses, at the four corners 
 stand the translucent forms of an 
 Angel, a Lion, a Bull and an Eagle. 
 On each side of the mound, the Two 
 Eldebs and Six Old Men of the 
 [ Valley are seated opposite to one 
 
 another on golden seats. The first 
 
SC. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 233 
 
 Elder is robed in cloth of gold, the 
 second in cloth of silver; hoth have 
 triple crowns. Of the other Old Men, 
 the two sitting neiet to the Eidees 
 wear raiment of flame-colour, the two 
 next, of shy-blue, and the two remain- 
 ing sitting nea/rest the foreground are 
 in water-grey. In front of each of 
 them is a small Grecian altar on 
 which stands a flaming censer and a 
 harp: All have regal crowns upon 
 their heads. The whole forms a 
 pyramidal group, the apex of which is 
 the grave-movMd. Throughout this 
 scene sounds the music of harps. 
 The Brothee op the Valley and the 
 Aechbishop lead Molat up the steps 
 of the portal and kneel down with 
 Molat between them, at the entrance 
 of the Oave, their faces turned towards 
 the mound. They ring the bells when- 
 ever the Old Men Ttneel. 
 
 The Two Old Men in Watbe-Gret {standing up). 
 • Holy, holy, holy is the Light ! 
 [They kneel down, laying down their crowns and harps. 
 
 The Two Old Men in Sky-Blttb {standing'). 
 
 Holy, holy, holy is the Word ! [They kneel. 
 
 The Two Old Men in Elame-Colotjr {standing). 
 
 Holy, holy, holy, is the Form ! [They kneel. 
 
 Second Elder {standing up). 
 The Word became Light ! [Kneels. 
 
 First Elder {standing up). 
 The Light became Form ! [Kneels. 
 
 The Grand-Master of the Valley {appears over the 
 grave-mound, in the form of a beautiful youth, robed in 
 
234 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [acT T. 
 
 a long hlood-cohured garment, a crown of thorns upon 
 Ms head, and a banner of the Cross in his hand (where- 
 upon all the Old Men fall with their faces to the 
 grotmd). He speaks in a distinct hut very soft voice. 
 
 The Form and the Word and the Light are God ! 
 
 ^Sound of the tumult of all Elements. 
 Shining clouds envelop the Old Meit 
 and the G-eand Mastee of the 
 Valley. The colossal statue of Isis 
 is see'ti in the foreground, burning. 
 MoLAT stands up and at the same 
 moment Eobeet, Philip, Adalbeet, 
 and Agnes, rush to his embrace. 
 Curtain falls. 
 
ACT VL 
 
 SCENE I. 
 
 Prison in the Temple Tower, as at the dose of Acts II. 
 and IV. 
 
 The swme day towards evening, an hour before sunset. 
 
 MoLAT (m complete costume of the Order, unfettered, but 
 without his sword) and the Abchbishop of Sens. 
 (Both seated together, the latter having resumed his 
 usual dress.) 
 
 MoLAT (holding in his hand a pair of woman's gloves, with 
 
 soft emotiori). 
 Now also will I even part from you ! 
 
 (To the Archbishop after a short paitse.) 
 She left them to me in her dying hour, 
 A pledge of love and pureness. Take them hence. 
 
 (Gives the gloves to the Abchbishop.) 
 Now have I naught reserved that I hold dear. 
 
 Abchbishop (having laid the gloves in an open blaoh box 
 which he holds in his hand, and shut it, and placed it 
 under his cloaTc, very gently and with deep but repressed 
 emotion). 
 
 Hast thou naught else to ?et in order ? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 No. 
 Clos'd my account is ; to the utmost dregs 
 
236 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT. VI. 
 
 I've drain'd my cup of misery and of joy, 
 Now am. I ready. 
 
 Akchbishop. 
 Wilt thou not once more 
 Thy children bless and thy lov'd Anjou, ere 
 They go their way to the Thebaid in 
 The wilderness? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 What hoots it ? Are they not 
 Already blest ? Have they not seen how Life 
 Springs blossoming, from dissolution's dust ? 
 
 Archbishop. 
 My Brother, how inferior far to thee 
 I feel myself. Associate of the Valley 
 So long I've been, yet thou in these brief hours, 
 Hast learnt much more than I in many years ! 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 Did I not need it ? — 
 
 Archbishop. 
 Even now the goal 
 Thou has attain'd. Ah, never smile ; for I 
 Could envy thee. And yet must grieve that I 
 Was bound to sacrifice thee ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Brother in death ! — 
 Lose not thyself ! Thy envy I forgive 
 But not thy grief. Oh richly I exult 
 In transformation's joy, exult to feel 
 The beauty of the sacrificial death. 
 O Brother mine ! a time will surely come 
 When all men will acknowledge death, embrace 
 Him gladly, recognize this life as nought 
 But Love's foretaste, and death her bridal kiss ; 
 And she, with ardent yearnings of a wife. 
 In bride's attire, removes our mortal robe ; 
 The Death change is the pouring forth of Love ! 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 237 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 As such they will regard it. Blest art thou, 
 Thy name henceforward in all hearts elect 
 Shall burn, an endless symbol of this truth. 
 
 Enter Prison-Waedee. 
 
 Peison-Waedee (to the Archbishop). 
 The guard mates known that those six prisoners 
 Who from the Temple Tower escaped to-night 
 Are nowhere to be found. 
 
 Archbishop (aside to Molat). 
 The six Elect. 
 (aloud to the Pbison-Waedee.) 
 Announce it to the King, and also give 
 This writing to his Majesty. 
 
 \_Draws out a sealed letter and gives it to 
 <fee Peison-Waedee. ^xi^ Warder. 
 
 Molat. 
 Poor soul, 
 Thou wearest still thy chains! 
 
 Archbishop. 
 
 No so — now ends 
 My office with thy sacrifice. The Valley 
 Prom servile bonds, which I must fain endure 
 To serve its aim, releases me. In this 
 My handwriting I take my leave for aye 
 Of a most abject despot. And when once 
 Inducted is the Brotherhood of the Cross, 
 Accomplish'd then is all my earthly work. 
 And thither I return from whence I came. 
 
 Enter Cardinal Pb^neste. 
 
 Caedinal (to the Aechbishop). 
 Dread being ! now hast thou triumph'd ; I refrain 
 From cursing thee, but if thy soul be not 
 Quite castaway, thy gruesome presence spare me. 
 
238 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT. VI. 
 
 MoLAT {to the Caedinai). 
 My friend ! 
 
 [Aechbishop offers his hand to the Cae- 
 DiNAL. He does not take it, hut 
 retires to hack of stage with face averted 
 from the Aechbishop. 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Grod bless thee ! — To discern his Light 
 He may vouchsafe to thee, — then judge thou me ! 
 {To MoLAT, whom he leadsto the front of the stage, half aside.) 
 We now must part ; thou to thy Masterhood, 
 I yet awhile to prison. Embrace me. 
 
 MoLAT {embracing the Aechbishop). 
 
 Thou 
 "Wilt lead them to the Light ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 
 Ay, never doubt. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Te in the Valley will not me forget ? 
 
 Aechbishop. 
 Porgot we ever Moses and Osiris, 
 John, Christ? With theirs thy name shall shine! 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Then part, 
 In peace 
 
 Aechbishop {pointing to his face). 
 
 O might this red dissolve to snow. 
 The snow to verdure ! Then would burst my bonds 
 And I be with thee ! {Exit. 
 
 Caedinal (who has heen standing in the background, plunged 
 in thought and unconscious of what was being said, now 
 turns to Molat). 
 
 Is that monster gone ? 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 239 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Whom mean you, brother ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 
 Whom ? that obdurate 
 Assassin who went out from thee but now ! 
 Alas, that I train'd up that crocodile ! 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Thou art in error, brother. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 How — in error ? 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Forgive me that the veil I cannot lift. 
 
 Come to my heart. Be patient with mankind. 
 
 So childish they, and thou, thou art so good ! 
 
 Cardinal. 
 'Tis thou art good, that monster to forgive ; 
 God pardon me, I cannot ! 
 
 MoLAT (leads the Cardinal to the window). 
 See the crops. 
 In plenteousness how beautiful ! Ill will 
 How canst thou harbour, brother ? How the dear. 
 Dear Sun irradiates, as he sets, the young 
 Green life ! One hour more and he's gone ! Is 't not 
 Divine to burn out in his company ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Oh horrible ! but one hour more ! — No, no ! 
 Thou canst not die. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Dost thou then love me not ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Thou art bound to save thy life ! If in thy pride 
 Thou would' st discard it, thou art not thine own 
 But ours. What right hast thou to rend our hearts ? 
 
