Hrotsvitha

“ ARTEMIA. We do not question this. You will find us eager to obey you in all things, but never so eager as when you exhort us to confess our faith and keep our vow of purity.
CONSTANCE. That is a good answer, and one worthy of a noble mind. I see that through divine grace you already have the faith.
ARTEMIA. How could we poor idolators have any good thought if light had not been given us from above?
CONSTANCE. The strength of your faith makes me hope that Gallicanus too will believe some day.
ARTEMIA. He has only to be taught. Then he must believe.
CONSTANCE. Send for John and Paul. ”

“ TERENTIANUS. Paul and John, the Emperor Julian, my master, of his clemency sends you this gold statue of Jupiter, and commands you to burn incense before it. Refuse, and you will be put to death.
JOHN. Since Julian is your master, live at peace with him, and enjoy his favour. But we have no master except our Lord Jesus Christ, for Whose love we ardently desire to die that we may the more quickly taste the joys of eternity.
TERENTIANUS. Soldiers, why do you delay? Draw your swords and strike these traitors to the gods and to their Emperor. ”

“ 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. ”

“ JOHN. It is only natural.
GALLICANUS. Yet the glorious victory was not won by my valour nor by the help of their gods.
JOHN. No, assuredly; the glory belongs to the one true God.
GALLICANUS. That being so, we must pass the temples without going in.
JOHN. A wise decision.
GALLICANUS. And instead make a humble confession of faith in the Church of the Apostles.
PAUL. O happy man! And most happy thought! In this you show yourself a true Christian.
SCENE XI
CONSTANTINE. I am greatly astonished, soldiers, that Gallicanus should be so long in presenting himself before his sovereign. ”

“ GALLICANUS. Soldiers, lay down arms. Slay no one, wound no one, but embrace as friends these men whom you had to fight as enemies of the Empire.
JOHN. How much more powerful is one fervent prayer than all the pride of man!
GALLICANUS. That is true indeed.
PAUL. What mighty succour God in His mercy sends to those who humbly trust in Him! ”

“ JULIAN. Return and force Gallicanus to quit the realm or sacrifice to the gods.
SCENE III
GALLICANUS. Do not waste your breath, fellows. Your advice is useless. I hold all that exists beneath the sun as nothing compared with eternal life. Banished for Christ's sake, I shall retire to Alexandria, where I hope to win the martyr's crown.
SCENE IV
SOLDIERS. Gallicanus, exiled by your orders, fled to Alexandria. He was arrested in that city by the Governor, Ratianus, and has perished by the sword.
JULIAN. That is well.
SOLDIERS. But John and Paul still defy you. ”

“ Thou Who before time began wast born of God the Father, and in the fullness of time wast born again true man, of a mother's womb—I implore Thee, true Wisdom, co-eternal with the Father, the Creator, Upholder and Governor of the Universe, to grant my prayer! May Gallicanus, who seeks to gain the love which I can give only to Thee, be turned from his unlawful purpose. ”

“ CONSTANTINE. I am amazed.
GALLICANUS. It was then that the tribunes, disregarding my orders, began to surrender.
CONSTANTINE. To the enemy?
GALLICANUS. To the enemy.
CONSTANTINE. And what did you do?
GALLICANUS. What could I do but take to flight?
CONSTANTINE. Impossible!
GALLICANUS. It is true.
CONSTANTINE. What anguish for a man of your courage!
GALLICANUS. The sharpest.
CONSTANTINE. And how did you escape?
GALLICANUS. My faithful companions, John and Paul, advised me to make a vow to the Creator.
CONSTANTINE. Good advice. ”

“ GALLICANUS. Now the good gods help me!
CONSTANTINE. Gallicanus, set out for the war with an easy mind. On your return you shall receive the reward you covet.
GALLICANUS. This is not a jest?
CONSTANTINE. How can you ask?
GALLICANUS. I should be happy indeed if I could know one thing.
CONSTANTINE. What may that be?
GALLICANUS. Her answer.
CONSTANTINE. My daughter's answer?
GALLICANUS. Yes. What did she say?
CONSTANTINE. It is unreasonable to expect a young maid to answer in so many words. Events will prove that she consents. ”

“ JOHN. The love our lady bears you assures us of your goodwill.
GALLICANUS. You can rely on it. Come, tribunes and centurions, assemble the troops. Soldiers in my command, I present to you John and Paul, for whose arrival our departure has been delayed.
TRIBUNES. Lead us on. (The tribunes gather round Gallicanus.) [2]
GALLICANUS. We must first go to the Capitol, and visit the temples to propitiate the gods with the customary sacrifices. That is the way to obtain success for our arms. ”

“ SOLDIERS. The moment he arrived in Rome he went to the Church of Saint Peter, and, prostrating himself on the ground, gave thanks to the Almighty for giving him the victory.
CONSTANTINE. Gallicanus?
SOLDIERS. It is true.
CONSTANTINE. Impossible!
SOLDIERS. Here he comes. You can ask him yourself. ”

“ Take his daughters to Thyself, and pour the sweetness of Thy love into their hearts that they may despise all carnal bonds, and be admitted to the blessed company of virgins who are consecrated to Thee! ”