SEBASTIAN; 
 
 OR, 
 
 t 
 
 ©f)e ttomcux iflartgr. 
 
 A DBA MA, 
 
 POUNDED ON CARDINAL WISEMAN'S CELEBRATED 
 TALE OF " F ABIOL A." 
 
 BY 
 
 T. D. McGEE, M.P.P., 
 
 AUTHOR OP "THE POPULAR HISTORY OF IRELAND," " HISTORY OF THE 
 IRISH SETTLERS," &C. &C. 
 
 N E W Y O R K : 
 D. & J. SADLIER & CO., 164 WILLIAM STREET, 
 
 BOSTON: — 12 3 FEDERAL STREET. 
 MONTREAL '. — COR. OF NOTRE DAME & ST. FRANCIS XAVIER STREETS. 
 
 1 8 G 1 . 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S61, 
 
 By D. & J. Sadlier & Co., 
 Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Southern District of New York. 
 
defifZ. 
 
 PUBLISHERS' NOTICE. 
 
 We are requested to state that " Sebastian," in its present . 
 shape, borrows some scenes from the Very Rev. Canon Oak- 
 ley's dramatic version of "Fabiola," under the same title. 
 The Canon's drama, however, had the female characters, which 
 in "Sebastian," intended for a Christian Brothers' School, 
 were necessarily left out. 
 
 Should this attempt meet with favor from those for whom 
 it was especially intended, we are authorized to announce 
 that it will be shortly followed by others, intended in like 
 manner, for the use of schools and colleges. 
 
 New York, 1860. 
 
 # *u A reference to the tale of "Fabiola," and to Smith's 
 "Dictionary of Antiquities," will easily supply hints for the 
 costumes and scenery, where such cannot be otherwise 
 obtained. 
 
PERSONS REPRESENTED. 
 
 PAGANS. 
 
 Maximian, Emperor of Rome. 
 Fabius, a Roman nobleman. 
 Fulvius, a Syrian residing at Rome. 
 Corvinus, son of the Prefect of the city. 
 Proculus, a friend of Fabius. 
 Calpurnius, a pedantic philosopher 
 Herman or Arminius, a Dacian soldier. 
 Nicostratus, a magistrate, afterwards converted. 
 
 CHRISTIANS. 
 
 Sebastian, an officer of the Emperor's guard. 
 Pancratius, a Christian youth. 
 Quadratus, a centurian in Sebastian's troop. 
 Marcus and > 
 
 Marcelliancs, \ in P rison for the faith ' 
 Tranquillinus, father to Marcus and Marcellianus. 
 Diogenes, " fosser" or sexton in the Catacombs. 
 Dionysius, a priest and physician. 
 Christians, Citizens, Suitors to the Emperor's Guard, &c. 
 
PROLOGUE. 
 
 In a far land, and a much altered age, 
 We bring the Roman martyrs on the stage, — 
 Names unfamiliar to the modern ear, 
 And scenes forgotten we present you here ; 
 Our heroes taken — not from fields of blood, 
 Great by the right divine of being good ! 
 Our inspiration drawn from that full fount — 
 That never fails upon St. Peter's mount. 
 Amid such scenes we ought to be at home, 
 For we, too, are the progeny of Rome ! 
 What is the purpose of the mimic scene, 
 If not to show what may be and what has been 1 
 How glorious souls spurning the meanest state, 
 May rise to God the source of all that's great. 
 Such our bold task — presenting here to-night, 
 Pancratius and Sebastian to your sight. 
 The Christian's past, extending dim and far, 
 Its chancel lighted yet by Bethlehem's star, 
 Spreads its broad aisles and transepts to our gaze, 
 Filled with the august forms of other days ; 
 And who shall enter 1 Who shall dare to tread 
 Among the embers, cross-crowned-bearing dead, 
 If we may not 1 Who see on every hand 
 The banners of our universal band 1 
 
PROLOGUE. 
 
 Who know the legend an't on every shield 1 
 
 Whose brethren victors stand on every field 1 
 
 Who know the watchword which these saints have given, 
 
 When challenged from the battlements of Heaven 1 
 
 Shall we not cling unto our glorious past 1 
 
 Shall we not seek to show what genuine glory 
 
 Lies in the Church's long-neglected story 1 
 
 Such is our hope. Yet your own goodness will 
 
 Due debit make for our deficient skill. 
 
 Those we would show were not of common mould, 
 
 The tale we tell is one but seldom told ; 
 
 And in the telling or presenting here, 
 
 Much cause have such young orators to fear ; 
 
 Trembling we come to ask for your applause, 
 
 At least you'il judge us kindly — for our cause. 
 
SEBASTIAN; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 A DRAMA, 
 
 FOUNDED ON CARDINAL WISEMAN'S CELEBRATED 
 TALE OF "FABIOLA." 
 
 ACT. I. 
 SCENE— A STREET IN ROME 
 
 Paxcratius returning from school with a servant carrying 
 his rolls of vellum, §c. 
 Pancratius. God be praised it's over ! And yet I pity him ! 
 I speak of Corvinus. • When we got the theme, " that the true 
 philosopher should die for the truth," I thought only of the 
 theme and not of the present. In my ardor truth became 
 faith, and Philosopher, Christian. My good old master Cas- 
 sianus — 
 
 Enter Quadratus. 
 Quadratus. How, sir scholar, musing aloud in the open street 1 
 How's this 1 
 
10 
 
 Sebastian; or, 
 
 Pancratius. My friend Quadratus. I was thinking of — 
 Quad. To-morrow's task. 
 
 Pane. No, indeed ; to-day I graduated, and the text was — 
 Truth ! Oh ! Quadratus, how cold was all I heard and all I 
 I said, to all I felt. The Christian alone knows truth, has truth 
 — should talk of truth. 
 
 Quad. Hush ! we are in the street, remember, and just at this 
 time it is very unsafe to mention the name of Christian. You 
 maintained your theme. 
 
 Pane. Yes, and have had the trial of it upon me. You 
 know Corvinus, son of Tertullus the Prefect. A dull boy — 
 but not his fault, poor fellow. Well, he lost his honors, as 
 he always does ; then he followed me out of school — taunted 
 me to fight — called me a base cowardly slave ; said — he said 
 Quadratus (oh ! I cannot repeat it !) 
 
 Quad. What said he, my dear boy 1 
 
 Pane. Said we Christians (oh! think of it!) worshipped an 
 ass's head. That our God was a common thief — an impostor 
 crucified for His crime against the Emperor. My blood boiled 
 to hear such blasphemies. But — 
 Quad. Go on, go on. 
 
 \ moment roused me. I stood, and then I thought 
 jar Lord in cruel Caiphas's house, and all He bore 
 ly blood fled back. But he — he struck me — fiercely 
 e, and the whole crowd of boys cheered when he 
 struck m» — 
 
 Vnd you ? 
 
 Vith. a great effort to keep down my arm, and con- 
 scious 01 the cause for which I stood, and His commands, I 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 11 
 
 said: " God pardon you, Corvinus," and turned away. Cassianus 
 overtook me, but I begged him not to pursue Corvinus for 
 the assault. You know he knew no better. So Cassianus 
 promised — 
 
 Quad. My noble boy ! this day you have proved well worthy 
 of your immortal father's blood. But haste thee home. They 
 are all anxious for thee, and I must see Sebastian who waits for 
 me. To-day we attend the Emperor. Fare thee well. We'll 
 meet soon — very soon. 
 
 SCENE-A HALL IN THE HOUSE OF FABIUS. 
 
 Fabius, Calpurnius, Proculus, Fulvids, cthd Sebastian. 
 
 Fabius. In three years the Thermae of the divine Dioclesian 
 completed, in three years, didst say 1 It's impossible ; I looked in 
 at the works on my way to Sallust's garden the other day, and 
 found that very little progress had been made since last year* 
 A great deal of heavy work has to be done, such as carving 
 marbles and shaping columns. The thing is impossible. 
 
 Fuhius. But I know that orders have been sent in every 
 quarter to forward hither all prisoners and persons condemned 
 to the mines in Spain, Sardinia, and even Chersonesus. A few 
 thousand Christians alone are wanted to do the work. 
 
 Sebastian. And why Christians, may I ask, more than others 1 
 • Fu.lv. 0, I can hardly say. But so it is, that one Christian 
 workman is as good as fifty others. 
 