240 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [acT VI. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Tet thou wouldst rend mine own and grudge to me 
 The death sublime for duty and for truth. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Thou wouldst not violate truth nor owe thy life 
 To that confession which dishonour'd thee. 
 Thou now hast nobly prov'd to all the world 
 The obligations of thy Masterhood. 
 It ends with the extinction of the Order, 
 And that is gone. False Clement aided by 
 His venal Synod — here the actual Bull 
 I hold — has blotted out for evermore 
 The Order, and bestow'd upon the King 
 And Hospital its wealth. Here, read thyseK ! 
 
 {Produces a paper and reads aloud to Molat.) 
 " Not legally, 'tis true, but through the power 
 Of apostolical provision." ^ Oh, 
 The wretched subterfuge ! to set at nought 
 The laws of justice and humanity 
 By apostolical provision ! — That 
 False priest has hoodwinked to the last the world 
 And me outrageously, but cannot Grod 
 Deceive ! 
 
 Molat. 
 Unworthy artifice ! But why 
 Shouldst thou be wrath with him ? He knows no better. 
 And can he touch the eternal ? 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 Well, enough 
 Of his misconduct, I renounce him wholly. 
 I saij' to thee, the Order is destroyed ; 
 Thou owest it no duty any more 
 Thou art not Master, art no longer Templar, 
 Thou art no subject of the King's, to him 
 Thou owest no regards : the tyrant has 
 Himself dissolved all ties ; to save thyself 
 
 ' In the Bull by which Clement V. abolished the Temple Order 
 is literally written : cum earn (sententiam) nan possmnus ferre de 
 jure, sed per viam provisionis apostolical. — Author. 
 
SC. I.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 241 
 
 Now Duty gives thee leave, nay more, commands. 
 And therefore am I come. My travelling coach 
 Stands fifty paces hence. Thou'lt wear this cowl 
 
 (produces a monk's cowl from wnder his cape) 
 Whereby the warders may believe thou art 
 One of those priests commanded to dispense 
 The Sacrament to the prisoners. Ere dark 
 We reach the Abbey of Cistercians. Thence, 
 From out those cloister walls, the King himself 
 Should haply he find out thy Sanctuary, 
 Could not dislodge thee forcibly. Few days 
 Shalt thou abide there ; thence thou shalt proceed 
 To my estate near Avignon. And there 
 In holy calm, in friendship's genial bonds, 
 We'U weather the remainder of our days. 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 My brother ! 
 
 Cakdinal. 
 Scruple not ! It must be so. 
 This holy purple, deeply though alas ! 
 DishotLOur'd, yet secures 'gainst all mischance. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Aye, doth it? Even against the eternal judge 
 Within us ? 
 
 Oaedinal. 
 Oh, for Grod's sake, argue not ! 
 Thy life is hanging on a second's thread. 
 Come out ! Oh, come ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 But yet one question more. 
 How happens it that for the first time now 
 Thou offerest me this method of escape ? 
 
 Caedinal (confused). , 
 Because — Oh do not hesitate ! because — 
 Because it is the last resource. Oh, come ! 
 Because I ever hoped it possible 
 To set you free by lawful ways. 
 
242 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT VI. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 This way, 
 Then, you would lead me by, is not 
 A lawful way ? 
 
 Caedinal. 
 How canst thou torture thus 
 Thy friend? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 To save him from self-sacrifice. 
 To keep his foot, which ne'er has slipp'd, from falling, 
 At his grave's brink. Thine own perception feels 
 That is not right whereto thou urgest me, 
 But dares not, over-master'd by thy heart 
 Be plain with thee. Dear brother of my pain, 
 I know what that is ! In no other mould 
 My life was cast ; the fount of many tears. 
 It has been conquer'd by a ray from heaven. 
 Tet, brother, if thy parting friend's appeal 
 Can sway thee, look to head and heart alike, 
 That neither win an empire o'er the other, 
 And both unfaltering fix their gaze on high. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Thou wilt then by rude force, thou direful man, 
 Bereave us of thee ? trample down our rights 
 The injustice of a tyrant to obey ? 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Unjust the King is certainly, and for 
 His own nefarious ends, misuses us, 
 Tet he is but a means himself : he acts 
 Unjustly from the point of view that's his ; 
 Tet what he does is but the carrying out 
 Of purposes eternally decreed 
 By Him on high who judges, in whose hand. 
 Gigantic, man's volition only serves 
 As lever. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Well, and this step also shall 
 The eternal Judge — 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 243 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Tempt not the Deity. 
 He much requires, but plenteously rewards ; 
 What seems injustice to thy feeble sight 
 Is more than justice, e'en a Father's grace ; 
 And I, m.ere dust, have not deserv'd to be 
 Held worthy of it. 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Oh, fanaticism ! — 
 This loss again I owe to thee ! 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Be not 
 Mistaken. One extreme the other meets ; 
 Youth's passionate fire, enlightenment's clear flame ; 
 A shadow only lies between these two. 
 A man must end with that where he began. 
 I hotly glow'd ; at ardour I have smil'd ; 
 And, now the veil is lifted, I adore ! — 
 
 Caedinal. 
 Thou wilt not follow me ? 
 
 MOLAT: 
 
 Nay, brother, thou 
 Shalt follow me. 
 
 Enter Feank of Poitotj (distracted), then the Seneschal 
 OF Poitotj with some of his troopers. 
 
 Peank (rushing wildly on). 
 I must to him ! 
 
 Caedinal. 
 
 A madman ! 
 Peank. 
 Ay, that I am ! (to Molat) 'Tis well thou livest still. 
 I have betrayed thee, as Iscariot 
 Betrayed his Lord for base and paltry gold. 
 (Tears off the gold chain hanging rovmd his neck, and throws 
 
 it on the floor impetuously.) 
 See there it lies ! Absolve me — I have loos'd 
 
244 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT VI. 
 
 The pains of Hell from off me. Blessed Saint ! 
 Absolve me !— 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Heal him, thou All-merciful ! 
 
 Enter Seneschal with his troopers. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Frank ! — Where is he ? Ha, renegade, art here ? 
 
 (To Pbank on perceiving him.) 
 Thou blot upon my scutcheon, get thee hence ! 
 Forth from my sight ! 
 
 Frank. 
 Ay, father, I am going 
 Forth from your sight and froin Grod's eye that flames 
 On yon horizon, — down, down, down into 
 The fiery gulf. \_IIastens away desperate. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Wretch ! (to the troopers.} One of you pursue him, 
 He is still my son ! and keep an eye on him 
 Lest in his frenzied mood he comes to harm. 
 
 (To MoLAT and the Cardinal.) 
 Good people, greeting ! Where's the Master Molay ? 
 
 MoLAT (going to him). 
 Comrade ! 
 
 Seneschal 
 (shocked and disturbed hy Molat's a/ppearance). 
 Thou, Molay? Thou — (to the troopers). Gro further ofE, 
 My lads ! (to Molat). They must not see me weep. 
 
 MoLAT (to Seneschal). 
 
 O God !— 
 T see thee then once more ? But now I thought 
 Earth had no longer any hold on me. 
 And now, here's heaven itself. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Poor brother James ! 
 How art thou chang'd ! Scarce recognize I thee ; 
 
so. I.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 245 
 
 As 'twere a blasted trunk ! The villains have 
 Misus'd thee shamefully, both they and mine! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 He was seduc'd. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 He springs not from Poitou, 
 Is knight no longer, canting hypocrite ! 
 That comes of A, B, C. Forgive me this, 
 That I myself a serpent sent to thee 
 To work thy ruin. 
 
 MotAT. 
 Brother in arms, thy hand ! 
 How staunchly thou observ'st our youthful vow. 
 'Twas unto death we swore near G-aza — eh ? 
 
 Seneschal. 
 God would not have me lead thee on to death 
 By fire ! Be on the watch : my warriors stand 
 Beside the scaffold ; we shall rescue thee 
 By force. 
 
 Cardinal {to Seneschal). 
 Thanks, messenger of Grod. 
 
 MoLAT (to Seneschal). 
 
 Thou too ? 
 O sacred reason ! what becomes of thee 
 When passion's st6rm befools thee ? 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 What means this ? 
 
 Cardinal. 
 Already, Count, have I besieg'd in vaia 
 His heart ; he hardens it against his friends' 
 Entreaties ; he is bent on dying. 
 
 Seneschal (to Molat). 
 Man! 
 What does this mean ? 
 
246 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT VI. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 That question ask I thee. 
 This moment of our meeting once again 
 Wilt thou convert to wretchedness for me ? 
 To bitterness the fleeting moments turn 
 Of my serene departure ? 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 James ! Bethink thee ! 
 Thou art a man of mettle. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 So I am, 
 And combat till my latest breath I feel 
 To be my destiny. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 Unmanlike wilt 
 Thou suffer that which thou canst overpower ? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 And wilt thou overpower when better 'tis , 
 To suffer ? And must I pass hence away 
 With knowledge that my Henry who once sav'd, 
 In valiant youth, my life, imperilling 
 His own, has sunk in his old age, for me, 
 To be a lawless rebel ? 
 
