Classic Poem

Theodosius the Roman Emperor,
Son of Arcadius, was named Junior,
Being grandson of Theodosius the Great,
And in weak nonage raised to his estate.
He in Byzantium ruled: yet 'twas not he,
In truth, that held the sway of sovereignty;
Pulcheria 'twas, his sister fair and chaste,
A nun, that nigh his halls her cloister placed,
And governed thence by management and art,
Which well she knew, from outward show apart;
Whence famous in the histories is her name:
Who, though to be the Augusta making claim,
A thing in women never known before,
Herself in other ways so wisely bore
That Theodosius felt no whit her curb;
No envy fell, that might her reign disturb.
And she was bent to make him, as she could,
That was her younger brother, great and good,
And worthy to be called Emperor.
She taught him how to seem a governor,
And all the arts that upkept majesty;
To walk, to hold his robe, complacently
To take his throne, from laughter to refrain,
To fix a serious gaze, or smiles to deign:
To condescend, grave answers to return,
And from their looks men's thoughts to think to learn
And he, being thereto of a ready mind,
Grew up into a prince graceful and kind,
And wise, as then was held: by study he
The Scriptures knew by heart, most excellently
Sang offices: had skill in argument,
And therein still to gain the victory bent;
So that 'twas rumoured that he could dispute
With any doctor upon any suit
Humane he was, but strict: apt to require
In others all that made his own desire;
And of a rectitude to seek perfection
In the world's ways. Alas, that this complexion
Should soon become a scruple sticking fast
In cold persistence, and to misery cast
Life's fairest good, e'en love: as must be told
In things that men for light and little hold
This prince contentment found: his chief delight
To paint and carve and exquisitely write:
Hence named Kalligraphos: but more his ease
Than grew his royal fame in works like these
Since albeit studious, strict, and punctual
In his high office, as the hour might call,
His hiddenest thoughts stole forth to play around
Fair texts, untwining spirals, limned in the bound
Of vellum margins,—whatsoe'er designed
In curious art was moving in his mind.
Whence loss his empire felt: for vain indeed
o'er house or realm to rule, vain to proceed
In course of life, or place to occupy
Without full purposes: though exemplary
The daily round, the want is felt of force,
As currents fall with half diverted source.
And in this prince moreover 'twas complained
Of misdirection, whereso force obtained:
For he it was that levelled with the ground
The temples old which through his realm were found
Of idol worship, ruined long before,
And unfrequented: he to them no more
Left stone on stone: which seemed a wanton feat,
And set no whit steadier his royal seat.
Now first when came the time that seemed it fit
This noble prince should marry, by her wit
The wise Pulcheria framed that he should wed
No equal of himself, but, as 'tis read,
A damsel poor, to whom she favour shewed,
Who name perhaps, as birth, to Athens owed,
Named Athenais, that was the daughter
Of one Leontius, a philosopher:
And in the old religion was she taught
which now was trodden down, and deemed of nought.
So wondrous fair was she, that, when he died,
Her father willed his substance to divide
To her two brothers, leaving her in store
One hundred golden pieces and no more,
Affirming that her beauty would be found
Sufficient portion: but upon that ground
He seemed at first to err, for avarice
Appeared in her brothers nature's vice;
Her beauty in their hearts no pity bred,
So she from Athens to Byzantium fled
Seeking Pulcheria's aid: who piteous
Of her ill fortune, kept her in her house:
And, still observing, soon designed that she
The wife of Theodosius might be:
Devising thus herself to have a friend
That might her power and credit well defend,
Owing such station unto none but her.
Now at fit time her brother she gan stir
By telling of this wondrous Athenais:
Her large and open eyes, well worth the praise,
Her high and arching eyebrows, and her hair
Curled golden all about her forehead fair;
Her understanding and the arts she knew.
With her sad story she his pity drew;
And then in midst of all uplifted straight
A curtain which concealed a little grate,
Through which he saw the virgin presently,
Who sat with writing tables on her knee:
And as her ivory plates she seemed as fair,
Or fresh as roses which the morning air
Moves to and fro. Anon the Emperor
Was ushered by his sister through the door,
And soon declares his love; whom modestly
With love she answers: soon then asked he
If of her gods she would take exorcism,
And after for his sake receive baptism
“Sir, “answered she, “I have already thought
“Concerning this: and in these tables wrought
“See mayst thou Homer's verses new disposed
“Into the life of Christ, for I have closed
“The door of unbelief; and now require
“Baptism, yea, seek it with vehement desire;
“And that I may in sign of penitence
“For Athenais be named Eudocia hence.”
Then tenderly he said, “Change thou thy name,
“Be new in Christ, but be to me the same,
“Oh Athenais. “Therefore was she baptised
In that new name; and soon was solemnised
Her marriage with the prince in joyance great
Throughout the city and the Roman state.