 Fabius, Calpurnius, Proculus. (At once.) Indeed ! Pray 
 how, Fulvius 1 
 
 Fulv. 0, they are so active, orderly, and obedient. Other 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
12 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 convicts require to be driven to their work by the lash, but the 
 Christians are quite different. I have seen with my own eyes, 
 in Asia, young patricians whose hands had evidently never han- 
 dled a pick-axe, nor their shoulders borne a weight, how they 
 did work so willingly, nay, cheerfully withal ; I don't mean that 
 the lash was not properly applied to them ; for you know that 
 our divine Emperor wills that if exceptions be made in the case 
 of the Christians, they should be on the side of rigor, not in- 
 dulgence, so justly anxious is the divine Dioclesian that every 
 possible hindrance should be placed in the way of that accursed 
 sect. 
 
 Seb. Well, I own this kind of justice does not commend 
 itself to me. But what a strange race these Christians must be ! 
 Is any credible account given of this extraordinary stupidity 
 or insensibility 1 
 
 Proc. Come, Calpurnius, you are learned in the history of 
 those Christians. Do, pray, enlighten us, and answer the natu- 
 ral question of Sebastian. 
 
 CaJp. Know, then, most noble friends, that the Christians are 
 a foreign sect, the founder of which flourished many ages ago 
 in Judea. His doctrines were brought to Rome in the time of 
 Vespasian, by two brothers named Peter and Paul. Some 
 contend that these brothers were the same whom the Jews 
 call Moses and Aaron, the second of whom sold his inheritance 
 for a kid, the skin of which he wanted to make hand-gloves.f 
 But this tradition I reject, since 'tis recorded in the mystical 
 books of the Jews that the younger of these brothers, seeing 
 that the others' victims gave better omens than his own, slew 
 him (as our own Romulus did Remus), but with the jaw-bone 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 13 
 
 of an ass, for which he was hung by King Mordochsesus of 
 Macedon, upon a gibbet 50 cubits high, at the suit of their 
 sister Judith. Be this as it may, Peter and Paul, as I said, 
 coming to Rome, the former was discovered to be a fugitive 
 slave of Pontius Pilate, and was crucified by his master's 
 orders on the Janiculum. Their followers (who are numerous) 
 make the cross their symbol, and think it their proudest 
 dignity to suffer stripes, imprisonment, and even death, 
 believing that this is the best mode of getting to some pleasant 
 place above the clouds. 
 Seb. 0, the booby ! 
 
 Proc. "Well, the report then is that the Thermae will soon be 
 completed, and then we shall have glorious sport. 
 
 Fv.lv. yes, magnificent. But we shan't have to wait any 
 longer. Already orders have been sent to Numidia for an 
 immense supply of lions and leopards, to be ready against 
 winter. A brave soldier like you, Sebastian, must be delighted 
 with the glorious spectacle of the amphitheatre, especially 
 when directed against the enemies of the Emperor and of 
 the republic which you so faithfully serve. 
 
 Seb. Fulvius, I should ill deserve your character of me, 
 could I view with any satisfaction the struggle (if it deserve 
 the name) between a brute beast and a helpless child or 
 woman. I see nothing great or noble in such spectacles. No ; 
 I will ever be ready to draw my sword to defend the princes 
 of the state in a just war ; but I would as soon sheathe it in the 
 heart of the lion or leopard that should spring, even by Impe- 
 rial order, on the innocent and defenceless. Nay, Fulvius, 
 do not start. I am not the first Roman, nor the noblest, who 
 
14 SEBASTIAN; OR, 
 
 has broached these sentiments. Remember the words of 
 Cicero : " Magnificent are the games, no doubt, but what 
 delight can it be to a refined mind to see either a feeble man 
 torn by a powerful beast, or a noble animal pierced through 
 by a javelin V* I am content to be on the side of the greatest 
 of Roman orators, 
 
 Fulv. Then, Sebastian, we are never to see you in the am- 
 phitheatre 1 
 
 Seb. If you do, rely upon it, it will be upon the side of the 
 defenceless. 
 
 Fab. Well, most noble guests, I have no doubt that the pure 
 and truthful Phalernian will help us to settle our disputes on 
 this high question. I have a word to say to my daughter, and 
 will join you in the triclinium before dinner is served. Fulvius 
 will represent me till I come. 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE-A TERRACE LOOKING TOWARDS THE COLLISEUM 
 —MOONLIGHT. 
 
 i 
 
 Enter Sebastian and Paxcratius. 
 
 Sebastian. 0, what a lovely night ! See how the moon, 
 Careering o'er the azure firmament, 
 Bathes tow'r and arch and yonder amphitheatre 
 In its delicious light. 
 
 Pancratius. Sebastian, methinks Heaven's palace must 
 Be bright indeed. If e'en this nether side of its magnificence, 
 Which God reveals to lure our aching sight 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 15 
 
 From earth's corruption, and her scenes of woe, 
 To things supernal, show so passing fair. 
 
 Seb. A goodly thought, Pancratius, and true. 
 Thin is the veil, nor hard to penetrate, 
 Which severs us, pledg'd warriors of the cross, 
 From that bright church above. 
 
 Pane. Thin is that veil, 
 Methinks e'en while we speak, Sebastian, 
 Mine eye discerns the very aperture, 
 Which through the flimsy texture of this web, 
 Reveals the golden field that lies beyond. 
 
 Seb. What ! in the spangled sky ? 
 
 Pane. No, nearer home ; 
 Seest thou the Flavian pile, as the bright moon 
 Pencils in outline clear, its hundred arches 1 
 
 Seb. Well, dearest friend. 
 
 Pane. Each of these opening arches. 
 Which leads the martyr to his ready crown, 
 Is but a veil, thin as the spider's work, 
 'Twixt us and those who wait for us. But hark ! 
 
 (The roaring of wild beasts is heard.) 
 
 Seb. That was a lion's roar from underneath the Ccelien. 
 'Tis the trumpet-note, Pancratius, which summons us to battle ; 
 nay, the poean that hymns our victory. 
 
 Pane. These are sounds, Sebastian, 
 Which warn us that our trial time is brief. 
 Lend me your ear, my faithful friend and counsellor ; 
 I have a word to say. 
 
 Seb. What weighty matter 
 
16 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Prompts you to seek my sage advice 1 
 
 Pane. Oh! nothing 
 Of note to one of your experienced eye, 
 Howbeit of moment to a boy like me. 
 You know, Sebastian, I have stores at home 
 Of jewels, plate and other patrimony : 
 111 suited to our simple way of life, 
 And ne'er to pass in heritage to others : 
 For that my name and race end with 
 My life. Sebastian, you have told me how 
 The poor were heirs of property unclaimed by kin. 
 Well, I would make the poor my heritors 
 By gift, not legacy ; you understand me 1 
 And then if persecution come, and Lictors 
 Invade our dwellings and purloin our goods, 
 Mine shall escape the spoiler's hand, secure 
 Where God would have them. 
 
 Seb. I have heard thee out. 
 Dear boy, that the proposal might be all 
 Thine own. Of course Lucina knows. 
 
 Pane. Oh, yes ; 
 I would not sequestrate a grain of dust 
 Without my mother's cognizance. But now, 
 Dear Sebastian, do help me chose a place 
 Far from my home, where of my little store 
 Fit distribution may be made, and say 
 That one who needs the suffrages of all, 
 But chiefly of the poor, asks a return 
 Of prayers for alms ; but as you love me, brother, 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 17 
 
 Breathe not my name. 
 
 Seb. I serve you with delight, 
 My nohle-hearted hoy. But stay, I hear footsteps without. 
 Await me here a moment. (Exit.) 
 
 Pane. (Pacing vp and dow?i.) Strange changes show 
 themselves on every side. Even our fearless, frank Sebas- 
 tian, the pride and model of all Roman soldiership, seems full 
 of care, less for himself than others — 
 
 A noble gravity is throned upon his brow. 0, what a man is 
 
 there ! 
 But he returns. 
 
 Re-enter Sebastian. 
 
 Sebastian. Plotters and plots oil every side we turn, 
 In the State's name, against our holy faith. 
 Alas ! they little know how very needful 
 That faith is for the saving of the State. 
 
 Pancratius. Troublesome times are coming. 
 