 Seneschai ^passionately). 
 Nay, 'tis thou 
 That art the old man, comrade. Grey howe'er 
 My head be, it is pledg'd to thee ! Prate not 
 To me of duties ; — well I know them — -'tis 
 A knight's first duty innocence to save. 
 Thou know'st thou canst not turn me from my word. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 Well, do thy wUl. Me too thou canst not turn. 
 I for the truth will die, thou wilt do wrong. 
 G-ive me the kiss of brotherhood. 
 
 {Embraces the Seneschal,) 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 247 
 
 Now go 
 And do it. Only bear in mind, all strength 
 Is impotence when it contends against 
 The strength that is the highest. 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Time admits 
 No arguing. Farewell! (coaxingly). Ah, naughty James ! 
 Fie ! would he die ! Forsake his comrade ! James ! 
 Thou must not die ! dost hear ? 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 My faithful Henry ! 
 Thou once didst give me life ; vouchsafe me now 
 A fairer life in death ! 
 
 Seneschax. 
 
 Thou headstrong man ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Thou canst not bend the Eternal "Will — 
 
 Seneschal. 
 
 Farewell ! 
 There is infection in thy ecstasy ; 
 My word I'll keep ; thou'lt see me at the place 
 Of execution. [Exit. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 There he goes in haste 
 A deed to do which will not come to pass. 
 Poor human nature, dreaming thou wilt strike, 
 That art thyself the ball ! — Give up thy game ! 
 
 (Strokes of a tell are heard from the Tenvple tower.) 
 
 Caedinal. 
 There sounds the beU, the officials come. Alas ! 
 I cannot bear it ! Will he save thee? Oh, 
 The spark of hope hath but a feeble gleam ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Extinguish it ! 
 
248 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT TI. 
 
 Cardinal. 
 The clash of lances now ! 
 I must break down if I but look on them ! 
 Relentless man, thou wouldst not save thyself ! 
 Farewell ! I'll to the place of execution. 
 Oh, dire uncertainty, worse far than death ! 
 Farewell, for life and death ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Amen ! — for life ! 
 Life yonder where nought foUoweth us save true 
 Love only ! 
 
 Cabdinax (passionately emhracing Molat). 
 O niy God ! 
 
 (Is going, hut returns and embraces him anew.) 
 Yet once ! — and now 
 I go. [Hastens from the scene. 
 
 Molat (alone). 
 'Tis thus the leaves fall, one by one, 
 Ere openeth out the calyx of the flower. 
 
 Enter Chevalier du Plbssis, G-tjakds, Police. 
 
 Dv Plessis. 
 Sir Knight de Molay, I your pardon crave 
 Because on me the heavy task devolves 
 To be your messenger of death. 
 
 Molat. 
 
 Tou come 
 Much rather as my harbinger of peace. 
 
 Du Plbssis. 
 Sir Knight, there stiU is time ; the King has seen 
 The persecuting harshness of your foes : 
 Th' Archbishop of Sens has now, at his demand. 
 Been eas'd of all his dignities ; has fallen 
 Completely from the favour of the King : 
 Quite probably he may atone by death 
 For trespassing against the first of Kings. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 249 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Then well for him ! 
 
 Drr Plessis. 
 
 His Eoyal Majesty 
 Holds out to you life, liberty once more, 
 Conditionally, if your Highness wiU 
 Make known in public to the populace 
 The guilt of the suspended Temple-Order. 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 I thank him — only for his sate, for I 
 Eequire no farther favour here on earth. 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 You thus constrain me to announce to you 
 What I have to your brethren notified 
 Howbeit with heavy heart. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 Are several sentenc'd? 
 Du Plessis. 
 Just now but seven besides yourself and Guido. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 God bless them for they have withstood. Oh, noble 
 My following is. I pray you read the warrant. 
 
 Du Plessis (reads). 
 We, Philip of Valois, King of France, and Clement 
 Bishop, and servant of God's servants, by 
 The grace of God, salute you. And whereas 
 By virtue of our royal will, and by 
 Our apostolical provision, we. 
 In Council of the nobles of our realm, 
 And by pronouncement of those holy fathers 
 Ecclesiastical by us at Vienne 
 Assembled, have determia'd to annul 
 The erewhile Knightly Order specified 
 As of the Temple at Jerusalem, — 
 
250 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT TI. 
 
 Because it shamefully has work'd offence 
 
 By heresy and base, felonious deeds 
 
 'Gainst God and holy Church, nor less against 
 
 Our grandsire Louis, so in virtue of 
 
 Our. said resolve, we have from Christendom 
 
 Eejected it, and blotted out its name 
 
 Prom earth. 
 
 MoLAT (gently smiling). 
 Poor feeble impotence ! 
 
 Dtr Plessis (reading further). 
 
 And we 
 Adjudge James Bemhard Molay, erewhile Master, 
 And Guido of Vienne, erewhile Grand Prior, 
 With seven more nam'd hereunder, death by fire. 
 For failing to confess the Order's guilt ; 
 The rest, if they persist in their denial, 
 Like punishment awaits ; natheless if they 
 Confess, absolv'd by penance shall they be. 
 And shall, the Order's habit laid aside, 
 Be set at liberty, yet with no claim 
 Of compensation. Such our pleasure is.^ 
 Locus sigilli. Given in Paris at 
 The Temple Court, and on St. Cyril's Day, 
 The eighteenth of the month of March, thirteen- 
 Hundred and fourteenth since our Lord's appearing. 
 Signed Philip, King ; — Albano, acting for 
 His HoUness. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 You've, finish'd ? 
 
 Dir Plessis. 
 
 Yes. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 And could 
 You grant me one prayer more ? 
 
 ' The well-known " Tel est notre plaisir." — Author. 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE pROSS. 251 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 
 With all my heart. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 I fain would see and with those Knights have speech 
 Whose blessed lot it is this day to win 
 The Martyr's Crown. 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 
 They die not tUl to-morrow, 
 Those other seven, and only G-uido dies 
 With you. 
 
 MoLAT (beseechingly). 
 Pray let them come to me. 
 
 Du Plessis (to a Waedbe). 
 
 Bring here 
 The prisoners. And also Prior Guido. 
 
 (When the Waebee has gone off, to Molat.) 
 How is 't with you ? 
 
 Molat. 
 Like one in fetters once. 
 Who, from his chains set free, doth only wear 
 The last one on his foot. 
 
 Enter G-aolek (a note in his hand). 
 A messenger 
 From the Norbertine Convent of St. Clare, 
 To Molay brings this letter. 
 
 Du Plessis (taking it from him). 
 
 Give it here [Beads it. 
 
 Molat. 
 I think my sister writes ! 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 
 'Tis nought, — The Abbess, 
 
252 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT VI. 
 
 ToTir sister once again takes leave of you. 
 Eead not ! 
 
 MOLAY. 
 
 Sir Knight, yon cannot cozen me. 
 She has gone before me, pious Kunigunde ! 
 
 Du Plessis (handing him the letter). 
 Poor sonl, I would have spared you this last grief ! 
 How willingly ! 
 
 MoLAT (joyfully, after reading the letter). 
 At midday she expired — 
 She waits for me : too many joys together ! — 
 
 Dtt Plessis. 
 Behold, they come. 
 
 Enter G-eand Pbioe Gtuido, Six Templak Knights, and 
 the Seeving Beothee Geegbb are conducted hy Guaeds. 
 
 The Knights (who enter, seeing Molat). 
 O Molay, Father ! Thou 
 Eemainest true to us till death. 
 
 Molat. 
 
 My children ! 
 My treasure ! Now can I rejoicing cry, 
 Here, Lord, am I, with those thou gavest me ! 
 Come here to me, embrace me once again ! 
 
 (Kissing first Peioe Gthdo.) 
 O Gruido, would I could dispel the gloom 
 That dulls thy soul ! 
 
 Ghido. 
 Thy very aspect does it ; 
 And that dire conflict raging in me stiU, 
 The sense of horrible injustice, soon 
 Will, I foresee, pass over. 
 
 Molat. 
 
 Chariot, — where 
 Is he ? — our Chariot of Guyonne ? 
 
SC. I.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 253 
 
 G-UTDO. 
 
 Ah !— He 
 Confess'd ! 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 He is so young, lie still seeks life 
 In living ; reprobate him not ! Who's this ? 
 
 {Embraces all the row, and lastly a/pproaehes G-rbgbe.) 
 What, Greger ? Art thou also here ? Did I 
 Not leave thee with thy mother at Toulon ? ^ 
 
 G-BBGEK. 
 
 She is deceas'd. What better can I do. 
 Poor wight, than follow to his death m.y Lord 
 Whom fain I would have given my blood to save ? 
 
 MoLAT (looking to Heaven). 
 Another to be sav'd. Already one 
 To compensate my lost ones ! 
 
 {To G-BEGBE, as he warmly embraces him.) 
 Do not weep. 
 Dear lad ! for oh ! thy Father loves thee, he 
 Will lead thee to thy mother ! 
 
 Du Plbssis {aside). 
 Scarcely can 
 I bear it ! 
 
