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diff --git a/2853-h/2853-h.htm b/2853-h/2853-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3ea456 --- /dev/null +++ b/2853-h/2853-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,26705 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + Quo Vadis, by Henryk Sienkiewicz + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Quo Vadis, by Henryk Sienkiewicz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Quo Vadis + A Narrative of the Time of Nero + +Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz + +Translator: Jeremiah Curtin + +Release Date: December 31, 2008 [EBook #2853] +Last Updated: November 19, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUO VADIS *** + + + + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + QUO VADIS + </h1> + <h2> + A NARRATIVE OF THE TIME OF NERO + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Henryk Sienkiewicz + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated from the Polish by Jeremiah Curtin + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TO AUGUSTE COMTE, + + Of San Francisco, Cal., + + MY DEAR FRIEND AND CLASSMATE, + I BEG TO DEDICATE THIS VOLUME. + + JEREMIAH CURTIN + </pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> INTRODUCTORY </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>QUO VADIS</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> Chapter XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> Chapter XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> Chapter XIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> Chapter XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> Chapter XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> Chapter XXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> Chapter XXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> Chapter XXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> Chapter XXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> Chapter XXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> Chapter XXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> Chapter XXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> Chapter XXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> Chapter XXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> Chapter XXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> Chapter XXXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> Chapter XXXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> Chapter XXXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> Chapter XXXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> Chapter XXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> Chapter XXXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0038"> Chapter XXXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0039"> Chapter XXXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0040"> Chapter XL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0041"> Chapter XLI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0042"> Chapter XLII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0043"> Chapter XLIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0044"> Chapter XLIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0045"> Chapter XLV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0046"> Chapter XLVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0047"> Chapter XLVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0048"> Chapter XLVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0049"> Chapter XLIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0050"> Chapter L </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0051"> Chapter LI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0052"> Chapter LII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0053"> Chapter LIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0054"> Chapter LIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0055"> Chapter LV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0056"> Chapter LVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0057"> Chapter LVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0058"> Chapter LVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0059"> Chapter LIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0060"> Chapter LX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0061"> Chapter LXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0062"> Chapter LXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0063"> Chapter LXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0064"> Chapter LXIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0065"> Chapter LXV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0066"> Chapter LXVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0067"> Chapter LXVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0068"> Chapter LXVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0069"> Chapter LXIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0070"> Chapter LXX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0071"> Chapter LXXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0072"> Chapter LXXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0073"> Chapter LXXIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_EPIL"> EPILOGUE </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTORY + </h2> + <p> + IN the trilogy “With Fire and Sword,” “The Deluge,” and “Pan Michael,” + Sienkiewicz has given pictures of a great and decisive epoch in modern + history. The results of the struggle begun under Bogdan Hmelnitski have + been felt for more than two centuries, and they are growing daily in + importance. The Russia which rose out of that struggle has become a power + not only of European but of world-wide significance, and, to all human + seeming, she is yet in an early stage of her career. + </p> + <p> + In “Quo Vadis” the author gives us pictures of opening scenes in the + conflict of moral ideas with the Roman Empire,—a conflict from which + Christianity issued as the leading force in history. + </p> + <p> + The Slays are not so well known to Western Europe or to us as they are + sure to be in the near future; hence the trilogy, with all its popularity + and merit, is not appreciated yet as it will be. + </p> + <p> + The conflict described in “Quo Vadis” is of supreme interest to a vast + number of persons reading English; and this book will rouse, I think, more + attention at first than anything written by Sienkiewicz hitherto. + </p> + <p> + JEREMIAH CURTIN ILOM, NORTHERN GUATEMALA, + </p> + <p> + June, 1896 + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + QUO VADIS + </h1> + <h2> + Quo Vadis A Narrative of the Time of Nero + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter I + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS woke only about midday, and as usual greatly wearied. The + evening before he had been at one of Nero’s feasts, which was prolonged + till late at night. For some time his health had been failing. He said + himself that he woke up benumbed, as it were, and without power of + collecting his thoughts. But the morning bath and careful kneading of the + body by trained slaves hastened gradually the course of his slothful + blood, roused him, quickened him, restored his strength, so that he issued + from the elæothesium, that is, the last division of the bath, as if he had + risen from the dead, with eyes gleaming from wit and gladness, + rejuvenated, filled with life, exquisite, so unapproachable that Otho + himself could not compare with him, and was really that which he had been + called,—arbiter elegantiarum. + </p> + <p> + He visited the public baths rarely, only when some rhetor happened there + who roused admiration and who was spoken of in the city, or when in the + ephebias there were combats of exceptional interest. Moreover, he had in + his own “insula” private baths which Celer, the famous contemporary of + Severus, had extended for him, reconstructed and arranged with such + uncommon taste that Nero himself acknowledged their excellence over those + of the Emperor, though the imperial baths were more extensive and finished + with incomparably greater luxury. + </p> + <p> + After that feast, at which he was bored by the jesting of Vatinius with + Nero, Lucan, and Seneca, he took part in a diatribe as to whether woman + has a soul. Rising late, he used, as was his custom, the baths. Two + enormous balneatores laid him on a cypress table covered with snow-white + Egyptian byssus, and with hands dipped in perfumed olive oil began to rub + his shapely body; and he waited with closed eyes till the heat of the + laconicum and the heat of their hands passed through him and expelled + weariness. + </p> + <p> + But after a certain time he spoke, and opened his eyes; he inquired about + the weather, and then about gems which the jeweller Idomeneus had promised + to send him for examination that day. It appeared that the weather was + beautiful, with a light breeze from the Alban hills, and that the gems had + not been brought. Petronius closed his eyes again, and had given command + to bear him to the tepidarium, when from behind the curtain the + nomenclator looked in, announcing that young Marcus Vinicius, recently + returned from Asia Minor, had come to visit him. + </p> + <p> + Petronius ordered to admit the guest to the tepidarium, to which he was + borne himself. Vinicius was the son of his oldest sister, who years before + had married Marcus Vinicius, a man of consular dignity from the time of + Tiberius. The young man was serving then under Corbulo against the + Parthians, and at the close of the war had returned to the city. Petronius + had for him a certain weakness bordering on attachment, for Marcus was + beautiful and athletic, a young man who knew how to preserve a certain + aesthetic measure in his profligacy; this, Petronius prized above + everything. + </p> + <p> + “A greeting to Petronius,” said the young man, entering the tepidarium + with a springy step. “May all the gods grant thee success, but especially + Asklepios and Kypris, for under their double protection nothing evil can + meet one.” + </p> + <p> + “I greet thee in Rome, and may thy rest be sweet after war,” replied + Petronius, extending his hand from between the folds of soft karbas stuff + in which he was wrapped. “What’s to be heard in Armenia; or since thou + wert in Asia, didst thou not stumble into Bithynia?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius on a time had been proconsul in Bithynia, and, what is more, he + had governed with energy and justice. This was a marvellous contrast in + the character of a man noted for effeminacy and love of luxury; hence he + was fond of mentioning those times, as they were a proof of what he had + been, and of what he might have become had it pleased him. + </p> + <p> + “I happened to visit Heraklea,” answered Vinicius. “Corbulo sent me there + with an order to assemble reinforcements.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Heraklea! I knew at Heraklea a certain maiden from Colchis, for whom + I would have given all the divorced women of this city, not excluding + Poppæa. But these are old stories. Tell me now, rather, what is to be + heard from the Parthian boundary. It is true that they weary me every + Vologeses of them, and Tiridates and Tigranes,—those barbarians who, + as young Arulenus insists, walk on all fours at home, and pretend to be + human only when in our presence. But now people in Rome speak much of + them, if only for the reason that it is dangerous to speak of aught else.” + </p> + <p> + “The war is going badly, and but for Corbulo might be turned to defeat.” + </p> + <p> + “Corbulo! by Bacchus! a real god of war, a genuine Mars, a great leader, + at the same time quick-tempered, honest, and dull. I love him, even for + this,—that Nero is afraid of him.” + </p> + <p> + “Corbulo is not a dull man.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps thou art right, but for that matter it is all one. Dulness, as + Pyrrho says, is in no way worse than wisdom, and differs from it in + nothing.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius began to talk of the war; but when Petronius closed his eyes + again, the young man, seeing his uncle’s tired and somewhat emaciated + face, changed the conversation, and inquired with a certain interest about + his health. + </p> + <p> + Petronius opened his eyes again. + </p> + <p> + Health!—No. He did not feel well. He had not gone so far yet, it is + true, as young Sissena, who had lost sensation to such a degree that when + he was brought to the bath in the morning he inquired, “Am I sitting?” But + he was not well. Vinicius had just committed him to the care of Asklepios + and Kypris. But he, Petronius, did not believe in Asklepios. It was not + known even whose son that Asklepios was, the son of Arsinoe or Koronis; + and if the mother was doubtful, what was to be said of the father? Who, in + that time, could be sure who his own father was? + </p> + <p> + Hereupon Petronius began to laugh; then he continued,—“Two years + ago, it is true, I sent to Epidaurus three dozen live blackbirds and a + goblet of gold; but dost thou know why? I said to myself, ‘Whether this + helps or not, it will do me no harm.’ Though people make offerings to the + gods yet, I believe that all think as I do,—all, with the exception, + perhaps, of mule-drivers hired at the Porta Capena by travellers. Besides + Asklepios, I have had dealings with sons of Asklepios. When I was troubled + a little last year in the bladder, they performed an incubation for me. I + saw that they were tricksters, but I said to myself: ‘What harm! The world + stands on deceit, and life is an illusion. The soul is an illusion too. + But one must have reason enough to distinguish pleasant from painful + illusions.’ I shall give command to burn in my hypocaustum, cedar-wood + sprinkled with ambergris, for during life I prefer perfumes to stenches. + As to Kypris, to whom thou hast also confided me, I have known her + guardianship to the extent that I have twinges in my right foot. But as to + the rest she is a good goddess! I suppose that thou wilt bear sooner or + later white doves to her altar.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” answered Vinicius. “The arrows of the Parthians have not reached + my body, but a dart of Amor has struck me—unexpectedly, a few stadia + from a gate of this city.” + </p> + <p> + “By the white knees of the Graces! thou wilt tell me of this at a leisure + hour.” + </p> + <p> + “I have come purposely to get thy advice,” answered Marcus. + </p> + <p> + But at that moment the epilatores came, and occupied themselves with + Petronius. Marcus, throwing aside his tunic, entered a bath of tepid + water, for Petronius invited him to a plunge bath. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I have not even asked whether thy feeling is reciprocated,” said + Petronius, looking at the youthful body of Marcus, which was as if cut out + of marble. “Had Lysippos seen thee, thou wouldst be ornamenting now the + gate leading to the Palatine, as a statue of Hercules in youth.” + </p> + <p> + The young man smiled with satisfaction, and began to sink in the bath, + splashing warm water abundantly on the mosaic which represented Hera at + the moment when she was imploring Sleep to lull Zeus to rest. Petronius + looked at him with the satisfied eye of an artist. + </p> + <p> + When Vinicius had finished and yielded himself in turn to the epilatores, + a lector came in with a bronze tube at his breast and rolls of paper in + the tube. + </p> + <p> + “Dost wish to listen?” asked Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “If it is thy creation, gladly!” answered the young tribune; “if not, I + prefer conversation. Poets seize people at present on every street + corner.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course they do. Thou wilt not pass any basilica, bath, library, or + book-shop without seeing a poet gesticulating like a monkey. Agrippa, on + coming here from the East, mistook them for madmen. And it is just such a + time now. Cæsar writes verses; hence all follow in his steps. Only it is + not permitted to write better verses than Cæsar, and for that reason I + fear a little for Lucan. But I write prose, with which, however, I do not + honor myself or others. What the lector has to read are codicilli of that + poor Fabricius Veiento.” + </p> + <p> + “Why ‘poor’?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it has been communicated to him that he must dwell in Odyssa and + not return to his domestic hearth till he receives a new command. That + Odyssey will be easier for him than for Ulysses, since his wife is no + Penelope. I need not tell thee, for that matter, that he acted stupidly. + But here no one takes things otherwise than superficially. His is rather a + wretched and dull little book, which people have begun to read + passionately only when the author is banished. Now one hears on every + side, ‘Scandala! scandala!’ and it may be that Veiento invented some + things; but I, who know the city, know our patres and our women, assure + thee that it is all paler than reality. Meanwhile every man is searching + in the book,—for himself with alarm, for his acquaintances with + delight. At the book-shop of Avirnus a hundred copyists are writing at + dictation, and its success is assured.” + </p> + <p> + “Are not thy affairs in it?” + </p> + <p> + “They are; but the author is mistaken, for I am at once worse and less + flat than he represents me. Seest thou we have lost long since the feeling + of what is worthy or unworthy,—and to me even it seems that in real + truth there is no difference between them, though Seneca, Musonius, and + Trasca pretend that they see it. To me it is all one! By Hercules, I say + what I think! I have preserved loftiness, however, because I know what is + deformed and what is beautiful; but our poet, Bronzebeard, for example, + the charioteer, the singer, the actor, does not understand this.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, however, for Fabricius! He is a good companion.” + </p> + <p> + “Vanity ruined the man. Every one suspected him, no one knew certainly; + but he could not contain himself, and told the secret on all sides in + confidence. Hast heard the history of Rufinus?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then come to the frigidarium to cool; there I will tell thee.” + </p> + <p> + They passed to the frigidarium, in the middle of which played a fountain + of bright rose-color, emitting the odor of violets. There they sat in + niches which were covered with velvet, and began to cool themselves. + Silence reigned for a time. Vinicius looked awhile thoughtfully at a + bronze faun which, bending over the arm of a nymph, was seeking her lips + eagerly with his lips. + </p> + <p> + “He is right,” said the young man. “That is what is best in life.” + </p> + <p> + “More or less! But besides this thou lovest war, for which I have no + liking, since under tents one’s finger-nails break and cease to be rosy. + For that matter, every man has his preferences. Bronzebeard loves song, + especially his own; and old Scaurus his Corinthian vase, which stands near + his bed at night, and which he kisses when he cannot sleep. He has kissed + the edge off already. Tell me, dost thou not write verses?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I have never composed a single hexameter.” + </p> + <p> + “And dost thou not play on the lute and sing?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “And dost thou drive a chariot?” + </p> + <p> + “I tried once in Antioch, but unsuccessfully.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I am at rest concerning thee. And to what party in the hippodrome + dost thou belong?” + </p> + <p> + “To the Greens.” + </p> + <p> + “Now I am perfectly at rest, especially since thou hast a large property + indeed, though thou art not so rich as Pallas or Seneca. For seest thou, + with us at present it is well to write verses, to sing to a lute, to + declaim, and to compete in the Circus; but better, and especially safer, + not to write verses, not to play, not to sing, and not to compete in the + Circus. Best of all, is it to know how to admire when Bronzebeard admires. + Thou art a comely young man; hence Poppæa may fall in love with thee. This + is thy only peril. But no, she is too experienced; she cares for something + else. She has had enough of love with her two husbands; with the third she + has other views. Dost thou know that that stupid Otho loves her yet to + distraction? He walks on the cliffs of Spain, and sighs; he has so lost + his former habits, and so ceased to care for his person, that three hours + each day suffice him to dress his hair. Who could have expected this of + Otho?” + </p> + <p> + “I understand him,” answered Vinicius; “but in his place I should have + done something else.” + </p> + <p> + “What, namely?” + </p> + <p> + “I should have enrolled faithful legions of mountaineers of that country. + They are good soldiers,—those Iberians.” + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius! Vinicius! I almost wish to tell thee that thou wouldst not have + been capable of that. And knowest why? Such things are done, but they are + not mentioned even conditionally. As to me, in his place, I should have + laughed at Poppæa, laughed at Bronzebeard, and formed for myself legions, + not of Iberian men, however, but Iberian women. And what is more, I should + have written epigrams which I should not have read to any one,—not + like that poor Rufinus.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert to tell me his history.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell it in the unctorium.” + </p> + <p> + But in the unctorium the attention of Vinicius was turned to other + objects; namely, to wonderful slave women who were waiting for the + bathers. Two of them, Africans, resembling noble statues of ebony, began + to anoint their bodies with delicate perfumes from Arabia; others, + Phrygians, skilled in hairdressing, held in their hands, which were + bending and flexible as serpents, combs and mirrors of polished steel; two + Grecian maidens from Kos, who were simply like deities, waited as + vestiplicæ, till the moment should come to put statuesque folds in the + togas of the lords. + </p> + <p> + “By the cloud-scattering Zeus!” said Marcus Vinicius, “what a choice thou + hast!” + </p> + <p> + “I prefer choice to numbers,” answered Petronius. “My whole ‘familia’ + [household servants] in Rome does not exceed four hundred, and I judge + that for personal attendance only upstarts need a greater number of + people.” + </p> + <p> + “More beautiful bodies even Bronzebeard does not possess,” said Vinicius, + distending his nostrils. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art my relative,” answered Petronius, with a certain friendly + indifference, “and I am neither so misanthropic as Barsus nor such a + pedant as Aulus Plautius.” + </p> + <p> + When Vinicius heard this last name, he forgot the maidens from Kos for a + moment, and, raising his head vivaciously, inquired,—“Whence did + Aulus Plautius come to thy mind? Dost thou know that after I had + disjointed my arm outside the city, I passed a number of days in his + house? It happened that Plautius came up at the moment when the accident + happened, and, seeing that I was suffering greatly, he took me to his + house; there a slave of his, the physician Merion, restored me to health. + I wished to speak with thee touching this very matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Why? Is it because thou hast fallen in love with Pomponia perchance? In + that case I pity thee; she is not young, and she is virtuous! I cannot + imagine a worse combination. Brr!” + </p> + <p> + “Not with Pomponia—eheu!” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “With whom, then?” + </p> + <p> + “If I knew myself with whom? But I do not know to a certainty her name + even,—Lygia or Callina? They call her Lygia in the house, for she + comes of the Lygian nation; but she has her own barbarian name, Callina. + It is a wonderful house,—that of those Plautiuses. There are many + people in it; but it is quiet there as in the groves of Subiacum. For a + number of days I did not know that a divinity dwelt in the house. Once + about daybreak I saw her bathing in the garden fountain; and I swear to + thee by that foam from which Aphrodite rose, that the rays of the dawn + passed right through her body. I thought that when the sun rose she would + vanish before me in the light, as the twilight of morning does. Since + then, I have seen her twice; and since then, too, I know not what rest is, + I know not what other desires are, I have no wish to know what the city + can give me. I want neither women, nor gold, nor Corinthian bronze, nor + amber, nor pearls, nor wine, nor feasts; I want only Lygia. I am yearning + for her, in sincerity I tell thee, Petronius, as that Dream who is imaged + on the Mosaic of thy tepidarium yearned for Paisythea,—whole days + and night do I yearn.” + </p> + <p> + “If she is a slave, then purchase her.” + </p> + <p> + “She is not a slave.” + </p> + <p> + “What is she? A freed woman of Plautius?” + </p> + <p> + “Never having been a slave, she could not be a freed woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is she?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not,—a king’s daughter, or something of that sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou dost rouse my curiosity, Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + “But if thou wish to listen, I will satisfy thy curiosity straightway. Her + story is not a long one. Thou art acquainted, perhaps personally, with + Vannius, king of the Suevi, who, expelled from his country, spent a long + time here in Rome, and became even famous for his skilful play with dice, + and his good driving of chariots. Drusus put him on the throne again. + Vannius, who was really a strong man, ruled well at first, and warred with + success; afterward, however, he began to skin not only his neighbors, but + his own Suevi, too much. Thereupon Vangio and Sido, two sister’s sons of + his, and the sons of Vibilius, king of the Hermunduri, determined to force + him to Rome again—to try his luck there at dice.” + </p> + <p> + “I remember; that is of recent Claudian times.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes! War broke out. Vannius summoned to his aid the Yazygi; his dear + nephews called in the Lygians, who, hearing of the riches of Vannius, and + enticed by the hope of booty, came in such numbers that Cæsar himself, + Claudius, began to fear for the safety of the boundary. Claudius did not + wish to interfere in a war among barbarians, but he wrote to Atelius + Hister, who commanded the legions of the Danube, to turn a watchful eye on + the course of the war, and not permit them to disturb our peace. Hister + required, then, of the Lygians a promise not to cross the boundary; to + this they not only agreed, but gave hostages, among whom were the wife and + daughter of their leader. It is known to thee that barbarians take their + wives and children to war with them. My Lygia is the daughter of that + leader.” + </p> + <p> + “Whence dost thou know all this?” + </p> + <p> + “Aulus Plautius told it himself. The Lygians did not cross the boundary, + indeed; but barbarians come and go like a tempest. So did the Lygians + vanish with their wild-ox horns on their heads. They killed Vannius’s + Suevi and Yazygi; but their own king fell. They disappeared with their + booty then, and the hostages remained in Hister’s hands. The mother died + soon after, and Hister, not knowing what to do with the daughter, sent her + to Pomponius, the governor of all Germany. He, at the close of the war + with the Catti, returned to Rome, where Claudius, as is known to thee, + permitted him to have a triumph. The maiden on that occasion walked after + the car of the conqueror; but, at the end of the solemnity,—since + hostages cannot be considered captives, and since Pomponius did not know + what to do with her definitely—he gave her to his sister Pomponia + Græcina, the wife of Plautius. In that house where all—beginning + with the masters and ending with the poultry in the hen-house—are + virtuous, that maiden grew up as virtuous, alas! as Græcina herself, and + so beautiful that even Poppæa, if near her, would seem like an autumn fig + near an apple of the Hesperides.” + </p> + <p> + “And what?” + </p> + <p> + “And I repeat to thee that from the moment when I saw how the sun-rays at + that fountain passed through her body, I fell in love to distraction.” + </p> + <p> + “She is as transparent as a lamprey eel, then, or a youthful sardine?” + </p> + <p> + “Jest not, Petronius; but if the freedom with which I speak of my desire + misleads thee, know this,—that bright garments frequently cover deep + wounds. I must tell thee, too, that, while returning from Asia, I slept + one night in the temple of Mopsus to have a prophetic dream. Well, Mopsus + appeared in a dream to me, and declared that, through love, a great change + in my life would take place.” + </p> + <p> + “Pliny declares, as I hear, that he does not believe in the gods, but he + believes in dreams; and perhaps he is right. My jests do not prevent me + from thinking at times that in truth there is only one deity, eternal, + creative, all-powerful, Venus Genetrix. She brings souls together; she + unites bodies and things. Eros called the world out of chaos. Whether he + did well is another question; but, since he did so, we should recognize + his might, though we are free not to bless it.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! Petronius, it is easier to find philosophy in the world than wise + counsel.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, what is thy wish specially?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to have Lygia. I wish that these arms of mine, which now embrace + only air, might embrace Lygia and press her to my bosom. I wish to breathe + with her breath. Were she a slave, I would give Aulus for her one hundred + maidens with feet whitened with lime as a sign that they were exhibited on + sale for the first time. I wish to have her in my house till my head is as + white as the top of Soracte in winter.” + </p> + <p> + “She is not a slave, but she belongs to the ‘family’ of Plautius; and + since she is a deserted maiden, she may be considered an ‘alumna.’ + Plautius might yield her to thee if he wished.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it seems that thou knowest not Pomponia Græcina. Both have become as + much attached to her as if she were their own daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Pomponia I know,—a real cypress. If she were not the wife of Aulus, + she might be engaged as a mourner. Since the death of Julius she has not + thrown aside dark robes; and in general she looks as if, while still + alive, she were walking on the asphodel meadow. She is, moreover, a + ‘one-man woman’; hence, among our ladies of four and five divorces, she is + straightway a phoenix. But! hast thou heard that in Upper Egypt the + phoenix has just been hatched out, as ‘tis said?—an event which + happens not oftener than once in five centuries.” + </p> + <p> + “Petronius! Petronius! Let us talk of the phoenix some other time.” + </p> + <p> + “What shall I tell thee, my Marcus? I know Aulus Plautius, who, though he + blames my mode of life, has for me a certain weakness, and even respects + me, perhaps, more than others, for he knows that I have never been an + informer like Domitius Afer, Tigellinus, and a whole rabble of + Ahenobarbus’s intimates [Nero’s name was originally L. Domitius + Ahenobarbus]. Without pretending to be a stoic, I have been offended more + than once at acts of Nero, which Seneca and Burrus looked at through their + fingers. If it is thy thought that I might do something for thee with + Aulus, I am at thy command.” + </p> + <p> + “I judge that thou hast the power. Thou hast influence over him; and, + besides, thy mind possesses inexhaustible resources. If thou wert to + survey the position and speak with Plautius.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast too great an idea of my influence and wit; but if that is the + only question, I will talk with Plautius as soon as they return to the + city.” + </p> + <p> + “They returned two days since.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case let us go to the triclinium, where a meal is now ready, and + when we have refreshed ourselves, let us give command to bear us to + Plautius.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast ever been kind to me,” answered Vinicius, with vivacity; “but + now I shall give command to rear thy statue among my lares,—just + such a beauty as this one,—and I will place offerings before it.” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned toward the statues which ornamented one entire wall of the + perfumed chamber, and pointing to the one which represented Petronius as + Hermes with a staff in his hand, he added,—“By the light of Helios! + if the ‘godlike’ Alexander resembled thee, I do not wonder at Helen.” + </p> + <p> + And in that exclamation there was as much sincerity as flattery; for + Petronius, though older and less athletic, was more beautiful than even + Vinicius. The women of Rome admired not only his pliant mind and his + taste, which gained for him the title Arbiter elegantiæ, but also his + body. This admiration was evident even on the faces of those maidens from + Kos who were arranging the folds of his toga; and one of whom, whose name + was Eunice, loving him in secret, looked him in the eyes with submission + and rapture. But he did not even notice this; and, smiling at Vinicius, he + quoted in answer an expression of Seneca about woman,—Animal + impudens, etc. And then, placing an arm on the shoulders of his nephew, he + conducted him to the triclinium. + </p> + <p> + In the unctorium the two Grecian maidens, the Phrygians, and the two + Ethiopians began to put away the vessels with perfumes. But at that + moment, and beyond the curtain of the frigidarium, appeared the heads of + the balneatores, and a low “Psst!” was heard. At that call one of the + Grecians, the Phrygians, and the Ethiopians sprang up quickly, and + vanished in a twinkle behind the curtain. In the baths began a moment of + license which the inspector did not prevent, for he took frequent part in + such frolics himself. Petronius suspected that they took place; but, as a + prudent man, and one who did not like to punish, he looked at them through + his fingers. + </p> + <p> + In the unctorium only Eunice remained. She listened for a short time to + the voices and laughter which retreated in the direction of the laconicum. + At last she took the stool inlaid with amber and ivory, on which Petronius + had been sitting a short time before, and put it carefully at his statue. + The unctorium was full of sunlight and the hues which came from the + many-colored marbles with which the wall was faced. Eunice stood on the + stool, and, finding herself at the level of the statue, cast her arms + suddenly around its neck; then, throwing back her golden hair, and + pressing her rosy body to the white marble, she pressed her lips with + ecstasy to the cold lips of Petronius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II + </h2> + <p> + After a refreshment, which was called the morning meal and to which the + two friends sat down at an hour when common mortals were already long past + their midday prandium, Petronius proposed a light doze. According to him, + it was too early for visits yet. “There are, it is true,” said he, “people + who begin to visit their acquaintances about sunrise, thinking that custom + an old Roman one, but I look on this as barbarous. The afternoon hours are + most proper,—not earlier, however, than that one when the sun passes + to the side of Jove’s temple on the Capitol and begins to look slantwise + on the Forum. In autumn it is still hot, and people are glad to sleep + after eating. At the same time it is pleasant to hear the noise of the + fountain in the atrium, and, after the obligatory thousand steps, to doze + in the red light which filters in through the purple half-drawn velarium.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius recognized the justice of these words; and the two men began to + walk, speaking in a careless manner of what was to be heard on the + Palatine and in the city, and philosophizing a little upon life. Petronius + withdrew then to the cubiculum, but did not sleep long. In half an hour he + came out, and, having given command to bring verbena, he inhaled the + perfume and rubbed his hands and temples with it. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt not believe,” said he, “how it enlivens and freshens one. Now I + am ready.” + </p> + <p> + The litter was waiting long since; hence they took their places, and + Petronius gave command to bear them to the Vicus Patricius, to the house + of Aulus. Petronius’s “insula” lay on the southern slope of the Palatine, + near the so-called Carinæ; their nearest way, therefore, was below the + Forum; but since Petronius wished to step in on the way to see the + jeweller Idomeneus, he gave the direction to carry them along the Vicus + Apollinis and the Forum in the direction of the Vicus Sceleratus, on the + corner of which were many tabernæ of every kind. + </p> + <p> + Gigantic Africans bore the litter and moved on, preceded by slaves called + pedisequii. Petronius, after some time, raised to his nostrils in silence + his palm odorous with verbena, and seemed to be meditating on something. + </p> + <p> + “It occurs to me,” said he after a while, “that if thy forest goddess is + not a slave she might leave the house of Plautius, and transfer herself to + thine. Thou wouldst surround her with love and cover her with wealth, as I + do my adored Chrysothemis, of whom, speaking between us, I have quite as + nearly enough as she has of me.” + </p> + <p> + Marcus shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “No?” inquired Petronius. “In the worst event, the case would be left with + Cæsar, and thou mayst be certain that, thanks even to my influence, our + Bronzebeard would be on thy side.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou knowest not Lygia,” replied Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Then permit me to ask if thou know her otherwise than by sight? Hast + spoken with her? hast confessed thy love to her?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw her first at the fountain; since then I have met her twice. + Remember that during my stay in the house of Aulus, I dwelt in a separate + villa, intended for guests, and, having a disjointed arm, I could not sit + at the common table. Only on the eve of the day for which I announced my + departure did I meet Lygia at supper, but I could not say a word to her. I + had to listen to Aulus and his account of victories gained by him in + Britain, and then of the fall of small states in Italy, which Licinius + Stolo strove to prevent. In general I do not know whether Aulus will be + able to speak of aught else, and do not think that we shall escape this + history unless it be thy wish to hear about the effeminacy of these days. + They have pheasants in their preserves, but they do not eat them, setting + out from the principle that every pheasant eaten brings nearer the end of + Roman power. I met her a second time at the garden cistern, with a freshly + plucked reed in her hand, the top of which she dipped in the water and + sprinkled the irises growing around. Look at my knees. By the shield of + Hercules, I tell thee that they did not tremble when clouds of Parthians + advanced on our maniples with howls, but they trembled before the cistern. + And, confused as a youth who still wears a bulla on his neck, I merely + begged pity with my eyes, not being able to utter a word for a long time.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at him, as if with a certain envy. “Happy man,” said he, + “though the world and life were the worst possible, one thing in them will + remain eternally good,—youth!” + </p> + <p> + After a while he inquired: “And hast thou not spoken to her?” + </p> + <p> + “When I had recovered somewhat, I told her that I was returning from Asia, + that I had disjointed my arm near the city, and had suffered severely, but + at the moment of leaving that hospitable house I saw that suffering in it + was more to be wished for than delight in another place, that sickness + there was better than health somewhere else. Confused too on her part, she + listened to my words with bent head while drawing something with the reed + on the saffron-colored sand. Afterward she raised her eyes, then looked + down at the marks drawn already; once more she looked at me, as if to ask + about something, and then fled on a sudden like a hamadryad before a dull + faun.” + </p> + <p> + “She must have beautiful eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “As the sea—and I was drowned in them, as in the sea. Believe me + that the archipelago is less blue. After a while a little son of Plautius + ran up with a question. But I did not understand what he wanted.” + </p> + <p> + “O Athene!” exclaimed Petronius, “remove from the eyes of this youth the + bandage with which Eros has bound them; if not, he will break his head + against the columns of Venus’s temple. + </p> + <p> + “O thou spring bud on the tree of life,” said he, turning to Vinicius, + “thou first green shoot of the vine! Instead of taking thee to the + Plautiuses, I ought to give command to bear thee to the house of Gelocius, + where there is a school for youths unacquainted with life.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou wish in particular?” + </p> + <p> + “But what did she write on the sand? Was it not the name of Amor, or a + heart pierced with his dart, or something of such sort, that one might + know from it that the satyrs had whispered to the ear of that nymph + various secrets of life? How couldst thou help looking on those marks?” + </p> + <p> + “It is longer since I have put on the toga than seems to thee,” said + Vinicius, “and before little Aulus ran up, I looked carefully at those + marks, for I know that frequently maidens in Greece and in Rome draw on + the sand a confession which their lips will not utter. But guess what she + drew!” + </p> + <p> + “If it is other than I supposed, I shall not guess.” + </p> + <p> + “A fish.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou say?” + </p> + <p> + “I say, a fish. What did that mean,—that cold blood is flowing in + her veins? So far I do not know; but thou, who hast called me a spring bud + on the tree of life, wilt be able to understand the sign certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Carissime! ask such a thing of Pliny. He knows fish. If old Apicius were + alive, he could tell thee something, for in the course of his life he ate + more fish than could find place at one time in the bay of Naples.” + </p> + <p> + Further conversation was interrupted, since they were borne into crowded + streets where the noise of people hindered them. + </p> + <p> + From the Vicus Apollinis they turned to the Boarium, and then entered the + Forum Romanum, where on clear days, before sunset, crowds of idle people + assembled to stroll among the columns, to tell and hear news, to see noted + people borne past in litters, and finally to look in at the + jewellery-shops, the book-shops, the arches where coin was changed, shops + for silk, bronze, and all other articles with which the buildings covering + that part of the market placed opposite the Capitol were filled. + </p> + <p> + One-half of the Forum, immediately under the rock of the Capitol, was + buried already in shade; but the columns of the temples, placed higher, + seemed golden in the sunshine and the blue. Those lying lower cast + lengthened shadows on marble slabs. The place was so filled with columns + everywhere that the eye was lost in them as in a forest. + </p> + <p> + Those buildings and columns seemed huddled together. They towered some + above others, they stretched toward the right and the left, they climbed + toward the height, and they clung to the wall of the Capitol, or some of + them clung to others, like greater and smaller, thicker and thinner, white + or gold colored tree-trunks, now blooming under architraves, flowers of + the acanthus, now surrounded with Ionic corners, now finished with a + simple Doric quadrangle. Above that forest gleamed colored triglyphs; from + tympans stood forth the sculptured forms of gods; from the summits winged + golden quadrigæ seemed ready to fly away through space into the blue dome, + fixed serenely above that crowded place of temples. Through the middle of + the market and along the edges of it flowed a river of people; crowds + passed under the arches of the basilica of Julius Cæsar; crowds were + sitting on the steps of Castor and Pollux, or walking around the temple of + Vesta, resembling on that great marble background many-colored swarms of + butterflies or beetles. Down immense steps, from the side of the temple on + the Capitol dedicated to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, came new waves; at the + rostra people listened to chance orators; in one place and another rose + the shouts of hawkers selling fruit, wine, or water mixed with fig-juice; + of tricksters; of venders of marvellous medicines; of soothsayers; of + discoverers of hidden treasures; of interpreters of dreams. Here and + there, in the tumult of conversations and cries, were mingled sounds of + the Egyptian sistra, of the sambuké, or of Grecian flutes. Here and there + the sick, the pious, or the afflicted were bearing offerings to the + temples. In the midst of the people, on the stone flags, gathered flocks + of doves, eager for the grain given them, and like movable many-colored + and dark spots, now rising for a moment with a loud sound of wings, now + dropping down again to places left vacant by people. From time to time the + crowds opened before litters in which were visible the affected faces of + women, or the heads of senators and knights, with features, as it were, + rigid and exhausted from living. The many-tongued population repeated + aloud their names, with the addition of some term of praise or ridicule. + Among the unordered groups pushed from time to time, advancing with + measured tread, parties of soldiers, or watchers, preserving order on the + streets. Around about, the Greek language was heard as often as Latin. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who had not been in the city for a long time, looked with a + certain curiosity on that swarm of people and on that Forum Romanum, which + both dominated the sea of the world and was flooded by it, so that + Petronius, who divined the thoughts of his companion, called it “the nest + of the Quirites—without the Quirites.” In truth, the local element + was well-nigh lost in that crowd, composed of all races and nations. There + appeared Ethiopians, gigantic light-haired people from the distant north, + Britons, Gauls, Germans, sloping-eyed dwellers of Lericum; people from the + Euphrates and from the Indus, with beards dyed brick color; Syrians from + the banks of the Orontes, with black and mild eyes; dwellers in the + deserts of Arabia, dried up as a bone; Jews, with their flat breasts; + Egyptians, with the eternal, indifferent smile on their faces; Numidians + and Africans; Greeks from Hellas, who equally with the Romans commanded + the city, but commanded through science, art, wisdom, and deceit; Greeks + from the islands, from Asia Minor, from Egypt, from Italy, from Narbonic + Gaul. In the throng of slaves, with pierced ears, were not lacking also + freemen,—an idle population, which Cæsar amused, supported, even + clothed,—and free visitors, whom the ease of life and the prospects + of fortune enticed to the gigantic city; there was no lack of venal + persons. There were priests of Serapis, with palm branches in their hands; + priests of Isis, to whose altar more offerings were brought than to the + temple of the Capitoline Jove; priests of Cybele, bearing in their hands + golden ears of rice; and priests of nomad divinities; and dancers of the + East with bright head-dresses, and dealers in amulets, and snake-tamers, + and Chaldean seers; and, finally, people without any occupation whatever, + who applied for grain every week at the storehouses on the Tiber, who + fought for lottery-tickets to the Circus, who spent their nights in + rickety houses of districts beyond the Tiber, and sunny and warm days + under covered porticos, and in foul eating-houses of the Subura, on the + Milvian bridge, or before the “insulæ” of the great, where from time to + time remnants from the tables of slaves were thrown out to them. + </p> + <p> + Petronius was well known to those crowds. Vinicius’s ears were struck + continually by “Hic est!” (Here he is). They loved him for his + munificence; and his peculiar popularity increased from the time when they + learned that he had spoken before Cæsar in opposition to the sentence of + death issued against the whole “familia,” that is, against all the slaves + of the prefect Pedanius Secundus, without distinction of sex or age, + because one of them had killed that monster in a moment of despair. + Petronius repeated in public, it is true, that it was all one to him, and + that he had spoken to Cæsar only privately, as the arbiter elegantiarum + whose æsthetic taste was offended by a barbarous slaughter befitting + Scythians and not Romans. Nevertheless, people who were indignant because + of the slaughter loved Petronius from that moment forth. But he did not + care for their love. He remembered that that crowd of people had loved + also Britannicus, poisoned by Nero; and Agrippina, killed at his command; + and Octavia, smothered in hot steam at the Pandataria, after her veins had + been opened previously; and Rubelius Plautus, who had been banished; and + Thrasea, to whom any morning might bring a death sentence. The love of the + mob might be considered rather of ill omen; and the sceptical Petronius + was superstitious also. He had a twofold contempt for the multitude,—as + an aristocrat and an æsthetic person. Men with the odor of roast beans, + which they carried in their bosoms, and who besides were eternally hoarse + and sweating from playing mora on the street-corners and peristyles, did + not in his eyes deserve the term “human.” Hence he gave no answer whatever + to the applause, or the kisses sent from lips here and there to him. He + was relating to Marcus the case of Pedanius, reviling meanwhile the + fickleness of that rabble which, next morning after the terrible butchery, + applauded Nero on his way to the temple of Jupiter Stator. But he gave + command to halt before the book-shop of Avirnus, and, descending from the + litter, purchased an ornamented manuscript, which he gave to Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Here is a gift for thee,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks!” answered Vinicius. Then, looking at the title, he inquired, + “‘Satyricon’? Is this something new? Whose is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Mine. But I do not wish to go in the road of Rufinus, whose history I was + to tell thee, nor of Fabricius Veiento; hence no one knows of this, and do + thou mention it to no man.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast said that thou art no writer of verses,” said Vinicius, looking + at the middle of the manuscript; “but here I see prose thickly interwoven + with them.” + </p> + <p> + “When thou art reading, turn attention to Trimalchion’s feast. As to + verses, they have disgusted me, since Nero is writing an epic. Vitelius, + when he wishes to relieve himself, uses ivory fingers to thrust down his + throat; others serve themselves with flamingo feathers steeped in olive + oil or in a decoction of wild thyme. I read Nero’s poetry, and the result + is immediate. Straightway I am able to praise it, if not with a clear + conscience, at least with a clear stomach.” + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he stopped the litter again before the shop of + Idomeneus the goldsmith, and, having settled the affair of the gems, gave + command to bear the litter directly to Aulus’s mansion. + </p> + <p> + “On the road I will tell thee the story of Rufinus,” said he, “as proof of + what vanity in an author may be.” + </p> + <p> + But before he had begun, they turned in to the Vicus Patricius, and soon + found themselves before the dwelling of Aulus. A young and sturdy + “janitor” opened the door leading to the ostium, over which a magpie + confined in a cage greeted them noisily with the word, “Salve!” + </p> + <p> + On the way from the second antechamber, called the ostium, to the atrium + itself, Vinicius said,—“Hast noticed that thee doorkeepers are + without chains?” “This is a wonderful house,” answered Petronius, in an + undertone. “Of course it is known to thee that Pomponia Græcina is + suspected of entertaining that Eastern superstition which consists in + honoring a certain Chrestos. It seems that Crispinilla rendered her this + service,—she who cannot forgive Pomponia because one husband has + sufficed her for a lifetime. A one-man Woman! To-day, in Rome, it is + easier to get a half-plate of fresh mushrooms from Noricum than to find + such. They tried her before a domestic court—” + </p> + <p> + “To thy judgment this is a wonderful house. Later on I will tell thee what + I heard and saw in it.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile they had entered the atrium. The slave appointed to it, called + atriensis, sent a nomenclator to announce the guests; and Petronius, who, + imagining that eternal sadness reigned in this severe house, had never + been in it, looked around with astonishment, and as it were with a feeling + of disappointment, for the atrium produced rather an impression of + cheerfulness. A sheaf of bright light falling from above through a large + opening broke into a thousand sparks on a fountain in a quadrangular + little basin, called the impluvium, which was in the middle to receive + rain falling through the opening during bad weather; this was surrounded + by anemones and lilies. In that house a special love for lilies was + evident, for there were whole clumps of them, both white and red; and, + finally, sapphire irises, whose delicate leaves were as if silvered from + the spray of the fountain. Among the moist mosses, in which lily-pots were + hidden, and among the bunches of lilies were little bronze statues + representing children and water-birds. In one corner a bronze fawn, as if + wishing to drink, was inclining its greenish head, grizzled, too, by + dampness. The floor of the atrium was of mosaic; the walls, faced partly + with red marble and partly with wood, on which were painted fish, birds, + and griffins, attracted the eye by the play of colors. From the door to + the side chamber they were ornamented with tortoise-shell or even ivory; + at the walls between the doors were statues of Aulus’s ancestors. + Everywhere calm plenty was evident, remote from excess, but noble and + self-trusting. + </p> + <p> + Petronius, who lived with incomparably greater show and elegance, could + find nothing which offended his taste; and had just turned to Vinicius + with that remark, when a slave, the velarius, pushed aside the curtain + separating the atrium from the tablinum, and in the depth of the building + appeared Aulus Plautius approaching hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + He was a man nearing the evening of life, with a head whitened by hoar + frost, but fresh, with an energetic face, a trifle too short, but still + somewhat eagle-like. This time there was expressed on it a certain + astonishment, and even alarm, because of the unexpected arrival of Nero’s + friend, companion, and suggester. + </p> + <p> + Petronius was too much a man of the world and too quick not to notice + this; hence, after the first greetings, he announced with all the + eloquence and ease at his command that he had come to give thanks for the + care which his sister’s son had found in that house, and that gratitude + alone was the cause of the visit, to which, moreover, he was emboldened by + his old acquaintance with Aulus. + </p> + <p> + Aulus assured him that he was a welcome guest; and as to gratitude, he + declared that he had that feeling himself, though surely Petronius did not + divine the cause of it. + </p> + <p> + In fact, Petronius did not divine it. In vain did he raise his hazel eyes, + endeavoring to remember the least service rendered to Aulus or to any one. + He recalled none, unless it might be that which he intended to show + Vinicius. Some such thing, it is true, might have happened involuntarily, + but only involuntarily. + </p> + <p> + “I have great love and esteem for Vespasian, whose life thou didst save,” + said Aulus, “when he had the misfortune to doze while listening to Nero’s + verses.” + </p> + <p> + “He was fortunate,” replied Petronius, “for he did not hear them; but I + will not deny that the matter might have ended with misfortune. + Bronzebeard wished absolutely to send a centurion to him with the friendly + advice to open his veins.” + </p> + <p> + “But thou, Petronius, laughed him out of it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true, or rather it is not true. I told Nero that if Orpheus put + wild beasts to sleep with song, his triumph was equal, since he had put + Vespasian to sleep. Ahenobarbus may be blamed on condition that to a small + criticism a great flattery be added. Our gracious Augusta, Poppæa, + understands this to perfection.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! such are the times,” answered Aulus. “I lack two front teeth, + knocked out by a stone from the hand of a Briton, I speak with a hiss; + still my happiest days were passed in Britain.” + </p> + <p> + “Because they were days of victory,” added Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + But Petronius, alarmed lest the old general might begin a narrative of his + former wars, changed the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said he, “in the neighborhood of Præneste country people found a + dead wolf whelp with two heads; and during a storm about that time + lightning struck off an angle of the temple of Luna,—a thing + unparalleled, because of the late autumn. A certain Cotta, too, who had + told this, added, while telling it, that the priests of that temple + prophesied the fall of the city or, at least, the ruin of a great house,—ruin + to be averted only by uncommon sacrifices.” + </p> + <p> + Aulus, when he had heard the narrative, expressed the opinion that such + signs should not be neglected; that the gods might be angered by an + over-measure of wickedness. In this there was nothing wonderful; and in + such an event expiatory sacrifices were perfectly in order. + </p> + <p> + “Thy house, Plautius, is not too large,” answered Petronius, “though a + great man lives in it. Mine is indeed too large for such a wretched owner, + though equally small. But if it is a question of the ruin of something as + great, for example, as the domus transitoria, would it be worth while for + us to bring offerings to avert that ruin?” + </p> + <p> + Plautius did not answer that question,—a carefulness which touched + even Petronius somewhat, for, with all his inability to feel the + difference between good and evil, he had never been an informer; and it + was possible to talk with him in perfect safety. He changed the + conversation again, therefore, and began to praise Plautius’s dwelling and + the good taste which reigned in the house. + </p> + <p> + “It is an ancient seat,” said Plautius, “in which nothing has been changed + since I inherited it.” + </p> + <p> + After the curtain was pushed aside which divided the atrium from the + tablinum, the house was open from end to end, so that through the tablinum + and the following peristyle and the hall lying beyond it which was called + the oecus, the glance extended to the garden, which seemed from a distance + like a bright image set in a dark frame. Joyous, childlike laughter came + from it to the atrium. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, general!” said Petronius, “permit us to listen from near by to that + glad laughter which is of a kind heard so rarely in these days.” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly,” answered Plautius, rising; “that is my little Aulus and + Lygia, playing ball. But as to laughter, I think, Petronius, that our + whole life is spent in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Life deserves laughter, hence people laugh at it,” answered Petronius, + “but laughter here has another sound.” + </p> + <p> + “Petronius does not laugh for days in succession,” said Vinicius; “but + then he laughs entire nights.” + </p> + <p> + Thus conversing, they passed through the length of the house and reached + the garden, where Lygia and little Aulus were playing with balls, which + slaves, appointed to that game exclusively and called spheristæ, picked up + and placed in their hands. Petronius cast a quick passing glance at Lygia; + little Aulus, seeing Vinicius, ran to greet him; but the young tribune, + going forward, bent his head before the beautiful maiden, who stood with a + ball in her hand, her hair blown apart a little. She was somewhat out of + breath, and flushed. + </p> + <p> + In the garden triclinium, shaded by ivy, grapes, and woodbine, sat + Pomponia Græcina; hence they went to salute her. She was known to + Petronius, though he did not visit Plautius, for he had seen her at the + house of Antistia, the daughter of Rubelius Plautus, and besides at the + house of Seneca and Polion. He could not resist a certain admiration with + which he was filled by her face, pensive but mild, by the dignity of her + bearing, by her movements, by her words. Pomponia disturbed his + understanding of women to such a degree that that man, corrupted to the + marrow of his bones, and self-confident as no one in Rome, not only felt + for her a kind of esteem, but even lost his previous self-confidence. And + now, thanking her for her care of Vinicius, he thrust in, as it were + involuntarily, “domina,” which never occurred to him when speaking, for + example, to Calvia Crispinilla, Scribonia, Veleria, Solina, and other + women of high society. After he had greeted her and returned thanks, he + began to complain that he saw her so rarely, that it was not possible to + meet her either in the Circus or the Amphitheatre; to which she answered + calmly, laying her hand on the hand of her husband: + </p> + <p> + “We are growing old, and love our domestic quiet more and more, both of + us.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius wished to oppose; but Aulus Plautius added in his hissing voice,—“And + we feel stranger and stranger among people who give Greek names to our + Roman divinities.” + </p> + <p> + “The gods have become for some time mere figures of rhetoric,” replied + Petronius, carelessly. “But since Greek rhetoricians taught us, it is + easier for me even to say Hera than Juno.” + </p> + <p> + He turned his eyes then to Pomponia, as if to signify that in presence of + her no other divinity could come to his mind: and then he began to + contradict what she had said touching old age. + </p> + <p> + “People grow old quickly, it is true; but there are some who live another + life entirely, and there are faces moreover which Saturn seems to forget.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius said this with a certain sincerity even, for Pomponia Græcina, + though descending from the midday of life, had preserved an uncommon + freshness of face; and since she had a small head and delicate features, + she produced at times, despite her dark robes, despite her solemnity and + sadness, the impression of a woman quite young. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile little Aulus, who had become uncommonly friendly with Vinicius + during his former stay in the house, approached the young man and + entreated him to play ball. Lygia herself entered the triclinium after the + little boy. Under the climbing ivy, with the light quivering on her face, + she seemed to Petronius more beautiful than at the first glance, and + really like some nymph. As he had not spoken to her thus far, he rose, + inclined his head, and, instead of the usual expressions of greeting, + quoted the words with which Ulysses greeted Nausikaa,— + </p> + <p> + “I supplicate thee, O queen, whether thou art some goddess or a mortal! If + thou art one of the daughters of men who dwell on earth, thrice blessed + are thy father and thy lady mother, and thrice blessed thy brethren.” + </p> + <p> + The exquisite politeness of this man of the world pleased even Pomponia. + As to Lygia, she listened, confused and flushed, without boldness to raise + her eyes. But a wayward smile began to quiver at the corners of her lips, + and on her face a struggle was evident between the timidity of a maiden + and the wish to answer; but clearly the wish was victorious, for, looking + quickly at Petronius, she answered him all at once with the words of that + same Nausikaa, quoting them at one breath, and a little like a lesson + learned,— + </p> + <p> + “Stranger, thou seemest no evil man nor foolish.” + </p> + <p> + Then she turned and ran out as a frightened bird runs. + </p> + <p> + This time the turn for astonishment came to Petronius, for he had not + expected to hear verses of Homer from the lips of a maiden of whose + barbarian extraction he had heard previously from Vinicius. Hence he + looked with an inquiring glance at Pomponia; but she could not give him an + answer, for she was looking at that moment, with a smile, at the pride + reflected on the face of her husband. + </p> + <p> + He was not able to conceal that pride. First, he had become attached to + Lygia as to his own daughter; and second, in spite of his old Roman + prejudices, which commanded him to thunder against Greek and the spread of + the language, he considered it as the summit of social polish. He himself + had never been able to learn it well; over this he suffered in secret. He + was glad, therefore, that an answer was given in the language and poetry + of Homer to this exquisite man both of fashion and letters, who was ready + to consider Plautius’s house as barbarian. + </p> + <p> + “We have in the house a pedagogue, a Greek,” said he, turning to + Petronius, “who teaches our boy, and the maiden overhears the lessons. She + is a wagtail yet, but a dear one, to which we have both grown attached.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked through the branches of woodbine into the garden, and at + the three persons who were playing there. Vinicius had thrown aside his + toga, and, wearing only his tunic, was striking the ball, which Lygia, + standing opposite, with raised arms was trying to catch. The maiden did + not make a great impression on Petronius at the first glance; she seemed + to him too slender. But from the moment when he saw her more nearly in the + triclinium he thought to himself that Aurora might look like her; and as a + judge he understood that in her there was something uncommon. He + considered everything and estimated everything; hence her face, rosy and + clear, her fresh lips, as if set for a kiss, her eyes blue as the azure of + the sea, the alabaster whiteness of her forehead, the wealth of her dark + hair, with the reflection of amber or Corinthian bronze gleaming in its + folds, her slender neck, the divine slope of her shoulders, the whole + posture, flexible, slender, young with the youth of May and of freshly + opened flowers. The artist was roused in him, and the worshipper of + beauty, who felt that beneath a statue of that maiden one might write + “Spring.” All at once he remembered Chrysothemis, and pure laughter seized + him. Chrysothemis seemed to him, with golden powder on her hair and + darkened brows, to be fabulously faded,—something in the nature of a + yellowed rose-tree shedding its leaves. But still Rome envied him that + Chrysothemis. Then he recalled Poppæa; and that most famous Poppæa also + seemed to him soulless, a waxen mask. In that maiden with Tanagrian + outlines there was not only spring, but a radiant soul, which shone + through her rosy body as a flame through a lamp. + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius is right,” thought he, “and my Chrysothemis is old, old!—as + Troy!” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to Pomponia Græcina, and, pointing to the garden, said,—“I + understand now, domina, why thou and thy husband prefer this house to the + Circus and to feasts on the Palatine.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered she, turning her eyes in the direction of little Aulus and + Lygia. + </p> + <p> + But the old general began to relate the history of the maiden, and what he + had heard years before from Atelius Hister about the Lygian people who + lived in the gloom of the North. + </p> + <p> + The three outside had finished playing ball, and for some time had been + walking along the sand of the garden, appearing against the dark + background of myrtles and cypresses like three white statues. Lygia held + little Aulus by the hand. After they had walked a while they sat on a + bench near the fish-pond, which occupied the middle of the garden. After a + time Aulus sprang up to frighten the fish in the transparent water, but + Vinicius continued the conversation begun during the walk. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said he, in a low, quivering voice, scarcely audible; “barely had I + cast aside the pretexta, when I was sent to the legions in Asia. I had not + become acquainted with the city, nor with life, nor with love. I know a + small bit of Anacreon by heart, and Horace; but I cannot like Petronius + quote verses, when reason is dumb from admiration and unable to find its + own words. While a youth I went to school to Musonius, who told me that + happiness consists in wishing what the gods wish, and therefore depends on + our will. I think, however, that it is something else,—something + greater and more precious, which depends not on the will, for love only + can give it. The gods themselves seek that happiness; hence I too, O + Lygia, who have not known love thus far, follow in their footsteps. I also + seek her who would give me happiness—” + </p> + <p> + He was silent—and for a time there was nothing to be heard save the + light plash of the water into which little Aulus was throwing pebbles to + frighten the fish; but after a while Vinicius began again in a voice still + softer and lower,—“But thou knowest of Vespasian’s son Titus? They + say that he had scarcely ceased to be a youth when he so loved Berenice + that grief almost drew the life out of him. So could I too love, O Lygia! + Riches, glory, power are mere smoke, vanity! The rich man will find a + richer than himself; the greater glory of another will eclipse a man who + is famous; a strong man will be conquered by a stronger. But can Cæsar + himself, can any god even, experience greater delight or be happier than a + simple mortal at the moment when at his breast there is breathing another + dear breast, or when he kisses beloved lips? Hence love makes us equal to + the gods, O Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + And she listened with alarm, with astonishment, and at the same time as if + she were listening to the sound of a Grecian flute or a cithara. It seemed + to her at moments that Vinicius was singing a kind of wonderful song, + which was instilling itself into her ears, moving the blood in her, and + penetrating her heart with a faintness, a fear, and a kind of + uncomprehended delight. It seemed to her also that he was telling + something which was in her before, but of which she could not give account + to herself. She felt that he was rousing in her something which had been + sleeping hitherto, and that in that moment a hazy dream was changing into + a form more and more definite, more pleasing, more beautiful. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the sun had passed the Tiber long since, and had sunk low over + the Janiculum. On the motionless cypresses ruddy light was falling, and + the whole atmosphere was filled with it. Lygia raised on Vinicius her blue + eyes as if roused from sleep; and he, bending over her with a prayer + quivering in his eyes, seemed on a sudden, in the reflections of evening, + more beautiful than all men, than all Greek and Roman gods whose statues + she had seen on the façades of temples. And with his fingers he clasped + her arm lightly just above the wrist and asked,—“Dost thou not + divine what I say to thee, Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” whispered she as answer, in a voice so low that Vinicius barely + heard it. + </p> + <p> + But he did not believe her, and, drawing her hand toward him more + vigorously, he would have drawn it to his heart, which, under the + influence of desire roused by the marvellous maiden, was beating like a + hammer, and would have addressed burning words to her directly had not old + Aulus appeared on a path set in a frame of myrtles, who said, while + approaching them,—“The sun is setting; so beware of the evening + coolness, and do not trifle with Libitina.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Vinicius; “I have not put on my toga yet, and I do not feel + the cold.” + </p> + <p> + “But see, barely half the sun’s shield is looking from behind the hill. + That is a sweet climate of Sicily, where people gather on the square + before sunset and take farewell of disappearing Phoebus with a choral + song.” + </p> + <p> + And, forgetting that a moment earlier he had warned them against Libitina, + he began to tell about Sicily, where he had estates and large cultivated + fields which he loved. He stated also that it had come to his mind more + than once to remove to Sicily, and live out his life there in quietness. + “He whose head winters have whitened has bad enough of hoar frost. Leaves + are not falling from the trees yet, and the sky smiles on the city + lovingly; but when the grapevines grow yellow-leaved, when snow falls on + the Alban hills, and the gods visit the Campania with piercing wind, who + knows but I may remove with my entire household to my quiet country-seat?” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldst thou leave Rome?” inquired Vinicius, with sudden alarm. + </p> + <p> + “I have wished to do so this long time, for it is quieter in Sicily and + safer.” + </p> + <p> + And again he fell to praising his gardens, his herds, his house hidden in + green, and the hills grown over with thyme and savory, among which were + swarms of buzzing bees. But Vinicius paid no heed to that bucolic note; + and from thinking only of this, that he might lose Lygia, he looked toward + Petronius as if expecting salvation from him alone. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Petronius, sitting near Pomponia, was admiring the view of the + setting sun, the garden, and the people standing near the fish-pond. Their + white garments on the dark background of the myrtles gleamed like gold + from the evening rays. On the sky the evening light had begun to assume + purple and violet hues, and to change like an opal. A strip of the sky + became lily-colored. The dark silhouettes of the cypresses grew still more + pronounced than during bright daylight. In the people, in the trees, in + the whole garden there reigned an evening calm. + </p> + <p> + That calm struck Petronius, and it struck him especially in the people. In + the faces of Pomponia, old Aulus, their son, and Lygia there was something + such as he did not see in the faces which surrounded him every day, or + rather every night. There was a certain light, a certain repose, a certain + serenity, flowing directly from the life which all lived there. And with a + species of astonishment he thought that a beauty and sweetness might exist + which he, who chased after beauty and sweetness continually, had not + known. He could not hide the thought in himself, and said, turning to + Pomponia,—“I am considering in my soul how different this world of + yours is from the world which our Nero rules.” + </p> + <p> + She raised her delicate face toward the evening light, and said with + simplicity,—“Not Nero, but God, rules the world.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed. Near the triclinium were heard in the alley, + the steps of the old general, Vinicius, Lygia, and little Aulus; but + before they arrived, Petronius had put another question—“But + believest thou in the gods, then, Pomponia?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe in God, who is one, just, and all-powerful,” answered the wife + of Aulus Plautius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III + </h2> + <p> + “SHE believes in God who is one, all-powerful, and just,” said Petronius, + when he found himself again in the litter with Vinicius. “If her God is + all-powerful, He controls life and death; and if He is just, He sends + death justly. Why, then, does Pomponia wear mourning for Julius? In + mourning for Julius she blames her God. I must repeat this reasoning to + our Bronzebeard, the monkey, since I consider that in dialectics I am the + equal of Socrates. As to women, I agree that each has three or four souls, + but none of them a reasoning one. Let Pomponia meditate with Seneca or + Cornutus over the question of what their great Logos is. Let them summon + at once the shades of Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno, and Plato, who are as + much wearied there in Cimmerian regions as a finch in a cage. I wished to + talk with her and with Plautius about something else. By the holy stomach + of the Egyptian Isis! If I had told them right out directly why we came, I + suppose that their virtue would have made as much noise as a bronze shield + under the blow of a club. And I did not dare to tell! Wilt thou believe, + Vinicius, I did not dare! Peacocks are beautiful birds, but they have too + shrill a cry. I feared an outburst. But I must praise thy choice. A real + ‘rosy-fingered Aurora.’ And knowest thou what she reminded me of too?—Spring! + not our spring in Italy, where an apple-tree merely puts forth a blossom + here and there, and olive groves grow gray, just as they were gray before, + but the spring which I saw once in Helvetia,—young, fresh, bright + green. By that pale moon, I do not wonder at thee, Marcus; but know that + thou art loving Diana, because Aulus and Pomponia are ready to tear thee + to pieces, as the dogs once tore Actæon.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was silent a time without raising his head; then he began to + speak with a voice broken by passion,—“I desired her before, but now + I desire her still more. When I caught her arm, flame embraced me. I must + have her. Were I Zeus, I would surround her with a cloud, as he surrounded + Io, or I would fall on her in rain, as he fell on Danaë; I would kiss her + lips till it pained! I would hear her scream in my arms. I would kill + Aulus and Pomponia, and bear her home in my arms. I will not sleep + to-night. I will give command to flog one of my slaves, and listen to his + groans—” + </p> + <p> + “Calm thyself,” said Petronius. “Thou hast the longing of a carpenter from + the Subura.” + </p> + <p> + “All one to me what thou sayst. I must have her. I have turned to thee for + aid; but if thou wilt not find it, I shall find it myself. Aulus considers + Lygia as a daughter; why should I look on her as a slave? And since there + is no other way, let her ornament the door of my house, let her anoint it + with wolf’s fat, and let her sit at my hearth as wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Calm thyself, mad descendant of consuls. We do not lead in barbarians + bound behind our cars, to make wives of their daughters. Beware of + extremes. Exhaust simple, honorable methods, and give thyself and me time + for meditation. Chrysothemis seemed to me too a daughter of Jove, and + still I did not marry her, just as Nero did not marry Acte, though they + called her a daughter of King Attalus. Calm thyself! Think that if she + wishes to leave Aulus for thee, he will have no right to detain her. Know + also that thou art not burning alone, for Eros has roused in her the flame + too. I saw that, and it is well to believe me. Have patience. There is a + way to do everything, but to-day I have thought too much already, and it + tires me. But I promise that to-morrow I will think of thy love, and + unless Petronius is not Petronius, he will discover some method.” + </p> + <p> + They were both silent again. + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee,” said Vinicius at last. “May Fortune be bountiful to thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Be patient.” + </p> + <p> + “Whither hast thou given command to bear us?” + </p> + <p> + “To Chrysothemis.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art happy in possessing her whom thou lovest.” + </p> + <p> + “I? Dost thou know what amuses me yet in Chrysothemis? This, that she is + false to me with my freedman Theokles, and thinks that I do not notice it. + Once I loved her, but now she amuses me with her lying and stupidity. Come + with me to her. Should she begin to flirt with thee, and write letters on + the table with her fingers steeped in wine, know that I shall not be + jealous.” + </p> + <p> + And he gave command to bear them both to Chrysothemis. + </p> + <p> + But in the entrance Petronius put his hand on Vinicius’s shoulder, and + said,—“Wait; it seems to me that I have discovered a plan.” + </p> + <p> + “May all the gods reward thee!” + </p> + <p> + “I have it! I judge that this plan is infallible. Knowest what, Marcus?” + </p> + <p> + “I listen to thee, my wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, in a few days the divine Lygia will partake of Demeter’s grain in + thy house.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art greater than Cæsar!” exclaimed Vinicius with enthusiasm. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV + </h2> + <p> + IN fact, Petronius kept his promise. He slept all the day following his + visit to Chrysothemis, it is true; but in the evening he gave command to + bear him to the Palatine, where he had a confidential conversation with + Nero; in consequence of this, on the third day a centurion, at the head of + some tens of pretorian soldiers, appeared before the house of Plautius. + </p> + <p> + The period was uncertain and terrible. Messengers of this kind were more + frequently heralds of death. So when the centurion struck the hammer at + Aulus’s door, and when the guard of the atrium announced that there were + soldiers in the anteroom, terror rose through the whole house. The family + surrounded the old general at once, for no one doubted that danger hung + over him above all. Pomponia, embracing his neck with her arms, clung to + him with all her strength, and her blue lips moved quickly while uttering + some whispered phrase. Lygia, with a face pale as linen, kissed his hand; + little Aulus clung to his toga. From the corridor, from chambers in the + lower story intended for servant-women and attendants, from the bath, from + the arches of lower dwellings, from the whole house, crowds of slaves + began to hurry out, and the cries of “Heu! heu, me miserum!” were heard. + The women broke into great weeping; some scratched their cheeks, or + covered their heads with kerchiefs. + </p> + <p> + Only the old general himself, accustomed for years to look death straight + in the eye, remained calm, and his short eagle face became as rigid as if + chiselled from stone. After a while, when he had silenced the uproar, and + commanded the attendants to disappear, he said,—“Let me go, + Pomponia. If my end has come, we shall have time to take leave.” + </p> + <p> + And he pushed her aside gently; but she said,—“God grant thy fate + and mine to be one, O Aulus!” + </p> + <p> + Then, failing on her knees, she began to pray with that force which fear + for some dear one alone can give. + </p> + <p> + Aulus passed out to the atrium, where the centurion was waiting for him. + It was old Caius Hasta, his former subordinate and companion in British + wars. + </p> + <p> + “I greet thee, general,” said he. “I bring a command, and the greeting of + Cæsar; here are the tablets and the signet to show that I come in his + name.” + </p> + <p> + “I am thankful to Cæsar for the greeting, and I shall obey the command,” + answered Aulus. “Be welcome, Hasta, and say what command thou hast + brought.” + </p> + <p> + “Aulus Plautius,” began Hasta, “Cæsar has learned that in thy house is + dwelling the daughter of the king of the Lygians, whom that king during + the life of the divine Claudius gave into the hands of the Romans as a + pledge that the boundaries of the empire would never be violated by the + Lygians. The divine Nero is grateful to thee, O general, because thou hast + given her hospitality in thy house for so many years; but, not wishing to + burden thee longer, and considering also that the maiden as a hostage + should be under the guardianship of Cæsar and the senate, he commands thee + to give her into my hands.” + </p> + <p> + Aulus was too much a soldier and too much a veteran to permit himself + regret in view of an order, or vain words, or complaint. A slight wrinkle + of sudden anger and pain, however, appeared on his forehead. Before that + frown legions in Britain had trembled on a time, and even at that moment + fear was evident on the face of Hasta. But in view of the order, Aulus + Plautius felt defenceless. He looked for some time at the tablets and the + signet; then raising his eyes to the old centurion, he said calmly,—“Wait, + Hasta, in the atrium till the hostage is delivered to thee.” + </p> + <p> + After these words he passed to the other end of the house, to the hall + called oecus, where Pomponia Græcina, Lygia, and little Aulus were waiting + for him in fear and alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Death threatens no one, nor banishment to distant islands,” said he; + “still Cæsar’s messenger is a herald of misfortune. It is a question of + thee, Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “Of Lygia?” exclaimed Pomponia, with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Aulus. + </p> + <p> + And turning to the maiden, he began: “Lygia, thou wert reared in our house + as our own child; I and Pomponia love thee as our daughter. But know this, + that thou art not our daughter. Thou art a hostage, given by thy people to + Rome, and guardianship over thee belongs to Cæsar. Now Cæsar takes thee + from our house.” + </p> + <p> + The general spoke calmly, but with a certain strange, unusual voice. Lygia + listened to his words, blinking, as if not understanding what the question + was. Pomponia’s cheeks became pallid. In the doors leading from the + corridor to the oecus, terrified faces of slaves began to show themselves + a second time. + </p> + <p> + “The will of Cæsar must be accomplished,” said Aulus. + </p> + <p> + “Aulus!” exclaimed Pomponia, embracing the maiden with her arms, as if + wishing to defend her, “it would be better for her to die.” + </p> + <p> + Lygia, nestling up to her breast, repeated, “Mother, mother!” unable in + her sobbing to find other words. + </p> + <p> + On Aulus’s face anger and pain were reflected again. “If I were alone in + the world,” said he, gloomily, “I would not surrender her alive, and my + relatives might give offerings this day to ‘Jupiter Liberator.’ But I have + not the right to kill thee and our child, who may live to happier times. I + will go to Cæsar this day, and implore him to change his command. Whether + he will hear me, I know not. Meanwhile, farewell, Lygia, and know that I + and Pomponia ever bless the day in which thou didst take thy seat at our + hearth.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he placed his hand on her head; but though he strove to + preserve his calmness, when Lygia turned to him eyes filled with tears, + and seizing his hand pressed it to her lips, his voice was filled with + deep fatherly sorrow. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, our joy, and the light of our eyes,” said he. + </p> + <p> + And he went to the atrium quickly, so as not to let himself be conquered + by emotion unworthy of a Roman and a general. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Pomponia, when she had conducted Lygia to the cubiculum, began + to comfort, console, and encourage her, uttering words meanwhile which + sounded strangely in that house, where near them in an adjoining chamber + the lararium remained yet, and where the hearth was on which Aulus + Plautius, faithful to ancient usage, made offerings to the household + divinities. Now the hour of trial had come. On a time Virginius had + pierced the bosom of his own daughter to save her from the hands of + Appius; still earlier Lucretia had redeemed her shame with her life. The + house of Cæsar is a den of infamy, of evil, of crime. But we, Lygia, know + why we have not the right to raise hands on ourselves! Yes! The law under + which we both live is another, a greater, a holier, but it gives + permission to defend oneself from evil and shame even should it happen to + pay for that defence with life and torment. Whoso goes forth pure from the + dwelling of corruption has the greater merit thereby. The earth is that + dwelling; but fortunately life is one twinkle of the eye, and resurrection + is only from the grave; beyond that not Nero, but Mercy bears rule, and + there instead of pain is delight, there instead of tears is rejoicing. + </p> + <p> + Next she began to speak of herself. Yes! she was calm; but in her breast + there was no lack of painful wounds. For example, Aulus was a cataract on + her eye; the fountain of light had not flowed to him yet. Neither was it + permitted her to rear her son in Truth. When she thought, therefore, that + it might be thus to the end of her life, and that for them a moment of + separation might come which would be a hundred times more grievous and + terrible than that temporary one over which they were both suffering then, + she could not so much as understand how she might be happy even in heaven + without them. And she had wept many nights through already, she had passed + many nights in prayer, imploring grace and mercy. But she offered her + suffering to God, and waited and trusted. And now, when a new blow struck + her, when the tyrant’s command took from her a dear one,—the one + whom Aulus had called the light of their eyes,—she trusted yet, + believing that there was a power greater than Nero’s and a mercy mightier + than his anger. + </p> + <p> + And she pressed the maiden’s head to her bosom still more firmly. Lygia + dropped to her knees after a while, and, covering her eyes in the folds of + Pomponia’s peplus, she remained thus a long time in silence; but when she + stood up again, some calmness was evident on her face. + </p> + <p> + “I grieve for thee, mother, and for father and for my brother; but I know + that resistance is useless, and would destroy all of us. I promise thee + that in the house of Cæsar I will never forget thy words.” + </p> + <p> + Once more she threw her arms around Pomponia’s neck; then both went out to + the oecus, and she took farewell of little Aulus, of the old Greek their + teacher, of the dressing-maid who had been her nurse, and of all the + slaves. One of these, a tall and broad-shouldered Lygian, called Ursus in + the house, who with other servants had in his time gone with Lygia’s + mother and her to the camp of the Romans, fell now at her feet, and then + bent down to the knees of Pomponia, saying,—“O domina! permit me to + go with my lady, to serve her and watch over her in the house of Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art not our servant, but Lygia’s,” answered Pomponia; “but if they + admit thee through Cæsar’s doors, in what way wilt thou be able to watch + over her?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not, domina; I know only that iron breaks in my hands just as wood + does.” + </p> + <p> + When Aulus, who came up at that moment, had heard what the question was, + not only did he not oppose the wishes of Ursus, but he declared that he + had not even the right to detain him. They were sending away Lygia as a + hostage whom Cæsar had claimed, and they were obliged in the same way to + send her retinue, which passed with her to the control of Cæsar. Here he + whispered to Pomponia that under the form of an escort she could add as + many slaves as she thought proper, for the centurion could not refuse to + receive them. + </p> + <p> + There was a certain comfort for Lygia in this. Pomponia also was glad that + she could surround her with servants of her own choice. Therefore, besides + Ursus, she appointed to her the old tire-woman, two maidens from Cyprus + well skilled in hair-dressing, and two German maidens for the bath. Her + choice fell exclusively on adherents of the new faith; Ursus, too, had + professed it for a number of years. Pomponia could count on the + faithfulness of those servants, and at the same time consoled herself with + the thought that soon grains of truth would be in Cæsar’s house. + </p> + <p> + She wrote a few words also, committing care over Lygia to Nero’s + freedwoman, Acte. Pomponia had not seen her, it is true, at meetings of + confessors of the new faith; but she had heard from them that Acte had + never refused them a service, and that she read the letters of Paul of + Tarsus eagerly. It was known to her also that the young freedwoman lived + in melancholy, that she was a person different from all other women of + Nero’s house, and that in general she was the good spirit of the palace. + </p> + <p> + Hasta engaged to deliver the letter himself to Acte. Considering it + natural that the daughter of a king should have a retinue of her own + servants, he did not raise the least difficulty in taking them to the + palace, but wondered rather that there should be so few. He begged haste, + however, fearing lest he might be suspected of want of zeal in carrying + out orders. + </p> + <p> + The moment of parting came. The eyes of Pomponia and Lygia were filled + with fresh tears; Aulus placed his hand on her head again, and after a + while the soldiers, followed by the cry of little Aulus, who in defence of + his sister threatened the centurion with his small fists, conducted Lygia + to Cæsar’s house. + </p> + <p> + The old general gave command to prepare his litter at once; meanwhile, + shutting himself up with Pomponia in the pinacotheca adjoining the oecus, + he said to her,—“Listen to me, Pomponia. I will go to Cæsar, though + I judge that my visit will be useless; and though Seneca’s word means + nothing with Nero now, I will go also to Seneca. To-day Sophonius, + Tigellinus, Petronius, or Vatinius have more influence. As to Cæsar, + perhaps he has never even heard of the Lygian people; and if he has + demanded the delivery of Lygia, the hostage, he has done so because some + one persuaded him to it,—it is easy to guess who could do that.” + </p> + <p> + She raised her eyes to him quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Is it Petronius?” + </p> + <p> + “It is.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed; then the general continued,—“See what + it is to admit over the threshold any of those people without conscience + or honor. Cursed be the moment in which Vinicius entered our house, for he + brought Petronius. Woe to Lygia, since those men are not seeking a + hostage, but a concubine.” + </p> + <p> + And his speech became more hissing than usual, because of helpless rage + and of sorrow for his adopted daughter. He struggled with himself some + time, and only his clenched fists showed how severe was the struggle + within him. + </p> + <p> + “I have revered the gods so far,” said he; “but at this moment I think + that not they are over the world, but one mad, malicious monster named + Nero.” + </p> + <p> + “Aulus,” said Pomponia. “Nero is only a handful of rotten dust before + God.” + </p> + <p> + But Aulus began to walk with long steps over the mosaic of the + pinacotheca. In his life there had been great deeds, but no great + misfortunes; hence he was unused to them. The old soldier had grown more + attached to Lygia than he himself had been aware of, and now he could not + be reconciled to the thought that he had lost her. Besides, he felt + humiliated. A hand was weighing on him which he despised, and at the same + time he felt that before its power his power was as nothing. + </p> + <p> + But when at last he stifled in himself the anger which disturbed his + thoughts, he said,—“I judge that Petronius has not taken her from us + for Cæsar, since he would not offend Poppæa. Therefore he took her either + for himself or Vinicius. Today I will discover this.” + </p> + <p> + And after a while the litter bore him in the direction of the Palatine. + Pomponia, when left alone, went to little Aulus, who did not cease crying + for his sister, or threatening Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V + </h2> + <p> + AULUS had judged rightly that he would not be admitted to Nero’s presence. + They told him that Cæsar was occupied in singing with the lute-player, + Terpnos, and that in general he did not receive those whom he himself had + not summoned. In other words, that Aulus must not attempt in future to see + him. + </p> + <p> + Seneca, though ill with a fever, received the old general with due honor; + but when he had heard what the question was, he laughed bitterly, and + said,—“I can render thee only one service, noble Plautius, not to + show Cæsar at any time that my heart feels thy pain, or that I should like + to aid thee; for should Cæsar have the least suspicion on this head, know + that he would not give thee back Lygia, though for no other reason than to + spite me.” + </p> + <p> + He did not advise him, either, to go to Tigellinus or Vatinius or + Vitelius. It might be possible to do something with them through money; + perhaps, also, they would like to do evil to Petronius, whose influence + they were trying to undermine, but most likely they would disclose before + Nero how dear Lygia was to Plautius, and then Nero would all the more + resolve not to yield her to him. Here the old sage began to speak with a + biting irony, which he turned against himself: “Thou hast been silent, + Plautius, thou hast been silent for whole years, and Cæsar does not like + those who are silent. How couldst thou help being carried away by his + beauty, his virtue, his singing, his declamation, his chariot-driving, and + his verses? Why didst thou not glorify the death of Britannicus, and + repeat panegyrics in honor of the mother-slayer, and not offer + congratulations after the stifling of Octavia? Thou art lacking in + foresight, Aulus, which we who live happily at the court possess in proper + measure.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he raised a goblet which he carried at his belt, took water + from a fountain at the impluvium, freshened his burning lips, and + continued,—“Ah, Nero has a grateful heart. He loves thee because + thou hast served Rome and glorified its name at the ends of the earth; he + loves me because I was his master in youth. Therefore, seest thou, I know + that this water is not poisoned, and I drink it in peace. Wine in my own + house would be less reliable. If thou art thirsty, drink boldly of this + water. The aqueducts bring it from beyond the Alban hills, and any one + wishing to poison it would have to poison every fountain in Rome. As thou + seest, it is possible yet to be safe in this world and to have a quiet old + age. I am sick, it is true, but rather in soul than in body.” + </p> + <p> + This was true. Seneca lacked the strength of soul which Cornutus + possessed, for example, or Thrasea; hence his life was a series of + concessions to crime. He felt this himself; he understood that an adherent + of the principles of Zeno, of Citium, should go by another road, and he + suffered more from that cause than from the fear of death itself. + </p> + <p> + But the general interrupted these reflections full of grief. + </p> + <p> + “Noble Annæus,” said he, “I know how Cæsar rewarded thee for the care with + which thou didst surround his years of youth. But the author of the + removal of Lygia is Petronius. Indicate to me a method against him, + indicate the influences to which he yields, and use besides with him all + the eloquence with which friendship for me of long standing can inspire + thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Petronius and I,” answered Seneca, “are men of two opposite camps; I know + of no method against him, he yields to no man’s influence. Perhaps with + all his corruption he is worthier than those scoundrels with whom Nero + surrounds himself at present. But to show him that he has done an evil + deed is to lose time simply. Petronius has lost long since that faculty + which distinguishes good from evil. Show him that his act is ugly, he will + be ashamed of it. When I see him, I will say, ‘Thy act is worthy of a + freedman.’ If that will not help thee, nothing can.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks for that, even,” answered the general. + </p> + <p> + Then he gave command to carry him to the house of Vinicius, whom he found + at sword practice with his domestic trainer. Aulus was borne away by + terrible anger at sight of the young man occupied calmly with fencing + during the attack on Lygia; and barely had the curtain dropped behind the + trainer when this anger burst forth in a torrent of bitter reproaches and + injuries. But Vinicius, when he learned that Lygia had been carried away, + grew so terribly pale that Aulus could not for even an instant suspect him + of sharing in the deed. The young man’s forehead was covered with sweat; + the blood, which had rushed to his heart for a moment, returned to his + face in a burning wave; his eyes began to shoot sparks, his mouth to hurl + disconnected questions. Jealousy and rage tossed him in turn, like a + tempest. It seemed to him that Lygia, once she had crossed the threshold + of Cæsar’s house, was lost to him absolutely. When Aulus pronounced the + name of Petronius, suspicion flew like a lightning flash through the young + soldier’s mind, that Petronius had made sport of him, and either wanted to + win new favor from Nero by the gift of Lygia, or keep her for himself. + That any one who had seen Lygia would not desire her at once, did not find + a place in his head. Impetuousness, inherited in his family, carried him + away like a wild horse, and took from him presence of mind. + </p> + <p> + “General,” said he, with a broken voice, “return home and wait for me. + Know that if Petronius were my own father, I would avenge on him the wrong + done to Lygia. Return home and wait for me. Neither Petronius nor Cæsar + will have her.” + </p> + <p> + Then he went with clinched fists to the waxed masks standing clothed in + the atrium, and burst out,—“By those mortal masks! I would rather + kill her and myself.” When he had said this, he sent another “Wait for me” + after Aulus, then ran forth like a madman from the atrium, and flew to + Petronius’s house, thrusting pedestrians aside on the way. + </p> + <p> + Aulus returned home with a certain encouragement. He judged that if + Petronius had persuaded Cæsar to take Lygia to give her to Vinicius, + Vinicius would bring her to their house. Finally, the thought was no + little consolation to him, that should Lygia not be rescued she would be + avenged and protected by death from disgrace. He believed that Vinicius + would do everything that he had promised. He had seen his rage, and he + knew the excitability innate in the whole family. He himself, though he + loved Lygia as her own father, would rather kill her than give her to + Cæsar; and had he not regarded his son, the last descendant of his stock, + he would doubtless have done so. Aulus was a soldier; he had hardly heard + of the Stoics, but in character he was not far from their ideas,—death + was more acceptable to his pride than disgrace. + </p> + <p> + When he returned home, he pacified Pomponia, gave her the consolation that + he had, and both began to await news from Vinicius. At moments when the + steps of some of the slaves were heard in the atrium, they thought that + perhaps Vinicius was bringing their beloved child to them, and they were + ready in the depth of their souls to bless both. Time passed, however, and + no news came. Only in the evening was the hammer heard on the gate. + </p> + <p> + After a while a slave entered and handed Aulus a letter. The old general, + though he liked to show command over himself, took it with a somewhat + trembling hand, and began to read as hastily as if it were a question of + his whole house. + </p> + <p> + All at once his face darkened, as if a shadow from a passing cloud had + fallen on it. + </p> + <p> + “Read,” said he, turning to Pomponia. + </p> + <p> + Pomponia took the letter and read as follows:— + </p> + <p> + “Marcus Vinicius to Aulus Plautius greeting. What has happened, has + happened by the will of Cæsar, before which incline your heads, as I and + Petronius incline ours.” + </p> + <p> + A long silence followed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS was at home. The doorkeeper did not dare to stop Vinicius, who + burst into the atrium like a storm, and, learning that the master of the + house was in the library, he rushed into the library with the same + impetus. Finding Petronius writing, he snatched the reed from his hand, + broke it, trampled the reed on the floor, then fixed his fingers into his + shoulder, and, approaching his face to that of his uncle, asked, with a + hoarse voice,—“What hast thou done with her? Where is she?” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly an amazing thing happened. That slender and effeminate Petronius + seized the hand of the youthful athlete, which was grasping his shoulder, + then seized the other, and, holding them both in his one hand with the + grip of an iron vice, he said,—“I am incapable only in the morning; + in the evening I regain my former strength. Try to escape. A weaver must + have taught thee gymnastics, and a blacksmith thy manners.” + </p> + <p> + On his face not even anger was evident, but in his eyes there was a + certain pale reflection of energy and daring. After a while he let the + hands of Vinicius drop. Vinicius stood before him shamefaced and enraged. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast a steel hand,” said he; “but if thou hast betrayed me, I swear, + by all the infernal gods, that I will thrust a knife into thy body, though + thou be in the chambers of Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us talk calmly,” said Petronius. “Steel is stronger, as thou seest, + than iron; hence, though out of one of thy arms two as large as mine might + be made, I have no need to fear thee. On the contrary, I grieve over thy + rudeness, and if the ingratitude of men could astonish me yet, I should be + astonished at thy ingratitude.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “In a brothel,—that is, in the house of Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + “Petronius!” + </p> + <p> + “Calm thyself, and be seated. I asked Cæsar for two things, which he + promised me,—first, to take Lygia from the house of Aulus, and + second to give her to thee. Hast thou not a knife there under the folds of + thy toga? Perhaps thou wilt stab me! But I advise thee to wait a couple of + days, for thou wouldst be taken to prison, and meanwhile Lygia would be + wearied in thy house.” + </p> + <p> + Silence followed. Vinicius looked for some time with astonished eyes on + Petronius; then he said,—“Pardon me; I love her, and love is + disturbing my faculties.” + </p> + <p> + “Look at me, Marcus. The day before yesterday I spoke to Cæsar as follows: + ‘My sister’s son, Vinicius, has so fallen in love with a lean little girl + who is being reared with the Auluses that his house is turned into a + steambath from sighs. Neither thou, O Cæsar, nor I—we who know, each + of us, what true beauty is—would give a thousand sesterces for her; + but that lad has ever been as dull as a tripod, and now he has lost all + the wit that was in him.’” + </p> + <p> + “Petronius!” + </p> + <p> + “If thou understand not that I said this to insure Lygia’s safety, I am + ready to believe that I told the truth. I persuaded Bronzebeard that a man + of his æsthetic nature could not consider such a girl beautiful; and Nero, + who so far has not dared to look otherwise than through my eyes, will not + find in her beauty, and, not finding it, will not desire her. It was + necessary to insure ourselves against the monkey and take him on a rope. + Not he, but Poppæa, will value Lygia now; and Poppæa will strive, of + course, to send the girl out of the palace at the earliest. I said further + to Bronzebeard, in passing: ‘Take Lygia and give her to Vinicius! Thou + hast the right to do so, for she is a hostage; and if thou take her, thou + wilt inflict pain on Aulus.’ He agreed; he had not the least reason not to + agree, all the more since I gave him a chance to annoy decent people. They + will make thee official guardian of the hostage, and give into thy hands + that Lygian treasure; thou, as a friend of the valiant Lygians, and also a + faithful servant of Cæsar, wilt not waste any of the treasure, but wilt + strive to increase it. Cæsar, to preserve appearances, will keep her a few + days in his house, and then send her to thy insula. Lucky man!” + </p> + <p> + “Is this true? Does nothing threaten her there in Cæsar’s house?” + </p> + <p> + “If she had to live there permanently, Poppæa would talk about her to + Locusta, but for a few days there is no danger. Ten thousand people live + in it. Nero will not see her, perhaps, all the more since he left + everything to me, to the degree that just now the centurion was here with + information that he had conducted the maiden to the palace and committed + her to Acte. She is a good soul, that Acte; hence I gave command to + deliver Lygia to her. Clearly Pomponia Græcina is of that opinion too, for + she wrote to Acte. To-morrow there is a feast at Nero’s. I have requested + a place for thee at the side of Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Caius, my hastiness. I judged that thou hadst given command to + take her for thyself or for Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + “I can forgive thy hastiness; but it is more difficult to forgive rude + gestures, vulgar shouts, and a voice reminding one of players at mora. I + do not like that style, Marcus, and do thou guard against it. Know that + Tigellinus is Cæsar’s pander; but know also that if I wanted the girl for + myself now, looking thee straight in the eyes, I would say, ‘Vinicius! I + take Lygia from thee and I will keep her till I am tired of her.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he began to look with his hazel eyes straight into the eyes + of Vinicius with a cold and insolent stare. The young man lost himself + completely. + </p> + <p> + “The fault is mine,” said he. “Thou art kind and worthy. I thank thee from + my whole soul. Permit me only to put one more question: Why didst thou not + have Lygia sent directly to my house?” + </p> + <p> + “Because Cæsar wishes to preserve appearances. People in Rome will talk + about this,—that we removed Lygia as a hostage. While they are + talking, she will remain in Cæsar’s palace. Afterward she will be removed + quietly to thy house, and that will be the end. Bronzebeard is a cowardly + cur. He knows that his power is unlimited, and still he tries to give + specious appearances to every act. Hast thou recovered to the degree of + being able to philosophize a little? More than once have I thought, Why + does crime, even when as powerful as Cæsar, and assured of being beyond + punishment, strive always for the appearances of truth, justice, and + virtue? Why does it take the trouble? I consider that to murder a brother, + a mother, a wife, is a thing worthy of some petty Asiatic king, not a + Roman Cæsar; but if that position were mine, I should not write justifying + letters to the Senate. But Nero writes. Nero is looking for appearances, + for Nero is a coward. But Tiberius was not a coward; still he justified + every step he took. Why is this? What a marvellous, involuntary homage + paid to virtue by evil! And knowest thou what strikes me? This, that it is + done because transgression is ugly and virtue is beautiful. Therefore a + man of genuine æsthetic feeling is also a virtuous man. Hence I am + virtuous. To-day I must pour out a little wine to the shades of + Protagoras, Prodicus, and Gorgias. It seems that sophists too can be of + service. Listen, for I am speaking yet. I took Lygia from Aulus to give + her to thee. Well. But Lysippus would have made wonderful groups of her + and thee. Ye are both beautiful; therefore my act is beautiful, and being + beautiful it cannot be bad. Marcus, here sitting before thee is virtue + incarnate in Caius Petronius! If Aristides were living, it would be his + duty to come to me and offer a hundred minæ for a short treatise on + virtue.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius, as a man more concerned with reality than with treatises on + virtue, replied,—“To-morrow I shall see Lygia, and then have her in + my house daily, always, and till death.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt have Lygia, and I shall have Aulus on my head. He will summon + the vengeance of all the infernal gods against me. And if the beast would + take at least a preliminary lesson in good declamation! He will blame me, + however, as my former doorkeeper blamed my clients but him I sent to + prison in the country.” + </p> + <p> + “Aulus has been at my house. I promised to give him news of Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “Write to him that the will of the ‘divine’ Cæsar is the highest law, and + that thy first son will bear the name Aulus. It is necessary that the old + man should have some consolation. I am ready to pray Bronzebeard to invite + him to-morrow to the feast. Let him see thee in the triclinium next to + Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not do that. I am sorry for them, especially for Pomponia.” + </p> + <p> + And he sat down to write that letter which took from the old general the + remnant of his hope. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII + </h2> + <p> + ONCE the highest heads in Rome inclined before Acte, the former favorite + of Nero. But even at that period she showed no desire to interfere in + public questions, and if on any occasion she used her influence over the + young ruler, it was only to implore mercy for some one. Quiet and + unassuming, she won the gratitude of many, and made no one her enemy. Even + Octavia was unable to hate her. To those who envied her she seemed + exceedingly harmless. It was known that she continued to love Nero with a + sad and pained love, which lived not in hope, but only in memories of the + time in which that Nero was not only younger and loving, but better. It + was known that she could not tear her thoughts and soul from those + memories, but expected nothing; since there was no real fear that Nero + would return to her, she was looked upon as a person wholly inoffensive, + and hence was left in peace. Poppæa considered her merely as a quiet + servant, so harmless that she did not even try to drive her from the + palace. + </p> + <p> + But since Cæsar had loved her once and dropped her without offence in a + quiet and to some extent friendly manner, a certain respect was retained + for her. Nero, when he had freed her, let her live in the palace, and gave + her special apartments with a few servants. And as in their time Pallas + and Narcissus, though freedmen of Claudius, not only sat at feasts with + Claudius, but also held places of honor as powerful ministers, so she too + was invited at times to Cæsar’s table. This was done perhaps because her + beautiful form was a real ornament to a feast. Cæsar for that matter had + long since ceased to count with any appearances in his choice of company. + At his table the most varied medley of people of every position and + calling found places. Among them were senators, but mainly those who were + content to be jesters as well. There were patricians, old and young, eager + for luxury, excess, and enjoyment. There were women with great names, who + did not hesitate to put on a yellow wig of an evening and seek adventures + on dark streets for amusement’s sake. There were also high officials, and + priests who at full goblets were willing to jeer at their own gods. At the + side of these was a rabble of every sort: singers, mimes, musicians, + dancers of both sexes; poets who, while declaiming, were thinking of the + sesterces which might fall to them for praise of Cæsar’s verses; hungry + philosophers following the dishes with eager eyes; finally, noted + charioteers, tricksters, miracle-wrights, tale-tellers, jesters, and the + most varied adventurers brought through fashion or folly to a few days’ + notoriety. Among these were not lacking even men who covered with long + hair their ears pierced in sign of slavery. + </p> + <p> + The most noted sat directly at the tables; the lesser served to amuse in + time of eating, and waited for the moment in which the servants would + permit them to rush at the remnants of food and drink. Guests of this sort + were furnished by Tigellinus, Vatinius, and Vitelius; for these guests + they were forced more than once to find clothing befitting the chambers of + Cæsar, who, however, liked their society, through feeling most free in it. + The luxury of the court gilded everything, and covered all things with + glitter. High and low, the descendants of great families, and the needy + from the pavements of the city, great artists, and vile scrapings of + talent, thronged to the palace to sate their dazzled eyes with a splendor + almost surpassing human estimate, and to approach the giver of every + favor, wealth, and property,—whose single glance might abase, it is + true, but might also exalt beyond measure. + </p> + <p> + That day Lygia too had to take part in such a feast. Fear, uncertainty, + and a dazed feeling, not to be wondered at after the sudden change, were + struggling in her with a wish to resist. She feared Nero; she feared the + people and the palace whose uproar deprived her of presence of mind; she + feared the feasts of whose shamelessness she had heard from Aulus, + Pomponia Græcina, and their friends. Though young, she was not without + knowledge, for knowledge of evil in those times reached even children’s + ears early. She knew, therefore, that ruin was threatening her in the + palace. Pomponia, moreover, had warned her of this at the moment of + parting. But having a youthful spirit, unacquainted with corruption, and + confessing a lofty faith, implanted in her by her foster mother, she had + promised to defend herself against that ruin; she had promised her mother, + herself and also that Divine Teacher in whom she not only believed, but + whom she had come to love with her half-childlike heart for the sweetness + of his doctrine, the bitterness of his death, and the glory of his + resurrection. + </p> + <p> + She was confident too that now neither Aulus nor Pomponia would be + answerable for her actions; she was thinking therefore whether it would + not be better to resist and not go to the feast. On the one hand fear and + alarm spoke audibly in her soul; on the other the wish rose in her to show + courage in suffering, in exposure to torture and death. The Divine Teacher + had commanded to act thus. He had given the example himself. Pomponia had + told her that the most earnest among the adherents desire with all their + souls such a test, and pray for it. And Lygia, when still in the house of + Aulus, had been mastered at moments by a similar desire. She had seen + herself as a martyr, with wounds on her feet and hands, white as snow, + beautiful with a beauty not of earth, and borne by equally white angels + into the azure sky; and her imagination admired such a vision. There was + in it much childish brooding, but there was in it also something of + delight in herself, which Pomponia had reprimanded. But now, when + opposition to Cæsar’s will might draw after it some terrible punishment, + and the martyrdom scene of imagination become a reality, there was added + to the beautiful visions and to the delight a kind of curiosity mingled + with dread, as to how they would punish her, and what kind of torments + they would provide. And her soul, half childish yet, was hesitating on two + sides. But Acte, hearing of these hesitations, looked at her with + astonishment as if the maiden were talking in a fever. To oppose Cæsar’s + will, expose oneself from the first moment to his anger? To act thus one + would need to be a child that knows not what it says. From Lygia’s own + words it appears that she is, properly speaking, not really a hostage, but + a maiden forgotten by her own people. No law of nations protects her; and + even if it did, Cæsar is powerful enough to trample on it in a moment of + anger. It has pleased Cæsar to take her, and he will dispose of her. + Thenceforth she is at his will, above which there is not another on earth. + </p> + <p> + “So it is,” continued Acte. “I too have read the letters of Paul of + Tarsus, and I know that above the earth is God, and the Son of God, who + rose from the dead; but on the earth there is only Cæsar. Think of this, + Lygia. I know too that thy doctrine does not permit thee to be what I was, + and that to you as to the Stoics,—of whom Epictetus has told me,—when + it comes to a choice between shame and death, it is permitted to choose + only death. But canst thou say that death awaits thee and not shame too? + Hast thou heard of the daughter of Sejanus, a young maiden, who at command + of Tiberius had to pass through shame before her death, so as to respect a + law which prohibits the punishment of virgins with death? Lygia, Lygia, do + not irritate Cæsar. If the decisive moment comes when thou must choose + between disgrace and death, thou wilt act as thy faith commands; but seek + not destruction thyself, and do not irritate for a trivial cause an + earthly and at the same time a cruel divinity.” + </p> + <p> + Acte spoke with great compassion, and even with enthusiasm; and being a + little short-sighted, she pushed her sweet face up to Lygia’s as if + wishing to see surely the effect of her words. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia threw her arms around Acte’s neck with childish trustfulness and + said,—“Thou art kind, Acte.” + </p> + <p> + Acte, pleased by the praise and confidence, pressed her to her heart; and + then disengaging herself from the arms of the maiden, answered,—“My + happiness has passed and my joy is gone, but I am not wicked.” Then she + began to walk with quick steps through the room and to speak to herself, + as if in despair. + </p> + <p> + “No! And he was not wicked. He thought himself good at that time, and he + wished to be good. I know that best. All his change came later, when he + ceased to love. Others made him what he is—yes, others—and + Poppæa.” + </p> + <p> + Here her eyelids filled with tears. Lygia followed her for some time with + her blue eyes, and asked at last,—“Art thou sorry for him, Acte?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry for him!” answered the Grecian, with a low voice. And again + she began to walk, her hands clinched as if in pain, and her face without + hope. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou love him yet, Acte?” asked Lygia, timidly. + </p> + <p> + “I love him.” + </p> + <p> + And after a while she added,—“No one loves him but me.” + </p> + <p> + Silence followed, during which Acte strove to recover her calmness, + disturbed by memories; and when at length her face resumed its usual look + of calm sorrow, she said,— + </p> + <p> + “Let us speak of thee, Lygia. Do not even think of opposing Cæsar; that + would be madness. And be calm. I know this house well, and I judge that on + Cæsar’s part nothing threatens thee. If Nero had given command to take + thee away for himself, he would not have brought thee to the Palatine. + Here Poppæa rules; and Nero, since she bore him a daughter, is more than + ever under her influence. No, Nero gave command, it is true, that thou + shouldst be at the feast, but he has not seen thee yet; he has not + inquired about thee, hence he does not care about thee. Maybe he took thee + from Aulus and Pomponia only through anger at them. Petronius wrote me to + have care of thee; and since Pomponia too wrote, as thou knowest, maybe + they had an understanding. Maybe he did that at her request. If this be + true, if he at the request of Pomponia will occupy himself with thee, + nothing threatens thee; and who knows if Nero may not send thee back to + Aulus at his persuasion? I know not whether Nero loves him over much, but + I know that rarely has he the courage to be of an opinion opposite to + his.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Acte!” answered Lygia; “Petronius was with us before they took me, + and my mother was convinced that Nero demanded my surrender at his + instigation.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be bad,” said Acte. But she stopped for a while, and then + said,—“Perhaps Petronius only said, in Nero’s presence at some + supper, that he saw a hostage of the Lygians at Aulus’s, and Nero, who is + jealous of his own power, demanded thee only because hostages belong to + Cæsar. But he does not like Aulus and Pomponia. No! it does not seem to me + that if Petronius wished to take thee from Aulus he would use such a + method. I do not know whether Petronius is better than others of Cæsar’s + court, but he is different. Maybe too thou wilt find some one else who + would be willing to intercede for thee. Hast thou not seen at Aulus’s some + one who is near Cæsar?” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen Vespasian and Titus.” + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar does not like them.” + </p> + <p> + “And Seneca.” + </p> + <p> + “If Seneca advised something, that would be enough to make Nero act + otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + The bright face of Lygia was covered with a blush. “And Vinicius-” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know him.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a relative of Petronius, and returned not long since from Armenia.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou think that Nero likes him?” + </p> + <p> + “All like Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + “And would he intercede for thee?” + </p> + <p> + “He would.” + </p> + <p> + Acte smiled tenderly, and said, “Then thou wilt see him surely at the + feast. Thou must be there, first, because thou must,—only such a + child as thou could think otherwise. Second, if thou wish to return to the + house of Aulus, thou wilt find means of beseeching Petronius and Vinicius + to gain for thee by their influence the right to return. If they were + here, both would tell thee as I do, that it would be madness and ruin to + try resistance. Cæsar might not notice thy absence, it is true; but if he + noticed it and thought that thou hadst the daring to oppose his will, here + would be no salvation for thee. Go, Lygia! Dost thou hear the noise in the + palace? The sun is near setting; guests will begin to arrive soon.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art right,” answered Lygia, “and I will follow thy advice.” + </p> + <p> + How much desire to see Vinicius and Petronius there was in this resolve, + how much of woman’s curiosity there was to see such a feast once in life, + and to see at it Cæsar, the court, the renowned Poppæa and other beauties, + and all that unheard-of splendor, of which wonders were narrated in Rome, + Lygia could not give account to herself of a certainty. But Acte was + right, and Lygia felt this distinctly. There was need to go; therefore, + when necessity and simple reason supported the hidden temptation, she + ceased to hesitate. + </p> + <p> + Acte conducted her to her own unctorium to anoint and dress her; and + though there was no lack of slave women in Cæsar’s house, and Acte had + enough of them for her personal service, still, through sympathy for the + maiden whose beauty and innocence had caught her heart, she resolved to + dress her herself. It became clear at once that in the young Grecian, in + spite of her sadness and her perusal of the letters of Paul of Tarsus, + there was yet much of the ancient Hellenic spirit, to which physical + beauty spoke with more eloquence than aught else on earth. When she had + undressed Lygia, she could not restrain an exclamation of wonder at sight + of her form, at once slender and full, created, as it were, from pearl and + roses; and stepping back a few paces, she looked with delight on that + matchless, spring-like form. + </p> + <p> + “Lygia,” exclaimed she at last, “thou art a hundred times more beautiful + than Poppæa!” + </p> + <p> + But, reared in the strict house of Pomponia, where modesty was observed, + even when women were by themselves, the maiden, wonderful as a wonderful + dream, harmonious as a work of Praxiteles or as a song, stood alarmed, + blushing from modesty, with knees pressed together, with her hands on her + bosom, and downcast eyes. At last, raising her arms with sudden movement, + she removed the pins which held her hair, and in one moment, with one + shake of her head, she covered herself with it as with a mantle. + </p> + <p> + Acte, approaching her and touching her dark tresses, said,— + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what hair thou hast! I will not sprinkle golden powder on it; it + gleams of itself in one place and another with gold, where it waves. I + will add, perhaps, barely a sprinkle here and there; but lightly, lightly, + as if a sun ray had freshened it. Wonderful must thy Lygian country be + where such maidens are born! + </p> + <p> + “I do not remember it,” answered Lygia; “but Ursus has told me that with + us it is forests, forests, and forests.” + </p> + <p> + “But flowers bloom in those forests,” said Acte, dipping her hand in a + vase filled with verbena, and moistening Lygia’s hair with it. When she + had finished this work, Acte anointed her body lightly with odoriferous + oils from Arabia, and then dressed her in a soft gold-colored tunic + without sleeves, over which was to be put a snow-white peplus. But since + she had to dress Lygia’s hair first, she put on her meanwhile a kind of + roomy dress called synthesis, and, seating her in an armchair, gave her + for a time into the hands of slave women, so as to stand at a distance + herself and follow the hairdressing. Two other slave women put on Lygia’s + feet white sandals, embroidered with purple, fastening them to her + alabaster ankles with golden lacings drawn crosswise. When at last the + hair-dressing was finished, they put a peplus on her in very beautiful, + light folds; then Acte fastened pearls to her neck, and touching her hair + at the folds with gold dust, gave command to the women to dress her, + following Lygia with delighted eyes meanwhile. + </p> + <p> + But she was ready soon; and when the first litters began to appear before + the main gate, both entered the side portico from which were visible the + chief entrance, the interior galleries, and the courtyard surrounded by a + colonnade of Numidian marble. + </p> + <p> + Gradually people passed in greater and greater numbers under the lofty + arch of the entrance, over which the splendid quadrigæ of Lysias seemed to + bear Apollo and Diana into space. Lygia’s eyes were struck by that + magnificence, of which the modest house of Aulus could not have given her + the slightest idea. It was sunset; the last rays were falling on the + yellow Numidian marble of the columns, which shone like gold in those + gleams and changed into rose color also. Among the columns, at the side of + white statues of the Danaides and others, representing gods or heroes, + crowds of people flowed past,—men and women; resembling statues + also, for they were draped in togas, pepluses, and robes, falling with + grace and beauty toward the earth in soft folds, on which the rays of the + setting sun were expiring. A gigantic Hercules, with head in the light + yet, from the breast down sunk in shadow cast by the columns, looked from + above on that throng. Acte showed Lygia senators in wide-bordered togas, + in colored tunics, in sandals with crescents on them, and knights, and + famed artists; she showed her Roman ladies, in Roman, in Grecian, in + fantastic Oriental costume, with hair dressed in towers or pyramids, or + dressed like that of the statues of goddesses, low on the head, and + adorned with flowers. Many men and women did Acte call by name, adding to + their names histories, brief and sometimes terrible, which pierced Lygia + with fear, amazement, and wonder. For her this was a strange world, whose + beauty intoxicated her eyes, but whose contrasts her girlish understanding + could not grasp. In those twilights of the sky, in those rows of + motionless columns vanishing in the distance, and in those statuesque + people, there was a certain lofty repose. It seemed that in the midst of + those marbles of simple lines demigods might live free of care, at peace + and in happiness. Meanwhile the low voice of Acte disclosed, time after + time, a new and dreadful secret of that palace and those people. See, + there at a distance is the covered portico on whose columns and floor are + still visible red stains from the blood with which Caligula sprinkled the + white marble when he fell beneath the knife of Cassius Chærea; there his + wife was slain; there his child was dashed against a stone; under that + wing is the dungeon in which the younger Drusus gnawed his hands from + hunger; there the elder Drusus was poisoned; there Gemellus quivered in + terror, and Claudius in convulsions; there Germanicus suffered,—everywhere + those walls had heard the groans and death-rattle of the dying; and those + people hurrying now to the feast in togas, in colored tunics, in flowers, + and in jewels, may be the condemned of to-morrow; on more than one face, + perhaps, a smile conceals terror, alarm, the uncertainty of the next day; + perhaps feverishness, greed, envy are gnawing at this moment into the + hearts of those crowned demigods, who in appearance are free of care. + Lygia’s frightened thoughts could not keep pace with Acte’s words; and + when that wonderful world attracted her eyes with increasing force, her + heart contracted within her from fear, and in her soul she struggled with + an immense, inexpressible yearning for the beloved Pomponia Græcina, and + the calm house of Aulus, in which love, and not crime, was the ruling + power. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile new waves of guests were flowing in from the Vicus Apollinis. + From beyond the gates came the uproar and shouts of clients, escorting + their patrons. The courtyard and the colonnades were swarming with the + multitude of Cæsar’s slaves, of both sexes, small boys, and pretorian + soldiers, who kept guard in the palace. Here and there among dark or + swarthy visages was the black face of a Numidian, in a feathered helmet, + and with large gold rings in his ears. Some were bearing lutes and + citharas, hand lamps of gold, silver, and bronze, and bunches of flowers, + reared artificially despite the late autumn season. Louder and louder the + sound of conversation was mingled with the splashing of the fountain, the + rosy streams of which fell from above on the marble and were broken, as if + in sobs. + </p> + <p> + Acte had stopped her narration; but Lygia gazed at the throng, as if + searching for some one. All at once her face was covered with a blush, and + from among the columns came forth Vinicius with Petronius. They went to + the great triclinium, beautiful, calm, like white gods, in their togas. It + seemed to Lygia, when she saw those two known and friendly faces among + strange people, and especially when she saw Vinicius, that a great weight + had fallen from her heart. She felt less alone. That measureless yearning + for Pomponia and the house of Aulus, which had broken out in her a little + while before, ceased at once to be painful. The desire to see Vinicius and + to talk with him drowned in her other voices. In vain did she remember all + the evil which she had heard of the house of Cæsar, the words of Acte, the + warnings of Pomponia; in spite of those words and warnings, she felt all + at once that not only must she be at that feast, but that she wished to be + there. At the thought that soon she would hear that dear and pleasant + voice, which had spoken of love to her and of happiness worthy of the + gods, and which was sounding like a song in her ears yet, delight seized + her straightway. + </p> + <p> + But the next moment she feared that delight. It seemed to her that she + would be false to the pure teaching in which she had been reared, false to + Pomponia, and false to herself. It is one thing to go by constraint, and + another to delight in such a necessity. She felt guilty, unworthy, and + ruined. + </p> + <p> + Despair swept her away, and she wanted to weep. Had she been alone, she + would have knelt down and beaten her breast, saying, “Mea culpa! mea + culpa!” Acte, taking her hand at that moment, led her through the interior + apartments to the grand triclinium, where the feast was to be. Darkness + was in her eyes, and a roaring in her ears from internal emotion; the + beating of her heart stopped her breath. As in a dream, she saw thousands + of lamps gleaming on the tables and on the walls; as in a dream, she heard + the shout with which the guests greeted Cæsar; as through a mist, she saw + Cæsar himself. The shout deafened her, the glitter dazzled, the odors + intoxicated; and, losing the remnant of her consciousness, she was barely + able to recognize Acte, who seated her at the table and took a place at + her side. + </p> + <p> + But after a while a low and known voice was heard at the other side,—“A + greeting, most beautiful of maidens on earth and of stars in heaven. A + greeting to thee, divine Callina!” + </p> + <p> + Lygia, having recovered somewhat, looked up; at her side was Vinicius. He + was without a toga, for convenience and custom had enjoined to cast aside + the toga at feasts. His body was covered with only a sleeveless scarlet + tunic embroidered in silver palms. His bare arms were ornamented in + Eastern fashion with two broad golden bands fastened above the elbow; + below they were carefully stripped of hair. They were smooth, but too + muscular,—real arms of a soldier, they were made for the sword and + the shield. On his head was a garland of roses. With brows joining above + the nose, with splendid eyes and a dark complexion, he was the + impersonation of youth and strength, as it were. To Lygia he seemed so + beautiful that though her first amazement had passed, she was barely able + to answer,—“A greeting, Marcus.” + </p> + <p> + “Happy,” said he, “are my eyes, which see thee; happy my ears, which hear + thy voice, dearer to me than the sound of lutes or citharas. Were it + commanded me to choose who was to rest here by my side at this feast, + thou, Lygia, or Venus, I would choose thee, divine one!” + </p> + <p> + And he looked at the maiden as if he wished to sate himself with the sight + of her, to burn her eyes with his eyes. His glance slipped from her face + to her neck and bare arms, fondled her shapely outlines, admired her, + embraced her, devoured her; but besides desire, there was gleaming in him + happiness, admiration, and ecstasy beyond limit. + </p> + <p> + “I knew that I should see thee in Cæsar’s house,” continued he; “but + still, when I saw thee, such delight shook my whole soul, as if a + happiness entirely unexpected had met me.” + </p> + <p> + Lygia, having recovered herself and feeling that in that throng and in + that house he was the only being who was near to her, began to converse + with him, and ask about everything which she did not understand and which + filled her with fear. Whence did he know that he would find her in Cæsar’s + house? Why is she there? Why did Cæsar take her from Pomponia? She is full + of fear where she is, and wishes to return to Pomponia. She would die from + alarm and grief were it not for the hope that Petronius and he will + intercede for her before Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius explained that he learned from Aulus himself that she had been + taken. Why she is there, he knows not. Cæsar gives account to no one of + his orders and commands. But let her not fear. He, Vinicius, is near her + and will stay near her. He would rather lose his eyes than not see her; he + would rather lose his life than desert her. She is his soul, and hence he + will guard her as his soul. In his house he will build to her, as to a + divinity, an altar on which he will offer myrrh and aloes, and in spring + saffron and apple-blossoms; and since she has a dread of Cæsar’s house, he + promises that she shall not stay in it. + </p> + <p> + And though he spoke evasively and at times invented, truth was to be felt + in his voice, because his feelings were real. Genuine pity possessed him, + too, and her words went to his soul so thoroughly that when she began to + thank him and assure him that Pomponia would love him for his goodness, + and that she herself would be grateful to him all her life, he could not + master his emotion, and it seemed to him that he would never be able in + life to resist her prayer. The heart began to melt in him. Her beauty + intoxicated his senses, and he desired her; but at the same time he felt + that she was very dear to him, and that in truth he might do homage to + her, as to a divinity; he felt also irresistible need of speaking of her + beauty and of his own homage. As the noise at the feast increased, he drew + nearer to her, whispered kind, sweet words flowing from the depth of his + soul, words as resonant as music and intoxicating as wine. + </p> + <p> + And he intoxicated her. Amid those strange people he seemed to her ever + nearer, ever dearer, altogether true, and devoted with his whole soul. He + pacified her; he promised to rescue her from the house of Cæsar; he + promised not to desert her, and said that he would serve her. Besides, he + had spoken before at Aulus’s only in general about love and the happiness + which it can give; but now he said directly that he loved her, and that + she was dear and most precious to him. Lygia heard such words from a man’s + lips for the first time; and as she heard them it seemed to her that + something was wakening in her as from a sleep, that some species of + happiness was embracing her in which immense delight was mingled with + immense alarm. Her cheeks began to burn, her heart to beat, her mouth + opened as in wonder. She was seized with fear because she was listening to + such things, still she did not wish for any cause on earth to lose one + word. At moments she dropped her eyes; then again she raised her clear + glance to Vinicius, timid and also inquiring, as if she wished to say to + him, “Speak on!” The sound of the music, the odor of flowers and of + Arabian perfumes, began to daze her. In Rome it was the custom to recline + at banquets, but at home Lygia occupied a place between Pomponia and + little Aulus. Now Vinicius was reclining near her, youthful, immense, in + love, burning; and she, feeling the heat that issued from him, felt both + delight and shame. A kind of sweet weakness, a kind of faintness and + forgetfulness seized her; it was as if drowsiness tortured her. + </p> + <p> + But her nearness to him began to act on Vinicius also. His nostrils + dilated, like those of an Eastern steed. The beating of his heart with + unusual throb was evident under his scarlet tunic; his breathing grew + short, and the expressions that fell from his lips were broken. For the + first time, too, he was so near her. His thoughts grew disturbed; he felt + a flame in his veins which he tried in vain to quench with wine. Not wine, + but her marvellous face, her bare arms, her maiden breast heaving under + the golden tunic, and her form hidden in the white folds of the peplus, + intoxicated him more and more. Finally, he seized her arm above the wrist, + as he had done once at Aulus’s, and drawing her toward him whispered, with + trembling lips,—“I love thee, Callina,—divine one.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me go, Marcus,” said Lygia. + </p> + <p> + But he continued, his eyes mist-covered, “Love me, my goddess!” + </p> + <p> + But at that moment was heard the voice of Acte, who was reclining on the + other side of Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar is looking at you both.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was carried away by sudden anger at Cæsar and at Acte. Her words + had broken the charm of his intoxication. To the young man even a friendly + voice would have seemed repulsive at such a moment, but he judged that + Acte wished purposely to interrupt his conversation with Lygia. So, + raising his head and looking over the shoulder of Lygia at the young + freedwoman, he said with malice: + </p> + <p> + “The hour has passed, Acte, when thou didst recline near Cæsar’s side at + banquets, and they say that blindness is threatening thee; how then canst + thou see him?” + </p> + <p> + But she answered as if in sadness: “Still I see him. He, too, has short + sight, and is looking at thee through an emerald.” + </p> + <p> + Everything that Nero did roused attention, even in those nearest him; + hence Vinicius was alarmed. He regained self-control, and began + imperceptibly to look toward Cæsar. Lygia, who, embarrassed at the + beginning of the banquet, had seen Nero as in a mist, and afterward, + occupied by the presence and conversation of Vinicius, had not looked at + him at all, turned to him eyes at once curious and terrified. + </p> + <p> + Acte spoke truly. Cæsar had bent over the table, half-closed one eye, and + holding before the other a round polished emerald, which he used, was + looking at them. For a moment his glance met Lygia’s eyes, and the heart + of the maiden was straitened with terror. When still a child on Aulus’s + Sicilian estate, an old Egyptian slave had told her of dragons which + occupied dens in the mountains, and it seemed to her now that all at once + the greenish eye of such a monster was gazing at her. She caught at + Vinicius’s hand as a frightened child would, and disconnected, quick + impressions pressed into her head: Was not that he, the terrible, the + all-powerful? She had not seen him hitherto, and she thought that he + looked differently. She had imagined some kind of ghastly face, with + malignity petrified in its features; now she saw a great head, fixed on a + thick neck, terrible, it is true, but almost ridiculous, for from a + distance it resembled the head of a child. A tunic of amethyst color, + forbidden to ordinary mortals, cast a bluish tinge on his broad and short + face. He had dark hair, dressed, in the fashion introduced by Otho, in + four curls. + </p> + <p> + He had no beard, because he had sacrificed it recently to Jove,—for + which all Rome gave him thanks, though people whispered to each other that + he had sacrificed it because his beard, like that of his whole family, was + red. In his forehead, projecting strongly above his brows, there remained + something Olympian. In his contracted brows the consciousness of supreme + power was evident; but under that forehead of a demigod was the face of a + monkey, a drunkard, and a comedian,—vain, full of changing desires, + swollen with fat, notwithstanding his youth; besides, it was sickly and + foul. To Lygia he seemed ominous, but above all repulsive. + </p> + <p> + After a while he laid down the emerald and ceased to look at her. Then she + saw his prominent blue eyes, blinking before the excess of light, glassy, + without thought, resembling the eyes of the dead. + </p> + <p> + “Is that the hostage with whom Vinicius is in love?” asked he, turning to + Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “That is she,” answered Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “What are her people called?” + </p> + <p> + “The Lygians.” + </p> + <p> + “Does Vinicius think her beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + “Array a rotten olive trunk in the peplus of a woman, and Vinicius will + declare it beautiful. But on thy countenance, incomparable judge, I read + her sentence already. Thou hast no need to pronounce it! The sentence is + true: she is too dry, thin, a mere blossom on a slender stalk; and thou, O + divine æsthete, esteemest the stalk in a woman. Thrice and four times art + thou right! The face alone does not signify. I have learned much in thy + company, but even now I have not a perfect cast of the eye. But I am ready + to lay a wager with Tullius Senecio concerning his mistress, that, + although at a feast, when all are reclining, it is difficult to judge the + whole form, thou hast said in thy mind already, ‘Too narrow in the hips.’” + </p> + <p> + “Too narrow in the hips,” answered Nero, blinking. + </p> + <p> + On Petronius’s lips appeared a scarcely perceptible smile; but Tullius + Senecio, who till that moment was occupied in conversing with Vestinius, + or rather in reviling dreams, while Vestinius believed in them, turned to + Petronius, and though he had not the least idea touching that of which + they were talking, he said,—“Thou art mistaken! I hold with Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” answered Petronius. “I have just maintained that thou hast a + glimmer of understanding, but Cæsar insists that thou art an ass pure and + simple.” + </p> + <p> + “Habet!” said Cæsar, laughing, and turning down the thumb, as was done in + the Circus, in sign that the gladiator had received a blow and was to be + finished. + </p> + <p> + But Vestinius, thinking that the question was of dreams, exclaimed,—“But + I believe in dreams, and Seneca told me on a time that he believes too.” + </p> + <p> + “Last night I dreamt that I had become a vestal virgin,” said Calvia + Crispinilla, bending over the table. + </p> + <p> + At this Nero clapped his hands, other followed, and in a moment clapping + of hands was heard all around,—for Crispinilla had been divorced a + number of times, and was known throughout Rome for her fabulous + debauchery. + </p> + <p> + But she, not disconcerted in the least, said,—“Well! They are all + old and ugly. Rubria alone has a human semblance, and so there would be + two of us, though Rubria gets freckles in summer.” + </p> + <p> + “But admit, purest Calvia,” said Petronius, “that thou couldst become a + vestal only in dreams.” + </p> + <p> + “But if Cæsar commanded?” + </p> + <p> + “I should believe that even the most impossible dreams might come true.” + </p> + <p> + “But they do come true,” said Vestinius. “I understand those who do not + believe in the gods, but how is it possible not to believe in dreams?” + </p> + <p> + “But predictions?” inquired Nero. “It was predicted once to me, that Rome + would cease to exist, and that I should rule the whole Orient.” + </p> + <p> + “Predictions and dreams are connected,” said Vestinius. “Once a certain + proconsul, a great disbeliever, sent a slave to the temple of Mopsus with + a sealed letter which he would not let any one open; he did this to try if + the god could answer the question contained in the letter. The slave slept + a night in the temple to have a prophetic dream; he returned then and + said: ‘I saw a youth in my dreams; he was as bright as the sun, and spoke + only one word, “Black.”’ The proconsul, when he heard this, grew pale, and + turning to his guests, disbelievers like himself, said: ‘Do ye know what + was in the letter?’” Here Vestinius stopped, and, raising his goblet with + wine, began to drink. + </p> + <p> + “What was in the letter?” asked Senecio. + </p> + <p> + “In the letter was the question: ‘What is the color of the bull which I am + to sacrifice: white or black?’” + </p> + <p> + But the interest roused by the narrative was interrupted by Vitelius, who, + drunk when he came to the feast, burst forth on a sudden and without cause + in senseless laughter. + </p> + <p> + “What is that keg of tallow laughing at?” asked Nero. + </p> + <p> + “Laughter distinguishes men from animals,” said Petronius, “and he has no + other proof that he is not a wild boar.” + </p> + <p> + Vitelius stopped half-way in his laughter, and smacking his lips, shining + from fat and sauces, looked at those present with as much astonishment as + if he had never seen them before; then he raised his two hands, which were + like cushions, and said in a hoarse voice,—“The ring of a knight has + fallen from my finger, and it was inherited from my father.