Long time they lived in full happiness,
And in fair works compared they no less
Than in the love they bore with equal mind:
For what he wrought she came no whit behind
In carving, painting, and calligraphy;
And matched all he could in poetry
Yea, rather of the two might she excel:
Zachary she versified, and Daniel,
And all the legend of Saint Cyprian:
To paraphrase the Scriptures she began,
And wrote the first eight books: add here to these
Her Panegyric of the Victories
Of Theodosius, albeit that he
Warred not himself except by deputy.
And, better than her praise, to him she bare
Anon and in good time a daughter fair.
This child, to whom a marvellous history
In place belongs, in the baptistery
Was named Eudoxia, by a better name
Than of her mother, albeit nigh the same:
And at that time came forth the holy nun
Herself Pulcheria, saying, “Henceforth I shun
“That title vain which I too long have worn,
“Namely Augusta: it shall hence be borne
“By thee, Eudocia, who a child hast given
“Unto thy lord after the will of heaven:
“And she from thee shall bear it in descent:
“But not the less for this shall I be bent
“To serve my brother always, as I may,
“And be full peace between us from this day.”
Eudocia answered well: and peace there was,
As heretofore, some time, ere that, alas,
Occasion came that might their minds estrange,
And caused Eudocia weal for woe to exchange.
Theodosius being, as hath been made appear,
Such in his mind as might become severe
Where love was cast, of nature cold and high,
That for perfection looked, and would deny
His grace to less, and, if he found one fault,
Be turned from heavenly beauty in revolt
For ever, gentle though he seemed in all,
Such as would put away, and ne'er recal
Love thought deceived, as remorselessly
As if he had been sped by cruelty,
occasion came.
It happened that to her
He sent a present by a messenger,
An apple the which a merchantman had sold
To him for much: an Indian man full old
The seller was, who strangely left the shore,
Ere men could stay him, and was found no more.
This apple was golden, carved with fair device,
Fragrant, and filled inly with unknown spice,
And to be eaten at a bidden hour,
When it should be of most medicinal power.
This precious balm Eudocia spared to eat,
But sent to one Paulinus, to be meat,
That which for her alone her husband meant;
And this Paulinus unto whom 'twas sent
Was styled the Master of the Offices,
Who then was sick, whom thus she thought to ease
She sent it by the hand of Martian
The captain of the guard, the boldest man
Of all that in that tempest bare renown,
Who bore the name Augustus to his own,
Because of valiant deeds that he had wrought.
But now Paulinus, when the gift was brought,
For his part feared to make such prize his gain,
So to the Emperor sent it he again,
Untasted and unbroken, as it came.
Then in the Emperor rose the thought of blame,
Suspicion grew, and in his heart waxed great,
Because Paulinus in his charge of state,
Who was the goodliest person of the court,
Unto Eudocia often had resort.
Anon to her he went: and, “Where, “said he,
“The golden apple that I sent to thee?”
She, noting not his look, full merrily
“I to Augustus gave it, “made reply,
Playing upon the name that Martian bore
And the Emperor's high name: meaning no more
Than such light jest as might be passed between
Two lovers fond, as they had ever been
Then said he gravely, “Wilt thou swear thereto?”
“Swear? “said she, “Nay, what oath would prove me true?
“Should I augustus' head and tender beard
“Unto himself allege, or best be cleared
“By his high crown and throne imperial,
“Or by some rat or mouse that is in the wall,
“Since trifles ask for trifles? “He again,
“This playing on my name is something vain,
“Eudocia: such that might another move,
“Though I regard it not. “——“O curious love,”
Cried she in anger half, “wouldst thou believe
“That I have eaten of the fruit like Eve?”
He answered, “In the Scriptures mayst thou read
“How Eve, that was mother of human seed,
“Tasted the apple, that was fair to sight,
“Being thereto urged by hellish rage and spite,
“Because the serpent “——“Aye, “quoth she, “full well
“Beyond all doubt canst thou such history tell,
“Since none can equal thee: yet I but spake
“Of Eve a moment for resemblance' sake
“Supposed in jest. “——“Too much of jest, “said he;
“Let me refine upon that history,
“And interrupt me not. “——“What words are these?”
Cried she, and sank before him on her knees,
Then rose, and on his countenance set her gaze.
“Eudocia, much thou givest to me amaze
“Staying my speech of Eve: now would I say
“That when to Adam on that woful day
“She gave the apple that so fairly grew
“Upon the tree in every creature's view,
“having herself eaten, she ate not all:
“This of the very case must needs befal.
“Now therefore, if thou hold contrary part,
“If thou have eaten all, no Eve thou art:
“And glad were I, and kindness shalt thou own,
“Where now but rigour thou wouldst find alone:
“Nay, for that very end I sent it thee,
“That thou mightest eat. “——“I ate it not, “said she.——
“Moreover, that I further may refine,
“And separate between Eve's case and thine “——
Said she, “Again of Eve, when I but spake
“Her name for momentary semblance' sake “——
“Let me speak on, “said he, “what yet remains.
