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Read Ebook: The Plays of Roswitha by Hrotsvitha Gasquet Francis Aidan Author Of Introduction Etc St John Christopher Christopher Marie Translator
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Ebook has 1697 lines and 36931 words, and 34 pages
CONSTANTINE. Naturally.
GALLICANUS. I beg you then to promise me now my prize for this dangerous undertaking. In hard and strenuous fighting, when it seems as if I must be defeated, the thought of this reward will give me new strength.
CONSTANTINE. The reward deemed by the Senate the most glorious a man can desire has never been withheld from you, and never shall be. You enjoy the freedom of my court, and the highest honour among those who surround me.
GALLICANUS. I know, but I am not thinking of that.
CONSTANTINE. If you have other ambitions, you must tell me.
GALLICANUS. I have.
CONSTANTINE. What are they?
GALLICANUS. Dare I tell you?
CONSTANTINE. Of course!
GALLICANUS. You will be angry.
CONSTANTINE. Not at all!
GALLICANUS. You are sure?
CONSTANTINE. Quite sure.
GALLICANUS. We shall see. I say you will be indignant.
CONSTANTINE. Your fears are groundless. Come! Speak!
GALLICANUS. Since you command me, I will. I love Constance. I love your daughter.
CONSTANTINE. That is well. You do right to love the daughter of your sovereign. Your love honours her.
GALLICANUS. You say this to cut me short.
CONSTANTINE. Not so.
GALLICANUS. I wish to marry her. Will you give your consent?
CONSTANTINE. He asks no small thing, my lords. This is an honour of which none of you have ever dreamed.
THE LORDS. Most illustrious Emperor, we beg you to be generous. Remember his services, and do not turn a deaf ear to his request.
CONSTANTINE. I have not done so, but it is my duty first to make sure that my daughter consents.
THE LORDS. That is only reasonable.
CONSTANTINE. I will go to her, and, if such is your wish, Gallicanus, I will lay the project before her.
GALLICANUS. It is my wish.
Scene II
CONSTANCE. Our Lord the Emperor approaches. He looks strangely grave and sad. What can it mean?
CONSTANTINE. Constance, my child, come nearer. I wish to speak to you.
CONSTANCE. I am here, my lord. Command me.
CONSTANTINE. I am in great distress of mind. My heart is heavy.
CONSTANCE. As you came in I saw that you were sad, and without knowing the reason I was troubled.
CONSTANTINE. It is on your account.
CONSTANCE. On my account?
CONSTANTINE. Yes.
CONSTANCE. You frighten me. What is it, my lord?
CONSTANTINE. The fear of grieving you ties my tongue.
CONSTANCE. You will grieve me more by keeping silence.
CONSTANTINE. Gallicanus, my General, whose victories have won him the first place among the princes of my realm--Gallicanus, whose sword is necessary for the defence of the Empire--Gallicanus--
CONSTANCE. What of him?
CONSTANTINE. He wants to make you his wife.
CONSTANCE. Me?
CONSTANTINE. Yes.
CONSTANCE. I would rather die.
CONSTANTINE. I knew that would be your answer.
CONSTANCE. It cannot surprise you, as it was with your consent and approval that I consecrated myself to God.
CONSTANTINE. I have not forgotten.
CONSTANCE. I will keep my vow inviolate. Nothing can ever force me to break it.
CONSTANTINE. I know you are right, and the greater my difficulty. For if, as is my duty as your father, I permit you to be faithful to your vow, as a sovereign I shall suffer for it. Yet were I to oppose your resolution--which God forbid!--I should deserve eternal punishment.
CONSTANCE. If I despaired of divine help I should be more wretched than you.
CONSTANTINE. That is true.
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