The Saint's Tragedy Part 32

Preacher. My brethren, I have a message to you: therefore hearken with all your ears--for now is the day of salvation. It is written, that the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light--and truly: for the children of this world, when they are troubled with vermin, catch them--and hear no more of them. But you, the children of light, the elect saints, the poor of this world rich in faith, let the vermin eat your lives out, and then fall down and worship them afterwards. You are all besotted-- hag-ridden--drunkards sitting in the stocks, and bowing down to the said stocks, and making a G.o.d thereof. Of part, said the prophet, ye make a G.o.d, and part serveth to roast--to roast the flesh of your sons and of your daughters; and then ye cry, 'Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire;' and a special fire ye have seen! The ashes of your wives and of your brothers cleave to your clothes,--Cast them up to Heaven, cry aloud, and quit yourselves like men!

Gent. He speaks G.o.d's truth! We are Heaven's justicers! Our woes anoint us kings! Peace--Hark again!--

Preacher. Therefore, as said before--in the next place--It is written, that there shall be a two-edged sword in the hand of the saints. But the saints have but two swords--Was there a sword or shield found among ten thousand in Israel? Then let Israel use his fists, say I, the preacher! For this man hath shed blood, and by man shall his blood be shed. Now behold an argument,--This man hath shed blood, even Conrad; ergo, as he saith himself, ye, if ye are men, shall shed his blood. Doth he not himself say ergo? Hath he not said ergo to the poor saints, to your sons and your daughters, whom he hath burned in the fire to Moloch? 'Ergo, thou art a heretic'--'Ergo, thou shalt burn.' Is he not therefore convicted out of his own mouth? Arise, therefore, be valiant--for this day he is delivered into your hand!

[Chanting heard in the distance.]

Peasant. Hush! here the psalm-singers come!

[Conrad enters on a mule, chanting the Psalter, Gerard following.]

Con. My peace with you, my children!

1st Voice. Psalm us no psalms; bless us no devil's blessings: Your balms will break our heads. [A murmur rises.]

2d Voice. You are welcome, sir; we are a-waiting for you.

3d Voice. Has he been shriven to-day?

4th Voice. Where is your ergo, Master Conrad? Faugh!

How both the fellows smell of smoke!

5th Voice. A strange leech he, to suck, and suck, and suck, And look no fatter for't!

Old Woman. Give me back my sons!

Old Man. Give me back the light of mine eyes, Mine only daughter!

My only one! He hurled her over the cliffs!

Avenge me, lads; you are young!

4th Voice. We will, we will: why smit'st him not, thou with the pole-axe?

3d Voice. Nay, now, the first blow costs most, and heals last; Besides, the dog's a priest at worst.

C. Saym. Ma.s.s! How the shaveling rascal stands at bay!

There's not a rogue of them dare face his eye!

True Domini canes! 'Ware the bloodhound's teeth, curs!

Preacher. What! Are ye afraid? The huntsman's here at last Without his whip! Down with him, craven hounds!

I'll help ye to't. [Springs from the stone.]

Gent. Ay, down with him! Ma.s.s, have these yelping boors More heart than I? [Spurs his horse forward.]

Mob. A knight! a champion!

Voice. He's not mortal man!

See how his eyes shine! 'Tis the archangel!

St. Michael come to the rescue! Ho! St. Michael!

[He lunges at Conrad. Gerard turns the lance aside, and throws his arms round Conrad.]

Ger. My master! my master! The chariot of Israel and the horses thereof!

Oh call down fire from Heaven!

[A peasant strikes down Gerard. Conrad, over the body.]

Alas! my son! This blood shall cry for vengeance Before the throne of G.o.d!

Gent. And cry in vain!

Follow thy minion! Join Folquet in h.e.l.l!

[Bears Conrad down on his lance-point.]

Con. I am the vicar of the Vicar of Christ: Who touches me doth touch the Son of G.o.d.

[The mob close over him.]

O G.o.d! A martyr's crown! Elizabeth! [Dies.]

NOTES TO ACT 1

The references, unless it be otherwise specified, are to the Eight Books concerning Saint Elizabeth, by Dietrich the Thuringian; in Basnage's Canisius, Vol. IV. p. 113 (Antwerp; 1725).

Page 21. Cf. Lib. I. section 3. Dietrich is eloquent about her youthful inclination for holy places, and church doors, even when shut, and gives many real proofs of her 'sanctae indolis,' from the very cradle.

P. 22. 'St. John's sworn maid.' Cf. Lib. I. section 4. 'She chose by lot for her patron, St. John the protector of virginity.'

Ibid. 'Fit for my princess.' Cf. Lib. I. section 2. 'He sent with his daughter vessels of gold, silver baths, jewels, _pillows all of silk_. No such things, so precious or so many, were ever seen in Thuringen-land.'

P. 23. 'Most friendless.' Cf. Lib. I. sections 5, 6. 'The courtiers used bitterly to insult her, etc. Her mother and sister- in-law, given to worldly pomp, differed from her exceedingly;' and much more concerning 'the persecutions which she endured patiently in youth.'

Ibid. 'In one cradle.' Cf. Lib. I. section 2. 'The princess was laid in the cradle of her boy-spouse,' and, says another, 'the infants embraced with smiles, from whence the bystanders drew a joyful omen of their future happiness.'

Ibid. 'If thou love him.' Cf. Lib. I. section 6. 'The Lord by His hidden inspiration so inclined towards her the heart of the prince, that in the solitude of secret and mutual love he used to speak sweetly to her heart, with kindness and consolation, and was always wont, on returning home, to honour her with presents, and soothe her with embraces.' It was their custom, says Dietrich, to the last to call each other in common conversation 'Brother' and 'Sister.'

P. 24. 'To his charge.' Cf. Lib. I. section 7. 'Walter of Varila, a good man, who, having been sent by the prince's father into Hungary, had brought the blessed Elizabeth into Thuringen-land.'

P. 25. 'The blind archer, Love.' For information about the pagan orientalism of the Troubadours, the blasphemous bombast by which they provoked their persecution in Provence, and their influence on the Courts of Europe, see Sismondi, Lit. Southern Europe, Cap. III.- VI.

P. 27. 'Stadings.' The Stadings, according to Fleury, in A.D.

1233, were certain unruly fenmen, who refused to pay t.i.thes, committed great cruelties on religious of both s.e.xes, worshipped, or were said to worship, a black cat, etc., considered the devil as a very ill-used personage, and the rightful lord of themselves and the world, and were of the most profligate morals. An impartial and philosophic investigation of this and other early continental heresies is much wanted.

P. 37. 'All gold.' Cf. Lib. I. section 7, for Walter's interference and Lewis's answer, which I have paraphrased.

P. 38. 'Is crowned with thorns.' Cf. Lib. I. section 5, for this anecdote and her defence, which I have in like manner paraphrased.