fits
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT LOS ANGELES
THE GLADIATORS: @L
®ale
of
ftome
antr
^jutea.
BY
G.
J.
WHYTE MELVILLE,
AUTHOR OF 'DIGBT GRAXD,' 'THE INTERPRETER,' 'HOLMBT 'THE QUEEN'S MARIES,' ETC.
IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL.
II. • .
.
-
>
LONDON: LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN. 1863.
[ 77i« right
of Translation
is reserved.']
**3 •
•::
LONDON'
:
FRIKTKD BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHASING CB03S.
V v
CONTENTS. vol. n.
ANTEEOS.
4
CHAPTER
THE LISTENING SLAVE
....... CHAPTER
I.
18
CHAPTER
III.
" " FtTRENS QUID FCEMINA
33
........ ........ ....... CHAPTER
IV.
CHAPTER
S
SURG1T AMARI
CHAPTER
"DEAD LEAVES"
CHAPTER
47
V.
64
VI.
77
VII.
"habet!"
96
CHAPTER TOO LATE
1
II.
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE"
THE LOVING CUP
page
VIII. 107
!
CHAPTER THE LURE
IX. .
:
122
CONTENTS.
IV
CHAPTEE CHAPTER THE RULES OF THE FAMILY
X.
....
FROM SCYLLA TO CHAEYBDIS
page
138
......
CHAPTER
XI.
%
156
XII. 170
A MASTER OF FENCE
CHAPTER
XIII. 185
THE ESQUILINE
CHAPTER
XIV.
THE CHURCH
202
CHAPTER XV. RED1VIVUS
220
CHAPTER
XVI.
"MORITURl"
242
CHAPTER THE GERMAN GUARD
....... ......
CHAPTER
XVII.
XVIII.
THE BUSINESS OF CESAR
CHAPTER
254
270
XIX.
AT BAY
284
CHAPTER XX. THE FAIR HAVEN
,
298
THE GLADIATORS. VOL.
II.
ANTERO CHAPTER
S.
I.
THE LISTENING SLAVE.
OUKDED, vanquished, transferred his
kind
from
master, and further from
than ever, Esca's was now
liberty
deed a
pitiable
in-
The Tribune,
lot.
entitled, by the very terms of his wager, to the life
and person of
his antagonist,
was not the
man
to forego this advantage
generosity.
by any act of uncalled-for In the Briton, he believed he now-
possessed a tool to use with effect, in furtherance of a work, which the seductive image of Valeria
rendered every day more engrossing
:
an auxiliary
by whose aid he might eventually stand VOL.
II
first
B
in
ANTEROS.
Z
the good graces of the only
a
obtained
this
account his
alleviate
over
mastery
position and
woman who had his
'
he cherish
did
condition
as
unyielding
dis-
None the more on
heart.
selfish
ever
the captive,
nor
From
the
a slave.
Esca could not be put to any all menial offices,
effects of his injury,
harder kinds of labour, but in
however degrading, he was compelled to take his share. Different, indeed, was his condition here from what
minded
it
had been
in the service of the high-
Licinius, and
bitterlv
he
did
feel
the
exchange.
Submitting to sarcasm,
insult,
continued
ill-
treatment and annoyance,
the noble barbarian
would have
trial,
failed
under the
it
not been
few well-remembered words, on the truth of
for a
which Calchas had
—
had
so often insisted,
and in which
when were human thoughts without an earthly leavening ?) Mariamne seemed to cherish (for
an implicit
Those words breathed hope and consolation under the very worst misfortunes that
life
belief.
could offer
;
and Esca suffered on, very
and tolerably patient, although, perhaps, there was a fiercer fire smouldering in his breast
silent,
than would have been approved by his venerable monitor,
—a
fire
that only waited occasion to blaze
THE LISTENING SLAVE. out all the
more dangerously
for
3 being
thus
forcibly suppressed.
\Vith a malicious pleasure, natural to his disposition, Placidus
compelled the Briton to perform
several domestic offices which brought his person.
It
him about
flattered the Tribune's vanity to
have continually before his
the
eyes
athletic
frame he was so proud to have overcome, and pleased him that
his friends, guests,
and
it
clients
should be thus led to converse upon his late encounter, which had created no small gossip in
the fashionable world of
Koine.
It
happened
then, that Esca, while preparing his master's bath,
was startled to hear the name that was never long out of his
own thoughts spoken
in
accents
of
and caution by the Tribune himself, who was in the adjoining apartment, holding close consultation with Hippias the fencing-master, and the secresy
two freedmen, Damasippus and Oarses. All were obviously interested in the subject under discussion,
and, believing themselves safe from eaves-
droppers,
spoke
energetically,
somewhat lower than
though in tones
their wont.
He his
started, and the blood ebbed painfully from " Mariamne !" yes, the word was again heart.
repeated,
and while Oarses
said
something
in a
4
ANTEEOS.
whisper, he could clearly distinguish the Tribune's low, It
mocking laugh. was plain they were unaware of
and, indeed,
it
his presence,
was at an earlier hour than usual
that he had made ready the unguents, perfumes, to the strigil, and other appliances indispensable
luxurious ablutions of a
Roman
patrician.
The
bath-room was inside the favourite apartment of
was now holding counsel, and could only be entered through the latter, from which it was separated by a heavy velvet curtain.
Placidus, where he
Esca, surrounded by the materials of the toilet,
had been sitting for a longer time than he knew, lost in thought, until
aroused by the mention of
Mariamne's name.
Thus
was that the four
it
others believed the bath-room empty, and their
conversation unheard.
to
Anxious and excited, the Briton scarcely dared draw his breath, but crept cautiously behind
the folds of the heavv curtain, and listened attentively.
The Tribune was walking
to
and
fro
with
the restless motions and stealthy gait of a tiger Hippias, seated at his ease upon a was couch, examining the device of a breast-
in
its
plate,
cage.
with
his
usual
air
of
good-humoured
THE LISTENING SLAVE. superiority,
and Damasippus, appealing with ad-
miring looks to Oarses,
seemed
mute
5
who responded
in kind,
to endorse, as it were, with a dependent's
approval, the opinions and observations of
his patron. "
Two-thirds of the Legions have already come
over," said Placidus, rapidly enumerating the forces
on which Vespasian's party could count. Spain,
in
Gaul,
in
Britain,
the
declared openly against Yitellius. of
soldiers
"In have
The surrender
Cremona can no longer be concealed from the
meanest populace.
Alexandria, the granary of
the empire, has fallen into the hands of Vespasian.
Those dusky knaves, thy countrymen, Oarses, will see us starve, ere they send us supplies under the
here will
and think ye our greasy plebeians endure the girdle of famine, thus drawn
tighter,
day
present dynasty
paunches?
;
by
The
day, fleet
round
their
at Misenuni
luxurious
was secured
long ago, but the news that Caesar could not
count upon a single galley in blue water, only
Then the
reached the capital to-day. torians are ripe for mischief
:
you may
old Praetrust
them
never to forget nor to forgive the disgrace of year,
when
last
the chosen band was broke, dismissed,
and, worst of
all,
deprived of rations and pay
ANTEEOS.
6 I tell thee,
Hippias,
angry veterans are
those
ready to take the town without assistance, and put old
and young
we can
fail,
ten to one
to the sword.
the
Fail
it is
!
impossible
new party outnumbers the
old by
!"
"You have
told off a formidable list," replied
"I cannot
Hippias, quietly;
see that
need of any further help from
me
you are
in
or mine."
Placidus shot a sharp, questioning glance at the fencing-master, and resumed.
"Half the numbers that have given in their adhesion to Vespasian would serve to put my Automedon's long might be bound by a diadem to-morrow, were
chariot-boy curls
on the
tin-one.
he the favourite of the hour, so far as
You know what the masses
concerned. Hippias, tastes,
for it
and rouse
is
It is true
is,
at this
moment,
ruler of the empire, but a pebble
would not
I
own
son,
dissipated as he
but
make a
Titus
my
young and
that
virtually
might turn the
tide in the capital.
holding them
are,
is
your trade to pander to their
their enthusiasm.
the great general
Eome
trust Vespasian's is,
could he
snatch at the reins with any hope of firmly,
when once
within his grasp.
Flavius Domitian might be emperor to-
morrow,
if
he would be
satisfied to
wear the purple
THE LISTENING SLAVE. but for a week, and then else.
7
make room
for
some one
Nay, the people are fickle enough to be
capable of turning round at any moment, and
our
retaining
present
Home must
throne. barbers,
admirable
be coerced,
on the
ruler
my
Hippias
the
;
and cobblers, and water-carriers must be
kept down and intimidated
if
;
need
be, It
may
be
lest
the
re-
cut a few garlick-breathing throats. necessary to
remove Caesar
himself,
we must
actionary feeling should burst out again, and we
should find ourselves
left
with nothing for our
pains, but the choice of a cup of poison, a gasp in
a halter, or three inches of succeed this time, for not a
pardon
if
Csesar
is
said!"
must
man need hope
thoroughly frightened.
there must be no half-nieasures
"Well
We
steel.
for
Hippias,
now !"
exclaimed the freedmen
in
breath, with very pale faces, nevertheless, and
a
an
enthusiasm obviously somewhat against the grain. Hippias looked quietly up from the breast-plate resting on his lap. " There will be
said he,
shows,"
" and blood
flowing like water in the Circus, whoever wears
the purple.
While Rome
need never want "
Now
stands, the
gladiator
for bread."
you speak
like a
man
of sense," replied
ANTEEOS.
8
the Tribune, in the same tone.
"For
after all,
the whole matter resolves itself into a mere ques-
money. The shows are tolerably lucrative, least to then contriver, but it takes many a fes-
tion of at
tival ere the sesterces
count by tens of thousands
;
and Hippias loves luxury and wine, and women, too, and if the nay, deny it not, my comely hero
—
;
Family and then trainer could be hired at a fair hour's work or so, why they need price, for an never enter the arena again, save as spectators ; have poorer men than their chief might be, nay,
sat in the equestrian rows, ere now."
"
You want
to hire
my
chickens and myself for
forlorn hope," retorted Hippias, impatiently. " Better me." say so at once, and be plain with "It is even so," resumed Placidus, with an
a
assumption of extreme candour. I
"
For
real
work
have few I can depend upon but the old Prae-
torians
;
and though they
stick at nothing, there
enough of them for my purpose. With a chosen two hundred of thine, my dealer in
are hardly
heroes,
I
could
command Rome
for
twenty-
four
hours; and when Placidus soars into the
sky,
he carries Hippias on his wings.
Speak
out thy terms are high, but such a game as ours is not played for a handful of pebbles, or a few ;
THE LISTENING SLAVE. brass
What
farthings.
is
9
the price,
man
by-
man ?" "
You would
require two hundred of them," ob-
served the other, reflectively. sesterces* a
come "
man, and
to nearly as
The
"Five thousand which would
his freedom,
much
more."
killed not to count, of course," bargained
the Tribune. "
Of course
most
not," repeated Hippias.
illustrious
;
take
I will
all
"
Listen,
chances, and
men I have, for eight thousand Two hundred swordsmen who would
supply the best
a head.
take Pluto by the beard without a scruple, only lifted
own
my
if
I
Lads who can hold their
hand.
against thrice their
that was ever drilled.
number They
of any legion
are ready at two
hours' notice."
He
was speaking
enough
in Ins
thousands
own
truth, for Hippias
particular line.
who owed
was honest
Amongst the
their professional standing,
and the very bread they ate, to the celebrated fencing-master, it was no hard task to select a
company
of dare-devils, such as he described,
who
would desire no better sport than to see their native city in flames, with the streets knee-deep in *
About
forty
pounds
sterling.
ANTEROS.
10
blood and wine, while they put men, women, and children,
indiscriminately
to
the
The
sword.
Tribune's eye brightened, as he thought of the fierce
work he could
acconiiilish with
such tools as
these ready to his hand. "
Keep them
for
me, from to-day," he answered,
looking round the apartment, as though to assure
himself that he was only heard by those in his "
confidence.
My
common
only observe
picked men, and with
me
tributed
plan cannot but succeed
if
secresy and caution.
thyself,
my
we
Ten
Hippias, I bid to sup
here, the rest of the
band
by twenties amongst the
shall
be
dis-
different streets
opening on the Palace, preserving their communication thus,
pass
—one
man
at a time
must continually
from each post to the next, until every
twenty has been changed.
This secures us from
keep our cut-throats on the At a given signal, all are to converge on alert. the middle garden-gate, which will be found open. treachery,
and
will
Then they may lead the old Praetorians to the attack, and take the palace itself by assault, in defiance of any resistance, however desperate, that
can be made. dogs,
The German guard
and must be put
outer hall
is
gained.
I
to the
are stubborn
sword directly the
would not have them burn
THE LISTENING SLAVE. down the palace they have done
if
my
they can help
may
them
it
but when
;
work, they are welcome to
they can cany out of tell
11
it
all
on their backs, and you
so."
Hippias noted in his own mind this additional incentive with considerable satisfaction.
After a
moment's pause, he looked fixedly in the Tribune's face, and inquired, "
How
Mould you wish your guests armed
the supper-party
?
with us, kind host
?"
Shall
for
we bring our knives
Placidus flushed a dark red, and then grew pale.
He
averted his eyes from Hippias, while he an-
swered, "
There are few weapons so true as the short, two-edged sword. There will be work for our brave
party inside the Palace, of which
little
must make no bungling. matter,
my
Is
we
such a grave
it
Hippias, to slay a fat old
man ?" he
added, inquiringly.
The
other's
face
assumed
an
intense disgust. " " Nay," said he, I will have no
cold blood.
As much
expression of
murder done
fighting as
you
in
please, in
the way of business, but we are no hired assassins,
my men
and
I.
To put one
Caesar off the throne,
ANTEROS.
12
and another on,
a pretty night's amusement
is
enough, and I have no objection to
it
;
but to take
man
out of his bed, even though he be an and emperor, slay him as you slay a fat sheep, I'll
an old
none of
Send
it.
no trade of ours
is
!"
Placidus bit his
foundly for a
a butcher, Tribune, this
for
lip,
and seemed
to think pro-
moment, then his brow cleared, and
he resumed with a light laugh.
"Far be I
scruples.
it
me
from
to offend
know the morals
a gladiator's
of the Family,
Half the money be in your hands within an hour the rest respect their prejudices.
:
be paid when the job
is
done.
stand each other well enough. ?
Can
I
and
shall shal]
I think
we under-
Is it
a bargain,
?"
depend upon you fencing-master was not yet satisfied. " How " About the guests ?" he asked, sternly.
Hippias
The
are
we
to
pay
for
our supper
?"
Placidus clapped him on the jovial laugh.
shoulder, with a " I will be frank with thee," said
he, "old comrade.
between thee and
Why me
table to the Palace. party.
I
Emperor.
know the
?
We
should there be secrets
We go
from
my
supper-
enter with the storming-
private
I can lead our little
apartments of the
band
direct to the
THE LISTENING SLAVE. royal presence.
Here we
and take
sacred
his
Hippias, I will
man,
it
round
person
Yitellius,
our charge.
into
ten thousand sesterces a
each of the ten, and thou shalt
for
own
thine
make
will rally
13
own
price for thine
Emperor must not
name
But the
services.
Dost thou understand
escape.
me now?" "I
like it not,"
replied the other;
enough, and
my men
"but the
must
I
price
is
fair
would
it
could be so arranged that some resistance
might be made
much his
you slay a man so helmet on and his sword in
in the palace
easier with his
live.
:
hand !"
"
Pooh prejudice !" laughed the Tribune. " Professional fancies that spring from thy coarse, !
Blood leaves no more stain than
material trade. wine.
You and
our time.
I
What
have
spilt
water over a marble
away
a throat
matter,
cracked flagon of Falernian
enough of both
?
Dash a
floor like this,
the signs of both at once.
Damasippus
?
Why, what
or
a
pitcher of
and you wash
Said I not well,
ails thee,
face has turned as white as thy
cut,
in
man ?
Thy
gown !"
Damasippus, indeed, whose eyes were fixed upon the floor to which his patron had just alluded, presented, at this juncture, an appearance of in-
14
ANTEROS.
The freedman's
tense terror and amazement.
mouth was open, his cheeks were deadly pale, and his very hair seemed to bristle with dismay. Pointing a shaking finger to the slabs of marble at
he could only stammer out in broken ac-
his feet,
cents,
"
May
the gods avert the
omen !" over and
over again.
The
others, following the direction of his gaze,
were no
less astonished to see
a narrow stream of
crimson winding over the smooth, white
though the very stones
protested
floor, as
against
the
Tribune's reckless and
inhuman sentiments.
an instant
motionless, then Placidus,
all
stood
leaping at the velvet cm-tain, tore
it
For
fiercely open,
and discovered the cause of the phenomenon. Listening attentively for some further mention of the
name
that
had roused
his whole being, not
a syllable of the foregoing conversation had been lost
his
upon Esca, who, kneeling on one knee, with wounded foot bent under him, and his ear
applied close to the heavy folds of the curtain,
had never moved a hairs-breadth from
his attitude
of fixed and absorbing attention.
In this constrained position, the wound in his foot,
which was not yet healed over, had opened
afresh,
and though he was himself unconscious of
THE LISTENING SLAVE. all
15
but the cruel and treacherous scheme he over-
heard,
it
bled so freelv, that a dark stream stole
gradually beneath the curtains, and crept gently
along the marble to the very feet of the horrorstricken Damasippus.
Esca sprang to
his full height.
his blood curdled, as
moment
In that
had done when he was
it
down upon the sand, with his enemy's eye glaring on him through the cruel net. He knew the Tribune, and he
The
way
latter
felt
there was no hope.
laughed loud and long.
It
was his
of covering all disagreeable emotions, but
boded no good to the object of
When
it
his mirth.
Esca heard that laugh he looked anx-
iously about him as though to seek a weapon.
What was
the use
fenceless in the
whom
?
He
stood
wounded and de-
power of four reckless men, of
two were armed.
" Hold him
!"
exclaimed Placidus to his freed-
men, drawing at the same time a short two-edged sword from its sheath. " It is unfortunate for the barbarian that he has learned our language. necessity
way
is
disagreeable, but there
of insuring silence.
so I can spare
him
My
bath too
for to-day,
will see that his place
is
is
and
is
my
The
only one
prepared
freedmen
supplied by to-morrow.
ANTEROS.
16
Hold him, cowards will bite
I say
!
;
do you fear that he
you ?"
Neither
nor
Daniasippus
Oarses,
however,
seemed much
inclined to grapple with the stal-
wart Briton.
Wounded and outnumbered
as
he
was, without a chance of rescue or escape, there
was yet a defiant carriage of the head, a glare in the eye, that
keep hands
him
off
fierce
warned the freedmen
as long as they could.
to
They
looked at each other irresolutely, and shrank from the patron's glance.
That moment's hesitation saved him.
who regarded every
six feet of
brave heart inside
as his
it
had besides a kindly
He
put
and the
his
own
Hippias,
manhood with a
peculiar property,
feeling for his old pupil.
muscular frame between the master
slave.
"Give him a day carelessly.
or two, Tribune," said he, " I can find a better use for him than
to cut his throat here
and an equally
safe
on
this clean white floor,
one in the end, you
may be
sure."
" "
Impossible, fool
He
!"
the head of each of this
answered Placidus, angrily.
has heard enough to destroy every hair on
room
alive
!"'
us.
He must
never leave
THE LISTENING SLAVE. "
17
Only twenty-four hours," pleaded the fencing-
who
master,
Eome
knew how much
well
a day might
ward as
close as
morrow.
you
Hippias asks
and you may not it is
your turn.
but
will,
What
his
right
if I
hand
in
live till to-
as a favour to himself,
it
make a compromise." The Tribune reflected
Put him
him
by him, when
like to be refused
should say
private apartments of the palace
striking "
"
let
time in
at that
bring forth.
for
No
—in the
Come,
?
a moment. that
into
of
let us
Then Hippias,
"
Twenty-four hours' grace Agreed !" said he. the and one on side, sharpest blade in Eome at my disposal on the other. Ho Dainasippus, call !
some of
my
people
in.
Bid them put the new
collar on the slave, and chain him to the middle pillar in the inner court."
The order was punctually obeyed, and Esca found himself a helpless prisoner burdened with a secret that
might save the empire, and with mad-
dening apprehensions on behalf tearing at his heart.
VOT
TT
of
Mariamne
CHAPTER
II.
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE."
UCH
beauty as the Jewess's, although
she seldom went abroad, and led as
was compatible with the domestic duties she had to sequestered a
life
as
perform, could not pass unnoticed in a place like
Rome. Notwithstanding the utter contempt in which her nation was held by
proud conquerors, she had been observed going to market in the mornits
ing for the few necessaries of her household, or filling
her pitcher from the Tiber at sunset
amongst other fair
man
young
evil eyes that
;
and
had rested on her
face were those of Damasippus, freed-
to Julius Placidus the Tribune.
He had
lost
no time in reporting to his patron the jewel he had discovered, so to speak, in its humble setting;
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE."
like the jackal, Dainasippus never dared to
for,
hunt its
19
for himself,
own
and followed
after evil, not for
sake, but for the lust of gold.
His patron girl
too, though he had only seen the and then once, closely veiled, was so inflamed
by the description of her charms, on which the client dwelt at great
length, that he resolved to
possess himself of her, in the sheer insolence of a
great man's whim, promising the freed man, that after
the lion was served he should have the
jackal's reward.
It
was in consequence of
agreement that a plot was laid
this
of which Esca
overheard but half a dozen syllables, and yet enough to render him very uneasy when he
on the recklessness and cruelty of him with whom it origiuated, and the slavish obedience reflected
with
which
was sure to be carried
it
would have broken the chained to a
pillar,
spirit
of a brave
picion that
the
woman he
;
to be
and a keen sus-
loved was even then
unconsciously walking into the
pang
man
It
fasting and wounded, with
only twenty-four hours to live
all
out.
to bodily suffering which
toils,
added a
might have turned
the stoutest heart to water, but Esca never lost
hope altogether.
seemed
to give
Something he could not analyze
him comfort and
support, nor was
20
ANTEROS.
he aware that the blind vague
trust
he was be-
some power above, and yet on which he felt he could im-
ginning to entertain in
beyond himself, plicitly rely,
was the
dawning on his
first
glimmer of the true faith
soul.
Perhaps the slave in his chain, under sentence of death, bore a lighter heart than his luxurious
master, washed, perfumed, and tricked out in all
the glitter of dress and ornament, rolling in his gilded chariot to do
homage
had really mastered his
to the
woman who
selfish heart.
Automedon, whose eyes were of the sharpest, his lord was nervous and restless,
remarked that
that his cheek paled, and his lip shook
more
as they
more and
proceeded on their well-known way,
and that when they neared the portals of Valeria's house the Tribune's hand trembled so that he could scarcely fasten the brooch upon shoulder.
How white
dyed twice and
his
against the crimson mantle,
thrice, till it
had deepened almost
into purple, looked those uncertain fingers, quiver-
ing about the clasp of gold
However
reckless, unprincipled,
man may be, he woman lie really when
!
is
and cunning a
inevitably disarmed
loves.
This
is
by the
even the case
his affection is returned; but
when he has
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE." fallen into the
hands of one who, disliking him
make him her
personally, has resolved to is
passions, too,
have in
ages been of the
all
and the most enduring. other has not
tool,
These hopeless
pitiable indeed.
his situation
or the
21
fiercest,
usage on the one side
Ill
produced the
effect that
might be expected, and the figurative
of
shirt
Nessus, instead of being torn off in shreds and cast
away, has been far oftener hugged closer closer to the skin, burning
and
and blistering into the
very marrow. It generally happens, too, that the suitor,
whose
whole existence seems to hang upon his success, blunders into the course that leads him in a direction
exactly contrary to
his goal.
He
is
the pretty sure to say and do the wrong thing at
wrong time.
He
tinacity that
wearies and offends, or withdraws
them with a
precipitation
When
compel remark. plaintive,
offers his attentions
when he
turns sulky.
is
with a per-
so transparent
as to
he should be firm he
is
expected to be cheerful, he
To enhance
his
own
value, he be-
comes boastful to the extreme verge, and sometimes beyond his
it,
of the truth
devotion, he
thereby deals the
;
or in order to prove
makes himself final
and
ridiculous,
and
suicidal blow, if such
ANTEROS.
22
indeed be necessary, that
is
to shatter like glass
the fabric of his hopes.
The Tribune knew women thoroughly.
He
could plead no lack of experience, for ignorance of that intricate and puzzling labyrinth, a heart.
the
He
woman's
had indeed broken more than one in of
process
Automedon,
and
examination,
sitting
by
yet the boy
his side in the chariot, with
the wind lifting his golden curls, would hardly
have been guilty of so
many
false
movements,
such mistakes both of tactics and strategy, as disgraced his lord's conduct of the unequal warfare
he waged with Valeria.
Yet
affection, stained and selfish as
it
this engrossing
was, constituted
perhaps the one redeeming quality of the Tribune's character, afforded the only incentive by
which his better and manlier feelings could be aroused.
Possibly Valeria expected him.
Women
have
strange instincts on such matters, which seldom deceive.
She was dressed with the utmost mas:-
though conscious that simplicity could have no charms for Placidus, and sat in a nificence,
as
splendour nearly regal, keeping Myrrhina and the rest of her
observers;
maidens within as
call.
Lovers are acute
ho walked up the cool spacious
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE."
23
court to greet her, he saw that she was gentler, and
more languid than her wont she looked wearied and unhappy, as though she, too, acknowledged ;
the
sorrows
and the weaknesses of her
Lover-like, he thought softness
became her
this
sex.
unusual shade of
well.
For days she had been fi^htin^ with her own and she had suffered as such undisciplined The strife had left its traces on natures must. heart,
her pale proud face, and she
felt
a vague unac-
knowledged yearning for repose. The wild bird had beat her wings and ruffled her plumage till she was tired, and a skilful fowler would have taken advantage of the reaction
to
lure her into his
net.
it
Perhaps she had been thinking what happiness must be to have one in the world in Avhom
she could confide, on
whom
she could rely
;
one
loyal manly nature on which to rest her woman's heart, with all
its
capacity for love
;
caprices,
and weaknesses, and
perhaps she
may have been
even touched by the Tribune's unshaken devotion to herself, by the constancy which could withstand the allurements of vice, and even the distractions of political intrigue
disliked liim less than on
;
perhaps to-day she
any former
occasion,
24
ANTEKOS.
though
it
could hardly have been for his sake that
her eye was heavy, and her bosom heaved.
If so,
whatever favour he had unconsciously gained, was as unconsciously destroyed
He
by his own hand.
approached her with an
fidence, that
masked only
air of
assumed con-
too well the agitation of
his real feelings. "
Fair Valeria," said he, " I have obeyed your
commands, and I come
like a faithful servant to
reward."
claim
my Now a woman's commands
are not always in-
Under any
tended to be literally obeyed.
cir-
to be reminded of
cumstances she seldom likes
them, and as for claiming anything from Valeria,
why
the very word roused
was dormant
in her nature.
the rebellion that
all
At
that instant rose
on her mind's eye the scene in the amphitheatre, the level sand, the tossing sea of faces, the hoarse roar of the crowd, the strong white limbs and the
yellow locks lying helpless beneath a dark vindictive face,
and a
glitter of uplifted steel.
she hated the conqueror then
him now
!
How
How
she hated
!
She was clasping a bracelet carelessly on her arm, the fair round arm he admired so much, and that never looked so fair and round as in this
"
was part of
It
gesture.
ATTACK AND DEFENCE."
self as attractive as
Her
you
for
make
her-
she could.
him
cold eves chilled
forgotten all about to
his torture to
25
once. " I
said she.
it,"
reminding
at
me
that I
am
am
"I had obliged
in your debt."
Though somewhat hurt, he answered court"There can be no debt from a mistress eously.
You know,
to her slave.
even to
my
life, is
" Well ?"
at
Valeria, that all of mine,
your disposal."
she asked with a provoking persist-
ency of misapprehension.
He began
to lose his head, he, ordinarily so
calm, and cunning, and
"You
bade
me
self-reliant.
enter on a difficult and dan-
was perhaps a lady's But you excaprice, the merest possible whim. I had aca and I rested till never wish, pressed gerous
undertaking.
complished
it."
"You mean she,
"
It
about that wretched slave," said
and the colour rose
But you never
How little
killed
him
he knew her
!
faintly to
her cheek.
after all."
This then, he thought,
was the cause of her coldness, of her displeasure. Esca had in some way incurred her ill-will, and she was angry with the conqueror
him
so
foolishly
when
in
who had spared
his power.
What
a
26
ANTEROS.
heart must this be of hers that could only quench its
resentment in blood
the
How
less.
the
Yet he loved her none
!
round arm
fair
and the
stately head, and the turn of the white shoulder maddened him with a lono-mQ- that was almost
He
akin to rage. it
caught her hand, and pressed
fervently to his lips. " I
How
can
please you ?"
he exclaimed, and
trembled with the only real emotion he
his voice
perhaps had ever
"
felt.
Oh
that I love the very ground
!
Valeria,
you know
you tread on."
She bade Myrrhina bring her some embroidery on which the girl was busied, and thus effectually checked any further outpouring of sentiments
which are not conveniently expressed within ear-
The waiting-maid took
shot of a third person.
her seat at her mistress's elbow, her black eyes in malicious mirth.
dancing
" Is that all
vou have
with a smile
Valeria,
to tell
in
me ?" resumed
which
coquetry,
in-
difference,
and conscious power were admirably
blended.
"
favour "
He
shall
is
shall
die
Words
are
but
reserved for those
!"
die
!
I
empty air. My who win it by deeds."
pledge you
my
exclaimed the Tribune,
understanding the
beautiful
enigma
word he still
mis-
on which
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE." he had set his heart. till
is
I should
know your
Ere
sealed.
" I have but spared pleasure,
and now
time to-morrow he
this
27
him
his fate
will
have
me
with
crossed the Styx, and Valeria will repay
one of her brightest smiles."
A
shudder she could not suppress swept over the smooth white skin, but she suffered no trace of emotion to appear
had a game steadily and
to
upon her countenance. She play now, and it must be played
craftily to insure success.
fetch wine
Myrrhina
and
She bade
fruit to place before
her
guest, and while the waiting-maid crossed the hall on her errand, she suffered the Tribune to take
her
hand
once more, nay even with an
caressing
clasp,
pressure.
He was
he
almost
returned
its
imperceptible
intoxicated with his success,
he was winning at
and the jewelled cup that Myrrhina brought him, as he thought all too soon, remained for a while suspended in his felt
last,
hand, while he uttered fervent protestations of
winch were received with an equanimity that ought to have convinced him they were hopelessly love,
wasted on his
"You men
profess
little
lover in
idol.
much," said
to promise.
the
We
she,
"but
have but one
empire, and he
is
it
costs
faithful
enslaved by a
28
ANTEEOS.
barbarian
and
princess
another
man's
Would you have turned back from pleasures of
against
Rome,
those
to fight one
dreadful
wife.
the
all
more campaign
Jews, for the
sake of
Berenice's sunburnt face ?" "
had consulted the oracle of Venus,"
Titus
replied the Tribune, with a
meaning
doubtless the goddess had promised victory.
man " all
will
smile,
"
and
him a double
Valeria, you know there is nothing a not dare to win the woman he loves."
Could you be as true
?" she
asked, throwing
the sweetness of her mellow voice,
all
the
power of her winning eyes into the question. "
Try me," answered he, and for one moment the man's nature was changed, and he felt capable of devotion, stitutes the
reasserted
self-sacrifice, fidelity,
heroism of
love.
all
The
that
con-
next, nature
her sway, and he was counting the
cost.
"I
have a fancy
for
your barbarian,"
Valeria carelessly, after a loves him, will take
and
him
—and
into
if
my
you
said
"
pause. will give
Myrrhina him to me I
household."
Placidus shot a piercing glance at the waitingmaid, and that well-tutored damsel cast down her eyes and tried to blush.
There was something,
"
ATTACK AND DEFENCE."
too, in Valeria's
manner that did not
2
satisfy
»
him,
and yet he was willing to believe more than he hoped, and nearly all he wished. " I seldom ask for anything," raising her
head with a proud, petulant gesture of
which she knew the
me to And yet,
resumed Valeria, " It
full effect.
is
far easier
grant a favour than to implore one.
for
I
know not why, but
do not
I
—
feel
it
paiuful to beg anything to-day from you /"
A
smile broke over the haughty face while
soft
she spoke, and she raised her eyes and looked full into his for
an
instant, ere she lowered
toy with the bracelet once more.
fence
stand
;
in
all
It
to
was the
her cunning of
the antagonist could seldom parry or with-
it
counter
had
thrust she
deadliest
them
would
;
He
?
it
foil
him
loved her as
in their
much
present en-
as such a nature
can love, but the question was one of death, and
it
was no time for
child's play
life
and
now, as
Esca was in possession of a secret that might annihilate
his lord
was not a man
in
an hour.
The Tribune
to sacrifice his very existence for
a
woman, even though that woman was Valeria. He hesitated, and she, marking his hesitation, turned pale, and shook with rage. "
You
refuse
me !"
said
she, in accents that
ANTEROS.
30
trembled either with suppressed fury or lacerated "
feelings.
living for
The only is
You refuse me. You, the only man whom I would have so lowered myself. man I ever stooped to entreat. Oh it !
too much, too much."
She bowed her head
in her hands,
and as the
wealth of brown hair showered over her white shoulders, they heaved as if she wept.
Myrrhina
looked reproachfully at the Tribune, and muttered, "
Oh
if
!
he knew,
if
he only knew
/"
In Ins dealings with the other sex, Placidus had always been of opinion that
knot than to cut
"ask
me
slay this
better to untie a
"Fair Valeria," said
it.
anything but
man
it is
this.
I
am
he,
pledged to
within twenty-four hours
—
will not
that content you ?"
The exigency of the situation, the danger of him for whom she had conceived so wild and sharpened her powers of deception, and made her reckless of her own feelings, foolish a passion,
her own degradation.
Shaking the hair back
from her temples, beautiful in her disorder and her tears,
she looked with wet eyes in the Tribune's
face, while
"
Do
she replied
:
you think I care
difference can
it
make
for the barbarian ?
to Valeria
if
What
such as this
"ATTACK AND DEFENCE." were
Briton
slain
31
hecatombs?
by
It
for
is
Myrrhina's sake I grieve, and more, far more
than
think that you can refuse
this, to
thing in the
whole world
new
Duplicity was no
He had mode
He "
Be
to
it
as to
you
for the Tribune.
effort
when driven
of defence
any-
now, betaken himself to this
often, ere
to
his last ward.
her hands
raised
me
!"
will,"
respectfully to " I make said he
you do with him what you please. ;
his
lips.
him over Esca
is
your property, beautiful Valeria, from this hour."
A that
dark thought had it
stroy
flitted
would be no such
an
through his
difficult
inconvenient witness,
brain,
matter to de-
and retain the
favour of an exacting mistress at the same time.
was but a grain or two of poison, in the slave's last meal, and he might depart in peace, a It
doomed man,
to Valeria's
mansion.
He would
take the chance of his silence for the few hours that intervened,
whose brow would
and
was
arouse
after all, the ravings of
already stamped with
little
suspicion.
one
death,
Afterwards
it
would be easy to pacify Valeria, and shift the blame on some over-zealous freedman, or officious client.
which
He
did not calculate on the haste with
women jump
to
conclusions.
Valeria
ANTEEOS.
32
"
clapped her hands with unusual glee. Myrrhina," said she,
"
shall write the order here,
go
for
slave
!
ray tablets to the Tribune.
He
the
Quick
and
people can
my
and bring him back, before
Placidus departs." "
"
Nay," interposed the
it is
latter in
indispensable that I go
some confusion
home
at once.
have already lingered here too long.
;
I
Farewell,
Ere the sun goes down, you shall see is proud and happy to obey your
Valeria.
that Placidus lightest
With and ere the
whim." these words, he
made a low
his hostess could stop him,
outer
Valeria
hall,
and mounted in
seemed half-stupefied
by
obeisance,
had traversed his
chariot.
this
sudden
departure, but ere the roll of his wheels had died
away, a light gleamed in her eyes, and summoning the
little
negro who had lain unnoticed, and coiled
up within call during the interview, she bade him run out and see which direction the chariot took, then she stared wildly in Myrrhina's face, and burst into a strange half-choking laugh.
CHAPTER
III.
"FURENS QUID FCEMINA."
HE
chariot has turned into the Fla-
minian Way," said the urchin, running breathlessly back to his mistress.
he clapped his
little
"
Oh
!
so fast
!
so fast
!"
and
black hands with the in-
describable delight all children take in rapidity of
movement. "
The Flaminian
Way !"
must go round by the
" repeated Valeria.
Great Gate,
Triumphal Arches, to get home.
make In
haste, Ave shall yet less
He
and the
Myrrhina,
if
we
be in time."
than ten minutes, the two
women had
crossed the wide pleasure-grounds which skirted Valeria's mansion,
and had
pass-key into the street.
let
themselves out by a
So complete, however,
was their transformation that the most intimate vol.
ii.
r>
34
ANTEROS.
friend would have
failed
to
recognize in these
shrouded, hurrying figures, the fashionable
Eoman
A
lady and her attendant.
wig of curling yellow hair covered Valeria's nut-brown tresses, and the lower part of her face was concealed by a mask, whilst Myrrhina, closely veiled and wrapped in a dark-coloured mantle, stained and threadbare with
many
a winter's storm, looked like some honest
child of poverty,
bound on one of the humble
rands of daily plebeian
As they little
er-
life.
tripped rapidly along a narrow and
frequented street, one of the
many
venient thoroughfares which Nero's great spared, and which
incon-
fire
had
intersected the magnificence
still
of the Imperial City, they
had
to pass a miserable-
looking house, with a low shabby doorway which
was yet secured by strong fastenings of bolts and bars, as though its tenant had sufficient motives for affecting privacy
and retirement.
The women
looked meaningly at each other while they ap-
proached
it,
for
the
dwelling of Petosiris the
Egyptian was too well known to of pleasure or intrigue in
all
Bome.
who
He
it
led a
life
was who
provided potions, love-philtres, charms of every
and whom the superstitious of all no trifling majority, young and old, rich
description, classes,
"FURENS QUID FCEMINA."
35
and poor, male and female, consulted
in matters
of interest and affection, the supplanting of a rival,
the acquisition of a heart, and the removal of
who
those
stood in the
way
either of a fortune or
a conquest. It is needless to
observe that the Egyptian's
wealth increased rapidly, and that humbler
had to turn from
his door disappointed,
visitors
day after
day, waiting the leisure of the celebrated magician.
But
if
Valeria hurried breathlessly through the
dirty
and
fixed
when
ill-conditioned street, she stopped trans-
she reached
its
farthest extremity,
and
beheld the Tribune's chariot, standing empty in the shade, as though waiting for
its
master.
The
white horses beguiled their period of inaction in the heat, by stamping, snorting, and tossing their heads, while Automedon,
now
now nodding
drowsily,
staring vacantly about him, scarcely noticed
the figures of the two women, so well were they disguised.
"
What can he be
doing there ?" whispered
and Myrrhina replied in the same cautious tones, " If Placidus be trafficking Valeria, anxiously
;
for philtres with the Egyptian, take it,
madam,
my
word
for
there will be less of love than murder
in the draught
!"
36
ANTEKOS.
Then they hurried on life
faster
than before, as
and death hung upon the rapidity of
if
their
footsteps.
Far back, up a narrow and secluded chamber, sat by the implements of his was
wealth
symptoms
of
supposed it
in
Petosiris,
surrounded
Enormous
art.
to
dark
a
staircase,
be,
he
as his
suffered
no
to appear, either in his dwelling
or his apparel.
The
walls of his
chamber were
bare and weather-stained, totally devoid of orna-
ment, save for a mystic figure traced here and there
on
their
surface,
scorched, and the
while
the
floor
was
ceiling blackened with the
burning liquids that had fallen on the one, and the heavy aromatic vapours that climg about the
The magician's own
robe, though once of and surrounded with a broad costly materials, border, on which cabalistic signs and numerals other.
were worked in golden thread, now sadly frayed. Avas worn to the last degree of tenuity, and his linen head-dress, till it
wound
rose into a
yellow with dirt
in a multiplicity of folds,
peak some two feet high, was Under this groand neglect.
tesque covering peered forth a pair of shrewd
black eyes, set in a grave emaciated face.
denoted
cunning,
audacity,
and
that
They restless
"FUKENS QUID FCEMINA."
