7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

1/56

CHILDREN OF LUCIFER

An Antique Drama in Five Acts by Eduard Schur

DEDICAION

!" #"ve$ and bear% t" h"&e ti## H"&e creates

Fr"m its "'n 'rec( the thin) it c"ntemates*+

,, SHELLE-.Prometheus Unbound

AUHOR+S NOE

EDIOR+S NOE

AR/U0EN

CHARACERS

AC ONE

AC 1O

AC HREE

AC FOUR

AC FI2E

CHILDREN OF LUCIFERis enacted a)ainst the hist"ric bac()r"und "3 the 3"urth century A*D*$ the &eri"d "3 the )reat

c"n3#ict bet'een He##enism and Christianity% but the im&etu"us s&irits "3 the t'" #eadin) characters brea( thr"u)h and

transcend this c"n3#ict$ in their as&irati"n t"'ards an idea# "3 0an and 1"man 'hich neither Hist"ry n"r Le)end n"r

4"etry has as yet rea#i5ed6name#y a L"ve that &"urs 3"rth in a united c"m&ani"nshi& that is active* In this drama the man

emb"dies the s&irit "3 He##enism$ the '"man &ers"ni3ies the s"u# "3 Christianity$ and their 3usi"n is acc"mished by the

mirac#e "3 L"ve* hat 'hich ass"ciates and unites them is an inte)ra# and abs"#ute #"ve$ at "nce human and divine$

&assi"nate and s&iritua#$ a #"ve 3erti#i5in)$ redeemin) and creative* 7"th )ive themse#ves 3ree#y$ each "3 them is

submer)ed in the "ther$ and each is reb"rn in the "ther t" rise re,enriched$ s" that they 3"rm "ne sin)#e bein) 'h"se

&"'er is mu#tiied a hundred3"#d by the t'" ma)netic &"#es* 4h"s&h"r"s bec"mes the c"nscience "3 C#e"nice and

C#e"nice bec"mes the s"u# "3 4h"s&h"r"s* hus the acti"n "3 this 3ree &air is #iberatin)% and thus they shed ar"und them a

ne' #i3e$ and 'ith"ut intendin) it$ be)et a ne' re#i)i"n* Fr"m their radiance the 3ree city is b"rn*

Such a &air$ h"'ever$ cann"t #"n) trium&h in the '"r#d int" 'hich they are b"rn* hey are 3ated t" succumb in their

darin) cam&ai)n a)ainst Caesar and the Church$ and can "n#y a33irm their vict"ry by means "3 their death* On#y thus 'i##

they bequeath t" man(ind the testament "3 their 3aith under the si)n "3 Luci3er*

Luci3er$ the S&irit "3 Science$ Freed"m and Human Individua#ity$ is an imacab#e adversary "3 the Church in its &resent

3"rm$ but he is n"t an adversary "3 Christ$ a#th"u)h he un3"#ds himse#3 in an inverse directi"n% he is rather Christ+s

c"mement* F"r there is a &"int at 'hich the man 'h" see(s t" bec"me a )"d c"incides 'ith the )"d,made man6the

&"int at 'hich Science bec"mes 1isd"m by b#endin) 'ith L"ve*

THE PLAY$ dedicated t" She##ey$ 'as ins&ired by the same m"ti3 as im&e##ed the #atter t" 'rite his Prometheus

Unbound$ and the ima)ery came 3r"m the same s"urce 8see She##ey+s 4re3ace9* heir her"es are a(in* Schur 'r"te his

4#ay in :;

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

2/56

Rud"#3 Steiner and Eduard Schur

Eduard Schur 8:B:,:;?;9 died "n the th "3 A&ri# in his th year* In his mem"irs &ub#ished a year a)" 8Le Rve d+une

2ie$ C"n3essi"n d+un 4"te9 he qu"tes Rud"#3 Steiner incidenta##y "n#y$ dev"tin) n" &art "3 the mem"ir t" him* As he

himse#3 had re&eated#y said that he had Rud"#3 Steiner t" than( that he c"u#d achieve the )reater &art "3 his #ater '"r($

and 3"r the certainty "3 havin) described in his '"r(s rea# 3acts "ut "3 the s&iritua# '"r#ds$ and that Dr* Steiner had

ayed an im&"rtant r"#e in his #i3e$ I as(ed him "n "ne "3 my 3requent visits t" his c"untry h"use$ near 7arr in A#sace$

'hether he '"u#d n"t #i(e his meetin)s 'ith Rud"#3 Steiner t" be rec"rded* He t"#d me that he 'as '"r(in) "n a b""(.

The Occult Streams of the Twentieth Century, necdotes and !ecollections$ and that he intended t" dev"te a cha&ter "r

m"re t" Rud"#3 Steiner and the Christian Es"tericism* -et a#th"u)h the '"r( 'as be)un he had n" surety that his hea#th'"u#d a##"' him t" 3inish it$ there3"re he '"u#d #i(e t" &ass "n t" me by '"rd "3 m"uth 'hat 'as n"t yet 'ritten "3 these

meetin)s$ and 'hat mi)ht be "3 s"me si)ni3icance t" us y"un)er &e"e*

")ether 'ith s"me Anthr"&"s"&hist 3riends "3 the A#sace,L"tharin)ian -"uth /r"u& 8a number$ 'hich by Schur+s 'ish

'as #imited in c"nsiderati"n 3"r his hea#th9 I bet""( myse#3 in Oct"ber$ :;?$ t" 7arr in "rder t" receive Schur+s

c"mmunicati"ns c"ncernin) "ur teacher*

he c"untry h"use Les 7"u#eau #ies at the 3""t "3 the ruins "3 the cast#e An#au near the t"'n "3 7arr in A#sace* Schur

sat "n the verandah$ 3acin) t"'ards the Rebber)e* Autumn br""ded "ver the #and* 7irches 'hich because "3 their s"u#s

Schur c#ear#y #"ved$ )re' near by$ #eanin) t"'ards us* his is the h"use 'here Rud"#3 Steiner had t'ice visited Schur*

he 3irst time he had addressed a )atherin) "3 3riends 3r"m A#sace$ invited by Schur$ in the r""m net t" the "ne t"'hich 'e &resent#y retired* he "ther time Rud"#3 Steiner 'ent 'ith him and 0arie v"n Sivers u& t" the Odi#ienber)$

'hich r"se ab"ve us 'here the va##ey steey m"unted*

Hearin) "ur a&&r"ach Schur t"re himse#3 a'ay 3r"m his 'ritin) stand 8he habitua##y st""d t" 'rite9$ &assin) his hand

"ver his 3"rehead as i3 t" brush a'ay his dreams and visi"ns 3"r a m"ment$ and came quic(#y 3"r'ard 'ith hands

"utstretched as i3 t" )reet "#d 3riends*

he bushy hair 3e## "ver the temes "n either side "3 his hi)h and sti## sm""th 3"rehead* A habit "3 m"vin) his eyebr"'s

)ave animati"n t" his s&eech* His 3ace sh"ne 'ith easure and his eyes #i)hted u& as he s&"(e "3 0ar)herita A#bana$ the

'"man 'h" had #ed him by the hand int" the '"r#d "3 the )reat Initiates*

hese are the y"un) &e"e 'h" '"u#d #i(e t" hear me s&ea( "3 their teacher Rud"#3 SteinerG -"u have a## seen Rud"#3Steiner$ n" d"ubtG

N"$ very 3e' "3 us (ne' him% that is 'hy 'e are s" ani"us t" hear ab"ut him 3r"m a man s" hi)h#y esteemed by "ur

master$ and a man 'h"m he himse#3 ca##ed a )reat 4re&arer "3 the 1ay$ and the !7anner,bearer "3 the es"teric band "3 the

1estern &e"es*+

Schur sett#ed himse#3 in his armchair in the midd#e "3 the )reat '"r(r""m* He )r"u&ed us ar"und him at a #itt#e distance

in a ha#3 circ#e as i3 he 'ished t" 3ee# himse#3 in the circ#e "3 mem"ry* A)ain his hand 'andered "ver his 3"rehead*

-"u brin) a s&irit "3 y"uth t" my "#d a)e* I 'ish I c"u#d stand be3"re y"u as Rud"#3 Steiner st""d be3"re y"un) &e"e*

He #""(ed dee& int" their s"u#s and s&"(e a#'ays "3 'ays d"'n 'hich he had himse#3 trave##ed*

Oh$ yes$ s"me "3 us be)an$ but Schur had be)un his narrative*

he 3irst time I sa' Rud"#3 Steiner 'as in A&ri#$ :;

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

3/56

In :;

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

4/56

$reat "nitiates'as &er3ect#y true* And in these #ectures in the 4rin5en Ha## in 0unich and t" an audience "3 =

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

5/56

'e b"th came t" simi#ar resu#ts$ and they &resented themse#ves t" us in di33erent 3"rms "n#y in s" 3ar that I ca## Rud"#3

Steiner the 0aster and myse#3 the &u&i#$ and in that I$ in actua# acc"mishment$ had n"t reached 'hat he c"u#d )ive*

As an eame 'hich ta##ies 'ith this &ara##e#ism "3 their 'ays t"'ards the same )"a#$ but 'hich ha&&ened under

di33erent 3"rms$ is their e&erience in re)ard t" the 3i)ure "3 Odi#ia in A#sace$ 'h"se actua# 3i)ure 'as the "bKect "3

Rud"#3 Steiner+s search$ 'hi#e I hunted "ut the #e)end$ said Schur*

F"r many years I tried t" trace "ut the evidences "3 the #i3e and '"r( "3 Odi#ia "n the Hi##$ in the 'h"#e "3 A#sace and in

the s"u#s "3 the inhabitants% but Steiner s"u)ht 3"r Odi#ia herse#3* 1e 'ent 3r"m here u& "n t" the Hi##* here 'e sat 3"r

#"n) "n the errace* Frau#ein v"n Sivers$ a3ter'ards Frau Dr* Steiner$ 'as 'ith us* F"r a #"n) time Rud"#3 Steiner did n"ts&ea(* He 'as deey sun( in meditati"n$ "r rather in a search* It 'as Odi#ia+s se#3 that he 'as see(in)* A3ter'ards he

said t" me that he had n"t 3"und her here$ but that he had been ab#e t" 3ind her much m"re c#ear#y "n her 3#i)ht t"

Ar#esheim in S'it5er#and* At every restin) ace in her 3#i)ht she had reached a hi)her sta)e$ c"rres&"ndin) t" her arma$

"3 her s&iritua# deve#"&ment*

hese t'" 'ays "3 see(in) an hist"rica# &ers"na#ity 'itnessed tru#y t" the di33erences in the 3"rms "3 re&r"ducti"n "3

'hat 'as &erceived by these t'" ea#ted &ers"ns$ 'h" &r"ceeded "n their 'ay t")ether$ and 3r"m time t" time he#d "ut a

hand t" "ne an"ther*

Schur described t" us his im&ressi"ns "3 the /"etheanum* It 'as natura##y a questi"n$ at the m"ment$ "3 the 3irst

/"etheanum* He had n"t seen the sec"nd$ but "n#y the &icture I sh"'ed him* He 'ent deey int" the di33erences bet'eenthe /ree( eme$ the /"etheanum$ and the /"thic Cathedra#*

He had been instructed by Rud"#3 Steiner himse#3 "ver the aim$ the name and 'hat it 'as destined 3"r* Schur said "3 it$

It 'as Kust this 3irst bui#din) that made such an im&ressi"n u&"n me$ i##ustratin) s"methin) s" di33erent 3r"m /"thic

bui#din) such as the Strassbur) 0inster* hat the /"etheanum 'as n"t t" be c"nsidered a eme 'as si)ni3ied by Rud"#3

Steiner 'hen he chan)ed the name 3r"m M"hannes 7au t" /"etheanum* he man 'h" achieved the 7au c"u#d natura##y

n"t bui#d acc"rdin) t" the &rescri&ti"ns "3 science and technica# (n"'#ed)e$ 'hich he himse#3 dec#ared t" be insu33icient*

Under the cu&"#a "3 the /"etheanum I have (n"'n h"urs "3 beauti3u# e&erience*

Returnin) t" the#ystery of EleusisSchur a##uded t" the #ectures )iven by Rud"#3 Steiner 'ith a sh"rt &assa)e 3r"m'hich 'e 'i## here c#"se$ a &assa)e in 'hich Schur 'as &ut in the ace in s&iritua# ev"#uti"n 'hich be#"n)ed t" him.

he auth"r "3 The Children of Lucifer'h"m 'e had the easure "3 seein) at the &er3"rmance #ast year$ and a)ain at the

#ectures #ast year and this year$ in his $reat "nitiateshas created a qua#ity "3 ideas "3 'hich the e33ects "n the mind and

s"u# can "n#y in the 3uture be seen in their ri)ht #i)ht*

It may stri(e y"u$ my dear 3riends as etra"rdinary in many 'ays 'hen the estimati"n in 'hich the s&iritua# 3"rces and

'"r(s "3 "ne time "r an"ther in the &ast are c"m&ared 'ith 'hat ru#ed in the c"nsci"usness "3 the c"ntem&"raries "3

th"se times* 1e s" easi#y mista(e the 'ay in 'hich 'e "urse#ves thin( ab"ut /"ethe$ Sha(es&eare$ Dante$ 'ith that in

'hich the c"ntem&"raries 'ere e&ert$ 'h" studied them and estimated them 3r"m s&iritua# 3"rces 'hich thr"u)h such

&ers"na#ities 'ere )iven b"dy by the &r")ressive s&irit "3 man* And it is es&ecia##y incumbent u&"n us as he"s"&hists t"brin) it t" "ur c"nsci"usness that man in his "'n times #east "3 a## can measure the si)ni3icance and 3"rce "3 s&iritua#

&r"ducti"ns 3"r the s"u# #i3t "3 their c"ntem&"raries* 1hen 'e c"nsider h"' the Kud)ment "3 the 3uture 'i## be quite

di33erent 3r"m that "3 the &resent$ then 'e may say that the a&&earance "3 the $reat "nitiates'i## s"me time be seen as

s"methin) "3 tremend"us si)ni3icance b"th because "3 its c"ntents and 3"r the s&iritua# dee&enin) "3 "ur time* F"r 3r"m

many s"u#s be#"n)in) t" the 'idest cu#ture circ#es "3 "ur times there res"und ech"es "3 'hat 'i## have bec"me &"ssib#e

"n#y because these ideas 3"und entrance int" the hearts "3 "ur c"ntem&"raries* * * * And 3"r such these ech"es are "3 )reat

si)ni3icance% 3"r number#ess 3"#( they mean a certainty "3 #i3e$ and trust and h"&e in the m"st di33icu#t m"ments "3 their

#ives* And "n#y 'hen 'e understand h"' t" reK"ice in the ri)ht 'ay "ver such s&iritua# deeds "3 "ur time dare 'e assert

that 'e have 'ithin "ur breasts a he"s"&hica# &erce&ti"n and he"s"&hica# 3rame "3 mind$ "3 any '"rth* And "ut "3

th"se de&ths "3 s"u# 3r"m 'hich the ideas "3 The $reat "nitiatesstreamed 3"rth the 3i)ures "3 The Children of Lucifera#s"

received their 3"rm and stam&* It brin)s a )reat &eri"d "3 man(ind be3"re the s"u#$ a time in 'hich the "#d and the ne' in

the ev"#uti"n "3 the '"r#d K"st#ed each "ther* he"s"&hy must understand h"' in this ay there is a t'",3"#d stream%human #i3e$ human '"r($ and human in3#uences "n the &hysica# ane as it is &resented t" us thr"u)h the 3i)ures 'hich

meet us in The Children of Lucifer* And in these '"r(s$ int" these in3#uences$ there shines 'hat 'e may ca## i##uminati"n

3r"m the hi)her '"r#ds* 8:=th Au)ust$ :;:

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

6/56

C#"LLE SC*+E")E!