 Seb. Are come, Pancratius. This reminds me that I have 
 an errand of charity to accomplish. You know Marcus and 
 Marcellianus 1 
 
 Pane. What of them 1 
 
 Seb. They have been sentenced to death on a charge of 
 being Christians. Their parents have got about them through 
 favor of the authorities, who want, of course, to bring them 
 round ; and I am told that, poor fellows, they are wavering. 
 My position, you know, in the palace, makes me acquainted 
 with all such matters. I shall get admission to them in the 
 house of Nicostratus the magistrate, to which they have been 
 taken from the prison, and try to steady them. 
 
18 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Pane. 0, may God be with you ! 
 
 Seb. Well, Pancratius, you have given me your blessing ; 
 now follow me with your prayers. {Exit on opposite sides.) 
 
 SCENE IT.— THE HALL OF THE LATERAN PALACE. 
 
 Maximian seated. The prefects of Gaul, Spain, Italy, Sicily, 
 Rome, and on either hand pagan priests, orators, suiiors, §c. 
 Calpcrmus, Fulvius and Corvixus among the crowd. Se- 
 bastian with his guard at the entrance. 
 
 Maximian. Prefects and priests ! My speech, you full well 
 know, is short and plain. "We have called you here to frame 
 directions how to extirpate the hateful Christian sect. None 
 but ourselves and you know of our meeting. 
 
 (Sebastian leans carelessly on his sword.) 
 Therefore be brief. And what you do devise 
 I swear by my great namesake, Hercules, 
 To execute in blood, aye, to the last drop 
 That flows in Christian veins throughout the West. 
 Ye priests speak first. 
 
 1st Priest. Divine Maximian ! The Loire has overflowed, 
 Deluged your divinity's temple, 
 Since first the Christians came amongst us. 
 
 2nd Priest. An earthquake in our Attica ! 
 Has shaken thrice great Hermes from his base. 
 
 3rd Priest. The barbarians menace us in far Illyria, 
 Led on, 'tis clear, by Christian fugitives. 
 
 4th Priest. A pestilence ravages Catania, 
 Imported by the Christians from the East. 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 19 
 
 Calpurnius. {Rising slowly.} Most august Maximian, 
 And reverend Fathers ! Fellow- citizens 
 And lovers of divine philosophy ! I have perused 
 The very books in which the lore is writ 
 Of this accursed sect. Nay, in many vigils 
 Have, with much labor, penetrated even into 
 The mysteries of their Jewish ancestors. 
 Let me unfold their progress and designs — 
 The Jews, their fathers, under Philadelphus, 
 Forestalled the corn of Egypt in a famine, 
 And sought to send it home clandestinely ; 
 But Philadelphus, seizing on their chiefs, 
 Twelve brothers by one mother, did condemn them 
 To take the well-threshed straw of the same corn 
 And make it into bricks to build a city. 
 Demetrius Phalerius, a lover of all learning, 
 And learned men — shut up in a tower — 
 Moses and Aaron, having shaved their beards 
 Nor let them forth, until they had written down 
 In good Ionic Greek, the mysteries 
 Of all their race. These volumes I have read, 
 And there their bloody deeds are full confest. 
 The sword, when numerous, was their only creed — 
 To slay — exterminate — all races else— 
 This was the Christian creed. For it is plain 
 The Jews were Christians with another name. 
 Under their high priests, they at this moment 
 Plot against Ptome, and yearn to burji us all, 
 With all we have, aye, in the very Forum, 
 Including even the august Emperor ! {Great sensation.} 
 
20 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Max. For my part let me say — 
 My reasons for detesting them are different. 
 They have dared to set up here, in this city, 
 A God unknown to us ; a rite unbound 
 By any ties of bondage to the State. 
 To style their chief by our imperial title, 
 Pontifex Maximus, they teach divided duties, 
 And therefore they are traitors. 
 I hate this sacerdotal claim to sway 
 My subjects' wills. I would' rather far 
 Find a bold rival plucking at my sceptre 
 Than brook a supreme pontiff here in Rome ! 
 
 {Immense applause. Cries of long live the divine Maximia;;.) 
 
 Max. Prefect of Rome ! Whom do you propose 
 To execute the orders we will frame 
 For the city and Campania 1 
 
 Prefect. {Kneeling and beckoning to Coitvixrs.) Here is my 
 son, my liege — 
 
 Max. {Laughing.) Per Jove ! the very fellow. 
 Why, Prefect, what an ugly son you have ! 
 One may read scape-grace in his very face. 
 Howbeit, he'll do. You sirrah, you Corvinus, 
 See you make clean work of it. 
 I pay well both ways— by cash and lash. 
 No bungling tricks with me. Your head will answer 
 For your hands' offence. Begone. {Exit Corvinus.) 
 
 (Fulvius moves partly across the stage.) 
 
 Max. Ho ! my Eastern argus ! You've been sometimes 
 employed, and paid— well paid— in ferreting out traitors ; yet 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 21 
 
 none have come to. light. Now mark! Here's Christian game 
 enough on every side. Be diligent, or else beware my anger. 
 The convicts' wealth will be divided between the accuser and 
 the treasury. Now go ! {Exit.') 
 
 SCENE in.-A STREET IN ROME. 
 Eater FuLvirs and Corvinus in conversation. 
 
 Falvius. There is no doubt, then, about the news 1 
 
 Corvinus. None in the world. The people have risen in 
 Numidia, and burned the church, as they call it, of the Chris- 
 tians. My father heard it this morning from the Emperor's 
 secretary himself. 
 
 Fulv. What fools those Christians are. What ever could 
 induce them to go and build one of their temples in the most 
 conspicuous part of the metropolis ! Why, they might have 
 known that, sooner or later, the religious spirit of the nation 
 would rise against them and destroy the nuisance. What 
 empire can tolerate the importation of a foreign religion 1 
 
 Corv. Why that is just what my father the prefect is always 
 saying. If these Christians had any sense they would hide 
 themselves and go into corners when they are so condescend- 
 ingly tolerated, from time to time, by the most humane princes. 
 However, I own I am not sorry. If they will build their 
 temples in public places let them take the consequences. One 
 may gain some notoriety, and profit into the bargain, by 
 huntiDg down these audacious intruders, and, if possible, 
 destroying them. 
 
 Fulv. Be it so. But now to come to the point. It is under- 
 
22 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 stood that when we can find out who are Christians among the 
 rich, there shall he a fair division of the spoils "between us. 
 You have your bold and rough way of doing things — I have 
 mine. But each shall get his due share of the profits. It is so, 
 is it not 1 
 
 Corv. Precisely. 
 
 Enter Fabius. 
 
 Fabius. Ha! Fulvius, how are you? I have not seen you 
 this age. Come and sup with me to-day ; I have people at my 
 house. And your friend, too — Corvinus, I believe— (Corvinus 
 makes an awkward bow) — I hope he will accompany you. 
 
 Fidvius. Thanks ; but I fear I am engaged. 
 
 Fab. Nonsense, man ; we two are all that are left in the city 
 who are good company for each other. Has my house the 
 plague in it, that you have never once entered it since that 
 evening when you met Sebastian and got into a quarrel with 
 him 1 Or was it seme magical charm that struck you dead 
 that fatal day 1 
 
 Fuh. In truth I believe it was. 
 
 Fab. Well, well, come and we shall try and break the spell 
 over a bottle. 
 Fidv. With all my heart ! 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 23 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE I.— A LARGE HALL IN THE HOUSE OF NICOSTRATUS 
 LIGHTED FROM A SINGLE OPENING IN THE ROOF. 
 
 Nicostratixs, Cladxus, Tr axquillixus, Marcus, Marcel- 
 lianus and other prisoners, officers, §c. 
 
 Marcus. 0, spare us, spare us, father, such a test; 
 This cruel love of yours will break our hearts, 
 Too rudely torn already by the strife 
 'Twixt duty and affection. 
 
 Tranquillini'.Sf 0, my sons, 
 Talk not of duty now ; what duty prompts ye 
 To tamper with sucb a boon as life, 
 That precious jewel, given us to preserve 
 At the cost of liberty, light, comfort, ease, 
 And all that men hold dearest 1 To renounce 
 For an opinion, haply but a dream, 
 A treasure in possession. Duty urge 
 To scorn a father's most imperious word, 
 A mother's burning tear ! By all the love 
 Ye bear us, — by those most resistless pleas, 
 Childhood's sweet memories, youth's sparkling joy, 
 The voice of parents and the thoughts of home, 
 0, leave us not, dear children of our care, 
 Hope of our failing age ! Come, quit these chains. 
 
