OTHO

Otho.

Soldiers.

[After Otho had been partially defeated by Vitellius, his soldiers clamoured to be led again to battle. Otho refused in the manner shown here in brief.]

Soldiers.Once more to battle, Otho!

Otho. Soldiers.Once more to battle, Otho!No, not for Rome’s sake.

Soldiers.Cæsar, once more!

Otho. Soldiers.Cæsar, once more!Is Rome forgotten then?

Soldiers.To battle, Cæsar!

Big Soldier. Soldiers.To battle, Cæsar!Hear us, little Cæsar!

Bearded Soldier.Are we, then, dogs that Cæsar will not lead us?

Soldiers.Ah!

Bearded Soldier.Did we fly? Are we mercenaries?

Soldiers.Ah!

Young Soldier.Blood, blood, blood!

Big Soldier. Young Soldier.Blood, blood, blood!Listen, pretty one, listen!

Soldiers.Once more, Otho, once more!

Centurion. Soldiers.Once more, Otho, once more!You mongrels, peace!

Small Soldier.I smoke for battle, Cæsar. I’ll fail thee no more.

Soldiers.God Cæsar, lead us!

Young Soldier(beating his shield). Blood, blood,

blood, blood, blood!

Soldiers. To battle, Cæsar!

Bearded Soldier. Soldiers. To battle, Cæsar!Are we Egyptians?

Centurion. Bearded Soldier. Soldiers. To battle, Cæsar!Are we Egyptians?Peace!

Big Soldier.Hear, pretty one, hear!

Otho. Big Soldier.Hear, pretty one, hear!For this your love these thanks.

For your great hearts my heart. My blood for yours

As yours would flow for mine. This life for all,

And for my country.

Soldier. And for my country.Let us die for it then.

Another.These kisses for your feet.

Young Soldier(gashing his arm). This blood to wash them!

Another(doing the same). And this to keep you Cæsar.

Otho. Another(doing the same). And this to keep you Cæsar.I am that—

And would not be it. For about the world

The warlike pest is blown, and Cæsar stands

Knee-deep in blood, or is not Cæsar. Cease!

Keep me no more with Fortune. She and I

Are wedded-weary of each other.

Soldiers. Are wedded-weary of each other.War! War!

Centurion.Dogs! Listen while great Cæsar speaks.

Soldiers. Centurion.Dogs! Listen while great Cæsar speaks.To war!

Old Soldier.See, Cæsar, how these wounds burst out once more

With blood that clamours to be shed for thee!

Otho.For this great love my thanks, brave hearts. My tears

Do thank you. So my country’s bitter wounds

Burst out with blood once more for me. O there!

Too much already have those dreadful wounds

Bled gouts and gushes of black blood for me—

For nothing. What am I—no god, a man—

To loose the life of myriads and to make

Italy a charnel for a name? Enough.

The battle was against us. Let it be.

The gods have spoken, and love not to warn

In vain. I am resolved. I’ll war no more.

Soldiers.Ah! Ah!

Small Soldier. Soldiers.Ah! Ah!We are not vanquisht!

Otho. Small Soldier. Soldiers.Ah! Ah!We are not vanquisht!But not victors.

The omens are adverse. Vitellius wins.

What matter if he win? So let him win.

Shall Rome be river’d with her children’s blood

That he or I should wear a purple rag?

What is’t to Rome who should be Cæsar? Hear.

We Cæsars rise, and rule, and rot—yet are

But as the names of nothing for a time;

The marks on foolish calendars of days

For farmers’ fruit-trees and memorial stones—

Notches on sticks, and gossip for winter nights;

Add not a corngrain to the goodman’s store,

A word to wisdom, nor a stave to song;

Nor worth the delving of a ditch to hide

Our bones in, less a dreadful sepulchre

To hold the harvest of a continent.

For which of us shall Italy be more fair?

Will yonder sun more brightly beam for me

Than for Vitellius? Or her labour’d fields

More richly bear, her rivers run, her hills

Brighten the more, for me than for Vitellius?

Upon the sands the silvery waters play;

The deep endellèd woods are rich with flowers;

And all her maidens call. Laughing they call

Amid the morning dew: but not the more

For me than for Vitellius. Let him reign!

I will contend with him in battle no more;

I will contend with him in nobleness.

So let him then give Rome a Cæsar. I

Will give her peace.

Soldiers. Will give her peace.Cæsar, Otho, Cæsar!

Young Soldier.Make way there, comrades; I’ve a word to move him. (He stabs himself.)

See, Cæsar, what we dare for thee. If thus

For nothing we die—how shall we die for thee? (He dies.)

(Otho covers his face. Silence.)

Otho.But ere I give it I must win that peace.

Ah, thou hast taught me how to win it, friend.

Give me his sword that I may kiss his blood.

O Italy, O Rome, if thus for me

Thy children die, how should I die for thee?

(He stabs himself. The soldiers rage round him.)

Soldier.O noble Cæsar!

Centurion. Soldier.O noble Cæsar!Back! let him have more air.

Soldier.He is not dead.

Centurion. Soldier.He is not dead.Fall back, you dogs!

Soldier. Centurion. Soldier.He is not dead.Fall back, you dogs!He dies.

Otho(dying). He gives thee Cæsar. I will give thee—peace.

Soldier.I’ll see him die at least.

Soldiers. Soldier.I’ll see him die at least.Hack him to death

For breathing Cæsar’s air.

Soldier. For breathing Cæsar’s air.Cæsar, I follow thee.

Another.And I.

Another. Another.And I.The sun is set with him.

Another. Another. Another.And I.The sun is set with him.You cowards!

Because you ran in battle he dies.

Another. Because you ran in battle he dies.Who ran?

Another.You.

Another(striking him). Run then after that.

Centurion. Undisciplined dogs.

More air, you curs!

Soldier. More air, you curs!He dies.

Soldiers. Soldier. More air, you curs!He dies.Cæsar! Cæsar!

(Otho dies.)