ARGUMENT

It is a time 'hen C"nstantine has dec#ared Christianity t" be the re#i)i"n "3 the '"r#d$ and the #ast re#ics "3 &a)anism arebein) stam&ed "ut re#ent#ess#y* 7ut the city "3 Di"nysia sti## cherishes its traditi"n$ in s&ite "3 the &resence "3 a Christian

7ish"&% and the 4r"c"nsu# Har&a#us$ has been sent t" reduce it t" submissi"n* Damis is #"ya# t" his "#d be#ie3s$ but

4hry)ius has #"st his "'n (in)d"m and b"'s t" the inevitab#e* he"(#es 8the her" "3 the ay9$ a y"un) n"b#eman "3

Di"nysia$ a true &a)an$ returns 3r"m his trave#s t" 3ind his City ab"ut t" be )iven "ver t" R"me* he 4r"c"nsu# arrives$

and by "33erin) t" the &e"e a## the easure and &r"3it 'hich R"me can )ive$ is received 'ith a&ause$ and Andr"c#es$ a

3riend "3 he"(#es$ has t" surrender the (eys "3 the City*

A ri"t$ h"'ever$ has ta(en ace because "3 a acard si)ned Harm"dius$ den"uncin) R"me and ca##in) u&"n the citi5ens

t" rise*he"(#es te##s his 3riends that he is the 'riter "3 this &r"c#amati"n*

At the su))esti"n "3 Lyc"&hr"n$ an "#d )rave,di))er and seer$ he #eaves the city 3"r a 'i#d re)i"n "3 the aurus

0"untains in "rder t" )et advice 3r"m Hera(#id"s* Here he c"mes t" the eme "3 the Un(n"'n /"d$ 'here he is

initiated by Hera(#id"s in the mysteries "3 Luci3er and !the heaven#y v"ice+$ and is )iven a ne' name$ 4h"s&h"r"s$ and

armed 'ith the visi"n "3 !the Star and the "rch+* 7ut he is 'arned that he 'i## "n#y bec"me a !Her"+ 'hen a vir)in+s

#"ve 3"r him is s" 3ear#ess that she ren"unces her )"d t" 3"##"' him*

hus &re&ared he sets 3"rth "n his trave#s$ and arrives at an "asis "3 #"'er E)y&t 'here a Christian teme is (e&t by the

!Father "3 the desert*+ Here is C#e"nice$ 'h" has dedicated her #i3e t" vir)inity and &rayer$ but 'h" has seen 4h"s&h"r"s$

"r he"(#es$ in the mar(et,ace "3 Di"nysia* She is determined that i3 4h"s&h"r"s c"mes her 'ay she 'i## curse him$ but

the Father "3 the desert cauti"ns her a)ainst her rashness* 4h"s&h"r"s arrives and C#e"nice carries "ut her threat$ th"u)h

in d"in) s" she re#ents$ and it is c#ear that 4h"s&h"r"s has c"nquered her % but he #eaves the c#"ister never t" see her a)ain*

He receives in3"rmati"n 3r"m his 3riends at Di"nysia that he has been &ard"ned "n c"nditi"n "3 his return t" de3end his

c"nduct$ and they 'arn him that this is "n#y a tric(* In s&ite "3 this 3riend#y 'arnin)$ he determines t" return t" Di"nysia

at "nce* hessa#us$ an "#d servant "3 C#e"nice+s 3ami#y$ arrives at her c#"ister and te##s her that he has met 4h"s&h"r"s$

'h" has t"#d him that he is "n his 'ay t" Di"nysia t" stand his tria# as an enemy "3 Caesar* C#e"nice thereu&"n #eaves the

c#"ister t" he#& 4h"s&h"r"s in his tr"ub#e*

She 3inds "n arriva# that 4h"s&h"r"s is cast int" &ris"n$ and am"n) his 3riends 4hry)ius$ is hesitatin)* he tria# ta(es

ace* 4h"s&h"r"s in his s&eech ma(es n" de3ence but carries the attac( int" the cam& "3 his "&&"nents* He is c"ndemned

t" death$ but this is miti)ated t" banishment i3 he can )et "ne &ers"n "ut "3 the cr"'d t" say a )""d '"rd 3"r him*

C#e"nice immediate#y intervenes* he cr"'d$ t" 'h"m C#e"nice is 'e## (n"'n$ is #"ud in its a&ause$ the 4r"c"nsu# is

(i##ed$ the R"man s"#diers driven bac($ and 4h"s&h"r"s is &r"c#aimed Arch"n "3 Di"nysia*

he Christian 7ish"& (n"'s that he has the R"man Em&ire in his su&&"rt and is determined t" '"r( the ruin "3 the ha&&y

&air$ 'h" are n"' married* S""n 4h"s&h"r"s #earns that his armies are )ivin) 'ay$ and in s&ite "3 enc"ura)ement and

he#& 3r"m C#e"nice$ is 3ee#in) des&"ndent* C#e"nice herse#3 is entra&&ed by a m"n( t" #eave her h"use in "rder t" meet the

7ish"&* he #"ya# Damis arrives 'ith bad ne's 3"r 4h"s&h"r"s* Damis is$ h"'ever$ at a critica# m"ment ab#e t" re#easeC#e"nice$ 'h" has been cast by the 7ish"& int" &ris"n$ and a)ain the &e"e are turned t" 3av"ur 4h"s&h"r"s*

7ut the invincib#e armies "3 R"me are &ressin) "n$ 4hry)ius has deserted his 3riends$ and the 7ish"& em"ys the time by

a 3"rce3u# a&&ea# t" the su&erstiti"n and 3ear "3 the &"&u#ace$ 'hen he &r"n"unces !anathema u&"n the accursed &air+*

here are m"re ri"ts in the City$ 4h"s&h"r"s and C#e"nice are se&arated$ the Armies enter$ and 4h"s&h"r"s 3#ees t" the

eme "3 the Un(n"'n /"d$ 'here he is e&ected by the "#d initiate Hera(#id"s*

C#e"nice a#s" 3inds her 'ay there$ but the R"man armies$ 'ith the Christian 7ish"&$ are intent u&"n their destructi"n*

C#e"nice is &re&ared t" die 'ith 4h"s&h"r"s* 4h"s&h"r"s$ in the "#d &a)an s&irit$ is determined at any rate t" 3i)ht$ and

re3uses t" yie#d% but it is b"rne in u&"n b"th "3 them that their sacri3ice in death 'i## be the 3u#3i#ment "3 the )reatest

human idea# and 'i## he#& t" brin) ab"ut in humanity a truer Christianity$ and they ta(e "3 the same &"is"ned cu&$ and

&erish*

4a)e = "3 @=

http://uncletaz.com/lucifer/argument.html#arg01http://uncletaz.com/lucifer/argument.html#arg01

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

7/56

At this m"ment the 7ish"& and the tr""&s enter the eme$ but 3a## bac( terri3ied at the visi"n "3 the 3#amin) star and the

3iery cr"ss* he 7ish"& dr"&s his cr"5ier$ the tr""&s (nee#$ 'hi#e Hera(#id"s )ives the Si)n "3 the imes6the Cr"ss "3

Christ u&"n the Star "3 Luci3er*

Harm"dius and Arist")eit"n in /ree( hist"ry are the &r"t"ty&es "3 #iberty*

CHARACERS

HEOLES. #ater surnamed 4HOS4HOROS$ citi5en "3 Di"nysia*

CLEONICE. A Christian maiden "3 Di"nysia*

DA0IS.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

4HR-/IUS.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Friends "3 he"(#es*

ANDROCLES.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

ALCEAS.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

L-CO4HRON. A Seer*

HERALIDOS. A Hier"&hant in the eme "3 the Un(n"'n /"d*

HAR4ALUS. 4r"c"nsu# "3 Asia*

HE HI/H 4RIES OF 7ACCHUS*

HE 7ISHO4 OF DION-SIA*

A 0ON*

HE FAHER OF HE DESER*

A/LAE.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,C-HERIS.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, C"urtesans attired as 7acchantes*

0I0ALONE.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

HESSALUS. An "#d s#ave*

A SER2AN OF 4HOS4HOROS*

HE HERALD OF HE 4ROCONSUL*

A CENURION*

1O HI/HLAND 0EN*

A -OUN/ 0AN.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A -OUN/ 1O0AN.,,,,,,,,,, O3 the &e"e "3 Di"nysia*

AN OLD 0AN.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A S4IRI in the 3"rm "3 Luci3er*

HE 2OICE "3 the 3#amin) Star*

R"man #e)i"naries$ Lict"rs$ y"un) men "3 the Di"nysian &ha#an$ 2ir)ins "3 the Desert$ &"&u#ace*

The action ta-es (lace at the beginning of the fourth century, ), in the reign of Constantine the $reat

The scene is laid in sia #inor and in Egy(t

4a)e "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

8/56

AC ONE

Public s.uare at )ionysia, a town in sia #inor t the bac- a gateway o(ening on the courtyard of the Prytaneum On

the left, the entrance to the Tem(le of Bacchus, bordered with sycamore trees On the right, a Christian basilica

surmounted bya cross "t is night

SCENE I

DA0IS and4HR-/IUS enter slowly, on the alert as if trying to distinguish something in the dar-ness

4HR-/IUS* Have y"u seen the R"mansG

DA0IS* N"t yet*

4HR-/IUS* his is the squareG

DA0IS* -es$ the a)"ra 'ith the 4rytaneum* It is deserted and dar( as th"u)h it 'ere a3raid t" see the da'n brea(*

8Trum(ets sound far off*9

4HR-/IUS* D" y"u hear that 3#"urish "3 trum&etsG

DA0IS 8trembling9* It is they hey are c"min) #i(e thieves be3"re daybrea(*

4HR-/IUS* Listen$ it is c"min) nearer* 8nother louder flourish9 H"' m"urn3u##y it s"unds in the 'an da'n "3 this

si#ent city*

DA0IS* Every "ne "3 these harsh n"tes sti3#es s"me virtue in the s"u# "3 these c"'ard#y s#ee&ers* he #e)i"ns "3 the

Em&er"r "3 R"me and 7y5antium are ab"ut t" ta(e &"ssessi"n "3 the citade#* S""n the v"ice "3 the im&eria# trum&et 3r"m

the summit "3 the Acr"&"#is 'i## &r"c#aim the entry "3 the 4r"c"nsu# int" this t"'n* hen the 3reed"m "3 my ancient city"3 Di"nysia 'i## have breathed its #ast*

4HR-/IUS* Such is the 3ate "3 cities a## "ver the '"r#d* F"r centuries &ast everythin) has b"'ed be3"re R"me% t",day

every"ne crin)es be3"re Caesar dei3ied* 0y native t"'n is ca##ed Dyra&"#is$ the city "3 Mu&iter the hunderer* It stands

u&"n an inaccessib#e m"untain* O3 "#d it 'as the terr"r "3 Asia and the "ver#"rd "3 y"ur city* -es$ ei)ht hundred years

a)" 'e the &r"ud m"untaineers$ descendants "3 the /a#atians$ 'e c"nquered y"ur city by 3"rce "3 arms* 1e c"mmanded

y"u as masters$ y"ur 3"re3athers &aid us tribute "3 )"#d and "3 3#esh* Di"nysia 'as the &"rt "3 Dyra&"#is and the

e33eminate chi#dren "3 7acchus "beyed the s"ns "3 Mu&iter the hunder,bearer* I$ s"n "3 these ancient (in)s$ I can

remember a## this* 1e##$ 'hen the #e)i"ns c#imbed "ver "ur 'a##s$ 'e t"" had t" b"' "ur heads* Caesar+s ea)#es have

3#"'n even t" the summit "3 hau)hty Dyra&"#is 'hich had (n"'n n" "ther #"rds than the c#"uds and the #i)htnin)* It is

ri)ht that s"3t Di"nysia sh"u#d in her turn abase her b"dy "3 a 7acchante and her br"' "3 a s#ave*

DA0IS* Ah -"u d" n"t (n"' the s"u# "3 my native city$ her tra)ic and sub#ime destiny* In "#den days certain#y the

n"b#e queen "3 I"nia$ 'h" )ave t" the '"r#d the thyrsus and the #yre$ did 'ear 3etters 3"r)ed by y"ur 3"re3athers* 7ut