 Mar. Thus far you have prevailed. 
 
 (Cladius takes off their chains.) 
 
24 SEBASTIAN j OR, 
 
 Enter Sebastian. 
 
 Sebastian. Hail, holy brothers, 
 Servants and soldiers of the glorious Cross, 
 Prisoners of Him who, to deliver us, 
 Bore chains, and stripes, and ignominious death ; 
 Whose limbs are furrowed by his galling bonds ; 
 Who share the foretaste of His pangs, and soon 
 Shall drink His saving chalice to the dregs. 
 'Twere meet that on my knees I did you homage, 
 And craved your prayers, instead of greeting you 
 With words of exhortation, dare I say 
 Of stern reproof? Ah ! no, it cannot be, 
 While angel hands are weaving the last flowers 
 Of your victorious crowns, that ye have bid them 
 Pause in their work, and 'gin untwine those wreaths, 
 And turn to dust the blossoms culld for you ; 
 That you, whose feet are even upon the threshold 
 Of the bright, beaming courts of Paradise, 
 Can dream of drawing back to tread once more 
 This land of exile and this vale of tears ! 
 I note that blush. 0, brothers ! Can ye quail 
 Before a worm like me, yet face the frown 
 Of Him ye would deny in words, the while 
 Your heart abhorreth to indorse the lie ? 
 Ye who deny Him before men shall be 
 By Him denied before the angelic host. 
 Then will ye stand before that judgment seat, 
 Not confessors as now, but palt'ring cowards, 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 25 
 
 Who for a few years of earthly bliss 
 Have sold your palms, and crawled like grovelling worms 
 To meet your Judge's eye, when ye might spring 
 With eagle flight to his embrace. 
 
 Tranquillinus. Sir ! 
 Whoever thou art, in pity spare thy words. 
 My sons deserve not at thy hands these thorns 
 Of sharp rebuke. 'Twas to their mother's tears 
 And my command, and to no torturing threat, 
 They bow'd submissive. Filial duty 'twas, 
 Not cowardice, that tamed their stubborn wills. 
 Why should they leave to hopeless misery 
 Their age-worn parents 1 Call you this religion 1 
 
 Seb. Forbear awhile, my good old man ; leave me 
 To argue with thy sons. They have a key 
 To ope the meaning of my speech, which thou, 
 From chance, not malice, lackest. Noble friends, 
 Well hath your father said, 'twas filial love, 
 Not cowardice, that shook your firm resolve. 
 I know it. Ye forget His words, who saith : 
 " They are not meet to be my followers who 
 Love parents more than me." 0, hearts unwise ! 
 Deem ye your loss shall be your parents' gain 1 
 That Heaven's gate ye can unbar to them 
 Who shut it on yourselves 1 Or nerve their arm 
 To bear the Cross you rudely fling away 1 
 0, if ye seek to win for them the prize, 
 Stretch forth your hands and grasp it manfully. 
 
20 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Yea, let your blood cry clam'rous from the ground 
 For their salvation. 
 
 Marcus and Marcellianus. Hold, Sebastian, hold ! 
 We are resolved. {To the gaoler.) Cladius, put on our chains, 
 And thou, Nicostratus, give instant word 
 For execution to be done. Farewell, father. 
 
 Tranq. No, we part no more. 
 Go tell Chromatius I am now a Christian. 
 Father and son shall share a common death. 
 
 Nicostratus. Thou must depart, Sebastian. I revere 
 Thy zeal and noble recklessness of cost, 
 And honor that faith which makes thee play the hero, 
 And to deeds of daring nerves thy youthful comrades ; 
 But stern duty calls and leaves no place for pity. 
 
 Seb. Say, Nicostratus, 
 Dost not thou, too, believe 1 
 
 Nicos. No, no, Sebastian ! 
 I lack some evidence more cogent still 
 E'n than the lustre of thy constancy. 
 
 Seb. Well, patience. You will see, aye, and believe. 
 Your time will come, at least I pray it will, 
 And you'll be one of us, Nicostratus ! 
 
 SCENE It. — THE FORUM— N IGUT. 
 
 Enter Corvinus with a board on which is nailed a sheet of 
 parchment inscribed in large letters. lie looks round, then 
 affixes the board to a piVar and calls the sentinel on guard. 
 
 Corvinus. Arminius ! 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 27 
 
 Sentinel. Here. 
 
 Corv. See you this board ? 
 
 Sent. Right well. 
 
 Corv. You'll guard it at your peril. Look you now, if any 
 one dare insult it do your duty. 'Tis death to him that scorns 
 it ; death to him that lets it suffer scorn. You understand me 1 
 
 Sent. I am your servant. 
 
 Corv. Mark you well, Arminius, 
 " Numen Imperatorum," that's the watchword. 
 Dost catch it 1 
 
 Sent. Yea. 
 
 Corv. Then say it after me. 
 Sent. No-o-men Imperatorum. 
 
 Corv. Right. Farewell. {Exit.) 
 
 SCENE— THE HOUSE OF DIOGENES. 
 
 Diogenes and his two boys. A knock is heard. Enter Pan- 
 cratius and Quadratus. 
 
 Diogenes. Come in, my young masters. 
 
 Quadratics. Thank you, sir ! 
 We came to sup with you, but not just yet ; 
 We have an errand in your neighborhood, 
 And when 'tis done we'll join you at your meal. 
 Here, Decius ! take this purse and cater for us ; 
 We'll treat while we are treated. 
 
 Pancratius. Good Diogenes. 
 I've heard Sebastian say you knew, when young, 
 That glorious youth, Laurentius. Is it so 1 
 
28 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Diog. Twice twenty years are gone, my son, 1 
 Since that brave deacon gave his life for Christ. 
 Ah ! 'twas a goodly jouth, so mild, so sweet, . 
 So fair and yet so gracious. 0, how they cherished him. 
 I saw him when the venerable Pontiff 
 Was led to death, and heard him meekly chide 
 The valiant Pope, e'en as a son his father. 
 And crave him not to leave his Minister, 
 Who oft had served him in that better sacrifice 
 By Christ accomplished and by priest renewed. 
 
 Pane. Ah ! those were goodly times, Diogene3. 
 Think'st thou, Quadratus, we shall see the like 1 
 
 Quad. Perhaps we may, Pancratius. Where's the will 
 To suffer, there the way is ever plain. 
 
 Pane. But tell me how ho died, Diogenes ; 
 Was't not terrific ? 
 
 Diog. Ah, yes ! but full of joy. 
 Out of the fire which bar'd his tender flesh 
 He raised himself, and looked as though he saw 
 Some vision in the sky, the like of that 
 Which cheered his fellow-deacon, holy Stephen. 
 The flames grew fiercer still ; but when they reached 
 His beauteous head they shot their light before them, 
 Forerunner of their course ; and as it shone, 
 Circling his head, it seemed a pendant crown 
 Dropped from the opening heavens. Methinks, 
 My son, thou wouldst have joy'd to share his lot. 
 
 Pane. In truth, 
 Diogenes, I would ; but he was strong, 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 29 
 
 A noble hearted deacon, I a boy. 
 Think'st thou, Quadratus, that with bounteous hand 
 Our Lord gives strength in measure of our needs 1 
 I have a willing heart ; will that suffice 1 
 
 Quad. Yes, yes, Pancratius, God will give thee strength 
 Who gives the will. But to our evening's work. 
 Wrap close, my boy ; it is an angry night. 
 Now, good Diogenes, refresh the fire, 
 And let the feast attend our speedy coming. 
 We shall be back right soon. 
 Diog. Heaven go with you ! 
 
 {Exeunt Quadratus and Pancratius. Diogenes 
 makes the fire and prepares the table. , After an 
 interval a knock is heard.') 
 
 Enter Sebastian. 
 
 Sebastian. Thanks be to God ! 
 
 Diogenes. Noble Sebastian, welcome ! 
 
 Seb. And you, Diogenes ; your little home 
 Looks cheerily to-night. The wind and rain 
 Are in a league against us, gadabouts. 
 