37
some deficiency or warping
vigilance which argued
of the brain, a tendency, however remote, to insanity,
these
from which, with impostors
are
mental powers, free. There was
all their
seldom
nothing else remarkable about the man.
He had
the deep yellow tint with the supple figure and peculiar nostril of the Egyptian, and rose in
compliment
to his visitor, his
when he
low stature
afforded a quaint contrast to his trailing robes,
and
real dignity of bearing.
The Tribune
—
for
he
it
was whose entrance
dis-
turbed the calculations on which the magician was
—
engaged accosted the latter with an air of abrupt and almost contemptuous familiarity. It was evident that Placidus was a good customer, one
who bought
he paid freely
largely while
;
and
Petosiris, throwing aside all assumption of mystery
or pre-occupation, laughed pleasantly as he returned
the greeting. his laugh,
Yet was there something jarring
something startling in his abrupt
tion to the profoundest gravity
;
in
transi-
and though
his
small glittering eyes betrayed a schoolboy's love of mischief, gleams shot from them, at intervals,
which expressed a diabolical malice, and love of evil for evil's sake. '
Despatch,
my man
of
I
science
!"
said
the
ANTEEOS.
38 Tribune,
the
noticing
scarcely
expressions of regard lavished on " As usual I have little time to
I want, you have
begone out of "
it
friend
lord
!"
his host.
here in abundance, and let
!
which
this atmosphere,
the lungs of an honest
My
him by
spare, and less inenter into particulars. Give me what
clination to
stifle
and
obeisance,
my
illustrious
man
is
me
enough
to
!"
patron
my
!
worthiest
replied the other with evident enjoyment
" of his customer's impatience, you have but to
command, you know
it
well,
and
Have
I obey.
not
served you faithfully in
Was
not the horoscope right to a minute
the charm protect from insure success?
employer?
Have
—speak,
evil,
my
all
and the
I ever failed,
I
dealings? ?
did not
love-philtre
my
noble
mighty Tribune, thy slave
listens to obey."
" Words words !" replied the " You know what I !
require.
tiently.
there
is
the
price
!"
At the
threw a bag of gold on the
other impa-
Produce
it,
same time he
floor,
the weight of
which inferred that secresy must constitute no it was to purchase.
small portion of the bargain
Though he
affected utter unconsciousness, the
Egyptian's eyes flashed at the welcome chink of the metal against the boards;
none the more,
"furens quid fcemixa."
39
however, would he abstain from tantalizing the
by assuming a
donor
of his
misapprehension
meaning. "
The
casting
hour," said he,
a horoscope.
"
Evil
not propitious for
is
planets are
in the
ascendant, and the influence of the good genius is counteracted by antagonistic spells. Thus much I
can
tell you,
Come
origin.
and I
noble Tribune, they are of barbarian
will
" Fool
again an hour later, to-morrow,
do your bidding." exclaimed Placidus, impatiently, at
!"
the same time raising his foot as though to spurn " Does a man the magician like a dog. give half
a helmetful of gold
for
a few syllables of jargon
scrawled on a bit of scorched parchment
?
You
keep but one sort of wares that fetch a price like
Let
this.
me
have the strongest of them."
Neither the gesture, nor the insult
were
it
implied,
on the Egyptian.
Yet he preserved a calm and imperturbable demeanour, while he conlost
tinued his irritating inquiries. " philtre, noble patron
A
?
They are indeed worth any amount
A
love-philtre
of gold.
!
Maid
or matron, vestal virgin or Athenian courtesan,
three drops of that clear tasteless
your own
!"
fluid,
and she
is
ANTEROS.
40
The Tribune's his mouth,
it
he
farther;
evil smile
was deepening round
was not safe to stooped
jest
the
over
whispered two words in his ear
;
with him any
magician
and
the latter looked
up with an expression in which curiosity, horror, and a perverted kind of admiration were strangely blended.
Then
his eyes twinkled
once more with the
schoolboy's mirth and malice, while he ransacked
a massive ebony cabinet, and drew forth a tiny phial from
its
secret drawer.
Wrapping
this in a
thin scroll, on which was written the word
(beware
!)
"
Cave
'
to denote the fatal nature of its con-
tents, he hurried
it
into 1he Tribune's hands, hid
of gold, and in a voice trembling
away the bag
with emotion, bade his visitor begone, an injunction
which Placidus obeyed with his usual easy
carelessness of demeanour, stepping daintily into
though his errand had been of the most benevolent and harmless kind. his chariot, as
In the meantime, Valeria, accompanied by her attendant, had reached the Tribune's house, which
she entered with a bold front indeed, but with
shaking limbs. all
the
fears
Despite her undaunted nature,
and weaknesses of her sex were
aroused by the task she had set herself to
fulfil,
"FURENS QUID FCEMINA." and her woman's
41
instinct told her that
whatever
might be her motives, the crossing of this notorious threshold was an act she would bitterly repent at
some future
time.
misgivings
she looked on the whole proceeding as
;
Myrrhina entertained no such
an opportunity to display her own talents for intrigue,
and make
cessary than
herself, if possible,
ever to the mistress,
more ne-
with whose
was so dangerously familiar. In the outer hall were lounging a few slaves
secrets she
and freedmen, the
two women
who welcomed the entrance
of
with considerably less respect than
one of them at least was accustomed to consider her due.
Damasippus indeed, with a coarse
strove to snatch
jest,
away the mask that concealed the
lower part of Valeria's face, but she released herhis hold so energetically as to
send him
reeling back half a dozen paces, not a
little dis-
self
from
comfited by the
unexpected
shapely white arm. full
strength
Then drawing
that
herself to her
height, and throwing her disguise
floor,
of
upon the
she confronted the astonished freed-man in
her own person, and bade him stand out of her
way. " I
am
Valeria
!."
said she,
master's invitation, slave
!
for
"
and here by your what are you better
42
ANTEEOS.
than a mere slave after
If I were to hint at
all ?
your insolence, he would have you tied to that doorpost, in despite of your citizenship,
and scourged
death, like a disobedient hound. things," she
of you, to
added the
Myrrhina, you
loftily,
to
Pick up those
"and show me, some
private apartment of your lord.
may remain
outside,
but within
call."
Completely cowed by her demeanour, and no whit relishing the tone in which she threatened
was
him, Damasippus did as he
now
commanded,
who had remained
while a couple of slaves
till
in the background, ushered the visitor into
another apartment, where they
left
her with
many
obsequious assurances that their lord was expected
home every moment. Every moment! Then lose.
How
instinct
it
there was no time to
her heart beat, and what a strange
was that made her
vicinity of the
man
she loved
feel she !
was
in the
As yet she had
formed no plan, she had made no determination, she only
knew he was
and come what might, her place was by his
in danger,
at
he was to
die,
risk, at any sacrifice, Imminent as was the
any
side.
was the moment, through all the tumult of her feelings, she was conscious of a
peril, critical as
" FURENS QUID FCEMINA."
43
vague wild happiness to be near him, and as she
walked up and down the polished its
counting
floor,
tessellated squares, mechanically, in her strong
mental excitement, she pressed both hands hard against her bosom, as though to keep the heart
within from beating so fiercely, and to collect its
all
energies by sheer strength and force of will.
Thus pacing
and
fro, running over in her and possible impossible scheme for the discovery and release of the slave, whose very prison
to
mind every
she had yet to search out, her quick ear caught
The sound
the dull and distant clank of a chain.
reached her from an opposite direction to that of the principal entrance
;
and as
all
Eoman
houses
were constructed on nearly the same plan, Valeria
had no
roomy
fear of losing her
way among the
and long corridors of her admirer's She held her breath as she hurried on,
halls
mansion.
fortunately without meeting a
human
being, for
the household slaves of both sexes had disposed
themselves in shady nooks and corners to sleep
away the stop
till
sultriest
hours of the day
;
nor did she
she reached a heavy crimson curtain,
screening an inner court, paved and walled by slabs of white stone that refracted the sun's rays
with painful intensity.
Here she stood
still
and
44
ANTEEOS.
tion,
her very
grew white with emothen she drew the curtain, and looked into
listened, while
lips
the court.
He had
dragged himself as far as his chain
would permit, to get the benefit of some two feet A waterof shade close under the stifling wall. jar,
long since emptied, stood on the
floor beside
him, accompanied by a crust of black,
A
bread.
mouldy
iron collar, which defied alike
heavy
strength and ingenuity, was round his throat, while
the massive links that connected
it
with an iron
pavement would have held an was obvious the prisoner could
staple let into the
elephant.
It
neither stand nor even
sit
upright without con-
and the white skin of
straint;
his
neck and
shoulders was already galled and blistered in his efforts
to obtain relief
by occasional change of
Without the key of the heavy padlock that fastened chain and collar, Vulcan himself could posture.
scarcely have released the Briton
;
and Valeria's
heart sank within her as she gazed helplessly round, and thought of what
own
little
delicate fingers for such a task.
avail
were her
There seemed
no nearer prospect of help even now that she and she clenched her hand had reached him ;
with anger while she reflected
how he must have
45
"FURENS QUID FGEMINA." suffered from heat,
and
thirst,
and physical
pain,
besides the sense of his degradation and the certainty of his doom.
Nevertheless, extended there upon the hard,
glowing stones, Esca was sleeping as sound and peacefully as an infant.
His head was pillowed
on one massive arm, half hidden in the clustering yellow locks that showered across
it,
and
his large
shoulders rose and
fell regularly with the measured breathing of a deep and dreamless slumber. She
stole nearer softly, as afraid to
a
moment came upon
wake him, and
for
Valeria's face something of
the deep and holy tenderness with which a mother
Yet
looks upon a child. footstep,
it
light as
was that dainty
disturbed, without actually rousing, the
He
watchful instincts of the sleeper.
stirred
and
turned his face upwards with a movement of impatience, while she, hanging over in
the beaut v that had
her tranquillity, as fear
if
him and drinking
made such
her
life
wild work with
had neither hope nor
beyond the ecstasy of the moment, gazed on and his closed eyes, till she forgot
his fair features
time and place and hazard, the emergency of the occasion,
come.
and the errand on which she had herself
Deeper and deeper sank into her being
the dangerous influence of the hour and the situa-
46
ANTEKOS.
tion.
The summer sky
solitude around,
and
above, the hot,
there,
down
dreamy
at her feet
—nay,
so near, that, while she bent over him, his
breath stirred the very hair upon her
only face of
man
that had ever thrilled her heart,
sleeping so calmly close to her own, and
doubly dear by to undergo.
all it
had
Lower and
suffered, all
lower, nearer
it
now made was fated
and nearer,
bent her dainty head to meet the slave's
he
stirred
warm
brow — the
;
and as
once more in his sleep, and a quiet
smile stole over his unconscious countenance, her lips
clung to his in one long, loving, and impas-
sioned kiss.
8
lie
CHAPTER
IV.
THE LOVING
CUP.
opened
his
dreamy eyes she
to her feet, for voices
started
now broke
in
on
the silence that had hitherto reigned
throughout the household, and the tread of slaves bustling
to
and
fro
the return of their lord, a master
no
announced
who brooked
neglect, as well they knew, from those
who
She had scarcely risen from her posture of soothing and devoted affection scarcely had time to shake the long hair off her were in his
service.
—
face,
when
Julius Placidus entered the court
and
stood before her with that inscrutable expression of countenance which most she hated, and winch left
her in complete ignorance as to whether or
not he had been in time to witness the caresses she
had lavished on the
captive.
And now
48
ANTEROS.
Valeria vindicated the woman's nature of which,
with
all
her
faults,
she partook so largely.
moment her courage and
critical
rose with the occasion
;
At
this
presence of mind
and though, woman-like,
she had recourse to dissimulation, that refuge of
the weak, there was something on her brow that argued,
if
need were, she would not shrink from
the last desperate resources of the strong.
Turning to the Tribune with the quiet dignity and the playful smile that she knew became her so well, she pointed to the
— gently
Briton, and said, " You
recumbent figure of the
gave him to me, and I
him.
Why
gift so
much ?
rne, to
am
here to fetch
that of late I value your lightest
is it
what must you think of have come unbidden to your house ?" Then
she cast
Placidus,
down her eyes and drooped her
head, as
though ready and shame.
to sink in
stately
an agony of love
Deceiver, intriguer as he had been ever since
the down was on his chin, he was no match for her.
He
shot, indeed,
one sharp, inquisitive glance at
Esca, but the slave's bewildered gaze reassured
him. tion,
The
latter,
worn out with trouble and priva-
was only half awake, and almost imagined
himself in a dream.
Then the Tribune's
looks
THE LOVING softened as they
rested
49
CUP.
on his mistress
and,
;
although there was a gleam of malicious triumph
on his brow, the hard, unmeaning expression left his face, which brightened with more of kindness
and "
cordiality than
was
its
wont.
no longer house of mine," said he, " but
It is
of yours, beautiful Valeria
!
Here you are ever
welcome, and here you will remain, with him who loves you better than
will all
you
not,
the world
besides ?"
Even
while he spoke she had run over in her
mind the exigencies and
difficulties of
her position.
In that instant of time she could think of Esca's danger, of the necessity that she should herself be present to save
him from the
fate with which, for
some special reason, that she was also determined to find out, he was obviouslv threatened; of the Tribune's infamous character, and her
fame, for Cornelia might not have
own
left
fair
such a
house as that with her reputation unscathed, and Valeria could far less afford to tamper with so
and shadowy a possession than the severe mother of the Gracchi. Yet her brow was unfragile
clouded, and there was nothing but frank good-
humour "
in her tone while she replied
Nay, Placidus.
VOL.
II.
You know
—
that even
E
we of
AXTEEOS.
50
the patrician order cannot do always as
we would.
Surely I have risked enough already
because
because I fancied you
left
me in
;
—
anger, and I could
not bear the thought even for an hour.
I will but
ask you for a cup of wine, and begone. Myrrhina me here, and we can return unknown
accompanied
and unsuspected
He
as
we came."
wished nothing better.
sumptuous
feast spread
A
cup of wine, a
on the moment, garlands
of flowers, heavy perfumes loading the sultry soft
air,
music stealing on the senses gently as the
faint breeze that whispered
shade.
through the drowsy
All the voluptuous accessories so adapted
tongue and so dangerous to a willing had never known them fail: it should
to a pleading ear.
He
not be the fault of master or household
if
proved useless now.
He
they *
took Valeria respectfully by the hand, and
led her to the large banqueting-hall with as
much
deference as though she had been Caesar's wife.
None knew lously all
better than the Tribune
how
scrupu-
the honours of war must be paid to a
fortress about to capitulate.
As he bent
before
he had purchased from Petosiris bosom of his tunic, and her peeped forth in the did not fail to detect it. In an instant her, the phial
quick eye
THE LOVING
51
CUP.
she turned back as though stumbling on the skirt of her robe, and in the action
made a
rapid sign to
Esca by raising her hand to her mouth, accompanied by a warning shake of the head and a glance from her eloquent eves, that she trusted he
would understand as forbidding him to food or drink
she
made
look
till
taste either
Once more,
her return.
this covert signal, the set
came over the Tribune's
and
face.
whilst
passionless
Cunning,
cautious as she might think herself, his snake-like
eye had seen enough.
At that moment Placidus
had resolved Esca should
Then those two walked
die
within the hour.
gracefully into the adjoin-
ing hall, and seated themselves at the banquet with a scrupulous courtesy and strict observance of the outward forms of good breeding, while the slaves
who waited
believed that the whole pro-
ceeding was but one of their
lord's usual affairs of
gallantry, and that the noble pair before them
loved each other well.
The Tribune, like the large eater when making that could
accompany
rest of his sex,
love
;
was no
and an appetite
Vitellius through the
most
elaborate banquets of the gluttonous Caesar was satisfied
with a handful of dates and a bunch or
two of grapes in the presence of Valeria.
She,
52
ANTEROS.
too, in
her anxiety and agitation,
a
in
willingly
of
goblet
with a vague idea that every
keep
his attention
every
but she pledged her
morsel would choke her; host
felt as if
red
Falernian,
moment
employed was of
she could
priceless value,
clinging almost hopelessly to the chance of obtain-
ing by some means the possession of the fatal phial before
it
was too
late.
He
was in high spirits, sarcastic, but devoted to
—voluble, her.
witty, eloquent,
In the moment, as
he hoped, of his triumph he could afford to show, or rather to affect, more of delicacy and generosity than she had believed him to possess, and she loathed and hated him after
all
the more.
enunciating a sentiment of
Once, when,
warmest
the
regard and attachment, she caught the expression of his
eyes as they looked into her own, she
glanced wildly round the room, and clenched her
hand with rage
to observe that the walls were bare
of weapons.
He
Agamemnon,
was no
stately, high-spirited
this supple intriguer, yet
had there
been sword, axe, or dagger within reach of that wliite arm, she would have asked nothing better than to enact the part of Clytenmestra. wished for the strong one
!
moment She
felt
to be a
man—
How ay,
she
and a
she could have strangled
THE LOVING him
Oh
there, !
and smiling, on the couch Esca so fair,
hateful
for Esca's
53
CUP.
!
thews and sinews
and brave, and honest
Her
!
—
!
brain
swam when
she thought of him chained, like a beast, within ten paces of her.
him
at
any
risk
An
and
at
must be made
effort
any
to save
sacrifice.
Placidus talked gaily on,
broaching in turn
those topics of luxury, dissipation, and even vice,
which constituted the every-day life of the patrician order at Konie, and she forced herself to reply with an affected levity and indifference that
nearly drove her mad. lena's yellow head-gear,
her jewels were wife
;
inexcusable in an Emperor's
the war in Judaea
;
and the tions,
set, so
Caesar's banquets Gaand the bad taste in which
;
the last chariot-race
rival merits of the
Eed and Green
;
fac-
were canvassed and dismissed with a light
word and a happy
Such subjects inevitably a discussion on the arena and its com-
led to
jest.
batants, the magnificence of the late exhibition,
and the Tribune's own prowess in the deadly game. Placidus turned suddenly, as
if
himself, called for a slave, whispered his ear,
and bade him begone.
recollecting
an order in
The man hastened
from the room, leaving lover and mistress once
more
alone.
54
ANTEHOS. -
The presence
of
mind and self-command on
which she prided herself now completely deserted Valeria. In an agony of alarm for Esca, she jumped at once to the conclusion that his doom
was gone
forth.
The Tribune, turning
to her
with some choice phrase, half jest, half compliment, startled to observe her face colourless to the
was very
lips,
while her large eyes shone with a fierce,
unnatural light.
some wild animal
that of
fell at his feet,
— gasped out "
Spare him
Placidus
Her
Uttering a low,
!
clasping
!
spare
host,
spare
him
—
stifled cry, like
in its death-pang, she
him round the knees, and him
for
Placidus
!
my
sake
—beloved
!"
whose whole mind at that moment
was occupied with thoughts very foreign to bloodshed, and whose whispered mandate had reference to nothing
more deadly than orders
for a strain of
unexpected music, gazed in astonishment at the
proud
woman
dust.
He
thus
humbled before him
to the
had, indeed, intended to despatch Esca
by poison before nightfall, and so get rid at once of an inconvenient witness and a possible but for the present he had dismissed the rival quietly
;
slave completely from his mind.
he had allowed himself
to
If,
an hour ago,
harbour such a wild
THE LOVING CUP.
55
mere barbarian should have captivated the woman on whom he had set his affec-
fancy, as that a
her voluntary acceptance of his hospitality
tions,
and her cordial demeanour
had dispelled
since,
so
and unjust a suspicion, which he wondered he could have entertained even for a moment. foolish
Now, however, a her from the floor
seemed
chill
blood about his heart.
to curdle the
quietly he raised
Very
though he was not conscious of it, his grasp left a mark upon her wrist. Very distinct and steady were the tones in which
he soothed
but,
her, asking courteously
"Whom Valeria
;
do you wish
me
to spare
Surely you are not
?
that barbarian slave
What
?
—
-What
?
dwelling on
still
he, to
is
is it,
come
be-
—
tween you and me ? It is too late too late !" " Never never !" she gasped out, seizing his !
hand "
It
in both her own,
is
choice phrases, and
it
me
but his
I have in return
to her breast.
!
I love
life,
him
and ask
!
no time
;
mock reserve, and
I love him, Placidus
Grant
and folding
no time now for concealment
false
for
shame
— do you hear
me
!
?
for everything
!"
She looked beautiful as she knelt before him once more, so dishevelled and disordered, with
upturned face and streaming
hair.
It
seemed to
ANTEEOS.
fi6
the Tribune as though a knife had been driven
home
he collected
to his heart; but
gies for a revenge
commensurate
all his ener-
to the hurt, as
he threw himself indolently on the couch, a worse
man by from "
a whole age of malice than he had risen a few seconds before.
it
Why
did you not tell
me
sooner ?" said he, in
accents of the calmest courtesy and self-command.
"Fair
not more bargains are driven
Valeria!
every day in the
Love
You
!
Forum than
in the courts of
offer liberal terms.
we have nothing
left'
It
me
seems to
to do but to settle the re-
mainder of the agreement."
What ference
a price was she paying for her inter-
Not a woman
!
in
Rome
could have felt
more deeply the degradation she was accepting
—the
insult to
through false
it
move
all
which she
"was
submitting, and
she was miserably conscious of a
in the
game she had the temerity
play against this formidable adversary.
Still
to
she
had resolved that she would shrink from no humiliation to save Esca,
and she blushed blood-red with
anger and shame as she rose from her knees, hid her face in her hands, while she
summoned her
woman's wit and her woman's powers of endurance to help her in the emergency.
THE LOVING CUP. He,
57
had bethought him of an appropriate
too,
The Tribune never forgave
revenge.
an offence as the present
it
was
;
for such
nature to
his
seek reprisals, exceeding, in their subtle cruelty, the
injury
venom gall.
to
they were to
so deadly as a It
would be
make her
atone.
There
no
bad man's love turned to
fine sport,
thought Placidus,
slay this yellow-haired
hers, with her
is
own hand.
darling of
The triumph would be
complete, when he had outwitted her
at
every
point, and could sneer politely over the dead body of the man, and the passionate reproaches
of the
The
woman.
first
consummation was, of guard,
and
this
for
step to so tempting a
course, to put her off her it
would be
necessary to
assume some natural displeasure and pique too open a brow would surely arouse suspicions, so he ;
spoke angrily, in the harsh, excited tones of a generous
man who
"I have been hand
against
has been wronged.
deceived," said he, striking his board ; " deceived^ duped,
the
by you, Valeria, from whom I did not deserve it. Shame on the woman who could
scorned, and
thus wring an honest heart for the mere triumph of her
vanity.
And
yet,"
he added, with an
admirable appearance of wounded feeling in his
58
ANTEROS.
lowered voice and relenting accents, "I can
for-
give, because I would not others should suffer as I
do now.
me
:
Yes, Valeria's wishes are
I will spare
him
for
this,
laws to
your sake, and you shall
bear the news to him yourself. half dead ere
still
But he must be
of thirst and exhaustion
;
take
him a cup of wine with your own fan* hands, and tell him he will be a free man before sunset !" ^Tiile he spoke, he turned from her to a sideboard,
on winch stood a
tall jar
flanked by a pair of silver goblets.
of Falernian,
She had sunk
from the couch beside him, and was resting her
head upon the table but she looked up quickly moment, and saw his back reflected in the ;
for a
burnished surface of a gold vase that stood before her.
the motion of his shoulders she was
By
aware that he had taken something from
bosom while he
the
rilled
wine.
his
The whole
danger of the situation flashed upon her at once she felt intuitively that one of the cups was ;
poisoned
;
she could risk
Her
wliich.
strung, as if
tears
her
life
to
find
out
were dried, her nerves were
by magic
:
like a different being she
rose to her feet now, pale and beautiful, but perfectly
calm and composed.
"You
do love me, Placidus," said she, raising
THE LOVING CUP.
59
one of the goblets from the salver on which they "
stood.
woman.
Such truth I
when he
yours might win
pledge you to show that
asrain at least, if
She was
as
nothing more
we
any
are friends
!"
in the act of putting
it
to her
lips,
somewhat hurriedly, and
interposed,
—
with a voice not so steady as usual " One moment !" he exclaimed, taking
it
from
her hand, and setting it down again in its place, " we have not made our terms yet ; the treaty
must be signed and sealed poured to the gods.
It
is
Falernian, I have some
You
better.
I
see
a libation must be
;
a strong rough wine, that
Coan here you
have
not
Avould like
forgotten
your
tastes."
He she
laughed nervously, and his
knew now
7
that
it
u
And
this
Both
close together
man
twitched
;
was the right-hand goblet
which held the poison.
and they stood
lip
Avere equally full,
on the
could not slay
salver.
me
after all,"
was the thought that for a moment softened her
and bade her acknowledge some shadow of compunction for her admirer. Bad as he was heart,
she could not help reflecting that to her influence
he owed the only real feeling
known, and
it
made her
his
life
had ever
waver, but not for long.
60
ANTEROS.
Soon the image of Esca, chained and prostrate, passed before her, and the remembrance of her odious
bargain
goaded her
the
into
bitterest
hatred once more.
She
placed
her hand
in
the Tribune's with
woman who
the abandonment of a
really loves,
she tinned her eyes on his with the
glance
power. « Forgive me," she murmured.
known you
valued you, never heartless, unfeeling,
swimming
had not miscalculated the
of which she
mad;
"I
till
have never
now.
I
was
but I have learned a
lesson to-day that neither of us will ever forget.
No, we will never quarrel again
He
clasped her in
!"
arms, he took her to
his
his heart, his brain reeled, his senses failed him,
that
bewitching beauty seemed to pervade his
being, to surround
him with
its
some intoxicating vapour; and thrilled,
and
his
lips
fragrance like
whilst his frame
murmured out broken
words of fondness, the white hand thrown so confidingly across his shoulder tion
of
had
shifted the posi-
the goblets, and the heart that beat so
wildly against his own, had
doomed him remorse-
lessly to die.
She extricated
herself
from his embrace, she
THE LOVIXG
CUP.
put her hair back from her brow indeed, or
it
61
;
love
is
blind,
must have struck him that instead
of
blushing with conscious fondness, her cheek was
and cold as marble, though she kept her
as white
down
cast
eyes
as
if
they dared not meet his
own. "
Pledge me," said she, in a tone of the utmost
and forcing a playful smile that remained, it were, in fixed lines round her mouth.
softness,
carved as
" Drink to
me
in token of forgiveness
;
it
will
be
the sweetest draught I have ever tasted when
your
lips
He Her lest
have kissed the cup."
reached his hand out gaily to the salver.
agony of her suspense, he should mark the change she had made so heart stood
warily
;
emptied
in the
but the goblets were exactly alike, and he nearest without hesitation, and half-
seized the
in act of
still
it
ere he set
handing
it
to her
down.
Laughing, he was
what remained, when
his
eye grew jaw dropped, and stammering some broken syllables, he sank back senseless dull, his
upon the couch. She would have almost given Esca's life now to undo the deed. But it was no time for repentkeeping her eyes off the white which yet seemed ever before her,
ance or indecision vacant face,
;
62
ANTEROS.
she
felt resolutely in
the bosom of the Tribune's
walked steadily to
and having found it, the door and listened. It was
well she
for
tunic for the precious key,
did
so,
a slave's step was heard
rapidly approaching, and she had but time to return, on tiptoe, and take her place upon the
couch ere the domestic entered
;
disposing of the
Tribune's powerless head upon her lap as though
he had sunk
to sleep in her embrace.
discreetly retired, but short as
was
its
The
slave
duration,
the torture of those few seconds was hardly inade-
quate to the guilt that had preceded them.
Then
she hurried through the well-known passages, and
reached the court in which Esca was confined.
Not a word
of explanation, not a syllable of fond-
ness escaped her lips as she calmly liberated the
man
whom
for
she had risked so much.
Mechanically, and like a sleep-walker, she un-
locked the collar round his neck, signing to him at the
same time,
speech, to rise
for
she seemed incapable of
and follow
her.
He
obeyed, scarce
knowing what he did, astonished at the apparition of his deliverer, and almost scared by her ghastly looks,
and strange imperious gestures.
Thus they
threaded, without interruption, the passages of the house, and
emerged from the private entrance
THE LOVING into the
came the
now
silent
reaction
:
and deserted Valeria
63
CUP. street.
Then
could bear up
no
and trembling all over, while she clung Esca, but for whose arm she must have
longer, to
fallen,
breast.
she burst into a passion of sobs upon his
CHAPTER
V.
SURGIT AMAEl.
HE
liad
known but few moments
happiness,
woman, life.
that
proud,
of
unbending-
in the course of her artificial
Now, though remorse was gnaw-
ing at her heart, there was such a wild delight in the Briton's presence, such ecstasy in the consciousness of having saved him, though
at
the
that the pleasure kept price of a hateful crime,
down and
stifled
tion to cling to
the pain.
that stalwart form and acknow-
ledge him for her lord
mere barbarian and a to think that she
was a new sensa-
It
whom
slave.
others It
had penetrated
deemed a
was intense joy
his noble charac-
ter, that she had given him her love unasked, when such a gift could alone have saved him from
and that she had grudged no price at which to ransom him for herself. It was the
destruction,
SUEGIT AMABI. first
65
time in Valeria's whole existence that she
had indicated her woman's birthright of merging her own existence in another's, and for the mo-
ment
this
consciousness
engrossing
completely
and training of the Myrrhina walking discreetly some
altered the whole character
Patrician lady.
ten paces behind,
could hardly believe in the
identity of that drooping form, faltering in step,
and timid
in
gesture,
with her imperious and
wilful mistress.
This vigilant damsel, or surprised,
who was never
flurried
had effected her escape from the
domestics of the Tribune's household, at the mo-
ment her practised ear caught the of Valeria
making
its
to
way
light footstep
the
door;
and
although she scarcely expected to see the latter pacing
home
oblivious
with the captive at her side, as
of her waiting-maid's existence, as of
everything else in the world, she was quite satisfied to observe
that this preoccupation was the
result of interest in her companion.
an intrigue was on
foot,
Myrrhina who might be
So long as
mattered
it its
little
to
or
its
originators
victims.
They had not proceeded far waking up VOL.
II.
like a
man from
before Esca stopped,
a dream.'
f
ANTEROS.
66 " ,
owe you
I
my
life,"
he
said, in his
calm voice
and foreign accent that made such music to her "
ear.
How
shall I ever
repay you, noble lady
?
have nothing to give but the strength of my right arm, and of what service can such as I be to
I
such as you ?"
She blushed deeply, and cast down her eyes-*^ "
We
are not safe yet," she answered.
talk of this
He with
and
"
We will
when we get home."
looked before him down the stately its
its
majestic porticoes,
rows of lofty
perspective
its
street,
towering palaces,
on in grand pillars, stretching
they met the dusky crimson of
till
the evening sky, and perhaps he was thinking of
and laughing sunshine glittering on the mere and trembling in the green wood far away at home, for he only
a free upland, and blue
hills,
answered by repeating her last word with a sigh, and adding " There is none for me a wanderer,
—
;
an outcast, and a degraded man."
She seemed
to
rising to her lips, face, while she
check the outburst that was
and she kept her eyes
whispered
"I have determined
know
that there
is
I will not grant ?"
off his
—
to save you.
Do you not me which
nothing you can ask
SURGIT AMARI.
He
raised her
hand
67
to his lips, but the gesture
partook more of the dependent's homage than the
She
lover's rapture.
felt
instinctively that
it
was
a tribute of gratitude and loyalty, not an impassioned caress. For the second time, something seemed to warn her she had better have left that day's
work undone.
Then she began
talk
to
rapidly of the dangers they might undergo from pursuit, of the necessity for
immediate
flight to
her house, and close concealment when there,
wandering wildly on from one subject to another, and, apparently, but half-conscious of anything she
said.
At "
And
;
you release the
—
he asked her eagerly, even sternly the Tribune ? What of him ? How could
last
life
me
from his power
of Placidus in
my
I tell yon, I
?
had
hand, as completely as
had been standing over him in the Amphitheatre with my foot on his neck. Would any have me from price him, with all I purchased
if
I
knew ?" The crimson hurriedly that
man
—
"
rose to her brow, as she answered
No
could
price offer,
not think worse of "
Then why am
me
!
or
Believe
woman
either
than I deserve
I here ?"
no
me, !
price
Esca, do
!"
he continued, with a
68
ANTEROS. " I would like well to discover the
softened look. secret
by which Valeria can charm such a man
as
Placidus to her will."
She was very pale now.
"The Tribune
claim you no more," said she;
"I have
will
settled
that account for ever."
He
did not understand her, yet he dropped the
hand he held and walked on a her
She
side.
little
further from
her punishment had already
felt
commenced, and when she spoke again
it
was
in
hard cold accents quite unlike her own.
"He
crossed
who
fate of all
my
path, Esca,
and he met the
are rash enough to oppose Valeria.
"What motives of
pity, or love, or
avail with Placidus?
honour, would
AYhen did he ever swerve
a hair's-breadth from his goal for any consideration but self?
I
knew him, ah
!
too well.
There
was but one invincible argument for the Tribune, and I used it. I slew him slew him there, upon ;
his
couch
;
but
Perhaps he
it
felt
was to save you /" he was ungrateful.
tried to think that he, at least,
judge her harshly should have
;
Perhaps he had no right to
that such devotion for his sake
made him
look with indulgent eye,
even on so foul a crime as murder; but he could not control the repugnance and horror that
now
SUKGIT AMAEI.
him
rose in
scrupulous
69
and un-
for this beautiful, reckless,
woman
his feelings,
and
but while he strove to conceal
;
to
mask them with an
deference and gratitude, she
knew by the
of love all that was passing in suffered, as those only can suffer,
his
air of
instinct
breast,
and
who have thrown
honour, virtue, conscience, everything to the winds, to purchase but the conviction that their shameful sacrifice
has been in vain.
She determined she was enduring. street,
to put a period to the tortures
Ere
this,
they had reached the
from which opened the private entrance
own
into her
sight, still
grounds.
Myrrhina, though within
kept discreetly in the
moment
the situation, this was the
had pictured
to herself in
many
This was
rear.
that Valeria
a rapturous day-
seemed too impossibly happy ever to To have ransomed him from some pass.
dream, that
come
to
great danger at some equivalent price led
him
off
with her
in
to
have
triumph; those
two
;
pacing by themselves through the deserted streets at the witching sunset horn'
home her own,
;
to
have brought him
her very own, to this identical
gate exactly in this
manner
;
to
have none between
them, none to watch them except faithful Myrrhina,
and
to see before her a long future of uninter-
70
ANTEEOS.
ruptecl sunshine,
—and now
of
it
bad been ecstacy
tliis it
to
dream
had come, and brought with
dull, sickening sensation that
She had a brave
it
a
was worse than pain.
rebellious nature, in
keeping
with the haughty head and stately form heredi-
No
tary in her line.
scion
of that noble old
house would shrink or quiver under mental, any more than under bodily torture. Among the ancestral busts that graced her cornices, was that
of one his
who endured
own hand
with a calm set face to watch
the glowing coals. female,
up and crackling in His descendants, male and
shrivelled
partook
of
that
unflinching character,
and not Mutius Sesevola himself, erect and stern
had more of the despe-
before the Tuscan king, rate tenacity
winch
sets
than lurked under the
fate
soft
itself at defiance,
white skin, and the
ready smile, and the voluptuous beauty of proud Valeria.
She looked prouder and fairer than ever now, as she stopped at her own gate, and confronted the Briton.
"
You
to say
it,
besides,
The
are safe," she said, and
none knew but
and at rapture
liberty to
with
herself.
what "
it
cost her
You
are free
go where you
will."
which he kissed her hand
SURGIT AMAEI.
71
while she spoke, the gleam of delight that his
whole
face, the intense gratitude with
he bowed himself to the ground before like repeated strokes of a
She continued
dagger
her,
lit up which
smote
to her heart.
in accents of well-acted indiffer-
ence, though a less preoccupied
observer might have marked the quivering eyelid and dilated " You nostril. may have friends whom you long to
see
your
—friends
Though
safety.
" cally,
who have been anxious it
about
seems," she added ironi-
they have taken but
little
pains to set you
out of danger."
Esca was always frank and honest;
was
this
perhaps the charm that, combined with his yellow locks and broad shoulders, so endeared
Eoman
him
She was unaccustomed
lady.
qualities in the
men
to the
these
to
she usually met.
" I have no friends," he answered rather sadly. "
None
in the
whole of
this great city, except per-
haps yourself, noble lady, who care whether alive or dead.
Yet I have one mission,
I
am
for the
power of performing which this very night I thank you far more than for saving my life. To-morrow, it
would be too
late."
The tone was assertion, in
less that of
a question than an
which she forced out the words
—
72
ANTEROS. " It concerns that dark-eyed girl
fear to tell
A faint
me
!
—Esca, do not
the truth."
red stole over the vouno; man's brow.
They were standing together within the gardenwall on the smooth lawn that sloped towards the
The black cedars cut
house.
clear
and
distinct
against the pure serene opal of the fading sky.
A
star or
two were dimly visible, and not a breath
stirred the silent foliage of the holm-oaks, folded,
as
it
were,
in
sleep,
the
or
drooping flowers,
drowsy with the very weight of fragrance they exhaled.
It
sion of love.
was the time and place for a What a mockery it seemed
leria to stand there
and
and watch
" I
must save
Va-
which he be-
!
her, noble lady," said
he
;
save her this very night, whatever else be done.
to
his rising colour,
listen to the faltering voice in
trayed his secret
confes-
Be he dead
"I must left
un-
or alive, she shall not enter the
Tribune's house, whilst I can strike a blow or grasp
an enemy by the
my
Lady, you have earned
throat.
eternal gratitude,
my
eternal service; give
me
but tins one night, and I return to-morrow to be the
humblest and most willing of your slaves
for ever
after."
"
And
see her
no more
?"
asked Valeria, with
SUEGIT AMARI.
73
a choking throat and a strong tendency to burst into tears. "
And
no more," repeated Esca, sadly There was no mistaking the
see her
and resignedly. tone of manly,
unselfish,
and
utterly
hopeless
love.
Valeria passed her hand across her face, and tried
more than once
to
At
speak.
she
last
a hoarse hard voice —
muttered in " You love her then very dearly ?" He raised his head proudly, and a smile came
on
his lips,
remembered
a light into his blue eyes.
She
how he
the
had
looked
so
in
perial
when he gave his salute before the Imchair. She remembered too a pair of dark
eyes,
and a pale
arena,
face, that followed
his
every
movement. " So " that can I but dearly," was his answer, rescue her, I will gladly bargain to give her
and never even look on her think of myself
again.
when the question
is
How
up
can I
of her happi-
ness and her safety ?"
Valeria with all her faults was a woman.
had indeed dreamed of an an
affection purified
affection
such as
She this,
from the dross and alloy that
combines to form so much of what
men
call love.
ANTE EOS.
74
She might not be capable of feeling it, but womanlike, she could admire and appreciate the nobility of
its
it
stretched.
aspirations,
outdone
in
returning to
and the ideal standard
Womanlike
too,
to
which
she was not to be
and Esca's proposal of her household, and submitting to her generosity,
he had accomplished Ins errand, disarmed her completely. She was not accustomed will directly
to analyze her feelings, or to check the reckless
impulse which always bade her act on the spur of the moment.
She did not stop to consider
morrow's repentance,
to-
nor the grudging regrets
which would goad her when the excitement of her self-denial had died out, and the blank that had hitherto rendered existence so dreary would be
even
less
tolerable than before.
If a
shadowy
misgiving that she would repent her concession hereafter, passed for a
moment
she hastened to repress better intentions
her now, with
;
all
it,
ere
across her mind, it
should warp her
and she could urge him to leave the more importunity, that she
dared not trust her heart to waver
for
an instant
in the sacrifice.
"
You
a great in this
are alone," said she, calming herself with
and speaking very quick. " Alone great city, but you are loyal and brave. effort,
SUEGIT AMABT.
Such men are
rare here
75
and are worth a
legion.
Still, you must have gold in your bosom and You at your belt, if you would succeed.
take both from me, and you will girl that
tell
steel
shall
the dark-eved
was Valeria who saved her and you."
it
His blue eyes turned upon her with looks of the
and again the and threatened
deepest, the most fervent gratitude,
wild love surged up to
swamp every
tible longing.
in her heart,
consideration but
own
His answer, however, sent
coldly back again. u shall be ever grateful
We
of us could
its
prove
it
!
