Long live the Emperor Julian!
Those Behind.
What is afoot?
Varro.
They are proclaiming Julian Emperor!
Loud Cries.
Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor Julian!
[The cry spreads in wider and wider circles without; all talk together; Julian cannot make himself heard for some time.
Julian.
Oh, I entreat you——! Soldiers, friends, brothers in arms,—see, I stretch out my trembling arms to you——! Be not alarmed, my Decentius!—Oh that I should live to see this! I do not blame you, my faithful friends; it is despair that has driven you to this. You will have it? Good; I submit to the will of the army.—Sintula, call the generals together.—You, Tribune, can bear witness to Constantius that ’twas only on compulsion that I—— [He turns to Varro.] Go, captain, and make known throughout the camp this unlooked-for turn of events. I will write without delay to Rome——