A#eander the /reat$ a3ter havin) subKected the 'h"#e '"r#d u& t" the Indus$ #iberated "ur t"'n 3r"m y"ur y"(e$ because

a Di"nysian &ha#an "3 y"uths had 3"##"'ed this ne' Achi##es$ the eu#tant c"nquer"r "3 the '"r#d$ even t" the sh"res "3

the Indian Ocean* He remembered that Di"nysia is the city "3 Di"nys"s the Liberat"r* 1e '"rshi& 7acchus$ the divine

S&irit$ reb"rn 3r"m the earth riven by the thunderb"#t% Di"nys"s man)#ed by the itans$ but rest"red t" #i3e in the #i)ht "3

heaven* Our )"d is n"t an una&&r"achab#e and &iti#ess master% he is a )"d ever su33erin)$ ever bec"min)$ a )"d 'h"

m"ves and thr"bs in "ur hearts$ a )"d 'h" dies and is b"rn a)ain #i(e "urse#ves* Our 3#esh is his b"dy and "ur b#""d is the

sm"(e "3 his dreams% "ur s"u#s are the tears "3 his eyes$ and i3 they are imm"rta#$ it is because they have been 'e&t by

Him * * * Our city shares the destiny "3 its )"d$ 'hich is t" )ive birth in su33erin)* In turn rich "r &""r$ 3ree "r ens#aved$

c"vered 'ith )#"ry "r 'ith shame$ she has never ceased$ the '"r#d "ver$ t" 'ave her t"rch a3#ame #i(e L"ve burnin) inthe cha"s "3 the universe* She is n" city "3 (in)s "r "3 the mi)hty "nes "3 the earth$ n"r yet that "3 the 'ise sa)es% she is

the city "3 ins&ired reve##ers$ heretics and rebe#s% but "ut "3 her K"ys are b"rn &"ets$ "ut "3 her 3ren5y &yth"nesses$ "ut "3

her tribu#ati"n her"es D" y"u (n"' 'hat is the n"b#est )#"ry "3 Di"nysiaG It is t" have "n her Acr"&"#is$ 3acin) the

teme "3 the 1in)ed 2ict"ry$ an a#tar a#'ays 'reathed 'ith 3#"'ers and dedicated !t" the #ast b"rn "3 the )"ds+* In "ur

4a)e "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

9/56

'"rst mis3"rtunes 'e a#'ays #""( 3"r'ard t" s"me )"d 'h" 'i## be b"rn "r t" s"me her" 'h" 'i## arise* hat is 'hy "3

"#d "ur y"uths$ "ur ath#etes$ "ur vir)ins$ used t" #ay their t"rches$ their 'ea&"ns and their #"c(s "3 hair as 3irst3ruits "n the

mystica# a#tar "3 the #atest and #"ve#iest "3 the Imm"rta#s* hat is 'hy thr"u)h"ut the centuries Di"nysia has remained the

eme "3 Desire and the Land "3 H"&e

8The dawn is beginning to brea-/

4HR-/IUS* 1e##$ t",day it is the statue "3 the Em&er"r "3 R"me and 7y5antium 'hich stands "n that a#tar*

DA0IS 8bowing his head and dro((ing his arms9* A#as I (n"' it*

4HR-/IUS* 7e#ieve me$ there is n" "ther )"d save Destiny and Caesar*

SCENE II

HE SA0E$ thenL-CO4HRON$ a bent old man in rags who slowly a((roaches the two s(ea-ers *e is carrying on the

end of a chain a bron0e lantern with horn (anes, which swings in his sha-ing hand and (ro1ects its flic-ering beam

through the grey dawn

4HR-/IUS* 1h" is this decre&it "#d manG 7y Hercu#es$ "ne mi)ht ta(e him 3"r Char"n surveyin) s"me river in Hades*

DA0IS* hat is Lyc"&hr"n$ a d"'n,at,hee# sa)e* Puesti"n him*

4HR-/IUS* 1hat is y"ur trade in this t"'nG

L-CO4HRON* ee&er "3 a cemetery*

4HR-/IUS* 1e##$ 'h"m are y"u$ #i(e an"ther Di")enes$ see(in) 'ith y"ur #anternG

L-CO4HRON* I am see(in) a #ivin) s"u# in the dead city*

4HR-/IUS* Have y"u n"t 3"und "ne then any'hereG

L-CO4HRON* N"'here$ neither in this t"'n n"r in a## the 'ide '"r#d* -"u are a## #i3e#ess shad"'s$ #arvae 'ith"ut 'i##$

3it t" &e"e artarus$ but n"t 3ree men '"rthy "3 the sunshine "3 A&"##"* 1ere y"u #ivin) s"u#s$ y"u '"u#d bear y"ur

#i)ht 'ithin y"urse#ves and '"u#d 'a#( by it* 7ut a## "3 y"u 'ait t" be sh"'n the 'ay be3"re ta(in) a ste&* -"u need t"

be da55#ed "r e#se driven 'ith a 'hi&* Shad"'s "3 shad"'s$ c"&ies "3 c"&ies$ are y"u Ah hese sta)e,&u&&ets " act

they need the &ric( "3 vanity "r the #ash "3 3ear On#y stri& "33 y"ur mas(s$ y"u ay,act"rs$ s" that y"ur m"n(eys+ "r

shee&+s 3aces may be seen*

4HR-/IUS* It is envy and im&"tence 'hich &r"m&t y"u t" s&ea( s"$ 'retched "#d man 1hat have y"u d"ne$ vi#ehersites$ ab"rti"n "3 humanity$ t" have the ri)ht t" insu#t the n"b#e s"ns "3 i##ustri"us cities 'h" '"u#d be cr"'ned 'ith

)#"ry i3 the times 'ere &r"&iti"usG

L-CO4HRON* 1hat have I d"neG Ni)ht and day I see($ I haunt the cr"ss,r"ads$ the thresh"#d "3 h"uses$ the '"men+s

a&artments* I study thr"u)h"ut man(ind the th"u)hts at the bac( "3 their minds* I have the )i3t "3 &erceivin) them* Rich$

&""r$ the y"un)$ c"urtesans$ "#d men$ matr"ns$ tyrants and dema)")ues6I (n"' their secret se#ves* Oh 1hat hide"us

m"nsters #ur(in) under th"se ba#d s(u##s$ under th"se seductive head,dresses 0en and '"men 3ear me because I te## the

truth* Have y"u d"ne as muchG " dare t" te## the truth$ is that n"t en"u)h t" merit a ace in the sunG

4HR-/IUS* hat is a trade a man can scarce#y #ive by*

L-CO4HRON* hey say even that "ne starves at it* 0en c"ver the bearers "3 #ies 'ith )"#d$ but 'hen truth a&&ears t"them$ they st"ne it* 8#ysteriously*9 hat is n"t a## * * * behind the th"u)hts "3 men * * * I have s"u)ht * * * the human s"u#$

the marve##"us 2ir)in 'h" is said t" be 'in)ed * * * F"r I have a secret t" sh"' me men+s s"u#s 'ithin their b"dies

4a)e ; "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

10/56

DA0IS* 1hat secretG Revea# that t" us*

L-CO4HRON* I ma(e use "3 this ma)ica# #am&* 1hen I 3"cus it sudden#y "n a man+s eye at the m"ment 'hen he #east

e&ects it and thr"' the beam int" the de&th "3 his di#ated eyeba## * * * then I can see$ #i(e a 3aint shad"' in a dim ha#"$ a

&"rtrait "3 himse#3$ the etherea# nimbus "3 his s"u# Ah h"' terri3yin) these ima)es are Never an A&"##"$ a#'ays a

0arsyas% never a 7acchus$ a#'ays a Si#enus "r a Saturn* Oh 1hat hide"us anima#s+ heads I have seen in human eyes%

bu##s$ )"ats$ ti)ers$ hyenas$ b"ars and '"rse sti## * * * * -es$ 3"r m"re than a century I have been see(in) the divine 4syche

'ith the )"#den 'in)s * * * * 8With disgust*9 7ut "n#y screech,"'#s and bats have c"me 3#utterin) ar"und my #am&*

4HR-/IUS* Oh" "#d man 'ith the #antern his butter3#y chase "3 y"urs has made y"u #ame and sh"rt "3 breath*

DA0IS 8with curiosity9* his 4syche$ this 'in)ed and #ivin) s"u# is &erha&s in us t'"G Have y"u #""(edG

L-CO4HRON 8slowly raises his lantern to )amis%s eyes and scrutini0es them with an old man%s tenderness9* I see a

'hite chrysa#is* Inside it has &retty 'in)s 'ith de#icate c"#"urs* It '"u#d #i(e t" ta(e 3#i)ht but cann"t$ 3"r its &ris"n st"&s

it* 1hen y"ur #itt#e s"u# emer)es$ be'are "3 the st"rm 'hich in its &assa)e s'ee&s &""r #itt#e butter3#ies int" the "cean

4HR-/IUS* And IG

L-CO4HRON 8.uic-ly (uts the lantern to his face9* Oh by 4#ut" -"urs is a b#ac( cater&i##ar 'ith a s&"tted and &ric(#y

s(in* It is ven"m"us* A )reat death+s,head m"th 'i## 3#y "ut "3 it**** Let th"se be'are 'h" t"uch y"u 8*e turns away inhorror*9

4HR-/IUS* -"u 3"u# "#d cater&i##ar$ )et bac( t" y"ur business -"u ree( "3 cemeteries and h"ve#s * * * be "33

8L-CO4HRON mo2es off softly, without listening, lost in his thoughts*9

L-CO4HRON* 4syche the 1in)ed S&irit 1hen sha## I 3ind herG

4HR-/IUS 8shrugging his shoulders9 * A madman

DA0IS* A seer

SCENE III

DA0IS$ 4HR-/IUS$ the HERALD "3 the 4ROCONSUL*

The !oman flourish of trum(ets sounds from near by in the court of the Prytaneum cluster of the (eo(le gathers at the

sound of the trum(et The *erald of the Proconsul comes forward through the gateway with three Lictors bearing the

consular fasces surmounted by a3es "t is now broad daylight

DA0IS* he Hera#d "3 the 4r"c"nsu# Listen

8Trum(et call*9

HE HERALD* Caesar Au)ustus the A##,&"'er3u#$ S"verei)n "3 R"me and 7y5antium$ Father "3 the Nati"ns$ Im&erat"r

"3 the Armies$ 0aster "3 the Universe$ the /reat and Divine C"nstantine6t" the i##ustri"us city "3 Di"nysia6Hai#6

Caesar Au)ustus$ 4r"tect"r "3 the Christians and the /ree(s$ has res"#ved t" ta(e under his su&reme )uardianshi& the

ancient city "3 Di"nys"s$ its churches$ its temes$ its h"mes$ in "rder t" de3end it a)ainst its enemies* he #e)i"n "3

Au)ustus 'i## "ccu&y the citade#* On beha#3 "3 Caesar$ Har&a#us c"mmands Andr"c#es t" de#iver t" him the )ates "3 the

city and the insi)nia "3 the &hratries* Andr"c#es 'ith the 4r"c"nsu# 'i## ascend the Acr"&"#is and 'i## carry the 3ire "3 the

4rytaneum be3"re the a#tar "3 the #atest,b"rn "3 the )"ds$ 'here stands the ima)e "3 Caesar$ c"nquer"r "3 the '"r#d*

Chi#dren "3 this city$ ta(e u& y"ur 'ands$ scatter 3#"'ers* Ere #"n) Caesar himse#3 'i## c"me t" ce#ebrate in the Christianbasi#ica his nu&tia#s 'ith the Pueen "3 I"nia* F"r y"u he brin)s reve#s and )ames$ a th"usand 'i#d beasts and 3ive hundred

)#adiat"rs* A##,&"'er3u# Caesar t" Di"nysia. Hai#

8The (eo(le cry out 4 *ail Caesar5 4, the *erald and the Lictors disa((ear into the courtyard of the Prytaneum *94a)e :< "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

11/56

4HR-/IUS* S" then$ y"u are de#iverin) t" Har&a#us the )ates "3 the city$ a## its &"'ers and the sacred 3#ame "3 2esta

y"ur &r"tectressG And it is Andr"c#es$ the #eader "3 the Di"nysian &ha#an$ 'h" is c"mmittin) this crimeG

DA0IS* Oh Andr"c#es has a #i"n+s heart in the b"dy "3 an ath#ete* 7ut the Senate is summ"nin) Caesar$ and the &e"e

a&aud him* 1hat can he d"G He can "n#y ra)e and "bey*

4HR-/IUS* In his ace I sh"u#d have &re3erred t" &erish under the Lict"r+s ae*

8The trum(et call and muffled cries of 4*ail Caesar5% are heard again*9

DA0IS* Listen t" th"se cries 1hat can be d"ne 'ith such a &e"eG 8 bell rings in the basilica*9

4HR-/IUS* D" y"u hear that be##G he Christians are )reetin) the entry "3 the #e)i"ns and Caesar 'h" is t" &r"tect

them*

DA0IS* hat is y"ur 3unera# (ne##$ Oh$ Di"nysia In my heart I hear y"ur #ast si)h* * * * 8*e bows his head, then raises it

with a sudden mo2ement9 And yet y"u used t" #ive and t" s&ea( t" me in that unique 3riend 'h"se &resence sh"ne u&"n

my y"uth* * * * In him 'h"m I #"ved and have #"st 3"r ever 8*e hides his face in his hands*9

SCENE I2

DA0IS$ 4HR-/IUS$ HEOLES* The latter wears a (ur(le tunic and a blac- cloa-, on his head a cy(ress wreath, in

his belt a short sword dec-ed with a branch of myrtle *e a((roaches from behind and (uts his hand on )amis%s

shoulder

DA0IS 8turning round9* he"(#es At this very m"ment y"u 'ere in my th"u)hts Is it &"ssib#eG -"u #iveG -"u sti##

breatheG E#der br"ther "3 my s"u#$ my unique$ my r"ya# 3riend 8*e throws himself on the other%s nec- and ga0es at him9