We
— oh
it
irresis-
ebbing
!
that either
shall
not forget
Valeria."
Myrrhina thought her mistress had never looked so queenly, as when she called her up at this junc-
and bade her fetch a purse of gold from her own cabinet, and one of the swords that hung in
ture,
the vestibule, and deliver them to Esca.
very erect
and
Then,
pale, Valeria walked towards the
house, apparently insensible to his thanks and protestations,
but turned round ere she had reached
the threshold, and gave
him her hand
to kiss.
Myrrhina returning from her errand, saw the face that was bent over him as he stooped in act of
homage, and even that hollow-hearted
girl
was
76
ANTEEOS.
touched by
its
wild,
tender,
and mournful ex-
pression, but ere he could look up,
it
was cold
and passionless as marble, once more.
Then
she disappeared slowly through the porch, and
Myrrhina courage
to
with
all
follow
own chamber.
her
daring
had not
the
her into the privacy of her
CHAPTEE "
HE
DEAD LEAVES.
stars
roofs
VI.
of
shone brilliantly down on the the great
city
—
roofs
that
covered in how various a multitude of hopes, fears, wishes, crimes, joys, study, debaucheries,
toil,
and
mities were veiled by a tile
thick of
a
What
!
deal
repose.
What
enor-
some half an inch
contrasts separated
by a partition
plank, and a crevice
stopped with
Here, a poor worn son of toil, working with bleared eyes, and hollow cheeks to complete
mortar
!
the pittance that a whole day's labour was insufficient to attain;
there
a sleek pampered slave,
snoring greasily on his pallet, drenched with pilfered wine, and gorged with the fat leavings of his master's meal.
On
this side the street, a
family penned helplessly together
in
a
whole
stifling
ANTEEOS.
78 garret, floors,
.
on that a spacious palace, with marble and airy halls, and lofty corridors, devoted
to the occasional convenience
man— a
pleasures of one
senator in office
a coward, a roofs
;
and the shameful
patrician
in
rank,
a
yet, notwithstanding a profligate,
and a debauchee.
traitor,
have been taken
off,
Could those
could those chambers
have been bared to the million eyes of night that seemed to be watching her so intently, what a
mass of corruption would Imperial Rome have There were plague spots under her laid bare !
purple, festering and spreading and eating into
the very
marrow
of the
Mistress of the world.
under the slanting roof, in a miserable garret, a scene was being enacted, bad as it
Up
six stories,
was, far below the nightly average of vice and
treachery in
Rome.
Dismissed from their patron's house when he
had no further need of their attendance, and so to speak,
off
duty
for
the
day,
Damasippus and
Oarses had betaken themselves to their
home
in
order to prepare for the exploits of the night.
That home was of the cheapest and most wretched among the many cheap and wretched lodgings to be found in the overgrown yet crowded
city.
Four
bare walls bulging and blistered with the heat,
::
DEAD LEAVES."
79
supported the naked rafters on -which rested the tiles,
yet glowing from
an afternoon sun.
A
wooden bedstead, rickety and creaking, with a coarse pallet, through the rents of which the straw
peeped and
rustled,
a broken jar of
one
occupied
comer, and
common earthenware
of a
but
half-full of sightly design copied from the Greek,
These constituted
tepid water, stood in another.
the only furniture of the apartment, except a few irregular shelves filled with unguents, cosmetics,
and the inevitable pumice-stone, by which the fashionable
Eoman
superfluous hair
A
limbs.
studied
to
eradicate
every
from his unmanly cheek
broken Chiron, in
common
and
plaster, yet
showing marks of undoubted genius, where the shoulders and hoofs of the Centaur had escaped mutilation, kept guard over these treasures, filled
and
a place that in the pious days of the old
Republic, however humble the dwelling, would
have been occupied by the Lares and Penates of the hearth.
A
from the
an open trunk full of clothing, lay and a jar of wine emptied to the
on the
mouldy
crust of bread
slipped
lid of
floor,
dregs stood by
its side.
The two inhabitants, however, of this squalid apartment betrayed
in their persons
none of the misery
80
ANTEEOS.
They were
in keeping with their dwelling-place.
tolerably well-fed because their meals were usually
furnished at their patron's expense to
;
they contrived
be well-dressed, because a decent and even
wealthy appearance was creditable to their patron's
and indispensable to many of the duties he called upon them to perform, dirty work indeed, generosity,
but only to be done, nevertheless, with clean clothes
and an assured countenance,
so that the exterior
both of Damasippus and Oarses would have offered
no
discredit
to
the anteroom of Caesar himself.
But they were men derstood in great
of pleasure, as the
cities,
men who
word
is
un-
lived solely for
the sensual indulgences of the body
;
and
it
was
their nature to spend their gains, chiefly ill-gotten, in those
debasing luxuries, which an insatiable
demand enabled Eome
to supply to her public, at
the lowest possible cost, to sun themselves as
it
were, in the glare of that gaudy vice, which walks
abroad in the
then loathsome
streets,
and then creep back
hole, like reptiles as
into
they were.
Damasippus, whose plump, well-rounded form and clear colour afforded a remarkable contrast to the lithe shape and sallow tint of Oarses, was the first
to speak.
He had
been watching the Egyp-
tian intently, while the latter
went through the
"dead leaves." painful toilet,
81
and elaborate ceremonies of a protracted rasping his chin with the
pumice-stone,
smoothing and greasing his dark locks with a preparation of lard and perfumed oil, and finally drawing a needle charged with lamp-black, carefully and painfully through his closed eyelids, in order to lengthen the line of the eye, and give
it
that soft languishing expression so prized by Orientals of either sex.
Damasippus waxing impawhich
tient then, at the evident satisfaction with
his friend pursued the task of adornment, broke
—
out irritably " And of course
As
usual,
mine the
it is
to be the old story again
trouble,
and by Hercules no
small share of the danger,
now
swarming with
discontented and
While
paid.
soldiers,
all
!
yours, the credit,
that the
town
and very
is ill-
likely
the reward, and nothing to do but to whine out a
few coaxing syllables, and
make
yourself as like
an old woman as you can. No difficult task either," he added, with a half-sarcastic, half-good-
humoured
The
laush.
other lingered before
a few inches
of
cracked mirror, which seemed to rivet his attention,
and put the
finishing touches to either eye-
with infinite care, ere he replied VOL. II.
lid
:
o
82
ANTEROS. "
Every
his special trade.
drive
own work, and every man The wooden-headed mallet
tool to its
home the sharp wedge.
The brute
to
to
force of
Damasippus to support the fine skill of Oarses."
"And
sword of a Eoman," retorted the
the
untried men, was somewhat " to hew a his mettle, path for the
other, who, like
boastful of
many
needlework of an Egyptian. needle
Well, at least the
in appropriate hands.
is
By
all
the foun-
tains of Caria thou hast the true feminine leer in
thine eye, the very swing of thy draperies seems
The
clasp
of Salmacis herself could not have effected a
more
to say
'
Follow me, but not too
perfect transformation
ugly old
woman
:
Oarses,
to the life
near.'
thou lookest an
!"
In truth the Egyptian's disguise was now nearly complete.
were
The dark
laid in
matronly
locks smoothed
modest bands about
stole,
and flattened
his
head
—the
or gown, gathered at the breast
by
a broad girdle, and fastened with a handsome clasp
high on the shoulder, descended in long sweeping lines to his feet,
where
it
was ornamented by a
broad and elaborate flounce of embroidery.
Over
the whole was disposed in graceful folds a large
square shawl of the finest texture, dark-coloured
but woven through with glistening golden threads
"DEAD LEAVES." and further formed a
by a wide golden
set off
veil
83
and cloak
in one,
It
fringe.
and might
easily
be arranged to conceal the figure as well as the Oarses was not a
face of the wearer.
little
proud
of the dainty feminine grace with which he wore the head-gear, and as he tripped to and fro across
the narrow floor of his garret,
it
would have taken
a sharper eye than that of keen Damasippus himself to detect the disguise of his wily confederate.
"
A
woman, "
testily,
my
friend,"
he replied, somewhat
but not such an ugly one, after
all
as
;
thou wilt find to thy cost when we betake ourI look to thee, Dama" to maliciously, protect thy fair
selves to the streets. sippus," he added
my
companion from annoyance and insult." Damasippus was a coward and he knew answered stoutly "
—
Let them come,
time, if they will.
let
them come
What
!
!
it,
so
he
a dozen at a
a good blade and a
enough for me, though you put me whole maniple of gladiators The patron knows what manhood is, none better.
light helmet
is
at half-sword with a
Why
should he have selected Damasippus for this
enterprise, but that
my
!
heart
is
oak
?*
he judges
my arm
is iron,
and
ANTEEOS.
84:
"
And
thy forehead brass," added the Egyptian,
scarcely concealing a contemptuous smile. " And the forehead
my
brass," repeated
obviously gratified by the compliment.
and the
friend, the shrinking heart,
and the womanly bearing, are no haps, to a
man
who drink from is)
—we
as
"Nay,
failing arm,
disgrace, per-
born by the tepid Nile
;
but we
the Tiber here (and very foul
it
of the blood of Komulus, the she-wolf
and the war-god's
litter,
other,
when our
line
—are never
so
happy
feet are reeling in the press of battle,
our hearts leaping to the clash of shields, and our ears deafened by the shout of victory.
what
is
The
Hark
!
that ?" boaster's face turned very
pale,
and he
hastily unbuckled the sword he had been girding on while he spoke, for a wild, ominous cry came
sweeping over the roofs of the adjoining houses rising
deadly to
and
falling, as it
strife,
some a
seemed, with the sway o
and boding
in its fierce fluctuations,
cruel triumph,
'to
others a merciless
defeat.
Oarses heard
it
too.
His dark face scarce
looked like a woman's now, with
its
malicious glee, and exulting cunning. " The old Praetorians are said up,"
gleam of
he, quietly.
"DEAD LEAVES."
85
"1 have been expecting this for a week. soldier, there will be a
fill
the streets, and goodly
this night in
Brave
of fighting for thee spoils, too, for
the ready hand, and love and wine, and all the rest of
it,
without the outlay of a farthing."
"But
will not
it
be safe to be seen in arms
now," gasped Damasippus, sitting clown on the tester-bed, with a white, flabby face,
and a general
appearance of being totally unstrung.
"
Besides,"
he added, with a ludicrous attempt at reasserting his dignity, "
a brave
Boman
should not engage
in civil war."
Oarses reflected for a moment, undisturbed by a second shout, that made his frightened companion tremble in every limb, then he smoothed his brows, and spoke in soothing and persuasive tones. " Dost thou not see, my friend, how all is in
favour of our undertaking quiet, Ave
?
Had
the city been
might have aroused attention, and a
dozen chance passengers half as brave as thyself, might have foiled us at the very moment of
Now, the
success. parties,
before
and
it
it is
streets will
be clear of small
easy for us to avoid a large body
approaches.
One
act of violence
amongst
the hundreds sure to be committed to-night, will
never again be heard
of.
The
three or four
86
ANTEKOS.
resolute slaves under thine orders, will be taken to belong to one or other of the fighting factions,
and thus even the patron's
spotless character will
Besides, in such a
escape without a blemish.
we
have by sundown, a woman might scream her heart out, and nobody would think of noticing her. On with that sword turmoil as
my
again,
are like to
hero,
and
let
us go softly
down
into the
street."
"But
the Old Praetorians succeed," urged
if
the other, evincing a great disinclination for the " adventure, what will become of Caesar ? and with Caesar's fall,
who
is
down goes the patron
expedition to-night ?" " Oh ! thick-witted
Egyptian, laughing. as the lion
;
"
and then
answered the Ajax !" Bold and strong in action
but in counsel innocent as the lamb.
Knowest thou the Tribune will
too.
to bear us harmless from the effects of our
be on the losing side
?
so little as to think he
If there
is
tumult in
Borne, and revolt, and the city boils and seethes like a
huge
flesh-pot casting
up
its
choicest morsels
to the surface, dost thou suppose that Placidus
not stirring the
fire
underneath
?
is
I tell thee that
come what may of Caesar to-night, to-morrow will behold the Tribune more popular and more power-
"DEAD LEAVES." ful
than ever
and I
;
one
for
87
will
beware of
dis-
obeying his behests."
The
last
argument was not without
Damasippus, though much persuaded that of two the least
and
;
it
its
effect,
against the grain, was
perils,
he had better choose
speaks well for the ascendancy
gained by Placidus over his followers, that the cleverer
and
more daring knave should have
obeyed him unhesitatingly from self-interest, the ruffian and the coward from fear. Damasippus, then, girding on his sword once more,
suming
as warlike a port as
his sinking heart,
accompany
farious undertaking, with
as-
was compatible with
marched down
his disguised
and
into the street to
companion on their ne-
many
personal fears and
misgivings for the result.
How
different,
save in
noble nature, at the same
its
disquietude, was the
moment
seeking repose
and finding none, within half a bow-shot of the garret in which these two knaves were plotting. Despite his blameless
life,
despite Ins distinguished
career, Caius L. Licinius sat
and sorrowful,
in his
and brooded, lonely stately home.
In that noble palace, long ranges of galleries and chambers were filled with objects of art and taste, beautiful
and costly and
refined.
If a yard
88
ANTEKOS.
of the wall had looked bare,
it
would have been
adorned forthwith by some trophy
"of
arms taken in warfare.
had seemed
it
empty,
If a corner
would have been at once
barbaric
filled
exquisite group of marble, wrought into
by some Greek
Not a
artist's chisel.
with an still
recess in
that pile of building, but spoke of comfort, plete
in
every
chamber
in
and
respect,
the whole, was
the
life
only
com-
empty
owner's heart.
its
Nay, more than empty, for it was haunted by the ghost of a beloved memory, and the happiness that was never to
come
again.
Cold and dreary is the air of that mysterious tenement where we buried our treasures long ago. Cold and dreary like the atmosphere of the tomb, but a perfume hangs about
it still,
therefore eternal
being divine,
is
turf be
damp and heavy
laid
head, our tears
fall
like the
;
because love,
and though the
over the beloved blessed rain from
heaven, and water the very barrenness of the grave,
till
humble spring,
at length, through
weary patience and
resignation, the flowers of
and
faith tells us
after, in another
hope begin to
they shall bloom here-
and a better
Avorld.
Licinius was very lonely, and at a time of life
when, perhaps, loneliness
is
most oppressive to the
"DEAD LEAVES." Youth has
mind-
of hope,
is
so
much
89
to anticipate,
dreams are
sufficient for its sustenance;
middle age,
men have
is
mirage
so fall
is
so sanguine, so daring, that its
own
but in
already found out that the
but sand and sunshine after
all
;
they
still, yet only from habit, and because the excitement that was once such
look forward, indeed,
intoxicating rapture, lant.
is
now but a necessary
to take
pompous
them out of themselves, they become fritters,
or despondent recluses, according
as their temperaments lead
them
self-importance or excessive
humility.
when
the quiver
little
childish
There
the
laughter.
evil,
and
call
up
to inordinate
Not
and the hearth
is full,
with the patter of
all
stimu-
If they have no ties of family, no affections
so
is
merry and the ring of a charm to dispel
feet, is
all the
good, even of the
worst man's nature, in the soft, white brow, pure from the stamp of sin and care, in the bold, bright eyes that look up so trustingly to his own. is
There
a sense of protection and responsibility, that few
natures- are so depraved as to repudiate, in the
household relationship which acknowledges and obeys the father as its head and there is no man so ;
callous or so reckless, but
nobler and better than he
he would wish is,
to
appear
in the eyes of his child.
90
ANTEROS. Licinius liad none of these incentives to virtue,
but the lofty nature and the loving heart that could worship a memory, and feel that still,
had kept him pure from
of late attached himself
it
vice.
much
was a reality He had never
to anything,
Esca became an inmate of his household since he had been
till
but
;
in habits of daily intercourse
with the Briton, a feeling of content, and wellbeing, he would have found
it difficult
to analyse,
had gradually crept over him. Perhaps he would have remained unconscious of his slave's influence, had
it
not been for the blank occasioned by his
He
departure.
missed him sadly now, and won-
dered why, at every
moment
of the day, he found
himself thinking of the pleasant, familiar face,
and
frank, cordial smile.
So much reflection,
alone,
he had acquired grave habits of
even of that self-examination which
so beneficial
is
an exercise when impartially per-
formed, but which
men
so rarely practise without
a self-deception that obviates all its good effects. This evening he was in a more thoughtful mood than common;
seemed life;
to
him
that ho
existence
slip
this evening,
more than
ever, it
that his was an aimless, fruitless
had
let the
through
material pleasures of
his
fingers,
and taken
"DEAD LEAVES. Of what
nothing in exchange.
91 availed his
toils,
his enterprise, his love of country, his self-denial,
endurance of hardship and privation ? What was he the better now, that he had marched, and his
watched, and bled, and preserved whole colonies for the empire,
and
sat
crowned with
glorious,
He
laurels in the triumphal car ?
looked round
and the trophies that adorned them, thinking the while that even such a home on
his stately walls,
might be purchased too dear at the expense Gold and marble, corridors and of a life-time. as this
columns, ivory couches and Tyrian carpets, were these equivalents for youth's
and at
care, this
last
tions ?
by
Had he
cipices?
He
them now.
and manhood's
a desolate old age
ambition that led
steepest paths,
toil
men
?
What was
so irresistibly
up the
the brink of such fatal preever
experienced
He
scarcely knew.
Had Guenebra
its
tempta-
could not realize
lived,
indeed,
and
own, he might have prized honour and renown, and a name that was on all
had she been
his
men's
her dear sake.
lips,
for
eyes brighten, to call face, that
To
see the kind
up a smile into the beloved
would surely have been reward enough,
and that would never
be.
ing of the bright days
Then he
fell to
when they were
think-
ail-in-all
92
ANTEROS.
when
to eacli other,
the very sky seemed fairer,
while he watched for her white dress under the
Was he
oak-tree.
Would he not
not perfectly happy then?
at least
have been perfectly happy,
could he have called her, as he hoped to do, his
own ?
Honesty answered, No. At the very best there was a vague longing, a something wanting, a sense of insufficiency, of insecurity, and even discontent. since
?
was so then, how had
it
it
been
Passing over the sharp, sudden stroke so his senses at the time, that a long in-
numbiDg terval
If
had
to
elapse
ere
he awoke to
its
full
— agony passing over the subsequent days of yearning,
laid
and nights of vain regret, the lesolation that waste a heart which would bear fruit no more,
he reviewed the long years in which he had striven to
make duty and
and was forced barren.
the love of country
fill
the void,
to confess that here, too, all
was
There was a something ever wanting, even
to complete the dull torpor of that resignation
which philosophy inculcated, and common-sense What was it ? Licinius could not enjoined. answer his own question, though he
must have some
solution, at
felt
that
it
which man's destiny
intended him to arrive. All the
L
Eoman knew,
all
he could
realize, was,
"DEAD LEAVES."
93
that the spring was gone long ago, with her buds of promise, and her laughing morning skies
the glory of
that
summer had passed away, with
lustrous beauty
and
its
its
burnished plains, and
deep, dark foliage quivering in the heat blast of
;
;
that the
autumn had strewn the cold earth now
with faded flowers and withered leaves, and the wreck of tenderly,
its
all
all
the hopes that blossomed so
and bloomed
so bright
and
The
fair.
heaven was cold and grey, and between him and heaven the bare branches waved and nodded mocking, pointing with spectral fingers to the dull, cheerless sky.
Could he but have believed,
could he but have vaguely imaged to himself that there would
come another
spring, that belief, that
vague imagining had been to Licinius, the one inestimable treasure for which he would have bartered
all else in
the world.
In vain he sought, and looked about him something on which to lean, for something out
and superior to
himself, inspiring
him with
for of,
that
sense of being protected, for which humanity feels so keen, yet so indefinite a desire.
What
is
the
bravest and wisest of mankind, but a child in the dark, groping for the parental
guide
its
uncertain steps
?
hand that
Where was he
shall
to find
94
ANTEKOS.
the ideal that he could honestly worship, on the
which he could heartily depend? The mythology of Koine, degraded as it had become, was not yet stripped of all the graceful That attributes it owed to its Hellenic origin.
superiority of
which was Greek, might indeed be could scarce
man
fail
evil,
yet
it
but what rational
to be fair;
could ground his faith on the theocracy of
Olympus, or contemplate with any feeling save disgust, that material Pantheism, in which the lowest even of divinity
once,
As
?
and
the body,
well
vices
w as exalted T
into a
become a worshipper of
Isis at
prostitute, to the utter degradation of all
the mind. fit
human
the noblest and fairest imagery of
No, the
subjects for the
deities that
Homer
sang were
march of those Greek hexa-
meters, sonorous and majestic as the roll of the
iEgean sea
;
fit
types of sensuous perfection, to be
wrought by the Greek chisel, from out the veined blocks of smooth, white Parian stone; to
bow down before the
man,
intellectual
crafty
Hermes, or the thick-witted god of
man,
but for
forges, or
the ambrosial front of father Jove himself, the least
of
ideal
f.ould scarce
Licinius
all,
was a simple absurdity, that
impose upon a
had served
woman
in the
or a child.
East,
and he be-
"DEAD LEAVES." thought him
now
95
of a nation against
whom
he had
men
instinct
stood in arms, brave, fierce soldiers,
with public virtue and patriotism, whose different
from those of
served with
all
scrupulous fidelity and
self-denial.
This people, he had heard, worshipped a
whom
rites,
other races, were ob-
God
of
there was no material type, whose being
was omnipresent and
spiritual,
depended when
implicitly
trusting in
whom
all
on else
whom
they
failed,
they never feared to
and
But
die.
they admitted none to partake with them in their advantages, and their faith seemed to inculcate
hatred of the stranger, no less than dissensions
and
strife
amongst themselves.
"Is there nothing, alas! but duty, stern, cold
duty to so,
fill
like a
thought Licinius.
"
Be
sword shall be once more at the
my my country,
then,
vice of
this void ?"
Boman and
and I
will die in
a soldier at the last
my !"
it
ser-
harness
CHAPTER VH. "
HABET !"
IPPIAS, the
fenciug-niaster,
had com-
pleted his preparations for the night.
With a
certain
military
instinct,
as
necessary to his profession as to that of the legitimate soldier, he could rely upon his
own
dispositions,
when they were once made,
with perfect 'confidence, and a total absence of anxiety for the result.
Like
was
all
men
habituated to constant
never so completely in his
surrounded by
strife,
he
element as when
only to be warded off by
perils,
and though he may have had moments in which he longed for the softer cool, vigilant
courage
joys of affection
and
;
repose,
it
needed but the
clang of a buckler or the gleam of a sword to rouse
him
into his fiercer self once more.
"
HABET
97
!"
had been his habit to attend Valeria,
It
for the
purpose of instructing her in swordinanship, by
an hour's
practice
on certain appointed
days.
Everything connected with the amphitheatre
pi e-
sessed at this period such a morbid fascination for all classes of
the .Roman people, that even ladies
of rank esteemed
it
a desirable accomplishment to
understand the use of the sword that on birth
;
and
it
is
said
more than one occasion women of noble
had been known
games themselves.
to take part in the deadly
These, however, were rare in-
stances of such complete defiance of all modesty
and even natural feeling but to thrust, and shout, and stamp in the conflict of mimic warfare was ;
simply esteemed the regular exercise and the healthy excitement of every patrician aspired to a fashionable reputation.
dame who Such sudo-
accompanied by excessive use of the bath and a free indulgence in slaking the thirst, arising from so severe a course of treatment, must have rifics,
been highly detrimental to female beauty but even this consideration was postponed to the absorbing claims of fashion, and then, as now, a ;
woman was self
by any
content and pleased to disfigure herprocess,
however painful and incon-
venient, providing other
VOL.
II.
women
did the same.
h
ANTEROS.
98 It
is
possible, too, that the
form, the tough thews and structors
were not without
softened
hearts
in
manly symmetry
of
sinews of their in-
effect
on
whose
pupils,
proportion as their muscles
became hard, and whose whole habits and education tended to interest them in the person and
Be
profession of the gladiator.
the fencing-masters of left
on their hands, and, of
was
trifling,
his
but
may,
little
these, Hippias
doubtless the most sought after It
this as it
Rome had
by the
time
was
fair.
custom to neglect nothing, however
connected with his calling.
No
details
were too small to be attended to by one whose daily profession taught
him
that
life
and victory
might depend on the mere quiver of an eyelid, the accidental slip of a buckle
;
and, besides, he took
a strange pride in his deadly trade, and especially in the methodical regularity with it
which he carried
out.
Though bound prise
to-night for the desperate enter-
which should make or mar him
confident that, in either event,
though he would to-morrow ;
be far beyond the necessities of a gladiator,
it
was
part of Ins character to play out his part thoroughly to-day.
Valeria would expect him, as usual, before
the bathing-hour on the following morning.
It
«
HABET
99
!"
was but decent he should leave a message at her The very house that he might be detained. wording of his excuse brought to his mind the of the
possibilities
next few hours
— the
many
chances of failure in the enterprise, failure which, to
him
at least, the leader of desperate
synonymous with certain death. first
men, was
To-day, for the
time, as he turned his steps towards her
sion,
a
yet not unpleasing
half-sorrowful,
soft,
sensation stole into his heart as the
mistress rose before
him
man-
image of
its
in all the pride of her
stately beauty.
He had haughty
often admired
features
the regularity of her
—had scanned, in his own
critical
way, with unqualified approval the lines of her noble figure, and the symmetry of her firm, well-
turned limbs
;
had even longed to touch that
wealth of silken hair when
it
shook loose in her
—a strange sensation such a exertions, and yet man —had flinched and oppressed when, placing for
felt
her once in a position of defence, a tress of fallen across his hand.
that he would give
over again
more,
if,
;
much
Now,
it
to live those
to
had
him
few moments
that he would like to see her once
indeed, as was probable,
the last time
seemed
it
;
it
would be
that there was no other
woman
for
to
ANTEROS.
100
be compared with her in Eoine all
;
and
that, with
her glowing beauty and all her physical at-
tractions,
He
her pride was her greatest charm.
was a desperate man, about
perate
game
to play a des-
Such thoughts in such a
for life.
heart and at such a time quicken with fearful rapidity into evil.
Admiration, untempered by
the holier leavening of that affection which can
only exist in the breast that has kept itself pure,
soon grows to cruelty and selfishness. beauty, poisoned by the love of
The
love of
strife, seethes into
a fierce passionate longing, less that of the lover for his mistress
than of the tiger for
its
prey-
Valeria was a proud woman, the proudest and the fairest in
Eome.
He
drew his breath hard as he
thought what a wild triumph
would be to bend
humble
that pride to his
soldier-like,
he had seen to
that stately neck, and
very
it
feet.
Methodical and everything with his
own
eyes.
The
plot was laid,
the conspirators were armed and instructed, there
was yet an hour or two to spare before the appointed gathering at the Tribune's house,
and
that time he resolved should be devoted to Valeria
;
at least,
he would feast his eyes once more
on that glorious beauty, of which he now seemed
"
HABET !"
101
He
to acknowledge the full power.
welcomed him
cordially
would be sorry to
lose
a very evil smile, though it
and kindly
him
And
Hermes
;
altogether.
perhaps she
He
smiled
his heart beat faster than
had done since he was a boy,
the statue of
would see
She had always
her, would bid her farewell.
as
he halted under
in her porch.
Valeria was sitting in her chamber, with
her head buried in her hands, and her long brown hair sweeping like a mantle to her feet.
that
feelings
All the
goad and madden a
could most
— not —
woman were tearing at her heart. She dared not for the sake of tottering reason she dared
think of the Tribune's white face and dropping jaw,
She
and limbs strewed helpless on the couch.
weigh upon her but she absome oppressive nightmare stained, with an effort of which she was yet fully suffered the vision, indeed, to
like
;
conscious, from analysing its details,
and
above
all,
No
its effect.
!
its
the image of Esca
her brain and her heart. theatre
;
meaning or
from considering
recalling its
origin
still filled
Esca in the amphi-
Esca chained, and sleeping on the hard, Esca walking by her side through
hot pavement
;
the shady streets
;
and Esca turning away with
102
ANTEROS.
his noble figure
and
his
him
the liberty that set
Then came a rush
manly
free
step, exulting in
from her
!
of those softer feelings, that
were required to render her torture unbearable
:
the sting of " what
might have been ;" the picture of herself (she could see herself in her mind's eye beautiful and fascinating, in all the advantages
—
of dress and jewels) leaning on that strong arm,
and the kind, brave face looking down into hers with the protective air that became
him
him
it
so well.
To
give
all
she had done for his sake, and to hear his
all
;
to tell
all
she had risked,
She almost fancied
loving accents in reply!
in
her dream that this had actually come to pass, so vividly did her heart
longings.
image
to itself its dearest
Then she saw another
place that ought to be her
own
figure in
the
—another face into
which he was looking as he had never looked in It was the dark eyed girl's The darkhers. !
eyed
girl,
Would
she
who had been her have done as much
pale face and
And
now, ere
throughout
for
him with her
!
her frightened, shrinking ways?
this,
he had reached her home, was
whispering in her ear, waist.
rival
with his
arm round her
Perhaps he was boasting of the conquest
"habet!"
103
he had made over the haughty tellino-
Roman
lady,
and
her that he had scorned Valeria for her
Then
dear sake.
that was evil in her nature
all
gained the ascendant, and with the bitter recklessness that has ruined so heart, she said to
but
Life
evil.
matters
little
is
many an
herself—"There
an
illusion,
undisciplined is
no
and hope a
what becomes of
reality lie.
It
me now !"
When
Myrrhina entered she found her lady busied in rearranging the folds of her robe and
was no part of Valeria's character to show by her outward bearing what was passing in her mind, and least of all would she have permitted her attendant to guess at the
her disordered tresses.
It
The waitinghad undergone. but she had maid, indeed, was a little puzzled humiliation she
;
gained so
much knowledge, both by
and experience, of the strange
effects
observation
produced by
over-excitement on her sex, that she never suffered herself to be surprised at a feminine vagary of description.
Now,
though she wondered
any Esca why
was gone, and why her mistress was so reserved and haughty, she refrained discreetly from question or remark, contenting herself with a silent offer of
her services, and arranging the brown hair into a plaited coronet on Valeria's brows, without betray-
ANTEROS.
104 ing by her
manner
that she was conscious anything
unusual had taken place. After a few moments' silence, her mistress's voice was sufficiently steadied for her to speak. " I did not send for " What do you," said she.
you want here ?" Myrrhina's hands were busied with the silken tresses,
long-
and she held a comb between her
Nevertheless, she answered volubly. " I would not have disturbed you, madam, this
teeth.
warm, sultry evening
—and
soundly for letting him in
he never was denied
sure,
I rebuked the porter ;
only as he said, to be
before,
and I thought,
perhaps, you would not be displeased to see him, if it
was only
for
a few minutes, and he seemed so
anxious and hurried
much time
—and,
to spare, so I
inner hall while I
came
indeed, he never has
bade him wait in the
to let
Hoping even against hope
!
you know." She knew
it
was
—
impossible, yet her heart leapt as she thought " Oh if it were only Esca who had turned back !
!"
" I will see him," said she, quietly, prolonging
the illusion by purposely avoiding to ask visitor
who
this
be.
might In another minute Hippias stood before her
untimely
Hippias, the fencing-master, a
man
in
—
whose dan-
"
HABET
105
!"
had always taken a vague whose personal prowess she admired, and
gerous career she interest
;
whose reputation, such as
it
a wild fascination of
own.
too,
its
was, possessed for her
He
was reckless,
from the very nature of his profession
she, in
them
desperate than any gladiator of
would have done her good steel,
and
;
her present mood, more reckless, more
some
against
to stand, with
fierce wild beast or
There was nothing, she
felt,
It
all.
naked
deadly
foe.
that she could not
Xerve and brain wound up to the highest pitch of excitement heart and feelings When the reaccrushed, and wounded, and sore. dare to-day.
tion came,
tide
it
ebbed,
sufferer
—
would necessarily be
fatal
;
when the
would leave a wearied, helpless
it
on the shore.
Such was the frame of mind received the gladiator
;
in
which Valeria
outwardly impassive
—
for
her colour did not' even deepen, nor her breath
come quicker
—
at his
unexpected appearance invexed of tumultuous feelings, a conflict wardly by
—
and longing for any change any anodyne that could deaden or alleviate her pain. How could she but respond to Ins manly, respectful "farewell?"
How
burning
words
could she but listen to the few in
which
he
spoke
of
long-
106
ANTEROS.
suppressed
and
hopeless adoration,
or
pretend
not to be interested in the desperate enterprise
which he hinted might prevent his ever looking on her fair face again. He soothed her self-love ;
he roused her curiosity he set her pride on its broken pedestal again, and propped it with a ;
strong, yet gentle
clouds drew nearer to be destroyed
own
contact
hand still
;
and
so the
two thunder-
and nearer, ere they met,
and riven by the lightning their
had engendered.
CHAPTER
VIII.
too late!
SCA, treading on
hastened from
air,
common
Valeria's house with the
self-
ishness of love, ignoring all the pain
and disappointment he had him.
left
Tbe young blood coursed merrily through
his veins,
and in
spite of his anxiety,
he exulted in
the sense of being at liberty once more. alive, doubtless, to
the
behind
He was
the generosity and devotion of
woman who had
set
him
free,
nor was he so
blind as to be unaware of the affection that
had
driven her to such desperate measures for his sake
;
first glow of a gratitude, that had in it no vestige of tenderer feelings, he had resolved, when his mission was accomplished and Ma-
and in the
riamne placed in
safety,
throw himself at the
he would return and
Roman
lady's
feet
once
ANTEKOS.
108 more.
But the further he
left
her stately porch
became
this
generous resolu-
behind, the weaker tion,
and ere long he had
little difficulty in
suading; himself that his
first
per-
duty was to the
Jewess, and that in his future actions he must be
guided by circumstances,
own
the bent of his spite of his
wounded
Tiber as fast
as,
or, in
other words, follow
inclinations. foot,
Meanwhile, in
he sped on towards the
in years gone by, he
had followed
the lean wolf, or the foam-flecked boar, over the
green
hills of Britain.
The sun had not been down an hour when he entered the well-known street that was
chanted ground
;
yet, while
now
en-
he looked up into the
darkening sky, Ins heart turned sick within hini at the thought that
he might be too
late, after
all.
The garden-door was open, left
She was
it.
might
find
as she
must have
not, therefore, in the house.
He
her at the river-side, and have the
happiness of a few minutes alone with her, ere he
brought her back and placed her, for the second time, in
safety within her father's walls.
more prudent
The
course, he confessed to lnmself at
the time, would have been to alarm Eleazar, and
put him on the defensive at once
;
but he had
too late!
109
been so long without seeing Mariainne, the peril in which she was placed had so endeared her to
own near approach
him, and his
stamped her image so vividly on
had
to death
his heart, that
he
could not resist the temptation of seeking her at the
and
water-side,
other ears or eyes,
he had
felt
and how,
since they last parted, sakes, they
unwatched by
her,
telling
all
must never part
and endured
for both
their
again.
Full of such thoughts, he ran down to the water's
edge,
and
the
sought
broken column
where she was accustomed to descend and pitcher from the stream.
watched
Once
face.
In vain
for the dark-clad figure
fill
her
his eager eye
and the dear pale
in the deepening twilight his heart
leapt as he thought he saw her crouching low
beneath the bank, and sank again to find he had
been deceived by a fallen slab of stone.
Then he
turned for one more searching look ere he departed,
and
his glance rested
on a pitcher, broken
into a dozen fragments, at his feet.
He
did not
know that
it
w as Mariamne's. r
How-
should he, when a thousand pitchers carried by a
thousand
women
precisely alike ? his veins
and
to the Tiber every evening
Yet
were
his bloocb ran cold through
his fears hurried
him back, almost
110
ANTEKOS. to
insensibly,
Eleazar's
door,
which
he burst
open without going through the ceremony
of
knocking.
Her
father and his brother were in the house.
The former
leapt to his feet
and snatched a javelin
from the wall ere he recognized latter,
prone to do battle
less
notice,
laid
his
hand
at
a
on Eleazar's
—
calmly said " It is the friend
whom we
who
is
The
his visitor.
moment's arm, and
always welcome, and
have expected day by day in vain."
Everything looked so much as usual that
moment Esca possible
reassured.
for
a
was
It
Mariamne might be even now busied with
household
in the inner chamber.
affairs, safe
lover's bashfulness
as
almost
felt
he reflected
if
A
brought the blood to his cheeks, it
were
so, it
would be
difficult
to account for his unceremonious entrance
the recollection of her danger soon stifled trivial considerations,
all
;
but
such
and he confronted her father
impetuously, and asked him, almost in a threaten-
ing tone, "
Where
is
Mariamne
Eleazar looked
first
somewhat offended.
more command
of
?"
He
simply astonished, then answered, however, with
temper than was
his wont.
TOO LATE "
My
daughter has but
She
her pitcher.
will
be
Ill
!
now
the house with
left
home again almost im-
mediately, but what is this to thee ?" " What is it to me ?" repeated Esca in a voice of thunder, catching hold of his questioner's at the fierce is
old
same time with an iron grasp for which the " What old Jew liked him none the worse
—
to thee, to him, to all of us ?
it
arm
I tell thee,
man, whilst we are drivelling here, they are
bearing her off into captivity ten thousand times
worse than death with
my
own
I heard the plot
!
ears,
—
The wicked Tribune was
hard stones.
I
heard
it
lying chained like a dog on the to
make
her his own this very night, and though he has
met
do his bidding
his reward, the villains that
have got her in their loved — the
—the pure, Mariamne
He
power
ere
this.
The
beautiful —Mariamne —
!"
hid his face in his hands, and his strong-
frame shook with agony from head to heel. It feet,
was the turn of Calchas now to
and look about him as
weapon.
His
first
if
impulse was
start to his
search of a
in
resistance
to
oppression, even
by the strong hand. With Eleazar, on the contrary, the
instincts of
the soldier predominated, and the very magnitude
112
ANTEEOS.
emergency seemed
of the
to
endow him with
pre-
ternatural coolness and composure.
He
knit his thick brows indeed, and there
was
a smothered glare in his eye that boded no good
an enemy when the time
to
an outbreak
for
should arrive, but his voice was low and distinct, as in a few sharp eager questions
he gathered the
outline of the plot that was to rob
Then he thought
daughter.
for a
him
of his
few seconds ere
he spoke. "
The men
they like
I
?
that were to take her
?
would fain know them
What if
I
were
came
across them."
His white teeth gleamed like a wild beast's with a smile ominous of his intentions on their behalf.
"
"Damasippus and The former stout,
Oarses," replied the Briton.
The
and
browed.
sleek,
heavy, and
latter pale, dark,
beetle-
thin.
An
Egyptian with an Egyptian's false face, and more than an Egyptian's cruelty and cunning." "
Where
asked the Jew, buckling at the same time a formidable two-edged sword to live they ?"
his side.
"In the Flaminian Way," "
High up
in
replied the other.
some garret where we should never
TOO LATE But they
find them.
She
is
by
this
will not
"
And
take her there.
time at the other end of the city in
And
the Tribune's house."
anguish of
H3
!
spirit at
again he groaned in
the thought.
that house ?" asked Eleazar, "
with his warlike preparations.
know
I
fended?
its
shall
How
it
de-
and an easy but the inner court ;
we encounter
within ? what
force can the Tribune's people raise at a
outcry
is
outside well,
entrance from the wall to
what resistance
busied
still
moment's
?"
answered Esca.
"Alas!"
nights, the house of Placidus
A
fortress.
of
"To-night is
all
garrisoned like a
chosen band of gladiators are to sup
with the Tribune, and afterwards to take possession of the palace
When
throne. for
them, I
and drag Caesar from the
they find the banquet prepared
know them
too well to think they will
without partaking of
separate
their host be lvino-
dead on the
it,
even though
festal couch.
She
become the prey of men like Hippias, Lutorius, and Euchenor. But if we cannot rescue her. will
at least
Even
we may
die in the attempt."
in his anxiety for his
daughter sucn news
as this could not but startle the emissary of the
Jewish nation. VOL.
II.