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was a tailor,” added Nero. + </p> + <p> + But Vitelius burst forth again in unexpected laughter, and began to search + for his ring in the peplus of Calvia Crispinilla. + </p> + <p> + Hereupon Vestinius fell to imitating the cries of a frightened woman. + Nigidia, a friend of Calvia,—a young widow with the face of a child + and the eyes of a wanton,—said aloud,—“He is seeking what he + has not lost.” + </p> + <p> + “And which will be useless to him if he finds it,” finished the poet + Lucan. + </p> + <p> + The feast grew more animated. Crowds of slaves bore around successive + courses; from great vases filled with snow and garlanded with ivy, smaller + vessels with various kinds of wine were brought forth unceasingly. All + drank freely. On the guests, roses fell from the ceiling at intervals. + </p> + <p> + Petronius entreated Nero to dignify the feast with his song before the + guests drank too deeply. A chorus of voices supported his words, but Nero + refused at first. It was not a question of courage alone, he said, though + that failed him always. The gods knew what efforts every success cost him. + He did not avoid them, however, for it was needful to do something for + art; and besides, if Apollo had gifted him with a certain voice, it was + not proper to let divine gifts be wasted. He understood, even, that it was + his duty to the State not to let them be wasted. But that day he was + really hoarse. In the night he had placed leaden weights on his chest, but + that had not helped in any way. He was thinking even to go to Antium, to + breathe the sea air. + </p> + <p> + Lucan implored him in the name of art and humanity. All knew that the + divine poet and singer had composed a new hymn to Venus, compared with + which Lucretius’s hymn was as the howl of a yearling wolf. Let that feast + be a genuine feast. So kind a ruler should not cause such tortures to his + subjects. “Be not cruel, O Cæsar!” + </p> + <p> + “Be not cruel!” repeated all who were sitting near. + </p> + <p> + Nero spread his hands in sign that he had to yield. All faces assumed then + an expression of gratitude, and all eyes were turned to him; but he gave + command first to announce to Poppæa that he would sing; he informed those + present that she had not come to the feast, because she did not feel in + good health; but since no medicine gave her such relief as his singing, he + would be sorry to deprive her of this opportunity. + </p> + <p> + In fact, Poppæa came soon. Hitherto she had ruled Nero as if he had been + her subject, but she knew that when his vanity as a singer, a charioteer, + or a poet was involved, there was danger in provoking it. She came in + therefore, beautiful as a divinity, arrayed, like Nero, in robes of + amethyst color, and wearing a necklace of immense pearls, stolen on a time + from Massinissa; she was golden-haired, sweet, and though divorced from + two husbands she had the face and the look of a virgin. + </p> + <p> + She was greeted with shouts, and the appellation “Divine Augusta.” Lygia + had never seen any one so beautiful, and she could not believe her own + eyes, for she knew that Poppæa Sabina was one of the vilest women on + earth. She knew from Pomponia that she had brought Cæsar to murder his + mother and his wife; she knew her from accounts given by Aulus’s guests + and the servants; she had heard that statues to her had been thrown down + at night in the city; she had heard of inscriptions, the writers of which + had been condemned to severest punishment, but which still appeared on the + city walls every morning. Yet at sight of the notorious Poppæa, considered + by the confessors of Christ as crime and evil incarnate, it seemed to her + that angels or spirits of heaven might look like her. She was unable + simply to take her eyes from Poppæa; and from her lips was wrested + involuntarily the question,—“Ah, Marcus, can it be possible?” + </p> + <p> + But he, roused by wine, and as it were impatient that so many things had + scattered her attention, and taken her from him and his words, said,—“Yes, + she is beautiful, but thou art a hundred times more beautiful. Thou dost + not know thyself, or thou wouldst be in love with thyself, as Narcissus + was; she bathes in asses’ milk, but Venus bathed thee in her own milk. + Thou dost not know thyself, Ocelle mi! Look not at her. Turn thy eyes to + me, Ocelle mi! Touch this goblet of wine with thy lips, and I will put + mine on the same place.” + </p> + <p> + And he pushed up nearer and nearer, and she began to withdraw toward Acte. + But at that moment silence was enjoined because Cæsar had risen. The + singer Diodorus had given him a lute of the kind called delta; another + singer named Terpnos, who had to accompany him in playing, approached with + an instrument called the nablium. Nero, resting the delta on the table, + raised his eyes; and for a moment silence reigned in the triclinium, + broken only by a rustle, as roses fell from the ceiling. + </p> + <p> + Then he began to chant, or rather to declaim, singingly and rhythmically, + to the accompaniment of the two lutes, his own hymn to Venus. Neither the + voice, though somewhat injured, nor the verses were bad, so that + reproaches of conscience took possession of Lygia again; for the hymn, + though glorifying the impure pagan Venus, seemed to her more than + beautiful, and Cæsar himself, with a laurel crown on his head and uplifted + eyes, nobler, much less terrible, and less repulsive than at the beginning + of the feast. + </p> + <p> + The guests answered with a thunder of applause. Cries of, “Oh, heavenly + voice!” were heard round about; some of the women raised their hands, and + held them thus, as a sign of delight, even after the end of the hymn; + others wiped their tearful eyes; the whole hall was seething as in a + beehive. Poppæa, bending her golden-haired head, raised Nero’s hand to her + lips, and held it long in silence. Pythagoras, a young Greek of marvellous + beauty,—the same to whom later the half-insane Nero commanded the + flamens to marry him, with the observance of all rites,—knelt now at + his feet. + </p> + <p> + But Nero looked carefully at Petronius, whose praises were desired by him + always before every other, and who said,—“If it is a question of + music, Orpheus must at this moment be as yellow from envy as Lucan, who is + here present; and as to the verses, I am sorry that they are not worse; if + they were I might find proper words to praise them.” + </p> + <p> + Lucan did not take the mention of envy evil of him; on the contrary, he + looked at Petronius with gratitude, and, affecting ill-humor, began to + murmur,—“Cursed fate, which commanded me to live contemporary with + such a poet. One might have a place in the memory of man, and on + Parnassus; but now one will quench, as a candle in sunlight.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius, who had an amazing memory, began to repeat extracts from the + hymn and cite single verses, exalt, and analyze the more beautiful + expressions. Lucan, forgetting as it were his envy before the charm of the + poetry, joined his ecstasy to Petronius’s words. On Nero’s face were + reflected delight and fathomless vanity, not only nearing stupidity, but + reaching it perfectly. He indicated to them verses which he considered the + most beautiful; and finally he began to comfort Lucan, and tell him not to + lose heart, for though whatever a man is born that he is, the honor which + people give Jove does not exclude respect for other divinities. + </p> + <p> + Then he rose to conduct Poppæa, who, being really in ill health, wished to + withdraw. But he commanded the guests who remained to occupy their places + anew, and promised to return, In fact, he returned a little later, to + stupefy himself with the smoke of incense, and gaze at further spectacles + which he himself, Petronius, or Tigellinus had prepared for the feast. + </p> + <p> + Again verses were read or dialogues listened to in which extravagance took + the place of wit. After that Paris, the celebrated mime, represented the + adventures of Io, the daughter of Inachus. To the guests, and especially + to Lygia, unaccustomed to such scenes, it seemed that they were gazing at + miracles and enchantment. Paris, with motions of his hands and body, was + able to express things apparently impossible in a dance. His hands dimmed + the air, creating a cloud, bright, living, quivering, voluptuous, + surrounding the half-fainting form of a maiden shaken by a spasm of + delight. That was a picture, not a dance; an expressive picture, + disclosing the secrets of love, bewitching and shameless; and when at the + end of it Corybantes rushed in and began a bacchic dance with girls of + Syria to the sounds of cithara, lutes, drums, and cymbals,—a dance + filled with wild shouts and still wilder license,—it seemed to Lygia + that living fire was burning her, and that a thunderbolt ought to strike + that house, or the ceiling fall on the heads of those feasting there. + </p> + <p> + But from the golden net fastened to the ceiling only roses fell, and the + now half-drunken Vinicius said to her,—“I saw thee in the house of + Aulus, at the fountain. It was daylight, and thou didst think that no one + saw thee; but I saw thee. And I see thee thus yet, though that peplus + hides thee. Cast aside the peplus, like Crispinilla. See, gods and men + seek love. There is nothing in the world but love. Lay thy head on my + breast and close thy eyes.” + </p> + <p> + The pulse beat oppressively in Lygia’s hands and temples. A feeling seized + her that she was flying into some abyss, and that Vinicius, who before had + seemed so near and so trustworthy, instead of saving was drawing her + toward it. And she felt sorry for him. She began again to dread the feast + and him and herself. Some voice, like that of Pomponia, was calling yet in + her soul, “O Lygia, save thyself!” But something told her also that it was + too late; that the one whom such a flame had embraced as that which had + embraced her, the one who had seen what was done at that feast and whose + heart had beaten as hers had on hearing the words of Vinicius, the one + through whom such a shiver had passed as had passed through her when he + approached, was lost beyond recovery. She grew weak. It seemed at moments + to her that she would faint, and then something terrible would happen. She + knew that, under penalty of Cæsar’s anger, it was not permitted any one to + rise till Cæsar rose; but even were that not the case, she had not + strength now to rise. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile it was far to the end of the feast yet. Slaves brought new + courses, and filled the goblets unceasingly with wine; before the table, + on a platform open at one side, appeared two athletes to give the guests a + spectacle of wrestling. + </p> + <p> + They began the struggle at once, and the powerful bodies, shining from + olive oil, formed one mass; bones cracked in their iron arms, and from + their set jaws came an ominous gritting of teeth. At moments was heard the + quick, dull thump of their feet on the platform strewn with saffron; again + they were motionless, silent, and it seemed to the spectators that they + had before them a group chiselled out of stone. Roman eyes followed with + delight the movement of tremendously exerted backs, thighs, and arms. But + the struggle was not too prolonged; for Croton, a master, and the founder + of a school of gladiators, did not pass in vain for the strongest man in + the empire. His opponent began to breathe more and more quickly: next a + rattle was heard in his throat; then his face grew blue; finally he threw + blood from his mouth and fell. + </p> + <p> + A thunder of applause greeted the end of the struggle, and Croton, resting + his foot on the breast of his opponent, crossed his gigantic arms on his + breast, and cast the eyes of a victor around the hall. + </p> + <p> + Next appeared men who mimicked beasts and their voices, ball-players and + buffoons. Only a few persons looked at them, however, since wine had + darkened the eyes of the audience. The feast passed by degrees into a + drunken revel and a dissolute orgy. The Syrian damsels, who appeared at + first in the bacchic dance, mingled now with the guests. The music changed + into a disordered and wild outburst of citharas, lutes, Armenian cymbals, + Egyptian sistra, trumpets, and horns. As some of the guests wished to + talk, they shouted at the musicians to disappear. The air, filled with the + odor of flowers and the perfume of oils with which beautiful boys had + sprinkled the feet of the guests during the feast, permeated with saffron + and the exhalations of people, became stifling; lamps burned with a dim + flame; the wreaths dropped sidewise on the heads of guests; faces grew + pale and were covered with sweat. Vitelius rolled under the table. + Nigidia, stripping herself to the waist, dropped her drunken childlike + head on the breast of Lucan, who, drunk in like degree, fell to blowing + the golden powder from her hair, and raising his eyes with immense + delight. Vestinius, with the stubbornness of intoxication, repeated for + the tenth time the answer of Mopsus to the sealed letter of the proconsul. + Tullius, who reviled the gods, said, with a drawling voice broken by + hiccoughs,—“If the spheros of Xenophanes is round, then consider, + such a god might be pushed along before one with the foot, like a barrel.” + </p> + <p> + But Domitius Afer, a hardened criminal and informer, was indignant at the + discourse, and through indignation spilled Falernian over his whole tunic. + He had always believed in the gods. People say that Rome will perish, and + there are some even who contend that it is perishing already. And surely! + But if that should come, it is because the youth are without faith, and + without faith there can be no virtue. People have abandoned also the + strict habits of former days, and it never occurs to them that Epicureans + will not stand against barbarians. As for him, he—As for him, he was + sorry that he had lived to such times, and that he must seek in pleasures + a refuge against griefs which, if not met, would soon kill him. + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he drew toward him a Syrian dancer, and kissed her + neck and shoulders with his toothless mouth. Seeing this, the consul + Memmius Regulus laughed, and, raising his bald head with wreath awry, + exclaimed,—“Who says that Rome is perishing? What folly! I, a + consul, know better. Videant consules! Thirty legions are guarding our pax + romana!” + </p> + <p> + Here he put his fists to his temples and shouted, in a voice heard + throughout the triclinium,—“Thirty legions! thirty legions! from + Britain to the Parthian boundaries!” But he stopped on a sudden, and, + putting a finger to his forehead, said,—“As I live, I think there + are thirty-two.” He rolled under the table, and began soon to send forth + flamingo tongues, roast and chilled mushrooms, locusts in honey, fish, + meat, and everything which he had eaten or drunk. + </p> + <p> + But the number of the legions guarding Roman peace did not pacify + Domitius. + </p> + <p> + No, no! Rome must perish; for faith in the gods was lost, and so were + strict habits! Rome must perish; and it was a pity, for still life was + pleasant there. Cæsar was gracious, wine was good! Oh, what a pity! + </p> + <p> + And hiding his head on the arm of a Syrian bacchanal, he burst into tears. + “What is a future life! Achilles was right,—better be a slave in the + world beneath the sun than a king in Cimmerian regions. And still the + question whether there are any gods—since it is unbelief—is + destroying the youth.” + </p> + <p> + Lucan meanwhile had blown all the gold powder from Nigidia’s hair, and she + being drunk had fallen asleep. Next he took wreaths of ivy from the vase + before him, put them on the sleeping woman, and when he had finished + looked at those present with a delighted and inquiring glance. He arrayed + himself in ivy too, repeating, in a voice of deep conviction, “I am not a + man at all, but a faun.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius was not drunk; but Nero, who drank little at first, out of + regard for his “heavenly” voice, emptied goblet after goblet toward the + end, and was drunk. He wanted even to sing more of his verses,—this + time in Greek,—but he had forgotten them, and by mistake sang an ode + of Anacreon. Pythagoras, Diodorus, and Terpnos accompanied him; but + failing to keep time, they stopped. Nero as a judge and an æsthete was + enchanted with the beauty of Pythagoras, and fell to kissing his hands in + ecstasy. “Such beautiful hands I have seen only once, and whose were + they?” Then placing his palm on his moist forehead, he tried to remember. + After a while terror was reflected on his face. + </p> + <p> + Ah! His mother’s—Agrippina’s! + </p> + <p> + And a gloomy vision seized him forthwith. + </p> + <p> + “They say,” said he, “that she wanders by moonlight on the sea around Baiæ + and Bauli. She merely walks,—walks as if seeking for something. When + she comes near a boat, she looks at it and goes away; but the fisherman on + whom she has fixed her eye dies.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bad theme,” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + But Vestinius, stretching his neck like a stork, whispered mysteriously,—“I + do not believe in the gods; but I believe in spirits—Oi!” + </p> + <p> + Nero paid no attention to their words, and continued,—“I celebrated + the Lemuria, and have no wish to see her. This is the fifth year—I + had to condemn her, for she sent assassins against me; and, had I not been + quicker than she, ye would not be listening to-night to my song.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks be to Cæsar, in the name of the city and the world!” cried + Domitius Afer. + </p> + <p> + “Wine! and let them strike the tympans!” + </p> + <p> + The uproar began anew. Lucan, all in ivy, wishing to outshout him, rose + and cried,—“I am not a man, but a faun; and I dwell in the forest. + Eho-o-o-oo!” Cæsar drank himself drunk at last; men were drunk, and women + were drunk. Vinicius was not less drunk than others; and in addition there + was roused in him, besides desire, a wish to quarrel, which happened + always when he passed the measure. His dark face became paler, and his + tongue stuttered when he spoke, in a voice now loud and commanding,—“Give + me thy lips! To-day, to-morrow, it is all one! Enough of this! + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar took thee from Aulus to give thee to me, dost understand? + To-morrow, about dusk, I will send for thee, dost understand? Cæsar + promised thee to me before he took thee. Thou must be mine! Give me thy + lips! I will not wait for to-morrow,—give thy lips quickly.” + </p> + <p> + And he moved to embrace her; but Acte began to defend her, and she + defended herself with the remnant of her strength, for she felt that she + was perishing. But in vain did she struggle with both hands to remove his + hairless arm; in vain, with a voice in which terror and grief were + quivering, did she implore him not to be what he was, and to have pity on + her. Sated with wine, his breath blew around her nearer and nearer, and + his face was there near her face. He was no longer the former kind + Vinicius, almost dear to her soul; he was a drunken, wicked satyr, who + filled her with repulsion and terror. But her strength deserted her more + and more. In vain did she bend and turn away her face to escape his + kisses. He rose to his feet, caught her in both arms, and drawing her head + to his breast, began, panting, to press her pale lips with his. + </p> + <p> + But at this instant a tremendous power removed his arms from her neck with + as much ease as if they had been the arms of a child, and pushed him + aside, like a dried limb or a withered leaf. What had happened? Vinicius + rubbed his astonished eyes, and saw before him the gigantic figure of the + Lygian, called Ursus, whom he had seen at the house of Aulus. + </p> + <p> + Ursus stood calmly, but looked at Vinicius so strangely with his blue eyes + that the blood stiffened in the veins of the young man; then the giant + took his queen on his arm, and walked out of the triclinium with an even, + quiet step. + </p> + <p> + Acte in that moment went after him. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius sat for the twinkle of an eye as if petrified; then he sprang up + and ran toward the entrance crying,—“Lygia! Lygia!” + </p> + <p> + But desire, astonishment, rage, and wine cut the legs from under him. He + staggered once and a second time, seized the naked arm of one of the + bacchanals, and began to inquire, with blinking eyes, what had happened. + She, taking a goblet of wine, gave it to him with a smile in her + mist-covered eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Drink!” said she. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius drank, and fell to the floor. + </p> + <p> + The greater number of the guests were lying under the table; others were + walking with tottering tread through the triclinium, while others were + sleeping on couches at the table, snoring, or giving forth the excess of + wine. Meanwhile, from the golden network, roses were dropping and dropping + on those drunken consuls and senators, on those drunken knights, + philosophers, and poets, on those drunken dancing damsels and patrician + ladies, on that society all dominant as yet but with the soul gone from + it, on that society garlanded and ungirdled but perishing. + </p> + <p> + Dawn had begun out of doors. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII + </h2> + <p> + No one stopped Ursus, no one inquired even what he was doing. Those guests + who were not under the table had not kept their own places; hence the + servants, seeing a giant carrying a guest on his arm, thought him some + slave bearing out his intoxicated mistress. Moreover, Acte was with them, + and her presence removed all suspicion. + </p> + <p> + In this way they went from the triclinium to the adjoining chamber, and + thence to the gallery leading to Acte’s apartments. To such a degree had + her strength deserted Lygia, that she hung as if dead on the arm of Ursus. + But when the cool, pure breeze of morning beat around her, she opened her + eyes. It was growing clearer and clearer in the open air. After they had + passed along the colonnade awhile, they turned to a side portico, coming + out, not in the courtyard, but the palace gardens, where the tops of the + pines and cypresses were growing ruddy from the light of morning. That + part of the building was empty, so that echoes of music and sounds of the + feast came with decreasing distinctness. It seemed to Lygia that she had + been rescued from hell, and borne into God’s bright world outside. There + was something, then, besides that disgusting triclinium. There was the + sky, the dawn, light, and peace. Sudden weeping seized the maiden, and, + taking shelter on the arm of the giant, she repeated, with sobbing,—“Let + us go home, Ursus! home, to the house of Aulus.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go!” answered Ursus. + </p> + <p> + They found themselves now in the small atrium of Acte’s apartments. Ursus + placed Lygia on a marble bench at a distance from the fountain. Acte + strove to pacify her; she urged her to sleep, and declared that for the + moment there was no danger,—after the feast the drunken guests would + sleep till evening. For a long time Lygia could not calm herself, and, + pressing her temples with both hands, she repeated like a child,—“Let + us go home, to the house of Aulus!” + </p> + <p> + Ursus was ready. At the gates stood pretorians, it is true, but he would + pass them. The soldiers would not stop out-going people. The space before + the arch was crowded with litters. Guests were beginning to go forth in + throngs. No one would detain them. They would pass with the crowd and go + home directly. For that matter, what does he care? As the queen commands, + so must it be. He is there to carry out her orders. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Ursus,” said Lygia, “let us go.” + </p> + <p> + Acte was forced to find reason for both. They would pass out, true; no one + would stop them. But it is not permitted to flee from the house of Cæsar; + whoso does that offends Cæsar’s majesty. They may go; but in the evening a + centurion at the head of soldiers will take a death sentence to Aulus and + Pomponia Græcina; they will bring Lygia to the palace again, and then + there will be no rescue for her. Should Aulus and his wife receive her + under their roof, death awaits them to a certainty. + </p> + <p> + Lygia’s arms dropped. There was no other outcome. She must choose her own + ruin or that of Plautius. In going to the feast, she had hoped that + Vinicius and Petronius would win her from Cæsar, and return her to + Pomponia; now she knew that it was they who had brought Cæsar to remove + her from the house of Aulus. There was no help. Only a miracle could save + her from the abyss,—a miracle and the might of God. + </p> + <p> + “Acte,” said she, in despair, “didst thou hear Vinicius say that Cæsar had + given me to him, and that he will send slaves here this evening to take me + to his house?” + </p> + <p> + “I did,” answered Acte; and, raising her arms from her side, she was + silent. The despair with which Lygia spoke found in her no echo. She + herself had been Nero’s favorite. Her heart, though good, could not feel + clearly the shame of such a relation. A former slave, she had grown too + much inured to the law of slavery; and, besides, she loved Nero yet. If he + returned to her, she would stretch her arms to him, as to happiness. + Comprehending clearly that Lygia must become the mistress of the youthful + and stately Vinicius, or expose Aulus and Pomponia to ruin, she failed to + understand how the girl could hesitate. + </p> + <p> + “In Cæsar’s house,” said she, after a while, “it would not be safer for + thee than in that of Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + And it did not occur to her that, though she told the truth, her words + meant, “Be resigned to fate and become the concubine of Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + As to Lygia, who felt on her lips yet his kisses, burning as coals and + full of beastly desire, the blood rushed to her face with shame at the + mere thought of them. + </p> + <p> + “Never,” cried she, with an outburst, “will I remain here, or at the house + of Vinicius,—never!” + </p> + <p> + “But,” inquired Acte, “is Vinicius hateful to thee?” + </p> + <p> + Lygia was unable to answer, for weeping seized her anew. Acte gathered the + maiden to her bosom, and strove to calm her excitement. Ursus breathed + heavily, and balled his giant fists; for, loving his queen with the + devotion of a dog, he could not bear the sight of her tears. In his + half-wild Lygian heart was the wish to return to the triclinium, choke + Vinicius, and, should the need come, Cæsar himself; but he feared to + sacrifice thereby his mistress, and was not certain that such an act, + which to him seemed very simple, would befit a confessor of the Crucified + Lamb. + </p> + <p> + But Acte, while caressing Lygia, asked again, “Is he so hateful to thee?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Lygia; “it is not permitted me to hate, for I am a Christian.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, Lygia. I know also from the letters of Paul of Tarsus, that it is + not permitted to defile one’s self, nor to fear death more than sin; but + tell me if thy teaching permits one person to cause the death of others?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then how canst thou bring Cæsar’s vengeance on the house of Aulus?” A + moment of silence followed. A bottomless abyss yawned before Lygia again. + </p> + <p> + “I ask,” continued the young freedwoman, “for I have compassion on thee—and + I have compassion on the good Pomponia and Aulus, and on their child. It + is long since I began to live in this house, and I know what Cæsar’s anger + is. No! thou art not at liberty to flee from here. One way remains to + thee: implore Vinicius to return thee to Pomponia.” + </p> + <p> + But Lygia dropped on her knees to implore some one else. Ursus knelt down + after a while, too, and both began to pray in Cæsar’s house at the morning + dawn. + </p> + <p> + Acte witnessed such a prayer for the first time, and could not take her + eyes from Lygia, who, seen by her in profile, with raised hands, and face + turned heavenward, seemed to implore rescue. The dawn, casting light on + her dark hair and white peplus, was reflected in her eyes. Entirely in the + light, she seemed herself like light. In that pale face, in those parted + lips, in those raised hands and eyes, a kind of superhuman exaltation was + evident. Acte understood then why Lygia could not become the concubine of + any man. Before the face of Nero’s former favorite was drawn aside, as it + were, a corner of that veil which hides a world altogether different from + that to which she was accustomed. She was astonished by prayer in that + abode of crime and infamy. A moment earlier it had seemed to her that + there was no rescue for Lygia; now she began to think that something + uncommon would happen, that some aid would come,—aid so mighty that + Cæsar himself would be powerless to resist it; that some winged army would + descend from the sky to help that maiden, or that the sun would spread its + rays beneath her feet and draw her up to itself. She had heard of many + miracles among Christians, and she thought now that everything said of + them was true, since Lygia was praying. + </p> + <p> + Lygia rose at last, with a face serene with hope. Ursus rose too, and, + holding to the bench, looked at his mistress, waiting for her words. + </p> + <p> + But it grew dark in her eyes, and after a time two great tears rolled down + her checks slowly. + </p> + <p> + “May God bless Pomponia and Aulus,” said she. “It is not permitted me to + bring ruin on them; therefore I shall never see them again.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning to Ursus she said that he alone remained to her in the world; + that he must be to her as a protector and a father. They could not seek + refuge in the house of Aulus, for they would bring on it the anger of + Cæsar. But neither could she remain in the house of Cæsar or that of + Vinicius. Let Ursus take her then; let him conduct her out of the city; + let him conceal her in some place where neither Vinicius nor his servants + could find her. She would follow Ursus anywhere, even beyond the sea, even + beyond the mountains, to the barbarians, where the Roman name was not + heard, and whither the power of Cæsar did not reach. Let him take her and + save her, for he alone had remained to her. + </p> + <p> + The Lygian was ready, and in sign of obedience he bent to her feet and + embraced them. But on the face of Acte, who had been expecting a miracle, + disappointment was evident. Had the prayer effected only that much? To + flee from the house of Cæsar is to commit an offence against majesty which + must be avenged; and even if Lygia succeeded in hiding, Cæsar would avenge + himself on Aulus and Pomponia. If she wishes to escape, let her escape + from the house of Vinicius. Then Cæsar, who does not like to occupy + himself with the affairs of others, may not wish even to aid Vinicius in + the pursuit; in every case it will not be a crime against majesty. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia’s thoughts were just the following: Aulus would not even know + where she was; Pomponia herself would not know. She would escape not from + the house of Vinicius, however, but while on the way to it. When drunk, + Vinicius had said that he would send his slaves for her in the evening. + Beyond doubt he had told the truth, which he would not have done had he + been sober. Evidently he himself, or perhaps he and Petronius, had seen + Cæsar before the feast, and won from him the promise to give her on the + following evening. And if they forgot that day, they would send for her on + the morrow. But Ursus will save her. He will come; he will bear her out of + the litter as he bore her out of the triclinium, and they will go into the + world. No one could resist Ursus, not even that terrible athlete who + wrestled at the feast yesterday. But as Vinicius might send a great number + of slaves, Ursus would go at once to Bishop Linus for aid and counsel. The + bishop will take compassion on her, will not leave her in the hands of + Vinicius; he will command Christians to go with Ursus to rescue her. They + will seize her and bear her away; then Ursus can take her out of the city + and hide her from the power of Rome. + </p> + <p> + And her face began to flush and smile. Consolation entered her anew, as if + the hope of rescue had turned to reality. She threw herself on Acte’s neck + suddenly, and, putting her beautiful lips to Acte’s cheek, she whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt not betray, Acte, wilt thou?” + </p> + <p> + “By the shade of my mother,” answered the freedwoman, “I will not; but + pray to thy God that Ursus be able to bear thee away.” + </p> + <p> + The blue, childlike eyes of the giant were gleaming with happiness. He had + not been able to frame any plan, though he had been breaking his poor + head; but a thing like this he could do,—and whether in the day or + in the night it was all one to him! He would go to the bishop, for the + bishop can read in the sky what is needed and what is not. Besides, he + could assemble Christians himself. Are his acquaintances few among slaves, + gladiators, and free people, both in the Subura and beyond the bridges? He + can collect a couple of thousand of them. He will rescue his lady, and + take her outside the city, and he can go with her. They will go to the end + of the world, even to that place from which they had come, where no one + has heard of Rome. + </p> + <p> + Here he began to look forward, as if to see things in the future and very + distant. + </p> + <p> + “To the forest? Ai, what a forest, what a forest!” + </p> + <p> + But after a while he shook himself out of his visions. Well, he will go to + the bishop at once, and in the evening will wait with something like a + hundred men for the litter. And let not slaves, but even pretorians, take + her from him! Better for any man not to come under his fist, even though + in iron armor,—for is iron so strong? When he strikes iron + earnestly, the head underneath will not survive. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia raised her finger with great and also childlike seriousness. + </p> + <p> + “Ursus, do not kill,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Ursus put his fist, which was like a maul, to the back of his head, and, + rubbing his neck with great seriousness, began to mutter. But he must + rescue “his light.” She herself had said that his turn had come. He will + try all he can. But if something happens in spite of him? In every case he + must save her. But should anything happen, he will repent, and so entreat + the Innocent Lamb that the Crucified Lamb will have mercy on him, poor + fellow. He has no wish to offend the Lamb; but then his hands are so + heavy. + </p> + <p> + Great tenderness was expressed on his face; but wishing to hide it, he + bowed and said,—“Now I will go to the holy bishop.” + </p> + <p> + Acte put her arms around Lygia’s neck, and began to weep. Once more the + freedwoman understood that there was a world in which greater happiness + existed, even in suffering, than in all the excesses and luxury of Cæsar’s + house. Once more a kind of door to the light was opened a little before + her, but she felt at once that she was unworthy to pass through it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX + </h2> + <p> + LYGIA was grieved to lose Pomponia Græcina, whom she loved with her whole + soul, and she grieved for the household of Aulus; still her despair passed + away. She felt a certain delight even in the thought that she was + sacrificing plenty and comfort for her Truth, and was entering on an + unknown and wandering existence. Perhaps there was in this a little also + of childish curiosity as to what that life would be, off somewhere in + remote regions, among wild beasts and barbarians. But there was still more + a deep and trusting faith, that by acting thus she was doing as the Divine + Master had commanded, and that henceforth He Himself would watch over her, + as over an obedient and faithful child. In such a case what harm could + meet her? If sufferings come, she will endure them in His name. If sudden + death comes, He will take her; and some time, when Pomponia dies, they + will be together for all eternity. More than once when she was in the + house of Aulus, she tortured her childish head because she, a Christian, + could do nothing for that Crucified, of whom Ursus spoke with such + tenderness. But now the moment had come. Lygia felt almost happy, and + began to speak of her happiness to Acte, who could not understand her, + however. To leave everything,—to leave house, wealth, the city, + gardens, temples, porticos, everything that is beautiful; leave a sunny + land and people near to one—and for what purpose? To hide from the + love of a young and stately knight. In Acte’s head these things could not + find place. At times she felt that Lygia’s action was right, that there + must be some immense mysterious happiness in it; but she could not give a + clear account to herself of the matter, especially since an adventure was + before Lygia which might have an evil ending,—an adventure in which + she might lose her life simply. Acte was timid by nature, and she thought + with dread of what the coming evening might bring. But she was loath to + mention her fears to Lygia; meanwhile, as the day was clear and the sun + looked into the atrium, she began to persuade her to take the rest needed + after a night without sleep. Lygia did not refuse; and both went to the + cubiculum, which was spacious and furnished with luxury because of Acte’s + former relations with Cæsar. There they lay down side by side, but in + spite of her weariness Acte could not sleep. For a long time she had been + sad and unhappy, but now she was seized by a certain uneasiness which she + had never felt before. So far life had seemed to her simply grievous and + deprived of a morrow; now all at once it seemed to her dishonorable. + </p> + <p> + Increasing chaos rose in her head. Again the door to light began to open + and close. But in the moment when it opened, that light so dazzled her + that she could see nothing distinctly. She divined, merely, that in that + light there was happiness of some kind, happiness beyond measure, in + presence of which every other was nothing, to such a degree that if Cæsar, + for example, were to set aside Poppæa, and love her, Acte, again, it would + be vanity. Suddenly the thought came to her that that Cæsar whom she + loved, whom she held involuntarily as a kind of demigod, was as pitiful as + any slave, and that palace, with columns of Numidian marble, no better + than a heap of stones. At last, however, those feelings which she had not + power to define began to torment her; she wanted to sleep, but being + tortured by alarm she could not. Thinking that Lygia, threatened by so + many perils and uncertainties, was not sleeping either, she turned to her + to speak of her flight in the evening. But Lygia was sleeping calmly. Into + the dark cubiculum, past the curtain which was not closely drawn, came a + few bright rays, in which golden dust-motes were playing. By the light of + these rays Acte saw her delicate face, resting on her bare arm, her closed + eyes, and her mouth slightly open. She was breathing regularly, but as + people breathe while asleep. + </p> + <p> + “She sleeps,—she is able to sleep,” thought Acte. “She is a child + yet.” Still, after a while it came to her mind that that child chose to + flee rather than remain the beloved of Vinicius; she preferred want to + shame, wandering to a lordly house, to robes, jewels, and feasts, to the + sound of lutes and citharas. + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + And she gazed at Lygia, as if to find an answer in her sleeping face. She + looked at her clear forehead, at the calm arch of her brows, at her dark + tresses, at her parted lips, at her virgin bosom moved by calm breathing; + then she thought again,—“How different from me!” + </p> + <p> + Lygia seemed to her a miracle, a sort of divine vision, something beloved + of the gods, a hundred times more beautiful than all the flowers in + Cæsar’s garden, than all the statues in his palace. But in the Greek + woman’s heart there was no envy. On the contrary, at thought of the + dangers which threatened the girl, great pity seized her. A certain + motherly feeling rose in the woman. Lygia seemed to her not only as + beautiful as a beautiful vision, but also very dear, and, putting her lips + to her dark hair, she kissed it. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia slept on calmly, as if at home, under the care of Pomponia + Græcina. And she slept rather long. Midday had passed when she opened her + blue eyes and looked around the cubiculum in astonishment. Evidently she + wondered that she was not in the house of Aulus. + </p> + <p> + “That is thou, Acte?” said she at last, seeing in the darkness the face of + the Greek. + </p> + <p> + “I, Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it evening?” + </p> + <p> + “No, child; but midday has passed.” + </p> + <p> + “And has Ursus not returned?” + </p> + <p> + “Ursus did not say that he would return; he said that he would watch in + the evening, with Christians, for the litter.” + </p> + <p> + “True.” + </p> + <p> + Then they left the cubiculum and went to the bath, where Acte bathed + Lygia; then she took her to breakfast and afterward to the gardens of the + palace, in which no dangerous meeting might be feared, since Cæsar and his + principal courtiers were sleeping yet. For the first time in her life + Lygia saw those magnificent gardens, full of pines, cypresses, oaks, + olives, and myrtles, among which appeared white here and there a whole + population of statues. The mirror of ponds gleamed quietly; groves of + roses were blooming, watered with the spray of fountains; entrances to + charming grottos were encircled with a growth of ivy or woodbine; + silver-colored swans were sailing on the water; amidst statues and trees + wandered tame gazelles from the deserts of Africa, and rich-colored birds + from all known countries on earth. + </p> + <p> + The gardens were empty; but here and there slaves were working, spade in + hand, singing in an undertone; others, to whom was granted a moment of + rest, were sitting by ponds or in the shade of groves, in trembling light + produced by sun-rays breaking in between leaves; others were watering + roses or the pale lily-colored blossoms of the saffron. Acte and Lygia + walked rather long, looking at all the wonders of the gardens; and though + Lygia’s mind was not at rest, she was too much a child yet to resist + pleasure, curiosity, and wonder. It occurred to her, even, that if Cæsar + were good, he might be very happy in such a palace, in such gardens. + </p> + <p> + But at last, tired somewhat, the two women sat down on a bench hidden + almost entirely by dense cypresses and began to talk of that which weighed + on their hearts most,—that is, of Lygia’s escape in the evening. + Acte was far less at rest than Lygia touching its success. At times it + seemed to her even a mad project, which could not succeed. She felt a + growing pity for Lygia. It seemed to her that it would be a hundred times + safer to try to act on Vinicius. After a while she inquired of Lygia how + long she had known him, and whether she did not think that he would let + himself be persuaded to return her to Pomponia. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia shook her dark head in sadness. “No. In Aulus’s house, Vinicius + had been different, he had been very kind, but since yesterday’s feast she + feared him, and would rather flee to the Lygians.” + </p> + <p> + “But in Aulus’s house,” inquired Acte, “he was dear to thee, was he not?” + </p> + <p> + “He was,” answered Lygia, inclining her head. + </p> + <p> + “And thou wert not a slave, as I was,” said Acte, after a moment’s + thought. “Vinicius might marry thee. Thou art a hostage, and a daughter of + the Lygian king. Aulus and Pomponia love thee as their own child; I am + sure that they are ready to adopt thee. Vinicius might marry thee, Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + But Lygia answered calmly, and with still greater sadness, “I would rather + flee to the Lygians.” + </p> + <p> + “Lygia, dost thou wish me to go directly to Vinicius, rouse him, if he is + sleeping, and tell him what I have told thee? Yes, my precious one, I will + go to him and say, ‘Vinicius, this is a king’s daughter, and a dear child + of the famous Aulus; if thou love her, return her to Aulus and Pomponia, + and take her as wife from their house.’” + </p> + <p> + But the maiden answered with a voice so low that Acte could barely hear + it,— + </p> + <p> + “I would rather flee to the Lygians.” And two tears were hanging on her + drooping lids. + </p> + <p> + Further conversation was stopped by the rustle of approaching steps, and + before Acte had time to see who was coming, Poppæa Sabina appeared in + front of the bench with a small retinue of slave women. Two of them held + over her head bunches of ostrich feathers fixed to golden wires; with + these they fanned her lightly, and at the same time protected her from the + autumn sun, which was hot yet. Before her a woman from Egypt, black as + ebony, and with bosom swollen as if from milk, bore in her arms an infant + wrapped in purple fringed with gold. Acte and Lygia rose, thinking that + Poppæa would pass the bench without turning attention to either; but she + halted before them and said,—“Acte, the bells sent by thee for the + doll were badly fastened; the child tore off one and put it to her mouth; + luckily Lilith saw it in season.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, divinity,” answered Acte, crossing her arms on her breast and + bending her head. + </p> + <p> + But Poppæa began to gaze at Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “What slave is this?” asked she, after a pause. + </p> + <p> + “She is not a slave, divine Augusta, but a foster child of Pomponia + Græcina, and a daughter of the Lygian king given by him as hostage to + Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “And has she come to visit thee?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Augusta. She is dwelling in the palace since the day before + yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Was she at the feast last night?” + </p> + <p> + “She was, Augusta.” + </p> + <p> + “At whose command?” + </p> + <p> + “At Cæsar’s command.” + </p> + <p> + Poppæa looked still more attentively at Lygia, who stood with bowed head, + now raising her bright eyes to her with curiosity, now covering them with + their lids. Suddenly a frown appeared between the brows of the Augusta. + Jealous of her own beauty and power, she lived in continual alarm lest at + some time a fortunate rival might ruin her, as she had ruined Octavia. + Hence every beautiful face in the palace roused her suspicion. With the + eye of a critic she took in at once every part of Lygia’s form, estimated + every detail of her face, and was frightened. “That is simply a nymph,” + thought she, “and ‘twas Venus who gave birth to her.” On a sudden this + came to her mind which had never come before at sight of any beauty,—that + she herself had grown notably older! Wounded vanity quivered in Poppæa, + alarm seized her, and various fears shot through her head. “Perhaps Nero + has not seen the girl, or, seeing her through the emerald, has not + appreciated her. But what would happen should he meet such a marvel in the + daytime, in sunlight? Moreover she is not a slave, she is the daughter of + a king,—a king of barbarians, it is true, but a king. Immortal gods! + she is as beautiful as I am, but younger!” The wrinkle between her brows + increased, and her eyes began to shine under their golden lashes with a + cold gleam. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou spoken with Cæsar?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Augusta.” + </p> + <p> + “Why dost thou choose to be here rather than in the house of Aulus?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not choose, lady. Petronius persuaded Cæsar to take me from + Pomponia. I am here against my will.” + </p> + <p> + “And wouldst thou return to Pomponia?” + </p> + <p> + This last question Poppæa gave with a softer and milder voice; hence a + sudden hope rose in Lygia’s heart. + </p> + <p> + “Lady,” said she, extending her hand to her, “Cæsar promised to give me as + a slave to Vinicius, but do thou intercede and return me to Pomponia.” + </p> + <p> + “Then Petronius persuaded Cæsar to take thee from Aulus, and give thee to + Vinicius?” + </p> + <p> + “True, lady. Vinicius is to send for me to-day, but thou art good, have + compassion on me.” When she had said this, she inclined, and, seizing the + border of Poppæa’s robe, waited for her word with beating heart. Poppæa + looked at her for a while, with a face lighted by an evil smile, and said,—“Then + I promise that thou wilt become the slave of Vinicius this day.” And she + went on, beautiful as a vision, but evil. To the ears of Lygia and Acte + came only the wail of the infant, which began to cry, it was unknown for + what reason. + </p> + <p> + Lygia’s eyes too were filled with tears; but after a while she took Acte’s + hand and said,—“Let us return. Help is to be looked for only whence + it can come.” And they returned to the atrium, which they did not leave + till evening. + </p> + <p> + When darkness had come and slaves brought in tapers with great flames, + both women were very pale. Their conversation failed every moment. Both + were listening to hear if some one were coming. Lygia repeated again and + again that, though grieved to leave Acte, she preferred that all should + take place that day, as Ursus must be waiting in the dark for her then. + But her breathing grew quicker from emotion, and louder. Acte collected + feverishly such jewels as she could, and, fastening them in a corner of + Lygia’s peplus, implored her not to reject that gift and means of escape. + At moments came a deep silence full of deceptions for the ear. It seemed + to both that they heard at one time a whisper beyond the curtain, at + another the distant weeping of a child, at another the barking of dogs. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the curtain of the entrance moved without noise, and a tall, dark + man, his face marked with small-pox, appeared like a spirit in the atrium. + In one moment Lygia recognized Atacinus, a freedman of Vinicius, who had + visited the house of Aulus. + </p> + <p> + Acte screamed; but Atacinus bent low and said,—“A greeting, divine + Lygia, from Marcus Vinicius, who awaits thee with a feast in his house + which is decked in green.” + </p> + <p> + The lips of the maiden grew pale. + </p> + <p> + “I go,” said she. + </p> + <p> + Then she threw her arms around Acte’s neck in farewell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X + </h2> + <p> + THE house of Vinicius was indeed decked in the green of myrtle and ivy, + which had been hung on the walls and over the doors. The columns were + wreathed with grape vine. In the atrium, which was closed above by a + purple woollen cloth as protection from the night cold, it was as clear as + in daylight. Eight and twelve flamed lamps were burning; these were like + vessels, trees, animals, birds, or statues, holding cups filled with + perfumed olive oil, lamps of alabaster, marble, or gilded Corinthian + bronze, not so wonderful as that famed candlestick used by Nero and taken + from the temple of Apollo, but beautiful and made by famous masters. Some + of the lights were shaded by Alexandrian glass, or transparent stuffs from + the Indus, of red, blue, yellow, or violet color, so that the whole atrium + was filled with many colored rays. Everywhere was given out the odor of + nard, to which Vinicius had grown used, and which he had learned to love + in the Orient. The depths of the house, in which the forms of male and + female slaves were moving, gleamed also with light. In the triclinium a + table was laid for four persons. At the feast were to sit, besides + Vinicius and Lygia, Petronius and Chrysothemis. Vinicius had followed in + everything the words of Petronius, who advised him not to go for Lygia, + but to send Atacinus with the permission obtained from Cæsar, to receive + her himself in the house, receive her with friendliness and even with + marks of honor. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert drunk yesterday,” said he; “I saw thee. Thou didst act with her + like a quarryman from the Alban Hills. Be not over-insistent, and remember + that one should drink good wine slowly. Know too that it is sweet to + desire, but sweeter to be desired.” + </p> + <p> + Chrysothemis had her own and a somewhat different opinion on this point; + but Petronius, calling her his vestal and his dove, began to explain the + difference which must exist between a trained charioteer of the Circus and + the youth who sits on the quadriga for the first time. Then, turning to + Vinicius, he continued,—“Win her confidence, make her joyful, be + magnanimous. I have no wish to see a gloomy feast. Swear to her, by Hades + even, that thou wilt return her to Pomponia, and it will be thy affair + that to-morrow she prefers to stay with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Then pointing to Chrysothemis, he added,—“For five years I have + acted thus more or less with this timid dove, and I cannot complain of her + harshness.” + </p> + <p> + Chrysothemis struck him with her fan of peacock feathers, and said,—“But + I did not resist, thou satyr!” + </p> + <p> + “Out of consideration for my predecessor—” + </p> + <p> + “But wert thou not at my feet?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; to put rings on thy toes.” + </p> + <p> + Chrysothemis looked involuntarily at her feet, on the toes of which + diamonds were really glittering; and she and Petronius began to laugh. But + Vinicius did not give ear to their bantering. His heart was beating + unquietly under the robes of a Syrian priest, in which he had arrayed + himself to receive Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “They must have left the palace,” said he, as if in a monologue. + </p> + <p> + “They must,” answered Petronius. “Meanwhile I may mention the predictions + of Apollonius of Tyana, or that history of Rufinus which I have not + finished, I do not remember why.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius cared no more for Apollonius of Tyana than for the history of + Rufinus. His mind was with Lygia; and though he felt that it was more + appropriate to receive her at home than to go in the rôle of a myrmidon to + the palace, he was sorry at moments that he had not gone, for the single + reason that he might have seen her sooner, and sat near her in the dark, + in the double litter. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile slaves brought in a tripod ornamented with rams’ heads, bronze + dishes with coals, on which they sprinkled bits of myrrh and nard. + </p> + <p> + “Now they are turning toward the Carinæ,” said Vinicius, again. + </p> + <p> + “He cannot wait; he will run to meet the litter, and is likely to miss + them!” exclaimed Chrysothemis. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius smiled without thinking, and said,—“On the contrary, I will + wait.” + </p> + <p> + But he distended his nostrils and panted; seeing which, Petronius shrugged + his shoulders, and said,—“There is not in him a philosopher to the + value of one sestertium, and I shall never make a man of that son of + Mars.” + </p> + <p> + “They are now in the Carinæ.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, they were turning toward the Carinæ. The slaves called lampadarii + were in front; others called pedisequii, were on both sides of the litter. + Atacinus was right behind, overseeing the advance. But they moved slowly, + for lamps showed the way badly in a place not lighted at all. The streets + near the palace were empty; here and there only some man moved forward + with a lantern, but farther on the place was uncommonly crowded. From + almost every alley people were pushing out in threes and fours, all + without lamps, all in dark mantles. Some walked on with the procession, + mingling with the slaves; others in greater numbers came from the opposite + direction. Some staggered as if drunk. At moments the advance grew so + difficult that the lampadarii cried,—“Give way to the noble tribune, + Marcus Vinicius!” + </p> + <p> + Lygia saw those dark crowds through the curtains which were pushed aside, + and trembled with emotion. She was carried away at one moment by hope, at + another by fear. + </p> + <p> + “That is he!—that is Ursus and the Christians! Now it will happen + quickly,” said she, with trembling lips. “O Christ, aid! O Christ, save!” + </p> + <p> + Atacinus himself, who at first did not notice the uncommon animation of + the street, began at last to be alarmed. There was something strange in + this. The lampadarii had to cry oftener and oftener, “Give way to the + litter of the noble tribune!” From the sides unknown people crowded up to + the litter so much that Atacinus commanded the slaves to repulse them with + clubs. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a cry was heard in front of the procession. In one instant all + the lights were extinguished. Around the litter came a rush, an uproar, a + struggle. + </p> + <p> + Atacinus saw that this was simply an attack; and when he saw it he was + frightened. It was known to all that Cæsar with a crowd of attendants made + attacks frequently for amusement in the Subura and in other parts of the + city. It was known that even at times he brought out of these night + adventures black and blue spots; but whoso defended himself went to his + death, even if a senator. The house of the guards, whose duty it was to + watch over the city, was not very far; but during such attacks the guards + feigned to be deaf and blind. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile there was an uproar around the litter; people struck, struggled, + threw, and trampled one another. The thought flashed on Atacinus to save + Lygia and himself, above all, and leave the rest to their fate. So, + drawing her out of the litter, he took her in his arms and strove to + escape in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia called, “Ursus! Ursus!” + </p> + <p> + She was dressed in white; hence it was easy to see her. Atacinus, with his + other arm, which was free, was throwing his own mantle over her hastily, + when terrible claws seized his neck, and on his head a gigantic, crushing + mass fell like a stone. + </p> + <p> + He dropped in one instant, as an ox felled by the back of an axe before + the altar of Jove. + </p> + <p> + The slaves for the greater part were either lying on the ground, or had + saved themselves by scattering in the thick darkness, around the turns of + the walls. On the spot remained only the litter, broken in the onset. + Ursus bore away Lygia to the Subura; his comrades followed him, dispersing + gradually along the way. + </p> + <p> + The slaves assembled before the house of Vinicius, and took counsel. They + had not courage to enter. After a short deliberation they returned to the + place of conflict, where they found a few corpses, and among them + Atacinus. He was quivering yet; but, after a moment of more violent + convulsion, he stretched and was motionless. + </p> + <p> + They took him then, and, returning, stopped before the gate a second time. + But they must declare to their lord what had happened. + </p> + <p> + “Let Gulo declare it,” whispered some voices; “blood is flowing from his + face as from ours; and the master loves him; it is safer for Gulo than for + others.” + </p> + <p> + Gulo, a German, an old slave, who had nursed Vinicius, and was inherited + by him from his mother, the sister of Petronius, said,— + </p> + <p> + “I will tell him; but do ye all come. Do not let his anger fall on my head + alone.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was growing thoroughly impatient. Petronius and Chrysothemis were + laughing; but he walked with quick step up and down the atrium. + </p> + <p> + “They ought to be here! They ought to be here!” + </p> + <p> + He wished to go out to meet the litter, but Petronius and Chrysothemis + detained him. + </p> + <p> + Steps were heard suddenly in the entrance; the slaves rushed into the + atrium in a crowd, and, halting quickly at the wall, raised their hands, + and began to repeat with groaning,—“Aaaa!—aa!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius sprang toward them. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Lygia?” cried he, with a terrible and changed voice. + </p> + <p> + “Aaaa!” + </p> + <p> + Then Gulo pushed forward with his bloody face, and exclaimed, in haste and + pitifully,— + </p> + <p> + “See our blood, lord! We fought! See our blood! See our blood!” + </p> + <p> + But he had not finished when Vinicius seized a bronze lamp, and with one + blow shattered the skull of the slave; then, seizing his own head with + both hands, he drove his fingers into his hair, repeating hoarsely,—“Me + miserum! me miserum!” + </p> + <p> + His face became blue, his eyes turned in his head, foam came out on his + lips. + </p> + <p> + “Whips!” roared he at last, with an unearthly voice. + </p> + <p> + “Lord! Aaaa! Take pity!” groaned the slaves. + </p> + <p> + Petronius stood up with an expression of disgust on his face. “Come, + Chrysothemis!” said he. “If ‘tis thy wish to look on raw flesh, I will + give command to open a butcher’s stall on the Carinæ!” + </p> + <p> + And he walked out of the atrium. But through the whole house, ornamented + in the green of ivy and prepared for a feast, were heard, from moment to + moment, groans and the whistling of whips, which lasted almost till + morning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XI + </h2> + <p> + VINICIUS did not lie down that night. Some time after the departure of + Petronius, when the groans of his flogged slaves could allay neither his + rage nor his pain, he collected a crowd of other servants, and, though the + night was far advanced, rushed forth at the head of these to look for + Lygia. He visited the district of the Esquiline, then the Subura, Vicus + Sceleratus, and all the adjoining alleys. Passing next around the Capitol, + he went to the island over the bridge of Fabricius; after that he passed + through a part of the Trans-Tiber. But that was a pursuit without object, + for he himself had no hope of finding Lygia, and if he sought her it was + mainly to fill out with something a terrible night. In fact he returned + home about daybreak, when the carts and mules of dealers in vegetables + began to appear in the city, and when bakers were opening their shops. + </p> + <p> + On returning he gave command to put away Gulo’s corpse, which no one had + ventured to touch. The slaves from whom Lygia had been taken he sent to + rural prisons,—a punishment almost more dreadful than death. + Throwing himself at last on a couch in the atrium, he began to think + confusedly of how he was to find and seize Lygia. + </p> + <p> + To resign her, to lose her, not to see her again, seemed to him + impossible; and at this thought alone frenzy took hold of him. For the + first time in life the imperious nature of the youthful soldier met + resistance, met another unbending will, and he could not understand simply + how any one could have the daring to thwart his wishes. Vinicius would + have chosen to see the world and the city sink in ruins rather than fail + of his purpose. The cup of delight had been snatched from before his lips + almost; hence it seemed to him that something unheard of had happened, + something crying to divine and human laws for vengeance. + </p> + <p> + But, first of all, he was unwilling and unable to be reconciled with fate, + for never in life had he so desired anything as Lygia. It seemed to him + that he could not exist without her. He could not tell himself what he was + to do without her on the morrow, how he was to survive the days following. + At moments he was transported by a rage against her, which approached + madness. He wanted to have her, to beat her, to drag her by the hair to + the cubiculum, and gloat over her; then, again, he was carried away by a + terrible yearning for her voice, her form, her eyes, and he felt that he + would be ready to lie at her feet. He called to her, gnawed his fingers, + clasped his head with his hands. He strove with all his might to think + calmly about searching for her,—and was unable. A thousand methods + and means flew through his head, but one wilder than another. At last the + thought flashed on him that no one else had intercepted her but Aulus, + that in every case Aulus must know where she was hiding. And he sprang up + to run to the house of Aulus. + </p> + <p> + If they will not yield her to him, if they have no fear of his threats, he + will go to Cæsar, accuse the old general of disobedience, and obtain a + sentence of death against him; but before that, he will gain from them a + confession of where Lygia is. If they give her, even willingly, he will be + revenged. They received him, it is true, in their house and nursed him,—but + that is nothing! With this one injustice they have freed him from every + debt of gratitude. Here his vengeful and stubborn soul began to take + pleasure at the despair of Pomponia Græcina, when the centurion would + bring the death sentence to old Aulus. He was almost certain that he would + get it. Petronius would assist him. Moreover, Cæsar never denies anything + to his intimates, the Augustians, unless personal dislike or desire + enjoins a refusal. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly his heart almost died within him, under the influence of this + terrible supposition,—“But if Cæsar himself has taken Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + All knew that Nero from tedium sought recreation in night attacks. Even + Petronius took part in these amusements. Their main object was to seize + women and toss each on a soldier’s mantle till she fainted. Even Nero + himself on occasions called these expeditions “pearl hunts,” for it + happened that in the depth of districts occupied by a numerous and needy + population they caught a real pearl of youth and beauty sometimes. Then + the “sagatio,” as they termed the tossing, was changed into a genuine + carrying away, and the pearl was sent either to the Palatine or to one of + Cæsar’s numberless villas, or finally Cæsar yielded it to one of his + intimates. So might it happen also with Lygia. Cæsar had seen her during + the feast; and Vinicius doubted not for an instant that she must have + seemed to him the most beautiful woman he had seen yet. How could it be + otherwise? It is true that Lygia had been in Nero’s own house on the + Palatine, and he might have kept her openly. But, as Petronius said truly, + Cæsar had no courage in crime, and, with power to act openly, he chose to + act always in secret. This time fear of Poppæa might incline him also to + secrecy. It occurred now to the young soldier that Aulus would not have + dared, perhaps, to carry off forcibly a girl given him, Vinicius, by + Cæsar. Besides, who would dare? Would that gigantic blue-eyed Lygian, who + had the courage to enter the triclinium and carry her from the feast on + his arm? But where could he hide with her; whither could he take her? No! + a slave would not have ventured that far. Hence no one had done the deed + except Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + At this thought it grew dark in his eyes, and drops of sweat covered his + forehead. In that case Lygia was lost to him forever. It was possible to + wrest her from the hands of any one else, but not from the hands of Cæsar. + Now, with greater truth than ever, could he exclaim, “Væ misero mihi!” His + imagination represented Lygia in Nero’s arms, and, for the first time in + life, he understood that there are thoughts which are simply beyond man’s + endurance. He knew then, for the first time, how he loved her. As his + whole life flashes through the memory of a drowning man, so Lygia began to + pass through his. He saw her, heard every word of hers,—saw her at + the fountain, saw her at the house of Aulus, and at the feast; felt her + near him, felt the odor of her hair, the warmth of her body, the delight + of the kisses which at the feast he had pressed on her innocent lips. She + seemed to him a hundred times sweeter, more beautiful, more desired than + ever,—a hundred times more the only one, the one chosen from among + all mortals and divinities. And when he thought that all this which had + become so fixed in his heart, which had become his blood and life, might + be possessed by Nero, a pain seized him, which was purely physical, and so + piercing that he wanted to beat his head against the wall of the atrium, + until he should break it. He felt that he might go mad; and he would have + gone mad beyond doubt, had not vengeance remained to him. But as hitherto + he had thought that he could not live unless he got Lygia, he thought now + that he would not die till he had avenged her. This gave him a certain + kind of comfort. “I will be thy Cassius Chærea!” [The slayer of Caligula] + said he to himself in thinking of Nero. After a while, seizing earth in + his hands from the flower vases surrounding the impluvium, he made a + dreadful vow to Erebus, Hecate, and his own household lares, that he would + have vengeance. + </p> + <p> + And he received a sort of consolation. He had at least something to live + for and something with which to fill his nights and days. Then, dropping + his idea of visiting Aulus, he gave command to bear him to the Palatine. + Along the way he concluded that if they would not admit him to Cæsar, or + if they should try to find weapons on his person, it would be a proof that + Cæsar had taken Lygia. He had no weapons with him. He had lost presence of + mind in general; but as is usual with persons possessed by a single idea, + he preserved it in that which concerned his revenge. He did not wish his + desire of revenge to fall away prematurely. He wished above all to see + Acte, for he expected to learn the truth from her. At moments the hope + flashed on him that he might see Lygia also, and at that thought he began + to tremble. For if Cæsar had carried her away without knowledge of whom he + was taking, he might return her that day. But after a while he cast aside + this supposition. Had there been a wish to return her to him, she would + have been sent yesterday. Acte was the only person who could explain + everything, and there was need to see her before others. + </p> + <p> + Convinced of this, he commanded the slaves to hasten; and along the road + he thought without order, now of Lygia, now of revenge. He had heard that + Egyptian priests of the goddess Pasht could bring disease on whomever they + wished, and he determined to learn the means of doing this. In the Orient + they had told him, too, that Jews have certain invocations by which they + cover their enemies’ bodies with ulcers. He had a number of Jews among his + domestic slaves; hence he promised himself to torture them on his return + till they divulged the secret. He found most delight, however, in thinking + of the short Roman sword which lets out a stream of blood such as had + gushed from Caius Caligula and made ineffaceable stains on the columns of + the portico. He was ready to exterminate all Rome; and had vengeful gods + promised that all people should die except him and Lygia, he would have + accepted the promise. + </p> + <p> + In front of the arch he regained presence of mind, and thought when he saw + the pretorian guard, “If they make the least difficulty in admitting me, + they will prove that Lygia is in the palace by the will of Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + But the chief centurion smiled at him in a friendly manner, then advanced + a number of steps, and said,—“A greeting, noble tribune. If thou + desire to give an obeisance to Cæsar, thou hast found an unfortunate + moment. I do not think that thou wilt be able to see him.” + </p> + <p> + “What has happened?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “The infant Augusta fell ill yesterday on a sudden. Cæsar and the august + Poppæa are attending her, with physicians whom they have summoned from the + whole city.” + </p> + <p> + This was an important event. When that daughter was born to him, Cæsar was + simply wild from delight, and received her with extra humanum gaudium. + Previously the senate had committed the womb of Poppæa to the gods with + the utmost solemnity. A votive offering was made at Antium, where the + delivery took place; splendid games were celebrated, and besides a temple + was erected to the two Fortunes. Nero, unable to be moderate in anything, + loved the infant beyond measure; to Poppæa the child was dear also, even + for this, that it strengthened her position and made her influence + irresistible. + </p> + <p> + The fate of the whole empire might depend on the health and life of the + infant Augusta; but Vinicius was so occupied with himself, his own case + and his love, that without paying attention to the news of the centurion + he answered, “I only wish to see Acte.” And he passed in. + </p> + <p> + But Acte was occupied also near the child, and he had to wait a long time + to see her. She came only about midday, with a face pale and wearied, + which grew paler still at sight of Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Acte!” cried Vinicius, seizing her hand and drawing her to the middle of + the atrium, “where is Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to ask thee touching that,” answered she, looking him in the + eyes with reproach. + </p> + <p> + But though he had promised himself to inquire of her calmly, he pressed + his head with his hands again, and said, with a face distorted by pain and + anger,—“She is gone. She was taken from me on the way!” + </p> + <p> + After a while, however, he recovered, and thrusting his face up to Acte’s, + said through his set teeth,—“Acte! If life be dear to thee, if thou + wish not to cause misfortunes which thou are unable even to imagine, + answer me truly. Did Cæsar take her?” + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar did not leave the palace yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “By the shade of thy mother, by all the gods, is she not in the palace?” + </p> + <p> + “By the shade of my mother, Marcus, she is not in the palace, and Cæsar + did not intercept her. The infant Augusta is ill since yesterday, and Nero + has not left her cradle.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius drew breath. That which had seemed the most terrible ceased to + threaten him. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, then,” said he, sitting on the bench and clinching his fists, “Aulus + intercepted her, and in that case woe to him!” + </p> + <p> + “Aulus Plautius was here this morning. He could not see me, for I was + occupied with the child; but he inquired of Epaphroditus, and others of + Cæsar’s servants, touching Lygia, and told them that he would come again + to see me.” + </p> + <p> + “He wished to turn suspicion from himself. If he knew not what happened, + he would have come to seek Lygia in my house.” + </p> + <p> + “He left a few words on a tablet, from which thou wilt see that, knowing + Lygia to have been taken from his house by Cæsar, at thy request and that + of Petronius, he expected that she would be sent to thee, and this morning + early he was at thy house, where they told him what had happened.” + </p> + <p> + When she had said this, she went to the cubiculum and returned soon with + the tablet which Aulus had left. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius read the tablet, and was silent; Acte seemed to read the thoughts + on his gloomy face, for she said after a while,—“No, Marcus. That + has happened which Lygia herself wished.” + </p> + <p> + “It was known to thee that she wished to flee!” burst out Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “I knew that she would not become thy concubine.” And she looked at him + with her misty eyes almost sternly. + </p> + <p> + “And thou,—what hast thou been all thy life?” + </p> + <p> + “I was a slave, first of all.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius did not cease to be enraged. Cæsar had given him Lygia; hence + he had no need to inquire what she had been before. He would find her, + even under the earth, and he would do what he liked with her. He would + indeed! She should be his concubine. He would give command to flog her as + often as he pleased. If she grew distasteful to him, he would give her to + the lowest of his slaves, or he would command her to turn a handmill on + his lands in Africa. He would seek her out now, and find her only to bend + her, to trample on her, and conquer her. + </p> + <p> + And, growing more and more excited, he lost every sense of measure, to the + degree that even Acte saw that he was promising more than he could + execute; that he was talking because of pain and anger. She might have had + even compassion on him, but his extravagance exhausted her patience, and + at last she inquired why he had come to her. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius did not find an answer immediately. He had come to her because he + wished to come, because he judged that she would give him information; but + really he had come to Cæsar, and, not being able to see him, he came to + her. Lygia, by fleeing, opposed the will of Cæsar; hence he would implore + him to give an order to search for her throughout the city and the empire, + even if it came to using for that purpose all the legions, and to + ransacking in turn every house within Roman dominion. Petronius would + support his prayer, and the search would begin from that day. + </p> + <p> + “Have a care,” answered Acte, “lest thou lose her forever the moment she + is found, at command of Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius wrinkled his brows. “What does that mean?” inquired he. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, Marcus. Yesterday Lygia and I were in the gardens here, and + we met Poppæa, with the infant Augusta, borne by an African woman, Lilith. + In the evening the child fell ill, and Lilith insists that she was + bewitched; that that foreign woman whom they met in the garden bewitched + her. Should the child recover, they will forget this, but in the opposite + case Poppæa will be the first to accuse Lygia of witchcraft, and wherever + she is found there will be no rescue for her.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed; then Vinicius said,—“But perhaps she + did bewitch her, and has bewitched me.” + </p> + <p> + “Lilith repeats that the child began to cry the moment she carried her + past us. And really the child did begin to cry. It is certain that she was + sick when they took her out of the garden. Marcus, seek for Lygia whenever + it may please thee, but till the infant Augusta recovers, speak not of her + to Cæsar, or thou wilt bring on her Poppæa’s vengeance. Her eyes have wept + enough because of thee already, and may all the gods guard her poor head.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou love her, Acte?” inquired Vinicius, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I love her.” And tears glittered in the eyes of the freedwoman. + </p> + <p> + “Thou lovest her because she has not repaid thee with hatred, as she has + me.” + </p> + <p> + Acte looked at him for a time as if hesitating, or as if wishing to learn + if he spoke sincerely; then she said,—“O blind and passionate man—she + loved thee.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius sprang up under the influence of those words, as if possessed. + “It is not true.” + </p> + <p> + She hated him. How could Acte know? Would Lygia make a confession to her + after one day’s acquaintance? What love is that which prefers wandering, + the disgrace of poverty, the uncertainty of to-morrow, or a shameful death + even, to a wreath-bedecked house, in which a lover is waiting with a + feast? It is better for him not to hear such things, for he is ready to go + mad. He would not have given that girl for all Cæsar’s treasures, and she + fled. What kind of love is that which dreads delight and gives pain? Who + can understand it? Who can fathom it? Were it not for the hope that he + should find her, he would sink a sword in himself. Love surrenders; it + does not take away. There were moments at the house of Aulus when he + himself believed in near happiness, but now he knows that she hated him, + that she hates him, and will die with hatred in her heart. + </p> + <p> + But Acte, usually mild and timid, burst forth in her turn with + indignation. How had he tried to win Lygia? Instead of bowing before Aulus + and Pomponia to get her, he took the child away from her parents by + stratagem. He wanted to make, not a wife, but a concubine of her, the + foster daughter of an honorable house, and the daughter of a king. He had + her brought to this abode of crime and infamy; he defiled her innocent + eyes with the sight of a shameful feast; he acted with her as with a + wanton. Had he forgotten the house of Aulus and Pomponia Græcina, who had + reared Lygia? Had he not sense enough to understand that there are women + different from Nigidia or Calvia Crispinilla or Poppæa, and from all those + whom he meets in Cæsar’s house? Did he not understand at once on seeing + Lygia that she is an honest maiden, who prefers death to infamy? Whence + does he know what kind of gods she worships, and whether they are not + purer and better than the wanton Venus, or than Isis, worshipped by the + profligate women of Rome? No! Lygia had made no confession to her, but she + had said that she looked for rescue to him, to Vinicius: she had hoped + that he would obtain for her permission from Cæsar to return home, that he + would restore her to Pomponia. And while speaking of this, Lygia blushed + like a maiden who loves and trusts. Lygia’s heart beat for him; but he, + Vinicius, had terrified and offended her; had made her indignant; let him + seek her now with the aid of Cæsar’s soldiers, but let him know that + should Poppæa’s child die, suspicion will fall on Lygia, whose destruction + will then be inevitable. + </p> + <p> + Emotion began to force its way through the anger and pain of Vinicius. The + information that he was loved by Lygia shook him to the depth of his soul. + He remembered her in Aulus’s garden, when she was listening to his words + with blushes on her face and her eyes full of light. It seemed to him then + that she had begun to love him; and all at once, at that thought, a + feeling of certain happiness embraced him, a hundred times greater than + that which he desired. He thought that he might have won her gradually, + and besides as one loving him. She would have wreathed his door, rubbed it + with wolf’s fat, and then sat as his wife by his hearth on the sheepskin. + He would have heard from her mouth the sacramental: “Where thou art, + Caius, there am I, Caia.” And she would have been his forever. Why did he + not act thus? True, he had been ready so to act. But now she is gone, and + it may be impossible to find her; and should he find her, perhaps he will + cause her death, and should he not cause her death, neither she nor Aulus + nor Pomponia Græcina will favor him. Here anger raised the hair on his + head again; but his anger turned now, not against the house of Aulus, or + Lygia, but against Petronius. Petronius was to blame for everything. Had + it not been for him Lygia would not have been forced to wander; she would + be his betrothed, and no danger would be hanging over her dear head. But + now all is past, and it is too late to correct the evil which will not + yield to correction. + </p> + <p> + “Too late!” And it seemed to him that a gulf had opened before his feet. + He did not know what to begin, how to proceed, whither to betake himself. + Acte repeated as an echo the words, “Too late,” which from another’s mouth + sounded like a death sentence. He understood one thing, however, that he + must find Lygia, or something evil would happen to him. + </p> + <p> + And wrapping himself mechanically in his toga, he was about to depart + without taking farewell even of Acte, when suddenly the curtain separating + the entrance from the atrium was pushed aside, and he saw before him the + pensive figure of Pomponia Græcina. + </p> + <p> + Evidently she too had heard of the disappearance of Lygia, and, judging + that she could see Acte more easily than Aulus, had come for news to her. + </p> + <p> + But, seeing Vinicius, she turned her pale, delicate face to him, and said, + after a pause,—“May God forgive thee the wrong, Marcus, which thou + hast done to us and to Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + He stood with drooping head, with a feeling of misfortune and guilt, not + understanding what God was to forgive him or could forgive him. Pomponia + had no cause to mention forgiveness; she ought to have spoken of revenge. + </p> + <p> + At last he went out with a head devoid of counsel, full of grievous + thoughts, immense care, and amazement. + </p> + <p> + In the court and under the gallery were crowds of anxious people. Among + slaves of the palace were knights and senators who had come to inquire + about the health of the infant, and at the same time to show themselves in + the palace, and exhibit a proof of their anxiety, even in presence of + Nero’s slaves. News of the illness of the “divine” had spread quickly it + was evident, for new forms appeared in the gateway every moment, and + through the opening of the arcade whole crowds were visible. Some of the + newly arrived, seeing that Vinicius was coming from the palace, attacked + him for news; but he hurried on without answering their questions, till + Petronius, who had come for news too, almost struck his breast and stopped + him. + </p> + <p> + Beyond doubt Vinicius would have become enraged at sight of Petronius, and + let himself do some lawless act in Cæsar’s palace, had it not been that + when he had left Acte he was so crushed, so weighed down and exhausted, + that for the moment even his innate irascibility had left him. He pushed + Petronius aside and wished to pass; but the other detained him, by force + almost. + </p> + <p> + “How is the divine infant?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + But this constraint angered Vinicius a second time, and roused his + indignation in an instant. + </p> + <p> + “May Hades swallow her and all this house!” said he, gritting his teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Silence, hapless man!” said Petronius, and looking around he added + hurriedly,—“If thou wish to know something of Lygia, come with me; I + will tell nothing here! Come with me; I will tell my thoughts in the + litter.” + </p> + <p> + And putting his arm around the young tribune, he conducted him from the + palace as quickly as possible. That was his main concern, for he had no + news whatever; but being a man of resources, and having, in spite of his + indignation of yesterday, much sympathy for Vinicius, and finally feeling + responsible for all that had happened, he had undertaken something + already, and when they entered the litter he said,—“I have commanded + my slaves to watch at every gate. I gave them an accurate description of + the girl, and that giant who bore her from the feast at Cæsar’s,—for + he is the man, beyond doubt, who intercepted her. Listen to me: Perhaps + Aulus and Pomponia wish to secrete her in some estate of theirs; in that + case we shall learn the direction in which they took her. If my slaves do + not see her at some gate, we shall know that she is in the city yet, and + shall begin this very day to search in Rome for her.” + </p> + <p> + “Aulus does not know where she is,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Art thou sure of that?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw Pomponia. She too is looking for her.” + </p> + <p> + “She could not leave the city yesterday, for the gates are closed at + night. Two of my people are watching at each gate. One is to follow Lygia + and the giant, the other to return at once and inform me. If she is in the + city, we shall find her, for that Lygian is easily recognized, even by his + stature and his shoulders. Thou art lucky that it was not Cæsar who took + her, and I can assure thee that he did not, for there are no secrets from + me on the Palatine.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius burst forth in sorrow still more than in anger, and in a + voice broken by emotion told Petronius what he had heard from Acte, and + what new dangers were threatening Lygia,—dangers so dreadful that + because of them there would be need to hide her from Poppæa most + carefully, in case they discovered her. Then he reproached Petronius + bitterly for his counsel. Had it not been for him, everything would have + gone differently. Lygia would have been at the house of Aulus, and he, + Vinicius, might have seen her every day, and he would have been happier at + that moment than Cæsar. And carried away as he went on with his narrative, + he yielded more and more to emotion, till at last tears of sorrow and rage + began to fall from his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Petronius, who had not even thought that the young man could love and + desire to such a degree, when he saw the tears of despair said to himself, + with a certain astonishment,—“O mighty Lady of Cyprus, thou alone + art ruler of gods and men!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XII + </h2> + <p> + WHEN they alighted in front of the arbiter’s house, the chief of the + atrium answered them that of slaves sent to the gates none had returned + yet. The atriensis had given orders to take food to them, and a new + command, that under penalty of rods they were to watch carefully all who + left the city. + </p> + <p> + “Thou seest,” said Petronius, “that they are in Rome, beyond doubt, and in + that case we shall find them. But command thy people also to watch at the + gates,—those, namely, who were sent for Lygia, as they will + recognize her easily.” + </p> + <p> + “I have given orders to send them to rural prisons,” said Vinicius, “but I + will recall the orders at once, and let them go to the gates.” + </p> + <p> + And writing a few words on a wax-covered tablet, he handed it to + Petronius, who gave directions to send it at once to the house of + Vinicius. Then they passed into the interior portico, and, sitting on a + marble bench, began to talk. The golden-haired Eunice and Iras pushed + bronze footstools under their feet, and poured wine for them into goblets, + out of wonderful narrow-necked pitchers from Volaterræ and Cæcina. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou among thy people any one who knows that giant Lygian?” asked + Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “Atacinus and Gulo knew him; but Atacinus fell yesterday at the litter, + and Gulo I killed.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry for him,” said Petronius. “He carried not only thee, but me, + in his arms.” + </p> + <p> + “I intended to free him,” answered Vinicius; “but do not mention him. Let + us speak of Lygia. Rome is a sea-” + </p> + <p> + “A sea is just the place where men fish for pearls. Of course we shall not + find her to-day, or to-morrow, but we shall find her surely. Thou hast + accused me just now of giving thee this method; but the method was good in + itself, and became bad only when turned to bad. Thou hast heard from Aulus + himself, that he intends to go to Sicily with his whole family. In that + case the girl would be far from thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I should follow them,” said Vinicius, “and in every case she would be out + of danger; but now, if that child dies, Poppæa will believe, and will + persuade Cæsar, that she died because of Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “True; that alarmed me, too. But that little doll may recover. Should she + die, we shall find some way of escape.” + </p> + <p> + Here Petronius meditated a while and added,—“Poppæa, it is said, + follows the religion of the Jews, and believes in evil spirits. Cæsar is + superstitious. If we spread the report that evil spirits carried off + Lygia, the news will find belief, especially as neither Cæsar nor Aulus + Plautius intercepted her; her escape was really mysterious. The Lygian + could not have effected it alone; he must have had help. And where could a + slave find so many people in the course of one day?” + </p> + <p> + “Slaves help one another in Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “Some person pays for that with blood at times. True, they support one + another, but not some against others. In this case it was known that + responsibility and punishment would fall on thy people. If thou give thy + people the idea of evil spirits, they will say at once that they saw such + with their own eyes, because that will justify them in thy sight. Ask one + of them, as a test, if he did not see spirits carrying off Lygia through + the air, he will swear at once by the ægis of Zeus that he saw them.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who was superstitious also, looked at Petronius with sudden and + great fear. + </p> + <p> + “If Ursus could not have men to help him, and was not able to take her + alone, who could take her?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius began to laugh. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said he, “they will believe, since thou art half a believer + thyself. Such is our society, which ridicules the gods. They, too, will + believe, and they will not look for her. Meanwhile we shall put her away + somewhere far off from the city, in some villa of mine or thine.” + </p> + <p> + “But who could help her?” + </p> + <p> + “Her co-religionists,” answered Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “Who are they? What deity does she worship? I ought to know that better + than thou.” + </p> + <p> + “Nearly every woman in Rome honors a different one. It is almost beyond + doubt that Pomponia reared her in the religion of that deity which she + herself worships; what one she worships I know not. One thing is certain, + that no person has seen her make an offering to our gods in any temple. + They have accused her even of being a Christian; but that is not possible; + a domestic tribunal cleared her of the charge. They say that Christians + not only worship an ass’s head, but are enemies of the human race, and + permit the foulest crimes. Pomponia cannot be a Christian, as her virtue + is known, and an enemy of the human race could not treat slaves as she + does.” + </p> + <p> + “In no house are they treated as at Aulus’s,” interrupted Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! Pomponia mentioned to me some god, who must be one powerful and + merciful. Where she has put away all the others is her affair; it is + enough that that Logos of hers cannot be very mighty, or rather he must be + a very weak god, since he has had only two adherents,—Pomponia and + Lygia,—and Ursus in addition. It must be that there are more of + those adherents, and that they assisted Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “That faith commands forgiveness,” said Vinicius. “At Acte’s I met + Pomponia, who said to me: ‘May God forgive thee the evil which thou hast + done to us and to Lygia.’” + </p> + <p> + “Evidently their God is some curator who is very mild. Ha! let him forgive + thee, and in sign of forgiveness return thee the maiden.” + </p> + <p> + “I would offer him a hecatomb to-morrow! I have no wish for food, or the + bath, or sleep. I will take a dark lantern and wander through the city. + Perhaps I shall find her in disguise. I am sick.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at him with commiseration. In fact, there was blue under + his eyes, his pupils were gleaming with fever, his unshaven beard + indicated a dark strip on his firmly outlined jaws, his hair was in + disorder, and he was really like a sick man. Iras and the golden-haired + Eunice looked at him also with sympathy; but he seemed not to see them, + and he and Petronius took no notice whatever of the slave women, just as + they would not have noticed dogs moving around them. + </p> + <p> + “Fever is tormenting thee,” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “It is.” + </p> + <p> + “Then listen to me. I know not what the doctor has prescribed to thee, but + I know how I should act in thy place. Till this lost one is found I should + seek in another that which for the moment has gone from me with her. I saw + splendid forms at thy villa. Do not contradict me. I know what love is; + and I know that when one is desired another cannot take her place. But in + a beautiful slave it is possible to find even momentary distraction.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not need it,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + But Petronius, who had for him a real weakness, and who wished to soften + his pain, began to meditate how he might do so. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps thine have not for thee the charm of novelty,” said he, after a + while (and here he began to look in turn at Iras and Eunice, and finally + he placed his palm on the hip of the golden-haired Eunice). “Look at this + grace! for whom some days since Fonteius Capiton the younger offered three + wonderful boys from Clazomene. A more beautiful figure than hers even + Skopas himself has not chiselled. I myself cannot tell why I have remained + indifferent to her thus far, since thoughts of Chrysothemis have not + restrained me. Well, I give her to thee; take her for thyself!” + </p> + <p> + When the golden-haired Eunice heard this, she grew pale in one moment, + and, looking with frightened eyes on Vinicius, seemed to wait for his + answer without breath in her breast. + </p> + <p> + But he sprang up suddenly, and, pressing his temples with his hands, said + quickly, like a man who is tortured by disease, and will not hear + anything,—“No, no! I care not for her! I care not for others! I + thank thee, but I do not want her. I will seek that one through the city. + Give command to bring me a Gallic cloak with a hood. I will go beyond the + Tiber—if I could see even Ursus.” + </p> + <p> + And he hurried away. Petronius, seeing that he could not remain in one + place, did not try to detain him. Taking, however, his refusal as a + temporary dislike for all women save Lygia, and not wishing his own + magnanimity to go for naught, he said, turning to the slave,—“Eunice, + thou wilt bathe and anoint thyself, then dress: after that thou wilt go to + the house of Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + But she dropped before him on her knees, and with joined palms implored + him not to remove her from the house. She would not go to Vinicius, she + said. She would rather carry fuel to the hypocaustum in his house than be + chief servant in that of Vinicius. She would not, she could not go; and + she begged him to have pity on her. Let him give command to flog her + daily, only not send her away. + </p> + <p> + And trembling like a leaf with fear and excitement, she stretched her + hands to him, while he listened with amazement. A slave who ventured to + beg relief from the fulfilment of a command, who said “I will not and I + cannot,” was something so unheard-of in Rome that Petronius could not + believe his own ears at first. Finally he frowned. He was too refined to + be cruel. His slaves, especially in the department of pleasure, were freer + than others, on condition of performing their service in an exemplary + manner, and honoring the will of their master, like that of a god. In case + they failed in these two respects, he was able not to spare punishment, to + which, according to general custom, they were subject. Since, besides + this, he could not endure opposition, nor anything which ruffled his + calmness, he looked for a while at the kneeling girl, and then said,—“Call + Tiresias, and return with him.” + </p> + <p> + Eunice rose, trembling, with tears in her eyes, and went out; after a time + she returned with the chief of the atrium, Tiresias, a Cretan. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt take Eunice,” said Petronius, “and give her five-and-twenty + lashes, in such fashion, however, as not to harm her skin.” + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he passed into the library, and, sitting down at a + table of rose-colored marble, began to work on his “Feast of Trimalchion.” + But the flight of Lygia and the illness of the infant Augusta had + disturbed his mind so much that he could not work long. That illness, + above all, was important. It occurred to Petronius that were Cæsar to + believe that Lygia had cast spells on the infant, the responsibility might + fall on him also, for the girl had been brought at his request to the + palace. But he could reckon on this, that at the first interview with + Cæsar he would be able in some way to show the utter absurdity of such an + idea; he counted a little, too, on a certain weakness which Poppæa had for + him,—a weakness hidden carefully, it is true, but not so carefully + that he could not divine it. After a while he shrugged his shoulders at + these fears, and decided to go to the triclinium to strengthen himself, + and then order the litter to bear him once more to the palace, after that + to the Campus Martius, and then to Chrysothemis. + </p> + <p> + But on the way to the triclinium at the entrance to the corridor assigned + to servants, he saw unexpectedly the slender form of Eunice standing, + among other slaves, at the wall; and forgetting that he had given Tiresias + no order beyond flogging her, he wrinkled his brow again, and looked + around for the atriensis. Not seeing him among the servants, he turned to + Eunice. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou received the lashes?” + </p> + <p> + She cast herself at his feet a second time, pressed the border of his toga + to her lips, and said,—“Oh, yes, lord, I have received them! Oh, + yes, lord!” In her voice were heard, as it were, joy and gratitude. It was + clear that she looked on the lashes as a substitute for her removal from + the house, and that now she might stay there. Petronius, who understood + this, wondered at the passionate resistance of the girl; but he was too + deeply versed in human nature not to know that love alone could call forth + such resistance. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou love some one in this house?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + She raised her blue, tearful eyes to him, and answered, in a voice so low + that it was hardly possible to hear her,—“Yes, lord.” + </p> + <p> + And with those eyes, with that golden hair thrown back, with fear and hope + in her face, she was so beautiful, she looked at him so entreatingly, that + Petronius, who, as a philosopher, had proclaimed the might of love, and + who, as a man of æsthetic nature, had given homage to all beauty, felt for + her a certain species of compassion. + </p> + <p> + “Whom of those dost thou love?” inquired he, indicating the servants with + his head. + </p> + <p> + There was no answer to that question. Eunice inclined her head to his feet + and remained motionless. + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at the slaves, among whom were beautiful and stately + youths. He could read nothing on any face; on the contrary, all had + certain strange smiles. He looked then for a while on Eunice lying at his + feet, and went in silence to the triclinium. + </p> + <p> + After he had eaten, he gave command to bear him to the palace, and then to + Chrysothemis, with whom he remained till late at night. But when he + returned, he gave command to call Tiresias. + </p> + <p> + “Did Eunice receive the flogging?” inquired he. + </p> + <p> + “She did, lord. Thou didst not let the skin be cut, however.” + </p> + <p> + “Did I give no other command touching her?” + </p> + <p> + “No, lord,” answered the atriensis with alarm. + </p> + <p> + “That is well. Whom of the slaves does she love?” + </p> + <p> + “No one, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou know of her?” + </p> + <p> + Tiresias began to speak in a somewhat uncertain voice: + </p> + <p> + “At night Eunice never leaves the cubiculum in which she lives with old + Acrisiona and Ifida; after thou art dressed she never goes to the + bath-rooms. Other slaves ridicule her, and call her Diana.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough,” said Petronius. “My relative, Vinicius, to whom I offered her + to-day, did not accept her; hence she may stay in the house. Thou art free + to go.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it permitted me to speak more of Eunice, lord?” + </p> + <p> + “I have commanded thee to say all thou knowest.” + </p> + <p> + “The whole familia are speaking of the flight of the maiden who was to + dwell in the house of the noble Vinicius. After thy departure, Eunice came + to me and said that she knew a man who could find her.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! What kind of man is he?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not, lord; but I thought that I ought to inform thee of this + matter.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well. Let that man wait to-morrow in my house for the arrival of + the tribune, whom thou wilt request in my name to meet me here.” + </p> + <p> + The atriensis bowed and went out. But Petronius began to think of Eunice. + At first it seemed clear to him that the young slave wished Vinicius to + find Lygia for this reason only, that she would not be forced from his + house. Afterward, however, it occurred to him that the man whom Eunice was + pushing forward might be her lover, and all at once that thought seemed to + him disagreeable. There was, it is true, a simple way of learning the + truth, for it was enough to summon Eunice; but the hour was late, + Petronius felt tired after his long visit with Chrysothemis, and was in a + hurry to sleep. But on the way to the cubiculum he remembered—it is + unknown why—that he had noticed wrinkles, that day, in the corners + of Chrysothemis’s eyes. He thought, also, that her beauty was more + celebrated in Rome than it deserved; and that Fonteius Capiton, who had + offered him three boys from Clazomene for Eunice, wanted to buy her too + cheaply. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIII + </h2> + <p> + NEXT morning, Petronius had barely finished dressing in the unctorium when + Vinicius came, called by Tiresias. He knew that no news had come from the + gates. This information, instead of comforting him, as a proof that Lygia + was still in Rome, weighed him down still more, for he began to think that + Ursus might have conducted her out of the city immediately after her + seizure, and hence before Petronius’s slaves had begun to keep watch at + the gates. It is true that in autumn, when the days become shorter, the + gates are closed rather early; but it is true, also, that they are opened + for persons going out, and the number of these is considerable. It was + possible, also, to pass the walls by other ways, well known, for instance, + to slaves who wish to escape from the city. Vinicius had sent out his + people to all roads leading to the provinces, to watchmen in the smaller + towns, proclaiming a pair of fugitive slaves, with a detailed description + of Ursus and Lygia, coupled with the offer of a reward for seizing them. + But it was doubtful whether that pursuit would reach the fugitives; and + even should it reach them, whether the local authorities would feel + justified in making the arrest at the private instance of Vinicius, + without the support of a pretor. Indeed, there had not been time to obtain + such support. Vinicius himself, disguised as a slave, had sought Lygia the + whole day before, through every corner of the city, but had been unable to + find the least indication or trace of her. He had seen Aulus’s servants, + it is true; but they seemed to be seeking something also, and that + confirmed him in the belief that it was not Aulus who had intercepted the + maiden, and that the old general did not know what had happened to her. + </p> + <p> + When Tiresias announced to him, then, that there was a man who would + undertake to find Lygia, he hurried with all speed to the house of + Petronius; and barely had he finished saluting his uncle, when he inquired + for the man. + </p> + <p> + “We shall see him at once, Eunice knows him,” said Petronius. “She will + come this moment to arrange the folds of my toga, and will give nearer + information concerning him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! she whom thou hadst the wish to bestow on me yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “The one whom thou didst reject; for which I am grateful, for she is the + best vestiplica in the whole city.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, the vestiplica came in before he had finished speaking, and + taking the toga, laid on a chair inlaid with pearl, she opened the garment + to throw it on Petronius’s shoulder. Her face was clear and calm; joy was + in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at her. She seemed to him very beautiful. After a while, + when she had covered him with the toga, she began to arrange it, bending + at times to lengthen the folds. He noticed that her arms had a marvellous + pale rose-color, and her bosom and shoulders the transparent reflections + of pearl or alabaster. + </p> + <p> + “Eunice,” said he, “has the man come to Tiresias whom thou didst mention + yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “He has, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “What is his name?” + </p> + <p> + “Chilo Chilonides.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is he?” + </p> + <p> + “A physician, a sage, a soothsayer, who knows how to read people’s fates + and predict the future.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he predicted the future to thee?” + </p> + <p> + Eunice was covered with a blush which gave a rosy color to her ears and + her neck even. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “What has he predicted?” + </p> + <p> + “That pain and happiness would meet me.” + </p> + <p> + “Pain met thee yesterday at the hands of Tiresias; hence happiness also + should come.” + </p> + <p> + “It has come, lord, already.” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “I remain,” said she in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + Petronius put his hand on her golden head. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast arranged the folds well to-day, and I am satisfied with thee, + Eunice.” + </p> + <p> + Under that touch her eyes were mist-covered in one instant from happiness, + and her bosom began to heave quickly. + </p> + <p> + Petronius and Vinicius passed into the atrium, where Chilo Chilonides was + waiting. When he saw them, he made a low bow. A smile came to the lips of + Petronius at thought of his suspicion of yesterday, that this man might be + Eunice’s lover. The man who was standing before him could not be any one’s + lover. In that marvellous figure there was something both foul and + ridiculous. He was not old; in his dirty beard and curly locks a gray hair + shone here and there. He had a lank stomach and stooping shoulders, so + that at the first cast of the eye he appeared to be hunchbacked; above + that hump rose a large head, with the face of a monkey and also of a fox; + the eye was penetrating. His yellowish complexion was varied with pimples; + and his nose, covered with them completely, might indicate too great a + love for the bottle. His neglected apparel, composed of a dark tunic of + goat’s wool and a mantle of similar material with holes in it, showed real + or simulated poverty. At sight of him, Homer’s Thersites came to the mind + of Petronius. Hence, answering with a wave of the hand to his bow, he + said,— + </p> + <p> + “A greeting, divine Thersites! How are the lumps which Ulysses gave thee + at Troy, and what is he doing himself in the Elysian Fields?” + </p> + <p> + “Noble lord,” answered Chilo Chilonides, “Ulysses, the wisest of the dead, + sends a greeting through me to Petronius, the wisest of the living, and + the request to cover my lumps with a new mantle.” + </p> + <p> + “By Hecate Triformis!” exclaimed Petronius, “the answer deserves a new + mantle.” + </p> + <p> + But further conversation was interrupted by the impatient Vinicius, who + inquired directly,—“Dost thou know clearly what thou art + undertaking?” + </p> + <p> + “When two households in two lordly mansions speak of naught else, and when + half Rome is repeating the news, it is not difficult to know,” answered + Chilo. “The night before last a maiden named Lygia, but specially Callina, + and reared in the house of Aulus Plautius, was intercepted. Thy slaves + were conducting her, O lord, from Cæsar’s palace to thy ‘insula,’ and I + undertake to find her in the city, or, if she has left the city—which + is little likely—to indicate to thee, noble tribune, whither she has + fled and where she has hidden.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well,” said Vinicius, who was pleased with the precision of the + answer. “What means hast thou to do this?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo smiled cunningly. “Thou hast the means, lord; I have the wit only.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius smiled also, for he was perfectly satisfied with his guest. + </p> + <p> + “That man can find the maiden,” thought he. Meanwhile Vinicius wrinkled + his joined brows, and said,—“Wretch, in case thou deceive me for + gain, I will give command to beat thee with clubs.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a philosopher, lord, and a philosopher cannot be greedy of gain, + especially of such as thou hast just offered magnanimously.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, art thou a philosopher?” inquired Petronius. “Eunice told me that + thou art a physician and a soothsayer. Whence knowest thou Eunice?” + </p> + <p> + “She came to me for aid, for my fame struck her ears.” + </p> + <p> + “What aid did she want?” + </p> + <p> + “Aid in love, lord. She wanted to be cured of unrequited love.” + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou cure her?” + </p> + <p> + “I did more, lord. I gave her an amulet which secures mutuality. In + Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, is a temple, O lord, in which is + preserved a zone of Venus. I gave her two threads from that zone, enclosed + in an almond shell.” + </p> + <p> + “And didst thou make her pay well for them?” + </p> + <p> + “One can never pay enough for mutuality, and I, who lack two fingers on my + right hand, am collecting money to buy a slave copyist to write down my + thoughts, and preserve my wisdom for mankind.” + </p> + <p> + “Of what school art thou, divine sage?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a Cynic, lord, because I wear a tattered mantle; I am a Stoic, + because I bear poverty patiently; I am a Peripatetic, for, not owning a + litter, I go on foot from one wine-shop to another, and on the way teach + those who promise to pay for a pitcher of wine.” + </p> + <p> + “And at the pitcher thou dost become a rhetor?” + </p> + <p> + “Heraclitus declares that ‘all is fluid,’ and canst thou deny, lord, that + wine is fluid?” + </p> + <p> + “And he declared that fire is a divinity; divinity, therefore, is blushing + in thy nose.” + </p> + <p> + “But the divine Diogenes from Apollonia declared that air is the essence + of things, and the warmer the air the more perfect the beings it makes, + and from the warmest come the souls of sages. And since the autumns are + cold, a genuine sage should warm his soul with wine; and wouldst thou + hinder, O lord, a pitcher of even the stuff produced in Capua or Telesia + from bearing heat to all the bones of a perishable human body?” + </p> + <p> + “Chilo Chilonides, where is thy birthplace?” + </p> + <p> + “On the Euxine Pontus. I come from Mesembria.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Chilo, thou art great!” + </p> + <p> + “And unrecognized,” said the sage, pensively. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius was impatient again. In view of the hope which had gleamed + before him, he wished Chilo to set out at once on his work; hence the + whole conversation seemed to him simply a vain loss of time, and he was + angry at Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “When wilt thou begin the search?” asked he, turning to the Greek. + </p> + <p> + “I have begun it already,” answered Chilo. “And since I am here, and + answering thy affable question, I am searching yet. Only have confidence, + honored tribune, and know that if thou wert to lose the string of thy + sandal I should find it, or him who picked it up on the street.” + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou been employed in similar services?” asked Petronius. + </p> + <p> + The Greek raised his eyes. “To-day men esteem virtue and wisdom too low, + for a philosopher not to be forced to seek other means of living.” + </p> + <p> + “What are thy means?” + </p> + <p> + “To know everything, and to serve those with news who are in need of it.” + </p> + <p> + “And who pay for it?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, lord, I need to buy a copyist. Otherwise my wisdom will perish with + me.” + </p> + <p> + “If thou hast not collected enough yet to buy a sound mantle, thy services + cannot be very famous.” + </p> + <p> + “Modesty hinders me. But remember, lord, that to-day there are not such + benefactors as were numerous formerly; and for whom it was as pleasant to + cover service with gold as to swallow an oyster from Puteoli. No; my + services are not small, but the gratitude of mankind is small. At times, + when a valued slave escapes, who will find him, if not the only son of my + father? When on the walls there are inscriptions against the divine + Poppæa, who will indicate those who composed them? Who will discover at + the book-stalls verses against Cæsar? Who will declare what is said in the + houses of knights and senators? Who will carry letters which the writers + will not intrust to slaves? Who will listen to news at the doors of + barbers? For whom have wine-shops and bake-shops no secret? In whom do + slaves trust? Who can see through every house, from the atrium to the + garden? Who knows every street, every alley and hiding-place? Who knows + what they say in the baths, in the Circus, in the markets, in the + fencing-schools, in slave-dealers’ sheds, and even in the arenas?” + </p> + <p> + “By the gods! enough, noble sage!” cried Petronius; “we are drowning in + thy services, thy virtue, thy wisdom, and thy eloquence. Enough! We wanted + to know who thou art, and we know!” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius was glad, for he thought that this man, like a hound, once + put on the trail, would not stop till he had found out the hiding-place. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, “dost thou need indications?” + </p> + <p> + “I need arms.” + </p> + <p> + “Of what kind?” asked Vinicius, with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + The Greek stretched out one hand; with the other he made the gesture of + counting money. + </p> + <p> + “Such are the times, lord,” said he, with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt be the ass, then,” said Petronius, “to win the fortress with + bags of gold?” + </p> + <p> + “I am only a poor philosopher,” answered Chilo, with humility; “ye have + the gold.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius tossed him a purse, which the Greek caught in the air, though two + fingers were lacking on his right hand. + </p> + <p> + He raised his head then, and said: “I know more than thou thinkest. I have + not come empty-handed. I know that Aulus did not intercept the maiden, for + I have spoken with his slaves. I know that she is not on the Palatine, for + all are occupied with the infant Augusta; and perhaps I may even divine + why ye prefer to search for the maiden with my help rather than that of + the city guards and Cæsar’s soldiers. I know that her escape was effected + by a servant,—a slave coming from the same country as she. He could + not find assistance among slaves, for slaves all stand together, and would + not act against thy slaves. Only a co-religionist would help him.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost hear, Vinicius?” broke in Petronius. “Have I not said the same, word + for word, to thee?” + </p> + <p> + “That is an honor for me,” said Chilo. “The maiden, lord,” continued he, + turning again to Vinicius, “worships beyond a doubt the same divinity as + that most virtuous of Roman ladies, that genuine matron, Pomponia. I have + heard this, too, that Pomponia was tried in her own house for worshipping + some kind of foreign god, but I could not learn from her slaves what god + that is, or what his worshippers are called. If I could learn that, I + should go to them, become the most devoted among them, and gain their + confidence. But thou, lord, who hast passed, as I know too, a number of + days in the house of the noble Aulus, canst thou not give me some + information thereon?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Ye have asked me long about various things, noble lords, and I have + answered the questions; permit me now to give one. Hast thou not seen, + honored tribune, some statuette, some offering, some token, some amulet on + Pomponia or thy divine Lygia? Hast thou not seen them making signs to each + other, intelligible to them alone?” + </p> + <p> + “Signs? Wait! Yes; I saw once that Lygia made a fish on the sand.” + </p> + <p> + “A fish? A-a! O-o-o! Did she do that once, or a number of times?” + </p> + <p> + “Only once.” + </p> + <p> + “And art thou certain, lord, that she outlined a fish? O-o?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Vinicius, with roused curiosity. “Dost thou divine what + that means?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I divine!” exclaimed Chilo. And bowing in sign of farewell, he added: + “May Fortune scatter on you both equally all gifts, worthy lords!” + </p> + <p> + “Give command to bring thee a mantle,” said Petronius to him at parting. + </p> + <p> + “Ulysses gives thee thanks for Thersites,” said the Greek; and bowing a + second time, he walked out. + </p> + <p> + “What wilt thou say of that noble sage?” inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “This, that he will find Lygia,” answered Vinicius, with delight; “but I + will say, too, that were there a kingdom of rogues he might be the king of + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly. I shall make a nearer acquaintance with this stoic; + meanwhile I must give command to perfume the atrium.” + </p> + <p> + But Chilo Chilonides, wrapping his new mantle about him, threw up on his + palm, under its folds, the purse received from Vinicius, and admired both + its weight and its jingle. Walking on slowly, and looking around to see if + they were not looking at him from the house, he passed the portico of + Livia, and, reaching the corner of the Clivus Virbius, turned toward the + Subura. + </p> + <p> + “I must go to Sporus,” said he to himself, “and pour out a little wine to + Fortuna. I have found at last what I have been seeking this long time. He + is young, irascible, bounteous as mines in Cyprus, and ready to give half + his fortune for that Lygian linnet. Just such a man have I been seeking + this long time. It is needful, however, to be on one’s guard with him, for + the wrinkling of his brow forebodes no good. Ah! the wolf-whelps lord it + over the world to-day! I should fear that Petronius less. O gods! but the + trade of procurer pays better at present than virtue. Ah! she drew a fish + on the sand! If I know what that means, may I choke myself with a piece of + goat’s cheese! But I shall know. Fish live under water, and searching + under water is more difficult than on land, ergo he will pay me separately + for this fish. Another such purse and I might cast aside the beggar’s + wallet and buy myself a slave. But what wouldst thou say, Chilo, were I to + advise thee to buy not a male but a female slave? I know thee; I know that + thou wouldst consent. If she were beautiful, like Eunice, for instance, + thou thyself wouldst grow young near her, and at the same time wouldst + have from her a good and certain income. I sold to that poor Eunice two + threads from my old mantle. She is dull; but if Petronius were to give her + to me, I would take her. Yes, yes, Chilo Chilonides, thou hast lost father + and mother, thou art an orphan; therefore buy to console thee even a + female slave. She must indeed live somewhere, therefore Vinicius will hire + her a dwelling, in which thou too mayest find shelter; she must dress, + hence Vinicius will pay for the dress; and must eat, hence he will support + her. Och! what a hard life! Where are the times in which for an obolus a + man could buy as much pork and beans as he could hold in both hands, or a + piece of goat’s entrails as long as the arm of a boy twelve years old, and + filled with blood? But here is that villain Sporus! In the wine-shop it + will be easier to learn something.” + </p> + <p> + Thus conversing, he entered the wine-shop and ordered a pitcher of “dark” + for himself. Seeing the sceptical look of the shopkeeper, he took a gold + coin from his purse, and, putting it on the table, said,—“Sporus, I + toiled to-day with Seneca from dawn till midday, and this is what my + friend gave me at parting.” + </p> + <p> + The plump eyes of Sporus became plumper still at this sight, and the wine + was soon before Chilo. Moistening his fingers in it, he drew a fish on the + table, and said,—“Knowest what that means?” + </p> + <p> + “A fish? Well, a fish,—yes, that’s a fish.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art dull; though thou dost add so much water to the wine that thou + mightst find a fish in it. This is a symbol which, in the language of + philosophers, means ‘the smile of fortune.’ If thou hadst divined it, thou + too mightst have made a fortune. Honor philosophy, I tell thee, or I shall + change my wine-shop,—an act to which Petronius, my personal friend, + has been urging me this long time.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIV + </h2> + <p> + FOR a number of days after the interview, Chilo did not show himself + anywhere. Vinicius, since he had learned from Acte that Lygia loved him, + was a hundred times more eager to find her, and began himself to search. + He was unwilling, and also unable, to ask aid of Cæsar, who was in great + fear because of the illness of the infant Augusta. + </p> + <p> + Sacrifices in the temples did not help, neither did prayers and offerings, + nor the art of physicians, nor all the means of enchantment to which they + turned finally. In a week the child died. Mourning fell upon the court and + Rome. Cæsar, who at the birth of the infant was wild with delight, was + wild now from despair, and, confining himself in his apartments, refused + food for two days; and though the palace was swarming with senators and + Augustians, who hastened with marks of sorrow and sympathy, he denied + audience to every one. The senate assembled in an extraordinary session, + at which the dead child was pronounced divine. It was decided to rear to + her a temple and appoint a special priest to her service. New sacrifices + were offered in other temples in honor of the deceased; statues of her + were cast from precious metals; and her funeral was one immense solemnity, + during which the people wondered at the unrestrained marks of grief which + Cæsar exhibited; they wept with him, stretched out their hands for gifts, + and above all amused themselves with the unparalleled spectacle. + </p> + <p> + That death alarmed Petronius. All knew in Rome that Poppæa ascribed it to + enchantment. The physicians, who were thus enabled to explain the vanity + of their efforts, supported her; the priests, whose sacrifices proved + powerless, did the same, as well as the sorcerers, who were trembling for + their lives, and also the people. Petronius was glad now that Lygia had + fled; for he wished no evil to Aulus and Pomponia, and he wished good to + himself and Vinicius; therefore when the cypress, set out before the + Palatine as a sign of mourning, was removed, he went to the reception + appointed for the senators and Augustians to learn how far Nero had lent + ear to reports of spells, and to neutralize results which might come from + his belief. + </p> + <p> + Knowing Nero, he thought, too, that though he did not believe in charms, + he would feign belief, so as to magnify his own suffering, and take + vengeance on some one, finally, to escape the suspicion that the gods had + begun to punish him for crimes. Petronius did not think that Cæsar could + love really and deeply even his own child; though he loved her + passionately, he felt certain, however, that he would exaggerate his + suffering. He was not mistaken. Nero listened, with stony face and fixed + eyes, to the consolation offered by knights and senators. It was evident + that, even if he suffered, he was thinking of this: What impression would + his suffering make upon others? He was posing as a Niobe, and giving an + exhibition of parental sorrow, as an actor would give it on the stage. He + had not the power even then to endure in his silent and as it were + petrified sorrow, for at moments he made a gesture as if to cast the dust + of the earth on his head, and at moments he groaned deeply; but seeing + Petronius, he sprang up and cried in a tragic voice, so that all present + could hear him,—“Eheu! And thou art guilty of her death! At thy + advice the evil spirit entered these walls,—the evil spirit which, + with one look, drew the life from her breast! Woe is me! Would that my + eyes had not seen the light of Helios! Woe is me! Eheu! eheu!” + </p> + <p> + And raising his voice still more, he passed into a despairing shout; but + Petronius resolved at that moment to put everything on one cast of the + dice; hence, stretching out his hand, he seized the silk kerchief which + Nero wore around his neck always, and, placing it on the mouth of the + Imperator, said solemnly,—“Lord, Rome and the world are benumbed + with pain; but do thou preserve thy voice for us!” + </p> + <p> + Those present were amazed; Nero himself was amazed for a moment. Petronius + alone was unmoved; he knew too well what he was doing. He remembered, + besides, that Terpnos and Diodorus had a direct order to close Cæsar’s + mouth whenever he raised his voice too much and exposed it to danger. + </p> + <p> + “O Cæsar!” continued he, with the same seriousness and sorrow, “we have + suffered an immeasurable loss; let even this treasure of consolation + remain to us!” + </p> + <p> + Nero’s face quivered, and after a while tears came from his eyes. All at + once he rested his hands on Petronius’s shoulders, and, dropping his head + on his breast, began to repeat, amid sobs, + </p> + <p> + “Thou alone of all thought of this,—thou alone, O Petronius! thou + alone!” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus grew yellow from envy; but Petronius continued,— + </p> + <p> + “Go to Antium! there she came to the world, there joy flowed in on thee, + there solace will come to thee. Let the sea air freshen thy divine throat; + let thy breast breathe the salt dampness. We, thy devoted ones, will + follow thee everywhere; and when we assuage thy pain with friendship, thou + wilt comfort us with song. + </p> + <p> + “True!” answered Nero, sadly, “I will write a hymn in her honor, and + compose music for it.” + </p> + <p> + “And then thou wilt find the warm sun in Baiæ.” + </p> + <p> + “And afterward—forgetfulness in Greece.” + </p> + <p> + “In the birthplace of poetry and song.” + </p> + <p> + And his stony, gloomy state of mind passed away gradually, as clouds pass + that are covering the sun; and then a conversation began which, though + full of sadness, yet was full of plans for the future,—touching a + journey, artistic exhibitions, and even the receptions required at the + promised coming of Tiridates, King of Armenia. Tigellinus tried, it is + true, to bring forward again the enchantment; but Petronius, sure now of + victory, took up the challenge directly. + </p> + <p> + “Tigellinus,” said he, “dost thou think that enchantments can injure the + gods?” + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar himself has mentioned them,” answered the courtier. + </p> + <p> + “Pain was speaking, not Cæsar; but thou—what is thy opinion of the + matter?” + </p> + <p> + “The gods are too mighty to be subject to charms.” + </p> + <p> + “Then wouldst thou deny divinity to Cæsar and his family?” + </p> + <p> + “Peractum est!” muttered Eprius Marcellus, standing near, repeating that + shout which the people gave always when a gladiator in the arena received + such a blow that he needed no other. + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus gnawed his own anger. Between him and Petronius there had long + existed a rivalry touching Nero. Tigellinus had this superiority, that + Nero acted with less ceremony, or rather with none whatever in his + presence; while thus far Petronius overcame Tigellinus at every encounter + with wit and intellect. + </p> + <p> + So it happened now. Tigellinus was silent, and simply recorded in his + memory those senators and knights who, when Petronius withdrew to the + depth of the chamber, surrounded him straightway, supposing that after + this incident he would surely be Cæsar’s first favorite. + </p> + <p> + Petronius, on leaving the palace, betook himself to Vinicius, and + described his encounter with Cæsar and Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “Not only have I turned away danger,” said he, “from Aulus Plautius, + Pomponia, and us, but even from Lygia, whom they will not seek, even for + this reason, that I have persuaded Bronzebeard, the monkey, to go to + Antium, and thence to Naples or Baiæ and he will go. I know that he has + not ventured yet to appear in the theatre publicly; I have known this long + time that he intends to do so at Naples. He is dreaming, moreover, of + Greece, where he wants to sing in all the more prominent cities, and then + make a triumphal entry into Rome, with all the crowns which the ‘Græculi’ + will bestow on him. During that time we shall be able to seek Lygia + unhindered and secrete her in safety. But has not our noble philosopher + been here yet?” + </p> + <p> + “Thy noble philosopher is a cheat. No; he has not shown himself, and he + will not show himself again!” + </p> + <p> + “But I have a better understanding, if not of his honesty, of his wit. He + has drawn blood once from thy purse, and will come even for this, to draw + it a second time.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him beware lest I draw his own blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Draw it not; have patience till thou art convinced surely of his deceit. + Do not give him more money, but promise a liberal reward if he brings thee + certain information. Wilt thou thyself undertake something?” + </p> + <p> + “My two freedmen, Nymphidius and Demas, are searching for her with sixty + men. Freedom is promised the slave who finds her. Besides I have sent out + special persons by all roads leading from Rome to inquire at every inn for + the Lygian and the maiden. I course through the city myself day and night, + counting on a chance meeting.” + </p> + <p> + “Whenever thou hast tidings let me know, for I must go to Antium.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so.” + </p> + <p> + “And if thou wake up some morning and say, ‘It is not worth while to + torment myself for one girl, and take so much trouble because of her,’ + come to Antium. There will be no lack of women there, or amusement.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius began to walk with quick steps. Petronius looked for some time at + him, and said at last,—“Tell me sincerely, not as a mad head, who + talks something into his brain and excites himself, but as a man of + judgment who is answering a friend: Art thou concerned as much as ever + about this Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius stopped a moment, and looked at Petronius as if he had not seen + him before; then he began to walk again. It was evident that he was + restraining an outburst. At last, from a feeling of helplessness, sorrow, + anger, and invincible yearning, two tears gathered in his eyes, which + spoke with greater power to Petronius than the most eloquent words. + </p> + <p> + Then, meditating for a moment, he said,—“It is not Atlas who carries + the world on his shoulders, but woman; and sometimes she plays with it as + with a ball.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + And they began to take farewell of each other. But at that moment a slave + announced that Chilo Chilonides was waiting in the antechamber, and begged + to be admitted to the presence of the lord. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius gave command to admit him immediately, and Petronius said,—“Ha! + have I not told thee? By Hercules! keep thy calmness; or he will command + thee, not thou him.” + </p> + <p> + “A greeting and honor to the noble tribune of the army, and to thee, + lord,” said Chilo, entering. “May your happiness be equal to your fame, + and may your fame course through the world from the pillars of Hercules to + the boundaries of the Arsacidæ.” + </p> + <p> + “A greeting, O lawgiver of virtue and wisdom,” answered Petronius. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius inquired with affected calmness, “What dost thou bring?” + </p> + <p> + “The first time I came I brought thee hope, O lord; at present, I bring + certainty that the maiden will be found.” + </p> + <p> + “That means that thou hast not found her yet?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lord; but I have found what that sign means which she made. I know + who the people are who rescued her, and I know the God among whose + worshippers to seek her.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius wished to spring from the chair in which he was sitting; but + Petronius placed his hand on his shoulder, and turning to Chilo said,—“Speak + on!” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou perfectly certain, lord, that she drew a fish on the sand?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” burst out Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Then she is a Christian and Christians carried her away.” A moment of + silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “Listen, Chilo,” said Petronius. “My relative has predestined to thee a + considerable sum of money for finding the girl, but a no less considerable + number of rods if thou deceive him. In the first case thou wilt purchase + not one, but three scribes; in the second, the philosophy of all the seven + sages, with the addition of thy own, will not suffice to get thee + ointment.” + </p> + <p> + “The maiden is a Christian, lord,” cried the Greek. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, Chilo. Thou art not a dull man. We know that Junia and Calvia + Crispinilla accused Pomponia Græcina of confessing the Christian + superstition; but we know too, that a domestic court acquitted her. + Wouldst thou raise this again? Wouldst thou persuade us that Pomponia, and + with her Lygia, could belong to the enemies of the human race, to the + poisoners of wells and fountains, to the worshippers of an ass’s head, to + people who murder infants and give themselves up to the foulest license? + Think, Chilo, if that thesis which thou art announcing to us will not + rebound as an antithesis on thy own back.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo spread out his arms in sign that that was not his fault, and then + said,—“Lord, utter in Greek the following sentence: Jesus Christ, + Son of God, Saviour.” [Iesous Christos, Theou Uios, Soter.] + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have uttered it. What comes of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Now take the first letters of each of those words and put them into one + word.” + </p> + <p> + “Fish!” said Petronius with astonishment. [Ichthus, the Greek word for + “fish.”] + </p> + <p> + “There, that is why fish has become the watchword of the Christians,” + answered Chilo, proudly. + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed. But there was something so striking in the + conclusions of the Greek that the two friends could not guard themselves + from amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius, art thou not mistaken?” asked Petronius. “Did Lygia really draw + a fish for thee?” + </p> + <p> + “By all the infernal gods, one might go mad!” cried the young man, with + excitement. “If she had drawn a bird for me, I should have said a bird.” + </p> + <p> + “Therefore she is a Christian,” repeated Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “This signifies,” said Petronius, “that Pomponia and Lygia poison wells, + murder children caught on the street, and give themselves up to + dissoluteness! Folly! Thou, Vinicius, wert at their house for a time, I + was there a little while; but I know Pomponia and Aulus enough, I know + even Lygia enough, to say monstrous and foolish! If a fish is the symbol + of the Christians, which it is difficult really to deny, and if those + women are Christians, then, by Proserpina! evidently Christians are not + what we hold them to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou speakest like Socrates, lord,” answered Chilo. “Who has ever + examined a Christian? Who has learned their religion? When I was + travelling three years ago from Naples hither to Rome (oh, why did I not + stay in Naples!), a man joined me, whose name was Glaucus, of whom people + said that he was a Christian; but in spite of that I convinced myself that + he was a good and virtuous man.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it not from that virtuous man that thou hast learned now what the + fish means?” + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately, lord, on the way, at an inn, some one thrust a knife into + that honorable old man; and his wife and child were carried away by + slave-dealers. I lost in their defence these two fingers; since, as people + say, there is no lack among Christians of miracles, I hope that the + fingers will grow out on my hand again.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that? Hast thou become a Christian?” + </p> + <p> + “Since yesterday, lord, since yesterday! The fish made me a Christian. But + see what a power there is in it. For some days I shall be the most zealous + of the zealous, so that they may admit me to all their secrets; and when + they admit me to their secrets, I shall know where the maiden is hiding. + Perhaps then my Christianity will pay me better than my philosophy. I have + made a vow also to Mercury, that if he helps me to find the maiden, I will + sacrifice to him two heifers of the same size and color and will gild + their horns.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thy Christianity of yesterday and thy philosophy of long standing + permit thee to believe in Mercury?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe always in that in which I need to believe; that is my + philosophy, which ought to please Mercury. Unfortunately (ye know, worthy + lords, what a suspicious god he is), he does not trust the promises even + of blameless philosophers, and prefers the heifers in advance; meanwhile + this outlay is immense. Not every one is a Seneca, and I cannot afford the + sacrifice; should the noble Vinicius, however, wish to give something, on + account of that sum which he promised—” + </p> + <p> + “Not an obolus, Chilo!” said Petronius, “not an obolus. The bounty of + Vinicius will surpass thy expectations, but only when Lygia is found,—that + is, when thou shalt indicate to us her hiding-place. Mercury must trust + thee for the two heifers, though I am not astonished at him for not + wishing to do so; in this I recognize his acuteness.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, worthy lords. The discovery which I have made is great; for + though I have not found the maiden yet, I have found the way in which I + must seek her. Ye have sent freedmen and slaves throughout the city and + into the country; has any one given you a clew? No! I alone have given + one. I tell you more. Among your slaves there may be Christians, of whom + ye have no knowledge, for this superstition has spread everywhere; and + they, instead of aiding, will betray you. It is unfortunate that they see + me here; do thou therefore, noble Petronius, enjoin silence on Eunice; and + thou too, noble Vinicius, spread a report that I sell thee an ointment + which insures victory in the Circus to horses rubbed with it. I alone will + search for her, and single-handed I will find the fugitives; and do ye + trust in me, and know that whatever I receive in advance will be for me + simply an encouragement, for I shall hope always for more, and shall feel + the greater certainty that the promised reward will not fail me. Ah, it is + true! As a philosopher I despise money, though neither Seneca, nor even + Musonius, nor Cornutus despises it, though they have not lost fingers in + any one’s defence, and are able themselves to write and leave their names + to posterity. But, aside from the slave, whom I intend to buy, and besides + Mercury, to whom I have promised the heifers,—and ye know how dear + cattle have become in these times,—the searching itself involves + much outlay. Only listen to me patiently. Well, for the last few days my + feet are wounded from continual walking. I have gone to wine-shops to talk + with people, to bakeries, to butcher-shops, to dealers in olive oil, and + to fishermen. I have run through every street and alley; I have been in + the hiding places of fugitive slaves; I have lost money, nearly a hundred + ases, in playing mora; I have been in laundries, in drying-sheds, in cheap + kitchens; I have seen mule-drivers and carvers; I have seen people who + cure bladder complaints and pull teeth; I have talked with dealers in + dried figs; I have been at cemeteries; and do ye know why? This is why; so + as to outline a fish everywhere, look people in the eyes, and hear what + they would say of that sign. For a long time I was unable to learn + anything, till at last I saw an old slave at a fountain. He was drawing + water with a bucket, and weeping. Approaching him, I asked the cause of + his tears. When we had sat down on the steps of the fountain, he answered + that all his life he had been collecting sestertium after sestertium, to + redeem his beloved son; but his master, a certain Pansa, when the money + was delivered to him, took it, but kept the son in slavery. ‘And so I am + weeping,’ said the old man, ‘for though I repeat, Let the will of God be + done, I, poor sinner, am not able to keep down my tears.’ Then, as if + penetrated by a forewarning, I moistened my finger in the water and drew a + fish for him. To this he answered, ‘My hope, too, is in Christ.’ I asked + him then, ‘Hast thou confessed to me by that sign?’ ‘I have,’ said he; + ‘and peace be with thee.’ I began then to draw him out, and the honest old + man told me everything. His master, that Pansa, is himself a freedman of + the great Pansa; and he brings stones by the Tiber to Rome, where slaves + and hired persons unload them from the boats, and carry them to buildings + in the night time, so as not to obstruct movement in the streets during + daylight. Among these people many Christians work, and also his son; as + the work is beyond his son’s strength, he wished to redeem him. But Pansa + preferred to keep both the money and the slave. While telling me this, he + began again to weep; and I mingled my tears with his,—tears came to + me easily because of my kind heart, and the pain in my feet, which I got + from walking excessively. I began also to lament that as I had come from + Naples only a few days since, I knew no one of the brotherhood, and did + not know where they assembled for prayer. He wondered that Christians in + Naples had not given me letters to their brethren in Rome; but I explained + to him that the letters were stolen from me on the road. Then he told me + to come to the river at night, and he would acquaint me with brethren who + would conduct me to houses of prayer and to elders who govern the + Christian community. When I heard this, I was so delighted that I gave him + the sum needed to redeem his son, in the hope that the lordly Vinicius + would return it to me twofold.” + </p> + <p> + “Chilo,” interrupted Petronius, “in thy narrative falsehood appears on the + surface of truth, as oil does on water. Thou hast brought important + information; I do not deny that. I assert, even, that a great step is made + toward finding Lygia; but do not cover thy news with falsehood. What is + the name of that old man from whom thou hast learned that the Christians + recognize each other through the sign of a fish?” + </p> + <p> + “Euricius. A poor, unfortunate old man! He reminded me of Glaucus, whom I + defended from murderers, and he touched me mainly by this.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe that thou didst discover him, and wilt be able to make use of + the acquaintance; but thou hast given him no money. Thou hast not given + him an as; dost understand me? Thou hast not given anything.” + </p> + <p> + “But I helped him to lift the bucket, and I spoke of his son with the + greatest sympathy. Yes, lord, what can hide before the penetration of + Petronius? Well, I did not give him money, or rather, I gave it to him, + but only in spirit, in intention, which, had he been a real philosopher, + should have sufficed him. I gave it to him because I saw that such an act + was indispensable and useful; for think, lord, how this act has won all + the Christians at once to me, what access to them it has opened, and what + confidence it has roused in them.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said Petronius, “and it was thy duty to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “For this very reason I have come to get the means to do it.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius turned to Vinicius,—“Give command to count out to him five + thousand sestertia, but in spirit, in intention.” + </p> + <p> + “I will give thee a young man,” said Vinicius, “who will take the sum + necessary; thou wilt say to Euricius that the youth is thy slave, and thou + wilt count out to the old man, in the youth’s presence, this money. Since + thou hast brought important tidings, thou wilt receive the same amount for + thyself. Come for the youth and the money this evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art a real Cæsar!” said Chilo. “Permit me, lord, to dedicate my work + to thee; but permit also that this evening I come only for the money, + since Euricius told me that all the boats had been unloaded, and that new + ones would come from Ostia only after some days. Peace be with you! Thus + do Christians take farewell of one another. I will buy myself a slave + woman,—that is, I wanted to say a slave man. Fish are caught with a + bait, and Christians with fish. Fax vobiscum! pax! pax! pax!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XV + </h2> + <h3> + PETRONIUS to VINICIUS: + </h3> + <p> + “I send to thee from Antium, by a trusty slave, this letter, to which, + though thy hand is more accustomed to the sword and the javelin than the + pen, I think that thou wilt answer through the same messenger without + needless delay. I left thee on a good trail, and full of hope; hence I + trust that thou hast either satisfied thy pleasant desires in the embraces + of Lygia, or wilt satisfy them before the real wintry wind from the + summits of Soracte shall blow on the Campania. Oh, my Vinicius! may thy + preceptress be the golden goddess of Cyprus; be thou, on thy part, the + preceptor of that Lygian Aurora, who is fleeing before the sun of love. + And remember always that marble, though most precious, is nothing of + itself, and acquires real value only when the sculptor’s hand turns it + into a masterpiece. Be thou such a sculptor, carissime! To love is not + sufficient; one must know how to love; one must know how to teach love. + Though the plebs, too, and even animals, experience pleasure, a genuine + man differs from them in this especially, that he makes love in some way a + noble art, and, admiring it, knows all its divine value, makes it present + in his mind, thus satisfying not his body merely, but his soul. More than + once, when I think here of the emptiness, the uncertainty, the dreariness + of life, it occurs to me that perhaps thou hast chosen better, and that + not Cæsar’s court, but war and love, are the only objects for which it is + worth while to be born and to live. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert fortunate in war, be fortunate also in love; and if thou art + curious as to what men are doing at the court of Cæsar, I will inform thee + from time to time. We are living here at Antium, and nursing our heavenly + voice; we continue to cherish the same hatred of Rome, and think of + betaking ourselves to Baiæ for the winter, to appear in public at Naples, + whose inhabitants, being Greeks, will appreciate us better than that wolf + brood on the banks of the Tiber. People will hasten thither from Baiæ, + from Pompeii, Puteoli, Cumæ, and Stabia; neither applause nor crowns will + be lacking, and that will be an encouragement for the proposed expedition + to Achæa. + </p> + <p> + “But the memory of the infant Augusta? Yes! we are bewailing her yet. We + are singing hymns of our own composition, so wonderful that the sirens + have been hiding from envy in Amphitrite’s deepest caves. But the dolphins + would listen to us, were they not prevented by the sound of the sea. Our + suffering is not allayed yet; hence we will exhibit it to the world in + every form which sculpture can employ, and observe carefully if we are + beautiful in our suffering and if people recognize this beauty. Oh, my + dear! we shall die buffoons and comedians! + </p> + <p> + “All the Augustians are here, male and female, not counting ten thousand + servants, and five hundred she asses, in whose milk Poppæa bathes. At + times even it is cheerful here. Calvia Crispinilla is growing old. It is + said that she has begged Poppæa to let her take the bath immediately after + herself. Lucan slapped Nigidia on the face, because he suspected her of + relations with a gladiator. Sporus lost his wife at dice to Senecio. + Torquatus Silanus has offered me for Eunice four chestnut horses, which + this year will win the prize beyond doubt. I would not accept! Thanks to + thee, also, that thou didst not take her. As to Torquatus Silanus, the + poor man does not even suspect that he is already more a shade than a man. + His death is decided. And knowest what his crime is? He is the + great-grandson of the deified Augustus. There is no rescue for him. Such + is our world. + </p> + <p> + “As is known to thee, we have been expecting Tiridates here; meanwhile + Vologeses has written an offensive letter. Because he has conquered + Armenia, he asks that it be left to him for Tiridates; if not, he will not + yield it in any case. Pure comedy! So we have decided on war. Corbulo will + receive power such as Pompeius Magnus received in the war with pirates. + There was a moment, however, when Nero hesitated. He seems afraid of the + glory which Corbulo will win in case of victory. It was even thought to + offer the chief command to our Aulus. This was opposed by Poppæa, for whom + evidently Pomponia’s virtue is as salt in the eye. + </p> + <p> + “Vatinius described to us a remarkable fight of gladiators, which is to + take place in Beneventum. See to what cobblers rise in our time, in spite + of the saying, ‘Ne sutor ultra crepidam!’ Vitelius is the descendant of a + cobbler; but Vatinius is the son of one! Perhaps he drew thread himself! + The actor Aliturus represented Oedipus yesterday wonderfully. I asked him, + by the way, as a Jew, if Christians and Jews were the same. He answered + that the Jews have an eternal religion, but that Christians are a new sect + risen recently in Judea; that in the time of Tiberius the Jews crucified a + certain man, whose adherents increase daily, and that the Christians + consider him as God. They refuse, it seems, to recognize other gods, ours + especially. I cannot understand what harm it would do them to recognize + these gods. + </p> + <p> + “Tigellinus shows me open enmity now. So far he is unequal to me; but he + is, superior in this, that he cares more for life, and is at the same time + a greater scoundrel, which brings him nearer Ahenobarbus. These two will + understand each other earlier or later, and then my turn will come. I know + not when it will come; but I know this, that as things are it must come; + hence let time pass. Meanwhile we must amuse ourselves. Life of itself + would not be bad were it not for Bronzebeard. Thanks to him, a man at + times is disgusted with himself. It is not correct to consider the + struggle for his favor as a kind of rivalry in a circus,—as a kind + of game, as a struggle, in which victory flatters vanity. True, I explain + it to myself in that way frequently; but still it seems to me sometimes + that I am like Chilo, and better in nothing than he. When he ceases to be + needful to thee, send him to me. I have taken a fancy to his edifying + conversation. A greeting from me to thy divine Christian, or rather beg + her in my name not to be a fish to thee. Inform me of thy health, inform + me of thy love, know how to love, teach how to love, and farewell.” + </p> + <p> + VINICIUS to PETRONIUS: + </p> + <p> + “Lygia is not found yet! Were it not for the hope that I shall find her + soon, thou wouldst not receive an answer; for when a man is disgusted with + life, he has no wish to write letters. I wanted to learn whether Chilo was + not deceiving me; and at night when he came to get the money for Euricius, + I threw on a military mantle, and unobserved followed him and the slave + whom I sent with him. When they reached the place, I watched from a + distance, hidden behind a portico pillar, and convinced myself that + Euricius was not invented. Below, a number of tens of people were + unloading stones from a spacious barge, and piling them up on the bank. I + saw Chilo approach them, and begin to talk with some old man, who after a + while fell at his feet. Others surrounded them with shouts of admiration. + Before my eyes the boy gave a purse to Euricius, who on seizing it began + to pray with upraised hands, while at his side some second person was + kneeling, evidently his son. Chilo said something which I could not hear, + and blessed the two who were kneeling, as well as others, making in the + air signs in the form of a cross, which they honor apparently, for all + bent their knees. The desire seized me to go among them, and promise three + such purses to him who would deliver to me Lygia; but I feared to spoil + Chilo’s work, and after hesitating a moment went home. + </p> + <p> + “This happened at least twelve days after thy departure. Since then Chilo + has been a number of times with me. He says that he has gained great + significance among the Christians; that if he has not found Lygia so far, + it is because the Christians in Rome are innumerable, hence all are not + acquainted with each person in their community, and cannot know everything + that is done in it. They are cautious, too, and in general reticent. He + gives assurance, however, that when he reaches the elders, who are called + presbyters, he will learn every secret. He has made the acquaintance of a + number of these already, and has begun to inquire of them, though + carefully, so as not to rouse suspicion by haste, and not to make the work + still more difficult. Though it is hard to wait, though patience fails, I + feel that he is right, and I wait. + </p> + <p> + “He learned, too, that they have places of meeting for prayer, frequently + outside the city, in empty houses and even in sand-pits. There they + worship Christ, sing hymns, and have feasts. There are many such places. + Chilo supposes that Lygia goes purposely to different ones from Pomponia, + so that the latter, in case of legal proceedings or an examination, might + swear boldly that she knew nothing of Lygia’s hiding place. It may be that + the presbyters have advised caution. When Chilo discovers those places, I + will go with him; and if the gods let me see Lygia, I swear to thee by + Jupiter that she will not escape my hands this time. + </p> + <p> + “I am thinking continually of those places of prayer. Chilo is unwilling + that I should go with him; he is afraid. But I cannot stay at home. I + should know her at once, even in disguise or if veiled. They assemble in + the night, but I should recognize her in the night even. I should know her + voice and motions anywhere. I will go myself in disguise, and look at + every person who goes in or out. I am thinking of her always, and shall + recognize her. Chilo is to come to-morrow, and we shall go. I will take + arms. Some of my slaves sent to the provinces have returned empty-handed. + But I am certain now that she is in the city, perhaps not far away even. I + myself have visited many houses under pretext of renting them. She will + fare better with me a hundred times; where she is, whole legions of poor + people dwell. Besides, I shall spare nothing for her sake. Thou writest + that I have chosen well. I have chosen suffering and sorrow. We shall go + first to those houses which are in the city, then beyond the gates. Hope + looks for something every morning, otherwise life would be impossible. + Thou sayest that one should know how to love. I knew how to talk of love + to Lygia. But now I only yearn; I do nothing but wait for Chilo. Life to + me is unendurable in my own house. Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVI + </h2> + <p> + BUT Chilo did not appear for some time, and Vinicius knew not at last what + to think of his absence. In vain he repeated to himself that searching, if + continued to a certain and successful issue, must be gradual. His blood + and impulsive nature rebelled against the voice of judgment. To do + nothing, to wait, to sit with folded arms, was so repulsive to him that he + could not be reconciled to it in any way. To search the alleys of the city + in the dark garb of a slave, through this alone, that it was useless, + seemed to him merely a mask for his own inefficiency, and could give no + satisfaction. His freedmen, persons of experience, whom he commanded to + search independently, turned out a hundred times less expert than Chilo. + Meanwhile there rose in him, besides his love for Lygia, the stubbornness + of a player resolved to win. Vinicius had been always a person of this + kind. From earliest youth he had accomplished what he desired with the + passionateness of one who does not understand failure, or the need of + yielding something. For a time military discipline had put his self-will + within bounds, but also it had engrafted into him the conviction that + every command of his to subordinates must be fulfilled; his prolonged stay + in the Orient, among people pliant and inured to slavish obedience, + confirmed in him the faith that for his “I wish” there were no limits. At + present his vanity, too, was wounded painfully. There was, besides, in + Lygia’s opposition and resistance, and in her flight itself, which was to + him incomprehensible, a kind of riddle. In trying to solve this riddle he + racked his head terribly. He felt that Acte had told the truth, and that + Lygia was not indifferent. But if this were true, why had she preferred + wandering and misery to his love, his tenderness, and a residence in his + splendid mansion? To this question he found no answer, and arrived only at + a kind of dim understanding that between him and Lygia, between their + ideas, between the world which belonged to him and Petronius, and the + world of Lygia and Pomponia, there existed some sort of difference, some + kind of misunderstanding as deep as an abyss, which nothing could fill up + or make even. It seemed to him, then, that he must lose Lygia; and at this + thought he lost the remnant of balance which Petronius wished to preserve + in him. There were moments in which he did not know whether he loved Lygia + or hated her; he understood only that he must find her, and he would + rather that the earth swallowed her than that he should not see and + possess her. By the power of imagination he saw her as clearly at times as + if she had been before his face. He recalled every word which he had + spoken to her; every word which he had heard from her. He felt her near; + felt her on his bosom, in his arms; and then desire embraced him like a + flame. He loved her and called to her. + </p> + <p> + And when he thought that he was loved, that she might do with willingness + all that he wished of her, sore and endless sorrow seized him, and a kind + of deep tenderness flooded his heart, like a mighty wave. But there were + moments, too, in which he grew pale from rage, and delighted in thoughts + of the humiliation and tortures which he would inflict on Lygia when he + found her. He wanted not only to have her, but to have her as a trampled + slave. At the same time he felt that if the choice were left him, to be + her slave or not to see her in life again, he would rather be her slave. + There were days in which he thought of the marks which the lash would + leave on her rosy body, and at the same time he wanted to kiss those + marks. It came to his head also that he would be happy if he could kill + her. + </p> + <p> + In this torture, torment, uncertainty, and suffering, he lost health, and + even beauty. He became a cruel and incomprehensible master. His slaves, + and even his freedmen, approached him with trembling; and when punishments + fell on them causelessly,—punishments as merciless as undeserved,—they + began to hate him in secret; while he, feeling this, and feeling his own + isolation, took revenge all the more on them. He restrained himself with + Chilo alone, fearing lest he might cease his searches; the Greek, noting + this, began to gain control of him, and grew more and more exacting. At + first he assured Vinicius at each visit that the affair would proceed + easily and quickly; now he began to discover difficulties, and without + ceasing, it is true, to guarantee the undoubted success of the searches, + he did not hide the fact that they must continue yet for a good while. + </p> + <p> + At last he came, after long days of waiting, with a face so gloomy that + the young man grew pale at sight of him, and springing up had barely + strength to ask,—“Is she not among the Christians?” “She is, lord,” + answered Chilo; “but I found Glaucus among them.” “Of what art thou + speaking, and who is Glaucus?” “Thou hast forgotten, lord, it seems, that + old man with whom I journeyed from Naples to Rome, and in whose defence I + lost these two fingers,—a loss which prevents me from writing. + Robbers, who bore away his wife and child, stabbed him with a knife. I + left him dying at an inn in Minturna, and bewailed him long. Alas! I have + convinced myself that he is alive yet, and belongs in Rome to the + Christian community.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who could not understand what the question was, understood only + that Glaucus was becoming a hindrance to the discovery of Lygia; hence he + suppressed his rising anger, and said,—“If thou didst defend him, he + should be thankful and help thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! worthy tribune, even gods are not always grateful, and what must the + case be with men? True, he should be thankful. But, unhappily, he is an + old man, of a mind weak and darkened by age and disappointment; for which + reason, not only is he not grateful, but, as I learned from his + co-religionists, he accuses me of having conspired with the robbers, and + says that I am the cause of his misfortunes. That is the recompense for my + fingers!” + </p> + <p> + “Scoundrel! I am certain that it was as he says,” replied Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Then thou knowest more than he does, lord, for he only surmises that it + was so; which, however, would not prevent him from summoning the + Christians, and from revenging himself on me cruelly. He would have done + that undoubtedly, and others, with equal certainty, would have helped him; + but fortunately he does not know my name, and in the house of prayer where + we met, he did not notice me. I, however, knew him at once, and at the + first moment wished to throw myself on his neck. Wisdom, however, and the + habit of thinking before every step which I intend to take, restrained me. + Therefore, on issuing from the house of prayer, I inquired concerning him, + and those who knew him declared that he was the man who had been betrayed + by his comrade on the journey from Naples. Otherwise I should not have + known that he gives out such a story.” + </p> + <p> + “How does this concern me? Tell what thou sawest in the house of prayer.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not concern thee, lord, but it concerns me just as much as my + life. Since I wish that my wisdom should survive me, I would rather + renounce the reward which thou hast offered, than expose my life for empty + lucre; without which, I as a true philosopher shall be able to live and + seek divine wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius approached him with an ominous countenance, and began in a + suppressed voice,—“Who told thee that death would meet thee sooner + at the hands of Glaucus than at mine? Whence knowest thou, dog, that I + will not have thee buried right away in my garden?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo, who was a coward, looked at Vinicius, and in the twinkle of an eye + understood that one more unguarded word and he was lost beyond redemption. + </p> + <p> + “I will search for her, lord, and I will find her!” cried he, hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + Silence followed, during which were heard the quick breathing of Vinicius, + and the distant song of slaves at work in the garden. + </p> + <p> + Only after a while did the Greek resume his speech, when he noticed that + the young patrician was somewhat pacified. + </p> + <p> + “Death passed me, but I looked on it with the calmness of Socrates. No, + lord, I have not said that I refuse to search for the maiden; I desired + merely to tell thee that search for her is connected now with great peril + to me. On a time thou didst doubt that there was a certain Euricius in the + world, and though thou wert convinced by thine own eyes that the son of my + father told the truth to thee, thou hast suspicions now that I have + invented Glaucus. Ah! would that he were only a fiction, that I might go + among the Christians with perfect safety, as I went some time since; I + would give up for that the poor old slave woman whom I bought, three days + since, to care for my advanced age and maimed condition. But Glaucus is + living, lord; and if he had seen me once, thou wouldst not have seen me + again, and in that case who would find the maiden?” + </p> + <p> + Here he was silent again, and began to dry his tears. + </p> + <p> + “But while Glaucus lives,” continued he, “how can I search for her?—for + I may meet him at any step; and if I meet him I shall perish, and with me + will cease all my searching.” + </p> + <p> + “What art thou aiming at? What help is there? What dost thou wish to + undertake?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Aristotle teaches us, lord, that less things should be sacrificed for + greater, and King Priam said frequently that old age was a grievous + burden. Indeed, the burden of old age and misfortune weighs upon Glaucus + this long time, and so heavily that death would be to him a benefit. For + what is death, according to Seneca, but liberation?” + </p> + <p> + “Play the fool with Petronius, not with me! Tell what thy desire is.” + </p> + <p> + “If virtue is folly, may the gods permit me to be a fool all my life. I + desire, lord, to set aside Glaucus, for while he is living my life and + searches are in continual peril.” + </p> + <p> + “Hire men to beat him to death with clubs; I will pay them.” + </p> + <p> + “They will rob thee, lord, and afterward make profit of the secret. There + are as many ruffians in Rome as grains of sand in the arena, but thou wilt + not believe how dear they are when an honest man needs to employ their + villainy. No, worthy tribune! But if watchmen catch the murderers in the + act? They would tell, beyond doubt, who hired them, and then thou wouldst + have trouble. They will not point to me, for I shall not give my name. + Thou art doing ill not to trust in me, for, setting aside my keenness, + remember that there is a question of two other things,—of my life, + and the reward which thou has promised me.” + </p> + <p> + “How much dost thou need?” + </p> + <p> + “A thousand sestertia, for turn attention to this, that I must find honest + ruffians, men who when they have received earnest money, will not take it + off without a trace. For good work there must be good pay! Something might + be added, too, for my sake, to wipe away the tears which I shall shed out + of pity for Glaucus. I take the gods to witness how I love him. If I + receive a thousand sestertia to-day, two days hence his soul will be in + Hades; and then, if souls preserve memory and the gift of thought, he will + know for the first time how I loved him. I will find people this very day, + and tell them that for each day of the life of Glaucus I will withhold one + hundred sestertia. I have, besides, a certain idea, which seems to me + infallible.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius promised him once more the desired sum, forbidding him to mention + Glaucus again; but asked what other news he brought, where he had been all + the time, what he had seen, and what he had discovered. But Chilo was not + able to tell much. He had been in two more houses of prayer,—had + observed each person carefully, especially the women,—but had seen + no one who resembled Lygia: the Christians, however, looked on him as one + of their own sect, and, since he redeemed the son of Euricius, they + honored him as a man following in the steps of “Christ.” He had learned + from them, also, that a great lawgiver of theirs, a certain Paul of + Tarsus, was in Rome, imprisoned because of charges preferred by the Jews, + and with this man he had resolved to become acquainted. But most of all + was he pleased by this,—that the supreme priest of the whole sect, + who had been Christ’s disciple, and to whom Christ had confided government + over the whole world of Christians, might arrive in Rome any moment. All + the Christians desired evidently to see him, and hear his teachings. Some + great meetings would follow, at which he, Chilo, would be present; and + what is more, since it is easy to hide in the crowd, he would take + Vinicius to those meetings. Then they would find Lygia certainly. If + Glaucus were once set aside, it would not be connected even with great + danger. As to revenge, the Christians, too, would revenge but in general + they were peaceful people. + </p> + <p> + Here Chilo began to relate, with a certain surprise, that he had never + seen that they gave themselves up to debauchery, that they poisoned wells + or fountains, that they were enemies of the human race, worshipped an ass, + or ate the flesh of children. No; he had seen nothing of that sort. + Certainly he would find among them even people who would hide away Glaucus + for money; but their religion, as far as he knew, did not incite to crime,—on + the contrary, it enjoined forgiveness of offences. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius remembered what Pomponia had said to him at Acte’s, and in + general he listened to Chilo’s words with pleasure. Though his feeling for + Lygia assumed at times the seeming of hatred, he felt a relief when he + heard that the religion which she and Pomponia confessed was neither + criminal nor repulsive. But a species of undefined feeling rose in him + that it was just that reverence for Christ, unknown and mysterious, which + created the difference between himself and Lygia; hence he began at once + to fear that religion and to hate it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVII + </h2> + <p> + FOR Chilo, it was really important to set aside Glaucus, who, though + advanced in years, was by no means decrepit. There was considerable truth + in what Chilo had narrated to Vinicius. He had known Glaucus on a time, he + had betrayed him, sold him to robbers, deprived him of family, of + property, and delivered him to murder. But he bore the memory of these + events easily, for he had thrown the man aside dying, not at an inn, but + in a field near Minturna. This one thing he had not foreseen, that Glaucus + would be cured of his wounds and come to Rome. When he saw him, therefore, + in the house of prayer, he was in truth terrified, and at the first moment + wished to discontinue the search for Lygia. But on the other hand, + Vinicius terrified him still more. He understood that he must choose + between the fear of Glaucus, and the pursuit and vengeance of a powerful + patrician, to whose aid would come, beyond doubt, another and still + greater, Petronius. In view of this, Chilo ceased to hesitate. He thought + it better to have small enemies than great ones, and, though his cowardly + nature trembled somewhat at bloody methods, he saw the need of killing + Glaucus through the aid of other hands. + </p> + <p> + At present the only question with him was the choice of people, and to + this he was turning that thought of which he had made mention to Vinicius. + Spending his nights in wine-shops most frequently, and lodging in them, + among men without a roof, without faith or honor, he could find persons + easily to undertake any task, and still more easily others who, if they + sniffed coin on his person, would begin, but when they had received + earnest money, would extort the whole sum by threatening to deliver him to + justice. Besides, for a certain time past Chilo had felt a repulsion for + nakedness, for those disgusting and terrible figures lurking about + suspected houses in the Subura or in the Trans-Tiber. Measuring everything + with his own measure, and not having fathomed sufficiently the Christians + or their religion, he judged that among them, too, he could find willing + tools. Since they seemed more reliable than others, he resolved to turn to + them and present the affair in such fashion that they would undertake it, + not for money’s sake merely, but through devotion. + </p> + <p> + In view of this, he went in the evening to Euricius, whom he knew as + devoted with whole soul to his person, and who, he was sure, would do all + in his power to assist him. Naturally cautious, Chilo did not even dream + of revealing his real intentions, which would be in clear opposition, + moreover, to the faith which the old man had in his piety and virtue. He + wished to find people who were ready for anything, and to talk with them + of the affair only in such a way that, out of regard to themselves, they + would guard it as an eternal secret. + </p> + <p> + The old man Euricius, after the redemption of his son, hired one of those + little shops so numerous near the Circus Maximus, in which were sold + olives, beans, unleavened paste, and water sweetened with honey, to + spectators coming to the Circus. Chilo found him at home arranging his + shop; and when he had greeted him in Christ’s name, he began to speak of + the affair which had brought him. Since he had rendered them a service, he + considered that they would pay him with gratitude. He needed two or three + strong and courageous men, to ward off danger threatening not only him, + but all Christians. He was poor, it was true, since he had given to + Euricius almost all that he owned; still he would pay such men for their + services if they would trust him and perform faithfully what he commanded. + </p> + <p> + Euricius and his son Quartus listened to him as their benefactor almost on + their knees. Both declared that they were ready themselves to do all that + he asked of them, believing that a man so holy could not ask for deeds + inconsistent with the teaching of Christ. + </p> + <p> + Chilo assured them that that was true, and, raising his eyes to heaven, he + seemed to be praying; in fact, he was thinking whether it would not be + well to accept their proposal, which might save him a thousand sestertia. + But after a moment of thought he rejected it. Euricius was an old man, + perhaps not so much weighted by years as weakened by care and disease. + Quartus was sixteen years of age. Chilo needed dexterous, and, above all, + stalwart men. As to the thousand sestertia, he considered that—thanks + to the plan which he had invented—he would be able in every case to + spare a large part of it. + </p> + <p> + They insisted for some time, but when he refused decisively they yielded. + </p> + <p> + “I know the baker Demas,” said Quartus, “in whose mills slaves and hired + men are employed. One of those hired men is so strong that he would take + the place, not of two, but of four. I myself have seen him lift stones + from the ground which four men could not stir.” + </p> + <p> + “If that is a God-fearing man, who can sacrifice himself for the + brotherhood, make me acquainted with him,” said Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “He is a Christian, lord,” answered Quartus; “nearly all who work for + Demas are Christians. He has night as well as day laborers; this man is of + the night laborers. Were we to go now to the mill, we should find them at + supper, and thou mightest speak to him freely. Demas lives near the + Emporium.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo consented most willingly. The Emporium was at the foot of the + Aventine, hence not very far from the Circus Maximus. It was possible, + without going around the hill, to pass along the river through the + Porticus Æmilia, which would shorten the road considerably. + </p> + <p> + “I am old,” said Chilo, when they went under the Colonnade; “at times I + suffer effacement of memory. Yes, though our Christ was betrayed by one of + his disciples, the name of the traitor I cannot recall at this moment—” + </p> + <p> + “Judas, lord, who hanged himself,” answered Quartus, wondering a little in + his soul how it was possible to forget that name. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes—Judas! I thank thee,” said Chilo. + </p> + <p> + And they went on some time in silence. When they came to the Emporium, + which was closed, they passed it, and going around the storehouse, from + which grain was distributed to the populace, they turned toward the left, + to houses which stretched along the Via Ostiensis, up to the Mons + Testaceus and the Forum Pistorium. There they halted before a wooden + building, from the interior of which came the noise of millstones. Quartus + went in; but Chilo, who did not like to show himself to large numbers of + people, and was in continual dread that some fate might bring him to meet + Glaucus, remained outside. + </p> + <p> + “I am curious about that Hercules who serves in a mill,” said he to + himself, looking at the brightly shining moon. “If he is a scoundrel and a + wise man, he will cost me something; if a virtuous Christian and dull, he + will do what I want without money.” + </p> + <p> + Further meditation was interrupted by the return of Quartus, who issued + from the building with a second man, wearing only a tunic called “exomis,” + cut in such fashion that the right arm and right breast were exposed. Such + garments, since they left perfect freedom of movement, were used + especially by laborers. Chilo, when he saw the man coming, drew a breath + of satisfaction, for he had not seen in his life such an arm and such a + breast. + </p> + <p> + “Here, lord,” said Quartus, “is the brother whom it was thy wish to see.” + </p> + <p> + “May the peace of Christ be with thee!” answered Chilo. “Do thou, Quartus, + tell this brother whether I deserve faith and trust, and then return in + the name of God; for there is no need that thy gray-haired father should + be left in loneliness.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a holy man,” said Quartus, “who gave all his property to redeem + me from slavery,—me, a man unknown to him. May our Lord the Saviour + prepare him a heavenly reward therefor!” + </p> + <p> + The gigantic laborer, hearing this, bent down and kissed Chilo’s hand. + </p> + <p> + “What is thy name, brother?” inquired the Greek. + </p> + <p> + “At holy baptism, father, the name Urban was given me.” + </p> + <p> + “Urban, my brother, hast thou time to talk with me freely?” + </p> + <p> + “Our work begins at midnight, and only now are they preparing our supper.” + </p> + <p> + “Then there is time sufficient. Let us go to the river; there thou wilt + hear my words.” + </p> + <p> + They went, and sat on the embankment, in a silence broken only by the + distant sound of the millstones and the plash of the onflowing river. + Chilo looked into the face of the laborer, which, notwithstanding a + somewhat severe and sad expression, such as was usual on faces of + barbarians living in Rome, seemed to him kind and honest. + </p> + <p> + “This is a good-natured, dull man who will kill Glaucus for nothing,” + thought Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “Urban,” inquired he then, “dost thou love Christ?” + </p> + <p> + “I love him from the soul of my heart,” said the laborer. + </p> + <p> + “And thy brethren and sisters, and those who taught thee truth and faith + in Christ?” + </p> + <p> + “I love them, too, father.” + </p> + <p> + “Then may peace be with thee!” + </p> + <p> + “And with thee, father!” + </p> + <p> + Again silence set in, but in the distance the millstones were roaring, and + the river was plashing below the two men. + </p> + <p> + Chilo looked with fixed gaze into the clear moonlight, and with a slow, + restrained voice began to speak of Christ’s death. He seemed not as + speaking to Urban, but as if recalling to himself that death, or some + secret which he was confiding to the drowsy city. There was in this, too, + something touching as well as impressive. The laborer wept; and when Chilo + began to groan and complain that in the moment of the Saviour’s passion + there was no one to defend him, if not from crucifixion, at least from the + insults of Jews and soldiers, the gigantic fists of the barbarian began to + squeeze from pity and suppressed rage. The death only moved him; but at + thought of that rabble reviling the Lamb nailed to the cross, the simple + soul in him was indignant, and a wild desire of vengeance seized the man. + </p> + <p> + “Urban, dost thou know who Judas was?” asked Chilo, suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “I know, I know!—but he hanged himself!” exclaimed the laborer. + </p> + <p> + And in his voice there was a kind of sorrow that the traitor had meted out + punishment to himself, and that Judas could not fall into his hands. + </p> + <p> + “But if he had not hanged himself,” continued Chilo, “and if some + Christian were to meet him on land or on sea, would it not be the duty of + that Christian to take revenge for the torment, the blood, and the death + of the Saviour?” + </p> + <p> + “Who is there who would not take revenge, father?” + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with thee, faithful servant of the Lamb! True, it is permitted + to forgive wrongs done ourselves; but who has the right to forgive a wrong + done to God? But as a serpent engenders a serpent, as malice breeds + malice, and treason breeds treason, so from the poison of Judas another + traitor has come; and as that one delivered to Jews and Roman soldiers the + Saviour, so this man who lives among us intends to give Christ’s sheep to + the wolves; and if no one will anticipate the treason, if no one will + crush the head of the serpent in time, destruction is waiting for us all, + and with us will perish the honor of the Lamb.” + </p> + <p> + The laborer looked at Chilo with immense alarm, as if not understanding + what he had heard. But the Greek, covering his head with a corner of his + mantle, began to repeat, with a voice coming as if from beneath the earth,—“Woe + to you, servants of the true God! woe to you, Christian men and Christian + women!” + </p> + <p> + And again came silence, again were heard only the roar of the millstones, + the deep song of the millers, and the sound of the river. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” asked the laborer at last, “what kind of traitor is that?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo dropped his head. “What kind of traitor? A son of Judas, a son of + his poison, a man who pretends to be a Christian, and goes to houses of + prayer only to complain of the brotherhood to Cæsar,—declaring that + they will not recognize Cæsar as a god; that they poison fountains, murder + children, and wish to destroy the city, so that one stone may not remain + on another. Behold! in a few days a command will be given to the + pretorians to cast old men, women, and children into prison, and lead them + to death, just as they led to death the slaves of Pedanius Secundus. All + this has been done by that second Judas. But if no one punished the first + Judas, if no one took vengeance on him, if no one defended Christ in the + hour of torment, who will punish this one, who will destroy the serpent + before Cæsar hears him, who will destroy him, who will defend from + destruction our brothers in the faith of Christ?” + </p> + <p> + Urban, who had been sitting thus far on a stone, stood up on a sudden, and + said,—“I will, father.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo rose also; he looked for a while on the face of the laborer, lighted + up by the shining of the moon, then, stretching his arm, he put his hand + slowly on his head. + </p> + <p> + “Go among Christians,” said he, with solemnity; “go to the houses of + prayer, and ask the brethren about Glaucus; and when they show him to + thee, slay him at once in Christ’s name!” + </p> + <p> + “About Glaucus?” repeated the laborer, as if wishing to fix that name in + his memory. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know him?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not. There are thousands of Christians in Rome, and they are not + all known to one another. But to-morrow, in Ostrianum, brethren and + sisters will assemble in the night to the last soul, because a great + apostle of Christ has come, who will teach them, and the brethren will + point out to me Glaucus.” + </p> + <p> + “In Ostrianum?” inquired Chilo. “But that is outside the city gates! The + brethren and all the sisters,—at night? Outside the city gates, in + Ostrianum?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, father; that is our cemetery, between the Viæ Salaria and Nomentana. + Is it not known to thee that the Great Apostle will teach there?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been two days from home, hence I did not receive his epistle; and + I do not know where Ostrianum is, for I came here not long since from + Corinth, where I govern a Christian community. But it is as thou sayest,—there + thou wilt find Glaucus among the brethren, and thou wilt slay him on the + way home to the city. For this all thy sins will be forgiven. And now + peace be with thee—” + </p> + <p> + “Father—” + </p> + <p> + “I listen to thee, servant of the Lamb.” + </p> + <p> + On the laborer’s face perplexity was evident. Not long before he had + killed a man, and perhaps two, but the teaching of Christ forbids killing. + He had not killed them in his own defence, for even that is not permitted. + He had not killed them, Christ preserve! for profit. The bishop himself + had given him brethren to assist, but had not permitted him to kill; he + had killed inadvertently, for God had punished him with too much strength. + And now he was doing grievous penance. Others sing when the millstones are + grinding; but he, hapless man, is thinking of his sin, of his offence + against the Lamb. How much has he prayed already and wept? How much has he + implored the Lamb? And he feels that he has not done penance enough yet! + But now he has promised again to kill a traitor,—and done well! He + is permitted to pardon only offences against himself; hence he will kill + Glaucus, even before the eyes of all the brethren and sisters, in + Ostrianum to-morrow. But let Glaucus be condemned previously by the elders + among the brethren, by the bishop, or by the Apostle. To kill is not a + great thing; to kill a traitor is even as pleasant as to kill a bear or a + wolf. But suppose Glaucus to perish innocently? How take on his conscience + a new murder, a new sin, a new offence against the Lamb? + </p> + <p> + “There is no time for a trial, my son,” said Chilo. “The traitor will + hurry from Ostrianum straightway to Cæsar in Antium, or hide in the house + of a certain patrician whom he is serving. I will give thee a sign; if + thou show it after the death of Glaucus, the bishop and the Great Apostle + will bless thy deed.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this, he took out a small coin, and began to search for a knife at + his belt; having found it, he scratched with the point on the sestertium + the sign of the cross; this coin he gave to the laborer. + </p> + <p> + “Here is the sentence of Glaucus, and a sign for thee. If thou show this + to the bishop after the death of Glaucus, he will forgive thee the killing + which thou hast done without wishing it.” + </p> + <p> + The laborer stretched out his hand involuntarily for the coin; but having + the first murder too freshly in his memory just then, he experienced a + feeling of terror. + </p> + <p> + “Father,” said he with a voice almost of entreaty, “dost thou take this + deed on thy conscience, and hast thou thyself heard Glaucus betraying his + brethren?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo understood that he must give proofs, mention names, otherwise doubt + might creep into the heart of the giant. All at once a happy thought + flashed through his head. + </p> + <p> + “Listen, Urban,” said he, “I dwell in Corinth, but I came from Kos; and + here in Rome I instruct in the religion of Christ a certain serving maiden + named Eunice. She serves as vestiplica in the house of a friend of Cæsar, + a certain Petronius. In that house I have heard how Glaucus has undertaken + to betray all the Christians; and, besides, he has promised another + informer of Cæsar’s, Vinicius, to find a certain maiden for him among the + Christians.” + </p> + <p> + Here he stopped and looked with amazement at the laborer, whose eyes + blazed suddenly like the eyes of a wild beast, and his face took on an + expression of mad rage and threat. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter with thee?” asked Chilo, almost in fear. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, father; to-morrow I will kill Glaucus.” + </p> + <p> + The Greek was silent. After a while he took the arm of the laborer, turned + him so that the light of the moon struck his face squarely, and examined + him with care. It was evident that he was wavering in spirit whether to + inquire further and bring everything out with clearness, or for that time + to stop with what he had learned or surmised. + </p> + <p> + At last, however, his innate caution prevailed. He breathed deeply once + and a second time; then, placing his hand on the laborer’s head again, he + asked, in an emphatic and solemn voice,—“But in holy baptism the + name Urban was given thee?” + </p> + <p> + “It was, father.” + </p> + <p> + “Then peace be with thee, Urban!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XVIII + </h2> + <h3> + PETRONIUS to VINICIUS: + </h3> + <p> + “Thy case is a bad one, carissime. It is clear that Venus has disturbed + thy mind, deprived thee of reason and memory, as well as the power to + think of aught else except love. Read some time thy answer to my letter, + and thou wilt see how indifferent thy mind is to all except Lygia; how + exclusively it is occupied with her, how it returns to her always, and + circles above her, as a falcon above chosen prey. By Pollux! find her + quickly, or that of thee which fire has not turned into ashes will become + an Egyptian sphinx, which, enamored, as ‘tis said, of pale Isis, grew deaf + and indifferent to all things, waiting only for night, so as to gaze with + stony eyes at the loved one. + </p> + <p> + “Run disguised through the city in the evening, even honor Christian + houses of prayer in thy philosopher’s company. Whatever excites hope and + kills time is praiseworthy. But for my friendship’s sake do this one + thing: Ursus, Lygia’s slave, is a man of uncommon strength very likely; + hire Croton, and go out three together; that will be safer and wiser. The + Christians, since Pomponia and Lygia belong to them, are surely not such + scoundrels as most people imagine. But when a lamb of their flock is in + question they are no triflers, as they have shown by carrying away Lygia. + When thou seest Lygia thou wilt not restrain thyself, I am sure, and wilt + try to bear her away on the spot. But how wilt thou and Chilonides do it? + Croton would take care of himself, even though ten like Ursus defended the + maiden. Be not plundered by Chilo, but be not sparing of money on Croton. + Of all counsels which I can give this is the best one. + </p> + <p> + “Here they have ceased to speak of the infant Augusta, or to say that she + perished through witchcraft. Poppæa mentions her at times yet; but Cæsar’s + mind is stuffed with something else. Moreover, if it be true that the + divine Augusta is in a changed state again, the memory of that child will + be blown away without trace. We have been in Naples for some days, or + rather in Baiæ. If thou art capable of any thought, echoes of our life + must strike thy ear, for surely Rome talks of naught else. We went + directly to Baiæ, where at first memories of the mother attacked us, and + reproaches of conscience. But dost thou know to what Ahenobarbus has gone + already? To this, that for him even the murder of his mother is a mere + theme for verses, and a reason for buffoonish tragic scenes. + </p> + <p> + “Formerly he felt real reproaches only in so far as he was a coward; now, + when he is convinced that the earth is under his feet as before, and that + no god is taking vengeance, he feigns them only to move people by his + fate. He springs up at night sometimes declaring that the Furies are + hunting him; he rouses us, looks around, assumes the posture of an actor + playing the role of Orestes, and the posture of a bad actor too; he + declaims Greek verses, and looks to see if we are admiring him. We admire + him apparently; and instead of saying to him, Go to sleep, thou buffoon! + we bring ourselves also to the tone of tragedy, and protect the great + artist from the Furies. By Castor! this news at least must have reached + thee, that he has appeared in public at Naples. They drove in from the + city and the surrounding towns all the Greek ruffians, who filled the + arena with such a vile odor of sweat and garlic that I thank the gods + that, instead of sitting in the first rows with the Augustians, I was + behind the scenes with Ahenobarbus. And wilt thou believe it, he was + afraid really! He took my hand and put it to his heart, which was beating + with increased pulsation; his breath was short; and at the moment when he + had to appear he grew as pale as a parchment, and his forehead was covered + with drops of sweat. Still he saw that in every row of seats were + pretorians, armed with clubs, to rouse enthusiasm if the need came. But + there was no need. No herd of monkeys from the environs of Carthage could + howl as did this rabble. I tell thee that the smell of garlic came to the + stage; but Nero bowed, pressed his hand to his heart, sent kisses from his + lips, and shed tears. Then he rushed in among us, who were waiting behind + the scenes, like a drunken man, crying, ‘What were the triumphs of Julius + compared with this triumph of mine?’ But the rabble was howling yet and + applauding, knowing that it would applaud to itself favors, gifts, + banquets, lottery tickets, and a fresh exhibition by the Imperial buffoon. + I do not wonder that they applauded, for such a sight had not been seen + till that evening. And every moment he repeated: ‘See what the Greeks are! + see what the Greeks are!’ From that evening it has seemed to me that his + hatred for Rome is increasing. Meanwhile special couriers were hurried to + Rome announcing the triumph, and we expect thanks from the Senate one of + these days. Immediately after Nero’s first exhibition, a strange event + happened here. The theatre fell in on a sudden, but just after the + audience had gone. I was there, and did not see even one corpse taken from + the ruins. Many, even among the Greeks, see in this event the anger of the + gods, because the dignity of Cæsar was disgraced; he, on the contrary, + finds in it favor of the gods, who have his song, and those who listen to + it, under their evident protection. Hence there are offerings in all the + temples, and great thanks. For Nero it is a great encouragement to make + the journey to Achæa. A few days since he told me, however, that he had + doubts as to what the Roman people might say; that they might revolt out + of love for him, and fear touching the distribution of grain and touching + the games, which might fail them in case of his prolonged absence. + </p> + <p> + “We are going, however, to Beneventum to look at the cobbler magnificence + which Vatinius will exhibit, and thence to Greece, under the protection of + the divine brothers of Helen. As to me, I have noted one thing, that when + a man is among the mad he grows mad himself, and, what is more, finds a + certain charm in mad pranks. Greece and the journey in a thousand ships; a + kind of triumphal advance of Bacchus among nymphs and bacchantes crowned + with myrtle, vine, and honeysuckle; there will be women in tiger skins + harnessed to chariots; flowers, thyrses, garlands, shouts of ‘Evoe!’ + music, poetry, and applauding Hellas. All this is well; but we cherish + besides more daring projects. We wish to create a species of Oriental + Imperium,—an empire of palm-trees, sunshine, poetry, and reality + turned into a dream, reality turned into the delight of life only. We want + to forget Rome; to fix the balancing point of the world somewhere between + Greece, Asia, and Egypt; to live the life not of men but of gods; not to + know what commonness is; to wander in golden galleys under the shadow of + purple sails along the Archipelago; to be Apollo, Osiris, and Baal in one + person; to be rosy with the dawn, golden with the sun, silver with the + moon; to command, to sing, to dream. And wilt thou believe that I, who + have still sound judgment to the value of a sestertium, and sense to the + value of an as, let myself be borne away by these fantasies, and I do this + for the reason that, if they are not possible, they are at least grandiose + and uncommon? Such a fabulous empire would be a thing which, some time or + other, after long ages, would seem a dream to mankind. Except when Venus + takes the form of Lygia, or even of a slave Eunice, or when art beautifies + it, life itself is empty, and many a time it has the face of a monkey. But + Bronzebeard will not realize his plans, even for this cause, that in his + fabulous kingdom of poetry and the Orient no place is given to treason, + meanness, and death; and that in him with the poses of a poet sits a + wretched comedian, a dull charioteer, and a frivolous tyrant. Meanwhile we + are killing people whenever they displease us in any way. Poor Torquatus + Silanus is now a shade; he opened his veins a few days since. Lecanius and + Licinus will enter on the consulate with terror. Old Thrasea will not + escape death, for he dares to be honest. Tigellinus is not able yet to + frame a command for me to open my veins. I am still needed not only as + elegantiæ arbiter, but as a man without whose counsel and taste the + expedition to Achæa might fail. More than once, however, I think that + sooner or later it must end in opening my veins; and knowest thou what the + question will be then with me?—that Bronzebeard should not get my + goblet, which thou knowest and admirest. Shouldst thou be near at the + moment of my death, I will give it to thee; shouldst thou be at a + distance, I will break it. But meanwhile I have before me yet Beneventum + of the cobblers and Olympian Greece; I have Fate too, which, unknown and + unforeseen, points out the road to every one. + </p> + <p> + “Be well, and engage Croton; otherwise they will snatch Lygia from thee a + second time. When Chilonides ceases to be needful, send him to me wherever + I may be. Perhaps I shall make him a second Vatinius, and consuls and + senators may tremble before him yet, as they trembled before that knight + Dratevka. It would be worth while to live to see such a spectacle. When + thou hast found Lygia, let me know, so that I may offer for you both a + pair of swans and a pair of doves in the round temple of Venus here. Once + I saw Lygia in a dream, sitting on thy knee, seeking thy kisses. Try to + make that dream prophetic. May there be no clouds on thy sky; or if there + be, let them have the color and the odor of roses! Be in good health; and + farewell!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIX + </h2> + <p> + BARELY had Vinicius finished reading when Chilo pushed quietly into his + library, unannounced by any one, for the servants had the order to admit + him at every hour of the day or night. + </p> + <p> + “May the divine mother of thy magnanimous ancestor Æneas be full of favor + to thee, as the son of Maia was kind to me.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou mean?” asked Vinicius, springing from the table at which + he was sitting. + </p> + <p> + Chilo raised his head and said, “Eureka!” + </p> + <p> + The young patrician was so excited that for a long time he could not utter + a word. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou seen her?” asked he, at last. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen Ursus, lord, and have spoken with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know where they are secreted?” + </p> + <p> + “No, lord. Another, through boastfulness, would have let the Lygian know + that he divined who he was; another would have tried to extort from him + the knowledge of where he lived, and would have received either a stroke + of the fist,—after which all earthly affairs would have become + indifferent to him,—or he would have roused the suspicion of the + giant and caused this,—that a new hiding-place would be found for + the girl, this very night perhaps. I did not act thus. It suffices me to + know that Ursus works near the Emporium, for a miller named Demas, the + same name as that borne by thy freedman; now any trusted slave of thine + may go in the morning on his track, and discover their hiding place. I + bring thee merely the assurance that, since Ursus is here, the divine + Lygia also is in Rome, and a second news that she will be in Ostrianum + to-night, almost certainly—” + </p> + <p> + “In Ostrianum? Where is that?” interrupted Vinicius, wishing evidently to + run to the place indicated. + </p> + <p> + “An old hypogeum between the Viæ Salaria and Nomentana. That pontifex + maximus of the Christians, of whom I spoke to thee, and whom they expected + somewhat later, has come, and to-night he will teach and baptize in that + cemetery. They hide their religion, for, though there are no edicts to + prohibit it as yet, the people hate them, so they must be careful. Ursus + himself told me that all, to the last soul, would be in Ostrianum + to-night, for every one wishes to see and hear him who was the foremost + disciple of Christ, and whom they call Apostle. Since among them women + hear instruction as well as men, Pomponia alone perhaps of women will not + be there; she could not explain to Aulus, a worshipper of the ancient + gods, her absence from home at night. But Lygia, lord, who is under the + care of Ursus and the Christian elders, will go undoubtedly with other + women.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who had lived hitherto in a fever, and upheld as it were, by + hope alone, now that his hope seemed fulfilled felt all at once the + weakness that a man feels after a journey which has proved beyond his + strength. Chilo noticed this, and resolved to make use of it. + </p> + <p> + “The gates are watched, it is true, by thy people, and the Christians must + know that. But they do not need gates. The Tiber, too, does not need them; + and though it is far from the river to those roads, it is worth while to + walk one road more to see the ‘Great Apostle.’ Moreover they may have a + thousand ways of going beyond the walls, and I know that they have. In + Ostrianum thou wilt find Lygia; and even should she not be there, which I + will not admit, Ursus will be there, for he has promised to kill Glaucus. + He told me himself that he would be there, and that he would kill him. + Dost hear, noble tribune? Either thou wilt follow Ursus and learn where + Lygia dwells, or thou wilt command thy people to seize him as a murderer, + and, having him in thy hand, thou wilt make him confess where he has + hidden Lygia. I have done my best! Another would have told thee that he + had drunk ten cantars of the best wine with Ursus before he wormed the + secret out of him; another would have told thee that he had lost a + thousand sestertia to him in scriptoe duodecim, or that he had bought the + intelligence for two thousand; I know that thou wouldst repay me doubly, + but in spite of that, once in my life—I mean, as always in my life—I + shall be honest, for I think, as the magnanimous Petronius says, that thy + bounty exceeds all my hopes and expectations.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who was a soldier and accustomed not only to take counsel of + himself in all cases, but to act, was overcome by a momentary weakness and + said,—“Thou wilt not deceive thyself as to my liberality, but first + thou wilt go with me to Ostrianum.” + </p> + <p> + “I, to Ostrianum?” inquired Chilo, who had not the least wish to go there. + “I, noble tribune, promised thee to point out Lygia, but I did not promise + to take her away for thee. Think, lord, what would happen to me if that + Lygian bear, when he had torn Glaucus to pieces, should convince himself + straightway that he had torn him not altogether justly? Would he not look + on me (of course without reason) as the cause of the accomplished murder? + Remember, lord, that the greater philosopher a man is, the more difficult + it is for him to answer the foolish questions of common people; what + should I answer him were he to ask me why I calumniated Glaucus? But if + thou suspect that I deceive thee, I say, pay me only when I point out the + house in which Lygia lives; show me to-day only a part of thy liberality, + so that if thou, lord (which may all the gods ward from thee), succumb to + some accident, I shall not be entirely without recompense. Thy heart could + not endure that.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius went to a casket called “area,” standing on a marble pedestal, + and, taking out a purse, threw it to Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “There are scrupula,” said he; “when Lygia shall be in my house, thou wilt + get the same full of aurei.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art Jove!” exclaimed Chilo. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius frowned. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt receive food here,” said he; “then thou mayest rest. Thou wilt + not leave this house till evening, and when night falls thou wilt go with + me to Ostrianum.” + </p> + <p> + Fear and hesitation were reflected on the Greek’s face for a time; but + afterward he grew calm, and said,—“Who can oppose thee, lord! + Receive these my words as of good omen, just as our great hero received + words like them in the temple of Ammon. As to me, these ‘scruples’” (here + he shook the purse) “have outweighed mine, not to mention thy society, + which for me is delight and happiness.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius interrupted him impatiently, and asked for details of his + conversation with Ursus. From them it seemed clear that either Lygia’s + hiding-place would be discovered that night, or he would be able to seize + her on the road back from Ostrianum. At thought of this, Vinicius was + borne away by wild delight. Now, when he felt clearly sure of finding + Lygia, his anger against her, and his feeling of offence almost vanished. + In return for that delight he forgave her every fault. He thought of her + only as dear and desired, and he had the same impression as if she were + returning after a long journey. He wished to summon his slaves and command + them to deck the house with garlands. In that hour he had not a complaint + against Ursus, even. He was ready to forgive all people everything. Chilo, + for whom, in spite of his services, he had felt hitherto a certain + repulsion, seemed to him for the first time an amusing and also an + uncommon person. His house grew radiant; his eyes and his face became + bright. He began again to feel youth and the pleasure of life. His former + gloomy suffering had not given him yet a sufficient measure of how he + loved Lygia. He understood this now for the first time, when he hoped to + possess her. His desires woke in him, as the earth, warmed by the sun, + wakes in spring; but his desires this time were less blind and wild, as it + were, and more joyous and tender. He felt also within himself energy + without bounds, and was convinced that should he but see Lygia with his + own eyes, all the Christians on earth could not take her from him, nor + could Cæsar himself. + </p> + <p> + Chilo, emboldened by the young tribune’s delight, regained power of speech + and began to give advice. According to him, it behooved Vinicius not to + look on the affair as won, and to observe the greatest caution, without + which all their work might end in nothing. He implored Vinicius not to + carry off Lygia from Ostrianum. They ought to go there with hoods on their + heads, with their faces hidden, and restrict themselves to looking at all + who were present from some dark corner. When they saw Lygia, it would be + safest to follow her at a distance, see what house she entered, surround + it next morning at daybreak, and take her away in open daylight. Since she + was a hostage and belonged specially to Cæsar, they might do that without + fear of law. In the event of not finding her in Ostrianum they could + follow Ursus, and the result would be the same. To go to the cemetery with + a crowd of attendants was impracticable,—that might draw attention + to them easily; then the Christians need only put out the lights, as they + did when she was intercepted, and scatter in the darkness, or betake + themselves to places known to them only. But Vinicius and he should arm, + and, still better, take a couple of strong, trusty men to defend them in + case of need. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius saw the perfect truth of what he said, and, recalling Petronius’s + counsel, commanded his slaves to bring Croton. Chilo, who knew every one + in Rome, was set at rest notably when he heard the name of the famous + athlete, whose superhuman strength in the arena he had wondered at more + than once, and he declared that he would go to Ostrianum. The purse filled + with great aurei seemed to him much easier of acquisition through the aid + of Croton. + </p> + <p> + Hence he sat down in good spirits at the table to which, after a time, he + was called by the chief of the atrium. + </p> + <p> + While eating, he told the slaves that he had obtained for their master a + miraculous ointment. The worst horse, if rubbed on the hoofs with it, + would leave every other far behind. A certain Christian had taught him how + to prepare that ointment, for the Christian elders were far more skilled + in enchantment and miracles than even the Thessalians, though Thessaly was + renowned for its witches. The Christians had immense confidence in him—why, + any one easily understands who knows what a fish means. While speaking he + looked sharply at the eyes of the slaves, in the hope of discovering a + Christian among them and informing Vinicius. But when the hope failed him, + he fell to eating and drinking uncommon quantities, not sparing praises on + the cook, and declaring that he would endeavor to buy him of Vinicius. His + joyfulness was dimmed only by the thought that at night he must go to + Ostrianum. He comforted himself, however, as he would go in disguise, in + darkness, and in the company of two men, one of whom was so strong that he + was the idol of Rome; the other a patrician, a man of high dignity in the + army. “Even should they discover Vinicius,” said he to himself, “they will + not dare to raise a hand on him; as to me, they will be wise if they see + the tip of my nose even.” + </p> + <p> + He fell then to recalling his conversation with the laborer; and the + recollection of that filled him again with delight. He had not the least + doubt that that laborer was Ursus. He knew of the uncommon strength of the + man, from the narratives of Vinicius, and those who had brought Lygia from + Cæsar’s palace. When he inquired of Euricius touching men of exceptional + strength, there was nothing remarkable in this, that they pointed out + Ursus. Then the confusion and rage of the laborer at mention of Vinicius + and Lygia left him no doubt that those persons concerned him particularly; + the laborer had mentioned also his penance for killing a man,—Ursus + had killed Atacinus; finally, the appearance of the laborer answered + perfectly to the account which Vinicius had given of the Lygian. The + change of name was all that could provoke doubt, but Chilo knew that + frequently Christians took new names at baptism. + </p> + <p> + “Should Ursus kill Glaucus,” said Chilo to himself, “that will be better + still; but should he not kill him, that will be a good sign, for it will + show how difficult it is for Christians to murder. I described Glaucus as + a real son of Judas, and a traitor to all Christians; I was so eloquent + that a stone would have been moved, and would have promised to fall on the + head of Glaucus. Still I hardly moved that Lygian bear to put his paw on + him. He hesitated, was unwilling, spoke of his penance and compunction. + Evidently murder is not common among them. Offences against one’s self + must be forgiven, and there is not much freedom in taking revenge for + others. Ergo, stop! think, Chilo, what can threaten thee? Glaucus is not + free to avenge himself on thee. If Ursus will not kill Glaucus for such a + great crime as the betrayal of all Christians, so much the more will he + not kill thee for the small offence of betraying one Christian. Moreover, + when I have once pointed out to this ardent wood-pigeon the nest of that + turtle-dove, I will wash my hands of everything, and transfer myself to + Naples. The Christians talk, also, of a kind of washing of the hands; that + is evidently a method by which, if a man has an affair with them, he may + finish it decisively. What good people these Christians are, and how ill + men speak of them! O God! such is the justice of this world. But I love + that religion, since it does not permit killing; but if it does not permit + killing, it certainly does not permit stealing, deceit, or false + testimony; hence I will not say that it is easy. It teaches, evidently, + not only to die honestly, as the Stoics teach, but to live honestly also. + If ever I have property and a house, like this, and slaves in such numbers + as Vinicius, perhaps I shall be a Christian as long as may be convenient. + For a rich man can permit himself everything, even virtue. This is a + religion for the rich; hence I do not understand how there are so many + poor among its adherents. What good is it for them, and why do they let + virtue tie their hands? I must think over this sometime. Meanwhile praise + to thee, Hermes! for helping me discover this badger. But if thou hast + done so for the two white yearling heifers with gilded horns, I know thee + not. Be ashamed, O slayer of Argos! such a wise god as thou, and not + foresee that thou wilt get nothing! I will offer thee my gratitude; and if + thou prefer two beasts to it, thou art the third beast thyself, and in the + best event thou shouldst be a shepherd, not a god. Have a care, too, lest + I, as a philosopher, prove to men that thou art non-existent, and then all + will cease to bring thee offerings. It is safer to be on good terms with + philosophers.” + </p> + <p> + Speaking thus to himself and to Hermes, he stretched on the sofa, put his + mantle under his head, and was sleeping when the slave removed the dishes. + He woke,—or rather they roused him,—only at the coming of + Croton. He went to the atrium, then, and began to examine with pleasure + the form of the trainer, an ex-gladiator, who seemed to fill the whole + place with his immensity. Croton had stipulated as to the price of the + trip, and was just speaking to Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “By Hercules! it is well, lord,” said he, “that thou hast sent to-day for + me, since I shall start to-morrow for Beneventum, whither the noble + Vatinius has summoned me to make a trial, in presence of Cæsar, of a + certain Syphax, the most powerful negro that Africa has ever produced. + Dost thou imagine, lord, how his spinal column will crack in my arms, or + how besides I shall break his black jaw with my fist?” + </p> + <p> + “By Pollux! Croton, I am sure that thou wilt do that,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “And thou wilt act excellently,” added Chilo. “Yes, to break his jaw, + besides! That’s a good idea, and a deed which befits thee. But rub thy + limbs with olive oil to-day, my Hercules, and gird thyself, for know this, + you mayst meet a real Cacus. The man who is guarding that girl in whom the + worthy Vinicius takes interest, has exceptional strength very likely.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo spoke thus only to rouse Croton’s ambition. + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said Vinicius; “I have not seen him, but they tell me that + he can take a bull by the horns and drag him wherever he pleases.” + </p> + <p> + “Oi!” exclaimed Chilo, who had not imagined that Ursus was so strong. But + Croton laughed, from contempt. “I undertake, worthy lord,” said he, “to + bear away with this hand whomever thou shalt point out to me, and with + this other defend myself against seven such Lygians, and bring the maiden + to thy dwelling though all the Christians in Rome were pursuing me like + Calabrian wolves. If not, I will let myself be beaten with clubs in this + impluvium.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not permit that, lord,” cried Chilo. “They will hurl stones at us, and + what could his strength effect? Is it not better to take the girl from the + house,—not expose thyself or her to destruction?” + </p> + <p> + “This is true, Croton,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “I receive thy money, I do thy will! But remember, lord, that to-morrow I + go to Beneventum.” + </p> + <p> + “I have five hundred slaves in the city,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + He gave them a sign to withdraw, went to the library himself, and sitting + down wrote the following words to Petronius,— + </p> + <p> + “The Lygian has been found by Chilo. I go this evening with him and Croton + to Ostrianum, and shall carry her off from the house to-night or + to-morrow. May the gods pour down on thee everything favorable. Be well, O + carissime! for joy will not let me write further.” + </p> + <p> + Laying aside the reed then, he began to walk with quick step; for besides + delight, which was overflowing his soul, he was tormented with fever. He + said to himself that to-morrow Lygia would be in that house. He did not + know how to act with her, but felt that if she would love him he would be + her servant. He recalled Acte’s assurance that he had been loved, and that + moved him to the uttermost. Hence it would be merely a question of + conquering a certain maiden modesty, and a question of certain ceremonies + which Christian teaching evidently commanded. But if that were true, + Lygia, when once in his house, would yield to persuasion or superior + force; she would have to say to herself, “It has happened!” and then she + would be amiable and loving. + </p> + <p> + But Chilo appeared and interrupted the course of these pleasant thoughts. + “Lord,” said the Greek, “this is what has come to my head. Have not the + Christians signs, ‘passwords,’ without which no one will be admitted to + Ostrianum? I know that it is so in houses of prayer, and I have received + those passwords from Euricius; permit me then to go to him, lord, to ask + precisely, and receive the needful signs.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, noble sage,” answered Vinicius, gladly; “thou speakest as a man of + forethought, and for that praise belongs to thee. Thou wit go, then, to + Euricius, or whithersoever it may please thee; but as security thou wilt + leave on this table here that purse which thou hast received from me.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo, who always parted with money unwillingly, squirmed; still he obeyed + the command and went out. From the Carinæ to the Circus, near which was + the little shop of Euricius, it was not very far; hence he returned + considerably before evening. + </p> + <p> + “Here are the signs, lord. Without them they would not admit us. I have + inquired carefully about the road. I told Euricius that I needed the signs + only for my friends; that I would not go myself, since it was too far for + my advanced age; that, moreover, I should see the Great Apostle myself + to-morrow, and he would repeat to me the choicest parts of his sermon.” + </p> + <p> + “How! Thou wilt not be there? Thou must go!” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “I know that I must; but I will go well hooded, and I advise thee to go in + like manner, or we may frighten the birds.” + </p> + <p> + In fact they began soon to prepare, for darkness had come on the world. + They put on Gallic cloaks with hoods, and took lanterns; Vinicius, + besides, armed himself and his companions with short, curved knives; Chilo + put on a wig, which he obtained on the way from the old man’s shop, and + they went out, hurrying so as to reach the distant Nomentan Gate before it + was closed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XX + </h2> + <p> + THEY went through the Vicus Patricius, along the Viminal to the former + Viminal gate, near the plain on which Diocletian afterward built splendid + baths. They passed the remains of the wall of Servius Tullius, and through + places more and more deserted they reached the Via Nomentana; there, + turning to the left, towards the Via Salaria, they found themselves among + hills full of sand-pits, and here and there they found graveyards. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile it had grown dark completely, and since the moon had not risen + yet, it would have been rather difficult for them to find the road were it + not that the Christians themselves indicated it, as Chilo foresaw. + </p> + <p> + In fact, on the right, on the left, and in front, dark forms were evident, + making their way carefully toward sandy hollows. Some of these people + carried lanterns,—covering them, however, as far as possible with + mantles; others, knowing the road better, went in the dark. The trained + military eye of Vinicius distinguished, by their movements, younger men + from old ones, who walked with canes, and from women, wrapped carefully in + long mantles. The highway police, and villagers leaving the city, took + those night wanderers, evidently, for laborers, going to sand-pits; or + grave-diggers, who at times celebrated ceremonies of their own in the + night-time. In proportion, however, as the young patrician and his + attendants pushed forward, more and more lanterns gleamed, and the number + of persons grew greater. Some of them sang songs in low voices, which to + Vinicius seemed filled with sadness. At moments a separate word or a + phrase of the song struck his ear, as, for instance, “Awake, thou that + sleepest,” or “Rise from the dead”; at times, again, the name of Christ + was repeated by men and women. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius turned slight attention to the words, for it came to his head + that one of those dark forms might be Lygia. Some, passing near, said, + “Peace be with thee!” or “Glory be to Christ!” but disquiet seized him, + and his heart began to beat with more life, for it seemed to him that he + heard Lygia’s voice. Forms or movements like hers deceived him in the + darkness every moment, and only when he had corrected mistakes made + repeatedly did he begin to distrust his own eyes. + </p> + <p> + The way seemed long to him. He knew the neighborhood exactly, but could + not fix places in the darkness. Every moment they came to some narrow + passage, or piece of wall, or booths, which he did not remember as being + in the vicinity of the city. Finally the edge of the moon appeared from + behind a mass of clouds, and lighted the place better than dim lanterns. + Something from afar began at last to glimmer like a fire, or the flame of + a torch. Vinicius turned to Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “Is that Ostrianum?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + Chilo, on whom night, distance from the city, and those ghostlike forms + made a deep impression, replied in a voice somewhat uncertain,—“I + know not, lord; I have never been in Ostrianum. But they might praise God + in some spot nearer the city.” + </p> + <p> + After a while, feeling the need of conversation, and of strengthening his + courage, he added,—“They come together like murderers; still they + are not permitted to murder, unless that Lygian has deceived me + shamefully.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who was thinking of Lygia, was astonished also by the caution + and mysteriousness with which her co-religionists assembled to hear their + highest priest; hence he said,—“Like all religions, this has its + adherents in the midst of us; but the Christians are a Jewish sect. Why do + they assemble here, when in the Trans-Tiber there are temples to which the + Jews take their offerings in daylight?” + </p> + <p> + “The Jews, lord, are their bitterest enemies. I have heard that, before + the present Cæsar’s time, it came to war, almost, between Jews and + Christians. Those outbreaks forced Claudius Cæsar to expell all the Jews, + but at present that edict is abolished. The Christians, however, hide + themselves from Jews, and from the populace, who, as is known to thee, + accuse them of crimes and hate them.” + </p> + <p> + They walked on some time in silence, till Chilo, whose fear increased as + he receded from the gates, said,—“When returning from the shop of + Euricius, I borrowed a wig from a barber, and have put two beans in my + nostrils. They must not recognize me; but if they do, they will not kill + me. They are not malignant! They are even very honest. I esteem and love + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not win them to thyself by premature praises,” retorted Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + They went now into a narrow depression, closed, as it were, by two ditches + on the side, over which an aqueduct was thrown in one place. The moon came + out from behind clouds, and at the end of the depression they saw a wall, + covered thickly with ivy, which looked silvery in the moonlight. That was + Ostrianum. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius’s heart began to beat now with more vigor. At the gate two + quarryrnen took the signs from them. In a moment Vinicius and his + attendants were in a rather spacious place enclosed on all sides by a + wall. Here and there were separate monuments, and in the centre was the + entrance to the hypogeum itself, or crypt. In the lower part of the crypt, + beneath the earth, were graves; before the entrance a fountain was + playing. But it was evident that no very large number of persons could + find room in the hypogeum; hence Vinicius divined without difficulty that + the ceremony would take place outside, in the space where a very numerous + throng was soon gathered. + </p> + <p> + As far as the eye could reach, lantern gleamed near lantern, but many of + those who came had no light whatever. With the exception of a few + uncovered heads, all were hooded, from fear of treason or the cold; and + the young patrician thought with alarm that, should they remain thus, he + would not be able to recognize Lygia in that crowd and in the dim light. + </p> + <p> + But all at once, near the crypt, some pitch torches were ignited and put + into a little pile. There was more light. After a while the crowd began to + sing a certain strange hymn, at first in a low voice, and then louder. + Vinicius had never heard such a hymn before. The same yearning which had + struck him in the hymns murmured by separate persons on the way to the + cemetery, was heard now in that, but with far more distinctness and power; + and at last it became as penetrating and immense as if together with the + people, the whole cemetery, the hills, the pits, and the region about, had + begun to yearn. It might seem, also, that there was in it a certain + calling in the night, a certain humble prayer for rescue in wandering and + darkness. + </p> + <p> + Eyes turned upward seemed to see some one far above, there on high, and + outstretched hands seemed to implore him to descend. When the hymn ceased, + there followed a moment as it were of suspense,—so impressive that + Vinicius and his companions looked unwittingly toward the stars, as if in + dread that something uncommon would happen, and that some one would really + descend to them. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius had seen a multitude of temples of most various structure in Asia + Minor, in Egypt, and in Rome itself; he had become acquainted with a + multitude of religions, most varied in character, and had heard many + hymns; but here, for the first time, he saw people calling on a divinity + with hymns,—not to carry out a fixed ritual, but calling from the + bottom of the heart, with the genuine yearning which children might feel + for a father or a mother. One had to be blind not to see that those people + not merely honored their God, but loved him with the whole soul. Vinicius + had not seen the like, so far, in any land, during any ceremony, in any + sanctuary; for in Rome and in Greece those who still rendered honor to the + gods did so to gain aid for themselves or through fear; but it had not + even entered any one’s head to love those divinities. + </p> + <p> + Though his mind was occupied with Lygia, and his attention with seeking + her in the crowd, he could not avoid seeing those uncommon and wonderful + things which were happening around him. Meanwhile a few more torches were + thrown on the fire, which filled the cemetery with ruddy light and + darkened the gleam of the lanterns. That moment an old man, wearing a + hooded mantle but with a bare head, issued from the hypogeum. This man + mounted a stone which lay near the fire. + </p> + <p> + The crowd swayed before him. Voices near Vinicius whispered, “Peter! + Peter!” Some knelt, others extended their hands toward him. There followed + a silence so deep that one heard every charred particle that dropped from + the torches, the distant rattle of wheels on the Via Nomentana, and the + sound of wind through the few pines which grew close to the cemetery. + </p> + <p> + Chilo bent toward Vinicius and whispered,—“This is he! The foremost + disciple of Christ-a fisherman!” + </p> + <p> + The old man raised his hand, and with the sign of the cross blessed those + present, who fell on their knees simultaneously. Vinicius and his + attendants, not wishing to betray themselves, followed the example of + others. The young man could not seize his impressions immediately, for it + seemed to him that the form which he saw there before him was both simple + and uncommon, and, what was more, the uncommonness flowed just from the + simplicity. The old man had no mitre on his head, no garland of oak-leaves + on his temples, no palm in his hand, no golden tablet on his breast, he + wore no white robe embroidered with stars; in a word, he bore no insignia + of the kind worn by priests—Oriental, Egyptian, or Greek—or by + Roman flamens. And Vinicius was struck by that same difference again which + he felt when listening to the Christian hymns; for that “fisherman,” too, + seemed to him, not like some high priest skilled in ceremonial, but as it + were a witness, simple, aged, and immensely venerable, who had journeyed + from afar to relate a truth which he had seen, which he had touched, which + he believed as he believed in existence, and he had come to love this + truth precisely because he believed it. There was in his face, therefore, + such a power of convincing as truth itself has. And Vinicius, who had been + a sceptic, who did not wish to yield to the charm of the old man, yielded, + however, to a certain feverish curiosity to know what would flow from the + lips of that companion of the mysterious “Christus,” and what that + teaching was of which Lygia and Pomponia Græcina were followers. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Peter began to speak, and he spoke from the beginning like a + father instructing his children and teaching them how to live. He enjoined + on them to renounce excess and luxury, to love poverty, purity of life, + and truth, to endure wrongs and persecutions patiently, to obey the + government and those placed above them, to guard against treason, deceit, + and calumny; finally, to give an example in their own society to each + other, and even to pagans. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, for whom good was only that which could bring back to him Lygia, + and evil everything which stood as a barrier between them, was touched and + angered by certain of those counsels. It seemed to him that by enjoining + purity and a struggle with desires the old man dared, not only to condemn + his love, but to rouse Lygia against him and confirm her in opposition. He + understood that if she were in the assembly listening to those words, and + if she took them to heart, she must think of him as an enemy of that + teaching and an outcast. + </p> + <p> + Anger seized him at this thought. “What have I heard that is new?” thought + he. “Is this the new religion? Every one knows this, every one has heard + it. The Cynics enjoined poverty and a restriction of necessities; Socrates + enjoined virtue as an old thing and a good one; the first Stoic one meets, + even such a one as Seneca, who has five hundred tables of lemon-wood, + praises moderation, enjoins truth, patience in adversity, endurance in + misfortune,—and all that is like stale, mouse-eaten grain; but + people do not wish to eat it because it smells of age.” + </p> + <p> + And besides anger, he had a feeling of disappointment, for he expected the + discovery of unknown, magic secrets of some kind, and thought that at + least he would hear a rhetor astonishing by his eloquence; meanwhile he + heard only words which were immensely simple, devoid of every ornament. He + was astonished only by the mute attention with which the crowd listened. + </p> + <p> + But the old man spoke on to those people sunk in listening,—told + them to be kind, poor, peaceful, just, and pure; not that they might have + peace during life, but that they might live eternally with Christ after + death, in such joy and such glory, in such health and delight, as no one + on earth had attained at any time. And here Vinicius, though predisposed + unfavorably, could not but notice that still there was a difference + between the teaching of the old man and that of the Cynics, Stoics, and + other philosophers; for they enjoin good and virtue as reasonable, and the + only thing practical in life, while he promised immortality, and that not + some kind of hapless immortality beneath the earth, in wretchedness, + emptiness, and want, but a magnificent life, equal to that of the gods + almost. He spoke meanwhile of it as of a thing perfectly certain; hence, + in view of such a faith, virtue acquired a value simply measureless, and + the misfortunes of this life became incomparably trivial. To suffer + temporally for inexhaustible happiness is a thing absolutely different + from suffering because such is the order of nature. But the old man said + further that virtue and truth should be loved for themselves, since the + highest eternal good and the virtue existing before ages is God; whoso + therefore loves them loves God, and by that same becomes a cherished child + of His. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius did not understand this well, but he knew previously, from words + spoken by Pomponia Græcina to Petronius, that, according to the belief of + Christians, God was one and almighty; when, therefore, he heard now again + that He is all good and all just, he thought involuntarily that, in + presence of such a demiurge, Jupiter, Saturn, Apollo, Juno, Vesta, and + Venus would seem like some vain and noisy rabble, in which all were + interfering at once, and each on his or her own account. + </p> + <p> + But the greatest astonishment seized him when the old man declared that + God was universal love also; hence he who loves man fulfils God’s supreme + command. But it is not enough to love men of one’s own nation, for the + God-man shed his blood for all, and found among pagans such elect of his + as Cornelius the Centurion; it is not enough either to love those who do + good to us, for Christ forgave the Jews who delivered him to death, and + the Roman soldiers who nailed him to the cross, we should not only forgive + but love those who injure us, and return them good for evil; it is not + enough to love the good, we must love the wicked also, since by love alone + is it possible to expel from them evil. + </p> + <p> + Chilo at these words thought to himself that his work had gone for + nothing, that never in the world would Ursus dare to kill Glaucus, either + that night or any other night. But he comforted himself at once by another + inference from the teaching of the old man; namely, that neither would + Glaucus kill him, though he should discover and recognize him. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius did not think now that there was nothing new in the words of the + old man, but with amazement he asked himself: “What kind of God is this, + what kind of religion is this, and what kind of people are these?” All + that he had just heard could not find place in his head simply. For him + all was an unheard-of medley of ideas. He felt that if he wished, for + example, to follow that teaching, he would have to place on a burning pile + all his thoughts, habits, and character, his whole nature up to that + moment, burn them into ashes, and then fill himself with a life altogether + different, and an entirely new soul. To him the science or the religion + which commanded a Roman to love Parthians, Syrians, Greeks, Egyptians, + Gauls, and Britons, to forgive enemies, to return them good for evil, and + to love them, seemed madness. At the same time he had a feeling that in + that madness itself there was something mightier than all philosophies so + far. He thought that because of its madness it was impracticable, but + because of its impracticability it was divine. In his soul he rejected it; + but he felt that he was parting as if from a field full of spikenard, a + kind of intoxicating incense; when a man has once breathed of this he + must, as in the land of the lotus-eaters, forget all things else ever + after, and yearn for it only. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him that there was nothing real in that religion, but that + reality in presence of it was so paltry that it deserved not the time for + thought. Expanses of some kind, of which hitherto he had not had a + suspicion, surrounded him,—certain immensities, certain clouds. That + cemetery began to produce on him the impression of a meeting-place for + madmen, but also of a place mysterious and awful, in which, as on a mystic + bed, something was in progress of birth the like of which had not been in + the world so far. He brought before his mind all that, which from the + first moment of his speech, the old man had said touching life, truth, + love, God; and his thoughts were dazed from the brightness, as the eyes + are blinded from lightning flashes which follow each other unceasingly. + </p> + <p> + As is usual with people for whom life has been turned into one single + passion, Vinicius thought of all this through the medium of his love for + Lygia; and in the light of those flashes he saw one thing distinctly, that + if Lygia was in the cemetery, if she confessed that religion, obeyed and + felt it, she never could and never would be his mistress. + </p> + <p> + For the first time, then, since he had made her acquaintance at Aulus’s, + Vinicius felt that though now he had found her he would not get her. + Nothing similar had come to his head so far, and he could not explain it + to himself then, for that was not so much an express understanding as a + dim feeling of irreparable loss and misfortune. There rose in him an + alarm, which was turned soon into a storm of anger against the Christians + in general, and against the old man in particular. That fisherman, whom at + the first cast of the eye he considered a peasant, now filled him with + fear almost, and seemed some mysterious power deciding his fate inexorably + and therefore tragically. + </p> + <p> + The quarrymen again, unobserved, added torches to the fire; the wind + ceased to sound in the pines; the flame rose evenly, with a slender point + toward the stars, which were twinkling in a clear sky. Having mentioned + the death of Christ, the old man talked now of Him only. All held the + breath in their breasts, and a silence set in which was deeper than the + preceding one, so that it was possible almost to hear the beating of + hearts. That man had seen! and he narrated as one in whose memory every + moment had been fixed in such a way that were he to close his eyes he + would see yet. He told, therefore, how on their return from the Cross he + and John had sat two days and nights in the supper-chamber, neither + sleeping nor eating, in suffering, in sorrow, in doubt, in alarm, holding + their heads in their hands, and thinking that He had died. Oh, how + grievous, how grievous that was! The third day had dawned and the light + whitened the walls, but he and John were sitting in the chamber, without + hope or comfort. How desire for sleep tortured them (for they had spent + the night before the Passion without sleep)! They roused themselves then, + and began again to lament. But barely had the sun risen when Mary of + Magdala, panting, her hair dishevelled, rushed in with the cry, “They have + taken away the Lord!” When they heard this, he and John sprang up and ran + toward the sepulchre. But John, being younger, arrived first; he saw the + place empty, and dared not enter. Only when there were three at the + entrance did he, the person now speaking to them, enter, and find on the + stone a shirt with a winding sheet; but the body he found not. + </p> + <p> + Fear fell on them then, because they thought that the priests had borne + away Christ, and both returned home in greater grief still. Other + disciples came later and raised a lament, now in company, so that the Lord + of Hosts might hear them more easily, and now separately and in turn. The + spirit died within them, for they had hoped that the Master would redeem + Israel, and it was now the third day since his death; hence they did not + understand why the Father had deserted the Son, and they preferred not to + look at the daylight, but to die, so grievous was the burden. + </p> + <p> + The remembrance of those terrible moments pressed even then from the eyes + of the old man two tears, which were visible by the light of the fire, + coursing down his gray beard. His hairless and aged head was shaking, and + the voice died in his breast. + </p> + <p> + “That man is speaking the truth and is weeping over it,” said Vinicius in + his soul. Sorrow seized by the throat the simple-hearted listeners also. + They had heard more than once of Christ’s sufferings, and it was known to + them that joy succeeded sorrow; but since an apostle who had seen it told + this, they wrung their hands under the impression, and sobbed or beat + their breasts. + </p> + <p> + But they calmed themselves gradually, for the wish to hear more gained the + mastery. The old man closed his eyes, as if to see distant things more + distinctly in his soul, and continued,—“When the disciples had + lamented in this way, Mary of Magdala rushed in a second time, crying that + she had seen the Lord. Unable to recognize him, she thought him the + gardener: but He said, ‘Mary!’ She cried ‘Rabboni!’ and fell at his feet. + He commanded her to go to the disciples, and vanished. But they, the + disciples, did not believe her; and when she wept for joy, some upbraided + her, some thought that sorrow had disturbed her mind, for she said, too, + that she had seen angels at the grave, but they, running thither a second + time, saw the grave empty. Later in the evening appeared Cleopas, who had + come with another from Emmaus, and they returned quickly, saying: ‘The + Lord has indeed risen!’ And they discussed with closed doors, out of fear + of the Jews. Meanwhile He stood among them, though the doors had made no + sound, and when they feared, He said, ‘Peace be with you!’ + </p> + <p> + “And I saw Him, as did all, and He was like light, and like the happiness + of our hearts, for we believed that He had risen from the dead, and that + the seas will dry and the mountains turn to dust, but His glory will not + pass. + </p> + <p> + “After eight days Thomas Didymus put his finger in the Lord’s wounds and + touched His side; Thomas fell at His feet then, and cried, ‘My Lord and my + God!’ ‘Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed; blessed are they who + have not seen and have believed!’ said the Lord. And we heard those words, + and our eyes looked at Him, for He was among us.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius listened, and something wonderful took place in him. He forgot + for a moment where he was; he began to lose the feeling of reality, of + measure, of judgment. He stood in the presence of two impossibilities. He + could not believe what the old man said; and he felt that it would be + necessary either to be blind or renounce one’s own reason, to admit that + that man who said “I saw” was lying. There was something in his movements, + in his tears, in his whole figure, and in the details of the events which + he narrated, which made every suspicion impossible. To Vinicius it seemed + at moments that he was dreaming. But round about he saw the silent throng; + the odor of lanterns came to his nostrils; at a distance the torches were + blazing; and before him on the stone stood an aged man near the grave, + with a head trembling somewhat, who, while bearing witness, repeated, “I + saw!” + </p> + <p> + And he narrated to them everything up to the Ascension into heaven. At + moments he rested, for he spoke very circumstantially; but it could be + felt that each minute detail had fixed itself in his memory, as a thing is + fixed in a stone into which it has been engraved. Those who listened to + him were seized by ecstasy. They threw back their hoods to hear him + better, and not lose a word of those which for them were priceless. It + seemed to them that some superhuman power had borne them to Galilee; that + they were walking with the disciples through those groves and on those + waters; that the cemetery was turned into the lake of Tiberius; that on + the bank, in the mist of morning, stood Christ, as he stood when John, + looking from the boat, said, “It is the Lord,” and Peter cast himself in + to swim, so as to fall the more quickly at the beloved feet. In the faces + of those present were evident enthusiasm beyond bounds, oblivion of life, + happiness, and love immeasurable. It was clear that during Peter’s long + narrative some of them had visions. When he began to tell how, at the + moment of Ascension, the clouds closed in under the feet of the Saviour, + covered Him, and hid Him from the eyes of the Apostles, all heads were + raised toward the sky unconsciously, and a moment followed as it were of + expectation, as if those people hoped to see Him or as if they hoped that + He would descend again from the fields of heaven, and see how the old + Apostle was feeding the sheep confided to him, and bless both the flock + and him. + </p> + <p> + Rome did not exist for those people, nor did the man Cæsar; there were no + temples of pagan gods; there was only Christ, who filled the land, the + sea, the heavens, and the world. + </p> + <p> + At the houses scattered here and there along the Via Nomentana, the cocks + began to crow, announcing midnight. At that moment Chilo pulled the corner + of Vinicius’s mantle and whispered,—“Lord, I see Urban over there, + not far from the old man, and with him is a maiden.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius shook himself, as if out of a dream, and, turning in the + direction indicated by the Greek, he saw Lygia. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXI + </h2> + <p> + EVERY drop of blood quivered in the young patrician at sight of her. He + forgot the crowd, the old man, his own astonishment at the + incomprehensible things which he had heard,—he saw only her. At + last, after all his efforts, after long days of alarm, trouble, and + suffering, he had found her! For the first time he realized that joy might + rush at the heart, like a wild beast, and squeeze it till breath was lost. + He, who had supposed hitherto that on “Fortuna” had been imposed a kind of + duty to accomplish all his wishes, hardly believed his own eyes now and + his own happiness. Were it not for that disbelief, his passionate nature + might have urged him to some unconsidered step; but he wished to convince + himself first that that was not the continuation of those miracles with + which his head was filled, and that he was not dreaming. But there was no + doubt,—he saw Lygia, and an interval of barely a few steps divided + them. She stood in perfect light, so that he could rejoice in the sight of + her as much as he liked. The hood had fallen from her head and dishevelled + her hair; her mouth was open slightly, her eyes raised toward the Apostle, + her face fixed in listening and delighted. She was dressed in a dark + woollen mantle, like a daughter of the people, but never had Vinicius seen + her more beautiful; and notwithstanding all the disorder which had risen + in him, he was struck by the nobility of that wonderful patrician head in + distinction to the dress, almost that of a slave. Love flew over him like + a flame, immense, mixed with a marvellous feeling of yearning, homage, + honor, and desire. He felt the delight which the sight of her caused him; + he drank of her as of life-giving water after long thirst. Standing near + the gigantic Lygian, she seemed to him smaller than before, almost a + child; he noticed, too, that she had grown more slender. Her complexion + had become almost transparent; she made on him the impression of a flower, + and a spirit. But all the more did he desire to possess that woman, so + different from all women whom he had seen or possessed in Rome or the + Orient. He felt that for her he would have given them all, and with them + Rome and the world in addition. + </p> + <p> + He would have lost himself in gazing, and forgotten himself altogether, + had it not been for Chilo, who pulled the corner of his mantle, out of + fear that he might do something to expose them to danger. Meanwhile the + Christians began to pray and sing. After a while Maranatha thundered + forth, and then the Great Apostle baptized with water from the fountain + those whom the presbyters presented as ready for baptism. It seemed to + Vinicius that that night would never end. He wished now to follow Lygia as + soon as possible, and seize her on the road or at her house. + </p> + <p> + At last some began to leave the cemetery, and Chilo whispered,—“Let + us go out before the gate, lord, we have not removed our hoods, and people + look at us.” + </p> + <p> + Such was the case, for during the discourse of the Apostle all had cast + aside their hoods so as to hear better, and they had not followed the + general example. Chilo’s advice seemed wise, therefore. Standing before + the gate, they could look at all who passed; Ursus it was easy to + recognize by his form and size. + </p> + <p> + “Let us follow them,” said Chilo; “we shall see to what house they go. + To-morrow, or rather to-day, thou wilt surround the entrances with slaves + and take her.” + </p> + <p> + “No!” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou wish to do, lord?” + </p> + <p> + “We will follow her to the house and take her now, if thou wilt undertake + that task, Croton?” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” replied Croton, “and I will give myself to thee as a slave if I + do not break the back of that bison who is guarding her.” + </p> + <p> + But Chilo fell to dissuading and entreating them by all the gods not to do + so. Croton was taken only for defence against attack in case they were + recognized, not to carry off the girl. To take her when there were only + two of them was to expose themselves to death, and, what was worse, they + might let her out of their hands, and then she would hide in another place + or leave Rome. And what could they do? Why not act with certainty? Why + expose themselves to destruction and the whole undertaking to failure? + </p> + <p> + Though Vinicius restrained himself with the greatest effort from seizing + Lygia in his arms at once, right there in the cemetery, he felt that the + Greek was right, and would have lent ear, perhaps, to his counsels, had it + not been for Croton, to whom reward was the question. + </p> + <p> + “Lord, command that old goat to be silent,” said he, “or let me drop my + fist on his head. Once in Buxentum, whither Lucius Saturnius took me to a + play, seven drunken gladiators fell on me at an inn, and none of them + escaped with sound ribs. I do not say to take the girl now from the crowd, + for they might throw stones before our feet, but once she is at home I + will seize her, carry her away, and take her whithersoever thou shalt + indicate.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was pleased to hear those words, and answered,—“Thus let it + be, by Hercules! To-morrow we may not find her at home; if we surprise + them they will remove the girl surely.” + </p> + <p> + “This Lygian seems tremendously strong!” groaned Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “No one will ask thee to hold his hands,” answered Croton. + </p> + <p> + But they had to wait long yet, and the cocks had begun to crow before dawn + when they saw Ursus coming through the gate, and with him Lygia. They were + accompanied by a number of other persons. It seemed to Chilo that he + recognized among them the Great Apostle; next to him walked another old + man, considerably lower in stature, two women who were not young, and a + boy, who lighted the way with a lantern. After that handful followed a + crowd, about two hundred in number; Vinicius, Chilo, and Croton walked + with these people. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lord,” said Chilo, “thy maiden is under powerful protection. That is + the Great Apostle with her, for see how passing people kneel to him.” + </p> + <p> + People did in fact kneel before him, but Vinicius did not look at them. He + did not lose Lygia from his eyes for a moment; he thought only of bearing + her away and, accustomed as he had been in wars to stratagems of all + sorts, he arranged in his head the whole plan of seizure with soldierly + precision. He felt that the step on which he had decided was bold, but he + knew well that bold attacks give success generally. + </p> + <p> + The way was long; hence at moments he thought too of the gulf which that + wonderful religion had dug between him and Lygia. Now he understood + everything that had happened in the past, and why it had happened. He was + sufficiently penetrating for that. Lygia he had not known hitherto. He had + seen in her a maiden wonderful beyond others, a maiden toward whom his + feelings were inflamed: he knew now that her religion made her different + from other women, and his hope that feeling, desire, wealth, luxury, would + attract her he knew now to be a vain illusion. Finally he understood this, + which he and Petronius had not understood, that the new religion ingrafted + into the soul something unknown to that world in which he lived, and that + Lygia, even if she loved him, would not sacrifice any of her Christian + truths for his sake, and that, if pleasure existed for her, it was a + pleasure different altogether from that which he and Petronius and Cæsar’s + court and all Rome were pursuing. Every other woman whom he knew might + become his mistress, but that Christian would become only his victim. And + when he thought of this, he felt anger and burning pain, for he felt that + his anger was powerless. To carry off Lygia seemed to him possible; he was + almost sure that he could take her, but he was equally sure that, in view + of her religion, he himself with his bravery was nothing, that his power + was nothing, and that through it he could effect nothing. That Roman + military tribune, convinced that the power of the sword and the fist which + had conquered the world, would command it forever, saw for the first time + in life that beyond that power there might be something else; hence he + asked himself with amazement what it was. And he could not answer + distinctly; through his head flew merely pictures of the cemetery, the + assembled crowd, and Lygia, listening with her whole soul to the words of + the old man, as he narrated the passion, death, and resurrection of the + God-man, who had redeemed the world, and promised it happiness on the + other shore of the Styx. + </p> + <p> + When he thought of this, chaos rose in his head. But he was brought out of + this chaos by Chilo, who fell to lamenting his own fate. He had agreed to + find Lygia. He had sought for her in peril of his life, and he had pointed + her out. But what more do they want? Had he offered to carry the maiden + away? Who could ask anything like this of a maimed man deprived of two + fingers, an old man, devoted to meditation, to science, and virtue? What + would happen were a lord of such dignity as Vinicius to meet some mishap + while bearing the maiden away? It is true that the gods are bound to watch + over their chosen ones,—but have not such things happened more than + once, as if the gods were playing games instead of watching what was + passing in the world? Fortune is blindfold, as is well known, and does not + see even in daylight; what must the case be at night? Let something + happen,—let that Lygian bear hurl a millstone at the noble Vinicius, + or a keg of wine, or, still worse, water,—who will give assurance + that instead of a reward blame will not fall on the hapless Chilo? He, the + poor sage, has attached himself to the noble Vinicius as Aristotle to + Alexander of Macedon. If the noble lord should give him at least that + purse which he had thrust into his girdle before leaving home, there would + be something with which to invoke aid in case of need, or to influence the + Christians. Oh, why not listen to the counsels of an old man, counsels + dictated by experience and prudence? + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, hearing this, took the purse from his belt, and threw it to the + fingers of Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast it; be silent!” + </p> + <p> + The Greek felt that it was unusually heavy, and gained confidence. + </p> + <p> + “My whole hope is in this,” said he, “that Hercules or Theseus performed + deeds still more arduous; what is my personal, nearest friend, Croton, if + not Hercules? Thee, worthy lord, I will not call a demigod, for thou art a + full god, and in future thou wilt not forget a poor, faithful servant, + whose needs it will be necessary to provide for from time to time, for + once he is sunk in books, he thinks of nothing else; some few stadia of + garden land and a little house, even with the smallest portico, for + coolness in summer, would befit such a donor. Meanwhile I shall admire thy + heroic deeds from afar, and invoke Jove to befriend thee, and if need be I + will make such an outcry that half Rome will be roused to thy assistance. + What a wretched, rough road! The olive oil is burned out in the lantern; + and if Croton, who is as noble as he is strong, would bear me to the gate + in his arms, he would learn, to begin with, whether he will carry the + maiden easily; second, he would act like Æneas, and win all the good gods + to such a degree that touching the result of the enterprise I should be + thoroughly satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + “I should rather carry a sheep which died of mange a month ago,” answered + the gladiator; “but give that purse, bestowed by the worthy tribune, and I + will bear thee to the gate.” + </p> + <p> + “Mayst thou knock the great toe from thy foot,” replied the Greek; “what + profit hast thou from the teachings of that worthy old man, who described + poverty and charity as the two foremost virtues? Has he not commanded thee + expressly to love me? Never shall I make thee, I see, even a poor + Christian; it would be easier for the sun to pierce the walls of the + Mamertine prison than for truth to penetrate thy skull of a hippopotamus.” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear!” said Croton, who with the strength of a beast had no human + feeling. “I shall not be a Christian! I have no wish to lose my bread.” + </p> + <p> + “But if thou knew even the rudiments of philosophy, thou wouldst know that + gold is vanity.” + </p> + <p> + “Come to me with thy philosophy. I will give thee one blow of my head in + the stomach; we shall see then who wins.” + </p> + <p> + “An ox might have said the same to Aristotle,” retorted Chilo. + </p> + <p> + It was growing gray in the world. The dawn covered with pale light the + outlines of the walls. The trees along the wayside, the buildings, and the + gravestones scattered here and there began to issue from the shade. The + road was no longer quite empty. Marketmen were moving toward the gates, + leading asses and mules laden with vegetables; here and there moved + creaking carts in which game was conveyed. On the road and along both + sides of it was a light mist at the very earth, which promised good + weather. People at some distance seemed like apparitions in that mist. + Vinicius stared at the slender form of Lygia, which became more silvery as + the light increased. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said Chilo, “I should offend thee were I to foresee the end of thy + bounty, but now, when thou hast paid me, I may not be suspected of + speaking for my own interest only. I advise thee once more to go home for + slaves and a litter, when thou hast learned in what house the divine Lygia + dwells; listen not to that elephant trunk, Croton, who undertakes to carry + off the maiden only to squeeze thy purse as if it were a bag of curds.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a blow of the fist to be struck between the shoulders, which means + that thou wilt perish,” said Croton. + </p> + <p> + “I have a cask of Cephalonian wine, which means that I shall be well,” + answered Chilo. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius made no answer, for he approached the gate, at which a wonderful + sight struck his eyes. Two soldiers knelt when the Apostle was passing; + Peter placed his hand on their iron helmets for a moment, and then made + the sign of the cross on them. It had never occurred to the patrician + before that there could be Christians in the army; with astonishment he + thought that as fire in a burning city takes in more and more houses, so + to all appearances that doctrine embraces new souls every day, and extends + itself over all human understandings. This struck him also with reference + to Lygia, for he was convinced that, had she wished to flee from the city, + there would be guards willing to facilitate her flight. He thanked the + gods then that this had not happened. + </p> + <p> + After they had passed vacant places beyond the wall, the Christians began + to scatter. There was need, therefore, to follow Lygia more from a + distance, and more carefully, so as not to rouse attention. Chilo fell to + complaining of wounds, of pains in his legs, and dropped more and more to + the rear. Vinicius did not oppose this, judging that the cowardly and + incompetent Greek would not be needed. He would even have permitted him to + depart, had he wished; but the worthy sage was detained by circumspection. + Curiosity pressed him evidently, since he continued behind, and at moments + even approached with his previous counsels; he thought too that the old + man accompanying the Apostle might be Glaucus, were it not for his rather + low stature. + </p> + <p> + They walked a good while before reaching the Trans-Tiber, and the sun was + near rising when the group surrounding Lygia dispersed. The Apostle, an + old woman, and a boy went up the river; the old man of lower stature, + Ursus, and Lygia entered a narrow vicus, and, advancing still about a + hundred yards, went into a house in which were two shops,—one for + the sale of olives, the other for poultry. + </p> + <p> + Chilo, who walked about fifty yards behind Vinicius and Croton, halted all + at once, as if fixed to the earth, and, squeezing up to the wall, began to + hiss at them to turn. + </p> + <p> + They did so, for they needed to take counsel. + </p> + <p> + “Go, Chilo,” said Vinicius, “and see if this house fronts on another + street.” Chilo, though he had complained of wounds in his feet, sprang + away as quickly as if he had had the wings of Mercury on his ankles, and + returned in a moment. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said he, “there is but one entrance.” + </p> + <p> + Then, putting his hands together, he said, “I implore thee, lord, by + Jupiter, Apollo, Vesta, Cybele, Isis, Osiris, Mithra Baal, and all the + gods of the Orient and the Occident to drop this plan. Listen to me—” + </p> + <p> + But he stopped on a sudden, for he saw that Vinicius’s face was pale from + emotion, and that his eyes were glittering like the eyes of a wolf. It was + enough to look at him to understand that nothing in the world would + restrain him from the undertaking. Croton began to draw air into his + herculean breast, and to sway his undeveloped skull from side to side as + bears do when confined in a cage, but on his face not the least fear was + evident. + </p> + <p> + “I will go in first,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt follow me,” said Vinicius, in commanding tones. + </p> + <p> + And after a while both vanished in the dark entrance. + </p> + <p> + Chilo sprang to the corner of the nearest alley and watched from behind + it, waiting for what would happen. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXII + </h2> + <p> + ONLY inside the entrance did Vinicius comprehend the whole difficulty of + the undertaking. The house was large, of several stories, one of the kind + of which thousands were built in Rome, in view of profit from rent; hence, + as a rule, they were built so hurriedly and badly that scarcely a year + passed in which numbers of them did not fall on the heads of tenants. Real + hives, too high and too narrow, full of chambers and little dens, in which + poor people fixed themselves too numerously. In a city where many streets + had no names, those houses had no numbers; the owners committed the + collection of rent to slaves, who, not obliged by the city government to + give names of occupants, were ignorant themselves of them frequently. To + find some one by inquiry in such a house was often very difficult, + especially when there was no gate-keeper. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius and Croton came to a narrow, corridor-like passage walled in on + four sides, forming a kind of common atrium for the whole house, with a + fountain in the middle whose stream fell into a stone basin fixed in the + ground. At all the walls were internal stairways, some of stone, some of + wood, leading to galleries from which there were entrances to lodgings. + There were lodgings on the ground, also; some provided with wooden doors, + others separated from the yard by woollen screens only. These, for the + greater part, were worn, rent, or patched. + </p> + <p> + The hour was early, and there was not a living soul in the yard. It was + evident that all were asleep in the house except those who had returned + from Ostrianum. + </p> + <p> + “What shall we do, lord?” asked Croton, halting. + </p> + <p> + “Let us wait here; some one may appear,” replied Vinicius. “We should not + be seen in the yard.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment, he thought Chilo’s counsel practical. If there were some + tens of slaves present, it would be easy to occupy the gate, which seemed + the only exit, search all the lodgings simultaneously, and thus come to + Lygia’s; otherwise Christians, who surely were not lacking in that house, + might give notice that people were seeking her. In view of this, there was + risk in inquiring of strangers. Vinicius stopped to think whether it would + not be better to go for his slaves. Just then, from behind a screen hiding + a remoter lodging, came a man with a sieve in his hand, and approached the + fountain. + </p> + <p> + At the first glance the young tribune recognized Ursus. + </p> + <p> + “That is the Lygian!” whispered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Am I to break his bones now?” + </p> + <p> + “Wait awhile!” + </p> + <p> + Ursus did not notice the two men, as they were in the shadow of the + entrance, and he began quietly to sink in water vegetables which filled + the sieve. It was evident that, after a whole night spent in the cemetery, + he intended to prepare a meal. After a while the washing was finished; he + took the wet sieve and disappeared behind the screen. Croton and Vinicius + followed him, thinking that they would come directly to Lygia’s lodgings. + Their astonishment was great when they saw that the screen divided from + the court, not lodgings, but another dark corridor, at the end of which + was a little garden containing a few cypresses, some myrtle bushes, and a + small house fixed to the windowless stone wall of another stone building. + </p> + <p> + Both understood at once that this was for them a favoring circumstance. In + the courtyard all the tenants might assemble; the seclusion of the little + house facilitated the enterprise. They would set aside defenders, or + rather Ursus, quickly, and would reach the street just as quickly with the + captured Lygia; and there they would help themselves. It was likely that + no one would attack them; if attacked, they would say that a hostage was + fleeing from Cæsar. Vinicius would declare himself then to the guards, and + summon their assistance. + </p> + <p> + Ursus was almost entering the little house, when the sound of steps + attracted his attention; he halted, and, seeing two persons, put his sieve + on the balustrade and turned to them. + </p> + <p> + “What do ye want here?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “Thee!” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Then, turning to Croton, he said in a low, hurried voice: + </p> + <p> + “Kill!” + </p> + <p> + Croton rushed at him like a tiger, and in one moment, before the Lygian + was able to think or to recognize his enemies, Croton had caught him in + his arms of steel. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was too confident in the man’s preternatural strength to wait for + the end of the struggle. He passed the two, sprang to the door of the + little house, pushed it open and found himself in a room a trifle dark, + lighted, however, by a fire burning in the chimney. A gleam of this fire + fell on Lygia’s face directly. A second person, sitting at the fire, was + that old man who had accompanied the young girl and Ursus on the road from + Ostrianum. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius rushed in so suddenly that before Lygia could recognize him he + had seized her by the waist, and, raising her, rushed toward the door + again. The old man barred the way, it is true; but pressing the girl with + one arm to his breast, Vinicius pushed him aside with the other, which was + free. The hood fell from his head, and at sight of that face, which was + known to her and which at that moment was terrible, the blood grew cold in + Lygia from fright, and the voice died in her throat. She wished to summon + aid, but had not the power. Equally vain was her wish to grasp the door, + to resist. Her fingers slipped along the stone, and she would have fainted + but for the terrible picture which struck her eyes when Vinicius rushed + into the garden. + </p> + <p> + Ursus was holding in his arms some man doubled back completely, with + hanging head and mouth filled with blood. When he saw them, he struck the + head once more with his fist, and in the twinkle of an eye sprang toward + Vinicius like a raging wild beast. + </p> + <p> + “Death!” thought the young patrician. + </p> + <p> + Then he heard, as through a dream, the scream of Lygia, “Kill not!” He + felt that something, as it were a thunderbolt, opened the arms with which + he held Lygia; then the earth turned round with him, and the light of day + died in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + Chilo, hidden behind the angle of the corner house, was waiting for what + would happen, since curiosity was struggling with fear in him. He thought + that if they succeeded in carrying off Lygia, he would fare well near + Vinicius. He feared Urban no longer, for he also felt certain that Croton + would kill him. And he calculated that in case a gathering should begin on + the streets, which so far were empty,—if Christians, or people of + any kind, should offer resistance,—he, Chilo, would speak to them as + one representing authority, as an executor of Cæsar’s will, and if need + came, call the guards to aid the young patrician against the street rabble—thus + winning to himself fresh favor. In his soul he judged yet that the young + tribune’s method was unwise; considering, however, Croton’s terrible + strength, he admitted that it might succeed, and thought, “If it go hard + with him, Vinicius can carry the girl, and Croton clear the way.” Delay + grew wearisome, however; the silence of the entrance which he watched + alarmed him. + </p> + <p> + “If they do not hit upon her hiding-place, and make an uproar, they will + frighten her.” + </p> + <p> + But this thought was not disagreeable; for Chilo understood that in that + event he would be necessary again to Vinicius, and could squeeze afresh a + goodly number of sestertia from the tribune. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever they do,” said he to himself, “they will work for me, though no + one divines that. O gods! O gods! only permit me-” + </p> + <p> + And he stopped suddenly, for it seemed to him that some one was bending + forward through the entrance; then, squeezing up to the wall, he began to + look, holding the breath in his breast. + </p> + <p> + And he had not deceived himself, for a head thrust itself half out of the + entrance and looked around. After a while, however, it vanished. + </p> + <p> + “That is Vinicius, or Croton,” thought Chilo; “but if they have taken the + girl, why does she not scream, and why are they looking out to the street? + They must meet people anyhow, for before they reach the Carinæ there will + be movement in the city—What is that? By the immortal gods!” + </p> + <p> + And suddenly the remnant of his hair stood on end. + </p> + <p> + In the door appeared Ursus, with the body of Croton hanging on his arm, + and looking around once more, he began to run, bearing it along the empty + street toward the river. + </p> + <p> + Chilo made himself as flat against the wall as a bit of mud. + </p> + <p> + “I am lost if he sees me!” thought he. + </p> + <p> + But Ursus ran past the corner quickly, and disappeared beyond the + neighboring house. Chilo, without further waiting, his teeth chattering + from terror, ran along the cross street with a speed which even in a young + man might have roused admiration. + </p> + <p> + “If he sees me from a distance when he is returning, he will catch and + kill me,” said he to himself. “Save me, Zeus; save me, Apollo; save me, + Hermes; save me, O God of the Christians! I will leave Rome, I will return + to Mesembria, but save me from the hands of that demon!” + </p> + <p> + And that Lygian who had killed Croton seemed to him at that moment some + superhuman being. While running, he thought that he might be some god who + had taken the form of a barbarian. At that moment he believed in all the + gods of the world, and in all myths, at which he jeered usually. It flew + through his head, too, that it might be the God of the Christians who had + killed Croton; and his hair stood on end again at the thought that he was + in conflict with such a power. + </p> + <p> + Only when he had run through a number of alleys, and saw some workmen + coming toward him from a distance, was he calmed somewhat. Breath failed + in his breast; so he sat on the threshold of a house and began to wipe, + with a corner of his mantle, his sweat-covered forehead. + </p> + <p> + “I am old, and need calm,” said he. + </p> + <p> + The people coming toward him turned into some little side street, and + again the place round about was empty. The city was sleeping yet. In the + morning movement began earlier in the wealthier parts of the city, where + the slaves of rich houses were forced to rise before daylight; in portions + inhabited by a free population, supported at the cost of the State, hence + unoccupied, they woke rather late, especially in winter. Chilo, after he + had sat some time on the threshold, felt a piercing cold; so he rose, and, + convincing himself that he had not lost the purse received from Vinicius, + turned toward the river with a step now much slower. + </p> + <p> + “I may see Croton’s body somewhere,” said he to himself. “O gods! that + Lygian, if he is a man, might make millions of sestertia in the course of + one year; for if he choked Croton, like a whelp, who can resist him? They + would give for his every appearance in the arena as much gold as he + himself weighs. He guards that maiden better than Cerberus does Hades. But + may Hades swallow him, for all that! I will have nothing to do with him. + He is too bony. But where shall I begin in this case? A dreadful thing has + happened. If he has broken the bones of such a man as Croton, beyond a + doubt the soul of Vinicius is puling above that cursed house now, awaiting + his burial. By Castor! but he is a patrician, a friend of Cæsar, a + relative of Petronius, a man known in all Rome, a military tribune. His + death cannot pass without punishment. Suppose I were to go to the + pretorian camp, or the guards of the city, for instance?” + </p> + <p> + Here he stopped and began to think, but said after a while,—“Woe is + me! Who took him to that house if not I? His freedmen and his slaves know + that I came to his house, and some of them know with what object. What + will happen if they suspect me of having pointed out to him purposely the + house in which his death met him? Though it appear afterward, in the + court, that I did not wish his death, they will say that I was the cause + of it. Besides, he is a patrician; hence in no event can I avoid + punishment. But if I leave Rome in silence, and go far away somewhere, I + shall place myself under still greater suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + It was bad in every case. The only question was to choose the less evil. + Rome was immense; still Chilo felt that it might become too small for him. + Any other man might go directly to the prefect of the city guards and tell + what had happened, and, though some suspicion might fall on him, await the + issue calmly. But Chilo’s whole past was of such character that every + closer acquaintance with the prefect of the city or the prefect of the + guard must cause him very serious trouble, and confirm also every + suspicion which might enter the heads of officials. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, to flee would be to confirm Petronius in the opinion + that Vinicius had been betrayed and murdered through conspiracy. Petronius + was a powerful man, who could command the police of the whole Empire, and + who beyond doubt would try to find the guilty parties even at the ends of + the earth. Still, Chilo thought to go straight to him, and tell what had + happened. Yes; that was the best plan. Petronius was calm, and Chilo might + be sure of this, at least, that he would hear him to the end. Petronius, + who knew the affair from its inception, would believe in Chilo’s innocence + more easily than would the prefects. + </p> + <p> + But to go to him, it was needful to know with certainty what had happened + to Vinicius. Chilo did not know that. He had seen, it is true, the Lygian + stealing with Croton’s body to the river, but nothing more. Vinicius might + be killed; but he might be wounded or detained. Now it occurred to Chilo + for the first time, that surely the Christians would not dare to kill a + man so powerful,—a friend of Cæsar, and a high military official,—for + that kind of act might draw on them a general persecution. It was more + likely that they had detained him by superior force, to give Lygia means + to hide herself a second time. + </p> + <p> + This thought filled Chilo with hope. + </p> + <p> + “If that Lygian dragon has not torn him to pieces at the first attack, he + is alive, and if he is alive he himself will testify that I have not + betrayed him; and then not only does nothing threaten me, but—O + Hermes, count again on two heifers—a fresh field is opening. I can + inform one of the freedmen where to seek his lord; and whether he goes to + the prefect or not is his affair, the only point being that I should not + go. Also, I can go to Petronius, and count on a reward. I have found + Lygia; now I shall find Vinicius, and then again Lygia. It is needful to + know first whether Vinicius is dead or living.” + </p> + <p> + Here it occurred to him that he might go in the night to the baker Demas + and inquire about Ursus. But he rejected that thought immediately. He + preferred to have nothing to do with Ursus. He might suppose, justly, that + if Ursus had not killed Glaucus he had been warned, evidently, by the + Christian elder to whom he had confessed his design,—warned that the + affair was an unclean one, to which some traitor had persuaded him. In + every case, at the mere recollection of Ursus, a shiver ran through + Chilo’s whole body. But he thought that in the evening he would send + Euricius for news to that house in which the thing had happened. Meanwhile + he needed refreshment, a bath, and rest. The sleepless night, the journey + to Ostrianum, the flight from the Trans-Tiber, had wearied him + exceedingly. + </p> + <p> + One thing gave him permanent comfort: he had on his person two purses,—that + which Vinicius had given him at home, and that which he had thrown him on + the way from the cemetery. In view of this happy circumstance, and of all + the excitement through which he had passed, he resolved to eat abundantly, + and drink better wine than he drank usually. + </p> + <p> + When the hour for opening the wine-shop came at last, he did so in such a + marked measure that he forgot the bath; he wished to sleep, above all, and + drowsiness overcame his strength so that he returned with tottering step + to his dwelling in the Subura, where a slave woman, purchased with money + obtained from Vinicius, was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + When he had entered a sleeping-room, as dark as the den of a fox, he threw + himself on the bed, and fell asleep in one instant. He woke only in the + evening, or rather he was roused by the slave woman, who called him to + rise, for some one was inquiring, and wished to see him on urgent + business. + </p> + <p> + The watchful Chilo came to himself in one moment, threw on his hooded + mantle hastily, and, commanding the slave woman to stand aside, looked out + cautiously. + </p> + <p> + And he was benumbed! for he saw before the door of the sleeping-room the + gigantic form of Ursus. + </p> + <p> + At that sight he felt his feet and head grow icy-cold, the heart ceased to + beat in his bosom, and shivers were creeping along his back. For a time he + was unable to speak; then with chattering teeth he said, or rather + groaned,— + </p> + <p> + “Syra—I am not at home—I don’t know that—good man-” + </p> + <p> + “I told him that thou wert at home, but asleep, lord,” answered the girl; + “he asked to rouse thee.” + </p> + <p> + “O gods! I will command that thou—” + </p> + <p> + But Ursus, as if impatient of delay, approached the door of the + sleeping-room, and, bending, thrust in his head. + </p> + <p> + “O Chilo Chilonides!” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Pax tecum! pax! pax!” answered Chilo. “O best of Christians! Yes, I am + Chilo; but this is a mistake,—I do not know thee!” + </p> + <p> + “Chilo Chilonides,” repeated Ursus, “thy lord, Vinicius, summons thee to + go with me to him.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXIII + </h2> + <p> + A PIERCING pain roused Vinicius. At the first moment he could not + understand where he was, nor what was happening. He felt a roaring in his + head, and his eyes were covered as if with mist. Gradually, however, his + consciousness returned, and at last he beheld through that mist three + persons bending over him. Two he recognized: one was Ursus, the other the + old man whom he had thrust aside when carrying off Lygia. The third, an + utter stranger, was holding his left arm, and feeling it from the elbow + upward as far as the shoulder-blade. This caused so terrible a pain that + Vinicius, thinking it a kind of revenge which they were taking, said + through his set teeth, “Kill me!” But they paid no apparent heed to his + words, just as though they heard them not, or considered them the usual + groans of suffering. Ursus, with his anxious and also threatening face of + a barbarian, held a bundle of white cloth torn in long strips. The old man + spoke to the person who was pressing the arm of Vinicius,—“Glaucus, + art thou certain that the wound in the head is not mortal?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, worthy Crispus,” answered Glaucus. “While serving in the fleet as a + slave, and afterward while living at Naples, I cured many wounds, and with + the pay which came to me from that occupation I freed myself and my + relatives at last. The wound in the head is slight. When this one [here he + pointed to Ursus with his head] took the girl from the young man, he + pushed him against the wall; the young man while falling put out his arm, + evidently to save himself; he broke and disjointed it, but by so doing + saved his head and his life.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast had more than one of the brotherhood in thy care,” added + Crispus, “and hast the repute of a skilful physician; therefore I sent + Ursus to bring thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Ursus, who on the road confessed that yesterday he was ready to kill me!” + </p> + <p> + “He confessed his intention earlier to me than to thee; but I, who know + thee and thy love for Christ, explained to him that the traitor is not + thou, but the unknown, who tried to persuade him to murder.” + </p> + <p> + “That was an evil spirit, but I took him for an angel,” said Ursus, with a + sigh. + </p> + <p> + “Some other time thou wilt tell me, but now we must think of this wounded + man.” Thus speaking, he began to set the arm. Though Crispus sprinkled + water on his face, Vinicius fainted repeatedly from suffering; that was, + however, a fortunate circumstance, since he did not feel the pain of + putting his arm into joint, nor of setting it. Glaucus fixed the limb + between two strips of wood, which he bound quickly and firmly, so as to + keep the arm motionless. When the operation was over, Vinicius recovered + consciousness again and saw Lygia above him. She stood there at the bed + holding a brass basin with water, in which from time to time Glaucus + dipped a sponge and moistened the head of his patient. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius gazed and could not believe his eyes. What he saw seemed a dream, + or the pleasant vision brought by fever, and only after a long time could + he whisper,—“Lygia!” + </p> + <p> + The basin trembled in her hand at that sound, but she turned on him eyes + full of sadness. + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with thee!” answered she, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + She stood there with extended arms, her face full of pity and sorrow. But + he gazed, as if to fill his sight with her, so that after his lids were + closed the picture might remain under them. He looked at her face, paler + and smaller than it had been, at the tresses of dark hair, at the poor + dress of a laboring woman; he looked so intently that her snowy forehead + began to grow rose-colored under the influence of his look. And first he + thought that he would love her always; and second, that that paleness of + hers and that poverty were his work,—that it was he who had driven + her from a house where she was loved, and surrounded with plenty and + comfort, and thrust her into that squalid room, and clothed her in that + poor robe of dark wool. + </p> + <p> + He would have arrayed her in the costliest brocade, in all the jewels of + the earth; hence astonishment, alarm, and pity seized him, and sorrow so + great that he would have fallen at her feet had he been able to move. + </p> + <p> + “Lygia,” said he, “thou didst not permit my death.” + </p> + <p> + “May God return health to thee,” she answered, with sweetness. + </p> + <p> + For Vinicius, who had a feeling both of those wrongs which he had + inflicted on her formerly, and those which he had wished to inflict on her + recently, there was a real balsam in Lygia’s words. He forgot at the + moment that through her mouth Christian teaching might speak; he felt only + that a beloved woman was speaking, and that in her answer there was a + special tenderness, a goodness simply preterhuman, which shook him to the + depth of his soul. As just before he had grown weak from pain, so now he + grew weak from emotion. A certain faintness came on him, at once immense + and agreeable. He felt as if falling into some abyss, but he felt that to + fall was pleasant, and that he was happy. He thought at that moment of + weakness that a divinity was standing above him. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Glaucus had finished washing the wound in his head, and had + applied a healing ointment. Ursus took the brass basin from Lygia’s hands; + she brought a cup of water and wine which stood ready on the table, and + put it to the wounded man’s lips. Vinicius drank eagerly, and felt great + relief. After the operation the pain had almost passed; the wound and + contusion began to grow firm; perfect consciousness returned to him. + </p> + <p> + “Give me another drink,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Lygia took the empty cup to the next room; meanwhile Crispus, after a few + words with Glaucus, approached the bed saying,— + </p> + <p> + “God has not permitted thee, Vinicius, to accomplish an evil deed, and has + preserved thee in life so that thou shouldst come to thy mind. He, before + whom man is but dust, delivered thee defenceless into our hands; but + Christ, in whom we believe, commanded us to love even our enemies. + Therefore we have dressed thy wounds, and, as Lygia has said, we will + implore God to restore thy health, but we cannot watch over thee longer. + Be in peace, then, and think whether it beseems thee to continue thy + pursuit of Lygia. Thou hast deprived her of guardians, and us of a roof, + though we return thee good for evil.” + </p> + <p> + “Do ye wish to leave me? inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “We wish to leave this house, in which prosecution by the prefect of the + city may reach us. Thy companion was killed; thou, who art powerful among + thy own people, art wounded. This did not happen through our fault, but + the anger of the law might fall on us.” + </p> + <p> + “Have no fear of prosecution,” replied Vinicius; “I will protect you.” + </p> + <p> + Crispus did not like to tell him that with them it was not only a question + of the prefect and the police, but of him; they wished to secure Lygia + from his further pursuit. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said he, “thy right arm is well. Here are tablets and a stilus; + write to thy servants to bring a litter this evening and bear thee to thy + own house, where thou wilt have more comfort than in our poverty. We dwell + here with a poor widow, who will return soon with her son, and this youth + will take thy letter; as to us, we must all find another hiding-place.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius grew pale, for he understood that they wished to separate him + from Lygia, and that if he lost her now he might never see her in life + again. He knew indeed that things of great import had come between him and + her, in virtue of which, if he wished to possess her, he must seek some + new methods which he had not had time yet to think over. He understood too + that whatever he might tell these people, though he should swear that he + would return Lygia to Pomponia Græcina, they would not believe him, and + were justified in refusing belief. Moreover, he might have done that + before. Instead of hunting for Lygia, he might have gone to Pomponia and + sworn to her that he renounced pursuit, and in that case Pomponia herself + would have found Lygia and brought her home. No; he felt that such + promises would not restrain them, and no solemn oath would be received, + the more since, not being a Christian, he could swear only by the immortal + gods, in whom he did not himself believe greatly, and whom they considered + evil spirits. + </p> + <p> + He desired desperately to influence Lygia and her guardians in some way, + but for that there was need of time. For him it was all-important to see + her, to look at her for a few days even. As every fragment of a plank or + an oar seems salvation to a drowning man, so to him it seemed that during + those few days he might say something to bring him nearer to her, that he + might think out something, that something favorable might happen. Hence he + collected his thoughts and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, Christians. Yesterday I was with you in Ostrianum, and I + heard your teaching; but though I did not know it, your deeds have + convinced me that you are honest and good people. Tell that widow who + occupies this house to stay in it, stay in it yourselves, and let me stay. + Let this man [here he turned to Glaucus], who is a physician, or at least + understands the care of wounds, tell whether it is possible to carry me + from here to-day. I am sick, I have a broken arm, which must remain + immovable for a few days even; therefore I declare to you that I will not + leave this house unless you bear me hence by force!” + </p> + <p> + Here he stopped, for breath failed in his breast, and Crispus said,—“We + will use no force against thee, lord; we will only take away our own + heads.” + </p> + <p> + At this the young man, unused to resistance, frowned and said,—“Permit + me to recover breath”; and after a time he began again to speak,—“Of + Croton, whom Ursus killed, no one will inquire. He had to go to-day to + Beneventum, whither he was summoned by Vatinius, therefore all will think + that he has gone there. When I entered this house in company with Croton, + no one saw us except a Greek who was with us in Ostrianum. I will indicate + to you his lodgings; bring that man to me. On him I will enjoin silence; + he is paid by me. I will send a letter to my own house stating that I too + went to Beneventum. If the Greek has informed the prefect already, I will + declare that I myself killed Croton, and that it was he who broke my arm. + I will do this, by my father’s shade and by my mother’s! Ye may remain in + safety here; not a hair will fall from the head of one of you. Bring + hither, and bring in haste, the Greek whose name is Chilo Chilonides!” + </p> + <p> + “Then Glaucus will remain with thee,” said Crispus, “and the widow will + nurse thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Consider, old man, what I say,” said Vinicius, who frowned still more. “I + owe thee gratitude, and thou seemest good and honest; but thou dost not + tell me what thou hast in the bottom of thy soul. Thou art afraid lest I + summon my slaves and command them to take Lygia. Is this true?” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said Crispus, with sternness. + </p> + <p> + “Then remember this, I shall speak before all to Chilo, and write a letter + home that I have gone to Beneventum. I shall have no messengers hereafter + but you. Remember this, and do not irritate me longer.” + </p> + <p> + Here he was indignant, and his face was contorted with anger. Afterward he + began to speak excitedly,— + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou thought that I would deny that I wish to stay here to see her? + A fool would have divined that, even had I denied it. But I will not try + to take her by force any longer. I will tell thee more: if she will not + stay here, I will tear the bandages with this sound hand from my arm, will + take neither food nor drink; let my death fall on thee and thy brethren. + Why hast thou nursed me? Why hast thou not commanded to kill me?” He grew + pale from weakness and anger. + </p> + <p> + Lygia, who had heard all from the other room and who was certain that + Vinicius would do what he promised, was terrified. She would not have him + die for anything. Wounded and defenceless, he roused in her compassion, + not fear. Living from the time of her flight among people in continual + religious enthusiasm, thinking only of sacrifices, offerings, and + boundless charity, she had grown so excited herself through that new + inspiration, that for her it took the place of house, family, lost + happiness, and made her one of those Christian maidens who, later on, + changed the former soul of the world. Vinicius had been too important in + her fate, had been thrust too much on her, to let her forget him. She had + thought of him whole days, and more than once had begged God for the + moment in which, following the inspiration of religion, she might return + good for his evil, mercy for his persecution, break him, win him to + Christ, save him. And now it seemed to her that precisely that moment had + come, and that her prayers had been heard. + </p> + <p> + She approached Crispus therefore with a face as if inspired, and addressed + him as though some other voice spoke through her,—“Let him stay + among us, Crispus, and we will stay with him till Christ gives him + health.” + </p> + <p> + The old presbyter, accustomed to seek in all things the inspiration of + God, beholding her exaltation, thought at once that perhaps a higher power + was speaking through her, and, fearing in his heart, he bent his gray + head, saying,—“Let it be as thou sayest.” + </p> + <p> + On Vinicius, who the whole time had not taken his eyes from her, this + ready obedience of Crispus produced a wonderful and pervading impression. + It seemed to him that among the Christians Lygia was a kind of sibyl or + priestess whom they surrounded with obedience and honor; and he yielded + himself also to that honor. To the love which he felt was joined now a + certain awe, in presence of which love itself became something almost + insolent. He could not familiarize himself, however, with the thought that + their relations had changed: that now not she was dependent on his will, + but he on hers; that he was lying there sick and broken; that he had + ceased to be an attacking, a conquering force; that he was like a + defenceless child in her care. For his proud and commanding nature such + relations with any other person would have been humiliating; now, however, + not only did he not feel humiliated, but he was thankful to her as to his + sovereign. In him those were feelings unheard-of, feelings which he could + not have entertained the day before, and which would have amazed him even + on that day had he been able to analyze them clearly. But he did not + inquire at the moment why it was so, just as if the position had been + perfectly natural; he merely felt happy because he remained there. + </p> + <p> + And he wished to thank her with gratefulness, and still with a kind of + feeling unknown to him in such a degree that he knew not what to call it, + for it was simply submission. His previous excitement had so exhausted him + that he could not speak, and he thanked her only with his eyes, which were + gleaming from delight because he remained near her, and would be able to + see her—to-morrow, next day, perhaps a long time. That delight was + diminished only by the dread that he might lose what he had gained. So + great was this dread that when Lygia gave him water a second time, and the + wish seized him to take her hand, he feared to do so. He feared!—he, + that Vinicius who at Cæsar’s feast had kissed her lips in spite of her! + he, that Vinicius who after her flight had promised himself to drag her by + the hair to the cubiculum, or give command to flog her! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXIV + </h2> + <p> + BUT he began also to fear that some outside force might disturb his + delight. Chilo might give notice of his disappearance to the prefect of + the city, or to his freedmen at home; and in such an event an invasion of + the house by the city guards was likely. Through his head flew the + thought, it is true, that in that event he might give command to seize + Lygia and shut her up in his house, but he felt that he ought not to do + so, and he was not capable of acting thus. He was tyrannical, insolent, + and corrupt enough, if need be he was inexorable, but he was not + Tigellinus or Nero. Military life had left in him a certain feeling of + justice, and religion, and a conscience to understand that such a deed + would be monstrously mean. He would have been capable, perhaps, of + committing such a deed during an access of anger and while in possession + of his strength, but at that moment he was filled with tenderness, and was + sick. The only question for Vinicius at that time was that no one should + stand between him and Lygia. + </p> + <p> + He noticed, too, with astonishment, that from the moment when Lygia had + taken his part, neither she herself nor Crispus asked from him any + assurances, just as if they felt confident that, in case of need, some + superhuman power would defend them. The young tribune, in whose head the + distinction between things possible and impossible had grown involved and + faint since the discourse of the Apostle in Ostrianum, was also not too + far from supposing that that might take place. But considering things more + soberly, he remembered what he had said of the Greek, and asked again that + Chilo be brought to him. + </p> + <p> + Crispus agreed, and they decided to send Ursus. Vinicius, who in recent + days, before his visit to Ostrianum, had sent slaves frequently to Chilo, + though without result, indicated his lodgings accurately to the Lygian; + then writing a few words on the tablet, he said, turning to Crispus,—“I + give a tablet, for this man is suspicious and cunning. Frequently when + summoned by me, he gave directions to answer my people that he was not at + home; he did so always when he had no good news for me, and feared my + anger.” + </p> + <p> + “If I find him, I will bring him, willing or unwilling,” said Ursus. Then, + taking his mantle, he went out hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + To find any one in Rome was not easy, even with the most accurate + directions; but in those cases the instinct of a hunter aided Ursus, and + also his great knowledge of the city. After a certain time, therefore, he + found himself at Chilo’s lodgings. + </p> + <p> + He did not recognize Chilo, however. He had seen him but once in his life + before, and moreover, in the night. Besides, that lofty and confident old + man who had persuaded him to murder Glaucus was so unlike the Greek, bent + double from terror, that no one could suppose the two to be one person. + Chilo, noticing that Ursus looked at him as a perfect stranger, recovered + from his first fear. The sight of the tablet, with the writing of + Vinicius, calmed him still more. At least the suspicion that he would take + him into an ambush purposely did not trouble him. He thought, besides, + that the Christians had not killed Vinicius, evidently because they had + not dared to raise hands on so noted a person. + </p> + <p> + “And then Vinicius will protect me in case of need,” thought he; “of + course he does not send to deliver me to death.” + </p> + <p> + Summoning some courage, therefore, he said: “My good man, has not my + friend the noble Vinicius sent a litter? My feet are swollen; I cannot + walk so far.” + </p> + <p> + “He has not,” answered Ursus; “we shall go on foot.” + </p> + <p> + “But if I refuse?” + </p> + <p> + “Do not, for thou wilt have to go.” + </p> + <p> + “And I will go, but of my own will. No one could force me, for I am a free + man, and a friend of the prefect of the city. As a sage, I have also means + to overcome others, and I know how to turn people into trees and wild + beasts. But I will go, I will go! I will only put on a mantle somewhat + warmer, and a hood, lest the slaves of that quarter might recognize me; + they would stop me every moment to kiss my hands.” + </p> + <p> + He put on a new mantle then, and let down a broad Gallic hood, lest Ursus + might recognize his features on coming into clearer light. + </p> + <p> + “Where wilt thou take me?” asked he on the road. + </p> + <p> + “To the Trans-Tiber.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not long in Rome, and I have never been there, but there too, of + course, live men who love virtue.” + </p> + <p> + But Ursus, who was a simple man, and had heard Vinicius say that the Greek + had been with him in Ostrianum, and had seen him with Croton enter the + house in which Lygia lived, stopped for a moment and said,—“Speak no + untruth, old man, for to-day thou wert with Vinicius in Ostrianum and + under our gate.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Chilo, “then is your house in the Trans-Tiber? I have not been + long in Rome, and know not how the different parts are named. That is + true, friend; I was under the gate, and implored Vinicius in the name of + virtue not to enter. I was in Ostrianum, and dost thou know why? I am + working for a certain time over the conversion of Vinicius, and wished him + to hear the chief of the Apostles. May the light penetrate his soul and + thine! But thou art a Christian, and wishest truth to overcome falsehood.