In y"ur 3irst )#ance y"ur 'h"#e se#3 c"mes bac( t" me

HEOLES* And y"u t" me* Oh$ h"#y 3ide#ity "3 men+s 3riendshi&$ the "n#y ba#m "n earth

DA0IS* Seven years "n y"ur trave#s$ and never a messa)e 3r"m y"u D" y"u reca## the times 'hen I 'as siteen and y"u

t'enty,3ive$ 'hen "ur va)ab"nd s&irits '"u#d r"ve thr"u)h the 3ie#ds "3 the 0usesG D" y"u reca## h"' 'e '"u#d )" at

da'n$ 'reathed in smi#a$ t" the )r"ve "3 Da&hne 'here the e#ms murmured beside the ane treeG D" y"u reca## th"se

divine days 'hen 'e read 4#at"$ 'hen ruth$ Mustice and 7eauty '"u#d 'a#( be3"re us #i(e three )"ddesses in the dee&

shade "3 the treesG * * * D" y"u reca## it a##G

HEOLES* "" many t"rrents have s'e&t my heart since the days 'hen thr"u)h it the &ure stream "3 my y"uth ri&ed*

DA0IS* -"u have 3"r)"tten me thenG

HEOLES* N"% but I have been see(in) ruth thr"u)h"ut the '"r#d* '" austere divinities have esc"rted me am"n)

man(ind. S"#itude and Si#ence* he "ne has set a barrier ab"ut my heart and the "ther has c#"sed my #i&s*

DA0IS* Have y"u 3"und ruthG

HEOLES 8s"mbre9* At certain h"urs$ in the de&th "3 myse#3* 7ut 'hen sha## I &r"ve her be3"re the '"r#dG

4HR-/IUS* And d" y"u n"t rec")ni5e meG

HEOLES* -es$ y"u are 4hry)ius "3 Dyra&"#is*

4HR-/IUS* Once 'e 'ere riva#s in the )ymnasia*

HEOLES* Nay$ rather c"m&etit"rs*

4a)e :: "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

12/56

4HR-/IUS* 1hen y"u sa' that 'e c"u#d n"t beat "ne an"ther$ y"u "33ered me 3riendshi&*

HEOLES* And t")ether$ 'ith the 4am&hi#ians$ 'e 'ent t" the 'ars a)ainst the 4arthians*

4HR-/IUS* 0y ambiti"n as a s"#dier 'as t" bec"me a (in)*

HEOLES* And mine t" 3ind re#ease 3r"m the 3etters "3 my "'n th"u)ht*

4HR-/IUS 8ironically9* And neither "3 us has succeeded*

DA0IS 7ut 'hat d" I seeG -"u 'ear a b#ac( c#"a( and y"ur 3"rehead is shaded by the cy&ress* 1hat (insman d" y"u

m"urnG A man "r a '"manG

HEOLES* Neither man n"r '"man% I have n" #"n)er any (indred*

DA0IS* 1hy then d" y"u 'ear m"urnin)G

HEOLES* F"r my unrea#i5ed desires$ 3"r my s"u# sti3#ed by the universe$ 3"r ruth that is 3"r ever vei#ed*

DA0IS* 1hy$ then$ a## men "u)ht t" 'ear m"urnin)*

HEOLES* hey have sacri3iced even H"&e t" their thirst 3"r easure* here3"re I 'ear m"urnin) 3"r them$ 3"r this

ens#aved city$ 3"r this '"r#d that &ines under the dar( &a## "3 baseness and hatred*

4HR-/IUS* -et y"u have seen the )reatest nati"ns "3 the earth*

HEOLES* I have seen 7aby#"n$ hebes$ A#eandria$ Athens and R"me* Every'here the temes are mute$ the )"ds

dead$ men+s s"u#s em&ty* 7e3"re their id"#s "3 )"#d "r ir"n$ men c"'er #i(e &a#try d'ar3s* heir )"d is Caesar * * * and

they are '"rthy "3 him* -et my ind"mitab#e s"u# can neither set the '"r#d 3ree n"r b"' t" its y"(e* 1h" 'i## 3"rete## me

my destiny and that "3 my c"untryG

4HR-/IUS* Here is 7acchus himse#3 'h" sends y"u his train in ans'er*

DA0IS* Here c"mes the bri##iant A#cetas$ 'ith three hetaerae dressed as 7acchantes*

SCENE 2

HE SA0E$ thenALCEAS enters withA/LAE$ C-HERIS and0I0ALONE* They are clad in tunics of fawn,

(anther and tiger s-ins, and wreathed in flowers and foliage They mo2e towards the altar which stands on the ste(s to

the Tem(le of Bacchus

0I0ALONE 8raising her thyrsus9* " thee$ divine 7acchus$ "ur "33erin)s

A/LAE 8(ouring a libation from a golden cu(9* Here is the Kuice "3 the vine t" quic(en thy heart

C-HERIS 8scattering roses from a bas-et9* Here are the s'eets "3 the mead"'s t" 3reshen thy 3"rehead

0I0ALONE 8wa2ing the thyrsus9* Here is the thyrsus 'hich summ"ns thee in the dense '""d#ands* S'eet is thy s#ee& in

death and in ecstasy$ < )"d t"rn asunder by the itans$ and sendid thy a'a(enin)s* * * * /rant us 3"r thy birthday a ha&&y

day$ 3"##"'ed by a ni)ht "3 reve##in)*

ALCEAS 8noticing Theo-les9* 1hat$ it is y"u$ he"(#esG 7ac( a#ready 3r"m y"ur trave#sG

HEOLES* A#readyG Seven years seem a sh"rt time t" y"uG

ALCEAS* 4#easure (n"'s n"thin) "3 time* F"r me the h"urs$ the days$ the m"nths$ the years a## have 'in)s*

4a)e :? "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

13/56

HEOLES* S" y"u are a#'ays ha&&yG

ALCEAS* A#'ays* D" y"u remember that in "#d days y"u 'ere my c"m&ani"nG I used t" as( "n#y "3 every day a ne'

&assi"n$ "3 every ni)ht a ne' de#i)ht* 7ut y"u$ unha&&y "ne -"u '"u#d &r"be even beneath easure a3ter the secret "3

thin)s* In the chaste hymns "3 maidens$ in the s"bs "3 heartbr"(en s'eethearts$ in the trans&"rts "3 c"urtesans * * * ah I

sti## #au)h t" thin( "3 it * * * y"u #"ved * * * 'hatG he S"u# "3 Nature$ su33erin)$ dis&ersed and mu#tie* * * * -"u s"u)ht * * *

'h" '"u#d be#ieve itG * * * the hidden )"d 7ut$ madman$ y"u 3"und him n"t * * * and y"ur (eenest K"ys turned int" b#ac(

t"rments* 8*e laughs*9 Are y"u sti## the sameG

HEOLES* ",day my s"u# is erect in my breast$ #i(e a 0inerva "n )uard in her teme$ a'aitin) the h"ur "3 batt#e*

ALCEAS* 4"#itics thenG I &ity y"u a## the m"re* -"u 'i## end bad#y* L""( at these c"urtesans 'h"m I am ta(in) t" the

3estiva#s "3 7acchus$ and c"me 'ith us* S&ea( t" him$ subt#e &u&i#s "3 A&hr"dite* Hay he 'i## #isten t" y"u*

A/LAE 8shows him her goblet9* 0y name is A)#ae* I am Desire* I3 y"u drin( the #iqu"r "3 this )"b#et$ a de#ici"us 3ire

'i## run thr"u)h y"ur veins*

C-HERIS 8offers him her bas-et9* 0y name is Cytheris* I am De#i)ht* 1ith these r"ses I quench the terrib#e 3#ames

(ind#ed by A)#ae*

0I0ALONE 8wa2ing her thyrsus9* 0y name is 0ima#"ne* I am Int"icati"n insatiate in easure 'ith"ut end* I3 y"u3"##"' my thyrsus$ y"u 'i## see a th"usand 7acchantes dancin) "n the hi##side "3 the )"d$ and y"u 'i## 3ind them a## a)ain

in "ne "3 my embraces* I am as vast as Li3e and as dee& as Death

HEOLES* < divine 7acchantes$ human b#"ss"ms "3 the eterna# Earth$ a##,&"'er3u# in y"ur 3"##y$ y"u 'h" bear scents

and &"ur #"ve charms$ y"u the /races and the Furies "3 man$ can y"u quench the thirst 'hich c"nsumes me$ can y"u )ive

me ruth 'hich satis3ies$ Faith that saves and Acti"n 'hich createsG Can y"u at #east )ive me Ob#ivi"nG I3 s"$ I 'i##

3"##"' y"u t" the end * * *

8They consult silently amongst themsel2es and encircle him as though to cast a s(ell on him glae holds out her cu(,

Cytheris strews roses on him, #imalone wa2es the thrysus abo2e his head 9

HEOLES* 8*e remains motionless, with arms folded and eyes ri2eted on a distant 2ision/Oh$ 3ar a'ay 3r"m the

na(ed 7acchantes$ 'here art th"u$ < my vei#ed 0use

8The three Bacchantes recoil abru(tly with a startled and res(ectful mo2ement*9 he 0use

0I0ALONE* 1e have n" &"'er "ver him*

ALCEAS* 1e##$ y"u are n"t c"min)G

HEOLES* I cann"t*

ALCEAS 8aside9* He is ambiti"us* 8loud*9 0ay F"r,tune &r"tect y"u

HEOLES* A&hr"dite 3av"ur y"u

8E3it lcetas The courtesans follow him Before they disa((ear they turn bac- once, holding each other by the shoulders,

to loo- at Theo-les*9

A/LAE* H"' hands"me he is

C-HERIS* H"' &ure he is

0I0ALONE* H"' str"n) he is

ALL HREE* Fare'e##$ s"n "3 Di"nys"s

8Theo-les remains sun- in his re2erie without hearing or seeing them*94a)e : "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

14/56

SCENE 2I

DA0IS$ 4HR-/IUS$ HEOLES$ the FAHER OF HE DESER$ 'ith the SE2EN 2IR/INS$ am"n) 'h"m is

CLEONICE$ vei#ed*

he be##s and the strains "3 the "r)an are heard 3r"m the basi#ica*

4HR-/IUS* A)ain the 3unera# (ne## "3 these Christians

DA0IS* Here c"mes the Father "3 the Desert 'ith the c"nsecrated 2ir)ins*

HE FAHER 8t" he"(#es9* 0y s"n he"(#es$ y"uth3u# h"&e "3 "ur ancient city$ I 'as a'are "3 y"ur return* F"r #ast

ni)ht I dreamt "3 y"u* I behe#d y"u bathed in a da55#in) but #urid #i)ht% and behind y"u a v"ice cried. He 'i## be the )#"ry

and the sc"ur)e "3 his city * * * I (n"' that y"ur s"u# is u&ri)ht and c"ura)e"us* I (n"' y"ur secret th"u)hts* * * * I (n"'

that y"u are tem&ted by the Adversary 8Theo-les loo-s at him in astonishment*9 I (n"' it and I mean t" save y"u* C"me

'ith me t" the desert t" yie#d y"urse#3 t" /"d* here I &r"mise that y"u sha## 3ind a## that y"u see(. ruth$ Stren)th and

Li3e*

HEOLES* And t" )ain that 'hat must I d"G

HE FAHER* -"u must deny y"urse#3$ 3"re)" a## desire$ ma(e y"urse#3 n"thin) be3"re Christ$ and bec"me n" m"re

than an instrument in the hands "3 /"d*

HEOLES* hen my innerm"st se#3$ the shrine "3 my name#ess #"n)in)$ this h"#y 3#ame by 'hich I #ive and by 'hich I

am a #ivin) s"u#6I must ren"unce a## thisG

HE FAHER* -es$ 3"r the m"ment*

HEOLES* D" y"u n"t (n"'$ then$ that this #"n)in) is itse#3 a s&ar( 3r"m /"d$ nay$ that it is /"d Himse#3 in a## His

&"'erG

HE FAHER* Insane arr")ance D" n"t dare t" insu#t the 1"rd made F#esh$ Mesus Christ$ the "n#y /"d

HEOLES* A## h"n"ur t" the )reatest "3 the S"ns "3 /"d I3 Mesus sh"u#d return t" this '"r#d$ I '"u#d )" t" #isten t"

His '"rds "n the 0"unt and t" ad"re Him "n His Ca#vary* 7ut yie#d t" y"u and y"ur re)u#ati"ns6never I3 I re3use t"

b"' be3"re the )"ds "3 O#ym&us$ 'hy sh"u#d I )" and c"'er beneath a cr"ssG Rather &erish 3"r a## eternity than 'in my

sa#vati"n by starvin) my s"u#% because a /"d has died 3"r me$ sha## I n" #"n)er have the temerity t" #iveG -"u are 'astin)

y"ur time$ "#d man* -"u 'i## n"t intimidate me either by the c"rd "3 &enitence "r by the trans&"rts "3 3ear* Learn that I

mean t" ma(e "3 the earth an ab"de "3 K"y$ and a teme "3 beauty 3"r s"u#s that are 3ree

HE FAHER* Freed"mG It is in the divine mystery "3 sacri3ice* -"u 'i## never (n"' it$ I can see that* * * * -"u bear "n

y"ur 3"rehead the 3ata# sti)ma "3 Luci3er*

HEOLES 8mo2es towards the &ather with sudden curiosity9* Luci3er$ 'h" is thatG

HE FAHER* he An)e# "3 Rev"#t*

HEOLES* Ah$ h"' I '"u#d #i(e t" (n"' him

HE FAHER* 1retched man$ he has y"u a#ready 8*e ste(s bac- with a startled gesture*9 Oh h"rr"r$ a s"n "3 Luci3er

HEOLES* e## me$ Father$ 'hy is that 2ir)in vei#ed 'hi#st the "thers sh"' their 3aces unc"veredG

HE FAHER* hat is C#e"nice$ dau)hter "3 the Arch"n La"di("s$ the richest and m"st i##ustri"us Christian "3 the city*

