Polyuecte [21]
is mine, and I am his; O, blessed Christian vengeance! All my loss Is turned to gain by the redeeming Cross! Now, Pauline, am I thine, a Christian I, That Death gives life by which alike we die! (To Severus.) Then slay us both! Behold a willing prey!
PAUL. (To Felix.) Yes, mine for ever now! Hail, glorious day, That sees earth's loss transformed to endless gain!
FELIX. The gain, the glory, Christ's! By Him we reign.
SEV. Now am I dumb, some miracle is here; Their courage and their faith must I revere; We slay them; yet, like Cadmus' seed, new-born They sprout afresh, and laugh our scythe to scorn. We give them cord and flame, they torture hail; Friends fail them, but themselves they never fail. We mow them down, fresh nurslings to unbare, What moves the seed lies hid, but /it is there/. They bless the world, though by the world accurst, Their shield am I--let Decius do his worst. I yet may own their power, though now my will That each to his own gods be faithful still, Let each still search for truth, and truth adore. (To Felix). A Christian thou? Then fear my wrath no more, Thy sect I cherish; this their awful cult Severus will protect, but ne'er insult. Keep thou thy power from Roman sword secure, So long as loyalty with faith endure; I swear it: ay, the Emperor shall learn The guiltless from the traitor to discern; His persecution baseless as his fear.
FELIX. Severus--thou who hast the hearing ear,-- Freeman of Rome--God's Spirit grant thee grace To be Christ's Freeman, and behold His face: To these--Christ's martyrs--earth's last rites be given, Earth, guard their ashes as a trust for Heaven! Earth hides their dust. When envious time is o'er, That dust shall wake to life for evermore!
End
PAUL. (To Felix.) Yes, mine for ever now! Hail, glorious day, That sees earth's loss transformed to endless gain!
FELIX. The gain, the glory, Christ's! By Him we reign.
SEV. Now am I dumb, some miracle is here; Their courage and their faith must I revere; We slay them; yet, like Cadmus' seed, new-born They sprout afresh, and laugh our scythe to scorn. We give them cord and flame, they torture hail; Friends fail them, but themselves they never fail. We mow them down, fresh nurslings to unbare, What moves the seed lies hid, but /it is there/. They bless the world, though by the world accurst, Their shield am I--let Decius do his worst. I yet may own their power, though now my will That each to his own gods be faithful still, Let each still search for truth, and truth adore. (To Felix). A Christian thou? Then fear my wrath no more, Thy sect I cherish; this their awful cult Severus will protect, but ne'er insult. Keep thou thy power from Roman sword secure, So long as loyalty with faith endure; I swear it: ay, the Emperor shall learn The guiltless from the traitor to discern; His persecution baseless as his fear.
FELIX. Severus--thou who hast the hearing ear,-- Freeman of Rome--God's Spirit grant thee grace To be Christ's Freeman, and behold His face: To these--Christ's martyrs--earth's last rites be given, Earth, guard their ashes as a trust for Heaven! Earth hides their dust. When envious time is o'er, That dust shall wake to life for evermore!
End