FIRST SOLDIER
He is old and gnarled, with a grey head; very few teeth left in his mouth
All’s astir and simmering tonight. It’s here.
I feel it.
SECOND SOLDIER
Grim, resentful, taciturn
What d’you hear round the fires?
THIRD SOLDIER
Comes up; younger, the most rebellious of all; the actual instigator; he was formerly an actor in Rome
It’s a strange porridge a-plopping in the pots
tonight. At every tent in this here camp
they’ve just one story: Germanicus must choose;
the nice young general must act now ... or scoot.
SECOND SOLDIER
Him you mustn’t touch. We know him. Tell what they say.
The others murmur agreement
FIRST SOLDIER
But I just don’t trust it. Blow on the embers.
THIRD SOLDIER
Still standing
Stir up the embers, stir up well!
That’s all that great Rome will offer you, old greybeard,
– if you fetch the wood yourself – fire, water,
air – or smoke – three precious elements ...
but even those who have no swords, get these,
we, soldiers of the legions, [2]
are owed more.
FIRST SOLDIER
No, I don’t trust your talk. Dark-night talk is crooked,
and mornings bring those fellows with the whip,
My back is old and I am tired.
SECOND SOLDIER
So’m I;
but this has to end now.
THIRD SOLDIER
Tired? That’s it!
Sick ’n tired, I want to vomit on this land –
just one big marsh, reeds and small white frogs ...
where we splash like herons through the mud.
FOURTH SOLDIER
His face is heavy, dull; not much intelligence
Gods, if I were back in Rome, with money,
in my old pub; and better womenfolk
than these here white ones. What makes me sick, is them!
THIRD SOLDIER
Yes, if you had money, that you’ll get where,
Priapus? And any stupid knight can offer more,
can buy you out.
Listen. It’s close to us – us folks with the swords –
not with the pale senators in Rome.
Don’t I just know ’em!
He strikes an oratorical pose
“Our noble legions ...”
Then more softly, like an actor’s aside
“Those black brush-heads that stink of sweat
and rancid oil ....”
[Again the orator’s tone] “Our bravest legions
that bring to the borders of the yellow Rhine
and foreign streams our wide-compassing rule
– no, right to the Danube, Euphrates and grey Pillars
and the deserts of Africa – brought it there [3]
and guards it still ...”
[Again more softly, in mock aside] “Ye gods, pray keep ’em there!”
In his ordinary voice
Two languages they have; one for us and one ...
FOURTH SOLDIER
And you talk three: Latin, and big, and rot.
Is that the tale you spin at all the fires, huh?
SECOND SOLDIER
Is this a theatre? And do you want applause?
THIRD SOLDIER
He’s not yet sick of daily kicks and blows.
He still goes sucking at the sergeant’s whip,
five cents or so – and then his clothes and weapons, tent
and juicy tarts are paid. But that’s not us!
Are we not of a proud old ruling race ...
SECOND SOLDIER
Just hear the candid senator!
FOURTH SOLDIER
They hung him out to bleach.
FIRST SOLDIER
But what he says, is true. It’s twenty winters
that I have borne like this until the winter
came and sat upon my head: just see my hands –
gnarled roots; and see my back – it’s been tanned with blows.
SECOND SOLDIER
Octavian still sits, old and tough in Rome,
where you too helped the man to get.
Germanicus comes up, dressed like a common soldier, unrecognisable to the others; with him is Lucius, a young officer
FIRST SOLDIER
Ah, them were the days ...
When an old man still could get a little farm.
I wanted to have sons ... nice brown Roman boys....
before I’m old and done for. [4]
FOURTH SOLDIER
Just listen to Apollo!
GERMANICUS
May I join you at your fire?
THIRD SOLDIER
Who is this? Why lurk in the shadows above the coals?
I’ve never seen you in the ranks before!
GERMANICUS
There’s many, mate, that you don’t know and don’t
know you. Why don’t I ask: Who’re you?
To Lucius and the rest
He’s one of those that think all look at them,
and Rome revolves obediently around their wants.
FIRST SOLDIER
Come closer. In them old days, I tell you, man,
– the days of the old Octavian –
I was a youngster still, not quite yet ...
THIRD SOLDIER
He’s one
of those that creep and crawl to listen in the dark!... But ...
tonight you all must know! It’s tonight, for sure
that the legions stir. Tonight!
SECOND SOLDIER
No crawling’s done round here; only in Rome, oh yes...
THIRD SOLDIER
Why do we sit here on the bare damp borders?