In an instant's time he had run i
114
ANTEEOS.
over
its
importance, as
it
regarded his own mission
and the probable influence on the destinies of his Should the conspiracy succeed Vitellius country. might already be numbered with the dead, and instead of that easy self-indulgent glutton, over
whom
he had already obtained considerable influence, he would have to do with the bold, sagacious,
far-seeing
of his nation,
enemy
the
general,
whom
remorseless
neither he nor any of
countrymen had ever succeeded in deceiving
his
by force of arms. When the purple descended on Vespasian the doom of Jerusalem was sealed. Nevertheless,
by stratagem
or
worsting
Eleazar concentrated his mind on the present
emergency.
In a few words he laid out his plan
for the rescue of his daughter. '
The freedmen's garret must be our first point " The Tribune would scarce of attack," said he. have ordered them
to bring their
prize to
house to-night, where there would be so dispute
it
this
proceed
immediately
Damasippus and
his
to
to
Calchas and I the dwelling
fellow-villain.
directions will enable us to find
speed
many
with him, and where dissension would
be fatal to his great enterprise. will
his
off at
it.
of
Your
You, Esca,
once to the Tribune's house.
You
too late! will soon
learn
rianiinian
whether she has been brought
come
If so
there.
my
to us without delay
I
Way.
friends even here,
of
115
am
and I
man, you are bold and
I
out of the Tribune's house
We if
his
the
villains
and
defiled, if I
dip not
frame "
my
hands to the
!"
he was brave and true by her father It
was indeed
Eleazar to confess on behalf of a stranger
and a heathen, but the
warmed
his
paroxysm may tomb be dishonoured, and the name of
told
for
shelter
—
added fuel to Esca's enthusiasm.
much
but come
of suppressed fury
very elbows in their hearts' blood
To be
me
who take
face darkened
quivered in a
my father's my mother
pull the walls
let
;
there" — here
Young have her
will
we
down with our naked hands and within reach of
on two or three
go along.
true.
the
without
entirely
will call
as
people to help
not
in
to
a kindred
fierce old warrior's heart
nature that
seemed
in-
capable of selfish fear, and he approved hugely,
moreover, of the implicit attention with which the Briton listened to his directions, and his readiness for instantaneous action
however desperate.
Calchas, too, clasped the young
the hand.
"
We
against a host.
T
man warmly by
are but three," said he, " three
Yet I have no
fear.
I trust in
116
ANTEEOS.
One who never
whom
failed his servants yet.
One
to
emperors and legions are as a handful of
dust before the wind, cr a few dried thorns on the
And
beacon-fire.
though you know it
when His very
do you,
so
my
son, so do you,
But the time
not.
shall
come
benefits shall
compel you to confess and when in sheer gratitude you your Master,
amongst those who serve
shall enrol yourself
faithfully
Many
even unto death."
a time during that eventful and anxious
night had Esca occasion to remember the
man's solemn words. its
Him
alternations
driven one mad,
of
old
Its horrors, its catastrophes,
hope and
fear,
who had nothing
might have
to
depend upon and resolution. strength Few great actions have been performed, few tasks
but his own
unaided
exacting the noble heroism of endurance
fulfilled
successfully, without extraneous aid, without the
help of some leading principle out Derior
to,
loyalty, all
the man.
of,
and su-
Honour, patriotism, love,
have supported their votaries through
superhuman exertions and
difficulties that
seemed
insurmountable, teaching them to despise dangers
and hardships with a courage sterner than mortals but none of these can are expected to possess ;
impart that confidence
which
is
born of faith
too late! in the believer's breast
;
117
—that
confidence which
enables him to take good and evil with an equal mind, to look back on the past without a forsigh,
ward on the future without a fear present
and
may
be
all
a turmoil of
confusion, to stand
;
and though the
peril, uncertaintv.
calmly in the midst, doino-
the best he can with a stout heart and an unruffled brow, while he leaves the result fearlessly and trustfully in the hand of God.
Eleazar and Calchas were already equipped, for the pursuit. The one armed to the teeth, and looking indeed a formidable
enemy
;
the other
mild and hopeful as usual, venerable with his white hair and beard, and carrying but a simple staff for his
In grave
weapon. silence,
but with a grasp of the hand
more emphatic than any spoken words, the three parted on their search.
Esca threading his way at once through the narrow and devious streets that led towards the Tribune's house,
which he had
left so
—that
house
gladly but a few short hours
ago when, rescued by Valeria, he bade her farewell, exulting in the liberty that enabled
him
to
seek Mariamne's side once more.
He
soon reached the hated dwelling.
seemed quiet
as the grave.
From
All there
other quarters
AXTEEOS/
118
of the city indeed there came,
now and
again, the
roar of distant voices which rose and fell at intervals as the tide of tumult but, preoccupied as he was,
ebbed and flowed,
Esca took
of these ominous sounds, for they bore
telligence of Mariamne. all
porch,
hall, but
was as
little
heed
him no
in-
All was silent in the
silent in the vestibule
he ventured across
its
and outer
marble pave-
ment, he heard the bustle of preparation, and the din of flagons within. It
was at the
crept
noiselessly
banqueting-hall,
risk of libertv
and
life,
that he
forward, and peeped into the which was already partially
Shrinking behind a up for the feast. column, he observed the slaves, many of whom lightetl
he knew well by sight, laying covers, burnishing vases, and otherwise making ready for a
sumptuous entertainment.
He
listened for a few
moments, hoping to gather from their conversome news of the Jewess and her captors.
sation
All at once he started and trembled violently.
Bold as he was, in common with his northern
countrymen a vein of superstition ran through his nature, and though he feared nothing tangible or
corporeal, he held in considerable dread all
that touched upon the confines of the spiritual
and
too late! the unknown.
119
There within ten paces of him
ghastly pale, with dark circles round his eyes, and
of the Tribune,
clad in white, stood the figure pointing, as
it
seemed
to him, with
shadowy hand
and giving
directions in a
at the different couches,
low sepulchral voice for the order of the banquet. "
Not yet !" he heard the
apparition exclaim in " Not come tones of languid, fretful impatience.
yet
the idle loiterers
!
Well, she must preside
!
and take her place at slaves bring more
there at the supper-table
Ho
once as mistress here. flowers
and
set it
next to mine
!"
Well did Esca know must
refer.
an instant by of his
these directions
had been
this reappearance, as
enemy from
scattered
whom
to
his blood
Though
!
golden cup with Falernian
Fill the tall
!
!
energies
chilled for
he believed
it,
the grave, he soon collected his
and summoned
his
courage
back, with the hateful conviction that, alive or dead, the Tribune was resolved to possess himself of
Mariamne.
And
this
he vowed
to
prevent,
ay, though he should slay his dark-eyed love
with his It
own hand.
was
obvious
now
that
Damasippus
and
Oarses would bring the captive straight to their patron's house, that Eleazar
and Calchas had gone
ANTEROS.
120
upon a
fool's
the Flaruinian to
errand to the freedmen's garret in
What would
Way.
he have given
be cheered by the wise counsels of the one, and
backed bv the strong arm of the other there be time for observed, and to
desperate
him
to
men might
from here un-
slip
summon them
Would
!
Three
to his aid ?
cut their
the slaves that Placidus could muster, and
had any chance of success
at all
it
She might
every minute. !
and once
they
must be before
arrive —horrible thought —while he was
help,
if
But then she was
the arrival of the gladiators. obviously expected
all
way through
in the Tribune's
power
it
gone
for
would be
too late.
In his despair the words of Calchas recurred forcibly to his mind.
"
We
are but three," said
the old man, " three against a host, yet I have no fear."
And Esca
resolved that though he was but
one, he too would have no fear, but implicitly in the
award of eternal
would surely interfere to prevent
would
justice,
this
trust
which
unholy
sacrifice.
Feeling that his sword w as loose in r
and ready
its
sheath
to his hand, holding his breath,
and
nerving himself for the desperate effort he might
be called upon at any moment to make, the
TOO LATE
!
121
Briton stole softly back through the vestibule, and
concealed himself behind a marble group in the darkest corner of the porch.
Here, with the
dogged courage of his race, he made up his mind that he would await the arrival of Mariamne, and rescue her at
all
hazards, against any odds, or die
with her in the attempt.
CHAPTER
IX.
THE LURE. jIKE other quarters
of
crowded.
The
all
tastes
great
cities,
Rome
the
were
patricians,
poorer densely
and indeed
the wealthier class, affected rural
even in the midst of the
capital,
and much
space was devoted to the gardens and pleasure-
grounds which surrounded their dwellings.
The
humbler inhabitants were consequently driven to herd together in great numbers with little regard to health or convenience,
and the
streets leading
and adjoining the Tiber were perhaps the most That in which Eleazar's thickly populated of all. to
house stood, was seldom empty of passengers
any hour of the twenty-four, and sunset
when
dwellings to
the
women
draw water
least of all
at
about
thronged out of their for the
sumption of the following day.
household con-
THE LUKE. Oarses was well aware of
123
this,
and therefore
it
was that the cunning Egyptian had protested against an abduction of the Jewish maiden by
open force from her me," said
" I
to wile such birds as these off the
open hand. is
women goose,
know
to
bough
force
in the quarter.
It
a lure
into
my
afterwards.
Stratagem first, no need to waken the tongues of
my
it
this finished villain, in discussing their
infamous project with his patron.
There
" Leave
father's door.
all
the
was the cackling of a
patron, that foiled the attack on the
Capitol."
Mariamne, anxious and pitcher listlessly
down
sad,
was carrying her
to the Tiber
and
letting
her thoughts wander far from her occupation, into a few sweet memories, and a thousand dreary apprehensions,
sallow old
when she was accosted by a dark
woman, whose speech and manners, an Eastern origin.
as well as her dress, betrayed
The
stranger asked
some
trifling questions
about
her way, and prayed for a draught of cold water
when the
pitcher should be
filled,
and Mariamne,
whose heart unconsciously warmed to the homely Syriac, entered freely into conversation with one
own
and whose language denoted, moreover, that she was familiar with her nation. of her
sex,
ANTEROS.
124
drew her a
Willingly she
measure from the
stream, which the other quaffed with the modera-
whose
tion of one
thirst is habitually
with wine rather than water. " It is somewhat muddy, I kindly reverting in her
quenched
fear," said
own mind
the
girl,
to the sparkling
fountains of her native land, and yet acknow-
ledging
how she loved
than them
all.
" If
this turbid
stream better
you will come back with
me
you a draught of wine and a morsel of bread to cheer you on your
to
my
father's
house I can
offer
way."
The
other,
though with no great
avidity, took a
second pull at the pitcher. "
" Nay," said she,
your hospitality so is
lore
enough
far.
left
my
daughter, I will not tax
Nor have
I need.
There
under these faded locks of
mine, to turn the foulest cesspool in
Rome
as clear
as crystal.
Ay, to change this tasteless draught to wine of Lebanon, and the pitcher that contains it
to a vase of gold."
Mariarnne shrank from her with a gesture of Believing implicitly in their power, her
dismay.
religion forbade her to hold any intercourse with
those
who
The
professed the black art.
other
marked her
repugnance.
"My
THE LURE.
125 " be not
child," she continued in soothing tones,
woman's
afraid of the old
Mine
secret gifts.
is
but a harmless knowledge, gained by study of the ancient Chaldaean
king possessed of
such as your
scrolls,
It
old.
own
wise
but white magic, such
is
would not scruple to I, who have pored over
as your high-priest himself
employ.
Fear not, I say
—
those mystic characters
till
mine eyes grew dim,
can read your sweet pale face as plain as the brazen tablets in the Forum, and I can see in it
and
sorrow,
and anxiety for him you
care,
love."
was true enough, but how could the wise woman have found it out ? The 3[ariamne started.
girl
It
looked wistfully at her companion, and the
latter,
satisfied she
was on the right track, pro"
ceeded to answer that questioning glance. she said,
"
you think he
is
in
You wonder why you do not Sometimes you fear he may be you not give, locks,
see
false.
him
The
And old
grief.
oftener.
What would
poor child, to look on the golden
and the white brow, now, at
moment ? will.
my
danger or in
Yes,"
show them
I can
woman
draught of the Tiber's
is
this
you
if
very
you
not ungrateful even for a
muddy
The blood mounted
to
to
stream."
Mariamne's brow, but
126
ANTEEOS.
the light kindled at the same time in her eyes,
and the
soft
into every
gleam swept over her
face, that
human countenance when
comes
the heart
vibrates with an allusion to its treasure as though
the silver cord thrilled to the touch of an angel's It
wing.
was no clumsy guess of the wise woman,
to infer that this dark-eyed damsel cherished
some
fair-haired lover.
"What mean you?" "
How
know
can you show him to
of
The
asked the
him ?
wise
Is
he
woman
safe ?
me ? Is
he happy
and there would be
the capture. " He is in
be happy too,
little
difficulty in
"
But you
you only knew how. He might he would. But with another !"
if
justice
she heard only the
sentence.
" In clanger
him
bird
if
To do Mariamne first
?"
Take her by her
danger," she replied.
could save him
do you
Here was a
smiled.
flying blindfold into the net. affections,
eagerly.
girl,
What
!
Oh,
for his sake
The bosom. I can
!"
tell
she repeated, " and I could save
me where
he
is,
and what I can do
!"
woman
pulled a small mirror from her " I cannot tell " but you," she answered,
wise
show him
to
you in
this.
Only not
here,
THE LUBE.
127
where the shadow of a passer-by might destroy the charm. Let us turn aside to that vacant space by the .broken column, and you shall look without interruption on the face
you
love."
was but a short way off, though the ruins which surrounded it made the place lonely and secluded had it been twice the distance, however, It
;
Mariamne would have accompanied her new
ac-
quaintance without hesitation in her eagerness for tidings of Esca's fate.
As she neared the broken
column, so endeared to her
by
associations, she
could not repress a faint sigh which was not
lost
on her companion. " It was here you the wise woman.
met him
" It
is
before,"
whispered
here you shall see his
face again."
This was scarcely a random shaft, for little
penetration to discover that
it
required
Mariamne had
some tender associations connected with a spot thus adapted for the meeting of a pair of
lovers'";
nevertheless the
apparent familiarity with her
previous actions,
was
sufficient to
convince the
Jewess of her companion's supernatural knowledge,
and though a
still
it
roused alarm,
it
excited curiosity in
greater degree.
" Take the mirror in your hand," whispered the
ANTEROS.
128 wise woman,
when
tliey
had reached the column,
casting, at the "
same time, a searching glance
look steadily on
its
Shut your eyes whilst I speak the charm that calls him, three times over, and then
around.
surface
till
I have counted a
hundred."
Mariamne obeyed
these
directions
implicitly.
Standing in the vacant space with the mirror in her hand, she shut her eyes and listened intently to the in
solemn tones of the wise
woman
chanting
a low monotonous voice some unintelligible
stanzas, while
from the deep shadow behind the
broken column, there stole out the portly figure of Damasippus, and, at the same moment, half a dozen strong well-armed different hiding-places in
from the
rose
slaves
which they lay concealed
amongst the ruins.
Ere the incantation had been twice repeated,
Damasippus threw a shawl over the
girl's
head,
muffling her so completely, while he caught her in his strong arms,
The
that an outcry was impossible.
others snatched her
up ere she could make a
movement, and bore her swiftly
off to
a chariot
with four white horses waiting in the next street, whilst the wise
woman
following at a rapid pace,
and disencumbering herself of her female i
attire as
THE LUKE.
129
she sped along, disclosed the cunning features and the thin wiry form of Oarses the Egyptian.
Coming up with Damasippus, who was panting behind the slaves and their burden, he laughed a low noiseless laugh. "
" after plan was the best," said he,
My
What
fools these
women
are,
oh
my
friend!
all.
Is
there any other creature that can be taken with a bait so simple ?
Three inches of mirror, and the
ghost of an absent face
!"
But Damasippus had not breath to Hurrying onward he was chiefly anxious
reply. to dis-
pose of his prize in the chariot without interruption side,
and when he reached
;
it
he mounted by her
and bidding Oarses and the
slaves follow as
near as was practicable, he drove off at great speed in the direction of the Tribune's house.
But
this
was an eventful night
in Borne,
and
although for that reason well adapted to a deed of violence, its
tumult and confusion exacted great
caution from those
who wished
to proceed without
interruption along the streets.
The
shouts that had disturbed the two freedmen
in their
garret whilst preparing the
enterprise
they had since so successfully carried out, gave no false
warning of the coming storm.
VOL.
II.
That storm
K
130
ANTEEOS.
and was now raging in its fury throughout a wide portion of the city. Like all such
had
burst,
outbreaks
it
gathered force and violence in
quarters at once, and from
nected with
many
sources uncon-
many
original cause.
its
Koine was the theatre that night of a furious civil war,
consequent on the intrigues of various
which had now grown to a head.
parties
The
old Praetorian
Guard had been broken up
by Vitellius, and dismissed without any of the honours and gratuities to which they considered
make way
themselves entitled, in order to
for
body of troops on whose fidelity the Emperor believed he could rely, and who were
another
now
in
called,
contradistinction to
New
cessors,
the
flicting
interests
Praetorians.
carried in
of the direst hatred and
guard hoping
to
strife.
then prede-
Two such
con-
them the elements
The
original body-
be restored by Yespasian, should
he attain the purple, had everything to gain by a change of dynasty, and were easily won over by the partisans of that successful general to any enterprise,
however desperate, which would place
him on the
throne.
these
partisans,
of
Trusting to this powerful aid,
whom
Julius
Placidus,
the
Tribune, though he had wormed himself into the
131
THE LURE.
confidence of Vitellius, was one of the most active
and unscrupulous, were ready enough to raise the standard of revolt and had no fear for the result.
The
was
train
laid,
and to-night
match should be
cided that the
had been de-
it
In
applied.
with spears regular order of battle, in three ranks
and
advanced Praetorians
camp
eagles
marched
at
in
centre,
sundown
of their successors.
to
Old
the
attack the
was a bloody and
It
The new body-guard, proud
obstinate contest. their promotion,
the
and loyal
of
the hand that had
to
bought them, defended themselves to the death.
Again and again was the camp almost carried. Again and again were the assailants obstinately It
repulsed.
was only when
slain,
man by man,
falling in their ranks as they stood, with all their
wounds
in front, that a victory
victory which so crippled the
was obtained
—a
conquerors as to
render them but inefficient auxiliaries in the other conflicts
of that
only one of the of which
Capitol
eventful night.
many
Rome was after
an
But
this
was
pitched battles, so to speak, the unhappy theatre.
The
had
been
obstinate
defence
taken by the partisans of the present Emperor and
burned to the ground. Tins stronghold having been previously seized
132
ANTEROS.
and occupied by Sabinus, who declared himself Governor of Rome in the name of Vespasian, and
who even received
in state several of the principal
and a deputation from the harassed and vacillating senate, had been alternately the object
nobility
of attack and defence to either party. sion
seemed
the whole
Its posses-
to confer a spurious sovereignty over
city,
and
it
was held as obstinately as
it
was vigorously and desperately attacked. An hour or two before sunset, an undisciplined
body of
soldiers,
armed only with
their swords,
and
formidable chiefly from the wild fury with which
they seemed inspired, marched through the
Forum
and ascended the Capitoline Hill. The assailants having no engines of war either for protection or offence, suffered severely
missiles
from the
showered upon them by the besieged,
the thought struck them
of
throwing
L
till
flaming
torches into the place from the roofs of the houses
which surrounded peace,
it,
and which, erected
had been suffered
citadel.
in
to overtop the
time of
Roman
In vain, after the flames had consumed
the gate, did they endeavour to force an entrance, for Sabinus,
Roman
with the unscrupulous resource of a
had blocked the way by a hundred drostrate statues of gods and men, pulled down soldier,
THE LURE.
133
from the sacred pedestals on which they had stood for ages
and
but the contiguous houses catching
;
the
all
woodwork
fire,
of the Capitol being old
and dry, the flames soon spread, and in a few hours the stronghold of Eoman pride and Eoman history
was levelled with the ground.
Callous to
the memories around him, forgetful of the Tarquins,
and the
Scipios,
and the many hallowed names
that shed their lustre on
tliis
monument
of his
country's greatness, Sabinus lost his presence of
mind it
in proportion as the necessity for preserving
He was no
became more urgent.
longer able to
control his troops, and the latter, panic-stricken
with the entrance of their enemies, disbanded, and
betook themselves to cluding one
woman
The
flight.
majority, in-
of noble birth, were put ruth-
few , resembling their lessly to the sword, but a r
as they did, in arms, appearance,
assailants,
and
language, were fortunate enough to catch the password by w hich they recognized each other, and so T
escaped.
In another quarter of the mighty
who had
body of troops
city,
a large
hoisted the standard of
Vespasian, and had already suffered one repulse
which rather excited their animosity than quelled their ardour,
w ere advancing r
in
good order, and,
AXTEEOS.
134
according to sound warlike tactics, in three divisions.
The gardens
of Sallust, laid out
by that
elegant and
intellectual sensualist, with a view to
pursuits far
removed from
and bloodshed,
strife
were the scene of an obstinate combat, in which
however one of these columns succeeded in blishing itself within the walls
struggle that
;
had heretofore been
carried
on
outskirts, penetrated to the heart of the
The
capital.
their very
citizens
on the
Roman
—the
—the wounded
familiar street soldier reeling
where the children were wont to
door-sill,
— play the
in its
beheld war brought into
homes and hearths
slippery with blood
esta-
and now the
dead man's limbs strewed helpless by
the fountain where the girls assembled with shrill
laughing voices on the calm
and worse than friends
all,
summer
evenings,
—
instead of the kindly grasp of
and fellow-countrymen, the
brother's
hand
clutching at the brother's throat.
Such
horrors, however, did but
more demoralize
a population already steeped to the very lips in cruelty, vice,
and
foul iniquity.
Trained to blood-
shed by the ghastly entertainments of the amphitheatre, the
Roman
citizen gloated
on no spectacle
with so keen a pleasure as on the fellow-creature
in
the
agony
throes of a
of violent death.
THE LURE. The populace seemed now waged
at their
135
to consider the contest
doors as a goodly show got
amusement.
for their especial
Loud
up
shouts en-
couraged the combatants as either party swayed in the mortal press,
and wavered " Bene
/"
ment, as
"
and
Euge /"
—
were cried as loudly for their encourageif
they had been paid gladiators, earning
their awful livelihood
when some wounded
on the sand.
Nay, worse,
dragged himself into a instead of succoiu*, he was re-
house for safety,
soldier
ceived with yells of reprobation, and thrust out into the street that
he might be despatched by
his
conquerors according to the merciless regulations of the amphitheatre.
Nor was man the only demon on
the' scene.
Unsexed women with bare bosoms, wild streaming blood,
stimulating
and white
hair,
Hew
to
and
them
fro
to
feet
eyes,
stained
with
amongst the soldiers,
fresh atrocities, with
and caresses and odious ribald mirth. a festival of Death and Sin.
It
wine
was
She had wreathed her
arms around the spectral king, and crowned his fleshless brows with her gaudy garlands, and fair
wrapped him
in her
mantle of flame, and pressed
the blood-red goblet to his
lips,
maddening him
with her shrieks of wild, mocking laughter, the
ANTEROS.
136
while their mutual feet trampled out the lives and souls of their victims
Through a town confusion,
on the stones of Rome.
in such a state of turmoil
Damasippus took upon himself
and
to con-
duct in safety the prize he had succeeded in capit
turing, not,
must be
confessed, without
many
embarked
in the
hearty regrets that he had ever undertaking.
Devoutly did he now wish that he could shift the whole business on to the shoulders of Oarses ;
but of late he had been concerned to observe in the patron's inutility as
and as
if
manner a
certain sense of his
own
compared with the astute Egyptian
the latter were
now permitted
;
to conclude,
he had undoubtedly inaugurated, the adventure,
Placidus might be satisfied that there was
little
use in entertaining two rogues to do the work of
He knew
one.
aware of the
effect
his
patron well enough to be
such a conviction would have
on his OAvn prospects.
more scruple
to bid liim
The Tribune would no go starve or hang, than
he would to pull out a superfluous hair from his beard.
Therefore, at all risks, thought
sippus, he must be the
man
to bring
Dama-
Mariamne
into his lord's house. It
was a
difficult
and a dangerous
task.
There
THE LUKE. was only room
himself and one stout slave
for
besides the charioteer, latter
137
had struggled
and the
violently,
prisoner.
and
The
required to be
held down by main force, nor in muffling her
screams was
it
easy to observe the happy
between silence and suffocation.
Also,
it
medium was
in-
dispensable, in the present lawless state of affairs, to avoid observation
;
and the spectacle of a hand-
somely gilded chariot with a female figure in
it,
held down and closely veiled, the whole drawn by four beautiful white horses, was not calculated to traverse
remark.
the streets of a crowded city without Oarses, indeed, had suggested a
litter,
had been over-ruled by his comrade on the score of speed, and now the state of the streets but
this
made speed
impossible.
To be
sure this enabled
the escort to keep up with him, and Damasippus,
who was no
fighter at heart, derived
from their presence.
The
some comfort
darkness,
however,
which should have favoured him, was dispelled by the numerous conflagrations in various parts of the
and when the chariot was stopped and forced turn into a by-street to avoid a croud rushing
city to
;
towards the blazing Capitol, Damasippus felt his heart sink within him in an access of terror such as even he
had never
felt before.
CHAPTEE
X.
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
P one
street,
down
another, avoiding the
main thoroughfares, now rendered impassable
freedmen
by the tumult,
his
threaded their
anxious
way with
difficulty in the direction of the Tribune's house.
Mariamne seemed
either to have fainted, or to
have resigned herself to her fate, for she had ceased to struggle, and cowered down on the floor of
the chariot, silent and motionless.
sippus trusted his difficulties were
Dama-
nearly over,
and resolved never again to be concerned in such an enterprise. Already he imagined himself safe in his patron's porch, claiming the
reward of his
when he was once more arrested by a which promised a hazardous and prostoppage
dexterity,
tracted delay.
Winding
its
slow length along, in
all
the
pomp
139
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
and dignity affected by the maiden order, a procession of Vestals crossed in front of the white horses,
and not a man
in
Eome
but would have
trembled with superstitious awe at the bare notion of breaking in
on the solemn march of these
sacred virgins, dedicated to the service of a god-
whose peculiar attributes were mystery, antiquity, and remorseless vengeance for offence. dess,
Dressed in their long, white garments, simple and severe, with no relief save a narrow purple border round the majestic
veil,
they swept on in slow,
column, like a vision from the other
world, led
by a
stately priestess, pale
of lofty stature and majestic bearing. lieved that to
and calm,
They
them was confided the welfare
the state, the safety of the city
the mysterious
in
be-
of
nay, that with
;
their
symbols temple, they guarded the very existence of the nation there;
fore
on
all
public occasions of strife or disorder,
the Vestal Virgins were accustomed to show themselves confidently in
the streets, and use their
influence for the restoration of peace.
Nor had
To they need to fear either injury or insult. touch the person of a Vestal, even to obstruct the litter
in
which she was
carried,
was punishable
with death, and public opinion in such a case was
ANTEROS.
140
even more exacting than the law.
Immunities to the
and privileges of many kinds were granted
When
order by different enactments.
the Vestal
went abroad, she was preceded and followed by the lictors of the State and if she met a criminal ;
under sentence of death, honestly by accident, during her progress, he was pardoned and set free for
her sake, on the spot.
It
may
be that Mariamne had some vague
collection of this custom, for
re-
no sooner were the
horses stopped to let the procession pass, than she
uttered a loud shriek, which brought
and caused her own guards round the chariot, and prepare for
it
at once,
Oarses wisely keeping
aloof,
to a halt
to
gather
resistance,
and Damasippus,
while he strove to wear a bold front, quaking in
every limb.
At a
signal
from the superior priestess, the still, while her lictors seized
long, white line stood
the horses, and surrounded the chariot.
Already a
crowd of curious bystanders was gathering, and the glare of the burning Capitol shed
even here, on their dark, eager
its
light
faces, contrasting
strangely with the veiled figures that occupied the
middle of the
Two
street, cold
lictors seized
and motionless as marble.
on Damasippus, each by a
FROM SCYLLA TO CHAEYBDIS. shoulder, and
brought him unceremoniously to
few paces of the
within a
141
Here he
priestess.
dropped upon his knees, and began wringing his
hands in ludicrous dismay, whilst the populace, gathering round, laughed and jeered at him, only of the Vesrefraining from violence on account tal's
presence.
" She
money
is
a slave, our slave, bought with our
in the market, sacred virgin.
I can prove
it.
for her.
Oh
!
it.
Here
is
the
own
I can swear
man who
accursed Oarses, hast thou
paid
me
left
in the lurch at last ?"
The wily Egyptian now came sedate,
with the air of a
justice of his cause.
man
up, composed and
confident in the
Mariamne, meanwhile, could
but strive to release herself in vain.
So
effectually
had she been bound and muffled, that she could articulate. scarcely move, and was unable to
She
struggled on, nevertheless, in the wild hope of succour, writhing her whole free
from the bandages that
With
body stifled
to set her lips
them.
the quiet dignity which was an especial
attribute of her office, the priestess pointed to the
chariot containing the prisoner,
her
veil, in clear,
and from beneath
low tones, while the bystanders
listened with respectful awe,
came the question
—
142
ANTEKOS.
"
Wliat crime has she committed
"
No
?"
crime, sacred virgin, no crime whatsoever,"
wily Oarses, well
replied the
privilege of pardon,
knowing that the
which the Vestals loved to be exerted for a
exercise,
was
fractory
bondswoman than a condemned
"She
nal.
is
presence
a
but
How
dancing-girl. ?
less likely to
runaway
shall I tell
it
two thousand
sum
for
and can swear.
the half of
it
from
am a
my
poor
man
;
friend here.
the open market, and I took her
a mere
ago, as
my
Canst thou
gave but
I
sesterces, nevertheless it
me, who
crimi-
your august
Daniasippus, worthy citizen?
not,
my
in
week
I bought her scarce a
friend here knows,
slave,
re-
and
was a large I
borrowed
I bought her in
home
with
me
to
wife and children, that she might beat flax
and card wool, and
so gain
an honest livelihood
—
and that is an honest livelihood, sacred virgin why she ran away from me so I informed the ;
;
and I sought her
aidile,
diligently,
and to-day
I
found her with her cheeks painted, and her bosom gilt,
in her old haunts,
bound litter
and placed her in a
litter,
humble I
say,
Then
I
and the
am poor, sacred virgin, the birth, though a Roman citizen,
breaking down, for I
and of litter,
her,
drunk with wine.
breaking down, and
—
my
patron's
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS. chariot passing by, I placed her within
might take her home,
for she
All this I swear, and here
swear
The
it
is
is
my
143
it,
that I
insensible
friend
still.
who
will
Damasippus, wilt thou not ?"
too.
worthy had indeed been accompany-
latter
ing every syllable of his confederate's statement
with those so
much
eager Italian gestures which signify
of
argument and expostulation. These effect on the bystanders, pre-
were not without
disposed as such generally are to believe
the
and prone to be influenced by the
last
worst,
speaker, especially when supported by testimony, however unworthy of reliance. They crowded in as near as their awe of the priestess would allow,
and angry looks were shot at the poor, dark
figure
lying helpless in the chariot.
Under
the Vestal's long white veil, there might
have been a gleam of pity or a flash of scorn on the unseen face, according as she
sympathy, or
an erring opinion,
felt
a kindly
indignation for the sins of
womanly But whatever was her
sister.
private
with a priestess of her order, such an
appeal as that of Oarses could have but one result.
The
pale, slender
hand made a gesture of contempt
and impatience. The tall, ghostly figure moved on with a prouder, sterner step, and the procession
ANTEKOS.
144
swept by, carrying away with
hope of succour that
it
the last fragile
had comforted Marianme's
heart.
Like a poor hunted hind caught in a net, when the sharp muzzle of the deer-hound touches her flank, the
Jewess made one convulsive
effort that
loosened the shawl about her mouth.
agony, the beloved
Esca
and
flew instinctively to .her
and hopelessly, unconsciously, she called out, Esca !" in loud piercing tones of terror
lips,
"
name
In her
!
despair.
The Vestals
had, indeed, passed
by,
and the
was again set in motion, but the Briton's name seemed to act as a talisman on the crowd, chariot
no sooner had she pronounced it, than the bystanders were seen to give way on each side to for
the pressure of a huge pair of shoulders, sur-
mounted by the
fearless,
honest face of Hirpinus
the gladiator.
That
professional, in
common
with a few chosen
comrades, had found the last few hours hang exceedingly heavy on his hands.
Bouud by oath
to
keep sober, and, what was perhaps even a more galling restriction, to abstain from fighting, this little
of
party had seen themselves deprived at once
their
two principal resources, the favourite
145
FROM SCYLLA TO CHAEYBDIS.
occupations which gave a zest to their existence.
But the saying that there "
thieves
and
Honour among
and as soon as the gladiator had bargain, he considered himself, body
his
soul,
"
dates further back than the institution of
an amphitheatre
made
is
;
the property of his purchaser.
Hippias gave
when
So,
orders, insisting on the myrmidons at a given place and
his final
appearance of his
a given time, fresh, sober, and without a scratch,
he had no fear but that they would be punctually
and honestly obeyed. Accordingly, Hirpinus, Rufus, Lutorius, and a
few of the surest blades
been wiling
away
in
their
had
the Family,
leisure
with
a
stroll
through the principal streets of Eome, and had
met with not a few to
men
enough
incidents peculiarly pleasing
of their profession.
They had been good
to express their approval of the soldierlike
which the gardens of Sallust were attacked and earned they had also marked, with
manner
in
;
a certain grini
satisfaction,
the assault on the
Capitol, though they complained that fired,
it
was
the thick volumes of smoke, that swept
downward from
its walls,
the fighting, which was to
obstructed then- view of
them the
tion of the entertainment,
VOL.
when
II.
chief attrac-
and which they L
criti-
ANTEROS.
146 cized
with
remarks;
it
was
and
instructive
many
professional
doubtless,
difficult,
to
abstain
from taking part in any of these skirmishes, more with the particularly as each man was armed short two-edged
Koman
minded one another, abstinence, and all
for
sword
;
but, as they re-
was only a temporary
it
a very short period, since, from
they could gather, before midnight they might
be up to their necks in wine, and over their ankles in blood.
Now, supper-time was approaching, and the and weary of to watch the pro-
athletes were getting fierce, hungry,
They had
inaction.
stood
still
cession of Vestals pass by,
unscrupulous
men had
and even these
refrained
wild,
from word or
gesture that could be construed into disrespect
maiden order
for the
in the
interest
;
but they had shown
cause of
little
stoppage, and scarce
condescended to notice a discussion that arose
from so mean a subject as a
runaway
slave.
Suddenly, however, to the amazement of his comrades,
and the discomfiture of the bystanders,
Hirpinus burst hastily through the crowd, unceremoniously thrusting aside those who stood in his
way, and off his
lifting
one inquisitive
legs, to hurl
him
little
barber clean
like a plaything into a
FROM SCTLLA TO CHAETBDIS. knot of chattering
citizens,
much
147
to their indigna-
tion, and the poor man's own physical detriment. Hands were clenched, indeed, and brows bent, as
the strong, square form forged through the press,
some
like
"
bluff
"
Cave,"
cautious,
Cave,"
and
preferred
with a
The
the
was
by the more
whispered
fellow-citizens, that the
submission under
man whose
insult, to
very trade was
was
chariot
surf,
was a gladiator held
in such dread
by -his peaceful
but
galley through
already in
boldest
a quarrel
strife.
motion,
when a
strong hand forced the two centre horses back
upon
their haunches,
and the bold, frank voice of
Hirpinus was heard above the trampling hoofs
and general confusion. " Easy,
my
little fellow, for
a moment," said he
Automedon.
"I heard a com-
to the indignant rade's
name spoken
gilded shell of thine.
keep that whip open hand !" Automedon,
just now,
Halt
!
from within that
I tell thee, lad, and
with quiet, lest I brain thee
little
relishing the business from
the beginning, pulled his horses together,
looked very
much
my
and
disposed to cry.
Damasippus, however, confident in the support of his companion, and the presence of half a dozen
148
ANTEEOS.
armed the
slaves, stepped boldly forward,
"Make way
gladiator
there" in
and bade a high,
authoritative voice.
Hirpinus recognized the freedman at once, and
laughed loud and long. "
What now ?"
By
boon-companion. in
roses
old convive
my
Pollux
thy warlike array of
of
"
said he,
steel.
!
and
I
knew
thee not
In
faith,
a garland
becomes that red nose of thine better
than the bosses of a helmet, and the stem of a thy hand more deftly than the
goblet would
fit
haft of that
gaudy sword.
are these, old parasite
jackal
is
but taking
?
What
I'll
stolen goods
wager now that the
home a lump
of carrion to the
lion's den."
"
Stay
me
not,
" It
with importance.
am
good
friend," replied the other, is
even as you
say,
and I
about the business of your employer and
mine, Julius Placidus, the Tribune." Hirpinus,
in
high good-humour, would have
bade him pass on, but Mariamne, whose mouth
was now released, gathered her exhausted energies for a last appeal.
"
You
are his comrade
!
you said so even now.
Save me, save me, for Esca's sake
Again
at that
name
!"
the gladiator's eye glist-
149
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
He
ened.
loved the young Briton like a son
he who had so
He
to love in the world.
little
—
had brought him out, as he boasted twenty times a day. He had made a man, more, a swordsman,
—
—
Now
of him.
he had
lost sight of
far as his nature permitted,
him, and, as
had been anxious and
unhappy ever since. If a dog had belonged to Esca, he would have dashed in to rescue it from danger at any
risk.
" Stand back, fool
he shouted
to
Damasippus,
as the latter interposed his person
between the
!"
"
Have
a care, I
gladiator
and the
thee
want the woman out into the
I
!
What
!
you
then, idiot
!
chariot.
will, will
Here
off this accursed
!
tell
street.
you ?— One— Two.— Take comrades, close
crowd
in,
it
and keep
!"
Damasippus, confident in the numbers of
his
escort, and believing, too, that his adversary was
alone, had, indeed,
drawn
his sword,
and
called
up the slaves to his assistance, when the gladiator moved towards the chariot containing his charge.
To dash the blade from to deal
sent
him a
unaccustomed grasp,
that straight, swift, crushing blow,
him down
then, drawing
his
senseless
his
on the pavement, and
own weapon,
to turn
upon the
shrinking escort a point that seemed to threaten
ANTEEOS.
150 all
was
at once,
for Hirpinus a
mere matter of
professional business, so simple as to be almost a
His comrades, laughing boisterously,
relaxation.
made a
The
ring round the combatants.
hesitated, gave ground, turned
and
fled
;
slaves
Hirpinus
dragged the helpless form of Mariamne from the chariot,
and Oarses, "who had remained
in the
in, to
assume
background the
went
till
vacant
now, leaped nimbly
place,
and whispering Automedon,
off at a gallop.
The poor
by the danger she had escaped, and scarcely reassured by the mode of girl, terrified
her rescue, or the appearance of her deliverers, clung, half- fainting, to the person of her supporter,
and the old swordsman, with a delicacy almost ludicrous in one of his rough exterior, soothed her with such terms of encouragement as he could
summon
at the
moment
;
now
like a nurse hush-
ing a child off to sleep, anon like a charioteer quieting a frightened or fretful horse.
In the meantime, the crowd, gathering confidence from t e
sheathed swords and obvious
good-humour of the
many rude
gladiators, pressed
gestures and
round with
insulting remarks, re-
gardless of the fallen man, who, on recovering his senses, wisely
remained
for a while
where he was,
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS. and
chiefly bent
151
on examining the features of the
cloaked and hooded prize, that had created this pretty
little
Such
skirmish for their diversion.
unmannerly curiosity soon aroused the indignation of Hirpinus.
"
Keep them
off,
comrades
" these miserable citizens.
Have they never seen a
!"
said he, angrily
Keep them veiled
1 say
off,
woman
;
!
before,
that they gape and stare, and pass their rancid jests, as
they do on you and me when we are down
on our backs for their amusement in the arena ?
Let her have to.
Pollux
air,
my
She looks
!
watering at home, morning,
and she
will soon
come
like the lily thy wife
when we stopped
Kufus, for a
wine, and a
lads,
was
there this
draught of the five-year-old
gambol with those bright-haired kids
of thine."
champion to whom tins remark was addressed, and who had that very morning, in
The
tall
company with
his friend, bidden a farewell that
Aight be eternal, to wife and children, as indeed it
was nothing unusual
doubtless
for
him
to do, softened
by the remembrance, now exerted him-
self strenuously to give
the fainting
woman
room.
Without the use of any but nature's weapons, and from sheer weight, strength, and resolution, the
ANTEROS.
152
an ample space in the middle of the street for their comrade and his
gladiators soon
charge
;
cleared
nor did they seem at
all
indisposed to a
task which afforded opportunities of evincing their
own
conphysical superiority, and the supreme
tempt in which they held the mass of their fellowcitizens.
was pleasant to feel how completely the use of they could domineer over the crowd by those very qualities which made their dying strugit
Perhaps
gles a spectacle for the vulgar
;
perhaps they en-
joyed the repayment in advance of some of the ribaldry and insult that would too surely accom-
pany
At any
their end.
mob back
rate they shouldered the
with unnecessary violence, drove their
spiked sandals into the feet of such as came under their tread,
hand
and scrupled not
or clenched
fist
to strike with
open
any adventurous citizen who
was fool enough to put himself forward
for
appeal
or resistance.
These, too, seemed terrorstricken by this handful of resolute
men.
Accustomed
to look
on them
from a safe distance in the amphitheatre, like the wild beasts with
whom
they often saw them
fight,
they were nearly as unwilling to beard the one as the other
;
and to come
into collision with a gla-
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
153
diator in the street, was like meeting a tiaer on
the wrong side of his bars.
So Hirpinus had plenty of room to undo the girl's bands, and remove the stifling folds that muffled her head and throat. "
Where am
to breathe
I ?" she
more
and confused. I heard
freely, looking
"You
you say
began
round bewildered
are Esca's friend.
You
so.
as she
murmured,
will take
Surely
care of me,
then, for Esca's sake." Instinctively she addressed herself to Hirpinus, instinctively she
tection
The
seemed
to appeal to
him
for pro-
and encouragement. veil
had been taken from her head, and
the beauty of the sweet pale face was not lost on the surrounding gladiators.
Old Hirpinus looked at her with a comical expression, in which admiration and pity were blended with astonishment and a proud sense of personal appropriation in the defenceless girl
He
utterly dependent on him.
anything so beautiful in his
known the happiness or child, but at that
of a
moment
had never seen
He had
life.
home
who seemed
never
never had wife
;
his heart
warmed
to
her as a father's to a daughter. u
^Yhere are you," he repeated,
"
pretty flower
?
154
ANTEROS.
You
are within a hundred paces of the Flaminian
How came
Way.
than I can tell ycu.
What
?
he
is
gone,
hard enough at a so
many
Ay, that you here ? Yonder knave lying
skins
is
man of
he
?
with
Ay whom
Sahine.
!
more
is
there.
—
I could not hit I have emptied
—Well,
Damasippus
brought thee here, he best knows why, in his
gaudy chariot. I heard thee squeak, my pretty one, and who loves Esca, loves me, and I So I love him, or her, or whoever it may be. master's
knocked him
over, that fat freedman,
and took
thee from the chariot, and pulled off these wraps that were stifling thee, and indeed I think
it
was
about time."
He
had raised her while he spoke, and supported her on his strong arm, walking slowly on, while the gladiators closing round them,
moved
steadily
along the street, followed, though at a safe
dis-
by much verbal insult and abuse. At intervals, two or three of the rear-guard would turn tance,
and confront the mob, who immediately gave back and were silent. Thus the party proceeded on its way, more,
it
would seem,
witli
the view of leaving
the crowd than of reaching any definite place of shelter.
"
Where
are
we going ? and who
are those
who
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
155
guard us ?" whispered Mariamne, clinging close to her protector.
"You
you not ?" she added, "
will
take care of me, will
in a confiding tone.
are my comrades," he answered, sooth" and old Hirpinus will guard you, pretty
They
ingly
;
one, like the apple of his eye. straight
We
will
home, or wherever you wish
to go,
not one of these will molest you while I
never fear
had
am
and by
—
!"
Just then, Euchenor,
and
take you
overheard
who was one
this
of the band,
reassuring
sentence,
clapped the old swordsman on the shoulder.
"You seem with his
The for
evil,
to
forget our compact," said he,
mocking laugh.
face of Hirpinus
fell,
and
his
brow lowered,
he remembered then that Mariamne was not
much
better off here than in the captivity from
which he had rescued her.
I
CHAPTER
XI.
THE RULES OF THE FAMILY.
HE
Jewess had indeed but escaped one
danger to lawless
fall
as
Bold and
into another.
were
swordsmen, they
these
professional
acknowledged
cer-
which they were never When a band of gladiators
tain rules of their own,
known
to infringe.
had been
mustered, and in military language
"told off" for a particular service,
it
was their
custom to bind themselves by oath, as forming one body, unanimous and undivisible, until that service
was completed.
They swore
other to the death, to
and
to
common
to stand
by each
obey their chief implicitly,
take orders from him alone
—
to
make
cause with their fellows, in defiance of
all
personal feelings of interest or danger, even to the cheerful sacrifice of
life itself;
and
to consider all
THE RULES CF THE FAMILY.
157
booty of arms, gold, jewels, captives, or otherwise,
however obtained, as the property of the band subject to
its
;
disposal, according to the established
code of their profession. Therefore
was, that Hirpinus felt Ins heart
it
sink at Euchenor's malicious observation. fore
There-
was, that though he strove to put on an
it
appearance of good-humour and confidence, a perceptible tremor shook his voice while he replied
"I found her chariot.
make
man
first.
I dragged her from the
on
I put that foolish citizen
sport for
you
in the band.
—
am
I
all.
I think
his
back to
the oldest swords-
you might leave her to
me!" Euchenor's eye was on the frightened
meeting
its
"You had the old.
better
Greek observed, with a sneer
make
a
new
you seem inclined
others
were
behind.
on
all sides
"
break through
to
Of " ;
doth not the
crowding in now, having left
course, of course
who doubts
What would you
;
and share alike ?'
reached a narrower street and "
—
set of rules for us
Comrades, I appeal to you
booty belong to us all, share
The
and
glance, she shrunk yet closer to her
protector, while the
then, since
girl,
have,
it ?
was re-echoed
!"
who
man ?"
the populace
disputes
it ?"
exclaimed Hir-
158
A3TTER0S.
pinus,
waxing wrath.
"
You cannot
cut a captive
and give every man a portion mine. Let her alone !"
into twenty pieces I tell you, she
is
!
" You cannot cut a wineskin into twenty pieces, nor need you," replied the Greek
round amongst your comrades, thirst be slaked. 'Faith, after it
keep the empty skin for your
" but
;
till
that,
own
you pass
every man's
you may
share,
if
you
like !"
He
spoke in a cold, derisive tone, and although
Mariamne could not understand half he
said, gar*
nished, as his speech was, with the cant
terms of
his calling, she gathered
be
enough of
its
import to
terrified at the prospect before her.
Old Hirpinus "
lost patience at last.
Will you take her from
me ?"
he burst out,
knitting his bushy brows, and putting his face close to the Greek's.
" Stand up then like a
man and
try /"
Euchenor turned very pale. It was no part of his scheme to provoke his robust old comrade to a personal encounter
;
and, indeed, the pugilist was a
coward at heart, owing his reputation chiefly to the skill with which he had always matched himself against those
Now
he
fell
whom he was
sure to conquer.
back a step or two from
his glaring
THE RULES OF THE FAMILY. adversary, and appealed once
more
159
to their
com-
panions.
These gathered round, speaking all at once, Hirpinus turning from one to the other, and ever shielding his charge with his body, as an animal
He
shields its young. girl,
was determiued to save the
because he understood dimly that she belonged
some way to Esca, and the loyal old swordsman would not have hesitated one moment in flinging in
his life
down, then and there, to purchase her
safety.
"
Hold, comrades
voice that
ye bay
made
me
wolf-hounds
Hounds, forsooth
?
least, to
and there
my
knot of jabbering old
Talk of rules ay,
and
shouted he, in a stentorian
heard above the
din.
" Will
altogether like a pack of Molossian
sians are true-bred,
us here at
!"
itself
!
!
is
nay, the Molosone cur
knowledge.
women
amongst
Rather, like a
in a market-place
Of course we abide by our
stick to our oath.
!
rules,
Eufus, old friend,
we
have stood with our swords at each other's throats for hours together,
many
a time during the
last
ten years, and never had an angry word, or an un-
kindly thought.
Thou
Thou
wilt not fail
wilt not see old Hirpinus
me now ?—
•
wronged ?"
The champion thus appealed
to
by such tender
ANTEROS.
160
associations, thrust his tall person forward in the
Slow of speech, calm, calculating, and reflective, Rufus was held an oracle of good sense
throng.
amongst
"You "
The
his fellow-swordsmen.
are both wrong," said he, sententiously.
girl
belongs to neither of you.
If this
had
happened yesterday, Hirpinus would have had a But we have right to carry her where he chose. taken the oath since then, old comrade, and she the joint property of the band by " I said so !" exclaimed
all
is
our laws."
Euchenor, triumphantly.
all. Every man his The apple seems fair and ripe enough. Mine shall be the hand to pare its rind." As he spoke, he pulled aside the veil which
"The t
prize belongs to us
turn.
Mariamne had modestly drawn once more about her head, and the sult,
girl flushing scarlet at
stamped passionately with her
foot,
the in-
and then,
as if acknowledging her helplessness, burst into tears,
and hid her face in her hands.
Hirpinus caught the aggressor by the shoulder,
and sent him reeling back amongst the rest. His beard bristled with anger, and the foam stood on his lip like
"Hands no
some old boar
at bay.
off!" roared the veteran.
rules, another
"Rules or
such jest as that and I drive a
THE RULES OF THE FAMILY. foot of steel through the jester's brisket
came not
Eufus, I
was eating raw
into the
flesh
and
161
What ?
!
I
Family yesterday.
porridge when
lentil
most of these were sucking their mothers' milk. I tell thee, man, the old law was this When
— —pay, gladiators disputed on any subject whatever :
plunder, or precedence swords, throw
by
distance
Greek up
fight
out
it
Stand round, at half-sword
clear a space of seven feet square, not
;
show you how we used these matters when Nero wore the purple
an inch more, and settle
little
to take short
and
they were agreed.
Put the
!
their shields,
away
till
pairs,
comrades
—they were
"
I'll
to !"
!"
Nay, nay interposed Mariamne, wringing her hands in an agony of terror and dismay. " Shed not blood on my account. I am a poor, have done no one any harm. Let me go !" pity's sake.
helpless girl.
me
go, for
But
I
to this solution of the difficulty, objections
were offered on
all sides.
Eufus indeed, and one
or two of the older swordsmen,
and
Let
moved by the youth
would willingly have perbut Euchenor, Lutorius, and
tears of the captive,
mitted her to escape
;
the rest objected violently to the loss of so beautiful
a prize.
he would VOL.
II.
fain
Eufus, too,
when appealed
have supported
his old
to,
though
comrade, was
m
162
ANTEEOS.
obliged to confess that justice, according to gladiator's law,
was on Euchenor's
side.
posal to fight for her possession as
it
was likely
to
by
Even the pairs,
pro-
popular
be in such a company, was
rendered inadmissible by the terms of the late
The band indeed, when purchased
oath.
as they
had been by Hippias, for a special duty to be performed that night, had become pledged according to custom, not only to the usual brotherhood
community
and
of interests, but also to refrain from
baring steel upon any pretence or provocation,
amongst themselves or against a common until ordered to do so by their employer.
either foe,
Hirpinus, though he chafed and swore vehemently,
and kept Mariamne close under his wing through it all, was obliged to acknowledge the force of his comrade's arguments
;
and the puzzled athlete till his head ached,
racked his unaccustomed brains to find
some means
resolved to
of escape for the girl he
had
In the meantime, delay was These men were not used to hesitate
dangerous.
save.
and already the hour was approaching at which they were to muster for their night's or refrain,
work, house.
whatever
it
might be, The old swordsman
semble, were
it
in felt
the
Tribune's
he must
dis-
but to gain time, so he smoothed
THE EULES OF THE FAMILY. his brows, and,
much
against the grain, assumed
an appearance of good-humour and "
Be
it
the last
as
man
you
will,"
to turn
163
said he,
round upon
"
satisfaction.
old Hirpinus
is
his comrades, or
to break the laws of the Family, for the sake of
a cream-coloured face and a wisp of black hair.
We
will abide
find
by the decision of Hippias. him at the Tribune's house, and it
were there now. off
Forward,
I tell thee
!
my
lads
!
is
I
shall
time we
Nay, hands
once more, Euchenor,
till
we
have brought her to the master's, she belongs to
me."
Euchenor grumbled, but was compelled to submit, for the other's influence tors
was
far greater
amongst the gladia-
than his own.
party, with Mariamne in the centre, fast to
Hirpinus,
moved on
And still
the
little
clinging
in the direction of the
Tribune's house.
Esca crouching in his place of concealment, and wary, as he had oft-times crouched long
silent
ago,
when watching
for the
dun-deer on the
hill-
was aware of the tramp of disciplined men approaching the j)orch in which he lay in ambush.
side,
Every
faculty was keenly, painfully on the stretch.
Once, at the soimd of wheels, he had started from his lair, ready to
make one
desperate attempt for
ANTEEOS.
164:
the rescue of his love
;
but greatly to his conster-
nation, the gilded chariot returned empty, save of
Autoinedon, looking
The
much
scared and bewildered.
wily Oarses indeed, having
made
his escape
from the gladiators, had betaken himself to his to remain, either lodging, and there determined till
the
his patron's
wrath should be exhausted, or
till
events which he foresaw the night would
bring forth, should have diverted channel.
it
So Automedon went home
As
into another
and
in fear
the Briton revolved
trembling by himself. matters in his mind, he knew not whether to be
most alarmed or reassured by this unforeseen contingency.
Though the
chariot
had returned with-
out Mariamne, the freedmen and armed slaves
Could they have missed their for her? or prey, and were they still searching had they carried her elsewhere ? to the freed-
were
still
absent.
—
men's garret perhaps, there to remain concealed, till the night was further advanced. Yet the words of Placidus, or of his ghost,
which he had over-
heard, seemed to infer that the Jewess was ex-
Every minute indeed and those racking minutes seemed to stretch thempected every minute.
selves to hours. inaction,
With the
!
natural impatience of
which accompanies uncertainty, he had
THE RULES OF THE FAMILY.
165
made up his miiid to return iu search of Eleazar, when the steady footfall of the approach-
almost
ing party arrested Ins attention.
There was a bright moon shining above, and the open space into which the gladiators advanced was
With a keen
clear as dav.
feeling of confidence
he recognized the square frame of Hirpinus, and then, as he caught sight of the dark-robed figure at the swordsman's side, for one exulting
doubt, fear, anxiety, all were light of seeing
With
moment,
in the de-
merged
Mariamne once more.
the bound of a wild deer, he was in the
midst of them, clasping her in his arms, and the girl
sobbing on his breast,
felt
safe
and happy,
because she was with him.
Hirpinus gave a shout that startled the slaves laying the tables in the inner hall. " " and in a whole Safe, my lad !" he exclaimed,
Sound and hearty, and
skin.
night's
for a
to join us in to-
Swear
Better late than never.
work.
him, comrades
fit
!
swear him on the spot
morsel of bread and a pinch of
Eufus, cross thy blade with mine
!
!
Send
salt.
Thou
in
Here, art in
the nick of time, lad, to take thy share with the
and pleasure, and profit to boot !" This speech he eked out with many winks and
rest, of peril,
166
ANTEEOS.
signs to his
how matters
friend, for Hirpinus, guessing
young
stood between the pair, could think
of no better plan by which Esca should at least
claim a share in the prey they had so recently acquired.
His artifice was, however, lost upon the Briton, who seemed wholly occupied with Mariamne, and to
whom
the girl was whispering her fears and
and entreaties that he would save her
distresses,
from the band.
The young man drew her to his side. " Give way," said he, haughtily, as Euchenor and Lutorius closed in upon him.
she goes with me.
"
She has made her
I take her
home
choice,
to her father's
house."
The him It is
!"
others set up a shout of derision. " It is the Proetor who cried.
they
Hear
speaks
!
the voice of Caesar himself!
peace,
if
spare of girl
"
thou
wilt.
We
Yes, yes, go in have had enough and to
your yellow-haired barbarians, but the
remains with
us."
She was not trembling now. fear in such a crisis as this.
She was past
all
Erect and defiant
she stood beside her champion, pale indeed as the dead, but with eyes in which flashed the courage of despair.
THE RULES OF THE FAMILY. His
mand
lips
as
were white with the
1G7
effort of self-com-
he strove to keep cool and to use
fair
words. "
I
am
"
one of yourselves," said he.
not turn against
me
Let
all at once.
the maiden home, and I will
me
You
will
but take
come back and
join
you, true as the blade to the haft."
them go!" put in Hirpinus. "He speaks fairly, and these barbarians never fail their let
"Ay,
word
!"
"
" He has noNo, no," interposed Euchenor. to do with us. he was beaten in the thing Why,
open Circus by a mere patrician. not engaged for to-night.
Who
the job.
is
he,
He
this
Besides, he
is
has no interest in that
barbarian,
we
should give up to him the fairest prize we are like to take in the
"Will you
whole business
fight
for
her?"
?"
thundered Esca,
hitching his sword-belt to the front. "
Euchenor shrank back amongst his comrades. Our oath forbids me," said he and the others, ;
though they could not refrain from jeering at the unwilling Greek, confirmed his decision. Esca's
under "
Hold
mind was made
my fast,
girdle,"
and we
"
up.
Pass your hands
he whispered to Mariamne. shall break through
!"
ANTEKOS.
168
His sword was out like lightning, and he dashed to do with amongst the gladiators, but he had
men
thoroughly skilled in arms and trained to
every kind of personal contest.
A
dozen blades were gleaming in the moonlight A dozen points were threatas ready as his own. ening him, backed by fearless hearts, and strong, He was at bay, a hands. practised
supple,
man penned
desperate
in
by a
He
circle of steel.
glanced fiercely round, defiant yet bewildered, then down at the pale face at his breast, and He was at his wits' Ins heart sank within him. end.
She
looked up,
rageous.
"Dear
—
loving,
!
You only have the
Even then a
cou-
one," she said, softly, "let
faint
me
See, I do not fear.
rather die by your hand. Strike
and
resolute,
right, for I
am
yours
!"
blush came into her cheek,
while the pale hands busied themselves with her dress to bare her
He
for the blow.
turned his point upon her, and she smiled
Old Hirpinus dashed the tears
in his face.
up
bosom
from his shaggy eyelashes. "
Hold
"Xot one
!
!
till
Hold I
!"
said he, in
am down and
Enough
of this
!"
a broken voice.
out of the
game
for
he added in an altered
THE EULES OF THE FAMILY.
169
tone and with a ludicrous assumption of his usual " Here comes the master no careless manner.
—
more wrangling,
lads
!
we
will refer the matter to
him!" AYhile
he spoke, Hippias
entered the open
space in front of the Tribune's house, and the gladiators
gathered
eagerly around
him,
Eu-
chenor alone remaining somewhat in the background.
CHAPTER
XII.
A MASTER OF FENCE.
IPPIAS knew
well
amongst
cipline
how
to maintain dis-
his followers.
While
he interested himself keenly in their training and personal welfare, he per-
mitted no approach to familiarity, and above
all
never suffered a syllable of discussion on a com-
mand, or a moment's hesitation
He came now
in its fulfilment.
head
to put himself at their
for the
carrying out of a hazardous and important enter-
The
prise.
especially
consciousness
when
it
is
of
coming danger, which habit
of a land with
has rendered him familiar, and which practice has taught him to
baffle
has a good moral ter.
It cheers
nation,
it
by
effect
his
own
skill
and courage,
on a brave man's charac-
his spirits,
it
exalts
sharpens his intellects, and,
his
imagi-
above
all, it
171
A MASTER OF FENCE. softens his heart.
would need carry
him
Hippias
the qualities he most prized to
all
safely through his
must be inevitable
failure
that to-night he
felt
task
—that
destruction,
while success
would open out to him a career of which the ultimate goal might be a procuratorship or even a
How
quickly past, present, and posIt was not sible future flitted through his brain
kingdom.
!
so long
since
theatre
He
!
his
first
remembered,
in
victory as if
it
the amphi-
were but yester-
day, the canvas awnings, the blue sky, and the
confused mass of faces, framing
sweep of sand, once, though
all
his eyes were fixed on those of the
whom he
watchful Gaul, passes,
that dazzling
of which his sight took in at
disarmed in a couple of
and slew without the
slightest remorse.
He
could feel again, even now, the hot breath of the Libvan tiger, as he fell beneath it, choked with sand
and covered by
his buckler, stabbing desperately
at that sinewy chest in winch the
so deep.
The
tiger's
claws had
life
seemed
left their
to lie
marks
brawny shoulder, but he had risen from the contest victorious, and Bed and Green through upon
his
the whole crowded building, from the cushions to the
slaves'
six inches
room, cheered him to^a man.
senators'
of standing-
After this triumph
172
ANTEROS.
who such a handsome
as
centre
of
Roman
favourite with the
Hippias?
all
Again,
observation,
people
was
he
the
confessedly the
as,
profession, he set in order Nero's cruel shows, and catered with profuse splendour
head of his
for the tastes of Imperial
reached
the
Rome. a
of
pinnacle
Yes, he had fame,
gladiator's
and from that elevation a prospect opened itself that he had scarcely even dreamed of till
A
now. or
two
handful
for
determined
of
every score of blades, a palace in
a night of blood
flames,
longed that there might to
men, a torch
from
strife
distinguish
(he only hoped
and
be resistance enough murder),
another
dynasty, a grateful patron, and a brave man's
and
services
worthily
Then the
future would indeed smile in gorgeous
hues.
Winch
would
most
of
Rome's dominions
fully
satisfy
repaid.
in the east
the thirst
now experienced
luxury that he
time
acknowledged
for
for
the
royal first
In which of his manlier qualities was he
?
so inferior to the Jew, that Hippias the gladiator
should
Great
?
make a and
warlike king,
monarch than Herod the
loAvlier
men had
not done talking of that
even now
elty, his courage,
his
!
—
his
wisdom, his cru-
splendour, and his crimes.
A MASTER OF FENCE.
A Eoman
173
province was but another
independent government.
name
an
for
Hippias saw himself
enthroned in the blaze of majesty under a glowing eastern sky.
Life offering
pomp and pageantry and ment.
Slaves,
eyed women,
horses,
all
it
to give of
material enjoy-
rich
jewels,
had
dark-
banquets,
silken eunuchs, and
gaudy guards
with burnished helmets and flashing shields of
Nothing wanting, not even one with whom Valeria would be
gold.
to share the glittering vision. his.
Valeria was born to be a queen.
It
would
indeed be a triumph to offer the half of a throne to the
woman, w ho had hitherto condescended by r
listening to his suit.
There was a leavening of
generosity in Hippias that caused
him
to reflect
with intense pleasure on the far deeper
he would pay her
mation of his hopes. ilniost
love
homage
after so romantic a consum-
He
felt
as
her then, with the
if
he could
had
love he
— boyhood that
experienced in his boyhood which seemed now to have been another's rather than
He
had put it away long since, and it had not come back to him for years till to-day but his
own.
;
gratified vanity, the pleasure which most hearts experience in grasping an object that has been
dangling out of reach,
beyond
all,
the
r
pow er,
ANTEROS.
174
exerted by a woman,
over one
who has been
accustomed to consider himself, either above or
below such pleasing influences, had softened him
same man
strangely, and he hardly felt like the
who made
his bargain
with the Tribune for a
certain quantity of flesh
and blood and mettle, so
short a time ago. It is not to
be thought, however, that in his
dreams of the lected the attained.
future,
the fencing-master neg-
means by which that future was to be He had mustered and prepared his
band with more than common care his
own eyes
sharp and their
that then' arms were bright and
fit
work
for
appointed
peatedly,
posts
—had and
enjoining, above
vigilance and sobriety.
saw beneath
—had seen with
his
placed
them them
visited
at re-
things, extreme Not one of those men
unruffled
all
brow and quiet stern
demeanour anything unusual
in the
conduct of
one could have guessed that schemes of ambition far beyond any he had ever
their leader; not
cherished before, were working in his brain
a strange,
soft,
—that
kindly feeling was nestling at his
heart.
He
stood in the
moonlight amongst his
lowers, calm, abrupt, severe as usual
;
fol-
and when
A MASTER OF FENCE.
175
Hirpinus looked into his stern set face, the hopes of the old gladiator fell as did his countenance,
but Mariamne perceived at once with a woman's
eye something that taught her an appeal to his
on
pity
this
occasion
would not
be made in
vain.
With
habitual caution, his
to count the
band ere he took note of the two
figures in their centre.
Then he
arms
glance at then-
ing
proceeding was
first
cast a scrutiniz-
to satisfy himself
were ready for immediate action.
turned with a displeased air to Hirpinus,
asked — "
What doth
heard
my
woman amongst
the
Who
orders this morning.
all
After that he
us
?
and
You
brought her
here?"
Half a dozen voices were raised at once to answer the master's question
;
whom
only he to
it
was especially addressed kept silence, knowing the nature with which he had to do. Hippias raised but his sheathed sword and the
clamour ceased. well-drilled
than
this
legions
seemed
in
in all
better
still
Eome's
discipline
handful of desperate men.
turned to Esca, tones.
Not a maniple
speaking in short
Then he incisive
ANTEROS.
176 "Briton
!"
"
said be.
You
are not one of us to-
Go your ways in peace !" night. " Well said !" shouted the gladiators.
He
no comrade of ours! spoil
"He
is
hath no share in our
!"
But Hippias only wished from the
perils of the
some vague
feeling
coming night, and this from he could hardly explain to
himself, that Valeria
wart
barbarian.
save the Briton
to
It
was interested in the was not
in
the
stal-
fencing-
master's nature to entertain sentiments of jealousy
And
upon uncertain grounds.
he was just fond
enough of Valeria to value any one she liked for her sake. Moreover Esca knew their plans. He
would alarm the palace and there would be a fight.
He
wished nothing better.
Esca was about to make riamne interposed. " Where he goeth I in the
the
will go," said
second
Ma-
she, almost
words of her own sacred writings.
to-night lost father, is
his appeal, but
" I
have
and home, and people.
This
me
from
time he hath
captivity worse than death.
beseech thee, part us not
saved
Part us not now, I
!"
Hippias looked kindly on the sweet face with large imploring eager eyes.
"You
its
love him," said
A MASTEK OF FENCE. " lie,
foolish girl.
177
Begone then, and take him witli
you."
But again a fierce murmur rose amongst the Not even the master's authority was gladiators. carry out such a breach of
sufficient to
and customs as
this.
laws
all
Euchenor, ever prone to
wrangle, stepped forward from the background,
where he had remained so as to appear an impartial and uninterested observer. "
The oath
—we
swore
break
it
!"
ere the
moon goes down ?
shall
She
is
the laws of the Family, and
all
Hippias, by
— up
when the sun was
it
" The oath
exclaimed the Greek.
we
ours,
we
will
not give her up."
" Silence that
"
Who
fus,
!"
thundered the master, with a look
made Euchenor
back once more.
shrink
asked you for your vote
once again,
how came
this
?
Hirpinus, Ku-
woman
here
?"
" She was bound hand and foot in a chariot,"
answered the former, ignoring, however, with than his usual frankness, to
"She was
whom
less
that chariot
carried
away by force. I protected her from ill-usage," he added stoutly, belonged.
" as I would protect her again."
The
girl
gave him a grateful look, winch sank
into the old swordsman's heart.
VOL.
II.
Esca, too, niut-
N
178
ANTEEOS.
tered
warm broken words
of thanks, while the
band
assented to the truth of this statement. "
Even
so
That
well.
claim every
they exclaimed.
!"
is
Hirpinus speaks
we
she belongs to us, and
why
man
"
his share."
Hippias was too experienced a commander not to to
know
when
that there are times
is
necessary
yield with a good grace, and to use
artifice if
force will not avail. rules his steed,
It
is
it
thus the skilful rider
and the judicious wife her husband
—
the governing power in either case inducing the
governed to believe that
own
He
free will.
his followers,
humoured
obeys entirely of
in careless, good-
tones.
to us all without doubt," said he,
and, by the sandals of Aphrodite, she
that I
its
smiled therefore pleasantly on
and addressed them
"She belongs "
it
shall
put
Nevertheless there
in is
my
claim
is
with the
so fair rest!
no time to be wasted now,
for the sake of the brightest eyes that ever flashed
beneath a so.
veil.
Put her aside
for a
You. Hirpinus, as you captured
care that she does not escape.
few hours or
her, shall take
For the Briton we
—
keep him safe too we may find a use fur those long arms of his when to-night's busiIn the meantime, fall in, ness is accomplished.
may
as well
179
A MASTER OF FENCE.
my
heroes,
Supper
first
noblest
and make (and
patrician
for
ready
laid even now) with the
it's
and the deepest
Rome, Julius Placidus the Tribune "
Huge
work.
your
drinker
in
!"
exclaimed the gladiators in a breath,
/"
forgetful at the
moment
of their recent dissatis-
and eager to hear more of the night's enthe wildest terprise, about which they entertained faction,
and most various
was celebrated in
nothing
loth,
man whose
table
anticipations;
besides, to share the orgies of a for its luxuries
amongst
all classes
Rome. Hippias looked
faces,
round
and continued
"Then what say
on their well-pleased
:
you,
my
We
through the palace gardens? swords,
by
Hercules, for the
walk
children, to a
will take our
German guards
are
stubborn dogs, and best convinced by the argument
each of us carries at his ere
we
belt.
get there, for the
may be dark
It
moon
is
early to-night,
we have
and we have no need
to stir
the Tribune's wine, so
we must not
torches to light us on our way.
till
too
tasted
forget a few
There are a score
at least lying ready in the corner of that porch.
So we frolic
will join our
under
comrades in a
Caesar's roof.
fair
midnight
Caesar's, forsooth
!
my
180
ANTEEOS.
children, there will be a smouldering palace
another Caesar by to-morrow " "
Euge
!"
and
!"
exclaimed the gladiators once more.
Hail, Caesar
!
Caesar
live
Long
they re-
!"
peated, with shouts of fierce mocking laughter.
remarked Eufus, sagaciously, when " The silence was restored. pay is good and the "It
is
well,"
work no heavier than an ordinary praetor's show. But I remember a fiercer lion than common, that Nero turned
we
loose
him
'
upon us once
in the arena,
and
'
amongst ourselves, because he was dangerous to meddle with. If the old man's purple is to be rent, we should have somecalled
Caesar
They have not
thing over the regular pay.
long of
late,
but
still
the usual business.
Hippias,
We
'tis
lasted
somewhat out of
don't change an emperor
every night even now."
"True enough," answered the humouredly. the
in !
And you have
walls of a palace
your pay, said
in
your
master,
good-
never been within life.
Something
you Why, man, the pay but a pretext, a mere matter of form. Once
beyond is
"
Caesar's
lulus here,
either hand.
?
chambers, a large-fisted fellow like carry away a Then think of the
may
king's
ransom in
old wine
!
Fifty
year old Caecuban, in six-quart cups of solid gold,
181
A MASTER OF FENCE. and welcome
away with you, be encumbered with it.
to take the goblet
you care to Shawls from Persia, lying about
besides,
if
gleaming in every corner. heaps upon the
for
mere cover-
Mother-of-pearl and ivory
ings to the couches.
floor.
Jewels scattered in
Only get the work done
and every man here
shall help himself unqueswhatever pleases him with walk home tioned, and first,
best."
It
was not often Hippias treated his followers
to so long a speech, or one, in their estimation, so
much
to the purpose.
They marked
then- ap-
proval with vehement and repeated shouts.
They
ceased to think of Esca, and forgot
about
Mariamne and
their late dissatisfaction
seemed now but
all ;
nay, they
to be impatient of every subject
unconnected with their enterprise, and to grudge every minute that delayed them from their pro-
mised
spoil.
At a
signal from Hippias,
and
his
intimation that supper was ready, and their host
awaiting them, they rushed tumultuously through
the porch, leaving
behind them Mariamne and
Esca, guarded only by old Hirpinus and Euchenor,
the latter appearing alone to be
unmoved by the
glowing prospects of plunder held out, and obnot stinately standing on his rights, determined
ANTEROS.
182
to lose sight of the captured girl, the
she was
now overlooked by the
more
so that
rest of his
com-
rades.
This man, though
deficient
physical daring which
amongst those of
is
so
the
in
dashing
popular a quality
his profession, possessed, never-
a
dogged tenacity of purpose, totally unqualified by any moral scruples or feelings of shame, which rendered him formidable as an theless,
antagonist,
and generally successful in any villany
he attempted.
As
in the
combats he waged with or without
the heavy, lacerating cestus, his object was to
and
out his adversary by protracted
tire
scientific
defence, taking as little
punishment as possible, and never hazarding a blow, save when it could not be returned, so in everything he undertook,
by un relaxing to the means and recourse vigilance, unremitting which experience and common sense pointed out it
was
his study to reach the goal
fur its attainment.
Slinking behind the broad back of Hirpinus,
he concealed himself in the darkest corner of the porch,
and watched the result
of
Mariamne's
appeal to the fencing-master.
Hippias pushed the gladiators on before him,
A MASTER OF FENCE. with boisterous
good-humour, and
1S3 considerable
crowded through the narrow violence; entrance, he remained behind for a moment, and as they
whispered to Esca "
You
I trust
"
—
will take the girl
you
Trust
Can
home, comrade.
?"
me !"
was
the Briton answered, but
all
the tone in which he spoke, and the glance he
exchanged with Mariamne, might have satisfied a more exacting inquirer than the captain of gladiators.
"Fare thee thee, too,
my
myself, but side,
and
I
well,
said
lad,"
pretty flower.
it
is
I
Hirpinus,
"and
would go with you
a long way from here to Tiber-
must not be missing
to-night,
come
what may." "
Begone, both of you
"Had
riedly.
it
not
been
should scarce have found to-night
:
were you to
!"
added Hippias, hurfor the
plunder, I
my
lambs so reasonable
fall in
with them again, the
Vestals themselves could not save you.
and
Begone,
farewell."
They obeyed
and
hastened
off,
while
the
fencing-master, with a well-pleased smile, clapped
Hirpinus on the shoulder, and accompanied him into the house.
184 "
ANTEKOS.
Old comrade," said of the
sure
"
be,
will drink a
Tribune's Csecuban to-night,
To-morrow we
what may.
we
backs, gaping
for the
shall either
mea-
come
be on our
death-fee, or pressing our
lips to
nothing meaner than a chalice of burnished
gold.
Who
•'
Not I
knows
?
Who
cares ?"
for one," replied Hirpinus
" ;
but I
am
strangely thirsty in the meantime, and the Tribune's wine, they tell me,
is
the best in Koine."
CHAPTER
XIII.
THE ESQUILINE.
ITH
attentive ears,
on the
and
faculties
keenly
Euchenor, lurking in
stretch,
the corner of the porch, listened to the
foregoing
When
conversation.
he gathered that Tiber-side was the direction the intellect fugitives meant to take, his quick Greek formed
its
plan of operation at once.
There was a post of his comrades, consisting of some of the gladiators purchased by Placidus, and placed there a few hours since by the orders of Hippias, in the direct road for that locality.
He
would follow the
suspected, for
pair,
noiseless
encounter with the Briton,
till
within reach of
assistance, then give the alarm, seize farers,
and un-
he had no mind to provoke an
and appeal
the way-
to the club-law they all held
ANTEROS.
186 sacred,
for his
defend the
Esca would be sure
rights.
with his
girl
life,
to
but he would be
would be strange overpowered by numbers, and it if he could not be quieted for ever in the struggle. There
would
still
time
be
thought
enough,
Euchenor, after his victory to join his comrades at the Tribune's table, leaving
tender mercies of the band.
He
the girl to the
could
make some
excuse for his absence to satisfy his companions,
heated as they would by that time be with wine. Indeed, for his
own
part,
he had no great fancy
the night's adventure, promising as
it
for
did more
hard knocks than he cared to exchange in a fight with the
German
who would
guard, fierce blue-eyed giants,
give and take no quarter.
He
did not
wish, indeed, to lose his share of the plunder, for
no one was more purse, but
securing
he trusted to his own dexterity
this,
Meanwhile,
it
without running unnecessary
was
thing at a time till
alive to the advantages of a full
;
his
method
to attend to
No
risk.
one
he waited impatiently, therefore,
Hippias entered the house, and
liberty to
for
emerge from
left
him
at
his hiding-place.
sooner was the master's back turned, than
the Greek sped into the street, glancing eagerly
down
its
long vista lying white in the moonlight,
THE
187
ESQTTILINE.
Agile and
two dark figures he sought.
for the
noiseless as a panther, he skulked swiftly along
under the shadow of the houses,
till
he reached
the corner which a passenger would turn
was bound for Tiber-side. that he must sight his prey
who
Here he made sure but no, amongst the
;
few wayfarers who dotted this
less solitary district
in vain for Esca's towering shoulders or
he looked
the shrinking figure of the Jewess. a hound, he quested to
and
fro,
now
In vain, like casting for-
ward upon a vague speculation, now trying back with untiring perseverance and determination. Like a hound,
too,
whose game has
foiled him,
he was obliged to slink home at length, ashamed and
porch of the Tribune's house,
baffled, to the
inventing as he
and comrades
went a plausible excuse
for
He had
banquet.
his
to host
tardy appearance at the
passed,
nevertheless,
within
twenty paces of those he hunted, but he knew
it
not.
With the escape,
it
first
was
rapture of intense joy for their
in the nature of
Mariamne
that her
predominant feeling should be one of gratitude to
heaven whose
for thus preserving both herself life
common
and him
was dearer to her than her own.
with her nation,
In
she believed in the
ANTEROS.
188
constant and immediate interposition of the Al-
new mighty in favour of his servants, and the in her faith, which was rapidly gaining ground his worwhich in heart, had tempered the awe shipper regards the Deity, with the implicit trust,
and
by a
love,
and confidence entertained
Such
child.
in thanksgiving
for its father
feelings can but find
an outlet
Before Mariamne
and prayer.
had gone ten paces from the Tribune's house, she and said, stopped short, looked up in Esca's face,
"Let us kneel
together,
and thank God
for our
deliverance."
"Not here
at
least!"
exclaimed the Briton,
whose nerves, good as they were, had been some-
what unstrung by the vicissitudes of the and the apprehensions that had racked him beloved companion.
moment.
You
"They may
night, for his
return at any
are not safe even now.
If
you she was
you cannot go on (for leaning heavily on his arm, and her head drooped), I will carry you in my arms from here to your are so exhausted
father's
house.
My
love,
I
would
carry
you
through the world."
She smiled sweetly on him, though her face was " Let us turn in at this ruined gatevery pale. wav," said she
;
" a few moments' rest will restore
189
THE ESQDILINE.
me, and Esea, I must give thanks to the God of Israel, who has saved both thee and me."
They were near a crumbling archway, with a broken iron gate that had fallen
in.
It
was on
the opposite side of the street to the Tribune's as they passed beneath its mouldering saw that it formed an entrance into span, they
house
;
and
one of those wildernesses, which, after the great fire
of Nero, existed here and there, not only in
the suburbs, but at the very heart of Eome.
They were,
in truth, in that desolate waste
w hich T
had once been the famous Esquiline Gardens, orito ginally a burial-ground, and granted by Augustus his favourite, the illustrious Maecenas, to plant
and
decorate according to his prolific fancy and unim-
peachable
taste.
That learned nobleman had
taken advantage of his emperor's
liberality,
build here a stately palace, which had not, ever, escaped the great fire, sive pleasure-grounds,
by the
the
how-
to lay out exten-
which had been devastated
same calamity.
remained, save
and
to
trees
Little,
that
indeed,
had
now
originally
shadowed the Koman's grave in the days of the old republic.