 MoLAT {to the G-aglee). 
 G-entle Warder, hast thou seen 
 My singer ? I have miss'd him since last night. 
 
 G-AOLBK. 
 
 I was forgetting. He this morning went 
 Away from here. He broke his harp before ; — 
 My charge was to deliver it to you. 
 
 [Oives MoLAT the broken harp. 
 
 ' See " Templars in Cyprus," Act iv. Scene 2. 
 
264 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT VI. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 God bless him ! 
 
 [J.S he holds the harp regretfully in his hand 
 amd contemiplates it, he touches some 
 of the strings which emit a sownd. 
 Dead the wood is, but the strings 
 Are tuneful still. Not subject unto death 
 Is melody ! \Noise behind the central door. 
 
 G-AOLER (opening it). 
 In here ! 
 [Peison Servants hrji/ng in a coffin through the central door. 
 
 MoLAV (who has set down the harp, poinding to the coffin). 
 But what is this ? 
 
 G-AOLER. 
 
 Here lies the old G-rand-Commander. 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 
 It has pleased 
 His Majesty the King, in deference to 
 The supplication of this dead Knight's kin. 
 To grant his funeral rites shall be perform'd 
 With every mark of knightly dignity. 
 At his ancestral manor in Provence. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 Kind Providence ! thou condescendest to 
 Our very fancies ! What his child-like heart 
 Desir'd, entombment with his fathers, thou 
 Vouchsaf est him. 
 
 Dtt Plessis (to the bea/rers). 
 
 Now take him hence at once. 
 
 MoLAT. 
 
 G-ood Knight, this once more let me look on him 
 Who was to me as John,^ once more behold 
 My friend's remains. 
 
 ' Molay compares Hugo to the Beloved Disciple. The Author 
 
sc. i.j brethren of the cross. 255 
 
 Dtj Plessis. 
 Wlio can deny thee aught ? (to the hearers.) 
 Eemove the pall. 
 
 [The hearers set down the coffin and open 
 it. In it is seen the corpse of Htjgo 
 with folded hands andinfuUhnightl/y 
 panoply, the helmet on his head, arid 
 the great red cross on his hreastplate. 
 
 MOLAT. 
 
 So lies he ! Heaven's peace 
 Full on his face ! 
 
 The Other Templaks (pressing round the corpse). 
 Our leader ! 
 
 MoLAT (in deep sorrow, taking the dead man's hand). 
 
 Son of pure 
 Simplicity and truth,. thanks for thy death 
 "Which saved me. Brother, we are not asunder. 
 
 (The tower hell is heard.) 
 
 Dxr Plessis. 
 Sir Knight, let us be brief. 
 
 (The hearers taJce up the coffin, and carry it out.) 
 
 MoLAT (to the corpse). 
 
 So go thou on. 
 
 (To the other Templars.) 
 Companions of my joy ! Te too must go. 
 Withstand until the end. We journey back 
 Into our Father's bosom, and he who chose 
 Us out for martyrs, he will cool the flames. 
 And wondrously transform us till we shine 
 As fiery columns in all people's sight. 
 
 People (off the stage). 
 Eoom for the Old Man. 
 
 has in these pages, as in the " Templars in Cyprus," weU maintained 
 the straightforward. God-fearing character of this grand old knight, 
 a typical Templar of the olden times, as Brian de Bois Guilbert is 
 of the later. — Trans. 
 
256 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT VI. 
 
 Dtr Plessis. 
 Who? 
 
 People. 
 
 Eoom for the Saint 
 Of Carmel's Mount ! 
 
 [People ^pressing by force on to the stage, 
 then The Old Man op Caemel 
 dressed as a Hermit. At sight of 
 the Old Man, all fall on their knees, 
 except MoLAT, who remains standing 
 in the front. 
 
 The Old Man of Caemel (to Molat standing in front, 
 whom, without regarding the others, he approaches). 
 Me has the Valley sent 
 To lead thee forth. 
 
 MoLAT (sinking on his knee hefore him). 
 
 Old Man, give me thy blessing ! 
 
 Old Man of Caemel. 
 In the name of the Light, the Word, the Power, I bless 
 Thee in the perfect number. Unto thee 
 Our Master's peace I give. Thou art absolv'd. 
 Pass onwards to thy joy ! 
 
 Molat (who has risen). 
 
 The Brothers sent thee ? 
 
 Old Man of Cakmel. 
 I sanction thee to represent the Valley ♦ 
 
 Before the eternal Light. Thou wilt make prayer 
 To God for us and (falling on his knees before Molat) 
 
 kneehng bring I thee, 
 lUumined one ! the homage of the Valley 
 To bear it to the Master of the Hill ! 
 
 Molat. 
 Arise ! GTod, how rich thy recompense ! 
 
 People (behind). 
 The Saint to Molay kneeling ! 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 257 
 
 MoLAT (trying to raise the Old Man). 
 Brother ! 
 
 Old Man of Caembl (still Jcneeling). 
 
 Now, 
 Give me thy Messing also ! 
 
 (MoLAT lays Jiis harnds on his head in 
 silence. The death-hnell tolls again, 
 and sounds with long repeated dull 
 ^ strohes until the end of the Scene.} 
 
 Du Plessis. 
 
 "lis the summons ! 
 
 Old Man of Caemel (rising to Molat). 
 Now follow me nndaunted. East and West, 
 And South, and North, the Brothers of the Valley 
 This day are, every one, combin'd in prayer. 
 And when thy body falls, then shall burst forth 
 The first glad hymn of praise to sainted Molay ! 
 
 Molat (inspired). 
 Away, then, to the scaffold and to meet 
 The sacrifice, that brings my transformation ! 
 (Bastens off the stage, followed hy the Old Man and the 
 others.) 
 
 SCENE n. 
 
 Place of execution on the Island iefore the Seine, which is 
 seen flowing in the distance. In centre of hackgrovMd 
 a pile of fagots. Dispersed among the People the 
 King's G-ttaeds and near the scaffold the Seneschal's 
 Teoopeks. 
 
 One Citizen (to another). 
 The Sim bides in the clouds, as in a sack. 
 
258 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT TI. 
 
 Second Citizen. 
 Ay, 'tis most close and sultry, yet no rain ! 
 
 Thied Citizen. 
 Oh, would it poured to drencli and drown the flames 
 And executioners to boot ! 
 
 FoTTETH Citizen (entering). 
 They come ! 
 
 Fifth Citizen (pointing to the Palace). 
 Ha ! See the King, who with his mistress stands 
 At yon bay-window ! 
 
 Sixth Citizen. 
 In his shoes to-day 
 I would not stand. 
 
 A Messenger (pressing througlitJie crowd on the other side). 
 I seek the King ! Eoom ! Eoom ! 
 
 Seventh Citizen (pointing to the Messenger). 
 What 's he ? 
 
 Eighth Citizen. 
 A courtier from Yienne. 
 
 Be true ? 
 
 Ninth Citizen (on the other side). 
 
 Can this 
 
 Tenth Citizen. 
 Ay, sick to death ! 
 
 Eleventh Citizen. 
 
 The holy rather? 
 
 Twelfth Citizen. 
 A judge in heaven ! 
 
 IThe Messenger disappears among the 
 crowd in the neighbourhood of the 
 Palace. The King appears on the 
 balcony with the Countess of 
 AuvBEGNE and his suite. 
 
SC. II.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 259 
 
 FiEST Citizen. 
 Look where tlie King steps forward ! 
 
 A Captain op the G-ttard (to the Pbopi.e). 
 Cry out, " Long live the King ! ye knaTes ! " 
 
 People (loud). 
 
 Long live 
 The King (aside) in Hell ! 
 
 Second Citizen. 
 
 They 're bringing the Grand-Prior. 
 {GririDO is led in slowly by the Waedees. 
 
 Several Voices from the People. 
 OG-od! 
 
 Other Voices (sobbing). 
 Our benefactor ! Father ! 
 
 Captain 01- the G-ttaed. 
 Hold 
 Your tongue ! I '11 fell to earth the next that whines. 
 
 A Warder .(to G-itido, who ad/vances very slowly and 
 feebly). 
 Now then ! Come, will you ? 
 
 G-TJIDO. 
 
 Is that stake for me ? 
 
 Warder. 
 No, yonder 's yours. Come on ! the King is waiting. 
 
 GUIDO. 
 
 The King ? Ha ! (lifting his eyes and perceiving the Xing 
 on the balcony. To the King.) 
 Philip, infamous assassin ! 
 I cite thee to appear before God's throne 
 Within one year from now, and thee, too, Clement, 
 Betrayer, ere the lapse of forty days. 
 
260 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT VI. 
 
 To give account before the Judge supreme 
 "For slaughtered innocence.^ 
 
 Many Citizens. 
 
 Oh, terrible ! 
 
 Wabdeb. 
 The Devil ! — Come on, I say ! 
 
 [GtriDO is led away. Enter Heeibeet, 
 NoFFO on the other side. 
 