Fight through the shining riverbeds and forests,
and then withdraw, and shiver in the winter
around a few damp sticks. How long, old greybeard
have you been serving? Twenty years?
[To another soldier] You?
FOURTH SOLDIER
Eighteen
THIRD SOLDIER [5]
Twelve, me – just see how bare, how poor we are!
SECOND SOLDIER
That’s so. And the fat praetorians sit
from doing nothing.
THIRD SOLDIER
no: lie and leer
with heavy lids and half-asleep at all the women!
Augustus sits a-dying, mumbling on and on;
And all around the jackals lie and wait,
that evil hag, Agrippa semi-mad;
Tiberius in whom the black blood of the Claudii
rots. Who will rule us all – sit right on top,
atop the host of senators and knights and consuls ...
those thousand burdens grinding down our backs?
SECOND SOLDIER
What do you want? One still must rule?
THIRD SOLDIER
No, us!
We, like the legions brought Octavian,
so we must bring our general right into Rome!
And we shall rule!
FOURTH SOLDIER
Our backsides will!
SECOND SOLDIER
Germanicus, the general?
THIRD SOLDIER
Germanicus! He must! We want it. This very night
With the legions of the Germanies
About him, so he must move, to Italy, to Rome,
And be our Imperator.
[More quietly] Just hear me, I know
what no-one else knows: in Syria, in Pannonia
rebellion also looms – the legions simmer now ...
GERMANICUS [6]
Still not recognised
And, if the general should choose to stay
– we know him like that – just take his bit of land,
like the old man here?
THIRD SOLDIER
Then we wipe our boots on him!
FIRST SOLDIER
You’ll tread on nails.
SECOND SOLDIER
The legions all
adore Germanicus – pile on – will follow him,
no problem flashing swords in the senate ...
wait, blow ...
FIRST SOLDIER
The rain and wind of this grim land!
THIRD SOLDIER
The men are out. Listen to their shouts!
Something about “Augustus”. Has Augustus come?
FIFTH SOLDIER
Comes up; he is a soldier who has come from Rome with the imperial courier to Germanicus; he speaks with the self-assurance of a member of the praetorian guard
Evening, chaps. There’s news. Augustus kicked the bucket.
At last! And the grandma holds her ground,
is called Augusta! I have come here, with
the imperial messenger to Germanicus.
It’s freezing. Lemme get a little closer, now!
SOLDIERS [Shouting]
Augustus dead!
The grand old emp’ror’s dead!
THIRD SOLDIER
Who’s reigning now? Tiberius? Livia? Tell us, quick!
FIFTH SOLDIER
Agrippa’s murdered too. Tiberius reigns.
He took the empire in hand, so, all delicate [7]
as though his hand would stink – but gripped it fast,
believe me, and all the noble senators crouch low
and blow away the dust before his sandals.
FIRST SOLDIER [Pensively]
He was a general in Germany ...
THIRD SOLDIER
And what is said in Rome about Germanicus?
FOURTH SOLDIER
Listen. There’s shouting. The men are crowding round.
The gen’ral’s tent! The buccinator’s speaking!
Other soldiers cross the stage in the background.
THIRD SOLDIER [forcefully]
Now is the hour. Soldiers, come and listen here!
It’s one of you that’s speaking here. I know,
as you do, shame and blows and suffering;
the centurion’s staff, the burden to carry wood, to dig
in stone-hard winter earth; to pile up sods with hands
frozen stiff with frost, nails worn down to the quick.
A crowd of soldiers has gathered and they listen intently
Tonight, now, our hour strikes!
Are we to bend our backs like the senate?
Augustus has died ...
SOLDIERS [From the rear]
The emperor dead?
We thought he’s coming here!
They say he’s sick.
THIRD SOLDIER
Augustus has died.
How? Ask that of Livia Augusta!
And now someone’s playing ruler back at Rome:
the sly Tiberius.
Yes, laugh!
Will the Empire
pass from one white hand delicately to the next
in the senate, like half a pair of dice? [8]
Who makes and keeps the Empire? Who holds its gift?
It’s us – the legionaries!
Tiberius sits at Rome, sly and horrible,
and plays with children – ye gods, what games!
Let the legions of Germany and Pannonia
first stand beside Germanicus, then march
and Rome will shake! Gold, ground and freedom
for those who’ve fought and won!
To his tent! [General agreement]
GERMANICUS
Still disguised as a soldier
Listen, calm down! The emperor’s testament ...
THIRD SOLDIER
Are we to be chattels in his inheritance?