She dares n" #"n)er sh"' her beauti3u# 3ace t" the #i)ht$ 3"r 3ear "3 the "utra)es "3 the heathen* She is )"in) 'ith the "ther

2ir)ins t" #ay the 3#ame "3 her s&irit and the 3#"'er "3 her 3#esh at the 3eet "3 Christ* On#y such a 3ine s&irit$ such a n"b#e

4a)e :B "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

15/56

2ir)in mi)ht be ab#e t" save y"u by her &rayers* * * * 8Cleonice, unseen by the &ather, mo2es a few ste(s towards

Theo-les9 4ernici"us man$ 3ated t" u&set the '"r#d 3"r "ur mis3"rtune and y"ur "'n$ y"u have 3"res'"rn Christ t" yie#d

y"urse#3 t" Satan

8Cleonice loo-s long at Theo-les through her 2eil9

HEOLES 8aside9* Is this s"me mute divinity 'h" #""(s at me beneath a vei#G his un(n"'n '"man has the sha&e "3

my destiny* * * * Oh$ my visi"n "3 the 0use

8Cleonice turns away with her arms lifted in a gesture of des(air, then clas(s her hands for (rayer and co2ers her face

with them, sobbing9

HE FAHER 8"bservin) C#e"nice+s m"vement$ turns t" he"(#es9* Chi#d "3 the Dem"n$ may /"d c"n3"und thee$ and

&reserve us 3r"m thee*

8E3it with Cleonice and the 6irgins9

HEOLES 8)a5in) a3ter C#e"nice9* She is sti## 'ee&in)* * * * H"' beauti3u# she is under the mysteri"us 3"#ds "3 her vei#$

and 'hat ma)ic in her )estures Dread$ &rayer$ s"bs$ in her a## is sub#ime* And t" thin( that I sha## never see that 3ace and

th"se eyes$ &erha&s the "n#y "nes 'hich have 'e&t and 'i## 'ee& divine tears "ver me < A#mi)hty /"d$ 'hy is it that in

this '"r#d the 3inest s"u#s are vei#ed and s"#itary #i(e is#ands in the dee&

SCENE 2II

DA0IS$ 4HR-/IUS$ HEOLES$ and soon afterANDROCLES with a few of the4EO4LE*

DA0IS* H"' '"nder3u# is this Cr"ss that issues 3r"m the dar(ness "3 basi#icas and cry&ts t" the c"nquest "3 the '"r#d

4HR-/IUS* he Christians a33irm that their 0essiah is the "n#y S"n "3 /"d*

DA0IS* he Chi#dren "3 Israe# a33irm that the 0essiah is n"t yet c"me$ but that He 'i## c"me*

HEOLES* It is ri)ht that man(ind sh"u#d sti## br""d dar(#y "ver 3uture 0essiahs and e&ect their c"min)% n"ne (n"'s

'hen the 0essen)ers "3 the Eterna# are t" c"me$ and they '"u#d never c"me un#ess s"u#s athirst 3"r #i)ht 'ere t" ca##

them and un#ess the 'arri"rs "3 the s&irit (e&t 'atch in arms* * * * 8*e falls into re2erie*9 7ut i3 /"d has c"me d"'n t"

man$ 'hy sh"u#d n"t man ascend a)ain t" /"dG hat is it here are t'" 1"rds "3 the A#mi)hty he 0essiah and

Luci3er*

DA0IS 8uneasily9* 1hat is the matter 'ith y"uG In y"ur eyes 3ires are 3#ashin) and stars )#istenin)* * * *

HEOLES 8in a -ind of trance9* 1e d'e## in the terrib#e (in)d"m "3 Desire 'here a## men c"nsume each "ther in theirstri3e 3"r mastery* 7ut bey"nd the in)d"m "3 Desire I &erceive the radiant in)d"m "3 Art 'hich sha&es its &hant"ms in

the marb#e "3 beauty* Sti## hi)her$ in the centre "3 the '"r#ds$ I see the shinin) in)d"m "3 L"ve 'hich "ut "3 the divine

Fire m"u#ds #ivin) s"u#s in uncreated Li)ht -"nder is the s&here "3 the Imm"rta# Archan)e#s* * * * Oh t" create #i(e

them

4HR-/IUS* Day,dreams Are y"u madG I3 y"u 'ant t" c"nvince us$ s&ea( by acts

HEOLES 8reco2ering himself, 2ery calmly9* 1ait and y"u 'i## see*

8Loud clamour from behind few of the (eo(le run in gesticulating/

A 1O0AN* 1hat a scanda#

AN OLD 0AN* 1hat audacity

4a)e :@ "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

16/56

A -OUN/ 0AN* It is the be)innin) "3 rev"#t

HE OLD 0AN* It is the end "3 the city

8The trum(et call is heard*9

HE -OUN/ 0AN* here is the Hera#d "3 the 4r"c"nsu#* Let us run t" see Run

8The crowd runs out noisily*9

DA0IS* Here c"mes Andr"c#es$ the C"mmandant "3 the Acr"&"#is*

8ndrocles rushes in*9

4HR-/IUS* 1hat is the matterG

ANDROCLES 8with intense e3citement9* A si)n A mirac#e A &r"di)y 'hich a#ready is s&readin) thr"u)h the city and

t"ssin) men+s s"u#s hither and thither$ #i(e a st"rm 'ind that #ashes the 'aves and a)itates the "cean I 'as ascendin) the

Acr"&"#is 'ith the 4r"c"nsu#% 'e 'ere marchin) in the midst "3 the Senate "3 the city$ acc"m&anied by the #e)i"naries

and 3"##"'ed by the 'h"#e &"&u#ace* I 'as carryin)6much a)ainst my 'i##$ the Senate had s" decided by "rder "3

Har&a#us6I 'as carryin) the t"rch #it 3r"m the 3ire "3 2esta* 1e 'ere nearin) the a#tar !"3 the #ast,b"rn "3 the )"ds+$ theh"#iest in the city$ the a#tar 'hich is su&&"sed t" &r"n"unce "rac#es and 'hich n"' bears the statue "3 Caesar* he

4r"c"nsu# ste&s 3"r'ard% then he 'avers and starts bac(* He has seen s"me verses insu#tin) t" Caesar 'ritten in

CHARACERS "n the &edesta#* Har&a#us in a)itati"n cries "ut. !he a#tar has been de3i#ed by s"me b#as&hemer$ the

sacri3ice interru&ted% but be3"re He#i"s has set$ I sha## have detected and chastised the cu#&rit+ I dr"& my t"rch$ 'hich

)"es "ut% but the &e"e &ress 3"r'ard t" read the darin) c"uets and scatter t" s&read them t" the 3"ur c"rners "3 the

city* hey are ca##in) "ut that an un(n"'n )"d has d"ne this mirac#e and 'i## aven)e them "n Caesar hey are

brandishin) 'ands$ &a#ms$ s'"rds6'hi#e the R"mans$ s&e##b"und in c"n3usi"n$ stand thunderstruc(*

HEOLES* 1hat are these '"rds 'hich have ar"used the s#ee&in) s"u# "3 my native cityG

ANDROCLES* Here is the Orac#e 'hich 3#ames "n the a#tar "3 the #atest,b"rn "3 the )"ds.

-e her"es "3 "ur City$ ye 3"rebears$ b#ush 3"r shame Our &r"ud Acr"&"#is this day 3"r3eits its ancient 3ame%

4""r Di"nysia "nce ca##ed Pueen "3 a## I"nian #ands$

L" n"' "n the )"ds+ &edesta# a &i)my Caesar stands

4HR-/IUS* Is the auth"r "3 these verses (n"'nG

ANDROCLES* He is a her" sure#y* hey are 'ritten in b#""d and si)ned. !HAR0ODIUS*+

4HR-/IUS* hat Harm"dius 'h" "3 "#d 3reed Athens 3r"m tyrannyG

DA0IS* S"metimes the s&irits "3 the dead s&ea( in b#""d*

4HR-/IUS* Is he dead "r #ivin)G

HEOLES* Livin) * * * I am !Harm"dius+

8)amis, Phrygius and ndrocles recoil thunderstruc- and draw their swords*9

ALL HREE* HeG he"(#es

HEOLES* Sha## I 3ind an !Arist")eit"n+G

DA0IS 8clas(ing his hand9* Here is "ne*

4a)e := "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

17/56

ANDROCLES* Here are t'"*

HEOLES* 1e are three then* hree t")ether 'e can dare$ 'e can act$ 'e can &ut a '"r#d "n the anvi# a)ain*

ANDROCLES* 4#ace the hammer in "ur hands and 'e 'i## stri(e*

HEOLES 8to ndrocles and )amis9* Are y"u n"t the #eaders "3 the t'" c#ans disarmed t",day$ 'h" used t" 3i)ht under

the emb#em "3 0ars and A&"##"G

DA0IS AND ANDROCLES* -es*

HEOLES* Dri## them in the )ymnasia 'ith"ut revea#in) anythin) t" them* 1hen it is br"ad day#i)ht$ hide them in the

under)r"und chambers "3 the Acr"&"#is* At the 3irst si)na# "3 a rev"#t #ead them "ut and (i## the "33icers "3 the #e)i"n*

ANDROCLES* And thenG

HEOLES* Once 3ree$ Di"nysia 'i## 3ind a##ies* 8To Phrygius*9 Are y"u n"t the s"n "3 the ancient (in)s "3 Dyra&"#isG

Have y"u n"t 'ithin y"u the c"ura)e$ the &ride and the s&irit "3 y"ur raceG

4HR-/IUS* -es$ sure#y*

HEOLES* Act then 'hen 'e act* E&e# the R"mans and set y"ur city 3ree* I3 y"u d" that y"u 'i## be (in)

4HR-/IUS 8aside9* in)G hat is true* * * * I mi)ht be then* 8*e lifts his hand to his breast as if from e3cess of 1oy*9

8loud*9 2ery 'e##$ i3 Di"nysia 3rees herse#3$ Dyra&"#is 'i## 3"##"' her eame* 7ut the si)na#6'h" 'i## )ive thatG

HEOLES* 1e three

DA0IS$ ANDROCLES 8together9* 1hat sha## it beG

HEOLES 8wal-ing to the bac- and (ointing to the Curule Chair under the Porch9* Stab the 4r"c"nsu# "n his Kud)e+s

thr"ne$ in the 4raet"rium$ in the si)ht "3 the 'h"#e city*

DA0IS$ ANDROCLES 8following Theo-les as though fascinated by the 2ision of the act9* HereG

HEOLES* Here he rev"#t 'i## #ea& 3r"m m"untain t" m"untain and 3r"m city t" city thr"u)h"ut a## I"nia*

8ll four come forward again*9

DA0IS* And "n that day$ #i(e y"u$ 'e sha## bedec( "ur s'"rds 'ith the 3#"'er "3 Harm"dius and Arist")it"n*

HEOLES* Let that be "ur bad)e "3 3e##"'shi&* As the na(ed stee# 3#ashes "ut "3 the )reen b"u)h$ s" the creative 'i##

issues 3r"m the vir)in 3"#ia)e and b#"ss"ms "3 th"u)ht% even s" 'i## "ur 3"rmidab#e &ur&"se issue 3r"m the sa& "3 "ury"uth and 3r"m the 3"unt "3 undyin) K"y* And Kust as this scented b"u)h mas(s an aven)in) s'"rd$ s" at the h"ur "3

acti"n #et a smi#e "3 )aiety mas( "ur terrib#e intent* he 3reed"m "3 cities is n"thin) 'ith"ut the 3reed"m "3 s"u#s* It is 3"r

this that 'e sha## 3i)ht* And th"u)h 'e 'ere t" &erish$ 'e and "ur city$ 'e sh"u#d #eave t" the '"r#d an eame 3iner

than that "3 an emanci&ated city6the indiss"#ub#e br"therh""d "3 3ree s&irits* 7"dies may &erish$ s'"rds brea($ ram&arts

crumb#e * * * but the S"u# is invincib#e Let us be 3ree s"u#s6and 'e sha## be the city "3 the 3uture*

8)amis, ndrocles, Phrygius cross their swords on the sword of Theo-les*9

ALL HREE O/EHER* 1e stand t")ether

8The !oman trum(et call is heard from the bac- of the Praetorium The three cons(irators tremble and hastily hide their

swords under their cloa-s Theo-les alone stands motionless and calmly returns his to his girdle*9

4a)e : "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

18/56

SCENE 2III

HE SA0E$ then theHERALD of the4ROCONSUL who mo2es forward with his three Lictors on the stairway of the

Praetorium few of the (eo(le gather before him t the same moment the *igh Priest of )ionysos issues from the

tem(le and halts on the threshold O((osite him the Christian Bisho( comes out of the basilica and remains under the

Porch

HE HERALD* In the name "3 the Em&er"r and "3 the maKesty "3 the R"man &e"e$ hear my '"rds A miscreant has

"utra)ed the statue "3 Caesar* he 4r"c"nsu# "3 Asia ca##s u&"n every citi5en$ s#ave "r 3"rei)ner t" disc"ver and surrender

the cu#&rit* Every inhabitant$ man "r '"man$ 'h" )ives him she#ter "r 3""d sha## be &unished 'ith death* Let him be

searched "ut$ trac(ed d"'n and br"u)ht b"und t" the 4raet"rium t" under)" the &ena#ty "3 b#as&hemers* 7y "rder "3 the

4r"c"nsu#$ a## baths$ )ymnasia$ circuses and s&ectac#es are t" be c#"sed* he taes are tried unti# the day 'hen the

&e"e sha## surrender t" their Kud)e the crimina# 'h" si)ns himse#3 !HAR0ODIUS+

8#urmurs among the crowd*9

HE HI/H 4RIES OF DION-SOS 8under the 4"rch "3 the eme9* he enemies "3 the )"ds are the enemies "3 the

city* heir heads d" n"t #"n) stand erect ab"ve the cr"'ds% they 3a## stric(en by the thunderb"#t #i(e mi)hty trees* Caesar

and Destiny are a##,&"'er3u# )"ds* 1"e t" th"se 'h" de3y them 1"e t" Harm"dius

HE 7ISHO4* 1e render t" Caesar the thin)s that are Caesar+s and t" /"d the thin)s that are /"d+s* 7#essed be theEm&er"r 'h" &r"tects the Christians* he enemies "3 the Em&er"r are the enemies "3 Christ* Curses u&"n the

sacri#e)i"us 1"e t" Harm"dius

8The *eralds, the *igh Priest and the Bisho( withdraw, and the (eo(le in dismay dis(erse, murmuring*9