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” answered Ursus, with humility. + </p> + <p> + Courage returned to Chilo completely. + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius is a powerful lord,” said he, “and a friend of Cæsar. He listens + often yet to the whisperings of the evil spirit; but if even a hair should + fall from his head, Cæsar would take vengeance on all the Christians.” + </p> + <p> + “A higher power is protecting us.” + </p> + <p> + “Surely, surely! But what do ye intend to do with Vinicius?” inquired + Chilo, with fresh alarm. + </p> + <p> + “I know not. Christ commands mercy.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast answered excellently. Think of this always, or thou wilt fry in + hell like a sausage in a frying-pan.” + </p> + <p> + Ursus sighed, and Chilo thought that he could always do what he liked with + that man, who was terrible at the moment of his first outburst. So, + wishing to know what happened at the seizing of Lygia, he asked further, + in the voice of a stern judge,—“How did ye treat Croton? Speak, and + do not prevaricate.” + </p> + <p> + Ursus sighed a second time. “Vinicius will tell thee.” + </p> + <p> + “That means that thou didst stab him with a knife, or kill him with a + club.” + </p> + <p> + “I was without arms.” + </p> + <p> + The Greek could not resist amazement at the superhuman strength of the + barbarian. + </p> + <p> + “May Pluto—that is to say, may Christ pardon thee!” + </p> + <p> + They went on for some time in silence; then Chilo said: + </p> + <p> + “I will not betray thee; but have a care of the watches.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear Christ, not the watches.” + </p> + <p> + “And that is proper. There is no more grievous crime than murder. I will + pray for thee; but I know not if even my prayer can be effective, unless + thou make a vow never to touch any one in life with a finger.” + </p> + <p> + “As it is, I have not killed purposely,” answered Ursus. + </p> + <p> + But Chilo, who desired to secure himself in every case, did not cease to + condemn murder, and urge Ursus to make the vow. He inquired also about + Vinicius; but the Lygian answered his inquiries unwillingly, repeating + that from Vinicius himself he would hear what he needed. Speaking in this + way, they passed at last the long road which separated the lodgings of the + Greek from the Trans-Tiber, and found themselves before the house. Chilo’s + heart began to beat again unquietly. From dread it seemed to him that + Ursus was beginning to look at him with a kind of greedy expression. + </p> + <p> + “It is small consolation to me,” said he to himself, “if he kills me + unwillingly. I prefer in every case that paralysis should strike him, and + with him all the Lygians,—which do thou effect, O Zeus, if thou art + able.” + </p> + <p> + Thus meditating, he wrapped himself more closely in his Gallic mantle, + repeating that he feared the cold. Finally, when they had passed the + entrance and the first court, and found themselves in the corridor leading + to the garden of the little house, he halted suddenly and said,—“Let + me draw breath, or I shall not be able to speak with Vinicius and give him + saving advice.” + </p> + <p> + He halted; for though he said to himself that no danger threatened, still + his legs trembled under him at the thought that he was among those + mysterious people whom he had seen in Ostrianum. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile a hymn came to their ears from the little house. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” inquired Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “Thou sayest that thou art a Christian, and knowest not that among us it + is the custom after every meal to glorify our Saviour with singing,” + answered Ursus. “Miriam and her son must have returned, and perhaps the + Apostle is with them, for he visits the widow and Crispus every day.” + </p> + <p> + “Conduct me directly to Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius is in the same room with all, for that is the only large one; + the others are very small chambers, to which we go only to sleep. Come in; + thou wilt rest there.” + </p> + <p> + They entered. It was rather dark in the room; the evening was cloudy and + cold, the flames of a few candles did not dispel the darkness altogether. + Vinicius divined rather than recognized Chilo in the hooded man. Chilo, + seeing the bed in the corner of the room, and on it Vinicius, moved toward + him directly, not looking at the others, as if with the conviction that it + would be safest near him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, lord, why didst thou not listen to my counsels?” exclaimed he, + putting his hands together. + </p> + <p> + “Silence!” said Vinicius, “and listen!” + </p> + <p> + Here he looked sharply into Chilo’s eyes, and spoke slowly with emphasis, + as if wishing the Greek to understand every word of his as a command, and + to keep it forever in memory. + </p> + <p> + “Croton threw himself on me to kill and rob me, dost understand? I killed + him then, and these people dressed the wounds which I received in the + struggle.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo understood in a moment that if Vinicius spoke in this way it must be + in virtue of some agreement with the Christians, and in that case he + wished people to believe him. He saw this, too, from his face; hence in + one moment, without showing doubt or astonishment, he raised his eyes and + exclaimed,—“That was a faith-breaking ruffian! But I warned thee, + lord, not to trust him; my teachings bounded from his head as do peas when + thrown against a wall. In all Hades there are not torments enough for him. + He who cannot be honest must be a rogue; what is more difficult than for a + rogue to become honest? But to fall on his benefactor, a lord so + magnanimous—O gods!” + </p> + <p> + Here he remembered that he had represented himself to Ursus on the way as + a Christian, and stopped. + </p> + <p> + “Were it not for the ‘sica,’ which I brought, he would have slain me,” + said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “I bless the moment in which I advised thee to take a knife even.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius turned an inquiring glance on the Greek, and asked,—“What + hast thou done to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “How? What! have I not told thee, lord, that I made a vow for thy health?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing more?” + </p> + <p> + “I was just preparing to visit thee, when this good man came and said that + thou hadst sent for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is a tablet. Thou wilt go with it to my house; thou wilt find my + freedman and give it to him. It is written on the tablet that I have gone + to Beneventum. Thou wilt tell Demas from thyself that I went this morning, + summoned by an urgent letter from Petronius.” Here he repeated with + emphasis: “I have gone to Beneventum, dost understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou has gone, lord. This morning I took leave of thee at the Porta + Capena, and from the time of thy departure such sadness possesses me that + if thy magnanimity will not soften it, I shall cry myself to death, like + the unhappy wife of Zethos [Aedon turned into a nightingale] in grief for + Itylos.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, though sick and accustomed to the Greek’s suppleness, could not + repress a smile. He was glad, moreover, that Chilo understood in a flash; + hence he said, + </p> + <p> + “Therefore I will write that thy tears be wiped away. Give me the candle.” + Chilo, now pacified perfectly, rose, and, advancing a few steps toward the + chimney, took one of the candles which was burning at the wall. But while + he was doing this, the hood slipped from his head, and the light fell + directly on his face. Glaucus sprang from his seat and, coming up quickly, + stood before him. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou not recognize me, Cephas?” asked he. In his voice there was + something so terrible that a shiver ran through all present. + </p> + <p> + Chilo raised the candle, and dropped it to the earth almost the same + instant; then he bent nearly double and began to groan,—“I am not he—I + am not he! Mercy!” + </p> + <p> + Glaucus turned toward the faithful, and said,—“This is the man who + betrayed—who ruined me and my family!” + </p> + <p> + That history was known to all the Christians and to Vinicius, who had not + guessed who that Glaucus was,—for this reason only, that he fainted + repeatedly from pain during the dressing of his wound, and had not heard + his name. But for Ursus that short moment, with the words of Glaucus, was + like a lightning-flash in darkness. Recognizing Chilo, he was at his side + with one spring, and, seizing his arm, bent it back, exclaiming,—“This + is the man who persuaded me to kill Glaucus!” + </p> + <p> + “Mercy!” groaned Chilo. “I will give you—O lord!” exclaimed he, + turning his head to Vinicius, “save me! I trusted in thee, take my part. + Thy letter—I will deliver it. O lord, lord!” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius, who looked with more indifference than any one at what was + passing, first because all the affairs of the Greek were more or less + known to him, and second because his heart knew not what pity was, said,—“Bury + him in the garden; some one else will take the letter.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Chilo that those words were his final sentence. His bones + were shaking in the terrible hands of Ursus; his eyes were filled with + tears from pain. + </p> + <p> + “By your God, pity!” cried he; “I am a Christian! Pax vobiscum! I am a + Christian; and if ye do not believe me, baptize me again, baptize me + twice, ten times! Glaucus, that is a mistake! Let me speak, make me a + slave! Do not kill me! Have mercy!” + </p> + <p> + His voice, stifled with pain, was growing weaker and weaker, when the + Apostle Peter rose at the table; for a moment his white head shook, + drooping toward his breast, and his eyes were closed; but he opened them + then, and said amid silence,— + </p> + <p> + “The Saviour said this to us: ‘If thy brother has sinned against thee, + chastise him; but if he is repentant, forgive him. And if he has offended + seven times in the day against thee, and has turned to thee seven times, + saying, “Have mercy on me!” forgive him.’” + </p> + <p> + Then came a still deeper silence. Glaucus remained a long time with his + hands covering his face; at last he removed them and said,—“Cephas, + may God forgive thy offences, as I forgive them in the name of Christ.” + </p> + <p> + Ursus, letting go the arms of the Greek, added at once: + </p> + <p> + “May the Saviour be merciful to thee as I forgive thee.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo dropped to the ground, and, supported on it with his hands, turned + his head like a wild beast caught in a snare, looking around to see whence + death might come. He did not trust his eyes and ears yet, and dared not + hope for forgiveness. Consciousness returned to him slowly; his blue lips + were still trembling from terror. + </p> + <p> + “Depart in peace!” said the Apostle, meanwhile. + </p> + <p> + Chilo rose, but could not speak. He approached the bed of Vinicius, as if + seeking protection in it still; for he had not time yet to think that that + man, though he had used his services and was still his accomplice, + condemned him, while those against whom he had acted forgave. This thought + was to come to him later. At present simply astonishment and incredulity + were evident in his look. Though he had seen that they forgave him, he + wished to bear away his head at the earliest from among these + incomprehensible people, whose kindness terrified him almost as much as + their cruelty would have terrified. It seemed to him that should he remain + longer, something unexpected would happen again; hence, standing above + Vinicius, he said with a broken voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Give the letter, lord,—give the letter!” + </p> + <p> + And snatching the tablet which Vinicius handed him, he made one obeisance + to the Christians, another to the sick man, pushed along sidewise by the + very wall, and hurried out through the door. In the garden, when darkness + surrounded him, fear raised the hair on his head again, for he felt sure + that Ursus would rush out and kill him in the night. He would have run + with all his might, but his legs would not move; next moment they were + perfectly uncontrollable, for Ursus stood near him really. + </p> + <p> + Chilo fell with his face to the earth, and began to groan: “Urban—in + Christ’s name”— + </p> + <p> + But Urban said: “Fear not. The Apostle commanded me to lead thee out + beyond the gate, lest thou might go astray in the darkness, and, if + strength failed thee, to conduct thee home.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou say?” asked Chilo, raising his face. “What? Thou wilt not + kill me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not; and if I seized thee too roughly and harmed a bone in + thee, pardon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Help me to rise,” said the Greek. “Thou wilt not kill me? Thou wilt not? + Take me to the Street; I will go farther alone.” + </p> + <p> + Ursus raised him as he might a feather, and placed him on his feet; then + he conducted him through the dark corridor to the second court. From there + was a passage to the entrance and the street. In the corridor Chilo + repeated again in his soul, “It is all over with me!” Only when he found + himself on the street did he recover and say, “I can go on alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with thee.” + </p> + <p> + “And with thee! and with thee! Let me draw breath.” + </p> + <p> + And after Ursus had gone, he breathed with a full breast. He felt his + waist and hips, as if to convince himself that he was living, and then + moved forward with hurried step. + </p> + <p> + “But why did they not kill me?” And in spite of all his talk with Euricius + about Christian teaching, in spite of his conversation at the river with + Urban, and in spite of all that he had heard in Ostrianum, he could find + no answer to that question. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXV + </h2> + <p> + NEITHER could Vinicius discover the cause of what had happened; and in the + bottom of his soul he was almost as much astonished as Chilo. That those + people should treat him as they had, and, instead of avenging his attack, + dress his wounds carefully, he ascribed partly to the doctrine which they + confessed, more to Lygia, and a little, also, to his great significance. + But their conduct with Chilo simply went beyond his understanding of man’s + power of forgiveness. And the question thrust itself into his mind: Why + did they not kill the Greek? They might have killed him with impunity. + Ursus would have buried him in the garden, or borne him in the dark to the + Tiber, which during that period of night-murders, committed by Cæsar + himself even, cast up human bodies so frequently in the morning that no + one inquired whence they came. To his thinking, the Christians had not + only the power, but the right to kill Chilo. True, pity was not entirely a + stranger to that world to which the young patrician belonged. The + Athenians raised an altar to pity, and opposed for a long time the + introduction of gladiatorial combats into Athens. In Rome itself the + conquered received pardon sometimes, as, for instance, Calicratus, king of + the Britons, who, taken prisoner in the time of Claudius, and provided for + by him bountifully, dwelt in the city in freedom. But vengeance for a + personal wrong seemed to Vinicius, as to all, proper and justified. The + neglect of it was entirely opposed to his spirit. True, he had heard in + Ostrianum that one should love even enemies; that, however, he considered + as a kind of theory without application in life. And now this passed + through his head: that perhaps they had not killed Chilo because the day + was among festivals, or was in some period of the moon during which it was + not proper for Christians to kill a man. He had heard that there are days + among various nations on which it is not permitted to begin war even. But + why, in such a case, did they not deliver the Greek up to justice? Why did + the Apostle say that if a man offended seven times, it was necessary to + forgive him seven times; and why did Glaucus say to Chilo, “May God + forgive thee, as I forgive thee”? + </p> + <p> + Chilo had done him the most terrible wrong that one man could do another. + At the very thought of how he would act with a man who killed Lygia, for + instance, the heart of Vinicius seethed up, as does water in a caldron; + there were no torments which he would not inflict in his vengeance! But + Glaucus had forgiven; Ursus, too, had forgiven,—Ursus, who might in + fact kill whomever he wished in Rome with perfect impunity, for all he + needed was to kill the king of the grove in Nemi, and take his place. + Could the gladiator holding that office to which he had succeeded only by + killing the previous “king,” resist the man whom Croton could not resist? + There was only one answer to all these questions: that they refrained from + killing him through a goodness so great that the like of it had not been + in the world up to that time, and through an unbounded love of man, which + commands to forget one’s self, one’s wrongs, one’s happiness and + misfortune, and live for others. What reward those people were to receive + for this, Vinicius heard in Ostrianum, but he could not understand it. He + felt, however, that the earthly life connected with the duty of renouncing + everything good and rich for the benefit of others must be wretched. So in + what he thought of the Christians at that moment, besides the greatest + astonishment, there was pity, and as it were a shade of contempt. It + seemed to him that they were sheep which earlier or later must be eaten by + wolves; his Roman nature could yield no recognition to people who let + themselves be devoured. This one thing struck him, however,—that + after Chilo’s departure the faces of all were bright with a certain deep + joy. The Apostle approached Glaucus, placed his hand on his head, and + said,—“In thee Christ has triumphed.” + </p> + <p> + The other raised his eyes, which were full of hope, and as bright with joy + as if some great unexpected happiness had been poured on him. Vinicius, + who could understand only joy or delight born of vengeance, looked on him + with eyes staring from fever, and somewhat as he would on a madman. He + saw, however, and saw not without internal indignation, that Lygia pressed + her lips of a queen to the hand of that man, who had the appearance of a + slave; and it seemed to him that the order of the world was inverted + utterly. Next Ursus told how he had conducted Chilo to the street, and had + asked forgiveness for the harm which he might have done his bones; for + this the Apostle blessed him also. Crispus declared that it was a day of + great victory. Hearing of this victory, Vinicius lost the thread of his + thought altogether. + </p> + <p> + But when Lygia gave him a cooling draught again, he held her hand for a + moment, and asked,—“Then must thou also forgive me?” + </p> + <p> + “We are Christians; it is not permitted us to keep anger in the heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Lygia,” said he, “whoever thy God is, I honor Him only because He is + thine.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt honor Him in thy heart when thou lovest Him.” + </p> + <p> + “Only because He is thine,” repeated Vinicius, in a fainter voice; and he + closed his eyes, for weakness had mastered him again. + </p> + <p> + Lygia went out, but returned after a time, and bent over him to learn if + he were sleeping. Vinicius, feeling that she was near, opened his eyes and + smiled. She placed her hand over them lightly, as if to incline him to + slumber. A great sweetness seized him then; but soon he felt more + grievously ill than before, and was very ill in reality. Night had come, + and with it a more violent fever. He could not sleep, and followed Lygia + with his eyes wherever she went. + </p> + <p> + At times he fell into a kind of doze, in which he saw and heard everything + which happened around him, but in which reality was mingled with feverish + dreams. It seemed to him that in some old, deserted cemetery stood a + temple, in the form of a tower, in which Lygia was priestess. He did not + take his eyes from her, but saw her on the summit of the tower, with a + lute in her hands, all in the light, like those priestesses who in the + night-time sing hymns in honor of the moon, and whom he had seen in the + Orient. He himself was climbing up winding steps, with great effort, to + bear her away with him. Behind was creeping up Chilo, with teeth + chattering from terror, and repeating, “Do not do that, lord; she is a + priestess, for whom He will take vengeance.” Vinicius did not know who + that He was, but he understood that he himself was going to commit some + sacrilege, and he felt a boundless fear also. But when he went to the + balustrade surrounding the summit of the tower, the Apostle with his + silvery beard stood at Lygia’s side on a sudden, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Do not raise a hand; she belongs to me.” Then he moved forward with her, + on a path formed by rays from the moon, as if on a path made to heaven. He + stretched his hands toward them, and begged both to take him into their + company. + </p> + <p> + Here he woke, became conscious, and looked before him. The lamp on the + tall staff shone more dimly, but still cast a light sufficiently clear. + All were sitting in front of the fire warming themselves, for the night + was chilly, and the chamber rather cold. Vinicius saw the breath coming as + steam from their lips. In the midst of them sat the Apostle; at his knees, + on a low footstool, was Lygia; farther on, Glaucus, Crispus, Miriam, and + at the edge, on one side Ursus, on the other Miriam’s son Nazarius, a + youth with a handsome face, and long, dark hair reaching down to his + shoulders. + </p> + <p> + Lygia listened with eyes raised to the Apostle, and every head was turned + toward him, while he told something in an undertone. Vinicius gazed at + Peter with a certain superstitious awe, hardly inferior to that terror + which he felt during the fever dream. The thought passed through his mind + that that dream had touched truth; that the gray-haired man there, freshly + come from distant shores, would take Lygia from him really, and take her + somewhere away by unknown paths. He felt sure also that the old man was + speaking of him, perhaps telling how to separate him from Lygia, for it + seemed to him impossible that any one could speak of aught else. Hence, + collecting all his presence of mind, he listened to Peter’s words. + </p> + <p> + But he was mistaken altogether, for the Apostle was speaking of Christ + again. + </p> + <p> + “They live only through that name,” thought Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + The old man was describing the seizure of Christ. “A company came, and + servants of the priest to seize Him. When the Saviour asked whom they were + seeking, they answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ But when He said to them, ‘I + am He,’ they fell on the ground, and dared not raise a hand on Him. Only + after the second inquiry did they seize Him.” + </p> + <p> + Here the Apostle stopped, stretched his hands toward the fire and + continued:—“The night was cold, like this one, but the heart in me + was seething; so, drawing a sword to defend Him, I cut an ear from the + servant of the high-priest. I would have defended Him more than my own + life had He not said to me, ‘Put thy sword into the sheath: the cup which + my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?’ Then they seized and bound + Him.” + </p> + <p> + When he had spoken thus far, Peter placed his palm on his forehead, and + was silent, wishing before he went further to stop the crowd of his + recollections. But Ursus, unable to restrain himself, sprang to his feet, + trimmed the light on the staff till the sparks scattered in golden rain + and the flame shot up with more vigor. Then he sat down, and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “No matter what happened. I—” + </p> + <p> + He stopped suddenly, for Lygia had put her finger to her lips. But he + breathed loudly, and it was clear that a storm was in his soul; and though + he was ready at all times to kiss the feet of the Apostle, that act was + one he could not accept; if some one in his presence had raised hands on + the Redeemer, if he had been with Him on that night—Oi! splinters + would have shot from the soldiers, the servants of the priest, and the + officials. Tears came to his eyes at the very thought of this, and because + of his sorrow and mental struggle; for on the one hand he thought that he + would not only have defended the Redeemer, but would have called Lygians + to his aid,—splendid fellows,—and on the other, if he had + acted thus he would have disobeyed the Redeemer, and hindered the + salvation of man. For this reason he could not keep back his tears. + </p> + <p> + After a while Peter took his palm from his forehead, and resumed the + narrative. But Vinicius was overpowered by a new feverish, waking dream. + What he heard now was in his mind mixed up with what the Apostle had told + the night previous in Ostrianum, of that day in which Christ appeared on + the shore of the sea of Tiberius. He saw a sheet of water broadly spread + out; on it the boat of a fisherman, and in the boat Peter and Lygia. He + himself was moving with all his might after that boat, but pain in his + broken arm prevented him from reaching it. The wind hurled waves in his + eyes, he began to sink, and called with entreating voice for rescue. Lygia + knelt down then before the Apostle, who turned his boat, and reached an + oar, which Vinicius seized: with their assistance he entered the boat and + fell on the bottom of it. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him, then, that he stood up, and saw a multitude of people + sailing after them. Waves covered their heads with foam; in the whirl only + the hands of a few could be seen; but Peter saved the drowning time after + time, and gathered them into his boat, which grew larger, as if by a + miracle. Soon crowds filled it, as numerous as those which were collected + in Ostrianum, and then still greater crowds. Vinicius wondered how they + could find place there, and he was afraid that they would sink to the + bottom. But Lygia pacified him by showing him a light on the distant shore + toward which they were sailing. These dream pictures of Vinicius were + blended again with descriptions which he had heard in Ostrianum, from the + lips of the Apostle, as to how Christ had appeared on the lake once. So + that he saw now in that light on the shore a certain form toward which + Peter was steering, and as he approached it the weather grew calmer, the + water grew smoother, the light became greater. The crowd began to sing + sweet hymns; the air was filled with the odor of nard; the play of water + formed a rainbow, as if from the bottom of the lake lilies and roses were + looking, and at last the boat struck its breast safely against the sand. + Lygia took his hand then, and said, “Come, I will lead thee!” and she led + him to the light. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius woke again; but his dreaming ceased slowly, and he did not + recover at once the sense of reality. It seemed for a time to him that he + was still on the lake, and surrounded by crowds, among which, not knowing + the reason himself, he began to look for Petronius, and was astonished not + to find him. The bright light from the chimney, at which there was no one + at that time, brought him completely to his senses. Olive sticks were + burning slowly under the rosy ashes; but the splinters of pine, which + evidently had been put there some moments before, shot up a bright flame, + and in the light of this, Vinicius saw Lygia, sitting not far from his + bedside. + </p> + <p> + The sight of her touched him to the depth of his soul. He remembered that + she had spent the night before in Ostrianum, and had busied herself the + whole day in nursing him, and now when all had gone to rest, she was the + only one watching. It was easy to divine that she must be wearied, for + while sitting motionless her eyes were closed. Vinicius knew not whether + she was sleeping or sunk in thought. He looked at her profile, at her + drooping lashes, at her hands lying on her knees; and in his pagan head + the idea began to hatch with difficulty that at the side of naked beauty, + confident, and proud of Greek and Roman symmetry, there is another in the + world, new, immensely pure, in which a soul has its dwelling. + </p> + <p> + He could not bring himself so far as to call it Christian, but, thinking + of Lygia, he could not separate her from the religion which she confessed. + He understood, even, that if all the others had gone to rest, and she + alone were watching, she whom he had injured, it was because her religion + commanded her to watch. But that thought, which filled him with wonder for + the religion, was disagreeable to him. He would rather that Lygia acted + thus out of love for him, his face, his eyes, his statuesque form,—in + a word for reasons because of which more than once snow-white Grecian and + Roman arms had been wound around his neck. + </p> + <p> + Still he felt all at once, that, were she like other women, something + would be lacking in her. He was amazed, and knew not what was happening in + him; for he saw that new feelings of some kind were rising in him, new + likings, strange to the world in which he had lived hitherto. + </p> + <p> + She opened her eyes then, and, seeing that Vinicius was gazing at her, she + approached him and said,—“I am with thee.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw thy soul in a dream,” replied he. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXVI + </h2> + <p> + NEXT morning he woke up weak, but with a cool head and free of fever. It + seemed to him that a whispered conversation had roused him; but when he + opened his eyes, Lygia was not there. Ursus, stooping before the chimney, + was raking apart the gray ashes, and seeking live coals beneath them. When + he found some, he began to blow, not with his mouth, but as it were with + the bellows of a blacksmith. Vinicius, remembering how that man had + crushed Croton the day before, examined with attention befitting a lover + of the arena his gigantic back, which resembled the back of a Cyclops, and + his limbs strong as columns. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to Mercury that my neck was not broken by him,” thought Vinicius. + “By Pollux! if the other Lygians are like this one, the Danubian legions + will have heavy work some time!” + </p> + <p> + But aloud he said, “Hei, slave!” + </p> + <p> + Ursus drew his head out of the chimney, and, smiling in a manner almost + friendly, said,—“God give thee a good day, lord, and good health; + but I am a free man, not a slave.” + </p> + <p> + On Vinicius who wished to question Ursus touching Lygia’s birthplace, + these words produced a certain pleasant impression; for discourse with a + free though a common man was less disagreeable to his Roman and patrician + pride, than with a slave, in whom neither law nor custom recognized human + nature. + </p> + <p> + “Then thou dost not belong to Aulus?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “No, lord, I serve Callina, as I served her mother, of my own will.” + </p> + <p> + Here he hid his head again in the chimney, to blow the coals, on which he + had placed some wood. When he had finished, he took it out and said,—“With + us there are no slaves.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Lygia?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “She has gone out, and I am to cook food for thee. She watched over thee + the whole night.” + </p> + <p> + “Why didst thou not relieve her?” + </p> + <p> + “Because she wished to watch, and it is for me to obey.” Here his eyes + grew gloomy, and after a while he added: + </p> + <p> + “If I had disobeyed her, thou wouldst not be living.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou sorry for not having killed me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, lord. Christ has not commanded us to kill.” + </p> + <p> + “But Atacinus and Croton?” + </p> + <p> + “I could not do otherwise,” muttered Ursus. And he looked with regret on + his hands, which had remained pagan evidently, though his soul had + accepted the cross. Then he put a pot on the crane, and fixed his + thoughtful eyes on the fire. + </p> + <p> + “That was thy fault, lord,” said he at last. “Why didst thou raise thy + hand against her, a king’s daughter?” + </p> + <p> + Pride boiled up, at the first moment, in Vinicius, because a common man + and a barbarian had not merely dared to speak to him thus familiarly, but + to blame him in addition. To those uncommon and improbable things which + had met him since yesterday, was added another. But being weak and without + his slaves, he restrained himself, especially since a wish to learn some + details of Lygia’s life gained the upper hand in him. + </p> + <p> + When he had calmed himself, therefore, he inquired about the war of the + Lygians against Vannius and the Suevi. Ursus was glad to converse, but + could not add much that was new to what in his time Aulus Plautius had + told. Ursus had not been in battle, for he had attended the hostages to + the camp of Atelius Hister. He knew only that the Lygians had beaten the + Suevi and the Yazygi, but that their leader and king had fallen from the + arrows of the Yazygi. Immediately after they received news that the + Semnones had set fire to forests on their boundaries, they returned in + haste to avenge the wrong, and the hostages remained with Atelius, who + ordered at first to give them kingly honors. Afterward Lygia’s mother + died. The Roman commander knew not what to do with the child. Ursus wished + to return with her to their own country, but the road was unsafe because + of wild beasts and wild tribes. When news came that an embassy of Lygians + had visited Pomponius, offering him aid against the Marcomani, Hister sent + him with Lygia to Pomponius. When they came to him they learned, however, + that no ambassadors had been there, and in that way they remained in the + camp; whence Pomponius took them to Rome, and at the conclusion of his + triumph he gave the king’s daughter to Pomponia Græcina. + </p> + <p> + Though only certain small details of this narrative had been unknown to + Vinicius, he listened with pleasure, for his enormous pride of family was + pleased that an eye-witness had confirmed Lygia’s royal descent. As a + king’s daughter she might occupy a position at Cæsar’s court equal to the + daughters of the very first families, all the more since the nation whose + ruler her father had been, had not warred with Rome so far, and, though + barbarian, it might become terrible; for, according to Atelius Hister + himself, it possessed an immense force of warriors. Ursus, moreover, + confirmed this completely. + </p> + <p> + “We live in the woods,” said he, in answer to Vinicius, “but we have so + much land that no man knows where the end is, and there are many people on + it. There are also wooden towns in the forest, in which there is great + plenty; for what the Semnones, the Marcomani, the Vandals, and the Quadi + plunder through the world, we take from them. They dare not come to us; + but when the wind blows from their side, they burn our forests. We fear + neither them nor the Roman Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + “The gods gave Rome dominion over the earth,” said Vinicius severely. + </p> + <p> + “The gods are evil spirits,” replied Ursus, with simplicity, “and where + there are no Romans, there is no supremacy.” + </p> + <p> + Here he fixed the fire, and said, as if to himself,—“When Cæsar took + Callina to the palace, and I thought that harm might meet her, I wanted to + go to the forest and bring Lygians to help the king’s daughter. And + Lygians would have moved toward the Danube, for they are virtuous people + though pagan. There I should have given them ‘good tidings.’ But as it is, + if ever Callina returns to Pomponia Græcina I will bow down to her for + permission to go to them; for Christus was born far away, and they have + not even heard of Him. He knew better than I where He should be born; but + if He had come to the world with us, in the forests, we would not have + tortured Him to death, that is certain. We would have taken care of the + Child, and guarded Him, so that never should He want for game, mushrooms, + beaver-skins, or amber. And what we plundered from the Suevi and the + Marcomani we would have given Him, so that He might have comfort and + plenty.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he put near the fire the vessel with food for Vinicius, and + was silent. His thoughts wandered evidently, for a time yet, through the + Lygian wildernesses, till the liquid began to boil; then he poured it into + a shallow plate, and, cooling it properly, said,—“Glaucus advises + thee, lord, to move even thy sound arm as little as possible; Callina has + commanded me to give thee food.” + </p> + <p> + Lygia commanded! There was no answer to that. It did not even come to + Vinicius’s head to oppose her will, just as if she had been the daughter + of Cæsar or a goddess. He uttered not a word, therefore; and Ursus, + sitting near his bed, took out the liquid with a small cup, and put it to + his mouth. He did this so carefully, and with such a kindly smile, that + Vinicius could not believe his own eyes, could not think him the same + terrible Titan who the day before had crushed Croton, and, rushing on him + like a storm, would have torn him to pieces but for Lygia’s pity. The + young patrician, for the first time in life, began to ponder over this: + What can take place in the breast of a simple man, a barbarian, and a + servant? + </p> + <p> + But Ursus proved to be a nurse as awkward as painstaking; the cup was lost + among his herculean fingers so completely that there was no place left for + the mouth of the sick man. After a few fruitless efforts the giant was + troubled greatly, and said,—“Li! it would be easier to lead an + aurochs out of a snare.” + </p> + <p> + The anxiety of the Lygian amused Vinicius, but his remark did not interest + him less. He had seen in circuses the terrible urus, brought from + wildernesses of the north, against which the most daring bestiarii went + with dread, and which yielded only to elephants in size and strength. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou tried to take such beasts by the horns?” inquired he, with + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Till the twentieth winter passed over me, I was afraid,” answered Ursus; + “but after that it happened.” + </p> + <p> + And he began to feed Vinicius still more awkwardly than before. + </p> + <p> + “I must ask Miriam or Nazarius,” said he. + </p> + <p> + But now Lygia’s pale face appeared from behind the curtain. + </p> + <p> + “I will assist directly,” said she. And after a while she came from the + cubiculum, in which she had been preparing to sleep, as it seemed, for she + was in a single close tunic, called by the ancients capitium, covering the + breast completely, and her hair was unbound. Vinicius, whose heart beat + with more quickness at sight of her, began to upbraid her for not thinking + of sleep yet; but she answered joyously,—“I was just preparing to + sleep, but first I will take the place of Ursus.” + </p> + <p> + She took the cup, and, sitting on the edge of the bed, began to give food + to Vinicius, who felt at once overcome and delighted. When she inclined + toward him, the warmth of her body struck him, and her unbound hair fell + on his breast. He grew pale from the impression; but in the confusion and + impulse of desires he felt also that that was a head dear above all and + magnified above all, in comparison with which the whole world was nothing. + At first he had desired her; now he began to love her with a full breast. + Before that, as generally in life and in feeling, he had been, like all + people of that time, a blind, unconditional egotist, who thought only of + himself; at present he began to think of her. + </p> + <p> + After a while, therefore, he refused further nourishment; and though he + found inexhaustible delight in her presence and in looking at her, he + said,—“Enough! Go to rest, my divine one.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not address me in that way,” answered Lygia; “it is not proper for me + to hear such words.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled at him, however, and said that sleep had fled from her, that + she felt no toil, that she would not go to rest till Glaucus came. He + listened to her words as to music; his heart rose with increasing delight, + increasing gratitude, and his thought was struggling to show her that + gratitude. + </p> + <p> + “Lygia,” said he, after a moment of silence, “I did not know thee + hitherto. But I know now that I wished to attain thee by a false way; + hence I say, return to Pomponia Græcina, and be assured that in future no + hand will be raised against thee.” + </p> + <p> + Her face became sad on a sudden. “I should be happy,” answered she, “could + I look at her, even from a distance; but I cannot return to her now.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” inquired Vinicius, with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “We Christians know, through Acte, what is done on the Palatine. Hast thou + not heard that Cæsar, soon after my flight and before his departure for + Naples, summoned Aulus and Pomponia, and, thinking that they had helped + me, threatened them with his anger? Fortunately Aulus was able to say to + him, ‘Thou knowest, lord, that a lie has never passed my lips; I swear to + thee now that we did not help her to escape, and we do not know, as thou + dost not, what has happened to her.’ Cæsar believed, and afterward forgot. + By the advice of the elders I have never written to mother where I am, so + that she might take an oath boldly at all times that she has no knowledge + of me. Thou wilt not understand this, perhaps, O Vinicius; but it is not + permitted us to lie, even in a question involving life. Such is the + religion on which we fashion our hearts; therefore I have not seen + Pomponia from the hour when I left her house. From time to time distant + echoes barely reach her that I am alive and not in danger.” + </p> + <p> + Here a longing seized Lygia, and her eyes were moist with tears; but she + calmed herself quickly, and said,—“I know that Pomponia, too, yearns + for me; but we have consolation which others have not.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Vinicius, “Christ is your consolation, but I do not + understand that.” + </p> + <p> + “Look at us! For us there are no partings, no pains, no sufferings; or if + they come they are turned into pleasure. And death itself, which for you + is the end of life, is for us merely its beginning,—the exchange of + a lower for a higher happiness, a happiness less calm for one calmer and + eternal. Consider what must a religion be which enjoins on us love even + for our enemies, forbids falsehood, purifies our souls from hatred, and + promises happiness inexhaustible after death.” + </p> + <p> + “I heard those teachings in Ostrianum, and I have seen how ye acted with + me and with Chilo; when I remember your deeds, they are like a dream, and + it seems to me that I ought not to believe my ears or eyes. But answer me + this question: Art thou happy?” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” answered Lygia. “One who confesses Christ cannot be unhappy.” + Vinicius looked at her, as though what she said passed every measure of + human understanding. + </p> + <p> + “And hast thou no wish to return to Pomponia?” + </p> + <p> + “I should like, from my whole soul, to return to her; and shall return, if + such be God’s will.” + </p> + <p> + “I say to thee, therefore, return; and I swear by my lares that I will not + raise a hand against thee.” + </p> + <p> + Lygia thought for a moment, and answered,—“No, I cannot expose those + near me to danger. Cæsar does not like the Plautiuses. Should I return—thou + knowest how every news is spread throughout Rome by slaves—my return + would be noised about in the city. Nero would hear of it surely through + his slaves, and punish Aulus and Pomponia,—at least take me from + them a second time.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” answered Vinicius, frowning, “that would be possible. He would do + so, even to show that his will must be obeyed. It is true that he only + forgot thee, or would remember thee, because the loss was not his, but + mine. Perhaps, if he took thee from Aulus and Pomponia, he would send thee + to me and I could give thee back to them.” + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius, wouldst thou see me again on the Palatine?” inquired Lygia. + </p> + <p> + He set his teeth, and answered,—“No. Thou art right. I spoke like a + fool! No!” + </p> + <p> + And all at once he saw before him a precipice, as it were without bottom. + He was a patrician, a military tribune, a powerful man; but above every + power of that world to which he belonged was a madman whose will and + malignity it was impossible to foresee. Only such people as the Christians + might cease to reckon with Nero or fear him,—people for whom this + whole world, with its separations and sufferings, was as nothing; people + for whom death itself was as nothing. All others had to tremble before + him. The terrors of the time in which they lived showed themselves to + Vinicius in all their monstrous extent. He could not return Lygia to Aulus + and Pomponia, then, through fear that the monster would remember her, and + turn on her his anger; for the very same reason, if he should take her as + wife, he might expose her, himself, and Aulus. A moment of ill-humor was + enough to ruin all. Vinicius felt, for the first time in life, that either + the world must change and be transformed, or life would become impossible + altogether. He understood also this, which a moment before had been dark + to him, that in such times only Christians could be happy. + </p> + <p> + But above all, sorrow seized him, for he understood, too, that it was he + who had so involved his own life and Lygia’s that out of the complication + there was scarcely an outcome. And under the influence of that sorrow he + began to speak: + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know that thou art happier than I? Thou art in poverty, and in + this one chamber, among simple people, thou hast thy religion and thy + Christ; but I have only thee, and when I lacked thee I was like a beggar + without a roof above him and without bread. Thou art dearer to me than the + whole world. I sought thee, for I could not live without thee. I wished + neither feasts nor sleep. Had it not been for the hope of finding thee, I + should have cast myself on a sword. But I fear death, for if dead I could + not see thee. I speak the pure truth in saying that I shall not be able to + live without thee. I have lived so far only in the hope of finding and + beholding thee. Dost thou remember our conversations at the house of + Aulus? Once thou didst draw a fish for me on the sand, and I knew not what + its meaning was. Dost thou remember how we played ball? I loved thee then + above life, and thou hadst begun already to divine that I loved thee. + Aulus came, frightened us with Libitina, and interrupted our talk. + Pomponia, at parting, told Petronius that God is one, all-mighty and + all-merciful, but it did not even occur to us that Christ was thy God and + hers. Let Him give thee to me and I will love Him, though He seems to me a + god of slaves, foreigners, and beggars. Thou sittest near me, and thinkest + of Him only. Think of me too, or I shall hate Him. For me thou alone art a + divinity. Blessed be thy father and mother; blessed the land which + produced thee! I should wish to embrace thy feet and pray to thee, give + thee honor, homage, offerings, thou thrice divine! Thou knowest not, or + canst not know, how I love thee.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he placed his hand on his pale forehead and closed his + eyes. His nature never knew bounds in love or anger. He spoke with + enthusiasm, like a man who, having lost self-control, has no wish to + observe any measure in words or feelings. But he spoke from the depth of + his soul, and sincerely. It was to be felt that the pain, ecstasy, desire, + and homage accumulated in his breast had burst forth at last in an + irresistible torrent of words. To Lygia his words appeared blasphemous, + but still her heart began to beat as if it would tear the tunic enclosing + her bosom. She could not resist pity for him and his suffering. She was + moved by the homage with which he spoke to her. She felt beloved and + deified without bounds; she felt that that unbending and dangerous man + belonged to her now, soul and body, like a slave; and that feeling of his + submission and her own power filled her with happiness. Her recollections + revived in one moment. He was for her again that splendid Vinicius, + beautiful as a pagan god; he, who in the house of Aulus had spoken to her + of love, and roused as if from sleep her heart half childlike at that + time; he from whose embraces Ursus had wrested her on the Palatine, as he + might have wrested her from flames. But at present, with ecstasy, and at + the same time with pain in his eagle face, with pale forehead and + imploring eyes,—wounded, broken by love, loving, full of homage and + submissive,—he seemed to her such as she would have wished him, and + such as she would have loved with her whole soul, therefore dearer than he + had ever been before. + </p> + <p> + All at once she understood that a moment might come in which his love + would seize her and bear her away, as a whirlwind; and when she felt this, + she had the same impression that he had a moment before,—that she + was standing on the edge of a precipice. Was it for this that she had left + the house of Aulus? Was it for this that she had saved herself by flight? + Was it for this that she had hidden so long in wretched parts of the city? + Who was that Vinicius? An Augustian, a soldier, a courtier of Nero! + Moreover he took part in his profligacy and madness, as was shown by that + feast, which she could not forget; and he went with others to the temples, + and made offerings to vile gods, in whom he did not believe, perhaps, but + still he gave them official honor. Still more he had pursued her to make + her his slave and mistress, and at the same time to thrust her into that + terrible world of excess, luxury, crime, and dishonor which calls for the + anger and vengeance of God. He seemed changed, it is true, but still he + had just said to her that if she would think more of Christ than of him, + he was ready to hate Christ. It seemed to Lygia that the very idea of any + other love than the love of Christ was a sin against Him and against + religion. When she saw then that other feelings and desires might be + roused in the depth of her soul, she was seized by alarm for her own + future and her own heart. + </p> + <p> + At this moment of internal struggle appeared Glaucus, who had come to care + for the patient and study his health. In the twinkle of an eye, anger and + impatience were reflected on the face of Vinicius. He was angry that his + conversation with Lygia had been interrupted; and when Glaucus questioned + him, he answered with contempt almost. It is true that he moderated + himself quickly; but if Lygia had any illusions as to this,—that + what he had heard in Ostrianum might have acted on his unyielding nature,—those + illusions must vanish. He had changed only for her; but beyond that single + feeling there remained in his breast the former harsh and selfish heart, + truly Roman and wolfish, incapable not only of the sweet sentiment of + Christian teaching but even of gratitude. + </p> + <p> + She went away at last filled with internal care and anxiety. Formerly in + her prayers she had offered to Christ a heart calm, and really pure as a + tear. Now that calmness was disturbed. To the interior of the flower a + poisonous insect had come and began to buzz. Even sleep, in spite of the + two nights passed without sleep, brought her no relief. She dreamed that + at Ostrianum Nero, at the head of a whole band of Augustians, bacchantes, + corybantes, and gladiators, was trampling crowds of Christians with his + chariot wreathed in roses; and Vinicius seized her by the arm, drew her to + the quadriga, and, pressing her to his bosom, whispered “Come with us.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXVII + </h2> + <p> + FROM that moment Lygia showed herself more rarely in the common chamber, + and approached his couch less frequently. But peace did not return to her. + She saw that Vinicius followed her with imploring glance; that he was + waiting for every word of hers, as for a favor; that he suffered and dared + not complain, lest he might turn her away from him; that she alone was his + health and delight. And then her heart swelled with compassion. Soon she + observed, too, that the more she tried to avoid him, the more compassion + she had for him; and by this itself the more tender were the feelings + which rose in her. Peace left her. At times she said to herself that it + was her special duty to be near him always, first, because the religion of + God commands return of good for evil; second, that by conversing with him, + she might attract him to the faith. But at the same time conscience told + her that she was tempting herself; that only love for him and the charm + which he exerted were attracting her, nothing else. Thus she lived in a + ceaseless struggle, which was intensified daily. At times it seemed that a + kind of net surrounded her, and that in trying to break through it she + entangled herself more and more. She had also to confess that for her the + sight of him was becoming more needful, his voice was becoming dearer, and + that she had to struggle with all her might against the wish to sit at his + bedside. When she approached him, and he grew radiant, delight filled her + heart. On a certain day she noticed traces of tears on his eyelids, and + for the first time in life the thought came to her, to dry them with + kisses. Terrified by that thought, and full of self-contempt, she wept all + the night following. + </p> + <p> + He was as enduring as if he had made a vow of patience. When at moments + his eyes flashed with petulance, self-will, and anger, he restrained those + flashes promptly, and looked with alarm at her, as if to implore pardon. + This acted still more on her. Never had she such a feeling of being + greatly loved as then; and when she thought of this, she felt at once + guilty and happy. Vinicius, too, had changed essentially. In his + conversations with Glaucus there was less pride. It occurred to him + frequently that even that poor slave physician and that foreign woman, old + Miriam, who surrounded him with attention, and Crispus, whom he saw + absorbed in continual prayer, were still human. He was astonished at such + thoughts, but he had them. After a time he conceived a liking for Ursus, + with whom he conversed entire days; for with him he could talk about + Lygia. The giant, on his part, was inexhaustible in narrative, and while + performing the most simple services for the sick man, he began to show him + also some attachment. For Vinicius, Lygia had been at all times a being of + another order, higher a hundred times than those around her: nevertheless, + he began to observe simple and poor people,—a thing which he had + never done before,—and he discovered in them various traits the + existence of which he had never suspected. + </p> + <p> + Nazarius, however, he could not endure, for it seemed to him that the + young lad had dared to fall in love with Lygia. He had restrained his + aversion for a long time, it is true; but once when he brought her two + quails, which he had bought in the market with his own earned money, the + descendant of the Quirites spoke out in Vinicius, for whom one who had + wandered in from a strange people had less worth than the meanest worm. + When he heard Lygia’s thanks, he grew terribly pale; and when Nazarius + went out to get water for the birds, he said,—“Lygia, canst thou + endure that he should give thee gifts? Dost thou not know that the Greeks + call people of his nation Jewish dogs?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know what the Greeks call them; but I know that Nazarius is a + Christian and my brother.” + </p> + <p> + When she had said this she looked at Vinicius with astonishment and + regret, for he had disaccustomed her to similar outbursts; and he set his + teeth, so as not to tell her that he would have given command to beat such + a brother with sticks, or would have sent him as a compeditus [A man who + labors with chained feet] to dig earth in his Sicilian vineyards. He + restrained himself, however, throttled the anger within him, and only + after a while did he say,—“Pardon me, Lygia. For me thou art the + daughter of a king and the adopted child of Plautius.” And he subdued + himself to that degree that when Nazarius appeared in the chamber again, + he promised him, on returning to his villa, the gift of a pair of peacocks + or flamingoes, of which he had a garden full. + </p> + <p> + Lygia understood what such victories over himself must have cost him; but + the oftener he gained them the more her heart turned to him. His merit + with regard to Nazarius was less, however, than she supposed. Vinicius + might be indignant for a moment, but he could not be jealous of him. In + fact the son of Miriam did not, in his eyes, mean much more than a dog; + besides, he was a child yet, who, if he loved Lygia, loved her + unconsciously and servilely. Greater struggles must the young tribune have + with himself to submit, even in silence, to that honor with which among + those people the name of Christ and His religion was surrounded. In this + regard wonderful things took place in Vinicius. That was in every case a + religion which Lygia believed; hence for that single reason he was ready + to receive it. Afterward, the more he returned to health, the more he + remembered the whole series of events which had happened since that night + at Ostrianum, and the whole series of thoughts which had come to his head + from that time, the more he was astonished at the superhuman power of that + religion which changed the souls of men to their foundations. He + understood that in it there was something uncommon, something which had + not been on earth before, and he felt that could it embrace the whole + world, could it ingraft on the world its love and charity, an epoch would + come recalling that in which not Jupiter, but Saturn had ruled. He did not + dare either to doubt the supernatural origin of Christ, or His + resurrection, or the other miracles. The eye-witnesses who spoke of them + were too trustworthy and despised falsehood too much to let him suppose + that they were telling things that had not happened. Finally, Roman + scepticism permitted disbelief in the gods, but believed in miracles. + Vinicius, therefore, stood before a kind of marvellous puzzle which he + could not solve. On the other hand, however, that religion seemed to him + opposed to the existing state of things, impossible of practice, and mad + in a degree beyond all others. According to him, people in Rome and in the + whole world might be bad, but the order of things was good. Had Cæsar, for + example, been an honest man, had the Senate been composed, not of + insignificant libertines, but of men like Thrasea, what more could one + wish? Nay, Roman peace and supremacy were good; distinction among people + just and proper. But that religion, according to the understanding of + Vinicius, would destroy all order, all supremacy, every distinction. What + would happen then to the dominion and lordship of Rome? Could the Romans + cease to rule, or could they recognize a whole herd of conquered nations + as equal to themselves? That was a thought which could find no place in + the head of a patrician. As regarded him personally, that religion was + opposed to all his ideas and habits, his whole character and understanding + of life. He was simply unable to imagine how he could exist were he to + accept it. He feared and admired it; but as to accepting it, his nature + shuddered at that. He understood, finally, that nothing save that religion + separated him from Lygia; and when he thought of this, he hated it with + all the powers of his soul. + </p> + <p> + Still he acknowledged to himself that it had adorned Lygia with that + exceptional, unexplained beauty which in his heart had produced, besides + love, respect, besides desire, homage, and had made of that same Lygia a + being dear to him beyond all others in the world. And then he wished anew + to love Christ. And he understood clearly that he must either love or hate + Him; he could not remain indifferent. Meanwhile two opposing currents were + as if driving him: he hesitated in thoughts, in feelings; he knew not how + to choose, he bowed his head, however, to that God by him uncomprehended, + and paid silent honor for this sole reason, that He was Lygia’s God. + </p> + <p> + Lygia saw what was happening in him; she saw how he was breaking himself, + how his nature was rejecting that religion; and though this mortified her + to the death, compassion, pity, and gratitude for the silent respect which + he showed Christ inclined her heart to him with irresistible force. She + recalled Pomponia Græcina and Aulus. For Pomponia a source of ceaseless + sorrow and tears that never dried was the thought that beyond the grave + she would not find Aulus. Lygia began now to understand better that pain, + that bitterness. She too had found a being dear to her, and she was + threatened by eternal separation from this dear one. + </p> + <p> + At times, it is true, she was self-deceived, thinking that his soul would + open itself to Christ’s teaching; but these illusions could not remain. + She knew and understood him too well. Vinicius a Christian!—These + two ideas could find no place together in her unenlightened head. If the + thoughtful, discreet Aulus had not become a Christian under the influence + of the wise and perfect Pomponia, how could Vinicius become one? To this + there was no answer, or rather there was only one,—that for him + there was neither hope nor salvation. + </p> + <p> + But Lygia saw with terror that that sentence of condemnation which hung + over him instead of making him repulsive made him still dearer simply + through compassion. At moments the wish seized her to speak to him of his + dark future; but once, when she had sat near him and told him that outside + Christian truth there was no life, he, having grown stronger at that time, + rose on his sound arm and placed his head on her knees suddenly. “Thou art + life!” said he. And that moment breath failed in her breast, presence of + mind left her, a certain quiver of ecstasy rushed over her from head to + feet. Seizing his temples with her hands, she tried to raise him, but bent + the while so that her lips touched his hair; and for a moment both were + overcome with delight, with themselves, and with love, which urged them + the one to the other. + </p> + <p> + Lygia rose at last and rushed away, with a flame in her veins and a + giddiness in her head; but that was the drop which overflowed the cup + filled already to the brim. Vinicius did not divine how dearly he would + have to pay for that happy moment, but Lygia understood that now she + herself needed rescue. She spent the night after that evening without + sleep, in tears and in prayer, with the feeling that she was unworthy to + pray and could not be heard. Next morning she went from the cubiculum + early, and, calling Crispus to the garden summer-house, covered with ivy + and withered vines, opened her whole soul to him, imploring him at the + same time to let her leave Miriam’s house, since she could not trust + herself longer, and could not overcome her heart’s love for Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Crispus, an old man, severe and absorbed in endless enthusiasm, consented + to the plan of leaving Miriam’s house, but he had no words of forgiveness + for that love, to his thinking sinful. His heart swelled with indignation + at the very thought that Lygia, whom he had guarded since the time of her + flight, whom he had loved, whom he had confirmed in the faith, and on whom + he looked now as a white lily grown up on the field of Christian teaching + undefiled by any earthly breath, could have found a place in her soul for + love other than heavenly. He had believed hitherto that nowhere in the + world did there beat a heart more purely devoted to the glory of Christ. + He wanted to offer her to Him as a pearl, a jewel, the precious work of + his own hands; hence the disappointment which he felt filled him with + grief and amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Go and beg God to forgive thy fault,” said he, gloomily. “Flee before the + evil spirit who involved thee bring thee to utter fall, and before thou + oppose the Saviour. God died on the cross to redeem thy soul with His + blood, but thou hast preferred to love him who wished to make thee his + concubine. God saved thee by a miracle of His own hands, but thou hast + opened thy heart to impure desire, and hast loved the son of darkness. Who + is he? The friend and servant of Antichrist, his copartner in crime and + profligacy. Whither will he lead thee, if not to that abyss and to that + Sodom in which he himself is living, but which God will destroy with the + flame of His anger? But I say to thee, would thou hadst died, would the + walls of this house had fallen on thy head before that serpent had crept + into thy bosom and beslimed it with the poison of iniquity.” + </p> + <p> + And he was borne away more and more, for Lygia’s fault filled him not only + with anger but with loathing and contempt for human nature in general, and + in particular for women, whom even Christian truth could not save from + Eve’s weakness. To him it seemed nothing that the maiden had remained + pure, that she wished to flee from that love, that she had confessed it + with compunction and penitence. Crispus had wished to transform her into + an angel, to raise her to heights where love for Christ alone existed, and + she had fallen in love with an Augustian. The very thought of that filled + his heart with horror, strengthened by a feeling of disillusion and + disappointment. No, no, he could not forgive her. Words of horror burned + his lips like glowing coals; he struggled still with himself not to utter + them, but he shook his emaciated hands over the terrified girl. Lygia felt + guilty, but not to that degree. She had judged even that withdrawal from + Miriam’s house would be her victory over temptation, and would lessen her + fault. Crispus rubbed her into the dust; showed her all the misery and + insignificance of her soul, which she had not suspected hitherto. She had + judged even that the old presbyter, who from the moment of her flight from + the Palatine had been to her as a father, would show some compassion, + console her, give her courage, and strengthen her. + </p> + <p> + “I offer my pain and disappointment to God,” said he, “but thou hast + deceived the Saviour also, for thou hast gone as it were to a quagmire + which has poisoned thy soul with its miasma. Thou mightst have offered it + to Christ as a costly vessel, and said to Him, ‘Fill it with grace, O + Lord!’ but thou hast preferred to offer it to the servant of the evil one. + May God forgive thee and have mercy on thee; for till thou cast out the + serpent, I who held thee as chosen-” + </p> + <p> + But he ceased suddenly to speak, for he saw that they were not alone. + Through the withered vines and the ivy, which was green alike in summer + and winter, he saw two men, one of whom was Peter the Apostle. The other + he was unable to recognize at once, for a mantle of coarse woollen stuff, + called cilicium, concealed a part of his face. It seemed to Crispus for a + moment that that was Chilo. + </p> + <p> + They, hearing the loud voice of Crispus, entered the summer-house and sat + on a stone bench. Peter’s companion had an emaciated face; his head, which + was growing bald, was covered at the sides with curly hair; he had + reddened eyelids and a crooked nose; in the face, ugly and at the same + time inspired, Crispus recognized the features of Paul of Tarsus. + </p> + <p> + Lygia, casting herself on her knees, embraced Peter’s feet, as if from + despair, and, sheltering her tortured head in the fold of his mantle, + remained thus in silence. + </p> + <p> + “Peace to your souls!” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + And seeing the child at his feet he asked what had happened. Crispus began + then to narrate all that Lygia had confessed to him,—her sinful + love, her desire to flee from Miriam’s house,—and his sorrow that a + soul which he had thought to offer to Christ pure as a tear had defiled + itself with earthly feelings for a sharer in all those crimes into which + the pagan world had sunk, and which called for God’s vengeance. + </p> + <p> + Lygia during his speech embraced with increasing force the feet of the + Apostle, as if wishing to seek refuge near them, and to beg even a little + compassion. + </p> + <p> + But the Apostle, when he had listened to the end, bent down and placed his + aged hand on her head; then he raised his eyes to the old presbyter, and + said,—“Crispus, hast thou not heard that our beloved Master was in + Cana, at a wedding, and blessed love between man and woman?” + </p> + <p> + Crispus’s hands dropped, and he looked with astonishment on the speaker, + without power to utter one word. After a moment’s silence Peter asked + again,—“Crispus, dost thou think that Christ, who permitted Mary of + Magdala to lie at his feet, and who forgave the public sinner, would turn + from this maiden, who is as pure as a lily of the field?” + </p> + <p> + Lygia nestled up more urgently to the feet of Peter, with sobbing, + understanding that she had not sought refuge in vain. The Apostle raised + her face, which was covered with tears, and said to her,—“While the + eyes of him whom thou lovest are not open to the light of truth, avoid + him, lest he bring thee to sin, but pray for him, and know that there is + no sin in thy love. And since it is thy wish to avoid temptation, this + will be accounted to thee as a merit. Do not suffer, and do not weep; for + I tell thee that the grace of the Redeemer has not deserted thee, and that + thy prayers will be heard; after sorrow will come days of gladness.” + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he placed both hands on her head, and, raising his + eyes, blessed her. From his face there shone a goodness beyond that of + earth. + </p> + <p> + The penitent Crispus began humbly to explain himself; “I have sinned + against mercy,” said he; “but I thought that by admitting to her heart an + earthly love she had denied Christ.” + </p> + <p> + “I denied Him thrice,” answered Peter, “and still He forgave me, and + commanded me to feed His sheep.” + </p> + <p> + “And because,” concluded Crispus, “Vinicius is an Augustian.” + </p> + <p> + “Christ softened harder hearts than his,” replied Peter. + </p> + <p> + Then Paul of Tarsus, who had been silent so far, placed his finger on his + breast, pointing to himself, and said,—“I am he who persecuted and + hurried servants of Christ to their death; I am he who during the stoning + of Stephen kept the garments of those who stoned him; I am he who wished + to root out the truth in every part of the inhabited earth, and yet the + Lord predestined me to declare it in every land. I have declared it in + Judea, in Greece, on the Islands, and in this godless city, where first I + resided as a prisoner. And now when Peter, my superior, has summoned me, I + enter this house to bend that proud head to the feet of Christ, and cast a + grain of seed in that stony field, which the Lord will fertilize, so that + it may bring forth a bountiful harvest.” + </p> + <p> + And he rose. To Crispus that diminutive hunchback seemed then that which + he was in reality,—a giant, who was to stir the world to its + foundations and gather in lands and nations. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXVIII + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS to VINICIUS:—“Have pity, carissime; imitate not in thy + letters the Lacedemonians or Julius Cæsar! Couldst thou, like Julius, + write Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered), I might understand + thy brevity. But thy letter means absolutely Veni, vidi, fugi (I came, I + saw, I fled). Since such a conclusion of the affair is directly opposed to + thy nature, since thou art wounded, and since, finally, uncommon things + are happening to thee, thy letter needs explanation. I could not believe + my eyes when I read that the Lygian giant killed Croton as easily as a + Caledonian dog would kill a wolf in the defiles of Hibernia. That man is + worth as much gold as he himself weighs, and it depends on him alone to + become a favorite of Cæsar. When I return to the city, I must gain a + nearer acquaintance with that Lygian, and have a bronze statue of him made + for myself. Ahenobarbus will burst from curiosity, when I tell him that it + is from nature. Bodies really athletic are becoming rarer in Italy and in + Greece; of the Orient no mention need be made; the Germans, though large, + have muscles covered with fat, and are greater in bulk than in strength. + Learn from the Lygian if he is an exception, or if in his country there + are more men like him. Should it happen sometime to thee or me to organize + games officially, it would be well to know where to seek for the best + bodies. + </p> + <p> + “But praise to the gods of the Orient and the Occident that thou hast come + out of such hands alive. Thou hast escaped, of course, because thou art a + patrician, and the son of a consul; but everything which has happened + astonishes me in the highest degree,—that cemetery where thou wert + among the Christians, they, their treatment of thee, the subsequent flight + of Lygia; finally, that peculiar sadness and disquiet which breathes from + thy short letter. Explain, for there are many points which I cannot + understand; and if thou wish the truth, I will tell thee plainly, that I + understand neither the Christians nor thee nor Lygia. Wonder not that I, + who care for few things on earth except my own person, inquire of thee so + eagerly. I have contributed to all this affair of thine; hence it is my + affair so far. Write soon, for I cannot foresee surely when we may meet. + In Bronzebeard’s head plans change, as winds do in autumn. At present, + while tarrying in Beneventum, he has the wish to go straightway to Greece, + without returning to Rome. Tigellinus, however, advises him to visit the + city even for a time, since the people, yearning overmuch for his person + (read ‘for games and bread’) may revolt. So I cannot tell how it will be. + Should Achæa overbalance, we may want to see Egypt. I should insist with + all my might on thy coming, for I think that in thy state of mind + travelling and our amusements would be a medicine, but thou mightst not + find us. Consider, then, whether in that case repose in thy Sicilian + estates would not be preferable to remaining in Rome. Write me minutely of + thyself, and farewell. I add no wish this time, except health; for, by + Pollux! I know not what to wish thee.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, on receiving this letter, felt at first no desire to reply. He + had a kind of feeling that it was not worth while to reply, that an answer + would benefit no one in any way, that it would explain nothing. + Discontent, and a feeling of the vanity of life, possessed him. He + thought, moreover, that Petronius would not comprehend him in any case, + and that something had happened which would remove them from each other. + He could not come to an agreement with himself, even. When he returned + from the Trans-Tiber to his splendid “insula,” he was exhausted, and found + for the first days a certain satisfaction in rest and in the comfort and + abundance about him. That satisfaction lasted but a short time, however. + He felt soon that he was living in vanity; that all which so far had + formed the interest of his life either had ceased to exist for him or had + shrunk to proportions barely perceptible. He had a feeling as if those + ties which hitherto had connected him with life had been cut in his soul, + and that no new ones had been formed. At the thought that he might go to + Beneventum and thence to Achæa, to swim in a life of luxury and wild + excess, he had a feeling of emptiness. “To what end? What shall I gain + from it?” These were the first questions which passed through his head. + And for the first time in life, also, he thought that if he went, the + conversation of Petronius, his wit, his quickness, his exquisite outlining + of thought, and his choice of apt phrases for every idea might annoy him. + </p> + <p> + But solitude, too, had begun to annoy him. All his acquaintances were with + Cæsar in Beneventum; so he had to stay at home alone, with a head full of + thoughts, and a heart full of feelings which he could not analyze. He had + moments, however, in which he judged that if he could converse with some + one about everything that took place in him, perhaps he might be able to + grasp it all somehow, bring it to order, and estimate it better. Under the + influence of this hope, and after some days of hesitation, he decided to + answer Petronius; and, though not certain that he would send the answer, + he wrote it in the following words:— + </p> + <p> + “It is thy wish that I write more minutely, agreed then; whether I shall + be able to do it more clearly, I cannot tell, for there are many knots + which I know not myself how to loosen. I described to thee my stay among + the Christians, and their treatment of enemies, among whom they had a + right to count both me and Chilo; finally, of the kindness with which they + nursed me, and of the disappearance of Lygia. No, my dear friend, I was + not spared because of being the son of a consul. Such considerations do + not exist for them, since they forgave even Chilo, though I urged them to + bury him in the garden. Those are people such as the world has not seen + hitherto, and their teaching is of a kind that the world has not heard up + to this time. I can say nothing else, and he errs who measures them with + our measure. I tell thee that, if I had been lying with a broken arm in my + own house, and if my own peoples, even my own family, had nursed me, I + should have had more comforts, of course, but I should not have received + half the care which I found among them. + </p> + <p> + “Know this, too, that Lygia is like the others. Had she been my sister or + my wife, she could not have nursed me more tenderly. Delight filled my + heart more than once, for I judged that love alone could inspire the like + tenderness. More than once I saw love in her look, in her face; and, wilt + thou believe me? among those simple people then in that poor chamber, + which was at once a culina and a triclinium, I felt happier than ever + before. No; she was not indifferent to me—and to-day even I cannot + think that she was. Still that same Lygia left Miriam’s dwelling in secret + because of me. I sit now whole days with my head on my hands, and think, + Why did she do so? Have I written thee that I volunteered to restore her + to Aulus? True, she declared that to be impossible at present, because + Aulus and Pomponia had gone to Sicily, and because news of her return + going from house to house, through slaves, would reach the Palatine, and + Cæsar might take her from Aulus again. But she knew that I would not + pursue her longer; that I had left the way of violence; that, unable to + cease loving her or to live without her, I would bring her into my house + through a wreathed door, and seat her on a sacred skin at my hearth. Still + she fled! Why? Nothing was threatening her. Did she not love me, she might + have rejected me. The day before her flight, I made the acquaintance of a + wonderful man, a certain Paul of Tarsus, who spoke to me of Christ and His + teachings, and spoke with such power that every word of his, without his + willing it, turns all the foundations of our society into ashes. That same + man visited me after her flight, and said: ‘If God open thy eyes to the + light, and take the beam from them as He took it from mine, thou wilt feel + that she acted properly; and then, perhaps, thou wilt find her.’ And now I + am breaking my head over these words, as if I had heard them from the + mouth of the Pythoness at Delphi. I seem to understand something. Though + they love people, the Christians are enemies of our life, our gods, and + our crimes; hence she fled from me, as from a man who belongs to our + society, and with whom she would have to share a life counted criminal by + Christians. Thou wilt say that since she might reject me, she had no need + to withdraw. But if she loved me? In that case she desired to flee from + love. At the very thought of this I wish to send slaves into every alley + in Rome, and command them to cry throughout the houses, ‘Return, Lygia!’ + But I cease to understand why she fled. I should not have stopped her from + believing in her Christ, and would myself have reared an altar to Him in + the atrium. What harm could one more god do me? Why might I not believe in + him,—I who do not believe overmuch in the old gods? I know with full + certainty that the Christians do not lie; and they say that he rose from + the dead. A man cannot rise from the dead. That Paul of Tarsus, who is a + Roman citizen, but who, as a Jew, knows the old Hebrew writings, told me + that the coming of Christ was promised by prophets for whole thousands of + years. All these are uncommon things, but does not the uncommon surround + us on every side? People have not ceased talking yet of Apollonius of + Tyana. Paul’s statement that there is one God, not a whole assembly of + them, seems sound to me. Perhaps Seneca is of this opinion, and before him + many others. Christ lived, gave Himself to be crucified for the salvation + of the world, and rose from the dead. All this is perfectly certain. I do + not see, therefore, a reason why I should insist on an opposite opinion, + or why I should not rear to Him an altar, if I am ready to rear one to + Serapis, for instance. It would not be difficult for me even to renounce + other gods, for no reasoning mind believes in them at present. But it + seems that all this is not enough yet for the Christians. It is not enough + to honor Christ, one must also live according to His teachings; and here + thou art on the shore of a sea which they command thee to wade through. + </p> + <p> + “If I promised to do so, they themselves would feel that the promise was + an empty sound of words. Paul told me so openly. Thou knowest how I love + Lygia, and knowest that there is nothing that I would not do for her. + Still, even at her wish, I cannot raise Soracte or Vesuvius on my + shoulders, or place Thrasymene Lake on the palm of my hand, or from black + make my eyes blue, like those of the Lygians. If she so desired, I could + have the wish, but the change does not lie in my power. I am not a + philosopher, but also I am not so dull as I have seemed, perhaps, more + than once to thee. I will state now the following: I know not how the + Christians order their own lives, but I know that where their religion + begins, Roman rule ends, Rome itself ends, our mode of life ends, the + distinction between conquered and conqueror, between rich and poor, lord + and slave, ends, government ends, Cæsar ends, law and all the order of the + world ends; and in place of those appear Christ, with a certain mercy not + existent hitherto, and kindness, opposed to human and our Roman instincts. + It is true that Lygia is more to me than all Rome and its lordship; and I + would let society vanish could I have her in my house. But that is another + thing. Agreement in words does not satisfy the Christians; a man must feel + that their teaching is truth, and not have aught else in his soul. But + that, the gods are my witnesses, is beyond me. Dost understand what that + means? There is something in my nature which shudders at this religion; + and were my lips to glorify it, were I to conform to its precepts, my soul + and my reason would say that I do so through love for Lygia, and that + apart from her there is to me nothing on earth more repulsive. And, a + strange thing, Paul of Tarsus understands this, and so does that old + theurgus Peter, who in spite of all his simplicity and low origin is the + highest among them, and was the disciple of Christ. And dost thou know + what they are doing? They are praying for me, and calling down something + which they call grace; but nothing descends on me, save disquiet, and a + greater yearning for Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “I have written thee that she went away secretly; but when going she left + me a cross which she put together from twigs of boxwood. When I woke up, I + found it near my bed. I have it now in the lararium, and I approach it + yet, I cannot tell why, as if there were something divine in it,—that + is, with awe and reverence. I love it because her hand bound it, and I + hate it because it divides us. At times it seems to me that there are + enchantments of some kind in all this affair, and that the theurgus, + Peter, though he declares himself to be a simple shepherd, is greater than + Apollonius, and all who preceded him, and that he has involved us all—Lygia, + Pomponia, and me—with them. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast written that in my previous letter disquiet and sadness are + visible. Sadness there must be, for I have lost her again, and there is + disquiet because something has changed in me. I tell thee sincerely, that + nothing is more repugnant to my nature than that religion, and still I + cannot recognize myself since I met Lygia. Is it enchantment, or love? + Circe changed people’s bodies by touching them, but my soul has been + changed. No one but Lygia could have done that, or rather Lygia through + that wonderful religion which she professes. When I returned to my house + from the Christians, no one was waiting for me. The slaves thought that I + was in Beneventum, and would not return soon; hence there was disorder in + the house. I found the slaves drunk, and a feast, which they were giving + themselves, in my triclinium. They had more thought of seeing death than + me, and would have been less terrified by it. Thou knowest with what a + firm hand I hold my house; all to the last one dropped on their knees, and + some fainted from terror. But dost thou know how I acted? At the first + moment I wished to call for rods and hot iron, but immediately a kind of + shame seized me, and, wilt thou lend belief? a species of pity for those + wretched people. Among them are old slaves whom my grandfather, Marcus + Vinicius, brought from the Rhine in the time of Augustus. I shut myself up + alone in the library, and there came stranger thoughts still to my head; + namely, that after what I had heard and seen among the Christians, it did + not become me to act with slaves as I had acted hitherto—that they + too were people. For a number of days they moved about in mortal terror, + in the belief that I was delaying so as to invent punishment the more + cruel, but I did not punish, and did not punish because I was not able. + Summoning them on the third day, I said, ‘I forgive you; strive then with + earnest service to correct your fault!’ They fell on their knees, covering + their faces with tears, stretching forth their hands with groans, and + called me lord and father; but I—with shame do I write this—was + equally moved. It seemed to me that at that moment I was looking at the + sweet face of Lygia, and her eyes filled with tears, thanking me for that + act. And, proh pudor! I felt that my lips too were moist. Dost know what I + will confess to thee? This—that I cannot do without her, that it is + ill for me alone, that I am simply unhappy, and that my sadness is greater + than thou wilt admit. But, as to my slaves, one thing arrested my + attention. The forgiveness which they received not only did not make them + insolent, not only did not weaken discipline, but never had fear roused + them to such ready service as has gratitude. Not only do they serve, but + they seem to vie with one another to divine my wishes. I mention this to + thee because, when, the day before I left the Christians, I told Paul that + society would fall apart because of his religion, as a cask without hoops, + he answered, ‘Love is a stronger hoop than fear.’ And now I see that in + certain cases his opinion may be right. I have verified it also with + references to clients, who, learning of my return, hurried to salute me. + Thou knowest that I have never been penurious with them; but my father + acted haughtily with clients on principle, and taught me to treat them in + like manner. But when I saw their worn mantles and hungry faces, I had a + feeling something like compassion. I gave command to bring them food, and + conversed besides with them,—called some by name, some I asked about + their wives and children,—and again in the eyes before me I saw + tears; again it seemed to me that Lygia saw what I was doing, that she + praised and was delighted. Is my mind beginning to wander, or is love + confusing my feelings? I cannot tell. But this I do know; I have a + continual feeling that she is looking at me from a distance, and I am + afraid to do aught that might trouble or offend her. + </p> + <p> + “So it is, Caius! but they have changed my soul, and sometimes I feel well + for that reason. At times again I am tormented with the thought, for I + fear that my manhood and energy are taken from me; that, perhaps, I am + useless, not only for counsel, for judgment, for feasts, but for war even. + These are undoubted enchantments! And to such a degree am I changed that I + tell thee this, too, which came to my head when I lay wounded: that if + Lygia were like Nigidia, Poppæa, Crispinilla, and our divorced women, if + she were as vile, as pitiless, and as cheap as they, I should not love her + as I do at present. But since I love her for that which divides us, thou + wilt divine what a chaos is rising in my soul, in what darkness I live, + how it is that I cannot see certain roads before me, and how far I am from + knowing what to begin. If life may be compared to a spring, in my spring + disquiet flows instead of water. I live through the hope that I shall see + her, perhaps, and sometimes it seems to me that I shall see her surely. + But what will happen to me in a year or two years, I know not, and cannot + divine. I shall not leave Rome. I could not endure the society of the + Augustians; and besides, the one solace in my sadness and disquiet is the + thought that I am near Lygia, that through Glaucus the physician, who + promised to visit me, or through Paul of Tarsus, I can learn something of + her at times. No; I would not leave Rome, even were ye to offer me the + government of Egypt. Know also, that I have ordered the sculptor to make a + stone monument for Gulo, whom I slew in anger. Too late did it come to my + mind that he had carried me in his arms, and was the first to teach me how + to put an arrow on a bow. I know not why it was that a recollection of him + rose in me which was sorrow and reproach. If what I write astonish thee, I + reply that it astonishes me no less, but I write pure truth.—Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXIX + </h2> + <p> + VINICUS received no answer to this letter. Petronius did not write, + thinking evidently that Cæsar might command a return to Rome any day. In + fact, news of it was spread in the city, and roused great delight in the + hearts of the rabble, eager for games with gifts of grain and olives, + great supplies of which had been accumulated in Ostia. Helius, Nero’s + freedman, announced at last the return in the Senate. But Nero, having + embarked with his court on ships at Misenum, returned slowly, disembarking + at coast towns for rest, or exhibitions in theatres. He remained between + ten and twenty days in Minturna, and even thought to return to Naples and + wait there for spring, which was earlier than usual, and warm. During all + this time Vinicius lived shut up in his house, thinking of Lygia, and all + those new things which occupied his soul, and brought to it ideas and + feelings foreign to it thus far. He saw, from time to time, only Glaucus + the physician, every one of whose visits delighted him, for he could + converse with the man about Lygia. Glaucus knew not, it is true, where she + had found refuge, but he gave assurance that the elders were protecting + her with watchful care. Once too, when moved by the sadness of Vinicius, + he told him that Peter had blamed Crispus for reproaching Lygia with her + love. The young patrician, hearing this, grew pale from emotion. He had + thought more than once that Lygia was not indifferent to him, but he fell + into frequent doubt and uncertainty. Now for the first time he heard the + confirmation of his desires and hopes from strange lips, and, besides, + those of a Christian. At the first moment of gratitude he wished to run to + Peter. When he learned, however, that he was not in the city, but teaching + in the neighborhood, he implored Glaucus to accompany him thither, + promising to make liberal gifts to the poor community. It seemed to him, + too, that if Lygia loved him, all obstacles were thereby set aside, as he + was ready at any moment to honor Christ. Glaucus, though he urged him + persistently to receive baptism, would not venture to assure him that he + would gain Lygia at once, and said that it was necessary to desire the + religion for its own sake, through love of Christ, not for other objects. + “One must have a Christian soul, too,” said he. And Vinicius, though every + obstacle angered him, had begun to understand that Glaucus, as a + Christian, said what he ought to say. He had not become clearly conscious + that one of the deepest changes in his nature was this,—that + formerly he had measured people and things only by his own selfishness, + but now he was accustoming himself gradually to the thought that other + eyes might see differently, other hearts feel differently, and that + justice did not mean always the same as personal profit. + </p> + <p> + He wished often to see Paul of Tarsus, whose discourse made him curious + and disturbed him. He arranged in his mind arguments to overthrow his + teaching, he resisted him in thought; still he wished to see him and to + hear him. Paul, however, had gone to Aricium, and, since the visits of + Glaucus had become rarer, Vinicius was in perfect solitude. He began again + to run through back streets adjoining the Subura, and narrow lanes of the + Trans-Tiber, in the hope that even from a distance he might see Lygia. + When even that hope failed him, weariness and impatience began to rise in + his heart. At last the time came when his former nature was felt again + mightily, like that onrush of a wave to the shore from which it had + receded. It seemed to him that he had been a fool to no purpose, that he + had stuffed his head with things which brought sadness, that he ought to + accept from life what it gives. He resolved to forget Lygia, or at least + to seek pleasure and the use of things aside from her. He felt that this + trial, however, was the last, and he threw himself into it with all the + blind energy of impulse peculiar to him. Life itself seemed to urge him to + this course. + </p> + <p> + THE APPIAN WAY. From the painting by G. Boulanger. + </p> + <p> + The city, torpid and depopulated by winter, began to revive with hope of + the near coming of Cæsar. A solemn reception was in waiting for him. + Meanwhile spring was there; the snow on the Alban Hills had vanished under + the breath of winds from Africa. Grass-plots in the gardens were covered + with violets. The Forums and the Campus Martius were filled with people + warmed by a sun of growing heat. Along the Appian Way, the usual place for + drives outside the city, a movement of richly ornamented chariots had + begun. Excursions were made to the Alban Hills. Youthful women, under + pretext of worshipping Juno in Lanuvium, or Diana in Aricia, left home to + seek adventures, society, meetings, and pleasure beyond the city. Here + Vinicius saw one day among lordly chariots the splendid car of + Chrysothemis, preceded by two Molossian dogs; it was surrounded by a crowd + of young men and by old senators, whose position detained them in the + city. Chrysothemis, driving four Corsican ponies herself, scattered smiles + round about, and light strokes of a golden whip; but when she saw Vinicius + she reined in her horses, took him into her car, and then to a feast at + her house, which lasted all night. At that feast Vinicius drank so much + that he did not remember when they took him home; he recollected, however, + that when Chrysothemis mentioned Lygia he was offended, and, being drunk, + emptied a goblet of Falernian on her head. When he thought of this in + soberness, he was angrier still. But a day later Chrysothemis, forgetting + evidently the injury, visited him at his house, and took him to the Appian + Way a second time. Then she supped at his house, and confessed that not + only Petronius, but his lute-player, had grown tedious to her long since, + and that her heart was free now. They appeared together for a week, but + the relation did not promise permanence. After the Falernian incident, + however, Lygia’s name was never mentioned, but Vinicius could not free + himself from thoughts of her. He had the feeling always that her eyes were + looking at his face, and that feeling filled him, as it were, with fear. + He suffered, and could not escape the thought that he was saddening Lygia, + or the regret which that thought roused in him. After the first scene of + jealousy which Chrysothemis made because of two Syrian damsels whom he + purchased, he let her go in rude fashion. He did not cease at once from + pleasure and license, it is true, but he followed them out of spite, as it + were, toward Lygia. At last he saw that the thought of her did not leave + him for an instant; that she was the one cause of his evil activity as + well as his good; and that really nothing in the world occupied him except + her. Disgust, and then weariness, mastered him. Pleasure had grown + loathsome, and left mere reproaches. It seemed to him that he was + wretched, and this last feeling filled him with measureless astonishment, + for formerly he recognized as good everything which pleased him. Finally, + he lost freedom, self-confidence, and fell into perfect torpidity, from + which even the news of Cæsar’s coming could not rouse him. Nothing touched + him, and he did not visit Petronius till the latter sent an invitation and + his litter. + </p> + <p> + On seeing his uncle, though greeted with gladness, he replied to his + questions unwillingly; but his feelings and thoughts, repressed for a long + time, burst forth at last, and flowed from his mouth in a torrent of + words. Once more he told in detail the history of his search for Lygia, + his life among the Christians, everything which he had heard and seen + there, everything which had passed through his head and heart; and finally + he complained that he had fallen into a chaos, in which were lost + composure and the gift of distinguishing and judging. Nothing, he said, + attracted him, nothing was pleasing; he did not know what to hold to, nor + how to act. He was ready both to honor and persecute Christ; he understood + the loftiness of His teaching, but he felt also an irresistible repugnance + to it. He understood that, even should he possess Lygia, he would not + possess her completely, for he would have to share her with Christ. + Finally, he was living as if not living,—without hope, without a + morrow, without belief in happiness; around him was darkness in which he + was groping for an exit, and could not find it. + </p> + <p> + Petronius, during this narrative, looked at his changed face, at his + hands, which while speaking he stretched forth in a strange manner, as if + actually seeking a road in the darkness, and he fell to thinking. All at + once he rose, and, approaching Vinicius, caught with his fingers the hair + above his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Dost know,” asked he, “that thou hast gray hairs on thy temple?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I have,” answered Vinicius; “I should not be astonished were all + my hair to grow white soon.” + </p> + <p> + Silence followed. Petronius was a man of sense, and more than once he + meditated on the soul of man and on life. In general, life, in the society + in which they both lived, might be happy or unhappy externally, but + internally it was at rest. Just as a thunderbolt or an earthquake might + overturn a temple, so might misfortune crush a life. In itself, however, + it was composed of simple and harmonious lines, free of complication. But + there was something else in the words of Vinicius, and Petronius stood for + the first time before a series of spiritual snarls which no one had + straightened out hitherto. He was sufficiently a man of reason to feel + their importance, but with all his quickness he could not answer the + questions put to him. After a long silence, he said at last,— + </p> + <p> + “These must be enchantments.” + </p> + <p> + “I too have thought so,” answered Vinicius; “more than once it seemed to + me that we were enchanted, both of us.” + </p> + <p> + “And if thou,” said Petronius, “were to go, for example, to the priests of + Serapis? Among them, as among priests in general, there are many + deceivers, no doubt; but there are others who have reached wonderful + secrets.” + </p> + <p> + He said this, however, without conviction and with an uncertain voice, for + he himself felt how empty and even ridiculous that counsel must seem on + his lips. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius rubbed his forehead, and said: “Enchantments! I have seen + sorcerers who employed unknown and subterranean powers to their personal + profit; I have seen those who used them to the harm of their enemies. But + these Christians live in poverty, forgive their enemies, preach + submission, virtue, and mercy; what profit could they get from + enchantments, and why should they use them?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius was angry that his acuteness could find no reply; not wishing, + however, to acknowledge this, he said, so as to offer an answer of some + kind,—“That is a new sect.” After a while he added: “By the divine + dweller in Paphian groves, how all that injures life! Thou wilt admire the + goodness and virtue of those people; but I tell thee that they are bad, + for they are enemies of life, as are diseases, and death itself. As things + are, we have enough of these enemies; we do not need the Christians in + addition. Just count them: diseases, Cæsar, Tigellinus, Cæsar’s poetry, + cobblers who govern the descendants of ancient Quirites, freedmen who sit + in the Senate. By Castor! there is enough of this. That is a destructive + and disgusting sect. Hast thou tried to shake thyself out of this sadness, + and make some little use of life?” + </p> + <p> + “I have tried,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, traitor!” said Petronius, laughing; “news spreads quickly through + slaves; thou hast seduced from me Chrysothemis!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius waved his hand in disgust. + </p> + <p> + “In every case I thank thee,” said Petronius. “I will send her a pair of + slippers embroidered with pearls. In my language of a lover that means, + ‘Walk away.’ I owe thee a double gratitude,—first, thou didst not + accept Eunice; second, thou hast freed me from Chrysothemis. Listen to me! + Thou seest before thee a man who has risen early, bathed, feasted, + possessed Chrysothemis, written satires, and even at times interwoven + prose with verses, but who has been as wearied as Cæsar, and often unable + to unfetter himself from gloomy thoughts. And dost thou know why that was + so? It was because I sought at a distance that which was near. A beautiful + woman is worth her weight always in gold; but if she loves in addition, + she has simply no price. Such a one thou wilt not buy with the riches of + Verres. I say now to myself as follows: I will fill my life with + happiness, as a goblet with the foremost wine which the earth has + produced, and I will drink till my hand becomes powerless and my lips grow + pale. What will come, I care not; and this is my latest philosophy.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast proclaimed it always; there is nothing new in it.” + </p> + <p> + “There is substance, which was lacking.” + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he called Eunice, who entered dressed in white + drapery,—the former slave no longer, but as it were a goddess of + love and happiness. + </p> + <p> + Petronius opened his arms to her, and said,—“Come.” + </p> + <p> + At this she ran up to him, and, sitting on his knee, surrounded his neck + with her arms, and placed her head on his breast. Vinicius saw how a + reflection of purple began to cover her cheeks, how her eyes melted + gradually in mist. They formed a wonderful group of love and happiness. + Petronius stretched his hand to a flat vase standing at one side on a + table, and, taking a whole handful of violets, covered with them the head, + bosom, and robe of Eunice; then he pushed the tunic from her arms, and + said,— + </p> + <p> + “Happy he who, like me, has found love enclosed in such a form! At times + it seems to me that we are a pair of gods. Look thyself! Has Praxiteles, + or Miron, or Skopas, or Lysias even, created more wonderful lines? Or does + there exist in Paros or in Pentelicus such marble as this,—warm, + rosy, and full of love? There are people who kiss off the edges of vases, + but I prefer to look for pleasure where it may be found really.” + </p> + <p> + He began to pass his lips along her shoulders and neck. She was penetrated + with a quivering; her eyes now closed, now opened, with an expression of + unspeakable delight. Petronius after a while raised her exquisite head, + and said, turning to Vinicius,—“But think now, what are thy gloomy + Christians in comparison with this? And if thou understand not the + difference, go thy way to them. But this sight will cure thee.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius distended his nostrils, through which entered the odor of + violets, which filled the whole chamber, and he grew pale; for he thought + that if he could have passed his lips along Lygia’s shoulders in that way, + it would have been a kind of sacrilegious delight so great that let the + world vanish afterward! But accustomed now to a quick perception of that + which took place in him, he noticed that at that moment he was thinking of + Lygia, and of her only. + </p> + <p> + “Eunice,” said Petronius, “give command, thou divine one, to prepare + garlands for our heads and a meal.” + </p> + <p> + When she had gone out he turned to Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “I offered to make her free, but knowest thou what she answered?—‘I + would rather be thy slave than Cæsar’s wife!’ And she would not consent. I + freed her then without her knowledge. The pretor favored me by not + requiring her presence. But she does not know that she is free, as also + she does not know that this house and all my jewels, excepting the gems, + will belong to her in case of my death.” He rose and walked through the + room, and said: “Love changes some more, others less, but it has changed + even me. Once I loved the odor of verbenas; but as Eunice prefers violets, + I like them now beyond all other flowers, and since spring came we breathe + only violets.” + </p> + <p> + Here he stopped before Vinicius and inquired,—“But as to thee, dost + thou keep always to nard?” + </p> + <p> + “Give me peace!” answered the young man. + </p> + <p> + “I wished thee to see Eunice, and I mentioned her to thee, because thou, + perhaps, art seeking also at a distance that which is near. Maybe for thee + too is beating, somewhere in the chambers of thy slaves, a true and simple + heart. Apply such a balsam to thy wounds. Thou sayest that Lygia loves + thee? Perhaps she does. But what kind of love is that which abdicates? Is + not the meaning this,—that there is another force stronger than her + love? No, my dear, Lygia is not Eunice.” + </p> + <p> + “All is one torment merely,” answered Vinicius. “I saw thee kissing + Eunice’s shoulders, and I thought then that if Lygia would lay hers bare + to me I should not care if the ground opened under us next moment. But at + the very thought of such an act a certain dread seized me, as if I had + attacked some vestal or wished to defile a divinity. Lygia is not Eunice, + but I understand the difference not in thy way. Love has changed thy + nostrils, and thou preferrest violets to verbenas; but it has changed my + soul: hence, in spite of my misery and desire, I prefer Lygia to be what + she is rather than to be like others.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case no injustice is done thee. But I do not understand the + position.” + </p> + <p> + “True, true!” answered Vinicius, feverishly. “We understand each other no + longer.” + </p> + <p> + Another moment of silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “May Hades swallow thy Christians!” exclaimed Petronius. “They have filled + thee with disquiet, and destroyed thy sense of life. May Hades devour + them! Thou art mistaken in thinking that their religion is good, for good + is what gives people happiness, namely, beauty, love, power; but these + they call vanity. Thou art mistaken in this, that they are just; for if we + pay good for evil, what shall we pay for good? And besides, if we pay the + same for one and the other, why are people to be good?” + </p> + <p> + “No, the pay is not the same; but according to their teaching it begins in + a future life, which is without limit.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not enter into that question, for we shall see hereafter if it be + possible to see anything without eyes. Meanwhile they are simply + incompetents. Ursus strangled Croton because he has limbs of bronze; but + these are mopes, and the future cannot belong to mopes.” + </p> + <p> + “For them life begins with death.” + </p> + <p> + “Which is as if one were to say, ‘Day begins with night.’ Hast thou the + intent to carry off Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I cannot pay her evil for good, and I swore that I would not.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou intend to accept the religion of Christ?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to do so, but my nature cannot endure it.” + </p> + <p> + “But wilt thou be able to forget Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then travel.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment the slaves announced that the repast was ready; but + Petronius, to whom it seemed that he had fallen on a good thought, said, + on the way to the triclinium,—“Thou has ridden over a part of the + world, but only as a soldier hastening to his place of destination, and + without halting by the way. Go with us to Achæa. Cæsar has not given up + the journey. He will stop everywhere on the way, sing, receive crowns, + plunder temples, and return as a triumphator to Italy. That will resemble + somewhat a journey of Bacchus and Apollo in one person. Augustians, male + and female, a thousand citharæ. By Castor! that will be worth witnessing, + for hitherto the world has not seen anything like it!” + </p> + <p> + Here he placed himself on the couch before the table, by the side of + Eunice; and when the slaves put a wreath of anemones on his head, he + continued,—“What hast thou seen in Corbulo’s service? Nothing. Hast + thou seen the Grecian temples thoroughly, as I have,—I who was + passing more than two years from the hands of one guide to those of + another? Hast thou been in Rhodes to examine the site of the Colossus? + Hast thou seen in Panopeus, in Phocis, the clay from which Prometheus + shaped man; or in Sparta the eggs laid by Leda; or in Athens the famous + Sarmatian armor made of horse-hoofs; or in Euboea the ship of Agamemnon; + or the cup for whose pattern the left breast of Helen served? Hast thou + seen Alexandria, Memphis, the Pyramids, the hair which Isis tore from her + head in grief for Osiris? Hast thou heard the shout of Memnon? The world + is wide; everything does not end at the Trans-Tiber! I will accompany + Cæsar, and when he returns I will leave him and go to Cyprus; for it is + the wish of this golden-haired goddess of mine that we offer doves + together to the divinity in Paphos, and thou must know that whatever she + wishes must happen.” + </p> + <p> + “I am thy slave,” said Eunice. + </p> + <p> + He rested his garlanded head on her bosom, and said with a smile,—“Then + I am the slave of a slave. I admire thee, divine one, from feet to head!” + </p> + <p> + Then he said to Vinicius: “Come with us to Cyprus. But first remember that + thou must see Cæsar. It is bad that thou hast not been with him yet; + Tigellinus is ready to use this to thy disadvantage. He has no personal + hatred for thee, it is true; but he cannot love thee, even because thou + art my sister’s son. We shall say that thou wert sick. We must think over + what thou art to answer should he ask thee about Lygia. It will be best to + wave thy hand and say that she was with thee till she wearied thee. He + will understand that. Tell him also that sickness kept thee at home; that + thy fever was increased by disappointment at not being able to visit + Naples and hear his song; that thou wert assisted to health only by the + hope of hearing him. Fear no exaggeration. Tigellinus promises to invent, + not only something great for Cæsar, but something enormous. I am afraid + that he will undermine me; I am afraid too of thy disposition.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know,” said Vinicius, “that there are people who have no fear + of Cæsar, and who live as calmly as if he were non-existent?” + </p> + <p> + “I know whom thou hast in mind—the Christians.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; they alone. But our life,—what is it if not unbroken terror?” + </p> + <p> + “Do not mention thy Christians. They fear not Cæsar, because he has not + even heard of them perhaps; and in every case he knows nothing of them, + and they concern him as much as withered leaves. But I tell thee that they + are incompetents. Thou feelest this thyself; if thy nature is repugnant to + their teaching, it is just because thou feelest their incompetence. Thou + art a man of other clay; so trouble not thyself or me with them. We shall + be able to live and die, and what more they will be able to do is + unknown.” + </p> + <p> + These words struck Vinicius; and when he returned home, he began to think + that in truth, perhaps, the goodness and charity of Christians was a proof + of their incompetience of soul. It seemed to him that people of strength + and temper could not forgive thus. It came to his head that this must be + the real cause of the repulsion which his Roman soul felt toward their + teaching. “We shall be able to live and die!” said Petronius. As to them, + they know only how to forgive, and understand neither true love nor true + hatred. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXX + </h2> + <p> + Cæsar, on returning to Rome, was angry because he had returned, and after + some days was filled anew with a wish to visit Achæa. He even issued an + edict in which he declared that his absence would be short, and that + public affairs would not be exposed to detriment because of it. In company + with Augustians, among whom was Vinicius, he repaired to the Capitol to + make offerings to the gods for an auspicious journey. But on the second + day, when he visited the temple of Vesta, an event took place which + changed all his projects. Nero feared the gods, though he did not believe + in them; he feared especially the mysterious Vesta, who filled him with + such awe that at sight of the divinity and the sacred fire his hair rose + on a sudden from terror, his teeth chattered, a shiver ran through his + limbs, and he dropped into the arms of Vinicius, who happened there behind + him. He was borne out of the temple at once, and conveyed to the Palatine, + where he recovered soon, but did not leave the bed for that day. He + declared, moreover, to the great astonishment of those present, that he + deferred his journey, since the divinity had warned him secretly against + haste. An hour later it was announced throughout Rome that Cæsar, seeing + the gloomy faces of the citizens, and moved by love for them, as a father + for his children, would remain to share their lot and their pleasures. The + people, rejoiced at this decision, and certain also that they would not + miss games and a distribution of wheat, assembled in crowds before the + gates of the Palatine, and raised shouts in honor of the divine Cæsar, who + interrupted the play at dice with which he was amusing himself with + Augustians, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, there was need to defer the journey. Egypt, and predicted dominion + over the Orient, cannot escape me; hence Achæa, too, will not be lost. I + will give command to cut through the isthmus of Corinth; I will rear such + monuments in Egypt that the pyramids will seem childish toys in + comparison; I will have a sphinx built seven times greater than that which + is gazing into the desert outside Memphis; but I will command that it have + my face. Coming ages will speak only of that monument and of me.” + </p> + <p> + “With thy verses thou hast reared a monument to thyself already, not + seven, but thrice seven, times greater than the pyramid of Cheops,” said + Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “But with my song?” inquired Nero. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! if men could only build for thee a statue, like that of Memnon, to + call with thy voice at sunrise! For all ages to come the seas adjoining + Egypt would swarm with ships in which crowds from the three parts of the + world would be lost in listening to thy song.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! who can do that?” said Nero. + </p> + <p> + “But thou canst give command to cut out of basalt thyself driving a + quadriga.” + </p> + <p> + “True! I will do that!” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt bestow a gift on humanity.” + </p> + <p> + “In Egypt I will marry the Moon, who is now a widow, and I shall be a god + really.” + </p> + <p> + “And thou wilt give us stars for wives; we will make a new constellation, + which will be called the constellation of Nero. But do thou marry Vitelius + to the Nile, so that he may beget hippopotamuses. Give the desert to + Tigellinus, he will be king of the jackals.” + </p> + <p> + “And what dost thou predestine to me?” inquired Vatinius. + </p> + <p> + “Apis bless thee! Thou didst arrange such splendid games in Beneventum + that I cannot wish thee ill. Make a pair of boots for the sphinx, whose + paws must grow numb during night-dews; after that thou will make sandals + for the Colossi which form the alleys before the temples. Each one will + find there a fitting occupation. Domitius Afer, for example, will be + treasurer, since he is known for his honesty. I am glad, Cæsar, when thou + art dreaming of Egypt, and I am saddened because thou hast deferred thy + plan of a journey.” + </p> + <p> + “Thy mortal eyes saw nothing, for the deity becomes invisible to whomever + it wishes,” said Nero. “Know that when I was in the temple of Vesta she + herself stood near me, and whispered in my ear, ‘Defer the journey.’ That + happened so unexpectedly that I was terrified, though for such an evident + care of the gods for me I should be thankful.” + </p> + <p> + “We were all terrified,” said Tigellinus, “and the vestal Rubria fainted.” + </p> + <p> + “Rubria!” said Nero; “what a snowy neck she has!” + </p> + <p> + “But she blushed at sight of the divine Cæsar—” + </p> + <p> + “True! I noticed that myself. That is wonderful. There is something divine + in every vestal, and Rubria is very beautiful. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said he, after a moment’s meditation, “why people fear Vesta + more than other gods. What does this mean? Though I am the chief priest, + fear seized me to-day. I remember only that I was falling back, and should + have dropped to the ground had not some one supported me. Who was it?” + </p> + <p> + “I,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, thou ‘stern Mars’! Why wert thou not in Beneventum? They told me that + thou wert ill, and indeed thy face is changed. But I heard that Croton + wished to kill thee? Is that true?” + </p> + <p> + “It is, and he broke my arm; but I defended myself.” + </p> + <p> + “With a broken arm?” + </p> + <p> + “A certain barbarian helped me; he was stronger than Croton.” + </p> + <p> + Nero looked at him with astonishment. “Stronger than Croton? Art thou + jesting? Croton was the strongest of men, but now here is Syphax from + Ethiopia.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell thee, Cæsar, what I saw with my own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is that pearl? Has he not become king of Nemi?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell, Cæsar. I lost sight of him.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou knowest not even of what people he is?” + </p> + <p> + “I had a broken arm, and could not inquire for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Seek him, and find him for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will occupy myself with that,” said Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + But Nero spoke further to Vinicius: “I thank thee for having supported me; + I might have broken my head by a fall. On a time thou wert a good + companion, but campaigning and service with Corbulo have made thee wild in + some way; I see thee rarely. + </p> + <p> + “How is that maiden too narrow in the hips, with whom thou wert in love,” + asked he after a while, “and whom I took from Aulus for thee?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was confused, but Petronius came to his aid at that moment. “I + will lay a wager, lord,” said he, “that he has forgotten. Dost thou see + his confusion? Ask him how many of them there were since that time, and I + will not give assurance of his power to answer. The Vinicius are good + soldiers, but still better gamecocks. They need whole flocks. Punish him + for that, lord, by not inviting him to the feast which Tigellinus promises + to arrange in thy honor on the pond of Agrippa.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not do that. I trust, Tigellinus, that flocks of beauty will not + be lacking there.” + </p> + <p> + “Could the Graces be absent where Amor will be present?” answered + Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “Weariness tortures me,” said Nero. “I have remained in Rome at the will + of the goddess, but I cannot endure the city. I will go to Antium. I am + stifled in these narrow streets, amid these tumble-down houses, amid these + alleys. Foul air flies even here to my house and my gardens. Oh, if an + earthquake would destroy Rome, if some angry god would level it to the + earth! I would show how a city should be built, which is the head of the + world and my capital.” + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar,” answered Tigellinus, “thou sayest, ‘If some angry god would + destroy the city,’—is it so?” + </p> + <p> + “It is! What then?” + </p> + <p> + “But art thou not a god?” + </p> + <p> + Nero waved his hand with an expression of weariness, and said,—“We + shall see thy work on the pond of Agrippa. Afterward I go to Antium. Ye + are all little, hence do not understand that I need immense things.” + </p> + <p> + Then he closed his eyes, giving to understand in that way that he needed + rest. In fact, the Augustians were beginning to depart. Petronius went out + with Vinicius, and said to him,—“Thou art invited, then, to share in + the amusement. Bronzebeard has renounced the journey, but he will be + madder than ever; he has fixed himself in the city as in his own house. + Try thou, too, to find in these madnesses amusement and forgetfulness. + Well! we have conquered the world, and have a right to amuse ourselves. + Thou, Marcus, art a very comely fellow, and to that I ascribe in part the + weakness which I have for thee. By the Ephesian Diana! if thou couldst see + thy joined brows, and thy face in which the ancient blood of the Quirites + is evident! Others near thee looked like freedmen. True! were it not for + that mad religion, Lygia would be in thy house to-day. Attempt once more + to prove to me that they are not enemies of life and mankind. They have + acted well toward thee, hence thou mayst be grateful to them; but in thy + place I should detest that religion, and seek pleasure where I could find + it. Thou art a comely fellow, I repeat, and Rome is swarming with divorced + women.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder only that all this does not torture thee yet?” + </p> + <p> + “Who has told thee that it does not? It tortures me this long time, but I + am not of thy years. Besides, I have other attachments which are lacking + thee. I love books, thou hast no love for them; I love poetry, which + annoys thee; I love pottery, gems, a multitude of things, at which thou + dost not look; I have a pain in my loins, which thou hast not; and, + finally, I have found Eunice, but thou hast found nothing similar. For me, + it is pleasant in my house, among masterpieces; of thee I can never make a + man of æsthetic feeling. I know that in life I shall never find anything + beyond what I have found; thou thyself knowest not that thou art hoping + yet continually, and seeking. If death were to visit thee, with all thy + courage and sadness, thou wouldst die with astonishment that it was + necessary to leave the world; but I should accept death as a necessity, + with the conviction that there is no fruit in the world which I have not + tasted. I do not hurry, neither shall I loiter; I shall try merely to be + joyful to the end. There are cheerful sceptics in the world. For me, the + Stoics are fools; but stoicism tempers men, at least, while thy Christians + bring sadness into the world, which in life is the same as rain in nature. + Dost thou know what I have learned? That during the festivities which + Tigellinus will arrange at the pond of Agrippa, there will be lupanaria, + and in them women from the first houses of Rome. Will there be not even + one sufficiently beautiful to console thee? There will be maidens, too, + appearing in society for the first time—as nymphs. Such is our Roman + Cæsardom! The air is mild already; the midday breeze will warm the water + and not bring pimples on naked bodies. And thou, Narcissus, know this, + that there will not be one to refuse thee,—not one, even though she + be a vestal virgin.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius began to strike his head with his palm, like a man occupied + eternally with one thought. + </p> + <p> + “I should need luck to find such a one.” + </p> + <p> + “And who did this for thee, if not the Christians? But people whose + standard is a cross cannot be different. Listen to me: Greece was + beautiful, and created wisdom; we created power; and what, to thy + thinking, can this teaching create? If thou know, explain; for, by Pollux! + I cannot divine it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art afraid, it seems, lest I become a Christian,” said Vinicius, + shrugging his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that thou hast spoiled life for thyself. If thou canst not be + a Grecian, be a Roman; possess and enjoy. Our madnesses have a certain + sense, for there is in them a kind of thought of our own. I despise + Bronzebeard, because he is a Greek buffoon. If he held himself a Roman, I + should recognize that he was right in permitting himself madness. Promise + me that if thou find some Christian on returning home, thou wilt show thy + tongue to him. If he be Glaucus the physician, he will not wonder.—Till + we meet on the pond of Agrippa.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXI + </h2> + <p> + PRETORIANS surrounded the groves on the banks of the pond of Agrippa, lest + over-numerous throngs of spectators might annoy Cæsar and his guests; + though it was said that everything in Rome distinguished for wealth, + beauty, or intellect was present at that feast, which had no equal in the + history of the city. Tigellinus wished to recompense Cæsar for the + deferred journey to Achæa, to surpass all who had ever feasted Nero, and + prove that no man could entertain as he could. With this object in view, + while with Cæsar in Naples, and later in Beneventum, he had made + preparations and sent orders to bring from the remotest regions of the + earth beasts, birds, rare fish, and plants, not omitting vessels and + cloths, which were to enhance the splendor of the feast. The revenues of + whole provinces went to satisfy mad projects; but the powerful favorite + had no need to hesitate. His influence grew daily. Tigellinus was not + dearer than others to Nero yet, perhaps, but he was becoming more and more + indispensable. Petronius surpassed him infinitely in polish, intellect, + wit; in conversation he knew better how to amuse Cæsar: but to his + misfortune he surpassed in conversation Cæsar himself, hence he roused his + jealousy; moreover he could not be an obedient instrument in everything, + and Cæsar feared his opinion when there were questions in matters of + taste. But before Tigellinus, Nero never felt any restraint. The very + title, Arbiter Elegantiarum, which had been given to Petronius, annoyed + Nero’s vanity, for who had the right to bear that title but himself? + Tigellinus had sense enough to know his own deficiencies; and seeing that + he could not compete with Petronius, Lucan, or others distinguished by + birth, talents, or learning, he resolved to extinguish them by the + suppleness of his services, and above all by such a magnificence that the + imagination of Nero himself would be struck by it. He had arranged to give + the feast on a gigantic raft, framed of gilded timbers. The borders of + this raft were decked with splendid shells found in the Red Sea and the + Indian Ocean, shells brilliant with the colors of pearls and the rainbow. + The banks of the pond were covered with groups of palm, with groves of + lotus, and blooming roses. In the midst of these were hidden fountains of + perfumed water, statues of gods and goddesses, and gold or silver cages + filled with birds of various colors. In the centre of the raft rose an + immense tent, or rather, not to hide the feasters, only the roof of a + tent, made of Syrian purple, resting on silver columns; under it were + gleaming, like suns, tables prepared for the guests, loaded with + Alexandrian glass, crystal, and vessels simply beyond price,—the + plunder of Italy, Greece, and Asia Minor. The raft, which because of + plants accumulated on it had the appearance of an island and a garden, was + joined by cords of gold and purple to boats shaped like fish, swans, mews, + and flamingoes, in which sat at painted oars naked rowers of both sexes, + with forms and features of marvellous beauty, their hair dressed in + Oriental fashion, or gathered in golden nets. When Nero arrived at the + main raft with Poppæa and the Augustians, and sat beneath the purple + tent-roof, the oars struck the water, the boats moved, the golden cords + stretched, and the raft with the feast and the guests began to move and + describe circles on the pond. Other boats surrounded it, and other smaller + rafts, filled with women playing on citharæ and harps, women whose rosy + bodies on the blue background of the sky and the water and in the + reflections from golden instruments seemed to absorb that blue and those + reflections, and to change and bloom like flowers. + </p> + <p> + From the groves at the banks, from fantastic buildings reared for that day + and hidden among thickets, were heard music and song. The neighborhood + resounded, the groves resounded; echoes bore around the voices of horns + and trumpets. Cæsar himself, with Poppæa on one side of him, and + Pythagoras on the other, was amazed; and more especially when among the + boats young slave maidens appeared as sirens, and were covered with green + network in imitation of scales, he did not spare praises on Tigellinus. + But he looked at Petronius from habit, wishing to learn the opinion of the + “arbiter,” who seemed indifferent for a long time, and only when + questioned outright, answered,—“I judge, lord, that ten thousand + naked maidens make less impression than one.” + </p> + <p> + But the “floating feast” pleased Cæsar, for it was something new. Besides, + such exquisite dishes were served that the imagination of Apicius would + have failed at sight of them, and wines of so many kinds that Otho, who + used to serve eighty, would have hidden under water with shame, could he + have witnessed the luxury of that feast. Besides women, the Augustians sat + down at the table, among whom Vinicius excelled all with his beauty. + Formerly his figure and face indicated too clearly the soldier by + profession; now mental suffering and the physical pain through which he + had passed had chiselled his features, as if the delicate hand of a master + had passed over them. His complexion had lost its former swarthiness, but + the yellowish gleam of Numidian marble remained on it. His eyes had grown + larger and more pensive. His body had retained its former powerful + outlines, as if created for armor; but above the body of a legionary was + seen the head of a Grecian god, or at least of a refined patrician, at + once subtle and splendid. Petronius, in saying that none of the ladies of + Cæsar’s court would be able or willing to resist Vinicius, spoke like a + man of experience. All gazed at him now, not excepting Poppæa, or the + vestal virgin Rubria, whom Cæsar wished to see at the feast. + </p> + <p> + Wines, cooled in mountain snow, soon warmed the hearts and heads of the + guests. Boats shaped as grasshoppers or butterflies shot forth from the + bushes at the shore every moment. The blue surface of the pond seemed + occupied by butterflies. Above the boats here and there flew doves, and + other birds from India and Africa, fastened with silver and blue threads + or strings. The sun had passed the greater part of the sky, but the day + was warm and even hot, though in the beginning of May. The pond heaved + from the strokes of oars, which beat the water in time with music; but in + the air there was not the least breath of wind; the groves were + motionless, as if lost in listening and in gazing at that which was + happening on the water. The raft circled continually on the pond, bearing + guests who were increasingly drunk and boisterous. + </p> + <p> + The feast had not run half its course yet, when the order in which all sat + at the table was observed no longer. Cæsar gave the example, for, rising + himself, he commanded Vinicius, who sat next to Rubria the vestal, to + move. Nero occupied the place, and began to whisper something in Rubria’s + ear. Vinicius found himself next to Poppæa, who extended her arm and + begged him to fasten her loosened bracelet. When he did so, with hands + trembling somewhat, she cast at him from beneath her long lashes a glance + as it were of modesty, and shook her golden head as if in resistance. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the sun, growing larger, ruddier, sank slowly behind the tops of + the grove; the guests were for the greater part thoroughly intoxicated. + The raft circled now nearer the shore, on which, among bunches of trees + and flowers, were seen groups of people, disguised as fauns or satyrs, + playing on flutes, bagpipes, and drums, with groups of maidens + representing nymphs, dryads, and hamadryads. Darkness fell at last amid + drunken shouts from the tent, shouts raised in honor of Luna. Meanwhile + the groves were lighted with a thousand lamps. From the lupanaria on the + shores shone swarms of lights; on the terraces appeared new naked groups, + formed of the wives and daughters of the first Roman houses. These with + voice and unrestrained manner began to lure partners. The raft touched the + shore at last. Cæsar and the Augustians vanished in the groves, scattered + in lupanaria, in tents hidden in thickets, in grottos artificially + arranged among fountains and springs. Madness seized all; no one knew + whither Cæsar had gone; no one knew who was a senator, who a knight, who a + dancer, who a musician. Satyrs and fauns fell to chasing nymphs with + shouting. They struck lamps with thyrses to quench them. Darkness covered + certain parts of the grove. Everywhere, however, laughter and shouts were + heard, and whispers, and panting breaths. In fact Rome had not seen + anything like that before. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was not drunk, as he had been at the feast in Nero’s palace, when + Lygia was present; but he was roused and intoxicated by the sight of + everything done round about, and at last the fever of pleasure seized him. + Rushing into the forest, he ran, with others, examining who of the dryads + seemed most beautiful. New flocks of these raced around him every moment + with shouts and with songs; these flocks were pursued by fauns, satyrs, + senators, knights, and by sounds of music. Seeing at last a band of + maidens led by one arrayed as Diana, he sprang to it, intending to examine + the goddess more closely. All at once the heart sank in his bosom, for he + thought that in that goddess, with the moon on her forehead, he recognized + Lygia. + </p> + <p> + They encircled him with a mad whirl, and, wishing evidently to incline him + to follow, rushed away the next moment like a herd of deer. But he stood + on the spot with beating heart, breathless; for though he saw that the + Diana was not Lygia, and that at close sight she was not even like her, + the too powerful impression deprived him of strength. Straightway he was + seized by such yearning as he had never felt before, and love for Lygia + rushed to his breast in a new, immense wave. Never had she seemed so dear, + pure, and beloved as in that forest of madness and frenzied excess. A + moment before, he himself wished to drink of that cup, and share in that + shameless letting loose of the senses; now disgust and repugnance + possessed him. He felt that infamy was stifling him; that his breast + needed air and the stars which were hidden by the thickets of that + dreadful grove. He determined to flee; but barely had he moved when before + him stood some veiled figure, which placed its hands on his shoulders and + whispered, flooding his face with burning breath, “I love thee! Come! no + one will see us, hasten!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was roused, as if from a dream. + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” + </p> + <p> + But she leaned her breast on him and insisted,—“Hurry! See how + lonely it is here, and I love thee! Come!” + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” repeated Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Guess!” + </p> + <p> + As she said this, she pressed her lips to his through the veil, drawing + toward her his head at the same time, till at last breath failed the woman + and she tore her face from him. + </p> + <p> + “Night of love! night of madness!” said she, catching the air quickly. + “Today is free! Thou hast me!” + </p> + <p> + But that kiss burned Vinicius; it filled him with disquiet. His soul and + heart were elsewhere; in the whole world nothing existed for him except + Lygia. So, pushing back the veiled figure, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Whoever thou be, I love another, I do not wish thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Remove the veil,” said she, lowering her head toward him. + </p> + <p> + At that moment the leaves of the nearest myrtle began to rustle; the + veiled woman vanished like a dream vision, but from a distance her laugh + was heard, strange in some way, and ominous. + </p> + <p> + Petronius stood before Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard and seen,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go from this place,” replied Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + And they went. They passed the lupanaria gleaming with light, the grove, + the line of mounted pretorians, and found the litters. + </p> + <p> + “I will go with thee,” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + They sat down together. On the road both were silent, and only in the + atrium of Vinicius’s house did Petronius ask,—“Dost thou know who + that was?” + </p> + <p> + “Was it Rubria?” asked Vinicius, repulsed at the very thought that Rubria + was a vestal. + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Who then?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius lowered his voice. “The fire of Vesta was defiled, for Rubria + was with Cæsar. But with thee was speaking”—and he finished in a + still lower voice, “the divine Augusta.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar,” said Petronius, “was unable to hide from Poppæa his desire for + Rubria; therefore she wished, perhaps, to avenge herself. But I hindered + you both. Hadst thou recognized the Augusta and refused her, thou wouldst + have been ruined beyond rescue,—thou, Lygia, and I, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “I have enough of Rome, Cæsar, feasts, the Augusta, Tigellinus, and all of + you!” burst out Vinicius. “I am stifling. I cannot live thus; I cannot. + Dost understand me?” + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius, thou art losing sense, judgment, moderation.” + </p> + <p> + “I love only her in this world.” + </p> + <p> + “What of that?” + </p> + <p> + “This, that I wish no other love. I have no wish for your life, your + feasts, your shamelessness, your crimes!” + </p> + <p> + “What is taking place in thee? Art thou a Christian?” + </p> + <p> + The young man seized his head with both hands, and repeated, as if in + despair,—“Not yet! not yet!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXII + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS went home shrugging his shoulders and greatly dissatisfied. It + was evident to him that he and Vinicius had ceased to understand each + other, that their souls had separated entirely. Once Petronius had immense + influence over the young soldier. He had been for him a model in + everything, and frequently a few ironical words of his sufficed to + restrain Vinicius or urge him to something. At present there remained + nothing of that; such was the change that Petronius did not try his former + methods, feeling that his wit and irony would slip without effect along + the new principles which love and contact with the uncomprehended society + of Christians had put in the soul of Vinicius. The veteran sceptic + understood that he had lost the key to that soul. This knowledge filled + him with dissatisfaction and even with fear, which was heightened by the + events of that night. “If on the part of the Augusta it is not a passing + whim but a more enduring desire,” thought Petronius, “one of two things + will happen,—either Vinicius will not resist her, and he may be + ruined by any accident, or, what is like him to-day, he will resist, and + in that event he will be ruined certainly, and perhaps I with him, even + because I am his relative, and because the Augusta, having included a + whole family in her hatred, will throw the weight of her influence on the + side of Tigellinus. In this way and that it is bad.” Petronius was a man + of courage and felt no dread of death; but since he hoped nothing from it, + he had no wish to invite it. After long meditation, he decided at last + that it would be better and safer to send Vinicius from Rome on a journey. + Ah! but if in addition he could give him Lygia for the road, he would do + so with pleasure. But he hoped that it would not be too difficult to + persuade him to the journey without her. He would spread a report on the + Palatine then of Vinicius’s illness, and remove danger as well from his + nephew as himself. The Augusta did not know whether she was recognized by + Vinicius; she might suppose that she was not, hence her vanity had not + suffered much so far. But it might be different in the future, and it was + necessary to avoid peril. Petronius wished to gain time, above all; for he + understood that once Cæsar set out for Achæa, Tigellinus, who comprehended + nothing in the domain of art, would descend to the second place and lose + his influence. In Greece Petronius was sure of victory over every + opponent. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile he determined to watch over Vinicius, and urge him to the + journey. For a number of days he was ever thinking over this, that if he + obtained an edict from Cæsar expelling the Christians from Rome, Lygia + would leave it with the other confessors of Christ, and after her Vinicius + too. Then there would be no need to persuade him. The thing itself was + possible. In fact it was not so long since, when the Jews began + disturbances out of hatred to the Christians, Claudius, unable to + distinguish one from the other, expelled the Jews. Why should not Nero + expel the Christians? There would be more room in Rome without them. After + that “floating feast” Petronius saw Nero daily, both on the Palatine and + in other houses. To suggest such an idea was easy, for Nero never opposed + suggestions which brought harm or ruin to any one. After mature decision + Petronius framed a whole plan for himself. He would prepare a feast in his + own house, and at this feast persuade Cæsar to issue an edict. He had even + a hope, which was not barren, that Cæsar would confide the execution of + the edict to him. He would send out Lygia with all the consideration + proper to the mistress of Vinicius to Baiæ, for instance, and let them + love and amuse themselves there with Christianity as much as they liked. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile he visited Vinicius frequently, first, because he could not, + despite all his Roman selfishness, rid himself of attachment to the young + tribune, and second, because he wished to persuade him to the journey. + Vinicius feigned sickness, and did not show himself on the Palatine, where + new plans appeared every day. At last Petronius heard from Cæsar’s own + lips that three days from then he would go to Antium without fail. Next + morning he went straightway to inform Vinicius, who showed him a list of + persons invited to Antium, which list one of Cæsar’s freedmen had brought + him that morning. + </p> + <p> + “My name is on it; so is thine,” said he. “Thou wilt find the same at thy + house on returning.” + </p> + <p> + “Were I not among the invited,” replied Petronius, “it would mean that I + must die; I do not expect that to happen before the journey to Achæa. I + shall be too useful to Nero. Barely have we come to Rome,” said he, on + looking at the list, “when we must leave again, and drag over the road to + Antium. But we must go, for this is not merely an invitation, it is a + command as well.” + </p> + <p> + “And if some one would not obey?” + </p> + <p> + “He would be invited in another style to go on a journey notably longer,—one + from which people do not return. What a pity that thou hast not obeyed my + counsel and left Rome in season! Now thou must go to Antium.” + </p> + <p> + “I must go to Antium. See in what times we live and what vile slaves we + are!” + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou noticed that only to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “No. But thou hast explained to me that Christian teaching is an enemy of + life, since it shackles it. But can their shackles be stronger than those + which we carry? Thou hast said, ‘Greece created wisdom and beauty, and + Rome power.’ Where is our power?” + </p> + <p> + “Call Chilo and talk with him. I have no desire to-day to philosophize. By + Hercules! I did not create these times, and I do not answer for them. Let + us speak of Antium. Know that great danger is awaiting thee, and it would + be better, perhaps, to measure strength with that Ursus who choked Croton + than to go there, but still thou canst not refuse.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius waved his hand carelessly, and said,—“Danger! We are all + wandering in the shadow of death, and every moment some head sinks in its + darkness.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I to enumerate all who had a little sense, and therefore, in spite of + the times of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero, lived eighty and + ninety years? Let even such a man as Domitius Afer serve thee as an + example. He has grown old quietly, though all his life he has been a + criminal and a villain.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps for that very reason!” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Then he began to glance over the list and read: “Tigellinus, Vatinius, + Sextus Africanus, Aquilinus Regulus, Suilius Nerulinus, Eprius Marcellus, + and so on! What an assembly of ruffians and scoundrels! And to say that + they govern the world! Would it not become them better to exhibit an + Egyptian or Syrian divinity through villages, jingle sistra, and earn + their bread by telling fortunes or dancing?” + </p> + <p> + “Or exhibiting learned monkeys, calculating dogs, or a flute-playing ass,” + added Petronius. “That is true, but let us speak of something more + important. Summon thy attention and listen. I have said on the Palatine + that thou art ill, unable to leave the house; still thy name is on the + list, which proves that some one does not credit my stories and has seen + to this purposely. Nero cares nothing for the matter, since for him thou + art a soldier, who has no conception of poetry or music, and with whom at + the very highest he can talk only about races in the circus. So Poppæa + must have seen to putting down thy name, which means that her desire for + thee was not a passing whim, and that she wants to win thee.” + </p> + <p> + “She is a daring Augusta.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed she is daring, for she may ruin herself beyond redemption. May + Venus inspire her, however, with another love as soon as possible; but + since she desires thee thou must observe the very greatest caution. She + has begun to weary Bronzebeard already; he prefers Rubria now, or + Pythagoras, but, through consideration of self, he would wreak the most + horrible vengeance on us.” + </p> + <p> + “In the grove I knew not that she was speaking to me; but thou wert + listening. I said that I loved another, and did not wish her. Thou knowest + that.” + </p> + <p> + “I implore thee, by all the infernal gods, lose not the remnant of reason + which the Christians have left in thee. How is it possible to hesitate, + having a choice between probable and certain destruction? Have I not said + already that if thou hadst wounded the Augusta’s vanity, there would have + been no rescue for thee? By Hades! if life has grown hateful to thee, + better open thy veins at once, or cast thyself on a sword, for shouldst + thou offend Poppæa, a less easy death may meet thee. It was easier once to + converse with thee. What concerns thee specially? Would this affair cause + thee loss, or hinder thee from loving thy Lygia? Remember, besides, that + Poppæa saw her on the Palatine. It will not be difficult for her to guess + why thou art rejecting such lofty favor, and she will get Lygia even from + under the earth. Thou wilt ruin not only thyself, but Lygia too. Dost + understand?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius listened as if thinking of something else, and at last he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I must see her.” + </p> + <p> + “Who? Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know where she is?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thou wilt begin anew to search for her in old cemeteries and beyond + the Tiber?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not, but I must see her.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, though she is a Christian, it may turn out that she has more + judgment than thou; and it will certainly, unless she wishes thy ruin.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius shrugged his shoulders. “She saved me from the hands of Ursus.” + </p> + <p> + “Then hurry, for Bronzebeard will not postpone his departure. Sentences of + death may be issued in Antium also.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius did not hear. One thought alone occupied him, an interview + with Lygia; hence he began to think over methods. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile something intervened which might set aside every difficulty. + Chilo came to his house unexpectedly. + </p> + <p> + He entered wretched and worn, with signs of hunger on his face and in + rags; but the servants, who had the former command to admit him at all + hours of the day or night, did not dare to detain him, so he went straight + to the atrium, and standing before Vinicius said,—“May the gods give + thee immortality, and share with thee dominion over the world.