GERMANICUS
Germanicus is not a traitor. Nor must you be!
VOICES [Confused]
Who’s this?
Who’s speaking?
It’s a centurion!
Kill him, kill!
Drag him away! The dogs!
Just last night they beat me raw. Feel here, my back.
That’s nothing: look here!
GERMANICUS
Throws off his mantle and stands revealed as the general
Take this, Lucius. And stand behind me.
VOICES OF SOLDIERS
The general!
Who?
Who says the general’s coming?
Good, let him come. He’ll hear the whole truth.
That skinny fellow there?
Gods, it’s the general, it’s him! [9]
Now you’ll see a pretty pass.
What, are you scared?
Who was so full of boastful talk? This clown?
GERMANICUS
Hear me, soldiers. Or must I now say “citizens”?
I see a mob here, milling round like market-day –
no soldiers these.
THIRD SOLDIER
In the crowd, but from the rear
Yes, this is Rome! This is the senate, seems to me.
Laughter
LUCIUS
Be quiet!
VOICES
Shut up!
And let the general speak!
GERMANICUS
I am loyal. And loyalty is part of me.
Must I address you as this muddled mob?
Are you still cohorts? Or is it just a crazy mob?
VOICE
From the rear
We’ll hear all right, if you can say what’s right!
OTHER VOICES
Listen.
Be quiet.
Germanicus must speak.
Let’s hear the general’s words!
GERMANICUS
What do you want?
Who’s been abused? – Of course I’ll act for him.
FIRST SOLDIER
General, if I may speak. I’m sixty now.
Forty long years I’ve been on service and now I’m beat
Just see my hands. Look at my bent back. [10]
You ask if I’ve been whipped? By now I’m tamed.
Feel here my gums, there’s stumps, not teeth to chew.
Why can’t I rest? Will the great Empire leave be ...
give me a bit of land someplace where I
– well then, where I can die?
SECOND SOLDIER
General.
there’s thousands more of us who twenty years
summer and winter, loyally served the Caesars,
– before you knew these swamps and marshes
when you were still a boy, then we already marched.
Could sixteen years not mark an end to service?
OTHER SOLDIERS
Just look, see all my weals.
And mine.
And so we all.
And money!
The money!
Five cents for all our wounds.
GERMANICUS
Soldiers, I see it’s bitter living here.
But Caesar gave command and we were true
right up till now. I’ll see it through. Complaints
Will be attended to.
VOICES [In the rear]
It’s the Caesars we accuse,
old ones and new!
A LOYAL SOLDIER
March on to Rome,
And we’ll march too.
VOICES
From the rear, becoming louder
Hail Germanicus!
Germanicus to be our Caesar!
OTHER VOICES
Away with all the Caesars! [11]
Agrippina, the wife of Germanicus, comes up, accompanied by Piso, his second in command; soldiers with torches.
AGRIPPINA
My love!
Have you been hurt? I thought I heard your voice
a
mong these dangerous men. My fears
kept me awake – tonight, a hundred nights like this,
no way to know if you’re still safe; today,
Tomorrow, a year from now, I see it come,
I know that. These wet, grey fields ...
VOICES OF SOLDIERS
Piso, swarthy Piso!
Agrippina.
Who, her?
The general’s wife, grandchild of Octavian?
Wait, let me look.
I know her well, it’s her.
GERMANICUS
It’s nothing.
Hear me, men: not in the night,
not in the dark midst this dumb confusion
will I address your rights. Go to your fires,
go to your tents and rest. Tomorrow ...
VOICE [From the rear]
Tomorrow, tomorrow! It’s always the next day
that justice will be done – never today.
THIRD SOLDIER
Just listen!
The soldiers of the old sixth legion,
the really tough men! I thought as much, they’ll come.
The crowd grows larger; voices get louder
VOICES
Let’s go to Caesar!
Then on to Rome! [12]
Germanicus is here!
Hey! Hey!
Halt, there at back!
THIRD SOLDIER
Caesar! Here you now hear the people’s voice.
I’ll follow you, and every man that’s standing here.
We want you as emperor, not old Tiberius, no.
PISO
Stand back
I know you well: you are the clown.
To the soldiers
Will the badgers ... no, skunks from city sewers
Here take command?
Go find some market-straw to gnaw!
We’re soldiers here.
Listen men, be quiet:
it is the ancient right of every legion
to make on battlefields rulers for our weal
– the world even – to call out imperator.
None can take that right away ...
VOICES
Arrogant as he always is.
But he’s right.