The "unwelcome cypresses"
so
touchingly described in his most reflective ode, by
him whose genius Maecenas
fostered,
and whose
190
ASTEROS.
gratitude paid his princely patron back by render-
ing
him immortal.
had Horace lounged in these pleasant shades, musing with quaint and varied half grotesque, on the fancies, half pathetic
Many
a time
business and the pleasures, the sunshine and the
shadows, the aim and the end, of that to inexplicable problem, a man's short
life.
him
Here,
he speculated on the mythology, to
too, perhaps,
the beauty of which his poetic imagination was so
keenly alive, while his strong
common
somewhat material
must have been
character,
utterly incredulous of
its
sense and
Nay, on
truth.
this
so
very
spot did he not ridicule certain superstitions of his
countrymen, with a coarseness that
deemed by sarcasm,
is
only re-
and preserve in pungent coming ages, the memory of an
its
for
wit?
indecent statue on the Esquiline, as he has preserved in sw eet and glowing r
cool
the glades of
Pneneste, or the terraced vineyards bask-
ing in the
and
glare
Tibur's sunny slopes?
time
lines,
may have been
glitter
of
noonday on
Here, perhaps,
many a
seen the stout, sleek form, so
round and well-cared
for,
with
its
clean white
gown, and dainty shining head, crowned with a garland of festive roses, and not wanting, be sure,
THE ESQUILIXE. a festive goblet in
have
sat out
its
many
191
Here may the poet
hand.
a joyous hour in the shade,
with mirth, and song, and frequent sips of old Faleruian, and a vague, dreary fancy the while,
ever
present,
though
unacknowledged
head at the banquet
death's
— that
—
feast,
like
and
a
jest,
and song could not last for ever, but that the time must come at length, when the empty jar would not be
filled again,
when
the faded roses could be
bound together no longer in a chaplet for the unconscious brows, and the string of the lyre once snapped, must be silent henceforward for evermore.
The very to his
now
waterfall that
had soothed
master
its
noonday slumber in the drowsy shade, was
dried up,
and
in the cavity above, a
heap of
dusty rubbish alone remained, where erst the cool, translucent
surface
shone, fair and
smooth as
Weeds were growing rank and
glass.
tall,
where
once the myrtle quivered and the roses bloomed.
Where Chloe gambolled and where Lydia
sang,
the raven croaked and fluttered, and the night-owl screamed. Instead of velvet turf, and trim exoticshrubs,
and shapely statues framed
green, the nettle spread
the dock put out there
a
its
its
bowers of
festering carpet,
pointed
tombstone showed
in
leaf,
its
and
and here and
slab
of
marble,
ANTEROS.
192
smooth and grim, like a bone that has been laid All was ruin or decay a few short years bare.
—
had done the work of ages and whether they waked or whether they slept, poet and patron had ;
gone hence, never to return.
Under the branches
and
withered,
blackened,
of a
spectral holm-oak,
by
destroyed
fire,
Mariamne paused, and clung with both hands
to
Bravely had the girl borne up for hours against terrible mental anxiety, as well as actual bodily pain, but with relief and
her companion's arm.
Her eyes
comparative safety came the reaction.
grew dim, her senses seemed
and her
failing,
limbs trembled so that she was unable to proceed.
He hung face
The pale
over her in positive fear.
looked
so
death-like
that his
bold heart
quailed, as the possibility presented itself of
life
without her. Propped in his strong grasp, she soon recovered, and he told her as much, in a few frank,
simple words. " And yet "
gently.
must come
it
What
wish, all
would bo a sting
last,"
said
the short span of a man's
is
Esca, for such love as ours
thing we can
at
in
at the thought that
it
?
Even had we
she, life,
every-
the world can give, there
each
moment
must end
of happiness
so soon."
THE ESQUILIXE. "
Happiness
Why ness
to
is
"
repeated Esca.
!"
there so little of
is
193
it
be with you, and
on earth
What
it ?
My happi-
?
win
see, I
is
it
but for an
hour at a time, at a cost to yourself I cannot bear to think of."
She looked lovingly in his suppose I would count the
"Ever
since the night
so courteously to
my
cost ?'
me
father's
"
Do you
said
me from
you took
and brought
fearful revellers,
face.
she.
those
so gently and
house, I
—I
have
never forgotten what I owe you."
He
raised her
of an inferior
woman he his
hand
to his lips, with the action
doing homage.
Alone with the
loved, the very depth
and generosity of
made him
look on her as
young
affectiou
something sacred and apart.
She wliich
hesitated, for
maiden shame
she had yet more to say, repressed,
disclose her feelings too openly
him
and
asked—
to
it
should
but she loved
well, she could not keep silence on so vital a
subject,
"
;
lest
after a pause, she took courage
Esca, could you bear to think
meet again ?" "I would rather
die at once!"
we were never
he exclaimed,
fervently.
VOL.
II.
and
O
194
ANTEROS.
She shook her head, and smiled rather
"But
do you believe that you will see
He
sadly.
after death," she insisted, "after death
looked blank
me
no more
and confused.
?"
The same
question had been present almost unconsciously in
his
mind, but had never taken so definite a
shape before.
"You would make me said
he
;
a coward, Mariamne," " when I think of you, I almost fear to
die."
They were standing under the holm-oak, where the moonlight streamed down clear and cold through the bare branches. marble, half-defaced,
It shone on a slab of
half-overgrown with moss.
Nevertheless, on that surface was distinctly carved the horse's head with which, the Roman loved to
decorate the stone that marked his last restingplace.
"Do
you know what that means?" said she, pointing to this quaint and yet suggestive symbol. "
Even the proud Roman
departure are the
feels that
same, — that
he
is
death and going on a
journey he knows not where, but one from which he never shall return. It is a journey we must all take, none can tell how soon for you and me ;
the horse
may
be harnessed
this
very night.
But
THE ESQUILINE. I
know where
me
am
I
going, Esca.
195 If
you had
slain
an hour ago with your sword, I should have
been there even now." "
And
I ?"
he exclaimed.
"
Should I have been
would have died amongst the gladiators as 1 have seen a wolf die in my own with you
?
for I
country overmatched by hounds.
me
would not have
left
have become of
me ?"
for ever ?
Mariamne, you AYhat would
Again she shook her head with the same
pitiful,
plaintive smile.
"
You do
not
know
the way," said she.
"
You
have no guide to take you by the hand; you
would be
lost in
the darkness
;
and
see
Oh
I
Let us travel
you no more. can show it you.
!
I,
—I
should
Esca, I can teach you, it
together,
come what may, we need never part again !" Then the girl knelt down under that dead
and
tree,
with the moonbeams shining on her pale face, and
her
lips
moved
late escape,
her
side,
in whispered thanksgiving for the
and prayer
for
him who now
and who watched her with
as a child watches a piece of
he sees plainly the to
effect,
stood by
wistful looks,
mechanism of which
while he strives in vain
comprehend the cause. It
seemed
to
Esca that the woman he loved
AXTEBOS.
196
must have found the talisman that he had
felt
something
itself
youth
a vague consciousness he wanted
beyond manly
courage,
above
all,
fortifies
Moreover, the course
by defying the worst. life,
—
or burning
dogged obstinacy that
patriotism, or the
of his past
all his
the trials he had lately
have prepared the ground for the reception of that good seed which could not but have brings forth such good fruit, undergone,
but
not
could
—
shown him the necessity
for a strength superior to
the bravest endurance of
mere humanity,
for a
A
few
minutes she remained on her knees, praying
fer-
hope that was fixed beyond the grave.
vently for herself,
and while
—
for him.
Ins eyes
He
felt
that
it
was
were riveted on the dear
pure and peaceful, turned upward to the that his own being was elevated by he knew sky, face, so
her holy influence, that the earthly affection of a lover for his mistress,
was in
his breast refined
by
the adoration of a worshipper for a saint.
Then she
and taking him by the arm, on her way, discoursing, as she
rose,
walked leisurely
went, on certain truths which she had learnt from Calchas, and which she believed with the faith of
those
who have been taught by
one, himself
rye-witness of the wonders he relates.
an
197
THE ESQUILINE.
There were no dogmas in those early days of the Christian Church to distract the minds of its votaries from the
The
simple tenets of their creed.
shot up grain of mustard-seed had not yet
into that goodly tree which has since borne
many
branches, and the pruning-knife, hereafter
to lop
away
so
many redundant
unsheathed.
as yet
was not
heresies,
The Christian
of the
first
century held to a very simple exposition of his faith as handed down to him from his Divine
Trust and Love were the fundamental
Master.
rules of his order.
Trust, that in the extremity of
mortal agony could penetrate beyond the gates of death, and brighten the martyr's face with a ray of splendour,
" like the face of
that embraced
all
things,
an angel."
Love,
downward from the
Creator to the lowest of the created, that opened its
heart freely and ungrudgingly to
each, the
sinner, the prodigal, and the traveller who fell among thieves. Other faiths, indeed, and other motives have fortified men to march proudly to
the stake, to bear without wincing, tortures that forced the sickening spectator to turn shuddering
away.
A
heathen or a Jew could front the
lion's
sullen scowl, or the grin and glare of the cruel tiger,
in
the
amphitheatre,
with the
dignified
ANTEROS.
198
men borrow from
brave
tliat
composure
in the sand that
soon
ings,
;
of his suffer-
marked the arena run
to
despair
straight cut furrow
could behold unmoved the
crimson
with
his
blood.
Even athwart the dun smoke, amidst the leaping seen to move, yellow flames, pale faces have been with no sustaining majestic and serene as spectres, the offspring power beyond that of a lofty courage, was the it But of education and of pride. alone
Christian
who could submit
to the vilest
with a degradations and the fiercest sufferings
humble and even
cheerful
thankfulness;
who
could drink from the bitter cup and accept the Ins draught without a murmur, save of regret for own unworthiness, nay, who could forgive and
bless the very tyranny
hand that ministered In
its
to,
that
extorted, the very
the tortures he endured.
early days, fresh from the fountain-head,
the Christian's was, indeed, essentially and emphatically a religion of love. to clothe the fallen, to
demn,
feed the hungry,
naked, to stretch a hand to the
think no
evil, to
in short, to love
"
seen," were the direct
Example who had His
To
judge not, nor to con-
the brother
commands
so recently
first disciples strove,
whom he had of that Great
been here on earth.
hard as
fallible
humanity
199
THE ESQUILINE. can, to imitate liim,
and in
so striving, failed not
to attain a certain peaceful
composure and con-
tentment of mind, that no other code of morality,
no other system of philosophy, had ever yet produced. Perhaps this was the quality that in his dealings with his victim, the
Roman
executioner
found most mysterious and inexplicable. Fortitude, resolution, defiance, these he could understand, but the childlike simplicity that accepted
that was good and evil with equal confidence, thankful and cheerful under both, and that enter-
tained
neither care for to-day nor anxiety for
to-morrow, was a moral elevation, at which, with all their
pretensions,
his
own countrymen had
never yet been able to arrive.
Neither Stoic nor
Epicurean, Sophist nor Philosopher, could look upon life, and death also, with the calm assurance of these unlearned men, leaning on a
Eoman could not see, convinced of an Roman was unable to conceive.
hand the
immortality
the
With
happy conviction beaming in her face, Mariamne inculcated on Esca the tenets of her this
noble faith, explaining, not logically indeed but
with woman's persuasive reasonings of the heart,
was the prospect thus open to him, how glorious the reward, which, though mortal eye
how
fair
200
ANTEKOS.
could not behold
it,
mortal hand could not take
Promises of future happiness are none the
away.
glowing, that they fall on a man's ear from
less
Conviction goes the straighter
the lips he loves. to his
heart when
it
pervades another's that beats
in unison with his own.
Under
that moonlit sky,
reddened in the horizon with the glare of a distant quarter of the city already set on
insurgents
with
and
its
the
first
;
blasted trees,
its
its
shrieking night-birds,
scattered grave-stones, the Briton imbibed principles of Christianity
of Judah,
whom
from the daughter
he loved; and the
while she showed the life,
and
face
girl's
beamed with a holy tenderness more than and
by the
fire
in that dreary waste of the Esquiline,
mortal,
of everlasting happiness,
way him whose
light, to
soul was dearer
to her than her own.
And meanwhile around them on murders,
and
rapine,
violence
were
all
sides,
stalking
Riotous parties of Vespasian's
abroad unchecked.
supporters met, here and there, detached com-
munes of collisions as
it
Caesar's
broken legions; and when such
took place, the combatants fought madly,
would seem from mere wanton love of blood-
shed, to the death
;
whichever conquered, neither
spared the dissolute citizens,
who indeed when
safe
THE ESQUILIXE.
201
out of reach, from roofs or windows encouraged
with word and gesture.
the
strife heartily
fell
in showers through the streets of
Sparks
Rome, and
blood and wine ran in streams along the pave-
ment, nor were the deserted gardens of the Esquiline undisturbed
by the tumult and devastation
that pervaded the rest of the
unhappy
city.
CHAPTEE
XIV.
THE CHURCH.
HEN they sought to leave their place of refuge Esca and
Mariamne found them-
and drawn back by the continued tumult that was raging
selves
hemmed
in
On
through the surrounding quarters.
all sides
were heard the shouts of victory, the shrieks of and the mad riot of drunken mirth. Ocdespair,
of pursuers casionally flying parties
or pursued
of the gardens swept through the very outskirts themselves, compelling the Briton and his charge to plunge deeper
into
its
gloomy
solitudes
for
concealment.
At length they reached a place safety,
of comparative
under a knot of dark cypresses that had
here they escaped the general conflagration, and
paused to take breath and
listen,
Mariamne
be-
203
THE CHURCH. coining every
moment more composed and
tran-
a beating heart, calculated quil, while Esca, with chances that must still be risked ere the
many
the Tiber, and they could reach her home beyond he could place the daughter in safety under her It was very dark where father's roof once more.
and black they were, for the cypresses grew thick
The place had
between them and the sky.
pro-
a favourite resort in
bably in former times been There were the remains of a the noonday heat. grotto or summer-house not yet wholly destroyed,
and the fragments of a wide stone basin, from which a fountain had once shot its sparkling drops into the
summer
air.
Several alleys, too, cut in
the young plantations, had apparently converged at this spot ; and although these were much over-
grown and neglected, one
still
a broad, white street of
turf,
of
dark
quivering
foliage,
formed, so to speak,
hemmed and
in
by walls
massive,
but
in sprinkled here and there with points of silver
the moonlight.
Mariamne crept
closer to her companion's side. " I feel so safe and so happy with you," said
she, caressingly.
places.
no
You
"We
are the one
—not frightened—but
seem
to
have changed
who is now anxious and ill
at ease.
—
Esca what !
is
204 it ?"
ANTEKOS. she asked with a
start, as,
in his face, she caught terror
its
looking fondly up
expression of actual
and dismay.
His blue eyes were fixed like stone.
With
parted lips and rigid features, his whole being-
seemed concentrated
into the one effort of seeing,
by the dark shadows of the cypress, usually so frank and fearless, was paler
and, backed his face,
even than her own.
Following with her eyes the direction of his glance, she, too, was something more than startled at
what she saw.
Two
black figures, clad in long and trailing
garments, moved slowly into sight, and crossed the sheet of moonlight which flooded the wide
These again were followed by two in white, looking none the less ghostly that their outlines were so indistinctly avenue, with solemn step and slow.
defined, the head
and
feet being alone visible,
the rest of the figure wrapped, as
Then came two more
in black,
it
and thus in
nate pairs the unearthly procession only, ere the half of
not unlike the
seemed
it
and
were, in mist. alter-
glided
by;
had passed, a something,
human form, draped in
a white robe,
to float horizontally, at a cubit's height,
above the
line.
A
low and wailing chant,
too,
THE CHUKCH. and
rose
on the
fell fitfully
205
listeners' ears.
It
was
the " Kyrie Eleison," the humble, plaintive dirge in
which the Christian mourned, not without hope,
for his dead.
Fear was no familiar sentiment in Esca's
breast.
remain there long. He drew himself up, and the colour rushed back redly to his brow. " " They are spirits !" said he spirits of the It could not
;
wood, on whose domains we
Good
or
They
will
show the
evil,
we
will
sacrifice
resist
have
them
trespassed. to the last.
us to their vengeance
least signs of fear."
She was proud of
his courage even then
courage that could defy, though able to shake birthplace.
off,
It
if
we
—the
had not been
it
the superstitions of his northern
was sweet,
too, to
think that from
her lips he must learn what was truth, both of this
world and of the next. "
They
are no spirits
!"
"
she answered.
are Christians burying then- dead.
Esca,
we
They shall
be safe with them, and they will show us how to leave this place unobserved." " Christians ?" he replied, doubtfully too,
were "
are Christians, are
armed,
though,"
we not? he
I
added,
With twenty good swordsmen,
;
" and we,
would they reflectively.
I would engage
ANTEEOS.
206
you unmolested from one end of
to take
but these, I
the other; Priests
fear,
are
Eome
only
priests.
and the legions are loose even now
!
over the city
He was
!"
many
a defeat must be experienced,
a rebuff sustained, ere dependence on his
courage
all
but a young disciple, thought his loving
teacher, and
many
to
is
own
rooted out of a brave man's heart, to
be replaced by that nobler fortitude which relies Yet a brave man is solely on the will of heaven.
no bad material out of which to form a good one. They left their hiding-place, and hastened
down the
alley after the
departing Christians.
In a secluded place, where the remaining trees grew thickest and most luxuriant where the noontide ray had least power to penetrate, the
—
procession
being dug. earth
fell
had
halted.
As
with a
The grave was already
spadeful after spadeful of loose dull,
grating sound on the sward,
or trickled back into the cavity, the dirge wailed on,
now lowered and
of one
who weeps
repressed like the stifled sob
in secret,
now
rising into notes
of chastened triumph, that were almost akin to joy.
and
And his
and his poets had met, with garland and
here, where Maecenas,
parasites,
goblet, to wile
away the summer's day
in
frivo-
THE CHURCH. lous disputations, arguing
here and hereafter,
rinth for a clue
on the endless topics of
and death, body and soul
life
groping blindly and
207
;
in vain throughout the laby-
—sneering
at Pythagoras, refuting
—
the body of the Plato, and maligning Socrates dead Christian was laid humbly and trustfully in the earth, and already the departed spirit had
learned the efficacy of those truths
through scorn and suffering in
its
it
had imbibed
lifetime
—truths
would have given goblets and garlands, and riches and empire, and all the world besides, but to know and believe in that that the heathen sages
supreme moment, when all around the dying fades and fails as though it had never been, and there is
but one reality from which
is
no escape.
The Jewess and her champion waited a few paces off while the spade threw to the surface.
Then the
its
last handfuls
Christians
gathered
solemnly and silently round the open grave, and the corpse was lowered gently into place,
and the
faces that
watched
it
and waver, and sink again out of the
life
of the departed,
triumph, for they least,
Two
knew
its
sink,
sight,
resting-
and
stop,
even like
beamed with a holy
that with this wayfarer, at
the journey was over and the
home
attained.
mourners, somewhat conspicuous from the
208
ANTEEOS.
The one
stood at either end of the grave.
rest,
was a woman,
still
in the meridian of her beauty
;
the other a strong, warlike man, scarcely of middle
The woman's
age.
face was turned to heaven,
She an ecstasy of prayer. was not thinking of the poor remains the empty
rapt, as
it
seemed, in
—
shell,
consigned beneath her feet to
dust
but with the eye of faith she watched the
;
its
kindred
upward flight, and for her the heavens were opened, and her child was even now disapsjjirit
in its
But on the
pearing through the golden gate.
man's contracted features might be read the pain of
him who
to
too
is
weep.
weak
to bear,
His eye followed
with
glances clod after clod, as they the loved and
When
lost.
and yet too strong sad,
fell in to
till
then, he seemed
to look inquiringly at the vacant space
He
cover up
the earth was flattened
down above her head, and not the bystanders, and to
wistful
know
amongst
that she was gone.
clenched his strong hands tight, and raised his
eyes at
" It
last.
" It is very
is
hard to
Then he thought
hard to bear," he muttered. '
say,
of the
Thy
will
empty place
at
be done.'
"
home, and
hid his face and wept.
A young been
girl,
called
on the verge of womanhood, had
away
— called
suddenly away
—the
209
THE CHURCH. and the
pride,
flower,
He was
father's house.
and a
and the darling of her a good man and a brave,
believer, yet every time his child's face rose
up before him, with
bright hair and
its
eyes, something smote him, sharp and
its
loving
cold, like
the thrust of a knife.
When
the grave was finally closed, the Chris-
tians gathered
round
it
in prayer.
taking Esca by the hand, came
Mariamne,
silently
among
them, and joined in their devotions. It was a A strange and solemn sight to the barbarian. circle of
cloaked figures kneeling round an empty
space, to worship an miseen
hand a wilderness
power.
On
either
of ruin and devastation in the
heart of a great city
;
above, an angry glare on
the midnight sky, and the shouts of
maddened
combatants rising and falling on the breeze. By his side, the woman he loved so dearly, and whom
he had thought he should never look on again. He knelt with the others, to offer his tribute from a grateful heart.
Their prayers were short and
fervent, nor did they omit the
form their Master
had given them expressly for their use. When they rose to their feet, one figure stood forth
amongst the
rest,
and
signed for silence with
uplifted hand.
VOL.
II.
P
210
ANTEKOS.
This
man was
spoke his
obviously a
Roman by
birth,
and
language with the ease, but at the same
time with the accent and phrases of the lowest plebeian
He
class.
seemed a handicraftsman by
and his palm, when he raised it impressively to bespeak attention, was hardened and
trade,
scarred with
toil.
Low
mean
of stature,
in ap-
pearance, coarsely clothed, with bare head and feet,
there was
interest
little
or respect,
amount
command
square and
seemed capable of sustaining a
strongly built, vast
in his exterior to
but his frame,
of toil or hardship, while his face,
notwithstanding
its
pressed enthusiasm, singleness of heart.
plain features, denoted
re-
earnest purpose, and honest
He
was indeed one of the
pioneers of a religion, destined hereafter to cover the surface of the earth.
who went
forth
Such were the men
in their Master's
scrip, or sandals, or
name, without
change of raiment, to over-
run and conquer the world
—who took no thought
what they should say when brought before the kings, and governors, and great ones of the earth, trusting only in the sanctity of their mission,
the inspiration under which they spoke. little learning,
phers.
and
Having
they could refute the wisest philoso-
Having neither rank nor
lineage,
they
THE CHUKCH.
211
could beard the Proconsul on his judgment-seat, or the Caesar on
throne.
his
Homely and
ig-
norant, they feared not to wander far and wide
through
strange countries, and hostile
men to
grudging faith that forced
nations,
with a simple un-
spreading the good tidings
believe.
Weak
may be, and timid by education, they descended into the arena to meet their by nature
it
martyrdom from the hungry
lion,
with a quiet
fortitude such as neither soldier nor gladiator had
It was a moral their Master
courage to display.
never ceased to inculcate, that his was a message sent not to the noble, distinguished,
him, might
for
and the prosperous, and the if
they wished to find
own
opportunities to seek
these,
make
their
him
out, but to the
and
forlorn, especially to those
poor and lowly, the humble
who were
in dis-
and sorrow, who, having none to help them here, might rely all the more implicitly on his
tress
protection,
who
is
emphatically the friend of the
friendless.
Therefore, the
men who
did his
work seem
to
have been chosen principally from the humbler classes of society, from such as could speak to the multitude in homely phrases and with familiar imagery, whose authority the most careless and
212
ANTEKOS.
unthinking might perceive originated in no aid of extraneous circumstances, but came directly
from above.
As
the
speaker warmed to his subject, Esca
could not but observe the change that
came over
the bearing and appearance of his outward man. At first the eye was dull, the speech hesitating, the manner diffident. Gradually a light seemed to
steal
over his whole countenance, his form
towered erect as though
it
had actually increased
in stature, his words flowed freely in a torrent of
glowing and appropriate language, his action became dignified, and the whole man clothed himself,
as it were, in the majesty of the subject
on
which he spoke.
That subject was indeed simple enough, sad, it may be, from an earthly point of view, and yet
how comforting to the mourners gathered round At first he conhini beside the new-made grave !
tented himself with a short and earnest tribute, clothed in the plainest form of speech, to the
worth and endearing
whom
they had
cpialities of that
just laid in the earth.
young girl " She was
" yet words like these precious to us all," said he,
seem but a mockery
whom
to
some present
here, for
she was the hope and the joy, and the very
THE CHURCH. light of an
n
Grieve, I say, and
home.
earthly
21
weep, and wring your hands, for such is man's weak nature, and He who took our nature upon him, sympathizes with our sorrows, and like the
good physician, your wounds are
your hearts are
fresh,
are blind with
eyes
while he heals.
pities
tears,
To-day, full,
your
you cannot see the
you will wonder why you mourned so bitterly. To-morrow you will say,
To-morrow
truth.
'
It is well
;
we
are labouring in the sun, she
resting in the shade in a
we
;
barren land, she
drinking the waters Paradise still
;
we
are hungry and thirsty
and
eating the bread
is
of
is
life,
in the
garden of
are weary and foot-sore, wayfarers
upon the road, but she has reached her
home.' "
Yea,
now
at
this
very hour, standing here
where the earth has just closed over the young face, tender and delicate even in death, would you have her back
to
you
if
you could
Those who
?
have considered but the troubles that surround us now, and to
whom
there
is
no hereafter, who
themselves philosophers, and whose wisdom the wisdom of a blind
man
;'
and
is
as
walking on the brink
of a precipice, have themselves said
gods love die young
call
will
'
whom
the
you grudge that
214
ANTEEOS.
your beloved one should have been called out of the vineyard to take her wages, and go to her rest
before the burden and heat of the day?
Think what her end might have been. that you might have offered her up
Think to
bear
witness to the truth, tied to a stake in the foul arena, face to face with the crouching wild beast
gathered for his spring.
Ay
!
and worse even
than this might have befallen the child,
you remember, as
it
whom
were but yesterday, nestling
her mother's bosom, or clinging round her
to
father's
knees
' !
The
Christians to the Panther,
and the maidens to the Pandar
!'*
You have
heard the brutal shouts and shuddered with fear
And you would have
and auger while you heard. offered
her, as
Abraham
offered
Isaac,
beating
your breasts, and holding your breath for very agony the while. But is it not better thus?
She has earned the day's wages, labouring but for an hour at sunrise she has escaped the cross, and ;
yet has won the crown " But who hear
!
you
maiden, though she be long to go. *
now
this
young
arrived where all so
Rather be proud and happy, that
"Christiani ad leones!
that found
me, envy not
Virgines ad lenones
no small favour with the Konian crowd.
!"
— a sentence
215
THE CHURCH.
he has yet your Master cannot spare you, that work for you to do. To every man's hand is set his
appointed task,
strength given
Some
arrives.
and
Csesar,
him
and eveiy man to fulfil
when the time
it
bear witness before
of you will
for
find
shall
such the scourges are already
knotted and the cross
is
need scarcely speak of
reared
;
but to these I
loyalty, for to
them the
own
fortitude,
very suffering brings with
it
its
and they are indeed blessed who are esteemed Some must worthy of the glory of martyrdom !
go forth to preach the gospel in wild and distant lands and well 1 know that neither toil, nor hard;
ship, nor
peril, will
cause
them
to
waver an
breadth from their path, yet have they
difficulties
to meet,
and
not
Let them beware of pride and
of.
foes to contend with, that they
ficiency, lest in raising sacrifice of it is
the altar, they
more account than the
offered —
lest in building the
hair's-
know
self-suf-
make
spirit in
the
which
church they take
note of every stone in the edifice, and lose sight of
the purpose
cannot
all
for
which
it
was reared.
But ye
be martyrs, nor preachers, nor prophets
nor chief-priests, yet every one of you, even the
—
and the lowest here present woman, is none the less a soldier slave, or barbarian
weakest child,
—
216
ANTEROS.
and a servant of the duty to
do,
conquer.
It
his is
cross
Every one has
!
not
much
that
is
required of you,
indeed in comparison with
little
received — but reserve,
his
watch to keep, his enemy to
that
little
all
you have
must be given without heart. Has any one
and with the whole
of you left a duty unfulfilled?
when he
departs
him go home and accomplish it. Has any one an enemy ? let him be reconciled. Has he done his brother a wrong ? let him make from hence
Has he
amends. forgive
let
it.
Even
sustained an injury? as
you have
let
him
laid in the grave
the perishable body of the departed, so lay
down
here
every unearthly weakness, every unholy and every evil thought. Nay, as these Chief Mourners have to-night parted and weaned themwish,
selves
from that which they loved best on earth,
must you tear out and cast away from you the truest and dearest affections that stand between so
you and your
service, ay,
even though you rend
them from the very inner chambers
And
then with constant
effort,
of your heart.
and never-ceasing and winning, inch
by step, by inch, now slipping back it may be where the path is treacherous, and the hill is steep, to rise prayer, striving, step
from your knees, humbled and therefore stronger,
217
THE CHUECH. gaining more than you have at last,
where there
where she
now
for
in glory,
is
no
strife,
you shall arrive and no failing,
whom you weep to-night is even where He whom you follow has
already prepared a place
who have loved and evermore
lost,
-for
you,
and where you
trusted, shall be
happy
for
!"
imCeasing, he spread his hands abroad, and plored a blessing on those
which the Christians
who heard him,
breaking up their
after
circle,
gathered round the bereaved parents, with a few quiet words and gestures of sympathy, such as those offer
who have themselves experienced the
sorrows they are fain to assuage.
"I am
in safety here," whispered
Mariamne
to
the Briton, as she pointed out a dark figure, with
white flowing locks,
whom he now
recognized as
In another moment she was in the old
Calchas.
man's arms, who raised his eyes to heaven, and
thanked God with heartfelt gratitude
for
her de-
liverance.
"Your
father
and
I," said
he,
"have sought now he is
you with fearful anxiety, and even
some of
countrymen to Tribune's house, and take you from raising
strong hand.
his
storm the it
with the
Mariamne, you hardly know how
ANTEEOS.
218
much your
And
father loves his child.
disturbed for your safety, but I trusted
which
heaven
that
never
such a
sum
even the poorest of them,
raised,
would have tempted the Praetor to
as
even against a
interfere,
did but remain with
man
them
like Placidus,
to say
come back with me
and you will house, and one of these
him
assemble time,
home
;
who
whom
at the place
to
to
—though
thy father's
and armed,
me we
where
friends, will
tried
your
his friends
as a son, shall shall not
are safe, father's
I can trust shall go
and Esca, thy preserver is
I
a prayer while
But now you
they buried their dead.
to tell
innocent.
among my brethren
Nevertheless, I sought for aid
and they have
the
fails
I too was
— trusted in
were to
for the second
accompany us
need a guard,
for
warriors every man,
meet us ere we leave the
wilder-
ness for the streets."
was a strong temptation to the Briton, but the words he had so lately heard had sunk deep It
into his heart. lot
He,
amongst these
too,
would fain cast in his
earnest
men.
thought, had a task to perform piness
to
might be
and
his
forego. in his
He,
he
too,
—a cherished hap-
With a timely warning,
power to save the Emperor's
very eagerness to
it
life,
accompany Mariamne
THE CHURCH.
219
but impressed hirn the more with the conviction that
it
was
his
duty to leave her, now she was in
comparative safety, and hasten on his errand of
mercy.
Calchas, too, insisted
view, and though Mariarane
strongly on
was
silent,
pleaded with her eyes against the stoutly from
their
influence,
clasped in her father's arms,
risk,
tins
and even he turned
and ere she was the
new
Christian
was already half-way between the Esquiline and the palace of Caesar.
CHAPTER XV. REDIVIVUS.
ANY
had been the debauch
himself
at which,
chief originator
its
and pro-
moter, the Tribune had assisted
;
nor
had he escaped the penalties that Nature exacts even from the healthiest constitutions,
when her laws are habitually outraged in
the high-tide of revelry and mirth; but never, after his longest sittings with the
Emperor, had
he experienced anything to compare with the utter prostration of mind and body in which he
came
to himself,
waking from the death-like sleep
that followed his pledge to
turning consciousness
Valeria.
came a sense
With
re-
of painful
cushions of the giddiness, which, as the velvet
couch rose and heaved beneath his fused
him utterly as
to
sight, con-
where he was, or how he
221
REDIVIVUS. got there
seemed
;
then, sitting
up with an
effort that
to roll a ball of lead across his brain, he
was aware that every vein throbbed at fever-heat, that his hands were numbed and swollen, that his
mouth was parched, had a was
his lips cracked,
racking headache
sprang to his
to
familiar
sufficiently
feet,
— the
be
regardless
and that he
latter
symptom
reassuring of the
;
he
pang so
sudden a movement shot through his frame, then seizing a goblet from the table, filled
it
to the
brim with Falernian, and in defiance of the nausea with which it
emptied
its
very fragrance overpowered him,
The
to the dregs.
pected, was instantaneous
it
hand
erect, and, passing his
strong effort of
;
effect, as
he ex-
enabled him to stand across his brow,
by a
the will, he forced himself to
connect and comprehend the events that had led to
horrible
this
and
bewildering
trance.
By
degrees, one after another, like links in a chain,
he traced the doings of the day, and beginning a long way back, somewhere about noon, till the immediate
past,
so
to
more tangibly within thrill of
speak,
his grasp.
came more and It
was with a
triumphant pleasure, that he remembered
own arm winding round her handsome form on that very couch. Where Valeria's
visit,
and
his
ANTEKOS.
222
He
was she now?
looked about him vacantly,
almost expecting to find her in the room did so, his eye lighted
them
To
half-emptied,
still
say that Placidus
on the two
as
;
goblets,
he
one of
standing on their salver.
had a conscience would be
simply a perversion of terms
;
for that monitor,
never very troublesome, had since his manhood
have become a
been* so stifled
and silenced
mere negative
quality, yet in his present
state,
as to
unhinged
a shudder of horror did come over him, as
he recalled the
visit to Petosiris,
and the poison
with which he had resolved to insure the silence of his slave.
But
ere that shudder passed away,
the dark secret Esca knew, the plot from which
was now too
it
draw back, the desperate adventure that every hour brought nearer, and that must be attempted to-night, all these con-
siderations
late to
came
once, and for a
flooding
moment he
in on his felt
memory
at
paralyzed by the
height of the precipice on the brink of which he stood,
^'ith
the
emergency, however, as
was
always the case in the Tribune's character, came the energy required to encounter
it.
"
At
least,"
he muttered, steadying himself by the table with one hand, "the cup is nearly empty, the drug cannot but have done its work. First, I must
223
KEDIVIVUS.
make
and then
sure of the carrion,
Had he
to find Valeria."
enough body, he would have laughed
how
laugh, to think
cious
witted the
woman he
will
it
be time
suffered less in
his
own low
mali-
he had out-
deftly
The
professed to love.
laugh, however, died away in a grin that betrayed
more
of pain than mirth
;
and the Tribune, with
chattering teeth and shaking frame, and wavering uncertain
betook
steps,
make
court to
sure with his
stalwart frame of
and cold His
himself
to
the
own eyes
outer
that the
him whom he feared was
stiff
in death.
first
feeling would have been one of acute
had
apprehension,
not
anger
so
completely
mastered that sensation, when he perceived the slave's
ment.
chain and collar lying coiled on the paveObviously,
Esca had escaped, and was
gone, moreover, with his late master's pletely in his
keen
intellect
binations
;
it
life
com-
power but Placidus possessed a and one familiar with sudden com;
flashed
upon him
at once, that
he
had been outwitted by Valeria, and the two had fled together.
The
sting
was very sharp, but
sobered him. corridors,
and
it
roused and
Pacing swiftly back through the stopping for a few minutes
to
ANTEROS.
224 immerse turned
head and face in cold water, he
his
the
banqueting-hall,
with
look and
to
scrutinized
standing
and
re-
eagerly
smell, and, notwith-
that had happened, even with a
all
last sparing taste, the cup from which he had
The
drunk.
opiate, however,
had been
so skil-
could be fully prepared that nothing suspicious
detected iu the flavour of the wine reflecting on
all
;
nevertheless,
the circumstances with a clearer
head, as the strength of his constitution gradually asserted
itself,
and was
he arrived
at the true conclusion,
Valeria had changed the
satisfied that
cups while his attention was distracted by her
charms
that
;
he had
never doubted Petosiris could
for
;
an opiate
for the deadlier
but he exulted to think that his power-
ful organization
that he
he
have dared, from sheer love of
trickery, to substitute
draught
purchased a poison
a moment, nor suspected that
who had
in the field
must have
resisted its effects,
and
so often narrowly escaped death
must indeed bear a charmed
life.
If
a suspicion haunted him that the venom might still
be lurking in his system, to do
its
work more
completely after a short respite, the vague horror of such a thought did but goad
of the intervening time
all
him
to
make
use
the more ardently for
225
eedivivts.
and pleasure, not forgetting the sacred " Bum vivimus vivamus," was duty of revenge. been granted had if he the Tribune's motto, and business
but one hour to
live,
he would have divided
thai
hour systematically, between the delights of love, wine, and mischief. Lis posiRapidly, though coolly, he reviewed he had been commanding a tion, as
though
hemmed
by the Jewish army. Tonight would make or mar him. The gladial cohort
in
Esca must, ere
would be here within an hour.
have reached the palace and
this,
Why
alarm.
given
had a centurion of Caesar not
arrived with a sufficient guard to arrest his
own house?
nearly within his reach
and
there
?
Xo
judicious
need
steering.
in
at any
was future
3
el
so
—he would weather
he had weathered other storms, by
scruples
To
while
"What! and lose the brilliant
time?
this, as
fly
yet
him
They might be expected
Should he
moment.
the
A man
skilful
who has no
never be deficient in
resource.
leave his house now, would be a tacit admis-
sion of guilt.
To be found
alone, undefended,
unsuspicious, a strong presumption of innocence.
He
would
at least
have
sufficient interest to
taken into the presence of Csesar. VOL.
II.
be
There, what Q
226
ANTEKOS.
so easy as to accuse the slave of treachery, to
had but
persuade the Emperor the barbarian
hatched a plot against his master's
life
;
to
make
the good-humoured old glutton laugh with an account of the drugged goblet, and finish the
night by a debauch with his imperial host
?
Then, he must be guided by the preparations for defence
which he observed in the palace.
If
they were weak, he must find some means of
communicating with Hippias, and the attack would be facilitated by his own presence inside. on the contrary, there was an obvious intention of firm resistance, the conspirators must be If,
warned
came
to postpone
to the worst,
their enterprise.
worst
he could always save his own
head by informing against so
If
his confederates
and
handing over Hippias and the gladiators to
death.
Some
thought of stifled it
compunction visited him at the such an alternative, but he soon
slight
with the arguments of his characteristic
philosophy.
Should he be found, indeed, pre-
siding at a supper-party
composed of these desperate men, they might defend the gate whilst he fled directly to Caesar, and sacrificed them at once.
Under any circumstances, he argued, he
227
REDIVIVUS.
had bought
thein,
and had a right
to
make
use of
them.
In the meantime, Mariamne would be here
She ought
directly.
to
have been here long ago.
Whatever the future threatened, an hour, half an hour, a quarter, should be devoted to her society,
and
come what might,
after that,
he would not have been the day.
It
at least
foiled in every event of
was when he had arrived at
this
conclusion, that Esca from his hiding-place saw
the figure of the Tribune, pale, wan, and ghostly,
giving
directions
the
for
preparation
of
the
supper-table.
The evening
stole
on, the sun-dial
no longer
showed the hour, and the slave whose duty it was to keep count of time by the water-clock * then in vogue, announced that the
first
was
He
already
advanced.
Automedon, who came
watch of the night was followed by
into the presence of Ins
master, with hanging head and sadly mistrusting *
The
how
clepsydra, or 'water-clock— a
division of time
sheepish looks,
own favour would
far his
Greek invention
— consisting of a hollow globe
some transparent through a narrow
substance, from
made
for the
of glass, or
which the water trickled out
so regulated, that the sinking level of the element marked with sufficient exactitude orifice, in quantities
the time that had elapsed since the vessel was
filled.
228
ANTEROS.
bear him harmless in the delivery of the tidings
he had
It
to impart.
was always a perilous duty
any of his with a calm
to inform Placidus of the failure of
He
schemes.
listened,
indeed,
demeanour and an unmoved countenance, but sooner or later he surely contrived to
visit
on the
unfortunate messenger, the annoyance he himself
experienced from the message.
The Tribune's into the hall
ever,
with characteristic
;
boy came duplicity, how-
face brightened as the
he veiled even from
his charioteer the im-
patience in which he had waited his return. " Have you brought the horses in cool ?" said he, with
an affectation of extreme indifference.
Automedon looked "
greatly relieved. "
most
Quite cool," he answered,
Illustrious
!
and Oarses came part of the way home, but he got down near the Sacred Gate, and I had no one with
me
in the chariot the
and the slaves
Flaminian
Way
presently
and Damasippus.
;
not be angry
him dead
!
