Unskilled the fowler who his snare reveals: If at the bait I s.n.a.t.c.h--my doom is sealed: Too plain, too coa.r.s.e, this web for any fly-- Shall I this spider hail in my fatuity?

His wrath is wrath arranged, his generous fire is nursed, That I, at Decius' hand, may meet the doom accurst, If I should pardon grant--that grace my crime would be, For he the spoil would reap of my credulity.

No simpleton am I, each promise to believe, Words--oaths--are but the tools wherewith all men deceive; Too oft escaped am I to be so lightly caught; I know that words are wind. I know that wind is naught.

The trapper shall be trapped,--the biter shall be bit, Unravelled is the web that he, poor fool, hath knit!

ALBIN.

Jove! What a plague to thee is this mistrust!

FELIX.

Nay, those at court must fence; their weapons never rust, If once thou yield the clue to thread the maze, The sequence is most plain--the man betrayed betrays; Severus, and his gifts, alike I fear!

If Polyeucte still to reason close his ear, Severus' love is hate--his peace is strife-- First law of nature this, 'Preserve thy life!'

ALBIN.

Ah, let Pauline at least thy grace obtain!

FELIX.

If Decius grace withhold, my pardon vain!

And--far from saving this rebellious son-- Behold us all alike entrapped, undone!

ALBIN.

Severus' promise----

FELIX.

He can never keep!

For Decius' rage and hatred never sleep: If for that sect abhorred Severus plead, He trebles loss--so are we lost indeed!

One only way is ours,--that way I try: (To Guards) Bring Polyeucte and if he still defy, Self-doomed, insensate, this my proffered grace, He shall the death he wooes forthwith embrace!

ALBIN.

Ah, this is stern!

FELIX.

'Tis stern, 'tis just--as fate; When justice drags a halting foot, too late, She is not justice--for the vengeful mob (Whose hearts for Polyeucte ne'er cease to throb), Usurps her place, and, spurning curb and rein, The felon crowns, and all our work is vain.

My sceptre trembles, and all insecure Totters my crown,--a prey for every boor.

Then, swift, Severus hears the welcome news, The jaundiced mind of Decius to abuse.

Shall I, the rabble's lord, obey the rabble's will?

ALBIN.

Who ill in all around foresees,--but doubles ill.

Each prop thou hast is but a sword to pierce; If Polyeucte hold their heart, the people fierce Will gather fiercer courage from despair.

FELIX.

Death settles all; they'll find no helper there, And if--without a head--the body should rebel, Convulsive throes I mock, and nerveless fury quell.

Whate'er ensues the Emperor must approve, I shall have done my part, and win his love.

Here comes the man

(Enter Polyeucte and Soldiers)

I still must try to save; If he repent--'tis well! If not--the grave!

(To Polyeucte) Is life still hateful? Doth death still allure?

Is earth still naught? Do heavenly joys endure?

Doth Christ still counsel thee to hate thy wife;-- To sheathe thy sword,--to cast away thy life?

POLY.

I never hated life, or wooed a grave, To life I am a servant--not a slave.

Here service free I give upon this earth below,-- For higher service changed when to His Home I go.

Eternal life is this: to tread the path He trod; To Him your body yield! Then trust your soul to G.o.d!

FELIX.

Yes, trust to an abyss of depth unknown!

POLY.

No, trust to Holy Cross! That Cross my own!

FELIX.

The steep ascent, my son, I too would climb, Yes, I would Christian be,--but--give me time,-- By Jove! I'll tread thy path! This my desire.

Else at thy hand the judge may me require!

POLY.

Nay, laugh not, Felix! He thy Judge will be, No refuge there for impious blasphemy!

Nor kings nor clowns can 'scape His righteous ire, His slaughtered Saints of thee will He require!

FELIX.

I'll slay no more;--by Hercules I swear!

So I a Christian crown perchance may wear; I will protect the flock!

POLY.

Nay, rather be A goad, a scourge, for their felicity!

Let suffering purify each Christian soul, Cross, rack, and flame but lead them to their goal; What here they lose--in Heaven an hundredfold they find.

Be cruel,--persecute!--and so alone be kind!

My words thou canst not read; thine eyes are blinded here, Wait the unveiling _There_! Then understand and fear!

FELIX.

Nay, nay, in truth I would a Christian be!

POLY.

In thy hard heart alone a bar I see.

FELIX (whispering).

This Roman knight----

POLY (aloud).

Severus, thou wouldst say.

FELIX.

Once let him sail, I will no more delay, For this I anger feign;--let him depart!

POLY.

'Tis thus thou wouldst reveal a Christian heart?

To idols dumb--to Pagans blind, thy sugared poison bear, Christ's servants quaff another cup, sure refuge from despair.