 Hebibebt {to the People). 
 
 Is he consum'd ? 
 
 Who? 
 
 A Citizen. 
 
 Heeibebt. 
 Who ? The miscreant Molay ! 
 
 A Citizen (menacingly). 
 
 G-otoHeU! 
 
 Anotheb Citizen. 
 Not just the nonce ! 
 
 Heeibeet. 
 
 Ah ! thank you, devil ! 
 
 An Officer of the Guaed (coming from the direction of 
 the Palace makes his way to the pile, and says to the 
 executioner, who stands hy it, torch in ha/nd). 
 
 Light 
 
 The fagots gradually. , So wills the King. 
 
 A Citizen (aside to another'). 
 That they may suffer longer ! He 's not human ! 
 
 Enter the Seneschal of Poitott muffled. (He approaches 
 the pile, and says aside to one of his Teoopbbs who is 
 standing beside it.) 
 
 All ready ? 
 
 ' See the concluding remarks. 
 
sc. ii.] bb^thken of the cross. 261 
 
 Troopee. 
 Ay! 
 
 An Ofpicee of Justice (comes v/p, and, endea/oows to make 
 a passage through the crowd). 
 
 Move on. Move from the pile ! 
 
 Othbe Officials. 
 Make room ! Make room for the delinquent ! 
 
 One Citizen (to another). 
 
 See, 
 The envoy from Vienne has gain'd the King. 
 
 Srder Eobekt dressed all in hlack, to the citizens. 
 Doth he yet live ? 
 
 A Citizen. 
 The Master? 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 Who but he? 
 
 A Citizen (pointing within the Scene). 
 Lo, where he comes. 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 Thank aod ! 
 
 Another Citizen (coming in). 
 
 And by his side 
 Walks Carmel's centenarian Saint. 
 
 To him ! 
 
 A Thied. 
 
 He knelt 
 
 [An Offioee of Justice preceding; 
 then escorted by the Gtjaed, Molat, 
 his hands iound crosswise together 
 vjpon his breast, led by the Old Man 
 OF Caemel, who walks on his left; 
 
262 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT VI. 
 
 lastly Ohevaliee Df Plessis with a 
 long white staff, and more G-tjaeds. 
 The procession is forced to move very 
 slowly owing to the crowd of people 
 thronging towards it. 
 
 Heeibekt (trying to make his way to Molat). 
 Make room ! 
 
 People (crying to Molat and the Old Man). 
 Oh pray, oh. pray for us ! 
 
 Captain op the Guard. 
 Devil take you ! Silence ! 
 
 NopEO (aside to Heeibeet, who is pressing forward) . 
 Let us hurry by ; 
 Time presses. 
 
 Oppicee op Justice (seeing the crowd increased throtigh the 
 pressing in 0/ Heeibeet). 
 Now then ! Back ! 
 
 Heeibeet (forcing his way close to Molat and looJcing at 
 him wildly). 
 
 James Molay, say, 
 Dost know me ? Thou the Master's mantle erst 
 Didst take by fraud, wherefore I in return 
 Have given thee death. Now we are quits. 
 
 (Disappears with Noppo in the crowd.) 
 
 Molat (calling after him). 
 
 Forgive 
 Me, Brother ! (to the Old Man). One more drop of hyssop ! 
 
 Old Man. 
 
 'Twas 
 Thy last ! 
 
 A Citizen (to the others). 
 Say, did ye see heEIing? He looks 
 As pale as death ! 
 
sc. ii.] brethren of the cross. 263 
 
 Anothee Citizen. 
 He starts up suddenly. 
 He leaves the balcony ! 
 
 [Whilst the King and his suite are leaving 
 the balcony, the procession moves 
 slowly onwards, and Egbert has 
 pressed forward ta Molat. 
 
 EoBEET (to Molat in deepest emotion). 
 Lo, thou hast saVd 
 Thy children's souls, and mine. I will not weep ! 
 
 Molat (to Eobeet). 
 Thou 'It bring them to me. 
 
 [Eobeet tears off a piece of Molat's 
 mantle with half of the Gross upon it, 
 and disappears among the multitude. 
 
 Old Man of Cakmel (to Molat as he advances). 
 Dost thou feel the waft 
 Of cooling from on high ? 
 
 Molat. 
 
 Ay ! ended now 
 Is my probation ; wide stand Heaven's doors. 
 
 (Murmuring among the People.) 
 
 A Citizen (entering, to some of the others). 
 He is very ill. 
 
 Anothee Citizen. 
 The King? 
 
 Citizens in Feont. 
 
 They are helping him 
 E'en now into the castle. 
 
 [The procession meanwhile has reached the 
 funeral pile. A Wabdee unbinds 
 Molat's hands. 
 
264 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT VI. 
 
 Dtj Plessis (raises his white staff and hreaJcs it over Molat's 
 head, exclaiming aloud). 
 
 Death to Molay ! 
 
 The Seneschal of Poitott and his Tboopees (pressing 
 forward to the funeral pile, with wild outcry). 
 
 A rescue for the innocent ! To death 
 
 The oppressor ! 
 
 [The King's Guard tries to keep hack the 
 Seneschal's Tboopees, but the latter 
 press on, and while the whole of the 
 people stream onwards with loud hub- 
 bub, force the Royal Gttaed to give 
 way, whereupon they make a wide 
 circle with their lances around Molat, 
 the Old Man op Caemel and the 
 Seneschal, who come up to them. 
 
 MoLAT (hastily disengaging himself from the Seneschal, who 
 seizes his hand, loudly). 
 Art thou not mj brother ? — By 
 The Oriflamme and on the Host hast thou 
 Not vow'd to save my honour, thou forsworn ! 
 
 Seneschal. 
 SowiUI. 
 
 Molat. 
 To destroy it art thou come ! 
 Make good thine oath, else curse I thee. 
 
 Peank op 'Pqitov (shrilly, appearing on the point of a rock). 
 
 Receive me ! 
 (Throws himself into the river.) 
 
 Many Voices op the People (loudly). 
 The young Poitou is drowning ! 
 
 Seneschal (covering his face with both hands, and letting 
 fall his sword). 
 
 Oh, my God! 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 265 
 
 MoLAT (embracing the SeneschaIi with deep emotion). 
 Thou art my brother, ever ! 
 
 [^A flash of lightning sets the pile on fire. 
 
 People (with a cry of terror). 
 Ah! 
 
 MoLAT (lopsing Ms hold of the Seneschal, and looking up to 
 Hea/ven with exultation). 
 
 Thy token ! 
 
 Old Matt oi' Cabmel (in stentorian tones). 
 Hallelujah to the Light ! 
 
 [^Falls on his knees. The pile hursts into flames. 
 
 MoLAT (inspired, in extreme joy, raising his face and hands 
 to Heaven). 
 
 To Thee ! To Thee ! 
 [He sinks into the flames; the people 
 remain grouped around struck with 
 horror. The Scene changes. 
 
 SCENE III. 
 
 Exterior of the Cave of the Valley, which is closed by rock- 
 portals as at the end of the Third Scene of the preceding 
 Act. In front, the grove. The knelling of the death-bell 
 is still audible, though only feeble and far. It is close 
 upon sunset. 
 
 Hebibekt (rushing in deliriously ; then Norro). 
 What is it thou art whisperiag to me, fiend ? 
 
 Hidden Voices. 
 He wished to save thee, would have rescued thee. 
 And thou hast murdered him ! 
 
266 bkethken of the cross. [act vi. 
 
 Heeibebt. 
 
 It is thy call! 
 HeU ! heU ! I come ! 
 
 (Be snatches off Ids girdle a/nd hastens off the stage.) 
 
 NOFFO. 
 
 What ails the frantic fool ? 
 Hi, Heribert ! Alone I cannot seize them, 
 And here should two evading Templars lurk 
 Of those escap'd, deceives me not this scrawl 
 Anonymous. Ay, thus the writing stands. 
 
 {Drawing out the letter and considering it thoughtfully.') 
 {reading.) " Thou 'It find them to a certainty against 
 The Cloister of the Carmelites by the Cave." 
 Could only I have brought with me the Guard ! — 
 Oh, hang it ! — Heribert ! — Where lingers he ? 
 My game is won, y6t how depress'd I feel ! 
 I must go seek him. [Exit, calling behind the stage. 
 
 Heribert ! 
 {After a short pause still behind the scenes.) 
 
 Confound it ! 
 What, hung himself ? 
 
 Enter Two Templab Knights, muffled from head to foot in 
 blacJc. The stage darkens by degrees. 
 
 Enter One Templab Knight {producing a lamp which was 
 concealed under his mantle). 
 James ! 
 
 Second Templab Knight {similarly, from the other side). 
 
 Bernhard ! ^ 
 
 FiBST Templab Knight. 
 
 Is he—? 
 
