the holy name of Christ,
Destroy proud Anti-Christ.[247] I am a Christian.

_Caes._ Yea, a disciple that would make the founder
Of your belief renounce it, could he see
Such proselytes. Best stint thyself to plunder. 10

_Luth. Sold._ I say he is the Devil.

_Caes._ Hush! keep that secret,[ds]
Lest he should recognise you for his own.

_Luth. Sold._ Why would you save him? I repeat he is
The Devil, or the Devil's vicar upon earth.

_Caes._ And that's the reason: would you make a quarrel
With your best friends? You had far best be quiet;
His hour is not yet come.

_Luth. Sold._ That shall be seen!

[_The Lutheran Soldier rushes forward: a shot
strikes him from one of the Pope's Guards,
and he falls at the foot of the Altar_.

_Caes._ (_to the Lutheran_). I told you so.

_Luth. Sold._ And will you not avenge me?

_Caes._ Not I! You know that "Vengeance is the Lord's:"
You see he loves no interlopers.

_Luth. Sold._ (_dying_). Oh! 20
Had I but slain him, I had gone on high,
Crowned with eternal glory! Heaven, forgive
My feebleness of arm that reached him not,
And take thy servant to thy mercy. 'Tis
A glorious triumph still; proud Babylon's
No more; the Harlot of the Seven Hills
Hath changed her scarlet raiment for sackcloth
And ashes! [_The Lutheran dies_.

_Caes._ Yes, thine own amidst the rest.
Well done, old Babel!

[_The Guards defend themselves desperately, while the
Pontiff escapes, by a private passage, to the
Vatican and the Castle of St. Angelo_.[248]

_Caes._ Ha! right nobly battled!
Now, priest! now, soldier! the two great professions, 30
Together by the ears and hearts! I have not
Seen a more comic pantomime since Titus
Took Jewry. But the Romans had the best then;
Now they must take their turn.

_Soldiers_. He hath escaped!
Follow!

_Another Sold._ They have barred the narrow passage up,
And it is clogged with dead even to the door.

_Caes._ I am glad he hath escaped: