No More Learning

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: he may thank me for't
In part. I would not have his bulls abolished--
'Twere worth one half our empire: his indulgences
Demand some in return; no, no, he must not 40
Fall;--and besides, his now escape may furnish
A future miracle, in future proof
Of his infallibility. [_To the Spanish Soldiery_.
Well, cut-throats!
What do you pause for? If you make not haste,
There will not be a link of pious gold left.
And _you_, too, Catholics! Would ye return
From such a pilgrimage without a relic?
The very Lutherans have more true devotion:
See how they strip the shrines!

_Soldiers_. By holy Peter!
He speaks the truth; the heretics will bear 50
The best away.

_Caes. _ And that were shame! Go to!
Assist in their conversion.
[_The Soldiers disperse; many quit the Church, others enter_.

_Caes. _ They are gone,
And others come: so flows the wave on wave
Of what these creatures call Eternity,
Deeming themselves the breakers of the Ocean,
While they are but its bubbles, ignorant
That foam is their foundation. So, another!

_Enter_ OLIMPIA, _flying from the pursuit--She
springs upon the Altar_.

_Sold. _ She's mine!

_Another Sold.