 ' J. B. M. (James Bernhard Molay) was substituted in the 
 superior degrees of Scotch Masonry for the allegorical Hiram, called 
 Architect of the Temple of Solomon, and said to have been 
 murdered outside the door of the Temple Ijy the "three abomi- 
 nable ones," who also are represented by Philip, Clement, and 
 Noflfodei. — " Thuileur de I'Ecossisme." — Trans. 
 
ac. III.J BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 267 
 
 Enter NorFO from, the other side with sword drawn. 
 
 Then 
 Unseconded must I — 
 
 FiKST Templae Knight ^pressing ivpon Norro with drawn 
 sword). 
 To Hell, thou villain! 
 [Fight between Noffo and the Templab. 
 Noppo falls. The Templae stabs 
 him with a dagger. 
 
 Enter Eobeet (wUh three other Templabs enveloped like 
 
 the others). 
 Are all assembled ? (seeing Noppo's corpse.) What is this ? 
 
 PiEST Templab Knight. 
 
 Here lies 
 The traitor Noffodei. 
 
 Eobeet. 
 Who did this? 
 
 PiEST Templab Knight. 
 I. 
 Eobeet. 
 Thou didst not -well. Leave vengeance to the Lord ! 
 
 Second Templab Knight (pointing behind the Scene). 
 There hangs the other, by himseK destroyed. 
 
 FiBST Templab Knight. 
 A vraming instance henceforth set before 
 Our Brethren. 
 
 Eobeet (with fervour). 
 Just is God ! (Movement behind the stage.) 
 The last one ! 
 
 Suppressed Voice behind the stage. 
 
 Bernhard ! 
 
 Eobeet (aloud). 
 Molay ! 
 
268 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [ACT VI. 
 
 Enter an Old Seevino-Templab ' enveloped like the rest. 
 
 EOBEKT. 
 
 We 're now complete.^ What says the bell ? 
 
 \_8ix o'clock strikes from the GarmeUte 
 Tower hard by; Eobekt counts the 
 strokes, and then says : 
 Then 'tis high time. 
 
 TorNGEST Templak Knight. 
 
 But have we safety here ? 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 We have ourselves. 
 
 Anothee Templae {to Eobeet). 
 
 And didst thou see the Master ? 
 
 Eobeet. 
 I saw him. 
 
 ' See Part I. Aotvi. Scene 2. 
 
 ^ They are the " Seven Elect," thus conforming to the original 
 discipline of Manes, in whose days the most higmy valued secrets 
 were entrusted to persons called the Seven Meet. The number 
 seven seems to have a deeper and higher sanctity attached to it 
 than even the number twelve (originally and openly the number 
 of the Templars' Electoral Chapter), and is used even in Holy 
 Writ as a sign for what is complete and perfect. There were 
 seven Champious of Christendom, seven planetary heavens, 
 seven spirits of God, seven days of the Hexameron and 
 Sabbath, seven Hellopion warriors, seven chieftains accompanying 
 Memnon, seven warriors who besieged Thebes, seven Epigons who 
 destroyed it; one of seven wonderful brothers was King of the 
 Lombards ; seven v/arriors sleep in a cavern in North Germany ; 
 seven sophists organized a system of wisdom in Greece ; seven horses 
 elected the King of Persia out of seven candidates. The Kings of 
 the Saxons were called a heptarchy even when their number was 
 eight. The seven tribes of the Curds of Assyria are described in 
 "the Talisman." With seven persons were deposited the magic 
 and secret books of the Averroist College at the close of the fifteenth 
 century. The Tetaplars had inscriptions declaring " Our origin was 
 Seven, or " I and Seven others were there," yeftheir own tradition 
 ran that their origin was Two, and their founder went to Troyes 
 with five companions. — See "Templars' Trials," p. 4. — Trans. 
 
sc. iii.] brethren of the cross. 269 
 
 Thied Templab. 
 Kerce the lightning in the east ! 
 The levin flashes through the ethereal blue. 
 
 EoBEET (with inspiration). 
 That is the brightness of his gleaming robe 
 Wherein he flames more brightly towards the Light 
 Than does the Sun that takes him with him ! 
 
 A Templah. 
 
 Hark ! 
 Do you not hear a murmuring from the east ? 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 'Tis the Old Men conven'd for prayer. For us 
 The hour has also sounded. Pray ! 
 
 [Solemn pause, dwring which all the 
 Brothers pray with heads uncovered. 
 Come hither, 
 \_All having covered their heads again, form 
 round him a half Cross, open towards 
 the front of the Scene. 
 Now ! Wherefore are we met together ? 
 
 Eldest Templae Knight. 
 
 To 
 Defend the Holy thing. 
 
 Old Sebvino-Templae. 
 And publish it 
 To men so soon as they are ripe for it. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 Good! 
 
 (Drawing from under his cloaTe the piece 
 torn from Molay's mantle in the 
 Second Scene of this Act, with the half 
 Cross upon it, and showing it to the 
 Templaes.) 
 Then be this the veiling. Know ye it ? 
 'Tis Molay's mantle with its Cross in half ; 
 It may not yet be wholly manifest. 
 
270 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT TI. 
 
 All the Tehplaes (pressing round if). 
 Oh, dear remainder ! 
 
 EoBEET (holding wp the mantle). 
 Let it be a sign 
 Henceforth, for each man who has look'd on death. 
 
 All Seeving-Templaes. 
 Thine is this mantle ; thou our Master now. 
 
 EoBEET (laying Ms finger on the mantle). 
 So he it. I swear to you on this white robe 
 Fidelity and pureness ; if I break 
 My oath, for ever be my name as nought 
 Among you. (Girds himself with a piece torn off the mantle^ 
 
 Now come nearer. So ! and lay 
 Tour daggers here upon my sword ! 
 
 (As he thus speaks he draws his sword, and 
 the Templaes drawing their daggers 
 from their girdles, and laying them 
 upon the sword, take up the prescribed 
 position.) 
 
 Give me 
 Tour hands ! swear, verily as faith all things 
 O'ercometh ; verily as love with Grod 
 Unites us ; verily as hope o'er graves 
 Is wafted, to protect the ember till 
 It glows a living fire. 
 
 All the Templaes. 
 That we swear. 
 
 EOBBET. 
 
 And what shall be your guarantee of truth ? 
 
 All the Templaes (with action suited to the words). 
 This heart ! Hereon be perjury avenged. 
 
 EOBEET. 
 
 So let it be. 
 
SC. III.j BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 271 
 
 {After the Tbmplaes Juvee replaced their 
 daggers and have stepped hack into the 
 circle.) 
 But what we have to do 
 
 Let darkness shroud it still, and that we may 
 
 I^ot perish in this night, the Morning Star 
 
 Sheds over us its rays. The Templar League, 
 
 It needs must fall, because it raised the veil 
 
 Too prematurely.' Brethren, not so we. 
 
 In watchfulness we must the sparrow-hawk 
 
 Outdo, in bravery the lion, the ape 
 
 In dexterousness, the fox in cunning ; yet 
 
 I^orgetful ne'er of our high origin. 
 
 Which from our means our aim distinguishes, 
 
 And in the image of the Deity 
 
 Created us. 
 
 YoiriirGEST Tbmplae Knight. 
 But who will give us food 
 And shelter ? 
 
 EoBEET (to hirn). 
 Dost thou know a stronger vault 
 Than is the firmament ; a harvest field 
 More bounteous than the lap of earth ? Our house. 
 The Lord Himself the Builder, has for bounds . 
 The limits of the world ; our object is 
 To raise it to a Temple." Everywhere 
 Is Nature rich in Beauty. Ye must pray 
 T'or Wisdom and provide yourselves with Strength, 
 So shall you find in every spot on earth 
 
 ' According to the view of the Valley, the world was not yet 
 prepared for the freedom from serfdom and the Papacy which the 
 Templar Order would have conferred on it ; moreover, the Knights 
 had acted without orders from headquarters, wherefore the VeSley 
 felt constrained, though most unwillingly, to exterminate its child ; 
 though it (the child) had no suspicion of its chief's displeasure and 
 consequent enmity. — Trans. 
 
 ^ The building up of a Temple to the Lord is the allegorized legend 
 substituted by the founders or restorers of Freemasonry for that 
 which formed the basis of the ancient mysteries.- — Trans. 
 
272 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT VI. 
 
 A Paradise ! (A signal on the hell, off the stage.) 
 
 Lo, comes the envoy from 
 The Valley of the Fathers. 
 
 Enter Bkothbe William of Paeis, heretofore Aechbishop 
 or Sens (in Carmelite robe, a small bell in his hcmd, and 
 carrying a small black casket rmder his arm). 
 
 Beothee William. 
 
 Peace be with you ! 
 
 EoBEET (to him). 
 What bring' st thou us ? 
 
 Beothee William. 
 
 The blessing of your Fathers, 
 Therewith this casket (giving the casket to Eobeet) ^ 
 
 which with single heart 
 A faithful woman rescued. Keep it safe 
 Until the day of consummation. 
 
 Eobeet. 
 