He’s with us here.
Black Piso stands alongside us.
PISO
Who rules in Rome must rule here too,
and he whom we – I and you all – don't trust
drops faster from his saddle than he got on.
Some soldiers are already laughing.
GERMANICUS
Piso, you speak great things; they’re double-tongued,
a trap’s been set – but I’m still not sure for whom.
SIXTH SOLDIER [13]
More rebellious; he comes from the legion that has just arrived, whose camp is situated further away and hence is less under the influence of Germanicus’ personality
We, soldiers of the sixth, we want to know,
Germanicus, he wonders, thinks and weighs ...
he’s always:
Right on the one hand; Wrong is on the other –
three points count for it, two are against ...
Mimicking him
“Listen, soldiers, this matter is not so simple ...”
Suddenly harsh
Always, weighing, weighing. Tonight there’s nought to weigh.
GERMANICUS [calmly]
Ere I let you drag me citywards in triumph
to be the butt of every clown, libertine
and toothless veteran in Rome,
I’ll draw my sword myself ...
SIXTH SOLDIER
Take mine! It’s sharp –
Not the fly-swatter that a general wears.
Laughter and taunting; the atmosphere is tense
AGRIPPINA
Back! Yap in front of other doors!
A dog from the Suburra
comes here to bark at Caesar.
What do I care for Tiberius’ great name?
Did I not stand at the Long Bridge over the Rhine,
stand there that day
when Aulus Caecina had to fall back from
the marshy mud of the Batavian swamps?
Who wanted to destroy the bridge? And leave our men right there?
This man and his kind who now can bark so loud ...
Safe behind a water-shield.
She addresses individual soldiers in the circle
and leave you there [14]
and you and you – you know this well, I know you:
you with the two front teeth like a hare
were you not wounded on that day?
Did you
not reach me all slashed about?
Food, clothing,
rags you were glad to get ... you all sought
to kiss my hands ... now you all stand here with him!
VOICES
That’s true!
She spoke a mouthful.
Where’s that dirty dog?
This is a child that great Agrippa bred.
AGRIPPINA
Well then. That’s fine. Th’ honour of my soldiers ...
I hold it to the light: foul in my hand!
I’ll take my children now—those that you dandle
and play at horsies through the tents—
and I shall seek another legion now.
VOICES [Of her supporters]
Come, catch the cur!
OPPOSING VOICES
We are with him. He’s right!
SIXTH SOLDIER
Unnerved, but holding his own
Go back to Rome, seek out your legions
from Julia, the whore ...
[Over his shoulders, to the rest] ... her mother!
Jeers and noise, Lucius springs forward
GERMANICUS
Stand back. ’t is my right to strike the victim down .
He fells the Sixth Soldier with his sword. The man falls down among the rest. Sudden silence. He speaks in a very low tone.
The first time ever that I struck
a veteran of mine. [15]
I stand ashamed before you all
You should have hurled your taunts at me ...
This madness is contagious; the dog bites,
and I go mad, who was his master up to now,
approachable.
But all are bitten, both you and I
Tiberius, and Rome, this madness slavers forth
and hangs in slimy loops upon us all.
Contumely ...
He said it all: three points are pro, two con;
and who makes subtraction into proper sums?
More forcefully
Let us all make an end to talk.
You people want to take the world by storm;
make firm your hearts with truth and trust.
Be iron, welded firm, constrained as one
by trust – not sand that trickles through the fingers.
Fools. Fools. Varus’ own legions
lie unburied in the marshes. Think now:
if we set off now for Rome, will the German host
stay here to watch our tents, carry kindling wood?
They’ll sweep us all, take Rome and sweep
into the blue tepid Sea ...
You stupid, stupid men: you feel rebellious
– a shoe pinches or a buckle’s pulled too tight
and you want to take on the rulers of the world!
Soldiers appear ashamed; ringleaders quietly withdraw
Go to your tents, all. Tomorrow sees us march.
First north!
Approving murmur of voices from the rear
VOICES
First north!
First north.
[Jubilantly] North first. Then south!
Voices from the rear swell to a mighty roar, then die down [16]
Hail Caesar!
PISO
You heard it: “North first, then sou
th.” Like one.
They think that it’s a promise.
And what they yell, is heard in city ears.
[To Agrippina] Tiberius will not forget how you, tonight,
tamed your legions with a word.
Scene Two
Piso’s tent
That same night
[17]
The same night. Piso’s tent. He walks up and down impatiently; then he hears something, goes to the door and lets in two officers.