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THE GLADIATORS: ^ ^ak
of
lHomt anb
^i"^^''"^-
BY
G. A0THOK OF
'
J.
WHYTE MELVILLE,
DICBY GHAIvD,'
'
THE
'
rNTEKPRETF.l;,'
HCiLMBY HOUSE,
'THE QUEEK'S MAKIF^,' ETC.
IX THllEE VOLUMES.
VOL. L
tJ-^«
i 9 >
J
LOiVnON: LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GltEEN. 1863.
[The right of Translation
is reserved.']
lX)SDOS: I'RINTED
HI'
IVILLIAM Cl/JIVKS Ahl> SONS, SjTAMKnUL) STKKKT AND CHAKING CKUSS.
CONTENTS. VOL.
I.
EROS. CHAPTER
I.
P,cK
THE IVORY GATE
1
CHAPTER THE MARBLE PORCH
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
......... ....... CHAPTER
THE WOliSHIP OF
71
VII. 91
......... CHAPTER
CHAPTER THE ROMAN
54
YI.
TRUTH
THE JEW
.J8
V.
ISIS
CHAPTER
28
lY.
.
CHAPTER
•'kome"
.11
.
III.
CHAPTER APHRODITE
.
......... CHAPTER
HERMES
II.
.
,
VIII.
109
IX.
.122
IV
CO:\^TENTS.
CHAPTER
.....
A TRIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS
PAGE
143
........ CHAPTER
STOLEN WATERS
X.
XI.
163
CHAPTER Xn. ' myrrhina"
NOLENS
—VOLENS
172
CHAPTER .
.
.
XIII. .
CHAPTER
.
.
.
,190
XIV. 200
C/ESAR
CHAPTER XV. jtED
falernian
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.216
....... ....... ........ ........ ...... CHAPTER
XVI.
the training-school
234
CHAPTER XVn.
A veiled heart
CHAPTER
WINGED WORDS
CHAPTER
THE ARENA
250
XVIII.
271
XIX.
288
CHAPTER XX.
the trident AND THE NET
310
THE GLADIATORS. VOL.
I.
EROS.
CHAPTER
I.
THE n^OEY GATE.
AEK
and
stern, in their
weird beauty,
lower the sad brows of the Queen of
HelL
Dear
to her are the
pomp and
power, the shadowy vastness, and the terrible splendour- of the nether world.
her the pride of her unbending
Dear
consort
to
and
;
doubly dear the wide imperial sway, that rules the immortal destinies of souls.
But dearer
— dearer than flashing crown and —are the meand throne of blazing
than these, sceptre,
far
iiery
gold,
mories that
ghmmer
bright as sunbeams athwart
those vistas of gloomy grandeur, and seem to fan
her weary VOL.
I.
spirit like
a fresh breeze from the realms
B
EROS.
•
2
She
of upper eartli. forget, the
mer
haze,
whisper in
not forgotten, she never can
blooming fragrance of nor the sparkling sea, and the sum-
dewy
lavish Sicily,
lias
flowers, the
and the golden harvests that wave and the garden and granary of the world. smile steals over the haughty face
Then a sad
;
the stern beauty softens in the gleam, and, for a while, the daughter of Ceres is a laughing girl
once more.
So the Ivory Gate swings back, and gentle doves come forth on snowy wings, flying upwards
and consolation through the gloom, to bear balm to the weary this
and the wounded and
tlie lost.
Now
was the dream the birds of Peace brought
*****
with them, to soothe the broken spirit of a sleeping slave.
The
old boar has turned to bay at
last.
and severe has been the chase, through echoing woodland, down
by copse and
dingle,
many
rock and
Long
many an
a sunny glade, cave,
through
and deep, dank, quivering mosplashing stream, hounds have tracked him, rass, the large rough unerring and
pitiless,
till
they have set him up
and he here, against the trunk of the old oak-tree, has turned— a true British denizen of the waste
—
THE IVORY GATE. to sell Lis life clearly,
the
and
3
fight uncoiiquered to
last.
His small eye glows like a burning coal; the are
huge black body, flecked with white froth that he churns and throws stiff bristles
up along
about him, as he tusks,
now
to one,
offers those
now
curved and ripping
to another of his crowding,
baying, leaping foes. " Have at him Good !
his
!"
dogs
shouts the hunter,
running in with a short, broad-bladed boar-spear in
his hand.
Breathless
is
he,
and wearied with
the long miles of tangled forests he has traversed
but his heart
is
;
glad within him, and his blood
tingles with a strange wild
thrill of
triumph known
only to the votaries of the chase. Gelert
dewlap
and a
;
is down, torn and mangled from flank to Luath has the wild swine by tlie throat
foot
;
home by
of gleaming steel, driven
a
young, powerful arm, has entered behind the neck
and pierces downwards to the very
brisket.
The
shaft of the spear snaps short across, as the tliick
unwieldy body turns slowly over, and the boar shivers out his life on the smooth sward, soft
green as velvet, that exists
nowhere but
The dream changes. The boar has and the woodland gives place to a
fair
and
in Britain.
disappeared,
and smiling
4
EEOS.
Vast herds of shaggy red cattle are brows-
plain.
iug contentedly, with their wide-horned heads to the breeze
flocks of sheep dot the green,
;
lating pastures, that stretch
A
gull turns
sky
there
;
its
a
is
undu-
away towards the
sea.
white wing against the clear blue
hum
of insects in the
au',
mingled
with the barking of dogs, the lowing of kine, the
laughter of women, and other sounds of peace,
A
abundance, and content. mother's knee — a
its
and golden
curls,
child
playing round
is
child with frank bold brow,
and large
blue, fearless eyes,
sturdy of limb, quick of gesture, fond, imperious
and
wilful.
The mother, a
beautiful but mournful face,
tall is
woman, with a
gazing stedfastly
and seems unconscious of her boy's who is fondling and kissing the white
at the sea, caresses,
hand he holds
in both his own.
Her
large shapely
draped in snowy robes that trail upon the and massive ornaments of gold encircle ground, arms and ankles. At intervals she looks fondly figure
is
down upon the its
child
but ever her face resumes
;
wistful expression, as she fixes her eyes again
upon the
sea.
in that stedfast
There
anger, or discontent.
sentiment
is
— gaze
nothing of actual sorrow
still
less of impatience, or
Memory
is
the prevailing
—memory, tender, portrayed
absorbing,
THE IVORY GATE.
5
without a ray of hope, but without a
irresistible,
shadow of
There
self-reproach.
Mnemosyne
is
a statue of
at one of the entrances to the
that carries on
its
Forum
marble brow the same crushingthat wears on its delicate
weight of thought
;
features, graven into the saddest of beauty
by the
Athenian's chisel, just such a weary and despondent look. A^Tiere
can the British child have seen those
Greece that deck her Imperial yet he thinks of that statue as he
tasteful spoils of
Mistress
And
?
looks up in his mother's face.
But the
fair tall
woman
shivers
and draws her
robe closer about her, and taking the child in her arms, nestles his head against her bosom and covers
him over with her
blows moist and
chill,
draperies, for the Avind
the
with di-iving mist, huge
summer
air is
white
shapeless forms loom
through the haze, and the busy sounds of life and laughter have subsided into the stillness of a vast
and dreary
The
plain.
child
and
its
mother have disappeared, but
a
tall, strong youth, just entering upon manhood, with the same blue eyes and fearless brow, is pre-
sent in
their stead.
He
is
armed
for the first
time with the weapons of a warrior. He has seen blows struck in anger now, and fronted the Legions
6
EROS.
and waged his fearless unskilful valour against the courage, and the tactics, and the discipline of Home. So he is invested with as they advanced,
sword, and helm, and target, and takes his place, not without boyish pride, amongst the young war-
who
riors
encircle the hallowed spot
where the
Druids celebrate their solemn and mysterious
The mist comes thicker
still,
rites.
driving over the
plain in waves of vapour, that impart a ghostly air of
motion to the stones that tower erect around
the mystic circle.
hand
of
Grey, moss-grown, and unhewn,
man seems never
to
have desecrated
those mighty blocks of granite, standing there,
changeless and awful, like types of eternity.
and
Dim
indistinct are they as the worship they guard.
Hard and
stern as the pitiless faith of sacrifice,
veugeance, and oblation, inculcated at their base.
A
wild low chant comes wailing on the breeze, and
through the gathering mist a long Ime of whiterobed priests winds slowly into the circle. Stern
and gloomy are they of aspect, lofty of stature, and large of limb, with long grey beards and waving in the wind. Each wears a crown each grasps a wand of oak-leaves round his head
tresses
;
covered with ivy in his hand. resist
an exclamation of
The youth cannot
surprise.
There
is
dese-
THE IVOEY GATE. cration in his
there
tlioiiglit,
profanity iu his
Louder and louder swells the chant.
words.
Closer and closer
very centre
of
hemming him
flourished in the air
refuse to
stir,
He
to the
see
the
!
his
The
by a long brawny arm.
strives
seems
in
already bared and whetted, and
sacrificial knife is
young warrior
mystic ring, and
tlie
The
contracts the circle.
still
white-robed priests are
sides.
is
i
to
Horror! his
fly.
feet
hands cleave powerless to
A
turning to stone.
paralyses him that he too
will
vague
his
fear
become one of those
granite masses to stand there motionless during
His heart stops beating within him, and
eternity.
the transformation seems about to be completed,
when
lo
spell,
and he shakes
!
a warlike peal of trumpets breaks the his
gladly from the earth, life
spear aloft and
leaps
exulting in the sense of
and motion once more.
Again the dream changes.
Frenzied priest and
Druidical stone have vanished like the mist that encircled them.
June.
The woods
is
a beautiful balmy night in
are black
Kot a breath
moonlight.
twigs of the lofty
the sky.
It
Not a
lake, spread
and
in
the
of air stirs the topmost
elm cut clear and ripple
silver
distinct against
blurs the surface of the
out and gleaming like a sheet of
»
EEOS.
polished
The
steel.
bittern calls at intervals
from
the adjacent marsh, and the nightingale carols in the copse.
All
is
peaceful and beautiful, and
Yet here,
suggestive of enjoyment
or repose.
lying close amongst the
foxglove and the fern,
long lines of white-robed warriors are waiting but the signal
for
And
assault.
yonder, where the
earth -rock rises dark and level against the sky,
paces to and fro a high-crested sentinel, watching over the safety of the Eagles, with the calm and ceaseless vigilance of
made the
that
discipline
which has
legionaries masters of the world.
Once more the trumpets peal
the only sound to
;
be heard in that array of tents,
drawn up with
such order and precision, behind the works, except the footfall of the as
it
Roman
guard, firm and regular,
relieves the previous watch.
that duty
will
be performed
;
In a short space
and then,
if ever,
must the attack be made with any probability of Youth is impatient of delay the young success.
—
warrior's pulse
edge
beats audibly, and
he
feels
the
and the point of his short-hanwith an intensity of longing that is
of his blade
dled javelin,
absolutely painful.
At length the word
from rank
Like the crest of a sea- wave
to rank.
is
passed
breaking into foam, rises that wavering line of
9
THE lYORY GATE.
white, rolling its length out in the moonlight, as
man
man
after
comrade
of his springs erect at the touch
and then a roar of
;
voices, a rush of
and the wave dashes up and breaks against the steady solid resistance of the embankment.
feet,
But
discipline
is
not to be caught thus napping.
Ere the echo of their trumpets has died out among the distant
hills,
the legionaries stand to their
arms throughout the camp. Abeady the rampart gleams and bristles with sliield and helmet, javelin, sword and spear. Already the Eagle defiant
is
awake and
unruffled, indeed, in plumage, but with
;
beak and talons bare and whetted
The
tall
and
regular, as
centurions marshal their
of Caesar,
barbarian
men
for
defence.
in
Kne even
though about to defile by the throne rather than to repel the attack of a wild foe.
The
tribunes, with their golden
take up their appointed posts in the four while the Praetor huuself corners of the camp
crests,
;
gives his orders calm
and unmoved from the centre.
Over the roar of the swarming the
clear
tions,
trumpet-note
Britons, sounds
pealing out
its
direc-
concise and intelligible as a living voice,
and heard by the combatants far and wide, inand order in the spiring covu-age and confidence, confusion.
EROS.
10
long swords, the wliite-cla
tlieir
Brandisliing
warriors of Britain rush tumultuously to the attack.
Already, they have
filled
the ditch and scaled
but once and again they recoil
the earthwork;
from the steady front and rigid discipline of the invader, ^vliile the short stabbing sword of the
Eoman
covered as he
soldier,
is
by
his
ample
shield, does fearful execution at close quarters.
But
still
fresh assailants pour
The
carried and overrun.
exulting to and
He
life.
them
bleeding, he shaft of the
heaps
has reached the Prae-
to bring
as trophies of his victory.
him
fall in
close beneath the Eagles,
is
leaps wildly at
strikes
is
young warrior rushes
and the enemy
fro,
years of peaceful
He
and the camp
Such moments are worth whole
before hira.
torium.
in,
to is
the earth. carried
Roman
them
off in
and he
triumph
But a grim centurion
Wounded,
away by
faint
and
his comrades, the
standard in his hand.
bear him to a war-chariot, they lash the
They wild
the wheels thunders galloping steeds, the roll of in his ears as they dash tumultuously across the plain,
and then
fulfilled,
*
the doves
*
*
fly
*
the gentle mission
down again
is
to Proserpine,
and the young, joyous, triumphant warrior of Britain wakes up a Roman slave.
CHAPTER
II.
THE MARBLE PORCH.
T
was the sound of a enough,
from
his
that
roused
slumbers
;
but
trulv
cliariot,
the
dreamer
bow
different
the scene on which his drowsy eyes unclosed, to that which fancy had conjured
the shadowy realms of sleep
up
in
!
A beautiful portico, supported on slender columns of smooth white marble, protected
him from the
rays of the morning sun, already pouring ^A-ith
the intensity of Italian heat.
leaves and
flowers, cool
and fresh
down
Garlands of
in their contrast
with the snowy surface of these dainty
pillars,
were wreathed around their stems, and twined amono-st the delicate carvins: of their Corinthian capitals.
Large
stone
vases,
urn-shaped
and
massive, stood in long array at stated intervals,
bearing the orange-tree, the myrtle, and other
dark-green flowering shrubs, which formed a
fair
12
EKOS.
perspective
of retirement
and repose.
Shapely
statues filled the niches in the wall, or stood out
more prominently in the vacant spaces of the colonnade. Here cowered a marble Venus, in the shame-faced consciousness of unequalled beauty
;
there stood forth a bright Apollo, exulting in the perfection
Eome
of
want
and
grace.
could not finger the chisel like her in-
structress Greece, the
hand
symmetry
godlike
that for
the sword need never
firmly grasps
anything
skill
or gold can buy, so pieces
mother of the Arts, but the
produces, or genius creates,
it is
no marvel that the master-
and treasures of the nations she subdued
found their way the world.
to the
Imperial City, mistress of
Even where
the sleeper lay reclined
upon a couch of curiously-carved wood from the forests that clothe Mount Hymettus, an owl so beautifully chiselled that its very breast-plumage
seemed
to ruffle in the breeze, looked
him from a niche where
it
down upon
had been placed
at a
have bought a dozen such human chattels as himself; for it had been brought from cost that miglit
Athens as the most successful
who had devoted his
zeal.
it
to the
Refinement,
effort of
a
sculjDtor,
honour of Minerva in
luxury,
nay,
profusion,
reigned paramount even here outside the sumptuous
THE MARBLE POECH.
Eoman
1
o
and the very ground in her porch, over Avhich she was borne, for she seldom touched it with her feet, Avas fresh swept dwelling of a
lady
and sanded as often as
it
;
had been disturbed by
the tread of her litter-bearers, or the wheels of
her chariot.
Many
a time was this ceremony performed in
the tvventy-four hours
;
for Valeria
was a
woman
and the highest fashion. Not a vanity of her sex, not a folly was there of her class, in which she scrupled to inof noble rank, great possessions,
dulge
;
and then, as now, ladies were prone to rush
into extremes,
and
frivolity,
when
it
took the garb
of a female, assumed preposterous dimensions, and
a thirst
for
amusement, incompatible
Avith reason
or self-control.
There
is
a pompous
always a certain hush, and as stillness
it
were,
about the houses of the great,
even long after inferior mortals are
astir in pursuit
To-day was was Valeria's birthday, and as such duly observed by the hanging of garlands on the pillars of her of their pleasure or their business.
porch; but after the completion of this graceful ceremony, silence seemed to have sunk once more
upon the household, and the slave whose dream we have recorded, coming into her gates with an
]
4
EEOS.
and finding no domestics in
offering from his lord, tlie
way, had sat him dowTi to wait in the grateful
shade, and overcome with heat, might have slept
on
till
ins:
noon had he not been roused by the grind-
chariot-wheels,
which mingled so confusedly
with his dream. It
was no plebeian vehicle that
now
rolled
into the colonnade, driven at a furious pace,
and
stopping so abruptly as to create considerable confusion and insubordination amongst the noble
animals that di'ew
The
it.
car,
momited on two
wheels, was constructed of a highly-polished wood, cut from the wild fig-tree, elaborately inlaid with
ivory and gold
;
the very spokes and felloes of the
wheels were carved in patterns of vine-leaves and flowers, whilst
the extremities of the pole, the
and the yoke, were wrought into exquisite representations of the wolf's head, an animal, from axle,
historical reasons,
Roman. driver
ever dear to the fancy of the
There was but one person besides the carriage, and so light a draught
in the
might indeed command any rate of speed, when whirled along by four such horses as
and reared, and
i)it
portico of Valeria's
now plunged
each other's crests in the
mansion.
These were of a
milky white, with dark muzzles, and a bluish
THE MARBLE POECH. tinge under the coat, denoting
the Eastern origin of neck and
thick
its soft
of the animals. shoulders, with
15 texture,
and
Somewhat semicircular
was the broad and tapering head, the small quivering ear, the wide red nostril, that demon-
jowl,
it
and argued exwhile traordinary powers of speed and endurance their short, round backs, prominent muscles, flat strated the purity of their blood,
;
and dainty feet, promised an amount of strength and activity only to be attained by the legs
production of perfect symmetry.
These beautiful animals were harnessed four abreast
—the inner
pair,
somewhat
in the fasliion
of our modern cm-ricle, being yoked to the pole, of which the very fastening-pins were steel overlaid
with gold, whilst the outer horses, drawing only from a trace attached respectively on the inner side of each to the axle of the chariot,
were free to
wheel their quarters outwards in every direction, and kick to their heart's content a libertv of
—
which, in the present instance, they seemed well disposed to avail themselves.
The horse
slave started to his feet
as
the nearest
winced and swerved aside from his un-
expected figure, snorting the while in mingled
wantonness and
fear.
The
axle gi*azed his tunic
16
EROS.
while
it
passed, and the driver, irritated at his
horse's unsteadiness, or perhaps in the
mere
lence of a great man's favom-ite, struck at
heavily with Briton's
as
whip
he went by.
blood boiled at the indignity
sinewy arm blow,
his
\^'as
up
;
inso-
him The
but his
like lightning to parry the
and as the lash curled round
his wrist,
he drew the weapon quickly from the driver's hand, and would have returned the insult with interest,
had he not been deterred from
his pur-
pose by the youthful effeminate appearance of the aggressor. "I cannot strike a girl
!"
exclaimed the slave,
contemptuously, throwing the whip at the same
time into the
floor of
the chariot, where
it lit
at
the feet of the other occupant, a sumptuouslydressed nobleman,
who enjoyed the
discomfiture
of his charioteer with the loud frank glee of a
master jeering a dependant. " Well said,
my
hero
!"
laughed the patrician
;
adding in good-humoured though haughty tones, " Not that I would give much for the chance of
man or woman in
a grasp like yours.
By
Jupiter
!
you've got the arms and shoulders of Antaeus Who owns you, my good fellow ? and what do you !
here ?"
THE MARBLE PORCH.
17
" if
Nay, I would strike him again to some purpose I were on the ground with liim," interrupted
the charioteer, a handsome, petulant youth of
some sixteen summers, whose long flowing curls and rich scarlet mantle denoted a pampered and favourite
slave,
gurtha
The
!
"
Gently, Scipio
horses will fret
for
they have been scared by his ugly *'
Better
let
him
alone,
So-ho,
!
Ju-
an hour now
face."
Automedon
!"
observed
his master, again shaking his sides at the obvious
discomfiture portrayed on the flushed face of his " Through your life keep clear of a
favourite.
man when he
mouth
shuts his
like that, as
vou
would of an ox with a wisp of hay on his horn. why he would swallow such a slen-
You silly boy
!
der frame as yours at a gulp ever strikes at a
man
and nobody but a fool unless he knows he can reach ;
him, ay, and punish him too, without hurting his own knuckles in retmn But what do you here, !
good fellow
more
?"
he repeated, addressing himself once
to the slave,
who
stood erect, scanning his
questioner with a fearless, though respectful eye. " ftiy master is your friend," was the outspoken
"You supped with him only the night last. But a man need not be in the house-
answer, before
hold of Licinius, nor have spent his best years at
VOL. L
C
EEOS.
18
Eome,
know
to
the face of Julius Placidus,
tlie
Tribune."
A
smile of gratified vanity stole over
tlie
pa-
countenance while he listened; a smile
trician's
that had the effect of imparting to
its
lineaments
an expression at once mocking, crafty, and maand such was its usual conIn licious. repose,
handsome, perfect in
dition, the face was almost its
regularity,
and of a
fixed,
sedate
composure
which bordered on vacuity, but when disturbed, sometimes, though rarely, was, by a passing emotion, the smile that passed over it like a
as
it
lurid gleam,
The
became
slave
was
truly diabolical.
right.
Amongst
all
the no-
torious personages who crowded and jostled each
other in the streets of
Eome
at that
stormy period,
none was better known, none more courted, tered, honoured, hated,
and mistrusted than the
occupant of the gilded chariot. for
men
to
flat-
It
was no time
wear their hearts in their hands
—
it
was no time to make an additional enemy, or to lose a possible friend.
Since the death of Tibe-
emperor had succeeded emperor with alarmindeed died by is own ing rapidity. Nero had
rius,
J
i
hand, to avoid the just retribution of unexampled vices
and crmies
;
but the poisoned
mushroom
THE MARBLE PORCH. had carried
oflf
his predecessor,
19
and the old
man
who succeeded him
fell by the Aveapons of the he had enlisted to very guards protect his gray head from violence. Since then another suicide
had indued
Yitellius
Mith the purple
;
but the
throne of the Caesars was fast becoming synonymous with a scaffold, and tlie sword of Damocles
quivered more menacingly, and on a slenderer hair than ever, over the diadem.
AVhen State,
great
political
already seething
convulsions witli
general
agitate vice
a
and
luxmy, the moral scum seems, by a law of nature, to float invariably to the surface
most destitute of
—the
characters
principle, the readiest to obey
the instincts of self-aggrandizement
and expe-
diency, achieve a kind of spurious feme, a doubtful
and temporary
success.
Under the
rule of Nero,
perhaps, there was but one path to Court favour,
and that lay
in the disgraceful attempt to vie with
Emperor's brutalities and crimes. The palace of Caesar was then indeed a sink of foul iniquity this
and utter degradation. The sycophant who could most readily reduce liimself to the level of a beast, in gross sensuality, while
he boasted a demon's
le-
finement of cruelty, and morbid depravity of heart,
became the
first
fevourite for the time witli his
20
EROS.
imperial master.
To be
fat,
slothful,
weak, glut-
tonous, and effeminate, while the brow was crowned
with roses, and the brain was drenched with wine,
and the hands were steeped in blood to be
—
this it
was
Men
a friend and counsellor of Caesar.
when they
waited and wondered in stupefied awe
marked the monster reeling from a debauch to some some ingenious exhibition of the complicated tortm-es tliat may be inflicted on a human being, some devilish experiment of all the
fresh feast of horrors,
body can bear, eie the soul takes wing from its ghastly, mutilated tenement, and this not on one, but a thousand victims.
dered
They waited and
Avon-
what the gods were about, that Divine
vengeance should slumber through such provocations as these.
But
retribution overtook
him
at last.
The heart
which a slaughtered mother's spectre could not soften, which remorse for a pregnant wife's fate, kicked to death by her brutal at
quailed soldiers
;
tlie
lord, failed to wring,
approach of a few exasperated
and the tvrant who had
so often smiled
to see blood flow like water in the amphitheatre,
died by his
own hand
coward and a murderer
— died
as he
had
lived,
a
to the last.
Since then, the Court was a sphere in which
THE MAEBLE POECH.
21
man might
be pretty sure
Tlie present
emperor was a
any bold unscrupulous of attaining success.
goodliumoured glutton, one whose faculties, originally vigorous, had been warped and deadened by
body had become bloated, his strength palsied, and his courage
excess, just as his
eye dimmed, his
destroyed by the same
course.
The scheming
statesman, the pliant courtier, the successful sol-
had but one passion now, one only object for the exercise of his energies, both of mind and dier
body
—
to eat enormously, to drink to excess, to
study every art by which
fi-esh appetite,
could be
—and then— stimulated, when gorged to repletion to eat
and drink again.
With such a
patron,
any man who united
to a
tendency for the pleasures of the table, a strong brain, a cool head, and an aptitude for business
might be sure of considerable
influence.
The
Emperor thoroughly appreciated one who would take trouble oif his hands, while at the same time he encouraged
his master,
by precept and example,
in his swinish propensities.
It
was no
slight ser-
vice to Vitellius, to rise from a debauch and give
those necessar)^ orders in an unforeseen emergency
which Caesar's sodden brain was powerless to ginate or to understand.
ori-
22
EKOS.
Ere Placidus had been a month about the Court, he had insinuated himself thoroughly into the good graces of the Emperor.
This man's had been a strange and stirring
Born
history.
of patrician rank, he
family influence to service,
advance him
and already, whilst
still
had used
his
in the military in the flower of
in Vesyouth, had attained the grade of Tribune pasian's army, then occupying Judfea
distinguished general.
so willingly, or gave himself
up
indolent enjoyments of Asiatic sessed
many
under that
Although no man
life,
Placidus pos-
of the qualities which are esteemed
essential to the character of a soldier.
bravery, or
yielded
so entirely to the
we should rather
Personal
say, insensibility to
danger, was one of his pecuKar advantages.
haps
this
is
a quality inseparable from such an
organization as
his,
in which,
while the system
seems to contain a wealth of energy and the nerves are extremely callous to
completely under control.
came out
in
Per-
vitality,
irritation,
and
The Tribune never
more favourable colours than when
every one about him was in a state of alarm
and confusion.
On
one occasion, at the siege of
Jotapata, where the Jews were defending themselves with the
desperate
energy of their race,
THE MAEBLE POKCH. won golden
Placidus
23
opinions from Vespasian by
the cool dexterity with which he saved from destruction a whole
company of
soldiers
and
their
centurion, under the very eye of his general.
A maniple,
or, in
the military language of to-
day, a wing of the cohort led by Placidus was
advancing to the attack, and the
first
centurion,
with the company under his command, was already
beneath the wall, bristling as it was Avith defenders, who hurled down on their assailants darts, javelins,
huge
missile,
stones, every description of
weapon or
including molten lead and boiling
Under cover protected
of a
oil.
moveable pent-house, which
them, the head
of
the
column had
advanced their battering-ram to the very wall, and were swinging the huge engine back, by the ropes
and
pulleys
which governed
it,
for
an increased impulse of destruction, when the Jews, who had been watching their opportunity, succeeded
in
balancing
an enormous mass of
immediately above the pent-house and
granite
the materials of offence, animate and inanimate,
which
it
contained.
A
Jewish warrior clad in
shining armour had taken a lever in his hand, and was in the act of ajjplying that instrument to
the impending tottering mass
;
in another instant
24 it
EEOS.
must have
craslied
down upon
tlieir
buried the whole band beneath his appointed station
its
heads, and
w^eight.
by the Eagle, the Tribune
was watching the movements of
his
men
this critical
liis
ened,
moment
with
And
his usual air of sleepy, indolent approval.
even in
At
his eye never bright-
The
colour never deepened a shade.
voice was calm, low, and perfectly modulated in
which he bade the trumpeter at
sound the
recall
nor,
;
though
his right
its
hand
business-like
rapidity could scarce have been exceeded
by the
most practised archer, was the movement the least hurried with
which he snatched the bow
from a dead Parthian auxiliary at his feet and fitted
an arrow to
its string.
In the twinkling of
an eye, while the granite vibrated on the very parapet, that arrow was quivering between the warrior's harness joints of the
and he had
fallen with his
the throes of death.
who held
the lever,
head over the wall in
Before another of the de-
fenders could take his place the assaulting party
had
retired, bringing
along with them, in their
ram and
cool and rigid discipline, the battering
wooden covering which protected
it,
while the
Tribune quietly observed, as he replaced into the fallen Parthian's hand,
"
tlie
bow
A company saved
THE MAKBLE PORCH. is
a
men
liuncli'ed
exactly worth
gained.
my
tallest
A
dead barbarian
centurion,
smartest troop I have in the maniple
Vespasian was not the
25
man
and
is
the
!"
to forget such
an
instance of cool promptitude, and Julius Placidus
was marked out
But with
its
cunning of the
for
promotion from that day
courage, the Tribune possessed the
not without something also
tiger,
of that fierce animal's outward beauty, and of
its
forth.
much
and untiring nature. A should have considered it a degrada-
watchful, pitiless,
brave soldier
under any circumstances, to play a double part but with Placidus every step was esteemed honourable so long as it was on the ascent. The
tion,
;
successful winner
had no scruple
in deceiving all
about him at Rome, by the eagerness with which
he assumed the character of a mere sm-e, while
ingratiating spirits
he
lost
no opportunity the
himself
who were
man
with the
many
of pleawhile, of
desperate
to be found in the imperial city,
ready and willing to assist in any enterprise which should tend to anarchy and confusion. While he
rushed iato every extravagance and pleasure of while he vied with Csesar that luxm-ious Com-t
—
himself in his profusion, and surpassed him in his orgies
—he suffered no symptoms
to escape
him
of
26 a
EEOS.
liiglier
—of
ambition than
tliat
of excellence in trifling,
deejjer projects than those
which affected the
wine-cup, the pageant, and the passing follies of
the hour.
Yet
reveller's brain,
all
the while, within that damty
schemes were forming and thoughts
burning that should have withered the very roses
on
his brow.
It
might have been the strain of Greek blood which filtered through his veins, that tempered liis Roman courage and endurance, with the pliancy, essential to conspiracy
and
intrigue.
A
was apparent in his sculptured reguof features, and general symmetry of form.
strain that larity
His character has already been compared, to the tiger's, and his movements had all the pliant ease and stealthy freedom of that graceful animal.
His
stature was little above the average of his country-
men, but
his
frame was cast in that mould, of exact
proportion which promises the extreme of streugth combined with agility and endurance. Had he
been caught like Milo, he would have writhed himself out of the trap, with the sinuous persistency of a snake. There was something snake-like too in his small glittering eye,
ness
of
his
skin.
woman worthy
of
With the
and the clear smoothall
its
brightness no
name but would have
THE SIARBLE POECH.
27
winced Mith womanly instincts of aversion and repugnance from liis glance. With all its beauty-
no child would have looked up frankly and con-
Men
fidingly in his face.
turned, indeed, to scan
him approvingly as he passed
;
but the brave owned
no sympathy Avith that smooth set brow, that ci"afty and malicious smile, while the timid or the
shuddered and slu-ank away,
superstitious
averting their
own gaze from what they
felt to
be
the influence of the evil eye.
And
yet in his snowy tunic bleached to dazzling
white, in his collar of linked gold, his jewelled belt, his
embroidered sandals, and the ample folds
of his deep jiurple,
violet
mantle,
nearly
approaching
Julius Placidus was no unworthy repre-
sentative of his
time and his order, no mean
specimen of the wealth, and foppery, and extravagance of Rome.
Such was the man who now stood up gilded chariot at Valeria's door,
in his
masking with his
usual expression of careless indolence, the real
impatience he
felt for
tidings of
its
mistress.
CHAPTEK
III.
HEEMES.
T was customary aristocracy of
with the more reiined
Kome, during the
first
century of the Empire, to pay great respect to Mercury, the god of invention
and
intrigue.
Not that the
rally attributed to that
qualities gene-
power were calculated to
inspire admiration or esteem, but simply because
he had acquired a fortuitous popularity at a period
when the
graceful Pantheism of the nation was
regulated by general opinion, and
went in and out of
At
when a
deity
fashion, like a dress.
Valeria's porch, in
common
with
many
other
great houses, stood an exquisite statue of the god, representing
him
as a youth, of athletic
and sym-
metrical proportions, poised on a winged foot in
the act of running, with the broad-leaf hat on his head, and the snake-turned rod in his hand.
The
29
HEEMES.
countenance of the statue was expressive of intel-
form was wrought into the highest ideal of activity and strengtli. It was marble immediately placed on a square pedestal of
lect
vivacity, while the
and
opposite the door slave retired in
;
and behind
this pedestal, the
some confusion when a
train of
maidens appeared from within, to answer
summons
the
of Julius Placidus in his chariot.
The Tribune
did not think
it
necessary to alight,
but producing from the bosom of
liis
tunic a
on the shoulder jewelled casket, leaned one hand of Automedon, while with the other he proffered his gift to a
damsel who seemed the chief among
her fellows, and whose manners partook largely of the flippancy of the waiting-maid. " Commend me to
your mistress," said Placidus, at the same time throwing a gold chain round her
neck on her own account, and bending carelessly to take a receipt for the same, in the shape " bid her of a caress ; every good omen from the
down
most
.
her servants, and ask her at what
faithful of
hour I
may hope
day, which the
to be received
trifle
you carry
on
this
to her
her birth-
from
me
prove I have not forgotten." The waiting-maid tried hard to raise a blush, but
will
with
all
her eflbrts the rich Southern colour would
30
EEOS.
not deepen on it,
lier clieek
and looked him
so she thought better of
;
full in
the face with her bold
black eyes, while she replied gotten Isis,
my
siu-ely,
and no
Rome, can have
that this
lord,
lady, that
is
You have
'• :
is
for-
the feast of
a lady, at least here in
leisure to-day for
anything but
the sacred mysteries of the goddess." Placidus laughed outright
how
his
scared
laugh
Automedon
;
and
it
was strange
who watched
those
it.
fairly turned pale, and even the wait-
ing-maid seemed disconcerted for a moment. " I
"my
have heard of these mysteries," said he, pretty Myrrliina, and
Eoman
ladies
themselves
and by
;
sex that they do
some hours rites
of
so.
all
accounts
it is
The
jealoush'" to
well for our
Nevertheless, there are yet
of sunlight to pass before the chaste
Egypt can possibly
Valeria see
A
who has not?
keep them somewhat
me
in
begin.
Will
not
the interval ?"
ver^ quick ear might have detected the least
possible tremor in the Tribune's voice as
the last sentence
she showed
all
;
it
was not
lost
he spoke
upon Myrrliina,
for
the white teeth in her large well-
formed mouth, while she enumerated with immense volubility those different pursuits
the day of a fashionable
Roman
which
lady.
filled
up
HEEMES. "
Impossible
!"
moment
not a
31 "
She has
till
sunset.
burst out the damsel. to
now
spare from
There's her dinner,* and her fencing-lesson, and
her bath,
and her
and
dressing,
the sculptor
coming for her hand, and the painter for her face, and the new Greek sandals to be 6tted to her feet.
Then she has sent
Philogemon, the augur, to
for
horoscope, and for
cast her
Galanthis,
cleverer than ever Locusta was,
who
is
and has twice the '
to prepare a philtre.
practice,
my
you,
lord,"
the ladies are
The more
;
'*
added the all
it
Maybe
girl roguishly.
is
1
for
hear
using them just now."
evil smile crossed
the Tribune's face once
perhaps he too had been indebted to the
potions of Galanthis, for purposes of love or hate,
and he did not care "
to
be reminded of them.
" there Xay," said he meaningly,
her bright eyes, than
all
Galanthis put together. in
my
is
no need
Valeria can do more Avith one glance of
for that.
interest
the potions and poisons of
Say, Myrrhina
—you are
— does she look more favourably of
late?" "
How
can I
tell,
my
lord ?" answered the girl,
with an arch expression of amusement and *
The
the dav.
dinner, or prandium of
Eome, was
the
first
defi-
meal in
32
EKOS. "
ance in her face. after all,
My
mistress
but a
is
and they say women are more
easily
than lured
tered by the strong hand,
woman mas-
by the
honeyed lip. She is not to be won by a smooth tongue and a beardless face, I know, for I heard her say so to Paris myself, in the very spot where
we
are
now
standing.
Juno
but the player slunk
!
away somewhat crest-fallen, I can tell you, when she called him a mere girl in her brother's clothes '
'
No
at the best. will be a
she
is
man
the
;
man who
wins
my
answer for
all over, I'll
it
mistress
So
!
far,
like the rest of us, for that matter."
And Myrrhina
sighed, thinking,
it
may
be, of
some sunburnt youth the while, whose rough but not unwelcome wooing had assailed her in her early girlhood, ere she
came
to
Eome
;
far
away yonder
amongst the blushiug vines, in the bright nian "
Campa-
hills.
Say you
flattered
by
was proud
so ?" observed the Tribune, obviously
the in
his
implied secret
compliment; heart
of
his
for
he
bodily
"Nay, there was a fellow standing strength. here when I drove up, who would make an easy conquest of you, Myrrhina, if, like your Sabine to be wed, on grandams, you must be borne off
your
lover's shoulders.
By
the body of Hercules
!
HERMES.
33
he would tuck you up under his arm as easily as
you cany that casket, which you seem let out of your hand. Ay, there he behind Hermes.
What
!
Stand
my
forth,
so afraid to is
!
lurking
good fellow!
you are not afraid of Automedon, are you,
and the crack of that young reprobate's whip ?" While he spoke, the slave stepped fonvard from his lurking
place behind the statue, where the of Placidus
quick eye
had
him, and
detected
presented to Myrrliina with a respectful gesture the offerinw of his lord to her mistress basket of frosted silver, fruits ''
and flowers
From
filled
—a
filioree
with a few choice
—
Caius Licinius, greeting," said he, " in
The
honom* of Valeria's natal day.
flowers are
scarce yet dry fi-om the spray that brawling Anio
upon
flings
its
banks; the
fruits
were glowdng in
yesterday's sun, on the brightest sIodcs of Tiber.
My
master
fruits
and
offers the
freshest
and
fairest of his
and flowers to his kinswoman, w^ho
fairer
He
than them
is
frtsher
all."
delivered his message, which he
ously learned by rote, in
sufficiently
had
obvi-
pure and
fluent Latin, scarcely tinged with the accent of a
barbarian, and bowing low as he placed the basket in Myrrhina's hand,
VOL.
I.
drew himself up
to his noble
D
34
EEOS.
and looked proudly, almost
height,
defiantly, at
the Tribune.
The if
—
and turned pale it seemed as the statue of Hermes had descended from its girl started
He
pedestal to do her homage. glorious specimen
stood there, that
of manhood,
in
his majestic
strength and symmetry, in the glow of his youth,
and health, and beauty, the god. sex,
Myrrhina, in
like
an impersonation of
common
with
many
of her
was easily fascinated by external advantages,
and she laughed nervously, while she accepted with shaking hands the handsome slave's offering to his " " Will master's kinswoman. you not enter ? said she, the colour mantling once more,
time mthout an is
effort,
and
this
in her burning cheeks. " It
not the custom to depart from Valeria's house
without breaking bread and drinking Mine."
But
tlie
slave excused himself, abruptly, almost
rudely, losing, be sure,
by
his refusal,
none of the
ground he had already gained in Myrrhina's good graces.
porch. it,
It
chafed him to remain even at the
The atmosphere
seemed to weigh upon
his breath.
of luxury that pervaded his senses,
and oppress
Moreover, the insult he had sustained
from Automedon, yet rankled in
his heart.
How
he wished the boy-charioteer was nearer his match
HERMES, in size
and
strength.
He
35
would have hurled him
from the chariot where he stood, turning his curls so insolently round his dainty fingers
— hurled him
and taught him the strength of a Briton's arm and the squeeze of a Briton's gripe. "Ay! and his master after
to earth
him
!"
beyond
his horses' heads,
thought the
slave,
already he
for
ex-
perienced towards Placidus that unaccountable in-
which seems to warn
stinct of aversion
future foe, and which, to give
him
men
of a
his due, the
Tribune was not unused to awaken in a brave
and honest
breast.
Placidus, however, scanned
he strode away, with the of
human
to look
come
on
animals. all
It
him once more,
critical
was
this
he met as possible
as
gaze of a judge
man's peculiarity tools, that
might and
into use for various purposes at a future
indefinite time.
If he observed
more than usual
courage in a soldier, superior acuteness in a freed-
man, nay, even uncommon beauty in a woman, he bethought himself that although he might have no
immediate use
for these qualities, occasions often
arose on which he could turn
them
and he noted, and made sure
of,
to his profit^
their
amount
In the present instance, although accordingly. somewhat surprised that he had never before
36
EEOS.
remarked the
slave's stalwart proportions in the
of Licinius, whose
household
Briton had excused
affection
him from
all
for
menial
the
offices,
and consequent contact with yisitors, he determined not to lose sight of one so formed by nature excel
to
in
the
gymnasium,
or
the
amphi-
theatre, while there crejDt into his heart a cruel
cold-blooded feeling of satisfaction at the possibility of witnessing
so
muscular and shapely a
figure in the contortions of a mortal struggle, or
the throes of a painful death. Besides, there was envy too at the bottom
—envy
in the proud patrician's breast, leaning so negli-
gently on the cushions of his gilded chariot, with all his
advantages of rank, reputation, wealth, and
influence
— envy of the noble bearing, the personal
comeliness, and the free
"
Had he
manly
step of the slave.
struck thee, Automedon,"
said
his
master, unable to resist taunting the petted youth
who held the
reins
;
" had he but laid a finger on
thee, thou had'st never spoken again,
been
rid of the noisiest
household. see
how he
I say
!
and I had
and most useless of
Gentlv with that outside horse
:
my dost
upon the rein. Gently, boy, and drive me back into the Forum."
As he
chafes
settled himself
among
the cushions and
HERMES. rolled swiftly away,
porch, once more. to
notice
the
37
Myrrhina came forth into the She seemed, however, scarcely
departing
chariot,
but
looked
dreamily about her, and then re-entered the house with a shake of the head, a smile, and something that was almost a sigh.
*l!
CHAPTER
W^Fvi
IV.
39
APHEODIT^..
wrought into fantastic patterns and studded with emeralds, rubies, and other precious stones.
gold,
Not a speck was its
to be discerned
dazzling surface
on the polish of
and, indeed, the time of one
;
maiden, was devoted to the task alone of preserving
it
from the lightest breath that might dim
brightness,
and cloud the
form that now sat before
its
reflection of the stately it,
undergoing, at the
hands of her attendants, the pleasing tortures of an elaborate toilet.
The
was that of a large handsome
reflection
woman
in the very
prime and noon-tide of her
beauty.
A woman
whose every movement and
gesture
bespoke
physical
organization
health. vigorous nature and perfect
of
a
While the
to her strong white neck gave grace and dignity
carriage
— while
the
deep bosom and somewhat
massive shoulders partook more of Juno's majestic
—
frame than Hebe's pliant youth while the full sweep and outline of her figure deuited maturity
and completeness limbs, the
in every part
shapely hands and
—
^the
feet,
long round
might have
belonged to Diana, so perfect was their symmetry the
warm
;
flush that tinted them, the voluptuous
ease of her attitude, the gentle languor of her
whole bearing, w^ould have done no discredit to the
40
EROS.
goddess, hanging over
tlie
mountain-tops in the
golden summer-nights to look down upon Endy-
mion, and bathe her sleeping favourite in floods of light and love.
Too
might have objected to expressed more of physical
fastidious a critic
Valeria's form that
strength than
is
it
compatible with perfect womanly
beauty, that the muscles were developed overmuch,
and the whole frame, despite its flowing outlines, partook somewhat of a man's organization, and a
The same
man's redundant strength.
have been found in a nance. There was a
might
degree with her counte-
less
little
fault
too
much resolution in
the
small aquiline nose, something of manly audacity
and energy its
in the large well-formed
mouth, with
broad white teeth that the fullest and reddest
of lips could not conceal
—a
shade of masculine
sternness on the low wide brow, smooth
and white,
but somewhat prominent, and scarcely softened by the arch of the
marked eyebrows,
or the dark sweep
of the lashes that fringed the long laughing eyes.
And
vet
it
was a face that a man, and
still
more a boy, could hardly have looked on without misgivings that he might too soon
leai'n to
for its glances, its smiles, its approval,
and
There was such a glow of health on the
its
long love.
soft trans-
APHRODIT^.
41
parent skin, such a freshness and vitality in the colour of those blooming cheeks, such a sparkle in
the grey eyes, that flashed so meaningly wlien she smiled, that gleamed so clear
when the
features
resumed
sion, grave, scornful,
and bright and cold
their natural expres-
almost stern in their repose
and then such womanly
softness in the masses of
down neck and
rich nut-brown hair that showered shoulders, to form a
;
framework
for this
lovely,
Even the dangerous, and too alluring picture. little negro, wearied as he was, peeped at intervals from the back of the mirror he upheld, fawning like a
dog
some sign of approval from
for
haughty, careless mistress.
him keep antics
;
still,
At length
she bade
Avith a half-scornful smile at his
and the
shar23 white teeth
ear to ear of the dusky
gleamed from
little face, as it
grinned with
pleasm-e, while the boy settled himself once in
his
more
an attitude of patience and steady submission.
Nor was
Valeria's apartment
unworthy of the
noble beauty who devoted
it
of dress and decoration.
Everything that luxury
to the mysterious rites
could imagine for bodily ease, everything that science had as yet discovered for the preservation or the
production of feminine attractions, was
there to be found in
its
handsomest and
costliest
42
EEOS.
In one recess, shrouded by transparent
form.
curtains of the
softest pink,
was the bath that
could be heated at will to any temperature, and the marble steps of which that shapely form was
accustomed to descend twice and thrice a day. In another stood the ivory couch with crimson
silks
and ornamented
in which Valeria slept, as hover
round the
On
quilted
pillars of solid gold,
and dreamed such dreams
rest of those
luxury, and whose business pleasure.
its
M'hose
is
life
a ceaseless career of
is
a table of cedar wood, fashioned
like a palm-leaf
opening out from a pedestal that
terminated in a single claw of grotesque shape, stood her silver night-lamp, exhaling odours of
perfumed on
oil,
and near
which she
composed
her
made
pencil had rolled
cool
burnished
chalices,
graceful profusion.
or
memorandums,
away upon the shining
many
in
tablets,
and from which, as
—
for court it
floor.
might be
entrances and recesses, its
lofty cieling
— pavement, choice
scattered
waxen
task, the sharp pointed steel
and shady nooks,
tesselated
were
her
the whole court,
called, with its
lay the
love-letters,
from an unfinished
Through
it
its
vases, jewelled cups,
and exquisite systematic
Even
and
its
little
statues,
irregularity,
and
the very water in the
APHRODITE. bath flowed
mouth
tlirougli tlie
43 of a marble Cupid
;
and two more winged urchins wrought in bronze, supported a stand on which was set a formidable array of perfumes, essences, cosmetics, and such material for offensive and defensive warfare.
The
walls, too, of this seductive arsenal,
were
delicately tinted of a light rose-colour, that should
throw the most becoming shade over
its
inmates,
relieved at intervals by oval wreaths wrought out in bas-relief, enclosing diverse mythological subjects, in
which the
figure of Venus, goddess of love
and laughter, predominated.
Bound
the cornices
stretched a frieze representing, also in
fabulous contests of the scription
of monster,
relief,
the
Amazons with every
de-
amongst which the most
conspicuous foe was the well-known gryphon, or griffin,
an abnormal quadruped, with the head and
neck of a bird of prey. It was curious to trace in the female warriors thus delineated, something of the imperious beauty,
the vigorous symmetry, and the dauntless bearing that distinguished Valeria
energetic and spirited
herself,
though their
attitudes afforded, at the
same time, a marked contrast
to the pleasing lan-
guor that seemed to pervade every movement of that luxurious lady reclining before her mirror,
44
EROS.
and submitting indolently
to tlie attentions of her
maid-servants.
These were
five in
number, and constituted the
principal slaves of her household
important among them seemed
and the most
ma-
woman, considerably older than her comwho filled the responsible ofiice of house-
tronly rades,
keeper in the establishment, not,
;
to be a tall
—a dignity which did
however, exempt her from
when she
blows,
girls,
and even
failed to satisfy the caprices of
a somewhat exacting mistress laughing
insult,
:
the others, comely
with the sparkling eyes and wliite
teeth of their countrywomen, seemed principally
occupied with the various matters that constituted their lady's toilet,
—a daily penance, in which, not-
withstanding the rigour of severities that
its discipline,
and the
were sure to follow the most
trifling
act of negligence, they took an inexplicable
and
essentially feminine delight.
Of
these
it
was obvious that Myrrhina was the
She
was wlio brought her mistress the warm towels for her bath ; who
first
in place as in favour.
was ready with her
who handed every quired
;
whose
it
slippers wlien she
emerged was re;
article of clothing as it
taste
was invariably consulted, and
whose decision was considered
final,
on such impor-
45
APHEODITE. tant points as
tlie position
of a jewel, the studied ne-
gligence of a curl, or the exact adjustment of a fold.
This girl possessed, with an Italian exterior, the pliant cunning and plausible fluency of the
Greek.
Born a
slave on one of Valeria's estates
had been reared a mere peaon a simple country diet, and amidst health-
in the country, she sant, ful
country occupations,
brought her to Kome.
a freak of her mistress
till
With a woman's
—with a woman's quickness a strange phase of
cumstances in her
life
versatility
in adapting herself to
and a
total
change of
new situation, ere she became the acutest and
cleverest waiting-maid in the capital, with
benefit
cir-
— the countrv-srirl had not been a vear
her own morals and character,
to
needless to inquire.
Who
what it
is
so quick as Myrrliina
to prepare the unguents, the perfumes, or the cos-
metics that repaired the injm-ies of climate, and effaced the
marks
cate a sempstress
;
of dissij)ation ?
who had such
who could convey a note
Who
taste in colours
;
or a message with half
such precision, simplicity, and tact
who was
so deli-
?
In short,
ever so ready in an emergency, with
brush, crisping-Lron, needle, hand, eye, or tongue ?
Intrigue was her native element. mistress's behalf,
seemed
To
as natural as
lie
on her
on her own.
46
EROS.
He who would
advance in Valeria's good
begin by bribing her maid
;
will,
and many a
must
Roman
gallant had ere this discovered that even that royal
road to success was as tedious as
it
was
and
costly,
might lead eventually to discomfiture and disgrace. As she took the pouncet-box from one of the and proceeded to sprinkle gold-dust in Vahair, Myrrhina's eye was caught by the
girls,
leria's
gift of Placidus,
lying neglected at her feet, the
casket open, the jewels scattered on the
Such
as
owned a con-
was, the waiting-maid
it
science.
warned
It
lier
that she
worked out the value of the
floor.
had not
as yet
costly chain thrown
round her neck by the Tribune.
Showering the gold-dust liberally about her lady's head,
Myrrhina
the delicate therQe " There's a
new
when the weather truth,
I
tell
you,
felt
her
way
cautiously to
:
fashion coming in for heado-ear "
gets cooler," said she.
madam,
for I
heard
it
It's
direct
from Selina, who was told by the Empress's
first
tirewoman, though even Caesar himself cannot think Galeria looks well, with that yellow stuck
all
over her head.
fashion, nevertheless,
hear
it
;
nor
am
But
it's
to
and right sorry I
I the only
mop
be the
am
to
one for that matter."
APHRODITE.
"Why
47
so?" asked Valeria, languidly; "is
it
more troublesome than the present ?" Myrrhina had done with the gold-dust now, and holding the comb in her mouth, was throwing a rich brown curl across her wrist, while she laid a plat carefully beneath
it.
the impediment between her
was able to reply with great "
The
Notwithstanding however, she
lips,
volubility.
trouble counts for nothing,
madam, when
a lady has got such hair as yours. to run your hands through
and crisping that's
fit
make
us
for
it,
let
It's
a pleasure
alone dressing
and plaiting it up into a crown a queen. That this new fashion -will it,
all
alike,
whether we're as bald as old
Lyce, or wear our curls down to our ankles, like Neaera.
my
Still, to
hide such hair as yours
lord said, only this
"What Valeria, a
lord?
dawn
some features His approval "Better
this
morning morning!"
interrupted
"
not Licinius,
my noble
indeed worth having." worth than his gifts,"
kinsman
?
is
;
answered
pointing to the filigree basket
which occupied a place of honour on the
A few
— as
of interest wakins: on her hand-
;
Mp-rliina, pertly
table.
;
"
toilet-
" Such a birthday present I never saw late roses
and a bunch or two of
figs to
!
the
48
EEOS.
richest lady in
To be
Eome.
he sent a mes-
sure
*
who might have come
senger with them,
from Jove, and the properest
And Myrrhina moved
on."
man
direct
I ever set eyes
to one side, that her
lady might not observe the blush that rose, even to her shameless brow, as she recalled the impres-
made on her by
sion
the handsome slave.
Valeria liked to hear of proper
up a
little
back from her "
Go
men
:
she woke
out of her languor, and flung the hair face.
on," said she, as
Myrrhina
hesitated, half
eager and half loth to pursue the pleasing topic.
But the waiting-maid felt the chain round her neck, and acknowledged in her heart the equivalent
it
demanded.
" It was the " Tribune, madam," said she,
who
spoke about your hair, Julius Placidus, who values every curl you wear, more than a whole mine of gold.
Ah
!
there's not a lord in
a taste in dress.
Only
to see
Kome
him
this
has such
morning,
with his violet mantle and his jewels sparkling in the sun, with the handsomest chariot and the four whitest horses in the town. lady, "
Well
!
if
I
and wooed by such a man as that
3Ian
call
you him
with a scornful smile.
?"
was a "
interrupted her mistress,
"Nay, when these
curled,
'
APHR0DIT16.
49
perfumed, close-shaven things are called men,
time
women
us
for
to
bestir
strength and courage die out in
And
you, too,
Myrrhina, Avho
lest
ourselves,
Eome
know
'tis
altogether.
Licinius and
Hippias, and saw with your o^ti eyes two hundred gladiators
in
the
Circus,
ought
you
wiVi
next
!"
Man, forsooth
!
be calling smooth-faced Paris a
Here maid and
you
only yesterday,
to be a better judge.
Why man
mistress burst out laughing:, for
thereby hung a tale of which Valeria was a
little
This Paris, a young Egyptian, of beaubut effeminate appearance, had lately come
proud. tiful
to Italy to figure with
Eoman
stage.
trical shape,
His delicate
and the
mimic
gestures,
of the
Eoman
no small success on the features, his
had made sad havoc
He
lost nothing, either, of
public attention, by bearing the ill-fated favourite,
and embarked
on the same
But although
career.
in the hearts
ladies, at all times too susceptible
to histrionic charms.
tatingly,
symme-
girlish graces of his panto-
it
brilliant
name
of Nero's
at once, unhesi-
and
dangerous
was the fashion to be in
love with Paris, Valeria alone never yielded to
the
mode, but treated him with
all
the placid
indifference she felt for attractions that found
VOL.
I.
E
no
50
EEOS.
favour in her sight.
Stung by such neglect, the
petted actor paid devoted court to the
much impor-
despised him, and succeeded, after
on her to accord him an
tunity, in prevailing
interview in her
bad
own
house.
make no
taste to
woman who
Of
this
he had the
small boast in anticipation
and Myrrhina, who found out most things, time
informing her mistress that
in
descension was already as as
it
was
The two
misj^laced.
accordingly
;
much
and when
lost
;
no
her con-
misrepresented laid
their plans
Paris, attired in the
utmost
splendour, arrived panting to the promised interview, he found himself seized by some half-dozen
hideous old negresses, caresses, stripped
him
who smothered him with
him from head
quiet violence the while, that resist.
him
was useless to
it
The same swarthy tirewomen then
in female
garments
struggles, outcries,
Valeria's litter,
own
in treating
he were a delicate young lady, but with a
as if
him
to foot, forced
and persisted
into the bath,
and
and
;
and despite of
entreaties, placed
so carried
dressed threats,
him
him home
in
to his
door.
The ready
wit of the play-actor put upon his
metamorphosis the construction
least
to the character of its originator
;
favourable
but he vowed
APHEODIT^. a
51
summary vengeance, we may be
never-
sure,
theless.
"I think
knows what you think
Paris
only too well," resumed Myrrhina
he has a
though to be sure Placidus
Oh
figure of a man. this
!
if
him
own, and a lovely shape
fair face of his
for dancing,
;
of
" not but that
is
a finer
you could have seen him laid back so
morning, madam, when he
graceful in his chariot, and chid tliat pert lad of at the tall slave,
who
to be sure vanished like a flash of lightning,
you
his for striking with his
Avould
have
said
whip
there
wasn't
patrician in the whole city of
Rome
such
another
!"
"Enough of Placidus!" interrupted her mis" the tress, impatiently, subject wearies me. What of this tall slave, Mp-rliina, attracted your attention of the barbarians
mightily
my
Is
Did he look
kinsman Licinius
have
to
like
cries
one
up
so
he handsome enough to step with
Liburnians, think you, under the day-litter ?"
The
how
?
my
?
who seems
waiting-maid's eyes sparkled as she thought
pleasant
it
would be to have him in the same
household as herself; and any
little restraint
she
might have experienced in rmming over the personal advantages that had captivated her fancy disappeared before this agi'eeable prospect.
52
EROS. "
Handsome enough, madam !" she exclaimed, removing the comb from her mouth, droppiag her lady's hair, and flourishing her hands with
and
true Italian emphasis
enough
rapidity,
why he would make
!
—" Handsome
the Liburnians look
like bald-headed vulture^, beside a golden eagle
Barbarian,
like
enough he
may
what
Frisian, Ansi-barian, or
be,
Cimbrian, I caught
for
not,
the foreign accent tripping on his tongue, and
have few neck
men
in
Rome
like a tower of
we
A
of stature equal to his.
marble
;
like the statue of Hercules,
!
arms and shoulders yonder
in the vesti-
bule; a face, ay, twice as beautiful as Pericles,
on your medallion, with the golden curls clustering " round a forehead as wliite as milk and eyes
—
;
Here Myrrhina stopped, a little at a loss for a simile, and a good deal out of breath besides. "
Go
on," said Valeria,
who had been
listening
in an attitude of languid attention, her eyes halfclosed, her lips parted, "
on
her
Myrrhina
cheek.
and the colour deepening
What were
his
eyes
like,
?"
"Well, they were like the blue sky of Campania in the vintage
;
they were like the stones
round the boss of your state-mantle; they were like the sea at
noonday from the long walls of
53
APHEODITlfi. Ostia.
And
yet they flaslied into sparks of
when he looked
at poor
Automedon.
little
notliino;
impudent young charioteers." " Was he my kinsman's slave Myrrhina?"
am
sure I
those
from her
No
I
!
;
are
mistress,
you
sure,
an accent of
in
unconcern, and never moving: a finger
studied
"
said her
I
fricrhtens
wonder the boy wasn't frightened should have been, only
fire
listless
and comfortable
attitude.
doubt of
it, madam," repKed the waitingand Avould maid; probably have continued to enlarge on the congenial subject, had she not been interrupted by the entrance of one of the
damsels who had been summoned from the apartment, and returned to announce that Hippias, the retired gladiator,
was
in waiting
— " Would Valeria
take her fencing-lesson ?"
But Valeria decHned
at once,
and
sat
on before
her mirror, without even raising her eyes to the
tempting picture
it
displayed.
the subject of her thoughts
it
Whatever was must have been
very engrossing, she seemed so loth to be turbed.
dis-
CHAPTER
V.
ROME.
EAN^YHILE
the British slave, uncon-
scious that he
was already the object
of Valeria's interest
and Myrrhina's
admiration, was threading his way through the crowded streets that adjoined the
Forum, enjoying that vague sense of amusement with which a man surveys a scene of bustle and confusion that does not affect his immediate concerns.
Thanks
to the favoui- of his master, his time
was nearly
at his
own
disposal,
and he had ample
leism'e to observe the busiest scene in the
world, and
to compare,
it
known
perhaps, with the peace
and simplicity of those early days, which seemed now like the memories of a dream, so completely
had they passed away.
'•'
The
business
markets were
the
of
55
ROME."
Fornm was
over:
the
diso-oro-ino; their miiio:le(i stream of
The
purveyors, purchasers, and idle lookers-on.
whole population of
Eome was
dinner, and a motley crowd
themselves, the
Plebeians,
hurrying home to
The
citizens
properly so
called,
it
was.
scarcely formed one half of the swarming assem-
Slaves innumerable hm-ried to and
blage.
fro, to
speed the business or the pleasure of their lords
;
and of every nation, from the Scandinavian giant, with blue eyes and waving slaves of every coloiu"
yellow
locks,
to
the
sturdy
Ethiopian,
thick-
and woolly-haired, the swarthy child of Africa, whose inheritance has been servitude from
lipped,
the earliest ages until now.
Many
a
Eoman
born
amongst the servile crowd, aping the appearance and manner of a citizen, but who shrank from a master's frown at home, and who,
was
there, too,
despite the acquirement of wealth,
and even the
attainment of power, must die a bondsman as he
had
lived.
Not the
least characteristic feature of the state
of society under the
men
Empire was the troop
of fi*eed-
everywhere accompanied the person, and swelled the retinue of each powerful patrician. that
These manumitted slaves were usually bound by
EEOS.
56 tlie ties
of interest as
much
as gratitude to the
former master, who had now become their patron.
Dependent on him in many cases for their dailyfood, doled out to them in rations at his door; they were necessarily
little
emancipated from his
authority by their lately acquired freedom.
While
the relation of patron and client was productive of
former crying evils in the imperial city, while the
threw the shield of his powerful protection over the crimes of the latter, and the client in return
became the
willing pander to his patron's vices,
was the freedman who, more than
all
it
others,
rendered himself the willing tool to his patrician employer,
who
affections, probity,
of his lord.
yielded
unhesitatingly,
and honour
itself,
time,
to the caprices
They swarmed about
the
Forum
now, running hither and thither with the obsequious haste of the parasite, bent on errands
which in too
many
cases,
would scarce have borne
the light of day.
Besides
these, a
vast
number
of foreigners,
wearing the costumes of their different countries, hindered the course of
trafiBc as
they stood gaping,
on which they stupefied by the confusing scene gazed.
garment
The Gaul, with ;
his
short,
close-fitting
the Parthian, with his conical sheepskin
"
cap
ROME.
57
the Mede, with his loose silken trousers
;
the Jew, barefoot and robed in black
;
the stately-
;
Spaniard, the fawning Egyptian, and amongst them all,
winding his way wherever the crowd was
closest,
with perfect ease and self-possession, the smooth
When some
and supple Greek.
man
great
through the midst, borne aloft in his
passed
litter,
or
leaning on the shoulder of a favourite slave, and
freedmen
and
.with threat,
made a passage
clients
and push, and blow, the
for
latter
him
would
invariably miss the Greek, to light on the pate of
a humble mechanic, or the shoulders of a sturdy barbarian, wliile the descendant of Leonidas or
Alcibiades
would
in
reply
whining
sing-song
tones to the verbal abuse, with some biting retort,
which was sure
to turn the laughter of the
crowd
on the aggressor. If Eome had once overrun and conquered the dominions of her elder invasion seemed
With
now
sister in
be
the turn of the tide had
flow of
all
civilization, the
the
other way.
come such an
over-
Greek manners, Greek customs, Greek
morals, and Greek
was already losing the
to
artifice, its
that the Imperial City
natural characteristics
;
and
very language was so interlarded with the
vocabulary of
the
conquered, that
it
was
fast
58
EEOS. less
becoming ladies,
The Roman
Latin than Greek.
especially, delighted in those
which clothed Athenian
syllables,
such melodious rhythm
and
;
euphonious
eloquence in
their choicest terms
of endearment in the language of love, were invariably whispered in Greek.
That supple nation,
too,
degradation of 'slavery ease, as
adapting
and the indulgence
had risen in nobler times
it
gencies of liberty
the
itself to
and the
efforts
of
to the exi-
demanded by
had usurped the greater portion of art, The most science, and even power, in Rome. war,
talented
painters
The most
and
sculptors
were Greeks.
enterprising contractors and engineers
were Greeks.
Rhetoric and elocution could only
be learned in a Greek school, and mathematics unless studied with
confused
who
and
Greek letters must be esteemed
useless;
the fashionable
objected to consult a
served to
die,
Rome who
invalid
Greek physician de-
and there was but one astrologer in
could cast a patrician-horoscope.
course he was a Greek. criminal industry, in the sions called into
Of
In the lower walks of
many
iniquitous profes-
existence by
the luxury of a
great city, the Greeks drove a thriving, and al-
most an exclusive
trade.
Whoever was
in
most
«
repute, as
an
eA^il
59
ROME."
low buffoon, a
counsellor, a
money-lender, pimp, pander, or parasite, whatever
might be Greek.
was sure
his other qualifications,
And many
to
be a
a scrutinizing glance was cast by
professors of this successful nation at the Briton's
manly form, his
making
as
way
he
strode
through the crowd
quietly but surely from sheer
They followed him
weight and strength.
Avith
covetous eyes, as they speculated on the various
pm-poses to which so
be applied.
much good manhood might
They appraised him,
so to speak,
and took an inventory of his thews and limbs, his stature, and his good looks
sinews, his ;
but they
from accosting him with importunate questions or insolent proposals, for there was a refrained
that bespoke the
bold confident air about him,
The stamp of freedom had not vet faded from his brow, and stout heart ^and the ready hand. If
he looked like one who was accustomed to take his
own
part in a crowd.
Suddenly a stoppage in the
moving stream, which swelled struggling,
eager,
traffic
arrested the
in continually to a
vociferating
mass.
A
dray
containing huge blocks of marble, and drawn by several
files
of oxen,
had become entangled with
60
EEOS.
the chariot of a passing patrician, and another great man's
much
tion,
to^
being checked by the obstruc-
confusion and bad language was the
Amused
result.
hurry
litter
with the turmoil, and in no
get home, the British slave, stood look-
ing over the heads of the populace at the irritated
and gesticulating antagonists, when a smart blow on the shoulder, caused him to wheel suddenly round, prepared to return the injury with interest,
At
the same instant a powerful hand dragged him
back by the tunic, and a grasp was laid on him, from which he could not shake himself free, while a rough good-humoured voice whispered in his ear, "
Softly, lad, softly
!
Keep hands
off
Caesar's
an' thou be'st not mad in good earnest. These gentry give more than they take, I can
lictors
promise thee
!"
Tbe speaker was a broad powerful man dle size, with the chest of a Hercules
;
of mid-
he held the
Briton firmly pinioned in his arms while he spoke,
and
it
was well that he did
were indeed forcing a passage himself,
who was proceeding on
was practicable
so,
for the lictors
for the foot,
Emperor
and as
far as
incog, to inspect the fish-market.
Vitellius shuffled along with the lagging step
of an infirm and bloated old man.
His face was
"
pale and flabby, intervals with
wit and pliant
ROME."
61
eye dim, though sparkling at
liis
some
little
humour
remnant of the ready
that had
made him
ere he
favourite of three emperors
the
himself at-
tained the Purple.
Supported by two freedmen, and followed only by a file of lictors, preceded and attended by three or four slaves, Caesar was taking his short walk in hopes of acquiring some little
appetite for dinner
what locality so favoura-
:
ble for the furtherance of this object as the fish-
market, where the imperial glutton could feast his eyes, if
of the deep
nothing
He was
?
on the choicest dainties
else,
so
seldom seen abroad in
that the Briton could not forbear followinfr
Rome, him with
his hold with great caution,
in his ear
:
"Ay, look well
at him,
thanks thou art not an shape
for the
a diadem
new friend, relaxing whispered once more
his glance, while his
!
Purple
Well,
!
man, and give Jove emperor.
There's
a
There's a head to carry
well, for all he's so white
and
flabby now, like a Lucrine tm-bot, he could diive
a chariot once, and hold his owti at sword and
buckler with the best of them. drink as well as ever
match
for
Nero
still.
They say he can Not that he was a
in his best davs,
even
at that
62
EEOS.
game.
Ay, ay,
talk
may
tliey
as
they
will,
we've never had an emj)eror like Idm before nor
Wine, women, shows,
since.
fights
;
— a legion of men
at once
"
Such a friend
!
And
wild beast
sacrifices,
engaged in the circus he was to our trade."
all
as
that trade ?" inquired the Briton good-
humouredly enough, now " I think I can guess
hands were free
his
without asking too
it
questions." "
No
need to guess," replied the other.
not ashamed of
my trade,
nor of
my name
:
many "
I'm
neither.
May-be you have heard of Hirpinus, the Gladiator? Tuscan born, free Eoman citizen, and willing to
weight,
match himself with any man of
his
on foot or on horseback, blindfold or
half-armed, in or out of a war-chariot, with two swords, sword and buckler,
Any
about—
to
my
But what need running
as *
Those I can't bear talking
mind they are not I tell
you
all
about
A
fair
it ?"
fighting.
he added,
his eye over the slave's powerful frame.
must surely have seen you if
sword or spear.
weapon, and every weapon, always excepting
the net, and the noose.
" I
or
you belonged
before.
You
look
to tlie family* yourself!"
techuical term for a school of gladiators trained by the
same master.
<(
The
63
slave smiled, not insensible to the com-
pliment. " 'Tis
most
"
nmTxn EOME."
a
manlier way of getting bread than
of the employments
Rome," was
his reply,
I
see practised
in
though he spoke more to
himself, than his companion.
"
a worse death than in the
A man might
die
amphitheatre," he
added, meditatively. "
A
worse
death
!"
echoed
could scarce die a better
!
"
He
Hirpinns.
Think of the rows
of heads one upon another piled up like apples,
Think of the
to the very awnings.
patricians
and
senators wagering their collars and bracelets,
and
on the strength of your
their sesterces in millions,
arm, and the point of your blade.
own vigour and manhood,
trained
Think of your till
you
feel
as
strong as an elephant, and as lithe as a panther,
with an honest wooden buckler on your arm, and
two
feet of pliant
defile
from
by those
Caesar,
steel
and
in yom-
bid
who have come
him,
hand, as you '
Good-morrow,
here to die
f
Think
of the tough bout with your antagonist, foot to foot,
hand
with your
to hand, eye to eye, feeling
own (why a swordsman,
as well in the
lad,
dark as the dayhght
passes, drawing
his
!),
liis
blade
can fence foiling his
attack, learning his feints,
64
EROS.
watcliing your opportunity last, in
:
when you
dasli like a wild-cat,
you
catcli it at
and the guard
of your sword rings sharp and true, against his
breast-bone, as he goes over backwards on the
sand "
!"
And
if
he gets the opportunity first ?" asked
the slave, interested in spite of himself at the
enthusiasm which carried him irresistibly along with it. " your guard is an inch too high, your
K
return a thought too slow
If you go backwards
?
on the sand, with the hilt at your breast-bone,
and the two does "
it
feel
feet of steel in
your bosom
How
?
then ?"
Faith, lad, you
must
cross the Styx, to
have
that question fairly answered," replied the other. " I have had no such experience yet. When it
comes I talking
shall
know how
makes a man
meet
to
thirsty,
But
it.
and the sun
this
hot
is
bake a negro here. Come with me, enough lad I know a shady nook, where we can pierce to
!
a skin of wine, and after^^ards play a game quoits, or
at
have a bout of wrestling, to wile away
the afternoon."
The
slave was nothing loth.
of gratitude he
owed
serious danger, there
for
Besides the debt
preservation from
was something
in
liis
a
new
" ROME."
65
good-humoured, and athletic man-
friend's rough,
tiiat won on the Briton's favour. Hirpinus, with even more than their fierce courage/ had less
hood
than the usual brutality of
his class,
and
besides a sort of quaint
careless good-liumom-,
by no means rare amongst the time, wliich found
its
athletes of every
w^ay at once to the natural
sympathies of the slave. ingly,
and possessed
They
started off accord-
on the most amicable terms, in search of
that refreshment wliich a few hours' exposure to
an Italian sun rendered very desirable but the crow d had not yet cleared off, and their progress ;
was necessarily somewhat
slow, notwithstanding
that the throng of passengers gave
enough
before
two
way
such stalwart and
readih' athletic
forms.
Hirpinus thought the Briton, as to point out to
it
it
incumbent on him to take
were, under his protection, and
him the
different objects of interest,
and the important personages, to be seen at that hour in the streets of the capital, totally iiTCspective of the fact, that his pupil
was as well instructed
on these points as himself. But tlie loved a listener, and, truth to
tell,
glach'ator dearly
was extremely
when he had got one to These generally turned on his own
diffuse in his narratives his
mind.
VOL.
I,
F
66
EKOS.
physical prowess, and his deadly exploits in the
am-
phitheatre, which he was by no means disposed to
There are some
underrate.
really brave
men who
are also boasters, and Hirpinus was one of them.
He was
in the midst of a long dissertation
on
the beauties of an encounter fought out between
naked combatants, armed only with the sword, and was explaining at gTeat length a certain fatal thrust outside his antagonist's guard,
elbow, which he affirmed
and
irresistible
the slave
to be his
by any parry yet
felt his
and over his
own
invention,
discovered,
when
gown plucked by a female hand,
and turning sharply round was somewhat
dis-
concerted to find himself face to face with Valeria's waiting-maid. "
You
are wanted," said she unceremoniously,
"You
and with an imperious gesture.
come
to
my
lady this instant.
Make
haste,
are to
man
;
she cannot brook waiting."
Myrrhina pointed while she spoke, to where a closed litter
borne aloft by four
tall
Liburnian
had stopped the
slaves, traffic, and already become the nucleus of a crowd. A white hand peeped
through sm-prised
appeal.
its
curtains,
as
the
and somewhat abashed
slave
approached,
at this unexpected
i(
Hii'pinus
EOME."
67
looked on with grave approval the
Arriving close beneath the
while.
the curtain was
made
now
open, the slave paused and
a graceful obeisance
;
then drawing him-
up proudly, stood erect before
self
of which
litter,
it,
looking
unconsciously his best, in the pride of his youth
and beauty. Valeria's cheek was paler than usual, and her attitude more languid, but her grey eyes
mouth
sparkled, and a smile played round her
as
she addressed him.
"
me
tells
Mp-rhina
that you are the
brought a basket of flowers to
my
man who
house this
morning from Licinius. Why did you not wait to carry back my salutations to my kinsman ?"
The
colour
mounted
to the slave's
brow
he
as
thought of Automedon's msolence, but he only " Had I known it was replied humbly, your wish, lady,
I
had been standing in your porch
till
now."
She marked
his rising colour,
to the effect of her
"
figm'e
not
;
at
once in the crowd,"
" and indeed yours
easily
it
dazzling beauty.
Myrrhina knew you
said she, graciously
and
own
and attributed
is
a face
mistaken in Eome.
1
should recognize you myself anywhere now."
She paused expecting a suitable
reply, but the
68
EEOS.
slave,
albeit not
insensible to the compliment,
only blushed again and was
silent.
Valeria, meanwhile, whose motives in summon-
ing
him
to her litter
had been
in the first instance
of simple curiosity to see the stalwart barbarian
who had
whom
and
so excited Myrrhina's admiration,
that sharp-sighted damsel had recognized
amongst the populace, now found herself pleased and interested by the quiet de-
in an instant
mean oin- and noble bearing
of this foreign slave.
She had always been susceptible to manly beauty, and here she beheld it, in its noblest type. She was
raj)acious of admiration in all quarters
here she could not but
an undoubted tribute She owned
all a
flatter herself
to the
woman's
;
and
she gathered
power of her charms.
interest in anything that
had a spice of mystery or romance, and a woman's nnfailing instinct in discovering high birth and gentle breeding under every disguise
;
and here
she found a delightful puzzle in the manner and
appearance of her kinsman's messenger, whose position
seemed
life laid
her thoughts, and but
had never gratiHcid
left
She
so at variance with his looks.
had never in her
the slightest restraint on
little
on her actions
— she
a purpose unfulfilled, nor a wish un-
—but a strange and new
feeling, at
which
((
even
her
EOME."
courageous
69
nature
seemed
quailed,
springing up in her heart while she gazed with half-closed eyes at confess,
even to
man
such a
the Briton, and hesitated to
herself, that she
had never seen
as this in her life before.
was in a softened tone that she again addressed him, on her couch to show an ivory moving shoulder and a rounded arm to the best advantajre. It
"You
are a confidential servant of
man's?
You
always to
be foimd in his household
are attached
his
to
my
person, ?"
kins-
and
she asked,
more with a view of detaining him than
for
auv
fixed purpose,
"I would give
my
life
for Licinius !"
was the
prompt and spirited reply.
"But you are gentle born," she resumed, with " how came you in your increasing interest ;
present dress, your present station
never mentioned you to me.
your name. "
AMiat
I
?
Licinius has
do not even know
is it ?"
Esca," answered the slave proudly, and looking
the while anything but a slave. "
Esca," she repeated, dwelHng on the syllables,
with a slow soft cadence, " Esca,
Latin names ready.
;
'tis
none of our
but that I might have known
—AYho, and what are you
?"
al-
70
EEOS.
There was something of defiance clioly tone with whicli he answered "
A
prince in
my own
A
ten thousand.
in the
melan-
:
country, and a chief of
barbarian,
and
a
in
slave
Kome." She gave him her hand to
kiss,
with a gesture
that was ahnost a caress, and
of pity
then, as
though ashamed of her own condescension, bade " the Libiu-nians angrily to go on." after the litter
Esca looked long and wistfully as
it
disappeared
;
but Hirpinus clapping him on
the back with his heavy hand burst into a hearty
laugh while he declared "
'Tis
conquered,' as the
known
:
a clear case, comrade.
it
Came,
saw,
great soldier said.
a hundred times, but always to
muscle like thee and me. lad,
'
thou art in luck.
She takes thee
By
we'll drink a
have
men
of
Castor and Pollux
Ay,
ay,
for a gladiator,
and
nothing but a gladiator now.
I
and
'tis
always
!
so.
they'll look at
Come
on, brother
cup to every letter of her
name !"
;
CHAPTER
VI.
THE WORSHIP OF
ISIS,
was the cool and calming hour of siinset. Esca was strolling quietly home-
^T "'^j
wards
after the pursuits of the day.
He
had emptied a wine-skin with Hirpinus
mark
;
and, resisting that worthy's entreaties to so auspicious a
accompanied him
meeting by a debauch, had
gymnasium, where the Briton's magnificent strength and prowess raised him higher than ever in tlie opinion of the to the
athlete.
experienced
Untiring
as
were
the
trained muscles of the professional, he found himself
unable to cope with the barbarian in such
exercises as
demanded
chiefly
untaught physical
power and length of limb. In running, leaj)ing, and wrestling Esca was more than a match for the gladiator.
In hurling the quoit, and fencing with
72
EEOS.
wooden
latter's constant practice
tlie
foils,
liim tlie advantage,
and
wrists
]iis
cestus,
used
and when
hands
lie
leathern thong
the
same purpose
for the
gave
fastened round
as our
or
modern
boxing-glove, and proposed a round or two of that manly exercise to conclude Avith, he little doubted that his
own
science,
him an easy
The
victory.
from
different
far
and experience, would
his
afford
however, was
result,
His an-
expectations.
powers were especially adajjted to this particular kind of contest, his length of limb, his tagonist's
quickness of eye, hand, and muscle, and
of
elasticity
foot,
his
his
youthful
wind,
unfailing
rendered him an invincible combatant, and
it
was
with something like pique that Hirpinus was compelled to confess as
At the end
much
of the
to himself.
round he was
first
satisfied
of his mistake in underrating so formidable an op-
ponent.
Ere the second was half through, he had
exhausted out
the resources of his
gaining the
antagonist flung
all
;
away
slightest
own
skill with-
advantage
and with the conclusion of a tlie
cestus in
over third,
of wine
before
to the profession,
he
well-feigned disgust at
the heat of the weatlier, and proposed one skin
his
parting,
to
drink
and speedy employment
more
success for the
THE WOESHIP OF gladiators at the approaching
73
ISIS.
in the
games
amphi-
theatre.
" Join us, of
thing
affected.
man !"
the "
said Hirpinus, dropping some-
he
air
patronizing
Thou wert born
had
before
to be a swordsman.
Hippias woukl teach thee in a Meek to hold thine
own
Eome.
against the best fencers in
will look to
practice.
thy food, thy training, and thy private
Thou wouldst gain thy
after a few victories.
when thou
Tliink
hast decided,
it
have a speck of ;
rust
on
The
man!, and
come totlie fencing-school
it,
so fare thee well, lad.
thee ao;ain before long
liberty easily,
over,
yonder, and ask for old Hirpinus.
stiU
I myself
The
steel
may
tough and true I count to hear from
but
it's
!"
gladiator accordingly rolled off with
more
than his usual assumption of manly independence, attributable to the of
measure of rouirh Sabine wine
which he had drank
his full share, whilst the
Briton walked quietly away in the direction of his
home, enjoying the cool breeze that fanned his brow, and following out a train of vague and complicated reflections, originating in the advice of his late companion.
The crimson glow
of a
summer evening had summer night.
faded into the serene beauty of a
<4
EROS.
Stars were flashing out, one
by one, with mellow
lustre, not glimmering faintly, as in our northern
climate, but hanging of the
infinity
streets
busy turmoil of the to a low and drowsy hum; Tlie
sky.
had subsided
the few chance passengers
went
softly
and
in the
like silver lamps,
who
at leisure, as
still
paced them
though enjoying the
Even
soothing influence of the hour.
here, in the
great city, everji^hing seemed to breathe of peace,
and contentment, and
repose.
Esca walked slowly
on, lost in meditation.
Suddenly the clash of cymbals and the sound of A wild and fitful voices struck upon his ear. melody, rising and falling with strange thrilling cadence, was borne upon the breeze.
Even while
he stopped to listen, it swelled into a full harmonious chorus, and he recognized the chant of the worshippers of Isis, returning from the unholy celebration of her of torches heralded
its
rites.
Soon the
glare
approach, and the tumul-
tuous procession wound round the corner of the street with
nies
of
all
their
the order.
strange
grotesque
ceremo-
Clashing their cymbals,
dashing their torches together till the sparks flew up in showers, tossing their bare arms aloft with frantic gestures, the smooth-faced priests,
having
THE WORSHIP OF girt their linen
O
ISIS.
garments tightly round their
loins,
of the
were dancing to and fro before the image Some were goddess with bacchanahan energy.
bare-headed, some crowned with garlands of the lotus-leaf,
and some wore masks representing the
heads of dogs and other animals
but
;
all,
though
same leaping wildly here and there, danced in the all used the same mysterious gestures of step,
which the meaning was only known
to the initiated.
goddess herself was borne
The
figure
aloft
on the shoulders of two sturdy
oily,
their
of
the
priests, fat,
smooth, and sensual, with the odious look of It
kind.
a
represented
crowned with the
lotus,
stately
woman
holding a four-barred tinsel
was
freely scattered over her flowing garments,
and
lyre
in
her hand.
Gold and
silver
jewels of considerable value, the gifts of unusually
might be observed upon her bosom and around her neck and arms. Behind
fervent
devotees,
her were carried the different symbols by which
her
qualities
amongst wrought
these
were
be
supposed to
an image
of
in frosted silver Avith
the
typified
sacred
showed the most conspicuous, borne
as
was bv an acolvte in the
inebriety,
and
wavering,
cow,
horns and hoofs of
gold, it
:
with
^^-ildest
the
aloft
stage of
uncertain
76
EEOS.
movements
of
its
bearer, over the heads of the
throng.
In the van moved the clad in
behind these
white;
eunuchs
priests, bloated
came the sacred
images carried by younger votaries, who aspiring to the sacerdotal office and already prepared for its
the
functions, devoted themselves assiduously in
mean time
their
to the oro-ies with which
custom to celebrate the worship of
Maddened with
deity.
was
it
'their
and
wine, bare-limbed
with dishevelled locks, they danced frantically to
and
darting at intervals from their ranks, and
fro,
compelling the passengers
whom
they met to turn
behind them, and help to swell the rear of the This was formed of a motley crew.
procession.
Rich and poor, old and young, the proud patrician
and the squalid
slave,
gether in turbulent confusion to distinguish those
original
pageant
were mingled
and
;
it
who formed a
from the
tached themselves to
it,
idlers
was
to-
difficult
part of the
who had
at-
and having caught the
contagious excitement, vociferated as loudly, and initiated themselves. leaped about as wildly, as the Amongst these might be seen some of the fairest
matrons
and
proudest
reared
in
faces
luxury,
in
Rome.
under
the
Noble very
THE WORSHIP OF
busts of those illustrious ancestors of
counsellors
defenders
kings,
77
ISIS.
who had been com-
the
of
monwealth, senators of the empire, thought
no shame
to
it
be seen reeling about the public
streets, unveiled and flushed with wine in the
company
of the most notorious and profligate of
A
their sex.
multitude of torches shed their
glare on the upturned faces of the throng,
and
on one that looked, with
and
its
scornful
defiant brow, to have no business there.
lips
Amongst
the wildest of these revellers, Valeria's haughty
head moved on, towering above the companions,
whom
with
common,
seemed
she
save
a
to
have
nothing in
determination
fierce
to
set
modesty and propriety at defiance.
Esca caught her glance as she swept by. She blushed crimson he observed even in the torchlight,
and seemed
for
an instant to shrink behind
the portly form of a priest side
;
who marched
at her
but immediately recovering herself, moved
on with a gradually paling cheek, and a haughtier step than before.
He had
little
leisure,
however, to observe the
scornful beauty, whose charms, to tell the truth,
had made no
slight impression
for a disturbance
at
its
on
his imagination,
head, which had now
78
EROS.
him some
passed
had stopped the proand no small con-
distance,
gress of the whole procession, fusion was the result.
The
The
torch-bearers were hurrying to the front.
cow had
and been replaced in an The goddess upright position more than once. herself had nearly shared the same fate. The silver
fallen
sacred chant had ceased, and instead a hundred
tongues were vociferating at once, some in anger,
some
in expostulation,
her
some
" Let her go
and mirth.
in
"
shouted another.
fast !"
maudlin ribaldry
cried one.
!"
"
Hold
Brino; her alonsr
with you," reasoned a drunken acolyte. " If she be worthy she will conform to the worship of the goddess.
If she be
unworthy she
the divine wrath of about," interposed a is
a
Koman
barian
!"
"
shall experience
Mind what you
are
"
She
more cautious
votary,
maiden," said one. "She's a bar"A " A Mede !"
shrieked anotlier.
Spaniard!"
Jewess
Isis !"
"A
Persian!"
"A
Jewess!
In the meantime, the unfortunate cause of this
A
!"
turmoil, a
young
girl
closely
veiled
all
and
dressed in black, was struggling in the arms of a large unwieldy eunuch,
hawk pounces on
who had
seized her, as a
a pigeon, and despite her ago-
THE WOESHIP OF
79
ISIS.
nized entreaties, for the poor thing was in mortal
held her ruthlessly in his grasp.
fear,
She had
been surrounded by the lawless band, ere she was as
aware,
she
corner, on her
glided quietly round the street
homeward way, had shrunk up
against the wall in the desperate hope she might
remain unobserved or unmolested, and found herself,
as
insult
was
to be expected,
an immediate object of
to
the
and
Though her in the
dissolute
licentious
crew.
was torn and her arms bruised
di-ess
unmanly violence
to
which she was sub-
jected, with true feminine veil closely
modesty she kept her drawn round her face, and resisted
every eifort for of
wliich
its
those
removal, with a firm strength,
seemed
slender \msts
hardly
capable.
As
the
eunuch
grasped
violence, bending his
her
drunken
with
huge body and bloated face
over the shrinking figm-e of the
girl,
she could
not suppress one piercing shriek for
helj),
even while
how
must tion.
it
left
her
lips,
she
felt
though
futile it
and how utterly hopeless was her situaIt was echoed by a hundred voices in tones
be,
of mockery and derision. Little did Spado, for such little
did Spado think
was the eunuch's name,
how near was
the aid for
so
EEOS.
which
liis
victim called,
—how sudden would be the
reprisals that should astonish himself with their
prompt and complete redress, reminding him of what he had long forgotten, the strength of a and the weight of a mans arm. At sound of the girl's voice, Esca had forced
mart's blow,
the
first
way through the crowd to her assistance. In three strides he had come up with her assailant, and laid his heavy grasp on Spado's lat shoulder, his
while he bade
him
release his prey.
in low determined accents to
The eunuch smiled
and replied with a brutal
jest.
in spite of herself, could not resist press forward
insolently,
Valeria, interested
an impulse to
and see what was going
on.
Long
afterwards she delighted to recall the scene she
now beheld with
far
more of exultation and ex-
citement than alarm. attraction for
It
an imagination
had indeed especial like hers.
Standing out in the red glare of the torches, like the bronze statue of
into
life,
towered the
some demigod
tall figure
starting
of Esca, defiance
in his attitude, anger on his brow, and resistless
of each sculpstrength in the quivering outline
tured limb.
Within arm's length of him, the
obese, ungraceful shape of Spado, witli his broad fat face, expressive chiefly of
gluttony and sensual
THE AYOESHIP OF enjoyment,
but wearing
81
ISIS.
now an ugly look
of
Starting back from his
maKce and apprehension.
odious embrace to the utmost length of her outstretched arms, the veiled form of the frightened
her head turned from the eunuch, her hands
girl,
chest, every line of her figure
liis
pressed against
denoting the extreme of horror, and aversion, and
Eound
disgust.
the three, a shifting mass of
grinning faces, and tossing arms, and wild bacchanalian gestures
;
the whole
rendered
more
grotesque and unnatural by the lurid, flickeringlight.
With an unaccountable
watched
fascination Valeria
for the result.
" Let her go
repeated Esca, in the distinct ac-
!"
man
cents with which a
strike, tightening at the
went into the eunuch's
Spado howled released the
speaks
who
is
about to
same time a gripe which
soft flesh like iron.
mingled rage and fear, but nevertheless, who cowered in-
in
girl
stinctively close to her protector. "
Help
!"
for assistance
—Will
shouted the eunuch, looking round
from
ye see the priest
goddess reviled
?
Down
VOL.
I.
is little
!
with him
him, comrades, and keep him down
There
"
Help I say. mishandled and the
his comrades,
!
down with
!"
doubt that had Esca's head once
G
82
EKOS.
touclied the gToiind
it
had never risen again,
for
the priests were crowding about liim with wild
and savage eyes, and the fierce revelry of a while ago was fast warming into a thirst for blood.
yells
Valeria thrust her
way
into
the
she never feared for
though
circle,
the Briton —
^not
an
for
in-
stant.
was getting dangerous though to remain any Esca wound longer amongst this frantic crew. It
one arm round the
girl's
waist
other shoulder to the throng.
by
and opposed the
Spado, encouraged
his comrades, struck wildly at the Briton,
made
a furious
effort to
and
recover his prey.
Esca drew himself together
like
a
panther
about to spring, then his long sinewy arm flew out
vdih the force and impulse of a catapult, and the eunuch, reeling backwards,
fell
heavily to the
ground, with a gash upon his cheek like the
wound "
inflicted
Uuge .'"
by a sword.
exclaimed Valeria, in a
admiration
and
Hercules
Ah
!
!
delight.
like a ^^llite
much The
struck,
of
by
these barbarians have at least
the free use of their limbs.
down
''Well
thrill
Why
the priest went
ox at the Mucian Gate.
hurt, thmlc ye ? last sentence
Will he
rise
was addressed
Is
he
again ?" to the tlirong
THE WOESHIP OF who now crowded round the
83
ISIS.
prostrate Spado,
and
was but the result of that pity which is never The fallen quite dormant in a woman's breast. eunuch seemed indeed in no hurry to get upon his
He
legs again.
rolled about in hideous discom-
fitm-e,
and gave vent
pitiful
moans and lamentations.
to his feelings in loud
and
After such an example of the Briton's prowess,
none of her other votaries seemed to think
it
incumbent on them to vindicate the majesty of the
by further
goddess
maiden and her
protector.
with the
interference
Supporting and almost
canying her drooping form, Esca hurried her
away with back at
swift firm strides, pausing
and looking work
intervals, as though loth to leave his
half finislied,
the contest.
and by no means unwilling to renew The last Valeria saw of him was the
turn of his noble head bending
down with a
courteous and protecting gesture, to console and reassure his frightened charge.
All her womanly instincts
revolted
moment from
the odious throng with
was involved.
She could have found
heart to
it
the
that
she
in her
envy that obscure and unknown
hurrying away yonder through streets
at
whom
girl
darkening on the arm of her powerful protector,
84
EROS.
could have wislied herself a peasant or a slave,
with some one being in the world to look up
and
to love.
to,
had been that of a
day she left her cradle, that gilded cradle over which the nurses had theii- customary Eoman blessing with an
spoiled
—
Valeria's life
child from the
repeated
emphasis that in her case seemed to be prophetic "
:
May monarchs woo thee, darling! to their bed, And roses blossom where thy footsteps tread !"
The metaphorical
flowers of wealth, prosperity
and admiration, did indeed seem
to
spring up
and her stately beauty would
beneath her
feet,
have done no
discredit to
an imperial bride
;
but
it
must have been something more than outward pomp and show something nobler than the
—
purple and the diadem
wav
could have
won
its
to Valeria's heart.
She was habituated the refined,
to the beautiful, the costly,
she had learned to consider such
till
qualities as the
to
—that
mere
essentials of
life.
It
seemed
her a simple matter of course that houses
should be
noble,
and
chariots
horses swift, and nien brave.
was the maxim of the
and whilst
their
luxurious,
The
and
nil adniirari
class in wliich she lived
;
standard was thus placed at the
THE WORSHIP OF superlative, that wliicli
came up
to
it
which
credit for excellence, that
85
ISIS.
received no short
fell
treated with disapproval and contempt.
was
Valeria's
had been one constant round of pleasure and amusement yet she Avas not happy, not even
life
;
contented.
some it
was
she
Day by day
fresh interest, this craving
some
felt
want of
the
fresh excitement
probably,
depravity, which drove her, in
;
and
more than innate
common
with
many
of her companions, into such disgraceful scenes as
were enacted at the worship of Juno,
Isis,
and the
other gods and goddesses of mythology. Lovers, in plenty.
it
needless to say, Valeria had
is
Each new
the attraction of
its
novelty.
The
favoiu*ite of the
hour had small cause to plume himseK on position.
For the
curiosity, for the
after
which,
if
won
face possessed for her but
first
his
week he interested her
second he pleased her fancy,
he was wise, he took his leave
gracefully, ere
he was bidden to do so with a
frankness that
admitted
of
no misconception.
Perhaps the only person in the world respected was her kinsman Licinius
;
none the
less,
whom and
she this,
that she possessed no kind of in-
fluence over his feeKngs or his opinions, that she well
knew he viewed her
proceedings often with
86
EROS.
disapprobation, and entertained for her character
a kindly pity not far removed from contempt.
Even
Julius
severing, as
who was the most
Placidus,
he was the
per-
craftiest, of her adorers,
had made no impression on her heart. She appreciated his intellect, she was amused with his conversation, she approved of his deep schemes, his lavish extravagance, his unprincipled reckless-
ness
but she never thought of him for an instant
;
after
he was out of her
sight,
and there was some-
thing in the cold-blooded ferocity of his character
from which, even in his presence, she unconsciously recoiled. Perhaps she admired the person of Hippias her fencing-master, a retired gladiator,
who combined handsome
regularity of features
with a certain worn and warlike its
charm, more than that of any
air,
not without
man whom
she
had yet seen, and with all her pride and her cold exterior Valeria was a woman to be captivated by the eye tion,
and
;
but Hippias, from his professional reputa-
was the darhng of half the matrons it
may
Empire, fashion,
whom
at this period of the
was considered a proof of the
and the best
gladiator.
Rome,
be that she only followed the example
of her friends, with it
in
taste, to
liighest
be in love with a
THE WOESHIP OF
87
ISIS.
Strong in her passions, as in her physical organization, the former were only bridled by an un-
bending pride, and an intensity of masculine
in
more than
As under
resolution.
its
will
that
arm
smooth skin, the muscles of the round white were fair
for
tu*ni
and hard
like marble, so beneath that
and tranquil bosom, there beat a heart tliat good or evil could dare, endure, and defy the Valeria was a
worst.
woman whom none
but a
very bold or very ignorant suitor would have taken to his breast
;
it
yet
may be
man
that the right
could have tamed, and made her
and
gentle
patient as the dove.
And now something seemed void in her heart was filled at
to tell her that the last.
Esca's
manly
beauty had made a strong impression on her senses the anomaly of his position had captivated ;
her imagination; there was something very tractive in the
mystery that surrounded him
was even a wild loving a slave.
thrill of pleasure in
;
at-
there
the shame of
Then, when he stood
forth, the
champion of that poor helpless gu-l, bmve, handsome, and victorious, the charm was complete and ;
eyes followed him as he disappeared with a longing loving look, that had never glis-
Valeria's
tened in them in her
life before.
88
EROS.
The Briton hurried away with
arm round
his
the drooping figure of his companion, and for a
time forbore to speak a word even of encourage-
ment
At
or consolation.
first
feelings turned her sick and
weeping came to her were flowing silently
the reaction of her
faint,
relief;
;
then a burst of
ere long the tears
and the
girl,
who indeed
showed no lack of courage, had recovered herself sufficiently to look up in her protector's face, and pour out her thanks with a quiet earnestness that
showed they came direct from the heart.
"I can
trust
you,"
she
said,
in
a voice of
pecuKar sweetness, though her Latin, like his own,
was touched with a
slightly foreign accent.
"I
can read a brave man's face, none better
—we
me
safe
have not
far to
go now.
You
will
take
home ?" "I will
guard you to your very door," said he,
in tones of the deepest respect. fear nothing
The
But you need
now, the drunken priests and their
mysterious deity are far enough 'Tis
"
off
by
this time.
a noble worship truly for such a city as mistress of the world."
"False gods " earnestly.
degraded!"
!
false
Oh how
gods!" replied the
can
Here she
men
girl,
be so blind
this
!
very !
so
stopped suddenly, and
THE WOESHIP OF
89
ISIS.
clung closer to her companion's arm, drawing Ler veil tighter
Her quick
round her face the while.
ear had caught the sound of hurrying footsteps,
and she dreaded
pursuit.
"'Tis nothing," said Esca, " the most
we have
to dread
encouraging her;
now
is
some drunken
freedman or client reeling home from
They
supper-table.
Koman
citizens,"
are
his patron's
a weakly race,
these
he added, good-humouredly
think I can promise to stave them off
if
;
"I
they come
not more than a dozen at a time."
The
cheerful tone reassured her no less than
the strong
arm
which she clung.
to
It
was de-
lightful to feel so safe after the fright she
The
undergone.
footsteps
had
were indeed those of a
few dissolute idlers loitering
home
after
a de-
Tliey had hastened forward on espying a female figure but there was something in the air
bauch.
;
of her protector that forbade a near approach, and
they shrunk to the other side of the way rather than come in contact with so powerful an opponent.
The
girl
felt jjroud
of her escort, and
safer every minute.
By
this
time she had guided him into a dark
and narrow
street, at
the end of wliich the Tiber
might be seen gleaming under the
star-lit
sky.
90
EROS.
She stopped at a mean-looking door, let dead-wall, and aj^plying her hand to a
into a
secret
opened noiselessly to her touch. Then she turned to face her companion, and said frankly,
spring,
it
" I have not thanked you half enough.
Will you
not enter our poor dwelling, and share with us a
morsel of food, and a cup of wine, ere you depart ujDon your
way ?"
Esca was neither hungry nor thirsty, yet he bowed his head, and followed her into the house.
CHAPTER
VII.
TKUTH. ["HE dwelling in wLiich the Briton
found himself presented a
now
strange
contrast of simplicity and splendour, of wealth and
frugality, of
poverty and costly refinement. bare and weather-stained ing perfumed bracket of
oil,
common
wall was
but a silver lamp, bm-n-
was fixed against
its
surface on a
Though the
deal.
was damp and broken,
by a
;
The
obscure
it
stone floor
was partially covered
soft tliick carpet of brilliant colours,
while
shawls from the richest looms of Asia, hung over the mutilated wooden seats and the crazy couch
which appeared
be the congenial furniture of Esca could not but remark on
to
the apartment. the same inconsistency, throughout details of the household.
all
A measure
the minor
of rich wine
92
EROS.
from the Lebanon, was cooling in a pitcher of coarse
a
earthenware,
of
draught
A
sparkled in a cup of gold. javelins, inlaid with ivory
fair
water
bundle of eastern
and of beautiful
finish
and workmanship, kept guard, as it were, over a plain two-edged sword devoid of ornament, and with a handle frayed and worn as though from constant use, that looked like a weapon born for work not
show, some rough soldier's rude but trusty friend.
The room of which Esca thus caught a hasty glance as he passed through,
opened on an inner apart-
ment which seemed to have been
originally equally bare and dilapidated, but of which the furniture
was even more rich and incongruous.
by a soft
warm
light,
some rare Syrian procured for
oil,
money
It was flooded
shed from a lamp burning
in
that
was scarcely
Rome.
to
be
It dazzled Esca's
eyes as he followed the girl through the outer
apartment into
this
retreat,
and
it
was a few
seconds ere he recovered his sight sufficiently to
take note of the objects that surrounded him.
A
venerable
man
with bald
head and
Ions:
silvery beard was sitting at the table when they
entered, reading from a roll of to the very
parchment
margin with characters
filled
in the Syriac
language, then generally spoken over the whole
93
TKUTH. of Asia Minor, and sufficiently familiar at
in his studies, that he did
So immersed was he
not seem to notice her amval,
up to him and without
Rome,
the girl rushed
till
unveiling, threw herself into
arms with many expressions of endearment and
his
delight at
her
The language
retm-n.
o^^^l
wliich she spoke was
unknown
to the Briton
;
in
but
he gathered from her gestures, and the agitation which again overcame her for an instant, that she
was relating her own
troubles,
himself borne in the
and the part he had
adventm-es of the night.
him
Presently she turned, and drew she said in Latin,
mth
a
little
forward, while
sob of agitation
between everv sentence, " Behold
my
preserver
in like a lion to save
Thank him all
my
come
in
kindred to the
!
The youth
me from
came
those wicked men.
my father's name, and all my tribe.
best
w4io
and yours, and Bid him welIt is not
our house affords.
every day a daughter of Judah meets wdth an arm and a heart like his, when she falls into the grasp of the heathen and the oppressor
The
old
cordiality
!"
man
stretched his hand to Esca Avith
and
good-will:
as
Briton could not but observe
he
did
so,
how kindly was
the the
smile that mantled oa er his serene and gentle face.
94
EEOS.
"
My
"and
home
brother will be
will himself
from
daii2:hter
ere long," said he,
thank you for preserving his and worse. Meantime
insult
Calchas bids you heartily welcome to Eleazar's
Mariamne," he added, turning to the
house.
"
prepare us a morsel of food that
It
girl,
we may
eat.
not the custom of our nation to send a
is
stranger fasting from the door."
The
dej)arted
girl
on her hospitable mission,
and Esca making light of his prowess, and of the
danger incurred, gave his own version of the night's
occurrence, to which
Calchas
with grave interest and approval. concluded, the old
man
listened
When
he had
pointed to the scroll he
had been reading, which now lay
rolled
up on the
table at his hand.
"
The time
will
come," said he,
words that are written
mouths of eartli.
all
Then
men on sliall
here
shall
when
be
the sm-face of the
there be no more
oppression, nor suffering, nor sorrow.
men
"
tlie
in the
known
strife,
Then
nor
shall
love each other like brothers, and live only
and good-will. The day may seem far distant, and the moans may seem poor and inadequate now, yet so it is written here, and so in kindliness
will
it
be at
last."
TRUTH. "
You think
that
Rome
nions farther and farther all
known
?
95 extend her domi-
will
That she
will
conquer
nations, as she has conquered us ?
That
she means to be in fact what she proudly styles '
herself,
The
Mistress of the
World
In truth
?'
the Eagle's wings are wide and strong. His beak
very sharp, and where
his talons
is
have once fastened
themselves, they never again let go their hold
!"
Calchas smiled and shook his head. "
The Dove
love of
the Eagle, as
But
a stronger power than hate.
is
Eome
shall
will prevail against
I speak
establish
as the future
the great good
it is
not
influence that
on
earth.
The
Legions are indeed well-trained, and brave even to the death service
;
than
but I know of soldiers in a better Caesar's,
whose warfare
is
harder,
whose watches are longer, whose adversaries are more numerous, but whose triumph is more certain, and more glorious at the last."
Esca looked as
if
he understood him
Briton's thoughts were
tramp of columns and the clash of gallant stand
not.
wandering back steel,
to
The the
and the
made against the invader by the white-
robed warriors with their long swords, amongst
whom he had "It
is
been one of the boldest and the
best.
hard to strive against Eome," said he.
96
EEOS.
with a glowing cheek and sparkling eye.
cannot but think to
we had never been provoked
we had kept steadily on the deif we had moved inland as he approached,
an attack
fensive,
if
;
if
harassing and cutting him off whenever
an
opportunity, but never suffering
one
—trusting
more
for himself
rivers,
" Yet I
and
less to
him
to our
our own right hands
have tamed the Eagle
we saw to
make
woods and
— we might
and clipped
and beat him back across the sea at
his wings, last.
But
what have I to do with such matters now?" he added, wliile his whole countenance humiliation.
"
slave here in
Eome !"
I,
fell
in bitter
a poor barbarian captive, and a
Calchas studied his face with a keen scrutinizine: glance, then he laid his hand on the
young man's
shoulder, and said, inquiringly, "
There
is not a grey hair in your clustering nor a wrinkle on your brow, yet you have locks, known sorrow ?"
"
Who has not ?" replied the other cheerfully, " and yet I never thought to have come to this." "You
are a slave, and
you would be free?"
asked Calchas, slowly and impressively. " I am a " and I slave," repeated the Briton, shall be free.
But not
till
death."
TKUTH. "
And
97
death ?" proceeded the old man, in
after
the same gentle inquiiing tone.
" After " I shall be death," answered the other,
..
free
the
as
elements
I
have been taught to
me
I shall be
or care
more than
worship, and into wliich they tell
What need
resolved.
I
know
that in death there will be neither pleasure nor
pain ?" " And
is
not
life
with
all its
changes too sweet
to lose on such terms as these ?" asked the older
"
Are you content
man.
to believe that, like one walk-
ing through a quicksand, the footsteps you leave are filled up, and obliterated behind you as you
pass on
Can you bear
to think that yesterday indeed banished and gone for ever ? That a to-morrow must come of black and endless ? ?
is
night
Death should be conviction,
"Death
and your creed
to die
"You
is
your
!"
never terrible to a brave man,"
is
answered Esca.
how
really terrible if this
"
A
Briton need not be tauffht
sword in hand."
think
you are brave," said Calchas, looking wistfull}^ on the other's rising colour and kindling eyes. "Ah! you have not seen
my
comrades
die, or
you would know that some-
thing better than coiu-age VOL. I.
is
requu-ed for the
H
98
EROS.
service to which,
we
belong.
What
think ye of
weak women, tender shrinking maidens, worn with
with fatigue, emaciated
with heat and
by
hunger,
fainting
brought out to be devoured
thirst,
beasts, or to suffer long
and agonizing tortures,
yet smiling the while in quiet calm contentment,
home
as seeing the
to
which they are hastening,
What
the triumph but a few short hours off?
whom
think ye of the captains under
who here
at
Rome,
I
in the face of Csesar
served,
and his
power, vindicated the honour of their Lord and
died without a
with Peter, I
whom men
murmur tell
cause?
for his
you, Peter the
talk to this day, of
I was
Galilean,
whom men
of
shall
never cease to talk in after ages, when he opposed to
Simon's magic arts his simple faith in the
Master
whom he
served,
and I saw the magician
hurled like a stricken vulture to the ground.
was present when the the Caesars,
I
fiercest and the wickedest of
returning from the
expedition to
Greece, wherein his buffooneries had earned the contemj)t even of that subtle nation of flatterers,
sentenced him to death upon the cross for that he
hud dared to oppose Nero's the truth.
I heard
crucified with his
him
vices,
and
petition that
to tell
Nero
he might be
head downward, as not worthy
TEUTH.
same posture
to suffer in the
99 as
liis
Lord
—and
I
can see him now, the pale face, the noble head, the dark keen eye, the slender sinewy form, and above
all,
the
seK-sustaining
triumphant daring of the lessly
to
death.
I
a
amongst
as he walked fear-
was with Paul,
Pharisee, the naturalized
alone
man
the
confidence,
Roman
noble
tlie
citizen,
when
he,
crowd of passengers and
a
century of soldiers, quailed not to look on the
black waves raging round our broken ship, and bade us all be of good cheer, for that every soul, to the
number of two hundred and
should come safe to shore.
I
seventy-five,
remember how
we looked on that low spare form, that grave and gracious face with its kindly eyes, its bushy brows and thick beard sprinkled here and trustfully
there with grey.
It
was the soul we knew that
sustained and strengthened the weakly body of
the man.
The very barbarians where we landed
acknowledged
its
worshipped him
influence,
for a
God.
and would
fain
Nero might well
have fear
that quiet, humble, trusting, yet energetic nature
and where the imperial monster he admired, loved, hated, envied,
feared, as
;
where
or despised, the
sentiment must be quenched in blood." " And did he too fail a victim ?" inquired Esca,
100
EKOS.
whose
notwithstanding occasional glances
interest,
at the door
through which Mariamne had gone out,
seemed thoroughly awakened by the old man's narrative.
not
"They might
crucify
answered
him,"
and a
"for he was of noble lineage
Calchas,
Koman
citizen born
amongst
us,
but they took him from
;
and they
let
him languish
in
a prison,
and brought him out to be beheaded. Ay, Eome was a fearful sight that day the foot was scorched as it trod the till
they released
him
at last
;
ashes of the devastated city, the eye smarted in
tlie
smoke that hung like a pall upon the heavy and would not pass away. Palaces were
lurid air
crumbling in ruins, the shrivelled
spoils
of an
empire were blackening around, the dead were lying in
the choked-up highways half-festering,
half-consumed
— orphan
were wandering
cliildren
about starved and shivering, with sallow faces and large shining eyes, or worse lessly,
still,
playing thought-
unconscious of their doom.
Christians
had
said the
and many an foul and ground-
set fire to the city,
innocent victim suffered for this less slander.
They
The
persecuted, reviled,
Christians forsooth
!
oppressed,
whose only desire was to
in brotherhood with all
live
men, whose very creed
is
TRUTH.
101
peace and good-will on earth.
I counted twenty and women, children, neighbours I had held kindly fellowship, friends
of them, men,
whom whom
Avith
with
I had broken bread, lying
and
stiff
cold in the Flaminian
was led out dead
and the
hands were clasped in and though the lacerated emaciated body,
faces,
prayer
Way on the morning Paul But there was peace on the
to die.
;
rigid
the mere
shell,
the
had gone home
spirit
was grovelling there to
in the dust,
God who made
the other world of which you have not so
it,
to
much
as
heard, yet which you too must some day
Do you
remain for ever. ages, but for
"
Where a
of
ever,
is it
—mthout end
?"
whom
innate from
organization in every intelligent
now
da-svn
there
elements
can see
?
it,
I
first
?
in
can hear
is it
it,
can
the in
feel
not for
it
the idea its
it
;
here, or
stars,
which I
very
did not
being,
"Is
time.
know the world
ivJiere is it
" Where the
the
below, or above
?
world,
for
to
!"
asked Esca, on
existence,
spiritual
visit,
me ?
understand
or the live
;
I
but that other
?"
?" repeated Calchas, "
dearest wishes of yom- heart,
thoughts of your mind
?
where are
the
noblest
Where are your loves, your
— hopes, your affections above
all,
your memories
?
102
EROS.
^Mlere
is
the whole better part of your natm-e
your remorse
for evil,
;
your aspirations after good,
your speculations on the future, your convictions of the reality of the past tliei'e is
it,
any man's
seemed
yet you Icnow that
reaches
it
is
tells
so
him
are,
it,
be.
you Is
any man's
overwhelming as
And whv
at a distance ?
Because something is
him
see
must
it
happiness complete?
misery when it
WTiere these
You cannot
that other world.
cannot hear
?
is
not
it
that the present
?
life
but a small segment in the complete circle of a
soul's
existence.
lived in
Kome
And
the
you have not
cu'cle,
without learning,
is
the symbol of
infinity."
Esca pondered convictions which
and was
men
There
silent.
are
hold unconsciously, and to
which they are so accustomed that then- attention can only be directed to them from without, just as
they wear their skins and scarcely
know
the familiar covering has been lacerated or disease.
At
last
it,
till
by injury
he looked up with a brighten-
ing countenance, and exclaimed,
" In that world
men will be free !" "AU men will be equal," replied
surely, all
no mortal or immortal ever can be a being totally divested of
Calchas, free.
"but
Sui^pose
all necessity for effort.
103
TRUTH.
all responsibility to his fellows or himself, all par-
ticipation in the great
ment
is
scheme of which govern-
the essential condition in
its
every part,
and you suppose one whose own feelings would be an intolerable burden, whose own wishes would be an unendui-able yoke tliat
How
but the Captain
;
'
Man is made to bear a whom I serve has told me
yoke is easy and his burden is light.' easy and how light I experience every his
moment "
torture.
of
my
life."
yet you said but
And
now
deo-radation were the lot of those
by your
that
death and
who bore arms
side in the ranks," observed the Briton,
intently regarding his companion.
still
A
and exultation ray of triumphant courage
flashed instant
For an up into the old man's face. Esca recognized the fierce daring of a
nature essentially bold, reckless, and defiant it
faded as
it
;
but
came, and was succeeded by an ex-
whilst he pression of meek, chastened humility, replied
—
"Death welcome and long-looked
for!
De-
honours in this gradation that confers the highest At least to those who are world and the next !
held worthy of the great glory of martyrdom. Oh that I might be esteemed one of that noble !
EKOS.
104
band it is
!
But
enough
my work
And
be laid to
my hand,
and
to be the lowest of the low in
Master."
my
the service of "
me
for
will
that master ?
Tell
me
of that master/'
exclaimed Esca, whose interest was excited, as his
by converse with one who
feelings Avere roused,
seemed
so thoroughly impressed with the truth of
what he spoke, who was at once so earnest, The old man bowed gentle and so brave.
so his
head with unspeakable reverence, but in his face shone the deep and fervent joy of one who looks back with intense love and gratitude to the great epoch of his existence. " I saw Him once," said he,
Sea of Gahlee Avith
His
—
I that
But we
the
mind
You have done friend.
You
children at
is
you Meat and drink are even
good to refresh the to be vigorous and discerning.
prepai-ed for you. if
little
Him
will talk of this again, for
are weary and exhausted.
body
on the shore of the
speak to you now saw
my own eyes—there were
feet.
now
"
It
is
for us to-night the act
will henceforth
of a true
be always welcome
in Eleazar's house."
While he spoke, the
girl
whom
Esca had
res-
cued so opportunely, entered the apartment, bearing in
some
food
on
a
coarse and
common
105
TRUTH.
trencher, with a wine-skin, of which she poured
the contents into a jewelled cup, and presented to her preserver with
an embarrassed but
it
very-
a soft shy smile. graceful gesture, and Mariamne had unveiled and if Esca's expectations during their homeward walk, had been raised ;
by her gentle feminine manners, and the sweet tones of her voice, they were not now disappointed
The dark eyes
with what he saw.
so timidly into his own, were full
up
They had, moreover, the mom-n-
those of a deer. ful,
that looked
and lustrous as
pleading expression peculiar to that animal,
and thi'ough aU
and
their softness
intelligence,
betrayed the watchful anxiety of one whose passed in danger.
constant vicissitudes,
The
girl's
face
was
and
life is
occasional
habitually pale,
though the warm blood mantled in her cheek as she drooped beneath Esca's gaze of honest and her regular features were admiration, sharpened,
a
little
more than was natural
them, by daily care and apprehension.
to
This was
of the especially apparent in the delicate aquiline cheek bones. nose, and a slight prominency of the It
was a face that
in prosperity
would have been
and sparkling as a jewel, that in adversity rare and chastened preserved its charms from the rich
EEOS.
106 beauty in wbich
Her
was modelled.
it
dress
betrayed the same incongruity that was so re-
markable in the furniture of her home. veil it
Like her
was black, and of a coarse and common
material, but
where
was looped up, the
it
were fastened by one single
gem
folds
of considerable
value; and two or three links of a heavy gold chain were visible round her white and well-turned neck.
Moving through the
room, busied with the
arrangements of the meal which she
must herself
have prepared, Esca could not but observe the pliant grace of her form, enhanced
modest dignity, very gestures of the
different
by a certain
from the vivacious
Eoman maidens
to
whom he was
accustomed, and especially pleasing to the eye of the Briton.
Calchas seemed to love the girl as a daughter
and
his
kind face grew kinder and gentler
;
still,
while he followed her about in her different move-
ments,
with eyes of
the
deepest
and fondest
affection.
Esca could not but observe that the board was laid for three persons,
and that by one of the wooden
platters stood a drinking-cup of great beauty
value.
Mariamne's glance followed his as
it
and
rested
107
TRUTH.
on the spare
" For
place.
father," said she,
my
she read on his gently, in answer to the inquiry " He is later than usual face. to-night, and, I fear
—I
fear
prompt to draw To-night he has left
father is so bold, so
my
;
when he is angered. sword at home and I know not whether
steel
his
;
most
in this wicked toAMi,
"
to
be
frightened or reassured at his being alone
He
unarmed."
in God's hand,
is
"
But
reverently.
my
child," said Calchas,
I should not fear for Eleazai',"
he added, with a proud and martial
" air,
were he
surrounded by a score of such as we see prowling nightly in the streets of Rome, though they were
armed staff to
to the teeth,
and he with only a shepherd's
keep his head."
" Is he then so redoubtable a warrior ?" asked
whom good manhood
seldom failed to
produce a favom-able impression.
AMiile he spoke
Esca, on
he looked from one to the other with increasing curiosity
and
"You
interest.
shall
" for Calchas, turn.
for
judge it
man who
off
a
unarmed
Roman
re-
could leap
the walls of a beleaguered city, as
brother did naked and
the head
answered
cannot now be long ere he
Nevertheless, the
down from
yom-self,"
my
—who could break
battering-ram by main
108
EROS.
force,
and render that engine useless
—wlio could
reach the wall again with his prize, covered with
wounds, having fought his way through a whole
maniple of
Koman
soldiers,
and could ask but
for
a draught of water, ere he donned his armour, and took his place once more upon the rampart likely to fear
aught that can befall
few idlers in a less,
common
as I said before,
" And here he
is !"
the outer door shut
you
street-broil.
shall
—
is
not
him from a Neverthe-
judge for yourself."
exclaimed Mariamne, while to,
and a man's step was
heard advancing through the adjoining ment, with a firm and measured
apart-
footfall.
She had been pale enough all night in the eyes who was watching her intently but he
of Esca,
thought now she seemed than before.
;
to turn
a shade paler
CHAPTER
VIII.
THE JEW, I
HE man
who
entered the
with the air of one to
nook and corner was
apartment
whom
every
must
familiar,
have been fully threescore years of age, yet his
dark eye
still
glittered with the
of youth, his thick curling beard
and
hair,
fii'e
were
but slightly sprinkled with gTay, and the muscles to
have
acquired solidity and consistency with age.
His
of his square powerful frame,
seemed but
appearance was that of a warrior as
it
;
toughened, and,
were, forged into iron, by years of
hardship, and unremitting
strife,
toil.
If something in the line of his aquiline features
resembled Calchas, no two faces could have been
more
different in their character
than those of Eleazar and
liis
and expression brother.
The
110
EROS.
former was
on the
all gentleness, kindliness,
and
jDeace
;
tinual peril,
deep schemes, conand contention, had set their indeli-
ble marks.
The one was that
who
is
latter, fiery passions,
seated securely on the
of the spectator,
and marks the
cliff,
seething waters below, with interest indeed and
sympathy, but with feelings neither of agitation nor alarm
;
the other was the strong swimmer,
breasting the waves their
fiercely,
might, striving for his
and stroke by
and battling with inch by inch,
life
stroke, conscious of his peril, confi-
dent in his strength, and never despairing for an instant of the result.
At times indeed the
influence of opposite feel-
ings, softening the one and kindling the other,
would bring out the family likeness clear and but in repose no two faces c^uld be more dissimilar, no two types of charac-
apparent upon each
ter
more
;
utterly at variance than those
of the
Christian and the Jew.
As
Eleazar's warlike figm-e
came
into the light,
Esca could not but remark with what a
2:lance of
mistrust his quick eye took in the presence of a stranger, tively
how the
round the
strong fingers
staff
closed
instinc-
he was in ihe act of laying
down, and the whole form seemed
to gather itself
Ill
THE JEW. an instant
in
as
though ready
for
the promptest
Such
measures of resistance or attack. of gestures spoke volumes habits of the man.
trifling
the character
and
Nevertheless Calchas rapidly explained to his brother the cause of
party
;
tliis
addition to their supper-
and Mariamne, who seemed
awe of her
in considerable
father, busied herself in placing food
and wine before him, with even more
alacrity
when serving their guest. The Jew thanked his new friend for the kind-
than she had shown
ness he had rendered
his daughter, with a few
brief cordial words, as one brave his
gratitude
to
meat and drink
another, then
man fell
expresses
to
on the
provided, with a voracity that
argued weU for his physical powers, and denoted a strong constitution and a long
As he took breath in
which,
though
fast.
a deep draught of wine pledged him not, he
after
he
his challenged his guest to join, Calchas asked
how he had sped him from home all day.
brother
" 111,"
answered the other, shooting from under
his thick
Briton,
in the affairs that kept
at the eyebrows a penetrating glance and slowly, yet not so ill but that
" 111
taken in something has been gained, another step
112
EROS.
Yet I have been
the direction at wbicli I aim. to-day in high places, have
seen those bloated
gluttons, and dnmkards, who are the ministers of Caesar's will, have spoken with that spotted
panther, Vespasian's scheming agent, forsooth
who
he
thinks
hath the
cunnino;,
as
!
he can
doubtless boast of the treachery and the gaudy colours
care
!
the beast of
of
Let him take
prey.
Weaker hands than mine have
ere this
strangled a fiercer- animal for the worth of his
shining skin.
Manahem
is
Let
him beware
!
Eleazar-Ben-
a match, and more than a match, for
Julius Plaeidus the Tribune
!"
Esca glanced quickly at the speaker, as his ear caught the familiar name. The look was not lost
upon "
his host.
You know him ?"
that
said he, with a fierce smile
showed the strong white teeth gleaming "
Then you know as and well-taught a soldier as ever buckled on a sword. I wish I had a few like him to officer
through his bushy beard. cool
the Sicarii* at home.
who would not
But you know
scruple to slay his
also,
own
a
man
father for
the worth of the clasp that fastens his gown. *
"
Sicarii,"
or
homicides
organized in JuQ£ea,
;
who made
bands
of
assassins,
a trade of murder.
I
regularly-
THE JEW. have seen him in the
He
in the council.
be treacherous in last ?"
field, is
and
113
have seen him
I
bold, skilful,
both
and he can
\Miere met you him
!
he added, with a searching glance at Esca,
while at the same time he desired Mariamne to the stranger's cup and his own.
fill
The
proceeding engrossed the Briton's
latter
whole attention.
It
was with the utmost careless-
ness that he replied to the question, liis
by relating
interview, that very morning, with the Tribune
He
at Valeria's door.
scarcely
marked how
pre-
cisely the father noted
down the name
tablets, for the daughter's
white arm was reaching
over his shoulder, so close that
in
his
almost touched
it
his cheek. It
was indeed well worth Eleazar's while to obtain
information, from
whatever source, of any in-
fluence that might affect those in authority witli
whom he was
in
position was one skill,
and
even
daily contact
which
at
cunning
to
a
Charged by the Supreme Council then in the
Eome.
His
called for courage, tact,
extent.
great
at Jerusalem,
last stage of perplexity,
and sorely
by Vespasian and his legions, with a j^rivate mission to Vitellius, who much mistrusted the suc-
beset
cessful
VOL.
general, I.
he
represented the hopes and I
114
EROS.
temporal and
fears, tlie
prosperity, nay,
political
Nor
the very existence of the Chosen People. all
to
appearance could a better instrument have
been selected for the purpose.
Eleazar, though a
bigoted and fanatical Jew of the a man of keen and powerful
strictest sect, intellect,
was
whose
obstinacy was open to no conviction, whose perseverance was to be deterred by no obstacle. A distinguished and fearless soldier, he possessed the
confidence of the large and fighting portion of the
who looked on Eoman supremacy with abhorrence, and who clung dearly to the notion of
nation,
earthly dominion, wrested from the heathen with
the sword. duties,
and
His rigid observance of its
its fasts, its
ceremonials, had gained
affections of the priesthood,
him the
and the more enthusi-
astic followers, of that religion in
which outward
forms were so strictly enjoined and so faithfully observed while a certain fierce, defiant, and un;
bending demeanour towards
had won
for
him a
all
classes
of men,
character of frankness which
him good service in the schemes of intrigue and dissimulation with which he was continually
did
engaged.
Yet perhaps the man was honest too, ns far as his own convictions went. He esteemed all means
la'VN'ful
THE JEW.
115
for the furtherance of a lawful object.
He
was one of those who deem ible of
it
the most contempt-
weakness to shrink from doing
good may come. sacrificed
evil that
Like Jephthah he would have
his daughter unflinchingly in perform-
ance of a vow ; nay, had Mariamne stood between
him and the attainment
of his ambition, or even
the accomplishment of his revenge, he would have
walked ruthlessly over the body of his
child.
Versed in the traditions of his family and the history of his nation, he tliat
pride of pedigi'ee
was steeped to" the lips in which was so essential a
feature of the Je\^ ish character
:
he was convinced
that the eventual destiny of his people was to lord it
over the whole earth.
He
possessed
more than
his share of that hauo'htv self-sufficiencv
which
bade the Pharisee hold aloof from those of lower pretensions and humbler demeanour than himself;
while he had
all
the fierce courage and energy of
the liion of Judah, so terrible
when
roused, so
be appeased when victorious. In his secret heart he anticipated the time when Jerudifficult to
salem should again become a sovereign city, when the Eoman eagles should be scared away from
and a hierarchy established once more as the government of the people chosen by Heaven. Syria,
EROS.
116
should be a second Judas Maccabseus, a
That
lie
chief
commander
the
new order
of the armies of the faithful in
of things, was an ambition natur-
ally enough entertained by the bold and skilful soldier
but
;
to
do Eleazar justice, individual
aggrandizement had but little share in his schemes, and personal interest never crossed those visions
for
the future, on which his dark and
dangerous enthusiasm so loved to dwell. It
was
Vitellius
a in
matter to
delicate
Rome
who held supreme from the Emperor.
intrigue
the
against
wi'th
very general
authority, at least ostensibly,
was playing a hazardous game, to receive power and instructions from the Council at Jerusalem, and to use or suppress It
them according to the and future intentions. It
such
own
was no easy task to hold
men
subtlety,
upon
bearer's
political
his
own
views
against
as Placidus, in the contest of finesse,
and double-dealing
;
yet the
Jew entered
his perilous career with a strenuous energy,
a cool calculating audacity, that was engraved in the very character of the man.
Another draught of the rich licbanon wine served to improve their acquaintance, and Eleazar, with considerable
tact,
drew from the Briton
all
THE JEW.
117
the information he could obtain as to the habits
and movements of
his
antagonist
while he seemed but to
be
the Tribune,
carrying
on the
courteous conversation of a host with his guest.
and
Esca's answers, notwithstanding that thoughts
eyes wandered frequently towards Mariamne, were
He
frank and open like his disposition.
too en-
tertained no very cordial liking for Placidus, and
experienced towards the Tribune that unconscious antipathy, which the honest
man
so often feels for
the knave. Calchas,
meanwhile,
had
returned
the
to
perusal of his scroll, on which his brother cast occasional
glances
not-
of unfeigned contempt,
withstanding that the reader was the person wliom
he most loved and respected on earth. Mariamne moving about the apartment, looked covertly on the fair face and stately form of her preserver,
approving largely of what she saAV
:
once their
eyes met, and the Jewess blushed to her temples for
So the time passed quickly the on, the Lebanon was nearly finished,
very shame.
night stole
and Esca rose "
;
to bid his entertainers farewell.
You have done me
a rare
service,"
said
Eleazar, feeling in his breast while he spoke, and
a producing, from under his coarse garment, jewel
lis
EKOS.
of considerable value
nor
can
guerdon
keep
requite
neither thanks I
yet
;
pray
you,
remembrance of the Jew
in
trinket
this
— " a service
and the Jew's daughter, who come of a people that forgive not an injury, and forget not a benefit."
The
mounted
colour
to Esca's forehead,
and an
came
into his
expression of pain, almost of anger,
face, while he replied " I have done nothing to merit either thanks or :
reward.
It
is
no such matter to put a
fat
eunuch
on his back, or to defend an unprotected woman in a town Kke tliis. Take back your jewel, I pray you.
"It posed glance
Any is
man would have done as much." every man who could have inter-
other
not
so eiiectually,"
of
replied
hearty approval
at
Eleazar,
with
a
the thewes and
sinews of his friend, rej^lacing the jewel meanwliile
in his vestment, without the least signs of
displeasure at
bestowed
it
want
it
it,
its
being declined.
freely,
no doubt, but
would serve
He if
would have
Esca did not
some other
purpose
:
precious stones and gold would always fetch their " At least you will let me give " the night you a safe-conduct home," he added ;
value at Eorae.
is
far
advanced, and I should be loth that you
THE JEW.
119
should suffer wrong for your interposition in our behalf."
In the pride of
Esca burst out laughing now. his
seemed
it
strength,
so
that he
impossible
should require protection or assistance from any one.
He
squared his
shoulders and drew
lai-ge
himself to his full height. " I should wish no better pastime," said he, " than a bout with a dozen of them I too was !
brought up a warrior, in a land you have never heard of, many a long mile from Kome a land ;
fairer far
than
this, of green valleys
and wooded
calmly towards the
hills,
and noble
sea;
a land where the oaks are lofty and the
rivers -sA'iuding
flowers are sweet, Avhere the
women
men
are strong and the
I have followed the chase afoot from
fair.
sunrise to sunset through
many a summer's
day.
I have fronted the invader, sword in hand, ever since
my arm
sheath, or I
a
was long enough to draw blade from
that
my
You
too are
— eye you can
believe
had not been here now.
soldier, I see
in
it
limbs grow
of martial exercise.
your
stiff,
In
my
spirits
faith, it
even a vulgar broil in the street
dance in
my
veins once
Mariamne was
droop for lack
seems to
makes
me
my
that
blood
more !"
listening with parted lips
and
120
EROS.
shining eyes.
She drank
home with
in all
he said of
his
woodland scenery, its forest trees, its fragrant flowers, and above all its lovely She felt so kindly towards this bold women. distant
its
stranger, exiled from kin
and country, she attributed her interest to pity and gratitude, nor
young
could she help wondering to find these sentiments so strong.
" Fare Calchas looked up from his studies. " Take an thee well !" said he. old man's warning,
and strike not unless well
it
be in self-defence.
Mark
the turning from the main street to the
Tiber, so shalt thou find thy
way to our poor home
again."
Esca promised
faithfully to return,
and
fully
intended to redeem his promise. " Another cup of wine," said Eleazar, emptying the leathern bottle into a golden vessel ; " the sun of Italy cannot ripen such a vintage as this."
But the
rich produce of the
Lebanon was
too cloying for the healthy palate
Esca prayed
of youth.
water, and
gave him
for
and the
all
thirst
a draught of fair
Mariamne brought him the pitcher and own hand.
to drink with her
For the second time to-night their eyes met, and although they were instantly averted, the
THE JEW. Briton
felt
121
that he was drinking from a cup more
intoxicating than
could produce,
the wine-presses of Syria
all
— a cup that made him unconscious
of the past as of the future, and only too keenly sensible of the present
by
its joy.
He
forgot that
he was a barbarian, he forgot that he was a slave. forgot everything iDut Mariamne and her dark
He
imploring trustful eyes.
CHAPTEE
IX.
THE ROMAN.
T
is
time to
anomalous
Esca's
of
capital
how that was
some account of
give
the
position
world.
To
in
the
explain
noble
(for
indeed the rank he held in his
own
the
young
British
country) found himself a slave in the streets of
Rome.
In order to do so
it
is
necessary to take
a glimpse at the interior of a patrician's house
about the hour of supper
;
perhaps also to intrude
upon the reflections of its owner, as he paces up and down the colonnade in the cool air of sunset,
own
absorbed in his
memories of the His mansion size,
but
all
thoughts,
and deep
in the
past. is
its
of stat
ornaments and accessories are
chastened by a severe simplicity of
taste.
An
THE
123
IIOJIAN.
man by
observer might identify the
the
nature of the objects that surround him.
very
In
liis
vestibule the columns are of the Ionic order,
and
have been WTought into the utmost degree of finish which that style will their elaborate capitals
In the smaller
allow.
which leads
which the
is
the
to
entrance-hall or lobby,
principal
apartments, and
guarded by an image of a dog,
let into
pavement in mosaic, there are no nor
seulptm-e,
carvings,
nor
any
florid
attempt
at
decoration beyond the actual beauty of the stone-
work, and the scrupulous care with which
kept clean.
The doors themselves
so well burnished as to
the principal hall
is
are of bronze,
need no mixtm-e of gold
or silver inlaid to enhance its brightness in
it
itself,
;
whilst
the room in which
friends are welcomed, clients received,
and
busi-
ness transacted, the walls, instead of frescoes and
such gaudy ornaments, are simply overlaid with entablatures of white and polished marble.
dome
is
veiy
lofty,
The
rising majestically towards
the circular opening at the top, through which
the sky cistern colossal
is
visible
;
and round the fountain or
immediately below statues,
this
representing
are ranged four
the
Elements.
These, with the busts of a long line of illustrious
124
EROS.
ancestors, are the only efforts of the sculptor's art
throughout the apartment.
A
large banqueting-
somewhat more luxuriously furnished, opens from one side of the central room, and as much hall,
as can be seen of to convenience
it
displays considerable attention
and personal comfort.
representing scenes of military
life,
Frescoes,
adorn the
and at one end stands a trophy, composed of deadly weapons and defensive armour, arranged walls,
so as to
ment. gold,
form a glittering and conspicuous orna-
Large flagons and chalices of burnished some of them adorned with valuable jewels,
are ranged upon a side-board;
but
it
is
evident
that no guests are expected to-night, for near the
couch against the wall has been drawn a small table,
laid
for
one
with a clean
person only,
napkin, and a cup and platter of plain silver thereon. That person is none other than the
master of the house, bodily pacing up and down his own colonnade in Kome, mentally gazing on a fair expanse of wood and vale and
shining drinking in the cool breezes, the fragrant odours, and the wild luxuriant beauty of distant
river,
Britain.
Five-and-twenty years yesterday.
The brow
!
and yet
wrinkles,
it
seems but
the hair turns
THE EOMAN. grey, strengtli wastes, energ}^ torpid, and the senses old.
grows
dull,
125
fails,
the brain gets
but the heart never
Business, ambition, pleasure, dangers,
duties, difficulties,
and successes have
filled that
like a quarter of a century, and passed away dream but the touch of a hand, the memory of ;
a
have outlived them
face,
Eoman
Licinius,
patrician.
all.
Caius Lucius
General,
Praetor,
Consul, and Procurator of the Empire,
young commander
of a
legion once
is
the
more, with
woman he loves by what he sees now, as he has
the world before him, and the his
side.
seen
it
This
is
so often in his
dreams by night, and his
wakinc: visions bv dav.
An
old oak tree, a mossy sward, soft and level
as velvet, delicate in the
summer
fern bending
and whispering
breeze, fleecy clouds drifting across
the blue sk}% and a gi-aceful form, in robes, step,
its
white
coming shyly up the glade, with faltering and sidelong glance, and timid gesture, to
keep her tryst with her Roman lover. She is in The rich brown curls are scattered his arms now. over his breastplate, and the blue eyes are looking
up
into his own, liquid with the love-light that
thrills to
a man's heart but from one pair of eyes
in a life-time.
EEOS.
126
no contemptible prize, in the and the pride of her blooming glory of her beauty womanhood. With the rounded form, the noble She
is,
indeed,
and the dazzling colour of her nation, she possesses the courage and constancy of a
features,
high-born race, and a mtchery half imperious, There are half peculiarly her own. playful,
women who
find their
who pervade
heart,
way
it
to the core of a man's
and saturate
all,
so to
it,
speak, with their influence. " Testa semel imbuta diu servabit odorem.'"*
The rare
has once held this rich and
vessel that is
liquid
fragrance,
ever after impregnated with
and even when
it
has been
spilt
its
every
drop, and a fresh infusion poured in, the new wine smacks strangely and wildly of the old.
She
is
one of them
he knows
;
They should have nothing two,
the
Roman
British
conqueror.
the nations discord
;
are
chieftain's
"You may
too well.
in
common
daughter
But there
is
these
and the
a truce between
a truce in which the elements of nevertheless
blaze out afresh at the *
it
break, you
But the scent of
ttio
smouldering,
first
may
ready to
opportunity, and they
ruin the vase
rosea will
if
bang round
you
will,
it still."
THE ROMAN. have
127
each other accidentally, and been
seen
thrown together by circumstances, has become
and
interest,
till
interest
curiosity
grown into The British
and liking ripened into love. maiden might not be won lightly, and many a tear she wept in secret, and sore she strove
liking,
against her
own heart
at last she gave
it,
died for him, followed
And
woman who
Most men have this folly,
him to the end
is
wholly and
him,
of the world.
man
are not likely to forget
worships
it.
life.
Possibly,
bud they then watched bloom,
at
it
borne
another's breast;
May mornings still,
opening-
least,
The worm may have destroyed
cold wind cut
may have
for
the destiny of his
never expanded into
flower
will,
some time or other experienced infatuation, madness, call it what you
They
them.
conquered her
at
alas probably, the
has
it
women
Licinius worshipped her as a
one
^vill.
but when
She would have lived
unreservedly.
the
;
as such
it,
or the
to the earth, or another's it
away
in
but there
that reminds
triumph is
to
for
hand
gladden
something in the
them
of the sweet
and they wander round the
fairest
gardens of earth rather drearily to-day, because of the memory that has never faded, and the
blank where She
is
not
EROS.
128
V
Licinius liolds the British
and they discourse of
maiden
to his breast,
own happiness and
their
and plan schemes for the which each is to the other
revel in the sunny hour, future, all
in
—schemes all,
past for
in
and dream not that when to-day
them there
will
be no to-morrow.
woman, indeed, heaves a gentle sigh as though in
is
The
at intervals,
the midst of her happiness some
foreboding warned her of the brooding tempest
;
but the man is hopeful, buoyant, and impetuous, in his own playful in his tenderness, and joyous
triumphant love.
They parted
evening more
that
than usual. found excuse
after
excuse for
another loving
word, another fond caress.
When
went
how
turned
several
their
carried with Little did
ways,
look after
to
reluctantly
They lingered round the oak, they
it all
his
at last
often
Licinius
receding form
the
hope and
all liis
they
that
happiness
!
he think how, and when, and where he
would see Guenebra again.
Ten years went heavily of a
leffion
was the
Licinius had served Syria.
Men
by.
cliief
Kome
TTie
commander
of an
army now,
in Gaul, in Spain, in
said he bore a
charmed
life;
and,
indeed, while his counsels showed the forethought.
THE EOMAN.
12U
the caution, and the patience of a skilful his personal conduct
disregard
of
officer,
was remarkable for a reckless
would
danger, wliich
have
been
esteemed foolhardy in the meanest soldier. It was observed, too, that a deej) and abiding-
melancholy had taken possession of the light-hearted
He
patrician.
only
once
seemed
to
up into his former self under the pressure of imminent danger, in the confusion of brighten
At
a repulse, or the excitement of a charge.
other times he was silent, depressed, preoccupied
;
never morose, for his kindly heart Avas open to the griefs of others, and the legionaries knew that their daring general was the friend
who were talked
marvelled,
sorrow or
in
him
over,
too,
distress.
the
sparing of the wine-cup;
how
who was
so ready
could stoop to
stream
fill
under a
composedly with a backward in the
his
field,
VOL.
I.
could be so
the leader,
who
helmet from the running
jest
and a
revel,
smile, should be so
should
centm-ion,
show such
a
material pleasures which
they esteemed the keenest joys of old
they
storm of javelins, and drink
disinclination to those
One
;
campaigners, how
old
m
one,
But the men
by their watch-fires
those honest
of all
life.
who had followed
K
his
130
EROS.
fortunes from
tlie
Thames
to the Euphrates,
from
the confines of Pannonia to the Pillars of Hercules,
averred that he had never seen his chief discom-
but once, and that was on the day when he
fited
been accorded a triumph
liad
the streets of
services in
for his
The veteran used
Rome.
to swear
he never could forget the dejected look upon those brows, encircled witli their laurel garland,
nor the weary
listlessness of that figure, to
eyes were directed in
all
its
which
gilded chariot; the
object of admiration to the whole city, and, for
that day, scarcely second even to Coesar himself. It
was a goodly triumph, no doubt
were
and
rich, the car tlie
victims
Guenebra
?
was
fell,
lofty, the
;
the spoils
people shouted,
but what was glory without
and the hero's eye could not
peace on one of
all
those
rest in
gazing thousands for
lack of the loving face, framed in
its
rich
brown
hair.
On
the very night
and
Licinius
parted, a long meditated rising
Guenebra
had broken out
among the Islanders, — conquered but not subdued. Nothing but the cool courage of its young commander, and the immovable discipline of the legionaries saved the ing,
Guenebra had
Roman camp. been
forced
Ere morn-
away by her
THE EO^IAN, tribe
many
miles from
tlie
131
scene of action, the
Britons too retired into their strongholds, those natui'al fastnesses
impregnable by regular troops.
The whole country was once more open
taken
:
in a state of
Prompt and decisive measures were
warfare.
Publius Ostorius, the
Eoman
general, in
execution of a manoeuvre, by which he preserved his line of operation, despatched Licinius
and
his
and with
legion to a different part of the island, all his
exertions and
officer
could never obtain tidings of Guenebra
again.
It
was
all his influence,
after this event
came over Licinius which was by the
soldiers
Ten years
the young
that the change so
commented on
under his command.
of brilliant and successful
services
had elapsed when he returned to Britain. Nero had but lately succeeded to the Purple, nor had he then degenerated into the monster of iniquity wliich
he afterwards became.
Until sapjied by
his ungovernable passions, the Emperor's adminis-
trative abihties
were of no mean order; and he
selected Licinius for the important post assigned to him, as being a
consummate
soldier,
and ex-
which he had to perienced in the country with deal. The latter accepted the appointment with alacrity
:
through
all
change of time and fortune.
132 he
EKOS. liad
Under
never forgotten his British love.
the burning skies of Syria, by the frozen shores of the Danube, at
home
or abroad, in peace or war,
Guenebra's face was ever present to him, fond and trustful as
he
A
last
He longed
oak-tree. so
when
did.
Thus
:
they parted under the old
but to see
it
And
once more.
—
had been quelled beyond The Eoman vanguard had surprised
partial insurrection
the Trent.
the Britons, and forced fusion,
them
to fly in great con-
leaving their baggage, their valuables, in
some cases even their arms behind.
came up with the main body
When Licinius
of his
forces,
he
found indeed no prisoners taken, for everything
animate had over which guard.
a
list
fled,
but a goodly amount of
Eoman
One
discipline
of his tribunes approached
of the
spoil,
had placed a strong
captured articles
;
him w ith
and when
general had perused it, the ofHcer hesitated though there was still some further report
make.
At
" There of the
last is
he spoke out
a hut I
left
his
as to
:
standiug within the lines
would not order
it to be deenemy. stroyed till I had provided for the bui'ial of a dead body that lies beneath its shelter."
Licinius was counting
the
arms taken.
"A
THE EOMAX. dead body," said he, carelessly of rank?" " 'Tis a "
A
fair
wife of
133 " ;
an
is it
oflfieer
woman's corpse," answered the Tribune. and stately woman. Apparently the
some prince
For Guenebra's
or chieftain at the least."
sake, every
every British Avoman, was
woman, much more
an object of respect and
interest to Licinius.
"
Lead
when
on,"
said he.
I have seen it;"
" I
will give directions
and the General followed
his officer to the place already indicated.
It
was but a rude hut made of a few planks
and branches hastily thl'own together. have been erected at a moment's
to
It
seemed
notice, pro-
bably to shelter an inmate in the last stage of dissolution.
Through a wide rent
summer sun streamed
in the roof the
in brilliantly, throwing a
sheet of light on the dead face below.
The
prostrate
form was swathed
in
its
white
A garment of the destroyer. band of white encircled the head and chin, and
robe, the bridal
was parted modestly on the smooth forehead calm and womanly as of old. It
the
brown
hair
was Guenebra's face that lay there so strangely still. Guenebra's face, how like and yet how
changed
!
As he stooped over
it,
and looked on
131
EROS.
the closed eyes beneath their arching brows, the fair
and noble features
death, — the
sweet
lips
by the hand of
chiselled
wreathed even now, with a
chastened loving smile,
—he could
that there were lines of thought
not but mark
upon the forehead,
streaks of silver in the hair, the result
it
might
be of regrets, and memories, and sorrows, and care for him.
Then the warm
tears
soldier's ej^es, the pressure
seemed
to be
drawn out
of a
relieved.
gushed up into the on his heart and brain
As when the spear
wound and the red stream
freely forth, the
spouts
previous agony was succeeded
by a dull hopeless resignation, seemed almost akin to peace.
He
is
pressed his lips hard
that in comparison
upon the cold dead
—
a man for whom forehead, and turned away from henceforth there was neither good to covet,
nor evil to be feared.
And
thus
it
was that here, on
earth, Licinius
looked once more upon his love.
Fresh victories crowned his arms a fresh triumph awaited his return to still
iik
Britain
Eome
as of old with Licinius, the glory
;
Only now, the
restless,
but
seemed to
count for nothing, the service seemed to be in-all.
—
all-
eager look had
THE ROMAN.
He
left his face.
was always calm and unmoved,
even in the uncertainty of of success.
135
Still
kindly
conflict or the
triumph
in his actions, his out-
ward demeanour was very stern and cold. He kept aloof from the intrigues, as from the pleasures of the court
Eome
but was ever ready to serve
;
with his sword, and on
many
occasions by
his coolness and conduct redeemed the errors and
of
incapacity
his
Fortune smiled upon the to her frowns.
or
colleagues
predecessors.
man who was
Honours poured
in
insensible
on the
soldier
who seemed so careless of their attainment ; and Caius Lucius Licinius was perhaps the object of
more respect and less envy than any other person of his rank in Rome. It
fell
out that shortly
Nero, the General,
before the death
in traversing
on the way from the Forum, plucked by
named
the slave-market felt
a notorious dealer in
Gargilianus,
lately arrived
sleeve
his
human
who begged him
come and examine a
of
wares,
earnestly to
fresh importation of captives
from Britain.
To mention
their
interest of country was at once to excite the Licinius, who readily acceded to the request,
and spoke a few kind words in
then- native lan-
as he passed guage to the unhappy barbarians
136
EEOS.
tliroiigli
His attention was, however,
their ranks.
by the appearance of one of the young man of great strength and
especially arrested
conquered, a fine stature,
who seemed to
feel painfully the indignity
of his position, placed as he was on a
huge stone
whereon his own towering height rendered him a conspicuous object in the throng. He had block,
been severely wounded too in several places, as was apparent from the scars scarce yet healed Indeed had
over.
it
not been
so,
he would never
probably have been here.
There was something in his pression
of
his
felt
Roman
and the ex-
eyes, that roused
large blue
painful thrill in the
face,
general's breast.
a
He
a strange and indefinable attraction towards
the captive, for which he could not account, and
pausing in his walk, scanned him with a wistful searching gaze, which was not lost on the practised percejDtions of the dealer.
"
He
been shown in private," whispered Gargilianus, with an important and should
mysterious
air.
him away, when
have
"
Indeed,
my man
was just taking
saw you coming, my honoured and I called to him to stop. patron, Ay! you may examine him all over, tall, young, and I
—
healthy.
Sound, wind and
limb, and stronger
THE ROM AX.
137
than any gladiator in the amphitheatre.
men
are
of
these barbarians,
iron,
and he has only
truth,
just
come
They
that's
the
There
over.
!
look for yom-self, noble General, you will see the
chalk-marks* on his "
But he
badly wounded," observed Licinius,
is
beginning to scan felt,
the other instinctively
liim, as
with the eye of a purchaser.
" That "
feet."
Mere
You
nothing
!"
exclaimed
Gargilianus.
skin-deep, and healed over now.
scratches,
will
them
is
not be able to run your nail against
in a week.
Eye-sores, I grant you, to-day,
otherwise I would ask two thousand sesterces at least for him.
These Islanders are cheap at any
price."
"I wiU give you a thousand," said Licinius, quietly.
"
Impossible
burst
!"
out
the dealer,
with a
quiver of his fingers, that expressed a most em"I should lose money by him, phatic negative.
generous patron
circus.
up *
Look
for a
good
According
slaves.
What
!
Csesar would give
more
at his five
!
for
A
man must
him
muscles
!
to die
He
in
live.
the
would stand
minutes against the tiger
to Pliuy, th3 distinguishing sign of
!"
newly-amved
138
EKOS.
This last consideration was probably not withont its
After a
influence.
more haggling, the
little
became the property of Licinius fifteen hundred sesterces;* and Esca
British captive
at the cost of
found the most indulgent and the kindest-hearted master in Rome.
We fully
must return
up and down the colonnade,
pleasant evening It
to that master, pacing thought-
and
air.
perhaps one of the most consoling and
'is
merciful dispensations of
human mind
Providence, that
the
so constituted as to dwell on past
is
pleasures, rather than past pain. is
in the cool
The sorrow
that
done with, returns indeed at intervals vividly and
bitterly
enough
cruel than the
;
but every fresh recurrence
last,
is less
and we can look back to our
sufferings at length, with a
calm and chastened
humility which is the first step towards resignation and eventual peace. But the memory of a great hai3piness
seems so interwoven with the imperish-
able part of our being, that reality
it
loses
by the lapse of time, none of
from the
eifect of distance.
contentions, fleet
none of
its
its
brightness
Anger, sorrow, hatred,
away like a dream but the smile ;
that gladdened us long ago, has passed into the *
About twelve pounds
sterling.
THE EOMAN. of
very sunlight
noon-clay
139 the whisper that
;
softened our sternest moods, steals with the breeze
of evening to our heart, gently and tenderly as of yore, and
we know, we
and misery,
and
aflSictions of
humanity, pardon,
love are
feel,
that while crime,
are
remorse,
the
temporary and hope, and
inheritance for evermore.
its
Licinius, pacing
his
long shadowy colonnade,
dwells not on the anxieties, and the separation,
and the sorrows of years dearest treasure and
;
not on the loss of his
by another not even on the calm dead face bound with its linen
No
band.
he
;
is
its
possession
back
;
in Britain
once more
with his living love, in the gTeen glade where the
bending ferns are whispering under the old oaktree.
A
step in the hall rouses
tations,
him from
and a kind grave smile
his medi-
steals
over the
General's face at the appreach of his favourite slave.
The Eoman worn
veteran,
influence of
He
is
patrician looks what he
bronzed
and
many campaigns
is
hardened in
many
— a warby
the
climates.
not yet past the prime of his bodily vigour,
and there features,
is
a severe
beauty about his noble
and tne beard and hair already touched
140
EKOS.
with grey, that possesses considerable attraction
no mean judge, asserts that he is, and always will be, a handsome man, but that he She respects him much, likes does not know it.
still.
Valeria,
him a good
deal,
and he
the only person on
is
earth for whose good opinion she has the slightest value.
In truth, though she would not confess
even to
herself, she
a
little
it
afraid of her good-
and thouohtful kinsman.
heai-ted, brave,
A man
is
who has reached mature age without
forming family
ties is
in a false position.
always to a certain extent
No amount
of public interest
up the little chinks and corners, so to speak, which are intended by Nature to contain the petty cares and pleasures and vexations of will stop
domestic
life.
^Yitllout the constant association
the daily friction disposition
—of wife and
becomes
one, melancholy
and
chilcbeu, a cynical
and morose
selfish
—
—a
kind
forlorn.
Licinius feels a blank in his existence, which
nothing he has yet found serves to often wonders in himself
why
fill
entertains
and he
the barbarian slave
should be almost the only creature in
whom he
;
a feeling
of
Rome
interest
for
and
regard.
As he
takes his place
on the couch by the
141
THE EOMAN. him
supper-table, Esca gives
to driuk
;
and
patrician cannot help thinking the while,
would like
to
have such a son,
with so warlike an
air,
—a
tall
son
tlie
how he
and handsome,
whom he
could
instruct in all the intricacies of his glorious profession,
whose mind he could educate, whose genius
he could
foster,
and whose happiness he could
watch over and insure.
They converse ral's
freely
enough during the Gene-
— temperate meal, an egg, a morsel of
kid, a
few grapes, and a flask of common Sabine wine. Esca tells his master the encounter of the previous evening, and the friendship he
sequence after nightfall.
had made
in con-
Liciuius laughs at his
account of the skirmish, and the eunuch's discomfitm-e.
"
Xevertheless," says he, "I trust he did
recognise you.
Spado,
whom
and Spado
is
It can
have been none other than
you treated just
not
so
unceremoniously;
now a prime
favourite with
might find it difficult to protect you if he knew where to find you, for charms and philtres are deadlier weapons in such hands as his, than Csesar.
I
sword and spear in yours and mine.
Did he take
note of your person think you, Esca, ere he went
down
?"
EROS.
142
"
"I can hardly The evening was fled
I
Moreover,
believe
answered
it,"
Esca.
dark, and the confusion great.
with the poor gud they had
surrounded, the very instant I could snatch her out of the throng." "
And you saw
these Jews in their home,
say ?" pursued Licinius, gi'avely.
much them
you
I have heard
of that people, and, indeed, served against in Syria.
thirsty ?
Are they not morose,
cruel, blood-
? Slayers of men, devourers of children
Have they not upon human that they
fearful orgies in
ilesh?
devote
that
your
which they feast
And one day and
to solitude
schemes of hatred against sure
"
all
in the silence,
mankind
?
entertainers belonged
week and
Are you to
this
detestable nation ?"
" Christians and Jews," replied Esca, cauffht the
of
liis
"
and
sound of the former
title
who had
in the course
conversation with Calchas.
Are thev not the same
?"
returned Licmius
to this question the barbarian
furnish a reply.
was unable
;
to
CHAPTER
Pif
X.
144
EEOS.
But with
wliat precise personage.
marked
this
difference of exterior, an expression of unscrupu-
and thorough-paced knavery was common to
lous
Said Damasippus to Oarses, with a shrug
both.
of affected disgust " It
may be
—
hours yet ere he will see us
at this wretched crowd of parasites
and
will follow the patron to his
They
I
Look
flatterers
bath
!
!
They
him in his very bed Oh, my friend no longer the place for an honest man." To which Oarses replied, in subdued and humble
will besiege
Eome tones "
!
!
is
—
The
gather round the honey, though it is what they can get. But the sincerest gratitude and affection draw you and me, my dear flies
only for
companion, to the side of the
illustrious Tribune,"
You speak truth," returned Damasippus. " It sad to see how few clients are uninfluenced by "
is
mean and
becoming as rare at not so in
age
—
"
Kome
Oh, for
as at Athens.
still
good old times
;
man It
is
was
!"
the
good old times !" exclaimed in the same low and unmoved voice,
Oh, for the good old times
sippus
honest
the days of the republic — in the golden
in the
Oarses, "
An
sordid thoughts.
!"
and the two knaves, with
echoed Damatheir
arms on
A TRIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS. each other's shoulders,
fell to
145
23acing tlie extremity
and exchanging spiteful remarks on it was filled.
of tbe hall,
the concourse with which
The
Tribune's house was the most perfect of
kind in the whole
apart and
Standing
city.
surrounded by a wall and garden of
its
own,
its
it
combined the luxurious splendour of a palace with the comfort and seclusion of a private residence.
Everything of ornament that was most and costly gorgeous, had been procured by Placidus to decorate his mansion.
Everything of art that
was most conspicuous and w^alls,
effective
hung on
his
stood in picturesque groups about his apart-
ments, or lay scattered in rich profusion on his
The hangings
floor.
that veiled his
own
sleeping
room from the public eye, were of embroidered crimson silk, woven in the looms of Asia, and probably taken by the strong hand of the successful soldier as spoils of war.
of
tlie
hall
The very pavement
was of the richest mosaic, traced
in
and inlaid with gold. moruino; drew on, it was trodden bv a
fanciful patterns
As the
multitude of
feet.
numerous a levee
No as
In
Julius Placidus.
concourse that thronged
men
one of his rank held so
it
tlie
now, might be seen
of all countries, classes, characters, professions
VOL
I.
L
146
EEOS.
and denomiuations.
Unlike Licinius, who, indeed,
owed
his influence solely to the firm consistency
and
unbending rectitude of
Tribune
let
his
the
character,
no opportunity pass of binding an
liis cause by the ties of selfand expectation. They were crowding in now through the wide open doors and while the
additional partizan to
interest
;
spacious hall was nearly filled, the approach to
and the
street itself outside,
applicants,
who had one and
were choked with all,
directly or in-
directly, something to get, or ask, or
the Tribune.
Here, an
artist
it,
hope
for,
from
brought his picture
carefully di-aped in the remains of an old
garment ;
yet not so entirely concealed, but that a varnished
corner might be visible, and the painter, nothing loth,
might be prevailed on by earnest
to reveal, bit
duction.
by
solicitations
the beauties of his pro-
bit, all
There, a sculptor was diligently pre-
serving the outlines of his model, wrapped in
wet
cloth,
from
assuming credit
collision
with the bystanders, and
for the mysterious beauties of a
work, which, perhaps,
if
uncovered, would have
grievously disappointed the eyes that scanned so
cmiously.
holding in his
and
its
it
In one corner stood a jeweller,
hand a gorgeous
collar of pearls
rubies, prepared by the patrician's orders, and
A TRIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS.
147
testifying at once to the ingenuity of the trades-
man, and the munificence of
his employer.
In
another, waited a common-looking slave, with a
down-cast eye and a bloated unwholesome face
who, nevertheless, assumed an important
seemed a^,
to say,
indeed, was
air
;
that
he was sure of an early audience,
more than probable
in consideration
of his tidings, a message from venal beauty to the
admirer who paid his welcome tribute in gold. Parasites and flatterers elbowed their
way insolently
in the midst, as though they had a right to be there, whilst honest
men, brown with
toil,
sighing wistfully for the fresh breezes of Prseneste,
kept
abashed
aloof,
though they had but come
to
and
and
Tibur or
shrinking,
ask for their due.
Nearest the hangings that concealed the bed-room, stood a dirty slave, bespattered with the tilth of
the fish-market, and exhaling an odour of garliek that cleared
even in a
for
him an ample breathing-space but the knave knew the
Eoman crowd
;
value of his intelligence, and
him favour
how
it
in the Tribune's eyes.
portant a communication than
this,
would obtain
Ko
less
that a mullet
had been taken the night before of nearly pounds weight, and that so lavish a patron Placidus, should have the
im-
first offer to
six
as
purchase at
148
EEOS.
thousand sesterces* a pound.
ix
his eyes intently fastened
He
waited with
on the curtains, and
took no notice of the jabber and confusion that
pervaded the halL Presently the crowd gave
backward on either were
for
way a
little,
ebbing
and forming a lane as it three men, who were regarded as they side,
passed, with glances of great
awe and admiration.
There was no mistaking the deep chest and broad shoulders of one of these, even apart from the loud frank voice in which Hirpinus the Gladiator was Avont to convev his
much
observations,
without
He
was accompanied, on the present occasion, by two individuals, obviously of the same profession as himself Hippias respect for persons.
—
the fencing-master, and Euchenor the boxer.
All
conversed and laughed boisterously.
It
three
was obvious,
even at that early hour, they
that,
had not broken draught of wine.
fast without a generous " Talk not to me," said Hirpi-
their
and observing with great complacency the attention he excited " Talk not to me, I have seen them all Dacians, nus, rolling his strong shoulders,
—
—
*
The
fartliinfjs,
sedercius
was
or rather more.
lihiiut 7/. ICs.
at
fliis
period about one penny three
Tlie sedercium, or tliouaaud acsterces,
A TRIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS. Gauls,
Cimbrians,
Ethiopians,
that ever put on a
they were
whom
haired German,
barbarian
every
breastplate.
fools to this lad.
149
Why,
By
Hercules,
the big yellow-
Caesar gave us for the lion
summer, would not have stood up to him an hour. He was taller, maybe, a little, but he hadn't the shape, man he hadn't last
for a quarter of
—
the shape
You'll hardly call
!
me a kid
that
hasn't put his horns out, will ye
me
so
much
have taken tell ye.
You
to
it off
for a flagon of
cheap wine,
I
\^liat think
don't call
He
? Well, he gave do with the cestus, tbat 1 wouldn't
it
so
ye of that, my little Greek ? bad for a beginner, I hope ?"
tm-ned to Euchenor as he spoke, a beau-
tifully-made
young man,
of extraordinary strength
and symmetry, with the regular chiselled features of his country, and as evil an expression as ever
lowered on a
fair face.
The Greek pondered awhile before he swered. Then he made the apposite inquiry
:
"
an-
—
Were you
to liim?
or
sober, Hu-pinus, when you stood up had you sucked down a skinful of
wine, before you took your bellyful of boxing ?" The other burst into a loud laugh. " Drunk or " You know the stuff I am made sober," said he, of,
just
as well
as
I know yom- weight
to
an
EROS.
150
Ay, and
oimce, and your reach to an inch.
your mettle too, a
six-foot
my
lad
though
!
don't take
it
bottom
rod to get to the
of
that.
Hark'ye, this Briton of mine would eat such a
man
body and bones and all, just as I would eat a thrush, and be ready for another as you,
directly, without so
much
as
mouth
his
washing
out."
A very face,
who
sinister scowl passed across
Euchenor's
did not quite rehsh this low valuation of
his prowess, and,
above
his courage
all,
but he
;
was a professional boxer, and, as such, necessarily possessed thorough command of temper, so he only glanced a
little
scornfully over the other's
frame, which was getting somewhat into
and observed,
—
" There will be
then in the arena, is
money if
he
to be
made out
falls into
flesh,
of
him
good hands, and
properly trained." Hitherto, the fencing-master had joined but care-
lessly in the conversation, and,
seemed aware of
its
purport
;
indeed, scarcely
but the concluding
sentence arrested his attention, and turning upon Hii-pinus ratlier angrily,
and with the
accustomed to command, he "
Why
did you not bring
air of
said,
— abruptly,
him
to
me
one
at once ?
A TEIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS. you have
If
let
fingei-s of yours,
it
151
liim
slip tbroiigli
will
be the worst job you have
those
gTeat
many a day. Have a care, men than you have been under
been concerned in for Hirpinus
Better
!
the net ere now, and the great games are not so far
into
needs but a Avord from
It
off.
arena to-morrow, a
the
clumsy
trident,
You know
me
fair
to send
prey
and a ftithom or two of
you a
for
twine.
that as well as I do."
Hippias spoke truth.
A
retired gladiator, cele-
brated for his deadly swordmanship and the
num-
ber of his victories, he had been long ago invested
by Kero with the wooden foil, whicli represented a free discharge and immunity from future services in the amphitheatre.
Habituated, hoAvever,
to the excitement of the fatal sport, in that spurious
of his class at
fame which
arena
;
and
so distinguished
Rome, he had
the express purpose of
had won
and rejoicing
men
up a school for training swordsmen for the set
such favour, under two
by the proficiency to which pupils, aud his talent for arranging
successive emperors,
he brought
his
the deadly pageants in which they figured, that
had gradually become an incontrovertible authority on such matters, and the principal
he
manager of the games
in the
amphitheatre.
Of
EEOS.
152
and the strange
his reputation for gallantry,
men
nation such
possessed for the
we have already spoken
;
but
Eoman
fasci-
ladies,
his smiles
if
were
com-ted amongst the fair spectators of their contests, his \Yord
He
selves.
was law with the
it
them-
gladiatoi-s
was who paired the combatants,
theh dissupplied them with weapons, adjusted and, in most cases, held the balance on
putes,
which their very
lives
depended.
A threat from
more dreaded by these
Hippias, was
ruffians,
than
the home-thrust of spear and sword.
Now, Hirpiuus, although a fearless and skilful his assailable point. On one occasion, fighter, had
when he had entered the is
to
circus as a secutor, that
a combatant armed with sword and
say,
who
helmet, against the retiarius,
bore nothing
but a trident and net, he had the misfortune to find himself involved latter,
and
mercy of
at the
lloman crowd, though uncertain in
its
the meshes
in
of the
fickle in its approval,
antipathies, spared
him
sideration of the gallant fight
Hirpiuus, never
sensations
forgot
Bold and
pletely €(ywed prizefighter
him
;
his
fierce
as
and the
he was,
and
in con-
he had made
moment.
The
his antagonist.
at it
;
but that
com-
boisterous, boastful
would turn pale at the mention of a
A TRIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS. trident
and a
in the
manner
net.
in
153
was something ludicrous wliich he now quailed before
Tliere
Hippias, eyeing him with the same sort of imploring glance that a dog casts at his master, and
obviously persuaded of the speedy fulfilment of his threat.
"Patience, patron!" he growled, apologetically. "I
know where the
my
lad
is to
be found.
hand on him at any time.
with
me
I
can bring him
I talked
Why
to the School.
can lay
I
myself
well-nigh hoarse, and stayed out the drinkiog of two flagons of sour Sabine to boot, while I
canvassed him to become one of
us,
and
join the
family forthwith. I
Why, you don't think, patron, would be so thick-witted as to let liim go with-
out finding out where he lives freedman, or a slave of
"Hush, fool?"
He
is
either a
Hippias,
angi'ily,
?
"
interrupted
observing that Damasippus and Oarses were hover-
and listening intently for a piece of intelligence which he had resolved should be ing
near,
conveyed
bv
himself,
Tribune's ear. it
in
by the any
crier.
" There
and none is
other,
to
the
no occasion to publish
Hadst thou but
brains,
sort of proportion to those great
of thine, I could tell thee why,
^\'ith
man,
muscles
some hope
154:
EEOS.
of being; understood.
Enong-li
the lad
and, above
;
thy teeth
all,
!
lose
not
sitrlit
of
keep thy tongue within
!"
The big
nodded a sulky affirmative, and the two freedmen, puzzled, but obedient with many courteous bows and gestures, accosted gladiator
;
the champions with
ence
which
to
all
such
the humility and deferpublic
were
characters
entitled.
say there will be two hundred pairs
"They
of swordsmen, matched at the
same moment,"
observed Damasippus, in allusion to the coming
games
"
;
circus,
my
and not a plate of steel allowed in the save sword and helmet. But of course,
Hippias, ^ou
"And
know new
best
if this is true."
from Libya, loose at " with a scene representing once," added Oarses, three
lions
shepherds surprised over their watch-fires
;
real
rocks, I have been told, and a stream of running water in the amphitheatre, with a thicket of live
shrubs,
Your is
from which the beasts are to emerge. illustrious Hippias, the
taste,
perfect.
It has obviously
people say,
been consulted here."
Hippias smiled mysteriously, and a
little
scorn-
fully.
" There
is
a lion from Libya," said he
;
" I can
A TKIBUXE OF THE LEGIOXS. tell
you thus mucli.
I,
myself,
155
saw him fed only
yesterday, at sunset."
"
Is
he large
?
is
he strong
?
he
is
fierce ?"
"
questioned the two, almost in a breath. did he
come
?
he quite fidl-grown
is
keep him without
will
?
Will they be con-
demned
criminals, or only paid gladiators ?
that
matters much,
it
We
good one.
had a
they
Of course the shep-
flesh?
be armed
lierds are not to
?
When
the lion
if
tiger,
JSTot
is
a pretty
you know,
last year,
that killed five Ethiopian slaves, though they all set
on him at once."
"
But they were unarmed," interrupted Euchenor, whose cheek had turjied a shade paler during
"Give me the proper weapons,
the discussion.
and I fear no beast that walks the "
of course
Unarmed, "and so was the ture was Oarses,
tiger.
!"
repeated Damasippus,
A
more
Do you
never seen.
how he waved
earth."
liis
beautiful crea-
not remember,
long tad and stroked
his face with his paws, like a kitten before
begins to play spring, the I
?
first
was in the
And
then,
when he made
it
his
black was rolled up like a ball?
fifth
row,
my
friends, yet I
heard
his bones crack, distinctly, even there."
"He
was a great
loss
that tiger,"
observed
156
EEOS.
" more sadly than usual they should a tusked him never have pitted elephant. against The moment I saw the ivory, I knew how the Oarses,
;
must
fight
end,
and
I
smaller animal directly.
wagered against the I would have lost my
sesterces, I think, willingly, for it to
have won
;
but the beautiful beast never had a chance." " It was the weight that did weight,"
it,
"
observed Hirpinus.
patrons
Man
off
Gladiator's
—
by the movement of the crimson hangings,
and the appearance his
beast, "
must always dissertation was broken
I will explain to you that weight
But here the
or
—the
levee
Placidus
of
emerging on
bright and handsome,
of expectants,
ready dressed for the day.
The Tribune owned one advantage at least, which is of no small service to a man who embarks on
a
career
watchfulness wliich
is
;
demanding constant energy and he possessed that good digestion
proverbially
elastic conscience
held
accompany an
to
and a hard
heart.
Though
supper the previous evening had been a luxurious and protracted meal, though the wine-
—
cup had passed round very with singing brains their
own
characters
often,
and the guests
had shown themselves to
their
in
cool-headed and
A TEIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS. desiorniDg host,
—the
hitter, refreshed"
now appeared with the glow
rest,
his cheek,
and
bv a nioht's
of health on
As he looked
its lustre in his eye.
about him on the
157
throng of clients
and
de-
pendants, his snow-white
gowa fastened and looped with his mantle adorned with a broad up gold, violet
and beard carefully per-
hair
his
hem,
fumed and arranged; a murmur
of applause
went round the chcle which, perhaps, for once was really sincere, and even the rough gladiators could fig-ure
and "
not withhold
their
approbation
from a
that was at once so richly attired, so manly,
so refined.
Hail,
my
friends
in the entrance,
!"
said the Tribune, pausing
and looking graciously around
him on the crowd. "
Hail,
voices,
in
2^''^'^i'0ii
every
•"
answered
key
from
a
multitude
the
of
subdued and
polished treble of Oarses, to the deep hoarse bass of the gladiators.
Piacidus
moved from one
to the
other,
with
an easy, though dignified cordiality of manner which he well knew how to assume when disposed to cultivate the favour of his inferiors.
Clear-
headed and discerning, in a wonderfully short space of time he had despatclied the various
158
EKOS.
matters wliich
morning
the
constituted
He had
levee.
business
of his
admired the model,
declined the painting, ordered the statue, bought
the jewels, answered the
fair suppliant's
and secured the mullet by sending for
at
it
The honest
once.
message,
market
to the
countr}Tnen,
too,
he dismissed sufSciently well-pleased, considering they had received nothing more substantial than smiles as
;
and he now turned leisurely to Hippias, had no duty so engrossing as the pur-
if life
and asked him eagerly after the gladiators, and the prospects of
suit of pleasure,
training of his
the amiDhitheatre.
Hippias knew
liis
own
value
with the patrician as an equal
;
he conversed
:
but Hhpinus and
Euchenor, appreciating the worth of a rich patron, gazed on Placidus with intense respect and admiration.
The
bune with
latter,
especially,
his bright
plant a blow on the
watched the Tri-
cunning eye, as
first
"But your swordsmen
if
prepared to
unguarded place. are all too well known," "
Here
urged the patrician on the fencing-master. is
old Hirpinus covers his whole
feet of steel as if
it
were a complete
and never takes his point heart the wliUe.
The
off
body with two suit of
his
armour,
adversary's
others are nearly as
wary
;
A TKIBL^XE OF THE LEGIONS. if
to
159
they encounter ordinary fencers they are sure
conquer
other and
we match them
if
;
the
they must
Avould
people
fight
bhndfolded,* and
matter of mere chance.
man
a new
one
;
see
blood drawn,
becomes a
it
can train without
What
the only chance for a
'Tis
Hijipias?
is
and bring out as an unknown
competitor to try for the Emperor's prize. say you,
each
Xo, what we want
whom we
his being discovered,
against
winning game now." " I have heard
of such a one," answered Hin" I think I can lay my hand on an untried
pias.
blade, that a few weeks' training will polish into the keenest
up weapon we have sharpened yet ;
What
at least, so Hirpinus informs me.
old Trojan?
thou,
the patron
Tell
earnest to light on thy
match
say'st
how thou
at last."
Thus adjured, the veteran gladiator related at considerable length, interrupted
clamations
of
wonder
chance
from
Oarses,
forum,
and
skill at
the gymnasium.
Hirpinus *
subsequent
seen,
when he
trial
inhuman
of
and
strength and
Somewhat
verbose, as
could secure an audience,
waxed eloquent
TLi.-i
Damasippus
meeting with Esca in the
his
we have
ex-
by many
on
so
congenial
practice was actually in vogue.
a
EROS.
160
theme
"As
and stature of his new
as the beauty
said he, strong as an ox, patron,"
lithe as
Hand, and
a panther!
foot,
and
all keeping time together like a dancing The spring of a wild-cat, and the light
of a deer.
Then he would look
arena, with his fair
young
friend.
"and
as
eye,
girl's."
footfall
so well in the
face, set
on
his tower-
Peleus. Indeed, ing neck, like that of the son of if he should be vanquished, the women would
save
him every
Why, one
time.
and the noblest ladies in the crowded street
of the fairest
Eome, stopped her litter while we walked together,
in
and bade him come and speak to her from sheer In faith, he was as tall, and twice as good-will.
handsome on
as the very Liburniaus
who
carried her
their shoulders."
The
Tribune was
athlete's eloquence
took his eyes off evil
laughing heartily
at
the
but Damasippus, who never his patron's face, thought the ;
lauah was more malicious than usual at the
mention of the Liburniaus, and there was a
false
ring in the mirthful tones with which he asked
more information
for
and the dame on to
as
whom
to his
this
yomig Apollo,
appearance seemed
have made such an impression. "
I
know most
of the great ladies pretty well
A TRIBUNE OF THE LEGIONS.
161
by siglit," answered the honest swordsman. "Faith, a man does not easily forget the faces he sees turned on him in the arena, when he has his his
point at
him
But of
and they bid
it
all
one looks down so calm and beautiful
there's not
on a
thi'oat,
adversary's
merrily home, and never spare. the faces I see under the awning,
drive
death-struf>:2:le as
that of the noble Valeria."
"Like the moon on the
torrent of Anio," ob-
served Damasijjpus. "
Like
thei stars
on the stormy Egean," echoed
Oai'ses.
" Like
who esteemed
pinus,
vertible
on
all
and the
herself,"
liis
continued Hir-
own judgment
incontro-
matters relating to physical beauty
male
whether face
notliing but
"
or female. finest
form
in
The
handsomest
Eome.
It
was
not likely I could be mistaken, though I only
caught a glimpse of her neck and arm for a
moment, litter,
as
like
she drew back the cm-tains of her "
And
here
Hirpinus
paused
for a simile, concluding with infinite relish,
" like
a blade half drawn, and retm-ned with a clash into the sheath."
Again,
Damasippus thought he
quiver on his patron's
VOL.
I.
face.
perceived a
Again there was
M
162
EROS.
sometliing jarring in said to
"
We
See to
tlie
— Hippias must not
let this
Hippias.
it,
Who
Tribune's voice, as he
new
Achilles escape us
knows
?
He may make
a worthy successor, even for thee, thou slaughter,
by
step,
when he has worked
and victory by
branch of the
!
his
artist
way up
in
step
victory, to the topmost
tree."
Hippias laughed good-humom*edly, turning at the same time his pointing with
it
with wliich the
right
thumb outward, and
to the roof.
Roman crowd
It
was the gesture
in the amphitheatre
refused quarter to the combatant
who was down.
CHAPTEE
XI.
STOLEN WATERS.
THE broken column ings
of one of the build-
destroyed in the gi'eat
Rome,
and
not yet
lire
of
was
restored,
glowing crimson in the setting sun.
Beneath
its
was gliding gently
base, the Tiber
on towards the even in the
sea.
streets
hum
There was a subdued of
the imperial city that
denoted how the burden' and heat of the day were now past and the languor of the hour seemed ;
to pervade even those
on in
Uu
who
Avere
in the struggle for bread,
compelled to
and who could only
imagination abandon themselves
a
fragment of the
toil
ruin
sat
to
repose.
Esca,
gazing
To all intently on the water as it stole by. appearance his listless and dreamy mood was unconscious of surrounding objects, yet his
atti-
164
EROS.
tude was that of one prepared to start into action at a
moment's notice
and though his arms were
;
folded and his head bent down, his ear was watch-
ing eagerly to catch the faintest sound. It
a patience-wearing process, that same
is
waiting for
a.
woman
able circumstances ta,tion,
man
invariably too
is
knowingly and as
it
Taking time thus
first
soon,
and
by the forelock, delays
moment
watcher that
the
In the
this
his
considerably, and indeed reduces his pace
appointed
when
irri-
were with malice prepense.
to the slowest jjossible crawl
period,
much
productive of
is
disappointment, and disgust.
place a
flight
and under the most favour-
;
it
does
in reality
so that
arrive,
it
has been past
and that his
minutes
;
it
vigil should
is
steal
a
seems to the considerable
be already over,
only just begun.
on,
when the
come the
Then, as
different
mis-
givings and suspicions which only arise on such occasions,
and which
in his right senses the self-
torturer would be incapable of harbouring.
cumstances which,
when
the
appointment was
made, seemed expressly adapted to further designs,
Cir-
now change to insurmountable
his
difficulties,
or take their place as links in a chain of deception
which he persuades himself
lias
been forged
-with
STOLEN WATERS. unlieard-of
He
fiture.
fifty
for
duplicity, expressly
discom-
liis
thinks badlv of everv one, worst of all
of her, whose unpardonable fault
some
165
seconds
late.
is
that she
Then comes a
now
is
revulsion
of feeling, and his heart leaps to his mouth, for
yonder, emerging on
the long perspective,
is
The
female figure obviously advancing this way.
expected object the firm
fi*ee
shm, pliant, and walks with
is tall,
The
step of a deer on the heather.
advancing
shape
waddles in
its
is
gait
;
a
short,
fat,
nevertheless,
awkward, and it
is
not
till
it
has reached within arm's length that he will allow himself to be con^onccd of ]us disappointment. If
its
may
ears are pretty quick, the unoffending figure
well be shocked at the deep and startling-
execration which
its
of despondency, humilia-
begins another phase tion,
and
Then
presence calls forth.
which
bitter self-contempt, tlirougli all
pleasant changes of feeling the old feverish long-
At
ing remains as strong as ever.
last she
comes
round the corner in good earnest, with the wellknown smile in her eyes, the well-known greeting on her
lips,
and he forgets
had never been,
liis
in
an
instant, as if
anxiety, his anger,
they
his re-
proaches, all but the presence that brings light to his life
and gladness to
his heart
once more.
166
EKOS.
Esca rose impatiently at intervals, walked a few paces to and fro, sat down again, and threw small fragments of the rnin into the water.
Presently a figure draped in black and closely
moved down
veiled
the Briton
sat,
the stream.
to the river's side near
and began
filling
a pitcher from
could hardly have
It
where
passed the
column without seeing him, yet did it seem unand who could tell how
conscious of his presence tlie
;
heart might be beating within the bosom, or
the cheek blushing behind the veil ?"
That
veil
was
lifted,
however,
Avith
an exclama-
Esca stooped over her to take the pitcher from her hand, and Mariamne's cheek turned paler now than it had been even on tion of surprise, M'hen
when he rescued her from
the memorable niglit
the grasp of Spado and his fellow-bacchanals.
He
too
murmured some vague words
tonishment at finding her here.
of as-
If they were
honest, for wliom could he have been waiting so
impatiently
?
and
it is
might have been a
been allowed to
fill
possible besides,
little
Mariamne
disappointed had she
her pitcher from the Tiber for
herself.
The Jewess had been thinking about him a good deal more than she intended, a good deal
STOLEN WATERS.
more than she knew
for the last
167 two days.
It
is
strange liow very insensibly such thoughts gain
and strength without care
growth
or
culture.
There are plants we prune and water every day which never reach more than a sickly and stunted vitality after all,
and there are others that we
trample down, cut over, tear up by the very roots,
which nevertheless attain such vigour and luxuriance
that
tendrils,
our
walls
are
covered
by
their
and our dwellings pervaded by their
fragrance.
Mariamne was no bigoted daughter for
whom
heathen.
of
Judah
the stranger was an outcast because a
Her
constant intercourse with Calchas
had taught her nobler truths than she had derived from the traditions of her fathers. And with all her pride of race and national predilections, she
had imbibed those principles of charity and toleration which formed the ground-work of a new religion destined to fehed
its
light
upon
all
the
nations of the earth.
was not precisely as a brother though, that Mariamne had yet brought herself to regard the It
handsome British
slave.
They were soon conversing happily together. The embarrassment of meeting had disappeared
168
EROS.
Avith the first affectation of surprise.
long before he told her of watching
how
tired
It
was not
he had been
by the broken column at the river-
side.
"
How
could you
asked the
girl
know
I should
come here ?"
with a look of infinite simplicity
and candour, though she must have remembered all the time, that she had not scrupled to hint at the daily practice in course of conversation with Calchas, on the
night
when Esca brought her
safely home. *'
I
hoped
it,"
he replied with a smile. " I have
been a hunter, you know, and have learned that the shyest and wildest of animals seek the waterside at sunset.
I
was here yesterday, and waited
two long hours in vain." She glanced quickly at him, but withdi'ew her eyes immediately, while the blood
mounted
to her
pale face.
" Did you expect to see me ?" she asked in a " and I never left the house the trembling voice ;
whole of yesterday Oh, how T wish I had known it !" then she stopped in painful embarrassment, !
as having said too
He
much.
appeared not to notice her confusion.
seemed
to
He
have some confession to make on his
STOLEN WATERS.
169
own part.
Something he hardly dared
yet which
Ms
to tell her,
honest nature could not consent
should be withheld.
At
he said
last
with an
it
effort.
"
You know what
my
own,
very
I
am
limbs
"I
know
to
belong
matters not that the master considerate.
Mariamue, I
time
My
!
am
is
not
is
another.
my It
kind, good, and
a slave
!"
she answered, very gently, ^vith a
it,"
loving pity beaming in her dark eyes.
kinsman Calchas told
me
as
much
"My
you went
after
away."
He
drew a long breath
as if relieved.
"
And
yet you wished to see me again ?" he asked, while a gleam of happiness brightened his face.
"Why
not?"
she rejDlied with a kind smile.
"
Though that hand is a slave's it struck my enemy down with the force of a himdred warriors thouoh :
arm
that
is
a
slave's, it
bore
me home Ah
care and tenderness of a woman.
not of slavery heart
is
when the limbs
brave and pure.
chained with iron the
spii'it
is
free?
fetters,
!
with the tell
me
are strong, and the
Though the body be what matter
so long as
Esca, you do not believe I
think the worse of vou because vou are a heathen
and a
slave ?"
170
EKOS.
Her his
voice was very soft
No
name.
and low
wliile slie
spoke
voice
had ever sounded so sweetly
A
new, strange sense of happi-
in his ears before.
ness seemed to pervade his whole being, yet he
had never
felt his situation so
galling and unen-
durable as now. "I would not have
you think the
Avorse of
me," he answered, eagerly, upon any account. Listen, Mariamne I was taken captive in war and "
:
We
brought here with a hundred others to Rome.
were
set
up
cattle also
those
we were purchased one by one by
who esteemed themselves
of such
Like
like cattle in the slave-market.
human
wares.
practised judges
I was bought by Caius
Lucius Licinius at the price of a yoke of oxen, or
Bought and sold
a couple of chariot-horses. a beast of the
master
He
field,
and driven home
to
like
my new
!"
spoke with a scorn
all
the more bitter from
having been repressed so long.
Yet he kept back
and smothered the indignation rising within him. This was the first ear that had ever been open to and the temptation was strong to pour them freely forth to so interested and partial a
his wrongs,
listener.
To do him
indulgence.
justice
He had
he refrained from the
been taught from childhood
STOLEX WATERS. that
the
it
171
was weak and womanish to complain
man had
Her
and
gentle voice again interposed in soothing
and consoling accents. " But he is kind," she siderate
;
not forgotten the lessons of the boy.
—you
him
bear to think
would make
me
told
me
said,
" kind and conI could not
so yourself.
otherwise.
Indeed, Esca,
very unhappy to
know
it
that
"
you
Here she broke
off suddenly,
and snatched up
the pitcher he had been filling for her with such haste as to
spill
and her own. Farewell
!"
half
its
" There
contents over his dress is
some one watching us
!
she whispered in a breathless, fright-
ened voice, and hurried away, turning her head once, however, to cast a glance over her shoulder,
and then hastened home Esca looked
faster
than before.
after her while she continued in
sight, either unconscious of their vicinity, or at all
events not noticing a pair of bold black that were fixed
upon him with an
arch and ludicrous surprise.
He
eyes
expression of
turned angrily,
however, upon the intruder, when the black eyes had gazed their fill, and their owner burst out into a loud, merrv, and mocking laugh.
CHAPTER
XII.
" MYREHINA.
YitlvHINA'S
was
voice
pitched in a high, key
were very distinct and
at :
times
all
her accents shrill,
admi-
rably ada]3ted for the expression of derision or the conveyance of sarcastic remarks. " So I she run into a corner at
have
said
;
last,"
you
" and a pretty hunt you have given
me
!
draw water, of course, that you come down to the Tiber-side just at suuset and you met her 'Tis to
;
in quite by accident I dare say, that slip of a girl
her wisp of black clothes, who like a ghost going
back again
like a calf
you gape on him for
sacrifice,
flitted
away just now
to Proserpine.
Ah
!
when they put the garland and the poor thing munches
the very flower-buds that deck him for destruction.
Well,
you
at
least
are
reserved
for
a
" MYEKHINA."
173
nobler altar, and a worthier fate than to give
gasp to a sorceress
last
your
Jupiter
how you
!
thoroughly surprised
She put her face him, that the caress.
make
suburbs.
and how handsome you
great, strong barbarian,
you
look,
stare,
the
in
when you are
!"
so close
gesture
up
to his, to
almost
laugh at
amounted
to
a
MjTrhina had no slight inclination to to the stalwart Briton on her own
love
account, pending the conclusion of certain negotiations
she
mistress's.
felt
bound
These
to
carry
out
on
her
Avere the result of a conver-
sation held that morning while the maid was as
usual combing out her lady's long and beautiful hair.
Valeria's sleep
had been broken and
restless.
She tossed and tm^ned upon her pillow, and put back the hair from her fevered cheeks and throbbing temples in vain.
It
was weary work
wide open at the flickering shadows cast by the night-lamp on the opposite
to lie gazing with eyes
wall.
It
was
still
less
productive of sleep to
them
tight and abandon herself to the vision thus created, which stood out in life-like colours
shut
and refused to be to
dispelled.
Do what
she would
forget him, and conjure up some other
object,
174 tliere
EKOS.
was
tlie
like a
young barbarian, towering
demigod over the mean
efifeminate throng
there
;
were the waving linen garments, and the reelingsymbols, and the tossing hands, and the scowling faces of the priests of Isis
clad girl
;
there was the dark-
with her graceful
pliant
there, yes, always there, in his
was the
to strike.
and
;
maddening beauty,
brave figure, gathering
tall
form
itself in act
She could not analyse her
feelings,
Valeria had not
she believed herself bewitched,
reached the prime of her womanhood, without
havmg
sounded, as she thought, eveiy chord of
feeling, tasted of every
cup that promised
She had been
fication or excitement.
grati-
flattered
by brave, courted by handsome, and admired by
Some
clever men.
slie
fancied,
some she
liked,
some she laughed at, and some she told herself But this was a new sensation altoshe loved. gether.
This intense and passionate longing she
had never
But
before.
felt
for
its
would have been absolutely painfid. girl
might have been frightened
was no timid contrary, who,
petuosity of her
it
;
A
it
timid
but Valeria
She was a woman, on the
girl.
with
at
novelty
all
sex,
the
eagerness and
im-
possessed the tenacity of
purpose and the resolution of a man.
"MYKRHINA."
175
Obviously, as she could not conquer the senti-
ment, " I
it
was her nature to indulge
have
a
turning at the
it,
message to Licinius," said she, same time from the mu-ror, and
her long brown hair to fall over her "A face like a veil. message that I do not care suffering
to write, lest
it
should be seen by other eyes.
Tell me, Myrrhina,
my
how can
I best
convey
it
to
kinsman?"
The waiting-maid was
far too astute to suggest
the obvious arrangement of a private interview,
than which nothmg could have been to offer her o-wn services, as
already proved
weU
many a Myrrhina knew her
to hesitate in j)lajdng into the
So she assumed a look of
hands of her mistress. perplexity
an emissary who had
herself trustw^orthy in
well-conducted intrigue; for business too
easier, or
and deep
reflection while,
finger on
forehead, as the result of profound thought, she
made " It
the following reply
would be
safest.
trust the matter to
Valeria's heart
some
:
—
Madam, would
it
not, to
confidential slave ?"
was beatiug
fast,
and the
fair
cheek was pale again now, while she answered, with studied carelessness, " Perhaps it would, if I could think of one.
176
EKOS.
You know
Can
his household, Myrrhina.
any of them ?" " Those barbarians are generally
I safely
confide in
faithful," ob-
served the maid, ^Yith tlie most unconscious air. " I know Liciuius has a British slave in Avhom
he places considerable yourself, "
Have
into
You have
trust.
seen
I ?" answered Valeria,
moving
restlessly
" Should
a more comfoi'table attitude.
know him again ? What is he hke ?" The blood had once more mounted forehead, beneath the long
was
him
Madam."
I
her
to
Mp'rhina, who
hair.
saw the crimson mantling even She was a slave, and a waiting-
beliind her,
on her neck.
maid, but she was also a woman, and she could
not
resist the
liciously
—
"He statm-e,
is
temptation
so she
answered ma-
a big awkward-looking youth, of lofty
Madam,
and
with
Stupid doubtless, and as is
;
hair.
curly
light
trusty, probably, as
he
thick-witted." It is not safe to jest with a tigress unless
are outside the bars of her cage.
a quick
impatient movement
speaker she had gone too
far.
Valeria
made
that warned
The
not wanting in reacUness of resource.
you
latter
the
was
" I could
"MYEEHIXA.
him
bring
177
madam," she added, demureh',
here,
"within
six hours."
Her
lady smiled
"
evening, Myrrhina," she said.
"I
be ready before.
am tked
By
the way, I
me
let
said
them
see
—I
This
again.
of those
don't
you
evening
had better leave
I
suppose
shall scarcely
Take them away, and
plain gold bracelets.
This
enough.
pleasantly
it
entirely
to you."
Both maid and mistress knew what well.
It implied full
muneration on one
successful
side,
and judicious blindness on the herself
disposed
for
meant
this
powers and handsome re-
a
long
manceuvring
other.
day's
Valeria
dreaming
:
stretched indeed in bodily repose, but agitating
her
mind with
anticij3ation,
the harassins; alternations of
all
and hope, and doubt, and fear
—not
without a considerable leavening of triumph, and a shght herself
energetically to
had undertaken sess
its
at the
shame
of
tinge
;
while
Myrrhina
set
work on the task she
which, indeed, ajjpeared to pos-
difficulties,
first
:
when
she
had ascertained
place she sought, namely the house
of Licinius, that Esca was abroad, and no one
knew
A
in
what direction he was
woman's
VOL.
I.
wit,
likely to be found.
however, usually derives fresh
N
178
EKOS.
from
stimulus
without a
Myrrhiua
opposition. circle
large
of
acquaintances
owned a staunch
amongst others
was
friend,
;
not
and
and oc-
casional admirer, in the person of Hirpinus the gladiator.
That worthy took a
sufficient interest
in the athletic Briton to observe his
movements, and was aware that Esca had spent some two or three hours by the Tiber-side on the previous evening
;
a fact which he imparted to Myrrhina,
on cross-examination by the professing at the
account for
latter, readily
same time
his
own
enough,
inability to
inasmuch as there was neither
it,
wine-shop nor quoit-ground in the vicinity. so his intriguing
little
questioner.
"A man
Not does
not wait two or tliree hours in one spot," thouglit
Myrrhiua,
"
the woman,
for if
anything but a woman.
she comes at
behind her time.
The
all,
is
Also,
never so far
probability then
is,
that
she disappointed him, and the conclusion that he will
be there again about sunset the following day."
Thus arguing, she resolved to attend at the trysting-place, and make' a third in the interview, whether welcome or not
;
killing the intervening
time, which miglit otherwise have hung heavily on her hands, by a sei'ies of experiments on the susceptibility of Hirpinus
— an
amusing pastime.
"MYKEHINA." but wanting in excitement from for the life
gladiator liad
179 its
harmlessness
;
arrived at that period of
when outward charms,
esteemed
at least, are
and a woman must possess something more than a merry eye and a saucy lip if she would hope to rival the attraction of at their real value,
an easy couch and a flagon of old wine. she
theless,
laughed,
keeping her hand
in,
and as
worthier occasions,
against
depart on her errand,
and
jested, it
it
ogled,
for
practice
Avas
time to
were,
till
Never-
when she made
her escape
from her sluggish admirer, with an excuse as false,
and as
plausible, as the smile
on her
Hu'pinus looked after her as she
lip.
flitted
away, and strode head, heavily off to the wine-shop, with an arch expression of amusement on his brave, good-humoured, and laughed, shook
liis
somewhat stupid
face.
Mp-rhina, drawing a veil about her head and shoulders so as effectually to conceal her features,
proceeded to thread her way through the labyrinth
of
river
side,
When
impoverished as
if
streets
familiar with
that led their
to
the
intricacies.
she reached her destination at
last,
she
easily hid herself in a convenient lurking-place,
from which she took care not to emerge
till
she
180
EKOS.
had learned
all
know about Esca
she wished to
and his companion. " What do you want with Briton, a little disturbed
by
me ? "
this
asked the
saucy apparition,
and not much pleased with the waiting-maid's familiar and malicious air. " I girl,
am
unwelcome, doubtless," answered the
with another peal of laughter
me
you must come with
We Roman we
;
" nevertheless
whether you
will or no.
maidens take no denial, young
are not like your
tall,
pale, frozen
man
women
;
of
the North."
Subscribing readily to this opinion, Esca
felt
indignant at the same time to be so completely " I have no said
taken possession of " to attend it is
he,
leisure,"
I
fancies.
upon your
must homeward
;
already nearly supper-time."
"And you
are
a
slave,
I
know,"
retorted
Myrrhina with a gesture of supreme and pro"
voking contempt. strength,
hour of *•'
I
and
tliis
know
stature,
fine cool
A
slave !
it.
master's platter, and
call
an
evening your own."
it," said he,
"I know
with your
and courage, cannot
bowmg
ceal the flusli of indignation that
brow.
You,
A fill
slave
his
his
head to con-
had
risen to his
must clean
cup to drink."
his
" MYREHINA."
She could see that her but with
all
thi-ust
181
had pierced home
;
her predilections for his handsome
person, she cared not
how
she wounded the manly
heart within. "
" being a slave," she resumed, you
And
be loaded and goaded like a mule kicked and beaten like a dog resent
does
it
barbarian lips,
treatment
his
dumb animal
harsher
is
he
than
Y^ou are a man, you know, though a
deserves!
yom-
You cannot even
!
with hoofs and fangs as the
when
may
You may be
!
!
You must
cringe,
and whine, and
bite
and be patient !"
Every syllable fi-om that sharp tongue seemed to sting him hke a wasp his whole fi-ame quivered :
with anger at her taunts
but he scorned to show
;
and putting a strong constraint upon his ings, he only asked quietly
feel-
it,
—
" AYhatwoidd
you with
me ?
It
was not to
tell
you watched and tracked me here." Myrrhina thought she had now brought the
me
this that
metal to a sufficiently high temperature for
She proceeded
to
mould
"I tracked you wanted you.
I
it
here,"
fusion.
accordingly.
she said, "because
wanted you, because
it is
in
I
my
power to render you a great service. Listen, Esca ; must come with me. It is not ever}^ you
EROS.
182
man
in
Eome would
much
require so
persuasion
to follow the steps of a pretty girl."
She looked very arch and tempting while she the spoke, but her attractions were sadly wasted on
preoccupied Briton
;
and
if
she expected to win
from him any overt act of admiration or encouragement, she was wofuUy disappointed.
"I cannot
follow yours," said he
in another direction.
me "
that I
am
That
is
not
You have
my own
;
"my way
lies
yourself reminded
master."
the very reason,"
she
exclaimed,
hands exultingly. "I can show you No one else can help you way but Myrrhina and if you attend to her directions you can obtain your liberty without delay." clajDping her
the
to freedom. ;
"
me
And why
should you be disposed to confer on
such a benefit?" he asked, with instinctive
caution, for the impulsive nature that
hastily to conclusions, trap,
is
''
Perhaps
have
I
me
cold as the icy
am a What
common ?" fallen
myself," she laughed out able to serve
"I
stranger, almost an enemy.
have you and I in
so
and walks open-eyed into a
rarely born north of the Alps.
barbarian, a
jumps
" ;
in return.
cKmate
in
love
with
you
may
be
Come, you are
as
perhaps you
in which
you were bred.
a
You
shall take
TirfTDT^TTTXT
MTRKHINA. .
"
183
your choice of the two reasons;
only waste no more time, but gird yourself, and
foUow me."
Though
it
had never been dormant, the
desii'e
for liberty had, witliin the last
two days, acqmred a painful mtensity in Esca's breast. He had not indeed yet confessed to himself \hat he cherished
an ardent attachment for Mariarane; but he was conscious that lier society possessed indefinable
attraction,
and
that
for
him an
\^-ithout
her
neither liberty nor an^-thing else would be worth
This
having.
new
more galling than
made
sensation
had ever been
it
could not ignore the fact, that
one whose existence was not that existence to another; of slavery,
his
which his
lord's
it
his
position
before.
was absurd
He for
own, to devote
and the deoi-adation kindness had veiled
from him as much as possible while in his household,
He
now appeared
felt that
no
in all
would be too desperate, no make for liberty and that he ;
would readily risk hfe only for "
itself,
and
lose
it,
to be free,
a week.
You have
seen
my
hina, as they hun-ied " streets ;
naked deformity.
effort
sacrifice too costly, to
if
its
mistress,"
resumed Myrr-
on through the now darkening
the fairest lady and the most powerful
EROS.
184 in
Eome
;
a near kinswoman, too, of your master.
It needs but a
word from her
But she
she pleases.
is
of you what
you must know,
wilful,
to be contradicted.
and imperious, and cannot bear
Few women
make
to
can."
Esca had yet to learn this peculiarity of the sex but he heard Myrrhina mention her mistress ;
with vague misgivings, and forebodings of evd far different
from the unmixed feelings of interest
such a communication would have called forth a while ago. " Did she send for
me
expressly ?"
with some anxiety of tone.
know
Avhere to find
me
"
he asked,
And how
in such a
town as
did you tliis
?"
"I know a great many laughing damsel
things," rephed the " but I do not choose every one
;
to be as wise as myself.
I will answer both your
you will answer one of mine in return. Valeria did not mention you by name, and yet questions though,
I tliinli there
is
if
no other man in Eome would serve
her turn but yourself; and I find
you by
knew
Tiber-side, because
that I should
you cannot keep a
goose from the water, nor a fool from his
Will you answer
my
question
you love the dark, pale hastily
when
I discovered
fate-
as frankly?
girl that
fled
you together
?"
away
Do so
"MYKEHINA."
185
was exactly what he had been asking himself tthole evenmg, with no very conclusive result
Tliis ilic it
;
was not
likely, therefore, that J\Iyrrhina should
The Briton coloured a
eKcit a satisfactory reply.
hesitated, and gave an evasive answer. " Like tends to " What is there like," said he.
little,
/
in
common between two
strangers,
from the two
farthest extremities of the empire ?"
Myrrhina clapped her hands in triumph.
" Like
tends to like, say you ?" she exclaimed, exultingly. " You will tell another tale ere an hour be past.'
Hush
!
be silent now, and step
close behind
7ne.
It is
softly
;
but follow
very dark in here, under
the trees."
Thus cautioning him, she led Esca through a narrow door out of the by-street, mto which they
had diverged, and stepped briskly
on, with a con-
fidence born of local knowledge that he imitated
with
difficulty.
They were now
in
a thickly
planted shrubbery which effectually excluded the rays of a rising moon, and in which possible to distinguish
it
was scarce
even Mp-rhina's white dress.
Presently they emerged upon a smooth and level lawn, shut in by a black group of cedars, through the lower branches of which peeped the crescent
moon
that
had not
lono-
left
the horizon, and
186
EKOS.
turniuo- tlie corner of a colonnade,
looking
traversed
another
eliostlv-
door,
wliich
and admitted
softly to Myrrliina's toucli,
opened
them
statue,
under a
into a long carjieted passage, with a
lamp
at the farther end.
"
Stay here
the damsel
wliile I fetch
a light," wliispered
;
and gliding away
for that pui'pose,
retm*ned presently to conduct Esca through a large dark hall into another passage,
where she
stopped abruptly, and lifting some silken hangings, that served for the door of an apartment, simply observed,
"You
and pushed Floods of at
first
;
will
find food
and wine there,"
liim in. soft
and mellow
light dazzled his eyes
but he soon realized the luxmious beautv
of the retreat into which he had been forced.
was obvious that been applied to
all its
the resources of wealth had
decoration with a lavish hand,
guided by a woman's
The
taste.
Here the three
jealous goddesses flashed
Paris, in all the lustre of their
A
immortal charms.
pale,
and a woman's
and represented the most alluring
upon bewildered
brow;
sensibility
walls were painted in frescoes of the
richest colouring, scenes.
It
living
envy
sat
on Juno's
a living scorn w^as stamped on Minerva's
proud face
;
and the living smile that won"
"
her the golden
ajiple,
MYKEHINA."
187
shone in Aphrodite's winning
There glowed imperial Chce in her magic and the very victims of her spell splendom* eyes.
;
seemed yet thirsty
to crave, with fiery glances
one more
for
lips,
tempting, luscious,
Endymion fair
ui
A
and degrading cup.
lay stretched
frightened Leda
draught
and with from the shapely
A
di-eams of love.
in
shi'ank while she caressed.
Here
Adonis bled to death, ripped by the monster the
leaved
forest
there,
glade;
where the broad-
lay sleeping on the shady pool, bent
lilies
fond Narcissus, to look and long his
Bacchus rolled
bronze
;
a
and
little
Around the
satyrs, in
away
;
an
amongst the gTapes, m Cupid mourned his broken bow,
infant
in marble.
life
cornices a circle of
bas-relief,
nymphs
danced hand-in-hand
—
wild woodland creatm-es, exulting in all the luxuriance of beauty, all the redundancy of strength ;
and, yonder, just where the light
on her
attractions,
lamp
stood
casts its softest
the likeness
of
Valeria herself, depicted by the cunning painter in
a loose, flowuig robe that enhanced without con-
ceahng the stately proportions of her figure, and in an attitude essentially her own, an attitude
—
expressive of
dormant
passion, lulled
guid insolence of power, and tinged
by the lan^^'ith
an im-
188
EEOS.
she had found to be the
perious coquetry that
most aUuring of her charms. was bad enough to
It
room,
gazmg on such an image of one who,
as Valeria's
—an image
women, was calculated
all
beyond
madden a heated
scarcely
drinking the
light,
produce of Falernian vineyards, and
daintiest
to
in that voluptuous
sit
mellow
under that
brain,
whose beauty could
captivate the outward senses, and
fail to
take the heart by storm.
It
was bad enough to
press the very couch of which the cushions
retained the
thrown across but
now
—to see the print of her form it,
and
trailing on the
—to
flung off
hastily unclasped, yet
her arm. still
AU
this
still
shawl
floor as though~-
touch the open bracelet
warm fsom
its
contact with
was bad enough, but worse was
to come.
Esca was
in the act of setting
down the
goblet
he had drained, and his eye was resting with an on expression of admiration, not to be mistaken, the picture opposite,
when
the rustling of the
hangings caused him to turn his head.
There
was no more attraction now in bounding nymph or brilliant
;
haughty
Juno,
wise
and laugliing Venus with her sparkling had passed into the shade. Valeria's likeness
IMinerva, girdle,
enchantress
"
MYREHIXA."
was no longer the masterpiece of for there in the
Valeria herself.
189 tlie
apartment,
doorway appeared the figure of Esca sprang to his feet, and thus
they stood, that noble pair, confronting each other in the radiant light.
—the
The
lady and the slave
assailed.
hostess
— the
and her guest and the
assailant
CHAPTER
—VOLENS.
NOLENS
ALEEIA should
XIII.
trembled in every limb slie
;
yet
have remained the calmer
of the two, inasmuch as hers could scarcely have been the agitation of
Such a
surprise.
she
now
much
No
step, indeed, as that
ventured, had
not been taken without
and many changes of mind. woman, we believe, ever becomes utterly
hesitation
unsexed
and the process by which even the bold-
;
est lose their instinctive modesty,
the extreme.
which
on which
is
The power,
so finely
race, loses
none of
is
gradual in
too, of self-persuasion,
developed in the whole its efficacy
the less logical, and
human
in the reasonings of
more impulsive
half.
do not usually plunge headlong into shades are almost imperceptible
People
vice.
The
by which the
NOLEXS
—VOLENS.
191
love of admiration deepens into vanity, and vanity
and imprudence,
into imprudence,
especially
if
thwarted by advice and encouraged by opportunity, crime.
into
once been set in motion, the bottom of the
hill
" grows to I
will,"
"I musty
Valeria's
to look again
eye
;
the
Nevertheless,
and "
stone
that has
pretty sure to reach
is
at last
:
and " I mio-ht
becomes
I will," ere long,
first
"
thought had only been
upon an exterior that pleased her
then she argued that having sent for her
kinsman's slave, there could be no harm in speaking to
him
:
indeed,
it
would seem strange
if
she did
and under any circumstances, of course there was no occasion that her colloquy should be overnot
;
heard by
all
the maidens of her establishment, or
even by Myi-rliina, who, trusty as she might be,
had a tongue of surpassing
activity,
and a love of
gossip not to be controlled.
She ignored, natm-ally enough, that any unusual have caused her thus
interest in the Briton should to
summon
retreat
;
liim
mto her own
thus to surround
private and peculiar
him with
all
that was
senses ; dazzling to the eye, and allui-mg to the full thus to before him in the glow of her
appear
personal beauty, set off dress, jewels,
lights,
by
all
flowers,
the accessories of
and perfumes, that
192
EEOS.
she could command.
If
slie
sent for liim,
was
it
but natural that he should find her encircled by the usual advantages of her station. fault of hers, that these
It
was no
were gorgeous, picturesque,
and overpowering. 'He might as well blame the old Falernian for
its
seduction of the palate, and
confusion of the brain. liimself
its
Let him take care of
she would see him, speak to him, smile
!
on him, perhaps, and be guided hy circumstances.
A wise
resolution this last in all cases,
means
difficult to
are under our Valeria,
own
and by no when the circumstances keep
control.
woman-like, was the
first
though she scarcely knew what to
say.
to
speak,
With a
veiy becoming air of hesitation she kept clasping
and unclasping a bracelet, the fellow of the one on the couch. She was doubtless conscious tliat her round white arm looked rounder and whiter in the process. " " I have sent for you," she began, because I
am
informed I can rely implicitly on your truth
and
secresy.
You
are one they tell
incapable of betraying a trust. It
is
Is
it
me who
is
not so ?"
needless to say that Esca was already
somewhat
bewildered with
evening, and
in a
mood not
the
events of
the
to be surprised at
NOLENS
—VOLEXS.
193
Nevertheless, be could only
anytliing.
bow
liis
bead in acknowledgment of this tribute to bis honesty, and murmur a few indistinct syllables of assent.
ice
She seemed
to gain confidence
was broken, and went on more
"I have a
fluently.
A
secret to confide.
now the
secret
that
none but yourself must know. Honour, reputation, the fame of a noble family, depend on its never
And
being divulged.
this secret to you.
am
yet I
Am
going to impart
I not rash, foolish,
and
impulsive, thus to place myself in the power of
whom I know so little ? What miLst you thiak of me ? AMiat do you think of me ?"
one
The
latter question,
propounded with a deej^en-
ing colour and a glance that conveyed volumes,
was somewhat
have
" said,
cHfQcult
Think of you
?
the most allm-ing mermaiden
!"
but what he
:
"I have never feared man, nor deceived yet.
1
am
woman
not going to begin now."
She was a his answer
mis^ht
Why, that you are who ever tempted a
mai-iner to shipwreck on the rocks
did say was this
He
answer.
to
;
little
disappointed at the coldness of
yet her critical
eye could not but
approve the proud attitude he assumed, the stern look that came over
VOL.
I.
liis
face, while
he spoke,
194
She
EEOS. edo-ecl
a
little
him and went on
nearer
in a
softened tone.
"A woman helpless,
how
is
whatever
liable
we
are
always somewhat lonely and be her station, and oh!
may to
be deceived, and how we
weep and wring our hands in vain when it is soBut I knew you from the first. I can read characters at a glance. Do you remember when I called
you to
my
litter
in the street while
were walking with Hirpinus the gladiator
you
?"
—
Again that warm crimson in the cheek again that speaking ilash from those dangerous eyes. Esca's head was beginning to turn, and his heart to beat with a strange sensation of excitement
and
surprise.
"I am not
likely to forget it," said he, with a " sort of proud humility. It was such an honour as
is
seldom paid to one in
my
station."
She smiled on him more kindly than looked for you again," she murmured,
ever. '•
" I
and saw
you not. I wanted one in whom I could confide. I have no counsellor, no champion, no friend. I said
what has become of him
and keep my secret told mo that you would be here
my
bidding,
She seemed
to
liave
who
?
?
else will
do
Then Myrrhina
to-night."
something more to say
NOLENS
—YOLENS.
She looked
that would not out.
195 at the Briton
with expectant, almost imploring eyes
was young and frank and simple,
but Esca
;
he waited
so
for
her to go on, and Valeria, discouraged and intimi-
dated for the
first
more becomins^ "
time, proceeded in a colder and
tone.
The packet with which
you must be the hands of Licinius. I intrust
delivered by yourself into
Not another creature must
set
eyes on
cme must know that you have received
it
it.
from me,
nor, indeed, that you have been here to-night.
necessary you must guard I
depend upon you ?" He was beginning
it "with
your
to feel that
depend upon himself much longer.
No
life
!
If
Can
he could not
The
lights,
the perfumes, the locality, the seductive beauty
near him, so lovely and so kind, were making wild work with his senses and
liis
reason.
Never-
whole position seemed so strange, so impossible, that he could hardly believe he was awake. There was plenty of pride in his character, theless, the
but no leavening of vanity ; and like
many another
gentle and inexperienced nature, he shrank from offending a woman's delicacy, with a repugnance, that
in
some cases
provoking to the
is
exceedingly puzzling and
woman
herself.
So he put a
EEOS.
196
strong constraint upon his feelings, and undertook
the delivery of the missive^ with incredible simplicity
and composm-e.
The
Hermes
statue of
the door could not have looked colder and
impenetrable.
She was a
must detain him
little
at a
at
more She
loss.
at all hazards, for she felt that
when once gone he would be gone for ever. She determined to lead him into conversation and she ;
chose the topic which, originatingj perhaps, in the instinctive jealousy of a
woman, was of
all others
the most subversive of her plans. " I saw she once
" but said, again," you in the hurry and confusion of that sudden It was no fault of so gross
mine that the
priests
it
was
broil.
committed
an outrage on the poor thing you rescued.
I would have helped
you myself had you required
assistance, but you carried her off as an eagle
takes a kid.
What became
of the girl ?"
The question was accompanied by a sharp
in-
and a forced smile of very perceptible annoyance wreathed her lip when she perceived Esca's embarrassed manner and reddenquisitive glance,
ing brow
;
but she had unwittingly called up the
Briton's good genius,
gave one, he was a
"I placed her
and
man
for all
women on
earth,
of marble once more.
in safety with her father," 'he
NOLENS replied "
let
197
adding witli an assumption of deep humi-
Will you please to give
lity,
and
;
—YOLENS.
me
me
your commands
depart ?"
Valeria was so totally unused to opposition in
any of her whims or
caprices
that she could
scarcely believe this obvious indifference was real.
She persuaded herself that the Briton was so
over-
powered by her condescension, as to be only afraid of trespassing too far on such unexpected kindness,
and she resolved that
of hers
if
it
should be no fault
he were not quickly undeceived.
She
sank upon the couch in her most bewitching attitude, and looking fondly up in his face, bade
him '•'
For," said she,
my
from
fetch her tablets "
the ^vriting-stand.
I have not yet even prepared
communication to Licinius.
very weary of me,
if
I keep
you
Shall you be
my
prisoner so
long ?"
Was
it
accident or
desim that entan^ed those
rosy fingers with Esca's, as she took the tablets
from his hand
?
shook the hair
brown
Was off
it
accident or design that
her face, and loosed the rich
clusters to fall across
her glowing neck and
was surely strange that when she bent over the tablets her cheek turned pale, and her
bosom.
It
hand shook
so that she could not
form a
letter
on
198
EEOS.
the yielding wax.
She beckoned him nearer and
bent her head towards him
till
the drooping curls
trailed across his arm.
"I cannot "
cents. faint
—I
write,"
me —I — breathe Myrrhina
Something seems can
trembling ac-
in
said she,
to oppress
shall
scarcely
In the mean-
give you the missive to-morrow. time,
we
me.
I can
is it
not so?
are alone.
am
Esca, you
will not betray
You
depend upon you.
are
my
This shall be your manacle
While she yet spoke, she took the her arm and tried to clasp
it
round
slave,
!"
bracelet from his wrist
;
but
the glittering fetter was too narrow for the large-
boned Briton, and she could not make Pressing
it
meet.
it
hard with both hands, she looked up
in his face and laughed.
One
responsive glance.
The
faintest
yielding on those impassible features,
would have told him
all.
But
it
came
shadow of
and she not.
He
shook the bracelet from his arm; and while he did so,
she recovered herself, with the instantaneous
self-command
women seem
to gather
from an
emergency. " It was but to try your honesty haughtily, and rising to her feet.
!"
"
she said, very
A man
who is
not to be tempted, even by gold, can be safely
NOLENS
—VOLENS.
trusted in such an affair as mine.
199
You may go
now," she added, with the slightest bend of her head.
"To-morrow,
if
I
require you,
take care that you hear from
me
I
shall
through Myr-
rhina."
She looked the silken quivered,
hangings
and
so
posure,
he disappeared under
of the
portal
:
her
face
her bosom heaved, and she clenched
both hands as marble.
after liim as
till
the round white arms grew hard
Then she
seemed
to
bit
her
lip once, savagely,
regain her accustomed com-
and the usual dignity of her bearing.
Nevertheless,
when the
despised bracelet caught
her eye, lying neglected on the couch, she dashed it fiercely down, and stamped upon it, and crushed
and ground the jewel beneath her heel against the floor.
CHAPTER
XIV.
C^SAE.
^
HEN her
a
woman
first
feels herself scorned,
impulse seems to be revenge
Some morbid sentiany price. other sex can hardly which the ment, at
fathom, usually prompts her in such select for her instrument the
heart, she loathes
and
man,
despises,
cases
whom
to
in her
whose society
is
an insult and whose attentions are a disgrace.
Thus lowering knows that she
herself in her
own
a poisoned
inflicts
esteem, she
wound on the
offender.
With
all
Valeria's
self-command, her feelings
had nearly got the better of her before Esca left the house. Had it been so, she would never have
forgiven
herself.
But
she managed to
201
CiESAR. restrain tliem, I^osure
reposa
even
and preserved an outward com-
wliile
^Myrrhina prepared her for
That damsel was much puzzled by the
From
upshot of her mauceuvres.
a method of her
own, which long practice rendered familiar, she
had made herself acquainted with aU that oocurred between her mistress and the handsome slave.
more
Why
their interview should have
definite result, she
was at a
had no
loss to conceive.
Altogether, Myrrhina was inclined to think that
Esca had been so captivated by her own charms, as
to be
insensible
flattering supposition
hazard, intrigue,
and
to
opened up a perspective of cross-purposes, that
The maid
delicious to contemplate.
her couch exulting.
agony of
This
those of, Valeria.
The
it
was
retu'ed to
mistress writhed in an
wounded pride and shame.
Morning, however, brought
its
unfailing
ac-
cession of clear-sightedness
and practical resolve. There are hom-s of the night in which we can abandon ourselves to
love,
hatred, despair,
sorrow with a helplessness that possesses in
or it
some of the elements of repose but with da^vn reality resumes her sway, and the sufferer is ;
indeed to be pitied, who can turn away from
day light, without an impulse to be up and doing,
202
EEOS.
wlio wishes only, in lation, that it
tlie
was evening once more.
woman
Valeria was not a slight she
had
more
of
them but
will
readily than an insult.
she rose she had
before
over the
to pass
Few
sustained.
forgive an injury
Long
lethargy of utter deso-
mind where, and when, and how
made up her to strike
;
no-
thing remained but to select the weapon, and put a keener edge upon the steel.
Now as
Valeria had long been aware, that as £ar
was compatible with
his
disposition
Indeed he
Placidus was devoted to her service.
had
told her so
many
Julius
a time, with an assumption
of off-hand gallantry, which perhaps she estimated at less than
its
proper value.
Nevertheless, the
compliments she received from the Tribune were scarcely so well turned as might be expected from
a
man
of his outward polish, refined manners, and
The woman's ear could
general bad character.
detect the ring of truth, amidst
accompanied loved her as
it
;
and Valeria
much
as
it
love anything but himself.
To do her
justice,
on that account.
all
the jingle that
felt that
the Tribime
was possible
for
him
to
•
she liked him none the better
He
was a man
whom
she must
have hated under any circumstances, but perhaps
203
C.ESAE.
him a
she despised
little less for this
ing quality of good
one redeem-
Here was a weapon,
taste.
however, keen, and strong, and pliant, placed moreover, so to speak, within reach of her hand.
She
and
rose
dressed,
composed as usual
languid,
but Myrrhina,
;
haughty,
and
who knew
her,
remarked a red spot burning on either cheek,
and once a shudder,
as
over her,
was, a sunny morning in
though
it
of intense
cold,
passed
Bome. Juhus Placidus received a seemed to
afford
him
letter ere
noon that
satisfaction.
infinite
The
than ever in the gilded chariot flashed brighter sun, the white horses whirled
through the
streets.
like
it
Automedon's
lightning
curls floated
on the breeze, and the boy was even more insolent than usual without rebuke. Lolling on his velvet cushions the Tribune's smile seemed to have lost
something of
its
look was on him satisfied tiger
malice still,
it
and though the tigerwas that of the sleek and ;
who has been
fed.
That look never
left him all day, while he transacted business in the Forum, while he showed his grace and agiKty
at ball in the Fives' Court, while he reposed after his exertions at the bath; but
parent
still
when the
hoiu' of
it
was more ap-
supper arrived, and
204
EKOS.
he took Ms place
in the hanquetiug-hall of Csesar,
with some of the bravest
sohliers,
the noblest
senators, the greatest statesmen, wits, gluttons,
and
profligates in the empire.
A
was no light and simple repast. Leagues of sea and miles of forest had been swept to furnish the mere ground-work banquet
Vitellius
Avith
Hardy fishermen had spent
of the entertainment. tlieir
nights on the heaving wave, that the giant
tm*bot might flap
its
table broader than
a swelhng
hill,
snowy its
flakes
on the Emperor's
broad dish of gold.
Many
clad in the dark oak coppice,
echoed to ringing shout of hunter, and
had
deep-
mouthed bay of hound, ere the wild boar yielded his grim life by the morass, and the dark grisly carcase was tliat tJie
drawn
off to
provide a standing-dish
was only meant to gratify the eye. Even jjeacock roasted in its feathers was too gross
a dainty for epicures,
who
studied the art of
gastronomy under Csesar; and that taste would have been considered rustic in the extreme, which could partake of more than the mere fumes and savour of so substantial a dish. A thousand
had been trapped and killed, indeed, one supper, but brains and tongues were
nightingales for
tliis
all
they contributed
^to
the banquet, while even
205
C^SAE. tlie
of a roasted
wilier
hare would have been
common
considered far too coarse and
food for the
imperial board.
There were a dozen of guests reaching roimd the ivory table, and so disposed that the head of each was turned towards the giver of the
A
Caesar was, indeed, in his glory.
feast.
garland of
white roses crowned his pale and bloated face, aspect.
His
well-formed
and
enhancmg the unhealthiness of features
had
delicate,
expressive
versatility
of
its
originally been
of
wit,
Now
character.
sunken, and the vessels
energy, the
beneath them
and swollen as to discolour the skin too,
and great eyes were so puffed ;
the jowl,
had become large and heavy, imparting an
air of sensual stupidity to the
whole countenance,
which brightened up, however, at the appearance of a favourite dish, or the smack of some rich luscious wine.
He
was busy
at present with the
eager, guzzling avidity of a pig his
unwieldy body, clad in
its
;
and he propped
loose white gown,
on one flabby arm, while with the other he fed himself on sharp-biting salads, salted herrings, as were pickled anchovies, and such stimulants
served in the
&st course
of a
Eoman
entertain-
ment, to provoke the hunger that the rest of the
206
EEOS.
meal
sliould
wandered
an instant
for
vistas of the hall,
crimson hangings,
and
fruit
chalices,
gold, as
blow
;
Now
satisfy.
his
eye
tlii'ongh the long shining
amongst its marble pillars, its vases crowned with blushing
its
side-boards
its
flowers,
and
and then
blazing with
and plates of burnished though he expected and winced from a flagons,
but the restless glance was sure to return
to the table,
and quench
itself
satisfaction of his favourite
Next graceful
to
the
once more in the
employment.
Emperor was placed
pantomimist, whose
already flushed
girlish
with wine, and
Paris,
the
face
was
who turned
his
dark laughing eyes from one to another of the guests
with
the
was extravagant
insolence
good-humoured
The young
incipient intoxication.
in the extreme,
of
actor's dress
and he wore a
an empress, that would He was talking province.
collar of pearls, the gift of
have
purchased
a
volubly to a fat coarse-featm-ed man, his neighbour, of
who answered him
acquiescence,
Im-ked a world
but
at intervals with a grunt
in
whose
twinklhig
of wit and sarcasm,
whose thick sensual
lips,
eye and from
engrossed as they were
with the business of the moment, would drop ever
and anon some pungent
jest, that
was sure to be
"
C^SAR. to-morrow
repeated
at
207
every
supper-table
iii
Eome.
Montauus was a crafty statesman and a practised diplomatist, whose society was sought whose opinions carried weight in but the old voluptuary had long
for at the Court,
the Senate
;
discovered that there was no safety under the
Empire
for
those
who took a
leading part in
the Council, but that certain distinction awaited proficiency at
the banquet
—
so
he devoted his
powerful intellect to the study of gastronomy and the fabrication of witty sayings
;
nor did he ever
permit the outward expression of his countenance to betray a consciousness of the
went
into
and came out of
Beyond him again
good things that his mouth.
reclined Licinius
his
manly and noble bearing presenting a vivid contrast to those who surrounded liim, and who treated ;
face
him, one and
all,
including Csesar himself, with
marked deference and
respect.
The
old soldier,
however, appeared somewhat weary, and out of his
element.
He
loathed these Ions:
ments, so opiDOsed to his
own
entertain-
simple habits
;
and
regarded the comj)any in his secret heart with a
good-humoured, yet very decided contempt. So he sat through the banquet as he would have It was tedious, it kept watch on an outpost.
208
EEOS.
was
gained by
it;
was
There
disagreeable.
but
nothing
was duty, and
it
be
to
must be
it
done. different in the frank joyous expression lie
Far
knew
how
so well
to
put on, was the mien of
Julius Placidus, as he replied to a brief, indistinct
question from the
mouth
Emperor (murmured with
full),
him laughing, and even pale
of
face
— popular
make
his
smile on the
was
It
society
the
universally
to be all tilings to all
win the confidence of his
an
raised a himself.
Vitellius
cue to
Tribune's
his
by a sally that set every one near
art in social success,
triumph of natural
men, especially to There is imperial host.
no
less
than in any other
The
abih'ty.
rein
must never
be completely loosed, the bow never stretched to Latent power, ready to be its full compass. called forth,
is
the secret of
the observed does
well,
it
all
grace
the observer that he could do better Also, to be really popular, a
deal Kked, Placidus,
which he
should be
excelled
in
a the
if
to
he chose.
man, though a good
little
feared.
" retort
could deliver without
hesitation or change of countenance
name
and while
;
must be apparent
courteous,"
the ;
Julius
slightest
and a nick-
or a sarcasm once inflicted by the ready-
209
C^SAE. witted Tribune clung afterwards to
a burr.
Then he possessed
its
object like
besides the invaluable
qualification of a discriminating taste in seasonings,
the result of a healthy palate, refined, but not destroyed,
by the culture bestowed on
could drink every
under the
man
it
;
and
of them, except Montanus,
stomach or his brain
table, without his
being affected by the debauch.
Our acquaintance Spado was also of the party. Generally a buffoon of no mean calibre, and one whose
talent lay
special
practical jests as served to his intellects
in
such coarse
amuse
had become too
Vitellius
torjjid to
and
when
appreciate
the nicer delicacies of wit, the eunuch was to-
night peculiarly
dull
and
He
silent.
reclined,
head resting on his hand, and seemed to conceal as much as he could of his face, one side
with
liis
of which was swollen and discoloured as from a
blow.
His
fat
disgusting than
unwieldy usual in
looked
more
sumptuous
dress,
form its
fastened and looped up at every fold with clasps of emeralds and pearls, and though he ate slowly
and with lose
difficulty,
none of the
he seemed
gratifications of the
There were a few more
— who senators, VOL.
I.
determined to
with
the
meaL
—one guests,
caution,
or two
but not the
P
210
EEOS.
genius of Montaniis, were conspicuous for nothing
A
but their fulsome adulation of the Emperor. tall
sullen looking
torian Guard,
man, commander of the
who never
laid
Prse-
aside the golden
breast-plate in which he was encased,
and who
seemed only anxious for the conclusion of the Three or four unknown and entertainment. undistinguished persons, called in Koman society " Shades," whose social by the expressive term position,
and, indeed, whose very existence, de-
pended on the patrons they followed. Amongst these were two freedmen of the Emperor, pale anxious-looking beings, with
care-worn
faces.
It
haggard eyes and
was their especial duty to
guard against poison, by tasting of every dish served to their employer.
It
might be supposed,
that, as in previous reigns, one such functionary
would have been enough of dainties Vitellius
for
but the great variety
which the enormous appetite of
enabled him to
impossible
with
in
;
indulge,
him throughout the whole
these devoted
champions took
guard their master with their tites
and
rendered
it
any one stomach to keep pace of a meal,
and
it
by turns to
lives.
Keen appe-
jovial looks, were not to be expected
from men engaged on such a duty.
211
C^SAE.
The to
first coui'se,
an end at
though long protracted, came Its greatest delicacy, consist-
last.
ing of dormice sprinkled with poppy-seed and
honey, had completely disappeared.
The
tables
were cleared by a band of Asiatic youths, richly habited, who entered to the sounds of wild Eastern music, and bore off the fragments that re-
mained.
As they emerged
at one door, a troop of
handsome, fair-haired maidens, tives,
— simjily
landed
clad
Avith flowers,
white
in
—barbarian
muslin,
cap-
and gar-
entered at another, carrying
the golden dishes and vessels that contained the
In the meantime, hanging cur-
second course.
tains parted slowly
from before a recess in the
and disclosed three Syrian dancing-girls, grouped hke a picture, in different attitudes of voluptuous grace. Shaded lamps middle of the
hall,
were so disposed as to throw a rosy light upon their
limbs and faces
;
while soft
thin vapom's
curled about them, rising from braziers burning
perfumed incense
at their feet.
Simultaneously
they clashed their cymbals, and bounded wildly
Then began a measure of alternate languor and activity, now swelling into frantic bacchanalian gestures, now sinking into out upon the
tender
floor.
lassitude
or
picturesque
repose.
The
EEOS.
212
Avarm blood glowed in daugiiters
tlie
Sun, the
of the
dark faces of these black
eyes flashed
under their long eyelashes, and their white teeth showed like pearls between the rich red lips; while the beautifully turned limbs, and the undulatins: forms,
ble,
attitudes
suggestive
flexi-
writhed themselves into
of imperious
conquest, coy
reluctance, or yielding love.
The dance
w^as
soon over
;
wilder and faster
the glancing feet, and tossed the shapely
flitted
hands, encu'cled w ith bracelets and anklets of tiny A\Tien the
silver bells.
at
measure was whirling stopped short, and
speediest, the three
its
at once, as if struck into stone, formed a group
of rare
fantastic
Caesar's guests
murmur their
;
beauty at the w^ho one
of unfeigned
and
all
applause.
mouths and foreheads with
very feet
of
broke into a As, touching their
hands in
Eastern obeisance, they retired, Placidus flung after
them a
collar of pearls, to
be picked up by
her who was apparently the leader of the three.
One to in
Emperor's freedmen seemed about follow his example, for he buried his hand of the
his
else
bosom, but either changed his niind or
found nothing there, since he drew
again empty
;
it
forth
while Vitellius himself, plucking
C^SAE.
21
o
a bracelet from his arm, threw
it
after the re-
treating dancers, remarking that
it
was intended
as
''
a bribe to go away, for they only distracted
attention from matters of real importance,
that the second course
had come
in,"
now
—to wliich
Montanus gave his cordial approval, fixing his eyes at the same time on the breast of a flamingo in wliich the skilful carver had just inserted the point of
long knife.
liis
would be endless to go into the detaOs of such a banquet as that which was placed before It
the guests of Ca3sar.
every kind
of
Wild
shell-fish,
boar, pasties, goats,
thrushes,
beccaficoes,
vegetables of all descriptions, and poultry, were
removed
to
make way
for
the
pheasant,
the
guinea-hen, the tm-key, the capon, venison, ducks,
woodcocks, and
Ever}i:hing that
turtle-doves.
or swim, and could boast a
could creep, or
fly,
delicate flavom'
when cooked,
Avas
pressed into
the service of the Emperor; and when appetite
was appeased and could do no more, the strongest condiments and other remedies were used to stimulate
fi'esh
hunger and
consume
supply of superfluous dainties.
a fresh
But the great
business of the evening was not yet half finished.
Excess of eating was indeed the object; but
it
214 was
EKOS. to
of
excess of di-inking that the gluttons
that period looked as the especial relief of every
entertainment, since the hope of each seemed to
be,
when thoroughly
that
flooded,
so
and,
washed out with wine, he might begin The Eoman was no drunkard eating again.
to speak,
like
the barbarian, for the sake
excitement of the brain which
of
that wild
is
purchased by No, he ate to repletion that he He drank to might drink with gratification. intoxication.
he might eat again.
excess, that
Another
train of slaves
now
cleared the table.
These were Nubian eunuchs, clad in white turbans and scarlet tunics, embroidered with seed pearls and gold.
They brought
—
in the dessert
heaped upon vases of the rarest porcelain, sweetmeats in baskets of silver filigi'ee, S}Tian dates borne by miniature golden camels choice
01
fruits
exquisite
workmanship
—masses
of flowers in
the centre, and perfimies burning at the corners of the table.
Behind each couch containing
its
three guests stood a sable cup-bearer, deaf and
dumb, whose only business it was to fill for his These mutes were procured at especial charge. vast expense from every corner of the
but Caesar
especially
prided
himself
empire; on their
215
C^SAE.
and
similarity in face
be served
lie
To-day
figure.
would
by Germans, to-morrow by Gauls, the
next by Ethiopians,
and
deprived of the organs
so
on;
of speech
nor, though and hearing,
were these ministers of Bacchus unobservant of
what took place amongst the votaries on whom they waited and it was said that the mutes in ;
the palace heard
more
secrets, than
the old
all
confidences,
women
and told more in
Kome
put
together.
And now, taking his cue from each man loosened the belt of his the garland of flowers off his
the Emperor, tunic, shifted
brows,
disposed
himself in an easier attitude on his couch, and proffered his cup to be filled
The
by the attendant.
great business of eating was for the present
concluded, and deep drinking about to commence. AATien marvelling, however, at the Avine
consumed by the Eomans
tainments,
we must remember
quantity of
in their enter-
that
it
was the
—
pure and unadulterated juice of the grape, that it was in general freely mixed with water, and that they thus imbibed but a very small portion of
alcohol,
which
is
in
reahty the destructive
welfare of the quality of all stimulants to the
stomach and the bram.
CHAPTEE XY. KED FALERNIAN. ItESAR'S flashed
eye,
up
though dim and sunken,
for a
moment with
a spark
of enthusiasm. "
The
beccaficoes," said he,
" were
a thought over-seasoned, but the capon's liver Varus, see that
stewed in milk was perfection. it
is
served again at the Imperial table
within
the week."
a
The freedman took out his tablets and made note of the royal commands with a somewhat
unsteady hand, while Vitellius, draining his cup to the dregs,
smacked
his lips,
and
let his great
chin sink on his breast once more.
The other
guests
conversed freely.
and one of the senators were
Licinius
involved in an
argument on military matters, with which the
EED FALEKNIAN.
man
seemed almost
217
as
conversant as
whicli
he laid down
the law with far more confidence.
Placidus was
of peace
man
the
and on
of war,
describing certain incidents of the campaign in Judaea, with an an- of unassuming modesty and
a deference to the opinions of others, which
him no
and
little
listened,
favour from those
throwing
a chance expression or tary,
and
by
Tribune
the sat.
ears
near
now and
then,
trilling anecdote,
of
deroga-
for this reason
;
him
doubly whose board the
at
Montanus, whose cup
and emptied with
him
sat
implication, to Vespasian's military skill,
eulogistic of Vitellius
sweet in
every
in,
who
won
for a subject
Avas
filled
startling rapidity, looked about
on which to vent some of the
sarcasm with which he was charged, and found in
the woe-begone appearance
despite the influence of food
of Spado,
it
who,
and wine, seemed
unusually depressed and ill-at-ease. The eunuch on ordinary occasions was a prince of boon companions, skilled in
all
the niceties of gastro-
nomy, versed in the laws of drinking, overflowing with mirth and jollity, an adroit flatterer where was acceptable, and a joyous buffoon who could give and take with equal readiness and
flattery
good-humom*, w^hen banter was the order of the
218
EEOS.
Now,
day.
seemed
less
thirsty
tlian
have no enliveniDg
to
usual,
effect
on
the feast his dispo-
He was
silent, preoccupied, and to all appearance intent only on concealing his bruised cheek from the observation of those about him. sition.
He
had never been struck in anger, never even stood face to face with a man before, and it
The
had cowed him.
soft self-indulgent volup-
tuary could neither forget nor overcome his feelings
combined
of
dismay,
wi-ath,
and
shame.
Montanus tm-ned round and emptied a brimming goblet to his health. " You are cheerless to-night, man !" quoth the senator ; " you drink not, neither do you speak.
What, has the red Falernian lost its flavour ? or has some Canidia bewitched you with her evil eye?
You used
panions,
Libyan travels,
jected,
to
— Spado,
be a prince of boon-com-
tliirsty
as
desert, unsatiated as the
camel
in
the
sand on which he
and now your eye is didl, your face deand your cup stands untasted, unnoticed,
though bubbling to the brim. Bacchus,
'tis
man who
extolled.
By
the spear of
not the fault of the liquor!" and
IMontanus emptied his a
a
own
goblet with the air of
thoroughly appreciated the vintage he
BED FALEKNIAN. Vitellius looked
up
for
an
219
iustant,
roused by
the congenial theme. " There
nothing the matter with the wine,"
is
"Fill
said Ctesar.
was not
The imperial
round."
hint
be disregarded, and Spado, with a
to
forced smile, put his goblet to his lips and drained it
In doing so the discoloration
to the last chop.
of his face was very apparent
who had now
arrived at that stage of conviviality
where candom- takes the proceeded
to
and the guests
;
make
then-
place
of
politeness,
remarks without
re-
serve.
"
You have
painted too thick," said one of the
freedmen, alluding to an effeminacy of the times
which the male sex were not ashamed to "
You have taken
with
it,"
off
practise.
the paste and the skin
continued the other, whose
own
mistress
was in the daily habit of spreachng a kind of poultice over her whole countenance, and who
might therefore be a good judge of the process and its results.
"You have been in the wars!" sneered one guest. "Or the ampliitheatre !" echoed another. " 'Tis a third.
"
a fom-th.
love-token
from
Chloe
!"
laughed
Or a remembrance from Lydia "
Nay,"
iutei-jiosed
a
!"
added
Montanus,
" our
EEOS.
220 friend
is
come
too experienced a campaigner to
off second-best
with a foe of
tliat
description.
There must have been a warm encounter to leave
She must have been a very
such traces as those.
Amazon, Spado, that could maul thee thus," The eunuch looked from one to another of tormentors with rather an evil smile.
He
his
well
knew, however, that any appearance of annoyance would add tenfold to the ridicule which he must
make up
his
mind
to undergo,
and that the best
way for a man to turn a jest, even when own disadvantage, is to join in it himself
to his
so
;
he
glanced at the Emperor, took a long draught of red Falernian, and assumed a face of quaint and
good-humom-ed self-commiseration. " Talk not to me of Amazons," said he, whereat "Tell
there was a general laugh. Chloes, and Lydias, and
me
not of
Lalages, and the
What's a Helen of Troy compared
rest.
to a flask of
this red Falernian ? Why good wine gets better the longer you keep it, while woman loses her
flavour year
she
is
by
year.
old enough, she
indeed.
Even
is
you only wait
till
becomes very sour vinegar
in the first flush of her beauty,
I doubt whether
she
'Faith, if
any of you
in
your hearts think
wortli the trouble of catching.
Still
you
RED FALERNIAN.
know a man
221
Mine
likes to look at a pretty face.
had not otherwise been
so disfigiu-ed now,
I
an adventure on that score but two nights
Would
Caesar like to hear
had ao-o.
it ?"
nod and a grunt that signified Thus encom*aged, Spado went on
Caesar gave a
acquiescence. " It was the feast of
:
I was
Isis.
coming from
the worship of the goddess, and the celebration of those sacred
rites,
which
the vulgar and the
may
not be disclosed to
— profane mysteries
too holy mentioned save to pm-e and virgin ears."
to be
Here the countenance
of
Montanus
assumed
an expression that made even Caesar smile, and caused the rest to laugh outright. " The procession
was
returning
The
goddess.
filled
with inspiration from the
acolytes
leaping and dancing in
the van, the priests marching majestically under
her symbols, and some of the noblest matrons in
Eome
bringing up the rear.
fairest,"
that om-s
on
liis
"
noblest and the
repeated Spado, glancing round " I
placently.
creed."
The
is
name no names
;
him com-
but you all
know
not a vulgar worship, nor an illiberal
Here Placidus
stirred
somewhat uneasily
couch, and buried his face in his cup.
The Eoman people have ever paid the highest
honours to our Egyptian goddess," proceeded the
222
EROS.
"we
eunuch;
lack the support of the plebeiau,
no more than the worship of the patrician. Thus we flourish and drain draughts of plenty from the silver
udders of our sacred cow.
Well, they
made way for us in the streets, both men and women all but one slender girl dressed in black,
—
who coming self in the
midst of
us,
and seemed too frightened
In another minute she would have
move.
to
quickly round a corner found her-
been trampled to death by the crowd, when I seized hold of
her in order to di'aw her into a
place of safety while they passed." " Or to see what sort of a face she hid under
her black hood "
Not
?" interrupted
Montanus.
so," replied the narrator,
though obviously
" Such by the impeachment. leave to senators, and statesmen, and
gratified
My I
object was simply to afford her
liad
better
naked hand. if
have
plucked
my
follies I
soldiers.
protection.
a nettle with
my
The gui screamed and struggled
as
she had never looked in a man's face before."
" She was frightened at your beard," said one of the freedmen, looking at Spado's smooth fat face.
"
The
latter
winced but affected not to hear.
Coax a frightened woman,"
frighten an angry one.
said
he,
I flatter myself I
" and
know
EED FALERNIAN.
how
to deal with
them
The
all.
been quiet enough had I been just as she
began
223
to look
girl
would have
let
alone,
kindly in
my
when up
face,
comes an enormous barbarian, a hideous giant with waving yeUow hair, and tries to snatch the
maiden by main strong
my
man
friends,
force fi-om
my
grasp.
am
I
a
may perhaps have observed, and a fierce one when my blood is up. as you
I showed fight.
I struck
hun
rose again with redoubled fm'y,
to the earth.
and taking
He
me
at
a disadvantage while I was protecting the ghl, inflicted tliis iujiu-y
on
my
I was stunned
face.
instant, and he seized that opportunity to make his escape. Well for him that he did so. for
an
Let him keep out of the way if he be wise. Should he cross my path again, he had better be in Euchenor's hands than mine
mercy
."
and Spado quaffed
;
I will
off his
show him no
wine and squared
his fat shoulders with the air of a gladiator.
"
And what became
who had
of the gui ?" asked Paris,
hitherto listened to the recital with utter
indifference.
"She was Spado.
her
will.
Briton."
by the barbarian," replied
carried off
" Poor thing
!
I believe
sorely against
Nevertheless, she was borne off by the
224
EEOS.
"
A
Briton
!"
exclaimed Licinius, whose intense
contempt for Spado liad hitherto kept liim silent, and who had already heard the truth of the story from his
"A
slave;
repeated the eunuch.
Briton,"
impossible he could be otherwise from his
The
ferocity. tiie
Gaul,
you
see,
is
"It was size
bigger than
The German than the Gaul.
Eoman.
and
The
Briton by the same argument must be bigger
than the German; ahd this hideous giant must consequently have been one I take
islanders.
my
"But not your Montanus.
some
"
We
lessons,
street-brawls
if
of
those
savage
logic from the Greeks."
boxing,
it
seems,"
must have Euchenor
observed
to give
you
you run your head into these
whenever you come across a woman
with a veil." " Nay," answered the eunuch, he took me at a nevertheless he was a large and disadvantage "
;
powerful athlete, there "
They
are the finest
no denying it." men we have in the em-
is
pire," said Licinius, thinking in his heart that the
women were "
the fairest too.
Their oysters are better than ours," observed
Cffisar,
with an air of jirofound and impartial
judgment.
EED FALEENIAN. "I
225
grant the oysters, but I deny the men," said
Placidus, reflecting that his patriotism would be
acceptable to his audience. natural
stand
The
"
The Eoman
against all
guests
not been
thought
so, it
countrymen
the
They cannot
conqueror of the world. our
is
in
the arena."
Had
joined in a cordial assent.
it
perhaps Licinius would have scarce
worth while to continue the argument.
Now, though
half ashamed of his warmth, he took
up the matter with energy. " There is a Briton in ment," said he,
"
who
is
house at this mo-
my
a stronger and finer
man
than you will produce in Eome." "
You mean
of light hair
!"
that long-legged lad with the
mop
said Placidus, contemptuously.
"I
have seen him.
I call
him a boy, not a man."
Licinius felt somewhat irritated. particularly like his
company
;
He
did not
and between two
such opposite natures as his own and the Tribune's there existed a certain hidden repugnance, which
was sure sooner or later answered angrily
"I
will
to
break
forth.
He
—
match him agaiust any one you can throw the quoit, and
j)roduce to run, leap, wrestle,
swim." " Those are a boy's accomplishments," retorted VOL.
I.
Q
226
EEOS.
the other, coolly.
"
What
I maintaiii
whether from want of courage or
is this,
skill,
that
or both,
these islanders are of no use with the steeL
would
no better sport than to fight him
^\dsl^
myself in the Caesar,"
I
arena,
permission of
with the
—and the Tribune bowed gracefully
imperial host,
who looked from one
the disputants,
without
to his
to the other of
the slightest
apparent
interest in their discussion.
At
this period of the empire,
when, although
manners had become utterly dissolute, something was still left of the old audacity that had made the
Roman
a conqueror wherever he planted his
was by no means unusual for men of patrician rank to appear in their own proper foot,
it
persons, a spectacle for the vulgar, in the theatre.
It
amphiwas perhaps not unnatural that a
desire for imitation should at last be aroused
the excessive fondness for these shed,
which pervaded
We have nothing
munity.
can at
all
all
games
classes
in
of
the com-
modern times that
convey to us the passion of the
citizen for the
amusements of
by
of blood-
his Circus.
Eoman They
were as necessary to his existence as daily bread.
Panem j)roverb.
et
Circenses
He would
had passed
into
a familiar
leave his home, neglect his
EED FALEENIAN.
227 on the
business, forfeit his bath, to sit for hours
benches of the amphitheatre, exposed to heat and crowding, and every sort of inconvenience, and
would bring risk
liis
food with
him rather than run the
And
of losing his place.
all this
see
to
trained gladiators shedding each other's blood, wild beasts tearing foreign captives limb from
and from
Hmb,
imitation battles which differed in no respect real,
save that the
wounded were not spared,
and the slaughter consequently far greater in proIf portion to the number of combatants engaged. a statesman wished to com-t popularity,
Emperor
out
desii-ed to blot
a
an
if
whole page of
enormities and crimes, he had but to
give the
people one of these free entertainments of blood
—
—and they were ready
the more victims the better to approve of
any measure, and
to
pardon any
atrocitv.
Ere long some
fierce sphits
panted to take part
in the sports they so loved to contemplate
;
and
the disgraceful exhibition ceased to be confined to hireling gladiators or
and
condemned
slaves.
Knights
patricians entered the arena, to contend for
the praises of the vulgar
;
and the noblest blood
in
Rome was
shed for the gratification of plebeian
spectators,
who
sitting at ease
munching cakes and
228
EEOS.
sausages, could contemplate with placid interest, the
death-agonies of the Cornelii or the Gracchi. Julius
like
Placidus,
otlier foshionable
many
youths of the period, prided himself on his in the deadly exercises of the Circus.
Eoman
appeared before the times,
armed with
gladiator
all
public at
skill
He had different
the yarious weapons of the
but the exercise in which he considered
;
himself most perfect was that of the Trident and
The
the Xet.
contest between the retiarius and
the secutor was always a fayourite spectacle with
The fomier
the public.
carried an
ample
casting-
net upon his shoulders, a three-pronged spear in his
hand; beyond
this
he was totally imarmed
either for attack or defence.
The
latter with a
and oblong sliield, appear to haye fought
short sword, yizored helmet,
would at
at
fii'st
sight
great adyantage
theless the
arts
of
over his opjiouent. the retiarius in
Neyer-
entangling
adversary had arrived at such perfection that he was constantly the conqueror. Once liis
down, and involved in the
fatal
meshes, there was
no escape for the swordsman; and from some wliimsieal
reason the populace
him quarter when vanquished. and speed of
foot
seldom granted Great
actiyij;y
were the principal qualities
RED FALERNIAN. required by the retiartus, for cast he
was compelled
if
229
he
failed iu his
from
to fly
his adversary
while preparing his net for a fresh attempt, and
if
overtaken his fate was sealed. Placidiis tivity.
possessed
extraordinaiy personal
ac-
His eye was very correct and his throw
generally deadly.
It
may be
too that there was
something pleasing to the natural cruelty of his
an antagonist
disposition in the contemplation of
writhing and helpless on the sand.
It
was
his
delight to figure in the arena with the deadly net laid
in careful festoons
upon
his
shoulder,
and
the long barbed trident quivering in his grasp. Licinius
fell into
the snare,
if
snare
was, readilv
it
enough. " I would wager a province on Esca," said he, "
against any one but a trained gladiator
think he could hold his
own with
;
and I
the best of them,
after a month's practice."
"
Then you accept
my
challenge
!"
exclaimed
Placidus, with a studied carelessness of manner
that dissembled an eagerness he coidd scarcely control.
" Let us hear the terms over a fresh flask of
Falernian," observed the Emperor, glad of such a
stimulant with his wine.
EROS.
230
" I ask for no weapons but the Trident and the
Net," said Placidus, looking fixedly at Licinius. "
you so call him, may be armed as usual wth sword and helmet." Esca,
if
And
*'
shield," interrupted the other
:
too old a
even in the excitement of the moment, to
soldier,
throw a chance away. Placidus affected to demur.
"
Well," said he, " 'Tis but a
a few moments' hesitation.
after
young swordsman, and a barbarian
;
I give
you the
shield in."
A
vision
crossed the brain
made him repent
already
of Licinius, that
He
of his rasliness.
saw
the fine form writhing in those pitiless meshes, like
a beast taken in the
toils.
He
saw the
frank blue eyes, looking upward brave and kindly
He saw
even in their despair. raised
to
dabbled
the unsparing
arm
and the bright curling locks blood. But then he remembered
strike,
all in
the Briton's extraordinary strength and activity, his natural courage irritated too in
and warlike education
—he was
by the insolent malice that gleamed and lie persuaded himself
the Tribune's eyes
;
renown and triumph could accrue favourite from such a contest.
that not! ling but to his "
Be
it
so," said
lie
" ;
retiarius
and
secutor.
EED FALEENIAN.
231
You
will
now
for the
life
against a morsel of tinsel or a few polished
have no
you and I stake no man's
can
child's play, I
terms of the wager.
tell
:
pebbles, I warn you at once."
He
somewhat con-
glanced while he sjx)ke
temptuously, over the costly ornaments that decorated the Tribune's dress.
The
latter
laughed
dozen slaves," said he, value of
my
good-humouredly. "
would scarce fetch the
sleeve-clasps.
these islanders,
At
least,
whom you may
every time a legion moves will
wager two of
my
"A
its
a dozen of
capture by scores
camp.
Listen, I
white horses against your
picture of Daphne, or the bust of
stands in your bath-room.
Euphrosyne that
Nay, I
will give
you I will stake the whole more advantage stilL team, and the chariot into the bargain, against the British slave himself!"
Again had the other been watching him narrowly, he must have perceived a strange supbut he pressed eagerness on the Tribune's face, was preoccupied and annoyed he had gone too far to retract, and a murmur from the listening ;
the guests denoted their opinion of displayed in this last proposal.
generosity
"When a man
has placed liimself in a false position, his efforts at
232
EEOS.
extrication
that the present bargain
Esca's
him deeper than
Quick as lightning, Licinius bethought
before.
him
generally plunge
life,
might probably save
in the unlikely event
conquered, so he closed with
it
of his being
unhesitatingly,
though he regretted doing so a moment
after-
wards.
The match was accordingly made upon the That Esca should enter the
following terms.
amphitheatre during the approaching games of Ceres,
armed with sword,
shield,
and helmet,
to
oppose Placidus, whose only weapons were to be the trident and the net.
That in the event of
the latter being worsted, his four white horses and chariot
gilded Licinius
;
should become the property
but that
if
of
he obtained the victory, and
the populace permitted
him
to
spare
quished, then his late antagonist should
the van-
become
and how enviable would be that position could 01 dy be known to the Tribune himself and his slave
;
one other person from
whom
he had that day
received kinder looks and smiles than
she had
ever before granted to an unwelcome suitor.
The
business of di-inking, Avhich
had been some-
what interrupted by these complicated discussions, was now resumed with greater energy than before.
RED FALERNIAX.
233
Placidus emptying his goblet with the triumphant air
of one
difficult
who has
task
;
successfully accomplished a
Licinius like a
man who
seeks to
and self-reproach in wine. The and with his Emperor quaffed quaffed again and the remainder of the habitual greediness dro\Mi anxiety
;
guests
acted
Emperor.
studiously
in
imitation
of
the
CHAPTEE
XVI.
THE TRAINING-SCHOOL. iUT Licinius had an ordeal to go through on the following day, which was esto the kind heart of pecially painful
the
Roman
general.
When
the
terms of the combat were explained to the person chiefly* interested,
that
accepted the challenge as
young warrior eagerly affording an opportunity
for indulgence in those feats of
arms which early
education had rendered so pleasing to his martial disposition.
He
could vanquish two such
men
he thought, at any exercise and but his face sank when he witli any weapons learned tlie penalty of failure, and a shudder
as tlie Tribune,
;
passed through
his
whole
frame at the bare
becoming a slave to any one but his all the present master. It nerved him, however,
IKJSsibility of
235
THE TRAINING-SCHOOL. more
in bis resolntion to
conquer
and when Liei-
;
nius, reproacking himself bitterly the while, pro-
mised him bis liberty in the event of victory, Esca's heart beat fast with joy and hope, and exultation once more.
A
thousand vague
his brain
possibilities
danced tlirough
a thousand wild and visionary schemes,
;
which Mariamne formed the centre
of
figure.
Life that had seemed so dull but one short ago,
now shone again
— youth and
spective
of
in the rosy light with
week which
— youth alone can tinge the long perthe
future.
Alas for Licinius! he
marked the glowing cheek and the kindling
eye,
with a sensation of despondency weighing at his Nevertheless the lot was cast, the offer
heart.
was accepted. It was too late for looking back, Notliing remained but to strain every nerve to win.
In in
all
bodily contests, in all mental labours,
human
everything which
nature attempts,
systematic and continuous training
dement
of success.
The palm,
can only flourish where the dust
he who would atlilete or
abilities
attain
as is
is
the essential
Horace plentiful
says, ;
and
a triumph either as an
a scholar, must cultivate his natural
with the utmost attention, and the most
236
EROS.
rigid self-denial, ere
curious, too,
how
he enters
for the prize.
It
the mind, like the body, acquires
The
vigour and elasticity by gi-aduated exertion. task that was an impossibility yesterday,
penance to-day, and
and
will
is
but a
become a pleasure
to-
Let us follow Esca into the training-
morrow. school,
is
where
his skill
his
muscles are to be toughened,
perfected for the deadly exercises of
the arena. It
is
a large square building, something like a
modern riding-house, lighted and ventilated at the top, and is laid down three inches deep in sand, an
arrangement
labour of fall
all
which
increases,
indeed,
tlie
pedestrian exertion, but renders
a
comparatively harmless, and accustoms the
pupil, moreover, to the yielding surface
hereafter he will have
to
struggle
Quoits, dumb-bells, ponderous weights,
clubs
are scattered
in the
corners,
for
on which his
life.
and massive or propped
against the walls of the edifice, and a horizontal leaping-bar, placed at the height of a man's breast,
denotes that activity quisition of strength.
is
not neglected in the ac-
Beside these insignia of
peaceful gymnastics, the cestus hangs conspicuous,
and racks are placed at intervals supporting the deadly weapons, and defensive armour with which
THE TRAINING-SCHOOL.
237
the gladiator plies Lis formidable trade.
There
are also pointless spears, and blunted swords for
and a wooden figure hacked and hewed out of all similitude to an enemy, on which the practice,
cuts and thrusts most in request have been dealt
over and over again with increasing skill and severity.
At one end
of the building paces the master to
now glancing with wary eye at the movements of his pupils now pausmg to adjust some implement of instruction now encouraging and
fro
;
;
;
or chiding with a gesture as though
ill
idle weapons,
;
and anon catching up,
sheer absence of mind, one of the
and whuding
a flomish that displays
all
it
round his head with
the power and
skill
of
the practised professional. Hippias, the retired gladiator, dle age,
and of somewhat
more commanding by
its
is
a
man
lofty stature, rendered
lengthy j)roportions, and
the peculiar setting on of the head. exercise, pushed indeed to the verge of
continued for
manv
of mid-
Constant toil,
vears, has toughened
and each
shapely limb into the hardness and consistency of wire,
and has rendered
his large frame lean
sinewy, like a greyhound's.
and
All his gestures have
the graceful pliant ease which results from muscu-
EROS.
238
walk
—
smooth and
lar strengtli,
and
noiseless
like that of a panther traversing the
of
floor
—
is
its
his very
cage.
light,
His swarthy complexion has
been deeply tanned by exposure to heat and
toil,
but
and
blood courses healthfully
tlie
beneath,
imparts a warm, mellow tint to the skin.
The
worn eager look, and a dash of grey in the hair and beard, is not without a wild defiant beauty of its oa;!! and though its fleshless face, in spite of a
;
expression
there is
somewhat
is
dissolute
and
reckless,
a bold, keen flash in the eye, and the
is
man
obviously enterprising, courageous, and steel to
the back-bone.
The Koman
ladies,
with that depi-avity of taste
which marks a general deterioration of manners
and morality, delighted at this period to choose their favourites from the ranks of the amphiThere Avas a rage for warlike exercises, theatre.
Amazonian sports,
dresses,
imitations
of
the
played out with considerable
ferocity,
nay
themselves.
deadly
skill
and
for the very persons of the gladiators It
was no wonder, then, that the
handsome fencing-master, with his reputation for strength and courage, should have been a marked
man
with the proud capricious
imperial
city.
The
favour
of
matrons of the each,
too,
was
THE TRAIXDsG-SCHOOL.
239
doubtless his best recommendation to the ofood
graces of
in
and
the rest;
sunned himself
Hippias might
have
in the smiles of the noblest ladies
Eome.
He made
but
good fortune.
little
account, however, of his
The peaches
fallen
on the ground
are doubtless the ripest, yet they never
seem
so
tempting as those which sun themselves against the wall, a hand's-breadth above our reach.
man pay
can a
one dominion very heavy,
implicit obedience to
(at a time)
it is
;
more than
and unless the yoke be
scarce worth while to carry
Hippias was neither dazzled nor
all.
Nor
it
at
flattered
by
the bright eyes that looked so kindly into his
war-worn
face.
He
loved a flask of wine nearly
—two
as well as a woman's beauty
and a leathern buckler
st«el
either
:
nevertheless, amono-st
of his acquaintance, he
all
was
foot of pliant
far
least
undervalue Valeria's notice, the more rarely condescended to bestow
it
better than
the daintv dames
disposed to that she
so,
on him
;
and he
took more pains with her fencing lessons, than those of
any other female pupU, and stayed longer any lady in Eome.
in her house than in that of
He
approved of her strength, her resolution, her
quickness, above ail
her cold manner and her
240
EROS.
cliarms expride, besides admiring her personal
own
ceedingly, in his
There
practical way.
is
a
gleam of interest, almost of tenderness in his eyes, as he pauses every now and then in his walk, and reads a line or two from a scroll he carries in his
hand, which Myrrhina brought liim not an hour ago.
The
scroll
Esca's peril
is
from Valeria.
— nay
slie
She has heard of
has herself brought
and who knows the price haughty wilful heart ? Yet in all her head
;
it
it
on his her
cost
bitter anger,
vexation, shame, she cannot bear to think of the
noble
Briton down on the
heljiless at
sand, writhing
the mercy of his enemy.
weapon now she hates, and not
tlie
would give her intense pleasure, she Placidus humbled, defeated, slain. sense of justice in a woman's breast
It
is
victim.
and the
It
feels, to
see
Such
the
—such
is
are the
advantages gained by submission at any sacrifice to do their bidding. We need not pity the Tribune, however
he
is
:
in
liis
dealings with either sex,
well able to take care of himself.
Valeria accordingly sat her down and wrote a few friendly b'nes to tlie fencing-master, who had
always stood high in her favour, and whose frank bold nature she
felt
she could
trust.
Womanlike,
THE TRAINING-SCHOOL. she tliouglit
necessary to fabricate an excuse
it
for her interest in the Briton,
she had staked
heavily on
coming
success
the
in
She adjured Hippias to spare no counsel or instruction, and bade him
to see her without delay,
He
gress of his pupil. scroll,
by aflirming that
his
contest.
pains in
come
241
and watched the
and report the pro-
raised his eyes from the said pupil holding
own
liis
gallantly at sword and buckler with Lutorius. "
One, two
—Disengage the
blade
the head, a cut at the legs, and shield with a
lunge
outwards, the WTist
Now, look
batants
wooden
paused foil,
for
1
come
a at
little
me.
breath,
A
feint at
in over the
but scarce quick
— again the
Try that
enough.
more.
Good
!
!
elbow
higher.
Thus."
Hippias
turned
So
— once
Tlie
com-
seized
a
and beckoning to Hirpinus, engaged
hiin in the required position, for Esca's especial
and wary the old gladiator and parry in the game. Yet had those blades been steel, Hirpinus would have Trained
benefit.
knew every
feint
been gasping his
life
out, at the
master's feet,
ere the close of their second encounter.
Hippias
never shifted his ground, never seemed to exert himself much, yet the quickest eye in
puzzled to follow the movements of his VOL.
I.
Rome was jioint,
K
the
EEOS.
242 readiest
hand
to intercept it
where
it fell.
Again
Liitorius in tlie mimic strife, pitted Esca and and stood witli well-pleased coimtenance to watch
lie
the result.
The Briton had,
indeed, lost no time in be-
ginning a course of instruction which he hoped
was to insure him victory and its reward
—his much-
desired freedom.
That morning Hirpinus had brought liim to the and the veteran gladiator watched, with
school
an
;
interest that
tions
was almost touching, the prepara-
which were to
fit
his
young
friend for a career,
that at best must end ere long in a violent death.
Hippias was dehghted with the stature and strength of his
new
pupil.
with Lutorius, a
He had matched him
why
Gaul,
at once
who was supposed
to
be the most scientific swordsman of " The Family^''
and smiled
to observe
how
completely, with an
occasional hint from himself, the Briton Avas a
match
who had expected an and was even more disgusted than
for his antagonist,
easy victory, surprised.
As the encounter was prolonged, and
the combatants, warming to their work, advanced, retreated, struck, lunged,
versing
warily at
full
and parried
;
distance — now
now
tra-
dashing
boldly in to close, the other gladiators gathered
THE TRAINING-SCHOOL.
243
round, excited to unusual interest by the excellence of the play, and the dexterity of the barbarian.
"He at
the best we've
is
exclaimed
least,"
pion from Northern of
proud
his
gladiator ning,
;
Kufus, a
gigantic
Italy, proud of his
but
swordsmanship,
Roman
he was a
proud that
seen here for a lustre
" those thrusts
and when he misses
stature,
above
all,
thoudi a
citizen,
come home
cham-
like lidit-
his parry, see,
he jumps
away like a wild-cat. Faith, Manlius, if they match him against thee at the games, thou wilt have a handful.
Roman
citizen
I would stake
my
rights as a
on him, toga and aU, barbarian
What, man he would have thee down and disarmed, in a couple of passes !"
though he be.
!
Manlius seemed to loth to confess
it.
vowing that Lutorius
and not fighting
his
He
turned the subject by must be masking his play, best, or he never could be
thus worsted by a novice. " his })lay
Masking "
dignantly, will
!
match
let liim
!"
exclaimed Hirpinus,
unmask then
I tell thee this lad of in the empu-e.
me
in-
as soon as he
mine hath not
his
him champion of swordsman in Rome,
I shall see
the amphitheatre, and ere they give
though he was
tliink so too,
fu-st
the wooden
foil
with the silver
244
EKOS.
guard,* and lay old Hirpinus on the shelf.
be
I shall
satisfied to retire then, for I shall leave
good manhood to take
"Well crowed!"
my
some
place."