 What 
 Are its contents ? 
 
 Beothee William. 
 
 Death, Strength, Activity, 
 And Peace. Your way is ready for you. Home 
 Go' to your castle, Heredon, awhile. 
 
 ^ See " Templars in Cyprus," Act vi. Scene 2, where the Seven 
 are represented as burning some of the Secret Writings and saving 
 others which Molay solemnly promised by his kni^tly word to 
 bring back one day or send by an Elect. 
 
 The story seems to say that Molay in his extreme circumstances 
 had done ms best towards fulfilling that promise by confiding the 
 important casket to his prot^g^ Frank of Poitou, who, having left 
 the Order, was not liable to arrest ; and that the ubiquitous Arch- 
 bishop had, without Frank's knowledge, withdrawn it from his 
 unsafe keeping, substituting for it the harmless "Rule of St. 
 Bemhard; the only Kule that Frank had ever heard of. 
 
 For it is clearly the right casket, this time, which the Archbishop 
 is handing over to the Seven Elect. — Trans. 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 27$ 
 
 THs -writiiig (gives Bobebt a pamper) guarantees your safe- 
 return. 
 Of hope and of the martyr sign, to you 
 The Red Lion gives the Thistle ; ^ he who sits 
 Enthron'd on Europe's summit shall from out 
 Its crumbled ruins raise your Cross on high ; 
 Tet, so that you may never miss your path, 
 The Valley sends thee, Heredon, the bell, - 
 As first-called Master of the Brotherhood 
 Nam'd, " Of the Cross," and station'd in the West. 
 
 {Gives EoBEBT i^ lell.)- 
 The token of our Valley's first-bom daughter. 
 And of your Mother, of the Church, is this ; 
 To you a symbol, never more to lose 
 The memory of your lofty origin. 
 
 (PoiMtviig to the hell, with sublimity. y 
 And as this metal, perishable, frail. 
 The people to the Temple calls for prayer. 
 Echoing like Angels' harps from hill to dale ; 
 So, you shall find, doth Nature everywhere 
 Some breath uniting you with God exhale ; 
 ,1^0 spot but shows Him in reflection fair. 
 
 The whole round world is but of Grod the Sign ; 
 The flame flares upwards, upward grows the tree. 
 The foaming waves to reach the heavens incline 
 And spread o'er all is ether's azure sea ; 
 Light strives with brightness as the Stars to shine, 
 And through all Being streams spring-tide's energy. 
 
 But ne'er did Love more loveliness display 
 Than when he gave himself for us, by Might 
 Engender'd, nurs'd by Beauty. E'en from clay 
 
 ^ He Is instituting the Scotch Masonic Order of the Thistle, which 
 he speaks of as "the Valley's first-born daughter," whose "lofty 
 origin" is its descent from the Temple Order's hidden teachings. 
 However this may be, we at least know of no European Secret 
 Society older than that of the Temple. — Tram. 
 
274 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. [aCT VI. 
 
 A mediator might be raised aright ! 
 
 But when on heavy hearts life's burdens weigh. 
 
 The Cross alone sheds comfort o'er their night. 
 
 The world has wak'd from early dreamings sweet, 
 The shrine of innocence is left forlorn. 
 The heart is fir'd by lust's unholy heat, 
 And therefore is this chosen symbol worn ; 
 Sin brought it to the world ; and it was meet 
 That when Life perish' d, then the Cross was born. 
 
 ^TwiU come to naught one day when Life once more 
 
 Speaks, Nature-taught, to all creation, plain, 
 
 And Grodwards aU rise gladly and adore ; 
 
 True, primal innocence ne'er dawns again ; 
 
 To force a path, through guilt, to Light's bright shore. 
 
 That is humanity's hard task of pain. 
 
 While yet that time appears not, never stay 
 Prom preaching Nature's symbols and the Sign 
 Of that Most Holy, author of your day ; 
 But only to the " call'd " that light consign ; 
 StiU darkness girds the world in, every way. 
 And mix'd with it you lose the true-drawn line. 
 
 And this the Sign whereby ye shall be known. 
 
 That peace, love, innocence among you bide ; 
 
 Not persecution, discord 'tis alone 
 
 Can part you. Through dark paths, cast fear aside ; 
 
 The burning bush G-od has to Moses shown. 
 
 But unto you He gives a Star ' for guide. 
 
 Lead on your neophytes from the hemm'd-in sphere 
 Of Brotherhood to widening realms of Art, 
 Till, from dry law, melodious strains they hear ; 
 They must be prov'd in this world's strenuous mart 
 Ere you to death dare consecrate them here. 
 Life but prepares them on that road to start. 
 
 ' Thus the story ends, as on the title-page it begins, with 
 pointed mention of the Star, elsewhere called specially the Morning 
 -Star. — Trans. 
 
SC. III.] BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 275 
 
 But teach not save by parable and sign ; 
 The youth must out of self develop it, 
 Or ne'er will he discern the path divine; 
 •Word-sounds take wings as of the wind and flit, 
 Yet thunders speak from Nature's voiceless shrine, 
 Though but to earnest seekers explicit.^ 
 
 Now sounds the bell ; the sacrifice is made. 
 Depart then, your high calling to pursue 
 With which the Church commissions you. To aid 
 This Mother ' pledg'd, continue staunch and true ; 
 She the like mission on your Fathers laid ; 
 •'Tis she with Light and Strength endoweth you; 
 For never will a great achievement fade ; 
 The world, and men, deny their' calling who 
 Not on the holy Light their hearts have stay'd. 
 
 EOBEBT. 
 
 A lightning flash ! 
 
 Brother William. 
 It is the sun's last ray. 
 He is sacrific'd, — then prais'd be sainted Molay ! 
 
 ' [The swiibeams gild the grove. Above the 
 door of the Cave of the Valley appea/r, 
 beneath the illuminated name JesuS, 
 the names John, J. B. Molay, and 
 Andreas, in a row similarly trans- 
 parent. Egbert and all the Bre- 
 thren 01" the Cross fall on their 
 Tcnees. Long solemn pause, during 
 which, from the interior of the Cave, 
 
 ' The operations of Nature present a succession of combats and 
 reactions, between the generative and destructive principles. 
 Thus arose in the. occult Societies the idea of a great vengeance, an 
 echo of the cry of Horus against the murderer of his father Osiris. 
 — From " Thuileur de I'Ecossisme." — Trans. 
 
 ^ "Werner said : " Je considfere la mafonnerie comme intimement 
 li^e h, I'art et ^ la religion, oelle-ci 6tant la mfere, et les deux autres 
 6tant frfere et soeur." — " Biographie Universelle." — Trans. 
 
^fS BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. Tact TI. 
 
 \ 
 
 with accompaniment of Jia/rps and 
 hell-ringing, the Old Men op the 
 Valley are heard singing the Thrice. 
 Holy to the usual Church music, hut 
 in muffled and unintelligible tones. 
 Bkothee William prays with the 
 rest, and finally makes the sign of the 
 Cross over the kneeling Bbetheen of 
 the Cboss, after which they arise. 
 
 Depart in peace ! 
 
 Bkothee William. 
 
 Eobeet. 
 Away to Heredon ! ' 
 [The Mastee of the Ceoss hastens off 
 the stage, holding in his hand the 
 casket and the hell, followed hy the 
 Bebtheen of the Ceoss. The 
 singing of the Old Men continues to 
 sound from the interior of the Cave. 
 The Curtain falls. 
 
 \"^}'%?^^?^^},^'^^J°^o»^^<^^e^^ieA opinion, both in the craft 
 and out of It IS, that the great Society of Freemasons arose out of 
 the dissolved pseudo-rehgious Order of Knights of the Temple. 
 Ihere are certainly no traces of them prior to its dissolution The 
 earliest document of them in England is the statute of 3 Hen VI 
 cap. 1., thus briefly given in Suffhead's 'Statutes at Large.' 
 ■ Masons shaU not confederate themselves in chapiters and assem- 
 blies. Its date IS 1425. The Kilwinning Lodge cannot trace up 
 Its existence beyond the close of the same century. Vide A. Lawrie 
 Hist, of Freemasonry,' p. 89. Its first Grand Master (whoever he 
 was) was a phoenix renascent from the ashes of the ChevaUer 
 Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Temple, who was 
 burnt alive at Paris m A.D. 1314. Whatever be the merits of that 
 prevalent opinion, it is unquestionably held by the Lodge of KUwin- 
 mng, or, at least, by the numerous associations in Europe that 
 profess to be dependent thereon."— "British Magazine," vol. 
 
EPILOGUE. 
 
 Thus have I sung you, Brethren of the Cross, 
 What, happen'd with your Fathers once. In night 
 The ancient Temple pass'd away ; its loss 
 The Master caus'd who gare it life and light. 
 Then rose another bright with wondrous gloss. 
 And won anew the Holy Tomb. Bedight 
 With armour though assail the sons of clay. 
 The Holy lives, nor can be wip'd away. 
 
