BELISARIUS GENERAL OF THE EAST by JOHN PRESLAND AUTHOR OF MARCUS AURELIUS, THE DELUGE, ETC, ACT IV. SCENE i. A Hall of Justice at the back a attained alcove concealing JUSTINIAN in the centre POMPEIUS is seated, facing Mm are BELISARIUS on the left and ISAAC on the right. JUSTUS is beside BELISARIUS as Ms counsel JULIAN, THEODORE, and DEMETRIUS act as witnesses there are two Scribes taking notes. As the scene opens ISAAC is speaking. ISAAC. These are the causes which impelled me, sir, To bring an accusation into court Against this man, called Belisarius, Also at one time General of the East, And Consul for his year those favours heaped The Emperor on his unworthy head That he stood highest of all citizens, Until he did aspire above the level Of citizenship to be Emperor. BELISARIUS. Protest against that, Justus. JUSTUS producing a paper. I protest. The accusation says no word at all ACT I. SCENE.A wide, handsome street in Byzantium, flanked either side with colonnades, under which shops are seen, and where a crowd of idkrs loaf on the steps or against the columns.
In the back ground is the Golden Gate with its guardwuse, round which is a disorderly mob of soldiers, going in, coming out, ordered first in this direction, and then in that, by their officers messengers arriving and departing a seme of bustle and disorder. SERGIUS and MARCELLUS conversing earnestly in one of the porches. MARCELLUS, So hated is he, Sergius, these days, That all we need do is to take a stand In any street or forum in the city, And cry for his successor, and the people Would plump their votes for anyone we chose, And push Justinian down. SERGIUS, Hush, not so loud Although I think his popularity Wanes, as his taxes and his years increase There always will be busybodies tound To carry news where theyll be paid for it, BELISARIUS ACT i MARCELLUS. Pooh theyre too busy with this last report Of Zabergans advance through Thrace, and wreck Of towns and villages, to notice us, And thats to our advantage Heres the time To rid us of this peasant Emperor.
His young years were unpopular enough, When all the victories of Africa, And Italy, and Persia, others won, Made a fictitious splendour round him, NowT His taxes multiplied like Jacobs sheep, And this corruption of his officers, Which he wants strength to check SERGIUS. And, I believe, The will to profit by. MARCELLUS, What good is that ? Its with his knowledge, if not with his will They farm out office, and the wretched poor Of the streets and country pay the final drop Cruelty and greed can wring from them. Be sure, This is the time for a decisive blow, When all Byzantium has gone distraught About these Huns and Slavs. SERGIUS. I do not think so, ETC...