HE 4EO4LE* Harm"dius Death t" him

DA0IS* I3 y"u are detected I 'i## she#ter y"u in my h"use* -"u (n"' that it is at y"ur service 'ith a## that I &"ssess*

HEOLES* N"$ 3riend% ei#e is sa3er*

ANDROCLES* -"u (n"' 'hether my heart is "n y"ur side* -"u (n"' that in the day "3 batt#e every musc#e "3 this arm

'"u#d harden int" a 3ibre "3 stee#* 7ut the times are adverse* F#ee$ y"ur #i3e is at sta(e*

HEOLES* he s"u# "3 Di"nysia$ 'hich but n"' 'as seethin) #i(e a hive "3 bees$ has 3a##en dumb a## at "nce$ and "ver

the t"'n #ies a si#ence "3 death* I3 such is the &"'er "3 a R"man Hera#d 'ith t'" Lict"rs$ 'hat 'i## be that "3 the

4r"c"nsu# himse#3$ and "3 Caesar 'ith a## his #e)i"nsG

8 man wra((ed in a cloa- is seen lur-ing at the bac-*9

ANDROCLES 8t" he"(#es9* D" y"u see that manG hat is the 4r"c"nsu#+s s&y* He is 'atchin) us* 7e'are* A#ready the

shad"' "3 Caesar is h"verin) "ver y"u$ and his ever,&resent hand 'i## c#"se u&"n y"u* -"ur #i3e is in dan)er$ he"(#es*

F#ee F#ee

8The man in the cloa- 2anishes*9

HEOLES* I mean t" set y"u 3ree 3r"m this shad"' that dar(ens the universe$ 3r"m this hand 'hich h"#ds y"u d"'n*

ANDROCLES* Such an attem&t '"u#d need m"re than a man$ it '"u#d need the v"ice "3 a )"d*

4HR-/IUS* -es$ "3 a )"d*

HEOLES* 7ut 'ere that )"d ever t" s&ea($ y"u '"u#d actG

ANDROCLES AND 4HR-/IUS* -es*

HEOLES* hen "ur &act remains indiss"#ub#e ti## the day "3 the si)n 3r"m heavenG

4a)e : "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

19/56

ANDROCLES$ 4HR-/IUS AND DA0IS* It remains*

HEOLES* Fare'e##$ then$ unti# 'e meet a)ain*

8E3it ndrocles and Phrygius*9

DA0IS* Let me 3"##"' y"u

HEOLES* N"$ y"u 'i## stay here* -"ur messa)es 'i## te## me 'hat is bein) said in the city* I 'i## see y"u a)ain be3"re

de&arture* N"' #eave me* I need t" be a#"ne*

8E3it )amis*9

SCENE IJ

HEOLES$ thenL-CO4HRON*

HEOLES 8alone9* hey are ri)ht * * * t" thin($ man is su33icient t" himse#3% but t" act he needs the v"ice "3 a )"d*

1hich is the )"d 'h" 'i## s&ea( 3"r meG 8*e meditates with his chin in his hands*9

8Lyco(hron a((roaches, with his lantern still alight in the broad daylight, and e3amines Theo-les at close .uarters*9

HEOLES 8starting out of his thoughts9* 1hat d" y"u 'antG

L-CO4HRON* -"un) man in m"urnin)$ 'ith 3#"'ers "n y"ur s'"rd$ n"b#e ei#e$ behind y"u I see h"verin) a '"man

'ith )"#den hair$ 'reathed in narcissus$ 'ith a stran)e smi#e* She h"#ds a dart and a &a#m #ea3 and murmurs divine '"rds

in y"ur ear* * * * !Is it Death "r Imm"rta#ityG+ 4erha&s b"th* 8*e brings his lantern near Theo-les%s eyes*9 -es$ y"u * * * y"u

have a #ivin) s"u# 8*e blows out his lantern*9 I have n" m"re need "3 my #i)ht% I have 3"und 'hat I have been see(in) a##

my #i3e*

HEOLES* 1hat d" y"u mean by a #ivin) s"u#G

L-CO4HRON* A s"u# 'hich acts "3 itse#3 and n"t under the &ressure "3 "thers* Such a s"u# is unbrea(ab#e and may

ar"use the '"r#d*

HEOLES* I3 then I am such a s"u#$ 'hy cann"t I d" itG /ive me the centaur+s h""3 t" master the m"untain$ and the

ea)#e+s 'in) t" reach its summits$ and then my humanity 'i## equa# the reach "3 my desire* * * * 7ut I am n"t even ab#e t"

breathe my 3aith int" the heart "3 a sin)#e 3riend

L-CO4HRON* hat is because y"u d" n"t yet (n"' the hi)hest 3"rce "3 a##* Have y"u ever heard "3 Hera(#id"s$ the

Hier"&hant "3 the Un(n"'n /"d$ 'h" d'e##s in the 'i#d )#ades "3 the aurus 0"untainsG

HEOLES* N"*

L-CO4HRON* /" t" him* He 'i## ma(e y"u (n"'n t" y"urse#3 and 'i## unvei# t" y"u the secret &"'ers "3 nature* He

a#"ne 'i## ma(e y"u see the S&irit 3ace t" 3ace and c"mmune 'ith the heart "3 the '"r#d*

HEOLES* H"' stran)e#y y"ur '"rds vibrate in the de&th "3 my heart 1h" are y"u thenG

L-CO4HRON* /rave,di))er and seer* I bury the dead and sh"' the 'ay t" the #ivin)* /" t" Hera(#id"s

8*e goes out softly Theo-les stands still and follows him with his eyes*9

AC 1O

A7LEAU I4a)e :; "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

20/56

HE E04LE OF HE UNNO1N /OD*

wild region of the Taurus The scene re(resents a wide (orch built against the wall of the mountain *igh )oric

columns carry the o2erhanging roc-s Their double row encloses in the middle of the scene a ga( forming an entrance7 at

the bac- is seen the mouth of a chasm in the ground Behind the chasm, a gallery of stout s.uare (illars (lunges as far as

the eye can see into the bowels of the mountain and ends in a luminous (oint This is the inaccessible sanctuary +o

statues or ornaments7 the tem(le is bare and em(ty7 the na-ed roc- forms both floor and ceiling Only two gigantic

s(hin3es, facing the s(ectator, crouch on watch at the edge of the chasm The one on the right is white, the one on the left

is blac- Their wings are outs(read +ear the chasm, e.uidistant from the two s(hin3es, a marble altar on which burns a

scarcely 2isible flame To right and left co((er basins containing incense stand on tri(ods

SCENE I

HEOLES$ helmeted, a na-ed sword in his hand, enters by a gateway in the roc- *e halts in the middle of the scene

and casts loo-s of astonishment about him

HEOLES* At #ast I have reached y"u$ terrib#e sanctuary H"' have I c#imbed the r"c(y stair'ay under the 3#i)ht "3

vu#tures and ea)#esG In truth$ I (n"' n" #"n)er* An irresistib#e desire carried me "n its 'in)s$ and this s'"rd "&ened my

'ay* * * * 7ut 'here am I n"'$ )reat HeavenG Si#ence and err"r d'e## in this &"rch$ and a## ar"und the eye &erceivesn"thin) but summits and &reci&ices* 8*e turns towards the s(hin3es*9 And y"u$ dumb c"#"ssi$ 3abu#"us beasts$ are y"u the

"n#y #ivin) bein)s hereG 1hat terri3yin) and sub#ime mystery$ 'hat m"nster "r 'hat )"d d" y"u 'atch "ver 'ith y"ur

"uts&read 'in)sG 1hich "3 y"u t'" is the )reater$ the b#ac( "r the 'hiteG he s"mbre )uardian "3 the dar(ness 'hence

n"ne returns$ "r the radiant messen)er c#"thed in imm"rta# #i)htG 8*e ad2ances between the two s(hin3es to the edge of

the chasm and stoo(s o2er it*9 his is the un3ath"mab#e abyss It descends int" the b"'e#s "3 the earth And bey"nd it a

narr"' trac( 3ades int" the In3inite 'here a s&ec( "3 #i)ht )#eams 3aint#y* * * * Here is indeed the teme "3 thy '"rd$ the

tri&"d "3 thy "rac#es$ < terrib#e un(n"'n /"d H"' "3ten the h"rr"r "3 thy sanctuary has haunted my s#eeess ni)hts$ and

n"' that I beh"#d it I tremb#e t" the marr"' and '"u#d 3#ee t" the ends "3 the earth 8*e loo-s again at the s(hin3es*9 And

yet I must hear his v"ice$ th"u)h it sh"u#d stri(e me d"'n at the 3""t "3 these c"#umns* 7ut h"' t" ma(e him s&ea(G

S&hines have ever been si#ent 3r"m a## eternity* heir st"ny eyes c"mmune 'ith /"d but n"t 'ith man* 8*e notices a

shield fastened by its centre to one of the columns of the (orch*9 1hat d" I see hereG A shie#d$ 'ith #etters "3 )"#d

)#eamin) "n the brass* 8*e reads aloud the following inscri(tion*9 !1"e t" any &r"3ane stran)er 'h" cr"sses the thresh"#d"3 this eme* h"u 'h" desirest t" (n"' the Un(n"'n /"d$ enter n"t i3 th"u art im&ure* 7ut i3 th"u darest t" ca## u&"n

him$ stri(e "n me * * * "nce$ i3 "n#y a man * * * t'ice i3 a (in) * * * thrice i3 an initiate*+ 8*e reflects a moment*9 C"me$ my

heart$ th"u hast n"t tremb#ed be3"re the sh"uts "3 the enemy and the sh"c( "3 arms* 1hy tremb#e be3"re the un(n"'nG

Let the hi#t "3 my s'"rd be the 3"r)er "3 my 3ate* And th"u$ shie#d$ rey i3 th"u hast a s"u#* 1ith"ut 3ear I stri(e thee

8*e stri-es three blows on the shield with the handle of his sword*9

SCENE II

HEOLES$ thenHERALIDOS$ who emerges slowly through the bron0e door of a building ad1oining the gateway onthe right *e wears the white robe of a *iero(hant, a golden tiara, on his white hair intertwined (ur(le fillets, and

carries an ebony sce(tre adorned with a golden lion

HERALIDOS* -"u 'h" have dared t" c#imb the 3"rbidden m"untain and t" &ass the thresh"#d "3 this eme 'ith a

na(ed s'"rd in y"ur hand$ "3 'hat )"d are y"u an initiateG

HEOLES* O3 n" )"d*

HERALIDOS* -"u are a (in) thenG

HEOLES* N"t that either*

HERALIDOS* 7y 'hat ri)ht$ then$ bein) neither &riest n"r (in)$ d" y"u dare t" (n"c( three times "n the 3ate3u# brassG

n"' that the ca## "3 the shie#d reverberates thr"u)h the dee&s "3 7ein)* N" &"'er can reca## the s"und$ 'ave "n its

c"urse in the in3inite* Its trie si)na# summ"ns the trie )"d* I3 I ma(e him s&ea( 3"r y"u$ he 'i## mani3est himse#3 in his

4a)e ?< "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

21/56

a'3u# maKesty* H"' 'i## y"u a mere m"rta#$ endure his radiance and his v"ice$ y"u 'h" are neither the (in) "3 any nati"n

n"r the initiate "3 any cu#tG

HEOLES* It is true that I am n" m"re than a mere m"rta#* 7ut by the immensity "3 my desire I 3ee# myse#3 t" be a

(in)$ and by the terr"r 'hich my s"u# has "verc"me I am an initiate*

HERALIDOS* IndeedG I (n"' n"t 'hich is the )reater$ y"ur audacity "r y"ur arr")ance Are y"u &erha&s s"me

char#atan 'h" be#ieves that by an act "3 3urtive &i#3erin) he can 3i#ch the eterna# mysteries$ "r e#se s"me sacri#e)i"us

re&r"bate &r"m&ted by an im&ure intentG A&&r"ach this chasm* I (n"' s"me 'h" a3ter a sin)#e )#ance int" its de&ths

'ere sei5ed 'ith )iddiness and #et themse#ves 3a##* Others have been unab#e ever t" 3"r)et it and be#ieve that they are3a##in)$ 3a##in) 3"r ever int" a b"tt"m#ess v"id* 1ei)h y"ur stren)th then and c"nsider* -"u can sti## 'ithdra'*

HEOLES* A man d"es n"t 'ithdra' 'hen the desire "3 a #i3etime is sta(ed u&"n "ne h"ur and 'hen he (n"'s that

h"ur t" be c"me* F""#hardyG 0aybe$ but neither sacri#e)i"us n"r a char#atan* I am a man 'h" means t" vie' Heaven and

the Abyss be3"re actin) and t" match the /"d 'hich he carries 'ithin him a)ainst the /"d "3 the universe* he terr"rs

y"u s&ea( "3 d" n"t 3ri)hten me* hey cann"t equa# the he## "3 th"u)hts 'hich I bear 'ithin me 'ith"ut tremb#in) "r

3#inchin)*

HERALIDOS* -"u s&ea( #i(e a &redestined her"* -"ur nameG

HEOLES* he"(#es "3 Di"nysia*

HERALIDOS* 1h" sends y"uG

HEOLES* Lyc"&hr"n*

HERALIDOS* It is 'e##% I 'as e&ectin) y"u* -"ur '"rds suit y"ur deeds as a s'"rd,hi#t the b#ade% that is the mar( "3

the str"n)* -"u are a true s"n "3 Ma&het$ "ne "3 th"se 'h" 'a#( under the si)n "3 the sun and 'h"m I$ heir "3 the ancient

sa)es$ am b"und t" de3end* N"' 'hat d" y"u as( "3 meG

HEOLES* " #earn my destiny$ and t" 3ind the &ath that I see(*

HERALIDOS* It is u&"n y"u t" ch""se y"ur destiny and t" 3ind y"ur &ath* 7ut I am ab#e t" brin) 3"rth 3r"m the