 But since He could the ancient form destroy. 
 Is then the new of more continuance sure ? 
 How can poor earth-bom creatures that employ 
 Weak hands, raise up a building to endure 'i 
 Let all world-histories all their rolls deploy. 
 They'll prove, all changes ; nothing stays secure. 
 And though the Holy lives eternally. 
 His earthly envelope must cease to be. 
 
 So oft as Light will show itself to men 
 It clothes itself in semblance that they know ; 
 'Tis oft with commonplace confounded then, 
 Itself discarding all its radiant glow ; 
 'Tis obvious only to the pure souls' ken — 
 The rest but take it for illusive show. 
 But those know how to cherish it apart 
 And guard it in their inmost depths of heart. 
 
 And — , as Love ne'er secludes itself, to e'en 
 The hypocrite the pure himself declares ; 
 And what to him has comfort, quickening, been. 
 E'en with the false fraternally he shares, 
 
278 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 
 
 Who, wrapp'd in night's delusion, has not seen 
 That is no dust which yet dust's likeness bears : 
 Wtose rude hands stir the altar and deflower. 
 To use the holy flame for — cooking-power ! 
 
 Then coyly veils itself the holy fire 
 Behind funereal clouds. It must eschew 
 The altar's desecration deep and dire, 
 But soon is kindled otherwhere anew. 
 Unnotic'd as it came does it retire, 
 Hush'd, still, kept only by the pure in view. 
 Though others wreathe the altar o'er and o'er, 
 Henceforth that fire illumines it no more. 
 
 Oh, sorry picture of poor human life ! 
 Shall such, my Brethren, our fate also be ? 
 Shall of the good the incessant, strenuous strife 
 Be ever quash'd by brutish infamy ? 
 Has Life been given us with no purpose rife 
 Save that to dust we bow in slavery ? 
 The high dream, to perfectionate mankind. 
 Must this an end in sleep eternal find ? 
 
 I tremble, Brethren, that to you to tell 
 Which yet to many you long since have taught ; 
 Alas ! our fire, which once from Heaven fell 
 To purify the world, has burnt to naught. 
 What can the altar help us who know well 
 It fled thence, and a foreign country sought ? 
 Perhaps we failed to nurse it faithfully. 
 Or Life renew'd it incubates, maybe. 
 
 Howe'er this be, prepare yourselves and pray, 
 For never dies the holy Light. Almost 
 I seem to see dawn rosy the new day ; 
 Te cannot. Brethren, wake the old one's ghost. 
 But there shall be a 'verdict. Tour meek way 
 Make to the judgment-throne ; for this one boast 
 Holds sure and true ; The valley is not dead, 
 And who would win it must by faith be led. 
 
BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 279 
 
 Mjself , I plead not guilty to the crime 
 Of drawing back the veil to stranger eyes. 
 How little see the seeing ! Then, the prime 
 Of sunrise brings the bhnd no bright surprise. 
 Eyes bandag'd he gropes on, while that sublime 
 Insight he needs deception's masks disguise : 
 E'en though his ears receive this song's faint strains. 
 That too is form — the svistance still remains. 
 
CONCLTJDIlSrG EEMAEKS. 
 
 The summoning of the Pope and King to the judgment- 
 seat of Grod, by one of the Eaights-Templars, is related in 
 varying terms, by several historians, li. any case, what 
 follows has a purely historical, and, some may think, a 
 highly poetical foundation of truth. 
 
 Molay and G-uido were biirnt in the March of 1314. A 
 few days after, the Pope was taken with a severe 
 attack of vomiting, accompanied by violent colics which 
 left him no rest. In the hope of diminishing this evil 
 by a return to his native air, he desired to be carried 
 from Avignon where, as we know, he resided, to Bordeaux, 
 but died in great agony in the night of the 19th-20th 
 of April, A.D. 1314, on his road towards that city, at 
 Koquemaure, near Avignon. His body was taken to 
 Carpentras. The church in which it was deposited was 
 burnt that very night, and, with it, half the body of the 
 Pope. A few months later, the remainder of the corpse 
 was, in accordance with the wiU of the deceased, solemnly 
 interred at Useste ; his rela.tives, who inherited from him 
 immense wealth, erected to his memory a splendid tomb. 
 This was destroyed in the year 1577, by the Huguenots, 
 who not only carried ofE as booty the art-treasures with 
 which it abounded, but also scattered to the winds the ashes 
 of the Pope. 
 
 Equally tragic was the end of such other foes to the 
 Temple-Order as were actuated by evil designs ; but it 
 cannot be discussed at full length in these pages. 
 
 King Philip the Pair survived Molay's death eight 
 months, and died after various painful experiences. In 
 addition to the rebeUion of Flanders, the nobles and clergy 
 
BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 281 
 
 of his realm also leagued themselves against him on account 
 of the overwhelming taxation which he imposed upon them ; 
 nor was he harassed by political troubles only, but many 
 family disgraces and sorrows embittered the end of his life 
 and brought upon him an illness of which his physician vainly 
 endeavoured to discover the cause. He himself, shortly 
 before his death, attributed it to an avenging Nemesis, and 
 imparted this newly-acquired idea to his sons upon his 
 deathbed. He died at Pontaiaebleau on November the 
 29th, 1314. Of the six children he left behiad him, four 
 sons and two daughters, the eldest daughter died on 
 reaching marriageable age; the second married Edward, 
 tiag of England, a marriage involving, as is well known, 
 both the English and French nations in very sanguinary 
 consequences. 
 
 Of Philip's four sons, the last died under age; the other 
 three successively ascended the throne, and disappeared 
 therefrom, within fourteen years, leaving no male heirs. 
 With them terminated the House of Valois. It is a striking 
 circumstance that the last king related to that House in a 
 collateral line, Louis XVI. and his cousin Orleans, under- 
 went imprisonment in the Temple Tower, where Molay was 
 incarcerated, and met their deaths on the same spot as he 
 did. 
 
 Moreover there actually exists an old copper-plate likeness 
 of Philip the Fair, with the following inscription : ^ 
 
 "Nonpour avoir puni les rebelles flamandes, 
 Ni pour avoir dompt^ I'orgueil de Boniface, 
 Mais per vxi forimdable et secret jugement, 
 Le ciel fl^trit mes jours, et fit perir ma race. " 
 
 I leave it to the reader to dra-w the parallel, which almost 
 forces itself upon our notice, between that King and Pope, 
 and a secular and a spiritual Prince of recent times, who 
 have distinguished themselves in the last half of the nearly 
 expired century by similar dealings, and who, although 
 much superior to them in moral worth, have nevertheless 
 encountered a similar fate. 
 
 I will only observe that a certain new Order, very difficult 
 
 ' These verses are supposed to have been composed by Jean 
 Baudoin, afriendofMezer, and were inserted by him m his "Abr6g6 
 Chronologique." — Trans. 
 
282 BRETHREN OF THE CROSS. 
 
 to suppress absolutely and entirely, began to reappear in 
 various places shortly after its public extinction, notably in 
 M . . . ; also, that after the public suspension of the Temple 
 Order, the Orders of Christ in Portugal, of Calatrava in 
 Spain, of the Thistle in Scotland, and various others, sprang 
 up one after the other, one of which ' is at present certainly 
 nearer to freezing than to burning. 
 
 ' .Meaning apparently_ "the Thistle" to which the poem relates, 
 and of which he appears in the Epilogue to lament the degeneracy. — 
 Trcms. 
 
WEBNEB. 
 
 Strange poet, fervid with unearthly fire ! 
 Sow. strove the human and divine in thee. 
 So wild in life of unrestrain'd desire, 
 So beautiful in filial piety ; 
 
 And guarding ever in the inmost shrine 
 That holy Light all human that transcends, 
 That gilds the pathway of the Life Divine 
 And lives, while death in native darkness ends ; 
 
 Yet finding nowhere Peace, her precincts fair 
 Still closed impervious to the earth-born geist 
 And chill theosophy — whose blinding glare 
 Makes man be God and to himself the Christ ! 
 
 Meet offspring of that awe-struck fever' d age 
 When Oagliostro mimic magic wrought. 
 When men down-trodden wreak'd their hideous rage. 
 And Goethe's school new self-renouncement taught, 
 
 We seem to hear thee in th' umbrageous wood 
 Shape out, and talk of, " Bdbert " with thy friend. 
 Your joint-created later type of good, 
 A new religion with the old to blend. 
 
 Yet, — " Bdbert " to his Hebrides went home 
 
 And thy tired spirit follow' d him no more. 
 
 But sought the ancient fold, no more to roam, 
 
 And preach' d the Christian's Christ misprized before. 
 
 So ever rest ! — Though many voices cry 
 ^' Lo, lie is here, is there ! " they call in vain. 
 One Voice spoke once whose echoes cannot die. 
 One perfect Light makes every pathway plain. 
 
 E. A. M. Lewis. 
 
CHISWICK press:— C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, 
 CHANCERY LANE, LONDON. 
 
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