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius at the first moment wished to give the order to throw him out of + doors; but the thought came to him that the Greek perhaps knew something + of Lygia, and curiosity overcame his disgust. + </p> + <p> + “Is that thou?” asked he. “What has happened to thee?” + </p> + <p> + “Evil, O son of Jove,” answered Chilo. “Real virtue is a ware for which no + one inquires now, and a genuine sage must be glad of this even, that once + in five days he has something with which to buy from the butcher a sheep’s + head, to gnaw in a garret, washing it down with his tears. Ah, lord! What + thou didst give me I paid Atractus for books, and afterward I was robbed + and ruined. The slave who was to write down my wisdom fled, taking the + remnant of what thy generosity bestowed on me. I am in misery, but I + thought to myself: To whom can I go, if not to thee, O Serapis, whom I + love and deify, for whom I have exposed my life?” + </p> + <p> + “Why hast thou come, and what dost thou bring?” + </p> + <p> + “I come for aid, O Baal, and I bring my misery, my tears, my love, and + finally the information which through love for thee I have collected. Thou + rememberest, lord, I told thee once how I had given a slave of the divine + Petronius one thread from the girdle of the Paphian Venus? I know now that + it helped her, and thou, O descendant of the Sun, who knowest what is + happening in that house, knowest also what Eunice is there. I have another + such thread. I have preserved it for thee, lord.” + </p> + <p> + Here he stopped, on noticing the anger which was gathering on the brows of + Vinicius, and said quickly, so as to anticipate the outburst,— + </p> + <p> + “I know where the divine Lygia is living; I will show thee the street and + the house.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius repressed the emotion with which that news filled him, and said,—“Where + is she?” + </p> + <p> + “With Linus, the elder priest of the Christians. She is there with Ursus, + who goes as before to the miller, a namesake of thy dispensator Demas. + Yes, Demas! Ursus works in the night; so if thou surround the house at + night, thou wilt not find him. Linus is old, and besides him there are + only two aged women in the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Whence dost thou know all this?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou rememberest, lord, that the Christians had me in their hands, and + spared me. True, Glaucus was mistaken in thinking that I was the cause of + his misfortunes; but he believed that I was, poor man, and he believes so + yet. Still they spared me. Then be not astonished, lord, that gratitude + filled my heart. I am a man of former, of better times. This was my + thought: Am I to desert friends and benefactors? Would I not have been + hard-hearted not to inquire about them, not to learn what was happening to + them, how health was serving them, and where they were living? By the + Pessinian Cybele! I am not capable of such conduct. At first I was + restrained by fear that they might interpret my wishes incorrectly. But + the love which I bore them proved greater than my fear, and the ease with + which they forgive every injustice lent me special courage. But above all + I was thinking of thee, lord. Our last attempt ended in defeat; but can + such a son of Fortune be reconciled with defeat? So I prepared victory for + thee. The house stands apart. Thou mayst give command to thy slaves to + surround it so that not a mouse could escape. My lord, on thee alone it + depends to have that magnanimous king’s daughter in thy house this very + night. But should that happen, remember that the cause of it is the very + poor and hungry son of my father.” + </p> + <p> + The blood rushed to Vinicius’s head. Temptation shook all his being again. + Yes; that was the method, and this time a certain one. Once he has Lygia + in his house, who can take her? Once he makes Lygia his mistress, what + will be left to her, unless to remain so forever? And let all religions + perish! What will the Christians mean to him then, with their mercy and + forbidding faith? Is it not time to shake himself free of all that? Is it + not time to live as all live? What will Lygia do later, save to reconcile + her fate with the religion which she professes? That, too, is a question + of inferior significance. Those are matters devoid of importance. First of + all, she will be his,—and his this very day. And it is a question, + too, whether that religion will hold out in her soul against the world + which is new to her, against luxury, and excitements to which she must + yield. All may happen to-day. He needs only to detain Chilo, and give an + order at dark. And then delight without end! “What has my life been?” + thought Vinicius; “suffering, unsatisfied desire, and an endless + propounding of problems without answer.” In this way all will be cut short + and ended. He recollected, it is true, that he had promised not to raise a + hand against her. But by what had he sworn? Not by the gods, for he did + not believe in them; not by Christ, for he did not believe in him yet. + Finally, if she feels injured, he will marry her, and thus repair the + wrong. Yes; to that he feels bound, for to her he is indebted for life. + Here he recalled the day in which with Croton he had attacked her retreat; + he remembered the Lygian’s fist raised above him, and all that had + happened later. He saw her again bent over his couch, dressed in the garb + of a slave, beautiful as a divinity, a benefactress kind and glorified. + His eyes passed to the lararium unconsciously, and to the little cross + which she left him before going. Will he pay for all that by a new attack? + Will he drag her by the hair as a slave to his cubiculum? And how will he + be able to do so, since he not only desires but loves her, and he loves + her specially because she is as she is? All at once he felt that it was + not enough for him to have her in the house, it was not enough to seize + her in his arms by superior force; he felt that his love needed something + more,—her consent, her loves and her soul. Blessed that roof, if she + come under it willingly; blessed the moment, blessed the day, blessed his + life. Then the happiness of both will be as inexhaustible as the ocean, as + the sun. But to seize her by violence would be to destroy that happiness + forever, and at the same time to destroy, and defile that which is most + precious and alone beloved in life. Terror seized him now at the very + thought of this. He glanced at Chilo, who, while watching him, pushed his + hands under his rags and scratched himself uneasily. That instant, disgust + unspeakable took possession of Vinicius, and a wish to trample that former + assistant of his, as he would a foul worm or venomous serpent. In an + instant he knew what to do. But knowing no measure in anything, and + following the impulse of his stern Roman nature, he turned toward Chilo + and said,— + </p> + <p> + “I will not do what thou advisest, but, lest thou go without just reward, + I will command to give thee three hundred stripes in the domestic prison.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo grew pale. There was so much cold resolution in the beautiful face + of Vinicius that he could not deceive himself for a moment with the hope + that the promised reward was no more than a cruel jest. + </p> + <p> + Hence he threw himself on his knees in one instant, and bending double + began to groan in a broken voice,—“How, O king of Persia? Why?—O + pyramid of kindness! Colossus of mercy! For what?—I am old, hungry, + unfortunate—I have served thee—dost thou repay in this + manner?” + </p> + <p> + “As thou didst the Christians,” said Vinicius. And he called the + dispensator. + </p> + <p> + But Chilo sprang toward his feet, and, embracing them convulsively, + talked, while his face was covered with deathly pallor,—“O lord, O + lord! I am old! Fifty, not three hundred stripes. Fifty are enough! A + hundred, not three hundred! Oh, mercy, mercy!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius thrust him away with his foot, and gave the order. In the twinkle + of an eye two powerful Quadi followed the dispensator, and, seizing Chilo + by the remnant of his hair, tied his own rags around his neck and dragged + him to the prison. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of Christ!” called the Greek, at the exit of the corridor. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was left alone. The order just issued roused and enlivened him. + He endeavored to collect his scattered thoughts, and bring them to order. + He felt great relief, and the victory which he had gained over himself + filled him with comfort. He thought that he had made some great approach + toward Lygia, and that some high reward should be given him. At the first + moment it did not even occur to him that he had done a grievous wrong to + Chilo, and had him flogged for the very acts for which he had rewarded him + previously. He was too much of a Roman yet to be pained by another man’s + suffering, and to occupy his attention with one wretched Greek. Had he + even thought of Chilo’s suffering he would have considered that he had + acted properly in giving command to punish such a villain. But he was + thinking of Lygia, and said to her: I will not pay thee with evil for + good; and when thou shalt learn how I acted with him who strove to + persuade me to raise hands against thee, thou wilt be grateful. But here + he stopped at this thought: Would Lygia praise his treatment of Chilo? The + religion which she professes commands forgiveness; nay, the Christians + forgave the villain, though they had greater reasons for revenge. Then for + the first time was heard in his soul the cry: “In the name of Christ!” He + remembered then that Chilo had ransomed himself from the hands of Ursus + with such a cry, and he determined to remit the remainder of the + punishment. + </p> + <p> + With that object he was going to summon the dispensator, when that person + stood before him, and said,—“Lord, the old man has fainted, and + perhaps he is dead. Am I to command further flogging?” + </p> + <p> + “Revive him and bring him before me.” + </p> + <p> + The chief of the atrium vanished behind the curtain, but the revival could + not have been easy, for Vinicius waited a long time and was growing + impatient, when the slaves brought in Chilo, and disappeared at a signal. + </p> + <p> + Chilo was as pale as linen, and down his legs threads of blood were + flowing to the mosaic pavement of the atrium. He was conscious, however, + and, falling on his knees, began to speak, with extended hands,—“Thanks + to thee, lord. Thou art great and merciful.” + </p> + <p> + “Dog,” said Vinicius, “know that I forgave thee because of that Christ to + whom I owe my own life.” + </p> + <p> + “O lord, I will serve Him and thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent and listen. Rise! Thou wilt go and show me the house in which + Lygia dwells.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo sprang up; but he was barely on his feet when he grew more deathly + pale yet, and said in a failing voice,—“Lord, I am really hungry—I + will go, lord, I will go! but I have not the strength. Command to give me + even remnants from the plate of thy dog, and I will go.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius commanded to give him food, a piece of gold, and a mantle. But + Chilo, weakened by stripes and hunger, could not go to take food, though + terror raised the hair on his head, lest Vinicius might mistake his + weakness for stubbornness and command to flog him anew. + </p> + <p> + “Only let wine warm me,” repeated he, with chattering teeth, “I shall be + able to go at once, even to Magna Græcia.” + </p> + <p> + He regained some strength after a time, and they went out. + </p> + <p> + The way was long, for, like the majority of Christians, Linus dwelt in the + Trans-Tiber, and not far from Miriam. At last Chilo showed Vinicius a + small house, standing apart, surrounded by a wall covered entirely with + ivy, and said, + </p> + <p> + “Here it is, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Vinicius, “go thy way now, but listen first to what I tell + thee. Forget that thou hast served me; forget where Miriam, Peter, and + Glaucus dwell; forget also this house, and all Christians. Thou wilt come + every month to my house, where Demas, my freedman, will pay thee two + pieces of gold. But shouldst thou spy further after Christians, I will + have thee flogged, or delivered into the hands of the prefect of the + city.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo bowed down, and said,—“I will forget.” + </p> + <p> + But when Vinicius vanished beyond the corner of the street, he stretched + his hands after him, and, threatening with his fists, exclaimed,—“By + Ate and the Furies! I will not forget!” + </p> + <p> + Then he grew faint again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXIII + </h2> + <p> + VINICIUS went directly to the house in which Miriam lived. Before the gate + he met Nazarius, who was confused at sight of him; but greeting the lad + cordially, he asked to be conducted to his mother’s lodgings. + </p> + <p> + Besides Miriam, Vinicius found Peter, Glaucus, Crispus, and Paul of + Tarsus, who had returned recently from Fregellæ. At sight of the young + tribune, astonishment was reflected on all faces; but he said,—“I + greet you in the name of Christ, whom ye honor.” + </p> + <p> + “May His name be glorified forever!” answered they. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen your virtue and experienced your kindness, hence I come as a + friend.” + </p> + <p> + “And we greet thee as a friend,” answered Peter. “Sit down, lord, and + partake of our refreshment, as a guest.” + </p> + <p> + “I will sit down and share your repast; but first listen to me, thou + Peter, and thou Paul of Tarsus, so that ye may know my sincerity. I know + where Lygia is. I have returned from before the house of Linus, which is + near this dwelling. I have a right to her given me by Cæsar. I have at my + houses in the city nearly five hundred slaves. I might surround her + hiding-place and seize her; still I have not done so, and will not.” + </p> + <p> + “For this reason the blessing of the Lord will be upon thee, and thy heart + will be purified,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee. But listen to me further: I have not done so, though I am + living in suffering and sadness. Before I knew you, I should have taken + her undoubtedly, and held her by force; but your virtue and your religion, + though I do not profess it, have changed something in my soul, so that I + do not venture on violence. I know not myself why this is so, but it is + so; hence I come to you, for ye take the place of Lygia’s father and + mother, and I say to you: Give her to me as wife, and I swear that not + only will I not forbid her to confess Christ, but I will begin myself to + learn His religion.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke with head erect and decisively; but still he was moved, and his + legs trembled beneath his mantle. When silence followed his words, he + continued, as if wishing to anticipate an unfavorable answer,— + </p> + <p> + “I know what obstacles exist, but I love her as my own eyes; and though I + am not a Christian yet, I am neither your enemy nor Christ’s. I wish to be + sincere, so that you may trust me. At this moment it is a question of life + with me, still I tell you the truth. Another might say, Baptize me; I say, + Enlighten me. I believe that Christ rose from the dead, for people say so + who love the truth, and who saw Him after death. I believe, for I have + seen myself, that your religion produces virtue, justice, and mercy,—not + crime, which is laid to your charge. I have not known your religion much + so far. A little from you, a little from your works, a little from Lygia, + a little from conversations with you. Still I repeat that it has made some + change in me. Formerly I held my servants with an iron hand; I cannot do + so now. I knew no pity; I know it now. I was fond of pleasure; the other + night I fled from the pond of Agrippa, for the breath was taken from me + through disgust. Formerly I believed in superior force; now I have + abandoned it. Know ye that I do not recognize myself. I am disgusted by + feasts, wine, singing, citharæ, garlands, the court of Cæsar, naked + bodies, and every crime. When I think that Lygia is like snow in the + mountains, I love her the more; and when I think that she is what she is + through your religion, I love and desire that religion. But since I + understand it not, since I know not whether I shall be able to live + according to it, nor whether my nature can endure it, I am in uncertainty + and suffering, as if I were in prison.” + </p> + <p> + Here his brows met in wrinkle of pain, and a flush appeared on his cheeks; + after that he spoke on with growing haste and greater emotion,— + </p> + <p> + “As ye see, I am tortured from love and uncertainty. Men tell me that in + your religion there is no place for life, or human joy, or happiness, or + law, or order, or authority, or Roman dominion. Is this true? Men tell me + that ye are madmen; but tell me yourselves what ye bring. Is it a sin to + love, a sin to feel joy, a sin to want happiness? Are ye enemies of life? + Must a Christian be wretched? Must I renounce Lygia? What is truth in your + view? Your deeds and words are like transparent water, but what is under + that water? Ye see that I am sincere. Scatter the darkness. Men say this + to me also: Greece created beauty and wisdom, Rome created power; but they—what + do they bring? Tell, then, what ye bring. If there is brightness beyond + your doors, open them.” + </p> + <p> + “We bring love,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + And Paul of Tarsus added,—“If I speak with the tongues of men and of + angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass.” + </p> + <p> + But the heart of the old Apostle was stirred by that soul in suffering, + which, like a bird in a cage, was struggling toward air and the sun; + hence, stretching his hand to Vinicius, he said,—“Whoso knocketh, to + him will be opened. The favor and grace of God is upon thee; for this + reason I bless thee, thy soul and thy love, in the name of the Redeemer of + mankind.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who had spoken with enthusiasm already, sprang toward Peter on + hearing this blessing, and an uncommon thing happened. That descendant of + Quirites, who till recently had not recognized humanity in a foreigner, + seized the hand of the old Galilean, and pressed it in gratitude to his + lips. + </p> + <p> + Peter was pleased; for he understood that his sowing had fallen on an + additional field, that his fishing-net had gathered in a new soul. + </p> + <p> + Those present, not less pleased by that evident expression of honor for + the Apostle of God, exclaimed in one voice,—“Praise to the Lord in + the highest!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius rose with a radiant face, and began,—“I see that happiness + may dwell among you, for I feel happy, and I think that ye can convince me + of other things in the same way. But I will add that this cannot happen in + Rome. Cæsar is going to Antium and I must go with him, for I have the + order. Ye know that not to obey is death. But if I have found favor in + your eyes, go with me to teach your truth. It will be safer for you than + for me. Even in that great throng of people, ye can announce your truth in + the very court of Cæsar. They say that Acte is a Christian; and there are + Christians among pretorians even, for I myself have seen soldiers kneeling + before thee, Peter, at the Nomentan gate. In Antium I have a villa where + we shall assemble to hear your teaching, at the side of Nero. Glaucus told + me that ye are ready to go to the end of the earth for one soul; so do for + me what ye have done for those for whose sake ye have come from Judea,—do + it, and desert not my soul.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing this, they began to take counsel, thinking with delight of the + victory of their religion, and of the significance for the pagan world + which the conversion of an Augustian, and a descendant of one of the + oldest Roman families, would have. They were ready, indeed, to wander to + the end of the earth for one human soul, and since the death of the Master + they had, in fact, done nothing else; hence a negative answer did not even + come to their minds. Peter was at that moment the pastor of a whole + multitude, hence he could not go; but Paul of Tarsus, who had been in + Aricium and Fregellæ not long before, and who was preparing for a long + journey to the East to visit churches there and freshen them with a new + spirit of zeal, consented to accompany the young tribune to Antium. It was + easy to find a ship there going to Grecian waters. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, though sad because Peter, to whom he owed so much, could not + visit Antium, thanked him with gratitude, and then turned to the old + Apostle with his last request,—“Knowing Lygia’s dwelling,” said he, + “I might have gone to her and asked, as is proper, whether she would take + me as husband should my soul become Christian, but I prefer to ask thee, O + Apostle! Permit me to see her, or take me thyself to her. I know not how + long I shall be in Antium; and remember that near Cæsar no one is sure of + to-morrow. Petronius himself told me that I should not be altogether safe + there. Let me see her before I go; let me delight my eyes with her; and + let me ask her if she will forget my evil and return good.” + </p> + <p> + Peter smiled kindly and said,—“But who could refuse thee a proper + joy, my son?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius stooped again to Peter’s hands, for he could not in any way + restrain his overflowing heart. The Apostle took him by the temples and + said,—“Have no fear of Cæsar, for I tell thee that a hair will not + fall from thy head.” + </p> + <p> + He sent Miriam for Lygia, telling her not to say who was with them, so as + to give the maiden more delight. + </p> + <p> + It was not far; so after a short time those in the chamber saw among the + myrtles of the garden Miriam leading Lygia by the hand. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius wished to run forth to meet her; but at sight of that beloved + form happiness took his strength, and he stood with beating heart, + breathless, barely able to keep his feet, a hundred times more excited + than when for the first time in life he heard the Parthian arrows whizzing + round his head. + </p> + <p> + She ran in, unsuspecting; but at sight of him she halted as if fixed to + the earth. Her face flushed, and then became very pale; she looked with + astonished and frightened eyes on those present. + </p> + <p> + But round about she saw clear glances, full of kindness. The Apostle Peter + approached her and asked,—“Lygia, dost thou love him as ever?” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed. Her lips began to quiver like those of a + child who is preparing to cry, who feels that it is guilty, but sees that + it must confess the guilt. + </p> + <p> + “Answer,” said the Apostle. + </p> + <p> + Then, with humility, obedience, and fear in her voice, she whispered, + kneeling at the knees of Peter,—“I do.” + </p> + <p> + In one moment Vinicius knelt at her side. Peter placed his hands on their + heads, and said,—“Love each other in the Lord and to His glory, for + there is no sin in your love.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXIV + </h2> + <p> + WHILE walking with Lygia through the garden, Vinicius described briefly, + in words from the depth of his heart, that which a short time before he + had confessed to the Apostles,—that is, the alarm of his soul, the + changes which had taken place in him, and, finally, that immense yearning + which had veiled life from him, beginning with the hour when he left + Miriam’s dwelling. He confessed to Lygia that he had tried to forget her, + but was not able. He thought whole days and nights of her. That little + cross of boxwood twigs which she had left reminded him of her,—that + cross, which he had placed in the lararium and revered involuntarily as + something divine. And he yearned more and more every moment, for love was + stronger than he, and had seized his soul altogether, even when he was at + the house of Aulus. The Parcæ weave the thread of life for others; but + love, yearning, and melancholy had woven it for him. His acts had been + evil, but they had their origin in love. He had loved her when she was in + the house of Aulus, when she was on the Palatine, when he saw her in + Ostrianum listening to Peter’s words, when he went with Croton to carry + her away, when she watched at his bedside, and when she deserted him. Then + came Chilo, who discovered her dwelling, and advised him to seize her a + second time; but he chose to punish Chilo, and go to the Apostles to ask + for truth and for her. And blessed be that moment in which such a thought + came to his head, for now he is at her side, and she will not flee from + him, as the last time she fled from the house of Miriam. + </p> + <p> + “I did not flee from thee,” said Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “Then why didst thou go?” + </p> + <p> + She raised her iris-colored eyes to him, and, bending her blushing face, + said,—“Thou knowest—” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was silent for a moment from excess of happiness, and began again + to speak, as his eyes were opened gradually to this,—that she was + different utterly from Roman women, and resembled Pomponia alone. Besides, + he could not explain this to her clearly, for he could not define his + feeling,—that beauty of a new kind altogether was coming to the + world in her, such beauty as had not been in it thus far; beauty which is + not merely a statue, but a spirit. He told her something, however, which + filled her with delight,—that he loved her just because she had fled + from him, and that she would be sacred to him at his hearth. Then, seizing + her hand, he could not continue; he merely gazed on her with rapture as on + his life’s happiness which he had won, and repeated her name, as if to + assure himself that he had found her and was near her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lygia, Lygia!” + </p> + <p> + At last he inquired what had taken place in her mind, and she confessed + that she had loved him while in the house of Aulus, and that if he had + taken her back to them from the Palatine she would have told them of her + love and tried to soften their anger against him. + </p> + <p> + “I swear to thee,” said Vinicius, “that it had not even risen in my mind + to take thee from Aulus. Petronius will tell thee sometime that I told him + then how I loved and wished to marry thee. ‘Let her anoint my door with + wolf fat, and let her sit at my hearth,’ said I to him. But he ridiculed + me, and gave Cæsar the idea of demanding thee as a hostage and giving thee + to me. How often in my sorrow have I cursed him; but perhaps fate ordained + thus, for otherwise I should not have known the Christians, and should not + have understood thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Believe me, Marcus,” replied Lygia, “it was Christ who led thee to + Himself by design.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius raised his head with a certain astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “True,” answered he, with animation. “Everything fixed itself so + marvellously that in seeking thee I met the Christians. In Ostrianum I + listened to the Apostle with wonder, for I had never heard such words. And + there thou didst pray for me?” + </p> + <p> + “I did,” answered Lygia. + </p> + <p> + They passed near the summer-house covered with thick ivy, and approached + the place where Ursus, after stifling Croton, threw himself upon Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” said the young man, “I should have perished but for thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not mention that,” answered Lygia, “and do not speak of it to Ursus.” + </p> + <p> + “Could I be revenged on him for defending thee? Had he been a slave, I + should have given him freedom straightway.” + </p> + <p> + “Had he been a slave, Aulus would have freed him long ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou remember,” asked Vinicius, “that I wished to take thee back to + Aulus, but the answer was, that Cæsar might hear of it and take revenge on + Aulus and Pomponia? Think of this: thou mayst see them now as often as + thou wishest.” + </p> + <p> + “How, Marcus?” + </p> + <p> + “I say ‘now,’ and I think that thou wilt be able to see them without + danger, when thou art mine. For should Cæsar hear of this, and ask what I + did with the hostage whom he gave me, I should say ‘I married her, and she + visits the house of Aulus with my consent.’ He will not remain long in + Antium, for he wishes to go to Achæa; and even should he remain, I shall + not need to see him daily. When Paul of Tarsus teaches me your faith, I + will receive baptism at once, I will come here, gain the friendship of + Aulus and Pomponia, who will return to the city by that time, and there + will be no further hindrance, I will seat thee at my hearth. Oh, + carissima! carissima!” + </p> + <p> + And he stretched forth his hand, as if taking Heaven as witness of his + love; and Lygia, raising her clear eyes to him, said,— + </p> + <p> + “And then I shall say, ‘Wherever thou art, Caius, there am I, Caia.’” + </p> + <p> + “No, Lygia,” cried Vinicius, “I swear to thee that never has woman been so + honored in the house of her husband as thou shalt be in mine.” + </p> + <p> + For a time they walked on in silence, without being able to take in with + their breasts their happiness, in love with each other, like two deities, + and as beautiful as if spring had given them to the world with the + flowers. + </p> + <p> + They halted at last under the cypress growing near the entrance of the + house. Lygia leaned against his breast, and Vinicius began to entreat + again with a trembling voice,—“Tell Ursus to go to the house of + Aulus for thy furniture and playthings of childhood.” + </p> + <p> + But she, blushing like a rose or like the dawn, answered,—“Custom + commands otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that. The pronuba [The matron who accompanies the bride and + explains to her the duties of a wife] usually brings them behind the + bride, but do this for me. I will take them to my villa in Antium, and + they will remind me of thee.” + </p> + <p> + Here he placed his hands together and repeated, like a child who is + begging for something,—“It will be some days before Pomponia + returns; so do this, diva, do this, carissima.” + </p> + <p> + “But Pomponia will do as she likes,” answered Lygia, blushing still more + deeply at mention of the pronuba. + </p> + <p> + And again they were silent, for love had begun to stop the breath in their + breasts. Lygia stood with shoulders leaning against the cypress, her face + whitening in the shadow, like a flower, her eyes drooping, her bosom + heaving with more and more life. Vinicius changed in the face, and grew + pale. In the silence of the afternoon they only heard the beating of their + hearts, and in their mutual ecstasy that cypress, the myrtle bushes, and + the ivy of the summer-house became for them a paradise of love. But Miriam + appeared in the door, and invited them to the afternoon meal. They sat + down then with the Apostles, who gazed at them with pleasure, as on the + young generation which after their death would preserve and sow still + further the seed of the new faith. Peter broke and blessed bread. There + was calm on all faces, and a certain immense happiness seemed to overflow + the whole house. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said Paul at last, turning to Vinicius, “are we enemies of life and + happiness?” + </p> + <p> + “I know how that is,” answered Vinicius, “for never have I been so happy + as among you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXV + </h2> + <p> + ON the evening of that day Vinicius, while returning home through the + Forum, saw at the entrance to the Vicus Tuscus the gilded litter of + Petronius, carried by eight stalwart Bithynians, and, stopping it with a + sign of his hand, he approached the curtains. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast had a pleasant dream, I trust, and a happy one!” cried he, + laughing at sight of the slumbering Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is it thou?” said Petronius, waking up. “Yes; I dropped asleep for a + moment, as I passed the night at the Palatine. I have come out to buy + something to read on the road to Antium. What is the news?” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou visiting the book-shops?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do not like to bring disorder into my library, so I am collecting + a special supply for the journey. It is likely that some new things of + Musonius and Seneca have come out. I am looking also for Persius, and a + certain edition of the Eclogues of Vergilius, which I do not possess. Oh, + how tired I am; and how my hands ache from covers and rings! For when a + man is once in a book-shop curiosity seizes him to look here and there. I + was at the shop of Avirnus, and at that of Atractus on the Argiletum, and + with the Sozii on Vicus Sandalarius. By Castor! how I want to sleep!” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert on the Palatine? Then I would ask thee what is it to be heard + there? Or, knowest what?—send home the litter and the tubes with + books, and come to my house. We will talk of Antium, and of something + else.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well,” answered Petronius, coming out of the litter. “Thou must + know, besides, that we start for Antium the day after to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Whence should I know that?” + </p> + <p> + “In what world art thou living? Well, I shall be the first to announce the + news to thee. Yes; be ready for the day after to-morrow in the morning. + Peas in olive oil have not helped, a cloth around his thick neck has not + helped, and Bronzebeard is hoarse. In view of this, delay is not to be + mentioned. He curses Rome and its atmosphere, with what the world stands + on; he would be glad to level it to the earth or to destroy it with fire, + and he longs for the sea at the earliest. He says that the smells which + the wind brings from the narrow streets are driving him into the grave. + To-day great sacrifices were offered in all the temples to restore his + voice; and woe to Rome, but especially to the Senate, should it not return + quickly!” + </p> + <p> + “Then there would be no reason for his visit to Achæa?” + </p> + <p> + “But is that the only talent possessed by our divine Cæsar?” asked + Petronius, smiling. “He would appear in the Olympic games, as a poet, with + his ‘Burning of Troy’; as a charioteer, as a musician, as an athlete,—nay, + even as a dancer, and would receive in every case all the crowns intended + for victors. Dost know why that monkey grew hoarse? Yesterday he wanted to + equal our Paris in dancing, and danced for us the adventures of Leda, + during which he sweated and caught cold. He was as wet and slippery as an + eel freshly taken from water. He changed masks one after another, whirled + like a spindle, waved his hands like a drunken sailor, till disgust seized + me while looking at that great stomach and those slim legs. Paris taught + him during two weeks; but imagine to thyself Ahenobarbus as Leda or as the + divine swan. That was a swan!—there is no use in denying it. But he + wants to appear before the public in that pantomime,—first in + Antium, and then in Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “People are offended already because he sang in public; but to think that + a Roman Cæsar will appear as a mime! No; even Rome will not endure that!” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend, Rome will endure anything; the Senate will pass a vote of + thanks to the ‘Father of his country.’ And the rabble will be elated + because Cæsar is its buffoon.” + </p> + <p> + “Say thyself, is it possible to be more debased?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius shrugged his shoulders. “Thou art living by thyself at home, and + meditating, now about Lygia, now about Christians, so thou knowest not, + perhaps, what happened two days since. Nero married, in public, + Pythagoras, who appeared as a bride. That passed the measure of madness, + it would seem, would it not? And what wilt thou say? the flamens, who were + summoned, came and performed the ceremony with solemnity. I was present. I + can endure much; still I thought, I confess, that the gods, if there be + any, should give a sign. But Cæsar does not believe in the gods, and he is + right.” + </p> + <p> + “So he is in one person chief priest, a god, and an atheist,” said + Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “True,” said Petronius, beginning to laugh. “That had not entered my head; + but the combination is such as the world has not seen.” Then, stopping a + moment, he said: “One should add that this chief priest who does not + believe in the gods, and this god who reviles the gods, fears them in his + character of atheist.” + </p> + <p> + “The proof of this is what happened in the temple of Vesta.” “What a + society!” + </p> + <p> + “As the society is, so is Cæsar. But this will not last long.” + </p> + <p> + Thus conversing, they entered the house of Vinicius, who called for supper + joyously; then, turning to Petronius he said,—“No, my dear, society + must be renewed.” + </p> + <p> + “We shall not renew it,” answered Petronius, “even for the reason that in + Nero’s time man is like a butterfly,—he lives in the sunshine of + favor, and at the first cold wind he perishes, even against his will. By + the son of Maia! more than once have I given myself this question: By what + miracle has such a man as Lucius Saturninus been able to reach the age of + ninety-three, to survive Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius? But never mind. + Wilt thou permit me to send thy litter for Eunice? My wish to sleep has + gone, somehow, and I should like to be joyous. Give command to cithara + players to come to the supper, and afterward we will talk of Antium. It is + needful to think of it, especially for thee.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius gave the order to send for Eunice, but declared that he had no + thought of breaking his head over the stay in Antium. + </p> + <p> + “Let those break their heads who cannot live otherwise than in the rays of + Cæsar’s favor. The world does not end on the Palatine, especially for + those who have something else in their hearts and souls.” + </p> + <p> + He said this so carelessly and with such animation and gladness that his + whole manner struck Petronius; hence, looking for a time at him, he asked,—“What + is taking place in thee? Thou art to-day as thou wert when wearing the + golden bulla on thy neck.” + </p> + <p> + “I am happy,” answered Vinicius. “I have invited thee purposely to tell + thee so.” + </p> + <p> + “What has happened?” + </p> + <p> + “Something which I would not give for the Roman Empire.” + </p> + <p> + Then he sat down, and, leaning on the arm of the chair, rested his head on + his hand, and asked,—“Dost remember how we were at the house of + Aulus Plautius, and there thou didst see for the first time the godlike + maiden called by thee ‘the dawn and the spring’? Dost remember that + Psyche, that incomparable, that one more beautiful than our maidens and + our goddesses?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at him with astonishment, as if he wished to make sure + that his head was right. + </p> + <p> + “Of whom art thou speaking?” asked he at last. “Evidently I remember + Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “I am her betrothed.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius sprang up and called his dispensator. + </p> + <p> + “Let the slaves stand before me to the last soul, quickly!” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou her betrothed?” repeated Petronius. + </p> + <p> + But before he recovered from his astonishment the immense atrium was + swarming with people. Panting old men ran in, men in the vigor of life, + women, boys, and girls. With each moment the atrium was filled more and + more; in corridors, called “fauces,” voices were heard calling in various + languages. Finally, all took their places in rows at the walls and among + the columns. Vinicius, standing near the impluvium, turned to Demas, the + freedman, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Those who have served twenty years in my house are to appear tomorrow + before the pretor, where they will receive freedom; those who have not + served out the time will receive three pieces of gold and double rations + for a week. Send an order to the village prisons to remit punishment, + strike the fetters from people’s feet, and feed them sufficiently. Know + that a happy day has come to me, and I wish rejoicing in the house.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment they stood in silence, as if not believing their ears; then + all hands were raised at once, and all mouths cried,—“A-a! lord! + a-a-a!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius dismissed them with a wave of his hand. Though they desired to + thank him and to fall at his feet, they went away hurriedly, filling the + house with happiness from cellar to roof. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow,” said Vinicius, “I will command them to meet again in the + garden, and to make such signs on the ground as they choose. Lygia will + free those who draw a fish.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius, who never wondered long at anything, had grown indifferent, and + asked,—“A fish, is it? Ah, ha! According to Chilo, that is the sign + of a Christian, I remember.” Then he extended his hand to Vinicius, and + said: “Happiness is always where a man sees it. May Flora strew flowers + under thy feet for long years. I wish thee everything which thou wishest + thyself.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank thee, for I thought that thou wouldst dissuade me, and that, as + thou seest, would be time lost.” + </p> + <p> + “I? Dissuade? By no means. On the contrary, I tell thee that thou art + doing well.” + </p> + <p> + “Ha, traitor!” answered Vinicius, joyfully; “hast forgotten what thou + didst tell me once when we were leaving the house of Pomponia Græcina?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Petronius, with cool blood; “but I have changed my opinion. + My dear,” added he after a while, “in Rome everything changes. Husbands + change wives, wives change husbands; why should not I change opinions? It + lacked little of Nero’s marrying Acte, whom for his sake they represented + as the descendant of a kingly line. Well, he would have had an honest + wife, and we an honest Augusta. By Proteus and his barren spaces in the + sea! I shall change my opinion as often as I find it appropriate or + profitable. As to Lygia, her royal descent is more certain than Acte’s. + But in Antium be on thy guard against Poppæa, who is revengeful.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not think of doing so. A hair will not fall from my head in Antium.” + </p> + <p> + “If thou think to astonish me a second time, thou art mistaken; but whence + hast thou that certainty?” + </p> + <p> + “The Apostle Peter told me so.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the Apostle Peter told thee! Against that there is no argument; + permit me, however, to take certain measures of precaution even to this + end, that the Apostle Peter may not turn out a false prophet; for, should + the Apostle be mistaken, perchance he might lose thy confidence, which + certainly will be of use to him in the future.” + </p> + <p> + “Do what may please thee, but I believe him. And if thou think to turn me + against him by repeating his name with irony, thou art mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “But one question more. Hast thou become a Christian?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet; but Paul of Tarsus will travel with me to explain the teachings + of Christ, and afterward I will receive baptism; for thy statement that + they are enemies of life and pleasantness is not true.” + </p> + <p> + “All the better for thee and Lygia,” answered Petronius; then, shrugging + his shoulders, he said, as if to himself, “But it is astonishing how + skilled those people are in gaining adherents, and how that sect is + extending.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Vinicius, with as much warmth as if he had been baptized + already; “there are thousands and tens of thousands of them in Rome, in + the cities of Italy, in Greece and Asia. There are Christians among the + legions and among the pretorians; they are in the palace of Cæsar itself. + Slaves and citizens, poor and rich, plebeian and patrician, confess that + faith. Dost thou know that the Cornelii are Christians, that Pomponia + Græcina is a Christian, that likely Octavia was, and Acte is? Yes, that + teaching will embrace the world, and it alone is able to renew it. Do not + shrug thy shoulders, for who knows whether in a month or a year thou wilt + not receive it thyself?” + </p> + <p> + “I?” said Petronius. “No, by the son of Leto! I will not receive it; even + if the truth and wisdom of gods and men were contained in it. That would + require labor, and I have no fondness for labor. Labor demands + self-denial, and I will not deny myself anything. With thy nature, which + is like fire and boiling water, something like this may happen any time. + But I? I have my gems, my cameos, my vases, my Eunice. I do not believe in + Olympus, but I arrange it on earth for myself; and I shall flourish till + the arrows of the divine archer pierce me, or till Cæsar commands me to + open my veins. I love the odor of violets too much, and a comfortable + triclinium. I love even our gods, as rhetorical figures, and Achæa, to + which I am preparing to go with our fat, thin-legged, incomparable, + godlike Cæsar, the august period-compelling Hercules, Nero.” + </p> + <p> + Then he was joyous at the very supposition that he could accept the + teaching of Galilean fishermen, and began to sing in an undertone,— + </p> + <p> + “I will entwine my bright sword in myrtle, After the example of Harmodius + and Aristogiton.” + </p> + <p> + But he stopped, for the arrival of Eunice was announced. Immediately after + her coming supper was served, during which songs were sung by the cithara + players; Vinicius told of Chilo’s visit, and also how that visit had given + the idea of going to the Apostles directly,—an idea which came to + him while they were flogging Chilo. + </p> + <p> + At mention of this, Petronius, who began to be drowsy, placed his hand on + his forehead, and said,—“The thought was good, since the object was + good. But as to Chilo, I should have given him five pieces of gold; but as + it was thy will to flog him, it was better to flog him, for who knows but + in time senators will bow to him, as to-day they are bowing to our + cobbler-knight, Vatinius. Good-night.” + </p> + <p> + And, removing his wreath, he, with Eunice, prepared for home. When they + had gone, Vinicius went to his library and wrote to Lygia as follows:— + </p> + <p> + “When thou openest thy beautiful eyes, I wish this letter to say Good-day! + to thee. Hence I write now, though I shall see thee tomorrow. Cæsar will + go to Antium after to-morrow,—and I, eheu! must go with him. I have + told thee already that not to obey would be to risk life—and at + present I could not find courage to die. But if thou wish me not to go, + write one word, and I will stay. Petronius will turn away danger from me + with a speech. To-day, in the hour of my delight, I gave rewards to all my + slaves; those who have served in the house twenty years I shall take to + the pretor to-morrow and free. Thou, my dear, shouldst praise me, since + this act as I think will be in accord with that mild religion of thine; + secondly, I do this for thy sake. They are to thank thee for their + freedom. I shall tell them so to-morrow, so that they may be grateful to + thee and praise thy name. I give myself in bondage to happiness and thee. + God grant that I never see liberation. May Antium be cursed, and the + journey of Ahenobarbus! Thrice and four times happy am I in not being so + wise as Petronius; if I were, I should be forced to go to Greece perhaps. + Meanwhile the moment of separation will sweeten my memory of thee. + Whenever I can tear myself away, I shall sit on a horse, and rush back to + Rome, to gladden my eyes with sight of thee, and my ears with thy voice. + When I cannot come I shall send a slave with a letter, and an inquiry + about thee. I salute thee, divine one, and embrace thy feet. Be not angry + that I call thee divine. If thou forbid, I shall obey, but to-day I cannot + call thee otherwise. I congratulate thee on thy future house with my whole + soul.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXVI + </h2> + <p> + IT was known in Rome that Cæsar wished to see Ostia on the journey, or + rather the largest ship in the world, which had brought wheat recently + from Alexandria, and from Ostia to go by the Via Littoralis to Antium. + Orders had been given a number of days earlier; hence at the Porta + Ostiensis, from early morning, crowds made up of the local rabble and of + all nations of the earth had collected to feast their eyes with the sight + of Cæsar’s retinue, on which the Roman population could never gaze + sufficiently. The road to Antium was neither difficult nor long. In the + place itself, which was composed of palaces and villas built and furnished + in a lordly manner, it was possible to find everything demanded by + comfort, and even the most exquisite luxury of the period. Cæsar had the + habit, however, of taking with him on a journey every object in which he + found delight, beginning with musical instruments and domestic furniture, + and ending with statues and mosaics, which were taken even when he wished + to remain on the road merely a short time for rest or recreation. He was + accompanied, therefore, on every expedition by whole legions of servants, + without reckoning divisions of pretorian guards, and Augustians; of the + latter each had a personal retinue of slaves. + </p> + <p> + Early on the morning of that day herdsmen from the Campania, with sunburnt + faces, wearing goat-skins on their legs, drove forth five hundred + she-asses through the gates, so that Poppæa on the morrow of her arrival + at Antium might have her bath in their milk. The rabble gazed with delight + and ridicule at the long ears swaying amid clouds of dust, and listened + with pleasure to the whistling of whips and the wild shouts of the + herdsmen. After the asses had gone by, crowds of youth rushed forth, swept + the road carefully, and covered it with flowers and needles from + pine-trees. In the crowds people whispered to each other, with a certain + feeling of pride, that the whole road to Antium would be strewn in that + way with flowers taken from private gardens round about, or bought at high + prices from dealers at the Porta Mugionis. As the morning hours passed, + the throng increased every moment. Some had brought their whole families, + and, lest the time might seem tedious, they spread provisions on stones + intended for the new temple of Ceres, and ate their prandium beneath the + open sky. Here and there were groups, in which the lead was taken by + persons who had travelled; they talked of Cæsar’s present trip, of his + future journeys, and journeys in general. Sailors and old soldiers + narrated wonders which during distant campaigns they had heard about + countries which a Roman foot had never touched. Home-stayers, who had + never gone beyond the Appian Way, listened with amazement to marvellous + tales of India, of Arabia, of archipelagos surrounding Britain in which, + on a small island inhabited by spirits, Briareus had imprisoned the + sleeping Saturn. They heard of hyperborean regions of stiffened seas, of + the hisses and roars which the ocean gives forth when the sun plunges into + his bath. Stories of this kind found ready credence among the rabble, + stories believed by such men even as Tacitus and Pliny. They spoke also of + that ship which Cæsar was to look at,—a ship which had brought wheat + to last for two years, without reckoning four hundred passengers, an equal + number of soldiers, and a multitude of wild beasts to be used during the + summer games. This produced general good feeling toward Cæsar, who not + only nourished the populace, but amused it. Hence a greeting full of + enthusiasm was waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile came a detachment of Numidian horse, who belonged to the + pretorian guard. They wore yellow uniforms, red girdles, and great + earrings, which cast a golden gleam on their black faces. The points of + their bamboo spears glittered like flames, in the sun. After they had + passed, a procession-like movement began. The throng crowded forward to + look at it more nearly; but divisions of pretorian foot were there, and, + forming in line on both sides of the gate, prevented approach to the road. + In advance moved wagons carrying tents, purple, red, and violet, and tents + of byssus woven from threads as white as snow; and oriental carpets, and + tables of citrus, and pieces of mosaic, and kitchen utensils, and cages + with birds from the East, North, and West, birds whose tongues or brains + were to go to Cæsar’s table, and vessels with wine and baskets with fruit. + But objects not to be exposed to bruising or breaking in vehicles were + borne by slaves. Hence hundreds of people were seen on foot, carrying + vessels, and statues of Corinthian bronze. There were companies appointed + specially to Etruscan vases; others to Grecian; others to golden or silver + vessels, or vessels of Alexandrian glass. These were guarded by small + detachments of pretorian infantry and cavalry; over each division of + slaves were taskmasters, holding whips armed at the end with lumps of lead + or iron, instead of snappers. The procession, formed of men bearing with + importance and attention various objects, seemed like some solemn + religious procession; and the resemblance grew still more striking when + the musical instruments of Cæsar and the court were borne past. There were + seen harps, Grecian lutes, lutes of the Hebrews and Egyptians, lyres, + formingas, citharas, flutes, long, winding buffalo horns and cymbals. + While looking at that sea of instruments, gleaming beneath the sun in + gold, bronze, precious stones, and pearls, it might be imagined that + Apollo and Bacchus had set out on a journey through the world. After the + instruments came rich chariots filled with acrobats, dancers male and + female, grouped artistically, with wands in their hands. After them + followed slaves intended, not for service, but excess; so there were boys + and little girls, selected from all Greece and Asia Minor, with long hair, + or with winding curls arranged in golden nets, children resembling Cupids, + with wonderful faces, but faces covered completely with a thick coating of + cosmetics, lest the wind of the Campania might tan their delicate + complexions. + </p> + <p> + And again appeared a pretorian cohort of gigantic Sicambrians, blue-eyed, + bearded, blond and red haired. In front of them Roman eagles were carried + by banner-bearers called “imaginarii,” tablets with inscriptions, statues + of German and Roman gods, and finally statues and busts of Cæsar. From + under the skins and armor of the soldier appeared limbs sunburnt and + mighty, looking like military engines capable of wielding the heavy + weapons with which guards of that kind were furnished. The earth seemed to + bend beneath their measured and weighty tread. As if conscious of strength + which they could use against Cæsar himself, they looked with contempt on + the rabble of the street, forgetting, it was evident, that many of + themselves had come to that city in manacles. But they were insignificant + in numbers, for the pretorian force had remained in camp specially to + guard the city and hold it within bounds. When they had marched past, + Nero’s chained lions and tigers were led by, so that, should the wish come + to him of imitating Dionysus, he would have them to attach to his + chariots. They were led in chains of steel by Arabs and Hindoos, but the + chains were so entwined with garlands that the beasts seemed led with + flowers. The lions and tigers, tamed by skilled trainers, looked at the + crowds with green and seemingly sleepy eyes; but at moments they raised + their giant heads, and breathed through wheezing nostrils the exhalations + of the multitude, licking their jaws the while with spiny tongues. + </p> + <p> + Now came Cæsar’s vehicles and litters, great and small, gold or purple, + inlaid with ivory or pearls, or glittering with diamonds; after them came + another small cohort of pretorians in Roman armor, pretorians composed of + Italian volunteers only;* then crowds of select slave servants, and boys; + and at last came Cæsar himself, whose approach was heralded from afar by + the shouts of thousands. + </p> + <p> + [* The inhabitants of Italy were freed from military service by Augustus, + in consequence of which the so-called cohors Italica, stationed generally + in Asia, was composed of volunteers. The pretorian guards, in so far as + they were not composed of foreigners, were made up of volunteers.] + </p> + <p> + In the crowd was the Apostle Peter, who wished to see Cæsar once in life. + He was accompanied by Lygia, whose face was hidden by a thick veil, and + Ursus, whose strength formed the surest defence of the young girl in the + wild and boisterous crowd. The Lygian seized a stone to be used in + building the temple, and brought it to the Apostle, so that by standing on + it he might see better than others. + </p> + <p> + The crowd muttered when Ursus pushed it apart, as a ship pushes waves; but + when he carried the stone, which four of the strongest men could not + raise, the muttering was turned into wonderment, and cries of “Macte!” + were heard round about. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Cæsar appeared. He was sitting in a chariot drawn by six white + Idumean stallions shod with gold. The chariot had the form of a tent with + sides open, purposely, so that the crowds could see Cæsar. A number of + persons might have found place in the chariot; but Nero, desiring that + attention should be fixed on him exclusively, passed through the city + alone, having at his feet merely two deformed dwarfs. He wore a white + tunic, and a toga of amethyst color, which cast a bluish tinge on his + face. On his head was a laurel wreath. Since his departure from Naples he + had increased notably in body. His face had grown wide; under his lower + jaw hung a double chin, by which his mouth, always too near his nose, + seemed to touch his nostrils. His bulky neck was protected, as usual, by a + silk kerchief, which he arranged from moment to moment with a white and + fat hand grown over with red hair, forming as it were bloody stains; he + would not permit epilatores to pluck out this hair, since he had been told + that to do so would bring trembling of the fingers and injure his + lute-playing. Measureless vanity was depicted then, as at all times, on + his face, together with tedium and suffering. On the whole, it was a face + both terrible and trivial. While advancing he turned his head from side to + side, blinking at times, and listening carefully to the manner in which + the multitude greeted him. He was met by a storm of shouts and applause: + “Hail, divine Cæsar! Imperator, hail, conqueror! hail, incomparable!—Son + of Apollo, Apollo himself!” + </p> + <p> + When he heard these words, he smiled; but at moments a cloud, as it were, + passed over his face, for the Roman rabble was satirical and keen in + reckoning, and let itself criticise even great triumphators, even men whom + it loved and respected. It was known that on a time they shouted during + the entrance to Rome of Julius Cæsar: “Citizens, hide your wives; the old + libertine is coming!” But Nero’s monstrous vanity could not endure the + least blame or criticism; meanwhile in the throng, amid shouts of applause + were heard cries of “Ahenobarbus, Ahenobarbus! Where hast thou put thy + flaming beard? Dost thou fear that Rome might catch fire from it?” And + those who cried out in that fashion knew not that their jest concealed a + dreadful prophecy. + </p> + <p> + These voices did not anger Cæsar overmuch, since he did not wear a beard, + for long before he had devoted it in a golden cylinder to Jupiter + Capitolinus. But other persons, hidden behind piles of stones and the + corners of temples, shouted: “Matricide! Nero! Orestes! Alcmæon!” and + still others: “Where is Octavia?” “Surrender the purple!” At Poppæa, who + came directly after him, they shouted, “Flava coma (yellow hair)!!” with + which name they indicated a street-walker. Cæsar’s musical ear caught + these exclamations also, and he raised the polished emerald to his eyes as + if to see and remember those who uttered them. While looking thus, his + glance rested on the Apostle standing on the stone. + </p> + <p> + For a while those two men looked at each other. It occurred to no one in + that brilliant retinue, and to no one in that immense throng, that at that + moment two powers of the earth were looking at each other, one of which + would vanish quickly as a bloody dream, and the other, dressed in simple + garments, would seize in eternal possession the world and the city. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Cæsar had passed; and immediately after him eight Africans bore + a magnificent litter, in which sat Poppæa, who was detested by the people. + Arrayed, as was Nero, in amethyst color, with a thick application of + cosmetics on her face, immovable, thoughtful, indifferent, she looked like + some beautiful and wicked divinity carried in procession. In her wake + followed a whole court of servants, male and female, next a line of wagons + bearing materials of dress and use. The sun had sunk sensibly from midday + when the passage of Augustians began,—a brilliant glittering line + gleaming like an endless serpent. The indolent Petronius, greeted kindly + by the multitude, had given command to bear him and his godlike slave in a + litter. Tigellinus went in a chariot drawn by ponies ornamented with white + and purple feathers, They saw him as he rose in the chariot repeatedly, + and stretched his neck to see if Cæsar was preparing to give him the sign + to go his chariot. Among others the crowd greeted Licinianus with + applause, Vitelius with laughter, Vatinius with hissing. Towards Licinus + and Lecanius the consuls they were indifferent, but Tullius Senecio they + loved, it was unknown why, and Vestinius received applause. + </p> + <p> + The court was innumerable. It seemed that all that was richest, most + brilliant and noted in Rome, was migrating to Antium. Nero never travelled + otherwise than with thousands of vehicles; the society which accompanied + him almost always exceeded the number of soldiers in a legion. [In the + time of the Cæsars a legion was always 12,000 men.] Hence Domitius Afer + appeared, and the decrepit Lucius Saturninus; and Vespasian, who had not + gone yet on his expedition to Judea, from which he returned for the crown + of Cæsar, and his sons, and young Nerva, and Lucan, and Annius Gallo, and + Quintianus, and a multitude of women renowned for wealth, beauty, luxury, + and vice. + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the multitude were turned to the harness, the chariots, the + horses, the strange livery of the servants, made up of all peoples of the + earth. In that procession of pride and grandeur one hardly knew what to + look at; and not only the eye, but the mind, was dazzled by such gleaming + of gold, purple, and violet, by the flashing of precious stones, the + glitter of brocade, pearls, and ivory. It seemed that the very rays of the + sun were dissolving in that abyss of brilliancy. And though wretched + people were not lacking in that throng, people with sunken stomachs, and + with hunger in their eyes, that spectacle inflamed not only their desire + of enjoyment and their envy, but filled them with delight and pride, + because it gave a feeling of the might and invincibility of Rome, to which + the world contributed, and before which the world knelt. Indeed there was + not on earth any one who ventured to think that that power would not + endure through all ages, and outlive all nations, or that there was + anything in existence that had strength to oppose it. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, riding at the end of the retinue, sprang out of his chariot at + sight of the Apostle and Lygia, whom he had not expected to see, and, + greeting them with a radiant face, spoke with hurried voice, like a man + who has no time to spare,—“Hast thou come? I know not how to thank + thee, O Lygia! God could not have sent me a better omen. I greet thee even + while taking farewell, but not farewell for a long time. On the road I + shall dispose relays of horses, and every free day I shall come to thee + till I get leave to return.—Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + “Farewell, Marcus!” answered Lygia; then she added in a lower voice: “May + Christ go with thee, and open thy soul to Paul’s word.” + </p> + <p> + He was glad at heart that she was concerned about his becoming a Christian + soon; hence he answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Ocelle mi! let it be as thou sayest. Paul prefers to travel with my + people, but he is with me, and will be to me a companion and master. Draw + aside thy veil, my delight, let me see thee before my journey. Why art + thou thus hidden?” + </p> + <p> + She raised the veil, and showed him her bright face and her wonderfully + smiling eyes, inquiring,— + </p> + <p> + “Is the veil bad?” + </p> + <p> + And her smile had in it a little of maiden opposition; but Vinicius, while + looking at her with delight, answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Bad for my eyes, which till death would look on thee only.” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to Ursus and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Ursus, guard her as the sight in thy eye, for she is my domina as well as + thine.” + </p> + <p> + Seizing her hand then, he pressed it with his lips, to the great + astonishment of the crowd, who could not understand signs of such honor + from a brilliant Augustian to a maiden arrayed in simple garments, almost + those of a slave. + </p> + <p> + “Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + Then he departed quickly, for Cæsar’s whole retinue had pushed forward + considerably. The Apostle Peter blessed him with a slight sign of the + cross; but the kindly Ursus began at once to glorify him, glad that his + young mistress listened eagerly and was grateful to him for those praises. + </p> + <p> + The retinue moved on and hid itself in clouds of golden dust; they gazed + long after it, however, till Demas the miller approached, he for whom + Ursus worked in the night-time. When he had kissed the Apostle’s hand, he + entreated them to enter his dwelling for refreshment, saying that it was + near the Emporium, that they must be hungry and wearied since they had + spent the greater part of the day at the gate. + </p> + <p> + They went with him, and, after rest and refreshment in his house, returned + to the Trans-Tiber only toward evening. Intending to cross the river by + the Æmilian bridge, they passed through the Clivus Publicus, going over + the Aventine, between the temples of Diana and Mercury. From that height + the Apostle looked on the edifices about him, and on those vanishing in + the distance. Sunk in silence he meditated on the immensity and dominion + of that city, to which he had come to announce the word of God. Hitherto + he had seen the rule of Rome and its legions in various lands through + which he had wandered, but they were single members as it were of the + power, which that day for the first time he had seen impersonated in the + form of Nero. That city, immense, predatory, ravenous, unrestrained, + rotten to the marrow of its bones, and unassailable in its preterhuman + power; that Cæsar, a fratricide, a matricide, a wife-slayer, after him + dragged a retinue of bloody spectres no less in number than his court. + That profligate, that buffoon, but also lord of thirty legions, and + through them of the whole earth; those courtiers covered with gold and + scarlet, uncertain of the morrow, but mightier meanwhile than kings,—all + this together seemed a species of hellish kingdom of wrong and evil. In + his simple heart he marvelled that God could give such inconceivable + almightiness to Satan, that He could yield the earth to him to knead, + overturn, and trample it, to squeeze blood and tears from it, to twist it + like a whirlwind, to storm it like a tempest, to consume it like a flame. + And his Apostle-heart was alarmed by those thoughts, and in spirit he + spoke to the Master: “O Lord, how shall I begin in this city, to which + Thou hast sent me? To it belong seas and lands, the beasts of the field, + and the creatures of the water; it owns other kingdoms and cities, and + thirty legions which guard them; but I, O Lord, am a fisherman from a + lake! How shall I begin, and how shall I conquer its malice?” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking he raised his gray, trembling head toward heaven, praying + and exclaiming from the depth of his heart to his Divine Master, himself + full of sadness and fear. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile his prayer was interrupted by Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “The whole city is as if on fire,” said she. + </p> + <p> + In fact the sun went down that day in a marvellous manner. Its immense + shield had sunk half-way behind the Janiculum, the whole expanse of heaven + was filled with a red gleam. From the place on which they were standing, + Peter’s glance embraced large expanses. Somewhat to the right they saw the + long extending walls of the Circus Maximus; above it the towering palaces + of the Palatine; and directly in front of them, beyond the Forum Boarium + and the Velabrum, the summit of the Capitol, with the temple of Jupiter. + But the walls and the columns and the summits of the temples were as if + sunk in that golden and purple gleam. The parts of the river visible from + afar flowed as if in blood; and as the sun sank moment after moment behind + the mountain, the gleam became redder and redder, more and more like a + conflagration, and it increased and extended till finally it embraced the + seven hills, from which it extended to the whole region about. + </p> + <p> + “The whole city seems on fire!” repeated Lygia. + </p> + <p> + Peter shaded his eyes with his hand, and said— + </p> + <p> + “The wrath of God is upon it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXVII + </h2> + <h3> + VINCIUS to LYGIA: + </h3> + <p> + “The slave Phlegon, by whom I send this letter, is a Christian; hence he + will be one of those to receive freedom from thy hands, my dearest. He is + an old servant of our house; so I can write to thee with full confidence, + and without fear that the letter will fall into other hands than thine. I + write from Laurentum, where we have halted because of heat. Otho owned + here a lordly villa, which on a time he presented to Poppæa; and she, + though divorced from him, saw fit to retain the magnificent present. When + I think of the women who surround me now and of thee, it seems to me that + from the stones hurled by Deucalion there must have risen people of + various kinds, altogether unlike one another, and that thou art of those + born of crystal. + </p> + <p> + “I admire and love thee from my whole soul, and wish to speak only of + thee; hence I am forced to constrain myself to write of our journey, of + that which happens to me, and of news of the court. Well, Cæsar was the + guest of Poppæa, who prepared for him secretly a magnificent reception. + She invited only a few of his favorites, but Petronius and I were among + them. After dinner we sailed in golden boats over the sea, which was as + calm as if it had been sleeping, and as blue as thy eyes, O divine one. We + ourselves rowed, for evidently it flattered the Augusta that men of + consular dignity, or their sons, were rowing for her. Cæsar, sitting at + the rudder in a purple toga, sang a hymn in honor of the sea; this hymn he + had composed the night before, and with Diodorus had arranged music to it. + In other boats he was accompanied by slaves from India who knew how to + play on sea-shells while round about appeared numerous dolphins, as if + really enticed from Amphitrite’s depths by music. Dost thou know what I + was doing? I was thinking of thee, and yearning. I wanted to gather in + that sea, that calm, and that music, and give the whole to thee. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou wish that we should live in some place at the seashore far from + Rome, my Augusta? I have land in Sicily, on which there is an almond + forest which has rose-colored blossoms in spring, and this forest goes + down so near the sea that the tips of the branches almost touch the water. + There I will love thee and magnify Paul’s teaching, for I know now that it + will not be opposed to love and happiness. Dost thou wish?—But + before I hear thy answer I will write further of what happened on the + boat. + </p> + <p> + “Soon the shore was far behind. We saw a sail before us in the distance, + and all at once a dispute rose as to whether it was a common fishing-boat + or a great ship from Ostia. I was the first to discover what it was, and + then the Augusta said that for my eyes evidently nothing was hidden, and, + dropping the veil over her face on a sudden, she inquired if I could + recognize her thus. Petronius answered immediately that it was not + possible to see even the sun behind a cloud; but she said, as if in jest, + that love alone could blind such a piercing glance as mine, and, naming + various women of the court, she fell to inquiring and guessing which one I + loved. I answered calmly, but at last she mentioned thy name. Speaking of + thee, she uncovered her face again, and looked at me with evil and + inquiring eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I feel real gratitude to Petronius, who turned the boat at that moment, + through which general attention was taken from me; for had I heard hostile + or sneering words touching thee, I should not have been able to hide my + anger, and should have had to struggle with the wish to break the head of + that wicked, malicious woman with my oar. Thou rememberest the incident at + the pond of Agrippa about which I told thee at the house of Linus on the + eve of my departure. Petronius is alarmed on my account, and to-day again + he implored me not to offend the Augusta’s vanity. But Petronius does not + understand me, and does not realize that, apart from thee, I know no + pleasure or beauty or love, and that for Poppæa I feel only disgust and + contempt. Thou hast changed my soul greatly,—so greatly that I + should not wish now to return to my former life. But have no fear that + harm may reach me here. Poppæa does not love me, for she cannot love any + one, and her desires arise only from anger at Cæsar, who is under her + influence yet, and who is even capable of loving her yet; still, he does + not spare her, and does not hide from her his transgressions and + shamelessness. + </p> + <p> + “I will tell thee, besides, something which should pacify thee. Peter told + me in parting not to fear Cæsar, since a hair would not fall from my head; + and I believe him. Some voice in my soul says that every word of his must + be accomplished; that since he blessed our love, neither Cæsar, nor all + the powers of Hades, nor predestination itself, could take thee from me, O + Lygia. When I think of this I am as happy as if I were in heaven, which + alone is calm and happy. But what I say of heaven and predestination may + offend thee, a Christian. Christ has not washed me yet, but my heart is + like an empty chalice, which Paul of Tarsus is to fill with the sweet + doctrine professed by thee,—the sweeter for me that it is thine. + Thou, divine one, count even this as a merit to me that I have emptied it + of the liquid with which I had filled it before, and that I do not + withdraw it, but hold it forth as a thirsty man standing at a pure spring. + Let me find favor in thy eyes. + </p> + <p> + “In Antium my days and nights will pass in listening to Paul, who acquired + such influence among my people on the first day that they surround him + continually, seeing in him not only a wonder-worker, but a being almost + supernatural. Yesterday I saw gladness on his face, and when I asked what + he was doing, he answered, ‘I am sowing!’ Petronius knows that he is among + my people, and wishes to see him, as does Seneca also, who heard of him + from Gallo. + </p> + <p> + “But the stars are growing pale, O Lygia, and ‘Lucifer’ of the morning is + bright with growing force. Soon the dawn will make the sea ruddy; all is + sleeping round about, but I am thinking of thee and loving thee. Be + greeted together with the morning dawn, sponsa mea!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXVIII + </h2> + <h3> + VINICIUS to LYGIA: + </h3> + <p> + “Hast thou ever been in Antium, my dear one, with Aulus and Pomponia? If + not, I shall be happy when I show this place to thee. All the way from + Laurentum there is a line of villas along the seashore; and Antium itself + is an endless succession of palaces and porticos, whose columns in fair + weather see themselves in the water. I, too, have a residence here right + over the sea, with an olive garden and a forest of cypresses behind the + villa, and when I think that the place will sometime be thine, its marble + seems whiter to me, its groves more shady, and the sea bluer. Oh, Lygia, + how good it is to live and love! Old Menikles, who manages the villa, + planted irises on the ground under myrtles, and at sight of them the house + of Aulus, the impluvium, and the garden in which I sat near thee, came to + my mind. The irises will remind thee, too, of thy childhood’s home; + therefore I am certain that thou wilt love Antium and this villa. + </p> + <p> + “Immediately after our arrival I talked long with Paul at dinner. We spoke + of thee, and afterward he taught. I listened long, and I say only this, + that even could I write like Petronius, I should not have power to explain + everything which passed through my soul and my mind. I had not supposed + that there could be such happiness in this world, such beauty and peace of + which hitherto people had no knowledge. But I retain all this for + conversation with thee, for at the first free moment I shall be in Rome. + </p> + <p> + “How could the earth find place at once for the Apostle Peter, Paul of + Tarsus, and Cæsar? Tell me this. I ask because I passed the evening after + Paul’s teaching with Nero, and dost thou know what I heard there? Well, to + begin with, he read his poem on the destruction of Troy, and complained + that never had he seen a burning city. He envied Priam, and called him + happy just for this, that he saw the conflagration and ruin of his + birthplace. Whereupon Tigellinus said, ‘Speak a word, O divinity, I will + take a torch, and before the night passes thou shalt see blazing Antium.’ + But Cæsar called him a fool. ‘Where,’ asked he, ‘should I go to breathe + the sea air, and preserve the voice with which the gods have gifted me, + and which men say I should preserve for the benefit of mankind? Is it not + Rome that injures me; is it not the exhalations of the Subura and the + Esquiline which add to my hoarseness? Would not the palaces of Rome + present a spectacle a hundredfold more tragic and magnificent than + Antium?’ Here all began to talk, and to say what an unheard tragedy the + picture of a city like that would be, a city which had conquered the world + turned now into a heap of gray ashes. Cæsar declared that then his poem + would surpass the songs of Homer, and he began to describe how he would + rebuild the city, and how coming ages would admire his achievements, in + presence of which all other human works would be petty. ‘Do that! do + that!’ exclaimed the drunken company. ‘I must have more faithful and more + devoted friends,’ answered he. + </p> + <p> + “I confess that I was alarmed at once when I heard this, for thou art in + Rome, carissima. I laugh now at that alarm, and I think that Cæsar and his + friends, though mad, would not dare to permit such insanity. Still, see + how a man fears for his love; I should prefer that the house of Linus were + not in that narrow Trans-Tiber alley, and in a part occupied by common + people, who are less considered in such a case. For me, the very palaces + on the Palatine would not be a residence fit for thee; hence I should wish + also that nothing were lacking thee of those ornaments and comforts to + which thou art accustomed from childhood. + </p> + <p> + “Go to the house of Aulus, my Lygia. I have thought much here over this + matter. If Cæsar were in Rome, news of thy return might reach the Palatine + through slaves, turn attention to thee, and bring persecution, because + thou didst dare to act against the will of Cæsar. But he will remain long + in Antium, and before he returns slaves will have ceased to speak of thee. + Linus and Ursus can be with thee. Besides, I live in hope that before + Palatine sees Cæsar, thou, my goddess, shalt be dwelling in thy own house + on the Carinæ. Blessed be the day, hour, and moment in which thou shalt + cross my threshold; and if Christ, whom I am learning to accept, effects + this, may His name be blessed also. I shall serve Him, and give life and + blood for Him. I speak incorrectly; we shall serve Him, both of us, as + long as the threads of life hold. + </p> + <p> + “I love thee and salute thee with my whole soul.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XXXIX + </h2> + <p> + Unsus was taking water from a cistern, and while drawing up a double + amphora, with a rope, was singing a strange Lygian song in an undertone, + looking meanwhile with delighted eyes at Lygia and Vinicius, who, among + the cypresses in Linus’s garden, seemed as white as two statues. Their + clothing was not moved by the least breeze. A golden and lily-colored + twilight was sinking on the world while they were conversing in the calm + of evening, each holding the other by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “May not some evil meet thee, Marcus, because thou hast left Antium + without Cæsar’s knowledge?” asked Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear,” answered Vinicius. “Cæsar announced that he would shut + himself in for two days with Terpnos, and compose new songs. He acts thus + frequently, and at such times neither knows nor remembers aught else. + Moreover, what is Cæsar to me since I am near thee and am looking at thee? + I have yearned too much already, and these last nights sleep has left me. + More than once, when I dozed from weariness, I woke on a sudden, with a + feeling that danger was hanging over thee; at times I dreamed that the + relays of horses which were to bear me from Antium to Rome were stolen,—horses + with which I passed that road more swiftly than any of Cæsar’s couriers. + Besides, I could not live longer without thee; I love thee too much for + that, my dearest.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew that thou wert coming. Twice Ursus ran out, at my request, to the + Carinæ, and inquired for thee at thy house. Linus laughed at me, and Ursus + also.” + </p> + <p> + It was, indeed, evident that she had expected him; for instead of her + usual dark dress, she wore a soft white stola, out of whose beautiful + folds her arms and head emerged like primroses out of snow. A few ruddy + anemones ornamented her hair. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius pressed his lips to her hands; then they sat on the stone bench + amidst wild grapevines, and inclining toward each other, were silent, + looking at the twilight whose last gleams were reflected in their eyes. + </p> + <p> + The charm of the quiet evening mastered them completely. + </p> + <p> + “How calm it is here, and how beautiful the world is,” said Vinicius, in a + lowered voice. “The night is wonderfully still. I feel happier than ever + in life before. Tell me, Lygia, what is this? Never have I thought that + there could be such love. I thought that love was merely fire in the blood + and desire; but now for the first time I see that it is possible to love + with every drop of one’s blood and every breath, and feel therewith such + sweet and immeasurable calm as if Sleep and Death had put the soul to + rest. For me this is something new. I look on this calmness of the trees, + and it seems to be within me. Now I understand for the first time that + there may be happiness of which people have not known thus far. Now I + begin to understand why thou and Pomponia Græcina have such peace. Yes! + Christ gives it.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment Lygia placed her beautiful face on his shoulder and said,—“My + dear Marcus—” But she was unable to continue. Joy, gratitude, and + the feeling that at last she was free to love deprived her of voice, and + her eyes were filled with tears of emotion. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, embracing her slender form with his arm, drew her toward him and + said,—“Lygia! May the moment be blessed in which I heard His name + for the first time.” + </p> + <p> + “I love thee, Marcus,” said she then in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + Both were silent again, unable to bring words from their overcharged + breasts. The last lily reflections had died on the cypresses, and the + garden began to be silver-like from the crescent of the moon. After a + while Vinicius said, + </p> + <p> + “I know. Barely had I entered here, barely had I kissed thy dear hands, + when I read in thy eyes the question whether I had received the divine + doctrine to which thou art attached, and whether I was baptized. No, I am + not baptized yet; but knowest thou, my flower, why? Paul said to me: ‘I + have convinced thee that God came into the world and gave Himself to be + crucified for its salvation; but let Peter wash thee in the fountain of + grace, he who first stretched his hands over thee and blessed thee.’ And + I, my dearest, wish thee to witness my baptism, and I wish Pomponia to be + my godmother. This is why I am not baptized yet, though I believe in the + Saviour and in his teaching. Paul has convinced me, has converted me; and + could it be otherwise? How was I not to believe that Christ came into the + world, since he, who was His disciple, says so, and Paul, to whom He + appeared? How was I not to believe that He was God, since He rose from the + dead? Others saw Him in the city and on the lake and on the mountain; + people saw Him whose lips have not known a lie. I began to believe this + the first time I heard Peter in Ostrianum, for I said to myself even then: + In the whole world any other man might lie rather than this one who says, + ‘I saw.’ But I feared thy religion. It seemed to me that thy religion + would take thee from me. I thought that there was neither wisdom nor + beauty nor happiness in it. But to-day, when I know it, what kind of man + should I be were I not to wish truth to rule the world instead of + falsehood, love instead of hatred, virtue instead of crime, faithfulness + instead of unfaithfulness, mercy instead of vengeance? What sort of man + would he be who would not choose and wish the same? But your religion + teaches this. Others desire justice also; but thy religion is the only one + which makes man’s heart just, and besides makes it pure, like thine and + Pomponia’s, makes it faithful, like thine and Pomponia’s. I should be + blind were I not to see this. But if in addition Christ God has promised + eternal life, and has promised happiness as immeasurable as the all-might + of God can give, what more can one wish? Were I to ask Seneca why he + enjoins virtue, if wickedness brings more happiness, he would not be able + to say anything sensible. But I know now that I ought to be virtuous, + because virtue and love flow from Christ, and because, when death closes + my eyes, I shall find life and happiness, I shall find myself and thee. + Why not love and accept a religion which both speaks the truth and + destroys death? Who would not prefer good to evil? I thought thy religion + opposed to happiness; meanwhile Paul has convinced me that not only does + it not take away, but that it gives. All this hardly finds a place in my + head; but I feel that it is true, for I have never been so happy, neither + could I be, had I taken thee by force and possessed thee in my house. Just + see, thou hast said a moment since, ‘I love thee,’ and I could not have + won these words from thy lips with all the might of Rome. O Lygia! Reason + declares this religion divine, and the best; the heart feels it, and who + can resist two such forces?” + </p> + <p> + Lygia listened, fixing on him her blue eyes, which in the light of the + moon were like mystic flowers, and bedewed like flowers. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Marcus, that is true!” said she, nestling her head more closely to + his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + And at that moment they felt immensely happy, for they understood that + besides love they were united by another power, at once sweet and + irresistible, by which love itself becomes endless, not subject to change, + deceit, treason, or even death. Their hearts were filled with perfect + certainty that, no matter what might happen, they would not cease to love + and belong to each other. For that reason an unspeakable repose flowed in + on their souls. Vinicius felt, besides, that that love was not merely + profound and pure, but altogether new,—such as the world had not + known and could not give. In his head all was combined in this love,—Lygia, + the teaching of Christ, the light of the moon resting calmly on the + cypresses, and the still night,—so that to him the whole universe + seemed filled with it. + </p> + <p> + After a while he said with a lowered and quivering voice: “Thou wilt be + the soul of my soul, and the dearest in the world to me. Our hearts will + beat together, we shall have one prayer and one gratitude to Christ. O my + dear! To live together, to honor together the sweet God, and to know that + when death comes our eyes will open again, as after a pleasant sleep, to a + new light,—what better could be imagined? I only marvel that I did + not understand this at first. And knowest thou what occurs to me now? That + no one can resist this religion. In two hundred or three hundred years the + whole world will accept it. People will forget Jupiter, and there will be + no God except Christ, and no other temples but Christian. Who would not + wish his own happiness? Ah! but I heard Paul’s conversation with Petronius + and dost thou know what Petronius said at the end? ‘That is not for me’; + but he could give no other answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Repeat Paul’s words to me,” said Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “It was at my house one evening. Petronius began to speak playfully and to + banter, as he does usually, whereupon Paul said to him: ‘How canst thou + deny, O wise Petronius, that Christ existed and rose from the dead, since + thou wert not in the world at that time, but Peter and John saw Him, and I + saw Him on the road to Damascus? Let thy wisdom show, first of all, then, + that we are liars, and then only deny our testimony.’ Petronius answered + that he had no thought of denying, for he knew that many incomprehensible + things were done, which trustworthy people affirmed. ‘But the discovery of + some new foreign god is one thing,’ said he, ‘and the reception of his + teaching another. I have no wish to know anything which may deform life + and mar its beauty. Never mind whether our gods are true or not; they are + beautiful, their rule is pleasant for us, and we live without care.’ ‘Thou + art willing to reject the religion of love, justice, and mercy through + dread of the cares of life,’ replied Paul; ‘but think, Petronius, is thy + life really free from anxieties? Behold, neither thou nor any man among + the richest and most powerful knows when he falls asleep at night that he + may not wake to a death sentence. But tell me, if Cæsar professed this + religion, which enjoins love and justice, would not thy happiness be more + assured? Thou art alarmed about thy delight, but would not life be more + joyous then? As to life’s beauty and ornaments, if ye have reared so many + beautiful temples and statues to evil, revengeful, adulterous, and + faithless divinities, what would ye not do in honor of one God of truth + and mercy? Thou art ready to praise thy lot, because thou art wealthy and + living in luxury; but it was possible even in thy case to be poor and + deserted, though coming of a great house, and then in truth it would have + been better for thee if people confessed Christ. In Rome even wealthy + parents, unwilling to toil at rearing children, cast them out of the house + frequently; those children are called alumni. And chance might have made + thee an alumnus, like one of those. But if parents live according to our + religion, this cannot happen. And hadst thou, at manhood’s years, married + a woman of thy love, thy wish would be to see her faithful till death. + Meanwhile look around, what happens among you, what vileness, what shame, + what bartering in the faith of wives! Nay, ye yourselves are astonished + when a woman appears whom ye call “univira” (of one husband). But I tell + thee that those women who carry Christ in their hearts will not break + faith with their husbands, just as Christian husbands will keep faith with + their wives. But ye are neither sure of rulers nor fathers nor wives nor + children nor servants. The whole world is trembling before you, and ye are + trembling before your own slaves, for ye know that any hour may raise an + awful war against your oppression, such a war as has been raised more than + once. Though rich, thou art not sure that the command may not come to thee + to-morrow to leave thy wealth; thou art young, but to-morrow it may be + necessary for thee to die. Thou lovest, but treason is in wait for thee; + thou art enamoured of villas and statues, but to-morrow power may thrust + thee forth into the empty places of the Pandataria; thou hast thousands of + servants, but to-morrow these servants may let thy blood flow. And if that + be the case, how canst thou be calm and happy, how canst thou live in + delight? But I proclaim love, and I proclaim a religion which commands + rulers to love their subjects, masters their slaves, slaves to serve with + love, to do justice and be merciful; and at last it promises happiness + boundless as a sea without end. How, then, Petronius, canst thou say that + that religion spoils life, since it corrects, and since thou thyself + wouldst be a hundred times happier and more secure were it to embrace the + world as Rome’s dominion has embraced it?’ + </p> + <p> + “Thus discussed Paul, and then Petronius said, ‘That is not for me.’ + Feigning drowsiness, he went out, and when going added: ‘I prefer my + Eunice, O little Jew, but I should not wish to struggle with thee on the + platform.’ I listened to Paul’s words with my whole soul, and when he + spoke of our women, I magnified with all my heart that religion from which + thou hast sprung as a lily from a rich field in springtime. And I thought + then: There is Poppæa, who cast aside two husbands for Nero, there is + Calvia Crispinilla, there is Nigidia, there are almost all whom I know, + save only Pomponia; they trafficked with faith and with oaths, but she and + my own one will not desert, will not deceive, and will not quench the + fire, even though all in whom I place trust should desert and deceive me. + Hence I said to thee in my soul, How can I show gratitude to thee, if not + with love and honor? Didst thou feel that in Antium I spoke and conversed + with thee all the time as if thou hadst been at my side? I love thee a + hundred times more for having escaped me from Cæsar’s house. Neither do I + care for Cæsar’s house any longer; I wish not its luxury and music, I wish + only thee. Say a word, we will leave Rome to settle somewhere at a + distance.” + </p> + <p> + Without removing her head from his shoulder, Lygia, as if meditating, + raised her eyes to the silver tops of the cypresses, and answered,—“Very + well, Marcus. Thou hast written to me of Sicily, where Aulus wishes to + settle in old age.” And Vinieius interrupted her with delight. + </p> + <p> + “True, my dear! Our lands are adjacent. That is a wonderful coast, where + the climate is sweeter and the nights still brighter than in Rome, + odoriferous and transparent. There life and happiness are almost one and + the same.” + </p> + <p> + And he began then to dream of the future. + </p> + <p> + “There we may forget anxieties. In groves, among olive-trees, we shall + walk and rest in the shade. O Lygia! what a life to love and cherish each + other, to look at the sea together, to look at the sky together, to honor + together a kind God, to do in peace what is just and true.” + </p> + <p> + Both were silent, looking into the future; only he drew her more firmly + toward him, and the knight’s ring on his finger glittered meanwhile in the + rays of the moon. In the part occupied by the poor toiling people, all + were sleeping; no murmur broke the silence. + </p> + <p> + “Wilt thou permit me to see Pomponia?” asked Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dear one. We will invite them to our house, or go to them ourselves. + If thou wish, we can take Peter the Apostle. He is bowed down with age and + work. Paul will visit us also,—he will convert Aulus Plautius; and + as soldiers found colonies in distant lands, so we will found a colony of + Christians.” + </p> + <p> + Lygia raised her hand and, taking his palm, wished to press it to her + lips; but he whispered, as if fearing to frighten happiness,—“No, + Lygia, no! It is I who honor thee and exalt thee; give me thy hands.” + </p> + <p> + “I love thee.” + </p> + <p> + He had pressed his lips to her hands, white as jessamine, and for a time + they heard only the beating of their own hearts. There was not the + slightest movement in the air; the cypresses stood as motionless as if + they too were holding breath in their breasts. + </p> + <p> + All at once the silence was broken by an unexpected thunder, deep, and as + if coming from under the earth. A shiver ran through Lygia’s body. + Vinicius stood up, and said,—“Lions are roaring in the vivarium.” + </p> + <p> + Both began to listen. Now the first thunder was answered by a second, a + third, a tenth, from all sides and divisions of the city. In Rome several + thousand lions were quartered at times in various arenas, and frequently + in the night-time they approached the grating, and, leaning their gigantic + heads against it, gave utterance to their yearning for freedom and the + desert. Thus they began on this occasion, and, answering one another in + the stillness of night, they filled the whole city with roaring. There was + something so indescribably gloomy and terrible in those roars that Lygia, + whose bright and calm visions of the future were scattered, listened with + a straitened heart and with wonderful fear and sadness. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius encircled her with his arm, and said,—“Fear not, dear + one. The games are at hand, and all the vivaria are crowded.” + </p> + <p> + Then both entered the house of Linus, accompanied by the thunder of lions, + growing louder and louder. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XL + </h2> + <p> + IN Antium, meanwhile, Petronius gained new victories almost daily over + courtiers vying with him for the favor of Cæsar. The influence of + Tigellinus had fallen completely. In Rome, when there was occasion to set + aside men who seemed dangerous, to plunder their property or to settle + political cases, to give spectacles astounding by their luxury and bad + taste, or finally to satisfy the monstrous whims of Cæsar, Tigellinus, as + adroit, as he was ready for anything, became indispensable. But in Antium, + among palaces reflected in the azure of the sea, Cæsar led a Hellenic + existence. From morning till evening Nero and his attendants read verses, + discoursed on their structure and finish, were delighted with happy turns + of expression, were occupied with music, the theatre,—in a word, + exclusively with that which Grecian genius had invented, and with which it + had beautified life. Under these conditions Petronius, incomparably more + refined than Tigellinus and the other courtiers,—witty, eloquent, + full of subtile feelings and tastes,—obtained pre-eminence of + necessity. Cæsar sought his society, took his opinion, asked for advice + when he composed, and showed a more lively friendship than at any other + time whatever. It seemed to courtiers that his influence had won a supreme + triumph at last, that friendship between him and Cæsar had entered on a + period of certainty which would last for years. Even those who had shown + dislike previously to the exquisite Epicurean, began now to crowd around + him and vie for his favor. More than one was even sincerely glad in his + soul that preponderance had come to a man who knew really what to think of + a given person, who received with a sceptical smile the flattery of his + enemies of yesterday, but who, either through indolence or culture, was + not vengeful, and did not use his power to the detriment or destruction of + others. There were moments when he might have destroyed even Tigellinus, + but he preferred to ridicule him, and expose his vulgarity and want of + refinement. In Rome the Senate drew breath, for no death sentence had been + issued for a month and a half. It is true that in Antium and the city + people told wonders of the refinement which the profligacy of Cæsar and + his favorite had reached, but every one preferred a refined Cæsar to one + brutalized in the hands of Tigellinus. Tigellinus himself lost his head, + and hesitated whether or not to yield as conquered, for Cæsar had said + repeatedly that in all Rome and in his court there were only two spirits + capable of understanding each other, two real Hellenes,—he and + Petronius. + </p> + <p> + The amazing dexterity of Petronius confirmed people in the conviction that + his influence would outlive every other. They did not see how Cæsar could + dispense with him,—with whom could he converse touching poetry, + music, and comparative excellence; in whose eyes could he look to learn + whether his creation was indeed perfect? Petronius, with his habitual + indifference, seemed to attach no importance to his position. As usual, he + was remiss, slothful, sceptical, and witty. He produced on people + frequently the impression of a man who made light of them, of himself, of + Cæsar, of the whole world. At moments he ventured to criticise Cæsar to + his face, and when others judged that he was going too far, or simply + preparing his own ruin, he was able to turn the criticism suddenly in such + a way that it came out to his profit; he roused amazement in those + present, and the conviction that there was no position from which he could + not issue in triumph. + </p> + <p> + About a week after the return of Vinicius from Rome, Cæsar read in a small + circle an extract from his Troyad; when he had finished and the shouts of + rapture had ended, Petronius, interrogated by a glance from Cæsar, + replied,— + </p> + <p> + “Common verses, fit for the fire.” + </p> + <p> + The hearts of those present stopped beating from terror. Since the years + of his childhood Nero had never heard such a sentence from any man. The + face of Tigellinus was radiant with delight. But Vinicius grew pale, + thinking that Petronius, who thus far had never been drunk, was drunk this + time. + </p> + <p> + Nero, however, inquired in a honeyed voice, in which more or less deeply + wounded vanity was quivering,— + </p> + <p> + “What defect dost thou find in them?” + </p> + <p> + “Do not believe them,” said Petronius, attacking him, and pointing to + those present; “they understand nothing. Thou hast asked what defect there + is in thy verses. If thou desire truth, I will tell thee. Thy verses would + be worthy of Virgil, of Ovid, even of Homer, but they are not worthy of + thee. Thou art not free to write such. The conflagration described by thee + does not blaze enough; thy fire is not hot enough. Listen not to Lucan’s + flatteries. Had he written those verses, I should acknowledge him a + genius, but thy case is different. And knowest thou why? Thou art greater + than they. From him who is gifted of the gods as thou art, more is + demanded. But thou art slothful,—thou wouldst rather sleep after + dinner than sit to wrinkles. Thou canst create a work such as the world + has not heard of to this day; hence I tell thee to thy eyes, write + better!” + </p> + <p> + And he said this carelessly, as if bantering and also chiding; but Cæsar’s + eyes were mist-covered from delight. + </p> + <p> + “The gods have given me a little talent,” said he, “but they have given me + something greater, a true judge and friend, the only man able to speak the + truth to my eyes.” + </p> + <p> + Then he stretched his fat hand, grown over with reddish hair, to a golden + candelabrum plundered from Delphi, to burn the verses. But Petronius + seized them before the flame touched the paper. + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” said he; “even thus they belong to mankind. Leave them to me.” + </p> + <p> + “In such case let me send them to thee in a cylinder of my own invention,” + answered Nero, embracing Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “True; thou art right,” said he, after a while. “My conflagration of Troy + does not blaze enough; my fire is not hot enough. But I thought it + sufficient to equal Homer. A certain timidity and low estimate of my power + have fettered me always. Thou hast opened my eyes. But knowest why it is, + as thou sayest? When a sculptor makes the statue of a god, he seeks a + model; but never have I had a model. I never have seen a burning city; + hence there is a lack of truth in my description.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will say that only a great artist understands this.” + </p> + <p> + Nero grew thoughtful, and after a while he said,—“Answer one + question, Petronius. Dost thou regret the burning of Troy?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I regret? By the lame consort of Venus, not in the least! And I will + tell thee the reason. Troy would not have been consumed if Prometheus had + not given fire to man, and the Greeks made war on Priam. Æschylus would + not have written his Prometheus had there been no fire, just as Homer + would not have written the Iliad had there been no Trojan war. I think it + better to have Prometheus and the Iliad than a small and shabby city, + which was unclean, I think, and wretched, and in which at best there would + be now some procurator annoying thee through quarrels with the local + areopagus.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what we call speaking with sound reason,” said Nero. “For art and + poetry it is permitted, and it is right, to sacrifice everything. Happy + were the Achæans who furnished Homer with the substance of the Iliad, and + happy Priam who beheld the ruin of his birthplace. As to me, I have never + seen a burning city.” + </p> + <p> + A time of silence followed, which was broken at last by Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “But I have said to thee, Cæsar, already, command and I will burn Antium; + or dost thou know what? If thou art sorry for these villas and palaces, + give command to burn the ships in Ostia; or I will build a wooden city on + the Alban Hills, into which thou shalt hurl the fire thyself. Dost thou + wish?” + </p> + <p> + “Am I to gaze on the burning of wooden sheds?” asked Nero, casting a look + of contempt on him. “Thy mind has grown utterly barren, Tigellinus. And I + see, besides, that thou dost set no great value on my talent or my Troyad, + since thou judgest that any sacrifice would be too great for it.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus was confused; but Nero, as if wishing to change the + conversation, added after a while,— + </p> + <p> + “Summer is passing. Oh, what a stench there must be in that Rome now! And + still we must return for the summer games.” + </p> + <p> + “When thou dismissest the Augustians, O Cæsar, permit me to remain with + thee a moment,” said Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + An hour later Vinicius, returning with Petronius from Cæsar’s villa, said,—“I + was a trifle alarmed for thee. I judged that while drunk thou hadst ruined + thyself beyond redemption. Remember that thou art playing with death.” + </p> + <p> + “That is my arena,” answered Petronius, carelessly; “and the feeling that + I am the best gladiator in it amuses me. See how it ended. My influence + has increased this evening. He will send me his verses in a cylinder which—dost + wish to lay a wager?—will be immensely rich and in immensely bad + taste. I shall command my physician to keep physic in it. I did this for + another reason,—because Tigellinus, seeing how such things succeed, + will wish surely to imitate me, and I imagine what will happen. The moment + he starts a witticism, it will be as if a bear of the Pyrenees were + rope-walking. I shall laugh like Democritus. If I wished I could destroy + Tigellinus perhaps, and become pretorian prefect in his place, and have + Ahenobarbus himself in my hands. But I am indolent; I prefer my present + life and even Cæsar’s verses to trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “What dexterity to be able to turn even blame into flattery! But are those + verses really so bad? I am no judge in those matters.” + </p> + <p> + “The verses are not worse than others. Lucan has more talent in one + finger, but in Bronzebeard too there is something. He has, above all, an + immense love for poetry and music. In two days we are to be with him to + hear the music of his hymn to Aphrodite, which he will finish to-day or + to-morrow. We shall be in a small circle,—only I, thou, Tullius + Senecio, and young Nerva. But as to what I said touching Nero’s verses, + that I use them after feasting as Vitelius does flamingo feathers, is not + true. At times they are eloquent. Hecuba’s words are touching. She + complains of the pangs of birth, and Nero was able to find happy + expressions,—for this reason, perhaps, that he gives birth to every + verse in torment. At times I am sorry for him. By Pollux, what a + marvellous mixture! The fifth stave was lacking in Caligula, but still he + never did such strange things.” + </p> + <p> + “Who can foresee to what the madness of Ahenobarbus will go?” asked + Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “No man whatever. Such things may happen yet that the hair will stand on + men’s heads for whole centuries at thought of them. But it is that + precisely which interests me; and though I am bored more than once, like + Jupiter Ammon in the desert, I believe that under another Cæsar I should + be bored a hundred times more. Paul, thy little Jew, is eloquent,—that + I accord to him; and if people like him proclaim that religion, our gods + must defend themselves seriously, lest in time they be led away captive. + It is true that if Cæsar, for example, were a Christian, all would feel + safer. But thy prophet of Tarsus, in applying proofs to me, did not think, + seest thou, that for me this uncertainty becomes the charm of life. Whoso + does not play at dice will not lose property, but still people play at + dice. There is in that a certain delight and destruction of the present. I + have known sons of knights and senators to become gladiators of their own + will. I play with life, thou sayest, and that is true, but I play because + it pleases me; while Christian virtues would bore me in a day, as do the + discourses of Seneca. Because of this, Paul’s eloquence is exerted in + vain. He should understand that people like me will never accept his + religion. With thy disposition thou mightst either hate the name + Christian, or become a Christian immediately. I recognize, while yawning, + the truth of what they say. We are mad. We are hastening to the precipice, + something unknown is coming toward us out of the future, something is + breaking beneath us, something is dying around us,—agreed! But we + shall succeed in dying; meanwhile we have no wish to burden life, and + serve death before it takes us. Life exists for itself alone, not for + death.” + </p> + <p> + “But I pity thee, Petronius.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not pity me more than I pity myself. Formerly thou wert glad among us; + while campaigning in Armenia, thou wert longing for Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “And now I am longing for Rome.” + </p> + <p> + “True; for thou art in love with a Christian vestal, who sits in the + Trans-Tiber. I neither wonder at this, nor do I blame thee. I wonder more, + that in spite of a religion described by thee as a sea of happiness, and + in spite of a love which is soon to be crowned, sadness has not left thy + face. Pomponia Græcina is eternally pensive; from the time of thy becoming + a Christian thou hast ceased to laugh. Do not try to persuade me that this + religion is cheerful. Thou hast returned from Rome sadder than ever. If + Christians love in this way, by the bright curls of Bacchus! I shall not + imitate them!” + </p> + <p> + “That is another thing,” answered Vinicius. “I swear to thee, not by the + curls of Bachus, but by the soul of my father, that never in times past + have I experienced even a foretaste of such happiness as I breathe to-day. + But I yearn greatly; and what is stranger, when I am far from Lygia, I + think that danger is threatening her. I know not what danger, nor whence + it may come; but I feel it, as one feels a coming tempest.” + </p> + <p> + “In two days I will try to obtain for thee permission to leave Antium, for + as long a time as may please thee. Poppæa is somewhat more quiet; and, as + far as I know, no danger from her threatens thee or Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + “This very day she asked me what I was doing in Rome, though my departure + was secret.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps she gave command to set spies on thee. Now, however, even she + must count with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Paul told me,” said Vinicius, “that God forewarns sometimes, but does not + permit us to believe in omens; hence I guard myself against this belief, + but I cannot ward it off. I will tell thee what happened, so as to cast + the weight from my heart. Lygia and I were sitting side by side on a night + as calm as this, and planning our future. I cannot tell thee how happy and + calm we were. All at once lions began to roar. That is common in Rome, but + since then I have no rest. It seems to me that in that roaring there was a + threat, an announcement as it were of misfortune. Thou knowest that I am + not frightened easily; that night, however, something happened which + filled all the darkness with terror. It came so strangely and unexpectedly + that I have those sounds in my ears yet, and unbroken fear in my heart, as + if Lygia were asking my protection from something dreadful,—even + from those same lions. I am in torture. Obtain for me permission to leave + Antium, or I shall go without it. I cannot remain. I repeat to thee, I + cannot!” + </p> + <p> + “Sons of consuls or their wives are not given to lions yet in the arenas,” + said Petronius, laughing. “Any other death may meet thee but that. Who + knows, besides, that they were lions? German bisons roar with no less + gentleness than lions. As to me, I ridicule omens and fates. Last night + was warm and I saw stars falling like rain. Many a man has an evil + foreboding at such a sight; but I thought, ‘If among these is my star too, + I shall not lack society at least!’” Then he was silent, but added after a + moment’s thought,—“If your Christ has risen from the dead, He may + perhaps protect you both from death.” + </p> + <p> + “He may,” answered Vinicius, looking at the heavens filled with stars. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLI + </h2> + <p> + NERO played and sang, in honor of the “Lady of Cyprus,” a hymn the verses + and music of which were composed by himself. That day he was in voice, and + felt that his music really captivated those present. That feeling added + such power to the sounds produced and roused his own soul so much that he + seemed inspired. At last he grew pale from genuine emotion. This was + surely the first time that he had no desire to hear praises from others. + He sat for a time with his hands on the cithara and with bowed head; then, + rising suddenly, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I am tired and need air, Meanwhile ye will tune the citharæ.” + </p> + <p> + He covered his throat then with a silk kerchief. + </p> + <p> + “Ye will go with me,” said he, turning to Petronius and Vinicius, who were + sitting in a corner of the hall. “Give me thy arm, Vinicius, for strength + fails me; Petronius will talk to me of music.” + </p> + <p> + They went out on the terrace, which was paved with alabaster and sprinkled + with saffron. + </p> + <p> + “Here one can breathe more freely,” said Nero. “My soul is moved and sad, + though I see that with what I have sung to thee on trial just now I may + appear in public, and my triumph will be such as no Roman has ever + achieved.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou mayst appear here, in Rome, in Achæa. I admire thee with my whole + heart and mind, divinity,” answered Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “I know. Thou art too slothful to force thyself to flattery, and thou art + as sincere as Tullius Senecio, but thou hast more knowledge than he. Tell + me, what is thy judgment on music?” + </p> + <p> + “When I listen to poetry, when I look at a quadriga directed by thee in + the Circus, when I look at a beautiful statue, temple, or picture, I feel + that I comprehend perfectly what I see, that my enthusiasm takes in all + that these can give. But when I listen to music, especially thy music, new + delights and beauties open before me every instant. I pursue them, I try + to seize them; but before I can take them to myself, new and newer ones + flow in, just like waves of the sea, which roll on from infinity. Hence I + tell thee that music is like the sea. We stand on one shore and gaze at + remoteness, but we cannot see the other shore.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, what deep knowledge thou hast!” said Nero; and they walked on for a + moment, only the slight sound of the saffron leaves under their feet being + heard. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast expressed my idea,” said Nero at last; “hence I say now, as + ever, in all Rome thou art the only man able to understand me. Thus it is, + my judgment of music is the same as thine. When I play and sing, I see + things which I did not know as existing in my dominions or in the world. I + am Cæsar, and the world is mine. I can do everything. But music opens new + kingdoms to me, new mountains, new seas, new delights unknown before. Most + frequently I cannot name them or grasp them; I only feel them. I feel the + gods, I see Olympus. Some kind of breeze from beyond the earth blows in on + me; I behold, as in a mist, certain immeasurable greatnesses, but calm and + bright as sunshine. The whole Spheros plays around me; and I declare to + thee” (here Nero’s voice quivered with genuine wonder) “that I, Cæsar and + god, feel at such times as diminutive as dust. Wilt thou believe this?” + </p> + <p> + “I will. Only great artists have power to feel small in the presence of + art.” + </p> + <p> + “This is a night of sincerity; hence I open my soul to thee as to a + friend, and I will say more: dost thou consider that I am blind or + deprived of reason? Dost thou think that I am ignorant of this, that + people in Rome write insults on the walls against me, call me a matricide, + a wife-murderer, hold me a monster and a tyrant, because Tigellinus + obtained a few sentences of death against my enemies? Yes, my dear, they + hold me a monster, and I know it. They have talked cruelty on me to that + degree that at times I put the question to myself, ‘Am I not cruel?’ But + they do not understand this, that a man’s deeds may be cruel at times + while he himself is not cruel. Ah, no one will believe, and perhaps even + thou, my dear, wilt not believe, that at moments when music caresses my + soul I feel as kind as a child in the cradle. I swear by those stars which + shine above us, that I speak the pure truth to thee. People do not know + how much goodness lies in this heart, and what treasures I see in it when + music opens the door to them.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius, who had not the least doubt that Nero was speaking sincerely at + that moment, and that music might bring out various more noble + inclinations of his soul, which were overwhelmed by mountains of egotism, + profligacy, and crime, said,—“Men should know thee as nearly as I + do; Rome has never been able to appreciate thee.” + </p> + <p> + Cæsar leaned more heavily on Vinicius’s arm, as if he were bending under + the weight of injustice, and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Tigellinus has told me that in the Senate they whisper into one another’s + ears that Diodorus and Terpnos play on the cithara better than I. They + refuse me even that! But tell me, thou who art truthful always, do they + play better, or as well?” + </p> + <p> + “By no means. Thy touch is finer, and has greater power. In thee the + artist is evident, in them the expert. The man who hears their music first + understands better what thou art.” + </p> + <p> + “If that be true, let them live. They will never imagine what a service + thou hast rendered them in this moment. For that matter, if I had + condemned those two, I should have had to take others in place of them.” + </p> + <p> + “And people would say, besides, that out of love for music thou destroyest + music in thy dominions. Never kill art for art’s sake, O divinity.” + </p> + <p> + “How different thou art from Tigellinus!” answered Nero. “But seest thou, + I am an artist in everything; and since music opens for me spaces the + existence of which I had not divined, regions which I do not possess, + delight and happiness which I do not know, I cannot live a common life. + Music tells me that the uncommon exists, so I seek it with all the power + of dominion which the gods have placed in my hands. At times it seems to + me that to reach those Olympian worlds I must do something which no man + has done hitherto,—I must surpass the stature of man in good or + evil. I know that people declare me mad. But I am not mad, I am only + seeking. And if I am going mad, it is out of disgust and impatience that I + cannot find. I am seeking! Dost understand me? And therefore I wish to be + greater than man, for only in that way can I be the greatest as an + artist.” + </p> + <p> + Here he lowered his voice so that Vinicius could not hear him, and, + putting his mouth to the ear of Petronius, he whispered,—“Dost know + that I condemned my mother and wife to death mainly because I wished to + lay at the gate of an unknown world the greatest sacrifice that man could + put there? I thought that afterward something would happen, that doors + would be opened beyond which I should see something unknown. Let it be + wonderful or awful, surpassing human conception, if only great and + uncommon. But that sacrifice was not sufficient. To open the empyrean + doors it is evident that something greater is needed, and let it be given + as the Fates desire.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou intend to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt see sooner than thou thinkest. Meanwhile be assured that there + are two Neros,—one such as people know, the other an artist, whom + thou alone knowest, and if he slays as does death, or is in frenzy like + Bacchus, it is only because the flatness and misery of common life stifle + him; and I should like to destroy them, though I had to use fire or iron. + Oh, how flat this world will be when I am gone from it! No man has + suspected yet, not thou even, what an artist I am. But precisely because + of this I suffer, and sincerely do I tell thee that the soul in me is as + gloomy as those cypresses which stand dark there in front of us. It is + grievous for a man to bear at once the weight of supreme power and the + highest talents.” + </p> + <p> + “I sympathize with thee, O Cæsar; and with me earth and sea, not counting + Vinicius, who deifies thee in his soul.” + </p> + <p> + “He, too, has always been dear to me,” said Cæsar, “though he serves Mars, + not the Muses.” + </p> + <p> + “He serves Aphrodite first of all,” answered Petronius. And suddenly he + determined to settle the affair of his nephew at a blow, and at the same + time to eliminate every danger which might threaten him. “He is in love, + as was Troilus with Cressida. Permit him, lord, to visit Rome, for he is + dying on my hands. Dost thou know that that Lygian hostage whom thou + gavest him has been found, and Vinicius, when leaving for Antium, left her + in care of a certain Linus? I did not mention this to thee, for thou wert + composing thy hymn, and that was more important than all besides. Vinicius + wanted her as a mistress; but when she turned out to be as virtuous as + Lucretia, he fell in love with her virtue, and now his desire is to marry + her. She is a king’s daughter, hence she will cause him no detriment; but + he is a real soldier: he sighs and withers and groans, but he is waiting + for the permission of his Imperator.” + </p> + <p> + “The Imperator does not choose wives for his soldiers. What good is my + permission to Vinicius?” + </p> + <p> + “I have told thee, O lord, that he deifies thee.” + </p> + <p> + “All the more may he be certain of permission. That is a comely maiden, + but too narrow in the hips. The Augusta Poppæa has complained to me that + she enchanted our child in the gardens of the Palatine.” + </p> + <p> + “But I told Tigellinus that the gods are not subject to evil charms. Thou + rememberest, divinity, his confusion and thy exclamation, ‘Habet!’” + </p> + <p> + “I remember.” + </p> + <p> + Here he turned to Vinicius,—“Dost thou love her, as Petronius says?” + </p> + <p> + “I love her, lord,” replied Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Then I command thee to set out for Rome to-morrow, and marry her. Appear + not again before my eyes without the marriage ring.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee, lord, from my heart and soul.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how pleasant it is to make people happy!” said Nero. “Would that I + might do nothing else all my life!” + </p> + <p> + “Grant us one favor more, O divinity,” said Petronius: “declare thy will + in this matter before the Augusta. Vinicius would never venture to wed a + woman displeasing to the Augusta; thou wilt dissipate her prejudice, O + lord, with a word, by declaring that thou hast commanded this marriage.” + </p> + <p> + “I am willing,” said Cæsar. “I could refuse nothing to thee or Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + He turned toward the villa, and they followed. Their hearts were filled + with delight over the victory; and Vinicius had to use self-restraint to + avoid throwing himself on the neck of Petronius, for it seemed now that + all dangers and obstacles were removed. + </p> + <p> + In the atrium of the villa young Nerva and Tullius Senecio were + entertaining the Augusta with conversation. Terpnos and Diodorus were + tuning citharæ. + </p> + <p> + Nero entered, sat in an armchair inlaid with tortoise-shell, whispered + something in the ear of a Greek slave near his side, and waited. + </p> + <p> + The page returned soon with a golden casket. Nero opened it and took out a + necklace of great opals. + </p> + <p> + “These are jewels worthy of this evening,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “The light of Aurora is playing in them,” answered Poppæa, convinced that + the necklace was for her. + </p> + <p> + Cæsar, now raising, now lowering the rosy stones, said at last,—“Vinicius, + thou wilt give, from me, this necklace to her whom I command thee to + marry, the youthful daughter of the Lygian king.” + </p> + <p> + Poppæa’s glance, filled with anger and sudden amazement, passed from Cæsar + to Vinicius. At last it rested on Petronius. But he, leaning carelessly + over the arm of the chair, passed his hand along the back of the harp as + if to fix its form firmly in his mind. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius gave thanks for the gift, approached Petronius, and asked,—“How + shall I thank thee for what thou hast done this day for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Sacrifice a pair of swans to Euterpe,” replied Petronius, “praise Cæsar’s + songs, and laugh at omens. Henceforth the roaring of lions will not + disturb thy sleep, I trust, nor that of thy Lygian lily.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Vinicius; “now I am perfectly at rest.” + </p> + <p> + “May Fortune favor thee! But be careful, for Cæsar is taking his lute + again. Hold thy breath, listen, and shed tears.” + </p> + <p> + In fact Cæsar had taken the lute and raised his eyes. In the hall + conversation had stopped, and people were as still as if petrified. + Terpnos and Diodorus, who had to accompany Cæsar, were on the alert, + looking now at each other and now at his lips, waiting for the first tones + of the song. + </p> + <p> + Just then a movement and noise began in the entrance; and after a moment + Cæsar’s freedman, Phaon, appeared from beyond the curtain. Close behind + him was the consul Lecanius. + </p> + <p> + Nero frowned. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, divine Imperator,” said Phaon, with panting voice, “there is a + conflagration in Rome! The greater part of the city is in flames!” + </p> + <p> + At this news all sprang from their seats. + </p> + <p> + “O gods! I shall see a burning city and finish the Troyad,” said Nero, + setting aside his lute. + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to the consul,—“If I go at once, shall I see the + fire?” + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” answered Lecanius, as pale as a wall, “the whole city is one sea + of flame; smoke is suffocating the inhabitants, and people faint, or cast + themselves into the fire from delirium. Rome is perishing, lord.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed, which was broken by the cry of Vinicius,— + </p> + <p> + “Væ misero mihi!” + </p> + <p> + And the young man, casting his toga aside, rushed forth in his tunic. Nero + raised his hands and exclaimed,— + </p> + <p> + “Woe to thee, sacred city of Priam!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLII + </h2> + <p> + VINICIUS had barely time to command a few slaves to follow him; then, + springing on his horse, he rushed forth in the deep night along the empty + streets toward Laurentum. Through the influence of the dreadful news he + had fallen as it were into frenzy and mental distraction. At moments he + did not know clearly what was happening in his mind; he had merely the + feeling that misfortune was on the horse with him, sitting behind his + shoulders, and shouting in his ears, “Rome is burning!” that it was + lashing his horse and him, urging them toward the fire. Laying his bare + head on the beast’s neck, he rushed on, in his single tunic, alone, at + random, not looking ahead, and taking no note of obstacles against which + he might perchance dash himself. + </p> + <p> + In silence and in that calm night, the rider and the horse, covered with + gleams of the moon, seemed like dream visions. The Idumean stallion, + dropping his ears and stretching his neck, shot on like an arrow past the + motionless cypresses and the white villas hidden among them. The sound of + hoofs on the stone flags roused dogs here and there; these followed the + strange vision with their barking; afterward, excited by its suddenness, + they fell to howling, and raised their jaws toward the moon. The slaves + hastening after Vinicius soon dropped behind, as their horses were greatly + inferior. When he had rushed like a storm through sleeping Laurentum, he + turned toward Ardea, in which, as in Aricia, Bovillæ, and Ustrinum, he had + kept relays of horses from the day of his coming to Antium, so as to pass + in the shortest time possible the interval between Rome and him. + Remembering these relays, he forced all the strength from his horse. + </p> + <p> + Beyond Ardea it seemed to him that the sky on the northeast was covered + with a rosy reflection. That might be the dawn, for the hour was late, and + in July daybreak came early. But Vinicius could not keep down a cry of + rage and despair, for it seemed to him that that was the glare of the + conflagration. He remembered the consul’s words, “The whole city is one + sea of flame,” and for a while he felt that madness was threatening him + really, for he had lost utterly all hope that he could save Lygia, or even + reach the city before it was turned into one heap of ashes. His thoughts + were quicker now than the rush of the stallion, they flew on ahead like a + flock of birds, black, monstrous, and rousing despair. He knew not, it is + true, in what part of the city the fire had begun; but he supposed that + the Trans-Tiber division, as it was packed with tenements, timber-yards, + storehouses, and wooden sheds serving as slave marts, might have become + the first food of the flames. + </p> + <p> + In Rome fires happened frequently enough; during these fires, as + frequently, deeds of violence and robbery were committed, especially in + the parts occupied by a needy and half-barbarous population. What might + happen, therefore, in a place like the Trans-Tiber, which was the retreat + of a rabble collected from all parts of the earth? Here the thought of + Ursus with his preterhuman power flashed into Vinicius’s head; but what + could be done by a man, even were he a Titan, against the destructive + force of fire? + </p> + <p> + The fear of servile rebellion was like a nightmare, which had stifled Rome + for whole years. It was said that hundreds of thousands of those people + were thinking of the times of Spartacus, and merely waiting for a + favorable moment to seize arms against their oppressors and Rome. Now the + moment had come! Perhaps war and slaughter were raging in the city + together with fire. It was possible even that the pretorians had hurled + themselves on the city, and were slaughtering at command of Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + And that moment the hair rose from terror on his head. He recalled all the + conversations about burning cities, which for some time had been repeated + at Cæsar’s court with wonderful persistence; he recalled Cæsar’s + complaints that he was forced to describe a burning city without having + seen a real fire; his contemptuous answer to Tigellinus, who offered to + burn Antium or an artificial wooden city; finally, his complaints against + Rome, and the pestilential alleys of the Subura. Yes; Cæsar has commanded + the burning of the city! He alone could give such a command, as Tigellinus + alone could accomplish it. But if Rome is burning at command of Cæsar, who + can be sure that the population will not be slaughtered at his command + also? The monster is capable even of such a deed. Conflagration, a servile + revolt, and slaughter! What a horrible chaos, what a letting loose of + destructive elements and popular frenzy! And in all this is Lygia. + </p> + <p> + The groans of Vinicius were mingled with the snorting and groans of his + horse; the beast, running on a road which rose continually toward Aricia, + was using the last of its breath. Who will snatch her from the burning + city; who can save her? Here Vinicius, stretching himself entirely on the + horse, thrust his fingers into his own hair, ready to gnaw the beast’s + neck from pain. + </p> + <p> + At that moment a horseman, rushing also like a whirlwind, but in the + opposite direction, toward Antium, shouted as he raced past, “Rome is + perishing!” and on he went. To the ears of Vinicius came only one more + expression: “Gods!” the rest was drowned by the thunder of hoofs. But that + expression sobered him,—“Gods!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius raised his head suddenly, and, stretching his arms toward the sky + filled with stars, began to pray. + </p> + <p> + “Not to you do I call whose temples are burning, but to Thee! Thou Thyself + hast suffered. Thou alone art merciful! Thou alone hast understood + people’s pain; Thou didst come to this world to teach pity to mankind; + then show it now. If Thou art what Peter and Paul declare, save for me + Lygia, take her in Thy arms, bear her out of the flames. Thou hast the + power to do that! Give her to me, and I will give Thee my blood. But if + Thou art unwilling to do this for me, do it for her. She loves Thee and + trusts in Thee. Thou dost promise life and happiness after death, but + happiness after death will not pass away, and she does not wish to die + yet. Let her live. Take her in Thy arms, bear her out of Rome. Thou canst + do so, unless Thou art unwilling.” + </p> + <p> + And he stopped, for he felt that further prayer might turn to a threat; he + feared to offend Divinity at the moment when he needed favor and mercy + most. He was terrified at the very thought of that, and, so as not to + admit to his head a shade even of threat, he began to lash his horse + again, especially since the white walls of Aricia, which lay midway to + Rome, gleamed up before him in the moonlight. + </p> + <p> + After a time he rushed at full speed past the temple of Mercury, which + stood in a grove before the city. Evidently people knew of the + catastrophe, for there was an uncommon movement in front of the temple. + While passing, Vinicius saw crowds on the steps and between the columns. + These people holding torches were hastening to put themselves under + protection of the deity. Moreover the road was not so empty or free as + beyond Ardea. Crowds were hurrying, it is true, to the grove by + side-paths, but on the main road were groups which pushed aside hurriedly + before the on-rushing horseman. From the town came the sound of voices. + Vinicius rode into Aricia like a whirlwind, overturning and trampling a + number of persons on the way. He was surrounded by shouts of “Rome is + burning!” “Rome is on fire!” “May the gods rescue Rome!” + </p> + <p> + The horse stumbled, but, reined in by a powerful hand, rose on his + haunches before the inn, where Vinicius had another beast in relay. + Slaves, as if waiting for the arrival of their master, stood before the + inn, and at his command ran one before the other to lead out a fresh + horse. Vinicius, seeing a detachment of ten mounted pretorians, going + evidently with news from the city to Antium, sprang toward them. + </p> + <p> + “What part of the city is on fire?” inquired he. + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” asked the decurion. + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius, a tribune of the army, an Augustian. Answer on thy head!” + </p> + <p> + “The fire broke out in the shops near the Circus Maximus. When we were + despatched, the centre of the city was on fire.” + </p> + <p> + “And the Trans-Tiber?” + </p> + <p> + “The fire has not reached the Trans-Tiber yet, but it is seizing new parts + every moment with a force which nothing can stop. People are perishing + from heat and smoke; all rescue is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment they brought the fresh horse. The young tribune sprang to + his back and rushed on. He was riding now toward Albanum, leaving Alba + Longa and its splendid lake on the right. The road from Aricia lay at the + foot of the mountain, which hid the horizon completely, and Albanum lying + on the other side of it. But Vinicius knew that on reaching the top he + should see, not only Bovillæ and Ustrinum, where fresh horses were ready + for him, but Rome as well: for beyond Albanum the low level Campania + stretched on both sides of the Appian Way, along which only the arches of + the aqueducts ran toward the city, and nothing obstructed the view. + </p> + <p> + “From the top I shall see the flames,” said he; and he began to lash his + horse anew. But before he had reached the top of the mountain he felt the + wind on his face, and with it came the odor of smoke to his nostrils. At + the same time the summit of the height was becoming gilded. + </p> + <p> + “The fire!” thought Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + The night had paled long since, the dawn had passed into light, and on all + the nearer summits golden and rosy gleams were shining, which might come + either from burning Rome or the rising daylight. Vinicius touched the + summit at last, and then a terrible sight struck his eyes. + </p> + <p> + The whole lower region was covered with smoke, forming as it were one + gigantic cloud lying close to the earth. In this cloud towns, aqueducts, + villas, trees, disappeared; but beyond this gray ghastly plain the city + was burning on the hills. + </p> + <p> + The conflagration had not the form of a pillar of fire, as happens when a + single building is burning, even when of the greatest size. That was a + long belt, rather, shaped like the belt of dawn. Above this belt rose a + wave of smoke, in places entirely black, in places looking rose-colored, + in places like blood, in places turning in on itself, in some places + inflated, in others squeezed and squirming, like a serpent which is + unwinding and extending. That monstrous wave seemed at times to cover even + the belt of fire, which became then as narrow as a ribbon; but later this + ribbon illuminated the smoke from beneath, changing its lower rolls into + waves of flame. The two extended from one side of the sky to the other, + hiding its lower part, as at times a stretch of forest hides the horizon. + The Sabine hills were not visible in the least. + </p> + <p> + To Vinicius it seemed at the first glance of the eye that not only the + city was burning, but the whole world, and that no living being could save + itself from that ocean of flame and smoke. + </p> + <p> + The wind blew with growing strength from the region of the fire, bringing + the smell of burnt things and of smoke, which began to hide even nearer + objects. Clear daylight had come, and the sun lighted up the summits + surrounding the Alban Lake. But the bright golden rays of the morning + appeared as it were reddish and sickly through the haze. Vinicius, while + descending toward Albanum, entered smoke which was denser, less and less + transparent. The town itself was buried in it thoroughly. The alarmed + citizens had moved out to the street. It was a terror to think of what + might be in Rome, when it was difficult to breathe in Albanum. + </p> + <p> + Despair seized Vinicius anew, and terror began to raise the hair on his + head. But he tried to fortify himself as best he might. “It is + impossible,” thought he, “that a city should begin to burn in all places + at once. The wind is blowing from the north and bears smoke in this + direction only. On the other side there is none. But in every case it will + be enough for Ursus to go through the Janiculum gate with Lygia, to save + himself and her. It is equally impossible that a whole population should + perish, and the world-ruling city be swept from the face of the earth with + its inhabitants. Even in captured places, where fire and slaughter rage + together, some people survive in all cases; why, then, should Lygia perish + of a certainty? On the contrary, God watches over her, He who Himself, + conquered death.” Thus reasoning, he began to pray again, and, yielding to + fixed habit, he made great vows to Christ, with promises of gifts and + sacrifices. After he had hurried through Albanum, nearly all of whose + inhabitants were on roofs and on trees to look at Rome, he grew somewhat + calm, and regained his cool blood. He remembered, too, that Lygia was + protected not only by Ursus and Linus, but by the Apostle Peter. At the + mere remembrance of this, fresh solace entered his heart. For him Peter + was an incomprehensible, an almost superhuman being. From the time when he + heard him at Ostrianum, a wonderful impression clung to him, touching + which he had written to Lygia at the beginning of his stay in Antium,—that + every word of the old man was true, or would show its truth hereafter. The + nearer acquaintance which during his illness he had formed with the + Apostle heightened the impression, which was turned afterward into fixed + faith. Since Peter had blessed his love and promised him Lygia, Lygia + could not perish in the flames. The city might burn, but no spark from the + fire would fall on her garments. Under the influence of a sleepless night, + mad riding, and impressions, a wonderful exaltation possessed the young + tribune; in this exaltation all things seemed possible: Peter speaks to + the flame, opens it with a word, and they pass uninjured through an alley + of fire. Moreover, Peter saw future events; hence, beyond doubt, he + foresaw the fire, and in that ease how could he fail to warn and lead + forth the Christians from the city, and among others Lygia, whom he loved, + as he might his own child? And a hope, which was strengthening every + moment, entered the heart of Vinicius. If they were fleeing from the city, + he might find them in Bovillæ, or meet them on the road. The beloved face + might appear any moment from out the smoke, which was stretching more + widely over all the Campania. + </p> + <p> + This seemed to him more likely, since he met increasing numbers of people, + who had deserted the city and were going to the Alban Hills; they had + escaped the fire, and wished to go beyond the line of smoke. Before he had + reached Ustrinum he had to slacken his pace because of the throng. Besides + pedestrians with bundles on their backs, he met horses with packs, mules + and vehicles laden with effects, and finally litters in which slaves were + bearing the wealthier citizens. Ustrinum was so thronged with fugitives + from Rome that it was difficult to push through the crowd. On the market + square, under temple porticos, and on the streets were swarms of + fugitives. Here and there people were erecting tents under which whole + families were to find shelter. Others settled down under the naked sky, + shouting, calling on the gods, or cursing the fates. In the general terror + it was difficult to inquire about anything. People to whom Vinicius + applied either did not answer, or with eyes half bewildered from terror + answered that the city and the world were perishing. New crowds of men, + women, and children arrived from the direction of Rome every moment; these + increased the disorder and outcry. Some, gone astray in the throng, sought + desperately those whom they had lost; others fought for a camping-place. + Half-wild shepherds from the Campania crowded to the town to hear news, or + find profit in plunder made easy by the uproar. Here and there crowds of + slaves of every nationality and gladiators fell to robbing houses and + villas in the town, and to fighting with the soldiers who appeared in + defence of the citizens. + </p> + <p> + Junius, a senator, whom Vinicius saw at the inn surrounded by a detachment + of Batavian slaves, was the first to give more detailed news of the + conflagration. The fire had begun at the Circus Maximus, in the part which + touches the Palatine and the Cælian Hill, but extended with + incomprehensible rapidity and seized the whole centre of the city. Never + since the time of Brennus had such an awful catastrophe come upon Rome. + “The entire Circus has burnt, as well as the shops and houses surrounding + it,” said Junius; “the Aventine and Cælian Hills are on fire. The flames + surrounding the Palatine have reached the Carinæ.” + </p> + <p> + Here Junius, who possessed on the Carinæ a magnificent “insula,” filled + with works of art which he loved, seized a handful of foul dust, and, + scattering it on his head, began to groan despairingly. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius shook him by the shoulder: “My house too is on the Carinæ,” + said he; “but when everything is perishing, let it perish also.” + </p> + <p> + Then recollecting that at his advice Lygia might have gone to the house of + Aulus, he inquired,— + </p> + <p> + “But the Vicus Patricius?” + </p> + <p> + “On fire!” replied Junius. + </p> + <p> + “The Trans-Tiber?” + </p> + <p> + Junius looked at him with amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind the Trans-Tiber,” said he, pressing his aching temples with + his palms. + </p> + <p> + “The Trans-Tiber is more important to me than all other parts of Rome,” + cried Vinicius, with vehemence. + </p> + <p> + “The way is through the Via Portuensis, near the Aventine; but the heat + will stifle thee. The Trans-Tiber? I know not. The fire had not reached + it; but whether it is not there at this moment the gods alone know.” Here + Junius hesitated a moment, then said in a low voice: “I know that thou + wilt not betray me, so I will tell thee that this is no common fire. + People were not permitted to save the Circus. When houses began to burn in + every direction, I myself heard thousands of voices exclaiming, ‘Death to + those who save!’ Certain people ran through the city and hurled burning + torches into buildings. On the other hand people are revolting, and crying + that the city is burning at command. I can say nothing more. Woe to the + city, woe to us all, and to me! The tongue of man cannot tell what is + happening there. People are perishing in flames or slaying one another in + the throng. This is the end of Rome!” + </p> + <p> + And again he fell to repeating, “Woe! Woe to the city and to us!” Vinicius + sprang to his horse, and hurried forward along the Appian Way. But now it + was rather a struggling through the midst of a river of people and + vehicles, which was flowing from the city. The city, embraced by a + monstrous conflagration, lay before Vinicius as a thing on the palm of his + hand. From the sea of fire and smoke came a terrible heat, and the uproar + of people could not drown the roar and the hissing of flames. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLIII + </h2> + <p> + As Vinicius approached the walls, he found it easier to reach Rome than + penetrate to the middle of the city. It was difficult to push along the + Appian Way, because of the throng of people. Houses, fields, cemeteries, + gardens, and temples, lying on both sides of it, were turned into camping + places. In the temple of Mars, which stood near the Porta Appia, the crowd + had thrown down the doors, so as to find a refuge within during + night-hours. In the cemeteries the larger monuments were seized, and + battles fought in defence of them, which were carried to bloodshed. + Ustrinum with its disorder gave barely a slight foretaste of that which + was happening beneath the walls of the capital. All regard for the dignity + of law, for family ties, for difference of position, had ceased. + Gladiators drunk with wine seized in the Emporium gathered in crowds, ran + with wild shouts through the neighboring squares, scattering, trampling, + and robbing the people. A multitude of barbarians, exposed for sale in the + city, escaped from the booths. For them the burning and ruin of Rome was + at once the end of slavery and the hour of revenge; so that when the + permanent inhabitants, who had lost all they owned in the fire, stretched + their hands to the gods in despair, calling for rescue, these slaves with + howls of delight scattered the crowds, dragged clothing from people’s + backs, and bore away the younger women. They were joined by slaves serving + in the city from of old, wretches who had nothing on their bodies save + woollen girdles around their hips, dreadful figures from the alleys, who + were hardly ever seen on the streets in the daytime, and whose existence + in Rome it was difficult to suspect. Men of this wild and unrestrained + crowd, Asiatics, Africans, Greeks, Thracians, Germans, Britons, howling in + every language of the earth, raged, thinking that the hour had come in + which they were free to reward themselves for years of misery and + suffering. In the midst of that surging throng of humanity, in the glitter + of day and of fire, shone the helmets of pretorians, under whose + protection the more peaceable population had taken refuge, and who in + hand-to-hand battle had to meet the raging multitude in many places. + Vinicius had seen captured cities, but never had his eyes beheld a + spectacle in which despair, tears, pain, groans, wild delight, madness, + rage, and license were mingled together in such immeasurable chaos. Above + this heaving, mad human multitude roared the fire, surging up to the + hill-tops of the greatest city on earth, sending into the whirling throng + its fiery breath, and covering it with smoke, through which it was + impossible to see the blue sky. The young tribune with supreme effort, and + exposing his life every moment, forced his way at last to the Appian Gate; + but there he saw that he could not reach the city through the division of + the Porta Capena, not merely because of the throng, but also because of + the terrible heat from which the whole atmosphere was quivering inside the + gate. Besides, the bridge at the Porta Trigenia, opposite the temple of + the Bona Dea, did not exist yet, hence whoso wished to go beyond the Tiber + had to push through to the Pons Sublicius, that is, to pass around the + Aventine through a part of the city covered now with one sea of flame. + That was an impossibility. Vinicius understood that he must return toward + Ustrinum, turn from the Appian Way, cross the river below the city, and go + to the Via Portuensis, which led straight to the Trans-Tiber. That was not + easy because of the increasing disorder on the Appian Way. He must open a + passage for himself there, even with the sword. Vinicius had no weapons; + he had left Antium just as the news of the fire had reached him in Cæsar’s + villa. At the fountain of Mercury, however, he saw a centurion who was + known to him. This man, at the head of a few tens of soldiers, was + defending the precinct of the temple; he commanded him to follow. + Recognizing a tribune and an Augustian, the centurion did not dare to + disobey the order. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius took command of the detachment himself, and, forgetting for that + moment the teaching of Paul touching love for one’s neighbor, he pressed + and cut the throng in front with a haste that was fatal to many who could + not push aside in season. He and his men were followed by curses and a + shower of stones; but to these he gave no heed, caring only to reach freer + spaces at the earliest. Still he advanced with the greatest effort. People + who had encamped would not move, and heaped loud curses on Cæsar and the + pretorians. The throng assumed in places a threatening aspect. Vinicius + heard voices accusing Nero of burning the city. He and Poppæa were + threatened with death. Shouts of “Sanio,” “Histrio” (buffoon, actor), + “Matricide!” were heard round about. Some shouted to drag him to the + Tiber; others that Rome had shown patience enough. It was clear that were + a leader found, these threats could be changed into open rebellion which + might break out any moment. Meanwhile the rage and despair of the crowd + turned against the pretorians, who for another reason could not make their + way out of the crowd: the road was blocked by piles of goods, borne from + the fire previously, boxes, barrels of provisions, furniture the most + costly, vessels, infants’ cradles, beds, carts, hand-packs. Here and there + they fought hand to hand; but the pretorians conquered the weaponless + multitude easily. After they had ridden with difficulty across the Viæ + Latina, Numitia, Ardea, Lavinia, and Ostia, and passed around villas, + gardens, cemeteries, and temples, Vinicius reached at last a village + called Vicus Alexandri, beyond which he crossed the Tiber. There was more + open space at this spot, and less smoke. From fugitives, of whom there was + no lack even there, he learned that only certain alleys of the Trans-Tiber + were burning, but that surely nothing could resist the fury of the + conflagration, since people were spreading the fire purposely, and + permitted no one to quench it, declaring that they acted at command. The + young tribune had not the least doubt then that Cæsar had given command to + burn Rome; and the vengeance which people demanded seemed to him just and + proper. What more could Mithridates or any of Rome’s most inveterate + enemies have done? The measure had been exceeded; his madness had grown to + be too enormous, and the existence of people too difficult because of him. + Vinicius believed that Nero’s hour had struck, that those ruins into which + the city was falling should and must overwhelm the monstrous buffoon + together with all those crimes of his. Should a man be found of courage + sufficient to stand at the head of the despairing people, that might + happen in a few hours. Here vengeful and daring thoughts began to fly + through his head. But if he should do that? The house of Vinicius, which + till recent times counted a whole series of consuls, was known throughout + Rome. The crowds needed only a name. Once, when four hundred slaves of the + prefect Pedanius Secundus were sentenced, Rome reached the verge of + rebellion and civil war. What would happen to-day in view of a dreadful + calamity surpassing almost everything which Rome had undergone in the + course of eight centuries? Whoso calls the Quirites to arms, thought + Vinicius, will overthrow Nero undoubtedly, and clothe himself in purple. + And why should he not do this? He was firmer, more active, younger than + other Augustians. True, Nero commanded thirty legions stationed on the + borders of the Empire; but would not those legions and their leaders rise + up at news of the burning of Rome and its temples? And in that case + Vinicius might become Cæsar. It was even whispered among the Augustians + that a soothsayer had predicted the purple to Otho. In what way was he + inferior to Otho? Perhaps Christ Himself would assist him with His divine + power; maybe that inspiration was His? “Oh, would that it were!” exclaimed + Vinicius, in spirit. He would take vengeance on Nero for the danger of + Lygia and his own fear; he would begin the reign of truth and justice, he + would extend Christ’s religion from the Euphrates to the misty shores of + Britain; he would array Lygia in the purple, and make her mistress of the + world. + </p> + <p> + But these thoughts which had burst forth in his head like a bunch of + sparks from a blazing house, died away like sparks. First of all was the + need to save Lygia. He looked now on the catastrophe from near by; hence + fear seized him again, and before that sea of flame and smoke, before the + touch of dreadful reality, that confidence with which he believed that + Peter would rescue Lygia died in his heart altogether. Despair seized him + a second time when he had come out on the Via Portuensis, which led + directly to the Trans-Tiber. He did not recover till he came to the gate, + where people repeated what fugitives had said before, that the greater + part of that division of the city was not seized by the flames yet, but + that fire had crossed the river in a number of places. + </p> + <p> + Still the Trans-Tiber was full of smoke, and crowds of fugitives made it + more difficult to reach the interior of the place, since people, having + more time there, had saved greater quantities of goods. The main street + itself was in many parts filled completely, and around the Naumachia + Augusta great heaps were piled up. Narrow alleys, in which smoke had + collected more densely, were simply impassable. The inhabitants were + fleeing in thousands. On the way Vinicius saw wonderful sights. More than + once two rivers of people, flowing in opposite directions, met in a narrow + passage, stopped each other, men fought hand to hand, struck and trampled + one another. Families lost one another in the uproar; mothers called on + their children despairingly. The young tribune’s hair stood on end at + thought of what must happen nearer the fire. Amid shouts and howls it was + difficult to inquire about anything or understand what was said. At times + new columns of smoke from beyond the river rolled toward them, smoke black + and so heavy that it moved near the ground, hiding houses, people, and + every object, just as night does. But the wind caused by the conflagration + blew it away again, and then Vinicius pushed forward farther toward the + alley in which stood the house of Linus. The fervor of a July day, + increased by the heat of the burning parts of the city, became + unendurable. Smoke pained the eyes; breath failed in men’s breasts. Even + the inhabitants who, hoping that the fire would not cross the river, had + remained in their houses so far, began to leave them; and the throng + increased hourly. The pretorians accompanying Vinicius remained in the + rear. In the crush some one wounded his horse with a hammer; the beast + threw up its bloody head, reared, and refused obedience. The crowd + recognized in Vinicius an Augustian by his rich tunic, and at once cries + were raised round about: “Death to Nero and his incendiaries!” This was a + moment of terrible danger; hundreds of hands were stretched toward + Vinicius; but his frightened horse bore him away, trampling people as he + went, and the next moment a new wave of black smoke rolled in and filled + the street with darkness. Vinicius, seeing that he could not ride past, + sprang to the earth and rushed forward on foot, slipping along walls, and + at times waiting till the fleeing multitude passed him. He said to himself + in spirit that these were vain efforts. Lygia might not be in the city; + she might have saved herself by flight. It was easier to find a pin on the + seashore than her in that crowd and chaos. Still he wished to reach the + house of Linus, even at the cost of his own life. At times he stopped and + rubbed his eyes. Tearing off the edge of his tunic, he covered his nose + and mouth with it and ran on. As he approached the river, the heat + increased terribly. Vinicius, knowing that the fire had begun at the + Circus Maximus, thought at first that that heat came from its cinders and + from the Forum Boarium and the Velabrum, which, situated near by, must be + also in flames. But the heat was growing unendurable. One old man on + crutches and fleeing, the last whom Vinicius noticed, cried: “Go not near + the bridge of Cestius! The whole island is on fire!” It was, indeed, + impossible to be deceived any longer. At the turn toward the Vicus + Judæorum, on which stood the house of Linus, the young tribune saw flames + amid clouds of smoke. Not only the island was burning, but the + Trans-Tiber, or at least the other end of the street on which Lygia dwelt. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius remembered that the house of Linus was surrounded by a garden; + between the garden and the Tiber was an unoccupied field of no great size. + This thought consoled him. The fire might stop at the vacant place. In + that hope he ran forward, though every breeze brought not only smoke, but + sparks in thousands, which might raise a fire at the other end of the + alley and cut off his return. + </p> + <p> + At last he saw through the smoky curtain the cypresses in Linus’s garden. + </p> + <p> + The houses beyond the unoccupied field were burning already like piles of + fuel, but Linus’s little “insula” stood untouched yet. Vinicius glanced + heavenward with thankfulness, and sprang toward the house though the very + air began to burn him. The door was closed, but he pushed it open and + rushed in. + </p> + <p> + There was not a living soul in the garden, and the house seemed quite + empty. “Perhaps they have fainted from smoke and heat,” thought Vinicius. + He began to call,— + </p> + <p> + “Lygia! Lygia!” + </p> + <p> + Silence answered him. Nothing could be heard in the stillness there save + the roar of the distant fire. + </p> + <p> + “Lygia!” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly his ear was struck by that gloomy sound which he had heard before + in that garden. Evidently the vivarium near the temple of Esculapius, on + the neighboring island, had caught fire. In this vivarium every kind of + wild beast, and among others lions, began to roar from affright. A shiver + ran through Vinicius from foot to head. Now, a second time, at a moment + when his whole being was concentrated in Lygia, these terrible voices + answered, as a herald of misfortune, as a marvellous prophecy of an + ominous future. + </p> + <p> + But this was a brief impression, for the thunder of the flames, more + terrible yet than the roaring of wild beasts, commanded him to think of + something else. Lygia did not answer his calls; but she might be in a + faint or stifled in that threatened building. Vinicius sprang to the + interior. The little atrium was empty, and dark with smoke. Feeling for + the door which led to the sleeping-rooms, he saw the gleaming flame of a + small lamp, and approaching it saw the lararium in which was a cross + instead of lares. Under the cross a taper was burning. Through the head of + the young catechumen, the thought passed with lightning speed that that + cross sent him the taper with which he could find Lygia; hence he took the + taper and searched for the sleeping-rooms. He found one, pushed aside the + curtains, and, holding the taper, looked around. + </p> + <p> + There was no one there, either. Vinicius was sure that he had found + Lygia’s sleeping-room, for her clothing was on nails in the wall, and on + the bed lay a capitium, or close garment worn by women next the body. + Vinicius seized that, pressed it to his lips, and taking it on his arm + went farther. The house was small, so that he examined every room, and + even the cellar quickly. Nowhere could he find a living soul. It was + evident that Lygia, Linus, and Ursus, with other inhabitants of that part, + must have sought safety in flight. + </p> + <p> + “I must seek them among the crowd beyond the gates of the city,” thought + Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + He was not astonished greatly at not meeting them on the Via Portuensis, + for they might have left the Trans-Tiber through the opposite side along + the Vatican Hill. In every case they were safe from fire at least. A stone + fell from his breast. He saw, it is true, the terrible danger with which + the flight was connected, but he was comforted at thought of the + preterhuman strength of Ursus. “I must flee now,” said he, “and reach the + gardens of Agrippina through the gardens of Domitius, where I shall find + them. The smoke is not so terrible there, since the wind blows from the + Sabine Hill.” + </p> + <p> + The hour had come now in which he must think of his own safety, for the + river of fire was flowing nearer and nearer from the direction of the + island, and rolls of smoke covered the alley almost completely. The taper, + which had lighted him in the house, was quenched from the current of air. + Vinicius rushed to the street, and ran at full speed toward the Via + Portuensis, whence he had come; the fire seemed to pursue him with burning + breath, now surrounding him with fresh clouds of smoke, now covering him + with sparks, which fell on his hair, neck, and clothing. The tunic began + to smoulder on him in places; he cared not, but ran forward lest he might + be stifled from smoke. He had the taste of soot and burning in his mouth; + his throat and lungs were as if on fire. The blood rushed to his head, and + at moments all things, even the smoke itself, seemed red to him. Then he + thought: “This is living fire! Better cast myself on the ground and + perish.” The running tortured him more and more. His head, neck, and + shoulders were streaming with sweat, which scalded like boiling water. Had + it not been for Lygia’s name, repeated by him in thought, had it not been + for her capitium, which he wound across his mouth, he would have fallen. + Some moments later he failed to recognize the street along which he ran. + Consciousness was leaving him gradually; he remembered only that he must + flee, for in the open field beyond waited Lygia, whom Peter had promised + him. And all at once he was seized by a certain wonderful conviction, half + feverish, like a vision before death, that he must see her, marry her, and + then die. + </p> + <p> + But he ran on as if drunk, staggering from one side of the street to the + other. Meanwhile something changed in that monstrous conflagration which + had embraced the giant city. Everything which till then had only + glimmered, burst forth visibly into one sea of flame; the wind had ceased + to bring smoke. That smoke which had collected in the streets was borne + away by a mad whirl of heated air. That whirl drove with it millions of + sparks, so that Vinicius was running in a fiery cloud as it were. But he + was able to see before him all the better, and in a moment, almost when he + was ready to fall, he saw the end of the street. That sight gave him fresh + strength. Passing the corner, he found himself in a street which led to + the Via Portuensis and the Codetan Field. The sparks ceased to drive him. + He understood that if he could run to the Via Portuensis he was safe, even + were he to faint on it. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the street he saw again a cloud, as it seemed, which stopped + the exit. “If that is smoke,” thought he, “I cannot pass.” He ran with the + remnant of his strength. On the way he threw off his tunic, which, on fire + from the sparks, was burning him like the shirt of Nessus, having only + Lygia’s capitium around his head and before his mouth. When he had run + farther, he saw that what he had taken for smoke was dust, from which rose + a multitude of cries and voices. + </p> + <p> + “The rabble are plundering houses,” thought Vinicius. But he ran toward + the voices. In every case people were there; they might assist him. In + this hope he shouted for aid with all his might before he reached them. + But this was his last effort. It grew redder still in his eyes, breath + failed his lungs, strength failed his bones; he fell. + </p> + <p> + They heard him, however, or rather saw him. Two men ran with gourds full + of water. Vinicius, who had fallen from exhaustion but had not lost + consciousness, seized a gourd with both hands, and emptied one-half of it. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” said he; “place me on my feet, I can walk on alone.” + </p> + <p> + The other laborer poured water on his head; the two not only placed him on + his feet, but raised him from the ground, and carried him to the others, + who surrounded him and asked if he had suffered seriously. This tenderness + astonished Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “People, who are ye?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “We are breaking down houses, so that the fire may not reach the Via + Portuensis,” answered one of the laborers. + </p> + <p> + “Ye came to my aid when I had fallen. Thanks to you.” + </p> + <p> + “We are not permitted to refuse aid,” answered a number of voices. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who from early morning had seen brutal crowds, slaying and + robbing, looked with more attention on the faces around him, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “May Christ reward you.” + </p> + <p> + “Praise to His name!” exclaimed a whole chorus of voices. + </p> + <p> + “Linus?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + But he could not finish the question or hear the answer, for he fainted + from emotion and over-exertion. He recovered only in the Codetan Field in + a garden, surrounded by a number of men and women. The first words which + he uttered were,— + </p> + <p> + “Where is Linus?” + </p> + <p> + For a while there was no answer; then some voice, known to Vinicius, said + all at once,— + </p> + <p> + “He went out by the Nomentan Gate to Ostrianum two days ago. Peace be with + thee, O king of Persia!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius rose to a sitting posture, and saw Chilo before him. + </p> + <p> + “Thy house is burned surely, O lord,” said the Greek, “for the Carinæ is + in flames; but thou wilt be always as rich as Midas. Oh, what a + misfortune! The Christians, O son of Serapis, have predicted this long + time that fire would destroy the city. But Linus, with the daughter of + Jove, is in Ostrianum. Oh, what a misfortune for the city!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius became weak again. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou seen them?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “I saw them, O lord. May Christ and all the gods be thanked that I am able + to pay for thy benefactions with good news. But, O Cyrus, I shall pay thee + still more, I swear by this burning Rome.” + </p> + <p> + It was evening, but in the garden one could see as in daylight, for the + conflagration had increased. It seemed that not single parts of the city + were burning, but the whole city through the length and the breadth of it. + The sky was red as far as the eye could see it, and that night in the + world was a red night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLIV + </h2> + <p> + Light from the burning city filled the sky as far as human eye could + reach. The moon rose large and full from behind the mountains, and + inflamed at once by the glare took on the color of heated brass. It seemed + to look with amazement on the world-ruling city which was perishing. In + the rose-colored abysses of heaven rose-colored stars were glittering; but + in distinction from usual nights the earth was brighter than the heavens. + Rome, like a giant pile, illuminated the whole Campania. In the bloody + light were seen distant mountains, towns, villas, temples, mountains, and + the aqueducts stretching toward the city from all the adjacent hills; on + the aqueducts were swarms of people, who had gathered there for safety or + to gaze at the burning. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the dreadful element was embracing new divisions of the city. It + was impossible to doubt that criminal hands were spreading the fire, since + new conflagrations were breaking out all the time in places remote from + the principal fire. From the heights on which Rome was founded the flames + flowed like waves of the sea into the valleys densely occupied by houses,—houses + of five and six stories, full of shops, booths, movable wooden + amphitheatres, built to accommodate various spectacles; and finally + storehouses of wood, olives, grain, nuts, pine cones, the kernels of which + nourished the more needy population, and clothing, which through Cæsar’s + favor was distributed from time to time among the rabble huddled into + narrow alleys. In those places the fire, finding abundance of inflammable + materials, became almost a series of explosions, and took possession of + whole streets with unheard-of rapidity. People encamping outside the city, + or standing on the aqueducts knew from the color of the flame what was + burning. The furious power of the wind carried forth from the fiery gulf + thousands and millions of burning shells of walnuts and almonds, which, + shooting suddenly into the sky, like countless flocks of bright + butterflies, burst with a crackling, or, driven by the wind, fell in other + parts of the city, on aqueducts, and fields beyond Rome. All thought of + rescue seemed out of place; confusion increased every moment, for on one + side the population of the city was fleeing through every gate to places + outside; on the other the fire had lured in thousands of people from the + neighborhood, such as dwellers in small towns, peasants, and half-wild + shepherds of the Campania, brought in by hope of plunder. The shout, “Rome + is perishing!” did not leave the lips of the crowd; the ruin of the city + seemed at that time to end every rule, and loosen all bonds which hitherto + had joined people in a single integrity. The mob, in which slaves were + more numerous, cared nothing for the lordship of Rome. Destruction of the + city could only free them; hence here and there they assumed a threatening + attitude. Violence and robbery were extending. It seemed that only the + spectacle of the perishing city arrested attention, and restrained for the + moment an outburst of slaughter, which would begin as soon as the city was + turned into ruins. Hundreds of thousands of slaves, forgetting that Rome, + besides temples and walls, possessed some tens of legions in all parts of + the world, appeared merely waiting for a watchword and a leader. People + began to mention the name of Spartacus, but Spartacus was not alive. + Meanwhile citizens assembled, and armed themselves each with what he + could. The most monstrous reports were current at all the gates. Some + declared that Vulcan, commanded by Jupiter, was destroying the city with + fire from beneath the earth; others that Vesta was taking vengeance for + Rubria. People with these convictions did not care to save anything, but, + besieging the temples, implored mercy of the gods. It was repeated most + generally, however, that Cæsar had given command to burn Rome, so as to + free himself from odors which rose from the Subura, and build a new city + under the name of Neronia. Rage seized the populace at thought of this; + and if, as Vinicius believed, a leader had taken advantage of that + outburst of hatred, Nero’s hour would have struck whole years before it + did. + </p> + <p> + It was said also that Cæsar had gone mad, that he would command pretorians + and gladiators to fall upon the people and make a general slaughter. + Others swore by the gods that wild beasts had been let out of all the + vivaria at Bronzebeard’s command. Men had seen on the streets lions with + burning manes, and mad elephants and bisons, trampling down people in + crowds. There was even some truth in this; for in certain places + elephants, at sight of the approaching fire, had burst the vivaria, and, + gaining their freedom, rushed away from the fire in wild fright, + destroying everything before them like a tempest. Public report estimated + at tens of thousands the number of persons who had perished in the + conflagration. In truth a great number had perished. There were people + who, losing all their property, or those dearest their hearts, threw + themselves willingly into the flames, from despair. Others were suffocated + by smoke. In the middle of the city, between the Capitol, on one side, and + the Quirinal, the Viminal, and the Esquiline on the other, as also between + the Palatine and the Cælian Hill, where the streets were most densely + occupied, the fire began in so many places at once that whole crowds of + people, while fleeing in one direction, struck unexpectedly on a new wall + of fire in front of them, and died a dreadful death in a deluge of flame. + </p> + <p> + In terror, in distraction, and bewilderment, people knew not where to + flee. The streets were obstructed with goods, and in many narrow places + were simply closed. Those who took refuge in those markets and squares of + the city, where the Flavian Amphitheatre stood afterward, near the temple + of the Earth, near the Portico of Silvia, and higher up, at the temples of + Juno and Lucinia, between the Clivus Virbius and the old Esquiline Gate, + perished from heat, surrounded by a sea of fire. In places not reached by + the flames were found afterward hundreds of bodies burned to a crisp, + though here and there unfortunates tore up flat stones and half buried + themselves in defence against the heat. Hardly a family inhabiting the + centre of the city survived in full; hence along the walls, at the gates, + on all roads were heard howls of despairing women, calling on the dear + names of those who had perished in the throng or the fire. + </p> + <p> + And so, while some were imploring the gods, others blasphemed them because + of this awful catastrophe. Old men were seen coming from the temple of + Jupiter Liberator, stretching forth their hands, and crying, “If thou be a + liberator, save thy altars and the city!” But despair turned mainly + against the old Roman gods, who, in the minds of the populace, were bound + to watch over the city more carefully than others. They had proved + themselves powerless; hence were insulted. On the other hand it happened + on the Via Asinaria that when a company of Egyptian priests appeared + conducting a statue of Isis, which they had saved from the temple near the + Porta Cælimontana, a crowd of people rushed among the priests, attached + themselves to the chariot, which they drew to the Appian Gate, and seizing + the statue placed it in the temple of Mars, overwhelming the priests of + that deity who dared to resist them. In other places people invoked + Serapis, Baal, or Jehovah, whose adherents, swarming out of the alleys in + the neighborhood of the Subura and the Trans-Tiber, filled with shouts and + uproar the fields near the walls. In their cries were heard tones as if of + triumph; when, therefore, some of the citizens joined the chorus and + glorified “the Lord of the World,” others, indignant at this glad + shouting, strove to repress it by violence. Here and there hymns were + heard, sung by men in the bloom of life, by old men, by women and + children,—hymns wonderful and solemn, whose meaning they understood + not, but in which were repeated from moment to moment the words, “Behold + the Judge cometh in the day of wrath and disaster.” Thus this deluge of + restless and sleepless people encircled the burning city, like a + tempest-driven sea. + </p> + <p> + But neither despair nor blasphemy nor hymn helped in any way. The + destruction seemed as irresistible, perfect, and pitiless as + Predestination itself. Around Pompey’s Amphitheatre stores of hemp caught + fire, and ropes used in circuses, arenas, and every kind of machine at the + games, and with them the adjoining buildings containing barrels of pitch + with which ropes were smeared. In a few hours all that part of the city, + beyond which lay the Campus Martius, was so lighted by bright yellow + flames that for a time it seemed to the spectators, only half conscious + from terror, that in the general ruin the order of night and day had been + lost, and that they were looking at sunshine. But later a monstrous bloody + gleam extinguished all other colors of flame. From the sea of fire shot up + to the heated sky gigantic fountains, and pillars of flame spreading at + their summits into fiery branches and feathers; then the wind bore them + away, turned them into golden threads, into hair, into sparks, and swept + them on over the Campania toward the Alban Hills. The night became + brighter; the air itself seemed penetrated, not only with light, but with + flame. The Tiber flowed on as living fire. The hapless city was turned + into one pandemonium. The conflagration seized more and more space, took + hills by storm, flooded level places, drowned valleys, raged, roared, and + thundered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLV + </h2> + <p> + MACRINUS, a weaver, to whose house Vinicius was carried, washed him, and + gave him clothing and food. When the young tribune had recovered his + strength altogether, he declared that he would search further for Linus + that very night. Macrinus, who was a Christian, confirmed Chilo’s report, + that Linus, with Clement the chief priest, had gone to Ostrianum, where + Peter was to baptize a whole company of confessors of the new faith. In + that division of the city it was known to Christians that Linus had + confided the care of his house two days before to a certain Gaius. For + Vinicius this was a proof that neither Lygia nor Ursus had remained in the + house, and that they also must have gone to Ostrianum. + </p> + <p> + This thought gave him great comfort. Linus was an old man, for whom it + would be difficult to walk daily to the distant Nomentan Gate, and back to + the Trans-Tiber; hence it was likely that he lodged those few days with + some co-religionist beyond the walls, and with him also Lygia and Ursus. + Thus they escaped the fire, which in general had not reached the other + slope of the Esquiline. Vinicius saw in all this a dispensation of Christ, + whose care he felt above him, and his heart was filled more than ever with + love; he swore in his soul to pay with his whole life for those clear + marks of favor. + </p> + <p> + But all the more did he hurry to Ostrianum. He would find Lygia, find + Linus and Peter; he would take them to a distance, to some of his lands, + even to Sicily. Let Rome burn; in a few days it would be a mere heap of + ashes. Why remain in the face of disaster and a mad rabble? In his lands + troops of obedient slaves would protect them, they would be surrounded by + the calm of the country, and live in peace under Christ’s wings blessed by + Peter. Oh, if he could find them! + </p> + <p> + That was no easy thing. Vinicius remembered the difficulty with which he + had passed from the Appian Way to the Trans-Tiber, and how he must circle + around to reach the Via Portuensis. He resolved, therefore, to go around + the city this time in the opposite direction. Going by the Via + Triumphatoris, it was possible to reach the Æmilian bridge by going along + the river, thence passing the Pincian Hill, all the Campus Martius, + outside the gardens of Pompey, Lucullus, and Sallust, to make a push + forward to the Via Nomentana. That was the shortest way; but Macrinus and + Chilo advised him not to take it. The fire had not touched that part of + the city, it is true; but all the market squares and streets might be + packed densely with people and their goods. Chilo advised him to go + through the Ager Vaticanus to the Porta Flaminia, cross the river at that + point, and push on outside the walls beyond the gardens of Acilius to the + Porta Salaria. Vinicius, after a moment’s hesitation, took this advice. + </p> + <p> + Macrinus had to remain in care of his house; but he provided two mules, + which would serve Lygia also in a further journey. He wished to give a + slave, too; but Vinicius refused, judging that the first detachment of + pretorians he met on the road would pass under his orders. + </p> + <p> + Soon he and Chilo moved on through the Pagus Janiculensis to the Triumphal + Way. There were vehicles there, too, in open places; but they pushed + between them with less difficulty, as the inhabitants had fled for the + greater part by the Via Portuensis toward the sea. Beyond the Septimian + Gate they rode between the river and the splendid gardens of Domitius; the + mighty cypresses were red from the conflagration, as if from evening + sunshine. The road became freer; at times they had to struggle merely with + the current of incoming rustics. Vinicius urged his mule forward as much + as possible; but Chilo, riding closely in the rear, talked to himself + almost the whole way. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we have left the fire behind, and now it is heating our shoulders. + Never yet has there been so much light on this road in the night-time. O + Zeus! if thou wilt not send torrents of rain on that fire, thou hast no + love for Rome, surely. The power of man will not quench those flames. Such + a city,—a city which Greece and the whole world was serving! And now + the first Greek who comes along may roast beans in its ashes. Who could + have looked for this? And now there will be no longer a Rome, nor Roman + rulers. Whoso wants to walk on the ashes, when they grow cold, and whistle + over them, may whistle without danger. O gods! to whistle over such a + world-ruling city! What Greek, or even barbarian, could have hoped for + this? And still one may whistle; for a heap of ashes, whether left after a + shepherd’s fire or a burnt city, is mere ashes, which the wind will blow + away sooner or later.” + </p> + <p> + Thus talking, he turned from moment to moment toward the conflagration, + and looked at the waves of flame with a face filled at once with delight + and malice. + </p> + <p> + “It will perish! It will perish!” continued he, “and will never be on + earth again. Whither will the world send its wheat now, its olives, and + its money? Who will squeeze gold and tears from it? Marble does not burn, + but it crumbles in fire. The Capitol will turn into dust, and the Palatine + into dust. O Zeus! Rome was like a shepherd, and other nations like sheep. + When the shepherd was hungry, he slaughtered a sheep, ate the flesh, and + to thee, O father of the gods, he made an offering of the skin. Who, O + Cloud-compeller, will do the slaughtering now, and into whose hand wilt + thou put the shepherd’s whip? For Rome is burning, O father, as truly as + if thou hadst fired it with thy thunderbolt.” + </p> + <p> + “Hurry!” urged Vinicius; “what art thou doing there?” + </p> + <p> + “I am weeping over Rome, lord,—Jove’s city!” + </p> + <p> + For a time they rode on in silence, listening to the roar of the burning, + and the sound of birds’ wings. Doves, a multitude of which had their nests + about villas and in small towns of the Campania, and also every kind of + field-bird from near the sea and the surrounding mountains, mistaking + evidently the gleam of the conflagration for sunlight, were flying, whole + flocks of them, blindly into the fire. Vinicius broke the silence first,— + </p> + <p> + “Where wert thou when the fire burst out?” + </p> + <p> + “I was going to my friend Euricius, lord, who kept a shop near the Circus + Maximus, and I was just meditating on the teaching of Christ, when men + began to shout: ‘Fire!’ People gathered around the Circus for safety, and + through curiosity; but when the flames seized the whole Circus, and began + to appear in other places also, each had to think of his own safety.” + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou see people throwing torches into houses?” + </p> + <p> + “What have I not seen, O grandson of Æneas! I saw people making a way for + themselves through the crowd with swords; I have seen battles, the + entrails of people trampled on the pavement. Ah, if thou hadst seen that, + thou wouldst have thought that barbarians had captured the city, and were + putting it to the sword. People round about cried that the end of the + world had come. Some lost their heads altogether, and, forgetting to flee, + waited stupidly till the flames seized them. Some fell into bewilderment, + others howled in despair; I saw some also who howled from delight. O lord, + there are many bad people in the world who know not how to value the + benefactions of your mild rule, and those just laws in virtue of which ye + take from all what they have and give it to yourselves. People will not be + reconciled to the will of God!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was too much occupied with his own thoughts to note the irony + quivering in Chilo’s words. A shudder of terror seized him at the simple + thought that Lygia might be in the midst of that chaos on those terrible + streets where people’s entrails were trampled on. Hence, though he had + asked at least ten times of Chilo touching all which the old man could + know, he turned to him once again,— + </p> + <p> + “But hast thou seen them in Ostrianum with thy own eyes?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw them, O son of Venus; I saw the maiden, the good Lygian, holy + Linus, and the Apostle Peter.” + </p> + <p> + “Before the fire?” + </p> + <p> + “Before the fire, O Mithra!” + </p> + <p> + But a doubt rose in the soul of Vinicius whether Chilo was not lying; + hence, reining his mule in, he looked threateningly at the old Greek and + inquired,— + </p> + <p> + “What wert thou doing there?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo was confused. True, it seemed to him, as to many, that with the + destruction of Rome would come the end also of Roman dominion. But he was + face to face with Vinicius; he remembered that the young soldier had + prohibited him, under a terrible threat, from watching the Christians, and + especially Linus and Lygia. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said he, “why dost thou not believe that I love them? I do. I was + in Ostrianum, for I am half a Christian. Pyrrho has taught me to esteem + virtue more than philosophy; hence I cleave more and more to virtuous + people. And, besides, I am poor; and when thou, O Jove, wert at Antium, I + suffered hunger frequently over my books; therefore I sat at the wall of + Ostrianum, for the Christians, though poor, distribute more alms than all + other inhabitants of Rome taken together.” + </p> + <p> + This reason seemed sufficient to Vinicius, and he inquired less severely,— + </p> + <p> + “And dost thou not know where Linus is dwelling at this moment?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou didst punish me sharply on a time for curiosity,” replied the Greek. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius ceased talking and rode on. + </p> + <p> + “O lord,” said Chilo, after a while, “thou wouldst not have found the + maiden but for me, and if we find her now, thou wilt not forget the needy + sage?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt receive a house with a vineyard at Ameriola.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee, O Hercules! With a vineyard? Thanks to thee! Oh, yes, + with a vineyard!” + </p> + <p> + They were passing the Vatican Hill now, which was ruddy from the fire; but + beyond the Naumachia they turned to the right, so that when they had + passed the Vatican Field they would reach the river, and, crossing it, go + to the Flaminian Gate. Suddenly Chilo reined in his mule, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “A good thought has come to my head, lord!” + </p> + <p> + “Speak!” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Between the Janiculum and the Vatican Hill, beyond the gardens of + Agrippina, are excavations from which stones and sand were taken to build + the Circus of Nero. Hear me, lord. Recently the Jews, of whom, as thou + knowest, there is a multitude in Trans-Tiber, have begun to persecute + Christians cruelly. Thou hast in mind that in the time of the divine + Claudius there were such disturbances that Cæsar was forced to expel them + from Rome. Now, when they have returned, and when, thanks to the + protection of the Augusta, they feel safe, they annoy Christians more + insolently. I know this; I have seen it. No edict against Christians has + been issued; but the Jews complain to the prefect of the city that + Christians murder infants, worship an ass, and preach a religion not + recognized by the Senate; they beat them, and attack their houses of + prayer so fiercely that the Christians are forced to hide.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou wish to say?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “This, lord, that synagogues exist openly in the Trans-Tiber; but that + Christians, in their wish to avoid persecution, are forced to pray in + secret and assemble in ruined sheds outside the city or in sand-pits. + Those who dwell in the Trans-Tiber have chosen just that place which was + excavated for the building of the Circus and various houses along the + Tiber. Now, when the city is perishing, the adherents of Christ are + praying. Beyond doubt we shall find a countless number of them in the + excavation; so my advice is to go in there along the road.” + </p> + <p> + “But thou hast said that Linus has gone to Ostrianum,” cried Vinicius + impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “But thou has promised me a house with a vineyard at Ameriola,” answered + Chilo; “for that reason I wish to seek the maiden wherever I hope to find + her. They might have returned to the Trans-Tiber after the outbreak of the + fire. They might have gone around outside the city, as we are doing at + this moment. Linus has a house, perhaps he wished to be nearer his house + to see if the fire had seized that part of the city also. If they have + returned, I swear to thee, by Persephone, that we shall find them at + prayer in the excavation; in the worst event, we shall get tidings of + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art right; lead on!” said the tribune. + </p> + <p> + Chilo, without hesitation, turned to the left toward the hill. + </p> + <p> + For a while the slope of the hill concealed the conflagration, so that, + though the neighboring heights were in the light, the two men were in the + shade. When they had passed the Circus, they turned still to the left, and + entered a kind of passage completely dark. But in that darkness Vinicius + saw swarms of gleaming lanterns. + </p> + <p> + “They are there,” said Chilo. “There will be more of them to-day than + ever, for other houses of prayer are burnt or are filled with smoke, as is + the whole Trans-Tiber.” + </p> + <p> + “True!” said Vinicius, “I hear singing.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, the voices of people singing reached the hill from the dark + opening, and the lanterns vanished in it one after the other. But from + side passages new forms appeared continually, so that after some time + Vinicius and Chilo found themselves amid a whole assemblage of people. + </p> + <p> + Chilo slipped from his mule, and, beckoning to a youth who sat near, said + to him,—“I am a priest of Christ and a bishop. Hold the mules for + us; thou wilt receive my blessing and forgiveness of sins.” + </p> + <p> + Then, without waiting for an answer, he thrust the reins into his hands, + and, in company with Vinicius, joined the advancing throng. + </p> + <p> + They entered the excavation after a while, and pushed on through the dark + passage by the dim light of lanterns till they reached a spacious cave, + from which stone had been taken evidently, for the walls were formed of + fresh fragments. + </p> + <p> + It was brighter there than in the corridor, for, in addition to tapers and + lanterns, torches were burning. By the light of these Vinicius saw a whole + throng of kneeling people with upraised hands. He could not see Lygia, the + Apostle Peter, or Linus, but he was surrounded by faces solemn and full of + emotion. On some of them expectation or alarm was evident; on some, hope. + Light was reflected in the whites of their upraised eyes; perspiration was + flowing along their foreheads, pale as chalk; some were singing hymns, + others were repeating feverishly the name of Jesus, some were beating + their breasts. It was apparent that they expected something uncommon at + any moment. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the hymn ceased, and above the assembly, in a niche formed by + the removal of an immense stone, appeared Crispus, the acquaintance of + Vinicius, with a face as it were half delirious, pale, stern, and + fanatical. All eyes were turned to him, as though waiting for words of + consolation and hope. After he had blessed the assembly, he began in + hurried, almost shouting tones,— + </p> + <p> + “Bewail your sins, for the hour has come! Behold the Lord has sent down + destroying flames on Babylon, on the city of profligacy and crime. The + hour of judgment has struck, the hour of wrath and dissolution. The Lord + has promised to come, and soon you will see Him. He will not come as the + Lamb, who offered His blood for your sins, but as an awful judge, who in + His justice will hurl sinners and unbelievers into the pit. Woe to the + world, woe to sinners! there will be no mercy for them. I see Thee, O + Christ! Stars are falling to the earth in showers, the sun is darkened, + the earth opens in yawning gulfs, the dead rise from their graves, but + Thou art moving amid the sound of trumpets and legions of angels, amid + thunders and lightnings. I see Thee, I hear Thee, O Christ!” + </p> + <p> + Then he was silent, and, raising his eyes, seemed to gaze into something + distant and dreadful. That moment a dull roar was heard in the cave,—once, + twice, a tenth time, in the burning city whole streets of partly consumed + houses began to fall with a crash. But most Christians took those sounds + as a visible sign that the dreadful hour was approaching; belief in the + early second coming of Christ and in the end of the world was universal + among them, now the destruction of the city had strengthened it. Terror + seized the assembly. Many voices repeated, “The day of judgment! Behold, + it is coming!” Some covered their faces with their hands, believing that + the earth would be shaken to its foundation, that beasts of hell would + rush out through its openings and hurl themselves on sinners. Others + cried, “Christ have mercy on us!” “Redeemer, be pitiful!” Some confessed + their sins aloud; others cast themselves into the arms of friends, so as + to have some near heart with them in the hour of dismay. + </p> + <p> + But there were faces which seemed rapt into heaven, faces with smiles not + of earth; these showed no fear. In some places were heard voices; those + were of people who in religious excitement had begun to cry out unknown + words in strange languages. Some person in a dark corner cried, “Wake thou + that sleepest!” Above all rose the shout of Crispus, “Watch ye! watch ye!” + </p> + <p> + At moments, however, silence came, as if all were holding the breath in + their breasts, and waiting for what would come. And then was heard the + distant thunder of parts of the city falling into ruins, after which were + heard again groans and cries,—“Renounce earthly riches, for soon + there will be no earth beneath your feet! Renounce earthly loves, for the + Lord will condemn those who love wife or child more than Him. Woe to the + one who loves the creature more than the Creator! Woe to the rich! woe to + the luxurious! woe to the dissolute! woe to husband, wife, and child!” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a roar louder than any which had preceded shook the quarry. All + fell to the earth, stretching their arms in cross form to ward away evil + spirits by that figure. Silence followed, in which was heard only panting + breath, whispers full of terror, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!” and in places the + weeping of children. At that moment a certain calm voice spoke above that + prostrate multitude,— + </p> + <p> + “Peace be with you!” + </p> + <p> + That was the voice of Peter the Apostle, who had entered the cave a moment + earlier. At the sound of his voice terror passed at once, as it passes + from a flock in which the shepherd has appeared. People rose from the + earth; those who were nearer gathered at his knees, as if seeking + protection under his wings. He stretched his hands over them and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Why are ye troubled in heart? Who of you can tell what will happen before + the hour cometh? The Lord has punished Babylon with fire; but His mercy + will be on those whom baptism has purified, and ye whose sins are redeemed + by the blood of the Lamb will die with His name on your lips. Peace be + with you!” + </p> + <p> + After the terrible and merciless words of Crispus, those of Peter fell + like a balm on all present. Instead of fear of God, the love of God took + possession of their spirits. Those people found the Christ whom they had + learned to love from the Apostle’s narratives; hence not a merciless + judge, but a mild and patient Lamb, whose mercy surpasses man’s wickedness + a hundredfold. A feeling of solace possessed the whole assembly; and + comfort, with thankfulness to the Apostle, filled their hearts, Voices + from various sides began to cry, “We are thy sheep, feed us!” Those nearer + said, “Desert us not in the day of disaster!” And they knelt at his knees; + seeing which Vinicius approached, seized the edge of Peter’s mantle, and, + inclining, said,— + </p> + <p> + “Save me, lord. I have sought her in the smoke of the burning and in the + throng of people; nowhere could I find her, but I believe that thou canst + restore her.” + </p> + <p> + Peter placed his hand on the tribune’s head. + </p> + <p> + “Have trust,” said he, “and come with me.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0046" id="link2HCH0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLVI + </h2> + <p> + The city burned on. The Circus Maximus had fallen in ruins. Entire streets + and alleys in parts which began to burn first were falling in turn. After + every fall pillars of flame rose for a time to the very sky. The wind had + changed, and blew now with mighty force from the sea, bearing toward the + Cælian, the Esquiline, and the Viminal rivers of flame, brands, and + cinders. Still the authorities provided for rescue. At command of + Tigellinus, who had hastened from Antium the third day before, houses on + the Esquiline were torn down so that the fire, reaching empty spaces, died + of itself. That was, however, undertaken solely to save a remnant of the + city; to save that which was burning was not to be thought of. There was + need also to guard against further results of the ruin. Incalculable + wealth had perished in Rome; all the property of its citizens had + vanished; hundreds of thousands of people were wandering in utter want + outside the walls. Hunger had begun to pinch this throng the second day, + for the immense stores of provisions in the city had burned with it. In + the universal disorder and in the destruction of authority no one had + thought of furnishing new supplies. Only after the arrival of Tigellinus + were proper orders sent to Ostia; but meanwhile the people had grown more + threatening. + </p> + <p> + The house at Aqua Appia, in which Tigellinus lodged for the moment, was + surrounded by crowds of women, who from morning till late at night cried, + “Bread and a roof!” Vainly did pretorians, brought from the great camp + between the Via Salaria and the Nomentana, strive to maintain order of + some kind. Here and there they were met by open, armed resistance. In + places weaponless crowds pointed to the burning city, and shouted, “Kill + us in view of that fire!” They abused Cæsar, the Augustians, the + pretorians; excitement rose every moment, so that Tigellinus, looking at + night on the thousands of fires around the city, said to himself that + those were fires in hostile camps. + </p> + <p> + Besides flour, as much baked bread as possible was brought at his command, + not only from Ostia, but from all towns and neighboring villages. When the + first instalment came at night to the Emporium, the people broke the chief + gate toward the Aventine, seized all supplies in the twinkle of an eye, + and caused terrible disturbance. In the light of the conflagration they + fought for loaves, and trampled many of them into the earth. Flour from + torn bags whitened like snow the whole space from the granary to the + arches of Drusus and Germanicus. The uproar continued till soldiers seized + the building and dispersed the crowd with arrows and missiles. + </p> + <p> + Never since the invasion by the Gauls under Brennus had Rome beheld such + disaster. People in despair compared the two conflagrations. But in the + time of Brennus the Capitol remained. Now the Capitol was encircled by a + dreadful wreath of flame. The marbles, it is true, were not blazing; but + at night, when the wind swept the flames aside for a moment, rows of + columns in the lofty sanctuary of Jove were visible, red as glowing coals. + In the days of Brennus, moreover, Rome had a disciplined integral people, + attached to the city and its altars; but now crowds of a many-tongued + populace roamed nomad-like around the walls of burning Rome,—people + composed for the greater part of slaves and freedmen, excited, disorderly, + and ready, under the pressure of want, to turn against authority and the + city. + </p> + <p> + But the very immensity of the fire, which terrified every heart, disarmed + the crowd in a certain measure. After the fire might come famine and + disease; and to complete the misfortune the terrible heat of July had + appeared. It was impossible to breathe air inflamed both by fire and the + sun. Night brought no relief, on the contrary it presented a hell. During + daylight an awful and ominous spectacle met the eye. In the centre a giant + city on heights was turned into a roaring volcano; round about as far as + the Alban Hills was one boundless camp, formed of sheds, tents, huts, + vehicles, bales, packs, stands, fires, all covered with smoke and dust, + lighted by sun-rays reddened by passing through smoke,—everything + filled with roars, shouts, threats, hatred and terror, a monstrous swarm + of men, women, and children. Mingled with Quirites were Greeks, shaggy men + from the North with blue eyes, Africans, and Asiatics; among citizens were + slaves, freedmen, gladiators, merchants, mechanics, servants, and + soldiers,—a real sea of people, flowing around the island of fire. + </p> + <p> + Various reports moved this sea as wind does a real one. These reports were + favorable and unfavorable. People told of immense supplies of wheat and + clothing to be brought to the Emporium and distributed gratis. It was + said, too, that provinces in Asia and Africa would be stripped of their + wealth at Cæsar’s command, and the treasures thus gained be given to the + inhabitants of Rome, so that each man might build his own dwelling. But it + was noised about also that water in the aqueducts had been poisoned; that + Nero intended to annihilate the city, destroy the inhabitants to the last + person, then move to Greece or to Egypt, and rule the world from a new + place. Each report ran with lightning speed, and each found belief among + the rabble, causing outbursts of hope, anger, terror, or rage. Finally a + kind of fever mastered those nomadic thousands. The belief of Christians + that the end of the world by fire was at hand, spread even among adherents + of the gods, and extended daily. People fell into torpor or madness. In + clouds lighted by the burning, gods were seen gazing down on the ruin; + hands were stretched toward those gods then to implore pity or send them + curses. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile soldiers, aided by a certain number of inhabitants, continued to + tear down houses on the Esquiline and the Cælian, as also in the + Trans-Tiber; these divisions were saved therefore in considerable part. + But in the city itself were destroyed incalculable treasures accumulated + through centuries of conquest; priceless works of art, splendid temples, + the most precious monuments of Rome’s past, and Rome’s glory. They foresaw + that of all Rome there would remain barely a few parts on the edges, and + that hundreds of thousands of people would be without a roof. Some spread + reports that the soldiers were tearing down houses not to stop the fire, + but to prevent any part of the city from being saved. Tigellinus sent + courier after courier to Antium, imploring Cæsar in each letter to come + and calm the despairing people with his presence. But Nero moved only when + fire had seized the “domus transitoria,” and he hurried so as not to miss + the moment in which the conflagration should be at its highest. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile fire had reached the Via Nomentana, but turned from it at once + with a change of wind toward the Via Lata and the Tiber. It surrounded the + Capitol, spread along the Forum Boarium, destroyed everything which it had + spared before, and approached the Palatine a second time. + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus, assembling all the pretorian forces, despatched courier after + courier to Cæsar with an announcement that he would lose nothing of the + grandeur of the spectacle, for the fire had increased. + </p> + <p> + But Nero, who was on the road, wished to come at night, so as to sate + himself all the better with a view of the perishing capital. Therefore he + halted, in the neighborhood of Aqua Albana, and, summoning to his tent the + tragedian Aliturus, decided with his aid on posture, look, and expression; + learned fitting gestures, disputing with the actor stubbornly whether at + the words “O sacred city, which seemed more enduring than Ida,” he was to + raise both hands, or, holding in one the forminga, drop it by his side and + raise only the other. This question seemed to him then more important than + all others. Starting at last about nightfall, he took counsel of Petronius + also whether to the lines describing the catastrophe he might add a few + magnificent blasphemies against the gods, and whether, considered from the + standpoint of art, they would not have rushed spontaneously from the mouth + of a man in such a position, a man who was losing his birthplace. + </p> + <p> + At length he approached the walls about midnight with his numerous court, + composed of whole detachments of nobles, senators, knights, freedmen, + slaves, women, and children. Sixteen thousand pretorians, arranged in line + of battle along the road, guarded the peace and safety of his entrance, + and held the excited populace at a proper distance. The people cursed, + shouted, and hissed on seeing the retinue, but dared not attack it. In + many places, however, applause was given by the rabble, which, owning + nothing, had lost nothing in the fire, and which hoped for a more + bountiful distribution than usual of wheat, olives, clothing, and money. + Finally, shouts, hissing, and applause were drowned in the blare of horns + and trumpets, which Tigellinus had caused to be sounded. + </p> + <p> + Nero, on arriving at the Ostian Gate, halted, and said, “Houseless ruler + of a houseless people, where shall I lay my unfortunate head for the + night?” + </p> + <p> + After he had passed the Clivus Delphini, he ascended the Appian aqueduct + on steps prepared purposely. After him followed the Augustians and a choir + of singers, bearing citharæ, lutes, and other musical instruments. + </p> + <p> + And all held the breath in their breasts, waiting to learn if he would say + some great words, which for their own safety they ought to remember. But + he stood solemn, silent, in a purple mantle, and a wreath of golden + laurels, gazing at the raging might of the flames. When Terpnos gave him a + golden lute, he raised his eyes to the sky, filled with the conflagration, + as if he were waiting for inspiration. + </p> + <p> + The people pointed at him from afar as he stood in the bloody gleam. In + the distance fiery serpents were hissing. The ancient and most sacred + edifices were in flames: the temple of Hercules, reared by Evander, was + burning; the temple of Jupiter Stator was burning, the temple of Luna, + built by Servius Tullius, the house of Numa Pompilius, the sanctuary of + Vesta with the penates of the Roman people; through waving flames the + Capitol appeared at intervals; the past and the spirit of Rome was + burning. But he, Cæsar, was there with a lute in his hand and a theatrical + expression on his face, not thinking of his perishing country, but of his + posture and the prophetic words with which he might describe best the + greatness of the catastrophe, rouse most admiration, and receive the + warmest plaudits. He detested that city, he detested its inhabitants, + beloved only his own songs and verses; hence he rejoiced in heart that at + last he saw a tragedy like that which he was writing. The verse-maker was + happy, the declaimer felt inspired, the seeker for emotions was delighted + at the awful sight, and thought with rapture that even the destruction of + Troy was as nothing if compared with the destruction of that giant city. + What more could he desire? There was world-ruling Rome in flames, and he, + standing on the arches of the aqueduct with a golden lute, conspicuous, + purple, admired, magnificent, poetic. Down below, somewhere in the + darkness, the people are muttering and storming. But let them mutter! Ages + will pass, thousands of years will go by, but mankind will remember and + glorify the poet, who in that night sang the fall and the burning of Troy. + What was Homer compared with him? What Apollo himself with his + hollowed-out lute? + </p> + <p> + Here he raised his hands and, striking the strings, pronounced the words + of Priam. + </p> + <p> + “O nest of my fathers, O dear cradle!” His voice in the open air, with the + roar of the conflagration, and the distant murmur of crowding thousands, + seemed marvellously weak, uncertain, and low, and the sound of the + accompaniment like the buzzing of insects. But senators, dignitaries, and + Augustians, assembled on the aqueduct, bowed their heads and listened in + silent rapture. He sang long, and his motive was ever sadder. At moments, + when he stopped to catch breath, the chorus of singers repeated the last + verse; then Nero cast the tragic “syrma” [A robe with train, worn + especially by tragic actors] from his shoulder with a gesture learned from + Aliturus, struck the lute, and sang on. When at last he had finished the + lines composed, he improvised, seeking grandiose comparisons in the + spectacle unfolded before him. His face began to change. He was not moved, + it is true, by the destruction of his country’s capital; but he was + delighted and moved with the pathos of his own words to such a degree that + his eyes filled with tears on a sudden. At last he dropped the lute to his + feet with a clatter, and, wrapping himself in the “syrma,” stood as if + petrified, like one of those statues of Niobe which ornamented the + courtyard of the Palatine. + </p> + <p> + Soon a storm of applause broke the silence. But in the distance this was + answered by the howling of multitudes. No one doubted then that Cæsar had + given command to burn the city, so as to afford himself a spectacle and + sing a song at it. Nero, when he heard that cry from hundreds of + thousands, turned to the Augustians with the sad, resigned smile of a man + who is suffering from injustice. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said he, “how the Quirites value poetry and me.” + </p> + <p> + “Scoundrels!” answered Vatinius. “Command the pretorians, lord, to fall on + them.” + </p> + <p> + Nero turned to Tigellinus,— + </p> + <p> + “Can I count on the loyalty of the soldiers?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, divinity,” answered the prefect. + </p> + <p> + But Petronius shrugged his shoulders, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “On their loyalty, yes, but not on their numbers. Remain meanwhile where + thou art, for here it is safest; but there is need to pacify the people.” + </p> + <p> + Seneca was of this opinion also, as was Licinus the consul. Meanwhile the + excitement below was increasing. The people were arming with stones, + tent-poles, sticks from the wagons, planks, and various pieces of iron. + After a while some of the pretorian leaders came, declaring that the + cohorts, pressed by the multitude, kept the line of battle with extreme + difficulty, and, being without orders to attack, they knew not what to do. + </p> + <p> + “O gods,” said Nero, “what a night!” On one side a fire, on the other a + raging sea of people. And he fell to seeking expressions the most splendid + to describe the danger of the moment, but, seeing around him alarmed looks + and pale faces, he was frightened, with the others. + </p> + <p> + “Give me my dark mantle with a hood!” cried he; “must it come really to + battle?” + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said Tigellinus, in an uncertain voice, “I have done what I could, + but danger is threatening. Speak, O lord, to the people, and make them + promises.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall Cæsar speak to the rabble? Let another do that in my name. Who will + undertake it?” + </p> + <p> + “I!” answered Petronius, calmly. + </p> + <p> + “Go, my friend; thou art most faithful to me in every necessity. Go, and + spare no promises.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius turned to the retinue with a careless, sarcastic expression,— + </p> + <p> + “Senators here present, also Piso, Nerva, and Senecio, follow me.” + </p> + <p> + Then he descended the aqueduct slowly. Those whom he had summoned + followed, not without hesitation, but with a certain confidence which his + calmness had given them. Petronius, halting at the foot of the arches, + gave command to bring him a white horse, and, mounting, rode on, at the + head of the cavalcade, between the deep ranks of pretorians, to the black, + howling multitude; he was unarmed, having only a slender ivory cane which + he carried habitually. + </p> + <p> + When he had ridden up, he pushed his horse into the throng. All around, + visible in the light of the burning, were upraised hands, armed with every + manner of weapon, inflamed eyes, sweating faces, bellowing and foaming + lips. A mad sea of people surrounded him and his attendants; round about + was a sea of heads, moving, roaring, dreadful. + </p> + <p> + The outbursts increased and became an unearthly roar; poles, forks, and + even swords were brandished above Petronius; grasping hands were stretched + toward his horse’s reins and toward him, but he rode farther; cool, + indifferent, contemptuous. At moments he struck the most insolent heads + with his cane, as if clearing a road for himself in an ordinary crowd; and + that confidence of his, that calmness, amazed the raging rabble. They + recognized him at length, and numerous voices began to shout,— + </p> + <p> + “Petronius! Arbiter Elegantiarum! Petronius! Petronius!” was heard on all + sides. And as that name was repeated, the faces about became less + terrible, the uproar less savage: for that exquisite patrician, though he + had never striven for the favor of the populace, was still their favorite. + He passed for a humane and magnanimous man; and his popularity had + increased, especially since the affair of Pedanius Secundus, when he spoke + in favor of mitigating the cruel sentence condemning all the slaves of + that prefect to death. The slaves more especially loved him thenceforward + with that unbounded love which the oppressed or unfortunate are accustomed + to give those who show them even small sympathy. Besides, in that moment + was added curiosity as to what Cæsar’s envoy would say, for no one doubted + that Cæsar had sent him. + </p> + <p> + He removed his white toga, bordered with scarlet, raised it in the air, + and waved it above his head, in sign that he wished to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Silence! Silence!” cried the people on all sides. + </p> + <p> + After a while there was silence. Then he straightened himself on the horse + and said in a clear, firm voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Citizens, let those who hear me repeat my words to those who are more + distant, and bear yourselves, all of you, like men, not like beasts in the + arena.” + </p> + <p> + “We will, we will!” + </p> + <p> + “Then listen. The city will be rebuilt. The gardens of Lucullus, Mæcenas, + Cæsar, and Agrippina will be opened to you. To-morrow will begin the + distribution of wheat, wine, and olives, so that every man may be full to + the throat. Then Cæsar will have games for you, such as the world has not + seen yet; during these games banquets and gifts will be given you. Ye will + be richer after the fire than before it.” + </p> + <p> + A murmur answered him which spread from the centre in every direction, as + a wave rises on water in which a stone has been cast. Those nearer + repeated his words to those more distant. Afterward were heard here and + there shouts of anger or applause, which turned at length into one + universal call of “Panem et circenses!!!” + </p> + <p> + Petronius wrapped himself in his toga and listened for a time without + moving, resembling in his white garment a marble statue. The uproar + increased, drowned the roar of the fire, was answered from every side and + from ever-increasing distances. But evidently the envoy had something to + add, for he waited. Finally, commanding silence anew, he cried,—“I + promised you panem et circenses; and now give a shout in honor of Cæsar, + who feeds and clothes you; then go to sleep, dear populace, for the dawn + will begin before long.” + </p> + <p> + He turned his horse then, and, tapping lightly with his cane the heads and + faces of those who stood in his way, he rode slowly to the pretorian + ranks. Soon he was under the aqueduct. He found almost a panic above, + where they had not understood the shout “Panem et circenses,” and supposed + it to be a new outburst of rage. They had not even expected that Petronius + would save himself; so Nero, when he saw him, ran to the steps, and with + face pale from emotion, inquired,— + </p> + <p> + “Well, what are they doing? Is there a battle?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius drew air into his lungs, breathed deeply, and answered,—“By + Pollux! they are sweating! and such a stench! Will some one give me an + epilimma?—for I am faint.” Then he turned to Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + “I promised them,” said he, “wheat, olives, the opening of the gardens, + and games. They worship thee anew, and are howling in thy honor. Gods, + what a foul odor those plebeians have!” + </p> + <p> + “I had pretorians ready,” cried Tigellinus; “and hadst thou not quieted + them, the shouters would have been silenced forever. It is a pity, Cæsar, + that thou didst not let me use force.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at him, shrugged his shoulders, and added,— + </p> + <p> + “The chance is not lost. Thou mayst have to use it to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no!” cried Cæsar, “I will give command to open the gardens to them, + and distribute wheat. Thanks to thee, Petronius, I will have games; and + that song, which I sang to-day, I will sing publicly.” + </p> + <p> + Then he placed his hands on the arbiter’s shoulder, was silent a moment, + and starting up at last inquired,— + </p> + <p> + “Tell me sincerely, how did I seem to thee while I was singing?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert worthy of the spectacle, and the spectacle was worthy of thee,” + said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “But let us look at it again,” said he, turning to the fire, “and bid + farewell to ancient Rome.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0047" id="link2HCH0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLVII + </h2> + <p> + THE Apostle’s words put confidence in the souls of the Christians. The end + of the world seemed ever near to them, but they began to think that the + day of judgment would not come immediately, that first they would see the + end of Nero’s reign, which they looked on as the reign of Satan, and the + punishment of God for Cæsar’s crimes, which were crying for vengeance. + Strengthened in heart, they dispersed, after the prayer, to their + temporary dwellings, and even to the Trans-Tiber; for news had come that + the fire, set there in a number of places, had, with the change of wind, + turned back toward the river, and, after devouring what it could here and + there, had ceased to extend. + </p> + <p> + The Apostle, with Vinicius and Chilo, who followed him, left the + excavation also. The young tribune did not venture to interrupt his + prayers; hence he walked on in silence, merely imploring pity with his + eyes, and trembling from alarm. Many approached to kiss Peter’s hands, and + the hem of his mantle; mothers held out their children to him; some knelt + in the dark, long passage, and, holding up tapers, begged a blessing; + others, going alongside, sang: so there was no chance for question or + answer. Thus it was in the narrow passage. Only when they came out to + broader spaces, from which the burning city was in view, did the Apostle + bless them three times, and say, turning to Vinicius,— + </p> + <p> + “Fear not. The hut of the quarryman is near; in it we shall find Linus, + and Lygia, with her faithful servant. Christ, who predestined her to thee, + has preserved her.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius tottered, and placed his hand against the cliff. The road from + Antium, the events at the wall, the search for Lygia amidst burning + houses, sleeplessness, and his terrible alarm had exhausted him; and the + news that the dearest person in the world was near by, and that soon he + would see her, took the remnant of his strength from him. So great a + weakness possessed him on a sudden that he dropped to the Apostle’s feet, + and, embracing his knees, remained thus, without power to say a word. + </p> + <p> + “Not to me, not to me, but to Christ,” said the Apostle, who warded off + thanks and honor. + </p> + <p> + “What a good God!” said the voice of Chilo from behind, “but what shall I + do with the mules that are waiting down here?” + </p> + <p> + “Rise and come with me,” said Peter to the young man. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius rose. By the light of the burning, tears were visible on his + face, which was pale from emotion. His lips moved, as if in prayer. + </p> + <p> + “Let us go,” said he. + </p> + <p> + But Chilo repeated again: “Lord, what shall I do with the mules that are + waiting? Perhaps this worthy prophet prefers riding to walking.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius did not know himself what to answer; but hearing from Peter that + the quarryman’s hut was near by, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Take the mules to Macrinus.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, lord, if I mention the house in Ameriola. In view of such an + awful fire, it is easy to forget a thing so paltry.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt get it.” + </p> + <p> + “O grandson of Numa Pompilius, I have always been sure, but now, when this + magnanimous prophet also has heard the promise, I will not remind thee + even of this, that thou hast promised me a vineyard. Pax vobiscum. I shall + find thee, lord. Pax vobiscum.” + </p> + <p> + They answered, “And peace with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Then both turned to the right toward the hills. Along the road Vinicius + said, + </p> + <p> + “Lord, wash me with the water of baptism, so that I may call myself a real + confessor of Christ, for I love Him with all the power of my soul. Wash me + quickly, for I am ready in heart. And what thou commandest I will do, but + tell me, so that I may do it in addition.” + </p> + <p> + “Love men as thy own brothers,” answered the Apostle, “for only with love + mayst thou serve Him.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I understand and feel that. When a child I believed in the Roman + gods, though I did not love them. But I so love Him the One God that I + would give my life for Him gladly.” And he looked toward the sky, + repeating with exaltation: “For He is one, for He alone is kind and + merciful; hence, let not only this city perish, but the whole world, Him + alone will I confess and recognize.” + </p> + <p> + “And He will bless thee and thy house,” concluded the Apostle. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile they turned into another ravine, at the end of which a faint + light was visible. Peter pointed to it and said,— + </p> + <p> + “There is the hut of the quarryman who gave us a refuge when, on the way + from Ostrianum with the sick Linus, we could not go to the Trans-Tiber.” + </p> + <p> + After a while they arrived. The hut was rather a cave rounded Out in an + indentation of the hill, and was faced outside with a wall made of reeds. + The door was closed, but through an opening, which served for a window, + the interior was visible, lighted by a fire. Some dark giant figure rose + up to meet them, and inquired,—“Who are ye?” + </p> + <p> + “Servants of Christ,” answered Peter. “Peace be with thee, Ursus.” + </p> + <p> + Ursus bent to the Apostle’s feet; then, recognizing Vinicius, seized his + hand by the wrist, and raised it to his lips. + </p> + <p> + “And thou, lord,” said he. “Blessed be the name of the Lamb, for the joy + which thou wilt bring to Callina.” + </p> + <p> + He opened the door then, and entered. Linus was lying on a bundle of + straw, with an emaciated face and a forehead as yellow as ivory. Near the + fire sat Lygia with a string of small fish, intended evidently for supper. + Occupied in removing the fish from the string, and thinking that it was + Ursus who had entered, she did not raise her eyes. But Vinicius + approached, and, pronouncing her name, stretched his hand to her. She + sprang up quickly then; a flash of astonishment and delight shot across + her face. Without a word, like a child who after days of fear and sorrow + had found father or mother, she threw herself into his open arms. + </p> + <p> + He embraced her, pressed her to his bosom for some time with such ecstasy + as if she had been saved by a miracle. Then, withdrawing his arms, he took + her temples between his hands, kissed her forehead and her eyes, embraced + her again, repeated her name, bent to her knees, to her palms, greeted + her, did her homage, honored her. His delight had no bounds; neither had + his love and happiness. + </p> + <p> + At last he told her how he had rushed in from Antium; had searched for her + at the walls, in the smoke at the house of Linus; how he had suffered and + was terrified; how much he had endured before the Apostle had shown him + her retreat. + </p> + <p> + “But now,” said he, “that I have found thee, I will not leave thee near + fire and raging crowds. People are slaying one another under the walls, + slaves are revolting and plundering. God alone knows what miseries may + fall yet on Rome. But I will save thee and all of you. Oh, my dear, let us + go to Antium; we will take a ship there and sail to Sicily. My land is thy + land, my houses are thy houses. Listen to me! In Sicily we shall find + Aulus. I will give thee back to Pomponia, and take thee from her hands + afterward. But, O carissima, have no further fear of me. Christ has not + washed me yet, but ask Peter if on the way hither I have not told him my + wish to be a real confessor of Christ, and begged him to baptize me, even + in this hut of a quarryman. Believe, and let all believe me.” + </p> + <p> + Lygia heard these words with radiant face. The Christians formerly, + because of Jewish persecutions, and then because of the fire and + disturbance caused by the disaster, lived in fear and uncertainty. A + journey to quiet Sicily would put an end to all danger, and open a new + epoch of happiness in their lives. If Vinicius had wished to take only + Lygia, she would have resisted the temptation surely, as she did not wish + to leave Peter and Linus; but Vinicius said to them, “Come with me; my + lands are your lands, my houses your houses.” At this Lygia inclined to + kiss his hand, in sign of obedience, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Where thou art, Caius, there am I, Caia.” + </p> + <p> + Then confused that she had spoken words which by Roman custom were + repeated only at marriage, she blushed deeply, and stood in the light of + the fire, with drooping head, in doubt lest he might take them ill of her. + But in his face boundless homage alone was depicted. He turned then to + Peter, and continued,— + </p> + <p> + “Rome is burning at command of Cæsar. In Antium he complained that he had + never seen a great fire. And if he has not hesitated at such a crime, + think what may happen yet. Who knows that he may not bring in troops, and + command a slaughter? Who knows what proscriptions may come; who knows + whether after the fire, civil war, murder, and famine may not come? + </p> + <p> + “Hide yourselves, therefore, and let us hide Lygia. There ye can wait till + the storm passes, and when it is over return to sow your grain anew.” + </p> + <p> + Outside, from the direction of the Vatican Field, as if to confirm his + fears, distant cries were heard full of rage and terror. At that moment + the quarryman entered, the master of the hut, and, shutting the door + hastily, he cried,— + </p> + <p> + “People are killing one another near the Circus of Nero. Slaves and + gladiators have attacked the citizens.” + </p> + <p> + “Do ye hear?” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “The measure is full,” said the Apostle; “and disasters will come, like a + boundless sea.” Then he turned, and, pointing to Lygia, said, “Take the + maiden, whom God has predestined to thee, and save her, and let Linus, who + is sick, and Ursus go with you.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius, who had come to love the Apostle with all the power of his + impetuous soul, exclaimed: “I swear, my teacher, that I will not leave + thee here to destruction.” + </p> + <p> + “The Lord bless thee for thy wish,” answered Peter; “but hast thou not + heard that Christ repeated thrice on the lake to me, ‘Feed my lambs’?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was silent. + </p> + <p> + “If thou, to whom no one has confided care over me, sayest that thou wilt + not leave me to destruction, how canst thou wish me to leave my flock in + the day of disaster? When there was a storm on the lake, and we were + terrified in heart, He did not desert us; why should I, a servant, not + follow my Master’s example?” + </p> + <p> + Then Linus raised his emaciated face and inquired,— + </p> + <p> + “O viceregent of the Lord, why should I not follow thy example?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius began to pass his hand over his head, as if struggling with + himself or fighting with his thoughts; then, seizing Lygia by the hand, he + said, in a voice in which the energy of a Roman soldier was quivering,— + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, Peter, Linus, and thou, Lygia! I spoke as my human reason + dictated; but ye have another reason, which regards, not your own danger, + but the commands of the Redeemer. True, I did not understand this, and I + erred, for the beam is not taken from my eyes yet, and the former nature + is heard in me. But since I love Christ, and wish to be His servant, + though it is a question for me of something more than my own life, I kneel + here before thee, and swear that I will accomplish the command of love, + and will not leave my brethren in the day of trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Then he knelt, and enthusiasm possessed him; raising his hands and eyes, + he cried: “Do I understand Thee, O Christ? Am I worthy of Thee?” + </p> + <p> + His hands trembled; his eyes glistened with tears; his body trembled with + faith and love. Peter took an earthen vessel with water, and, bringing it + near him, said with solemnity,— + </p> + <p> + “Behold, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. + Amen.” + </p> + <p> + Then a religious ecstasy seized all present. They thought that some light + from beyond this world had filled the hut, that they heard some superhuman + music, that the cliffs had opened above their heads, that choirs of angels + were floating down from heaven, and far up there they saw a cross, and + pierced hands blessing them. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the shouts of fighting were heard outside, and the roar of + flames in the burning city. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0048" id="link2HCH0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLVIII + </h2> + <p> + CAMPS of people were disposed in the lordly gardens of Cæsar, formerly + gardens of Domitius and Agrippina; they were disposed also on the Campus + Martius, in the gardens of Pompey, Sallust, and Mæcenas, in porticos, + tennis-courts, splendid summer-houses, and buildings erected for wild + beasts. Peacocks, flamingoes, swans, ostriches, gazelles, African + antelopes, and deer, which had served as ornaments to those gardens, went + under the knives of the rabble. Provisions began to come in now from + Ostria so abundantly that one might walk, as on a bridge, over ships, + boats, and barges from one bank of the Tiber to the other. Wheat was sold + at the unheard-of low price of three sestertia, and was given gratis to + the indigent. Immense supplies of wine, olives, and chestnuts were brought + to the city; sheep and cattle were driven in every day from the mountains. + Wretches who before the fire had been hiding in alleys of the Subura, and + were perishing of hunger in ordinary times, had a more pleasant life now. + The danger of famine was averted completely, but it was more difficult to + suppress robbery, murder, and abuses. A nomadic life insured impunity to + thieves; the more easily since they proclaimed themselves admirers of + Cæsar, and were unsparing of plaudits wherever he appeared. Moreover, + when, by the pressure of events, the authorities were in abeyance, and + there was a lack of armed force to quell insolence in a city inhabited by + the dregs of contemporary mankind, deeds were done which passed human + imagination. Every night there were battles and murders; every night boys + and women were snatched away. At the Porta Mugionis, where there was a + halting-place for herds driven in from the Campania, it come to + engagements in which people perished by hundreds. Every morning the banks + of the Tiber were covered with drowned bodies, which no one collected; + these decayed quickly because of heat heightened by fire, and filled the + air with foul odors. Sickness broke out on the camping-grounds, and the + more timorous foresaw a great pestilence. + </p> + <p> + But the city burned on unceasingly. Only on the sixth day, when the fire + reached empty spaces on the Esquiline, where an enormous number of houses + had been demolished purposely, did it weaken. But the piles of burning + cinders gave such strong light yet that people would not believe that the + end of the catastrophe had come. In fact the fire burst forth with fresh + force on the seventh night in the buildings of Tigellinus, but had short + duration for lack of fuel. Burnt houses, however, fell here and there, and + threw up towers of flame and pillars of sparks. But the glowing ruins + began to grow black on the surface. After sunset the heavens ceased to + gleam with bloody light, and only after dark did blue tongues quiver above + the extended black waste, tongues which rose from piles of cinders. + </p> + <p> + Of the fourteen divisions of Rome there remained only four, including the + Trans-Tiber. Flames had consumed all the others. When at last the piles of + cinders had been turned into ashes, an immense space was visible from the + Tiber to the Esquiline, gray, gloomy, dead. In this space stood rows of + chimneys, like columns over graves in a cemetery. Among these columns + gloomy crowds of people moved about in the daytime, some seeking for + precious objects, others for the bones of those dear to them. In the night + dogs howled above the ashes and ruins of former dwellings. + </p> + <p> + All the bounty and aid shown by Cæsar to the populace did not restrain + evil speech and indignation. Only the herd of robbers, criminals, and + homeless ruffians, who could eat, drink, and rob enough, were contented. + People who had lost all their property and their nearest relatives were + not won over by the opening of gardens, the distribution of bread, or the + promise of games and gifts. The catastrophe had been too great and + unparalleled. Others, in whom was hidden yet some spark of love for the + city and their birthplace, were brought to despair by news that the old + name “Roma” was to vanish, and that from the ashes of the capital Cæsar + would erect a new city called Neropolis. A flood of hatred rose and + swelled every day, despite the flatteries of the Augustians and the + calumnies of Tigellinus. Nero, more sensitive than any former Cæsar to the + favor of the populace, thought with alarm that in the sullen and mortal + struggle which he was waging with patricians in the Senate, he might lack + support. The Augustians themselves were not less alarmed, for any morning + might bring them destruction. Tigellinus thought of summoning certain + legions from Asia Minor. Vatinius, who laughed even when slapped on the + face, lost his humor; Vitelius lost his appetite. + </p> + <p> + Others were taking counsel among themselves how to avert the danger, for + it was no secret that were an outburst to carry off Cæsar, not one of the + Augustians would escape, except, perhaps, Petronius. To their influence + were ascribed the madnesses of Nero, to their suggestions all the crimes + which he committed. Hatred for them almost surpassed that for Nero. Hence + some began to make efforts to rid themselves of responsibility for the + burning of the city. But to free themselves they must clear Cæsar also + from suspicion, or no one would believe that they had not caused the + catastrophe. Tigellinus took counsel on this subject with Domitius Afer, + and even with Seneca, though he hated him. Poppæa, who understood that the + ruin of Nero would be her own sentence, took the opinion of her confidants + and of Hebrew priests, for it had been admitted for years that she held + the faith of Jehovah. Nero found his own methods, which, frequently + terrible, were more frequently foolish, and fell now into terror, now into + childish delight, but above all he complained. + </p> + <p> + On a time a long and fruitless consultation was held in the house of + Tiberius, which had survived the fire. Petronius thought it best to leave + troubles, go to Greece, thence to Egypt and Asia Minor. The journey had + been planned long before; why defer it, when in Rome were sadness and + danger? + </p> + <p> + Cæsar accepted the counsel with eagerness; but Seneca when he had thought + awhile, said,— + </p> + <p> + “It is easy to go, but it would be more difficult to return.” + </p> + <p> + “By Heracles!” replied Petronius, “we may return at the head of Asiatic + legions.” + </p> + <p> + “This will I do!” exclaimed Nero. + </p> + <p> + But Tigellinus opposed. He could discover nothing himself, and if the + arbiter’s idea had come to his own head he would beyond doubt have + declared it the saving one; but with him the question was that Petronius + might not be a second time the only man who in difficult moments could + rescue all and every one. + </p> + <p> + “Hear me, divinity,” said he, “this advice is destructive! Before thou art + at Ostia a civil war will break out; who knows but one of the surviving + collateral descendants of the divine Augustus will declare himself Cæsar, + and what shall we do if the legions take his side?” + </p> + <p> + “We shall try,” answered Nero, “that there be no descendants of Augustus. + There are not many now; hence it is easy to rid ourselves of them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is possible to do so, but is it a question of them alone? No longer + ago than yesterday my people heard in the crowd that a man like Thrasea + should be Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + Nero bit his lips. After a while he raised his eyes and said: “Insatiable + and thankless. They have grain enough, and they have coal on which to bake + cakes; what more do they want?” + </p> + <p> + “Vengeance!” replied Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + Silence followed. Cæsar rose on a sudden, extended his hand, and began to + declaim,— + </p> + <p> + “Hearts call for vengeance, and vengeance wants a victim.” Then, + forgetting everything, he said, with radiant face: “Give me the tablet and + stilus to write this line. Never could Lucan have composed the like. Have + ye noticed that I found it in a twinkle?” + </p> + <p> + “O incomparable!” exclaimed a number of voices. Nero wrote down the line, + and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Yes, vengeance wants a victim.” Then he cast a glance on those around + him. “But if we spread the report that Vatinius gave command to burn the + city, and devote him to the anger of the people?” + </p> + <p> + “O divinity! Who am I?” exclaimed Vatmius. + </p> + <p> + “True! One more important than thou is demanded. Is it Vitelius?” + </p> + <p> + Vitelius grew pale, but began to laugh. + </p> + <p> + “My fat,” answered he, “might start the fire again.” + </p> + <p> + But Nero had something else on his mind; in his soul he was looking for a + victim who might really satisfy the people’s anger, and he found him. + </p> + <p> + “Tigellinus,” said he after a while, “it was thou who didst burn Rome!” A + shiver ran through those present. They understood that Cæsar had ceased to + jest this time, and that a moment had come which was pregnant with events. + </p> + <p> + The face of Tigellinus was wrinkled, like the lips of a dog about to bite. + </p> + <p> + “I burnt Rome at thy command!” said he. + </p> + <p> + And the two glared at each other like a pair of devils. Such silence + followed that the buzzing of flies was heard as they flew through the + atrium. + </p> + <p> + “Tigellinus,” said Nero, “dost thou love me?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou knowest, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Sacrifice thyself for me.” + </p> + <p> + “O divine Cæsar,” answered Tigellinus, “why present the sweet cup which I + may not raise to my lips? The people are muttering and rising; dost thou + wish the pretorians also to rise?” + </p> + <p> + A feeling of terror pressed the hearts of those present. Tigellinus was + pretorian prefect, and his words had the direct meaning of a threat. Nero + himself understood this, and his face became pallid. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Epaphroditus, Cæsar’s freedman, entered, announcing that + the divine Augusta wished to see Tigellinus, as there were people in her + apartments whom the prefect ought to hear. + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus bowed to Cæsar, and went out with a face calm and contemptuous. + Now, when they had wished to strike him, he had shown his teeth; he had + made them understand who he was, and, knowing Nero’s cowardice, he was + confident that that ruler of the world would never dare to raise a hand + against him. + </p> + <p> + Nero sat in silence for a moment; then, seeing that those present expected + some answer, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I have reared a serpent in my bosom.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius shrugged his shoulders, as if to say that it was not difficult + to pluck the head from such a serpent. + </p> + <p> + “What wilt thou say? Speak, advise!” exclaimed Nero, noticing this motion. + “I trust in thee alone, for thou hast more sense than all of them, and + thou lovest me.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius had the following on his lips: “Make me pretorian prefect, I + will deliver Tigellinus to the people, and pacify the city in a day.” But + his innate slothfulness prevailed. To be prefect meant to bear on his + shoulder’s Cæsar’s person and also thousands of public affairs. And why + should he perform that labor? Was it not better to read poetry in his + splendid library, look at vases and statues, or hold to his breast the + divine body of Eunice, twining her golden hair through his fingers, and + inclining his lips to her coral mouth? Hence he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I advise the journey to Achæa.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” answered Nero, “I looked for something more from thee. The Senate + hates me. If I depart, who will guarantee that it will not revolt and + proclaim some one else Cæsar? The people have been faithful to me so far, + but now they will follow the Senate. By Hades! if that Senate and that + people had one head!—” + </p> + <p> + “Permit me to say, O divinity, that if thou desire to save Rome, there is + need to save even a few Romans,” remarked Petronius, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “What care I for Rome and Romans?” complained Nero. “I should be obeyed in + Achæa. Here only treason surrounds me. All desert me, and ye are making + ready for treason. I know it, I know it. Ye do not even imagine what + future ages will say of you if ye desert such an artist as I am.” + </p> + <p> + Here he tapped his forehead on a sudden, and cried,— + </p> + <p> + “True! Amid these cares even I forget who I am.” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to Petronius with a radiant face. + </p> + <p> + “Petronius,” said he, “the people murmur; but if I take my lute and go to + the Campus Martius, if I sing that song to them which I sang during the + conflagration, dost thou not think that I will move them, as Orpheus moved + wild beasts?” + </p> + <p> + To this Tullius Senecio, who was impatient to return to his slave women + brought in from Antium, and who had been impatient a long time, replied,— + </p> + <p> + “Beyond doubt, O Cæsar, if they permit thee to begin.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go to Hellas!” cried Nero, with disgust. + </p> + <p> + But at that moment Poppæa appeared, and with her Tigellinis. The eyes of + those present turned to him unconsciously, for never had triumphator + ascended the Capitol with pride such as his when he stood before Cæsar. He + began to speak slowly and with emphasis, in tones through which the bite + of iron, as it were, was heard,— + </p> + <p> + “Listen. O Cæsar, for I can say: I have found! The people want vengeance, + they want not one victim, but hundreds, thousands. Hast heard, lord, who + Christos was,—he who was crucified by Pontius Pilate? And knowest + thou who the Christians are? Have I not told thee of their crimes and foul + ceremonies, of their predictions that fire would cause the end of the + world? People hate and suspect them. No one has seen them in a temple at + any time, for they consider our gods evil spirits; they are not in the + Stadium, for they despise horse races. Never have the hands of a Christian + done thee honor with plaudits. Never has one of them recognized thee as + god. They are enemies of the human race, of the city, and of thee. The + people murmur against thee; but thou hast given me no command to burn + Rome, and I did not burn it. The people want vengeance; let them have it. + The people want blood and games; let them have them. The people suspect + thee; let their suspicion turn in another direction.” + </p> + <p> + Nero listened with amazement at first; but as Tigellinus proceeded, his + actor’s face changed, and assumed in succession expressions of anger, + sorrow, sympathy, indignation. Suddenly he rose, and, casting off the + toga, which dropped at his feet, he raised both hands and stood silent for + a time. At last he said, in the tones of a tragedian,— + </p> + <p> + “O Zeus, Apollo, Here, Athene, Persephone, and all ye immortals! why did + ye not come to aid us? What has this hapless city done to those cruel + wretches that they burnt it so inhumanly?” + </p> + <p> + “They are enemies of mankind and of thee,” said Poppæa. + </p> + <p> + “Do justice!” cried others. “Punish the incendiaries! The gods themselves + call for vengeance!” + </p> + <p> + Nero sat down, dropped his head to his breast, and was silent a second + time, as if stunned by the wickedness of which he had heard. But after a + while he shook his hands, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “What punishments, what tortures befit such a crime? But the gods will + inspire me, and, aided by the powers of Tartarus, I will give my poor + people such a spectacle that they will remember me for ages with + gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + The forehead of Petronius was covered with a sudden cloud. He thought of + the danger hanging over Lygia and over Vinicius, whom he loved, and over + all those people whose religion he rejected, but of whose innocence he was + certain. He thought also that one of those bloody orgies would begin which + his eyes, those of an æsthetic man, could not suffer. But above all he + thought: “I must save Vinicius, who will go mad if that maiden perishes”; + and this consideration outweighed every other, for Petronius understood + well that he was beginning a game far more perilous than any in his life. + He began, however, to speak freely and carelessly, as his wont was when + criticising or ridiculing plans of Cæsar and the Augustians that were not + sufficiently æsthetic,— + </p> + <p> + “Ye have found victims! That is true. Ye may send them to the arena, or + array them in ‘painful tunics.’ That is true also. But hear me! Ye have + authority, ye have pretorians, ye have power; then be sincere, at least, + when no one is listening! Deceive the people, but deceive not one another. + Give the Christians to the populace, condemn them to any torture ye like; + but have courage to say to yourselves that it was not they who burnt Rome. + Phy! Ye call me ‘arbiter elegantiarum’; hence I declare to you that I + cannot endure wretched comedies! Phy! how all this reminds me of the + theatrical booths near the Porta Asinaria, in which actors play the parts + of gods and kings to amuse the suburban rabble, and when the play is over + wash down onions with sour wine, or get blows of clubs! Be gods and kings + in reality; for I say that ye can permit yourselves the position! As to + thee, O Cæsar, thou hast threatened us with the sentence of coming ages; + but think, those ages will utter judgment concerning thee also. By the + divine Clio! Nero, ruler of the world, Nero, a god, burnt Rome, because he + was as powerful on earth as Zeus on Olympus,—Nero the poet loved + poetry so much that he sacrificed to it his country! From the beginning of + the world no one did the like, no one ventured on the like. I beseech thee + in the name of the double-crowned Libethrides, renounce not such glory, + for songs of thee will sound to the end of ages! What will Priam be when + compared with thee; what Agamenmon; what Achilles; what the gods + themselves? We need not say that the burning of Rome was good, but it was + colossal and uncommon. I tell thee, besides, that the people will raise no + hand against thee! It is not true that they will. Have courage; guard + thyself against acts unworthy of thee,—for this alone threatens + thee, that future ages may say, ‘Nero burned Rome; but as a timid Cæsar + and a timid poet he denied the great deed out of fear, and cast the blame + of it on the innocent!’” + </p> + <p> + The arbiter’s words produced the usual deep impression on Nero; but + Petronius was not deceived as to this, that what he had said was a + desperate means which in a fortunate event might save the Christians, it + is true, but might still more easily destroy himself. He had not + hesitated, however, for it was a question at once of Vinicius whom he + loved, and of hazard with which he amused himself. “The dice are thrown,” + said he to himself, “and we shall see how far fear for his own life + outweighs in the monkey his love of glory.” + </p> + <p> + And in his soul he had no doubt that fear would outweigh. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile silence fell after his words. Poppæa and all present were + looking at Nero’s eyes as at a rainbow. He began to raise his lips, + drawing them to his very nostrils, as was his custom when he knew not what + to do; at last disgust and trouble were evident on his features. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” cried Tigellinus, on noting this, “permit me to go; for when + people wish to expose thy person to destruction, and call thee, besides, a + cowardly Cæsar, a cowardly poet, an incendiary, and a comedian, my ears + cannot suffer such expressions!” + </p> + <p> + “I have lost,” thought Petronius. But turning to Tigellinus, he measured + him with a glance in which was that contempt for a ruffian which is felt + by a great lord who is an exquisite. + </p> + <p> + “Tigellinus,” said he, “it was thou whom I called a comedian; for thou art + one at this very moment.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it because I will not listen to thy insults?” + </p> + <p> + “It is because thou art feigning boundless love for Cæsar,—thou who + a short while since wert threatening him with pretorians, which we all + understood as did he!” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus, who had not thought Petronius sufficiently daring to throw + dice such as those on the table, turned pale, lost his head, and was + speechless. This was, however, the last victory of the arbiter over his + rival, for that moment Poppæa said,— + </p> + <p> + “Lord, how permit that such a thought should even pass through the head of + any one, and all the more that any one should venture to express it aloud + in thy presence!” + </p> + <p> + “Punish the insolent!” exclaimed Vitelius. + </p> + <p> + Nero raised his lips again to his nostrils, and, turning his near-sighted, + glassy eyes on Petronius, said,— + </p> + <p> + “Is this the way thou payest me for the friendship which I had for thee?” + </p> + <p> + “If I am mistaken, show me my error,” said Petronius; “but know that I + speak that which love for thee dictates.” + </p> + <p> + “Punish the insolent!” repeated Vitelius. + </p> + <p> + “Punish!” called a number of voices. + </p> + <p> + In the atrium there was a murmur and a movement, for people began to + withdraw from Petronius. Even Tullius Senecio, his constant companion at + the court, pushed away, as did young Nerva, who had shown him hitherto the + greatest friendship. After a while Petronius was alone on the left side of + the atrium, with a smile on his lips; and gathering with his hands the + folds of his toga, he waited yet for what Cæsar would say or do. + </p> + <p> + “Ye wish me to punish him” said Cæsar; “but he is my friend and comrade. + Though he has wounded my heart, let him know that for friends this heart + has naught but forgiveness.” + </p> + <p> + “I have lost, and am ruined,” thought Petronius. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Cæsar rose, and the consultation was ended. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0049" id="link2HCH0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XLIX + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS went home. Nero and Tigellinus went to Poppæa’s atrium, where + they were expected by people with whom the prefect had spoken already. + </p> + <p> + There were two Trans-Tiber rabbis in long solemn robes and mitred, a young + copyist, their assistant, together with Chilo. At sight of Cæsar the + priests grew pale from emotion, and, raising their hands an arm’s length, + bent their heads to his hands. + </p> + <p> + “Be greeted, O ruler of the earth, guardian of the chosen people, and + Cæsar, lion among men, whose reign is like sunlight, like the cedar of + Lebanon, like a spring, like a palm, like the balsam of Jericho.” + </p> + <p> + “Do ye refuse to call me god?” inquired Nero. + </p> + <p> + The priests grew still paler. The chief one spoke again,— + </p> + <p> + “Thy words, O lord, are as sweet as a cluster of grapes, as a ripe fig,—for + Jehovah filled thy heart with goodness! Thy father’s predecessor, Cæsar + Caius, was stern; still our envoys did not call him god, preferring death + itself to violation of the law.” + </p> + <p> + “And did not Caligula give command to throw them to the lions?” + </p> + <p> + “No, lord; Cæsar Caius feared Jehovah’s anger.” + </p> + <p> + And they raised their heads, for the name of the powerful Jehovah gave + them courage; confident in his might, they looked into Nero’s eyes with + more boldness. + </p> + <p> + “Do ye accuse the Christians of burning Rome?” inquired Cæsar. “We, lord, + accuse them of this alone,—that they are enemies of the law, of the + human race, of Rome, and of thee; that long since they have threatened the + city and the world with fire! The rest will be told thee by this man, + whose lips are unstained by a lie, for in his mother’s veins flowed the + blood of the chosen people.” + </p> + <p> + Nero turned to Chilo: “Who art thou?” + </p> + <p> + “One who honors thee, O Cyrus; and, besides, a poor Stoic-” + </p> + <p> + “I hate the Stoics,” said Nero. “I hate Thrasea; I hate Musonius and + Cornutus. Their speech is repulsive to me; their contempt for art, their + voluntary squalor and filth.” + </p> + <p> + “O lord, thy master Seneca has one thousand tables of citrus wood. At thy + wish I will have twice as many. I am a Stoic from necessity. Dress my + stoicism, O Radiant One, in a garland of roses, put a pitcher of wine + before it; it will sing Anacreon in such strains as to deafen every + Epicurean.” + </p> + <p> + Nero, who was pleased by the title “Radiant,” smiled and said,-“Thou dost + please me.” + </p> + <p> + “This man is worth his weight in gold!” cried Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “Put thy liberality with my weight,” answered Chilo, “or the wind will + blow my reward away.” + </p> + <p> + “He would not outweigh Vitelius,” put in Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + “Eheu! Silver-bowed, my wit is not of lead.” + </p> + <p> + “I see that thy faith does not hinder thee from calling me a god.” + </p> + <p> + “O Immortal! My faith is in thee; the Christians blaspheme against that + faith, and I hate them.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou know of the Christians?” + </p> + <p> + “Wilt thou permit me to weep, O divinity?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Nero; “weeping annoys me.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art triply right, for eyes that have seen thee should be free of + tears forever. O lord, defend me against my enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “Speak of the Christians,” said Poppæa, with a shade of impatience. + </p> + <p> + “It will be at thy command, O Isis,” answered Chilo. “From youth I devoted + myself to philosophy, and sought truth. I sought it among the ancient + divine sages, in the Academy at Athens, and in the Serapeum at Alexandria. + When I heard of the Christians, I judged that they formed some new school + in which I could find certain kernels of truth; and to my misfortune I + made their acquaintance. The first Christian whom evil fate brought near + me was one Glaucus, a physician of Naples. From him I learned in time that + they worship a certain Chrestos, who promised to exterminate all people + and destroy every city on earth, but to spare them if they helped him to + exterminate the children of Deucalion. For this reason, O lady, they hate + men, and poison fountains; for this reason in their assemblies they shower + curses on Rome, and on all temples in which our gods are honored. Chrestos + was crucified; but he promised that when Rome was destroyed by fire, he + would come again and give Christians dominion over the world.” + </p> + <p> + “People will understand now why Rome was destroyed,” interrupted + Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “Many understand that already, O lord, for I go about in the gardens, I go + to the Campus Martius, and teach. But if ye listen to the end, ye will + know my reasons for vengeance. Glaucus the physician did not reveal to me + at first that their religion taught hatred. On the contrary, he told me + that Chrestos was a good divinity, that the basis of their religion was + love. My sensitive heart could not resist such a truth; hence I took to + loving Glaucus, I trusted him, I shared every morsel of bread with him, + every copper coin, and dost thou know, lady, how he repaid me? On the road + from Naples to Rome he thrust a knife into my body, and my wife, the + beautiful and youthful Berenice, he sold to a slave-merchant. If Sophocles + knew my history—but what do I say? One better than Sophocles is + listening.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor man!” said Poppæa. + </p> + <p> + “Whoso has seen the face of Aphrodite is not poor, lady; and I see it at + this moment. But then I sought consolation in philosophy. When I came to + Rome, I tried to meet Christian elders to obtain justice against Glaucus. + I thought that they would force him to yield up my wife. I became + acquainted with their chief priest; I became acquainted with another, + named Paul, who was in prison in this city, but was liberated afterward; I + became acquainted with the son of Zebedee, with Linus and Clitus and many + others. I know where they lived before the fire, I know where they meet. I + can point out one excavation in the Vatican Hill and a cemetery beyond the + Nomentan Gate, where they celebrate their shameless ceremonies. I saw the + Apostle Peter. I saw how Glaucus killed children, so that the Apostle + might have something to sprinkle on the heads of those present; and I saw + Lygia, the foster-child of Pomponia Græcina, who boasted that though + unable to bring the blood of an infant, she brought the death of an + infant, for she bewitched the little Augusta, thy daughter, O Cyrus, and + thine, O Isis!” + </p> + <p> + “Dost hear, Cæsar?” asked Poppæa. + </p> + <p> + “Can that be!” exclaimed Nero. + </p> + <p> + “I could forgive wrongs done myself,” continued Chilo, “but when I heard + of yours, I wanted to stab her. Unfortunately I was stopped by the noble + Vinicius, who loves her.” + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius? But did she not flee from him?” + </p> + <p> + “She fled, but he made search for her; he could not exist without her. For + wretched pay I helped him in the search, and it was I who pointed out to + him the house in which she lived among the Christians in the Trans-Tiber. + We went there together, and with us thy wrestler Croton, whom the noble + Vinicius hired to protect him. But Ursus, Lygia’s slave, crushed Croton. + That is a man of dreadful strength, O Lord, who can break a bull’s neck as + easily as another might a poppy stalk. Aulus and Pomponia loved him + because of that.” + </p> + <p> + “By Hercules,” said Nero, “the mortal who crushed Croton deserves a statue + in the Forum. But, old man, thou art mistaken or art inventing, for + Vinicius killed Croton with a knife.” + </p> + <p> + “That is how people calumniate the gods. O lord, I myself saw Croton’s + ribs breaking in the arms of Ursus, who rushed then on Vinicius and would + have killed him but for Lygia. Vinicius was ill for a long time after that + but they nursed him in the hope that through love he would become a + Christian. In fact, he did become a Christian.” + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And, perhaps, Petronius too?” inquired Tigellinus, hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + Chilo squirmed, rubbed his hands, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “I admire thy penetration, O lord. He may have become one! He may very + well have become one.” + </p> + <p> + “Now I understand why he defended the Christians.” + </p> + <p> + Nero laughed: “Petronius a Christian! Petronius an enemy of life and + luxury! Be not foolish; do not ask me to believe that, since I am ready + not to believe anything.” + </p> + <p> + “But the noble Vinicius became a Christian, lord. I swear by that radiance + which comes from thee that I speak the truth, and that nothing pierces me + with such disgust as lying. Pomponia Græcina is a Christian, little Aulus + is a Christian, Lygia is a Christian, and so is Vinicius. I served him + faithfully, and in return, at the desire of Glaucus the physician, he gave + command to flog me, though I am old and was sick and hungry. And I have + sworn by Hades that I will not forget that for him. O lord, avenge my + wrongs on them, and I will deliver to thee Peter the Apostle and Linus and + Clitus and Glaucus and Crispus, the highest ones, and Lygia and Ursus. I + will point out hundreds of them to you, thousands; I will indicate their + houses of prayer, the cemeteries, all thy prisons will not hold them! + Without me ye could not find them. In misfortunes I have sought + consolation; hitherto in philosophy alone, now I will find it in favors + that will descend on me. I am old, and have not known life; let me begin.” + </p> + <p> + “It is thy wish to be a Stoic before a full plate,” said Nero. + </p> + <p> + “Whoso renders service to thee will fill it by that same.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou art not mistaken, O philosopher.” + </p> + <p> + But Poppæa did not forget her enemies. Her fancy for Vinicius was, indeed, + rather a momentary whim, which had risen under the influence of jealousy, + anger, and wounded vanity. Still the coolness of the young patrician + touched her deeply, and filled her heart with a stubborn feeling of + offence. This alone, that he had dared to prefer another, seemed to her a + crime calling for vengeance. As to Lygia, she hated her from the first + moment, when the beauty of that northern lily alarmed her. Petronius, who + spoke of the too narrow hips of the girl, might talk what he pleased into + Cæsar, but not into the Augusta. Poppæa the critic understood at one cast + of the eye that in all Rome Lygia alone could rival and even surpass her. + Thenceforth she vowed her ruin. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said she, “avenge our child.” + </p> + <p> + “Hasten!” cried Chilo, “hasten! Otherwise Vinicius will hide her. I will + point out the house to which she returned after the fire.” + </p> + <p> + “I will give thee ten men, and go this moment,” said Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “O lord! thou hast not seen Croton in the arms of Ursus; if thou wilt give + fifty men, I will only show the house from a distance. But if ye will not + imprison Vinicius, I am lost.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus looked at Nero. “Would it not be well, O divinity, to finish at + once with the uncle and nephew?” + </p> + <p> + Nero thought a moment and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “No, not now. People would not believe us if we tried to persuade them + that Petronius, Vinicius, or Pomponia Græcina had fired Rome. Their houses + were too beautiful. Their turn will come later; to-day other victims are + needed.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, O lord, give me soldiers as a guard,” said Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “See to this, Tigellinus.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt lodge meanwhile with me,” said the prefect to Chilo. + </p> + <p> + Delight beamed from the face of the Greek. + </p> + <p> + “I will give up all! only hasten!—hasten!” cried he, with a hoarse + voice. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0050" id="link2HCH0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter L + </h2> + <p> + ON leaving Cæsar, Petronius had himself borne to his house on the Carinæ, + which, being surrounded on three sides by a garden, and having in front + the small Cecilian Forum, escaped the fire luckily. For this cause other + Augustians, who had lost their houses and in them vast wealth and many + works of art, called Petronius fortunate. For years it had been repeated + that he was the first-born of Fortune, and Cæsar’s growing friendship in + recent times seemed to confirm the correctness of this statement. + </p> + <p> + But that first-born of Fortune might meditate now on the fickleness of his + mother, or rather on her likeness to Chronos, who devoured his own + children. + </p> + <p> + “Were my house burnt,” said he to himself, “and with it my gems, Etruscan + vases, Alexandrian glass, and Corinthian bronze, Nero might indeed have + forgotten the offence. By Pollux! And to think that it depended on me + alone to be pretorian prefect at this moment. I should proclaim Tigellinus + the incendiary, which he is really; I should array him in the ‘painful + tunic,’ and deliver him to the populace, protect the Christians, rebuild + Rome. Who knows even if a better epoch would not begin thus for honest + people? I ought to have taken the office, simply out of regard for + Vinicius. In case of overwork I could have surrendered command to him, and + Nero would not have even tried to resist. Then let Vinicius baptize all + the pretorians, nay, Cæsar himself; what harm could that be to me? Nero + pious, Nero virtuous and merciful,—this would be even an amusing + spectacle.” + </p> + <p> + And his carelessness was so great that he began to laugh. But after a time + his thoughts turned in another direction. It seemed to him that he was in + Antium; that Paul of Tarsus was saying to him, “Ye call us enemies of + life, but answer me, Petronius: If Cæsar were a Christian, and acted + according to our religion, would not life be safer and more certain?” + </p> + <p> + And remembering these words, he continued: “By Castor! No matter how many + Christians they murder here, Paul will find as many new ones; for he is + right, unless the world can rest on scoundrelism. But who knows that this + will not be the case soon? I myself, who have learned not a little, did + not learn how to be a great enough scoundrel; hence I shall have to open + my veins. But in every case it must have ended thus, and if not thus, in + some other way. I am sorry for Eunice and my Myrrhene vase; but Eunice is + free, and the vase will go with me. Ahenobarbus will not get it, in any + event! I am sorry also for Vinicius. But, though I was bored less of late + than before, I am ready. In the world things are beautiful; but people are + so vile for the greater part that life is not worth a regret. He who knew + how to live should know how to die. Though I belong to the Augustians, I + was freer than they supposed.” Here he shrugged his shoulders. “They may + think that my knees are trembling at this moment, and that terror has + raised the hair on my head; but on reaching home, I will take a bath in + violet water, my golden-haired herself will anoint me; then after + refreshment we will have sung to us that hymn to Apollo composed by + Anthemios. I said once to myself that it was not worth while to think of + death, for death thinks of us without our assistance. It would be a wonder + if there are really Elysian fields, and in them shades of people. Eunice + would come in time to me, and we should wander together over asphodel + meadows. I should find, too, society better than this. What buffoons, + tricksters, a vile herd without taste or polish! Tens of Arbiters + Elegantiarum could not transform those Trimalchilons into decent people. + By Persephone! I have had enough!” + </p> + <p> + And he noted with astonishment that something separated him from those + people already. He had known them well earlier, and had known what to + think of them; still they seemed to him now as farther away and more + deserving of contempt than usual. Indeed, he had had enough of them! + </p> + <p> + But afterward he began to think over his position. Thanks to his + acuteness, he knew that destruction was not threatening him directly. Nero + had seized an appropriate occasion to utter a few select, lofty phrases + about friendship and forgiveness, thus binding himself for the moment. “He + will have to seek pretexts, and before he finds them much time may pass. + First of all, he will celebrate the games with Christians,” said Petronius + to himself; “only then will he think of me, and if that be true, it is not + worth while to take trouble or change my course of life. Nearer danger + threatens Vinicius!” + </p> + <p> + And thenceforth he thought only of Vinicius, whom he resolved to rescue. + Four sturdy Bithynians bore his litter quickly through ruins, ash-heaps, + and stones with which the Carinæ was filled yet; but he commanded them to + run swiftly so as to be home at the earliest. Vinicius, whose “insula” had + been burned, was living with him, and was at home, fortunately. + </p> + <p> + “Hast seen Lygia to-day?” were the first words of Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “I have just come from her.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear what I tell thee, and lose no time in questions. It has been decided + this morning at Cæsar’s to lay the blame of burning Rome on the + Christians. Persecutions and tortures threaten them. Pursuit may begin any + instant. Take Lygia and flee at once beyond the Alps even, or to Africa. + And hasten, for the Palatine is nearer the Trans-Tiber than is this + place.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was, indeed, too much of a soldier to lose time in useless + queries. He listened with frowning brows, and a face intent and terrible, + but fearless. Evidently the first feeling of his nature in presence of + peril was a wish to defend and give battle. + </p> + <p> + “I go,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “One word more. Take a purse of gold, take weapons, and a handful of thy + Christians. In case of need, rescue her!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was in the door of the atrium already. + </p> + <p> + “Send me news by a slave!” cried Petronius. + </p> + <p> + When left alone, he began to walk by the columns which adorned the atrium, + thinking of what had happened. He knew that Lygia and Linus had returned + after the fire to the former house, which, like the greater part of the + Trans-Tiber, had been saved; and that was an unfavorable circumstance, for + otherwise it would have been difficult to find them among throngs of + people. Petronius hoped, however, that as things were, no one in the + Palatine knew where they lived, and therefore in every case Vinicius would + anticipate the pretorians. It occurred to him also that Tigellinus, + wishing to seize at one attempt as many Christians as possible, would + extend his net over all Rome. “If they send no more than ten people after + her,” thought he, “that giant Lygian will break their bones and what will + it be if Vinicius comes with assistance?” Thinking of this he was + consoled. True, armed resistance to the pretorians was almost the same as + war with Cæsar. Petronius knew also that if Vinicius hid from the + vengeance of Nero, that vengeance might fall on himself; but he cared + little. On the contrary, he rejoiced at the thought of crossing Nero’s + plans and those of Tigellinus, and determined to spare in the matter + neither men nor money. Since in Antium Paul of Tarsus had converted most + of his slaves, he, while defending Christians, might count on their zeal + and devotion. + </p> + <p> + The entrance of Eunice interrupted his thoughts. At sight of her all his + cares and troubles vanished without a trace. He forgot Cæsar, the disfavor + into which he had fallen, the degraded Augustians, the persecution + threatening the Christians, Vinicius, Lygia, and looked only at her with + the eyes of an anthetic man enamoured of marvellous forms, and of a lover + for whom love breathes from those forms. She, in a transparent violet robe + called “Coa vestis,” through which her maiden-like form appeared, was + really as beautiful as a goddess. Feeling herself admired meanwhile, and + loving him with all her soul, ever eager for his fondling, she blushed + with delight as if she had been an innocent maiden. + </p> + <p> + “What wilt thou say to me, Charis?” asked Petronius, stretching his hands + to her. + </p> + <p> + She, inclining her golden head to him, answered,—“Anthemios has come + with his choristers, and asks if ‘tis thy wish to hear him.” + </p> + <p> + “Let him stay; he will sing to us during dinner the hymn to Apollo. By the + groves of Paphos! when I see thee in that Coan gauze, I think that + Aphrodite has veiled herself with a piece of the sky, and is standing + before me.” + </p> + <p> + “O lord!” + </p> + <p> + “Come hither, Eunice, embrace me with thy arms, and give thy lips to me. + Dost thou love me?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not have loved Zeus more.” + </p> + <p> + Then she pressed her lips to his, while quivering in his arms from + happiness. After a while Petronius asked,— + </p> + <p> + “But if we should have to separate?” + </p> + <p> + Eunice looked at him with fear in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “How is that, lord?” + </p> + <p> + “Fear not; I ask, for who knows but I may have to set out on a long + journey?” + </p> + <p> + “Take me with thee-” + </p> + <p> + Petronius changed the conversation quickly, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, are there asphodels on the grass plot in the garden?” + </p> + <p> + “The cypresses and the grass plots are yellow from the fire, the leaves + have fallen from the myrtles, and the whole garden seems dead.” + </p> + <p> + “All Rome seems dead, and soon it will be a real graveyard. Dost thou know + that an edict against the Christians is to be issued, and a persecution + will begin during which thousands will perish?” + </p> + <p> + “Why punish the Christians, lord? They are good and peaceful.” + </p> + <p> + “For that very reason.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go to the sea. Thy beautiful eyes do not like to see blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, but meanwhile I must bathe. Come to the elæothesium to anoint my + arms. By the girdle of Kypris! never hast thou seemed to me so beautiful. + I will give command to make a bath for thee in the form of a shell; thou + wilt be like a costly pearl in it. Come, Golden-haired!” + </p> + <p> + He went out, and an hour later both, in garlands of roses and with misty + eyes, were resting before a table covered with a service of gold. They + were served by boys dressed as Cupids, they drank wine from ivy-wreathed + goblets, and heard the hymn to Apollo sung to the sound of harps, under + direction of Anthemios. What cared they if around the villa chimneys + pointed up from the ruins of houses, and gusts of wind swept the ashes of + burnt Rome in every direction? They were happy thinking only of love, + which had made their lives like a divine dream. But before the hymn was + finished a slave, the chief of the atrium, entered the hall. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said he, in a voice quivering with alarm, “a centurion with a + detachment of pretorians is standing before the gate, and, at command of + Cæsar, wishes to see thee.” + </p> + <p> + The song and the sound of lutes ceased. Alarm was roused in all present; + for Cæsar, in communications with friends, did not employ pretorians + usually, and their arrival at such times foreboded no good. Petronius + alone showed not the slightest emotion, but said, like a man annoyed by + continual visits,— + </p> + <p> + “They might let me dine in peace.” Then turning to the chief of the + atrium, he said, “Let him enter.” + </p> + <p> + The slave disappeared behind the curtain; a moment later heavy steps were + heard, and an acquaintance of Petronius appeared, the centurion Aper, + armed, and with an iron helmet on his head. + </p> + <p> + “Noble lord,” said he, “here is a letter from Cæsar.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius extended his white hand lazily, took the tablet, and, casting + his eye over it, gave it, in all calmness to Eunice. + </p> + <p> + “He will read a new book of the Troyad this evening, and invites me to + come.’ + </p> + <p> + “I have only the order to deliver the letter,” said the centurion. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, there will be no answer. But, centurion, thou mightst rest a while + with us and empty a goblet of wine?” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee, noble lord. A goblet of wine I will drink to thy health + willingly; but rest I may not, for I am on duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Why was the letter given to thee, and not sent by a slave?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not, lord. Perhaps because I was sent in this direction on other + duty.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, against the Christians?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it long since the pursuit was begun?” + </p> + <p> + “Some divisions were sent to the Trans-Tiber before midday.” When he had + said this, the centurion shook a little wine from the goblet in honor of + Mars; then he emptied it, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “May the gods grant thee, lord, what thou desirest.” + </p> + <p> + “Take the goblet too,” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + Then he gave a sign to Anthemios to finish the hymn to Apollo. + </p> + <p> + “Bronzebeard is beginning to play with me and Vinicius,” thought he, when + the harps sounded anew. “I divine his plan! He wanted to terrify me by + sending the invitation through a centurion. They will ask the centurion in + the evening how I received him. No, no! thou wilt not amuse thyself + overmuch, cruel and wicked prophet. I know that thou wilt not forget the + offence, I know that my destruction will not fail; but if thou think that + I shall look into thy eyes imploringly, that thou wilt see fear and + humility on my face, thou art mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar writes, lord,” said Eunice, “‘Come if thou hast the wish’; wilt + thou go?” + </p> + <p> + “I am in excellent health, and can listen even to his verses,” answered + Petronius; “hence I shall go, all the more since Vinicius cannot go.” + </p> + <p> + In fact, after the dinner was finished and after the usual walk, he gave + himself into the hands of hairdressers and of slaves who arranged his + robes, and an hour later, beautiful as a god, he gave command to take him + to the Palatine. + </p> + <p> + It was late, the evening was warm and calm; the moon shone so brightly + that the lampadarii going before the litter put out their torches. On the + streets and among the ruins crowds of people were pushing along, drunk + with wine, in garlands of ivy and honeysuckle, bearing in their hands + branches of myrtle and laurel taken from Cæsar’s gardens. Abundance of + grain and hopes of great games filled the hearts of all with gladness. + Here and there songs were sung magnifying the “divine night” and love; + here and there they were dancing by the light of the moon, and the slaves + were forced repeatedly to demand space for the litter “of the noble + Petronius,” and then the crowd pushed apart, shouting in honor of their + favorite. + </p> + <p> + He was thinking of Vinicius, and wondering why he had no news from him. He + was an Epicurean and an egotist, but passing time, now with Paul of + Tarsus, now with Vinicius, hearing daily of the Christians, he had changed + somewhat without his own knowledge. A certain breeze from them had blown + on him; this cast new seeds into his soul. Besides his own person others + began to occupy him; moreover, he had been always attached to Vinicius, + for in childhood he had loved greatly his sister, the mother of Vinicius; + at present, therefore, when he had taken part in his affairs, he looked on + them with that interest with which he would have looked on some tragedy. + </p> + <p> + Petronius did not lose hope that Vinicius had anticipated the pretorians + and fled with Lygia, or, in the worse case, had rescued her. But he would + have preferred to be certain, since he foresaw that he might have to + answer various questions for which he would better be prepared. + </p> + <p> + Stopping before the house of Tiberius, he alighted from the litter, and + after a while entered the atrium, filled already with Augustians. + Yesterday’s friends, though astonished that he was invited, still pushed + back; but he moved on among them, beautiful, free, unconcerned, as + self-confident as if he himself had the power to distribute favors. Some, + seeing him thus, were alarmed in spirit lest they had shown him + indifference too early. + </p> + <p> + Cæsar, however, feigned not to see him, and did not return his obeisance, + pretending to be occupied in conversation. But Tigellinus approached and + said, + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Arbiter Elegantiarum. Dost thou assert still that it was + not the Christians who burnt Rome?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius shrugged his shoulders, and, clapping Tigellinus on the back as + he would a freedman, answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou knowest as well as I what to think of that.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not dare to rival thee in wisdom.” + </p> + <p> + “And thou art right, for when Cæsar reads to us a new book from the + Troyad, thou, instead of crying out like a jackdaw, wouldst have to give + an opinion that was not pointless.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus bit his lips. He was not over-rejoiced that Cæsar had decided + to read a new book, for that opened a field in which he could not rival + Petronius. In fact, during the reading, Nero, from habit, turned his eyes + involuntarily toward Petronius, looking carefully to see what he could + read in his face. The latter listened, raised his brows, agreed at times, + in places increased his attention as if to be sure that he heard + correctly. Then he praised or criticised, demanded corrections or the + smoothing of certain verses. Nero himself felt that for others in their + exaggerated praises it was simply a question of themselves, that Petronius + alone was occupied with poetry for its own sake; that he alone understood + it, and that if he praised one could be sure that the verses deserved + praise. Gradually therefore he began to discuss with him, to dispute; and + when at last Petronius brought the fitness of a certain expression into + doubt, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt see in the last book why I used it.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” thought Petronius, “then we shall wait for the last book.” + </p> + <p> + More than one hearing this said in spirit: “Woe to me! Petronius with time + before him may return to favor and overturn even Tigellinus.” And they + began again to approach him. But the end of the evening was less + fortunate; for Cæsar, at the moment when Petronius was taking leave, + inquired suddenly, with blinking eyes and a face at once glad and + malicious,— + </p> + <p> + “But why did not Vinicius come?” + </p> + <p> + Had Petronius been sure that Vinicius and Lygia were beyond the gates of + the city, he would have answered, “With thy permission he has married and + gone.” But seeing Nero’s strange smile, he answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Thy invitation, divinity, did not find him at home.” + </p> + <p> + “Say to Vinicius that I shall be glad to see him,” answered Nero, “and + tell him from me not to neglect the games in which Christians will + appear.” + </p> + <p> + These words alarmed Petronius. It seemed to him that they related to Lygia + directly. Sitting in his litter, he gave command to bear him home still + more quickly than in the morning. That, however, was not easy. Before the + house of Tiberius stood a crowd dense and noisy, drunk as before, though + not singing and dancing, but, as it were, excited. From afar came certain + shouts which Petronius could not understand at once, but which rose and + grew till at last they were one savage roar,— + </p> + <p> + “To the lions with Christians!” + </p> + <p> + Rich litters of courtiers pushed through the howling rabble. From the + depth of burnt streets new crowds rushed forth continually; these, hearing + the cry, repeated it. News passed from mouth to mouth that the pursuit had + continued from the forenoon, that a multitude of incendiaries were seized; + and immediately along the newly cleared and the old streets, through + alleys lying among ruins around the Palatine, over all the hills and + gardens were heard through the length and breadth of Rome shouts of + swelling rage,— + </p> + <p> + “To the lions with Christians!” + </p> + <p> + “Herd!” repeated Petronius, with contempt; “a people worthy of Cæsar!” And + he began to think that a society resting on superior force, on cruelty of + which even barbarians had no conception, on crimes and mad profligacy, + could not endure. Rome ruled the world, but was also its ulcer. The odor + of a corpse was rising from it. Over its decaying life the shadow of death + was descending. More than once this had been mentioned even among the + Augustians, but never before had Petronius had a clearer view of this + truth that the laurelled chariot on which Rome stood in the form of a + triumphator, and which dragged behind a chained herd of nations, was going + to the precipice. The life of that world-ruling city seemed to him a kind + of mad dance, an orgy, which must end. He saw then that the Christians + alone had a new basis of life; but he judged that soon there would not + remain a trace of the Christians. And what then? + </p> + <p> + The mad dance would continue under Nero; and if Nero disappeared, another + would be found of the same kind or worse, for with such a people and such + patricians there was no reason to find a better leader. There would be a + new orgy, and moreover a fouler and a viler one. + </p> + <p> + But the orgy could not last forever, and there would be need of sleep when + it was over, even because of simple exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + While thinking of this, Petronius felt immensely wearied. Was it worth + while to live, and live in uncertainty, with no purpose but to look at + such a society? The genius of death was not less beautiful than the genius + of sleep, and he also had wings at his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + The litter stopped before the arbiter’s door, which was opened that + instant by the watchful keeper. + </p> + <p> + “Has the noble Vinicius returned?” inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lord, a moment ago,” replied the slave. + </p> + <p> + “He has not rescued her,” thought Petronius. And casting aside his toga, + he ran into the atrium. Vinicius was sitting on a stool; his head bent + almost to his knees with his hands on his head; but at the sound of steps + he raised his stony face, in which the eyes alone had a feverish + brightness. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wert late?” asked Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; they seized her before midday.” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou seen her?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is she?” + </p> + <p> + “In the Mamertine prison.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius trembled and looked at Vinicius with an inquiring glance. The + latter understood. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said he. “She was not thrust down to the Tullianum [The lowest part + of the prison, lying entirely underground, with a single opening in the + ceiling. Jugurtha died there of hunger.] nor even to the middle prison. I + paid the guard to give her his own room. Ursus took his place at the + threshold and is guarding her.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did Ursus not defend her?” + </p> + <p> + “They sent fifty pretorians, and Linus forbade him.” + </p> + <p> + “But Linus?” + </p> + <p> + “Linus is dying; therefore they did not seize him.” + </p> + <p> + “What is thy intention?” + </p> + <p> + “To save her or die with her. I too believe in Christ.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius spoke with apparent calmness; but there was such despair in his + voice that the heart of Petronius quivered from pure pity. + </p> + <p> + “I understand thee,” said he; “but how dost thou think to save her?” + </p> + <p> + “I paid the guards highly, first to shield her from indignity, and second + not to hinder her flight.” + </p> + <p> + “When can that happen?” + </p> + <p> + “They answered that they could not give her to me at once, as they feared + responsibility. When the prison will be filled with a multitude of people, + and when the tally of prisoners is confused, they will deliver her. But + that is a desperate thing! Do thou save her, and me first! Thou art a + friend of Cæsar. He himself gave her to me. Go to him and save me!” + </p> + <p> + Petronius, instead of answering, called a slave, and, commanding him to + bring two dark mantles and two swords, turned to Vinicius, + </p> + <p> + “On the way I will tell thee,” said he. “Meanwhile take the mantle and + weapon, and we will go to the prison. There give the guards a hundred + thousand sestertia; give them twice and five times more, if they will free + Lygia at once. Otherwise it will be too late.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + After a while both were on the street. + </p> + <p> + “Now listen to me,” said Petronius. “I did not wish to lose time. I am in + disfavor, beginning with to-day. My own life is hanging on a hair; hence I + can do nothing with Cæsar. Worse than that, I am sure that he would act in + opposition to my request. If that were not the case, would I advise thee + to flee with Lygia or to rescue her? Besides, if thou escape, Cæsar’s + wrath will turn on me. To-day he would rather do something at thy request + than at mine. Do not count on that, however. Get her out of the prison, + and flee! Nothing else is left. If that does not succeed, there will be + time for other methods. Meanwhile know that Lygia is in prison, not alone + for belief in Christ; Poppæa’s anger is pursuing her and thee. Thou hast + offended the Augusta by rejecting her, dost remember? She knows that she + was rejected for Lygia, whom she hated from the first cast of the eye. + Nay, she tried to destroy Lygia before by ascribing the death of her own + infant to her witchcraft. The hand of Poppæa is in this. How explain that + Lygia was the first to be imprisoned? Who could point out the house of + Linus? But I tell thee that she has been followed this long time. I know + that I wring thy soul, and take the remnant of thy hope from thee, but I + tell thee this purposely, for the reason that if thou free her not before + they come at the idea that thou wilt try, ye are both lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I understand!” muttered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + The streets were empty because of the late hour. Their further + conversation was interrupted, however, by a drunken gladiator who came + toward them. He reeled against Petronius, put one hand on his shoulder, + covering his face with a breath filled with wine, and shouted in a hoarse + voice,— + </p> + <p> + “To the lions with Christians!” + </p> + <p> + “Mirmillon,” answered Petronius, quietly, “listen to good counsel; go thy + way.” + </p> + <p> + With his other hand the drunken man seized him by the arm,— + </p> + <p> + “Shout with me, or I’ll break thy neck: Christians to the lions!” But the + arbiter’s nerves had had enough of those shouts. From the time that he had + left the Palatine they had been stifling him like a nightmare, and rending + his ears. So when he saw the fist of the giant above him, the measure of + his patience was exceeded. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said he, “thou hint the smell of wine, and art stopping my way.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he drove into the man’s breast to the hilt the short sword + which he had brought from home; then, taking the arm of Vinicius, he + continued as if nothing had happened,— + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar said to-day, ‘Tell Vinicius from me to be at the games in which + Christians will appear.’ Dost understand what that means? They wish to + make a spectacle of thy pain. That is a settled affair. Perhaps that is + why thou and I are not imprisoned yet. If thou art not able to get her at + once—I do not know—Acte might take thy part; but can she + effect anything? Thy Sicilian lands, too, might tempt Tigellinus. Make the + trial.” + </p> + <p> + “I will give him all that I have,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + From the Carinæ to the Forum was not very far; hence they arrived soon. + The night had begun to pale, and the walls of the castle came out + definitely from the shadow. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as they turned toward the Mamertine prison, Petronius stopped, + and said, + </p> + <p> + “Pretorians! Too late!” + </p> + <p> + In fact the prison was surrounded by a double rank of soldiers. The + morning dawn was silvering their helmets and the points of their javelins. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius grew as pale as marble. “Let us go on,” said he. + </p> + <p> + After a while they halted before the line. Gifted with an uncommon memory, + Petronius knew not only the officers, but nearly all the pretorian + soldiers. Soon he saw an acquaintance, a leader of a cohort, and nodded to + him. + </p> + <p> + “But what is this, Niger?” asked he; “are ye commanded to watch the + prison?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, noble Petronius. The prefect feared lest they might try to rescue + the incendiaries.” + </p> + <p> + “Have ye the order to admit no one?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “We have not; acquaintances will visit the prisoners, and in that way we + shall seize more Christians.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me in,” said Vinicius; and pressing Petronius’s hand, he said, + “See Acte, I will come to learn her answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Come,” responded Petronius. + </p> + <p> + At that moment under the ground and beyond the thick walls was heard + singing. The hymn, at first low and muffled, rose more and more. The + voices of men, women, and children were mingled in one harmonious chorus. + The whole prison began to sound, in the calmness of dawn, like a harp. But + those were not voices of sorrow or despair; on the contrary, gladness and + triumph were heard in them. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers looked at one another with amazement. The first golden and + rosy gleams of the morning appeared in the sky. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0051" id="link2HCH0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LI + </h2> + <p> + THE cry, “Christians to the lions!” was heard increasingly in every part + of the city. At first not only did no one doubt that they were the real + authors of the catastrophe, but no one wished to doubt, since their + punishment was to be a splendid amusement for the populace. Still the + opinion spread that the catastrophe would not have assumed such dreadful + proportions but for the anger of the gods; for this reason “piacula,” or + purifying sacrifices, were commanded in the temples. By advice of the + Sibylline books, the Senate ordained solemnities and public prayer to + Vulcan, Ceres, and Proserpina. Matrons made offerings to Juno; a whole + procession of them went to the seashore to take water and sprinkle with it + the statue of the goddess. Married women prepared feasts to the gods and + night watches. All Rome purified itself from sin, made offerings, and + placated the Immortals. Meanwhile new broad streets were opened among the + ruins. In one place and another foundations were laid for magnificent + houses, palaces, and temples. But first of all they built with unheard-of + haste an enormous wooden amphitheatre in which Christians were to die. + Immediately after that consultation in the house of Tiberius, orders went + to consuls to furnish wild beasts. Tigellinus emptied the vivaria of all + Italian cities, not excepting the smaller ones. In Africa, at his command, + gigantic hunts were organized, in which the entire local population was + forced to take part. Elephants and tigers were brought in from Asia, + crocodiles and hippopotamuses from the Nile, lions from the Atlas, wolves + and bears from the Pyrenees, savage hounds from Hibernia, Molossian dogs + from Epirus, bisons and the gigantic wild aurochs from Germany. Because of + the number of prisoners, the games were to surpass in greatness anything + seen up to that time. Cæsar wished to drown all memory of the fire in + blood, and make Rome drunk with it; hence never had there been a greater + promise of bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + The willing people helped guards and pretorians in hunting Christians. + That was no difficult labor for whole groups of them camped with the other + population in the midst of the gardens, and confessed their faith openly. + When surrounded, they knelt, and while singing hymns let themselves be + borne away without resistance. But their patience only increased the anger + of the populace, who, not understanding its origin, considered it as rage + and persistence in crime. A madness seized the persecutors. It happened + that the mob wrested Christians from pretorians, and tore them to pieces; + women were dragged to prison by the hair; children’s heads were dashed + against stones. Thousands of people rushed, howling, night and day through + the streets. Victims were sought in ruins, in chimneys, in cellars. Before + the prison bacchanalian feasts and dances were celebrated at fires, around + casks of wine. + </p> + <p> + In the evening was heard with delight bellowing which was like thunder, + and which sounded throughout the city. The prisons were overflowing with + thousands of people; every day the mob and pretorians drove in new + victims. Pity had died out. It seemed that people had forgotten to speak, + and in their wild frenzy remembered one shout alone: “To the lions with + Christians!” Wonderfully hot days came, and nights more stifling than ever + before; the very air seemed filled with blood, crime, and madness. + </p> + <p> + And that surpassing measure of cruelty was answered by an equal measure of + desire for martyrdom,—the confessors of Christ went to death + willingly, or even sought death till they were restrained by the stern + commands of superiors. By the injunction of these superiors they began to + assemble only outside the city, in excavations near the Appian Way, and in + vineyards belonging to patrician Christians, of whom none had been + imprisoned so far. It was known perfectly on the Palatine that to the + confessors of Christ belonged Flavius, Domitilla, Pomponia Græcina, + Cornelius Pudens, and Vinicius. Cæsar himself, however, feared that the + mob would not believe that such people had burned Rome, and since it was + important beyond everything to convince the mob, punishment and vengeance + were deferred till later days. Others were of the opinion, but + erroneously, that those patricians were saved by the influence of Acte. + Petronius, after parting with Vinicius, turned to Acte, it is true, to + gain assistance for Lygia; but she could offer him only tears, for she + lived in oblivion and suffering, and was endured only in so far as she hid + herself from Poppæa and Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + But she had visited Lygia in prison, she had carried her clothing and + food, and above all had saved her from injury on the part of the + prison-guards, who, moreover, were bribed already. + </p> + <p> + Petronius, unable to forget that had it not been for him and his plan of + taking Lygia from the house of Aulus, probably she would not be in prison + at that moment, and, besides, wishing to win the game against Tigellinus, + spared neither time nor efforts. In the course of a few days he saw + Seneca, Domitius Afer, Crispinilla, and Diodorus, through whom he wished + to reach Poppæa; he saw Terpnos, and the beautiful Pythagoras, and finally + Aliturus and Paris, to whom Cæsar usually refused nothing. With the help + of Chrysothemis, then mistress of Vatinius, he tried to gain even his aid, + not sparing in this case and in others promises and money. + </p> + <p> + But all these efforts were fruitless. Seneca, uncertain of the morrow, + fell to explaining to him that the Christians, even if they had not burned + Rome, should be exterminated, for the good of the city,—in a word, + he justified the coming slaughter for political reasons. Terpnos and + Diodorus took the money, and did nothing in return for it. Vatinius + reported to Cæsar that they had been trying to bribe him. Aliturus alone, + who at first was hostile to the Christians, took pity on them then, and + made bold to mention to Cæsar the imprisoned maiden, and to implore in her + behalf. He obtained nothing, however, but the answer,— + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou think that I have a soul inferior to that of Brutus, who spared + not his own sons for the good of Rome?” + </p> + <p> + When this answer was repeated to Petronius, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Since Nero has compared himself to Brutus, there is no salvation.” + </p> + <p> + But he was sorry for Vinicius, and dread seized him lest he might attempt + his own life. “Now,” thought the arbiter, “he is upheld by the efforts + which he makes to save her, by the sight of her, and by his own suffering; + but when all means fail and the last ray of hope is quenched, by Castor! + he will not survive, he will throw himself on his sword.” Petronius + understood better how to die thus than to love and suffer like Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Vinicius did all that he could think of to save Lygia. He + visited Augustians; and he, once so proud, now begged their assistance. + Through Vitelius he offered Tigellinus all his Sicilian estates, and + whatever else the man might ask; but Tigellinus, not wishing apparently to + offend the Augusta, refused. To go to Cæsar himself, embrace his knees and + implore, would lead to nothing. Vinicius wished, it is true, to do this; + but Petronius, hearing of his purpose, inquired,— + </p> + <p> + “But should he refuse thee, or answer with a jest or a shameless threat, + what wouldst thou do?” + </p> + <p> + At this the young tribune’s features contracted with pain and rage, and + from his fixed jaws a gritting sound was heard. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Petronius, “I advise thee against this, because thou wouldst + close all paths of rescue.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius restrained himself, and passing his palm over his forehead, which + was covered with cold sweat, replied,— + </p> + <p> + “No, no! I am a Christian.” + </p> + <p> + “But thou will forget this, as thou didst a moment ago. Thou hast the + right to ruin thyself, but not her. Remember what the daughter of Sejanus + passed through before death.” + </p> + <p> + Speaking thus he was not altogether sincere, since he was concerned more + for Vinicius than for Lygia. Still he knew that in no way could he + restrain him from a dangerous step as well as by telling him that he would + bring inexorable destruction on Lygia. Moreover he was right; for on the + Palatine they had counted on the visit of the young tribune, and had taken + needful precautions. + </p> + <p> + But the suffering of Vinicius surpassed human endurance. From the moment + that Lygia was imprisoned and the glory of coming martyrdom had fallen on + her, not only did he love her a hundred times more, but he began simply to + give her in his soul almost religious honor, as he would a superhuman + being. And now, at the thought that he must lose this being both loved and + holy, that besides death torments might be inflicted on her more terrible + than death itself, the blood stiffened in his veins. His soul was turned + into one groan, his thoughts were confused. At times it seemed to him that + his skull was filled with living fire, which would either burn or burst + it. He ceased to understand what was happening; he ceased to understand + why Christ, the Merciful, the Divine, did not come with aid to His + adherents; why the dingy walls of the Palatine did not sink through the + earth, and with them Nero, the Augustians, the pretorian camp, and all + that city of crime. He thought that it could not and should not be + otherwise; and all that his eyes saw, and because of which his heart was + breaking, was a dream. But the roaring of wild beasts informed him that it + was reality; the sound of the axes beneath which rose the arena told him + that it was reality; the howling of the people and the overfilled prisons + confirmed this. Then his faith in Christ was alarmed; and that alarm was a + new torture, the most dreadful of all, perhaps. + </p> + <p> + “Remember what the daughter of Sejanus endured before death,” said + Petronius to him, meanwhile. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0052" id="link2HCH0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LII + </h2> + <p> + AND everything had failed. Vinicius lowered himself to the degree that he + sought support from freedmen and slaves, both those of Cæsar and Poppæa; + he overpaid their empty promises, he won their good will with rich gifts. + He found the first husband of Poppæa, Rufus Crispinus, and obtained from + him a letter. He gave a villa in Antium to Rufius, her son by the first + marriage; but thereby he merely angered Cæsar, who hated his step-son. By + a special courier he sent a letter to Poppæa’s second husband, Otho, in + Spain. He sacrificed his property and himself, until he saw at last that + he was simply the plaything of people; that if he had pretended that the + imprisonment of Lygia concerned him little, he would have freed her + sooner. + </p> + <p> + Petronius saw this, too. Meanwhile day followed day. The amphitheatre was + finished. The “tesseræ” were distributed,—that is, tickets of + entrance, to the ludus matutinus (morning games). But this time the + morning games, because of the unheard-of number of victims, were to + continue for days, weeks, and months. It was not known where to put the + Christians. The prisons were crammed, and fever was raging in them. The + puticuli—common pits in which slaves were kept—began to be + overfilled. There was fear that diseases might spread over the whole city + hence, haste. + </p> + <p> + All these reports struck the ears of Vinicius, extinguishing in him the + last hope. While there was yet time, he might delude himself with the + belief that he could do something, but now there was no time. The + spectacles must begin. Lygia might find herself any day in a cuniculum of + the circus, whence the only exit was to the arena. Vinicius, not knowing + whither fate and the cruelty of superior force might throw her, visited + all the circuses, bribed guards and beast-keepers, laying before them + plans which they could not execute. In time he saw that he was working for + this only,—to make death less terrible to her; and just then he felt + that instead of brains he had glowing coals in his head. + </p> + <p> + For the rest he had no thought of surviving her, and determined to perish + at the same time. But he feared lest pain might burn his life out before + the dreadful hour came. His friends and Petronius thought also that any + day might open the kingdom of shadows before him. His face was black, and + resembled those waxen masks kept in lararia. In his features astonishment + had grown frigid, as if he hid no understanding of what had happened and + what might happen. When any one spoke to him, he raised his hands to his + face mechanically, and, pressing his temples, looked at the speaker with + an inquiring and astonished gaze. He passed whole nights with Ursus at + Lygia’s door in the prison; if she commanded him to go away and rest, he + returned to Petronius, and walked in the atrium till morning. The slaves + found him frequently kneeling with upraised hands or lying with his face + to the earth. He prayed to Christ, for Christ was his last hope. + Everything had failed him. Only a miracle could save Lygia; hence he beat + the stone flags with his forehead and prayed for the miracle. + </p> + <p> + But he knew enough yet to understand that Peter’s prayers were more + important than his own. Peter had promised him Lygia, Peter had baptized + him, Peter had performed miracles, let him give aid and rescue. + </p> + <p> + And a certain night he went to seek the Apostle. The Christians, of whom + not many remained, had concealed him now carefully even from other + brethren, lest any of the weaker in spirit might betray him wittingly or + unwittingly. Vinicius, amid the general confusion and disaster, occupied + also in efforts to get Lygia out of prison, had lost sight of Peter, he + had barely seen him once from the time of his own baptism till the + beginning of the persecution. But betaking himself to that quarryman in + whose hut he was baptized, he learned that there would be a meeting + outside the Porta Salaria in a vineyard which belonged to Cornelius + Pudens. The quarryman offered to guide him, and declared that he would + find Peter there. They started about dusk, and, passing beyond the wall, + through hollows overgrown with reeds, reached the vineyard in a wild and + lonely place. The meeting was held in a wine-shed. As Vinicius drew near, + the murmur of prayer reached his ears. On entering he saw by dim lamplight + a few tens of kneeling figures sunk in prayer. They were saying a kind of + litany; a chorus of voices, male and female, repeated every moment, + “Christ have mercy on us.” In those voices, deep, piercing sadness and + sorrow were heard. + </p> + <p> + Peter was present. He was kneeling in front of the others, before a wooden + cross nailed to the wall of the shed, and was praying. From a distance + Vinicius recognized his white hair and his upraised hands. The first + thought of the young patrician was to pass through the assembly, cast + himself at the Apostle’s feet, and cry, “Save!” but whether it was the + solemnity of the prayer, or because weakness bent the knees under + Vinicius, he began to repeat while he groaned and clasped his hands: + “Christ have mercy!” Had he been conscious, he would have understood that + his was not the only prayer in which there was a groan; that he was not + the only one who had brought with him his pain, alarm, and grief. There + was not in that assembly one soul which had not lost persons dear to the + heart; and when the most zealous and courageous confessors were in prison + already, when with every moment new tidings were borne about of insults + and tortures inflicted on them in the prisons, when the greatness of the + calamity exceeded every imagination, when only that handful remained, + there was not one heart there which was not terrified in its faith, which + did not ask doubtfully, Where is Christ? and why does He let evil be + mightier than God? Meanwhile they implored Him despairingly for mercy, + since in each soul there still smouldered a spark of hope that He would + come, hurl Nero into the abyss, and rule the world. They looked yet toward + the sky; they listened yet; they prayed yet with trembling. Vinicius, too, + in proportion as they repeated, “Christ have mercy on us!” was seized by + such an ecstasy as formerly in the quarryman’s hut. Now from the depths + they call on Him in the profoundness of their sorrow, now Peter calls on + Him; so any moment the heavens may be rent, the earth tremble to its + foundations, and He appear in infinite glory, with stars at His feet, + merciful, but awful. He will raise up the faithful, and command the + abysses to swallow the persecutors. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius covered his face with both hands, and bowed to the earth. + Immediately silence was around him, as if fear had stopped further + breathing on the lips of all present. And it seemed to him that something + must happen surely, that a moment of miracle would follow. He felt certain + that when he rose and opened his eyes he would see a light from which + mortal eyes would be blinded, and hear a voice from which hearts would + grow faint. + </p> + <p> + But the silence was unbroken. It was interrupted at last by the sobbing of + women. Vinicius rose and looked forward with dazed eyes. In the shed, + instead of glories not of earth, shone the faint gleam of lanterns, and + rays of the moon, entering through an opening in the roof, filled the + place with silvery light. The people kneeling around Vinicius raised their + tearful eyes toward the cross in silence; here and there sobbing was + heard, and from outside came the warning whistles of watchmen. Meanwhile + Peter rose, and, turning to the assembly, said, + </p> + <p> + “Children, raise your hearts to the Redeemer and offer Him your tears.” + </p> + <p> + After that he was silent. + </p> + <p> + All at once was heard the voice of a woman, full of sorrowful complaint + and pain,— + </p> + <p> + “I am a widow; I had one son who supported me. Give him back, O Lord!” + Silence followed again. Peter was standing before the kneeling audience, + old, full of care. In that moment he seemed to them decrepitude and + weakness personified. With that a second voice began to complain, + </p> + <p> + “Executioners insulted my daughter, and Christ permitted them!” + </p> + <p> + Then a third,— + </p> + <p> + “I alone have remained to my children, and when I am taken who will give + them bread and water?” + </p> + <p> + Then a fourth,— + </p> + <p> + “Linus, spared at first, they have taken now and put to torture, O Lord!” + </p> + <p> + Then a fifth, + </p> + <p> + “When we return to our houses, pretorians will seize us. We know not where + to hide.” + </p> + <p> + “Woe to us! Who will protect us?” + </p> + <p> + And thus in that silence of the night complaint after complaint was heard. + The old fisherman closed his eyes and shook his white head over that human + pain and fear. New silence followed; the watchman merely gave out low + whistles beyond the shed. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius sprang up again, so as to break through the crowd to the Apostle + and demand salvation; but on a sudden he saw before him, as it were, a + precipice, the sight of which took strength from his feet. What if the + Apostle were to confess his own weakness, affirm that the Roman Cæsar was + stronger than Christ the Nazarene? And at that thought terror raised the + hair on his head, for he felt that in such a case not only the remnant of + his hope would fall into that abyss, but with it he himself, and all + through which he had life, and there would remain only night and death, + resembling a shoreless sea. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Peter began to speak in a voice so low at first that it was + barely possible to hear him,— + </p> + <p> + “My children, on Golgotha I saw them nail God to the cross. I heard the + hammers, and I saw them raise the cross on high, so that the rabble might + gaze at the death of the Son of Man. I saw them open His side, and I saw + Him die. When returning from the cross, I cried in pain, as ye are crying, + ‘Woe! woe! O Lord, Thou art God! Why hast Thou permitted this? Why hast + Thou died, and why hast Thou tormented the hearts of us who believed that + Thy kingdom would come?’ + </p> + <p> + “But He, our Lord and God, rose from the dead the third day, and was among + us till He entered His kingdom in great glory. + </p> + <p> + “And we, seeing our little faith, became strong in heart, and from that + time we are sowing His grain.” + </p> + <p> + Here, turning toward the place whence the first complaint came, he began + in a voice now stronger,— + </p> + <p> + “Why do ye complain? God gave Himself to torture and death, and ye wish + Him to shield you from the same. People of little faith, have ye received + His teaching? Has He promised you nothing but life? He comes to you and + says, ‘Follow in my path.’ He raises you to Himself, and ye catch at this + earth with your hands, crying, ‘Lord, save us!’ I am dust before God, but + before you I am His apostle and viceregent. I speak to you in the name of + Christ. Not death is before you, but life; not tortures, but endless + delights; not tears and groans, but singing; not bondage, but rule! I, + God’s apostle, say this: O widow, thy son will not die; he will be born + into glory, into eternal life, and thou wilt rejoin him! To thee, O + father, whose innocent daughter was defiled by executioners, I promise + that thou shalt find her whiter than the lilies of Hebron! To you, + mothers, whom they are tearing away from your orphans; to you who lose + fathers; to you who complain; to you who will see the death of loved ones; + to you the careworn, the unfortunate, the timid; to you who must die,—in + the name of Christ I declare that ye will wake as if from sleep to a happy + waking, as if from night to the light of God. In the name of Christ, let + the beam fall from your eyes, and let your hearts be inflamed.” + </p> + <p> + When he had said this, he raised his hand as if commanding, and they felt + new blood in their veins, and also a quiver in their bones; for before + them was standing, not a decrepit and careworn old man, but a potentate, + who took their souls and raised them from dust and terror. + </p> + <p> + “Amen!” called a number of voices. + </p> + <p> + From the Apostle’s eyes came a light ever increasing, power issued from + him, majesty issued from him, and holiness. Heads bent before him, and he, + when the “Amen” ceased, continued:— + </p> + <p> + “Ye sow in tears to reap in joy. Why fear ye the power of evil? Above the + earth, above Rome, above the walls of cities is the Lord, who has taken + His dwelling within you. The stones will be wet from tears, the sand + steeped in blood, the valleys will be filled with your bodies, but I say + that ye are victorious. The Lord is advancing to the conquest of this city + of crime, oppression, and pride, and ye are His legions! He redeemed with + His own blood and torture the sins of the world; so He wishes that ye + should redeem with torture and blood this nest of injustice. This He + announces to you through my lips.” + </p> + <p> + And he opened his arms, and fixed his eyes upward; the hearts almost + ceased to beat in their breasts, for they felt that his glance beheld + something which their mortal sight could not see. + </p> + <p> + In fact, his face had changed, and was overspread with serenity; he gazed + some time in silence, as if speechless from ecstasy, but after a while + they heard his voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou art here, O Lord, and dost show Thy ways to me. True, O Christ! Not + in Jerusalem, but in this city of Satan wilt Thou fix Thy capital. Here + out of these tears and this blood dost Thou wish to build Thy Church. + Here, where Nero rules to-day, Thy eternal kingdom is to stand. Thine, O + Lord, O Lord! And Thou commandest these timid ones to form the foundation + of Thy holy Zion of their bones, and Thou commandest my spirit to assume + rule over it, and over peoples of the earth. And Thou art pouring the + fountain of strength on the weak, so that they become strong; and now Thou + commandest me to feed Thy sheep from this spot, to the end of ages. Oh, be + Thou praised in Thy decrees by which Thou commandest to conquer. Hosanna! + Hosanna!” + </p> + <p> + Those who were timid rose; into those who doubted streams of faith flowed. + Some voices cried, “Hosanna!” others, “Pro Christo!” Then silence + followed. Bright summer lightning illuminated the interior of the shed, + and the pale, excited faces. + </p> + <p> + Peter, fixed in a vision, prayed a long time yet; but conscious at last, + he turned his inspired face, full of light, to the assembly, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “This is how the Lord has overcome doubt in you; so ye will go to victory + in His name.” + </p> + <p> + And though he knew that they would conquer, though he knew what would grow + out of their tears and blood, still his voice quivered with emotion when + he was blessing them with the cross, and he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Now I bless you, my children, as ye go to torture, to death, to + eternity.” + </p> + <p> + They gathered round him and wept. “We are ready,” said they; “but do thou, + O holy head, guard thyself, for thou art the viceregent who performs the + office of Christ.” + </p> + <p> + And thus speaking, they seized his mantle; he placed his hands on their + heads, and blessed each one separately, just as a father does children + whom he is sending on a long journey. + </p> + <p> + And they began at once to go out of the shed, for they were in a hurry, to + their houses, and from them to the prisons and arenas. Their thoughts were + separated from the earth, their souls had taken flight toward eternity, + and they walked on as if in a dream, in ecstasy opposing that force which + was in them to the force and the cruelty of the “Beast.” + </p> + <p> + Nereus, the servant of Pudens, took the Apostle and led him by a secret + path in the vineyard to his house. But Vinicius followed them in the clear + night, and when they reached the cottage of Nereus at last, he threw + himself suddenly at the feet of the Apostle. + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou wish, my Son?” asked Peter, recognizing him. + </p> + <p> + After what he had heard in the vineyard, Vinicius dared not implore him + for anything; but, embracing his feet with both hands, he pressed his + forehead to them with sobbing, and called for compassion in that dumb + manner. + </p> + <p> + “I know. They took the maiden whom thou lovest. Pray for her.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” groaned Vinicius, embracing his feet still more firmly,—“Lord, + I am a wretched worm; but thou didst know Christ. Implore Him,—take + her part.” + </p> + <p> + And from pain he trembled like a leaf; and he beat the earth with his + forehead, for, knowing the strength of the Apostle, he knew that he alone + could rescue her. + </p> + <p> + Peter was moved by that pain. He remembered how on a time Lygia herself, + when attacked by Crispus, lay at his feet in like manner imploring pity. + He remembered that he had raised her and comforted her; hence now he + raised Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “My son,” said he, “I will pray for her; but do thou remember that I told + those doubting ones that God Himself passed through the torment of the + cross, and remember that after this life begins another,—an eternal + one.” + </p> + <p> + “I know; I have heard!” answered Vinicius, catching the air with his pale + lips; “but thou seest, lord, that I cannot! If blood is required, implore + Christ to take mine,—I am a soldier. Let Him double, let Him triple, + the torment intended for her, I will suffer it; but let Him spare her. She + is a child yet, and He is mightier than Cæsar, I believe, mightier. Thou + didst love her thyself; thou didst bless us. She is an innocent child + yet.” + </p> + <p> + Again he bowed, and, putting his face to Peter’s knees, he repeated,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou didst know Christ, lord,—thou didst know Him. He will give ear + to thee; take her part.” + </p> + <p> + Peter closed his lids, and prayed earnestly. The summer lightning + illuminated the sky again. Vinicius, by the light of it, looked at the + lips of the Apostle, waiting sentence of life or death from them. In the + silence quails were heard calling in the vineyard, and the dull, distant + sound of treadmills near the Via Salaria. + </p> + <p> + “Vinicius,” asked the Apostle at last, “dost thou believe?” + </p> + <p> + “Would I have come hither if I believed not?” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Then believe to the end, for faith will remove mountains. Hence, though + thou wert to see that maiden under the sword of the executioner or in the + jaws of a lion, believe that Christ can save her. Believe, and pray to + Him, and I will pray with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Then, raising his face toward heaven, he said aloud,— + </p> + <p> + “O merciful Christ, look on this aching heart and console it! O merciful + Christ, temper the wind to the fleece of the lamb! O merciful Christ, who + didst implore the Father to turn away the bitter cup from Thy mouth, turn + it from the mouth of this Thy servant! Amen.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius, stretching his hand toward the stars, said, groaning,— + </p> + <p> + “I am Thine; take me instead of her.” + </p> + <p> + The sky began to grow pale in the east. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0053" id="link2HCH0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LIII + </h2> + <p> + VINICIUS, on leaving the Apostle, went to the prison with a heart renewed + by hope. Somewhere in the depth of his soul, despair and terror were still + crying; but he stifled those voices. It seemed to him impossible that the + intercession of the viceregent of God and the power of his prayer should + be without effect. He feared to hope; he feared to doubt. “I will believe + in His mercy,” said he to himself, “even though I saw her in the jaws of a + lion.” And at this thought, even though the soul quivered in him and cold + sweat drenched his temples, he believed. Every throb of his heart was a + prayer then. He began to understand that faith would move mountains, for + he felt in himself a wonderful strength, which he had not felt earlier. It + seemed to him that he could do things which he had not the power to do the + day before. At moments he had an impression that the danger had passed. If + despair was heard groaning again in his soul, he recalled that night, and + that holy gray face raised to heaven in prayer. + </p> + <p> + “No, Christ will not refuse His first disciple and the pastor of His + flock! Christ will not refuse him! I will not doubt!” And he ran toward + the prison as a herald of good news. + </p> + <p> + But there an unexpected thing awaited him. + </p> + <p> + All the pretorian guards taking turn before the Mamertine prison knew him, + and generally they raised not the least difficulty; this time, however, + the line did not open, but a centurion approached him and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Pardon, noble tribune, to-day we have a command to admit no one.” + </p> + <p> + “A command?” repeated Vinicius, growing pale. + </p> + <p> + The soldier looked at him with pity, and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Yes, lord, a command of Cæsar. In the prison there are many sick, and + perhaps it is feared that visitors might spread infection through the + city.” + </p> + <p> + “But hast thou said that the order was for to-day only?” + </p> + <p> + “The guards change at noon.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was silent and uncovered his head, for it seemed to him that the + pileolus which he wore was of lead. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the soldier approached him, and said in a low voice, + </p> + <p> + “Be at rest, lord, the guard and Ursus are watching over her.” When he had + said this, he bent and, in the twinkle of an eye, drew with his long + Gallic sword on the flag stone the form of a fish. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius looked at him quickly. + </p> + <p> + “And thou art a pretorian?” + </p> + <p> + “Till I shall be there,” answered the soldier, pointing to the prison. + </p> + <p> + “And I, too, worship Christ.” + </p> + <p> + “May His name be praised! I know, lord, I cannot admit thee to the prison, + but write a letter, I will give it to the guard.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee, brother.” + </p> + <p> + He pressed the soldier’s hand, and went away. The pileolus ceased to weigh + like lead. The morning sun rose over the walls of the prison, and with its + brightness consolation began to enter his heart again. That Christian + soldier was for him a new witness of the power of Christ. After a while he + halted, and, fixing his glance on the rosy clouds above the Capitol and + the temple of Jupiter Stator, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I have not seen her to-day, O Lord, but I believe in Thy mercy.” + </p> + <p> + At the house he found Petronius, who, making day out of night as usual, + had returned not long before. He had succeeded, however, in taking his + bath and anointing himself for sleep. + </p> + <p> + “I have news for thee,” said he. “To-day I was with Tullius Senecio, whom + Cæsar also visited. I know not whence it came to the mind of the Augusta + to bring little Rufius with her,—perhaps to soften the heart of + Cæsar by his beauty. Unfortunately, the child, wearied by drowsiness, fell + asleep during the reading, as Vespasian did once; seeing this, Ahenobarbus + hurled a goblet at his step-son, and wounded him seriously. Poppæa + fainted; all heard how Cæsar said, ‘I have enough of this brood!’ and + that, knowest thou, means as much as death.” + </p> + <p> + “The punishment of God was hanging over the Augusta,” answered Vinicius; + “but why dost thou tell me this?” + </p> + <p> + “I tell thee because the anger of Poppæa pursued thee and Lygia; occupied + now by her own misfortune, she may leave her vengeance and be more easily + influenced. I will see her this evening and talk with her.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee. Thou givest me good news.” + </p> + <p> + “But do thou bathe and rest. Thy lips are blue, and there is not a shadow + of thee left.” + </p> + <p> + “Is not the time of the first ‘ludus matutinus’ announced?” inquired + Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “In ten days. But they will take other prisons first. The more time that + remains to us the better. All is not lost yet.” + </p> + <p> + But he did not believe this; for he knew perfectly that since to the + request of Aliturus, Cæsar had found the splendidly sounding answer in + which he compared himself to Brutus, there was no rescue for Lygia. He hid + also, through pity, what he had heard at Senecio’s, that Cæsar and + Tigellinus had decided to select for themselves and their friends the most + beautiful Christian maidens, and defile them before the torture; the + others were to be given, on the day of the games, to pretorians and + beast-keepers. + </p> + <p> + Knowing that Vinicius would not survive Lygia in any case, he strengthened + hope in his heart designedly, first, through sympathy for him; and second, + because he wished that if Vinicius had to die, he should die beautiful,—not + with a face deformed and black from pain and watching. + </p> + <p> + “To-day I will speak more or less thus to Augusta,” said he: “‘Save Lygia + for Vinicius, I will save Ruflus for thee.’ And I will think of that + seriously. + </p> + <p> + “One word spoken to Ahenobarbus at the right moment may save or ruin any + one. In the worst case, we will gain time.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee,” repeated Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt thank me best if thou eat and sleep. By Athene! In the greatest + straits Odysseus had sleep and food in mind. Thou hast spent the whole + night in prison, of course?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Vinicius; “I wished to visit the prison to-day, but there + is an order to admit no one. Learn, O Petronius, if the order is for + to-day alone or till the day of the games.” + </p> + <p> + “I will discover this evening, and to-morrow morning will tell thee for + what time and why the order was issued. But now, even were Helios to go to + Cimmerian regions from sorrow, I shall sleep, and do thou follow my + example.” + </p> + <p> + They separated; but Vinicius went to the library and wrote a letter to + Lygia. When he had finished, he took it himself to the Christian centurion + who carried it at once to the prison. After a while he returned with a + greeting from Lygia, and promised to deliver her answer that day. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius did not wish to return home, but sat on a stone and waited for + Lygia’s letter. The sun had risen high in the heavens, and crowds of + people flowed in, as usual, through the Clivus Argentarius to the Forum. + Hucksters called out their wares, soothsayers offered their services to + passers-by, citizens walked with deliberate steps toward the rostra to + hear orators of the day, or tell the latest news to one another. As the + heat increased, crowds of idlers betook themselves to the porticos of the + temples, from under which flew from moment to moment, with great rustle of + wings, flocks of doves, whose white feathers glistened in the sunlight and + in the blue of the sky. + </p> + <p> + From excess of light and the influence of bustle, heat, and great + weariness, the eyes of Vinicius began to close. The monotonous calls of + boys playing mora, and the measured tread of soldiers, lulled him to + sleep. He raised his head still a number of times, and took in the prison + with his eyes; then he leaned against a Stone, sighed like a child drowsy + after long weeping, and dropped asleep. + </p> + <p> + Soon dreams came. It seemed to him that he was carrying Lygia in his arms + at night through a strange vineyard. Before him was Pomponia Græcina + lighting the way with a lamp. A voice, as it were of Petronius called from + afar to him, “Turn back!” but he did not mind the call, and followed + Pomponia till they reached a cottage; at the threshold of the cottage + stood Peter. He showed Peter Lygia, and said, “We are coming from the + arena, lord, but we cannot wake her; wake her thou.” “Christ himself will + come to wake her,” answered the Apostle. + </p> + <p> + Then the pictures began to change. Through the dream he saw Nero, and + Poppæa holding in her arms little Ruflus with bleeding head, which + Petronius was washing and he saw Tigellinus sprinkling ashes on tables + covered with costly dishes, and Vitelius devouring those dishes, while a + multitude of other Augustians were sitting at the feast. He himself was + resting near Lygia; but between the tables walked lions from out whose + yellow manes trickled blood. Lygia begged him to take her away, but so + terrible a weakness had seized him that he could not even move. Then still + greater disorder involved his visions, and finally all fell into perfect + darkness. + </p> + <p> + He was roused from deep sleep at last by the heat of the sun, and shouts + given forth right there around the place where he was sitting. Vinicius + rubbed his eyes. The street was swarming with people; but two runners, + wearing yellow tunics, pushed aside the throng with long staffs, crying + and making room for a splendid litter which was carried by four stalwart + Egyptian slaves. + </p> + <p> + In the litter sat a man in white robes, whose face was not easily seen, + for he held close to his eyes a roll of papyrus and was reading something + diligently. + </p> + <p> + “Make way for the noble Augustian!” cried the runners. + </p> + <p> + But the street was so crowded that the litter had to wait awhile. The + Augustian put down his roll of papyrus and bent his head, crying,— + </p> + <p> + “Push aside those wretches! Make haste!” + </p> + <p> + Seeing Vinicius suddenly, he drew back his head and raised the papyrus + quickly. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius drew his hand across his forehead, thinking that he was dreaming + yet. + </p> + <p> + In the litter was sitting Chilo. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the runners had opened the way, and the Egyptians were ready to + move, when the young tribune, who in one moment understood many things + which till then had been incomprehensible, approached the litter. + </p> + <p> + “A greeting to thee, O Chilo!” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” answered the Greek, with pride and importance, endeavoring to + give his face an expression of calmness which was not in his soul, “be + greeted, but detain me not, for I am hastening to my friend, the noble + Tigellinus.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, grasping the edge of the litter and looking him straight in the + eyes, said with a lowered voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou betray Lygia?” + </p> + <p> + “Colossus of Memnon!” cried Chilo, with fear. + </p> + <p> + But there was no threat in the eyes of Vinicius; hence the old Greek’s + alarm vanished quickly. He remembered that he was under the protection of + Tigellinus and of Cæsar himself,—that is, of a power before which + everything trembled,—that he was surrounded by sturdy slaves, and + that Vinicius stood before him unarmed, with an emaciated face and body + bent by suffering. + </p> + <p> + At this thought his insolence returned to him. He fixed on Vinicius his + eyes, which were surrounded by red lids, and whispered in answer,— + </p> + <p> + “But thou, when I was dying of hunger, didst give command to flog me.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment both were silent; then the dull voice of Vinicius was heard,— + </p> + <p> + “I wronged thee, Chilo.” + </p> + <p> + The Greek raised his head, and, snapping his fingers which in Rome was a + mark of slight and contempt, said so loudly that all could hear him,— + </p> + <p> + “Friend, if thou hast a petition to present, come to my house on the + Esquiline in the morning hour, when I receive guests and clients after my + bath.” + </p> + <p> + And he waved his hand; at that sign the Egyptians raised the litter, and + the slaves, dressed in yellow tunics, began to cry as they brandished + their staffs,— + </p> + <p> + “Make way for the litter of the noble Chilo Chilonides! Make way, make + way!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0054" id="link2HCH0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LIV + </h2> + <p> + LYGIA, in a long letter written hurriedly, took farewell to Vinicius + forever. She knew that no one was permitted to enter the prison, and that + she could see Vinicius only from the arena. She begged him therefore to + discover when the turn of the Mamertine prisoners would come, and to be at + the games, for she wished to see him once more in life. No fear was + evident in her letter. She wrote that she and the others were longing for + the arena, where they would find liberation from imprisonment. She hoped + for the coming of Pomponia and Aulus; she entreated that they too be + present. Every word of her showed ecstasy, and that separation from life + in which all the prisoners lived, and at the same time an unshaken faith + that all promises would be fulfilled beyond the grave. + </p> + <p> + “Whether Christ,” wrote she, “frees me in this life or after death, He has + promised me to thee by the lips of the Apostle; therefore I am thine.” She + implored him not to grieve for her, and not to let himself be overcome by + suffering. For her death was not a dissolution of marriage. With the + confidence of a child she assured Vinicius that immediately after her + suffering in the arena she would tell Christ that her betrothed Marcus had + remained in Rome, that he was longing for her with his whole heart. And + she thought that Christ would permit her soul, perhaps, to return to him + for a moment, to tell him that she was living, that she did not remember + her torments, and that she was happy. Her whole letter breathed happiness + and immense hope. There was only one request in it connected with affairs + of earth,—that Vinicius should take her body from the spoliarium and + bury it as that of his wife in the tomb in which he himself would rest + sometime. + </p> + <p> + He read this letter with a suffering spirit, but at the same time it + seemed to him impossible that Lygia should perish under the claws of wild + beasts, and that Christ would not take compassion on her. But just in that + were hidden hope and trust. When he returned home, he wrote that he would + come every day to the walls of the Tullianum to wait till Christ crushed + the walls and restored her. He commanded her to believe that Christ could + give her to him, even in the Circus; that the great Apostle was imploring + Him to do so, and that the hour of liberation was near. The converted + centurion was to bear this letter to her on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + But when Vinicius came to the prison next morning, the centurion left the + rank, approached him first, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, lord. Christ, who enlightened thee, has shown thee favor. + Last night Cæsar’s freedman and those of the prefect came to select + Christian maidens for disgrace; they inquired for thy betrothed, but our + Lord sent her a fever, of which prisoners are dying in the Tullianum, and + they left her. Last evening she was unconscious, and blessed be the name + of the Redeemer, for the sickness which has saved her from shame may save + her from death.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius placed his hand on the soldier’s shoulder to guard himself from + falling; but the other continued,— + </p> + <p> + “Thank the mercy of the Lord! They took and tortured Linus, but, seeing + that he was dying, they surrendered him. They may give her now to thee, + and Christ will give back health to her.” + </p> + <p> + The young tribune stood some time with drooping head; then raised it and + said in a whisper,— + </p> + <p> + “True, centurion. Christ, who saved her from shame, will save her from + death.” And sitting at the wall of the prison till evening, he returned + home to send people for Linus and have him taken to one of his suburban + villas. + </p> + <p> + But when Petronius had heard everything, he determined to act also. He had + visited the Augusta; now he went to her a second time. He found her at the + bed of little Rufius. The child with broken head was struggling in a + fever; his mother, with despair and terror in her heart, was trying to + save him, thinking, however, that if she did save him it might be only to + perish soon by a more dreadful death. + </p> + <p> + Occupied exclusively with her own suffering, she would not even hear of + Vinicius and Lygia; but Petronius terrified her. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast offended,” said he to her, “a new, unknown divinity. Thou, + Augusta, art a worshipper, it seems, of the Hebrew Jehovah; but the + Christians maintain that Chrestos is his son. Reflect, then, if the anger + of the father is not pursuing thee. Who knows but it is their vengeance + which has struck thee? Who knows but the life of Rufius depends on this,—how + thou wilt act?” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou wish me to do?” asked Poppæa, with terror. + </p> + <p> + “Mollify the offended deities.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “Lygia is sick; influence Cæsar or Tigellinus to give her to Vinicius.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou think that I can do that?” asked she, in despair. + </p> + <p> + “Thou canst do something else. If Lygia recovers, she must die. Go thou to + the temple of Vesta, and ask the virgo magna to happen near the Tullianum + at the moment when they are leading prisoners out to death, and give + command to free that maiden. The chief vestal will not refuse thee.” + </p> + <p> + “But if Lygia dies of the fever?” + </p> + <p> + “The Christians say that Christ is vengeful, but just; maybe thou wilt + soften Him by thy wish alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Let Him give me some sign that will heal Rufius.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius shrugged his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I have not come as His envoy; O divinity, I merely say to thee, Be on + better terms with all the gods, Roman and foreign.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go!” said Poppæa, with a broken voice. + </p> + <p> + Petronius drew a deep breath. “At last I have done something,” thought he, + and returning to Vinicius he said to him,— + </p> + <p> + “Implore thy God that Lygia die not of the fever, for should she survive, + the chief vestal will give command to free her. The Augusta herself will + ask her to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “Christ will free her,” said Vinicius, looking at him with eyes in which + fever was glittering. + </p> + <p> + Poppæa, who for the recovery of Rufius was willing to burn hecatombs to + all the gods of the world, went that same evening through the Forum to the + vestals, leaving care over the sick child to her faithful nurse, Silvia, + by whom she herself had been reared. + </p> + <p> + But on the Palatine sentence had been issued against the child already; + for barely had Poppæa’s litter vanished behind the great gate when two + freedmen entered the chamber in which her son was resting. One of these + threw himself on old Silvia and gagged her; the other, seizing a bronze + statue of the Sphinx, stunned the old woman with the first blow. + </p> + <p> + Then they approached Rufius. The little boy, tormented with fever and + insensible, not knowing what was passing around him, smiled at them, and + blinked with his beautiful eyes, as if trying to recognize the men. + Stripping from the nurse her girdle, they put it around his neck and + pulled it. The child called once for his mother, and died easily. Then + they wound him in a sheet, and sitting on horses which were waiting, + hurried to Ostia, where they threw the body into the sea. + </p> + <p> + Poppæa, not finding the virgo magna, who with other vestals was at the + house of Vatinius, returned soon to the Palatine. Seeing the empty bed and + the cold body of Silvia, she fainted, and when they restored her she began + to scream; her wild cries were heard all that night and the day following. + </p> + <p> + But Cæsar commanded her to appear at a feast on the third day; so, + arraying herself in an amethyst-colored tunic, she came and sat with stony + face, golden-haired, silent, wonderful, and as ominous as an angel of + death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0055" id="link2HCH0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LV + </h2> + <p> + BEFORE the Flavii had reared the Colosseum, amphitheatres in Rome were + built of wood mainly; for that reason nearly all of them had burned during + the fire. But Nero, for the celebration of the promised games, had given + command to build several, and among them a gigantic one, for which they + began, immediately after the fire was extinguished, to bring by sea and + the Tiber great trunks of trees cut on the slopes of Atlas; for the games + were to surpass all previous ones in splendor and the number of victims. + </p> + <p> + Large spaces were given therefore for people and for animals. Thousands of + mechanics worked at the structure night and day. They built and ornamented + without rest. Wonders were told concerning pillars inlaid with bronze, + amber, ivory, mother of pearl, and transmarine tortoise-shells. Canals + filled with ice-cold water from the mountains and running along the seats + were to keep an agreeable coolness in the building, even during the + greatest heat. A gigantic purple velarium gave shelter from the rays of + the sun. Among the rows of seats were disposed vessels for the burning of + Arabian perfumes; above them were fixed instruments to sprinkle the + spectators with dew of saffron and verbena. The renowned builders Severus + and Celer put forth all their skill to construct an amphitheatre at once + incomparable and fitted for such a number of the curious as none of those + known before had been able to accommodate. + </p> + <p> + Hence, the day when the ludus matutinus was to begin, throngs of the + populace were awaiting from daylight the opening of the gates, listening + with delight to the roars of lions, the hoarse growls of panthers, and the + howls of dogs. The beasts had not been fed for two days, but pieces of + bloody flesh had been pushed before them to rouse their rage and hunger + all the more. At times such a storm of wild voices was raised that people + standing before the Circus could not converse, and the most sensitive grew + pale from fear. + </p> + <p> + With the rising of the sun were intoned in the enclosure of the Circus + hymns resonant but calm. The people heard these with amazement, and said + one to another, “The Christians! the Christians!” In fact, many + detachments of Christians had been brought to the amphitheatre that night, + and not from one place, as planned at first, but a few from each prison. + It was known in the crowd that the spectacles would continue through weeks + and months, but they doubted that it would be possible to finish in a + single day those Christians who had been intended for that one occasion. + The voices of men, women, and children singing the morning hymn were so + numerous that spectators of experience asserted that even if one or two + hundred persons were sent out at once, the beasts would grow tired, become + sated, and not tear all to pieces before evening. Others declared that an + excessive number of victims in the arena would divert attention, and not + give a chance to enjoy the spectacle properly. + </p> + <p> + As the moment drew near for opening the vomitoria, or passages which led + to the interior, people grew animated and joyous; they discussed and + disputed about various things touching the spectacle. Parties were formed + praising the greater efficiency of lions or tigers in tearing. Here and + there bets were made. Others however talked about gladiators who were to + appear in the arena earlier than the Christians; and again there were + parties, some in favor of Samnites, others of Gauls, others of Mirmillons, + others of Thracians, others of the retiarii. + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning larger or smaller detachments of gladiators began to + arrive at the amphitheatre under the lead of masters, called lanistæ. Not + wishing to be wearied too soon, they entered unarmed, often entirely + naked, often with green boughs in their hands, or crowned with flowers, + young, beautiful, in the light of morning, and full of life. Their bodies, + shining from olive oil, were strong as if chiselled from marble; they + roused to delight people who loved shapely forms. Many were known + personally, and from moment to moment were heard: “A greeting, Furnius! A + greeting, Leo! A greeting, Maximus! A greeting, Diomed!” Young maidens + raised to them eyes full of admiration; they, selecting the maiden most + beautiful, answered with jests, as if no care weighed on them, sending + kisses, or exclaiming, “Embrace me before death does!” Then they vanished + in the gates, through which many of them were never to come forth again. + </p> + <p> + New arrivals drew away the attention of the throngs. Behind the gladiators + came mastigophori; that is, men armed with scourges, whose office it was + to lash and urge forward combatants. Next mules drew, in the direction of + the spoliarium, whole rows of vehicles on which were piled wooden coffins. + People were diverted at sight of this, inferring from the number of + coffins the greatness of the spectacle. Now marched in men who were to + kill the wounded; these were dressed so that each resembled Charon or + Mercury. Next came those who looked after order in the Circus, and + assigned places; after that slaves to bear around food and refreshments; + finally, pretorians, whom every Cæsar had always at hand in the + amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + At last the vomitoria were opened, and crowds rushed to the centre. But + such was the number of those assembled that they flowed in and flowed in + for hours, till it was a marvel that the Circus could hold such a + countless multitude. The roars of wild beasts, catching the exhalations of + people, grew louder. While taking their places, the spectators made an + uproar like the sea in time of storm. + </p> + <p> + Finally, the prefect of the city came, surrounded by guards; and after + him, in unbroken line, appeared the litters of senators, consuls, pretors, + ediles, officials of the government and the palace, of pretorian officers, + patricians, and exquisite ladies. Some litters were preceded by lictors + bearing maces in bundles of rods; others by crowds of slaves. In the sun + gleamed the gilding of the litters, the white and varied colored stuffs, + feathers, earrings, jewels, steel of the maces. From the Circus came + shouts with which the people greeted great dignitaries. Small divisions of + pretorians arrived from time to time. + </p> + <p> + The priests of various temples came somewhat later; only after them were + brought in the sacred virgins of Vesta, preceded by lictors. + </p> + <p> + To begin the spectacle, they were waiting now only for Cæsar, who, + unwilling to expose the people to over-long waiting, and wishing to win + them by promptness, came soon, in company with the Augusta and Augustians. + </p> + <p> + Petronius arrived among the Augustians, having Vinicius in his litter. The + latter knew that Lygia was sick and unconscious; but as access to the + prison had been forbidden most strictly during the preceding days, and as + the former guards had been replaced by new ones who were not permitted to + speak with the jailers or even to communicate the least information to + those who came to inquire about prisoners, he was not even sure that she + was not among the victims intended for the first day of spectacles. They + might send out even a sick woman for the lions, though she were + unconscious. But since the victims were to be sewed up in skins of wild + beasts and sent to the arena in crowds, no spectator could be certain that + one more or less might not be among them, and no man could recognize any + one. The jailers and all the servants of the amphitheatre had been bribed, + and a bargain made with the beast-keepers to hide Lygia in some dark + corner, and give her at night into the hands of a confidant of Vinicius, + who would take her at once to the Alban Hills. Petronius, admitted to the + secret, advised Vinicius to go with him openly to the amphitheatre, and + after he had entered to disappear in the throng and hurry to the vaults, + where, to avoid possible mistake, he was to point out Lygia to the guards + personally. + </p> + <p> + The guards admitted him through a small door by which they came out + themselves. One of these, named Cyrus, led him at once to the Christians. + On the way he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I know not, lord, that thou wilt find what thou art seeking. We inquired + for a maiden named Lygia, but no one gave us answer; it may be, though, + that they do not trust us.” + </p> + <p> + “Are there many?” asked Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Many, lord, had to wait till to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Are there sick ones among them?” + </p> + <p> + “There were none who could not stand.” + </p> + <p> + Cyrus opened a door and entered as it were an enormous chamber, but low + and dark, for the light came in only through grated openings which + separated it from the arena. At first Vinicius could see nothing; he heard + only the murmur of voices in the room, and the shouts of people in the + amphitheatre. But after a time, when his eyes had grown used to the gloom, + he saw crowds of strange beings, resembling wolves and bears. Those were + Christians sewed up in skins of beasts. Some of them were standing; others + were kneeling in prayer. Here and there one might divine by the long hair + flowing over the skin that the victim was a woman. Women, looking like + wolves, carried in their arms children sewed up in equally shaggy + coverings. But from beneath the skins appeared bright faces and eyes which + in the darkness gleamed with delight and feverishness. It was evident that + the greater number of those people were mastered by one thought, exclusive + and beyond the earth,—a thought which during life made them + indifferent to everything which happened around them and which could meet + them. Some, when asked by Vinicius about Lygia, looked at him with eyes as + if roused from sleep, without answering his questions; others smiled at + him, placing a finger on their lips or pointing to the iron grating + through which bright streaks of light entered. But here and there children + were crying, frightened by the roaring of beasts, the howling of dogs, the + uproar of people, and the forms of their own parents who looked like wild + beasts. Vinicius as he walked by the side of Cyrus looked into faces, + searched, inquired, at times stumbled against bodies of people who had + fainted from the crowd, the stifling air, the heat, and pushed farther + into the dark depth of the room, which seemed to be as spacious as a whole + amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + But he stopped on a sudden, for he seemed to hear near the grating a voice + known to him. He listened for a while, turned, and, pushing through the + crowd, went near. Light fell on the face of the speaker, and Vinicius + recognized under the skin of a wolf the emaciated and implacable + countenance of Crispus. + </p> + <p> + “Mourn for your sins!” exclaimed Crispus, “for the moment is near. But + whoso thinks by death itself to redeem his sins commits a fresh sin, and + will be hurled into endless fire. With every sin committed in life ye have + renewed the Lord’s suffering; how dare ye think that that life which + awaits you will redeem this one? To-day the just and the sinner will die + the same death; but the Lord will find His own. Woe to you, the claws of + the lions will rend your bodies; but not your sins, nor your reckoning + with God. The Lord showed mercy sufficient when He let Himself be nailed + to the cross; but thenceforth He will be only the judge, who will leave no + fault unpunished. Whoso among you has thought to extinguish his sins by + suffering, has blasphemed against God’s justice, and will sink all the + deeper. Mercy is at an end, and the hour of God’s wrath has come. Soon ye + will stand before the awful Judge in whose presence the good will hardly + be justified. Bewail your sins, for the jaws of hell are open; woe to you, + husbands and wives; woe to you, parents and children.” + </p> + <p> + And stretching forth his bony hands, he shook them above the bent heads; + he was unterrified and implacable even in the presence of death, to which + in a while all those doomed people were to go. After his words, were heard + voices: “We bewail our sins!” Then came silence, and only the cry of + children was audible, and the beating of hands against breasts. + </p> + <p> + The blood of Vinicius stiffened in his veins. He, who had placed all his + hope in the mercy of Christ, heard now that the day of wrath had come, and + that even death in the arena would not obtain mercy. Through his head + shot, it is true, the thought, clear and swift as lightning, that Peter + would have spoken otherwise to those about to die. Still those terrible + words of Crispus filled with fanaticism that dark chamber with its + grating, beyond which was the field of torture. The nearness of that + torture, and the throng of victims arrayed for death already, filled his + soul with fear and terror. All this seemed to him dreadful, and a hundred + times more ghastly than the bloodiest battle in which he had ever taken + part. The odor and heat began to stifle him; cold sweat came out on his + forehead. He was seized by fear that he would faint like those against + whose bodies he had stumbled while searching in the depth of the + apartment; so when he remembered that they might open the grating any + moment, he began to call Lygia and Ursus aloud, in the hope that, if not + they, some one knowing them would answer. + </p> + <p> + In fact, some man, clothed as a bear, pulled his toga, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Lord, they remained in prison. I was the last one brought out; I saw her + sick on the couch.” + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “The quarryman in whose hut the Apostle baptized thee, lord. They + imprisoned me three days ago, and to-day I die.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was relieved. When entering, he had wished to find Lygia; now he + was ready to thank Christ that she was not there, and to see in that a + sign of mercy. Meanwhile the quarryman pulled his toga again, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Dost remember, lord, that I conducted thee to the vineyard of Cornelius, + when the Apostle discoursed in the shed?” + </p> + <p> + “I remember.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw him later, the day before they imprisoned me, He blessed me, and + said that he would come to the amphitheatre to bless the perishing. If I + could look at him in the moment of death and see the sign of the cross, it + would be easier for me to die. If thou know where he is, lord, inform me.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius lowered his voice, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “He is among the people of Petronius, disguised as a slave. I know not + where they chose their places, but I will return to the Circus and see. + Look thou at me when ye enter the arena. I will rise and turn my face + toward them; then thou wilt find him with thy eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks to thee, lord, and peace be with thee.” + </p> + <p> + “May the Redeemer be merciful to thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius went out of the cuniculum, and betook himself to the + amphitheatre, where he had a place near Petronius among the other + Augustians. + </p> + <p> + “Is she there?” inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “No; she remained in prison.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear what has occurred to me, but while listening look at Nigidia for + example, so that we may seem to talk of her hair-dressing. Tigellinus and + Chilo are looking at us now. Listen then. Let them put Lygia in a coffin + at night and carry her out of the prison as a corpse; thou divinest the + rest?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Their further conversation was interrupted by Tullius Senecio, who, + bending toward them, asked,— + </p> + <p> + “Do ye know whether they will give weapons to the Christians?” + </p> + <p> + “We do not,” answered Petronius. “I should prefer that arms were given,” + said Tullius; “if not, the arena will become like butcher’s shambles too + early. But what a splendid amphitheatre!” + </p> + <p> + The sight was, in truth, magnificent. The lower seats, crowded with togas + were as white as snow. In the gilded podium sat Cæsar, wearing a diamond + collar and a golden crown on his head; next to him sat the beautiful and + gloomy Augusta, and on both sides were vestal virgins, great officials, + senators with embroidered togas, officers of the army with glittering + weapons,—in a word, all that was powerful, brilliant, and wealthy in + Rome. In the farther rows sat knights; and higher up darkened in rows a + sea of common heads, above which from pillar to pillar hung festoons of + roses, lilies, ivy, and grapevines. + </p> + <p> + People conversed aloud, called to one another, sang; at times they broke + into laughter at some witty word which was sent from row to row, and they + stamped with impatience to hasten the spectacle. + </p> + <p> + At last the stamping became like thunder, and unbroken. Then the prefect + of the city, who rode around the arena with a brilliant retinue, gave a + signal with a handkerchief, which was answered throughout the amphitheatre + by “A-a-a!” from thousands of breasts. + </p> + <p> + Usually a spectacle was begun by hunts of wild beasts, in which various + Northern and Southern barbarians excelled; but this time they had too many + beasts, so they began with andabates,—that is, men wearing helmets + without an opening for the eyes, hence fighting blindfold. A number of + these came into the arena together, and slashed at random with their + swords; the scourgers with long forks pushed some toward others to make + them meet. The more select of the audience looked with contempt and + indifference at this spectacle; but the crowd were amused by the awkward + motions of the swordsmen. When it happened that they met with their + shoulders, they burst out in loud laughter. “To the right!” “To the left!” + cried they, misleading the opponents frequently by design. A number of + pairs closed, however, and the struggle began to be bloody. The determined + combatants cast aside their shields, and giving their left hands to each + other, so as not to part again, struggled to the death with their right. + Whoever fell raised his fingers, begging mercy by that sign; but in the + beginning of a spectacle the audience demanded death usually for the + wounded, especially in the case of men who had their faces covered and + were unknown. Gradually the number of combatants decreased; and when at + last only two remained, these were pushed together; both fell on the sand, + and stabbed each other mutually. Then, amid cries of “Peractum est!” + servants carried out the bodies, youths raked away the bloody traces on + the sand and sprinkled it with leaves of saffron. + </p> + <p> + Now a more important contest was to come,—rousing interest not only + in the herd, but in exquisites; during this contest young patricians made + enormous bets at times, often losing all they owned. Straightway from hand + to hand went tablets on which were written names of favorites, and also + the number of sestertia which each man wagered on his favorite. “Spectati”—that + is, champions who had appeared already on the arena and gained victories—found + most partisans; but among betters were also those who risked considerably + on gladiators who were new and quite unknown, hoping to win immense sums + should these conquer. Cæsar himself bet; priests, vestals, senators, + knights bet; the populace bet. People of the crowd, when money failed + them, bet their own freedom frequently. They waited with heart-beating and + even with fear for the combatants, and more than one made audible vows to + the gods to gain their protection for a favorite. + </p> + <p> + In fact, when the shrill sound of trumpets was heard, there was a + stillness of expectation in the amphitheatre. Thousands of eyes were + turned to the great bolts, which a man approached dressed like Charon, and + amid the universal silence struck three times with a hammer, as if + summoning to death those who were hidden behind them. Then both halves of + the gate opened slowly, showing a black gully, out of which gladiators + began to appear in the bright arena. They came in divisions of + twenty-five, Thracians, Mirmillons, Samnites, Gauls, each nation + separately, all heavily armed; and last the retiarii, holding in one hand + a net, in the other a trident. At sight of them, here and there on the + benches rose applause, which soon turned into one immense and unbroken + storm. From above to below were seen excited faces, clapping hands, and + open mouths, from which shouts burst forth. The gladiators encircled the + whole arena with even and springy tread, gleaming with their weapons and + rich outfit; they halted before Cæsar’s podium, proud, calm, and + brilliant. The shrill sound of a horn stopped the applause; the combatants + stretched their right hands upward, raised their eyes and heads toward + Cæsar, and began to cry or rather to chant with drawling voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Ave, Cæsar imperator! Morituri te salutant!” + </p> + <p> + Then they pushed apart quickly, occupying their places on the arena. They + were to attack one another in whole detachments; but first it was + permitted the most famous fencers to have a series of single combats, in + which the strength, dexterity, and courage of opponents were best + exhibited. In fact, from among the Gauls appeared a champion, well known + to lovers of the amphitheatre under the name of Lanio, a victor in many + games. With a great helmet on his head, and in mail which formed a ridge + in front of his powerful breast and behind, he looked in the gleam of the + golden arena like a giant beetle. The no less famous retiarius Calendio + came out against him. + </p> + <p> + Among the spectators people began to bet. + </p> + <p> + “Five hundred sestertia on the Gaul!” + </p> + <p> + “Five hundred on Calendio!” + </p> + <p> + “By Hercules, one thousand!” + </p> + <p> + “Two thousand!” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the Gaul, reaching the centre of the arena, began to withdraw + with pointed sword, and, lowering his head, watched his opponent carefully + through the opening of his visor; the light retiarius, stately, + statuesque, wholly naked save a belt around his loins, circled quickly + about his heavy antagonist, waving the net with graceful movement, + lowering or raising his trident, and singing the usual song of the + retiarius,— + </p> + <p> + “Non te peto, piscem peto; Quid me fugis, Galle?” + </p> + <p> + [“I seek not thee, I seek a fish; Why flee from me O Gaul?”] + </p> + <p> + But the Gaul was not fleeing, for after a while he stopped, and standing + in one place began to turn with barely a slight movement, so as to have + his enemy always in front, in his form and monstrously large head there + was now something terrible. The spectators understood perfectly that that + heavy body encased in bronze was preparing for a sudden throw to decide + the battle. The retiarius meanwhile sprang up to him, then sprang away, + making with his three-toothed fork motions so quick that the eye hardly + followed them. The sound of the teeth on the shield was heard repeatedly; + but the Gaul did not quiver, giving proof by this of his gigantic + strength. All his attention seemed fixed, not on the trident, but the net + which was circling above his head, like a bird of ill omen. The spectators + held the breath in their breasts, and followed the masterly play of the + gladiators. The Gaul waited, chose the moment, and rushed at last on his + enemy; the latter with equal quickness shot past under his sword, + straightened himself with raised arm, and threw the net. + </p> + <p> + The Gaul, turning where he stood, caught it on his shield; then both + sprang apart. In the amphitheatre shouts of “Macte!” thundered; in the + lower rows they began to make new bets. Cæsar himself, who at first had + been talking with Rubria, and so far had not paid much attention to the + spectacle, turned his head toward the arena. + </p> + <p> + They began to struggle again, so regularly and with such precision in + their movements, that sometimes it seemed that with them it was not a + question of life or death, but of exhibiting skill. The Gaul escaping + twice more from the net, pushed toward the edge of the arena; those who + held bets against him, not wishing the champion to rest, began to cry, + “Bear on!” The Gaul obeyed, and attacked. The arm of the retiarius was + covered on a sudden with blood, and his net dropped. The Gaul summoned his + strength, and sprang forward to give the final blow. That instant + Calendio, who feigned inability to wield the net, sprang aside, escaped + the thrust, ran the trident between the knees of his opponent, and brought + him to the earth. + </p> + <p> + The Gaul tried to rise, but in a twinkle he was covered by the fatal + meshes, in which he was entangled more and more by every movement of his + feet and hands. Meanwhile stabs of the trident fixed him time after time + to the earth. He made one more effort, rested on his arm, and tried to + rise; in vain! He raised to his head his falling hand which could hold the + sword no longer, and fell on his back. Calendio pressed his neck to the + ground with the trident, and, resting both hands on the handle of it, + turned toward Cæsar’s box. + </p> + <p> + The whole Circus was trembling from plaudits and the roar of people. For + those who had bet on Calendio he was at that moment greater than Cæsar; + but for this very reason animosity against the Gaul vanished from their + hearts. At the cost of his blood he had filled their purses. The voices of + the audience were divided. On the upper seats half the signs were for + death, and half for mercy; but the retiarius looked only at the box of + Cæsar and the vestals, waiting for what they would decide. + </p> + <p> + To the misfortune of the fallen gladiator, Nero did not like him, for at + the last games before the fire he had bet against the Gaul, and had lost + considerable sums to Licinus; hence he thrust his hand out of the podium, + and turned his thumb toward the earth. + </p> + <p> + The vestals supported the sign at once. Calendio knelt on the breast of + the Gaul, drew a short knife from his belt, pushed apart the armor around + the neck of his opponent, and drove the three-edged blade into his throat + to the handle. + </p> + <p> + “Peractum est!” sounded voices in the amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + The Gaul quivered a time, like a stabbed bullock, dug the sand with his + heels, stretched, and was motionless. + </p> + <p> + Mercury had no need to try with heated iron if he were living yet. He was + hidden away quickly, and other pairs appeared. After them came a battle of + whole detachments. The audience took part in it with soul, heart, and + eyes. They howled, roared, whistled, applauded, laughed, urged on the + combatants, grew wild. The gladiators on the arena, divided into two + legions, fought with the rage of wild beasts; breast struck breast, bodies + were intertwined in a death grapple, strong limbs cracked in their joints, + swords were buried in breasts and in stomachs, pale lips threw blood on to + the sand. Toward the end such terrible fear seized some novices that, + tearing themselves from the turmoil, they fled; but the scourgers drove + them back again quickly to the battle with lashes tipped with lead. On the + sand great dark spots were formed; more and more naked and armed bodies + lay stretched like grain sheaves. The living fought on the corpses; they + struck against armor and shields, cut their feet against broken weapons, + and fell. The audience lost self-command from delight; and intoxicated + with death breathed it, sated their eyes with the sight of it, and drew + into their lungs the exhalations of it with ecstasy. + </p> + <p> + The conquered lay dead, almost every man. Barely a few wounded knelt in + the middle of the arena, and trembling stretched their hands to the + audience with a prayer for mercy. To the victors were given rewards,—crowns, + olive wreaths. And a moment of rest came, which, at command of the + all-powerful Cæsar, was turned into a feast. Perfumes were burned in + vases. Sprinklers scattered saffron and violet rain on the people. Cooling + drinks were served, roasted meats, sweet cakes, wine, olives, and fruits. + The people devoured, talked, and shouted in honor of Cæsar, to incline him + to greater bounteousness. When hunger and thirst had been satisfied, + hundreds of slaves bore around baskets full of gifts, from which boys, + dressed as Cupids, took various objects and threw them with both hands + among the seats. When lottery tickets were distributed, a battle began. + People crowded, threw, trampled one another; cried for rescue, sprang over + rows of seats, stifled one another in the terrible crush, since whoever + got a lucky number might win possibly a house with a garden, a slave, a + splendid dress, or a wild beast which he could sell to the amphitheatre + afterward. For this reason there were such disorders that frequently the + pretorians had to interfere; and after every distribution they carried out + people with broken arms or legs, and some were even trampled to death in + the throng. + </p> + <p> + But the more wealthy took no part in the fight for tesseræ. The Augustians + amused themselves now with the spectacle of Chilo, and with making sport + of his vain efforts to show that he could look at fighting and + blood-spilling as well as any man. But in vain did the unfortunate Greek + wrinkle his brow, gnaw his lips, and squeeze his fists till the nails + entered his palms. His Greek nature and his personal cowardice were unable + to endure such sights. His face grew pale, his forehead was dotted with + drops of sweat, his lips were blue, his eyes turned in, his teeth began to + chatter, and a trembling seized his body. At the end of the battle he + recovered somewhat; but when they attacked him with tongues, sudden anger + seized him, and he defended himself desperately. + </p> + <p> + “Ha, Greek! the sight of torn skin on a man is beyond thy strength!” said + Vatinius, taking him by the beard. + </p> + <p> + Chilo bared his last two yellow teeth at him and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “My father was not a cobbler, so I cannot mend it.” + </p> + <p> + “Macte! habet (Good! he has caught it!)” called a number of voices; but + others jeered on. + </p> + <p> + “He is not to blame that instead of a heart he has a piece of cheese in + his breast,” said Senecio. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art not to blame that instead of a head thou hast a bladder,” + retorted Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe thou wilt become a gladiator! thou wouldst look well with a net on + the arena.” + </p> + <p> + “If I should catch thee in it, I should catch a stinking hoopoe.” + </p> + <p> + “And how will it be with the Christians?” asked Festus, from Liguria. + “Wouldst thou not like to be a dog and bite them?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not like to be thy brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou Mæotian copper-nose!” + </p> + <p> + “Thou Ligurian mule!” + </p> + <p> + “Thy skin is itching, evidently, but I don’t advise thee to ask me to + scratch it.” + </p> + <p> + “Scratch thyself. If thou scratch thy own pimple, thou wilt destroy what + is best in thee.” + </p> + <p> + And in this manner they attacked him. He defended himself venomously, amid + universal laughter. Cæsar, clapping his hands, repeated, “Macte!” and + urged them on. After a while Petronius approached, and, touching the + Greek’s shoulder with his carved ivory cane, said coldly,— + </p> + <p> + “This is well, philosopher; but in one thing thou hast blundered: the gods + created thee a pickpocket, and thou hast become a demon. That is why thou + canst not endure.” + </p> + <p> + The old man looked at him with his red eyes, but this time somehow he did + not find a ready insult. He was silent for a moment; then answered, as if + with a certain effort,— + </p> + <p> + “I shall endure.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the trumpets announced the end of the interval. People began to + leave the passages where they had assembled to straighten their legs and + converse. A general movement set in with the usual dispute about seats + occupied previously. Senators and patricians hastened to their places. The + uproar ceased after a time, and the amphitheatre returned to order. On the + arena a crowd of people appeared whose work was to dig out here and there + lumps of sand formed with stiffened blood. + </p> + <p> + The turn of the Christians was at hand. But since that was a new spectacle + for people, and no one knew how the Christians would bear themselves, all + waited with a certain curiosity. The disposition of the audience was + attentive but unfriendly; they were waiting for uncommon scenes. Those + people who were to appear had burned Rome and its ancient treasures. They + had drunk the blood of infants, and poisoned water; they had cursed the + whole human race, and committed the vilest crimes. The harshest punishment + did not suffice the roused hatred; and if any fear possessed people’s + hearts, it was this: that the torture of the Christians would not equal + the guilt of those ominous criminals. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the sun had risen high; its rays, passing through the purple + velarium, had filled the amphitheatre with blood-colored light. The sand + assumed a fiery hue, and in those gleams, in the faces of people, as well + as in the empty arena, which after a time was to be filled with the + torture of people and the rage of savage beasts, there was something + terrible. Death and terror seemed hovering in the air. The throng, usually + gladsome, became moody under the influence of hate and silence. Faces had + a sullen expression. + </p> + <p> + Now the prefect gave a sign. The same old man appeared, dressed as Charon, + who had called the gladiators to death, and, passing with slow step across + the arena amid silence, he struck three times again on the door. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the amphitheatre was heard the deep murmur,— + </p> + <p> + “The Christians! the Christians!” + </p> + <p> + The iron gratings creaked; through the dark openings were heard the usual + cries of the scourgers, “To the sand!” and in one moment the arena was + peopled with crowds as it were of satyrs covered with skins. All ran + quickly, somewhat feverishly, and, reaching the middle of the circle, they + knelt one by another with raised heads. The spectators, judging this to be + a prayer for pity, and enraged by such cowardice, began to stamp, whistle, + throw empty wine-vessels, bones from which the flesh had been eaten, and + shout, “The beasts! the beasts!” But all at once something unexpected took + place. From out the shaggy assembly singing voices were raised, and then + sounded that hymn heard for the first time in a Roman amphitheatre, + “Christus regnat!” [“Christ reigns!”] + </p> + <p> + Astonishment seized the spectators. The condemned sang with eyes raised to + the velarium. The audience saw faces pale, but as it were inspired. All + understood that those people were not asking for mercy, and that they + seemed not to see the Circus, the audience, the Senate, or Cæsar. + “Christus regnat!” rose ever louder, and in the seats, far up to the + highest, among the rows of spectators, more than one asked himself the + question, “What is happening, and who is that Christus who reigns in the + mouths of those people who are about to die?” But meanwhile a new grating + was opened, and into the arena rushed, with mad speed and barking, whole + packs of dogs,—gigantic, yellow Molossians from the Peloponnesus, + pied dogs from the Pyrenees, and wolf-like hounds from Hibernia, purposely + famished; their sides lank, and their eyes bloodshot. Their howls and + whines filled the amphitheatre. When the Christians had finished their + hymn, they remained kneeling, motionless, as if petrified, merely + repeating in one groaning chorus, “Pro Christo! Pro Christo!” The dogs, + catching the odor of people under the skins of beasts, and surprised by + their silence, did not rush on them at once. Some stood against the walls + of the boxes, as if wishing to go among the spectators; others ran around + barking furiously, as though chasing some unseen beast. The people were + angry. A thousand voices began to call; some howled like wild beasts; some + barked like dogs; others urged them on in every language. The amphitheatre + was trembling from uproar. The excited dogs began to run to the kneeling + people, then to draw back, snapping their teeth, till at last one of the + Molossians drove his teeth into the shoulder of a woman kneeling in front, + and dragged her under him. + </p> + <p> + Tens of dogs rushed into the crowd now, as if to break through it. The + audience ceased to howl, so as to look with greater attention. Amidst the + howling and whining were heard yet plaintive voices of men and women: “Pro + Christo! Pro Christo!” but on the arena were formed quivering masses of + the bodies of dogs and people. Blood flowed in streams from the torn + bodies. Dogs dragged from each other the bloody limbs of people. The odor + of blood and torn entrails was stronger than Arabian perfumes, and filled + the whole Circus. + </p> + <p> + At last only here and there were visible single kneeling forms, which were + soon covered by moving squirming masses. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, who at the moment when the Christians ran in, stood up and + turned so as to indicate to the quarryman, as he had promised, the + direction in which the Apostle was hidden among the people of Petronius, + sat down again, and with the face of a dead man continued to look with + glassy eyes on the ghastly spectacle. At first fear that the quarryman + might have been mistaken, and that perchance Lygia was among the victims, + benumbed him completely; but when he heard the voices, “Pro Christo!” when + he saw the torture of so many victims who, in dying, confessed their faith + and their God, another feeling possessed him, piercing him like the most + dreadful pain, but irresistible. That feeling was this,—if Christ + Himself died in torment, if thousands are perishing for Him now, if a sea + of blood is poured forth, one drop more signifies nothing, and it is a sin + even to ask for mercy. That thought came to him from the arena, penetrated + him with the groans of the dying, with the odor of their blood. But still + he prayed and repeated with parched lips, “O Christ! O Christ! and Thy + Apostle prayed for her!” Then he forgot himself, lost consciousness of + where he was. It seemed to him that blood on the arena was rising and + rising, that it was coming up and flowing out of the Circus over all Rome. + For the rest he heard nothing, neither the howling of dogs nor the uproar + of the people nor the voices of the Augustians, who began all at once to + cry,— + </p> + <p> + “Chilo has fainted!” + </p> + <p> + “Chilo has fainted!” said Petronius, turning toward the Greek. + </p> + <p> + And he had fainted really; he sat there white as linen, his head fallen + back, his mouth wide open, like that of a corpse. + </p> + <p> + At that same moment they were urging into the arena new victims, sewed up + in skins. + </p> + <p> + These knelt immediately, like those who had gone before; but the weary + dogs would not rend them. Barely a few threw themselves on to those + kneeling nearest; but others lay down, and, raising their bloody jaws, + began to scratch their sides and yawn heavily. + </p> + <p> + Then the audience, disturbed in spirit, but drunk with blood and wild, + began to cry with hoarse voices,— + </p> + <p> + “The lions! the lions! Let out the lions!” + </p> + <p> + The lions were to be kept for the next day; but in the amphitheatres the + people imposed their will on every one, even on Cæsar. Caligula alone, + insolent and changeable in his wishes, dared to oppose them, and there + were cases when he gave command to beat the people with clubs; but even he + yielded most frequently. Nero, to whom plaudits were dearer than all else + in the world, never resisted. All the more did he not resist now, when it + was a question of mollifying the populace, excited after the + conflagration, and a question of the Christians, on whom he wished to cast + the blame of the catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + He gave the sign therefore to open the cuniculum, seeing which, the people + were calmed in a moment. They heard the creaking of the doors behind which + were the lions. At sight of the lions the dogs gathered with low whines, + on the opposite side of the arena. The lions walked into the arena one + after another, immense, tawny, with great shaggy heads. Cæsar himself + turned his wearied face toward them, and placed the emerald to his eye to + see better. The Augustians greeted them with applause; the crowd counted + them on their fingers, and followed eagerly the impression which the sight + of them would make on the Christians kneeling in the centre, who again had + begun to repeat the words, without meaning for many, though annoying to + all, “Pro Christo! Pro Christo!” + </p> + <p> + But the lions, though hungry, did not hasten to their victims. The ruddy + light in the arena dazzled them and they half closed their eyes as if + dazed. Some stretched their yellowish bodies lazily; some, opening their + jaws, yawned,—one might have said that they wanted to show their + terrible teeth to the audience. But later the odor of blood and torn + bodies, many of which were lying on the sand, began to act on them. Soon + their movements became restless, their manes rose, their nostrils drew in + the air with hoarse sound. One fell suddenly on the body of a woman with a + torn face, and, lying with his fore paws on the body, licked with a rough + tongue the stiffened blood: another approached a man who was holding in + his arms a child sewed up in a fawn’s skin. + </p> + <p> + The child, trembling from crying, and weeping, clung convulsively to the + neck of its father; he, to prolong its life even for a moment, tried to + pull it from his neck, so as to hand it to those kneeling farther on. But + the cry and the movement irritated the lion. All at once he gave out a + short, broken roar, killed the child with one blow of his paw, and seizing + the head of the father in his jaws, crushed it in a twinkle. + </p> + <p> + At sight of this all the other lions fell upon the crowd of Christians. + Some women could not restrain cries of terror; but the audience drowned + these with plaudits, which soon ceased, however, for the wish to see + gained the mastery. They beheld terrible things then: heads disappearing + entirely in open jaws, breasts torn apart with one blow, hearts and lungs + swept away; the crushing of bones under the teeth of lions. Some lions, + seizing victims by the ribs or loins, ran with mad springs through the + arena, as if seeking hidden places in which to devour them; others fought, + rose on their hind legs, grappled one another like wrestlers, and filled + the amphitheatre with thunder. People rose from their places. Some left + their seats, went down lower through the passages to see better, and + crowded one another mortally. It seemed that the excited multitude would + throw itself at last into the arena, and rend the Christians in company + with the lions. At moments an unearthly noise was heard; at moments + applause; at moments roaring, rumbling, the clashing of teeth, the howling + of Molossian dogs; at times only groans. + </p> + <p> + Cæsar, holding the emerald to his eye, looked now with attention. The face + of Petronius assumed an expression of contempt and disgust. Chilo had been + borne out of the Circus. + </p> + <p> + But from the cuniculum new victims were driven forth continually. + </p> + <p> + From the highest row in the amphitheatre the Apostle Peter looked at them. + No one saw him, for all heads were turned to the arena; so he rose and as + formerly in the vineyard of Cornelius he had blessed for death and + eternity those who were intended for imprisonment, so now he blessed with + the cross those who were perishing under the teeth of wild beasts. He + blessed their blood, their torture, their dead bodies turned into + shapeless masses, and their souls flying away from the bloody sand. Some + raised their eyes to him, and their faces grew radiant; they smiled when + they saw high above them the sign of the cross. But his heart was rent, + and he said, “O Lord! let Thy will be done. These my sheep perish to Thy + glory in testimony of the truth. Thou didst command me to feed them; hence + I give them to Thee, and do Thou count them, Lord, take them, heal their + wounds, soften their pain, give them happiness greater than the torments + which they suffered here.” + </p> + <p> + And he blessed them one after another, crowd after crowd, with as much + love as if they had been his children whom he was giving directly into the + hands of Christ. Then Cæsar, whether from madness, or the wish that the + exhibition should surpass everything seen in Rome so far, whispered a few + words to the prefect of the city. He left the podium and went at once to + the cuniculum. Even the populace were astonished when, after a while, they + saw the gratings open again. Beasts of all kinds were let out this time,—tigers + from the Euphrates, Numidian panthers, bears, wolves, hyenas, and jackals. + The whole arena was covered as with a moving sea of striped, yellow, + flax-colored, dark-brown, and spotted skins. There rose a chaos in which + the eye could distinguish nothing save a terrible turning and twisting of + the backs of wild beasts. The spectacle lost the appearance of reality, + and became as it were an orgy of blood, a dreadful dream, a gigantic + kaleidoscope of mad fancy. The measure was surpassed. Amidst roars, howls, + whines, here and there on the seats of the spectators were heard the + terrified and spasmodic laughter of women, whose strength had given way at + last. The people were terrified. Faces grew dark. Various voices began to + cry, “Enough! enough!” + </p> + <p> + But it was easier to let the beasts in than drive them back again. Cæsar, + however, found a means of clearing the arena, and a new amusement for the + people. In all the passages between the seats appeared detachments of + Numidians, black and stately, in feathers and earrings, with bows in their + hands. The people divined what was coming, and greeted the archers with a + shout of delight. The Numidians approached the railing, and, putting their + arrows to the strings, began to shoot from their bows into the crowd of + beasts. That was a new spectacle truly. Their bodies, shapely as if cut + from dark marble, bent backward, stretched the flexible bows, and sent + bolt after bolt. The whizzing of the strings and the whistling of the + feathered missiles were mingled with the howling of beasts and cries of + wonder from the audience. Wolves, bears, panthers, and people yet alive + fell side by side. Here and there a lion, feeling a shaft in his ribs, + turned with sudden movement, his jaws wrinkled from rage, to seize and + break the arrow. Others groaned from pain. The small beasts, falling into + a panic, ran around the arena at random, or thrust their heads into the + grating; meanwhile the arrows whizzed and whizzed on, till all that was + living had lain down in the final quiver of death. + </p> + <p> + Hundreds of slaves rushed into the arena armed with spades, shovels, + brooms, wheelbarrows, baskets for carrying out entrails, and bags of sand. + They came, crowd after crowd, and over the whole circle there seethed up a + feverish activity. The space was soon cleared of bodies, blood, and mire, + dug over, made smooth, and sprinkled with a thick layer of fresh sand. + That done, Cupids ran in, scattering leaves of roses, lilies, and the + greatest variety of flowers. The censers were ignited again, and the + velarium was removed, for the sun had sunk now considerably. But people + looked at one another with amazement, and inquired what kind of new + spectacle was waiting for them on that day. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, such a spectacle was waiting as no one had looked for. Cæsar, who + had left the podium some time before, appeared all at once on the flowery + arena, wearing a purple mantle, and a crown of gold. Twelve choristers + holding citharæ followed him. He had a silver lute, and advanced with + solemn tread to the middle, bowed a number of times to the spectators, + raised his eyes, and stood as if waiting for inspiration. + </p> + <p> + Then he struck the strings and began to sing,— + </p> + <p> + “O radiant son of Leto, Ruler of Tenedos, Chilos, Chrysos, Art thou he + who, having in his care The sacred city of Ilion, Could yield it to Argive + anger, And suffer sacred altars, Which blazed unceasingly to his honor, To + be stained with Trojan blood? Aged men raised trembling hands to thee, O + thou of the far-shooting silver bow, Mothers from the depth of their + breasts Raised tearful cries to thee, Imploring pity on their offspring. + Those complaints might have moved a stone, But to the suffering of people + Thou, O Smintheus, wert less feeling than a stone!” + </p> + <p> + The song passed gradually into an elegy, plaintive and full of pain. In + the Circus there was silence. After a while Cæsar, himself affected, sang + on,— + </p> + <p> + “With the sound of thy heavenly lyre Thou couldst drown the wailing, The + lament of hearts. At the sad sound of this song The eye to-day is filled + with tears, As a flower is filled with dew, But who can raise from dust + and ashes That day of fire, disaster, ruin? O Smintheus, where wert thou + then?” + </p> + <p> + Here his voice quivered and his eyes grew moist. Tears appeared on the + lids of the vestals; the people listened in silence before they burst into + a long unbroken storm of applause. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile from outside through the vomitoria came the sound of creaking + vehicles on which were placed the bloody remnants of Christians, men, + women, and children, to be taken to the pits called “puticuli.” + </p> + <p> + But the Apostle Peter seized his trembling white head with his hands, and + cried in spirit,— + </p> + <p> + “O Lord, O Lord! to whom hast Thou given rule over the earth, and why wilt + Thou found in this place Thy capital?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0056" id="link2HCH0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LVI + </h2> + <p> + THE sun had lowered toward its setting, and seemed to dissolve in the red + of the evening. The spectacle was finished. Crowds were leaving the + amphitheatre and pouring out to the city through the passages called + vomitoria. Only Augustians delayed; they were waiting for the stream of + people to pass. They had all left their seats and assembled at the podium, + in which Cæsar appeared again to hear praises. Though the spectators had + not spared plaudits at the end of the song, Nero was not satisfied; he had + looked for enthusiasm touching on frenzy. In vain did hymns of praise + sound in his ears; in vain did vestals kiss his “divine” hand, and while + doing so Rubria bent till her reddish hair touched his breast. Nero was + not satisfied, and could not hide the fact. He was astonished and also + disturbed because Petronius was silent. Some flattering and pointed word + from his mouth would have been a great consolation at that moment. Unable + at last to restrain himself, Cæsar beckoned to the arbiter. + </p> + <p> + “Speak,” said he, when Petronius entered the podium. + </p> + <p> + “I am silent,” answered Petronius, coldly, “for I cannot find words. Thou + hast surpassed thyself.” + </p> + <p> + “So it seemed to me too; but still this people—” + </p> + <p> + “Canst thou expect mongrels to appreciate poetry?” + </p> + <p> + “But thou too hast noticed that they have not thanked me as I deserve.” + </p> + <p> + “Because thou hast chosen a bad moment.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “When men’s brains are filled with the odor of blood, they cannot listen + attentively.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, those Christians!” replied Nero, clenching his fists. “They burned + Rome, and injure me now in addition. What new punishment shall I invent + for them?” + </p> + <p> + Petronius saw that he had taken the wrong road, that his words had + produced an effect the very opposite of what he intended; so, to turn + Cæsar’s mind in another direction, he bent toward him and whispered,— + </p> + <p> + “Thy song is marvellous, but I will make one remark: in the fourth line of + the third strophe the metre leaves something to be desired.” + </p> + <p> + Nero, blushing with shame, as if caught in a disgraceful deed, had fear in + his look, and answered in a whisper also,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou seest everything. I know. I will re-write that. But no one else + noticed it, I think. And do thou, for the love of the gods, mention it to + no one,—if life is dear to thee.” + </p> + <p> + To this Petronius answered, as if in an outburst of vexation and anger, + </p> + <p> + “Condemn me to death, O divinity, if I deceive thee; but thou wilt not + terrify me, for the gods know best of all if I fear death.” + </p> + <p> + And while speaking he looked straight into Cæsar’s eyes, who answered + after a while,— + </p> + <p> + “Be not angry; thou knowest that I love thee.” + </p> + <p> + “A bad sign!” thought Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to invite thee to-day to a feast,” continued Nero, “but I prefer + to shut myself in and polish that cursed line in the third strophe. + Besides thee Seneca may have noticed it, and perhaps Secundus Carinas did; + but I will rid myself of them quickly.” + </p> + <p> + Then he summoned Seneca, and declared that with Acratus and Secundus + Carinas, he sent him to the Italian and all other provinces for money, + which he commanded him to obtain from cities, villages, famous temples,—in + a word, from every place where it was possible to find money, or from + which they could force it. But Seneca, who saw that Cæsar was confiding to + him a work of plunder, sacrilege, and robbery, refused straightway. + </p> + <p> + “I must go to the country, lord,” said he, “and await death, for I am old + and my nerves are sick.” + </p> + <p> + Seneca’s Iberian nerves were stronger than Chilos; they were not sick, + perhaps, but in general his health was bad, for he seemed like a shadow, + and recently his hair had grown white altogether. + </p> + <p> + Nero, too, when he looked at him, thought that he would not have to wait + long for the man’s death, and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “I will not expose thee to a journey if thou art ill, but through + affection I wish to keep thee near me. Instead of going to the country, + then, thou wilt stay in thy own house, and not leave it.” + </p> + <p> + Then he laughed, and said, “If I send Acratus and Carinas by themselves, + it will be like sending wolves for sheep. Whom shall I set above them?” + </p> + <p> + “Me, lord,” said Domitius Afer. + </p> + <p> + “No! I have no wish to draw on Rome the wrath of Mercury, whom ye would + put to shame with your villainy. I need some stoic like Seneca, or like my + new friend, the philosopher Chilo.” + </p> + <p> + Then he looked around, and asked,— + </p> + <p> + “But what has happened to Chilo?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo, who had recovered in the open air and returned to the amphitheatre + for Cæsar’s song, pushed up, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “I am here, O Radiant Offspring of the sun and moon. I was ill, but thy + song has restored me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will send thee to Achæa,” said Nero. “Thou must know to a copper how + much there is in each temple there.” + </p> + <p> + “Do so, O Zeus, and the gods will give thee such tribute as they have + never given any one.” + </p> + <p> + “I would, but I do not like to prevent thee from seeing the games.” + </p> + <p> + “Baal!” said Chilo. + </p> + <p> + The Augustians, delighted that Cæsar had regained humor, fell to laughing, + and exclaimed,— + </p> + <p> + “No, lord, deprive not this valiant Greek of a sight of the games.” + </p> + <p> + “But preserve me, O lord, from the sight of these noisy geese of the + Capitol, whose brains put together would not fill a nutshell,” retorted + Chilo. “O first-born of Apollo, I am writing a Greek hymn in thy honor, + and I wish to spend a few days in the temple of the Muses to implore + inspiration.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no!” exclaimed Nero. “It is thy wish to escape future games. Nothing + will come of that!” + </p> + <p> + “I swear to thee, lord, that I am writing a hymn.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thou wilt write it at night. Beg inspiration of Diana, who, by the + way, is a sister of Apollo.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo dropped his head and looked with malice on those present, who began + to laugh again. Cæsar, turning to Senecio and Suilius Nerulinus, said,— + </p> + <p> + “Imagine, of the Christians appointed for to-day we have been able to + finish hardly half!” + </p> + <p> + At this old Aquilus Regulus, who had great knowledge of everything + touching the amphitheatre, thought a while, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Spectacles in which people appear sine armis et sine arte last almost as + long and are less entertaining.” + </p> + <p> + “I will command to give them weapons,” answered Nero. + </p> + <p> + But the superstitious Vestinius was roused from meditation at once, and + asked in a mysterious voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Have ye noticed that when dying they see something? They look up, and die + as it were without pain. I am sure that they see something.” + </p> + <p> + He raised his eyes then to the opening of the amphitheatre, over which + night had begun to extend its velarium dotted with stars. But others + answered with laughter and jesting suppositions as to what the Christians + could see at the moment of death. Meanwhile Cæsar gave a signal to the + slave torch-bearers, and left the Circus; after him followed vestals, + senators, dignitaries, and Augustians. + </p> + <p> + The night was clear and warm. Before the Circus were moving throngs of + people, curious to witness the departure of Cæsar; but in some way they + were gloomy and silent. Here and there applause was heard, but it ceased + quickly. From the spoliarium creaking carts bore away the bloody remnants + of Christians. + </p> + <p> + Petronius and Vinicius passed over their road in silence. Only when near + his villa did Petronius inquire,— + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou thought of what I told thee?” “I have,” answered Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “Dost believe that for me too this is a question of the highest + importance? I must liberate her in spite of Cæsar and Tigellinus. This is + a kind of battle in which I have undertaken to conquer, a kind of play in + which I wish to win, even at the cost of my life. This day has confirmed + me still more in my plan.” + </p> + <p> + “May Christ reward thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt see.” + </p> + <p> + Thus conversing, they stopped at the door of the villa and descended from + the litter. At that moment a dark figure approached them, and asked,— + </p> + <p> + “Is the noble Vinicius here?” + </p> + <p> + “He is,” answered the tribune. “What is thy wish?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Nazarius, the son of Miriam. I come from the prison, and bring + tidings of Lygia.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder and looked into his + eyes by the torchlight, without power to speak a word, but Nazarius + divined the question which was dying on his lips, and replied,— + </p> + <p> + “She is living yet. Ursus sent me to say that she prays in her fever, and + repeats thy name.” + </p> + <p> + “Praise be to Christ, who has power to restore her to me,” said Vinicius. + He conducted Nazarius to the library, and after a while Petronius came in + to hear their conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Sickness saved her from shame, for executioners are timid,” said the + youth. “Ursus and Glaucus the physician watch over her night and day.” + </p> + <p> + “Are the guards the same?” + </p> + <p> + “They are, and she is in their chamber. All the prisoners in the lower + dungeon died of fever, or were stifled from foul air.” + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” inquired Petronins. + </p> + <p> + “The noble Vinicius knows me. I am the son of that widow with whom Lygia + lodged.” + </p> + <p> + “And a Christian?” + </p> + <p> + The youth looked with inquiring glance at Vinicius, but, seeing him in + prayer, he raised his head, and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “How canst thou enter the prison freely?” + </p> + <p> + “I hired myself to carry out corpses; I did so to assist my brethren and + bring them news from the city.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked more attentively at the comely face of the youth, his + blue eyes, and dark, abundant hair. + </p> + <p> + “From what country art thou, youth?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “I am a Galilean, lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldst thou like to see Lygia free?” + </p> + <p> + The youth raised his eyes. “Yes, even had I to die afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + Then Vinicius ceased to pray, and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Tell the guards to place her in a coffin as if she were dead. Thou wilt + find assistants to bear her out in the night with thee. Near the ‘Putrid + Pits’ will be people with a litter waiting for you; to them ye will give + the coffin. Promise the guards from me as much gold as each can carry in + his mantle.” + </p> + <p> + While speaking, his face lost its usual torpor, and in him was roused the + soldier to whom hope had restored his former energy. + </p> + <p> + Nazarius was flushed with delight, and, raising his hands, he exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + “May Christ give her health, for she will be free.” + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou think that the guards will consent?” inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “They, lord? Yes, if they know that punishment and torture will not touch + them.” + </p> + <p> + “The guards would consent to her flight; all the more will they let us + bear her out as a corpse,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “There is a man, it is true,” said Nazarius, “who burns with red-hot iron + to see if the bodies which we carry out are dead. But he will take even a + few sestertia not to touch the face of the dead with iron. For one aureus + he will touch the coffin, not the body.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell him that he will get a cap full of aurei,” said Petronius. “But + canst thou find reliable assistants?” + </p> + <p> + “I can find men who would sell their own wives and children for money.” + </p> + <p> + “Where wilt thou find them?” + </p> + <p> + “In the prison itself or in the city. Once the guards are paid, they will + admit whomever I like.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case take me as a hired servant,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + But Petronius opposed this most earnestly. “The pretorians might recognize + thee even in disguise, and all would be lost. Go neither to the prison nor + the ‘Putrid Pits.’ All, including Cæsar and Tigellinus, should be + convinced that she died; otherwise they will order immediate pursuit. We + can lull suspicion only in this way: When she is taken to the Alban Hills + or farther, to Sicily, we shall be in Rome. A week or two later thou wilt + fall ill, and summon Nero’s physician; he will tell thee to go to the + mountains. Thou and she will meet, and afterward—” + </p> + <p> + Here he thought a while; then, waving his hand, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Other times may come.” + </p> + <p> + “May Christ have mercy on her,” said Vinicius. “Thou art speaking of + Sicily, while she is sick and may die.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us keep her nearer Rome at first. The air alone will restore her, if + only we snatch her from the dungeon. Hast thou no manager in the mountains + whom thou canst trust?” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” replied Vinicius, hurriedly. “Near Corioli is a reliable man who + carried me in his arms when I was a child, and who loves me yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Write to him to come to-morrow,” said Petronius, handing Vinicius + tablets. “I will send a courier at once.” + </p> + <p> + He called the chief of the atrium then, and gave the needful orders. A few + minutes later, a mounted slave was coursing in the night toward Corioli. + </p> + <p> + “It would please me were Ursus to accompany her,” said Vinicius. “I should + be more at rest.” + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said Nazarius, “that is a man of superhuman strength; he can break + gratings and follow her. There is one window above a steep, high rock + where no guard is placed. I will take Ursus a rope; the rest he will do + himself.” + </p> + <p> + “By Hercules!” said Petronius, “let him tear himself out as he pleases, + but not at the same time with her, and not two or three days later, for + they would follow him and discover her hiding-place. By Hercules! do ye + wish to destroy yourselves and her? I forbid you to name Corioli to him, + or I wash my hands.” + </p> + <p> + Both recognized the justice of these words, and were silent. Nazarius took + leave, promising to come the next morning at daybreak. + </p> + <p> + He hoped to finish that night with the guards, but wished first to run in + to see his mother, who in that uncertain and dreadful time had no rest for + a moment thinking of her son. After some thought he had determined not to + seek an assistant in the city, but to find and bribe one from among his + fellow corpse-bearers. When going, he stopped, and, taking Vinicius aside, + whispered,— + </p> + <p> + “I will not mention our plan to any one, not even to my mother, but the + Apostle Peter promised to come from the amphitheatre to our house; I will + tell him everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Here thou canst speak openly,” replied Vinicius. “The Apostle was in the + amphitheatre with the people of Petronius. But I will go with you myself.” + </p> + <p> + He gave command to bring him a slave’s mantle, and they passed out. + Petronius sighed deeply. + </p> + <p> + “I wished her to die of that fever,” thought he, “since that would have + been less terrible for Vinicius. But now I am ready to offer a golden + tripod to Esculapius for her health. Ah! Ahenobarbus, thou hast the wish + to turn a lover’s pain into a spectacle; thou, Augusta, wert jealous of + the maiden’s beauty, and wouldst devour her alive because thy Rufius has + perished. Thou, Tigellinus, wouldst destroy her to spite me! We shall see. + I tell you that your eyes will not behold her on the arena, for she will + either die her own death, or I shall wrest her from you as from the jaws + of dogs, and wrest her in such fashion that ye shall not know it; and as + often afterward as I look at you I shall think, These are the fools whom + Caius Petronius outwitted.” + </p> + <p> + And, self-satisfied, he passed to the triclinium, where he sat down to + supper with Eunice. During the meal a lector read to them the Idyls of + Theocritus. Out of doors the wind brought clouds from the direction of + Soracte, and a sudden storm broke the silence of the calm summer night. + From time to time thunder reverberated on the seven hills, while they, + reclining near each other at the table, listened to the bucolic poet, who + in the singing Doric dialect celebrated the loves of shepherds. Later on, + with minds at rest, they prepared for sweet slumber. + </p> + <p> + But before this Vinicius returned. Petronius heard of his coming, and went + to meet him. + </p> + <p> + “Well? Have ye fixed anything new?” inquired he. “Has Nazarius gone to the + prison?” + </p> + <p> + “He has,” answered the young man, arranging his hair, wet from the rain. + “Nazarius went to arrange with the guards, and I have seen Peter, who + commanded me to pray and believe.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well. If all goes favorably, we can bear her away to-morrow + night.” + </p> + <p> + “My manager must be here at daybreak with men.” + </p> + <p> + “The road is a short one. Now go to rest.” + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius knelt in his cubiculum and prayed. + </p> + <p> + At sunrise Niger, the manager, arrived from Corioli, bringing with him, at + the order of Vinicius, mules, a litter, and four trusty men selected among + slaves from Britain, whom, to save appearances, he had left at an inn in + the Subura. Vinicius, who had watched all night, went to meet him. Niger, + moved at sight of his youthful master, kissed his hands and eyes, saying,— + </p> + <p> + “My dear, thou art ill, or else suffering has sucked the blood from thy + face, for hardly did I know thee at first.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius took him to the interior colonnade, and there admitted him to the + secret. Niger listened with fixed attention, and on his dry, sunburnt face + great emotion was evident; this he did not even try to master. + </p> + <p> + “Then she is a Christian?” exclaimed Niger; and he looked inquiringly into + the face of Vinicius, who divined evidently what the gaze of the + countryman was asking, since he answered,— + </p> + <p> + “I too am a Christian.” + </p> + <p> + Tears glistened in Niger’s eyes that moment. He was silent for a while; + then, raising his hands, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “I thank Thee, O Christ, for having taken the beam from eyes which are the + dearest on earth to me.” + </p> + <p> + Then he embraced the head of Vinicius, and, weeping from happiness, fell + to kissing his forehead. A moment later, Petronius appeared, bringing + Nazarius. + </p> + <p> + “Good news!” cried he, while still at a distance. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, the news was good. First, Glaucus the physician guaranteed Lygia’s + life, though she had the same prison fever of which, in the Tullianum and + other dungeons, hundreds of people were dying daily. As to the guards and + the man who tried corpses with red-hot iron, there was not the least + difficulty. Attys, the assistant, was satisfied also. + </p> + <p> + “We made openings in the coffin to let the sick woman breathe,” said + Nazarius. “The only danger is that she may groan or speak as we pass the + pretorians. But she is very weak, and is lying with closed eyes since + early morning. Besides, Glaucus will give her a sleeping draught prepared + by himself from drugs brought by me purposely from the city. The cover + will not be nailed to the coffin; ye will raise it easily and take the + patient to the litter. We will place in the coffin a long bag of sand, + which ye will provide.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, while hearing these words, was as pale as linen; but he listened + with such attention that he seemed to divine at a glance what Nazarius had + to say. + </p> + <p> + “Will they carry out other bodies from the prison?” inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “About twenty died last night, and before evening more will be dead,” said + the youth. “We must go with a whole company, but we will delay and drop + into the rear. At the first corner my comrade will get lame purposely. In + that way we shall remain behind the others considerably. Ye will wait for + us at the small temple of Libitina. May God give a night as dark as + possible!” + </p> + <p> + “He will,” said Niger. “Last evening was bright, and then a sudden storm + came. To-day the sky is clear, but since morning it is sultry. Every night + now there will be wind and rain.” + </p> + <p> + “Will ye go without torches?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “The torches are carried only in advance. In every event, be near the + temple of Libitina at dark, though usually we carry out the corpses only + just before midnight.” + </p> + <p> + They stopped. Nothing was to be heard save the hurried breathing of + Vinicius. Petronius turned to him,— + </p> + <p> + “I said yesterday that it would be best were we both to stay at home, but + now I see that I could not stay. Were it a question of flight, there would + be need of the greatest caution; but since she will be borne out as a + corpse, it seems that not the least suspicion will enter the head of any + one.” + </p> + <p> + “True, true!” answered Vinicius. “I must be there. I will take her from + the coffin myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Once she is in my house at Corioli, I answer for her,” said Niger. + Conversation stopped here. Niger returned to his men at the inn. Nazarius + took a purse of gold under his tunic and went to the prison. For Vinicius + began a day filled with alarm, excitement, disquiet, and hope. + </p> + <p> + “The undertaking ought to succeed, for it is well planned,” said + Petronius. “It was impossible to plan better. Thou must feign suffering, + and wear a dark toga. Do not desert the amphitheatre. Let people see thee. + All is so fixed that there cannot be failure. But—art thou perfectly + sure of thy manager?” + </p> + <p> + “He is a Christian,” replied Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Petronius looked at him with amazement, then shrugged his shoulders, and + said, as if in soliloquy,— + </p> + <p> + “By Pollux! how it spreads, and commands people’s souls. Under such terror + as the present, men would renounce straightway all the gods of Rome, + Greece, and Egypt. Still, this is wonderful! By Pollux! if I believed that + anything depended on our gods, I would sacrifice six white bullocks to + each of them, and twelve to Capitoline Jove. Spare no promises to thy + Christ.” + </p> + <p> + “I have given Him my soul,” said Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + And they parted. Petronius returned to his cubiculum; but Vinicius went to + look from a distance at the prison, and thence betook himself to the slope + of the Vatican hill,—to that hut of the quarryman where he had + received baptism from the hands of the Apostle. It seemed to him that + Christ would hear him more readily there than in any other place; so when + he found it, he threw himself on the ground and exerted all the strength + of his suffering soul in prayer for mercy, and so forgot himself that he + remembered not where he was or what he was doing. In the afternoon he was + roused by the sound of trumpets which came from the direction of Nero’s + Circus. He went out of the hut, and gazed around with eyes which were as + if just opened from sleep. + </p> + <p> + It was hot; the stillness was broken at intervals by the sound of brass + and continually by the ceaseless noise of grasshoppers. The air had become + sultry, the sky was still clear over the city, but near the Sabine Hills + dark clouds were gathering at the edge of the horizon. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius went home. Petronius was waiting for him in the atrium. + </p> + <p> + “I have been on the Palatine,” said he. “I showed myself there purposely, + and even sat down at dice. There is a feast at the house of Vinicius this + evening; I promised to go, but only after midnight, saying that I must + sleep before that hour. In fact I shall be there, and it would be well + wert thou to go also.” + </p> + <p> + “Are there no tidings from Niger or Nazarius?” inquired Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “No; we shall see them only at midnight. Hast noticed that a storm is + threatening?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow there is to be an exhibition of crucified Christians, but + perhaps rain will prevent it.” + </p> + <p> + Then he drew nearer and said, touching his nephew’s shoulder,—“But + thou wilt not see her on the cross; thou wilt see her only in Corioli. By + Castor! I would not give the moment in which we free her for all the gems + in Rome. The evening is near.” + </p> + <p> + In truth the evening was near, and darkness began to encircle the city + earlier than usual because clouds covered the whole horizon. With the + coming of night heavy rain fell, which turned into steam on the stones + warmed by the heat of the day, and filled the streets of the city with + mist. After that came a lull, then brief violent showers. + </p> + <p> + “Let us hurry!” said Vinicius at last; “they may carry bodies from the + prison earlier because of the storm.” + </p> + <p> + “It is time!” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + And taking Gallic mantles with hoods, they passed through the garden door + to the street. Petronius had armed himself with a short Roman knife called + sicca, which he took always during night trips. + </p> + <p> + The city was empty because of the storm. From time to time lightning rent + the clouds, illuminating with its glare the fresh walls of houses newly + built or in process of building and the wet flag-stones with which the + streets were paved. At last a flash came, when they saw, after a rather + long road, the mound on which stood the small temple of Libitina, and at + the foot of the mound a group of mules and horses. + </p> + <p> + “Niger!” called Vinicius, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “I am here, lord,” said a voice in the rain. + </p> + <p> + “Is everything ready?” + </p> + <p> + “It is. We were here at dark. But hide yourselves under the rampart, or ye + will be drenched. What a storm! Hail will fall, I think.” + </p> + <p> + In fact Niger’s fear was justified, for soon hail began to fall, at first + fine, then larger and more frequent. The air grew cold at once. While + standing under the rampart, sheltered from the wind and icy missiles, they + conversed in low voices. + </p> + <p> + “Even should some one see us,” said Niger, “there will be no suspicion; we + look like people waiting for the storm to pass. But I fear that they may + not bring the bodies out till morning.” + </p> + <p> + “The hail-storm will not last,” said Petronius. “We must wait even till + daybreak.” + </p> + <p> + They waited, listening to hear the sound of the procession. The hail-storm + passed, but immediately after a shower began to roar. At times the wind + rose, and brought from the “Putrid Pits” a dreadful odor of decaying + bodies, buried near the surface and carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “I see a light through the mist,” said Niger,—“one, two, three,—those + are torches. See that the mules do not snort,” said he, turning to the + men. + </p> + <p> + “They are coming!” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + The lights were growing more and more distinct. After a time it was + possible to see torches under the quivering flames. + </p> + <p> + Niger made the sign of the cross, and began to pray. Meanwhile the gloomy + procession drew nearer, and halted at last in front of the temple of + Libitina. Petronius, Vinicius, and Niger pressed up to the rampart in + silence, not knowing why the halt was made. But the men had stopped only + to cover their mouths and faces with cloths to ward off the stifling + stench which at the edge of the “Putrid Pits” was simply unendurable; then + they raised the biers with coffins and moved on. Only one coffin stopped + before the temple. Vinicius sprang toward it, and after him Petronius, + Niger, and two British slaves with the litter. + </p> + <p> + But before they had reached it in the darkness, the voice of Nazarius was + heard, full of pain,— + </p> + <p> + “Lord, they took her with Ursus to the Esquiline prison. We are carrying + another body! They removed her before midnight.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius, when he had returned home, was gloomy as a storm, and did not + even try to console Vinicius. He understood that to free Lygia from the + Esquiline dungeons was not to be dreamed of. He divined that very likely + she had been taken from the Tullianum so as not to die of fever and escape + the amphitheatre assigned to her. But for this very reason she was watched + and guarded more carefully than others. From the bottom of his soul + Petronius was sorry for her and Vinicius, but he was wounded also by the + thought that for the first time in life he had not succeeded, and for the + first time was beaten in a struggle. + </p> + <p> + “Fortune seems to desert me,” said he to himself, “but the gods are + mistaken if they think that I will accept such a life as his, for + example.” + </p> + <p> + Here he turned toward Vinicius, who looked at him with staring eyes. “What + is the matter? Thou hast a fever,” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + But Vinicius answered with a certain strange, broken, halting voice, like + that of a sick child,—“But I believe that He—can restore her + to me.” + </p> + <p> + Above the city the last thunders of the storm had ceased. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0057" id="link2HCH0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LVII + </h2> + <p> + THREE days’ rain, an exceptional phenomenon in Rome during summer, and + hail falling in opposition to the natural order, not only in the day, but + even at night, interrupted the spectacles. People were growing alarmed. A + failure of grapes was predicted, and when on a certain afternoon a + thunderbolt melted the bronze statue of Ceres on the Capitol, sacrifices + were ordered in the temple of Jupiter Salvator. The priests of Ceres + spread a report that the anger of the gods was turned on the city because + of the too hasty punishment of Christians; hence crowds began to insist + that the spectacles be given without reference to weather. Delight seized + all Rome when the announcement was made at last that the ludus would begin + again after three days’ interval. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile beautiful weather returned. The amphitheatre was filled at + daybreak with thousands of people. Cæsar came early with the vestals and + the court. The spectacle was to begin with a battle among the Christians, + who to this end were arrayed as gladiators and furnished with all kinds of + weapons which served gladiators by profession in offensive and defensive + struggles. But here came disappointment. The Christians threw nets, darts, + tridents, and swords on the arena, embraced and encouraged one another to + endurance in view of torture and death. At this deep indignation and + resentment seized the hearts of the multitude. Some reproached the + Christians with cowardice and pusillanimity; others asserted that they + refused to fight through hatred of the people, so as to deprive them of + that pleasure which the sight of bravery produces. Finally, at command of + Cæsar, real gladiators were let out, who despatched in one twinkle the + kneeling and defenceless victims. + </p> + <p> + When these bodies were removed, the spectacle was a series of mythologic + pictures,—Cæsar’s own idea. The audience saw Hercules blazing in + living fire on Mount Oeta. Vinicius had trembled at the thought that the + role of Hercules might be intended for Ursus; but evidently the turn of + Lygia’s faithful servant had not come, for on the pile some other + Christian was burning,—a man quite unknown to Vinicius. In the next + picture Chilo, whom Cæsar would not excuse from attendance, saw + acquaintances. The death of Dædalus was represented, and also that of + Icarus. In the rôle of Dædalus appeared Euricius, that old man who had + given Chilo the sign of the fish; the role of Icarus was taken by his son, + Quartus. Both were raised aloft with cunning machinery, and then hurled + suddenly from an immense height to the arena. Young Quartus fell so near + Cæsar’s podium that he spattered with blood not only the external + ornaments but the purple covering spread over the front of the podium. + Chilo did not see the fall, for he closed his eyes; but he heard the dull + thump of the body, and when after a time he saw blood there close to him, + he came near fainting a second time. + </p> + <p> + The pictures changed quickly. The shameful torments of maidens violated + before death by gladiators dressed as wild beasts, delighted the hearts of + the rabble. They saw priestesses of Cybele and Ceres, they saw the + Danaides, they saw Dirce and Pasiphaë; finally they saw young girls, not + mature yet, torn asunder by wild horses. Every moment the crowd applauded + new ideas of Nero, who, proud of them, and made happy by plaudits, did not + take the emerald from his eye for one instant while looking at white + bodies torn with iron, and the convulsive quivering of victims. + </p> + <p> + Pictures were given also from the history of the city. After the maidens + they saw Mucius Scævola, whose hand fastened over a fire to a tripod + filled the amphitheatre with the odor of burnt flesh; but this man, like + the real Scævola, remained without a groan, his eyes raised and the murmur + of prayer on his blackening lips. When he had expired and his body was + dragged to the spoliarium, the usual midday interlude followed. Cæsar with + the vestals and the Augustians left the amphitheatre, and withdrew to an + immense scarlet tent erected purposely; in this was prepared for him and + the guests a magnificent prandium. The spectators for the greater part + followed his example, and, streaming out, disposed themselves in + picturesque groups around the tent, to rest their limbs wearied from long + sitting, and enjoy the food which, through Cæsar’s favor, was served by + slaves to them. Only the most curious descended to the arena itself, and, + touching with their fingers lumps of sand held together by blood, + conversed, as specialists and amateurs, of that which had happened and of + that which was to follow. Soon even these went away, lest they might be + late for the feast; only those few were left who stayed not through + curiosity, but sympathy for the coming victims. Those concealed themselves + behind seats or in the lower places. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the arena was levelled, and slaves began to dig holes one near + the other in rows throughout the whole circuit from side to side, so that + the last row was but a few paces distant from Cæsar’s podium. From outside + came the murmur of people, shouts and plaudits, while within they were + preparing in hot haste for new tortures. The cunicula were opened + simultaneously, and in all passages leading to the arena were urged + forward crowds of Christians naked and carrying crosses on their + shoulders. The whole arena was filled with them. Old men, bending under + the weight of wooden beams, ran forward; at the side of these went men in + the prime of life, women with loosened hair behind which they strove to + hide their nakedness, small boys, and little children. The crosses, for + the greater part, as well as the victims, were wreathed with flowers. The + servants of the amphitheatre beat the unfortunates with clubs, forcing + them to lay down their crosses near the holes prepared, and stand + themselves there in rows. Thus were to perish those whom executioners had + had no chance to drive out as food for dogs and wild beasts the first day + of the games. Black slaves seized the victims, laid them face upward on + the wood, and fell to nailing their hands hurriedly and quickly to the + arms of the crosses, so that people returning after the interlude might + find all the crosses standing. The whole amphitheatre resounded with the + noise of hammers which echoed through all the rows, went out to the space + surrounding the amphitheatre, and into the tent where Cæsar was + entertaining his suite and the vestals. There he drank wine, bantered with + Chilo, and whispered strange words in the ears of the priestesses of + Vesta; but on the arena the work was seething,—nails were going into + the hands and feet of the Christians; shovels moved quickly, filling the + holes in which the crosses had been planted. + </p> + <p> + Among the new victims whose turn was to come soon was Crispus. The lions + had not had time to rend him; hence he was appointed to the cross. He, + ready at all times for death, was delighted with the thought that his hour + was approaching. He seemed another man, for his emaciated body was wholly + naked,—only a girdle of ivy encircled his hips, on his head was a + garland of roses. But in his eyes gleamed always that same exhaustless + energy; that same fanatical stern face gazed from beneath the crown of + roses. Neither had his heart changed; for, as once in the cuniculum he had + threatened with the wrath of God his brethren sewed up in the skins of + wild beasts, so to-day he thundered in place of consoling them. + </p> + <p> + “Thank the Redeemer,” said Crispus, “that He permits you to die the same + death that He Himself died. Maybe a part of your sins will be remitted for + this cause; but tremble, since justice must be satisfied, and there cannot + be one reward for the just and the wicked.” + </p> + <p> + His words were accompanied by the sound of the hammers nailing the hands + and feet of victims. Every moment more crosses were raised on the arena; + but he, turning to the crowd standing each man by his own cross, + continued,— + </p> + <p> + “I see heaven open, but I see also the yawning abyss. I know not what + account of my life to give the Lord, though I have believed, and hated + evil. I fear, not death, but resurrection; I fear, not torture, but + judgment, for the day of wrath is at hand.” + </p> + <p> + At that moment was heard from between the nearest rows some voice, calm + and solemn,— + </p> + <p> + “Not the day of wrath, but of mercy, the day of salvation and happiness; + for I say that Christ will gather you in, will comfort you and seat you at + His right hand. Be confident, for heaven is opening before you.” + </p> + <p> + At these words all eyes were turned to the benches; even those who were + hanging on the crosses raised their pale, tortured faces, and looked + toward the man who was speaking. + </p> + <p> + But he went to the barrier surrounding the arena, and blessed them with + the sign of the cross. + </p> + <p> + Crispus stretched out his arm as if to thunder at him; but when he saw the + man’s face, he dropped his arm, the knees bent under him, and his lips + whispered, “Paul the Apostle!” + </p> + <p> + To the great astonishment of the servants of the Circus, all of those who + were not nailed to the crosses yet knelt down. Paul turned to Crispus and + said, + </p> + <p> + “Threaten them not, Crispus, for this day they will be with thee in + paradise. It is thy thought that they may be condemned. But who will + condemn? + </p> + <p> + “Will God, who gave His Son for them? Will Christ, who died for their + salvation, condemn when they die for His name? And how is it possible that + He who loves can condemn? Who will accuse the chosen of God? Who will say + of this blood, ‘It is cursed’?” + </p> + <p> + “I have hated evil,” said the old priest. + </p> + <p> + “Christ’s command to love men was higher than that to hate evil, for His + religion is not hatred, but love.” + </p> + <p> + “I have sinned in the hour of death,” answered Crispus, beating his + breast. The manager of the seats approached the Apostle, and inquired, + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou, speaking to the condemned?” + </p> + <p> + “A Roman citizen,” answered Paul, calmly. Then, turning to Crispus, he + said: “Be confident, for to-day is a day of grace; die in peace, O servant + of God.” + </p> + <p> + The black men approached Crispus at that moment to place him on the cross; + but he looked around once again, and cried,— + </p> + <p> + “My brethren, pray for me!” + </p> + <p> + His face had lost its usual sternness; his stony features had taken an + expression of peace and sweetness. He stretched his arms himself along the + arms of the cross, to make the work easier, and, looking directly into + heaven, began to pray earnestly. He seemed to feel nothing; for when the + nails entered his hands, not the least quiver shook his body, nor on his + face did there appear any wrinkle of pain. He prayed when they raised the + cross and trampled the earth around it. Only when crowds began to fill the + amphitheatre with shouts and laughter did his brows frown somewhat, as if + in anger that a pagan people were disturbing the calm and peace of a sweet + death. + </p> + <p> + But all the crosses had been raised, so that in the arena there stood as + it were a forest, with people hanging on the trees. On the arms of the + crosses and on the heads of the martyrs fell the gleam of the sun; but on + the arena was a deep shadow, forming a kind of black involved grating + through which glittered the golden sand. That was a spectacle in which the + whole delight of the audience consisted in looking at a lingering death. + Never before had men seen such a density of crosses. The arena was packed + so closely that the servants squeezed between them only with effort. On + the edges were women especially; but Crispus, as a leader, was raised + almost in front of Cæsar’s podium, on an immense cross, wreathed below + with honeysuckle. None of the victims had died yet, but some of those + fastened earlier had fainted. No one groaned; no one called for mercy. + Some were hanging with head inclined on one arm, or dropped on the breast, + as if seized by sleep; some were as if in meditation; some, looking toward + heaven, were moving their lips quietly. In this terrible forest of + crosses, among those crucified bodies, in that silence of victims there + was something ominous. The people who, filled by the feast and gladsome, + had returned to the Circus with shouts, became silent, not knowing on + which body to rest their eyes, or what to think of the spectacle. The + nakedness of strained female forms roused no feeling. They did not make + the usual bets as to who would die first,—a thing done generally + when there was even the smallest number of criminals on the arena. It + seemed that Cæsar himself was bored, for he turned lazily and with drowsy + expression to arrange his necklace. + </p> + <p> + At that moment Crispus, who was hanging opposite, and who, like a man in a + faint or dying, had kept his eyes closed, opened them and looked at Cæsar. + His face assumed an expression so pitiless, and his eyes flashed with such + fire, that the Augustians whispered to one another, pointing at him with + their fingers, and at last Cæsar himself turned to that cross, and placed + the emerald to his eye sluggishly. + </p> + <p> + Perfect silence followed. The eyes of the spectators were fixed on + Crispus, who strove to move his right hand, as if to tear it from the + tree. + </p> + <p> + After a while his breast rose, his ribs were visible, and he cried: + “Matricide! woe to thee!” + </p> + <p> + The Augustians, hearing this mortal insult flung at the lord of the world + in presence of thousands, did not dare to breathe. Chilo was half dead. + Cæsar trembled, and dropped the emerald from his fingers. The people, too, + held the breath in their breasts. The voice of Crispus was heard, as it + rose in power, throughout the amphitheatre,— + </p> + <p> + “Woe to thee, murderer of wife and brother! woe to thee, Antichrist. The + abyss is opening beneath thee, death is stretching its hands to thee, the + grave is waiting for thee. Woe, living corpse, for in terror shalt thou + die and be damned to eternity!” + </p> + <p> + Unable to tear his hand from the cross, Crispus strained awfully. He was + terrible,—a living skeleton; unbending as predestination, he shook + his white beard over Nero’s podium, scattering, as he nodded, rose leaves + from the garland on his head. + </p> + <p> + “Woe to thee, murderer! Thy measure is surpassed, and thy hour is at + hand!” + </p> + <p> + Here he made one more effort. It seemed for a moment that he would free + his hand from the cross and hold it in menace above Cæsar; but all at once + his emaciated arms extended still more, his body settled down, his head + fell on his breast, and he died. + </p> + <p> + In that forest of crosses the weakest began also the sleep of eternity. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0058" id="link2HCH0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LVIII + </h2> + <p> + “LORD,” said Chilo, “the sea is like olive oil, the waves seem to sleep. + Let us go to Achæa. There the glory of Apollo is awaiting thee, crowns and + triumph are awaiting thee, the people will deify thee, the gods will + receive thee as a guest, their own equal; but here, O lord—” + </p> + <p> + And he stopped, for his lower lip began to quiver so violently that his + words passed into meaningless sounds. + </p> + <p> + “We will go when the games are over,” replied Nero. “I know that even now + some call the Christians innoxia corpora. If I were to go, all would + repeat this. What dost thou fear?” + </p> + <p> + Then he frowned, but looked with inquiring glance at Chilo, as if + expecting an answer, for he only feigned cool blood. At the last + exhibition he himself feared the words of Crispus; and when he had + returned to the Palatine, he could not sleep from rage and shame, but also + from fear. + </p> + <p> + Then Vestinius, who heard their conversation in silence, looked around, + and said in a mysterious voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Listen, lord, to this old man. There is something strange in those + Christians. Their deity gives them an easy death, but he may be vengeful.” + </p> + <p> + “It was not I who arranged the games, but Tigellinus,” replied Nero, + quickly. + </p> + <p> + “True! it was I,” added Tigellinus, who heard Cæsar’s answer, “and I jeer + at all Christian gods. Vestinius is a bladder full of prejudices, and this + valiant Greek is ready to die of terror at sight of a hen with feathers up + in defence of her chickens.” + </p> + <p> + “True!” said Nero; “but henceforth give command to cut the tongues out of + Christians and stop their mouths.” + </p> + <p> + “Fire will stop them, O divinity.” + </p> + <p> + “Woe is me!” groaned Chilo. + </p> + <p> + But Cæsar, to whom the insolent confidence of Tigellinus gave courage, + began to laugh, and said, pointing to the old Greek,— + </p> + <p> + “See how the descendant of Achilles looks!” + </p> + <p> + Indeed Chilo looked terribly. The remnant of hair on his head had grown + white; on his face was fixed an expression of some immense dread, alarm, + and oppression. He seemed at times, too, as if stunned and only half + conscious. Often he gave no answer to questions; then again he fell into + anger, and became so insolent that the Augustians preferred not to attack + him. Such a moment had come to him then. + </p> + <p> + “Do what ye like with me, but I will not go to the games!” cried he, in + desperation. + </p> + <p> + Nero looked at him for a while, and, turning to Tigellinus, said,— + </p> + <p> + “Have a care that this Stoic is near me in the gardens. I want to see what + impression our torches will make on him.” + </p> + <p> + Chilo was afraid of the threat which quivered in Cæsar’s voice. “O lord,” + said he, “I shall see nothing, for I cannot see in the night-time.” + </p> + <p> + “The night will be as bright as day,” replied Cæsar, with a threatening + laugh. + </p> + <p> + Turning then to the Augustians, Nero talked about races which he intended + to have when the games were over. + </p> + <p> + Petronius approached Chilo, and asked, pushing him on the shoulder,— + </p> + <p> + “Have I not said that thou wouldst not hold out?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to drink,” said Chilo, stretching his trembling hand toward a + goblet of wine; but he was unable to raise it to his lips. Seeing this, + Vestinius took the vessel; but later he drew near, and inquired with + curious and frightened face,— + </p> + <p> + “Are the Furies pursuing thee?” + </p> + <p> + The old man looked at him a certain time with open lips, as if not + understanding what he said. But Vestinius repeated, + </p> + <p> + “Are the Furies pursuing thee?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Chilo; “but night is before me.” + </p> + <p> + “How, night? May the gods have mercy on thee. How night?” + </p> + <p> + “Night, ghastly and impenetrable, in which something is moving, something + coming toward me; but I know not what it is, and I am terrified.” + </p> + <p> + “I have always been sure that there are witches. Dost thou not dream of + something?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I do not sleep. I did not think that they would be punished + thus.” + </p> + <p> + “Art thou sorry for them?” + </p> + <p> + “Why do ye shed so much blood? Hast heard what that one said from the + cross? Woe to us!” + </p> + <p> + “I heard,” answered Vestinius, in a low voice. “But they are + incendiaries.” + </p> + <p> + “Not true!” + </p> + <p> + “And enemies of the human race.” + </p> + <p> + “Not true!” + </p> + <p> + “And poisoners of water.” + </p> + <p> + “Not true!” + </p> + <p> + “And murderers of children.” + </p> + <p> + “Not true!” + </p> + <p> + “How?” inquired Vestinius, with astonishment. “Thou hast said so thyself, + and given them into the hands of Tigellinus.” + </p> + <p> + “Therefore night has surrounded me, and death is coming toward me. At + times it seems to me that I am dead already, and ye also.” + </p> + <p> + “No! it is they who are dying; we are alive. But tell me, what do they see + when they are dying?” + </p> + <p> + “Christ.” + </p> + <p> + “That is their god. Is he a mighty god?” + </p> + <p> + But Chilo answered with a question,— + </p> + <p> + “What kind of torches are to burn in the gardens? Hast thou heard what + Cæsar said?” + </p> + <p> + “I heard, and I know. Those torches are called Sarmentitii and Semaxii. + They are made by arraying men in painful tunics, steeped in pitch, and + binding them to pillars, to which fire is set afterward. May their god not + send misfortune on the city. Semaxii! that is a dreadful punishment!” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather see it, for there will not be blood,” answered Chilo. + “Command a slave to hold the goblet to my mouth. I wish to drink, but I + spill the wine; my hand trembles from age.” + </p> + <p> + Others also were speaking of the Christians. Old Domitius Afer reviled + them. + </p> + <p> + “There is such a multitude of them,” said he, “that they might raise a + civil war; and, remember, there were fears lest they might arm. But they + die like sheep.” + </p> + <p> + “Let them try to die otherwise!” said Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + To this Petronius answered, “Ye deceive yourselves. They are arming.” + </p> + <p> + “With what?” + </p> + <p> + “With patience.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a new kind of weapon.” + </p> + <p> + “True. But can ye say that they die like common criminals? No! They die as + if the criminals were those who condemned them to death,—that is, we + and the whole Roman people.” + </p> + <p> + “What raving!” said Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “Hic Abdera!” answered Petronius. + </p> + <p> + [A proverbial expression meaning “The dullest of the dull”—Note by + the Author.] + </p> + <p> + But others, struck by the justice of his remark, began to look at one + another with astonishment, and repeat,— + </p> + <p> + “True! there is something peculiar and strange in their death.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you that they see their divinity!” cried Vestinius, from one side. + Thereupon a number of Augustians turned to Chilo,— + </p> + <p> + “Hai, old man, thou knowest them well; tell us what they see.” + </p> + <p> + The Greek spat out wine on his tunic, and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “The resurrection.” And he began to tremble so that the guests sitting + nearer burst into loud laughter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0059" id="link2HCH0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LIX + </h2> + <p> + FOR some time Vinicius had spent his nights away from home. It occurred to + Petronius that perhaps he had formed a new plan, and was working to + liberate Lygia from the Esquiline dungeon; he did not wish, however, to + inquire about anything, lest he might bring misfortune to the work. This + sceptical exquisite had become in a certain sense superstitious. He had + failed to snatch Lygia from the Mamertine prison, hence had ceased to + believe in his own star. + </p> + <p> + Besides, he did not count this time on a favorable outcome for the efforts + of Vinicius. The Esquiline prison, formed in a hurry from the cellars of + houses thrown down to stop the fire, was not, it is true, so terrible as + the old Tullianum near the Capitol, but it was a hundred times better + guarded. Petronius understood perfectly that Lygia had been taken there + only to escape death and not escape the amphitheatre. He could understand + at once that for this very reason they were guarding her as a man guards + the eye in his head. + </p> + <p> + “Evidently,” said he to himself, “Cæsar and Tigellinus have reserved her + for some special spectacle, more dreadful than all others, and Vinicius is + more likely to perish than rescue her.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, too, had lost hope of being able to free Lygia. Christ alone + could do that. The young tribune now thought only of seeing her in prison. + </p> + <p> + For some time the knowledge that Nazarius had penetrated the Mamertine + prison as a corpse-bearer had given him no peace; hence he resolved to try + that method also. + </p> + <p> + The overseer of the “Putrid Pits,” who had been bribed for an immense sum + of money, admitted him at last among servants whom he sent nightly to + prisons for corpses. The danger that Vinicius might be recognized was + really small. He was preserved from it by night, the dress of a slave, and + the defective illumination of the prison. Besides, into whose head could + it enter that a patrician, the grandson of one consul, the son of another, + could be found among servants, corpse-bearers, exposed to the miasma of + prisons and the “Putrid Pits”? And he began work to which men were forced + only by slavery or the direst need. + </p> + <p> + When the desired evening came, he girded his loins gladly, covered his + head with a cloth steeped in turpentine, and with throbbing heart betook + himself, with a crowd of others, to the Esquiline. + </p> + <p> + The pretorian guards made no trouble, for all had brought proper tesseræ, + which the centurion examined by the light of a lantern. After a while the + great iron doors opened before them, and they entered. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius saw an extensive vaulted cellar, from which they passed to a + series of others. Dim tapers illuminated the interior of each, which was + filled with people. Some of these were lying at the walls sunk in sleep, + or dead, perhaps. Others surrounded large vessels of water, standing in + the middle, out of which they drank as people tormented with fever; others + were sitting on the grounds, their elbows on their knees, their heads on + their palms; here and there children were sleeping, nestled up to their + mothers. Groans, loud hurried breathing of the sick, weeping, whispered + prayers, hymns in an undertone, the curses of overseers were heard round + about it. In this dungeon was the odor of crowds and corpses. In its + gloomy depth dark figures were swarming; nearer, close to flickering + lights, were visible faces, pale, terrified, hungry, and cadaverous, with + eyes dim, or else flaming with fever, with lips blue, with streams of + sweat on their foreheads, and with clammy hair. In corners the sick were + moaning loudly; some begged for water; others, to be led to death. And + still that prison was less terrible than the old Tullianum. The legs bent + under Vinicius when he saw all this, and breath was failing in his breast. + At the thought that Lygia was in the midst of this misery and misfortune, + the hair rose on his head, and he stifled a cry of despair. The + amphitheatre, the teeth of wild beasts, the cross,—anything was + better than those dreadful dungeons filled with the odor of corpses, + places in which imploring voices called from every corner,— + </p> + <p> + “Lead us to death!