;
whole length of the will
be back
— Oh my —Damasippus— fear have
lord,
!
I
I
do left
in the street."
Here the lad's courage failed
him completely
;
he had indeed been thoroughly frightened by the events of the night
;
and making a piteous
face,
229
EEDIYIYCS.
he twined
fingers in bis long curls,
liis
and wept
aloud. "
What
fool
!
!"
thundered the Tribune,
his
"You have
not
brow turning black with brought her after all!
rage.
he added,
Silly child,"
controlling himself with a strong effort. is
the
—the
passenger
—
I charged
"
Where
Damasippus
to
bring here with him to-night ?" " I will tell you the truth," exclaimed the boy, flinging himself
hem
at the
Temple
down on
his knees,
and snatching
of his master's garment.
the
"By
of Vesta I will tell you the truth. Tiber, and I waited
drove from here across
I
in the
and Jugurtha wouldn't shadow by Tiber-side stand still, and presently Damasippus brought a a passenger, in his arms, and put it into the ;
—
chariot,
and bade
at a gallop
till
me
we
and then we had were
go on
fast
;
and we went on
tried to cross the to turn
Appian Way,
for the houses
aside,
and the people fighting in the and Scipio was frightened and pulled, and
burning
street,
Jugurtha wouldn't face the crowd, and to cross a little farther down, but
1
drove on
we were stopped
again by the Vestals, and I couldn't drive through
them
!
So we halted to
a fierce terrible
giant
let
them
pass,
caught the
and then,
horses
and
ANTEROS.
230 stopped
tliein
once more, and a thousand soldiers, the
surrounded
nay, a legion at least,
chariot,
and they killed Damasippus, and they tore the passenger out, and killed it too, and Scipio kicked,
and
was frightened, and drove home as
I
could
—and indeed
Automedon's
number
wasn't
had
fears
my
fault
!"
magnified
both the
and the dangers underhad not recognised the gladiators, and
of the assailants
He
gone.
it
fast as I
was altogether in too confused a
the
state, as
Tribune perceived at a glance, to afford his master
any more coherent going.
information than the fore-
Placidus bit his lip in baffled anger, for
he could not see his way
nevertheless the boy-
;
charioteer was a favourite, and he would not visit
the failure of the enterprise on him.
"I am glad
the horses are safe," said he, good'
humouredly. wine.
I will
;
Go, get some supper and a cup of
send for you again presently."
Automedon, agreeably at his master's face ere that,
surprised,
although deadly pale,
it
had assumed the
resolute expression his dependents
He Lad
glanced up
he departed, and observed
indeed occasion to
knew
fixed
so well.
summon
all
the
mind on which he prided himself, for even while he spoke, his quick ear caught the
presence of
231
RED1VIVUS.
tramp of
feet,
and the familiar clink of
The blood gathered round
his heart as
steel.
he con-
templated the possibility that a maniple of Caesar's guards might even now be occupying the court. It
was with a sigh of intense
that instead
relief,
of the centurion's eagle-crest, he recognized the tall
form of Rufus, accompanied by his comrades,
advancing respectfully, and even with awkward diffidence,
through the outer
hall.
The Tribune could assume character
suited
it
him
to play at a
there
nevertheless
notice;
— none better—any moment's
was a ring of
real
greeting, for the visitors were
cordiality in his
more welcome than they guessed. "Hail! Rufus, Lutorius, Eumolpus!" he shouted " Gallant
boisterously.
drinkers
all
!
What
!
swordsmen,
and
thy broad shoulders yonder in the rear? Hippias
the king of the arena
too,
every
man
Once
again, a hearty
deep
old Hirpinus, do I not see
!
and
Welcome,
Even now the feast is spread, you and the Chian cooling yonder amongst the flowers. The
of
!
welcome
to
you
all !"
somewhat abashed by the unaccustomed splendour which met their eyes on every
gladiators,
side,
still
less
than their usual
entertainer.
Rufus nudged
responded with
confidence to their
ANTEROS.
— >jjj
Lutorius to reply in polite language, and the Gaul in a fit of unusual modesty, passed the signal
on to Euniolpus of Eavenna
—a
beetle-
browed bow-legged warrior, with huge muscles and a heavy sullen face. This champion looked helplessly about tail
and
fly,
him and seemed
when
to
his
great
inclined to turn relief,
advanced from the
rear
created a diversion
in his favour,
of his
Hippias
comrades,
and
which he
of
availed himself by slinking incontinently into the
background. Placidus clapped his hands, an Asiatic fashion affected
by the more luxurious Eomans
or three
slaves
summons. the
The
sumptuous
appeared in
;
obedience to the
gladiators looked on in
dresses
and two
awe
at
and personal beauty of
these domestics.
"
Hand round wine
here amongst
I will but say three words to
we
will
my
friends
:
your captain, and
go to supper forthwith."
So speaking, the Tribune led Hippias apart, having resolved that in the present nf affairs, into
it
would be better
his confidence,
and
to take
critical state
him
trust to the
entirely
scrupulous
notions of fidelity to their bargains, which such
men
entertained, for the result.
233
EEDIVIVUS.
"There iously,
when he had
us,
lose,"
led Hippias apart from his
our calculations.
all
think ye ?"
The fencing-master glanced "Whilst they are at they would not hear the
band. "
observed he anx-
"Something has occurred which was Can they overhear
followers.
out of
no time to
is
from
all four
Illustrious
!
carelessly at
that
game," said he,
assembly sounding
quarters of the camp.
it
will
his
keep them busy
Never till
fear,
supper-
time."
The band had broken up into pairs, and were hard at work with their favourite pastime, old as the Alban hills, and handed down to the Roman empire froni the dynasty of the Pharaohs. consisted
in
gambling
following trial of skill
for
small
coins
at
It
the
:
The players sat or stood, face to face each left hand erect, on which he marked the ;
held the
progress of his game.
With the
right he shot
out any one or more of his four fingers and
thumb, or
all
together, with
immense
guessing aloud at the same time the
rapidity,
sum
total
of the fingers thus brandished by himself and his
who was employed in the same manner. Whoever guessed right won a point, which was
adversary,
AXTEEOS.
231
immediately marked on the
left,
held immoveable
at shoulder-height for the purpose, of these
and when
five
had been won, the game began again.
Nothing could be more simple, nothing appaseemed to enrently less interesting, and yet it gross the attention of the gladiators to the exclusion of all other subjects,
even the prospect of
supper and the flavour of the Falernian.* "
are children now," said Placidus, con-
They
"
temptuously.
They
men
presently,
and
must attack the palace forthwith."
"I
know
My own
"
But
hour.
it is
not
yet."
You know
ness,
relieving guard at this
are
people are hardly ready, and
dark enough
irritated
replied the other quietly.
it,"
Germans
the
"
be
Hippias, the slave has escaped.
tigers to-night.
We
will
it !"
repeated Placidus, even more
than astonished by his companion's cool-
"you know
it,
your preparations
and yet you have not hastened
!
Do you
know,
too, that this
yellow-haired barbarian has got your head, and
mine, and friends
*
all
who are amusing themselves yonder, under
This game
Italian
the empty skulls of our intelligent
name
of
i.s
played to-day with equal zest, under its Perhaps its nature was best ren-
"Morro."
dered by the Latin phrase " micare
digites,''
" to flash the fingers."
235
EEDIYIVUS. his belt
Do you know
?
that Caesar, true to his
swinish propensities, will turn like a hunted boar,
when he
suspects the
Do you know
least
shadow of danger?
that not one of us
may
live to eat
the very supper waiting for us in the next room Y\
hat are vou
me
look
made
man, that vou can thus
so coolly in the face with the sword at
both our throats "
of,
?
I can
keep
?".
my own
throat with
my
hand,"
replied the other, totally unmoved by his host's " And I am certainly not accustomed agitation. to
fear
danger before
it
But that the
comes.
barbarian had escaped I saw with for 1 left
him ten minutes
paces of your
own
my own
since within a
eyes,
hundred
gate."
The Tribune's eyebrows
Avent
up
in unfeigned
surprise.
"Then he has not reached
the
palace!"
he
exclaimed, speaking rather to himself than his informant.
"Not reached
the palace certainly," replied the
" since I tell latter, calmly,
And
in very
you
I
saw him here.
good company too," he added, with
a smile.
The prived
Tribune's astonishment had for once de-
him
of his self-command.
236 "
ANTEROS. "With Valeria ?"
lie
asked, unguardedly
and
;
had spoken a vague suspicion made him wish that he had held his tongue. directly lie
The fencing-master started and knit his brows. His head was more erect and his voice sterner
when he answered
—
" I have seen the
Lady Valeria
too, within
the
She had no slaves with her beyond
last hour.
her usual attendants." curiosity, uncertainty, jealous}^ a
Anger,
hun-
dred conflicting emotions were rankling at the Tribune's heart. What had this handsome gladiator to do at Valeria's house ?
and was
that she did not care for the
slave
Then what could have been her
He marked
out?
it
possible
after
object through-
too the alteration in
manner
betrayed by Hippias at the mention of this
and
flighty
under
all
a kindly
dame
;
nor did
it
all ?
fair
seem improbable
the circumstances that he entertained feeling, if
nothing more, for his pupil.
Judging men and women by his own evil nature, and knowing well the favour with which their female admirers regarded these votaries of the sword, the Tribune did not hesitate to put construction on such
probable
result.
its
true
kindly feelings, and their
237
EEDIVIVUS.
From
linn all the
of the
moment he hated Hippias
that
more that
in the tumult
coming night he might
of gratifying his hatred gladiator.
Many
find
—hated
and confusion
an opportunity
by the destruction of the
a bold leader has been struck
down from behind by the very followers he was encouraging; and who would ask how a conspirator
met
his death, in the attack
and the murder of an emperor ?
on a palace,
Even while
the
thought crossed his mind he took the other by the hand, and laughed frankly in his face. " Thou art at
home
of every lady in
Home, "
Apollo," said he.
now
of such
in the private apartments
trifling;
If
believe,
But, indeed,
must be determined on without delay.
I
the
business
— ay,
my
it is
my
warlike
no question of to-night
and disposed of
slave
—
had reached the
palace our whole plan must have been altered. I wish, as
treated
you did come across him, you had
him
to that deadly thrust of yours
the short-ribs, and brought
him
in
under
here dead
or alive."
"
He
will not trouble us,"
" coolly.
Take
my
word
posed of for the present." "
What mean you ?"
for
observed the other,
it,
Tribune, he
is dis-
asked Placidus, a devilish
ANTEROS.
238
"
joy lighting up bis sallow face.
him
to secrecy then
are accustomed
and there with the metal you Gold will so freely?
to lavish
for a time, but steel insures it for
silence
buy
Did you bribe
ever."
"
answered Hippias, with
Nay, Tribune," "
frank laugh. the dark.
We have
I will tell
a
been fencing too long in
you the whole
truth.
This
young giant of yours is safe enough for the preI saw him depart with a pale-faced girl, in sent. a black hood,
whom
far as Tiber-side.
he promised
Depend upon
of nothing else to-night. ders, the
down
to
is
For
yet upou
take care of as
it
he
all his
his chin.
will think
broad shoul-
And
a man's
beard must be gray before he leaves such a
young wall,
lass as that to
even though
no, Tribune, he
is
it
knock
head against a
be the wall of a palace.
No,
safe enough, I tell you, for the
next twelve hours, at least
"A
his
fair
!"
girl?" repeated Placidus, still " Valeria. What, and who was she ?
pale-faced
harping on
Did you know her ? did you speak to her ?" " My people had some wild tale," replied the "
fencing-master,
about a chariot with white horses,
that had been upset in the street, and a girl
gagged and muffled,
whom
they pulled out of
all it,
239
REDIVIVUS.
and
for
whom,
of course, they quarrelled
In
themselves.
had
faith,
it
amongst
not been for to-night's
business and the oath, you might have seen
some
sweet practice in your own porch, for I have two
make
or three here that can
work with a sword as a
as close
tailor does
and even
with his needle.
They
said something about her being a Jewess.
Very
likely she
Tiber; since
may
we have
be, for
they swarm across
And
Nero.
lost
the lad
might as well be a Jew as a Briton for that matter. Are you satisfied now, Tribune ? By the belly of Bacchus, I must wash nian.
my mouth
All this talking
out with Faler-
makes a man
as thirsty as
what he had
just learnt
a camel." Satisfied
Chariot
!
!
and
after
White
be no doubt of
horses
!
Jewess
!
!
There could
These gladiators must have
it.
blundered on her, thought the Tribune, and slain
my
freedman, and rescued her from
and handed her over and
fear
on
earth.
better satisfied
to the
Satisfied
when
I
my
people,
man whom most I hate !
Perhaps I shall be
have captured her, and
humbled Valeria, and put you out of the way, my gallant cut-throat, and seen the slave scourged to death at
my own
door-post
!
then, shall I be able to drink
Then, and not
my
till
wine without a
240
ANTEBOS.
heartburn, and lay
my
some chance of
head on the pillow with
sleep.
In the meantime, to-night's
work must be done.
To-night's work, that puts
Vespasian virtually on the throne, Ins shall only
(for this
keep the cushion warm
till
makes Placidus the
takes his seat), that
boy* of
his father
man
first
Nay, that might even open a path to the Purple itself. The General is well advanced in years already somewhat broken and in the empire.
;
worn with
his campaigns.
Titus indeed,
is
the
darling of the legions, but all the heart black-
browed Berenice has
He
war. fool
!
—
loves
it,
left
him,
wrapped up in
I verily believe
—the
daring
mere braying of trumpets, and the Not a centurion exposes himself steel.
for the
clash of
half so freely, nor so often. javelin,
is
Well, a Zealot's
or a stone from the ramparts of
nameless town in Judrea,
any time.
Then
there
is
may
dispose of
but Domitian.
some
him
at
A clever
youth indeed, and an unscrupulous. So much the A mushroom is not the only dish worse for him that may be fatal to an emperor, and if the knot !
be so secure as to be cut with
steel.
baffle all dexterity,
why,
Ay, the Macedonian
how the great game should be *
Domitian.
played.
it
knew
must well
Satisfied
!
241
EEDIVIVUS.
Like him, I
shall never
anything more
to
win
be
satisfied
while there
These being the Tribune's thoughts,
most frankness and "
Thirsty
Hippias
!"
my
on the
heroes
all
II.
ut-
in a loud voice, clapping " I could
shoulder.
!
!
Thirsty
—
"Welcome again, and hearLet See, the supper waits.
us go in and drink out the old Falernian
VOL.
need-
carelessness.
he repeated,
empty an aqueduct tily,
it is
he assumed a manner of the
less to say that
is
!
!"
R
CHAPTER
XVI.
"MORITURI."
"LOWING
well with
deal, Placidus
whom
he was
had ordered a repast
to
to
be prepared for his guests on a scale of magnificence
unusual even in his
was advisable, not only to impose on these rude natures with unaccustomed
luxurious dwelling.
pomp and
It
parade, but also to excite their cupidity
by the display of gold and jewels while their fiercer passions
were inflamed with wine.
The more
reckless and desperate they could be rendered the
would they be for his purpose. There were the tools, sharp and ready for use, but he
more
fit
thought they would admit of a yet finer edge, and pre] tared to put it
on accordingly.
Therefore, he had ordered the supper to be laid in
an inner apartment, reserved for occasions of
" MORITUKI." especial state, and in which Vitellius himself
243
was whispered that
it
had more than once partaken of nay, had even expressed
his subject's hospitality
;
And
gratification with his entertainment.
while blazing with as tion as could be
which,
much of ornament and decora-
crowded iuto a supper-room, was
of such moderate dimensions as to bring all the it
costly objects
The
guests.
richest
contained within notice of the
tessellated
and gaudiest squares,
smooth and bright as
was of the
pavement laid
The
glass.
polished citron-wood, heavily gilded skirting
as
together
walls were
of
round the
and edges, while the panels were covered and gradually deteriorating taste of
in the florid
the period, with paintings, brilliant in colour, and beautiful in execution.
These represented mytho-
logical subjects not of the purest nature, but fauns,
nymphs, and satyrs were to be found in the majority, while Bacchus himself was more than once repeated in
the glory of his swaying paunch
all
his garland of vine-leaves, his ivy-covered
and
surrounding
grapes.
the
goat
To
Roman mind
of rich,
ripe,
wand, purple
the niches between these panels,
fill
— an
clusters
;
animal always with wine,
drinks no water
perhaps
— was imitated
in
the
because
he
associated
in precious metals,
ANTEROS.
244 and in every
attitude.
Here they
butted, there
corner a pair of them they browsed, in another
and gambolled in living kid-like glee, while yonder, horned and bearded, a venerable
frisked
the guests with a wise sage in silver gazed upon Arcadian simplicity that was almost ludicrous.
The
tables,
which were removed with every change
of dishes, were of cedar, supported on grotesque
claws of bronze, heavily gilt
;
the couches, framed
and gold, were draped in various coloured shawls of the softest Asiatic texture, and strewed
of ivory
with cushions of so rich a crimson as to border
No
nearly on Imperial purple.
dish was of a
and the drinking-cups, in which Falernian blushed, or Chian sparkled, were
meaner metal than
gold,
studded with rubies, emeralds, pearls, and other precious stones.
The sharp
nail of
a gladiator
any moment have picked out unobserved, that which would have purchased his freedom and might
his
at
life,
but the
men were
honest, as they under-
wood the term, and the gems were and indeed a good deal
safer,
as safe here,
than they would have
temple of Vesta, or of the Capitoline Jove Inn isc If. In a recess at one end of the apart-
been
in the
ment, reared like an altar upon three wide low of which censers exhaled carpetted steps, from each
" MORITURI.
'
245
aromatic odours, stood the sideboard of polished walnut, carved in exquisite imitation of birds, insects, reptiles, flowers,
and
fruit.
This was covered
by a snowy cloth, and on it glittered, richly chased and burnished, the Tribune's store of golden cups
and vases, which men quoted in
at every supper-table
Rome. Lutorius reclining opposite this blaze of magni-
shaded his eyes with his hand. "What is it, my bold Gaul?" asked his host,
ficence,
raising himself
on
his
elbow to pledge him, and
signing to a slave to fill the swordsman's cup. " Hast thou got thy guard up already to save thy face ?'
"
dazzle me, most Illustrious !" answered " I had rather blink at the sunthe ready Gaul.
They
rise flashing
not think
on the blue waters from there
had
been
so
Ostia.
much
I did
gold in
Rome." "
He has
not seen the palace yet," said Placidus,
his cup and turned to the laughing, as he emptied " Some of us will indeed be dazzled other guests. not. to-night, if I mistake
friends,
must be the
plates
What
think ye,
my
and drinking-vessels,
where the very shields and helmets of the guards are solid gold ? Meantime, let us wash our eyes
246
ANTEEOS.
with Falernian,
lest
we mistake our way and
intrude on the privacy of Caesar in the dark."
So appropriate a sentiment met with universal The gladiators laughed loudly, and approval. proffered their cups to be
question
now
filled.
There was no
of secresy or disguise
there was
;
even no further affectation of ignoring the purpose
which they had met, or the probable result of the night's enterprise. Eumolpus, indeed, and for
one or two more of the thicker-witted,
know
that the present
satisfied to
moment brought
a magnifi-
cent reception, and an abundance of good cheer, were willing to remain in uncertainty about the future, resolving simply to
captain,
obey the orders of their
and to ask no questions
;
but even these
could not help learning by degrees that they had before
them no work of ordinary bloodshed
;
but
that they were involved in a conspiracy which was to determine the empire of the world.
destroy their appetite,
creased their
though
it
It did not
may have
in-
thirst.
In proportion as the wine flowed faster the guests lost their diffidence and found their tongues.
Their host exerted himself to win golden opinions
and entered with ready tact racteristics and peculiarities of each.
from
all,
into the cha-
"
"
Eumolpus
moeituel"
247
said he, as a slave entered, bear-
!"
ing an enormous turbot on a yet larger "
He is countryman of thine own. He
fear not to encounter him.
and a
In truth, that
but yesterday.
foe,
Eavenna town
the broadest
Taste him, man, with a
shoulders in the empire.
cup of Chian, and say
left
fair-built
sends us the widest turbots and
dish,
a worthy
the trainer's rations have
if
palate for native food."
spoiled thy
Half-brutalised as he was by nature and education, the gladiator
had
still
a kindly feeling for his
Even now a memory of his boyhood steal across him like a dream.
birthplace.
would sometimes
The
stretch
of sand,
the breezy Adriatic, the
waves dashing against the harbour-walls, and a black-eyed children, of
vision
of curly-headed,
whom
he was one, tumbling and playing on the
shore.
He
such things. his
own
man
more human when he thought of While the Tribune spoke he rose in
felt
esteem, for his host treated
him
like a
rather than a beast, and those few careless
words gained a champion
for Placidus,
who was
ready to follow him to the death. So was it with the rest. To Eufus he enlarged
on the happiness of a country
—none the
less
life,
and the liberty
dear for being imaginary
— enjoyed
ANTEROS.
248
by a Koman
citizen,
the capital, could
who, within easy distance of
sit
beneath his own porch to
watch the sunset crimsoning the Apennines, and tread into vineyard.
home-made wine the grapes
He
of his
talked of pruning the elms and
training the vines, of shearing sheep
oxen, as though he
had been a
and goading
rustic all his
seasoning such glowing descriptions to listener's palate,
life,
suit
his
with the charms even of winter
snow amongst the
in the
own
the boar driven
hills,
through the leafless copse, the wild-fowl lured
from the half-frozen lake, the snug and homely the crackling
roof,
fire,
and the children playing
on the hearth. " 'Tis but another night-watch," said he, cor" and it will be my turn to sup with thee dially,
mountain-home.
in thy
Half a dozen such strokes
have seen thee deal in mere
as I
and thou
wilt
sport,
my
never need to meddle with
hero
!
steel
or a again, save in the form of a ploughshare
hunting-spear.
there
And
soil
fillet
of Ceres
!
my
friends,
!"
Kufus, for
and
his wife
the
a golden harvest, to-night, only waiting
is
for the sickle .
By
whom
a few acres of Italian
liberty to cultivate
them
and children, comprised
in peace, with
all
of happiness
" MORITUEI." that
life
249
could give, contemplated the prospect
thus offered with an imagination heated by wine,
and a determination, truly formidable in a his quiet,
dogged
man
resolution, if hard fighting
of
was
to count for anything, not to fail in at least deserving: his reward.
exclaimed the host, turning to
"Hirpinus!" the veteran,
who was a sworn
lover of good cheer,
and had already consumed supper enough for two ordinary men, washed down by proportionate "
thy favourite morsel is even now leaving the spit. Pledge me in Falernian ere it comes. Nay, spoil it not with honey, which draughts of wine,
I hold to be a mistake
We will pour a libation
unworthy of a
to
my any other. Ho
bring here some wild boars
As he spoke carrying
;
slaves
!
I !
!"
the domestics reappeared, in pairs,
between them
as
many
roasted whole, as there were guests.
huge dishes was
set aside for
wild
One
boars,
of these
each man, and the
carvers proceeded to their duty, ejaculations of
throats,
friend
in her capacity of huntress only,
care not for the goddess in
gladiator.
Diana down our
unmoved by the
amazement that broke from the
gladiators at such prodigal magnificence.
Their attention was, however, somewhat dis-
ANTEEOS.
250
tracted at this stage of the feast by the entrance of Euchenor,
who slunk
him with a shade
to the place reserved for
of sullen disappointment lower-
ing on his brow.
The
host,
however, had resolved that nothing
should occur to
mar the
success of his entertain-
ment, so refrained from asking any questions as to his absence, and motioned him courteously to a couch, with as frank a greeting as though he had
been aware of
its
cause.
He
suspected treachery,
notwithstanding, none the less that Euchenor has-
tened to explain his tardy arrival.
"He had
heard a tumult in the neighbourhood," he
said,
" whilst the guests were entering the house, and
had
visited the nearest post of his
ascertain that they
was some distance
comrades to
had not been attacked. to the palace-gardens,
It
and be
could not avoid missing the earlier stages of the
banquet."
"You must make up
for lost time," observed
Placidus, signing to the slaves to heap the
comer's plate and later, the
fill
his
cup to the brim.
warmer welcome
;
"
new The
the earlier, the better
cheer," and whilst he spoke the friendly words he was resolving that the Greek should be placed in front that whole night,
under his immediate super-
"MORITURI."
At the
vision.
slightest
wavering, he would slav
And now
251
symptom of treachery or him with his own hand.
the gigantic hunger of these cham-
pions seemed to be appeased at
last.
Dish had
succeeded dish in endless variety, and they had applied themselves to each as
it
came with an un-
diminished energy that astonished the domestics
accustomed to the palled appetites of jaded
Even the
of pleasure like their lord.
though he liimself on found
it
tried his
hard,
for
men
latter
—
he especially prided
powers of eating and drinking
—
impossible to keep pace with his guests.
Their great bodily powers, indeed, increased by severe and habitual training, enabled
sume
them
to con-
vast quantities of food, without experiencing
those sensations of lassitude and repletion which
overcome weaker frames.
It
seemed as though
most of what they ate went at once to supply the waste created by years of toil, and as soon as swallowed fed the muscles instead of burdening the stomach.
men
It
was equally
so with wine.
Such
can drink draught after draught, and partake
freely in the questionable pleasures of intoxication,
whilst they pay none of
its
penalties.
of fresh air, a few minutes' exercise,
A breath and
their
brains are cool, their eyes clear, their whole sys-
ANTEROS.
252
for
tern strengthened
the time and stimulated,
rather than stupefied, by their excess.
on their couches in gladiators lay back
The
The cups were still extreme bodily content. but more in compliance quickly filled and emptied, with the customs of conviviality than the demands of thirst.
They were
talking at once, and
all
man saw both present and future through had imbibed. rosy medium of the wine he
every the
There were two, however, of the party who had not suffered their real inmost attention to stray for
an instant from the actual business of the
night,
who
calculated the time exactly as
men
who watched the
it
passed,
through the succeeding
phases of satisfaction, good-humour, conviviality,
and recklessness, stopping just short of inebriety, and seized the very moment at which the iron was hot enough to
The same thought was in when their eyes met the same
strike.
the brain of each,
;
words were springing to then
lips,
spoke first. " No more wine to-night, Tribune,
de done
!
The
the show paid seat
we
circus for.
is
full
When
;
but Hippias
if
work
is
to
the arena swept
;
the Praetor takes his
are ready to begin."
Placidus glanced significantly in his face, and
" MOEITUEI."
253
in his hand. holding a brimming goblet
rose,
The suddenness
of the
movement
The men were
diate attention.
arrested
imme-
all silent,
and
looking towards their host. "
Good
men
Welcome
!
— palace we
we burn the
night
empire
Trusty swords-
Listen to
!
guests
"
he.
said
friends !"
To-
me.
overthrow the
—we hurl Csesar from his throne.
All this
do you know, but there is something more you One has escaped who is acquainted not know. with the plot. In an hour it may be too late.
We
are fast friends,
the land
we
are in the same galley
not a bow-shot
is
— the rising
off.
—
But the wind
is
water rushing in beneath her keel.
Will you bend your backs forthwith and row the me ?" galley safe home with
The
project
was a favourite one, the metaphor
As the Tribune
suited to their tastes.
acclamations greeted him on will
!
We will !"
"
all sides,
paused,
and
"
We
Through storm and sunshine
!"
"
Against wind and weather !" sprung from many It was obvious the men were an eager lip.
ready for anything,
added the
host,
"
One
emptying
libation to
his cup,
Pluto
!"
and the guests
leaping to their feet followed his example with a
mad
cheer.
Then they formed
in pairs, as they
254
ANTEROS. accustomed
were
Euchenor with "
in
a
the
malicious
Morituri te salutant
and
amphitheatre,
laugh
exclaimed,
!"
The ominous words were was enough caught up and repeated in wild defiance and It
!
derision,
boding small scruples of mercy or
re-
Twice they marched round the supperroom to the burden of that ghastly chant, and wheu shaking off the fumes of wine they snatched morse.
eagerly at their arms, Placidus put their
head with
a
triumphant conviction that
come what might, they would not last desperate
throw
himself at
for the great
fail
him
game.
in his
CHAPTER
XVII.
THE GERMAN GUARD.
LL
was in confusion at the palace of the The civil war that had now
Caesars.
been raging for several hours in the capital,
the tumults that
every quarter of the
city,
pervaded had roused the alarm,
and to a certain extent the vigilance of such But troops as still owued allegiance to Vitellius. late for
that
events had
much slackened
which Roman be but
could
soldiers
a
the discipline
were so famous, and
spurious
loyalty
which
depended on amount of pay and opportunities
for
plunder, which was accustomed moreover to see
the
diadem
general
Perhaps
to
transferred
from
one
successful
another at a few months' interval.
his
German
soldiers of Vitellius
on
guards
whom
were
the
only
he could place any
256
AJSTTEEOS.
reliance; but even these had been reduced to a
mere handful by slaughter and desertion, while the few who remained, though unimpeachable in their fidelity, were wanting in every quality that
constitutes military efficiency, except the physical
strength,
with
and desperate courage, they brought
them from the
north.
They were, however, the Emperor's
They
last
hope.
occupied the palace gardens to-night, feed-
ing their bivouac-fires with branches from stately cedars, or uprooting its exotic
hurl them crackling in the blaze.
fro in
pointed
shrubs to
The Roman
their gigantic forms
moving to the glare, shuddered, and whispered, and
citizens looking
and
on
its
them out
to
each other as being half
men
half demons, "while a passing soldier would raise
more proudly,
his eagle crest
were
the
foes
over
whom
how
those
legions
had
relating
the
triumphed, and would turn forthwith into a wine-
shop to celebrate his prowess at the expense of
some admiring
One
of
citizen in the crowd.
these
German mercenaries may be
taken as a sample of the
rest.
He
was standing
sentry over a narrow wicket that afforded en-
trance to the palace gardens, and was the
first
obstacle encountered by Esca, after the latter had
THE GEEMAN GUARD.
257
hastened from the Esquiline to give intelligence of the design against Caesar's
Leaning on
life.
his spear, with his tall
frame and
large muscles thrown into strong relief by the light of the bivouac-fire
behind him, he brought
mind many a stirring memory of own warlike boyhood, when by the side of just such champions, armed in such a manner, he had to the Briton's
his
struggled, though in vain, against the discipline
and the strategy of the invader. Scarcely older than himself, the
sentry pos-
sessed the comely features and the bright colouring
of youth, with a depth of chest and squareness of
shoulder that denoted
He seemed
manhood.
all
the power of mature
indeed a formidable an-
tagonist for any single foe, and able to keep at
bay half a score of the finest men who stood in the front rank of the legions. He was clad in a long white garment of linen, reaching below the knee, and fastened at the neck by a single clasp of gold
was no would
;
his shield state
and helmet
occasion, but
probably be
were of the same
too,
although this
one on which he
massacred before morning, metal,
his
sword of the finest-tempered
spear-head and
steel.
especially, was a formidable weapon.
VOL.
II.
The
latter,
Considers
ANTEEOS.
258
ably longer than the Eoman's, which was only-
used for the thrust at close quarters,
it
could deal
sweeping blows that would cleave a headpiece or lop a limb, and
managed
lightly as a riding-wand
by the German's powerful arm, would hew gaps in the ranks of an enemy,
if
fearful
their
line
wavered, or their order was in any degree destroyed.
Notwithstanding the warlike nature of his arms
and bearing, the sentry's face was fair and smooth as a woman's the flaxen clown was scarcely spring;
ing on his chin, and the golden locks escaped beneath his helmet and clustered in curls upon his
His light blue eye,
neck.
rather vacant
around
;
expression as
too, it
had a mild, and roved
carelessly
Eomans had long ago
but the
learned
that those light blue eyes could kindle into sparks of fire
when
steel
invincible hatred
crossed, could glare with
was
and defiance even when fixed
in
death.
Esca's heart
warmed
to the barbarian guards-
man
with a feeling of sympathy and
The
latter
sentiment
may have
kindred.
suggested the
plan by which he obtained entrance to the palace, for the difficulty of so
to
him
in
doing had presented
brighter colours every
moment
itself
as
he
THE GERMAN GUARD.
259
Pausing, therefore, at a few paces
approached.
from the sentry, who levelled
his spear
and chal-
lenged when he heard footsteps, the Briton un-
buckled his sword and cast to indicate that
it
down between them,
he claimed protection and had no
intention of offence.
The other muttered some in his
own
lansfua^e.
knew no Latin and
It
unintelligible words
was obvious that he
that their conversation
must
be carried on by signs. This, however, rather smoothed than enhanced the difficulty and it was ;
a relief to Esca that the
German had and resort
The
first
impulse of the
not been to alarm his comrades,
to violence.
seemed to entertain no apprehension from any single individual whether friend or foe,
latter
and looked, moreover, with favourable eyes
on Esca's
appearance,
which
family likeness to that of his
He
suffered
him
bore
a
certain
own countrymen.
therefore to approach his post,
questioning him by signs, to which the Briton replied in the
same manner,
perfectly ignorant of
their meaning, but with a fervent result
hope that the of these mysterious gestures might be his
admission within the wall.
Under such circumstances the two were not
ANTEEOS.
260
After
likely to arrive at a clear understanding.
German looked completely puzzled, and passed the word in his own language to a
a while the
comrade within hearing, apparently for assistance. Esca heard the same sound repeated in more than one voice,
till it
died
away under the
trees
;
there
was obviously a strong chain of sentries round Caesar's palace.
In the meantime the German would not permit
Esca to approach within spear's-length of his post, though he kept him back good-humouredly with the butt-end of that weapon, nor would he suffer
him
to pick his sword
waist again
—making
signs of cordiality
up and
gird
it
round his
nevertheless, all the while,
and friendship
;
but though Esca
responded to these with equal warmth, he was no nearer the inside than at
first.
Presently the heavy tramp of
armed men smote
and a centurion, accompanied by half a These soldiers, approached the wicket.
his ear,
dozen
bore a strong resemblance, both in form and features, to the sentry Avho
but their
gained a the tion.
officer little
German
had summoned them
;
spoke Latin, and Esca, who had
time to mature his plan, answered
centurion's questions without hesita-
THE GERMAN GUARD.
261
"I belong to your own division," said be, "though I come from farther north than your and speak a
troop,
We
different dialect.
were
disbanded but yesterday, by a written order from It has turned out to
Caesar.
We
be a forgery.
have been scattered through half the wine-shops in Koine,
and a herald came round and found
drinking, and bade
He
delay.
palace,
came
return to
we were
said
hereabouts, that
me
and could join I
back.
am
of Rome, but this
respect,
it
duty without
my
muster somewhere find
till
a post at the our
own
but a barbarian, I
is
the palace,
are a centurion of the
He drew
to
we should
me
is it
officers
know
not
?
little
and you
German guard ?"
up as he spoke, with military and the officer had no hesitation in behiinself
lieving his tale, the
troops had
more
so that certain of Caesar's
lately been disbanded at a time when
be most in requisition. Taking charge of Esca's weapon, he spoke a few
their services
seemed
to
words in his own language to the sentry, and then addressed the Briton. "
You may come to "I should not mind maniple. to-night."
We
the main-guard," said he. a few more of the same
are likely to want all
we can
get,
262
ANTEROS.
As he conducted him through
the gardens, he
asked several questions concerning the strength of the opposing party, the state of the town, and the general feeling of the citizens towards Vitellius,
all
abilities,
which Esca parried to the best of his hazarding a guess where he could, and
accounting for his ignorance where he could not,
on the plea that he had spent his whole time since an excuse which
his dismissal in the wine-shops,
the centurion's knowledge of the tastes and habits of his division, caused
picion of
him
to accept without sus-
its truth.
Arrived at the watch-fire, Esca's military ex-
had been, was enough to apprise him of the imminent dangers that threatened the palace in the event of an attack. The perience, slight as
it
huge Germans lounged and lay about in the glare of the burning logs, as though feast, and song, and revelry were the objects for which
mustered. flagons,
Wine was flowing
commensurate
Scandinavian warriors
they were
freely
in
large
to the noble thirst of these ;
and even the
leaving their posts at intervals,
as
sentries
caprice
or
indolence prompted, strode up to the watch-fire,
laughed a loud laugh, drained a
full
beaker, and
walked quietly back again, none the worse, to
263
THE GERMAN GUARD. All hailed a
their beat.
new comrade with the
utmost glee, as a further incentive to drink and although Esca was pleased to find that none but ;
their centurion was familiar with Latin,
he was consequently cross-examination,
no intention of
it
free
and that
from much inconvenient
was obvious that there was
letting
him depart without pledg-
ing them in deep draughts of the rough and potent Sabine wine. "With youth, health, and a fixed resolve to keep his wits about him, the Briton this part of a soldier's
managed
to perform
duty to the satisfaction of
The moments seemed very long, the Germans were singing, drinking,
his entertainers.
but whilst
and making
their
remarks uj)on him in their
own language, he had time to think of his plans. To have declared at once that he knew of a plot against Caesar, and to call upon the centurion to
obtain his admittance to the person of the
Em-
peror, would, he was well aware, only defeat his
by throwing suspicion on himself as a probable assassin, and confederate of the conspiraTo put the officer on the alert, would cause tors.
own
object,
him, perhaps, to double his sentries, and to stop the allowance of wine in course of consumption
;
but Esca saw plainly that no resistance from
ANTEROS.
264 within the
palace could be
force his late master
made
to the large
would bring to bear upon
it.
Emperor, was
to escape.
If he could himself reach his presence,
and warn
The only chance him
him
for the
personally, he thought he could prevail to
fly.
in his palace
A
upon monarch
not visible to every one
who may
This was the is
wish to see him, even
cerned
;
difficulty.
when
his
own
safety
is
con-
but Esca had already gained the interior
of the gardens, and that success encouraged
him
to proceed.
The more
Germans, though
believing
themselves
vigilant than usual (to such a low state the
boasted fallen),
body-guard had were confused and careless under the indiscipline
fluence of wine,
of
and
Csesar's
their attention to the
comer was soon distracted by a fresh flagon.
fresh chorus
new
and a
Esca, under pretence that he re-
quired repose, managed to withdraw himself from the glare of the fire-light, and borrowing a cloak
from a ruddy comrade with a stentorian voice, lay down in the shadow of an arbutus, and affected profound repose.
By
degrees,
coiling
himself
along the sward, like a snake, he slipped out of sight,
leaving his cloak so arranged as to resemble
a sleeping form, and sped off in the direction of
265
THE GERMAN GUARD.
the palace, to which he was guided by numerous distant lights.
Some alarm had here.
Crowds of
chiefly
Greeks and
evidently preceded
slaves,
him even
both male and female,
Asiatics,
were pouring from
its
in egresses and hurrying through the gardens obvious dismay. The Briton could not but re-
mark
that none were empty-handed, and the value
of their burdens denoted that those
had no intention ever
to return.
who now
They took
fled
little
him when they passed, save that a few the more timid, glancing at his stalwart figure,
notice of
of
turned aside and ran the swifter; while others,
had left perceiving that he was unarmed, for he his
sword with the Germans, shot at him some
contemptuous gesture or ribald jest, which they thought the barbarian would not understand in time to resent.
Thus he reached the spacious front of the soundpalace, and here, indeed, the trumpets were and the German guard forming, evidently for There was no mistaking resistance to an attack. ing,
the expression of the men's faces, nor the clang of their
heavy weapons.
main
court, however, a stream
Though they
filled
of fugitives
the still
poured from the side-doors, and through one of
266 these,
ANTEROS. the Briton determined he would find no
difficulty in
the fine
an entrance.
effecting
men
Glancing at
getting under arms with such busi-
ness-like rapidity,
he thought how even that handful
might make such a defence as would give Caesar time to escape, either at the back of the palace, or, if
that were invested, disguised
slaves
who were
still
hurrying
one of the
as off
in
motley crowds and, notwithstanding his new-born feelings, he could not help, from old association, wishing ;
that he might strike a blow stalwart guardsmen,
even
by the
side of these
such a cause as
for
theirs.