Un3ath"mab#e and the Eterna# the 4"'ers 'hich have be)"tten y"u and the /uardian An)e# 'h" ru#es "ver y"ur s"u#*

HEOLES* Ah I3 "n#y y"u c"u#d

HERALIDOS* I 'i## attem&t it* C"ncentrate y"ur s"u# in the de&th "3 y"ur heart and d" n"t stir 3r"m here ti## I ca##*

8*era-lidos -neels, (rostrates himself, then -neels u(right Then he (rays as follows, with u(lifted arms9 L"rd 1h" hast

hy thr"ne in the Un3ath"mab#e$ in) "3 Heaven and Earth$ Father "3 1"r#ds and S"u#s$ Qeus6Ad"nais$ I inv"(e hee*

4ermit that "ne "3 hy Rays be mani3ested t" this 3ear#ess "ne$ t" this s"n 'h" ascends t" hee 3i##ed 'ith audacity and

n"b#e &ur&"se 8 white flash issues from the inaccessible sanctuary *era-lidos stands u( again9 he Un(n"'n /"d

'i## s&ea(* 8*e traces a circle in the air9 Ste& int" the circ#e* 8Theo-les ste(s into the middle and stands still *era-lidos

ta-es incense from the co((er bowl near the blac- s(hin3 and throws some on the altar fire red flame flashes out9 Andn"' in the Name "3 the A#mi)hty$ s&ea($ 4"'ers "3 Heaven and Earth I inv"(e the /uardian S&irit 'h" ru#es "ver this

man 8*e raises his sce(tre Thunder is heard underground crimson light comes from the chasm9 he m"untain

quivers "n its base* he c"#umns "3 the eme ree#* Red 3#ashes &r"c#aim the c"min) "3 the S&irit* He is the m"st

&"'er3u# "3 a## in the Abyss* * * * 8To Theo-les9 /ras& y"ur s'"rd in y"ur hand and beh"#d

8 beautiful figure slowly rises and a((ears abo2e the chasm The &allen ngel is seated on a (lanet half ri2en and

seamed with cre2asses One of his hands is chained to the globe by an iron ring ri2eted to the soil by a thunderbolt "n the

other hand he (roudly raises a torch in the dar-ness/

HEOLES* Sub#ime and a'3u# An)e#$ I tremb#e and eu#t at the si)ht "3 thee* Every 3ibre in my b"dy quivers* 0y Li3e

F"rce$ mu#tiied a hundred3"#d$ seethes as th"u)h it )ushed eu#tant#y 3r"m the 'e##,s&rin)s "3 /enerati"n and "3 Eterna#Desire* H"' sad and h"' sendid th"u art$ < my /uardian S&irit$ my /"d$ my Luci3er

LUCIFER* h"u hast summ"ned me% 'hat '"u#dst th"u "3 meG

4a)e ?: "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

22/56

HEOLES* " be #i(e thee*

LUCIFER* ry then*

HEOLES* H"' can it be d"neG

LUCIFER* 7e#ieve in thyse#3 and strive 'ith the Eterna# 'ith a## the 3"rce "3 thy bein)*

HEOLES* 1i#t th"u su&&"rt meG

LUCIFER* -es$ 3"r as #"n) as thy 3aith in thyse#3 #asts*

HEOLES* Since I have seen hee$ I 3ee# it t" be invincib#e* 7ut 'hy$ < mi)hty An)e#$ is thy imm"rta#ity sh"t thr"u)h

'ith &ain and 'hy d"es the shad"' "3 death dar(en thy br"'G

LUCIFER* 1hen /"d said. Let there be #i)ht I 'as b"rn$ radiant and &r"ud$ "3 the breath "3 His m"uth* A star )#eamed

"n my 3"rehead* S"arin) thr"u)h s&ace I cried. !I am Inte##i)ence and Liberty$ I am Li)ht I 'i## n"t "bey hee* It is

thr"u)h myse#3 that I mean t" be$ t" (n"' and t" c"nquer*+6!See($ then$ Luci3er$ thr"u)h 4ain and thr"u)h Death+ said

the Eterna#* hen I came near t" the heart "3 the A#mi)hty t" stea# His 3ire* Stric(en by its send"ur$ I 3e##$ I the Star "3

the Archan)e#s$ dra))in) d"'n 'ith me a sh"'er "3 suns and "3 dem"ns* I 3e## int" the Abyss u&"n an accursed anet

and the Star "n my br"' has 3aded* Since that day I have ran)ed thr"u)h s&ace 'ith this t"rch (ind#ed at the tabernac#e "3the Eterna#$ and s#"'#y I am reca&turin) His universe* 1"u#dst th"u rather enK"y 'ith"ut e33"rt the uncreated Li)ht "r

attain it 'ith me thr"u)h 4ain and DeathG

HEOLES* Rather a hundred th"usand deaths and ever#astin) &ain than 3"re)" a sin)#e 3ra)ment "3 my #iberty

LUCIFER* Art th"u as str"n) as th"u be#ievestG

HEOLES* 0y 'h"#e bein) as&ires t"'ards thee and ascends at si)ht "3 thee u& t" unima)ined hei)hts* 0y heart

(ind#es at thy t"rch "3 &ride and #i)ht*

LUCIFER* It is 'e##* Hence3"rth thy name sha## n" #"n)er be he"(#es$ but 4h"s&h"r"s* F"r th"u 'i#t bear my #i)htbe3"re men* /" "n thy 'ay*

8*e sin-s into the blac- chasm amid red flashes and renewed underground thunder*9

4HOS4HOROS* He is un)in) a)ain int" the )u#3* * * * He disa&&ears Oh$ that m"an 3r"m the abyss$ 'here mi##i"ns "3

damned s"u#s )r"an and 'ai# 'ith"ut res&"nse* * * * err"r sei5es me ane'* < Luci3er$ my m"rta# &ain is hei)htened by thy

imm"rta# &ain Sha## I be ab#e t" endure it and t" sustain thy t"rchG I have &resumed t"" 3ar "n my stren)th* I 3ee# myse#3

3aintin)* * * *

8*e reels and bac-s a few ste(s*9

HERALIDOS* 7e'are D" n"t &ass the circ#e "r y"u ris( y"ur #i3e* he abyss is seethin) and its 3umes v"mit 3"rth

dem"ns* 8*e stretches out his sce(tre o2er the chasm*9 N"' hear the other 2oice

8*e ta-es more incense from the righthand tri(od near the white S(hin3 and s(rin-les it on the altar flame of da00ling

whiteness flashes out t once sweet music is heard from the inaccessible sanctuary*9

4HOS4HOROS* 1hat are th"se ce#estia# strains$ #i(e the harm"ny "3 the s&heres$ "r the incense 'hich c"mes 3r"m the

heart "3 the Sera&himG It s"3tens the b"'e#s "3 the r"c(% the hu)e m"untain seems etherea#i5ed * * * the c"#umns "3 the

eme vibrate #i(e #yres * * * and the innerm"st s"u# un3"#ds its 3#"'er*

HERALIDOS* It is a v"ice 3r"m ab"ve* L""( he music bec"mes #i)ht$ and the #i)ht is ab"ut t" s&ea(

8 Star a((ears abo2e the chasm7 it is a fi2e (ointed Star of a 2i2id whiteness with a golden core "t glitters li-e a sun7 a

2oice comes out of it*9

4a)e ?? "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

23/56

HE HEA2ENL- 2OICE* 4h"s&h"r"s 4h"s&h"r"s h"u hast the brand that burns and the t"rch that shines* 7ut t"

ma(e thee a her"$ a s&"t#ess s"u# must be#ieve in thee* One a#"ne is en"u)h* 7ut 'ith"ut it th"u 'i#t be n"thin)*

4HOS4HOROS* 1here d'e##s such a s"u#G

HE 2OICE* 4h"s&h"r"s 4h"s&h"r"s " ma(e thee a her"$ a vir)in must burn 3"r thee 'ith a 3ear#ess #"ve and

ren"unce her )"d t" 3"##"' thee* A '"man 'ith the seven rays "3 /#"ry must un)e int" her "'n heart the seven s'"rds

"3 4ain* Fee#est th"u the stren)th t" a'a(en such #"veG

4HOS4HOROS 8with a cry of 1oy9* -es 7y a## the 3"rces "3 Desire$ by the t"rch "3 Luci3er I 3ee# str"n) en"u)h

HE 2OICE* Fu#3i# thy destiny 7e'are "3 &ride 'hich #eads t" the Abyss* And 3"##"' the Star "3 L"ve* * * * Li)ht is a

2"ice* * * * Let its 2"ice be thy Li)ht 8The Star 2anishes*9

HERALIDOS* he Abyss has s&"(en and Heaven$ t""* he /uardian S&irits have ba&ti5ed thee 'ith a Divine name*

h"u ca##ed "n them% they have ch"sen thee% hence3"rth th"u must "bey them*

4HOS4HOROS* he "rch he Star 1hen sha## I see them a)ainG

HERALIDOS* h"u 'i#t see the "rch a)ain in the h"ur "3 stru))#e$ but the Star 'i## (ind#e "n thy br"' under the

breath "3 a divine '"man*

4HOS4HOROS* 8$ras(s the arm of the *iero(hant and cries with (assion*9 A '"man+s breath mi)hty en"u)h t" (ind#e

the Star "n the br"' "3 the 1arri"rG 8*e lets go *era-lidos%s arm*9 his '"man$ th"u ma(est me dream "3 her$ th"u

brin)est her #ivin) be3"re my eyes * * * 'ith her trans&arent 3#esh and the &assi"nate rin)#ets "3 her dar( hair% her eyes

3"untains "3 #i)ht$ her m"uth a 3#"'er "3 tenderness and stren)th* * * * 8*e sha-es his head*9 7ut such a '"man d"es n"t

eist < "verb"#d seer$ dan)er"us &r"&het$ 'hy cast this dev"urin) 3ire int" my heartG Even the hair "3 the 0aenads and

the caresses "3 the 7acchantes cann"t (ind#e such 3#ames "3 desire

HERALIDOS* It is 'ith that 3ire that her"es are 3"r)ed* hy heart is "n the anvi#* Let the hammer beat and the s&ar(s

3#y*

4HOS4HOROS 8not listening9* he s"u# 'h" 'i## be#ieve in me * * * the vir)in 'h" 'i## #eave her )"d t" 3"##"' me * * *

the itan '"man b"rn "3 the #"ve "3 the dau)hters "3 Eve 'ith the Archan)e#s* * * * 1here c"u#d I ever 3ind herG

HERALIDOS* 7e#ieve in thy Star and th"u 'i#t 3ind her

4HOS4HOROS* < mysteri"us sister "3 my desire$ be)"tten "3 the b#""d "3 my travai# and the va&"ur "3 my dreams$ "n

'hat hei)ht$ in 'hat abyss am I t" see( theeG " disc"ver thee I '"u#d ransac( the '"r#d and su33er a th"usand deaths*

2ast is the universe$ but vaster sti## is my desire And yet$ Hera(#id"s$ I #eave thee 'ith re)ret* hese teme c"#umns

'here the )"ds have s&"(en t" me$ 'hen sha## I be ab#e t" c"ntemate them a)ainG

HERALIDOS* < 4h"s&h"r"s One day th"u 'i#t return here*

4HOS4HOROS* 1i## it be a day "3 vict"ry "r "3 de3eatG

HERALIDOS* /"d a#"ne (n"'s* 7ut 'hat matter i3 th"u remainest equa# t" thyse#3G

4HOS4HOROS* < '"ndr"us Sa)e$ th"u 'h" d'e##est #i(e a #i"n in the cave "3 ruth$ th"u hast sh"'n me the si)ns$ th"u

hast made t" s&ea( the /uardian S&irits 'h" rei)n "ver me* In their &resence my "'n s"u# has risen #i(e a 'arri"r in

arms* 7y revea#in) me t" myse#3 th"u hast set me 3ree 3"r ever* 7ecause "3 that I ca## thee my 0aster and my in)* 8*e

-neels before the Sage9

HERALIDOS 8(utting his hand u(on Phos(horos%s head9* And I$ < 4h"s&h"r"s$ I ca## thee my s"n* 7e the a'a(ener "3

s"u#s and the trum&et,b#ast "3 the Un(n"'n /"d in the '"r#d "3 the #ivin)* And n"' t" acti"n

4HOS4HOROS 8rising9* he Star and the "rch summ"n me Fare'e##

HERALIDOS 8stretching out his sce(tre9* i## 'e meet a)ain

4a)e ? "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

24/56

8E3it Phos(horos9

A7LEAU II

HE HE7AID OF HE 2IR/INS OF HE DESER*

n oasis of Lower Egy(t Christian cha(el of (rimiti2e sim(licity, installed in the ruins of an Egy(tian tem(le, o(en tothe s-y The scene is framed by two enormous columns with bell8sha(ed ca(itals which disa((ear out of sight *ere and

there stum(s of (illars ser2e as seats On the walls, images crudely (ainted in the By0antine style of $od the &ather, the

6irgin #ary and Christ Colossal images of the Egy(tian gods car2ed in hieratic lines in the stone can be seen rising at

the bac- To the right, doors built in the wall lead to the cells of the 6irgins To the left, a larger fully arched door8way,

with the do2e of the *oly $host car2ed in stone abo2e it, leads to the cell of the &ather of the )esert t the bac- in a

niche of the tem(le where once stood an Egy(tian god, the recluses ha2e (laced a statue of Christ the She(herd, carrying

the lamb and holding the Cross li-e a croo- Behind the fragments of tumble8down walls can be seen the to(s of gigantic