 Diog. 'Tis something strange to see your nobleness 
 Abroad so late. Howbeit, a joyful prodigy. 
 
 Seb. 0, I'm on duty still. My brave centurion, 
 Quadratus, is a roaming, and I come 
 To track his truant steps. He's out, they tell mo, 
 With that sly boy, Pancratius. I suspect me 
 They're at some holy mischief. 
 
 Diog. Never fear. 
 
30 SEBASTIAN ; OK, 
 
 Two nobler, gentler youths I have not known, 
 
 And I am hovering on four score ; I've seen 
 
 Full many in my day of either sort. 
 
 But for the birds whereof you come in quest, 
 
 Your nobleness, good fowler that you are, 
 
 Hath well conjectured of their lurking place. 
 
 'Tis scarce five minutes since they went, 
 
 Brave youths, to do some work whereof they spoke not, 
 
 More than to shadow forth the bare intent, 
 
 The while they bade me make a winter's fire and 
 
 Quicken the repast. 0, here they are. 
 
 Re-enter Pancratius with a roll of parchment grumbled up in 
 his hand, and Quadratus. 
 Pancratius. Hurrah, my brave boys, a prize, a prize ! 
 All. {Gathering around him.) Let's see what you have got, 
 Pancratius. 
 
 Pane. The Edict, to be sure, as large as life. 
 
 All. Edict 1 What Edict 1 
 
 Pane, That against the Christians. 
 Look at the great big letters how they flare — 
 " Death," " Confiscation," all that sort of thing. 
 Do take a last good look at it, my boys. 
 
 (Reads.) " Our Lords the Emperors : Their high Divinities 
 Decree, Command," et cetera. Here it goes. Let's see (holds 
 it over the lamp) if it .will burn. (Sebastian stands aloof.) 
 
 Seb. Dear friends, this time your zeal hath stole a march on 
 your discretion. Did ye well to seize it 1 
 
 Pane. But who could bear to see the ugly thing 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 • 31 
 
 Glaring and staring in the public way, 
 And think of all its lies and blasphemies. 
 Was it so very wrong, Sebastian 1 
 Seb. Well, 
 
 You've picked a quarrel with the world, 
 
 And now must bear the brunt. 'Tis not for me to chide ye. 
 
 {Exeunt.') 
 
 SCENE— THE FORUM AS BEFORE— SUNRISE— THE SEN- 
 TINEL ON GUARD. 
 
 Enter Corvinus, who looks up at the pillar. 
 
 Corvinus. Where is the Edict, sirrah 1 
 
 Sentinel. What Edict, 
 An't please you, Captain 1 
 
 Corv. That which yesternight 
 I set up here ! 
 
 Sent. E'en where you left it, Captain. 
 
 Corv. Look up, you dolt. Where is it? 
 
 Sent. There's the board : 
 What want you more ? 
 
 Corv. 'Tis not the board, you blockhead. 
 I want the writing you had to guard. 
 
 Sent. Why, look you, Captain, as to writing you see I bee's 
 no scholar. But it rained all night ; mayhap 'tis washed away, 
 
 Corv. And as it blew, mayhap the parchment blew away ! 
 Mean'st that 1 
 
 Sent. Exactly so. 
 
 Corv. Come, sirrah, this is no joke. 
 Tell me at once, came any one last night ? 
 
32 • 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Sent. No, sir, no one. 
 Corv. No one 1 
 Sent. No one, but two. 
 Corv. Two what? 
 
 Sent. Wizards or worse, an't please you, Captain. 
 
 Corv. No trifling, sirrah ! Tell me what they were, 
 And what they did 1 
 
 Sent. One was a stripling, sir. 
 Lanky and tall ; and he went round the pillar, 
 And maybe whisked the parchment off while I 
 Was arguing with the other. 
 
 Corv. Who was he 1 
 
 Sent. Thor or Thor's next of kin. Ye gods, what strength. 
 
 Corv. How did he prove his strength ? 
 
 Sent. He came and chatted 
 Quite unconcerned ; ask'd me if I felt it cold ; 
 Said it was very cold ; when all at once 
 It struck me that I had to run my spear 
 Right through his body. 
 
 Corv. And why did you not ? 
 
 Sent. Because he would not let me, sir. I told hiin 
 To get himself away or I would' spear him, 
 And then I drew and stretched my javelin out, 
 When all at once he twitch'd it from me, snapped it 
 As though't had been a juggler's wooden sword, 
 And dashed the iron head-piece in the ground, 
 There where you see it, fifty paces off. 
 
 Corv. But why not use your sword 1 Where is your swoTd 1 
 Sent. There, don't you see it shining on the tiles 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 33 
 
 Of yonder building, all in the morning sun 1 
 
 Corv. How did it get there, booby 1 Answer me ; 
 Don't look so like a fool 1 
 
 Sent. He, that is, it, 
 (For sure 'twas ne'er a thing of flesh and blood) 
 Charm'd it away by some outlandish trick, 
 And pitch'd it up on yonder roof as nimbly 
 As I might throw a quoit. 
 / Corv. What did he next 1 
 
 Sent. He and the lad that came from round the pillar 
 Walk'd off quite friendly in the dark. 
 
 Corv. {Aside.) There is one, 
 And one alone, could do that feat of strength. 
 {To the sentinel.) A pretty story, troth, for the Emperor's ear! 
 But tell me, sirrah ! did you give alarm 
 And speed the other guards in quest of them 1 
 
 Sent. Not I, for reasons manifold. Know, first, 
 That the Dacians fight a fellow-creature bravely ; 
 But as for hobgoblins, they'll not stir an inch. 
 And then, what use 1 The board you bade me watch 
 I saw safe and sound, just where you left it. 
 
 Corv. 0, you barbarian ! This shall told the Emperor. 
 The punishment is death. 
 
 Sent. For what % 
 
 Corv. For what 1 
 For letting one come up and parley with you 
 Without the watchword. 
 
 Sent. But ho gave the watchword. 
 
 Corv. Then 'twas no Christian. 
 
34 
 
 SEBASTIAN; OR, 
 
 Sent., Yes, he came and said 
 Nomen Imperatorum. 
 
 Core. What ! The word 
 Was Numen. 
 
 Sent. Nomen, Numen, what's the odds 1 
 My name is Herman, in your speech, Arminius. 
 Arminius Herman, Nomen Numen ; well, 
 One's like the other. How can I, a Dacian, 
 Learn all your pretty niceties of speech 1 
 
 Corv. We'll settle this before the Emperor. 
 Your crime is capital ; and he, you know, 
 Not apt to take excuses. 
 
 Sent. Why, look you now, 
 There's not a hair to choose betwixt us. You, 
 Herr Krumbiner, were bound as much as I 
 To see that, what d'ye call it 7 board in order. 
 
 Corv. 'Tis true, I was. So we must coin a story 
 That you were mastered by an armed force 
 And butcher'd at your post. Leave that to me. 
 Take ill and go in quarters for a month ; 
 I'll see you're sated with Illyrian beer, 
 And when the storm blows over we'll shake hands. 
 (Aside.) That boy Pancratius did it, and shall suffer. 
 0, sweet revenge ; the hour is almost come 
 That speeds me to renown, and him to doom ! 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 35 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE I.-THE ANTONIAN THER.VLE. 
 
 Calpurnius reading on one side. A group of citizens con- 
 versing loudly. 
 
 1st Citizen. A strange affair this of the edict. 
 2nd Citizen. Horrible ! 
 
 3rd Citizen. Treason, rank treason against the divine Em- 
 perors ! 
 
 1st Cit. How was it done, think you 1 
 
 3rd Cit. Have you not heard 1 Why the sentinel was found 
 dead with seven and twenty stabs in his breast, nineteen of 
 which were mortal. 
 
 2nd Cit. No, that was a false report. The Christians did it 
 all by their diabolical witchcraft. It appears the sentinel was 
 walking up and down on his post, humming a Dacian song, 
 when two women — both witches — came on him unawares. 
 One he struck at with his spear, but it passed through her and 
 quivered in the earth beyond. The other he stoutly attacked 
 with his sword, but he might as well have hacked at marble. 
 She threw a pinch of snuff upon him, thus — (makes a gesture) 
 — when he flew into the air, and was found this morning fast 
 asleep on the roof of the palace. 
 
