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the emperor julian.
[act ii.

procession of Apollo has to stand still while the other, with the prisoners—men in chains, surrounded by soldiers, and accompanied by a great concourse of people—passes on.


Publia.

My child! Hilarion!

Hilarion.

[Among the prisoners.] Rejoice, my mother! Julian. Poor deluded creatures! When I hear madness thus speaking in you, I almost doubt whether I have the right to punish you. Another Voice. [Among the prisoners.] Stand aside; take not from us our crown of thorns. Julian. Night and horror,—what voice is that? The Leader of the Guard. 'Twas this one, sire, who spoke. [He pushes one of the prisoners forward, a young man, who leads a half-grown lad by the hand.


Julian.

[With a cry.] Agathon!

[The Prisoner looks at him, and is silent.

Agathon, Agathon! Answer me; are you not Agathon?

The Prisoner.

I am.