Observing a door opening on a terrace which
had been
left
completely undefended, Esca en-
tered the palace unopposed, and
roamed through
hall after hall without
meeting a living creature. Much of value had already been cleared away, but
enough remained
to have excited the cupidity of
the richest subject
Rome.
in
Shawls,
arms,
and drinking-cups
jewels, vases, statues, caskets,
were scattered about in a waste of magnificent confusion, while in
many
norance had carried tively the dross,
behind.
and
instances, rapacious ig-
off that
left
which was compara-
the more precious articles
Esca had never even dreamed of such
267
THE GERMAN GUARD. gorgeous luxury as
lie
now
minutes his mind was no
For a few
beheld.
less stupefied
than his
eye was dazzled, and he almost forgot his object in sheer wonder and admiration but there was no ;
time to be
some clue
lost,
and he looked about in vain
to guide
him through
for
this glittering
wilderness to the presence of the Emperor.
The rooms seemed
endless, opening one into
more splendid than the last. At length he heard the sound of voices, and dart-
another, and each
ing eagerly forward, found himself in the midst of half a dozen persons clad in robes of state, with
garlands on their heads, reclining round the frag-
ments of a
feast,
a flagon or two of wine, and a
golden cornucopia of fruit and flowers.
As he claiming,
entered, these started to their feet, ex-
"They
are
and huddled
upon us!"
together in a corner, like a flock of sheep
when
by a dog. Observing, however, that the Briton was alone and unarmed, they seemed to
terrified
take courage, and a fat figure thrusting forward, exclaimed in one breath,
be disturbed
!
Csesar
is
busy.
"
He
is
itself
not to
Are the Germans
firm?"
His voice shook, and his whole frame quivered with fear, nevertheless Esca recognized the speaker.
268
ANTEROi?.
was
It
his
old
antagonist,
eunuch of the household,
a favourite
Spado,
in dire terror for his life,
yet showing the one redeeming quality of fidelity to the
hand that fed him.
His comrades kept behind him, taking their cue from his conduct as the bellwether of the flock, yet trusting fervently his wisdom would counsel
immediate " I
flight.
know you,"
said
Esca,
struck you that night in anger. I
have come to save your
"I
hurriedly. It is all over
now.
of you, and to
lives, all
rescue Caesar." "
How ?"
said
Spado,
ignoring
"
injuries in the alarm of the hour.
us?
You can
The tumult
rescue Csesar?
his
previous
You can
Then
it is
save true.
rebellion The grown Germans are driven in, and the game is lost !" The others caught up their mantles, girded is
to
a
!
themselves, and prepared for instant flight. " The guard can hold the palace for half an hour yet,"
replied Esca, coolly.
must escape. with, at the
" But the
Emperor
Julius Placidus will be here forth-
head of two hundred
gladiators,
and
the Tribune means to murder his master as surely as
you stand trembling there." Ere he had done speaking, he was
left
alone in
THE GERMAN GUARD. the room with Spado.
The
269
Tribune's character
was correctly appreciated, even by the eunuchs of the palace, and they stayed to hear no more ;
but Spado only looked blankly in the Briton's face,
wringing his
fat hands,
and answered
to the
" His orders were other's urgent appeals, explicit. Csesar
is
busy.
said so himself.
He
must not be disturbed.
Csesar
is
busy
!"
He
CHAPTER
XVIII.
THE BUSINESS OF
C2ESAR.
Spado aside without cereand mony, disregarding the eunuch's
[HRUSTING
in
expostulations orders he had
obedience
received,
the
to
Esca
burst
through a narrow door, tore down a velvet curtain,
and found himself Emperor.
in the private
Caesar's business
apartment of the was at that moment
scarcely of an urgency to weigh against the consideration of Caesar's
life.
Vitellius
was reclining
on a couch, his dress disordered and ungirt, a garland of roses at his
feet,
which the swollen features had
his
heavy
face,
of
lost all their early
comeliness, expressing nothing but sullen, torpid
calm, his eye fixed on vacancy, his weak, nerveless
hands crossed in front of his unwieldy person,, and his whole attitude that of one who had little to
271
THE BUSINESS OF dESAR. occupy his attention, save his own personal
in-
dulgence and comfort.
Yet
mind was busy within that There are moments in existence,
for all this, the
oloated form.
when the incident
and
comes back to us day by day, and
past
incident, shining out in colours, vivid
by
life-like as
important
crisis,
the present.
during the
On
the eve of an
crisis itself if
not permitted to take an active part in
compelled to remain its
mere
passive the
we are it,
but
sport of
contingencies, for the few minutes that succeed
a complete demolition of the fabric we have been building
all
this faculty,
our
lives,
we become
and seem, in a
possessed of
strange, dream-like
sense, to live our time over again.
For the
last
few days, even Vitellius had awoke
to the conviction that his for the last
for his life
;
diadem was
in danger,
few hours he had seen cause to tremble nevertheless,
none of the usual habits
of the palace had been altered
;
and even when
Primus, the successful general of his dangerous rival,
Vespasian, occupied the suburbs, his reverses
did but elicit from the wine, and a heartless
Emperor a
call for
jest.
To-day he must have seen clearly that lost,
more
yet the supper to which he sat
all
was
down with
ANTEROS.
272
half a dozen favourite eunuchs, was no less elaboas freely, the
rate than usual, the wine flowed
Emperor
and when he could
ate as enormously,
eat no more, retired to pass his customary half-
hour in perfect silence and repose, nor suffered the important process of digestion to be disturbed
by the
very gates must ere midnight
fact that his
be in possession of the enemy. Nevertheless, as
if
in
come, the pageant of his his half-closed eyes
;
warning of what was to
seemed to move past
life
and who
shall say
may have
and empty such a pageant
how
vain
appeared
even to the besotted glutton, who, though he had the address to catch the diadem of the Caesars,
was thrown to him by chance, knew but too well he had no power to retain it on his head,
when
it
when wrested by the grasp feeble
and worn
out,
of force ?
he was not
threescore years, yet what a turmoil, and vicissitudes his
life
Though
old, far short of
of change, and
had been
!
Proconsul of Africa, favourite of four emperors, it
must have been a certain
talent, that
versatility of
enabled him to rule such an important
province with tolerable credit, and yet retain the
good graces of successive tyrants, resembling each other in nothing save incessant caprice. An
THE BUSINESS OF informer with Tiberias
and a proselyte
to her easy
to the divinity of
— chariot
and in
;
mad
Caligula
;
and an easy adviser
vices,
and timid lord
turn with Nero buffoon,
a pander to the crimes,
;
a screen for Messalina's
273
C.ESAE.
lastly,
-driver,
everything in
singer, parasite,
all these various parts
preserving
the one unfailing characteristic of a consummate
and systematic debauchee. It seemed but yesterday that he had thrown the dice with Claudius, staking land and villas as freely as jewels
and
imperial master
and though he had
;
to his gold, losing heavily to
borrow the
high usury, quick-witted enough to perceive the noble reversion he had thus a chance of
money
at
purchasing. It
seemed but yesterday that he flew round the
dusty circus, grazing the goal with practised
skill,
and, by a happy dexterity, suffering Caligula to
win the race so narrowly, as to enhance the pleasure of imperial triumph.
seemed but yesterday that he sang with Nero, and flattered the monster by comparing him with the sirens, whose voices charmed mariners It
to their destruction.
And now was give
it
all
over?
Must he indeed
up the imperial purple and the throne of
VOL.
II.
t
ANTEROS.
274 blazing gold? luscious
—the
luxurious banquets and the
He
wines?
shuddered
while he thought of a crust of
and sickened
brown bread and a
Nay, worse than this, was he was safe ? He had seen death often
pitcher of water.
sure his life
—
But
what Eoman had not? field,
at his best, in the
clad in corslet and headpiece, and covered
with a buckler, he had thought him an ugly and
unwelcome
Even
visitor.
at Bedriacum,
as he rode over the
when he slain,
told his generals
putrefying
on the
" ground, that a
dead enemy smelt sweet, and the sweeter for being a citizen," he remembered now that his gorge
remembered,
had
too,
risen while
the
German body-guard
had accompanied him, and the with which
German
his
courage
levies fought.
There
to recollect this.
the soldier spirit kindled
that
faithful
were a few of them in the palace yet.
him confidence
He
he spoke.
up
It
gave
For a moment
within,
and he
felt as
though he could put himself at the head of those blue-eyed giants, lead
them
into the very centre
of the enemy, and die there like rose
to
his
feet,
weapons hanging
a man.
He
and snatched at one of the for
ornament agaiust the
wall,
but the weak limbs failed, the pampered body
THE BUSINESS OP OESAK. asserted
itself,
275
and he sank back helpless on the
couch. It
was
moment
at this
that Esca burst so un-
ceremoniously into the Emperor's presence. Vitellius did not rise again, less alarmed, per-
The Briton threw himself
haps, than astonished. his knees,
upon
and touched the broad crimson
binding of the imperial gown. " There
"
is
driven back.
may
to lose
!"
said he.
The guard has been
are forcing the gates.
They
Caesar
moment
not a
It is too late for resistance
yet escape
if
he
;
but
will trust himself to
me." Vitellius
that
looked about him, bewildered.
moment
At
a shout was heard from the palace
by a rush of many feet, and the ominous clash of steel. Esca knew that the gardens, accompanied
assailants
were gladiators.
If they
came
in with
would give no quarter. "Csesar must disguise himself," he insisted,
their blood up, they
earnestly.
"The
slaves
have been leaving the
Emperor would put on a coarse garment and come with me, I can show him the way to safety, and Placidus hastening to palace in hundreds.
If the
this apartment, will find it
With
all his
empty."
sensual vices, there was yet some-
ANTEKOS.
276
Eoman
thing left of the old
in Vitellius,
spirit
which sparkled out in an emergency. After the first surprise of Esca's sudden entrance, he be-
came
cooler every
the Tribune's "
Who
At the mention
moment.
name he seemed
of
to reflect.
are you ?" said he, after a pause,
"
and
how came you here ?" Short as had been his reign he had acquired the tone of royalty, and could even assume
a
the urgency of
certain dignity notwithstanding his present distress.
In a few words Esca explained to him his danger, and his enemies. "
Placidus," repeated the
and as there
if
Emperor, thoughtfully, more concerned than surprised, " then
no chance of the design
is
mercy when
of
I will
it
take your advice.
with you, where you
to-morrow, you
failing
has succeeded.
will
I will trust you, If I
will.
be
no hope
;
Good
am
friend
!
and go
an emperor
the greatest
man
in
Rome." Hitherto he had been leaning indolently back
on the couch. for
action,
Now
and
he seemed to rouse himself
stripped
the
crimson-bordered
gown from his shoulders, the signet-ring from his hand.
"
They
will
make a
gallant defence," said
THE BUSINESS OF he,
" but
if
I
Julius Placidus, he will out-
know
number them ten
277
CLESAR.
to one.
Nevertheless they
hold him at bay with their long swords, get clear of the palace.
The gardens
may
till
we
are dark
and spacious we can hide there for a time, and take an opportunity of reaching my wife's house ;
on Mount Aventine
and they
will
;
Galeria will not betray me,
me
never think of looking for
there."
more Speaking thus coolly and deliberately, but to himself than his companion, Caasar, divested of all
marks of splendour
in his dress
and ornaments,
stripped to a plain linen garment, turning
up
his
sleeves and girding himself the while, like a slave
busied in some household work requiring activity
and despatch, suffered the Briton
to lead
him
into
the next apartment, where, deserted by his com-
and sorely perplexed between a vague sense of duty and a strong inclination to run away,
rades,
Spado was pacing to and fro in a ludicrous of perturbation and dismay. Already the noise of fighting was plainly guished in the outer court.
The
manded by Hippias, and guided by
state
distin-
gladiators,
com-
the treacherous
Tribune, had overpowered the main body of the Germans who occupied the imperial gardens, and
ANTEROS.
278
were now engaged with the remnant of these faithful
barbarians
at
the
very doors
of
the
palace.
The
latter,
though outnumbered, fought with
the desperate courage of their race. soldier
in
his
cool
The Eoman
methodical discipline, was
sometimes puzzled to account for that frantic energy, which acknowledged no superiority either of position or numbers, which seemed to gather a fresher and
more stubborn courage from defeat gladiators, men whose very liveli;
and even the
hood was slaughter, and whose weapons were never out of their hands, found themselves no
match
for
these
large
savage warriors
struggle of a hand-to-hand
combat
;
in
recoiled
the
more
than once in baffled rage and astonishment from the long swords, and the blue eyes, and the tall
forms that seemed to tower and dilate in the fierce revelry of battle.
The
many
military skill of Placidus, exercised before
a Jewish rampart, and on
many a
Syrian
plain, had worsted the main body of the Germans by taking them in flank. Favoured by the dark-
ness of the shrubberies, he had contrived to throw
a hundred practised swordsmen unexpectedly on their
most defenceless point.
Surprised and out-
THE BUSINESS OF
279
CLESAR.
numbered, they retreated nevertheless in good order, though sadly diminished, upon their com-
Here the remaining handful
rades at the gate.
made a
desperate stand, and here Placidus, wiping
bloody sword upon his tunic, whispered to " We must put Hirpinus and the supperHippias,
his
party in front
If
!
we can bat carry the
gate,
there are a score of entrances into the palace.
Remember
!
we
give no quarter, and
we recognize
no one." Whilst the
band who
chosen
had
left
the
Tribune's table were held in check by the guard,
there was a moment's respite, during which Caasar
Esca rapidly calculating own mind, had resolved to
might possibly escape. the
difficulties in his
hurry him through the most secluded part of the gardens
into
the
streets,
and so running the
chance of recognition which in the darkness of of a household night, and under the coarse garb slave,
was but a remote contingency, to convey
him by a circuitous route to Galeria's house, of which he knew the situation, and where he might be concealed tion.
for a
The great
time without danger of detec-
obstacle was to get
him out
of
The private door knew must by which he had himself entered, he
the palace without being seen.
ANTEROS,
280
be defended, or the assailants would have taken advantage of
ere this,
it
and he dared not
risk
recognition, to say nothing of the chances of war,
by endeavouring
to escape
through the midst of
the conflict at the main gate.
Spado for assistance. "There is a terrace
He
appealed to
back here," stam-
at the
mered the eunuch; "if Caesar can reach it, a pathway leads directly down to the summer-house in the thickest part of the gardens; thence
he
can go between the fish-ponds straight to the wicket that opens on the Appian Way." " Idiot
am
exclaimed the Emperor, angrily, " how I to reach the terrace? There is no door, and !"
the window must be a man's height at least from the ground."
"It
is
your only chance of
observed Esca, impatiently.
window, friend,"
life,
Illustrious!"
"Guide us
to the
he added, turning to Spado, who
looked from one to the other in helpless astonish-
ment,
"
and tear that shawl from the couch
may want
it
for
A fresh shout while to
it
;
we
a rope to let the Emperor down." from the combatants at the
gate,
completely paralyzed the eunuch, seemed
determine
Vitellius.
He moved
resolutely
forward, followed by his two companions, Spado
THE BUSINESS OF
"You
whispering to the Briton,
young man.
"We
will
all
281
(LESAK.
a
are
brave
escape together, I
—I
by you to the last !" They needed but to cross a passage and traverse another room. Caesar peered over the windowwill stand
sill,
into the darkness below,
" It
is
and drew back. "
a long way down," said he.
What
if
I
Esca produced the shawl he had brought with him from the adjoining apartment, and offered to place it under his arms, were to break a limb ?"
and round
his body.
" Shall I go
first ?"
said Spado.
" It
is
not
five
cubits from the ground."
But the Emperor thought of his brother Lucius and the cohorts at Terracina. Could he but gain
camp there he would be safe, nay more, he could make head against his rival he would
the
;
return to retrieve
Rome
with a victorious
the diadem
army
;
he would
and the purple, and the
suppers at the palace once more. "
Stay where you are
!"
he commanded Spado,
who was looking with an eager eye at the window. I will risk it. One draught of Falernian, and I
"
and begone." He turned back towards the banqueting-room, and while he did so another shout warned him will risk
it
282
ANTEEOS.
that the gate was
and the palace
carried,
in
possession of the conspirators.
Esca followed the Emperor, vainly imploring him to fly. Spado taking one more look from the window ere he risked his bones, heard the ring of armour and the tramp of feet coming
round the corner terrace
of
the palace, on the very
White and trem-
he desired to reach.
bling, he tore the garland from his head and its
gnawed
roses with his teeth in the
of his despair.
He knew
gone now, and they must
impotence
the last chance was
die.
The Emperor returned
to the
room where he
had supped, seized a flagon of Falernian, filled himself a large goblet which he half-emptied at a
down on the board with a deep The court-yard had been satisfaction.
draught, and set sigh of
it
and the palace surrounded. Resistance was hopeless, and escape impossible. The
taken at
last,
Germans were rooms,
still
disputing
fighting,
inch
indeed, within the
by inch the
glittering
and the carved doorways and the shining polished floors, now more slij)pery than ever with blood. Pictures and statues seemed to look corridors,
down
in
calm amazement at thrust and blow and
death-grapple, and all the
reeling confusion
of
THE BUSINESS OF mortal
But the
strife.
nearer, the
Germans
noise
falling
lost at last,
to die like
is
his
companions and clouded brow.
nothing for
men.
arid
man by man, were
and he turned to
in peril with a grave
" There
came Dearer
Esca knew the game
rapidly giving ground.
was
283
(LESAR.
Yet
if
left," said he,
it
"
but
there be any corner in
which Csesar can hide," he added, with some" I will thing of contempt in his tone, gain him five
minutes more of
life,
this glittering toy
if
holds together so long."
Then he snatched from the
wall an Asiatic
javelin, all lacquered
and ornamented with
gold,
cast one look at the
others, as if to bid
them
farewell,
and hurried from the room.
Spado, a mass of shaking
garments and keeping the wall
festive
flesh,
and tumbled
ornaments strangely out of cowered down against
with his attitude,
hiding his face
in
his
hands;
but
Vitellius with something akin even to gratifica-
tion
on his countenance, returned to the
emptied cup, and
raising
finished his Falernian.
it
half-
to his lips, deliberately
CHAPTER
XIX.
AT BAY.
T was
not in Esca's nature to be within
hearing
of
shrewd
blows
and
yet
abstain from taking part in the fray.
His recent sentiments had indeed undergone a change that would produce timely and neither the words of the preacher in fruit ;
the Esquiline, nor the example of Calchas, nor the sweet influence of Mariamne, had been with-
But
was engrained in his very character to love the stir and tumult of a fight.
out their
effect.
it
From
a boy his blood leaped and tingled at the
clash
of steel.
His was the courage which
is
scarcely exercised in the tide of personal conflict, rather in endurance than in and must be
action— so front
proved
naturally does
when men
it
force
itself
are dealing blow for blow.
to
the
285
AT BAY.
His youth, too, had been spent in warfare, and in that most ennobling of all warfare which defends Home from the aggression of an invader.
He
had long ago learned to love danger for its own sake, and now he experienced besides a morbid desire to have his hand on the Tribune's
he
so
throat,
felt
the point and tried the shaft
of his javelin with a thrill of savage joy, while
guided by the sounds of combat he hurried along the corridor to join the remnant of the faithful
German Guard. Not a
score of
them were
left,
and of these
some grievous wound.
scarce one but bled from
Their white garments were stained with crimson, their gaudy golden armour was hacked and dinted,
and every hope of safety gone; but their courage was still unthe quenched, and as man after man went down,
their strength was nearly spent,
survivors closed in
and fought
on, striking despe-
to the foe. rately with their faces The Tribune and his chosen band, supported by
a
numerous
pressing
body of
them
man, and
in
sore.
inferior
to
were
Placidus, an expert swords-
no way wanting physical courage,
was conspicuous in the
seemed
gladiators,
vie
front.
with the
Hippias
Tribune
in
alone
reckless
ANTEROS.
286 though
daring,
and the
others,
Euiiiolpus,
were
earning their wages
all
and bearing themselves custom, as fighting were the one
with scrupulous according to
Lutorius,
Hirpinus,
fidelity,
if
business of their lives.
When
Esca reached the scene of
conflict,
the
Tribune had just closed with a gigantic adversary.
For a minute they reeled
in the death-grapple,
then parted as suddenly as they met, the German the Tribune's falling backward with a groan, blade as he brandished
blood to the very
who was
hilt.
it
aloft
dripping with
"Euge!" shouted Hippias,
at his side, parrying at the
same moment,
with consummate address, a sweeping sword-cut, dealt at
him from the dead man's comrade.
" That was prettily done, Tribune, and like
an
artist !"
Esca catching sight of his enemy's hated face, dashed in with the bound of a tiger, and taking
him unawares, delivered rapid a thrust as
at
him
so
fierce
and
would have settled accounts
between them, had Placidus possessed no other
means of defence than ship
;
his
own
skilful
swordsman-
but the fencing-master, whose eye seemed
to take in all the combatants at once, cut through
the curved shaft of the Briton's
weapon with one
AT BAT. turn of his short sword, and
on the
287
its
head
His hand was up for a deadly
floor.
w hen Esca found himself T
thrust
ground by some powerful
fist,
"
it
impossible for
Keep
down
thee short safe, till
"I was
the
its
whole weight,
to rise.
forced to strike hard to get
Faith
in time.
warning with his
and here
to
whispered a friendly voice
quiet, lad,"
in his ear,
him
felled
while a ponderous
form holding him down with
made
harmless
fell
the
!
Master gives
Here
thrusts.
thou'rt
take care thou shalt remain
I'll
the tide has rolled over us, and I can pass
thee out unseen.
Keep
I have to strike thee
quiet! I tell thee, lest for thine
senseless
own
good."
In vain the Briton struggled to regain his Hirpinus kept him
down by main
sooner had the gladiator friend,
fate
force.
caught sight
of
feet,
No his
than he resolved to save him from the
which too surely threatened in the palace, and with
found
all
who were
characteristic
promptitude, used the only means at his disposal for the fulfilment of his object.
A moment's reflection comrade's good the hope of
its
faith.
satisfied
Life
is
Esca of sweet,
his old
and with
preservation came back the thought
ANTEROS.
288
He
of Mariamne.
by that
lay
still
for a
time, the tide of fight
they were
few minutes, and
had rolled
on,
and
left alone.
Hirpinus rose
with a jovial laugh.
first
"
Why
" like an ox at an you went down, man," said he, in I would have held my hand a little altar.
—
faith
I
would
—had
must help thee up, thee down.
Take
there been time.
Well, I
I suppose, seeing that I
my
quick as thou canst.
put
advice, lad, get outside as
Keep the
first
turning to
the right of the great gate, stick to the darkest part of the gardens, and run for thy
life !"
So speaking, the gladiator helped Esca to his feet, and pointed down the corridor where the
The Briton would have way was now clear. made one more effort to save the Emperor, but Hirpinus interposed his burly form, and finding his friend so refractory, half-led, half to the
door of the palace.
pushed him
Here he bade him
farewell, looking wistfully out into the night, as
though he would fain accompany him. " I have little taste for the job here,
the truth," said he, in the tone of a
and
that's
man who
has
been unfairly deprived of some expected pleasure.
"The Germans made a
pretty good stand for a
time, but I thought there were
more of them, and
289
AT BAY.
that the fight would have lasted twice as long.
Good luck go with see thee again.
thee, lad, I shall perhaps never
Well, well,
I have been bought and paid
back to
can't be helped.
it
and must go
for,
work."
my
So, while Esca, hopeless of doing any more
good, went his
the
re-entered
and
way
into the gardens, Hirpinus
palace to
follow
his
comrades,
the search for the Emperor.
assist in
He
was somewhat surprised to hear loud shouts of laughter echoing from the end of the corridor. Hastening on to learn the cause of such strangely-
timed mirth, he came upon Bufus lying across the prostrate body of a German, and trying hard
from a
to stanch the blood that welled inflicted
by
his
fatal
gash
dead enemy, ere he went down.
Hirpinus raised his friend's head, and knew
was
all over.
" I have got w
it
my
it,"
said Bufus, in a faint voice
;
and the clumsy barbarian lunged Bid Farewell, old comrade guard.
foot slipped
in over
my
!
the wife keep heart.
Picenum, and Family. disengage
When
—at
down with VOL.
II.
—the
the
you
There boys
is
a
—keep
home
for
her at
them out
of the
close with these
Germans,
—
half distance, and turn your wrist
— old— thrust, so as to
"
u
290
ANTEROS.
Weaker and weaker came
the gladiator's last
head sank, his jaw dropped, and Hirpinus turning for a farewell look at the comrade with whom he had trained, and toiled, and syllables,
his
drank, and fought, for half a score of years, dashed his
hand angrily
to his
shaggy eyelashes,
saw him through a mist of tears. Another shout of laughter, louder nearer, roused
him
room whence
proceeded, he
it
to action.
of combat, nearly as
for
still
he
and
Turning into the
came upon a scene ludicrous as the last was
pitiful.
Surrounded by a
circle of
gladiators, roaring
out their applause and holding their sides with mirth, two most unwilling adversaries were pitted
against each other. loth to
come
They seemed,
to close quarters,
indeed, very
and stood face to
face with excessive watchfulness and caution.
In searching for the Emperor, Placidus and his
myrmidons had scoured out success.
several apartments with-
Finding the palace thus unoccupied,
and now in their own hands, the
men had com-
menced loading themselves with
valuables,
and
prepared to decamp with their plunder, each to his
home, as having
and earned
fulfilled their
their reward.
engagement,
But the Tribune well
knew
AT BAY.
291
that if Vitellius survived the night, his
own
head would be no longer that
it
safe
was indispensable to
hazards
;
he
find the
Emperor
gathering a handful
so
instituted
a
at all
of gladiators
and threatening
some
round him, persuading others,
on his shoulders, and
strict
search
apartment after another, leaving
no
in
one
hole
nor
corner untried, persuaded that Caesar must be still
inside the palace,
and consequently within
his grasp.
He
entertained, nevertheless, a lurking mistrust
of treachery, roused
Euchenor
at
by the late appearance of supper, which was rather strength-
ened than destroyed, by the Greek's unwillingness to
engage in personal combat
Whilst he was able to do
so,
Avith
the Germans.
the Tribune had kept
a wary eye upon the pugilist, and had indeed pre-
vented him more than once from slipping out of the conflict altogether.
were
Now
that the
Germans
and the palace in his power, he kept the Greek close at hand with less difficulty, jeering him, half in jest and half in finally disposed of,
earnest,
on the great care he had taken of his own
person in the fray.
Thus, with Euchenor at his Hippias, and some half-dozen
side,
followed by
gladiators, the Tri-
ANTEROS.
292
bune entered the room
in
which the Emperor had
supped, and from which a door, concealed
by a
heavy curtain, led into a dark recess originally in-
At
the foot of this curtain,
half-sitting,
grovelled an obese un-
tended for a bath. half-lying,
wieldy figure, clad in white, which moaned and
shook and rocked
itself to
and
fro,
in a
paroxysm
of abject fear.
The Tribune
triumph in his eyes.
bolical
face
leapt forward with a gleam of dia-
fell,
The next
instant his
as the figure looking up, presented the
scared features of the bewildered Spado.
But
even in his wrath and disappointment Placidus could indulge himself with a brutal jest.
"
" thou hast hardly been Euchenor," said he,
Drive thy sword through
well blooded to-night. this carrion,
and draw
out of our way."
it
The Greek was only
averse to cruelty,
involved personal danger.
He
when
it
rushed in willingly
enough, his blade up, and his eyes glaring like a tiger's
;
but the action roused whatever was
manhood feet
in the victim,
and Spado sprang
with the desperate courage of one
escape
left
of
to his
who has no
left.
Close at his liand lay a Parthian bow, one of
293
AT BAY. the
many
arms that were scattered
curiosities in
about the room, together with a sandal- wood quiver of
puny painted "
arrows. "
and
to its full compass,
and
Their points are poisoned," he shouted
a touch
is
death
!"
Then he drew glared about
;
the
him
bow
like
some hunted beast brought
to bay.
Euchenor checked in turned to stone.
his spring stood rigid as
His
beautiful
form
if
indeed,
motionless in that life-like attitude, would have
been a tors
;
fit
own
study for one of his
country's sculp-
but the surrounding gladiators, influenced
only by the ludicrous points
laughed
till
of the
situation,
their sides shook, at the two cowards
thus confronting each other. " To him, Euchenor !" said they with the voice
and action by which a man encourages its
prey!
come
to
"To
him, lad!
back thee.
Show him some
He
and confused, the eunuch
at
always voted thee a cur.
their taunts, for
dog
Here's old Hirpinus
of thy mettle
Goaded by feint, and crouched
his
now
!"
Euchenor made a rapid
another dash. let the
Terrified
bow-string escape
from his nerveless fingers, and the light gaudy arrow, grazing the Greek's arm, and scarcely
ANTEROS.
294 drawing blood, floor
fell,
between his
as
it
seemed, harmless to the
feet.
Again there was a loud shout of derision, for
Euchenor, dropping his weapon, applied this scratch to his
mouth
trifling
ere the laugh subsided, how-
;
ever, the Greek's face contracted
and turned
pale.
With a wild yell he sprang bolt upright, raising his arms above his head, and fell forward on his breast, dead.
half a dozen gladiators leaping in, passed swords through the eunuch's body, almost ere their
The
floor.
Then Lutorius and
Eumolpus tearing down the
curtain disappeared in
comrade touched the
There was an exclama-
the dark recess behind.
tion of surprise, a cry for mercy, a scuffling of feet,
the
fall of
some heavy piece
of furniture,
and the
two emerged again, dragging between them, pale and gasping, a bloated and infirm old man. " Caesar "
You
is
fled
!"
said he, looking wildly round.
seek Csesar ?"
then perceiving the dark
smile on the Tribune's face, and abandoning
hope of
disguise,
he folded
his
all
arms with a certain
and disordered dignity that his coarse garments state could not
"I
am
wholly neutralize, and added
Caesar
and no escape !"
!
Strike
!
since there
is
—
no mercy
AT BAY.
295
The Tribune paused an instant and pondered. Already the dawn was stealing through the palace, and the dead upturned face of Spado looked grey and ghastly in the pale cold light. Master of the situation,
he did but deliberate whether he should
slay Caesar with his
own hand, thus bidding high
for the gratitude of his successor, or whether,
delivering him over
to
an infuriated
soldiery,
by who
would surely massacre him on the spot, he should make his death appear an act of popular justice, in the furtherance of which he was himself a mere dutiful instrument.
A
few moments' reflection
on the character of Vespasian, decided him sue the latter course.
He
and bade them secure
their prisoner.
Loud armed
to pur-
turned to the gladiators,
and the tramp of many thousand announced that the disaffected legions
shouts,
feet,
were converging on the palace, and had already filled its courtyard with masses of disciplined men, ranged under their eagles in cision
and the
glittering
all
pomp
the imposing preof war.
creasing daylight showed their serried
The files,
in-
ex-
tending far beyond the gate, over the spacious gardens of the palace, and the cold morning breeze unfurled a banner here and there, on which were
ANTEEOS.
296
new em-
already emblazoned the initials of the " Titus Flavius Vespasian Caesar." peror,
As
Vitellius with his
hands bound, led between
two gladiators, passed out of the gate which at midnight had been his own, one of these gaudydevices glittered in the risiug sun before his eyes.
Then
his
whole frame seemed to collapse, and his
head sank upon
his breast, for
bitterness of death
But
it
he knew that the
had indeed come
at last.
was no part of the Tribune's scheme that
his victim's lineaments should escape observation.
He
beneath the Emperor's chin, put his own sword and forced him to hold his head up, while the sol-
and
hooted
diers
reviled,
and ridiculed their
former lord. " Let " tally.
man
in
them
see thy face," said the Tribune, bru-
Even now thou
art
still
the most notorious
Eome."
Obese in person, lame in gait, pale, bloated, dishevelled and a captive, there was yet a certain the fallen emperor, while he drew dignity about
himself up, and thus answered his "
my
Thou hast eaten of cup.
honours.
I
my
enemy
:
—
bread and drunk from
have loaded thee with riches and
Yesterday I was thine emperor and thy
297
AT BAY. To-day I
host.
But to
am
thy captive and thy victim.
here, in the jaws of death, I tell thee that not
have
my
life
and mine empire back again,
wonld I change places with Julius Placidus the Tribune
!"
They were the
last
words he ever spoke,
for
him along the Sacred Way, gathered in and struck him down, and
while they paraded
the legions
hewed him
in pieces, casting the
fragments of his
body into the stream of Father Tiber, stealing calm and noiseless by the walls of Eome.
though the
faithful Galeria collected
them
decent interment, few cared to mourn the of Yitellius the glutton
;
for the
And for
memory
good and tempe-
rate Vespasian reigned in his stead.
CHAPTEK XX. THE FAIR HAVEN.
N a land-locked bay sheltered by wooded hills,
under a calm cloudless sky, and
motionless as
some sleeping
sea-bird,
a galley lay at anchor on the glistening surface of the Mediterranean.
Far out
at
sea,
against a clear horizon, the
breeze just stirred the waters to a purer, deeper blue, but here,
behind the sharp black point, that
shot boldly from the shore, long sheets of light,
unshadowed by a single basking warm and still
The very fro,
ripple, traversed the bay,
in the glaring sunshine.
gulls that usually
had folded
flit
so restless, to
and
their wings for an. interval of re-
pose, and the hush of the hot southern noon lay drowsily on the burnished surface of the deep.
The
galley
had obviously encountered her share Spars were broken and
of wind and weather.
299
THE FAIR HAYEX. Her
tackle strained.
large square sail rent, and
patched, was under process of repair
;
heaped up,
neglected for the present, and half unfurled upon the deck, while the double-banked seats of her
rowers were unoccupied, and the long oars shipped
Like the sea-bird she resem-
idly in her sides.
bled, and whose destiny she shared, it seemed as though she also had folded her wings, and gone
peacefully to sleep.
Two
figures
were on the deck of the galley,
drinking in the beauty that surrounded them, with the avidity of youth, and health, and love.
They
thought not of the dangers they had so narrowly escaped
— of
the perils by sea, and perils by land
that were in store for
must undergo, the
them
yet, of
difficulties
the sorrows they
they must encounter,
the frail thread on which their present happiness It was enough for them that they were on the loveliness of one of the fairest isles gazing
depended.
in the yEgean, and that they were together.
Surely there
is
a
"
Fair
of each of us, to which life-time,
Haven
"
in the
voyage
we reach perhaps once
where we pause and
furl the sail,
ship the oar, not that
we
unseaworthy, but that
we cannot
strongest and bravest of
in a
and
are weary indeed, nor resist,
even the
us, the longing of poor
.
ANTEEOS.
300
humanity for rest. Such seasons as these come to remind us of our noble destiny, and our inherent unworthiness
—of
our capacity for happiness, and
our failure in attaining the priceless jewel
At such
it
we
— of the sordid casket, and are sure that
contains.
it
we not rejoice and revel in
seasons shall
the happiness they bring
Shall
?
we not bathe
in
the glorious simshine, and snatch at the glowing
and empty the golden cup, ay to the very the dregs ? What though there be a cloud behind fruit,
hill,
a bitter morsel at the
wormwood
in the
fruit's core,
draught
sparkling
a drop of
—a
con-
?
sciousness of insecurity, a foresight of sorrow, a
craving for the infinite and the
eternal,
which
goads and guides us at once on the upward way
Would we be without
it if
be more than human
;
less.
we could
We
?
we would not
willingly be
first
wisdom
step to
?
?
Where
least of self-dependence, there is surely faith,
cannot
Is not failure the teacher of humility
not humility the
?
Is is
most of
and are not pain and sorrow the title-deeds
of our inheritance hereafter ? It
is
a false moral,
it
is
a morbid and unreal
sentiment, beautifully as it is expressed, which " a sorrow's crown of teaches us that sorrows, is
remembering happier
things."
All true happiness
THE FAIR HAVEN. is
of spiritual origin.
301
When we have been brushed,
though never so lightly by the angel's wing, we cannot afterwards entirely divest ourselves of the breathed by that
fragrance
Even
celestial
presence.
in those blissful moments, something
us they would pass
away, now
warned
that they have
faded here, something assures us that they will
come
again, hereafter.
immortality.
In decay
spring.
Hope
is
the birthright of
Without winter there would be no
while suffering
is
is
life,
and
is infinite,
and
the very genu of
transitory,
mercy
joy eternal.
The
sailors
were taking their noon-day
below, to escape the heat.
rest
Eleazar, the Jew, sat
at the stern of the vessel,
deep in meditation, ponon his dering country's resources, and his nation's
wrongs
—the dissensions that paralyzed the Lion of
Judah, and the formidable qualities of the princely hunter,
who was bringing him warily and gradu-
would be hard enough to resist Titus with both hands free, how hopeless a task ally to bay.
when one
It
neutralized the efforts of the other
!
Eleazar's outward eye, indeed, took in the groves of
and the dazzling porches, the jagged rocks and the glancing water but his spirit was gazing
olives,
;
the while upon a very different scene.
He
saw
ANTEROS.
302
tumultuous countrymen armed with sword and
his
spear, brave, impetuous, full of the
rage which
made
headlong cou-
their race irresistible for attack,
but lacking the cool methodical discipline, the stern habitual self-reliance so indispensable for a
wearing and protracted defence
;
and he saw
also
the long even lines under the Eagles, the impreg-
nable array of the Legions
;
their fortified
camp,
their mechanical discipline, their exact manoeuvres,
and the calm confident strength that was converging day by day for the downfall and destruction
Then he moved
of his people.
man for
restlessly, like
a
impatient of actual fetters about his limbs,
he would fain be amongst them again, with
armour
on,
and
his
his spear in his hand.
Calchas, too, was on board the anchored galley.
He
looked on the
who
fair
scene around as those look
And
then Ins eye wandered from the glowing land, and the cloudless see good in everything.
heaven, and the sparkling sea, to the stately form of Esca, and face, ere it
Mariamne with her gentle loving
sought his task again, the perusal of
his treasured Syriac scroll, for the old
took his share of
all
the labours and hardships in-
cidental to a sea-voyage, spent in
many
man who
sacred
study
of the hours devoted by others to rest
;
his
303
THE FAIR HAVEN.
and he called down a blessing on the head of the proselyte he had gained over, lips
moved
in prayer,
and the kinsman he loved. After the success of the Tribune's plot, and the
Rome
escape of Esca from the Imperial palace,
was no longer a place in which the Briton might remain in safety. Julius Placidus, although, from the prominen
part taken by Domitian in public
affairs,
he had
not attained such power as he anticipated, was yet
be a
sufficiently formidable to it
fatal
enemy, and
was obvious that the only chance of
immediately to
leave
the
implacable an adversary.
life
was
neighbourhood of so
The murder,
too,
of
and the accession of Vespasian, rendered Eleazar's further stay at Borne unnecessary, and
Yitellius,
even impolitic, while the services rendered to Marianne by her champion and lover, had given
him a claim
to the protection of the Jewish house-
hold, and the intimacv of
its
On
members.
tion of his conforming to certain feasts
and observ-
ances, Eleazar therefore willingly gave shelter of of his roof, self
made
suffered
concealed him
condi-
Esca the
whilst he him-
preparations for a hasty departure, and
him
to
accompany the other two members
that constituted his family, on their voyage
home
to
ANTEKOS.
304 Jerusalem. half
After
many
storms and casualties,
that voyage was
of
completed,
and
the
attachment between Esca and Mariamne which of a sprung up so unexpectedly at the corner street in
Kome, had now grown
and abiding
affection
which
to the engrossing
lasts for life,
perhaps
for eternity.
Floating in that
fair
haven, with the glow of
love enhancing the beauty of an earthly paradise,
without they quaffed at the cup of happiness remorse or misgiving, thankful for the present and trusting for the future.
As shipwreck had
threat-
ened them but yesterday, as to-morrow they might again be destined to weather stormy skies, and ride through raging seas, so although they
suffered great dangers and hardships
in
life,
had
greater
were yet probably in store. Nevertheless, to-day all was calm and sunshine, contentment, security,
and repose. They took it as it came, and standingtogether on the galley's deck, the beauty of those two young creatures seemed god-like, in the halo of their great joy. " shall never be parted here," whispered
We
Esca, while they stooped over the bulwark, and his
hand
stealing to his companion's, pressed
a gentle timid clasp.
it
in
THE FAIR HAVEN.
305
\Yith her large loving eyes full of tears, she
leaned towards him, nearer, nearer,
till
her cheek
touched his shoulder, and pointing upward, she
answered in the low earnest tones that acknowledge neither doubt nor fear
never be parted hereafter
— "Esca,
!"
END OF VOLUME
VOL.
II.
we
II.
X
shall
LONDON
:
PRINTED BY WII.MAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
This book
is
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BEC 3
1 194 .'
JUL
1 3 1951
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DUE on the last date stamped below
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