 All Wonderful ! Wonderful ! 
 
 2nd Cit. True, I assure you. A friend of mine, being out 
 
3G 
 
 SEBASTIAN j OR, 
 
 early this morning, saw the very ladder by which the Dacian 
 was taken down ! 
 
 3rd Cit. I can hardly credit it. Come, Calpurnius, put by 
 that old book and tell us is there any such thing as this Chris- 
 tian power, which can make men fly through the air. 
 
 (Enter Sebastian, who remains in the back ground.) 
 
 Calpurnius. Ahem ! My excellent friends, it is not impossible. 
 "What says Pythagoras 1 • That the element of air 
 Preponderates over the other three elements 
 In certain vegetables, as pulse and lentels. 
 Concedo ! These airy vegetables being gathered when the sun 
 is in Libra, 
 
 ("Which sign hath a tendency to balance all earthly things,) 
 In conjunction with the winged God, Mercury , 
 These vegetables, I say, energized by a skilful sorcerer, 
 Pulverized in. a mortar made of an aerolite or flying stone, 
 Would, doubtless, when rightly used, enable or compel 
 A person to fly into the air. The witches in Thessaly— 
 
 1st. Cit. But we speak of the Christians, most learned 
 Calpurnius. 
 
 Calp. "We are coming to the Christians, my worthy friend. 
 The process of ratiocination must not be irregularly arrested. 
 There is a case in point, directly in point, 
 Concerning these same Christians. It is quite certain 
 That here in Rome a certain Simon Peter, 
 Or Simon Magus (both titles of one and the same person), 
 Actually in public flew up into the air, 
 But his talisman slipping from his belt. 
 He fell and broke his legs, for which reason 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 37 
 
 He was subsequently crucified, head downward, 
 Under the deified Nero. 
 2nd Cit. Are all Christians magicians 1 
 
 Calp. Necessarily ! They believo their priests can forgive sins 
 And render infants immortal by bathing them in charmed water, 
 With a thousand other absurdities. 
 
 1st Cit. No wonder the edicts are so severe against them. 
 2nd Cit. They ought to be destroyed off the face of the earth ! 
 
 (Sebastian comes forward.) 
 Zrd Cit. They ought to be destroyed'-! What think you, 
 Sebastian 1 
 
 Sebastian. That if they are as bad as Calpurnius says 
 They ought to be destroyed. But even so 
 I would gladly give them one chance. 
 
 1st Cit. And what might that be 1 
 
 Seb. That no one should be allowed to join in their perse- 
 cution who was not purer than they ; 
 That no adulterer, extortioner, deceiver, 
 No drunkard, no bad husband, son or father, 
 No profligate, no thief, should be taken in testimony against 
 them. For of none of these crimes does any one 
 accuse the Christians. 
 — But pardon me ; I was on my way elsewhere. 
 
 (Exit Sebastian.) 
 
 1st Cit. The day is weaning. I must be off also. {Exit.) 
 All. And we, too. 
 
 Calp. And I, too. (Moves off.) (Exeunt.) 
 
38 
 
 SEBASTIAN; OR, 
 
 Enter Fulvius. 
 
 Fulvius. Ha ! Calpurnius, well met ! 
 Whither do you go ? Have you heard the news % 
 
 Calpurnius. Excellent Fulvius, I have heard certain tidings, 
 But whether there are others which I have not heard 
 Really I cannot determine till I learn their import. 
 
 Fidv. One of the persons who tore down the edict is taken ! 
 
 Cdlp. Indeed ! Already 1 
 
 Fulv. Yes, by Corvinus, and safely lodged in prison. 
 A desperate young villain, I hear. 
 
 Ca 7 p. His name, excellent Fulvius 1 
 
 Fulv. Pancratius ! Of a patrician family, too. 
 But I have not a moment. Farewell ! (Exit Fabius.) 
 
 Calp. Vale ! Vale ! {Exit Calpurnius.) 
 
 SCENE II.- 1 CHAMBER IN THE PALACE. 
 
 Maximiax and the Prefect of Rome. Maximian striding up 
 and down furiously. 
 
 Maximian. Where is your booby of a son 1 
 Prefect. Humbly waiting your divinity's pleasure without, 
 To implore your divinity's forbearance- 
 For the misfortune which has befallen him. 
 
 Max. Fortune! Fortune! His own stupidity ! 
 His own cowardice ! But he shall smart for it. 
 Bring him in. 
 
 (The Prefect goes out and returns with Corvinus, who 
 kneels at the Emperor's feet. See ll Fabiola,' n p. 236.) 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 Max. Come, sirrah, stand up. Answer me quickly. 
 How did the edict disappear 1 
 
 Corvinus. Sire ! Sire ! The sentinel — a simple soldier — 
 Was on his beat to guard it. I gave him the word — 
 Numen Imperatorum — but not knowing Latin, 
 Two men, or rather a man and youth, 
 Came past by night ; he called them and they 
 Answered Nbmen Imperatorum. The 
 Sentinel confounded one with the other, 
 And so, may it please your divinity — 
 
 Max. It does not please me, blockhead. 
 Why did you put such a sentinel on guard 1 
 Lictors advance. Bind your fasces ! 
 
 Corv. Mercy ! mercy ! Spare my life, my liege ; 
 I have important information — 
 
 Max. Your life ! Who wants your worthless life ? 
 Lictors, put up your axes. The rods are good enough for him. 
 Bind him. Give him a dozen. 
 
 {They bind and fog Corvinus. See page, as above, 
 for description of the process.) 
 
 Corv. Mercy ! mercy ! Oh ! oh ! 
 
 Max. Another dozen. How he writhes. Ha! ha! ha! 
 Corv. Oh! oh! oh! 
 
 Max. So ! that will do now. Now, sir, stand up. 
 Don't twist your miserable body so. 
 Answer me : What is your wonderful secret 1 
 
 Corv. Sire ! I know who did it. 
 
 Max. What, booby 1 
 
 Corv. The outrag^on your Imperial edict ! 
 
40 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Max. Who was it 1 
 
 Corv. Pancratius, a Christian. I found his knife 
 Under the pillar from which the edict was stolen. 
 
 Max. And why have you not seized him ! 
 
 Corv. Twice to-day was I on his trail, but he escaped me. 
 
 Max. Let him not escape a third time 
 Or you may have to take his place. 
 How did you know the knife was his 1 
 
 Corv. He was my school-fellow under Cassianus, 
 Who turned out to be a Christian — 
 
 Max. Now, by the Infernal Gods ! A Christian teach my 
 subjects ! 
 
 And he has had worthy scholars. Taught to 
 Pull down our Imperial edict, no doubt. 
 Where is this Cassianus 1 
 
 Corv. At present in Campania, with the ex-prefect Chromatius, 
 And others of the party — 
 
 Max. The ex-prefect, too ! What treachery ! 
 What treason ! I shall not know next 
 In whom to trust ! Prefect, send some forthwith 
 To arrest Chromatius, and the schoolmaster, 
 And the whole abominable set — 
 
 Pref. Yes, sire ; but — 
 
 Max. Do it, I say. Spare no one. 
 Let me not see your face again 
 Till you report it done. 
 
 {Exeunt Prefect and Corvintjs.) 
 Now it is supper time. Well ! well ' 
 Christians ! Christians ! — springing up on jll sides. 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. * 41 
 
 Nothing but Christians ! But I'll show them 
 That Caesar and not Christ rules in Rome ! 
 
 {Exit Maximian.) 
 
 SCENE III.— THE MAMERTINE PRISON. 
 
 Panckatius iii chains. 
 Enter Sebastian. 
 
 Pancratius. Well, dear Sebastian, 'tis at hand you see: 
 The hour so long foreknown, so tremblingly 
 Yet deeply loved. Remember you, my friend, 
 The night when from your terrace-height we heard 
 The roar of savage beasts and saw from far 
 The gaping arches of the amphitheatre 
 Shaped like the Christian's crown 1 
 
 Sebastian. 0, yes ! dear boy, 
 Full well I do remember me that night, 
 Methought your heart had then some foretaste, 
 Of what breaks for you with to-morrow's dawn. 
 