Manlius,
replied
not quite
pleased at the value placed on his own prowess " To hear in comparison. thee, a man would say
Eome, and us all down by
there never was but one gladiator in
young mastiff must pull the throat, because he fences like
that this
thyself,
wild
and wide, and by main strength." " It is no swordsmanship to run in like a bull
and take more than you give," observed Euchenor, listening with his arms folded, and an expression of
supreme contempt on "
his
Nevertheless his blows
handsome
features.
thick and
fall
fast, like
a hailstorm, and Lutorius shifts his ground every
time the young one makes the attack," argued honest Eufus,
who had not a
or jealousy in his disposition, his profession as a
grain of either fear
and who considered
mere trade by which he could
obtain a liveliliood for wife and children in the
meantime, and a remote chance of independence with a vineyard of his *
The form by
wliicli
own beyond
a gladiator,
wlm
the Apennines, liad repeatedly dis-
tinguished himself, received his dismissal and immuuity from
the arena for
life.
THE TEAINIXG-SCHOOL.
245
should he escape a violent death in the amphitheatre at last.
"He
thrusts
too
often
" and his Manlius, guard
overhand," observed is
always open for the
wrist."
"He
is
a strong fencer, but he has no style,"
added Euehenor; and the boxer looked around
him with the
air of a
man who
closes a controversv
by an unanswerable argument. Hirpinus was boiling over with indignation but his eloquence was by no means in proportion ;
and he could not readily find words to express his dissent and his chsdain. to his corporeal gifts,
Banter, too, and a coarse, good-humoured sort of
wrangling was the usual form by which difference of opinion found expression in the training-school. QuaiTelling, amongst
was
men whose
to fight to the death,
and to come
very trade
seemed simply absurd and for ;
to blows except in public,
money, a mere childish waste of time. with
all their
it
contempt
ordinary courage
when
for death,
amuse the populace, these from the very nature of their for
energy and endurance.
Indeed,
their extra-
pitted against each other
to
have been unsuited
and
gladiators, perhaps
profession,
seem
to
any sustained efforts of
When
banded together
246
EROS.
under the eagles, they were often so undisciplined in camp, as by no means to be relied on before of Perhaps there was something enemy. bravado in the flourish with which they entered
an
the Cu-cus, and hailed Caesar with their greetings
from
to
fight
kinds.
motives
die!"*
to
Men
Moreover,
and with the
a corner,
in
of escape.
impossibility different
about
^'tliose
they had
of
is
Courage
many
brave from various
are
—from ambition, from emulation, from the
habit of confronting danger
;
some from a natm-ally
chivalrous disposition, backed
The
nerves.
emergency
;
by strong physical be trusted in an
last alone are to
and a really courageous
unexpected and unaccustomed
man
peril,
faces
an
not with
if
confidence, at least with an unflinching determi-
nation to do his best.
Hirpinus turned upon Euchenor, for
had no great liking "
You
whom he
any time.
at
talk of your science," said he, "
and your Greek skiU, against which even our Roman thews and sinews are of no avail. Dare you stand up to tliis
barl)arian
witli
the
cestus
exchange half-a-dozen friendly
on?
buffets,
Only
you know,
in sheer sport." *
The well-known
"
Morituri
to
to siiliitant !"
247
THE TRAINING-SCHOOL. But Euclienor excused himself Like many
dain.
-with great dis-
another successful professor,
owed no inconsiderable share of
liis
fame
he
to his
own assumption of superiority, and the judgment with which, when practicable, he matched himself against inferior performers.
on
their reputation, such as
it
lightly against the
first
Champions it
is,
has everythuig to gain and
are not to peril
tliat
tyro
derives
no
comes,
nothing to
additional
who
lose
by
whereas the
an encounter with the celebrity; celebrity
avIio exist
laurels
from a
take the very triumph, and a defeat tends to
Euchenor
bread out of his mouth.
said as
much
;
the subtle Hirpinus was not satisfied till Greek, who had learned the terms of the match in
but
Esca was engaged, observed carelessly, that the time the Briton had to spare should be
\\liich
all
devoted to practice in the part he was about to play before the Emperor.
The suggestion took once.
He
upon Hirpinus at the school to where the
effect
sprang across
master had resumed his walk.
The
old gladiator
while he entreated Hippias positively turned pale to mstruct his pupil in all the scientific devices
be by which those deadly meshes could •'
foiled.
Xothing but art can save him," said be, in
248
EEOS.
ludicrous imploring accents, which seemed almost
from one of his Herculean
and
strength, ay and the
"
exterior.
Courage
activity of a wild-cat,
when once that accm-sed twine
is
I have felt it round your limbs. I know it was down under the net myself once. If a man
I
are all paralyzed
!
!
to die, he should die like a
caught in a springe.
like a thrush,
man, not
He must
against Manlius, he
The Family.'
'
is
Pit
If he learns to foil ?tim, he will take
be easy
you
I shall not
foot
on the gay Tribune's breast
till
all
Mind
the same bugbear?
his
!"
but one thing in the world, and that
Thiukest thou
I tell
him with
I see
Patience, man," replied Hippias,
of twine.
he
:
the best netsman in
the conceit out of Placidus readily enough.
"
he
learn, Hippias,
must practise day by day, and hour by hour must study every movement of the caster.
him
is
"
thou fearest is
a fathom
others are scared at
thine
own
training;
thou art yet too lusty by half to go into the Circus
;
and leave
this
The master kept up lawless pupils,
a
silent
said as
to me."
amongst these partly by a reserved demeanour and his influence
by neyer suffering liis be disputed for a moment. To have
tongue,
auth(jrity to
young barbarian
much
partly
as he
now
did was tantamount to a
THE TRATXIXG-SCHOOL.
249
confession of interest in tlie Briton's success
Hirpinus resumed
his
own labours wdtli a
;
and
lightened
heart, whilst Esca, in all the delightful flush of
youth and health, and muscular strength developing
itself
by
scientific
his
an-
and enjoyed
his
practice,
tagonist with redoubled vigour,
plied
pastime to the utmost. It
was like taking an old friend by the hand, to
grasp a sword once more.
CHAPTER
XVII.
A VEILED HEART.
OR three whole set eves listless
days Mariarane had not
on the Briton, so she
and
dispirited.
Not
aclaiowledged, even to
felt
that she
herself,
the
necessity of Esca's presence, nor that she was indeed
aware how much
had influenced her thouglits and actions ever since she had known him, a period
now
it
of indefinite length.
She found
herself perpetually recalling the origin
and growth
that seemed
of their acquaintance
;
she dwelt with a strange
l)leasure on the gross insult offered her by Spado, which scarce seemed an agreeable subject of con-
templation
;
nor, be sure, did she forget its
and satisfactory step of her
redress.
prompt She remembered every
subsequent walk home, and every
syllable of their conversation in that hasty
and
251
A VEILED HEART. agitated progi-ess
nay, every look and gesture of
;
companion's and of her own.
her
It
pleased
lier to think of the favourable impression
on her father and
his brother
the earthen pitcher, from
by
their guest
made ;
and
which she gave the
new and unaccountable
latter to drink, assumed a
Also she strolled to Tiber-
value in her eyes.
whenever she had a spare half hour, and sat her down under the shadow of a broken column,
side,
with a strange persistency, and a vague expectation of something, she
For the
first
day
knew not what.
this
ence was delightful.
dreamy, imaginative
Then came a
exist-
feeling
of
want, a consciousness that there was a void, which it
would be a great happiness
to
Soon
fill.
tliis
— a craving
for a repetition of those grew to a thirst hom-s AAhich had glided by so sweetly and so fast.
At
rare
intervals
arose the
startling
"suppose she should never see
him
thought,
again,"
and
her heart stopped beating, and her cheek paled with the bare possibility
;
yet was there something of
the
foolish
and
not wholly painful in a consciousness sorrow such a privation would create.
Thoudi
vouns:,
inexperienced to elicit
girl.
Mariamne was no
Her
life
had been calculated
and bring to perfection some of woman's
252
EEOS.
loftiest
qualities.
She had early learned the De-
bility of self-sacrifice, the necessity of self-reliance
and
self-denial.
she
possessed
Like the generality of her nation, considerable
of
pride
race,
sup-
pressed indeed and kept down by the exigencies in which the Jews had so often found themselves,
but none the wealcer nor the that account.
cherished on
Notwithstanding his
and
tisements
less
reverses,
from
his
many
chas-
pilgrimage
through the wilderness to his different captivities
by the great oriental powers, and
tion under
Eome, the Jew never
final subjec-
forgot that
he
sprang from a stem more especially planted by the hand of the Almighty his lineage back,
;
that he could trace
unbroken and unstained,
to those
who held converse with Moses under the shadow of
Mount
had
liis
Sinai, nay, to the Patriarch himself,
who
authority direct from heaven, and
who
was thought wortliy to entertain angels at his tent door on the plains of Mamre. Such a conviction imparted a secret pride to every one of his descendants.
Man, woman, and
child,
were
persuaded that to them belonged of right the
dominion of the It
may
sition
eai'th.
be supposed that one of Eleazar's dispo-
was not
likely to bring
up
his family in
any
A VEILED HEART. liumble notions of portance.
tlieir
253
privileges
and
tlieir
im-
Marianine had been early taught to
consider her nationality as the
first
and dearest of
her advantages, and womanlike she clung to all the closer that her people had been forced
submit to the
Eoman
it
to
Habits of patience,
yoke.
of reflection and endurance, had been engendered
by the every-day
life
of the Jewish maiden, wit-
nessing her father's continued im})atience of the existing state of things,
and
his energetic
though
secret efforts to change the destinies of his coun-
trymen whilst all that such an education might have created of hard, cunning, and unfeminine ;
in his daughter's mind, the society
and counsels of
Calchas were eminently qualified to counteract.
Losing no opportunity of sowing the good seed,
by precept and example the lessons he had learned from those who had them of teaching both
direct from the fountain-head,
it
was impossible to
remain long uninfluenced by the constant kindliness and gentle bearing of one who understood Christianity to signify, not only faith, and purity,
and devotion even to the death, ]ieace
Ijut
also that
and good-will amongst men, which
its first
fundamental principle
teachers inculcated as
its
and
Calchas indeed lacked not
essential element.
EROS.
254
the fieiy energy and the tameless instincts of
His nature perhaps
race.
and warlike
Avas originally
as his brothers,
but
it
had been
dued, softened, exalted by his religion Ills
liis
fierce
sub-
and while
;
heart was pitiful and kindly, notliing remained
of the warrior but his loyalty, his courage,
and his
zeal.
CherishinGf a true attachment for that brother,
was doubtless a cause of daily sorrow to observe how totally Eleazar's principles and conduct it
were opposed to the meek and holy precepts of the new
faith.
seemed
It
impossible to convert the
to
human
Jew from
his
simple creed, to modify or to explain it,
or to take
to alter
liis
away from
it,
reasoning
grand and
it,
to add to
in the slightest degree
belief in that direct thearcliy, to
he was bound by the
which
ties of gratitude, of tradition,
of national isolation and characteristic pride of race.
A reUgion
which accepts the
ciples of truth, the omni})otence
first
great prin-
and eternity of the
Deity, the immortality of souls, and the rewards
and punishments of a life to come, stands already upon a solid basis from which it has little inclination to bo in
removed
;
and, in
all ages,
the Jew, as
a somewhat less degree the Mahometan, has
been most unwilling to add to his own stern tenets
A VEILED HEART.
255
the mild and loving doctrines of our revealed Eleazar's was a character to which the
religion.
outuard and tangible ceremonials of his worship were essentially acceptable. To him, the law, in its
and most
severest
the only
literal sense, Avas
true guide for political measures as for private
conduct or
its
and where
burdens were multiplied severities enhanced by tradition, he upheld ;
its
To
the latter gladly and inflexibly. sacrifices
and rigidly ance,
offer
the
ordained by Divine command, to exact fulfil
wliich
the minutest points of observ-
the priests enjoined,
to
Sabbath inviolate by word and deed, opportunity offered, to smite the
keep the also,
when
heathen hip-and-
thigh with the edge of the sword
these were the
;
points of faith and practice on which Eleazar took his
stand,
and from which no consideration of
no temptation of ambition, no exigency of the times, would have induced him to waver
affection,
one hair's-breadth. Avildest barbarian, the
The
fiercest
most
frivolous
patrician of the Imperial Com-t,
soldier,
would have been
a more promising convert than such a this.
Yet did not Calchas despair
that there
is
the
and dissolute
:
man
well he
as
knew
a season of seed-time and a season of
harvest, that the soil once
choked with weeds, or
256
EROS.
sown
may
witli tares,
crop, that waters
thereafter produce a
good
have been kno^vn to flow freely
from the bare rock, and that nothing
is
imj)ossible
under heaven. So he loved his brother and prayed for
him, and took that brother's daughter to his
heart as though she
had been
own
his
child.
must have required no small patience, no small amount of self-control and humility, to It
engraft in IMariamne the good fruit, which her father held in such hatred too,
tians
and
disdain.
These,
were
difficulties
with which the early Chris-
had
to contend,
and of which we now make
small account.
We
read of
privations, their
theii*
persecutions, their imprisonments,
and their mar-
tyrdoms, with a thrill of mingled horror and indignation
— we pity and admire, we even
glorify
as the heroic leaders of that forlorn hope
was destined
Conqueror
;
them which
head the armies of the only true but we never consider the daily and to
harassing warfare in which they must have been
engaged, the domestic dissensions, the insults of equals, the alienation of friends
—above
all,
cold looks and estranged affections of those
they loved best on earth,
whom
the
whom
they must give
and whom, with the new light that had
up here, broken in on them, they could scarce hope
to see
A VEILED HEART.
257
So-called heroic deeds are not alwavs
hereafter.
deserving of that superiority which they claim over mortal weakness,
when emblazoned on the
glo\nng page of history.
Many
so to speak, of winding himself effort,
even though
or the breach
year to
and
man for
up
is
capable,
one great
be to perish on the scaffold
it
but day after day, and year after
;
wage unceasing war against our nearest
dearest, our
nay, our
a
own
comforts, our ovni prosperity,
own weaknesses and
inclinations, requires
the aid of a sustaining power that
is
neither with-
out nor within, nor anywhere below on earth, but
must reach the suppliant directly and continuously from above. Nevertheless the example of a true Christian, in
the real acceptation of the word,
without
its
constant
respected
effect
influence. his
on those who
live
is
never
under
its
Even Eleazar loved and
brother
more than
earth, save his ambition
and
his
anything on creed
;
while
Mariamne, whose trusting and gentle disposition rendered her a willing recipient of those truths
which Calchas gradually,
and
lost
no oj)portunity of imparting,
almost insensibly, imbibed
the
opinions and the belief of one whose every-day practice was so pure, so elevated, and so kindly,
VOL.
I.
s
EROS.
258
—to whom moreover
slie
in
as her counsellor
was accustomed
difficulty,
to
look
and her refuge
in distress.
was Calchas, then, whose studies she
It
inter-
before him, that rupted as he sat with the scroll was seldom out of his hand, perusing those Syriac characters again and again, as a mariner consults his
never weary of
chart,
storing
information
and verif}dng the progress he has already made. It was to Calchas she for his future course,
had determined
to
Esca came
and
again
—not
not,
comfort because
apply for
assistance
for
that she
see
to
him
admitted, even to herself,
that this was her intention or her wish.
Never-
theless, she hovered about the old man's seat,
more
caressingly
attention laid
still
than
riveted
usual,
and
finding his
on his employment, she
one hand lightly on
liis
and with
shoulder,
the other parted the thin grey hah* that sti'ayed across his forehead.
He is
it,
looked up with a pleasant smile. little
dimiinitive
one
?" said
he had used "
he, with
the
"
What
endearing
in addi'cssing her
from
You seem unusually busy with Is this room to your household affairs to-day. be decorated for a guest? My brother makes her childhood.
A VEILED HEART.
259
no acquaintances here in Eome; and we given no stranger so since
we
much
liave
as a mouthful of food
arrived, save that goodly barbarian you
brought home with vou the other eveninjr.
Is
he coming again to-night?"
A bright it
when
blush swept over her face, yet
faded, Calchas could not but remark that she
was paler than her wont and her manner, usually so gentle and composed, was now restless, anxious, ;
and
ill-at-ease.
should I
know
"Nay,"
she
"what
replied,
movements?
of the barbarian's
was but a chance meeting that led him to
It
our quiet dwelling in the
by the merest accident see
first
instance
;
we are never
and save likely to
him more."
She tm^ned away while she spoke, trying steady her voice and give
it
ference, but failing utterly in the attempt. is
to
a tone of cold indif"
There
no such power as chance," said Calchas, looking
her keenly in the face. "I
"And
know
it,"
for the best.
nevertheless. of,"
replied Mariamne, smiling sadly.
I know, too, that whatever
befals
us
is
Yet some things are hard to bear Not that I have aught to complain
she added, shrinking instinctively from the
very topic she wanted to bring on,
"save
my
EROS.
260
father in tliese tumultu-
my
constant anxiety for
ous times."
"He
in God's hand,"
said Calchas,
him
all his perils,
is
will bring
they seem
now a
round
boil
Adi-iatic
is
safe
to environ
stranded
"How be a in
galley,
;
when the its
prey.
wild
Take
your step
and your cheek so pale." can they be otherwise?" retm-ned the
soldier's
mv
though
as the l^reakers
I cannot bear to see
"It
not very candidly.
girl,
him
leaping and dashing for
comfort, little one so listless
through
"who
is
a weaiy lot to
I could
daughter.
we had never
heart to wish
even find left
it
Judaea—
never come to Eome."
He
tried his best to soothe
his best such as
knew but hopes,
and
its
its
little
it
and comfoi-t her
was, for the
of
indefinite
a woman's aims,
its
—
good old
man
heai-t
wild
—
its
way^^ard feelings,
inexpUcable tendency to self-torture.
He
thought in his simplicity the real grievance was that which she avowed, it
in his
"My
own
and he strove to remove
kind, hopeful way.
child,"
said
he,
"the
raging in Italy, the horrors that day, cannot but
make
evils
we hear
Eleazar's
that are of every
position
more
important and less hazardous, as they increase
A VEILED HEAET. the
difficulties
indeed, no
of tlie
imperial councils.
child's play to
with one hand,
as ours
imperial diadem
and
;
is,
to
at
grasp
other.
the
takes
It
a
sword against Judah,
to buffet Caesar across the seas.
Vespasian will have our race
and
It
such a nation
bridle
with the
bold heart to draw the
and a long arm
261
leisure
little
to
persecute
the Emperor, sore beset as he
is,
wiU surely lend a favourable ear to my brother's Even now the legions are proposals for peace. declaring, far civil
and wide, against Yitellius; and
war, the most di-eadful of all scourges
is
and entering Italy herwas but yesterday that news reached
desolating the provinces self.
It
Eome
of the revolt of the whole fleet at
—and
ere this
Cremona has
Eavenna
j)erhaps fallen into
the power of Antonius, that sokUer-orator, with the iron
know,
arm and the
for
by One whose that "a house
told
words shall never be forgotten,
divided against itself cannot stand
a time, think you, sensualist
It is all in
my
child, for
who wears the pm-ple
conditions with
such
Well we
silver tongue.
we have been
a
man
;"
and
here, to
as your
God's hand, as I never cease to
yet I cannot but
feel
is
this
the worn-out
that a better
make
father? insist
;
day must
EROS.
262
dawning upon Judaea, that her enemies be confounded, her armies victorious, and
at last be will
her chiefs
sword
—but
what have we to do with the
he broke
?"
off abruptly,
whUe
his kindling
eye and animated gestures bore witness to the ardent spirit that would flash out here and there
even now. fare
is
"
Our weapon
the Cross, our war-
not of this world, our triumph
humility, and
then are
when most we
we most
be
shall
in our
are brought low,
sm-ely will,
when
Csesar
only that which
content to take
and men
Cajsar's,
it
is
Oh, that the time
exalted.
were come, as come shall
is
is
be gathered under one
banner, and in one brotherhood, from
all
corners
of tlie world 1" It
was no exaggerated account Calchas thus
gave of the dilemma in which the emjDire was Vespasian, with great
placed at this juncture. political talents, city,
was
playing a
besotted brains
compete.
The
saw in him a soldier,
with coolness, patience, and auda-
game
against which
of Vitellius were
powerless to
former, adored by the army, successful
general,
an
and a man of simple, virtuous
contrasting nobly with
and sensuality uf
the
the
who
intrepid habits,
luxurious gluttony
his rival, lost
none of his
in-
A VEILED HEART. fluence
by the moderation
lie
modesty, real or affected, with
Not
the piu'ple.
263
displayed,
and the
which he declined
afraid to wait
till
advantage
ripened into opportunity, he could seize
it
came with a bold and tenacious
the time
could turn
deftly to his
it
own
when grasp,
and guide
profit,
those circumstances of which he seemed to be
the mere puppet with a master-hand.
Though
at a distance from the scene of warfare, and to
more than an unwilling observer of the disturbances carried on in his all
appearance
little
name, he directed
as
it
were from
the strings that set in motion his
behind
a
and pulled numerous parti-
curtain the operations of his generals
;
zans with a clear head, a delicate touch, and that tenacity of purpose which
element of
success.
whose natural
Vitellius,
abilities
is
the essential
on the other hand,
had been weakened, nay
destroyed, by an unceasing course gratification,
in action
sensual
wavered in council and hesitated
—now determined to abdicate the diadem into obscurity— anon persuaded to
and
retire
for
dominion to the death
the energies distrust
of
fight
of his
and ever paralyzing ; warmest partisans by the
he entertained
for
honest advisers, and
EKOS.
264
the reliance he placed on the counsels of those traitors
who surrounded him.
The empire was perhaps more disheartening ferocious
at this period in a
position than even under the
Monster as the
sway of Nero.
latter
hand
was, he at least held the reins with a firm
;
and tyranny, however oppressive, is doubtless one degree better than anarchy and confusion. Now, the mighty fabric, of which
Eomulus
laid the first
stone and Augustus completed the pinnacle
work
—the
of seven centuries, to which every generation
had added
its
labours and
its
till
enterprise,
embraced the confines of the known world
it
—was
beginning perceptibly to sink and crumble from its
own enormous
size
and weight.
The
legions
must never be forgotten that the dominion (and of Rome was essentially that of the sword) were it
now
recruited from natives of her distant colonies.
The Syrian and Nvell as
the
tall
the Ethiop guarded the Eagles as
turbulent sons of Germany, and
the ever-changing ever-faithless Gaul. thus gathered
Armies
under one standard from
various climates could have but Httle in
such
common
save a certain professional ferocity, and an ardent liking for plunder,
no
less
than pay.
Mercenaries
265
A VEILED HEAET. have in
all
the one ages been easily bought by
and seduced by the
came
to consider
other.
itself
Each
legion gradually
a separate and independent
the highest bidder. Perhaps power, to be sold to the fairest \nsion of all was a march upon Kome,
and a ten hours' sack
A
to defend.
of the city they were sworn
backed great and good man,
by
the glory of name, race, and illustrious actions, could alone liave ruled such discordant elements,
and united these
the conflicting interests for
com-
but fate ordained that the weak,
mon good;
on worn-out, besotted Vitellius should be seated the throne of the Caesars, and that the cool, un-
and far-seeing Vespasian should be to watching with sleepless eye and ready hand snatch the diadem from his bewildered predeces-
flinching,
and place While the
sor,
it
firmly on his
destinies
of the world were thus
trembling in the balance
was fighting gathering
for its
all
greatest fary
own head.
—while
her own nation
very existence, and the storm
around, obviously to burst in
on the imperial
city
—the
its
care that
weighed heaviest at Mariamne's heart was, that she had that day noticed a barbarian slave walk into the training-school of a
"Is
it
Roman
true then," asked the
gladiator.
girl,
"that
civil
EROS.
266
war
indeed raging here, as
is
home
That we
?
shall
we have
seen
my
Koman
to people seem, as nsual,
" ;
make
of the emergency, to eat, di-ink, buy, sell, feast
at
have an enemy ere long
at the very gates of the city ?" " Too true, child," replied Calchas
the
it
and
light
and
on bloodshed in the Circus, as
their eyes
overthough their idolatrous temple, where Janus of the looks the usurers and money-changers city,
were shut up once
for
all,
never to be opened
again."
She turned
pale,
and shuddered
at the
mention
of the Circus.
" Are they making no preparations ?" she asked, timidly.
"Did
I not hear
my
were collecting the gladiators, of
father say they
and
the nobles had enrolled their
— and— some German and
and were arming them against an
British slaves,
attack ?"
"It may be slave
can
so,"
scarcely be
stoutly for a cause chains.
answered Calclias
As
for
;
"but a
expected to fight very
which only serves to rivet his
the gladiators, those tigers in
were surely better for them to human form, perish in open warfare, than to tear one another it
to pieces in the arena, like the
very beasts against
267
A VEILED HEAET. which I have seen them
pitted.
Yet
these, too,
have souls to be saved." "
Surely have they," exclaimed Mariamne, with *'
kindling eyes,
show them
his
to
much
men
These
light.
goes
so
and none to help them, none to as
or his bath
business
man God for
a ghmpse of the true
go out to die as the citizen
and who
;
answerable to
for their blood?
swerable to
their souls ?"
who
is
is
an-
His eye brightened while she spoke, and he head like a
raised his
soldier
who hears the trum-
pet summoning liim to the front.
"If I have a well in a is
man
fall
down and
my
die of thii'st at
answerable ? Surely I
blood, that I never so
and
am
plish
is
and
my gate, my brother's
guilty of
much
as reached
him the daily
shall I not stretch out a finger lest
they perish everlastingly there
"
who
Shall these men go down
pitcher to drink. to death,
court," said he,
a task set
to
my
?
Mariamne,
it
seems
hand, and I must accom-
it."
She was ated as
far
from wishing to hinder him.
human
nature too often
is
Actu-
by mixed
motives, she could yet respond, in her womanly generosity of heart, to
that noble
self-sacrifice
which was so distinguishing a characteristic of the
268
new
EKOS.
and could appreciate the devotion of
religion,
Calclias, while she hoped through his intervention
to obtain behalf.
some
alleviation of her anxiety
on Esca's
She had caught a glimpse of the
figure that very
day as
it
slave's
entered the portals of
the training-school; and this rapid glance had
not served to quiet her misgivings on his account. If Calchas should
now think
himself about a class of
and
it
right to interest
men the most reckless Eoman population, it
desjjerate of the whole
was probable that he would at the same time learn something of Esca's movements perhaps be able
—
to dissuade
him from
joining the fierce
band in
which she now feared he was about to be enrolled.
" It
may be
of thus obtaining
that he has some wild hope
liis
liberty," thought the girl,
and her heart throbljed while she was
for her
reflected that
it
sake liberty had now become so dear
"It may be that he has extorted some vague promise from his lord, and, in his pride of strength and courage, he never dreams
to the barbarian.
of danger or defeat to
;
but oh
!
h^m for my sake, what will
if
he should come
become of
me ?
I
would rather die a thousand times than that his white skin should be disfigured with a scratch "
They are
!"
practising for their deadly pastime
269
A VEILED HEAET. in the next street," said she.
"I can hear the
blows as I go down to draw water. as
it
in
were,
Blows
dealt,
what must they be in
sport;
earnest ?"
"There
is
no time to be
lost,"
said Calchas,
"
The games of Ceres are to be soon celebrated, and the Eoman crowd will think it but a poor show
if
some himdreds of gladiators are not
slaughtered at the
men
to-morrow
time they will
least.
they
;
-svill
Child, I will visit these revile
me, but
after
a
If I can even gain over one,
listen.
be he the lowest and most degraded of the band, it
triumph greater than a thousand vica gain infinitely more precious than all the
will be a
tories,
treasures of
Eome."
"To-morrow may be too late," she returned, moving across the room at the same time so as to hide her face.
"
The
school
think I saw that barbarian into it
"
is fidl
to-day.
who was here
I
—I
lately
go
an hour or two ago."
The Briton
!"
exclaimed Calchas,
"
WTiy did you not tell
from his
seat.
before?
Quick, ghl, fetch
sandals.
I will go
starting
me
so
me my gown and
there ^vithout delay."
She helped him, nothing loth. In a few minutes Calchas was ready to go forth, and as she watched
270
EEOS.
and saw him tm'n the corner
liim from the door,
of the street,
Mariamne clasped her hands and
muttered a thanksgiving for the success of well-meant
artifice
while the old
;
man
lier
strode
boldly to his destination, confident in the integrity of his purpose,
and rejoicing
in the breast-
plate of proof wliich covers a good heart bound on a pious mission. " It is no business of mine,"
was a maxim unknown
to the
early Christian.
Fresh in his memory was the parable of the Good Samaritan
;
and
it
never occurred to him that, like
the Pharisee, he might "pass by on the other side."
The world
is
some centuries
that tale of the friendless, suggestive
now than
it
older, yet is
wounded wayfarer
was then ?
less
CHAPTER
XYIII.
WINGED WORDS.
HE
gladiators were pausing from their
toil.
Brawny
chests
heaved and
panted, deep voices laughed and swore with returning breath, strong arms looked heavier and stronger as the athlete rested his wide hands
upon
his hips,
and not un-
huge muscles into full relief Esca and liis late antagonist were
consciously brought his in the attitude,
wiping the sweat from their brows, and looking at one another with wistful eyes, as if by no means loth to
renew the
contest, so equally
had the
last
bout been waged.
Hirpinus laid down the weighty clubs he had be«n wielding, with a gi-unt of relief. No unpractised
arm could have
lifted those
cumbrous
instruments from the ground, yet they were but
272
EEOs.
as reeds in the hands of the gladiator less
;
neverthe-
he lamented piteously the tendency of his
mighty frame to increasing bulk, wliich rendered such heavy and unuiteresting work necessary, to
him
fit
"
for the arena.
the body of Hercules
By
!"
complained the
" I would I were but such a half-starved giant,
ape as thou,
Lutorius
my
calls training for
man
a
See wliat the master
!
of
some
solidity;
and
thank the gods, that an hom-'s girls'-play with sword and buckler is enough to keep that slender waist of thine within the compass of a knight's finger-ring."
"
Girls'-play, call
"In
faith
'tis
a
it ?"
you
game
answered Lutorius.
that would put thy fat
carcase on the sand, from sheer want of breath, in
a quarter of the time.
my will
lads,
till
No more
be thinner then, or I
many
girls'-play for us,
after the feast of Ceres.
pau's are promised
am
The school
mistaken.
by the Consul
How
for this
coming bout? street, but I have forgotten." " One hundred at least, for sword and buckler
I heard the crier teU us in the
alone.
And
smile.
His profession as a boxer freed him from
twenty of them out of The Family !" answered Euchenor, readily, and with a malicious
WINGED WOEDS. any
273
but he took none the
fatal apprehensions;
less pleasure in recalling to his
comrades the more
deadly nature of their encounters. looked grave
;
Kufus alone
perhaps he was thinking of his wife
and chikh'en while he listened
humble cottage
iii
;
perhaps
that
the Apennines seemed further
than ever, and the more desirable on that
off
account.
The
others smiled grimly, and a wolfish
expression gleamed for an instant from their eyes
—
all
but Esca, whose glowing young face disj)layed
only courage, excitement, and hope. " Bii-d of ill-omen !" said Hippias, sternly. " What do know of the clash of steel ?
Keep
you
your o\\u boys'-play, and do not meddle with
to
the
that draws blood at every stroke.
game
think I
am
master
Euchenor would have answered
knock
I
liere !"
sullenly, but a
at the door arrested his attention. ojjen, to the surprise of
As
it
and of none
all, swung more than Esca, Calchas stood before them. *'
Salve
!"
said the old
around, his venerable
man
kindly, as he looked
head and calm dignified
bearing contrasting nobly with the brute strength
and coarser
faces of the gladiators.
" Salve
!"
he
repeated, smiling at the astonishment his appear-
ance seemed to VOL.
I.
call forth.
T
EROS.
274
in a certain rough Hippias was not lacking
newcamp. He advanced to the comer, bade him welcome as a stranger, and in-
coui'tesy of tlie
"for," said
of his visit; quired the cause
father!
"judging by yom- looks, oh, my either with scarcely be a mission connected
my is
disciples here,
whose trade, you
may
it
he,
can
me
or
observe,
war." " I too
am
a soldier," answered Calchas, quietly,
looking the astonished fencing-master full in the
The
face.
round
;
had bv
time gathered
this
like schoolboys at play, they
mischief.
merest
fjladiators
And
trifle to
like schoolboys,
it
were ripe
for
needed but the
urge them into any extreme, either
of good or evil.
"A
"then you same moment he snatched
soldier!" exclaimed Euchenor,
fear not steel
!"
at the
a short two-edged sword from the wall, and delivered breast.
a thrust with
it
full at
the old man's
Calchas moved not a muscle
neither rose nor
fell
;
only intended a brutal
jest,
how dangerous might be Eufus dashed
it
his colour
his eye-lash never quivered
as he looked steadily at the Greek,
had reached the
;
who probably
and cared but
its
result.
folds of the visitor's
little
The point gown, when
aside with his hand, while Hippias
WINGED WOEDS.
275
dealt the oflfender a buffet, whicli sent liim reelins to the opposite wall.
" AVhat now ?" exclaimed the Professor, in the tone with which a ''
Wliat now
The was
?
man
rates a disobedient hound.
Am I not master here ?"
others looked on approvingly.
well
amused
suited
at
to
their
The
jest
Thev were
habits.
the discomfiture of the
Greek, and
pleased with the coolness shown by an old man of such unwarlike exterior. Esca, however, strode
up to his friend's side, and glared about him in a manner that boded no good to the originator of any more such aggressions, either
in
sport
or
earnest. "
Thou
in as
hast hurt the youth," remarked Calchas,
unmoved a tone
as
fiercest gladiator of the
would have become the
schooL
"
him, and he was but in jest after
Thou all.
hast hurt
In truth,
Hippias, I have not seen so goodly a buffet dealt since I
came
strike to
to
Eome.
That arm of thine can
some purpose, and thy pupils are like and strong, and skilful. I
their master, brave,
have heard of the legion called 'Invincible,' sm-ely I have found it here. My sons, are you not the In\-incibles ?"
He
spoke so quietly they
knew
not whether he
276
EROS.
was jesting with them tickled
ears
their
gladiators
but the flattering
pleasantly enough,
" Invincibles said, old
"
Inyincibles
!
are the Invincibles
!
they laughed.
man
!
yes,
we
Who can stand against The Family ?'
We
?
shall
ranks ere another " Give
Rufus
;
and the
mii'th.
!"
'
to join us
title
crowded round him, with shouts of en-
couragement and
Well
;
him a
Hast come
have plenty of space in the
moon be
old."
sword, one of you
!"
exclaimed
"let us see what he can do against Lutorius.
The Gaul has had a
bellyful already, press liim,
man, and he must go down !" "Xay, let him have a bout A^-ith the wooden
old
"
He is but young and would sicken at the sight of blood." "Or a cast ATith the net and trident," con-
foils,"
laughed Hirpinus.
He
tender.
tinued Manlius.
"Or chenor to
a round with the cestus," observed Eu;
" adding with a sneer, I myself
am
ready
exchange a buffet or two with him, for sheer
good-will." "
Hold
Avith
!
risino;
my new colour.
comrades," interposed Esca, "
taught to venerate grey for cestus, lance,
In
mv
hairs.
countrv we If ye are so
and sword-play, here
am
are
keen I,
un-
WINGED WORDS.
277
and inexperienced, willing to stand against the best of you, from now till sundown." tried
The
gladiators gathered round the last speaker
somewhat angrily
:
the challenge was indeed
a
bold one in such company, and a contest begun in play,
amongst those turbulent
not improbably in too fatal earnest cut the matter short by
might end
spirits, ;
but Hippias
commanding
"
silence,"
and turning to the new-
in loud imperious tones,
comer, bade him state at once the business that
had brought him there and have done with it. " I came here," said the old man, looking round with a glance of mingled pity and admiration
came here
to see with
my own
eyes,
Invincibles.
I have already told
am
whose duty
a' soldier,
it is
to
—
"
I
the band of
you that
go down,
I too
need
if
be, daily unto death."
There was something
so quiet
and earnest in
the speaker's manner, such an absence of self-consciousness or apprehension, a sincerity and goodwill so frank
and evident, that the rude
men whom he
addressed, could not but give
their
attention.
There was
all
fierce
him
the interest of
novelty in beholding one whose appearance and habits were so at variance with thek own, thus their forbearance. thro^\ing liimself fearlessly on
EKOS.
278
and
trusting, as
were, to that higher nature,
it
which, dormant though
it
might
man
be, each
felt
to exist within himself.
Even
Hippias- acknowledged the influence of his
visitor's confidence, and
answered graciously enough, " If you are a soldier, I need not tell you that
we
are but on the drill-ground here.
see
my
band
by Csesar
advantage when they
to better
at the
games
chorus,"
said he,
will
defile
of Ceres."
Calchas looked inquiringly round. "
You
'"'And the
that I have heard ring out in
such a warhke tone, as yom* ranks marched past the Imperial chair:
Do you
friends?
are
you perfect in
practise the chant as
your sword-play and youi- wrestling
He
my
you do
?"
had fixed then- attention now.
terested,
it,
Half-in-
half-amused at his strange persistency,
they looked laughingly at each other, and their
deep voices burst out into the wild and thrilling
—
cadence of then- fatal dirge " Ave, Ccesar ! Blorituri
As the the school
last notes died :
to the rudest
te
salidant !"
away, silence pervaded
and most
reckless, there
was something suggestive in the sounds they knew too well would be the last music they should hear
on
earth.
279
WINGED WOEDS. Calchas turned suddenly upon Hippias.
"
And
the wages Csesar gives your men ?" said he ; " since he buys them, body and bones, they must
be very
How many
costly.
thousand sesterces
doth he pay for each ?"
A brutal laugh echoed round
him
at the ques-
tion.
" Sesterces
answered Hippias.
!"
"
Nay
;
Caesar's
generosity provides handsomely for the training
and nom-ishment of " True enouirh
!"
his swordsmen."
added Eufus, at which there "
was another laugh. drink, and burial !"
He
finds us in meat,
and
" No more ?" said Calchas.
" Yet I have been
Eome
its
told that in
but
little
bought
everything fetches
did I think such
for less
men
price
;
as these could be
money than a Syrian
dancing-gii'l,
So you are willing to toil day after day, harder than the peasant on the hill-side, or the oarsman in the galley, to live or a senator's white horses.
simply, temperately, ay, virtuously, together, its
for
months
and then to face certain death, often in
ghastliest form, for the
—a gives his meanest slave
wages a Eoman citizen morsel of meat and a
you conquer in the struggle, a branch of palm may be added to a handful of draught of wine
!
If
EKOS.
280
and you deem your reward is more than Truly, I am old and feeble, these hands enougli.
silver,
are
worth to strike or parry, yet would I
little
grudge to
mean "
worn-out body of mine at so
sell tliis
a price.
You
told us
you
Eufus, on
whom
seemed
make no
to
v/ere a soldier,"
the argument of relative value slight impression.
" but not at such
"
So I am," replied Calchas a low rate of pay as yours.
watch
not forced to
My
duties are not day, nor to
toil all
My head aches with no weighty breastplate and greaves of steel do not
;
body nor cumber
my
eagles
against
to
my
guard.
I
my
my
and slay the
even as a brother,
thongh
to
raise,
friend, with
man who
lest
have
I
need not stand,
comrade and
at his throat,
limbs.
my
mound
neither trench to dig, nor
me
;
all night.
helmet gall
am
I
heavy.
observed
you,
my
point
has been to
he slay me.
labours be so easy, and
be so deficient and inadequate,
all
my
Yet, service
the gold and
jewels you have seen glistening in a triumph
the treasures of Caesar and of
nor
like
Eome
—
all
—would not
equal the reward I hope to earn."
The
gladiators looked from one to the other
with glances of astonishment and curiosity.
This
WINGED WORDS.
281
was a subject that spoke to their personal and roused their feelings
interest,
accordingly.
"
Are there vacancies
in your ranks,
comrade
?"
asked Hirpiuus, using the military form of speech habitually affected by his profession.
man
enrol a
looking little to it,
you "
of muscle like myself,
all liis life for
"
Will you who has been
a service in Mhich there
do and plenty to get
Take
?
is
my word for
long want for recruits." room for all, and to spare," answered
will not
There
is
Calchas, raising
his voice
till
enlist
you
come
to
and
it
"
every corner of the building.
rung through
My
Captain will
Avithout reserve.
freely, Only you him and range yourselves under his banner, and stand by him for a few short Ayatches,
a week, a month, a decade or two of years at the most, and he will stand by you when Caesar and his legions are scattered to the four winds of ay,
and long
on in a
after that, for ages
circle that
brave hearts?
has no end
!
Heaven
;
and ages rolling Will you come,
I have authority to receive
you
man by man." "
Where
is
your Captain
?"
asked Hirpinus.
"
He must needs have a large following. Is he here in Rome ? Can we see him ere we take the oaths and raise the standard
?
Comrades
!"
he
282
EEOS.
man
added, looking round, "this old
though he were
in
speaks as
Nay, he would
earnest.
scarcely dare to laugh in our very beards !" " You might have seen him," answered Calchas,
"not
forty years ago, as
sunny plains of till
Syria.
I
You
myself
on the
did,
will not see liim
now,
a pinch of dust has been sprinkled on your
brow, and the death-penny put into your mouth.
Then, when you have crossed the dark will
be waiting for you on the other
The means
side."
" gladiators looked at one another. he ?" said they. " Is he mad ?" " Is
"Doth he
augur?"
deal
in
he
river,
he an Rufas
magic?"
reared his tall head above the throng.
What
"Would
you have us believe in what we cannot see ?" was the apposite question of that practical swordsman.
The
old
man drew
his
mantle
shoulders with the air of one
argument. "
Which
All he wanted, was a is
the nobler
gift,"
strong body, or a gallant heart ?
round
who prepares
his for
fair hearing.
he asked, " a
Ye have
fought
many times, most of you, in the arena. Answer me truly, which is the conqueror, courage or strength ?" "
Courage," they exclaimed, with one voice
all
—
except Euchenor, who muttered something
WINGED WORDS. about
skill
283
and good-fortime being preferable
to
either.
"
And yet you cannot see it," resumed Calclias. " Will you therefore argue that it cannot exist ? Is there one of
vou here that doth not
feel
a
something wanting to complete his daily existence ? do you long for the smiles of women, and the bubble of the wine-cup ? Why can you not rest
Why
when the
training of to-day
the labours of to-morrow
over, for thinking of
is
Why
?
are you always
anxious, always anticipating, always dissatisfied?
man
Because a
consists of
two
parts, the
body and
made up of two and the future. Your bodies
because his
the spirit;
phases, the present
life
is
belong to Csesar, let liim have them to do with
them what he Hkes, games
to-day,
to-morrow, at the
of Ceres, at the feast of Neptune,
matter ?
But the
your own.
He
spirit,
it is
the
man
what
within you,
is
who doth not wince when the
javelin pierces to the quick, or the wild beast rends to the marrow. level
He
it is
who
quails not
when the
sweep of sand seems to rock beneath him, and
heave up against his face
;
when the white
gar-
ments and eager faces of the crowd spin round him faster and faster as they fade upon his darkening eye.
He
is
the better
man
of the two, and
284
EROS.
he
Shall you not provide for
will live for ever.
him ? What hours of
is
your present
A foot
toil.
and a dash
?