“Eve to her husband gave, which brought our pains,
“But I to thee have given, not thou to me:
“So thou by argument mayst plainly see
“The cases opposite, if thou but keep
“The meaning of my mind in matters deep.
“'twas I too bad thee eat; which was not so
“In her: nor me beyond may bidding go:
“But she was bidden by heaven from false delight.”
Hereat her hands together gan she to smite,
And cried, “An alien will to me is shewn,
“An alien will! Now first is trouble known
“To be alive, for now suspicion cold
“Taketh love's place, where sat but he of old,
“And changefulness, cruelest impiety,
“O'erthrows the noble heart of constancy.
“Ah, first the pain is great, thou hurtest me
“More than again within thy power shall be.
“Well had it been to have avoided the first sign
“Of difference, rather than with art design
“How difference might be made: to have put away
“The thought thereof at first, not bidden it stay:
“To have banished it to good occasion,
“Rather than opened road to draw it on.
“For let suspicion enter once the door,
“Never again is love as heretofore.”
—“In the respect, Eudocia, thou complainest
“Of trouble, “he answered, “and changefulness, thou feignest.
“'tis not thy mind to enter on this thing:
“Thou art averse: and thence thy troubles spring,
“Who shouldest consideration give to me.
“I make these questions without injury,
“And for thy thought these curious points prepare.
“But now what further might be enquired I spare:
“Say only where this apple now may be.”
—“I gave it to Augustus, “answered she,
“Or ate it; as thou wilt.”
Then back he drew,
And first he thought the apple fair to shew
From out his robe, or roll it on the floor:
But at the last he passed through the door,
And kept it secret still: and from that day
Evil suspicion held in him the sway.
“She of Paulinus spake not, ”this his thought,
“Paulinus lies therein, “holding for nought
That 'twas Paulinus who to him had sent
The apple back, which shewed him innocent
“Granted Paulinus innocently did,
“Yet wherefore should his name by her be hid?
“Had she but spoken once, it had procured
“Comfort to me; then peace had been assured.
“Not for ill deeds I look, nor seek to spy
“Token of lightness and false harlotry,
“But he adheres within the deepest hold
“Of her heart's thoughts, that was erewhile my fold.
“Silent becomes the tongue of that the heart
“cherishes best: tongueless is false in part:
“She is not perfect there.”
Without all fail
To wise Pulcheria soon he brought the tale,
Who answered, “Mighty brother, sure thy mind
“Has pierced the simple jest that she designed:
“That to Augustus Martian 'twas she gave
“This apple, so Paulinus' life to save.”
He looked, and said, “I understood, certain,
“All that she meant, and to my mind stood plain
“The subtlety that others might have missed:
“Which thou sawest not before I gan assist
“Thy quickness by my words in telling thee.”
—“Most true, I saw it not before, “said she.
Then he, “Hence that I knew doth well appear,
“Because I said that 'twas ill jesting here.
“I said not that from her I had not got
“The balmball back: and that I charged her not
“Shews me to have known her meaning: I reproved
“Her jest on me, nor other matter moved.
“Now, if I had not known (mark well the token)
“that 'twas a jest, how should I so have spoken?
“Jest was the offence, lightness that went to engrieve
“The falling off from me that I perceive.
“To punish that my mind is justly bent,
“And banishment to smite with banishment:
“That she in leisure long may well espy
“How ill it is to jest with majesty.”
Thereat Pulcheria smiled; for, sooth to say,
She was at enmity before that day
With fair Eudocia, though the quarrel great,
That then was noised about the Roman state,
Of bishop Flavian and bold Eutyches
The heresiarch: which they may read who please
In the authors of that age: and to that hour
Pulcheria had been worsted, and the power
Of the Empress seemed ever to prevail.
Now was the apple tossed into the scale:
Uprose the fortunes of Pulcheria,
Down into exile sank Eudocia:
And to Jerusalem bound, the holy site,
She from Byzantium was conveyed by night.
But albeit Theodosius cast her thence,
He left her not to pine in indigence,
And, as she was religious, through the East
Were poured her benefits, that her fame increased,
Till she was named the second Helena,
Or even more great: it was Eudocia
That dared the Holy City's walls rebuild:
The which were Lauras named, most curious seats
Whereto she drew of the holy anchorets,
Who in that age made in all place their bower;
Whose way of life was dreadful, stern, and sour
Beyond what man can think: but for man's sake
I the description from Evagrius take,
Who tells what life they willingly embraced——
Either they had their dwelling in the waste
Away from all; or, if they companied
With one another, 'twas but to abide
Under a yoke of stricter discipline.
Truly they lost the use of mine and thine.
The cloak that this one wore was not his own,
This fellow took it on occasion.
They had a common table, a