 Pane. It had, it had. Then felt I first the hope 
 That I might live to glut the roaring fury 
 Of those wild deputies of cruel men ; 
 And now the time is come. I scarce believe 
 One weak as I, not all unmeet to share ^ 
 The honors of the valiant. What am I, 
 A poor and feeble boy — what have I done 
 To merit such a grace 1 
 
 Seb. You know, Pancratius, 
 Not he that wills nor he that runs excelleth, 
 
42 • SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 But God the merciful makes choice of whom 
 He singles for His crowns ! But tell me rather 
 How feel you now about to-morrow's fate 1 
 
 Pane. As of a vision so magnificent, 
 So far beyond my right, above my aims, 
 That still it shows like some delicious dream, 
 Too fair for truth. Sebastian, can you grasp it 
 That I, shut up within these prison- walls, 
 Ere sets that sun which brings to-morrow's light, 
 Shall hear the melody of angel harps, 
 Walk with the white-rob'd saints, inhale 
 The perfume of celestial incense, drink 
 The crystal waters of the stream of life 1 
 
 Seb. And naught beside 1 
 
 Pane. More than I dare to name, 
 That I, a stripling, late exempt from school, 
 Should say and truly say — some time to-morrow 
 I shall behold whom angels love to look upon ; 
 Behold Him, face to face, adore Him, kneel, 
 Aj^d at His hand receive a palm and crown ; 
 And feel — ecstacy ! — His own embrace. 
 Ah ! must I quit this hope 1 Yes, but for what ? 
 For consummated bliss. Dearest Sebastian, 
 'Tis true ! 'tis true ! 
 
 Seb. And more ! yea, more ! 
 
 Pane. More still. 
 To close these weary eyes on crimes of men, 
 And ope them on the beatific vision ; 
 To shut them on the thousand hideous looks 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. . 
 
 43 
 
 Chat frown the vengeance of the amphitheatre, 
 
 And on that bright intelligence unclose them 
 
 Whose beams would blind us, did they not surround, 
 
 Burn, but that they embrace and welcome us ! 
 
 To dart these eyes deep in the glowing fire 
 
 Of God's own heart, and plunge and nestle there. 
 
 Aw'd yet not stricken, lost yet not destroy'd, 
 
 This shall be mine to-morrow (bell strikes). Hark ! the sound 
 
 Of midnight' from the Capitol. 'Tis day. 
 
 Seb. Happy Pancratius. You have still some hours to bido 
 
 - in hope 1 
 Pane. And then how good of God 
 
 To grant me such a death ! The rage of beasts 
 
 And sinning men more frightened far than they, 
 .Che grin of scorn, the yell of fiendish hate, 
 
 The sight shall vanish from mine eyes ; these sounds 
 
 Fall on mine ear. Why should I fear to die 1 
 
 This world is dead while yet I live, 
 
 No look of love to lure me to its wiles, 
 
 No plaint of female voice to charm mine ears, 
 
 Just op'ning on the heav'nly harmonies. 
 
 One, only one there is whose parting glance 
 
 Will brace, and not unnerve ; whose dauntless voice 
 
 Cheer, not enfeeble. . 'Tis agreed, my mother 
 
 Comes here*at break of day. But, dearest friend, 
 
 The secrets that you long concealed from me 
 
 Wilt now reveal them. 'Tis our latest time. 
 
 Seb. What secrets dost thou refer to, my friend 1 
 Pane. When first the vision of this happy day 
 
44 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OK, 
 
 Woko on my thoughts while on the terrace height, 
 We mus'd on death that memorable eve 
 You spoke of something strong enough to check 
 Your zeal for martyrdom. Late you despatch'd 
 Me to Campania, for what cause you said not ; 
 And yet it seemed as though both secrets turned 
 On the same hinge, and bore a like intent. 
 
 Seb. In truth they did. To watch thee, dear Pancratius, 
 And fan the glowing zeal that finds to-day 
 Its finish'd work — this was thy friend's desire. 
 One fear did haunt him, lest with eager haste 
 Thou mightst anticipate and mar thy crown, 
 Or tip with passing blight one op'ning leaf 
 Of thy victorious palm. The bold exploit 
 Of tearing down the edict fed this fear. 
 'Twas then that, to forestall the dreaded ill, 
 I sent thee to Campania. Hadst thou then 
 In course of law suffer'd for that rash act, 
 Thou hadst been martyr still ; yet would thy sentence 
 Have told a civil crime, which now proclaims 
 A meek confessorship. The very heathens 
 Had pointed proudly at the gallant youth 
 "Who dared insult the laws, and in thy conflict 
 Some selfish thought had, peradventure, dimm'd 
 The lustre of thy sacrifice, and snatched * 
 Its brightest jewel from thy martyr's crown. 
 But when I saw thee, like a gentle lamb, 
 Torn from thy peaceful fold in loving mood, 
 Dragg'd through the streets, chained to a galley slave, 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 45 
 
 Pelted and hooted as believers are, 
 
 Charged with no crime against Rome's majesty 
 
 (Save that thou own'dst the hated name of Christian), 
 
 My task was o'er, thy glory consummated, 
 
 And what had I to do but leave the work 
 
 With him who had disposed it. 
 
 Pane. Dearest friend, 
 How like your love to that which God hath borne me. 
 How like His providence, which circles all, 
 Yet notes the tiny tenants of the air 
 And knows the number of the countless sand ; 
 All clasping, all observing. Grant me now 
 To feel thee near me in the fight to-day. 
 That from my hands thou bear this legacy 
 To my sweet mother. 'Tis the blood wherewith 
 They marked me as my Savior's own. 
 
 Seb. Trust me, 
 I wiH not fail, e'en though it cost my life. 
 Farewell ! "We shall not be long parted. To-day 
 For thee, for me to-morrow. {Exeunt) 
 
 SCENE IV. — THE EMPEROR'S COURT— MAXIMIAN— THE 
 PREFECT OF THE CITY — C0RVINU3—FULYIUS— SEBAS- 
 TIAN — QU ADR A.TU3, AND GUARDS. 
 
 Maximian. Well ! of this enough. 
 We lavish favors freely upon all, 
 But from how few can we expect true service 1 
 From soldiers only. Men true to the death. 
 
46 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 Men such as thou, Sebastian ! (Sebastian bows.) 
 
 But from the gownsmen who frequent a court. 
 Fawning for favors ; they are a base tribe. 
 Are they not. noble Fulvius 1 
 
 Fulvius. {Drops on one knee.) Sire, your reproach is just. 
 But not to me. I know I've ill requited 
 Your divinity's many liberal subsidies ; 
 But now, at last, I can redeem my pawned faith. 
 I have found the foulest treason, the most fell conspiracy 
 About your majesty's most sacred person ! 
 
 Max. How, sirrah ! about our person % 
 Speak ! or the words shall be drawn 
 From you with iron pincers — 
 
 Fulv. Sebastian is a Christian ! 
 
 Max. Thou liest, thou dog ! The captain of my guard, 
 The very keeper of my inmost trust — 
 Thou shalt prove thy word, thou Avretch ! 
 Or die, as Christian scoundrel never died! 
 
 (Sebastian steps forward.) 
 
 Sebastian. My liege, I spare you all trouble of proof ; 
 I am a Christian ! I glory in the name. 
 
 Max. Oh ! ye gods hear this ! Was ever man 
 So served 1 Was ever Prince so betrayed i One — one 
 Honored above all others, to join these infidel 
 Dogs who dishonor Rome, tear down our edict, 
 Undermine the state, plot against our very person! 
 One raised to honor, to trust, to the first rank. 
 Oh, ingrate ! viper ! scorpion ! what shall I call thee 
 Vile or bad enough 1 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 Seb. Hear me, my liege. In that I am a Christian 
 You have the best bond of my fidelity ! 
 Max. Tngrate ! 
 
 Seb. Listen, most noble Emperor. Where is fidelity 1 
 
 - • 
 
 'Twas this you asked a moment since. 
 I'll answer. Go to the prisons, strike the iron off 
 The Christian's limbs ; he is enchained fidelity. 
 Go to the courts, unload the groaning rack. 
 From the arena and the tiger's jaws snatch 
 The maimed Christian ; maimed man but whole 
 In faith. Believe me, sire, no legion in your pay 
 Can count as many loyal hearts as languish 
 In Roman prisons, charged only with their faith. 
 And further, this : they never can be true 
 To king or state, who do not, above all, 
 Fear, honor and obey the King of Kings. 
 