Much trouble, many
or two of steel in the hand,
at a comrade's throat, then a back-fall
below the equestrian benches, and so the future
Do you thmk
begins.
there
nothing better
is
there, than old Charon's ferry-boat, and the pale,
misty banks of the uncertain river
way
to a golden land far brighter
and the gate
it,
and
There
the fabled islands of the West. wall round
I
?
know the
is
a high
low and narrow
is
than
fairer
;
but
the key stands in the lock, and you need no death-
penny
Go
to purchase entrance for the poorest of you.
to the door in rags, with
no other possession
but the hope and trust that you
your knees, and
Something listened, that
viction
in if
it
may crawl
in
upon
opens ere you have knocked."
each man's heart told him, as he he could but believe
was worth more than
the empire put together.
all
this,
the con-
the treasures of
Liable as were these
gladiators to stand in the jaws of death at a day's notice, there
was something inexpressibly elevating
in the idea that the
supreme moment which the
most careless of them could not but sometimes picture to himself, was the
nobler state of existence.
mere passage
The words
of a
to
a
man
285
WIXGED WOEDS. who
is
telling
what
he, himself, implicitly believes
to be the truth, carry with them no small amount
of persuasion
and when Calchas paused, the
;
swordsmen looked doubtingly at him with eyes in which incredulity and admiration were strangely mingled
;
not witliout a certain
^^•istful
gleam of
hope. Hippias, indeed, whose tastes inclined materialism, and his
him
to
reflections to utter disbelief
temper of a blade, seemed cut the matter short, as being a waste
in everything save the
disposed to
of vahiable time
;
but the anxiety of his pupils,
and especially of Esca,
to hear
more
ing promises held out, induced
arms and riority,
"
listen,
him
of the glowto fold his
with a smile of conscious supe-
not devoid of contempt.
And
the Captain
who
leads us ?" asked the
Gaul, after a whisper, and a push from Hirpinus. "
What
him ?
of
Your promises are
I grant you, but I would fain
fair
enough,
know with whom
I
serve."
Not one
of
them but noted the gleam on the
old man's face, as
he replied
—
" The Captain went up to death with a patient, calm, and kindly face, for you, and you, and you,
and
me
—
for those
who had never seen him
;
for
286
EEOS.
who
those
mistrusted
him
;
who
for those
failed
him, and turned back from him at his need. for those
who
he forgave with the free
—
ay, of a
much then-
for
God you
Nay,
whom
tortured and slew him, and
!
full forgiveness of
Which
of your gods has
When
?
did one of
a
God \
done as
them leave
Mount Olympus, save for some human need, human mission of bloodshed and crime ?
or some
"\^Tiere is
the king
who would
give up an earthly
and go voluntarily to a shameful death
throne,
the sake of
his
— brave,
friends,
people
?
resolute,
would you have in him
You
are
hearty
whom you
men,
men serve
rage, patience, mercy, good- will to all
think ye of him, who
left
for
my what
;
—cou-
?
?
AVhat
the rulership of the
whole universe, and went so willingly to die, that he might buy you to be his own here and here-
Come and
after?
standard.
There
is
service
is
neither
range
I will tell
yom'selves under his
you of liim day by day.
no jealousy amongst Jm soldiers. he has told us so himself easy ;
mine nor any mortal tongue can
The ;
and
calculate
the reward." "
Enough
of this !" interrupted Ilippias, noting
the eager looks and excited gestures of the swords-
men
;
interpreting as he did, the words of Calchas,
WINGED WOEDS. in their literal sense,
287
and fearing
lest lie
might,
indeed, lose the services of the darins^ band,
whose blood this,
was his trade
it
to live
on
— " Enough of
We have heard you patiently, begone My gladiators have enlisted
man!
old
and now
!
under Caesar, and
not
they will
desert
standard for any inducement you can
know not why trespass
not
building
is
their
offer.
1
have listened to you so long but fm-ther on my forbearance. This I
;
no Athenian school of rhetoric
;
and
the only arguments acknowledged by Hippias, are those which
may
Nevertheless, go
be parried with two foot of in peace; old
steel.
man, and fare you
well."
So Calchas went out from amongst these fierce and turbulent spirits, unharmed and well satisfied.
He had sown knew
a handful of
that somewhere
it
tlie
good seed, and
would take
root.
More
than one of the gladiators was already pondering on his words and the young Briton, with his ;
ardent nature, his kind heart, and his predisposition in
favour of Mariamne's kinsman, had re-
solved that he would hear
more of these new
doctrines, which seemed to dawn upon him like light from another world.
CHAPTER
XIX.
THE ARENA.
HUNDRED
tlionsand tongues, whis-
pering and murmuring with Italian vohibility,
send up a busy
hum
like
that of an enormous beehive into the
sunny
air.
The Flavian Amphitheatre, Vespa-
sian's gigantic concession to the odious tastes of liis
people, has
Rome must if
not yet been constructed;
crowd and
and
jostle in the great Circus,
she would behold that slaughter of beasts, and
those mortal combats of men, in which she takes far
more delight than
of speed
and
skill
originally designed.
for
in the innocent trials
which the enclosure was
That her luxurious
are dissatisfied even with this sufficiently
now
obvious from the
roomy
many
citizens
edifice,
is
complaints
that accompany the struggling and pushing of
THE ARENA.
who
those
are
289
anxious to obtain a good place.
is indeed tempting to the morbid appetites of high and low. A rhinoceros and tiger are to be pitted against each other and
To-day's bill-of-fare
;
hoped that not\rithstanding many recent failures in such combats, these two beasts may be it
is
savage enough to afford the desired sport.
Several
pairs of gladiators, at least, are to fight to
the
whom the populace may whom they may withhold it
death, besides those on
show mercy, or from at \vill. In addition
to all this,
it
has been whis-
pered that one well-known patrician intends to
Much
exhibit his prowess on the deadly stage. curiosity
already his
is
expressed, and many a wager has been
laid,
conflict,
Though
on his name, his
and
the
skill,
the nature of
chances of
his
success.
the Circus be large enough to contain the
population of a thriving city, no wonder that to-day full to the very brim.
As
it is
usual in such
assemblages, the hours of waiting are lightened
by eating and drinking, by otherwise,
jests, practical
by remarks, complimentary,
or derisive, on the several notabilities at short intervals,
sarcastic,
who enter
and take their places with no
and assumption of importance. nobility and distinguished characters of this small
stir
VOL.
I.
and
U
The disso-
EEOS.
290 lute age, are better
known than respected by
their
plebeian fellow-citizens.
There
one
however,
is,
Thongh
exception.
Valeria's Liburnians lay themselves open to no
small amount of insolence, by the emphatic
make way
ner in which they
man-
for their mistress, as
she proceeds with her usual haughty bearing to her place near the patrician benches an insolence of which some of the more pointed missiles do not
—
herseK spare the scornful beauty observed that she
is
—
it is
no sooner
accompanied by her kinsman,
Licmius, than a change comes over the demeanour
even of those who
feel
themselves most aggi'ieved,
bv being elbowed out of their places, and pushed violently against
glances
and
a
theh neighbours, while admiring respectful
esteem in which the
silence,
Eoman
general
denote is
the
held by
hioh and low. It
wants a few minutes yet of noon.
southern sun,
though
his intensity
is
The
modified
by canvas awnings stretched over the spectators wherever
it is
possible to afford
them shade,
lights
and warms up every nook and cranny of the amphitheatre
;
the Camgleams in the raven hair of
of the astonished panian matron, and the black eyes
urchin in her arms
;
flashes off the golden bosses
THE AEEXA.
291
that stud the white garments on the equestrian
benches, bleaches the level sweej) of sand so soon to bear the prints of mortal struo-o-le,
the lofty tlirone where Caesar
the broad crimson
hem
sits
and flooding
in state,
deepens
that skirts his imperial
garment, and sheds a death-like hue over the pale, bloated face,
which betrays even now no
sign of interest, or animation, or delight. Vitellius attends these brutal exhibitions with
the same immobility that characterizes his
meanour same
in almost all the avocations of
hstlessness,
the
de-
The
life.
same weary vacancy of
expression, pervades his countenance here, as in
the senate or the council.
His eye never glistens
but at the appearance of a favourite dish
emperor of the world can only be said to in the twenty-fom- hours,
when
;
and live
tlie
once
seated at the ban-
quet. Insensibilitv seems, however, in all asres to be
an
affectation of the higher classes
while the plebeians wrangle, chatter,
and
and
;
and here,
gesticulate, the patricians
are ap-
parently bent on proving that amusement
them
a
simple
impossibility,
and
and
laugh,
is
for
suffering
or
slaughter matters of the most profound indifference.
EROS.
292
And on common so
so
cold,
occasions
unmoved by
who
so impassible,
takes
that
all
around her, as the haughty Valeria
?
place
but to-day
an unusual gleam in the grey eyes, a quiver of the lip, a fixed red spot on either cheek ; adding new charms to her beauty, not lost upon there
is
the observers who surround her.
Quoth Damasippus to Oarses
(for the
congenial
rogues stand as usual shoulder to shoulder),
"1
w^ould
knew her
I never
must
not that the patron saw her now.
have
left
look so fah as
her
the
secret
Locusta
this.
of
her
love-
philtres."
"
Oh, Innocent
!"
replies the other.
"Knowest
thou not that the patron fights to-day?
Seest
thou her restless hands, and that fixed smile, like the
him
mask ;
trust
of an old
Greek player?
were she subtle as Arachne. patron stakes
And
She loves
me, therefore, she has lost her power,
Dost not know the
? To do him justice he never when he has won the game."
the two
fall to
prizes the
discussing the dinner they
have brought with them, and think they are perfectly familiar with the intricacies of a
woman's
feelings.
Meantime Valeria seems to
cling to Licinius as
29 Q
THE AEEXA. some
thougli there were
spell iu her
kinsman's
presence to calm that beating heart of wliich she is
but now beginning to learn the wayward and
indomitable nature.
For the twentieth time she
asks,
— "Is
he
points? Does he know every prepared at Are his health and feint of the deadly game? all
strength as perfect as training can
And
oh,
Does he
my
he
he confident in himself ? will
interest
she betrays
and
been done.
science,
He
the courage of his nation.
sit
such a matter,
and Hippias can
has the advantage in
strength, speed, and height.
tliey get cooler,
in
—
skill,
as
van ?"
questions Licinius, though wondering
answers as before, " All that do, has
is
!
feel sure that
To which at the
kinsman
make them ?
Above
all,
As they
get fiercer
and they are never so formidable
when you deem them vanquished. here
if
I thought he
moved
restlessly
of
for a while,
on her cushions.
I wish they would begin
moment
delay seemed
!"
said she
at the
;
but soon "
How
yet every
same time
a respite of priceless value, even while the torture of suspense.
I could not
would be worsted."
Then Valeria took comfort she
he has
it
to be
added to
EEOS.
294
Many
liearts
love, hope, fear,
were beating in that crowd with and anxiety but perhaps none so ;
women, separated but by a and whose eyes some indefinable at-
wildly as those of two
few paces, traction
seemed to draw
irresistibly
towards each
other.
While Valeria,
in
common
with
many
ladies
had encroached upon the space allotted to the vestal vu'gins, and
of distinction,
originally
established
in the amphi-
by constant attendance
theatre a prescriptive right to a cushioned seat for herself
and her
friends,
women
of lower rank
were compelled to station themselves in an upper allotted to them, or to mingle on suffergallery
ance with the crowd in the lower
tier of places,
where the presence of a male companion Avas and indispensable for protection from annoyance, even
insult.
Nevertheless, within
tance of the haughty
Eoman
speaking
dis-
lady stood Mariamne,
with fear and accompanied by Calchas, trembling
excitement in every limb, yet turning her large
dark eyes upon Valeria, with an expression of and interest that could only have been curiosity
aroused by an instinctive consciousness of feehngs
common
to both.
The
latter, too,
seemed
nated by the gaze of the Jewish maiden,
fasci-
now
THE AEENA.
295
bending on her a haughty and inquiring glance, anon turning away with a gesture of affected disdain
but never unobservant, for
;
together, of the dark, pale beauty
many seconds
and her vene-
rable companion.
When
she was at last fairlv wedo-ed in amono^st
Mariamne could hardly explain to how she came there. It had been with
the crowd, herself
great difficulty that she
accompany her
;
and,
persuaded Calchas to
nothing but his
indeed,
and the hope that he might, even here, find some means of doing good, would have tempted the old man into such a scene. It interest in Esca,
was with many a burning blush and painful thrill that she confessed to herself, she must go mad with anxiety were she absent from the deathstruggle to be Avaged by the
knew
she loved so dearly
;
man whom
and
it
she
now
was with a wild
defiant recklessness that she resolved if aught of evil should befal
forth
dream
to ;
despair.
him She
up thenceshe was in a
to give herself felt
as
if
the sea of faces, the jabber of tongues,
the strange novelty of the spectacle, confused and
wearied her
seemed
;
yet through
to look
boding of
ill
:
it
all
Yaleria's
eye
down on her with an ominous
and when, with an
effort,
she forced
.
296
EROS.
her senses back into self-consciousness, she lonely,
so frightened,
and
so
felt so
unhappy, that she
wished she had never come.
And
now, with peal of trumpets and clash of
cymbals, a bm'st of wild martial music rises above the
hum
Under a pillars,
and murmur of the seething crowd. spacious archway, supported by marble
wide folding doors are flung open, and two
by two, with stately step and slow, march in the gladiators, armed with the different weapons of Four hundred men are they, in all the pride of perfect strength and symmetry, and high training, and practised skill. With
their deadly trade.
head erect and haughty bearing, they defile once round the arena, as though to give the spectators an opportimity of closely scanning their appearance, and halt with military precision to range themselves in line under Caesar's throne.
a
moment
there
over
the
tion
is
multitude,
while
the
devoted
champions stand motionless as statues in the glow of noon
:
For
a pause and hush of expecta-
full
then bursting suddenly into action,
they brandish their gleaming weapons over their heads, and rible
higher, fuller, fiercer, rises the
ter-
chant that seems to combine the shout of
triumph with the wail of suffering, and to bid
THE AEEXA. a
long and hopeless
297
farewell
to
upper earth, even in the very recklessness and defiance of its despair "
—
Ave, Caesar
Morituri te salutant
!
!"
Then they wheel out once more, and range themselves on either side of the arena
all
;
but
a chosen band who occupy the central place of honour, and of
doomed
whom
every second
man
at least
to die.
These
ai-e
the picked pupils of Hijipias;
quickest eyes and the readiest hands
Family
is
;"
therefore
lected to fight
by
it is
in
the
"The
that they have been se-
pairs to the death,
and that
it is
understood no clemency will be extended to them
from the populace.
With quickened
breath,
and Mariamne scan well-kno^vn figure
:
able relief that he
their ranks
both is
and eager
in search of a
feel it to
not there
;
looks, Valeria
be a question-
but the
Koman
lady tears the edge of her mantle to the seam,
and the Jewish
girl offers
in her heart, for she
Esca's part is
still
in
is
an incoherent prayer
knows not what.
not yet to be performed, and he
the back-grouud,
preparing
carefully for the struggle. The rest of " The Family," however,
himself
muster
in
298
EROS. Tall Eiifus stalks to his appointed station
force.
with a calm business-like
air that
bodes no good
He
has
fought too often not to feel confident in his
own
whoever he
to his adversary,
invincible prowess
spatch a fallen regret, but
and when compelled to dehe
foe,
none the
of joyial
do
Avill
with sincere
it
dexterously and effec-
less
Hirpinus, too, assumes his usual
tually for that. air
;
be.
may
There
hilarity.
broad, good-humoured face
is
a smile on his
and though, notwith-
;
standing the severity of his preparation, his huge
muscles are
still
a
trifle
too full
be a formidable antagonist
for
and
lusty,
any
fighter
proportions are less than those
As the crowd
he
will
whose
of a Hercules.
pass the different combatants in
review, none, with the exception perhaps of Eufus,
have
more
than
backers
their
old
favourite-
Lutorius too, notwithstanding his Gallic origin,
which places him but one remove, as it Avere, from a barbarian, finds no slight favour with those who pride
themselves on
matters.
His great
their
experience
activity
in
such
and endurance, com-
bined with thorough knowledge of his weapon,
have made contest.
him the
victor
As Damasippus
"Lutorius can always
in
many
a public
observes to his friend
tire
:
out an adversary and
THE AEEXA.
299
despatch him at leisure ;" to which Oarses replies, " If ]ie be pitted to-day against Manlius, I will
wager tliee a thousand sesterces blood drawn in the first three assaults."
The
is
not
had already been decided by lot but amongst the score of combatants who were to paii's
;
fight to the death, these
formidable champions were the most celebrated, and as such the espe-
cial favourites of the
duals in the crowd,
populace.
who were
Certain indivi-
sufficiently familiar
with the gladiators to exchange a word of greeting,
and
to call
them by
consequence, no
small
their names, derived in
increase
of
importance
amongst the bystanders.
The swordsmen, although now ranged round the arena, are destined, to remain inactive.
The
in order
for a time, at least,
sports are to
commence
with a combat between a lately imported rhinoceros,
and a Libyan tiger, already familiarly known to the public, as having destroyed two or three Clu'istian victims and a negro slave.
It
is
only in the event
of these animals being unwilling to fight, or becom-
ing dangerous to the spectators, that Hippias will call in
the assistance of his pupils for their de-
struction.
In the
mean
time, they have an excel-
lent view of the conflict, though perhaps
it
might
300
EROS.
be seen in greater comfort from the farther and safer side of the barrier. Vitellius, with
a feeble inclination of his head,
and a portable wooden building lists, creating no
signs to begin,
which has been wheeled into the little
curiosity, is
strokes of the
now taken
hammer.
by a few
to pieces
As the
slaves carry
away
the dismembered boards, with the rapidity of in terror of their Kves, a
men
huge, unwieldy beast
stands disclosed, and the rhinoceros of which they
have been talking
for the last
delighted eyes of the
perhaps a
little
Roman
disappointed
week, bursts on the
These are
public.
at
first,
for
the
animal seems peaceably, not to say indolently, disTaking no notice of the shouts which posed. greet his appearance, he digs his horned muzzle into the sand in search of food, as
though secure
overlapping plates of armour, that sway
in the
enormous body, with every movement of his huge ungainly limbs. So intent are loosely
on
his
the spectators on this attention arena,
length
broad
is
rare monster, that their
only directed to the farther end of the
by the restlessness which the rhinoceros at exhibits. flat feet,
agitated,
He
stamps
angi-ily
his short pointed tail
is
with his furiously
and the gladiators who are near him,
THE ARENA. observe that his
A long,
little
eye
is
301
glowing like a
low, dark object, lies coiled
barrier as
though seeking
shelter,
coal.
up under the
nor
is it till
the
second glance, that A^aleria, whose interest, in
common
with that of the multitude,
excited, can
make
is
fearfully
out the fa^^Tling, cruel head,
the glaring eyes, and the striped sineAvy form of the Libyan tiger.
In vain the people wait
Although he
the attack.
having been kept food,
it is
for
him
for is
to
commence
sufficiently
hungry,
more than a day without
not his nature to carry on an open war-
Damasippus and Oarses jeer him loudly as he skulks under the barrier and Calchas cannot fare.
;
forbear whispering to Mariamne, that
"a
curse
has been on the monster since he tore the brethren
limb from limb, in that very place, for the glory of the true faith."
The
however,
rliinoceros,
take the initiative
seems disposed
to
with a short labouring trot
:
he moves across the arena, leaving such deep
foot-
his enorprints behind him, as sufficiently attest
mous bulk and fire
from the
watchful—
There
is
a flash like real
tiger's eyes, hitherto
only sullen and
his
weio-ht.
waving
in the sand —and he
tale describes a semicircle
coils
himself more closelv to-
302
EROS.
gether, -with a deep low growl
:
even now he
is
not disposed to fight save at an advantage.
A
hundred thousand
pairs of eyes, straining
eagerly on the combatants, could scarce detect
moment
which that spring was made. All they can now discern is the broad mailed back of the rhinoceros sw^avins; to and fro, as he the exact
kneels upon his tiger's
at
enemy
and the grating of the
;
claws against the huge beast's impenetrable
armour, can be heard in the farthest corner of the gallery that surrounds the amphitheatre.
The
leap was
side for
made
as the rhinoceros turned his
an instant towards
his adversary
:
but
with.
a quickness marvellous in a beast of such prodigious size, he
receive
it
moved
his
head round
in time to
on the massive horn that armed his nose,
driving the blunt instrument, from sheer muscular
body of the tiger, and work by falling on him with his
strength, right through the finishing his
knees, and pressing his
mous
life
out under that enor-
weight.
Then he
rose unhurt,
his nostrils,
and
left,
and blew the sand out of
as
it
seemed, unwillingly,
the flattened, crushed, and mangled carcase, turning back to
it
once and again, with a horrible, yet
ludicrous pertinacity, ere he suffered the Ethiop-
THE AKENA. ians ^Yho attended
him
to lure
303
him out
of the
am-
phitheatre with a bundle or two of green vegetable food.
The people
shouted and
applauded loudly. Blood had been di-awn, and their appetite was sharpened for slaughter. It was with open, undisguised satisfaction that they counted the paii-s of gladiators, and looked forward to the next act of the entertainment.
Again the trumpets sound, and the swordsmen range themselves in opposite bodies, alike with a deep concave buckler,
all
armed
and a
short,
stabbing, two-edged blade; but distinguished by
the colour of their
made on
Wagers are rapidly
scarfs.
the green and the red
:
so skilfully has
the experienced Hippias selected and matched the combatants, that the oldest patrons of the sport confess themselves at a loss which to choose.
The bands advance
against each other, three
deep, in imitation of the real soldiers of the empire. the fii'st crash of collision, when steel begins to clink, as thrust and blow and parry are
At
exchanged
by these practised
warriors, the approbation of the
spectators rises to enthusiasm
;
but men's voices are
hushed, and they hold theii- breath when the strife begins to waver to and fro, and the ranks open out
304
EEOS.
and disengage themselves, and blood is to be seen in patches on those athletic frames, and a few are already down, lying motionless where they
The green
is
has been economized, and yet fresh and untouched fill
the gaps
fell.
giving way, but their third rank
made among
its
combatants are as
tliese
;
now advance
their comrades,
to
and the
seem equalized once more. And now the arena becomes a ghastly and for-
fortunes of the day
bidding sight.
very trade
is
They
die hard, these
slaughter
but mortal agony cannot
;
always suppress a groan, and
some on
men, whose
it
is
pitiful to see
prostrate giant, supporting himself painfully
his hands, with
drooping head and
fast closing
eye fixed on the ground, while the life-stream pouring from his chest into the thirsty sand.
is
It is real sad earnest, this representation of war,
and resembles the
no
and quarter is but rarely Occasionally, indeed, some vanquished
prisoners given.
battle-field in all save that
are taken
champion, of more than has displayed
common
beauty, or
who
more than common address and
courage, so wins on the favour of the spectators, that they sign for his
life
to be spared.
are turned outwards, with the
Hands
thumb pointing
to
the earth, and the victor sheathes his sword, and
THE ARENA. retires with his test
for
305
worsted antagonist, from the eon-
but more generally the fallen man's signal
;
mercy
is
neglected
has died upon his
:
A
ere the shout "
hit
!"
eye marks the thumbs of his judges, pointing upwards, and he disposes himself to " welcome the steel," with ears, his despairing
a calm courage, worthy of a better cause.
The
reserve, consisting of ten pau'S of picked
gladiators, has not yet
been engaged.
The green
and the red have fought with nearly equal sucbut when the trumpet has sounded a halt, and the dead have been dragged away by grap-
cess
;
pling-hooks, leaving long tracks of crimson in their
wake, a careful enumeration of the survivors the victory by one, to the latter colour.
coming forward
in a suit of
declares as much, and
applause.
In
all
is
ffives
Hippias,
burnished armour,
greeted with a round of
her preoccupation, Valeria can-
not refrain from a glance of approval at the hand-
some fencing-master that
E sea's
life
honesty, gazes horror, as on
;
and Mariamne, who
hangs on the man's
at
skill
feels
and
him with mingled awe and
some being
of' another
world.
But the populace have little inclination to waste the precious moments in cheering Hippias, or in calculating loss and gain.
VOL.
I.
Fresh wagers are
X
EROS.
306 indeed made on
matches about to take place
tlie
;
but the prevailiug feeling over that numerous assemblage, is one of morbid excitement and
The ten
anticipation.
pairs of
men now marching
so proudly into the centre of the
are pledged
lists,
to fight to the death. It
would be a
disgaisting
task to detail the
scene of bloodshed, to dwell on the fierce courage wasted, and the brutal, useless slaughter perpetrated in those as
was the
Eoman
sight, so
shambles: yet, sickening
inured were the people to
such exhibitions, so completely imbued with a taste for the horrible, life,
and so careless of human
that scarcely an eye was tm-ned away, scarcely
a cheek grew paler, w^hen a disabling gash was received, or
a
mortal blow driven home; and
mothers with babies in their arms would bid the child turn
its
head
to
watch the death-pang on
the pale stern face of some prostrate gladiator. Licinius
had looked upon carnage
in
many
forms, yet, a sad, grave disapproval sat on the general's noble features. his
kinswoman's eager
Once face,
with a gesture of anger and
after
a glance at
he turned from her disg-ust
;
but Valeria
was too intent upon the scene enacted within a few short paces to spare attention for anything besides,
'THE ARENA.
•
307
except, perhaps, the vague foreboding of evil that was gna\nng at her heart, and to which such a
moment
of suspense as the
present afforded
a
temporary relief. Rufus and Manlius had been pitted against each other by lot. The taller frame and greater of
strength
the former were
balanced by the
latter's exquisite
and bracelets were
be
to'
supposed
Collars
skQl.
freely offered at even value
amongst the senators and equestrians on each. While the other paii'S were waging their strife with varying success in different parts of the amphitheatre,
these
had
found
themselves
struggling near the barrier close under the seat
occupied by Valeria. their
hard-drawn
man's face the
She could hear
breath,
stern, set expression of
whom
has no hope save in victory, for inevitable
No
and instant death.
eacli
one who defeat
is
wonder she sat,
and spell-bound, with her pale and her cold hands clenched. so
distinctly
on
could read
still
lips
parted
The blood was pouring from more than one gash on the giant's naked body, yet Eufus seemed to
have
lost neither coolness
nor strength.
He
continued to ply his adversary with blow on blow, pressing him, and following
him
up,
till
he drove
308
EROS.
him nearly
against the barrier.
that Manlius,
though
still
It
was obvious
unwounded, was over-
matched and overpowered. At length Valeria drew in her breath with a gasp, as if in pain. It
seemed
as if she, the spectator, winced
from that
which was accepted so calmly by the Eufus could scarcely gladiator whom it pierced.
fatal thi-ust,
had succeeded
believe he
defence, and di-iving
it
in foiling his adversary's
deftly
home, so unmoved
was the familiar face looking over
own
his
—
and
so steady
shield into
was the return
skilful
which instantaneously succeeded
its
his attack.
But
that face was growing paler and paler with every pulsation.
saw
Valeria, gazing with wild fixed eyes,
Avreathed
it
Manlius reeled and his his
fell
sad smile,
where he
body
and
stood, breaking
sword as he went down, and burying
The
A
a strange
in
it
beneath
in the sand.
over him in act to strike.
other strode
natural impulse
bade the fallen
of habit
man
or self-preservation
half raise his arm, with the
gesture by which a gladiator was accustomed to
implore the clemency of the populace, but he recollected himself, and let his side. face,
it
drop proudly by
Tlion he looked kindly up in his victor's
"Tlu-ough
the
heart,
comrade/' said he,
309
THE ARENA. " quietly,
for old friendsliip's
sake
!"
and he never
winced nor quailed when the giant drove the blow
home with They had
all
the strength that he could muster.
fed at the
same board, and drank from
the same wine-cup for years
had
it
in his
The people applauded fill
raised her
bmied
it
and
power to bestow upon
with tears;
this
was
all
last
he
his friend.
loudly, but Valeria,
had heard the dead man^s eyes
;
appeal,
felt
who her
and Mariamne, who had
head to look at
this
unlucky moment,
once more in her kinsman's cloak, sick
and trembling, ready dismay, and
feai'.
to
faint
with
pity,
and
CHAPTER XX. THE TRIDENT AND THE NET.
^UT
was ringing through the amphitheatre that roused the Jewish a
slioiit
maiden
effectually to the business of
the day. far-off corner
It
had begun in
some
with a mere whispered muttering,
and had been taken up by spectator after spectator, till it swelled into a wild and deafening roar. "
A
Patrician
a
!
Patrician
vociferated
!"
the
crowd, thirsting fiercely for fresh excitement, and palled with vulgar carnage, yearning to see the
red blood flow from some scion of an illustrious house. as
to
The tumult soon reached such a the
compel
summoned Hippias few sentences in his the excitement
;
attention
of Vitellius,
to his chair, ear.
heio:ht
who
and whispered a
This somewhat calmed
and while the fencing-master's
THE TRIDENT AND THE NET. exertions
cleared
wounded, with
arena
the
whom
it
311
dead
of the
and
was cumbered, a general
might have been observed throughout the
stir
assemblage, while each individual
changed his and himself more position, disposed comfortably for sight-seeing, as is the custom of a crowd, when anything of especial interest
about to take
is
Ere long Daraasippus and Oarses were place. observed to applaud loudly; and then- example followed by
being
thousands of imitators, the
of hands,
the stamping of feet, the and other vociferations rose with redoubled cheers,
clapping
vigour, while Julius Placidus stepped gracefully
the centre
into
of the
and made his
arena,
obeisance to the crowd with his usual easy and
somewhat
insolent bearing.
The Tribune's appearance was to
excite
the admiration of the spectators, no
mean judges
of the
human
they were to scan and state
of
well calculated
perfection.
criticise
His
naked and unarmed, save reaching to the knee,
form, accustomed as it
in its highest
graceful
figure
was
for a white linen tunic,
and although he wore rings
of gold romid his ankles, his feet were bare to
insure the necessary speed and activity
by
his
mode
of
attack.
demanded
His long dark locks,
312
EEOS.
carefully curled and
perfumed
and
bound
by a
the occasion,
for
golden
single
floated
fillet,
his left shoulder carelessly over his neck, while
was
tastefully draped, as
it
by the
were,
the dangling net, sprinkled and
and
small leaden beads,
so
folds of
weighted with
disposed as
to be
whirled away at once without entanglement or
His right hand a three-pronged lance, some
deadly errand.
its
delay upon
grasped the trident,
seven feet in length, capable of inflicting a fatal wound, and the flourish with which he made it a practised quiver round his head displayed
arm
and a perfect knowledge of the offensive weapon. " To the shouts which greeted him, Placidus Placidus
"
!"
Hail to the Tribune
the Patrician strations
peatedly,
Order!"
of welcome,
!
Well done
and other such demonhe replied by bowing
re-
courtesies
to
directing
especially
!"
"
his
that portion of the amphitheatre in which Valeria
was placed. Tribune
moment
With
guess
all his
how
to the very
acuteness
hateful
he
little
was
woman on whose
was pledged to engage
in mortal strife
.
did the at
this
behalf he
—
little
did
he dream how earnest were her vows for his speedy humiliation and defeat. Valeria, sitting there with the red spots bui'niug a deeper crimson
THE TRIDENT AND THE NET.
313
in her cheeks, and her noble features
set in a
mask
of stone, would have asked nothing better
than to have leapt down from her
up sword and use,
and done
buckler, of
seat,
snatched
which she well knew the
battle with him, then
and there
to
the death.
The Tribune now walked proudly round the arena, nodding familiarly to his friends, a pro-
ceeding Avhich called forth raptures of applause
from Damasippus, Oarses, and other of his
He
and freedmen.
halted under the
clients
chair of
and saluted the Emperor with marked
Caesar,
deference
;
up a conspicious position and leaning on his trident, seemed
then, taking
in the centre,
to await the arrival of his antagonist.
He
was not kept long in suspense. With his eyes riveted on Valeria, he observed the fixed colour of her cheeks gTadually suffusing face, neck, and bosom, to leave her as pale as marble
when
it
faded,
and turning round he beheld
liis
enemy, marshalled into the lists by Hippias and Hirpinus the latter, who had slain his man, thus
—
afford coimsel and finding himself at liberty to
The shouts young friend. which greeted the new-comer were neither so long nor so lasting as those that did honour to the
countenance to
liis
314
EEOS.
Tribune; nevertheless
if
interest excited
tlie
by
each were to be calculated by intensity rather than amount, the
would have
slave's suffrages
far
exceeded those of his adversary.
Mariamhe's whole heart
Avas in
her eyes as she
welcomed the glance of recognition he directed exclusively to Jier ; and Valeria tm'ning from one to the other felt a bitter
pang shoot
to
her very
marrow, as she instinctively acknowledged the existence of a rival.
Even
moment
at that
of hideous suspense^, a
host of maddening feelings rushed through the
Eoman woman,
lady's brain.
jostled
Many
a sun-burnt peasant-
and bewildered in
envied that sumptuous
dame
the
cro\Yd,
with her place apart,
her stately beauty, her rich apparel, and her blazing jewels;
but the peasant-woman would
have rued the exchange had she been forced to tahe, with these advantages, the passions that were
Wounded
laying waste Valeria's heart.
slighted love, doubt, fear, vacillation
are none the
more endm-able
in costly raiment,
for
pride,
and remorse,
being clothed
and trapi3ed out with gems and
gold.
While Mariamne,
in her singleness of heart,
but one great and deadly fear
—that
had
he should
THE TRIDENT AND THE NET. fail
—Valeria found
and
of
misgivings,
room
for a
315
thousand anxieties tendencies,
conflicting
and
chafed under a distressing consciousness that she could not satisfy herself, what
it
was she most
dreaded or desired. Unprejudiced and uninterested spectators, however,
had hut one opinion as
to the chances of the
If anything could have added
Briton's success.
to the enthusiasm called forth
of Placidus,
it
formidable
an
was the
by the appearance
patrician's selection of so
Esca,
antagonist.
his
making
obeisance to Coesar, in the pride of his powerful form, and the bloom of his
youth and beauty,
armed, moreover, with helmet, shield, and sword,
which he carried with the ease of one habituated to their use, appeared as invincible a
champion
could have been chosen from the Avhole
as
Roman
empire.
Even
Hirpinus, albeit a
man
experienced in
the uncertainties of such contests, and cautious,
if
not in giving, at least in backing, his opinion,
whispered to Hippias, that the Patrician looked like a
mere
child
by the
side of their pupil,
and
offered to Avager a flagon of the best Ealemian " that he was carried out of the arena feet fore-
most within five minutes
after the first attack if
he
316
EEOS.
missed his throw true to
To which
!"
habits
his
of
the fencing-master,
reticence
and
assumed
no reply save a contempt-
superiority, vouchsafed
uous smile.
The
No
ground with exadvantage of sun or wind
either,
and having been placed by
adversaries took
ceeding caution.
was allowed to
up
their
Hippias at a distance of ten yards apart in the
middle of the arena, neither moved a limb for several seconds, as they stood intently watching
each other, themselves the centre on which eyes were fixed.
It
all
was remarked that while
Esca's open brow bore only a look of calm resolute there
attention,
stamped, as
it
was an
evil
smile
of
malice
were, upon the Tribune's face
—the
one seemed an apt representation of Courage and Strength
"He
—the other of Hatred and
Skill.
carries the front of a conqueror,"
whis-
pered Licinius to his kinswoman, regarding his " Trust me, slave with looks of anxious approval. Valeria,
we
freedom
;
win the day. Esca will gain his the gilded chariot and the white horses
shall bring
shall
him and me
to
your door to-morrow
morning, and that gaudy Tribune will have had a
one shall not be sorry to have been the means of bestowing on him."
lesson, that I for
317
THE TRIDENT AND THE NET.
A
bright smile
up
liglitecl
Valeria's face, but
she looked from the speaker to a dark-haired girl in the crowd below, and the expression of her
countenance changed
till it
grew
as forbidding as
the Tribune's, while she replied with a careless
—
laugh " I care not who wins now, Licinius, since they are both in the
To
lists.
tell
the truth, I did but
might fail would not match moment, and the
fear the courage of this Titan of yom-s
him
at the last
be fought out after
Tribune
He
is
all.
Hippias
tells
me
the
the best netsman he ever trained.^'
looked at her with a vague surprise
;
but
he following the direction of his kinswoman's eyes, could not but remark the obvious distress and agitation of the cloaked figm-e
on which they were
bent.
Mariamne, when she placed,
front
to
front
saw the
Briton fairly
with his adversary, had
neither strength nor courage for more. against Calchas the poor
hands and wept as
if
Leaning
hid her face in her girl
her heart would break.
Myrrhina, who, no more than her mistress, could have borne to be absent from such a spectacle.
had forced her way
into the crowd,
by a few of Valeria's favourite slaves.
accompanied
EEOS.
318
Standing within three paces of the Je^vess, that voluble damsel expatiated loudly on the appear-
ance of the combatants, and her careless
jests
sarcasms cut Mariamne to the quick.
was pain-
hear her lover's personal qualities canvassed
ful to
as
It
and
though he were some handsome beast of prey,
and
chance of
his
life
and death balanced with
by the flippant tongue of a waitbut there was yet a deeper sting in store
heartless nicety
ing maid for her
;
even than
this.
Myrrhina having got an
audience was nothing loth to profit by their at" " whichever I'm said tention. sure,"
the match goes I don't
As
will do.
for the
way
she,
know what my
mistress
Tribune he would get out of
any day on the bare stones to kiss the very ground she walks on, and yet if he dare so
his chariot
much
as to leave
youth's skin,
Why
again.
boy
And
all
time after time have I hunted that
over the city to bring
no light matter
it's
barian to have in
Kome.
they begin
The
a scratch ujjon that handsome
he need never come to our doors
for
a slave and a bar-
won the favour
of the proudest lady
See how he looks up at her now, before !"
light
Mariamne
him home with me.
words
raised her
wounded head
for
very
sore
;
and
one glance at the
THE TRIDENT AND THE NET.
319
Briton, half in fond appeal, half to protest, as
it
were, against the slander she had heard.
What
she saw, however,
left
no room in her
loving heart, for any feeliag save intense horror
and suspense.
With
his eye fixed
on his adversary, Esca was
advancing, inch by inch,
sprmg.
like
a tiger about to
Covering the lower part of his face, and
most of his body, with his buckler, and holding his short two-edged sword with bended arm, and threatening point, he crouched to at least a foot
lower than his natural stature,
and seemed to
have every muscle and sinew braced, to dash in like lightning false
when
the opportunity offered.
movement, he well knew, would be
A
fatal,
and the as,
chfficulty was to come to close quarters, directly he was within a certain distance, the
deadly cast Avas sure to be made.
Plaeidus, on
the other hand, stood perfectly motionless.
eye was unusually accurate, and he could practised
arm
liis
to whirl* the net abroad at the exact
moment when So he remained
its
sweep would be irresistible. same collected attitude,
in the
his trident shifted into the left hand, foot
trust
His
advanced,
his
right
gathered folds of the net
his rio-ht
arm wrapped in the which hung across his
320
EROS.
body and covered the whole of liis left side and Once he tried a scornful gibe and shoulder.
draw
smile to
his
enemy from
his guard,
but
and though Esca in return made a feint in vain with the same object, the former's attitude re;
mained immovable, and
the
latter's
snake-like
advance continued with increasing caution and vigilance.
An
inch beyond the fatal distance, Esca halted
For
once more.
several seconds the combatants
thus stood at bay, spectators theatre, like
crowded
and the hundred thousand into
held their
that
breath
spacious amphiand watched them
one man.
At length
the Briton
made a
false attack, pre-
back immediately and foil the netsman's throw, but the s^•ily Tribune was not to pared
to spring
be deceived, and the only result was that without appearing to shift his ground, he arm's
lencth nearer his adversary.
Briton dashed iFoot,
in,
and
hand, and eye,
moved an Then the
this time in fierce earnest. all
together,
and
so rapidly
that the Tribune's thi'ow flew harmless over his assailant's head, Placidus only avoiding his
thrust
by the
leaped aside;
cat-like
activity
deadly
with which he
then turning round, he scoured
THE TRIDENT AND THE NET. across the arena for
he
fresh cast as
between her once more
life,
"
flew.
set teeth,
—nay,
321
gathering his net for a
Coward
!"
hissed Valeria,
while Mariamne breathed
her bosom panted, and
lier
eye
sparkled with something like triumph at the ap-
proaching climax.
She was premature, however,
in her satisfaction,
and Valeria's disdain was also undeserved. Though apparently flying for his life, Placidus was as cool
and brave the
at that
arena.
watch
moment,
for the slightest false
of his pursuer
as
when he entered
Ear and eye were
;
movement on
and ere he had
lialf
on
alike
tlie
the part
crossed the
lists,
was gathered up, and folded with deadly precision, once more. his net
The Tribune speed of chiefly first
foot.
depended
especially prided himself on his
was on
It
this quality that
for safety in a contest
sight appeared so unequal.
the great strength of his latter
would not be
He
he
which at
argued from
adversary,
that
the
so pre-eminent in activity as
himself; but he omitted to calculate the effects of
a youth spent in the daily labours of the chase
amongst the woods and mountains of Britain. Those following feet had many a time run dov, n the wild-goat over
VOL.
I.
its
native rocks.
Y
322
EROS.
Faster and faster
fly
the
combatants, to the
intense delight of the crowd,
kind
this
of
combat
Speedy as
affords.
is
woman's
now
His arm
shriek
specially aifect it
pastime
thus
the Tribune, his foe draws close to
stands with Calchas, he
his antagonist.
a
the
for
nearer and nearer, and
amne
who
rings
witliin
is
is
where Mari-
up
a stride of
to strike
through
the
!
when
amplii-
theatre, startling Vitellius on his throne, and the SAA'ord flies
he
forward on his face, and the impetus
falls
rolls
aimlessly from the Briton's grasp as
him over and over
There
no chance
is
scarcely do^vn
and he its »p
is
in the sand.
ere
the
for
Mariamne gazes
stupefied
rostrate form, with stony face
meaning
stare.
a sudden
where she
is
and helplessly entangled in
fatally
folds.
He
him now.
net whu-ls round him,
and a
on the
fixed un-
Valeria springs to her feet in
impulse,
forgetting for
the
moment
is.
Placidrjs striding over his fallen
enemy, with and the old sneering smdle deepening and hardening on his face, observed the cause of his downfall, and inwardly congratu-
his
trident
raised,
lated himself on
the lucky chance which had
aloue prevented their positions being reversed.
THE TEIDENT AND THE NET.
323
wound
in Esca's
The blood was It
foot.
sword was buried under him in the
liis
On
sand.
be remembered that where Man-
will
lius fell,
streamino' from a
removing
dead body the weapon
his
escaped observation, and the Briton treadiug in hot haste on the ver}" spot where
it
lay concealed,
had not only been severely lacerated, but tripped up and brought to the ground by the snare. All this flashed through the conqueror's mind, as he stood erect, prepared to deal a blow that
should
close
all
accouftts,
and
looked
up
to
Valeria for the fatal sign.
Maddened with rage and
jealousy,
sick,
be-
wildered, and scarcely conscious of her actions,
the
Eoman
Licinius
lady was
seized
about to give
when
it,
her arms and held them down
by force. Then with a numerous party of friends and clients, he made a strong demonstration in
favom- of mercy.
The speed
of foot
too,
vanquished, and the obvious discomfiture, acted favourably on
displayed by the
cause of
his
the majority of spectators.
Such an array of
hands turned outwards and pointing to the earth met the Tribune's eye, that he could not forbear his cruel purpose, so
of the attendants
he gave his weapon to one
who had now entered the
arena,
324
EROS.
took his cloak from the hands of another, and with a graceful bow to the scornfully
away from
spectators
turned
his fallen foe.
Esca, expecting nothing less than immediate death, had his eyes fixed on the drooping figure of
Mariamne
since
liis fall.
;
Her
last
showed her a cloud of twine, and an ominous in act
to
girl
had seen nothing
moment
of consciousness
but the poor
strike
;
dust, a confused
mass of
with arm raised
figiu^e
then barriers and arena, and
and white garments, and the whole amphitheatre, pillars, sand, and sky, reeled ere
eager faces
they faded into darkness
;
sense and sight failed
her at the same moment, and she fainted helplessly in
her kinsman's arms.
END OF VOLUME
LONDON; PUINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND
AND
/
ClIAEING cnOSS.
I.
SONS, STA3!F0RD STIlEaT
(UF.llMIVPDe/.
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w.\n?iijr.Fifr.
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