(alm trees which o2ershadow (art of the tem(le

SCENE I

HE FAHER OF HE DESER$ CLEONICE* The &ather is standing towards the front of the scene Cleonice comes

out of her cell and a((roaches slowly from behind She seems to be in search of someone behind the columns of the ruins7

at length she touches the &ather%s arm

CLEONICE* He has n"t c"me yetG

HE FAHER* N"$ I d" n"t be#ieve he 'i## c"me this evenin)* he sun is settin) a#ready* 0y &rayers have (e&t him

a'ay*

CLEONICE* Oh$ n"$ I can te## by the ani"us thr"bs "3 my tr"ub#ed heart* * * * I am sure he 'i## c"me

HE FAHER* -"u are determined then t" see this re&r"bate$ this he"(#es$ n"' ca##ed 4h"s&h"r"s$ 'h" dares t"

&r"&a)ate even in these re)i"ns the cu#t "3 the rebe# An)e#G

CLEONICE* -es*

HE FAHER* And 'hy d" y"u$ a de3ence#ess maiden$ 'ish t" s&ea( t" himG

CLEONICE* " abase him be3"re Christ * * * "r i3 he 'i## n"t #isten$ t" thr"' a curse u&"n him 'hich 'i## #eave him

&"'er#ess 3"r ever

HE FAHER* 7e'are$ my dau)hter$ that is a dan)er"us missi"n* -"u d" n"t yet (n"' a## the assau#ts and snares "3 the

devi#* His 'i#es are subt#er than a s&ider+s 'eb$ and "nce he has cau)ht us$ he enc#"ses us in meshes "3 stee#* he

&resence "3 such men is dead#y* O3ten a sin)#e '"rd "r #""( 3r"m them may taint a s"u# 3"r ever*

CLEONICE* Christ is "n my side$ and I 3ee# the stren)th t" brin) this rebe# t" the Savi"ur+s 3eet*

HE FAHER* 1hat 3""#hardiness$ my dau)hter* -"u brin) t" y"ur dev"ti"n a## the &assi"n "3 y"ur untamed s&irit* 7e

humb#er% I 3ear #est the c"ntrary may ha&&en and Satan entice y"u t" himse#3*

CLEONICE* Never Mesus$ 1h"m I see in dreams$ has c#"thed me in chastity 3"r an arm"ur and has )iven me His

c"ura)e 3"r a diam"nd shie#d

HE FAHER* -es$ i3 y"u 'ere a tried saint$ but y"u are "n#y an ardent * * * a t"" ardent * * * n"vice

4a)e ?B "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

25/56

CLEONICE* Has n"t the Divine 0aster said. !1hats"ever ye sha## as( in &rayer$ be#ieve that ye sha## receive it * * * ye

sha## "btain everythin)$ even t" cast the m"untains int" the sea+G 1e## then$ I 3ee# 3"r this "verbearin) 4h"s&h"r"s a

hatred intense en"u)h t" "verturn m"untains* I mean t" abase him be3"re the send"ur "3 my in)

HE FAHER* Headstr"n) audacity -"u are re#a&sin) int" the '"rst err"rs "3 the heathen* It is n"t hatred but #"ve

'hich m"ves m"untains* Mesus 3"rbids hatred% it #eads t" every (ind "3 d"'n3a##*

CLEONICE 8with a dee( sigh9* Ah -"u d" n"t understand that my hatred 3"r the 3"es "3 Mesus s&rin)s 3r"m my

b"und#ess #"ve 3"r Him*

8She wrings her hands and folds her arms across her face 9

HE FAHER 8sternly9* -es$ I understand * * * everythin)* N"' that I see c#ear#y int" y"ur a)itated heart$ I bid y"u 3#ee

3r"m the enemy "3 /"d* Return t" y"ur ce##

CLEONICE* I "bey* 8She goes in slowly and with bent head*9

HE FAHER 8(ensi2e9* She 'i## have t" su33er much t" bec"me a saint* Ha&&i#y I am "n the 'atch * * * and the enemy

'i## n"t c"me n"'* 8With both hands he ma-es a gesture of e3orcism towards the desert 9 Let us return t" &rayer* 8*e re8

enters his dwelling9

SCENE II

4HOS4HOROS$ thenCLEONICE*

Phos(horos enters left and leans against the great column in the front of the scene

4HOS4HOROS* It is here that h"u art '"rshi&&ed < Christ 7e3"re the humb#e statue 'ith a #amb in its arms$ the

2ir)ins "3 the Desert c"me t" ad"re hee% and ni)ht and day they &"ur "ut 3#""ds "3 tenderness at hy 3eet* * * * And I

'h" bear in my heart the #iberty "3 man(ind and the beauty "3 a ne' '"r#d$ I have n"t met a sin)#e s"u# 'h" has seen int"the de&ths "3 my "'n and 'h" be#ieves in me 3"r #i3e "r death 1hen sha## I have the si)nG 1hen 'i## the h"ur "3 acti"n

rise in my heaven 'ith the 3#amin) StarG * * * It 'i## never c"me* * * *

8Turning with a weary gesture towards the hori0on9

O b"und#ess desert$ dus(y shr"ud$ en3"#din) dead cities and buried )"ds* * * * "'ards thee I stretch my em&ty arms in

vain

8t this moment Cleonice comes out of her cell The setting sun falls full u(on her face On noticing Phos(horos, she

ma-es a startled motion, but regains her com(osure at once and ste(s forward (ur(osefully 9

CLEONICE* Stran)er$ by 'hat ri)ht d" y"u enter this temeG

4HOS4HOROS* he teme stands "&en$ I have c"me t" #""( at its /"d*

CLEONICE* D" y"u (n"' that this /"d is Christ$ and that these ruins she#ter the 2ir)ins "3 the DesertG

4HOS4HOROS* I (n"' it* 7ut 'h" are y"u 'h" s&ea( s" ece##ent#y the s"3t t"n)ue "3 I"niaG

CLEONICE* I am C#e"nice$ dau)hter "3 La"di("s$ "3 the city "3 Di"nys"s*

4HOS4HOROS* C#e"niceG 'h"m I met a 'hi#e since$ vei#ed$ in the A)"raG

CLEONICE* he same* And here I am n"' in sa3e harb"ur in this "asis "3 &rayer$ in "ne "3 the citade#s "3 Christ 3"r the

c"nquest "3 the '"r#d* 7ut y"u$ 'hat is y"ur nameG

4a)e ?@ "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

26/56

4HOS4HOROS* 0y 3ather named me he"(#es* 0y destiny and my /uardian S&irit have surnamed me 4h"s&h"r"s*

CLEONICE* n"' then$ 4h"s&h"r"s$ that the true /"d h"#ds y"u accursed$ sc"ur)e "3 the '"r#d$ a)ent "3 Satan He 'i##

stri& branches 3r"m the trees t" ma(e r"ds 3"r y"ur chastisement* -"u have seen si)ns 'ith"ut understandin) them*

2"ices have ca##ed t" y"u$ but y"u have n"t heard them* Lumin"us hands have traced "n the 'a##$ in #etters "3 3ire$ the

name "3 the Eterna#% and y"u have erased the 'ritin) 'ith y"ur c#"a($ 3#ushed 'ith &resum&ti"n and #ust* Christ has died

and risen a)ain$ and y"u (n"' n"thin) "3 it 1"e u&"n y"u 'h" be#ieve n"t in the 0essiah

4HOS4HOROS* I be#ieve in myse#3$ and my /"d is the Outcast An)e# 'h" i##uminates the '"r#d 'ith his t"rch*

CLEONICE* Oh &iti3u# &resum&ti"n Oh d" y"u n"t (n"' Him then6the Divine Su33ererG -"u have n"t seen Him 3aint

under the Cr"ss* He c"mes t" visit us here in the cry&t$ He the Savi"ur "3 the '"r#d% He brin)s t" us the bread "3 an)e#s

and the cha#ice "3 sacri3ice* I3 y"u "n#y (ne' h"' beauti3u# He is His b"dy shines #i(e a sun* Fr"m a## His '"unds He

&"urs "ut the r"ses "3 L"ve and the #i#ies "3 /race* hen I cast myse#3 at His b#eedin) 3eet and I 'ee& t" be unab#e t"

su33er 3"r Him a## the a)"nies He has su33ered 3"r man(ind -"u d" n"t (n"' HimG Oh$ i3 y"u c"u#d but (n"' Him

4HOS4HOROS 8loo-s at her fi3edly, then turns away9aside9* I "u)ht t" have met this '"man s""ner*

CLEONICE* 1hat ai#s y"u then$ 4h"s&h"r"sG -"u tremb#e% y"u seem a)itated* * * *

4HOS4HOROS 8loo-ing at her again and then turning away9aside9* Hithert" I have seen n"ne but #"'#y maidens$d"'ntr"dden 'ives "r 3rantic 7acchantes% but this is a '"man 7eneath the #ivin) 3#esh her ardent s"u# quivers* * * * 1hat

a 3#ame burns in the di#ated "rbit "3 her eyes * * * And in her b"s"m thr"bs the heart "3 the '"r#d$ athirst 3"r #"ve and

s"rr"'* * * * A '"man$ a rea# '"man* * * * A '"man c"nsci"us and c"mete* * * * On#y "ne * * * and yet that '"u#d su33ice

3"r the birth "3 a her" and the renaissance "3 the '"r#d

CLEONICE* 1hat are y"ur th"u)htsG

4HOS4HOROS* I 'as thin(in) h"' ha&&y is y"ur 0essiah t" be thus be#"ved by y"u* I t"" 'i## be a 0essiah% I t"" am a

0essen)er "3 the Ever#astin)* I t"" 'i## redeem men by r"usin) in them their s#ee&in) s"u#s$ the divine s&ar($ the 3ire

'hich creates* D" y"u (n"' 'hat curses$ 'hat su33erin)s a'ait me 3"r the 3etters that I sha## brea($ 3"r the truths that I

am ab"ut t" s"' thr"u)h"ut the '"r#d #i(e t"rches and s'"rdsG D" y"u (n"' the hatred$ the s"#itude$ the banishment$

death maybe$ in s"me rem"te desert m"re des"#ate than this hebaid "3 y"urs$ 'here y"u d'e## in visi"n and ecstasyG A##

that a'aits me$ "h &ure and divine maiden 7ut y"u have tears "n#y 3"r y"ur Christ 7e ha&&y* * * * 0y b#essin) u&"n y"u

I desire the ha&&iness "3 man(ind% y"u &"ssess it* 0ay y"u retain it 3"r ever Fare'e##

CLEONICE 8in her turn a2erts her eyes9aside9* 1"e is me 3"r havin) behe#d his radiant )#ance An)e# and ser&ent in

"ne he 'i#es "3 a seducer and the cand"ur "3 a )"d#i(e her"* 1hat sub#ime terr"r$ 'hat dread3u# K"y stea#s "ver me

H"' sha## I rec"ver hence3"rth the &eace "3 Heaven 'hen I thin( "3 the des&erate 'arri"r$ the n"b#e su33erer 3i)htin) his

'ay u& 3r"m the abyssG hr"u)h his eyes shines a rev"#ted an)e# 'h" see(s t" "verthr"' me 8She staggers and leans

against the column9

4HOS4HORUS* 1hat ai#s y"u$ maidenG 1hy d" y"u b"' y"ur her"ic headG 1hy #"'er as i3 in &ain y"ur b#ac(,3rin)ed

eye#ids "ver the send"ur "3 y"ur eyesG Oh curse me "nce a)ain C"ver me 'ith anathemas$ s" "n#y I may see th"seeyes shine 3"r "ne #ast time

8They loo- at each other with growing intensity and emotion ll at once she turns away and fe2erishly lifts her hands to

her tem(les, and then to her bosom, as though stifling9

4HOS4HORUS* In the name "3 Christ$ 'hat is the matter$ C#e"niceG

CLEONICE 8with an abru(t defensi2e gesture9* Si#ence * * * D" n"t #""( at me any m"re Leave me Leave me 8She

mo2es away swiftly and re8enters her cell without loo-ing bac-9

4HOS4HORUS 8a#"ne9* here is the 3irst s"u# I have ever '"n A s"u# vibrant and str"n)$ 'hich can see and (n"'$ as"u# ca&ab#e "3 embracin) the universe% the 1"man in the 0aiden$ the Her"ine in the L"ver$ the Heaven#y 4syche in the

c"mete Eve Never sha## I 3"r)et th"se tremb#in) eye#ids$ n"r th"se tears 'hich 3e## #i(e &ear#s "3 #i)ht 3r"m her 3iery

eyes* * * * A si#ent vict"ry in the heart "3 the desert$ "n the thresh"#d "3 a hebaid% 7ut '"rth the r"ut "3 armies* 1hat

4a)e ?= "3 @=

7/27/2019 Children of Lucifer

27/56

divine 3"rce has st"#en int" my heartG N" d"ubt I sha## never see thee m"re$ < C#e"nice 7ut I sha## (n"' in my

ever#astin) s"#itude that a s"u# s"#itary #i(e my "'n$ a d'e##er in this desert$ is "ne 'ith me

SCENE III

4HOS4HORUS$ a0ESSEN/ER*

HE 0ESSEN/ER* I arrive breath#ess 3r"m A#eandria* he #ast shi& c"min) 3r"m I"nia has br"u)ht a messa)e 3"r y"u*

It is 3r"m Damis* 8*e hands him a tablet of wa39

4HOS4HORUS 8reading9* !Every"ne (n"'s here that y"u are Harm"dius$ and y"ur 3"##"'in) is increasin) visib#y*

Every day 'e read inscri&ti"ns "n the 'a##s "3 the City Ha##. Return$ Harm"dius% Di"nysia m"urns her s"n+s absence

he 4r"c"nsu# Har&a#us$ a#armed at this sediti"us "utcry$ is annin) y"ur ruin* He has &ub#ic#y re&ea#ed the "rder "3

banishment issued a)ainst y"u* He &r"mises that y"u sha## d'e## unm"#ested in the city and 3ree#y enK"y y"ur &"ssessi"ns$

"n c"nditi"n "3 a&&earin) be3"re his c"urt t" Kusti3y y"urse#3 b