 Max. Folly and madness ! I'd rather have a body guard 
 Of wolves than Christians. Your treachery is enough. 
 
 Seb. No traitor am I, royal Emperor. By night and day, 
 Guarded, unguarded, I had access to you. 
 If I were a traitor, the traitor's opportunity 
 Offered at every hour — 
 
 Max. Yet you concealed your creed. 
 You feared the bitter death due to your crime. 
 
 Seb. No, sire ! Coward no more than traitor. 
 I had a duty to my brethern — for them I lived ; 
 But hope had almost died within me. 
 Fulvius, I thank thee ! 
 Thou hast spared me the sad choice 
 
48 
 
 SEBASTIAN j OR, 
 
 Of seeking death or bearing still a life 
 I earnestly desire to give away. 
 
 Max. Ho ! here, Quadratus ! Arrest your Tribune ! 
 Do you hear 1 What ! you hesitate 1 
 
 Quadratus. My liege, I, too, am a Christian. 
 
 Max. What, more of it ! Here, seize me that centurion ! 
 Bear him away to instant execution. 
 
 {Tliey take out Quadratus.) 
 But for this chief offender, take him to Hyphax 
 The captain of my sure Numidian bowmen. 
 Bid them in Adonis' grove tie up this traitor, 
 And send an arrow into every joint, 
 And draw the treacherous blood from every pore. 
 And kill him, sense by sense and joint by joint, 
 Leaving the heart and brain to beat and burst 
 Until the last drop ebbs from out his veins. 
 Begone ! and answer with your lives for his. 
 
 {Exeunt.) 
 
 SCENE V.— A ROOM IN THE PREFECT'S HOUSE -COR VINUS 
 ON A BED IN A DISTURBED SLEEP. 
 
 Dioxysius. Attendant. 
 
 Dionysius. If he sleep he may yet do well. 
 
 Attendant. He sleeps, indeed, but rests not. Mark you 
 how he breathes, as though a mountain was on his breast ; 
 every now and then he cries aloud, as if some terrible vision 
 were chasing him. 
 
 Dion. How came he in this condition 1 
 
 Attend. This morning, as he was passing by the amphi- 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 49 
 
 theatre near the den where the wild beasts are kept up 
 for the shows, he was driven by some mad humor (such as 
 hath often seized him of late) to approach one of the biggest 
 and liveliest of the panthers, and began addressing his speech 
 to the dumb beast, and challenging it as if it had been a 
 mortal man ; the beast, provoked by his words and threats, 
 turned upon him with a nimble spring, and buried its poisoned 
 fangs in the fleshy part of his neck. 
 
 Dion. So envenomed a wound in so pampered and inflamed 
 a body will go far to baffle the skill of the physician. But 
 how hath your young master been affected since this accident 1 
 
 Attend. He harps on one string incontinently, raving of a 
 certain youth, his schoolmate, who was lately torn to pieces 
 by wild beasts in the amphitheatre. 
 
 Dion. By name Pancratius ? 
 
 Attend. The very same. He seems to note some marvellous 
 similitude between the death of this youth and that by which 
 himself is to die — at one time cursing him as his chief enemy ; 
 at another, seeming to respect him as a prophet. 
 
 Dion. (Aside.) Ha! I remember well; Prancratius did 
 predict that his accuser, except he repented, would die a 
 death like his own. 
 
 Attend. But the marvellous thing is how he starts and mad- 
 dens at the sight and even the name of water When he was 
 bitten a fellow was near him, whom I half suspect to have 
 been one of that hateful band of Christians. Whatever pos- 
 sessed this fellow I know not, but he must needs persist in 
 tormenting my master about magical arts and ceremonies. It 
 seemed to be about some kind of charmed water, ^ich he 
 
50 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, 
 
 said was to heal him all at once ; but at the name of water 
 Master Corvinus jumped up and sprung upon the other as if 
 himself had been a panther, and I think for my part he served 
 him right, for talking of such things to a sick man. But 
 hist ! he wakes. 
 
 Corvinus. Water would they give me ! Water! water! No 
 water for me ! 
 
 Dion. Peace, foul spirits ! torment him not. 
 
 Corv, Not water, no ! It is fire ! I am on fire ! You there, 
 who are you 1 Are you Pancratius ? Put out the fire. Blow 
 out that flame which is mounting to my head. Why don't you 
 put it out, you coward 1 
 
 Dion. Merciful Lord, take pity on him. 
 
 Corv. Away, Pancratius, begone ! I cannot bear the sight 
 of thee. Thou hast glared on me long enough. Keep back 
 thy panther. Hold it fast. It comes, it comes ; it is on my 
 throat. Oh, misery ! {Dies.) 
 
 Dion. Surely such a death were a great persuasion to a 
 good life. (Exit.) 
 
 SCENE VL— NIGHT— THE HOUSE OF DI0GENE3-DI0- 
 GENES AND A CHRISTIAN OP THE CITY. 
 
 Diogenes. So he really lives ! God is wonderful. 
 If I only had him here. Where is he concealed 1 
 
 Christian. (In a low voice.) Even in the palace on the 
 Palatine. 
 
 In the apartment of that admirable lady, Irene ! 
 
 He's resolute to confront Maximian — who thinks him dead — 
 
 To utter a last warning against the persecutor, and to die. 
 
THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 51 
 
 Diog. Noble Sebastian ! 
 No earthly feeling, then, can change his purpose % 
 
 Christ. Nay, he has none ; his soul is all in Heaven. 
 For worldly love or fame he deems them light 
 As summer dust. He sees his pathway clear, 
 And, living martyr as he truly is, 
 'Tis not for us to press our own desire 
 Against his higher knowledge 
 
 Diog. No, God forbid ! Those who soar so near Heaven, 
 My friend, take some of its light down with them, 
 Be sure. When shall I see you again] 
 
 Christ. Right soon. I am for the Palatine, and if 
 I may I will penetrate to the martyr's presence 
 And get his blessing. Farewell for a little. {Exeunt.') 
 
 SCENE VII.-IN FRONT OF PALATINE— A CROWD OF LIC- 
 TORS, GUARDS, Ac— SEBASTIAN, PALE AND BANDAGED, 
 APPEARS IN A GALLERY OVERLOOKING THE CROWD. 
 
 Lictors. Way for the divine Emperor ! 
 
 (Maximian slowly descends the steps. Petitions 
 are thurst forward on every side.) 
 Sebastian. {In a sepulchral voice.) Maximian ! 
 Maximian. Who art thou that so profane our name 1 
 Seb. One from the dead, come hither to confront thee ! 
 Max. Sebastian ! 
 
 Seb. A day of vengeance is at hand, Maximian. 
 Attend my words. Thou hast destroyed the just. 
 The blood of saints incarnadines thy hand. 
 
52 
 
 SEBASTIAN ; OR, THE ROMAN MARTYR. 
 
 The Tiber floats their bodies to the sea, 
 
 Or on the dunghill hast thou cast them out. 
 
 Thou hast defiled God's altar, robbed his poor, 
 
 Given virgins up to infamous assaults. 
 
 For this and thine own vices, 
 
 Pride — lewdness — avarice and oppression — 
 
 God has marked thee ! Thou shalt die 
 
 By violence, thou shalt perish as is meet, 
 
 And then God will raise up an Emperor, 
 
 One to protect His people, who shall rule 
 
 "When thy name will be cursed throughout the earth. 
 
 Repent, unhappy prince. Beseech the Crucified, 
 
 The All-powerful, the All-merciful, 
 
 Him whom thou dost persecute — Him beseech to pardon thee. 
 
 Max. He lives, and lives to curse us ! 
 Ah ! methought it was his ghost. 
 Ho, Hyphax ! Where is Hyphax 1 
 This comes of not permitting them to send 
 An arrow thro' his brain or heart at first. 
 You hear, my clubmen 7 Bring that traitor down. 
 
 (Sebastian is brought in between two clubmen.') 
 Yonder on one side a little. Don't stain my palace steps. 
 Dash me his brains out. So shall all Christians perish, 
 And all confess the omnipotence of Csesar. 
 
 Seb. (As they drag him out.) Maximian, repent ! 
 Ctesar is not God. And we, my fellow-Christians, if there be 
 any here, 
 
 Remember we must serve God rather than Caesar. 
 
 ( Curtain falls.)