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius pressed his nails into his palms, for he felt that he was growing + weak, and that presence of mind was deserting him. All that he had felt + till then, all his love and pain, changed in him to one desire for death. + </p> + <p> + Just then near his side was heard the overseer of the “Putrid Pits”, + </p> + <p> + “How many corpses have ye to-day?” + </p> + <p> + “About a dozen,” answered the guardian of the prison, “but there will be + more before morning; some are in agony at the walls.” + </p> + <p> + And he fell to complaining of women who concealed dead children so as to + keep them near and not yield them to the “Putrid Pits.” “We must discover + corpses first by the odor; through this the air, so terrible already, is + spoiled still more. I would rather be a slave in some rural prison than + guard these dogs rotting here while alive—” + </p> + <p> + The overseer of the pits comforted him, saying that his own service was no + easier. By this time the sense of reality had returned to Vinicius. He + began to search the dungeon; but sought in vain for Lygia, fearing + meanwhile that he would never see her alive. A number of cellars were + connected by newly made passages; the corpse-bearers entered only those + from which corpses were to be carried. Fear seized Vinicius lest that + privilege which had cost so much trouble might serve no purpose. Luckily + his patron aided him. + </p> + <p> + “Infection spreads most through corpses,” said he. “Ye must carry out the + bodies at once, or die yourselves, together with the prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + “There are only ten of us for all the cellars,” said the guardian, “and we + must sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “I will leave four men of mine, who will go through the cellars at night + to see if these are dead.” + </p> + <p> + “We will drink to-morrow if thou do that. Everybody must be taken to the + test; for an order has come to pierce the neck of each corpse, and then to + the ‘Putrid Pits’ at once with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, but we will drink,” said the overseer. + </p> + <p> + Four men were selected, and among them Vinicius; the others he took to put + the corpses on the biers. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius was at rest; he was certain now at least of finding Lygia. The + young tribune began by examining the first dungeon carefully; he looked + into all the dark corners hardly reached by the light of his torch; he + examined figures sleeping at the walls under coarse cloths; he saw that + the most grievously ill were drawn into a corner apart. But Lygia he found + in no place. In a second and third dungeon his search was equally + fruitless. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the hour had grown late; all corpses had been carried out. The + guards, disposing themselves in the corridors between cellars, were + asleep; the children, wearied with crying, were silent; nothing was heard + save the breathing of troubled breasts, and here and there the murmur of + prayer. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius went with his torch to the fourth dungeon, which was considerably + smaller. Raising the light, he began to examine it, and trembled all at + once, for it seemed to him that he saw, near a latticed opening in the + wall, the gigantic form of Ursus. Then, blowing out the light, he + approached him, and asked, + </p> + <p> + “Ursus, art thou here?” + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” asked the giant, turning his head. + </p> + <p> + “Dost not know me?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast quenched the torch; how could I know thee?” + </p> + <p> + But at that moment Vinicius saw Lygia lying on a cloak near the wall; so, + without speaking further, he knelt near her. Ursus recognized him, and + said,— + </p> + <p> + “Praise be to Christ! but do not wake her, lord.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius, kneeling down, gazed at her through his tears. In spite of the + darkness he could distinguish her face, which seemed to him as pale as + alabaster, and her emaciated arms. At that sight he was seized by a love + which was like a rending pain, a love which shook his soul to its + uttermost depth, and which at the same time was so full of pity, respect, + and homage that he fell on his face, and pressed to his lips the hem of + the cloak on which rested that head dearer to him than all else on earth. + </p> + <p> + Ursus looked at Vinicius for a long time in silence, but at last he pulled + his tunic. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” asked he, “how didst thou come, and hast thou come here to save + her?” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius rose, and struggled for a time with his emotion. “Show me the + means,” replied he. + </p> + <p> + “I thought that thou wouldst find them, lord. Only one method came to my + head—” + </p> + <p> + Here he turned toward the grating in the wall, as if in answer to himself, + and said,— + </p> + <p> + “In that way—but there are soldiers outside—” + </p> + <p> + “A hundred pretorians.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we cannot pass?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + The Lygian rubbed his forehead, and asked again,— + </p> + <p> + “How didst thou enter?” + </p> + <p> + “I have a tessera from the overseer of the ‘Putrid Pits.’” Then Vinicius + stopped suddenly, as if some idea had flashed through his head. + </p> + <p> + “By the Passion of the Redeemer,” said he, in a hurried voice, “I will + stay here. Let her take my tessera; she can wrap her head in a cloth, + cover her shoulders with a mantle, and pass out. Among the slaves who + carry out corpses there are several youths not full grown; hence the + pretorians will not notice her, and once at the house of Petronius she is + safe.” + </p> + <p> + But the Lygian dropped his head on his breast, and said,—“She would + not consent, for she loves thee; besides, she is sick, and unable to stand + alone. If thou and the noble Petronius cannot save her from prison, who + can?” said he, after a while. + </p> + <p> + “Christ alone.” + </p> + <p> + Then both were silent. + </p> + <p> + “Christ could save all Christians,” thought the Lygian, in his simple + heart; “but since He does not save them, it is clear that the hour of + torture and death has come.” + </p> + <p> + He accepted it for himself, but was grieved to the depth of his soul for + that child who had grown up in his arms, and whom he loved beyond life. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius knelt again near Lygia. Through the grating in the wall moonbeams + came in, and gave better light than the one candle burning yet over the + entrance. Lygia opened her eyes now, and said, placing her feverish hand + on the arm of Vinicius, + </p> + <p> + “I see thee; I knew that thou wouldst come.” + </p> + <p> + He seized her hands, pressed them to his forehead and his heart, raised + her somewhat, and held her to his breast. + </p> + <p> + “I have come, dearest. May Christ guard and free thee, beloved Lygia!” He + could say no more, for the heart began to whine in his breast from pain + and love, and he would not show pain in her presence. + </p> + <p> + “I am sick, Marcus,” said Lygia, “and I must die either on the arena or + here in prison—I have prayed to see thee before death; thou hast + come,—Christ has heard me.”— + </p> + <p> + Unable to utter a word yet, he pressed her to his bosom, and she + continued,— + </p> + <p> + “I saw thee through the window in the Tullianum. I saw that thou hadst the + wish to come to me. Now the Redeemer has given me a moment of + consciousness, so that we may take farewell of each other. I am going to + Him, Marcus, but I love thee, and shall love always.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius conquered himself; he stifled his pain and began to speak in a + voice which he tried to make calm,— + </p> + <p> + “No, dear Lygia, thou wilt not die. The Apostle commanded me to believe, + and he promised to pray for thee; he knew Christ,—Christ loved him + and will not refuse him. Hadst thou to die, Peter would not have commanded + me to be confident; but he said, ‘Have confidence!’—No, Lygia! + Christ will have mercy. He does not wish thy death. He will not permit it. + I Swear to thee by the name of the Redeemer that Peter is praying for + thee.” + </p> + <p> + Silence followed. The one candle hanging above the entrance went out, but + moonlight entered through the whole opening. In the opposite corner of the + cellar a child whined and was silent. From outside came the voices of + pretorians, who, after watching their turn out, were playing under the + wall at scriptoe duodecim. + </p> + <p> + “O Marcus,” said Lygia, “Christ Himself called to the Father, ‘Remove this + bitter cup from Me’; still He drank it. Christ Himself died on the cross, + and thousands are perishing for His sake. Why, then, should He spare me + alone? Who am I, Marcus? I have heard Peter say that he too would die in + torture. Who am I, compared with Peter? When the pretorians came to us, I + dreaded death and torture, but I dread them no longer. See what a terrible + prison this is, but I am going to heaven. Think of it: Cæsar is here, but + there the Redeemer, kind and merciful. And there is no death there. Thou + lovest me; think, then, how happy I shall be. Oh, dear Marcus, think that + thou wilt come to me there.” + </p> + <p> + Here she stopped to get breath in her sick breast, and then raised his + hand to her lips,— + </p> + <p> + “Marcus?” + </p> + <p> + “What, dear one?” + </p> + <p> + “Do not weep for me, and remember this,—thou wilt come to me. I have + lived a short time, but God gave thy soul to me; hence I shall tell Christ + that though I died, and thou wert looking at my death, though thou wert + left in grief, thou didst not blaspheme against His will, and that thou + lovest Him always. Thou wilt love Him, and endure my death patiently? For + then He will unite us. I love thee and I wish to be with thee.” + </p> + <p> + Breath failed her then, and in a barely audible voice she finished, + </p> + <p> + “Promise me this, Marcus!” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius embraced her with trembling arms, and said, + </p> + <p> + “By thy sacred head! I promise.” + </p> + <p> + Her pale face became radiant in the sad light of the moon, and once more + she raised his hand to her lips, and whispered,— + </p> + <p> + “I am thy wife!” + </p> + <p> + Beyond the wall the pretorians playing scriptoe duodecim raised a louder + dispute; but Vinicius and Lygia forgot the prison, the guards, the world, + and, feeling within them the souls of angels, they began to pray. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0060" id="link2HCH0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LX + </h2> + <p> + FOR three days, or rather three nights, nothing disturbed their peace. + When the usual prison work was finished, which consisted in separating the + dead from the living and the grievously sick from those in better health, + when the wearied guards had lain down to sleep in the corridors, Vinicius + entered Lygia’s dungeon and remained there till daylight. She put her head + on his breast, and they talked in low voices of love and of death. In + thought and speech, in desires and hopes even, both were removed + unconsciously more and more from life, and they lost the sense of it. Both + were like people who, having sailed from land in a ship, saw the shore no + more, and were sinking gradually into infinity. Both changed by degrees + into sad souls in love with each other and with Christ, and ready to fly + away. Only at times did pain start up in the heart of Vinicius like a + whirlwind, at times there flashed in him like lightning, hope, born of + love and faith in the crucified God; but he tore himself away more and + more each day from the earth, and yielded to death. In the morning, when + he went from the prison, he looked on the world, on the city, on + acquaintances, on vital interests, as through a dream. Everything seemed + to him strange, distant, vain, fleeting. Even torture ceased to terrify, + since one might pass through it while sunk in thought and with eyes fixed + on another thing. It seemed to both that eternity had begun to receive + them. They conversed of how they would love and live together, but beyond + the grave; and if their thoughts returned to the earth at intervals, these + were thoughts of people who, setting out on a long journey, speak of + preparations for the road. Moreover they were surrounded by such silence + as in some desert surrounds two columns far away and forgotten. Their only + care was that Christ should not separate them; and as each moment + strengthened their conviction that He would not, they loved Him as a link + uniting them in endless happiness and peace. While still on earth, the + dust of earth fell from them. The soul of each was as pure as a tear. + Under terror of death, amid misery and suffering, in that prison den, + heaven had begun, for she had taken him by the hand, and, as if saved and + a saint, had led him to the source of endless life. + </p> + <p> + Petronius was astonished at seeing in the face of Vinicius increasing + peace and a certain wonderful serenity which he had not noted before. At + times even he supposed that Vinicius had found some mode of rescue, and he + was piqued because his nephew had not confided his hopes to him. At last, + unable to restrain himself, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Now thou hast another look; do not keep from me secrets, for I wish and + am able to aid thee. Hast thou arranged anything?” + </p> + <p> + “I have,” said Vinicius; “but thou canst not help me. After her death I + will confess that I am a Christian and follow her.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thou hast no hope?” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, I have. Christ will give her to me, and I shall never be + separated from her.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius began to walk in the atrium; disillusion and impatience were + evident on his face. + </p> + <p> + “Thy Christ is not needed for this,—our Thanatos [death] can render + the same service.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius smiled sadly, and said,—“No, my dear, thou art unwilling to + understand.” + </p> + <p> + “I am unwilling and unable. It is not the time for discussion, but + remember what I said when we failed to free her from the Tullianum. I lost + all hope, and on the way home thou didst say, ‘But I believe that Christ + can restore her to me.’ Let Him restore her. If I throw a costly goblet + into the sea, no god of ours can give it back to me; if yours is no + better, I know not why I should honor Him beyond the old ones.” + </p> + <p> + “But He will restore her to me.” + </p> + <p> + Pettonius shrugged his shoulders. “Dost know,” inquired he, “that + Christians are to illuminate Cæsar’s gardens to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow?” repeated Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + And in view of the near and dreadful reality his heart trembled with pain + and fear. “This is the last night, perhaps, which I can pass with Lygia,” + thought he. So bidding farewell to Petronius, he went hurriedly to the + overseer of the “Putrid Pits” for his tessera. But disappointment was in + waiting,—the overseer would not give the tessera. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me,” said he, “I have done what I could for thee, but I cannot + risk my life. To-night they are to conduct the Christians to Cæsar’s + gardens. The prisons will be full of soldiers and officials. Shouldst thou + be recognized, I and my children would be lost.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius understood that it would be vain to insist. The hope gleamed in + him, however, that the soldiers who had seen him before would admit him + even without a tessera; so, with the coming of night, he disguised himself + as usual in the tunic of a corpse-bearer, and, winding a cloth around his + head, betook himself to the prison. + </p> + <p> + But that day the tesseræ were verified with greater care than usual; and + what was more, the centurion Scevinus, a strict soldier, devoted soul and + body to Cæsar, recognized Vinicius. But evidently in his iron-clad breast + there glimmered yet some spark of pity for misfortunes. Instead of + striking his spear in token of alarm, he led Vinicius aside and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Return to thy house, lord. I recognize thee; but not wishing thy ruin, I + am silent. I cannot admit thee; go thy way, and may the gods send thee + solace.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou canst not admit me,” said Vinicius, “but let me stand here and look + at those who are led forth.” + </p> + <p> + “My order does not forbid that,” said Scevinus. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius stood before the gate and waited. About midnight the prison gate + was opened widely, and whole ranks of prisoners appeared,—men, + women, and children, surrounded by armed pretorians. The night was very + bright; hence it was possible to distinguish not only the forms, but the + faces of the unfortunates. They went two abreast, in a long, gloomy train, + amid stillness broken only by the clatter of weapons. So many were led out + that all the dungeons must be empty, as it seemed. In the rear of the line + Vinicius saw Glaucus the physician distinctly, but Lygia and Ursus were + not among the condemned. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0061" id="link2HCH0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXI + </h2> + <p> + DARKNESS had not come when the first waves of people began to flow into + Cæsar’s gardens. The crowds, in holiday costume, crowned with flowers, + joyous, singing, and some of them drunk, were going to look at the new, + magnificent spectacle. Shouts of “Semaxii! Sarmentitii!” were heard on the + Via Tecta, on the bridge of Æmilius, and from the other side of the Tiber, + on the Triumphal Way, around the Circus of Nero, and off towards the + Vatican Hill. In Rome people had been seen burnt on pillars before, but + never had any one seen such a number of victims. + </p> + <p> + Cæsar and Tigellinus, wishing to finish at once with the Christians and + also to avoid infection, which from the prisons was spreading more and + more through the city, had given command to empty all dungeons, so that + there remained in them barely a few tens of people intended for the close + of the spectacles. So, when the crowds had passed the gates, they were + dumb with amazement. All the main and side alleys, which lay through dense + groves and along lawns, thickets, ponds, fields, and squares filled with + flowers, were packed with pillars smeared with pitch, to which Christians + were fastened. In higher places, where the view was not hindered by trees, + one could see whole rows of pillars and bodies decked with flowers, + myrtle, and ivy, extending into the distance on high and low places, so + far that, though the nearest were like masts of ships, the farthest seemed + colored darts, or staffs thrust into the earth. The number of them + surpassed the expectation of the multitude. One might suppose that a whole + nation had been lashed to pillars for Rome’s amusement and for Cæsar’s. + The throng of spectators stopped before single masts when their curiosity + was roused by the form or the sex of the victim; they looked at the faces, + the crowns, the garlands of ivy; then they went farther and farther, + asking themselves with amazement, “Could there have been so many + criminals, or how could children barely able to walk have set fire to + Rome?” and astonishment passed by degrees into fear. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile darkness came, and the first stars twinkled in the sky. Near + each condemned person a slave took his place, torch in hand; when the + sound of trumpets was heard in various parts of the gardens, in sign that + the spectacle was to begin, each slave put his torch to the foot of a + pillar. The straw, hidden under the flowers and steeped in pitch, burned + at once with a bright flame which, increasing every instant, withered the + ivy, and rising embraced the feet of the victims. The people were silent; + the gardens resounded with one immense groan and with cries of pain. Some + victims, however, raising their faces toward the starry sky, began to + sing, praising Christ. The people listened. But the hardest hearts were + filled with terror when, on smaller pillars, children cried with shrill + voices, “Mamma! Mamma!” A shiver ran through even spectators who were + drunk when they saw little heads and innocent faces distorted with pain, + or children fainting in the smoke which began to stifle them. But the + flames rose, and seized new crowns of roses and ivy every instant. The + main and side alleys were illuminated; the groups of trees, the lawns, and + the flowery squares were illuminated; the water in pools and ponds was + gleaming, the trembling leaves on the trees had grown rose-colored, and + all was as visible as in daylight. When the odor of burnt bodies filled + the gardens, slaves sprinkled between the pillars myrrh and aloes prepared + purposely. In the crowds were heard here and there shouts,—whether + of sympathy or delight and joy, it was unknown; and they increased every + moment with the fire, which embraced the pillars, climbed to the breasts + of the victims, shrivelled with burning breath the hair on their heads, + threw veils over their blackened faces, and then shot up higher, as if + showing the victory and triumph of that power which had given command to + rouse it. + </p> + <p> + At the very beginning of the spectacle Cæsar had appeared among the people + in a magnificent quadriga of the Circus, drawn by four white steeds. He + was dressed as a charioteer in the color of the Greens,—the court + party and his. After him followed other chariots filled with courtiers in + brilliant array, senators, priests, bacchantes, naked and crowned, holding + pitchers of wine, and partly drunk, uttering wild shouts. At the side of + these were musicians dressed as fauns and satyrs, who played on citharas, + formingas, flutes, and horns. In other chariots advanced matrons and + maidens of Rome, drunk also and half naked. Around the quadriga ran men + who shook thyrses ornamented with ribbons; others beat drums; others + scattered flowers. + </p> + <p> + All that brilliant throng moved forward, shouting, “Evoe!” on the widest + road of the garden, amidst smoke and processions of people. Cæsar, keeping + near him Tigellinus and also Chilo, in whose terror he sought to find + amusement, drove the steeds himself, and, advancing at a walk, looked at + the burning bodies, and heard the shouts of the multitude. Standing on the + lofty gilded chariot, surrounded by a sea of people who bent to his feet, + in the glitter of the fire, in the golden crown of a circus-victor, he was + a head above the courtiers and the crowd. He seemed a giant. His immense + arms, stretched forward to hold the reins, seemed to bless the multitude. + There was a smile on his face and in his blinking eyes; he shone above the + throng as a sun or a deity, terrible but commanding and mighty. + </p> + <p> + At times he stopped to look with more care at some maiden whose bosom had + begun to shrink in the flames, or at the face of a child distorted by + convulsions; and again he drove on, leading behind him a wild, excited + retinue. At times he bowed to the people, then again he bent backward, + drew in the golden reins, and spoke to Tigellinus. At last, when he had + reached the great fountain in the middle of two crossing streets, he + stepped from the quadriga, and, nodding to his attendants, mingled with + the throng. + </p> + <p> + He was greeted with shouts and plaudits. The bacchantes, the nymphs, the + senators and Augustians, the priests, the fauns, satyrs, and soldiers + surrounded him at once in an excited circle; but he, with Tigellinus on + one side and Chilo on the other, walked around the fountain, about which + were burning some tens of torches; stopping before each one, he made + remarks on the victims, or jeered at the old Greek, on whose face + boundless despair was depicted. + </p> + <p> + At last he stood before a lofty mast decked with myrtle and ivy. The red + tongues of fire had risen only to the knees of the victim; but it was + impossible to see his face, for the green burning twigs had covered it + with smoke. After a while, however, the light breeze of night turned away + the smoke and uncovered the head of a man with gray beard falling on his + breast. + </p> + <p> + At sight of him Chilo was twisted into a lump like a wounded snake, and + from his mouth came a cry more like cawing than a human voice. + </p> + <p> + “Glaucus! Glaucus!” + </p> + <p> + In fact, Glaucus the physician looked down from the burning pillar at him. + Glaucus was alive yet. His face expressed pain, and was inclined forward, + as if to look closely for the last time at his executioner, at the man who + had betrayed him, robbed him of wife and children, set a murderer on him, + and who, when all this had been forgiven in the name of Christ, had + delivered him to executioners. Never had one person inflicted more + dreadful or bloody wrongs on another. Now the victim was burning on the + pitched pillar, and the executioner was standing at his feet. The eyes of + Glaucus did nor leave the face of the Greek. At moments they were hidden + by smoke; but when the breeze blew this away, Chilo saw again those eyes + fixed on him. He rose and tried to flee, but had not strength. All at once + his legs seemed of lead; an invisible hand seemed to hold him at that + pillar with superhuman force. He was petrified. He felt that something was + overflowing in him, something giving way; he felt that he had had a + surfeit of blood and torture, that the end of his life was approaching, + that everything was vanishing, Cæsar, the court, the multitude, and around + him was only a kind of bottomless, dreadful black vacuum with no visible + thing in it, save those eyes of a martyr which were summoning him to + judgment. But Glaucus, bending his head lower down, looked at him fixedly. + Those present divined that something was taking place between those two + men. Laughter died on their lips, however, for in Chilo’s face there was + something terrible: such pain and fear had distorted it as if those + tongues of fire were burning his body. On a sudden he staggered, and, + stretching his arms upward, cried in a terrible and piercing voice,— + </p> + <p> + “Glaucus! in Christ’s name! forgive me!” + </p> + <p> + It grew silent round about, a quiver ran through the spectators, and all + eyes were raised involuntarily. + </p> + <p> + The head of the martyr moved slightly, and from the top of the mast was + heard a voice like a groan,— + </p> + <p> + “I forgive!” + </p> + <p> + Chilo threw himself on his face, and howled like a wild beast; grasping + earth in both hands, he sprinkled it on his head. Meanwhile the flames + shot up, seizing the breast and face of Glaucus; they unbound the myrtle + crown on his head, and seized the ribbons on the top of the pillar, the + whole of which shone with great blazing. + </p> + <p> + Chilo stood up after a while with face so changed that to the Augustians + he seemed another man. His eyes flashed with a light new to him, ecstasy + issued from his wrinkled forehead; the Greek, incompetent a short time + before, looked now like some priest visited by a divinity and ready to + reveal unknown truths. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter? Has he gone mad?” asked a number of voices. + </p> + <p> + But he turned to the multitude, and, raising his right hand, cried, or + rather shouted, in a voice so piercing that not only the Augustians but + the multitude heard him,— + </p> + <p> + “Roman people! I swear by my death, that innocent persons are perishing + here. That is the incendiary!” + </p> + <p> + And he pointed his finger at Nero. + </p> + <p> + Then came a moment of silence. The courtiers were benumbed. Chilo + continued to stand with outstretched, trembling arm, and with finger + pointed at Nero. All at once a tumult arose. The people, like a wave, + urged by a sudden whirlwind, rushed toward the old man to look at him more + closely. Here and there were heard cries, “Hold!” In another place, “Woe + to us!” In the throng a hissing and uproar began. “Ahenobarbus! Matricide! + Incendiary!” Disorder increased every instant. The bacchantes screamed in + heaven-piercing voices, and began to hide in the chariots. Then some + pillars which were burned through, fell, scattered sparks, and increased + the confusion. A blind dense wave of people swept away Chilo, and bore him + to the depth of the garden. + </p> + <p> + The pillars began to burn through in every direction and fall across the + streets, filling alleys with smoke, sparks, the odor of burnt wood and + burnt flesh. The nearer lights died. The gardens began to grow dark. The + crowds, alarmed, gloomy, and disturbed, pressed toward the gates. News of + what had happened passed from mouth to mouth, distorted and increased. + Some said that Cæsar had fainted; others that he had confessed, saying + that he had given command to burn Rome; others that he had fallen + seriously ill; and still others that he had been borne out, as if dead, in + the chariot. Here and there were heard voices of sympathy for the + Christians: “If they had not burned Rome, why so much blood, torture, and + injustice? Will not the gods avenge the innocent, and what piacula can + mollify them now?” The words innoxia corpora were repeated oftener and + oftener. Women expressed aloud their pity for children thrown in such + numbers to wild beasts, nailed to crosses or burned in those cursed + gardens! And finally pity was turned into abuse of Cæsar and Tigellinus. + There were persons, too, who, stopping suddenly, asked themselves or + others the question, “What kind of divinity is that which gives such + strength to meet torture and death?” And they returned home in meditation. + </p> + <p> + But Chilo was wandering about in the gardens, not knowing where to go or + where to turn. Again he felt himself a weak, helpless, sick old man. + </p> + <p> + Now he stumbled against partly burnt bodies; now he struck a torch, which + sent a shower of sparks after him; now he sat down, and looked around with + vacant stare. The gardens had become almost dark. The pale moon moving + among the trees shone with uncertain light on the alleys, the dark pillars + lying across them, and the partly burnt victims turned into shapeless + lumps. But the old Greek thought that in the moon he saw the face of + Glaucus, whose eyes were looking at him yet persistently, and he hid + before the light. At last he went out of the shadow, in spite of himself; + as if pushed by some hidden power, he turned toward the fountain where + Glaucus had yielded up the spirit. + </p> + <p> + Then some hand touched his shoulder. He turned, and saw an unknown person + before him. + </p> + <p> + “Who art thou?” exclaimed he, with terror. + </p> + <p> + “Paul of Tarsus.” + </p> + <p> + “I am accursed!—What dost thou wish?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to save thee,” answered the Apostle. + </p> + <p> + Chilo supported himself against a tree. His legs bent under him, and his + arms hung parallel with his body. + </p> + <p> + “For me there is no salvation,” said he, gloomily. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou heard how God forgave the thief on the cross who pitied Him?” + inquired Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know what I have done?” + </p> + <p> + “I saw thy suffering, and heard thy testimony to the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “O Lord!” + </p> + <p> + “And if a servant of Christ forgave thee in the hour of torture and death, + why should Christ not forgive thee?” + </p> + <p> + Chilo seized his head with both hands, as if in bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + “Forgiveness! for me, forgiveness!” + </p> + <p> + “Our God is a God of mercy,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “For me?” repeated Chilo; and he began to groan like a man who lacks + strength to control his pain and suffering. + </p> + <p> + “Lean on me,” said Paul, “and go with me.” + </p> + <p> + And taking him he went to the crossing of the streets, guided by the voice + of the fountain, which seemed to weep in the night stillness over the + bodies of those who had died in torture. + </p> + <p> + “Our God is a God of mercy,” repeated the Apostle. “Wert thou to stand at + the sea and cast in pebbles, couldst thou fill its depth with them? I tell + thee that the mercy of Christ is as the sea, and that the sins and faults + of men sink in it as pebbles in the abyss; I tell thee that it is like the + sky which covers mountains, lands, and seas, for it is everywhere and has + neither end nor limit. Thou hast suffered at the pillar of Glaucus. Christ + saw thy suffering. Without reference to what may meet thee to-morrow, thou + didst say, ‘That is the incendiary,’ and Christ remembers thy words. Thy + malice and falsehood are gone; in thy heart is left only boundless sorrow. + Follow me and listen to what I say. I am he who hated Christ and + persecuted His chosen ones. I did not want Him, I did not believe in Him + till He manifested Himself and called me. Since then He is, for me, mercy. + He has visited thee with compunction, with alarm, and with pain, to call + thee to Himself. Thou didst hate Him, but He loved thee. Thou didst + deliver His confessors to torture, but He wishes to forgive and save + thee.” + </p> + <p> + Immense sobbing shook the breast of the wretched man, sobbing by which the + soul in him was rent to its depths; but Paul took possession of him, + mastered him, led him away, as a soldier leads a captive. + </p> + <p> + After a while the Apostle began again to speak:— + </p> + <p> + “Come with me; I will lead thee to Him. For why else have I come to thee? + </p> + <p> + “Christ commanded me to gather in souls in the name of love; hence I + perform His service. Thou thinkest thyself accursed, but I say: Believe in + Him, and salvation awaits thee. Thou thinkest that thou art hated, but I + repeat that He loves thee. Look at me. Before I had Him I had nothing save + malice, which dwelt in my heart, and now His love suffices me instead of + father and mother, wealth and power. In Him alone is refuge. He alone will + see thy sorrow, believe in thy misery, remove thy alarm, and raise thee to + Himself.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he led him to the fountain, the silver stream of which + gleamed from afar in the moonlight. Round about was silence; the gardens + were empty, for slaves had removed the charred pillars and the bodies of + the martyrs. + </p> + <p> + Chilo threw himself on his knees with a groan, and hiding his face in his + hands remained motionless. Paul raised his face to the stars. “O Lord,” + prayed he, “look on this wretched man, on his sorrow, his tears, and his + suffering! O God of mercy, who hast shed Thy blood for our sins, forgive + him, through Thy torment, Thy death and resurrection!” + </p> + <p> + Then he was silent; but for a long time he looked toward the stars, and + prayed. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile from under his feet was heard a cry which resembled a groan,— + </p> + <p> + “O Christ! O Christ! forgive me!” + </p> + <p> + Paul approached the fountain then, and, taking water in his hand, turned + to the kneeling wretch,— + </p> + <p> + “Chilo!—I baptize thee in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. + Amen!” + </p> + <p> + Chilo raised his head, opened his arms, and remained in that posture. The + moon shone with full light on his white hair and on his equally white + face, which was as motionless as if dead or cut out of stone. The moments + passed one after another. From the great aviaries in the gardens of + Domitian came the crowing of cocks; but Chilo remained kneeling, like a + statue on a monument. At last he recovered, spoke to the Apostle, and + asked,— + </p> + <p> + “What am I to do before death?” + </p> + <p> + Paul was roused also from meditation on the measureless power which even + such spirits as that of this Greek could not resist, and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Have faith, and bear witness to the truth.” + </p> + <p> + They went out together. At the gate the Apostle blessed the old man again, + and they parted. Chilo himself insisted on this, for after what had + happened he knew that Cæsar and Tigellinus would give command to pursue + him. + </p> + <p> + Indeed he was not mistaken. When he returned home, he found the house + surrounded by pretorians, who led him away, and took him under direction + of Scevinus to the Palatine. + </p> + <p> + Cæsar had gone to rest, but Tigellinus was waiting. When he saw the + unfortunate Greek, he greeted him with a calm but ominous face. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast committed the crime of treason,” said he, “and punishment will + not pass thee; but if to-morrow thou testify in the amphitheatre that thou + wert drunk and mad, and that the authors of the conflagration are + Christians, thy punishment will be limited to stripes and exile.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot do that,” answered Chilo, calmly. + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus approached him with slow step, and with a voice also low but + terrible,— + </p> + <p> + “How is that?” asked he. “Thou canst not, Greek dog? Wert thou not drunk, + and dost thou not understand what is waiting for thee? Look there!” and he + pointed to a corner of the atrium in which, near a long wooden bench, + stood four Thracian slaves in the shade with ropes, and with pincers in + their hands. + </p> + <p> + But Chilo answered,— + </p> + <p> + “I cannot!” + </p> + <p> + Rage seized Tigellinus, but he restrained himself yet. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou seen,” inquired he, “how Christians die? Dost wish to die in + that way?” + </p> + <p> + The old man raised his pale face; for a time his lips moved in silence, + and he answered,— + </p> + <p> + “I too believe in Christ.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus looked at him with amazement. “Dog, thou hast gone mad in + fact!” + </p> + <p> + And suddenly the rage in his breast broke its bounds. Springing at Chilo, + he caught him by the beard with both hands, hurled him to the floor, + trampled him, repeating, with foam on his lips,— + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt retract! thou wilt!” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot!” answered Chilo from the floor. + </p> + <p> + “To the tortures with him!” + </p> + <p> + At this command the Thracians seized the old man, and placed him on the + bench; then, fastening him with ropes to it, they began to squeeze his + thin shanks with pincers. But when they were tying him he kissed their + hands with humility; then he closed his eyes, and seemed dead. + </p> + <p> + He was alive, though; for when Tigellinus bent over him and inquired once + again, “Wilt thou retract?” his white lips moved slightly, and from them + came the barely audible whisper,— + </p> + <p> + “I cannot.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus gave command to stop the torture, and began to walk up and down + in the atrium with a face distorted by anger, but helpless. At last a new + idea came to his head, for he turned to the Thracians and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Tear out his tongue!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0062" id="link2HCH0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXII + </h2> + <p> + THE drama “Aureolus” was given usually in theatres or amphitheatres, so + arranged that they could open and present as it were two separate stages. + But after the spectacle in the gardens of Cæsar the usual method was + omitted; for in this case the problem was to let the greatest number of + people look at a slave who, in the drama, is devoured by a bear. In the + theatres the role of the bear is played by an actor sewed up in a skin, + but this time the representation was to be real. This was a new idea of + Tigellinus. At first Cæsar refused to come, but changed his mind at + persuasion of the favorite. Tigellinus explained that after what had + happened in the gardens it was all the more his duty to appear before the + people, and he guaranteed that the crucified slave would not insult him as + had Crispus. The people were somewhat sated and tired of blood-spilling; + hence a new distribution of lottery tickets and gifts was promised, as + well as a feast, for the spectacle was to be in the evening, in a + brilliantly lighted amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + About dusk the whole amphitheatre was packed; the Augustians, with + Tigellinus at the head of them, came to a man,—not only for the + spectacle itself, but to show their devotion to Cæsar and their opinion of + Chilo, of whom all Rome was then talking. + </p> + <p> + They whispered to one another that Cæsar, when returning from the gardens, + had fallen into a frenzy and could not sleep, that terrors and wonderful + visions had attacked him; therefore he had announced on the following + morning his early journey to Achæa. But others denied this, declaring that + he would be all the more pitiless to the Christians. Cowards, however, + were not lacking, who foresaw that the accusation which Chilo had thrown + into Cæsar’s face might have the worst result possible. In conclusion, + there were those who through humanity begged Tigellinus to stop + persecution. + </p> + <p> + “See whither ye are going,” said Barcus Soranus. “Ye wished to allay + people’s anger and convince them that punishment was falling on the + guilty; the result is just the opposite.” + </p> + <p> + “True!” added Antistius Verus, “all whisper to one another now that the + Christians were innocent. If that be cleverness, Chilo was right when he + said that your brains could be held in a nutshell.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus turned to them and said: “Barcus Soranus, people whisper also + to one another that thy daughter Servilia secreted her Christian slaves + from Cæsar’s justice; they say the same also of thy wife, Antistius.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not true!” exclaimed Barcus, with alarm. + </p> + <p> + “Your divorced women wished to ruin my wife, whose virtue they envy,” said + Antistius Verus, with no less alarm. + </p> + <p> + But others spoke of Chilo. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened to him?” asked Eprius Marcellus. “He delivered them + himself into the hands of Tigellinus; from a beggar he became rich; it was + possible for him to live out his days in peace, have a splendid funeral, + and a tomb: but, no! All at once he preferred to lose everything and + destroy himself; he must, in truth, be a maniac.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a maniac, but he has become a Christian,” said Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” said Vitelius. + </p> + <p> + “Have I not said,” put in Vestinius, “‘Kill Christians if ye like; but + believe me ye cannot war with their divinity. With it there is no + jesting’? See what is taking place. I have not burned Rome; but if Cæsar + permitted I would give a hecatomb at once to their divinity. And all + should do the same, for I repeat: With it there is no jesting! Remember my + words to you.” + </p> + <p> + “And I said something else,” added Petronius. “Tigellinus laughed when I + said that they were arming, but I say more,—they are conquering.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that? how is that?” inquired a number of voices. + </p> + <p> + “By Pollux, they are! For if such a man as Chilo could not resist them, + who can? If ye think that after every spectacle the Christians do not + increase, become coppersmiths, or go to shaving beards, for then ye will + know better what people think, and what is happening in the city.” + </p> + <p> + “He speaks pure truth, by the sacred peplus of Diana,” cried Vestinius. + </p> + <p> + But Barcus turned to Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “What is thy conclusion?” + </p> + <p> + “I conclude where ye began,—there has been enough of bloodshed.” + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus looked at him jeeringly,—“Ei!—a little more!” + </p> + <p> + “If thy head is not sufficient, thou hast another on thy cane,” said + Petronius. + </p> + <p> + Further conversation was interrupted by the coming of Cæsar, who occupied + his place in company with Pythagoras. Immediately after began the + representation of “Aureolus,” to which not much attention was paid, for + the minds of the audience were fixed on Chilo. The spectators, familiar + with blood and torture, were bored; they hissed, gave out shouts + uncomplimentary to the court, and demanded the bear scene, which for them + was the only thing of interest. Had it not been for gifts and the hope of + seeing Chilo, the spectacle would not have held the audience. + </p> + <p> + At last the looked-for moment came. Servants of the Circus brought in + first a wooden cross, so low that a bear standing on his hind feet might + reach the martyr’s breast; then two men brought, or rather dragged in, + Chilo, for as the bones in his legs were broken, he was unable to walk + alone. They laid him down and nailed him to the wood so quickly that the + curious Augustians had not even a good look at him, and only after the + cross had been fixed in the place prepared for it did all eyes turn to the + victim. But it was a rare person who could recognize in that naked man the + former Chilo. After the tortures which Tigellinus had commanded, there was + not one drop of blood in his face, and only on his white beard was evident + a red trace left by blood after they had torn his tongue out. Through the + transparent skin it was quite possible to see his bones. He seemed far + older also, almost decrepit. Formerly his eyes cast glances ever filled + with disquiet and ill-will, his watchful face reflected constant alarm and + uncertainty; now his face had an expression of pain, but it was as mild + and calm as faces of the sleeping or the dead. Perhaps remembrance of that + thief on the cross whom Christ had forgiven lent him confidence; perhaps, + also, he said in his soul to the merciful God, + </p> + <p> + “O Lord, I bit like a venomous worm; but all my life I was unfortunate. I + was famishing from hunger, people trampled on me, beat me, jeered at me. I + was poor and very unhappy, and now they put me to torture and nail me to a + cross; but Thou, O Merciful, wilt not reject me in this hour!” Peace + descended evidently into his crushed heart. No one laughed, for there was + in that crucified man something so calm, he seemed so old, so defenceless, + so weak, calling so much for pity with his lowliness, that each one asked + himself unconsciously how it was possible to torture and nail to crosses + men who would die soon in any case. The crowd was silent. Among the + Augustians Vestinius, bending to right and left, whispered in a terrified + voice, “See how they die!” Others were looking for the bear, wishing the + spectacle to end at the earliest. + </p> + <p> + The bear came into the arena at last, and, swaying from side to side a + head which hung low, he looked around from beneath his forehead, as if + thinking of something or seeking something. At last he saw the cross and + the naked body. He approached it, and stood on his hind legs; but after a + moment he dropped again on his fore-paws, and sitting under the cross + began to growl, as if in his heart of a beast pity for that remnant of a + man had made itself heard. + </p> + <p> + Cries were heard from Circus slaves urging on the bear, but the people + were silent. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Chilo raised his head with slow motion, and for a time moved his + eyes over the audience. At last his glance rested somewhere on the highest + rows of the amphitheatre; his breast moved with more life, and something + happened which caused wonder and astonishment. That face became bright + with a smile; a ray of light, as it were, encircled that forehead; his + eyes were uplifted before death, and after a while two great tears which + had risen between the lids flowed slowly down his face. + </p> + <p> + And he died. + </p> + <p> + At that same moment a resonant manly voice high up under the velarium + exclaimed,— + </p> + <p> + “Peace to the martyrs!” + </p> + <p> + Deep silence reigned in the amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0063" id="link2HCH0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXIII + </h2> + <p> + AFTER the spectacle in Cæsar’s gardens the prisons were emptied + considerably. It is true that victims suspected of the Oriental + superstition were seized yet and imprisoned, but pursuit brought in fewer + and fewer persons,—barely enough for coming exhibitions, which were + to follow quickly. People were sated with blood; they showed growing + weariness, and increasing alarm because of the unparalleled conduct of the + condemned. Fears like those of the superstitious Vestinius seized + thousands of people. Among the crowds tales more and more wonderful were + related of the vengefulness of the Christian God. Prison typhus, which had + spread through the city, increased the general dread. The number of + funerals was evident, and it was repeated from ear to ear that fresh + piacula were needed to mollify the unknown god. Offerings were made in the + temples to Jove and Libitina. At last, in spite of every effort of + Tigellinus and his assistants, the opinion kept spreading that the city + had been burned at command of Cæsar, and that the Christians were + suffering innocently. + </p> + <p> + But for this very reason Nero and Tigellinus were untiring in persecution. + To calm the multitude, fresh orders were issued to distribute wheat, wine, + and olives. To relieve owners, new rules were published to facilitate the + building of houses; and others touching width of streets and materials to + be used in building so as to avoid fires in future. Cæsar himself attended + sessions of the Senate, and counselled with the “fathers” on the good of + the people and the city; but not a shadow of favor fell on the doomed. The + ruler of the world was anxious, above all, to fix in people’s minds a + conviction that such merciless punishments could strike only the guilty. + In the Senate no voice was heard on behalf of the Christians, for no one + wished to offend Cæsar; and besides, those who looked farther into the + future insisted that the foundations of Roman rule could not stand against + the new faith. + </p> + <p> + The dead and the dying were given to their relatives, as Roman law took no + vengeance on the dead. Vinicius received a certain solace from the thought + that if Lygia died he would bury her in his family tomb, and rest near + her. At that time he had no hope of rescuing her; half separated from + life, he was himself wholly absorbed in Christ, and dreamed no longer of + any union except an eternal one. His faith had become simply boundless; + for it eternity seemed something incomparably truer and more real than the + fleeting life which he had lived up to that time. His heart was + overflowing with concentrated enthusiasm. Though yet alive, he had changed + into a being almost immaterial, which desiring complete liberation for + itself desired it also for another. He imagined that when free he and + Lygia would each take the other’s hand and go to heaven, where Christ + would bless them, and let them live in light as peaceful and boundless as + the light of dawn. He merely implored Christ to spare Lygia the torments + of the Circus, and let her fall asleep calmly in prison; he felt with + perfect certainty that he himself would die at the same time. In view of + the sea of blood which had been shed, he did not even think it permitted + to hope that she alone would be spared. He had heard from Peter and Paul + that they, too, must die as martyrs. The sight of Chilo on the cross had + convinced him that even a martyr’s death could be sweet; hence he wished + it for Lygia and himself as the change of an evil, sad, and oppressive + fate for a better. + </p> + <p> + At times he had a foretaste of life beyond the grave. That sadness which + hung over the souls of both was losing its former burning bitterness, and + changing gradually into a kind of trans-terrestrial, calm abandon to the + will of God. Vinicius, who formerly had toiled against the current, had + struggled and tortured himself, yielded now to the stream, believing that + it would bear him to eternal calm. He divined, too, that Lygia, as well as + he, was preparing for death,—that, in spite of the prison walls + separating them, they were advancing together; and he smiled at that + thought as at happiness. + </p> + <p> + In fact, they were advancing with as much agreement as if they had + exchanged thoughts every day for a long time. Neither had Lygia any + desire, any hope, save the hope of a life beyond the grave. Death was + presented to her not only as a liberation from the terrible walls of the + prison, from the hands of Cæsar and Tigellinus,—not only as + liberation, but as the hour of her marriage to Vinicius. In view of this + unshaken certainty, all else lost importance. After death would come her + happiness, which was even earthly, so that she waited for it also as a + betrothed waits for the wedding-day. + </p> + <p> + And that immense current of faith, which swept away from life and bore + beyond the grave thousands of those first confessors, bore away Ursus + also. Neither had he in his heart been resigned to Lygia’s death; but when + day after day through the prison walls came news of what was happening in + the amphitheatres and the gardens, when death seemed the common, + inevitable lot of all Christians and also their good, higher than all + mortal conceptions of happiness, he did not dare to pray to Christ to + deprive Lygia of that happiness or to delay it for long years. In his + simple barbarian soul he thought, besides, that more of those heavenly + delights would belong to the daughter of the Lygian chief, that she would + have more of them than would a whole crowd of simple ones to whom he + himself belonged, and that in eternal glory she would sit nearer to the + “Lamb” than would others. He had heard, it is true, that before God men + are equal; but a conviction was lingering at the bottom of his soul that + the daughter of a leader, and besides of a leader of all the Lygians, was + not the same as the first slave one might meet. He hoped also that Christ + would let him continue to serve her. His one secret wish was to die on a + cross as the “Lamb” died. But this seemed a happiness so great that he + hardly dared to pray for it, though he knew that in Rome even the worst + criminals were crucified. He thought that surely he would be condemned to + die under the teeth of wild beasts; and this was his one sorrow. From + childhood he had lived in impassable forests, amid continual hunts, in + which, thanks to his superhuman strength, he was famous among the Lygians + even before he had grown to manhood. This occupation had become for him so + agreeable that later, when in Rome, and forced to live without hunting, he + went to vivaria and amphitheatres just to look at beasts known and unknown + to him. The sight of these always roused in the man an irresistible desire + for struggle and killing; so now he feared in his soul that on meeting + them in the amphitheatre he would be attacked by thoughts unworthy of a + Christian, whose duty it was to die piously and patiently. But in this he + committed himself to Christ, and found other and more agreeable thoughts + to comfort him. Hearing that the “Lamb” had declared war against the + powers of hell and evil spirits with which the Christian faith connected + all pagan divinities, he thought that in this war he might serve the + “Lamb” greatly, and serve better than others, for he could not help + believing that his soul was stronger than the souls of other martyrs. + Finally, he prayed whole days, rendered service to prisoners, helped + overseers, and comforted his queen, who complained at times that in her + short life she had not been able to do so many good deeds as the renowned + Tabitha of whom Peter the Apostle had told her. Even the prison guards, + who feared the terrible strength of this giant, since neither bars nor + chains could restrain it, came to love him at last for his mildness. + Amazed at his good temper, they asked more than once what its cause was. + He spoke with such firm certainty of the life waiting after death for him, + that they listened with surprise, seeing for the first time that happiness + might penetrate a dungeon which sunlight could not reach. And when he + urged them to believe in the “Lamb,” it occurred to more than one of those + people that his own service was the service of a slave, his own life the + life of an unfortunate; and he fell to thinking over his evil fate, the + only end to which was death. + </p> + <p> + But death brought new fear, and promised nothing beyond; while that giant + and that maiden, who was like a flower cast on the straw of the prison, + went toward it with delight, as toward the gates of happiness. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0064" id="link2HCH0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXIV + </h2> + <p> + ONE evening Scevinus, a Senator, visited Petronius and began a long + conversation, touching the grievous times in which they were living, and + also touching Cæsar. He spoke so openly that Petronius, though his friend, + began to be cautious. Scevinus complained that the world was living madly + and unjustly, that all must end in some catastrophe more dreadful still + than the burning of Rome. He said that even Augustians were dissatisfied; + that Fenius Rufus, second prefect of the pretorians, endured with the + greatest effort the vile orders of Tigellinus; and that all Seneca’s + relatives were driven to extremes by Cæsar’s conduct as well toward his + old master as toward Lucan. Finally, he began to hint of the + dissatisfaction of the people, and even of the pretorians, the greater + part of whom had been won by Fenius Rufus. + </p> + <p> + “Why dost thou say this?” inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “Out of care for Cæsar,” said Scevinus. “I have a distant relative among + the pretorians, also Scevinus; through him I know what takes place in the + camp. Disaffection is growing there also; Caligula, knowest thou, was mad + too, and see what happened. Cassius Chærea appeared. That was a dreadful + deed, and surely there is no one among us to praise it; still Chærea freed + the world of a monster.” + </p> + <p> + “Is thy meaning as follows: ‘I do not praise Chærea, but he was a perfect + man, and would that the gods had given us as many such as possible’?” + inquired Petronius. + </p> + <p> + But Scevinus changed the conversation, and began all at once to praise + Piso, exalting his family, his nobility of mind, his attachment to his + wife, and, finally, his intellect, his calmness, and his wonderful gift of + winning people. + </p> + <p> + “Cæsar is childless,” said he, “and all see his successor in Piso. + Doubtless, too, every man would help him with whole soul to gain power. + Fenius Rufus loves him; the relatives of Annæus are devoted to him + altogether. Plautius Lateranus and Tullius Senecio would spring into fire + for him; as would Natalis, and Subrius Flavius, and Sulpicius Asper, and + Afranius Quinetianus, and even Vestinius.” + </p> + <p> + “From this last man not much will result to Piso,” replied Petronius. + “Vestinius is afraid of his own shadow.” + </p> + <p> + “Vestinius fears dreams and spirits,” answered Scevinus, “but he is a + practical man, whom people wish wisely to make consul. That in his soul he + is opposed to persecuting Christians, thou shouldst not take ill of him, + for it concerns thee too that this madness should cease.” + </p> + <p> + “Not me, but Vinicius,” answered Petronius. “Out of concern for Vinicius, + I should like to save a certain maiden; but I cannot, for I have fallen + out of favor with Ahenobarbus.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that? Dost thou not notice that Cæsar is approaching thee again, + and beginning to talk with thee? And I will tell thee why. He is preparing + again for Achæa, where he is to sing songs in Greek of his own + composition. He is burning for that journey; but also he trembles at + thought of the cynical genius of the Greeks. He imagines that either the + greatest triumph may meet him or the greatest failure. He needs good + counsel, and he knows that no one can give it better than thou. This is + why thou art returning to favor.” + </p> + <p> + “Lucan might take my place.” + </p> + <p> + “Bronzebeard hates Lucan, and in his soul has written down death for the + poet. He is merely seeking a pretext, for he seeks pretexts always.” + </p> + <p> + “By Castor!” said Petronius, “that may be. But I might have still another + way for a quick return to favor.” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “To repeat to Bronzebeard what thou hast told me just now.” + </p> + <p> + “I have said nothing!” cried Scevinus, with alarm. + </p> + <p> + Petronius placed his hand upon the Senator’s shoulder. “Thou hast called + Cæsar a madman, thou hast foreseen the heirship of Piso, and hast said, + ‘Lucan understands that there is need to hasten.’ What wouldst thou + hasten, carissime?” + </p> + <p> + Scevinus grew pale, and for a moment each looked into the eyes of the + other. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt not repeat!” + </p> + <p> + “By the hips of Kypris, I will not! How well thou knowest me! No; I will + not repeat. I have heard nothing, and, moreover, I wish to hear nothing. + Dost understand? Life is too short to make any undertaking worth the + while. I beg thee only to visit Tigellinus to-day, and talk with him as + long as thou hast with me of whatever may please thee.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “So that should Tigellinus ever say to me, ‘Scevinus was with thee,’ I + might answer, ‘He was with thee, too, that very day.’” + </p> + <p> + Scevinus, when he heard this, broke the ivory cane which he had in his + hand, and said,—“May the evil fall on this stick! I shall be with + Tigellinus to-day, and later at Nerva’s feast. Thou, too, wilt be there? + In every case till we meet in the amphitheatre, where the last of the + Christians will appear the day after tomorrow. Till we meet!” + </p> + <p> + “After to-morrow!” repeated Petronius, when alone. “There is no time to + lose. Ahenobarbus will need me really in Achæa; hence he may count with + me.” + </p> + <p> + And he determined to try the last means. + </p> + <p> + In fact, at Nerva’s feast Cæsar himself asked that Petronius recline + opposite, for he wished to speak with the arbiter about Achæa and the + cities in which he might appear with hopes of the greatest success. He + cared most for the Athenians, whom he feared. Other Augustians listened to + this conversation with attention, so as to seize crumbs of the arbiter’s + opinions, and give them out later on as their own. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me that I have not lived up to this time,” said Nero, “and + that my birth will come only in Greece.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt be born to new glory and immortality,” answered Petronius. + </p> + <p> + “I trust that this is true, and that Apollo will not seem jealous. If I + return in triumph, I will offer him such a hecatomb as no god has had so + far.” + </p> + <p> + Scevinus fell to repeating the lines of Horace:— + </p> + <p> + “Sic te diva potens Cypri, Sic fratres Helenæ, lucida sidera, Ventorumque + regat Pater-” + </p> + <p> + “The vessel is ready at Naples,” said Cæsar. “I should like to go even + tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + At this Petronius rose, and, looking straight into Nero’s eyes, said, + </p> + <p> + “Permit me, O divinity, to celebrate a wedding-feast, to which I shall + invite thee before others.” + </p> + <p> + “A wedding-feast! What wedding-feast?” inquired Nero. + </p> + <p> + “That of Vinicius with thy hostage the daughter of the Lygian king. She is + in prison at present, it is true; but as a hostage she is not subject to + imprisonment, and, secondly, thou thyself hast permitted Vinicius to marry + her; and as thy sentences, like those of Zeus, are unchangeable, thou wilt + give command to free her from prison, and I will give her to thy + favorite.” + </p> + <p> + The cool blood and calm self-possession with which Petronius spoke + disturbed Nero, who was disturbed whenever any one spoke in that fashion + to him. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said he, dropping his eyes. “I have thought of her and of that + giant who killed Croton.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case both are saved,” answered Petronius, calmly. + </p> + <p> + But Tigellinus came to the aid of his master: “She is in prison by the + will of Cæsar; thou thyself hast said, O Petronius, that his sentences are + unchangeable.” + </p> + <p> + All present, knowing the history of Vinicius and Lygia, understood + perfectly what the question was; hence they were silent, curious as to the + end of the conversation. + </p> + <p> + “She is in prison against the will of Cæsar and through thy error, through + thy ignorance of the law of nations,” said Petronius, with emphasis. “Thou + art a naive man, Tigellinus; but even thou wilt not assert that she burnt + Rome, and if thou wert to do so, Cæsar would not believe thee.” + </p> + <p> + But Nero had recovered and begun to half close his near-sighted eyes with + an expression of indescribable malice. + </p> + <p> + “Petronius is right,” said he, after a while. + </p> + <p> + Tigellinus looked at him with amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Petronius is right,” repeated Nero; “to-morrow the gates of the prison + will be open to her, and of the marriage feast we will speak the day after + at the amphitheatre.” + </p> + <p> + “I have lost again,” thought Petronius. + </p> + <p> + When he had returned home, he was so certain that the end of Lygia’s life + had come that he sent a trusty freedman to the amphitheatre to bargain + with the chief of the spoliarium for the delivery of her body, since he + wished to give it to Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0065" id="link2HCH0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXV + </h2> + <p> + Evening exhibitions, rare up to that period and given only exceptionally, + became common in Nero’s time, both in the Circus and amphitheatre. The + Augustians liked them, frequently because they were followed by feasts and + drinking-bouts which lasted till daylight. Though the people were sated + already with blood-spilling, still, when the news went forth that the end + of the games was approaching, and that the last of the Christians were to + die at an evening spectacle, a countless audience assembled in the + amphitheatre. The Augustians came to a man, for they understood that it + would not be a common spectacle; they knew that Cæsar had determined to + make for himself a tragedy out of the suffering of Vinicius. Tigellinus + had kept secret the kind of punishment intended for the betrothed of the + young tribune; but that merely roused general curiosity. Those who had + seen Lygia at the house of Plautius told wonders of her beauty. Others + were occupied above all with the question, would they see her really on + the arena that day; for many of those who had heard the answer given + Petronius and Nerva by Cæsar explained it in two ways: some supposed + simply that Nero would give or perhaps had given the maiden to Vinicius; + they remembered that she was a hostage, hence free to worship whatever + divinities she liked, and that the law of nations did not permit her + punishment. + </p> + <p> + Uncertainty, waiting, and curiosity had mastered all spectators. Cæsar + arrived earlier than usual; and immediately at his coming people whispered + that something uncommon would happen, for besides Tigellinus and Vatinius, + Cæsar had with him Cassius, a centurion of enormous size and gigantic + strength, whom he summoned only when he wished to have a defender at his + side,—for example, when he desired night expeditions to the Subura, + where he arranged the amusement called “sagatio,” which consisted in + tossing on a soldier’s mantle maidens met on the way. It was noted also + that certain precautions had been taken in the amphitheatre itself. The + pretorian guards were increased; command over them was held, not by a + centurion, but by the tribune Subrius Flavius, known hitherto for blind + attachment to Nero. It was understood, then, that Cæsar wished in every + case to guard himself against an outburst of despair from Vinicius, and + curiosity rose all the more. + </p> + <p> + Every eye was turned with strained gaze to the place where the unfortunate + lover was sitting. He was exceedingly pale, and his forehead was covered + with drops of sweat; he was in as much doubt as were other spectators, but + alarmed to the lowest depth of his soul. Petronius knew not what would + happen; he was silent, except that, while turning from Nerva, he asked + Vinicius whether he was ready for everything, and next, whether he would + remain at the spectacle. To both questions Vinicius answered “Yes,” but a + shudder passed through his whole body; he divined that Petronius did not + ask without reason. For some time he had lived with only half his life,—he + had sunk in death, and reconciled himself to Lygia’s death, since for both + it was to be liberation and marriage; but he learned now that it was one + thing to think of the last moment when it was distant as of a quiet + dropping asleep, and another to look at the torment of a person dearer to + one than life. All sufferings endured formerly rose in him anew. Despair, + which had been set at rest, began again to cry in his soul; the former + desire to save Lygia at any price seized him anew. Beginning with the + morning, he had tried to go to the cunicula to be sure that she was there; + but the pretorians watched every entrance, and orders were so strict that + the soldiers, even those whom he knew, would not be softened by prayers or + gold. It seemed to the tribune that uncertainty would kill him before he + should see the spectacle. Somewhere at the bottom of his heart the hope + was still throbbing, that perhaps Lygia was not in the amphitheatre, that + his fears were groundless. At times he seized on this hope with all his + strength. He said in his soul that Christ might take her to Himself out of + the prison, but could not permit her torture in the Circus. Formerly he + was resigned to the divine will in everything; now, when repulsed from the + doors of the cunicula, he returned to his place in the amphitheatre, and + when he learned, from the curious glances turned on him, that the most + dreadful suppositions might be true, he began to implore in his soul with + passionateness almost approaching a threat. “Thou canst!” repeated he, + clenching his fists convulsively, “Thou canst!” Hitherto he had not + supposed that that moment when present would be so terrible. Now, without + clear consciousness of what was happening in his mind, he had the feeling + that if he should see Lygia tortured, his love for God would be turned to + hatred, and his faith to despair. But he was amazed at the feeling, for he + feared to offend Christ, whom he was imploring for mercy and miracles. He + implored no longer for her life; he wished merely that she should die + before they brought her to the arena, and from the abyss of his pain he + repeated in spirt: “Do not refuse even this, and I will love Thee still + more than hitherto.” And then his thoughts raged as a sea torn by a + whirlwind. A desire for blood and vengeance was roused in him. He was + seized by a mad wish to rush at Nero and stifle him there in presence of + all the spectators; but he felt that desire to be a new offence against + Christ, and a breach of His command. To his head flew at times flashes of + hope that everything before which his soul was trembling would be turned + aside by an almighty and merciful hand; but they were quenched at once, as + if in measureless sorrow that He who could destroy that Circus with one + word and save Lygia had abandoned her, though she trusted in Him and loved + Him with all the strength of her pure heart. And he thought, moreover, + that she was lying there in that dark place, weak, defenceless, deserted, + abandoned to the whim or disfavor of brutal guards, drawing her last + breath, perhaps, while he had to wait, helpless, in that dreadful + amphitheatre, without knowing what torture was prepared for her, or what + he would witness in a moment. Finally, as a man falling over a precipice + grasps at everything which grows on the edge of it, so did he grasp with + both hands at the thought that faith of itself could save her. That one + method remained! Peter had said that faith could move the earth to its + foundations. + </p> + <p> + Hence he rallied; he crushed doubt in himself, he compressed his whole + being into the sentence, “I believe,” and he looked for a miracle. + </p> + <p> + But as an overdrawn cord may break, so exertion broke him. The pallor of + death covered his face, and his body relaxed. He thought then that his + prayer had been heard, for he was dying. It seemed to him that Lygia must + surely die too, and that Christ would take them to Himself in that way. + The arena, the white togas, the countless spectators, the light of + thousands of lamps and torches, all vanished from his vision. + </p> + <p> + But his weakness did not last long. After a while he roused himself, or + rather the stamping of the impatient multitude roused him. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art ill,” said Petronius; “give command to bear thee home.” + </p> + <p> + And without regard to what Cæsar would say, he rose to support Vinicius + and go out with him. His heart was filled with pity, and, moreover, he was + irritated beyond endurance because Cæsar was looking through the emerald + at Vinicius, studying his pain with satisfaction, to describe it + afterwards, perhaps, in pathetic strophes, and win the applause of + hearers. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius shook his head. He might die in that amphitheatre, but he could + not go out of it. Moreover the spectacle might begin any moment. + </p> + <p> + In fact, at that very instant almost, the prefect of the city waved a red + handkerchief, the hinges opposite Cæsar’s podium creaked, and out of the + dark gully came Ursus into the brightly lighted arena. + </p> + <p> + The giant blinked, dazed evidently by the glitter of the arena; then he + pushed into the centre, gazing around as if to see what he had to meet. It + was known to all the Augustians and to most of the spectators that he was + the man who had stifled Croton; hence at sight of him a murmur passed + along every bench. In Rome there was no lack of gladiators larger by far + than the common measure of man, but Roman eyes had never seen the like of + Ursus. Cassius, standing in Cæsar’s podium, seemed puny compared with that + Lygian. Senators, vestals, Cæsar, the Augustians, and the people gazed + with the delight of experts at his mighty limbs as large as tree-trunks, + at his breast as large as two shields joined together, and his arms of a + Hercules. The murmur rose every instant. For those multitudes there could + be no higher pleasure than to look at those muscles in play in the + exertion of a struggle. The murmur rose to shouts, and eager questions + were put: “Where do the people live who can produce such a giant?” He + stood there, in the middle of the amphitheatre, naked, more like a stone + colossus than a man, with a collected expression, and at the same time the + sad look of a barbarian; and while surveying the empty arena, he gazed + wonderingly with his blue childlike eyes, now at the spectators, now at + Cæsar, now at the grating of the cunicula, whence, as he thought, his + executioners would come. + </p> + <p> + At the moment when he stepped into the arena his simple heart was beating + for the last time with the hope that perhaps a cross was waiting for him; + but when he saw neither the cross nor the hole in which it might be put, + he thought that he was unworthy of such favor,—that he would find + death in another way, and surely from wild beasts. He was unarmed, and had + determined to die as became a confessor of the “Lamb,” peacefully and + patiently. Meanwhile he wished to pray once more to the Saviour; so he + knelt on the arena, joined his hands, and raised his eyes toward the stars + which were glittering in the lofty opening of the amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + That act displeased the crowds. They had had enough of those Christians + who died like sheep. They understood that if the giant would not defend + himself the spectacle would be a failure. Here and there hisses were + heard. Some began to cry for scourgers, whose office it was to lash + combatants unwilling to fight. But soon all had grown silent, for no one + knew what was waiting for the giant, nor whether he would not be ready to + struggle when he met death eye to eye. + </p> + <p> + In fact, they had not long to wait. Suddenly the shrill sound of brazen + trumpets was heard, and at that signal a grating opposite Cæsar’s podium + was opened, and into the arena rushed, amid shouts of beast-keepers, an + enormous German aurochs, bearing on his head the naked body of a woman. + </p> + <p> + “Lygia! Lygia!” cried Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + Then he seized his hair near the temples, squirmed like a man who feels a + sharp dart in his body, and began to repeat in hoarse accents,— + </p> + <p> + “I believe! I believe! O Christ, a miracle!” + </p> + <p> + And he did not even feel that Petronius covered his head that moment with + the toga. It seemed to him that death or pain had closed his eyes. He did + not look, he did not see. The feeling of some awful emptiness possessed + him. In his head there remained not a thought; his lips merely repeated, + as if in madness,— + </p> + <p> + “I believe! I believe! I believe!” + </p> + <p> + This time the amphitheatre was silent. The Augustians rose in their + places, as one man, for in the arena something uncommon had happened. That + Lygian, obedient and ready to die, when he saw his queen on the horns of + the wild beast, sprang up, as if touched by living fire, and bending + forward he ran at the raging animal. + </p> + <p> + From all breasts a sudden cry of amazement was heard, after which came + deep silence. + </p> + <p> + The Lygian fell on the raging bull in a twinkle, and seized him by the + horns. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” cried Petronius, snatching the toga from the head of Vinicius. The + latter rose and bent back his head; his face was as pale as linen, and he + looked into the arena with a glassy, vacant stare. + </p> + <p> + All breasts ceased to breathe. In the amphitheatre a fly might be heard on + the wing. People could not believe their own eyes. Since Rome was Rome, no + one had seen such a spectacle. + </p> + <p> + The Lygian held the wild beast by the horns. The man’s feet sank in the + sand to his ankles, his back was bent like a drawn bow, his head was + hidden between his shoulders, on his arms the muscles came out so that the + skin almost burst from their pressure; but he had stopped the bull in his + tracks. And the man and the beast remained so still that the spectators + thought themselves looking at a picture showing a deed of Hercules or + Theseus, or a group hewn from stone. But in that apparent repose there was + a tremendous exertion of two struggling forces. The bull sank his feet as + well as did the man in the sand, and his dark, shaggy body was curved so + that it seemed a gigantic ball. Which of the two would fail first, which + would fall first,—that was the question for those spectators + enamoured of such struggles; a question which at that moment meant more + for them than their own fate, than all Rome and its lordship over the + world. That Lygian was in their eyes then a demigod worthy of honor and + statues. Cæsar himself stood up as well as others. He and Tigellinus, + hearing of the man’s strength, had arranged this spectacle purposely, and + said to each other with a jeer, “Let that slayer of Croton kill the bull + which we choose for him”; so they looked now with amazement at that + picture, as if not believing that it could be real. + </p> + <p> + In the amphitheatre were men who had raised their arms and remained in + that posture. Sweat covered the faces of others, as if they themselves + were struggling with the beast. In the Circus nothing was heard save the + sound of flame in the lamps, and the crackle of bits of coal as they + dropped from the torches. Their voices died on the lips of the spectators, + but their hearts were beating in their breasts as if to split them. It + seemed to all that the struggle was lasting for ages. But the man and the + beast continued on in their monstrous exertion; one might have said that + they were planted in the earth. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile a dull roar resembling a groan was heard from the arena, after + which a brief shout was wrested from every breast, and again there was + silence. People thought themselves dreaming till the enormous head of the + bull began to turn in the iron hands of the barbarian. The face, neck, and + arms of the Lygian grew purple; his back bent still more. It was clear + that he was rallying the remnant of his superhuman strength, but that he + could not last long. + </p> + <p> + Duller and duller, hoarser and hoarser, more and more painful grew the + groan of the bull as it mingled with the whistling breath from the breast + of the giant. The head of the beast turned more and more, and from his + jaws crept forth a long, foaming tongue. + </p> + <p> + A moment more, and to the ears of spectators sitting nearer came as it + were the crack of breaking bones; then the beast rolled on the earth with + his neck twisted in death. + </p> + <p> + The giant removed in a twinkle the ropes from the horns of the bull and, + raising the maiden, began to breathe hurriedly. His face became pale, his + hair stuck together from sweat, his shoulders and arms seemed flooded with + water. For a moment he stood as if only half conscious; then he raised his + eyes and looked at the spectators. + </p> + <p> + The amphitheatre had gone wild. + </p> + <p> + The walls of the building were trembling from the roar of tens of + thousands of people. Since the beginning of spectacles there was no memory + of such excitement. Those who were sitting on the highest rows came down, + crowding in the passages between benches to look more nearly at the strong + man. Everywhere were heard cries for mercy, passionate and persistent, + which soon turned into one unbroken thunder. That giant had become dear to + those people enamoured of physical strength; he was the first personage in + Rome. + </p> + <p> + He understood that the multitude were striving to grant him his life and + restore him his freedom, but clearly his thought was not on himself alone. + He looked around a while; then approached Cæsar’s podium, and, holding the + body of the maiden on his outstretched arms, raised his eyes with + entreaty, as if to say,— + </p> + <p> + “Have mercy on her! Save the maiden. I did that for her sake!” + </p> + <p> + The spectators understood perfectly what he wanted. At sight of the + unconscious maiden, who near the enormous Lygian seemed a child, emotion + seized the multitude of knights and senators. Her slender form, as white + as if chiselled from alabaster, her fainting, the dreadful danger from + which the giant had freed her, and finally her beauty and attachment had + moved every heart. Some thought the man a father begging mercy for his + child. Pity burst forth suddenly, like a flame. They had had blood, death, + and torture in sufficiency. Voices choked with tears began to entreat + mercy for both. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Ursus, holding the girl in his arms, moved around the arena, and + with his eyes and with motions begged her life for her. Now Vinicius + started up from his seat, sprang over the barrier which separated the + front places from the arena, and, running to Lygia, covered her naked body + with his toga. + </p> + <p> + Then he tore apart the tunic on his breast, laid bare the scars left by + wounds received in the Armenian war, and stretched out his hands to the + audience. + </p> + <p> + At this the enthusiasm of the multitude passed everything seen in a circus + before. The crowd stamped and howled. Voices calling for mercy grew simply + terrible. People not only took the part of the athlete, but rose in + defense of the soldier, the maiden, their love. Thousands of spectators + turned to Cæsar with flashes of anger in their eyes and with clinched + fists. + </p> + <p> + But Cæsar halted and hesitated. Against Vinicius he had no hatred indeed, + and the death of Lygia did not concern him; but he preferred to see the + body of the maiden rent by the horns of the bull or torn by the claws of + beasts. His cruelty, his deformed imagination, and deformed desires found + a kind of delight in such spectacles. And now the people wanted to rob + him. Hence anger appeared on his bloated face. Self-love also would not + let him yield to the wish of the multitude, and still he did not dare to + oppose it, through his inborn cowardice. + </p> + <p> + So he gazed around to see if among the Augustians at least, he could not + find fingers turned down in sign of death. But Petronius held up his hand, + and looked into Nero’s face almost challengingly. Vestinius, superstitious + but inclined to enthusiasm, a man who feared ghosts but not the living, + gave a sign for mercy also. So did Scevinus, the Senator; so did Nerva, so + did Tullius Senecio, so did the famous leader Ostorius Scapula, and + Antistius, and Piso, and Vetus, and Crispinus, and Minucius Thermus, and + Pontius Telesinus, and the most important of all, one honored by the + people, Thrasea. + </p> + <p> + In view of this, Cæsar took the emerald from his eye with an expression of + contempt and offence; when Tigellinus, whose desire was to spite + Petronius, turned to him and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Yield not, divinity; we have the pretorians.” + </p> + <p> + Then Nero turned to the place where command over the pretorians was held + by the stern Subrius Flavius, hitherto devoted with whole soul to him, and + saw something unusual. The face of the old tribune was stern, but covered + with tears, and he was holding his hand up in sign of mercy. + </p> + <p> + Now rage began to possess the multitude. Dust rose from beneath the + stamping feet, and filled the amphitheatre. In the midst of shouts were + heard cries: “Ahenobarbus! matricide! incendiary!” + </p> + <p> + Nero was alarmed. Romans were absolute lords in the Circus. Former Cæsars, + and especially Caligula, had permitted themselves sometimes to act against + the will of the people; this, however, called forth disturbance always, + going sometimes to bloodshed. But Nero was in a different position. First, + as a comedian and a singer he needed the people’s favor; second, he wanted + it on his side against the Senate and the patricians, and especially after + the burning of Rome he strove by all means to win it, and turn their anger + against the Christians. He understood, besides, that to oppose longer was + simply dangerous. A disturbance begun in the Circus might seize the whole + city, and have results incalculable. + </p> + <p> + He looked once more at Subrius Flavius, at Scevinus the centurion, a + relative of the senator, at the soldiers; and seeing everywhere frowning + brows, excited faces, and eyes fixed on him, he gave the sign for mercy. + </p> + <p> + Then a thunder of applause was heard from the highest seats to the lowest. + The people were sure of the lives of the condemned, for from that moment + they went under their protection, and even Cæsar would not have dared to + pursue them any longer with his vengeance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0066" id="link2HCH0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXVI + </h2> + <p> + FOUR Bithynians carried Lygia carefully to the house of Petronius. + Vinicius and Ursus walked at her side, hurrying so as to give her into the + hands of the Greek physician as quickly as possible. They walked in + silence, for after the events of the day they had not power to speak. + Vinicius so far was as if half conscious. He kept repeating to himself + that Lygia was saved; that she was threatened no longer by imprisonment, + or death in the Circus; that their misfortunes had ended once and forever; + that he would take her home and not separate again from her. This appeared + to him the beginning of some other life rather than reality. From moment + to moment he bent over the open litter to look on the beloved face, which + in the moonlight seemed sleeping, and he repeated mentally, “This is she! + Christ has saved her!” He remembered also that while he and Ursus were + carrying her from the spoliarium an unknown physician had assured him that + she was living and would recover. At this thought delight so filled his + breast that at moments he grew weak, and being unable to walk with his own + strength leaned on the arm of Ursus. Ursus meanwhile was looking into the + sky filled with stars, and was praying. + </p> + <p> + They advanced hurriedly along streets where newly erected white buildings + shone brightly in the moonlight. The city was empty, save here and there + where crowds of people crowned with ivy, sang and danced before porticos + to the sound of flutes, thus taking advantage of the wonderful night and + the festive season, unbroken from the beginning of the games. Only when + they were near the house did Ursus stop praying, and say in a low voice, + as if he feared to waken Lygia,— + </p> + <p> + “Lord, it was the Saviour who rescued her from death. When I saw her on + the horns of the aurochs, I heard a voice in my soul saying, ‘Defend her!’ + and that was the voice of the Lamb. The prison took strength from me, but + He gave it back in that moment, and inspired that cruel people to take her + part. Let His will be done!” + </p> + <p> + And Vinicius answered,— + </p> + <p> + “Magnified be His name!” + </p> + <p> + He had not power to continue, for all at once he felt that a mighty + weeping was swelling his breast. He was seized by an overpowering wish to + throw himself on the earth and thank the Saviour for His miracles and His + mercy. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile they had come to the house; the servants, informed by a slave + despatched in advance, crowded out to meet them. Paul of Tarsus had sent + back from Antium the greater part of those people. The misfortune of + Vinicius was known to them perfectly; therefore their delight at seeing + those victims which had been snatched from the malice of Nero was immense, + and increased still more when the physician Theocles declared that Lygia + had not suffered serious injury, and that when the weakness caused by + prison fever had passed, she would regain health. + </p> + <p> + Consciousness returned to her that night. Waking in the splendid chamber + lighted by Corinthian lamps, amidst the odor of verbena and nard, she knew + not where she was, or what was taking place with her. She remembered the + moment in which she had been lashed to the horns of the chained bull; and + now, seeing above her the face of Vinicius, lighted by the mild rays of + the lamp, she supposed herself no longer on earth. The thoughts were + confused in her weakened head; it seemed to her natural to be detained + somewhere on the way to heaven, because of her tortures and weakness. + Feeling no pain, however, she smiled at Vinicius, and wanted to ask where + they were; but from her lips came merely a low whisper in which he could + barely detect his own name. + </p> + <p> + Then he knelt near her, and, placing his hand on her forehead lightly, he + said,— + </p> + <p> + “Christ saved thee, and returned thee to me!” + </p> + <p> + Her lips moved again with a meaningless whisper; her lids closed after a + moment, her breast rose with a light sigh, and she fell into a deep sleep, + for which the physician had been waiting, and after which she would return + to health, he said. + </p> + <p> + Vinicius remained kneeling near her, however, sunk in prayer. His soul was + melting with a love so immense that he forgot himself utterly. Theocles + returned often to the chamber, and the golden-haired Eunice appeared + behind the raised curtain a number of times; finally cranes, reared in the + gardens, began to call, heralding the coming day, but Vinicius was still + embracing in his mind the feet of Christ, neither seeing nor hearing what + was passing around him, with a heart turned into a thanksgiving, + sacrificial flame, sunk in ecstasy, and though alive, half seized into + heaven. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0067" id="link2HCH0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXVII + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS, after the liberation of Lygia, not wishing to irritate Cæsar, + went to the Palatine with other Augustians. He wanted to hear what they + were saying, and especially to learn if Tigellinus was devising something + new to destroy Lygia. Both she and Ursus had passed under the protection + of the people, it is true, and no one could place a hand on them without + raising a riot; still Petronius, knowing the hatred toward him of the + all-powerful pretorian prefect, considered that very likely Tigellinus, + while unable to strike him directly, would strive to find some means of + revenge against his nephew. + </p> + <p> + Nero was angry and irritated, since the spectacle had ended quite + differently from what he had planned. At first he did not wish even to + look at Petronius; but the latter, without losing cool blood, approached + him, with all the freedom of the “arbiter elegantiarum,” and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou know, divinity, what occurs to me? Write a poem on the maiden + who, at command of the lord of the world, was freed from the horns of the + wild bull and given to her lover. The Greeks are sensitive, and I am sure + that the poem will enchant them.” + </p> + <p> + This thought pleased Nero in spite of all his irritation, and it pleased + him doubly, first, as a subject for a poem, and second, because in it he + could glorify himself as the magnanimous lord of the earth; hence he + looked for a time at Petronius, and then said,— + </p> + <p> + “Yes! perhaps thou art right. But does it become me to celebrate my own + goodness?” + </p> + <p> + “There is no need to give names. In Rome all will know who is meant, and + from Rome reports go through the whole world.” + </p> + <p> + “But art thou sure that this will please the people in Achæa?” + </p> + <p> + “By Poilux, it will!” said Petronius. + </p> + <p> + And he went away satisfied, for he felt certain that Nero, whose whole + life was an arrangement of reality to literary plans, would not spoil the + subject, and by this alone he would tie the hands of Tigellinus. This, + however, did not change his plan of sending Vinicius out of Rome as soon + as Lygia’s health should permit. So when he saw him next day, he said,— + </p> + <p> + “Take her to Sicily. As things have happened, on Cæsar’s part thou art + threatened by nothing; but Tigellinus is ready to use even poison,—if + not out of hatred to you both, out of hatred to me.” + </p> + <p> + Vinicius smiled at him, and said: “She was on the horns of the wild bull; + still Christ saved her.” + </p> + <p> + “Then honor Him with a hecatomb,” replied Petronius, with an accent of + impatience, “but do not beg Him to save her a second time. Dost remember + how Eolus received Ulysses when he returned to ask a second time for + favoring winds? Deities do not like to repeat themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “When her health returns, I will take her to Pomponia Græcina,” said + Vinicius. + </p> + <p> + “And thou wilt do that all the better since Pomponia is ill; Antistius, a + relative of Aulus, told me so. Meanwhile things will happen here to make + people forget thee, and in these times the forgotten are the happiest. May + Fortune be thy sun in winter, and thy shade in summer.” + </p> + <p> + Then he left Vinicius to his happiness, but went himself to inquire of + Theocles touching the life and health of Lygia. + </p> + <p> + Danger threatened her no longer. Emaciated as she was in the dungeon after + prison fever, foul air and discomfort would have killed her; but now she + had the most tender care, and not only plenty, but luxury. At command of + Theocles they took her to the gardens of the villa after two days; in + these gardens she remained for hours. Vinicius decked her litter with + anemones, and especially with irises, to remind her of the atrium of the + house of Aulus. More than once, hidden in the shade of spreading trees, + they spoke of past sufferings and fears, each holding the other’s hand. + Lygia said that Christ had conducted him through suffering purposely to + change his soul and raise it to Himself. Vinicius felt that this was true, + and that there was in him nothing of the former patrician, who knew no law + but his own desire. In those memories there was nothing bitter, however. + It seemed to both that whole years had gone over their heads, and that the + dreadful past lay far behind. At the same time such a calmness possessed + them as they had never known before. A new life of immense happiness had + come and taken them into itself. In Rome Cæsar might rage and fill the + world with terror—they felt above them a guardianship a hundred + times mightier than his power, and had no further fear of his rage or his + malice, just as if for them he had ceased to be the lord of life or death. + Once, about sunset, the roar of lions and other beasts reached them from + distant vivaria. Formerly those sounds filled Vinicius with fear because + they were ominous; now he and Lygia merely looked at each other and raised + their eyes to the evening twilight. At times Lygia, still very weak and + unable to walk alone, fell asleep in the quiet of the garden; he watched + over her, and, looking at her sleeping face, thought involuntarily that + she was not that Lygia whom he had met at the house of Aulus. In fact, + imprisonment and disease had to some extent quenched her beauty. When he + saw her at the house of Aulus, and later, when he went to Miriam’s house + to seize her, she was as wonderful as a statue and also as a flower; now + her face had become almost transparent, her hands thin, her body reduced + by disease, her lips pale, and even her eyes seemed less blue than + formerly. The golden-haired Eunice who brought her flowers and rich stuffs + to cover her feet was a divinity of Cyprus in comparison. Petronius tried + in vain to find the former charms in her, and, shrugging his shoulders, + thought that that shadow from Elysian fields was not worth those + struggles, those pains, and those tortures which had almost sucked the + life out of Vinicius. But Vinicius, in love now with her spirit, loved it + all the more; and when he was watching over her while asleep, it seemed to + him that he was watching over the whole world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0068" id="link2HCH0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXVIII + </h2> + <p> + NEWS of the miraculous rescue of Lygia was circulated quickly among those + scattered Christians who had escaped destruction. Confessors came to look + at her to whom Christ’s favor had been shown clearly. First came Nazarius + and Miriam, with whom Peter the Apostle was hiding thus far; after them + came others. All, as well as Vinicius, Lygia, and the Christian slaves of + Petronius, listened with attention to the narrative of Ursus about the + voice which he had heard in his soul, and which commanded him to struggle + with the wild bull. All went away consoled, hoping that Christ would not + let His followers be exterminated on earth before His coming at the day of + judgment. And hope sustained their hearts, for persecution had not ceased + yet. Whoever was declared a Christian by public report was thrown into + prison at once by the city watches. It is true that the victims were + fewer, for the majority of confessors had been seized and tortured to + death. The Christians who remained had either left Rome to wait out the + storm in distant provinces, or had hidden most carefully, not daring to + assemble in common prayer, unless in sand-pits outside the city. They were + persecuted yet, however, and though the games were at an end, the newly + arrested were reserved for future games or punished specially. Though it + was believed in Rome no longer that Christians had caused the + conflagration, they were declared enemies of humanity and the State, and + the edict against them remained in former force. + </p> + <p> + The Apostle Peter did not venture for a long time to appear in the house + of Petronius, but at last on a certain evening Nazarius announced his + arrival. Lygia, who was able to walk alone now, and Vinicius ran out to + meet him, and fell to embracing his feet. He greeted them with emotion all + the greater that not many sheep in that flock over which Christ had given + him authority, and over the fate of which his great heart was weeping, + remained to him. So when Vinicius said, “Lord, because of thee the + Redeemer returned her to me,” he answered: “He returned her because of thy + faith, and so that not all the lips which profess His name should grow + silent.” And evidently he was thinking then of those thousands of his + children torn by wild beasts, of those crosses with which the arena had + been filled, and those fiery pillars in the gardens of the “Beast”; for he + spoke with great sadness. Vinicius and Lygia noticed also that his hair + had grown entirely white, that his whole form was bent, and that in his + face there was as much sadness and suffering as if he had passed through + all those pains and torments which the victims of Nero’s rage and madness + had endured. But both understood that since Christ had given Himself to + torture and to death, no one was permitted to avoid it. Still their hearts + were cut at sight of the Apostle, bent by years, toil, and pain. So + Vinicius, who intended to take Lygia soon to Naples, where they would meet + Pomponia and go to Sicily, implored him to leave Rome in their company. + </p> + <p> + But the Apostle placed his hand on the tribune’s head and answered,— + </p> + <p> + “In my soul I hear these words of the Lord, which He spoke to me on the + Lake of Tiberias: ‘When thou wert young, thou didst gird thyself, and walk + whither thou wouldst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth + thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou + wouldst not.’ Therefore it is proper that I follow my flock.” + </p> + <p> + And when they were silent, not knowing the sense of his speech, he added, + </p> + <p> + “My toil is nearing its end; I shall find entertainment and rest only in + the house of the Lord.” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to them saying: “Remember me, for I have loved you as a + father loves his children; and whatever ye do in life, do it for the glory + of God.” + </p> + <p> + Thus speaking, he raised his aged, trembling hands and blessed them; they + nestled up to him, feeling that to be the last blessing, perhaps, which + they should receive from him. + </p> + <p> + It was destined them, however, to see him once more. A few days later + Petronius brought terrible news from the Palatine. It had been discovered + there that one of Cæsar’s freedmen was a Christian; and on this man were + found letters of the Apostles Peter and Paul, with letters of James, John, + and Judas. Peter’s presence in Rome was known formerly to Tigellinus, but + he thought that the Apostle had perished with thousands of other + confessors. Now it transpired that the two leaders of the new faith were + alive and in the capital. It was determined, therefore, to seize them at + all costs, for it was hoped that with their death the last root of the + hated sect would be plucked out. Petronius heard from Vestinius that Cæsar + himself had issued an order to put Peter and Paul in the Mamertine prison + within three days, and that whole detachments of pretorians had been sent + to search every house in the Trans-Tiber. + </p> + <p> + When he heard this, Vinicius resolved to warn the Apostle. In the evening + he and Ursus put on Gallic mantles and went to the house of Miriam, where + Peter was living. The house was at the very edge of the Trans-Tiber + division of the city, at the foot of the Janiculum. On the road they saw + houses surrounded by soldiers, who were guided by certain unknown persons. + This division of the city was alarmed, and in places crowds of curious + people had assembled. Here and there centurions interrogated prisoners + touching Simon Peter and Paul of Tarsus. + </p> + <p> + Ursus and Vinicius were in advance of the soldiers, and went safely to + Miriam’s house, in which they found Peter surrounded by a handful of the + faithful. Timothy, Paul’s assistant, and Linus were at the side of the + Apostle. + </p> + <p> + At news of the approaching danger, Nazarius led all by a hidden passage to + the garden gate, and then to deserted stone quarries, a few hundred yards + distant from the Janiculum Gate. Ursus had to carry Linus, whose bones, + broken by torture, had not grown together yet. But once in the quarry, + they felt safe; and by the light of a torch ignited by Nazarius they began + to consult, in a low voice, how to save the life of the Apostle who was so + dear to them. + </p> + <p> + “Lord,” said Vinicius, “let Nazarius guide thee at daybreak to the Alban + Hills. There I will find thee, and we will take thee to Antium, where a + ship is ready to take us to Naples and Sicily. Blessed will the day and + the hour be in which thou shalt enter my house, and thou wilt bless my + hearth.” + </p> + <p> + The others heard this with delight, and pressed the Apostle, saying, + </p> + <p> + “Hide thyself, sacred leader; remain not in Rome. Preserve the living + truth, so that it perish not with us and thee. Hear us, who entreat thee + as a father.” + </p> + <p> + “Do this in Christ’s name!” cried others, grasping at his robes. + </p> + <p> + “My children,” answered Peter, “who knows the time when the Lord will mark + the end of his life?” + </p> + <p> + But he did not say that he would not leave Rome, and he hesitated what to + do; for uncertainty, and even fear, had been creeping into his soul for + some time. His flock was scattered; the work was wrecked; that church, + which before the burning of the city had been flourishing like a splendid + tree, was turned into dust by the power of the “Beast.” Nothing remained + save tears, nothing save memories of torture and death. The sowing had + yielded rich fruit, but Satan had trampled it into the earth. Legions of + angels had not come to aid the perishing,—and Nero was extending in + glory over the earth, terrible, mightier than ever, the lord of all seas + and all lands. More than once had that fisherman of the Lord stretched his + hands heavenward in loneliness and asked: “Lord, what must I do? How must + I act? And how am I, a feeble old man, to fight with this invincible power + of Evil, which Thou hart permitted to rule, and have victory?” + </p> + <p> + And he called out thus in the depth of his immense pain, repeating in + spirit: “Those sheep which Thou didst command me to feed are no more, Thy + church is no more; loneliness and mourning are in Thy capital; what dost + Thou command me to do now? Am I to stay here, or lead forth the remnant of + the flock to glorify Thy name in secret somewhere beyond the sea?” + </p> + <p> + And he hesitated, He believed that the living truth would not perish, that + it must conquer; but at moments he thought that the hour had not come yet, + that it would come only when the Lord should descend to the earth in the + day of judgment in glory and power a hundred times greater than the might + of Nero. + </p> + <p> + Frequently it seemed to him that if he left Rome, the faithful would + follow; that he would lead them then far away to the shady groves of + Galilee, to the quiet surface of the Lake of Tiberias, to shepherds as + peaceful as doves, or as sheep, who feed there among thyme and pepperwort. + And an increasing desire for peace and rest, an increasing yearning for + the lake and Galilee, seized the heart of the fisherman; tears came more + frequently to the old man’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + But at the moment when he made the choice, sudden alarm and fear came on + him. How was he to leave that city, in which so much martyrs’ blood had + sunk into the earth, and where so many lips had given the true testimony + of the dying? Was he alone to yield? And what would he answer the Lord on + hearing the words, “These have died for the faith, but thou didst flee”? + </p> + <p> + Nights and days passed for him in anxiety and suffering. Others, who had + been torn by lions, who had been fastened to crosses, who had been burnt + in the gardens of Cæsar, had fallen asleep in the Lord after moments of + torture; but he could not sleep, and he felt greater tortures than any of + those invented by executioners for victims. Often was the dawn whitening + the roofs of houses while he was still crying from the depth of his + mourning heart: “Lord, why didst Thou command me to come hither and found + Thy capital in the den of the ‘Beast’?” + </p> + <p> + For thirty-three years after the death of his Master he knew no rest. + Staff in hand, he had gone through the world and declared the “good + tidings.” His strength had been exhausted in journeys and toil, till at + last, when in that city, which was the head of the world, he had + established the work of his Master, one bloody breath of wrath had burned + it, and he saw that there was need to take up the struggle anew. And what + a struggle! On one side Cæsar, the Senate, the people, the legions holding + the world with a circle of iron, countless cities, countless lands,—power + such as the eye of man had not seen; on the other side he, so bent with + age and toil that his trembling hand was hardly able to carry his staff. + </p> + <p> + At times, therefore, he said to himself that it was not for him to measure + with the Cæsar of Rome,—that Christ alone could do that. + </p> + <p> + All these thoughts were passing through his care-filled head, when he + heard the prayers of the last handful of the faithful. They, surrounding + him in an ever narrowing circle, repeated with voices of entreaty,— + </p> + <p> + “Hide thyself, Rabbi, and lead us away from the power of the ‘Beast.’” + </p> + <p> + Finally Linus also bowed his tortured head before him. + </p> + <p> + “O lord,” said he, “the Redeemer commanded thee to feed His sheep, but + they are here no longer or to-morrow they will not be here; go, therefore, + where thou mayst find them yet. The word of God is living still in + Jerusalem, in Antioch, in Ephesus, and in other cities. What wilt thou do + by remaining in Rome? If thou fall, thou wilt merely swell the triumph of + the ‘Beast.’ The Lord has not designated the limit of John’s life; Paul is + a Roman citizen, they cannot condemn him without trial; but if the power + of hell rise up against thee, O teacher, those whose hearts are dejected + will ask, ‘Who is above Nero?’ Thou art the rock on which the church of + God is founded. Let us die, but permit not the victory of Antichrist over + the viceregent of God, and return not hither till the Lord has crushed him + who shed innocent blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Look at our tears!” repeated all who were present. + </p> + <p> + Tears flowed over Peter’s face too. After a while he rose, and, stretching + his hands over the kneeling figures, said,— + </p> + <p> + “May the name of the Lord be magnified, and may His will be done!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0069" id="link2HCH0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXIX + </h2> + <p> + About dawn of the following day two dark figures were moving along the + Appian Way toward the Campania. + </p> + <p> + One of them was Nazarius; the other the Apostle Peter, who was leaving + Rome and his martyred co-religionists. + </p> + <p> + The sky in the east was assuming a light tinge of green, bordered + gradually and more distinctly on the lower edge with saffron color. + Silver-leafed trees, the white marble of villas, and the arches of + aqueducts, stretching through the plain toward the city, were emerging + from shade. The greenness of the sky was clearing gradually, and becoming + permeated with gold. Then the east began to grow rosy and illuminate the + Alban Hills, which seemed marvellously beautiful, lily-colored, as if + formed of rays of light alone. + </p> + <p> + The light was reflected in trembling leaves of trees, in the dew-drops. + The haze grew thinner, opening wider and wider views on the plain, on the + houses dotting it, on the cemeteries, on the towns, and on groups of + trees, among which stood white columns of temples. + </p> + <p> + The road was empty. The villagers who took vegetables to the city had not + succeeded yet, evidently, in harnessing beasts to their vehicles. From the + stone blocks with which the road was paved as far as the mountains, there + came a low sound from the bark shoes on the feet of the two travellers. + </p> + <p> + Then the sun appeared over the line of hills; but at once a wonderful + vision struck the Apostle’s eyes. It seemed to him that the golden circle, + instead of rising in the sky, moved down from the heights and was + advancing on the road. Peter stopped, and asked,— + </p> + <p> + “Seest thou that brightness approaching us?” + </p> + <p> + “I see nothing,” replied Nazarius. + </p> + <p> + But Peter shaded his eyes with his hand, and said after a while, + </p> + <p> + “Some figure is coming in the gleam of the sun.” But not the slightest + sound of steps reached their ears. It was perfectly still all around. + Nazarius saw only that the trees were quivering in the distance, as if + some one were shaking them, and the light was spreading more broadly over + the plain. He looked with wonder at the Apostle. + </p> + <p> + “Rabbi! what ails thee?” cried he, with alarm. + </p> + <p> + The pilgrim’s staff fell from Peter’s hands to the earth; his eyes were + looking forward, motionless; his mouth was open; on his face were depicted + astonishment, delight, rapture. + </p> + <p> + Then he threw himself on his knees, his arms stretched forward; and this + cry left his lips,— + </p> + <p> + “O Christ! O Christ!” + </p> + <p> + He fell with his face to the earth, as if kissing some one’s feet. + </p> + <p> + The silence continued long; then were heard the words of the aged man, + broken by sobs,— + </p> + <p> + “Quo vadis, Domine?” + </p> + <p> + Nazarius did not hear the answer; but to Peter’s ears came a sad and sweet + voice, which said,— + </p> + <p> + “If thou desert my people, I am going to Rome to be crucified a second + time.” + </p> + <p> + The Apostle lay on the ground, his face in the dust, without motion or + speech. It seemed to Nazarius that he had fainted or was dead; but he rose + at last, seized the staff with trembling hands, and turned without a word + toward the seven hills of the city. + </p> + <p> + The boy, seeing this, repeated as an echo,— + </p> + <p> + “Quo vadis, Domine?” + </p> + <p> + “To Rome,” said the Apostle, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + And he returned. + </p> + <p> + Paul, John, Linus, and all the faithful received him with amazement; and + the alarm was the greater, since at daybreak, just after his departure, + pretorians had surrounded Miriam’s house and searched it for the Apostle. + But to every question he answered only with delight and peace,— + </p> + <p> + “I have seen the Lord!” + </p> + <p> + And that same evening he went to the Ostian cemetery to teach and baptize + those who wished to bathe in the water of life. + </p> + <p> + And thenceforward he went there daily, and after him went increasing + numbers. It seemed that out of every tear of a martyr new confessors were + born, and that every groan on the arena found an echo in thousands of + breasts. Cæsar was swimming in blood, Rome and the whole pagan world was + mad. But those who had had enough of transgression and madness, those who + were trampled upon, those whose lives were misery and oppression, all the + weighed down, all the sad, all the unfortunate, came to hear the wonderful + tidings of God, who out of love for men had given Himself to be crucified + and redeem their sins. + </p> + <p> + When they found a God whom they could love, they had found that which the + society of the time could not give any one,—happiness and love. + </p> + <p> + And Peter understood that neither Cæsar nor all his legions could overcome + the living truth,—that they could not overwhelm it with tears or + blood, and that now its victory was beginning. He understood with equal + force why the Lord had turned him back on the road. That city of pride, + crime, wickedness, and power was beginning to be His city, and the double + capital, from which would flow out upon the world government of souls and + bodies. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0070" id="link2HCH0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXX + </h2> + <p> + AT last the hour was accomplished for both Apostles. But, as if to + complete his service, it was given to the fisherman of the Lord to win two + souls even in confinement. The soldiers, Processus and Martinianus, who + guarded him in the Mamertine prison, received baptism. Then came the hour + of torture. Nero was not in Rome at that time. Sentence was passed by + Helius and Polythetes, two freedmen to whom Cæsar had confided the + government of Rome during his absence. + </p> + <p> + On the aged Apostle had been inflicted the stripes prescribed by law; and + next day he was led forth beyond the walls of the city, toward the Vatican + Hill, where he was to suffer the punishment of the cross assigned to him. + Soldiers were astonished by the crowd which had gathered before the + prison, for in their minds the death of a common man, and besides a + foreigner, should not rouse such interest; they did not understand that + that retinue was composed not of sightseers, but confessors, anxious to + escort the great Apostle to the place of execution. In the afternoon the + gates of the prison were thrown open at last, and Peter appeared in the + midst of a detachment of pretorians. The sun had inclined somewhat toward + Ostia already; the day was clear and calm. Because of his advanced age, + Peter was not required to carry the cross; it was supposed that he could + not carry it; they had not put the fork on his neck, either, so as not to + retard his pace. He walked without hindrance, and the faithful could see + him perfectly. + </p> + <p> + At moments when his white head showed itself among the iron helmets of the + soldiers, weeping was heard in the crowd; but it was restrained + immediately, for the face of the old man had in it so much calmness, and + was so bright with joy, that all understood him to be not a victim going + to destruction, but a victor celebrating his triumph. + </p> + <p> + And thus it was really. The fisherman, usually humble and stooping, walked + now erect, taller than the soldiers, full of dignity. Never had men seen + such majesty in his bearing. It might have seemed that he was a monarch + attended by people and military. From every side voices were raised,— + </p> + <p> + “There is Peter going to the Lord!” + </p> + <p> + All forgot, as it were, that torture and death were waiting for him. He + walked with solemn attention, but with calmness, feeling that since the + death on Golgotha nothing equally important had happened, and that as the + first death had redeemed the whole world, this was to redeem the city. + </p> + <p> + Along the road people halted from wonder at sight of that old man; but + believers, laying hands on their shoulders, said with calm voices,— + </p> + <p> + “See how a just man goes to death,—one who knew Christ and + proclaimed love to the world.” + </p> + <p> + These became thoughtful, and walked away, saying to themselves, “He + cannot, indeed, be unjust!” + </p> + <p> + Along the road noise was hushed, and the cries of the street. The retinue + moved on before houses newly reared, before white columns of temples, over + whose summits hung the deep sky, calm and blue. They went in quiet; only + at times the weapons of the soldiers clattered, or the murmur of prayer + rose. Peter heard the last, and his face grew bright with increasing joy, + for his glance could hardly take in those thousands of confessors. He felt + that he had done his work, and he knew now that that truth which he had + been declaring all his life would overwhelm everything, like a sea, and + that nothing would have power to restrain it. And thus thinking, he raised + his eyes, and said: “O Lord, Thou didst command me to conquer this + world-ruling city; hence I have conquered it. Thou hast commanded me to + found here Thy capital; hence I have founded it. This is Thy city now, O + Lord, and I go to Thee, for I have toiled greatly.” + </p> + <p> + As he passed before temples, he said to them, “Ye will be temples of + Christ.” Looking at throngs of people moving before his eyes, he said to + them, “Your children will be servants of Christ”; and he advanced with the + feeling that he had conquered, conscious of his service, conscious of his + strength, solaced,—great. The soldiers conducted him over the Pons + Triumphalis, as if giving involuntary testimony to his triumph, and they + led him farther toward the Naumachia and the Circus. The faithful from + beyond the Tiber joined the procession; and such a throng of people was + formed that the centurion commanding the pretonians understood at last + that he was leading a high-priest surrounded by believers, and grew + alarmed because of the small number of soldiers. But no cry of indignation + or rage was given out in the throng. Men’s faces were penetrated with the + greatness of the moment, solemn and full of expectation. Some believers, + remembering that when the Lord died the earth opened from fright and the + dead rose from their graves, thought that now some evident signs would + appear, after which the death of the Apostle would not be forgotten for + ages. Others said to themselves, “Perhaps the Lord will select the hour of + Peter’s death to come from heaven as He promised, and judge the world.” + With this idea they recommended themselves to the mercy of the Redeemer. + </p> + <p> + But round about there was calm. The hills seemed to be warming themselves, + and resting in the sun. The procession stopped at last between the Circus + and the Vatican Hill. Soldiers began now to dig a hole; others placed on + the ground the cross, hammers, and nails, waiting till all preparations + were finished. The crowd, continuing quiet and attentive, knelt round + about. + </p> + <p> + The Apostle, with his head in the sun-rays and golden light, turned for + the last time toward the city. At a distance lower down was seen the + gleaming Tiber; beyond was the Campus Martius; higher up, the Mausoleum of + Augustus; below that, the gigantic baths just begun by Nero; still lower, + Pompey’s theatre; and beyond them were visible in places, and in places + hidden by other buildings, the Septa Julia, a multitude of porticos, + temples, columns, great edifices; and, finally, far in the distance, hills + covered with houses, a gigantic resort of people, the borders of which + vanished in the blue haze,—an abode of crime, but of power; of + madness, but of order,—which had become the head of the world, its + oppressor, but its law and its peace, almighty, invincible, eternal. + </p> + <p> + But Peter, surrounded by soldiers, looked at the city as a ruler and king + looks at his inheritance. And he said to it, “Thou art redeemed and mine!” + And no one, not merely among the soldiers digging the hole in which to + plant the cross, but even among believers, could divine that standing + there among them was the true ruler of that moving life; that Cæsars would + pass away, waves of barbarians go by, and ages vanish, but that old man + would be lord there unbrokenly. + </p> + <p> + The sun had sunk still more toward Ostia, and had become large and red. + The whole western side of the sky had begun to glow with immense + brightness. The soldiers approached Peter to strip him. + </p> + <p> + But he, while praying, straightened himself all at once, and stretched his + right hand high. The executioners stopped, as if made timid by his + posture; the faithful held the breath in their breasts, thinking that he + wished to say something, and silence unbroken followed. + </p> + <p> + But he, standing on the height, with his extended right hand made the sign + of the cross, blessing in the hour of death,— + </p> + <p> + Urbi et orbi! (the city and the world). + </p> + <p> + In that same wonderful evening another detachment of soldiers conducted + along the Ostian Way Paul of Tarsus toward a place called Aquæ Salviæ. And + behind him also advanced a crowd of the faithful whom he had converted; + but when he recognized near acquaintances, he halted and conversed with + them, for, being a Roman citizen, the guard showed more respect to him. + Beyond the gate called Tergemina he met Plautilla, the daughter of the + prefect Flavius Sabinus, and, seeing her youthful face covered with tears, + he said: “Plautilla, daughter of Eternal Salvation, depart in peace. Only + give me a veil with which to bind my eyes when I am going to the Lord.” + And taking it, he advanced with a face as full of delight as that of a + laborer who when he has toiled the whole day successfully is returning + home. His thoughts, like those of Peter, were as calm and quiet as that + evening sky. His eyes gazed with thoughtfulness upon the plain which + stretched out before him, and to the Alban Hills, immersed in light. He + remembered his journeys, his toils, his labor, the struggles in which he + had conquered, the churches which he had founded in all lands and beyond + all seas; and he thought that he had earned his rest honestly, that he had + finished his work. He felt now that the seed which he had planted would + not be blown away by the wind of malice. He was leaving this life with the + certainty that in the battle which his truth had declared against the + world it would conquer; and a mighty peace settled down on his soul. + </p> + <p> + The road to the place of execution was long, and evening was coming. The + mountains became purple, and the bases of them went gradually into the + shade. Flocks were returning home. Here and there groups of slaves were + walking with the tools of labor on their shoulders. Children, playing on + the road before houses, looked with curiosity at the passing soldiers. But + in that evening, in that transparent golden air, there were not only peace + and lovingness, but a certain harmony, which seemed to lift from earth to + heaven. Paul felt this; and his heart was filled with delight at the + thought that to that harmony of the world he had added one note which had + not been in it hitherto, but without which the whole earth was like + sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. + </p> + <p> + He remembered how he had taught people love,—how he had told them + that though they were to give their property to the poor, though they knew + all languages, all secrets, and all sciences, they would be nothing + without love, which is kind, enduring, which does not return evil, which + does not desire honor, suffers all things, believes all things, hopes all + things, is patient of all things. + </p> + <p> + And so his life had passed in teaching people this truth. And now he said + in spirit: What power can equal it, what can conquer it? Could Cæsar stop + it, though he had twice as many legions and twice as many cities, seas, + lands, and nations? + </p> + <p> + And he went to his reward like a conqueror. + </p> + <p> + The detachment left the main road at last, and turned toward the east on a + narrow path leading to the Aquæ Salviæ. The red sun was lying now on the + heather. The centurion stopped the soldiers at the fountain, for the + moment had come. + </p> + <p> + Paul placed Plautilla’s veil on his arm, intending to bind his eyes with + it; for the last time he raised those eyes, full of unspeakable peace, + toward the eternal light of the evening, and prayed. Yes, the moment had + come; but he saw before him a great road in the light, leading to heaven; + and in his soul he repeated the same words which formerly he had written + in the feeling of his own finished service and his near end,— + </p> + <p> + “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the + faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0071" id="link2HCH0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXXI + </h2> + <p> + ROME had gone mad for a long time, so that the world-conquering city + seemed ready at last to tear itself to pieces for want of leadership. Even + before the last hour of the Apostles had struck, Piso’s conspiracy + appeared; and then such merciless reaping of Rome’s highest heads, that + even to those who saw divinity in Nero, he seemed at last a divinity of + death. Mourning fell on the city, terror took its lodgment in houses and + in hearts, but porticos were crowned with ivy and flowers, for it was not + permitted to show sorrow for the dead. People waking in the morning asked + themselves whose turn would come next. The retinue of ghosts following + Cæsar increased every day. + </p> + <p> + Piso paid for the conspiracy with his head; after him followed Seneca, and + Lucan, Fenius Rufus, and Plautius Lateranus, and Flavius Scevinus, and + Afranius Quinetianus, and the dissolute companion of Cæsar’s madnesses, + Tullius Senecio, and Proculus, and Araricus, and Tugurinus, and Gratus, + and Silanus, and Proximus,—once devoted with his whole soul to Nero,—and + Sulpicius Asper. Some were destroyed by their own insignificance, some by + fear, some by wealth, others by bravery. Cæsar, astonished at the very + number of the conspirators, covered the walls with soldiery and held the + city as if by siege, sending out daily centurions with sentences of death + to suspected houses. The condemned humiliated themselves in letters filled + with flattery, thanking Cæsar for his sentences, and leaving him a part of + their property, so as to save the rest for their children. It seemed, at + last, that Nero was exceeding every measure on purpose to convince himself + of the degree in which men had grown abject, and how long they would + endure bloody rule. After the conspirators, their relatives were executed; + then their friends, and even simple acquaintances. Dwellers in lordly + mansions built after the fire, when they went out on the street, felt sure + of seeing a whole row of funerals. Pompeius, Cornelius, Martialis, Flavius + Nepos, and Statius Domitius died because accused of lack of love for + Cæsar; Novius Priscus, as a friend of Seneca. Rufius Crispus was deprived + of the right of fire and water because on a time he had been the husband + of Poppæa. The great Thrasea was ruined by his virtue; many paid with + their lives for noble origin; even Poppæa fell a victim to the momentary + rage of Nero. + </p> + <p> + The Senate crouched before the dreadful ruler; it raised a temple in his + honor, made an offering in favor of his voice, crowned his statues, + appointed priests to him as to a divinity. Senators, trembling in their + souls, went to the Palatine to magnify the song of the “Periodonices,” and + go wild with him amid orgies of naked bodies, wine, and flowers. + </p> + <p> + But meanwhile from below, in the field soaked in blood and tears, rose the + sowing of Peter, stronger and stronger every moment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0072" id="link2HCH0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXXII + </h2> + <h3> + VINICIUS to PETRONIUS: + </h3> + <p> + “We know, carissime, most of what is happening in Rome, and what we do not + know is told us in thy letters. When one casts a stone in the water, the + wave goes farther and farther in a circle; so the wave of madness and + malice has come from the Palatine to us. On the road to Greece, Carinas + was sent hither by Cæsar, who plundered cities and temples to fill the + empty treasury. At the price of the sweat and tears of people, he is + building the ‘golden house’ in Rome. It is possible that the world has not + seen such a house, but it has not seen such injustice. Thou knowest + Carinas. Chilo was like him till he redeemed his life with death. But to + the towns lying nearer us his men have not come yet, perhaps because there + are no temples or treasures in them. Thou askest if we are out of danger. + I answer that we are out of mind, and let that suffice for an answer. At + this moment, from the portico under which I write, I see our calm bay, and + on it Ursus in a boat, letting down a net in the clear water. My wife is + spinning red wool near me, and in the gardens, under the shade of + almond-trees, our slaves are singing. Oh, what calm carissime, and what a + forgetfulness of former fear and suffering! But it is not the Parcæ as + thou writest, who spin out our lives so agreeably; it is Christ who is + blessing us, our beloved God and Saviour. We know tears and sorrow, for + our religion teaches us to weep over the misfortunes of others; but in + these tears is a consolation unknown to thee; for whenever the time of our + life is ended, we shall find all those dear ones who perished and who are + perishing yet for God’s truth. For us Peter and Paul are not dead; they + are merely born into glory. Our souls see them, and when our eyes weep our + hearts are glad with their joy. Oh, yes, my dear friend, we are happy with + a happiness which nothing can destroy, since death, which for thee is the + end of everything, is for us only a passage into superior rest. + </p> + <p> + “And so days and months pass here in calmness of heart. Our servants and + slaves believe, as we do, in Christ, and that He enjoins love; hence we + love one another. Frequently, when the sun has gone down, or when the moon + is shining in the water, Lygia and I talk of past times, which seem a + dream to us; but when I think how that dear head was near torture and + death, I magnify my Lord with my whole soul, for out of those hands He + alone could wrest her, save her from the arena, and return her to me + forever. O Petronius, thou hast seen what endurance and comfort that + religion gives in misfortune, how much patience and courage before death; + so come and see how much happiness it gives in ordinary, common days of + life. People thus far did not know a God whom man could love, hence they + did not love one another; and from that came their misfortune, for as + light comes from the sun, so does happiness come from love. Neither + lawgivers nor philosophers taught this truth, and it did not exist in + Greece or Rome; and when I say, not in Rome, that means the whole world. + The dry and cold teaching of the Stoics, to which virtuous people rally, + tempers the heart as a sword is tempered, but it makes it indifferent + rather than better. Though why do I write this to thee, who hast learned + more, and hast more understanding than I have? Thou wert acquainted with + Paul of Tarsus, and more than once didst converse long with him; hence + thou knowest better if in comparison with the truth which he taught all + the teachings of philosophers and rhetors are not a vain and empty jingle + of words without meaning. Thou rememberest the question which he put thee: + ‘But if Cæsar were a Christian, would ye not all feel safer, surer of + possessing that which ye possess, free of alarm, and sure of to-morrow?’ + Thou didst say to me that our teaching was an enemy of life; and I answer + thee now, that, if from the beginning of this letter I had been repeating + only the three words, ‘I am happy!’ I could not have expressed my + happiness to thee. To this thou wilt answer, that my happiness is Lygia. + True, my friend. Because I love her immortal soul, and because we both + love each other in Christ; for such love there is no separation, no + deceit, no change, no old age, no death. For, when youth and beauty pass, + when our bodies wither and death comes, love will remain, for the spirit + remains. Before my eyes were open to the light I was ready to burn my own + house even, for Lygia’s sake; but now I tell thee that I did not love her, + for it was Christ who first taught me to love. In Him is the source of + peace and happiness. It is not I who say this, but reality itself. Compare + thy own luxury, my friend, lined with alarm, thy delights, not sure of a + morrow, thy orgies, with the lives of Christians, and thou wilt find a + ready answer. But, to compare better, come to our mountains with the odor + of thyme, to our shady olive groves on our shores lined with ivy. A peace + is waiting for thee, such as thou hast not known for a long time, and + hearts that love thee sincerely. Thou, having a noble soul and a good one, + shouldst be happy. Thy quick mind can recognize the truth, and knowing it + thou wilt love it. To be its enemy, like Cæsar and Tigellinus, is + possible, but indifferent to it no one can be. O my Petronius, Lygia and I + are comforting ourselves with the hope of seeing thee soon. Be well, be + happy, and come to us.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius received this letter in Cumæ, whither he had gone with other + Augustians who were following Cæsar. His struggle of long years with + Tigellinus was nearing its end. Petronius knew already that he must fall + in that struggle, and he understood why. As Cæsar fell lower daily to the + role of a comedian, a buffoon, and a charioteer; as he sank deeper in a + sickly, foul, and coarse dissipation,—the exquisite arbiter became a + mere burden to him. Even when Petronius was silent, Nero saw blame in his + silence; when the arbiter praised, he saw ridicule. The brilliant + patrician annoyed his self-love and roused his envy. His wealth and + splendid works of art had become an object of desire both to the ruler and + the all-powerful minister. Petronius was spared so far in view of the + journey to Achæa, in which his taste, his knowledge of everything Greek, + might be useful. But gradually Tigellinus explained to Cæsar that Carinas + surpassed him in taste and knowledge, and would be better able to arrange + in Achæa games, receptions, and triumphs. From that moment Petronius was + lost. There was not courage to send him his sentence in Rome. Cæsar and + Tigellinus remembered that that apparently effeminate and æsthetic person, + who made “day out of night,” and was occupied only in luxury, art, and + feasts, had shown amazing industry and energy, when proconsul in Bithynia + and later when consul in the capital. They considered him capable of + anything, and it was known that in Rome he possessed not only the love of + the people, but even of the pretorians. None of Cæsar’s confidants could + foresee how Petronius might act in a given case; it seemed wiser, + therefore, to entice him out of the city, and reach him in a province. + </p> + <p> + With this object he received an invitation to go to Cumæ with other + Augustians. He went, though suspecting the ambush, perhaps so as not to + appear in open opposition, perhaps to show once more a joyful face devoid + of every care to Cæsar and the Augustians, and to gain a last victory + before death over Tigellinus. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the latter accused him of friendship with the Senator Scevinus, + who was the soul of Piso’s conspiracy. The people of Petronius, left in + Rome, were imprisoned; his house was surrounded by pretorian guards. When + he learned this, he showed neither alarm nor concern, and with a smile + said to Augustians whom he received in his own splendid villa in Cumæ,— + </p> + <p> + “Ahenobarbus does not like direct questions; hence ye will see his + confusion when I ask him if it was he who gave command to imprison my + ‘familia’ in the capital.” + </p> + <p> + Then he invited them to a feast “before the longer journey,” and he had + just made preparations for it when the letter from Vinicius came. + </p> + <p> + When he received this letter, Petronius grew somewhat thoughtful, but + after a time his face regained its usual composure, and that same evening + he answered as follows:— + </p> + <p> + “I rejoice at your happiness and admire your hearts, for I had not thought + that two lovers could remember a third person who was far away. Ye have + not only not forgotten me, but ye wish to persuade me to go to Sicily, so + that ye may share with me your bread and your Christ, who, as thou + writest, has given you happiness so bountifully. + </p> + <p> + “If that be true, honor Him. To my thinking, however, Ursus had something + to do with saving Lygia, and the Roman people also had a little to do with + it. But since thy belief is that Christ did the work, I will not + contradict. Spare no offerings to Him. Prometheus also sacrificed himself + for man; but, alas! Prometheus is an invention of the poets apparently, + while people worthy of credit have told me that they saw Christ with their + own eyes. I agree with thee that He is the most worthy of the gods. + </p> + <p> + “I remember the question by Paul of Tarsus, and I think that if + Ahenobarbus lived according to Christ’s teaching I might have time to + visit you in Sicily. In that case we could converse, in the shade of trees + and near fountains, of all the gods and all the truths discussed by Greek + philosophers at any time. To-day I must give thee a brief answer. + </p> + <p> + “I care for two philosophers only: Pyrrho and Anacreon. I am ready to sell + the rest to thee cheaply, with all the Greek and Roman Stoics. Truth, + Vinicius, dwells somewhere so high that the gods themselves cannot see it + from the top of Olympus. To thee, carissime, thy Olympus seems higher + still, and, standing there, thou callest to me, ‘Come, thou wilt see such + sights as thou hast not seen yet!’ I might. But I answer, ‘I have not feet + for the journey.’ And if thou read this letter to the end, thou wilt + acknowledge, I think, that I am right. + </p> + <p> + “No, happy husband of the Aurora princess! thy religion is not for me. Am + I to love the Bithynians who carry my litter, the Egyptians who heat my + bath? Am I to love Ahenobarbus and Tigellinus? I swear by the white knees + of the Graces, that even if I wished to love them I could not. In Rome + there are a hundred thousand persons at least who have either crooked + shoulders, or big knees, or thin thighs, or staring eyes, or heads that + are too large. Dost thou command me to love these too? Where am I to find + the love, since it is not in my heart? And if thy God desires me to love + such persons, why in His all might did He not give them the forms of + Niobe’s children, for example, which thou hast seen on the Palatine? Whoso + loves beauty is unable for that very reason to love deformity. One may not + believe in our gods, but it is possible to love them, as Phidias, + Praxiteles, Miron, Skopas, and Lysias loved. + </p> + <p> + “Should I wish to go whither thou wouldst lead me, I could not. But since + I do not wish, I am doubly unable. Thou believest, like Paul of Tarsus, + that on the other side of the Styx thou wilt see thy Christ in certain + Elysian fields. Let Him tell thee then Himself whether He would receive me + with my gems, my Myrrhene vase, my books published by Sozius, and my + golden-haired Eunice. I laugh at this thought; for Paul of Tarsus told me + that for Christ’s sake one must give up wreaths of roses, feasts, and + luxury. It is true that he promised me other happiness, but I answered + that I was too old for new happiness, that my eyes would be delighted + always with roses, and that the odor of violets is dearer to me than + stench from my foul neighbor of the Subura. + </p> + <p> + “These are reasons why thy happiness is not for me. But there is one + reason more, which I have reserved for the last: Thanatos summons me. For + thee the light of life is beginning; but my sun has set, and twilight is + embracing my head. In other words, I must die, carissime. + </p> + <p> + “It is not worth while to talk long of this. It had to end thus. Thou, who + knowest Ahenobarbus, wilt understand the position easily. Tigellinus has + conquered, or rather my victories have touched their end. I have lived as + I wished, and I will die as pleases me. + </p> + <p> + “Do not take this to heart. No God has promised me immortality; hence no + surprise meets me. At the same time thou art mistaken, Vinicius, in + asserting that only thy God teaches man to die calmly. No. Our world knew, + before thou wert born, that when the last cup was drained, it was time to + go,—time to rest,—and it knows yet how to do that with + calmness. Plato declares that virtue is music, that the life of a sage is + harmony. If that be true, I shall die as I have lived,—virtuously. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to take farewell of thy godlike wife in the words with + which on a time I greeted her in the house of Aulus, ‘Very many persons + have I seen, but thy equal I know not.’ + </p> + <p> + “If the soul is more than what Pyrrho thinks, mine will fly to thee and + Lygia, on its way to the edge of the ocean, and will alight at your house + in the form of a butterfly or, as the Egyptians believe, in the form of a + sparrowhawk. Otherwise I cannot come. + </p> + <p> + “Meanwhile let Sicily replace for you the gardens of Hesperides; may the + goddesses of the fields, woods, and fountains scatter flowers on your + path, and may white doves build their nests on every acanthus of the + columns of your house.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0073" id="link2HCH0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter LXXIII + </h2> + <p> + PETRONIUS was not mistaken. Two days later young Nerva, who had always + been friendly and devoted, sent his freedman to Cumæ with news of what was + happening at the court of Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + The death of Petronius had been determined. On the morning of the + following day they intended to send him a centurion, with the order to + stop at Cumæ, and wait there for further instructions; the next messenger, + to follow a few days later, was to bring the death sentence. + </p> + <p> + Petronius heard the news with unruffled calmness. + </p> + <p> + “Thou wilt take to thy lord,” said he, “one of my vases; say from me that + I thank him with my whole soul, for now I am able to anticipate the + sentence.” + </p> + <p> + And all at once he began to laugh, like a man who has came upon a perfect + thought, and rejoices in advance at its fulfilment. + </p> + <p> + That same afternoon his slaves rushed about, inviting the Augustians, who + were staying in Cumæ, and all the ladies, to a magnificent banquet at the + villa of the arbiter. + </p> + <p> + He wrote that afternoon in the library; next he took a bath, after which + he commanded the vestiplicæ to arrange his dress. Brilliant and stately as + one of the gods, he went to the triclinium, to cast the eye of a critic on + the preparations, and then to the gardens, where youths and Grecian + maidens from the islands were weaving wreaths of roses for the evening. + </p> + <p> + Not the least care was visible on his face. The servants only knew that + the feast would be something uncommon, for he had issued a command to give + unusual rewards to those with whom he was satisfied, and some slight blows + to all whose work should not please him, or who had deserved blame or + punishment earlier. To the cithara players and the singers he had ordered + beforehand liberal pay. At last, sitting in the garden under a beech, + through whose leaves the sun-rays marked the earth with bright spots, he + called Eunice. + </p> + <p> + She came, dressed in white, with a sprig of myrtle in her hair, beautiful + as one of the Graces. He seated her at his side, and, touching her temple + gently with his fingers, he gazed at her with that admiration with which a + critic gazes at a statue from the chisel of a master. + </p> + <p> + “Eunice,” asked he, “dost thou know that thou art not a slave this long + time?” + </p> + <p> + She raised to him her calm eyes, as blue as the sky, and denied with a + motion of her head. + </p> + <p> + “I am thine always,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “But perhaps thou knowest not,” continued Petronius, “that the villa, and + those slaves twining wreaths here, and all which is in the villa, with the + fields and the herds, are thine henceforward.” + </p> + <p> + Eunice, when she heard this, drew away from him quickly, and asked in a + voice filled with sudden fear,— + </p> + <p> + “Why dost thou tell me this?” + </p> + <p> + Then she approached again, and looked at him, blinking with amazement. + After a while her face became as pale as linen. He smiled, and said only + one word,— + </p> + <p> + “So!” + </p> + <p> + A moment of silence followed; merely a slight breeze moved the leaves of + the beech. + </p> + <p> + Petronius might have thought that before him was a statue cut from white + marble. + </p> + <p> + “Eunice,” said he, “I wish to die calmly.” + </p> + <p> + And the maiden, looking at him with a heart-rending smile, whispered,— + </p> + <p> + “I hear thee.” + </p> + <p> + In the evening the guests, who had been at feasts given by Petronius + previously, and knew that in comparison with them even Cæsar’s banquets + seemed tiresome and barbarous, began to arrive in numbers. To no one did + it occur, even, that that was to be the last “symposium.” Many knew, it is + true, that the clouds of Cæsar’s anger were hanging over the exquisite + arbiter; but that had happened so often, and Petronius had been able so + often to scatter them by some dexterous act or by a single bold word, that + no one thought really that serious danger threatened him. His glad face + and usual smile, free of care, confirmed all, to the last man, in that + opinion. The beautiful Eunice, to whom he had declared his wish to die + calmly, and for whom every word of his was like an utterance of fate, had + in her features a perfect calmness, and in her eyes a kind of wonderful + radiance, which might have been considered delight. At the door of the + triclinium, youths with hair in golden nets put wreaths of roses on the + heads of the guests, warning them, as the custom was, to pass the + threshold right foot foremost. In the hall there was a slight odor of + violets; the lamps burned in Alexandrian glass of various colors. At the + couches stood Grecian maidens, whose office it was to moisten the feet of + guests with perfumes. At the walls cithara players and Athenian choristers + were waiting for the signal of their leader. + </p> + <p> + The table service gleamed with splendor, but that splendor did not offend + or oppress; it seemed a natural development. Joyousness and freedom spread + through the hall with the odor of violets. The guests as they entered felt + that neither threat nor constraint was hanging over them, as in Cæsar’s + house, where a man might forfeit his life for praises not sufficiently + great or sufficiently apposite. At sight of the lamps, the goblets + entwined with ivy, the wine cooling on banks of snow, and the exquisite + dishes, the hearts of the guests became joyous. Conversation of various + kinds began to buzz, as bees buzz on an apple tree in blossom. At moments + it was interrupted by an outburst of glad laughter, at moments by murmurs + of applause, at moments by a kiss placed too loudly on some white + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + The guests, while drinking wine, spilled from their goblets a few drops to + the immortal gods, to gain their protection, and their favor for the host. + It mattered not that many of them had no belief in the gods. Custom and + superstition prescribed it. Petronius, inclining near Eunice, talked of + Rome, of the latest divorces, of love affairs, of the races, of Spiculus, + who had become famous recently in the arena, and of the latest books in + the shops of Atractus and the Sozii. When he spilled wine, he said that he + spilled it only in honor of the Lady of Cyprus, the most ancient divinity + and the greatest, the only immortal, enduring, and ruling one. + </p> + <p> + His conversation was like sunlight which lights up some new object every + instant, or like the summer breeze which stirs flowers in a garden. At + last he gave a signal to the leader of the music, and at that signal the + citharæ began to sound lightly, and youthful voices accompanied. Then + maidens from Kos, the birthplace of Eunice, danced, and showed their rosy + forms through robes of gauze. Finally, an Egyptian soothsayer told the + guests their future from the movement of rainbow colors in a vessel of + crystal. + </p> + <p> + When they had enough of these amusements, Petronius rose somewhat on his + Syrian cushion, and said with hesitation,— + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, friends, for asking a favor at a feast. Will each man accept + as a gift that goblet from which he first shook wine in honor of the gods + and to my prosperity?” + </p> + <p> + The goblets of Petronius were gleaming in gold, precious stones, and the + carving of artists; hence, though gift giving was common in Rome, delight + filled every heart. Some thanked him loudly: others said that Jove had + never honored gods with such gifts in Olympus; finally, there were some + who refused to accept, since the gifts surpassed common estimate. + </p> + <p> + But he raised aloft the Myrrhene vase, which resembled a rainbow in + brilliancy, and was simply beyond price. + </p> + <p> + “This,” said he, “is the one out of which I poured in honor of the Lady of + Cyprus. The lips of no man may touch it henceforth, and no hand may ever + pour from it in honor of another divinity.” + </p> + <p> + He cast the precious vessel to the pavement, which was covered with + lily-colored saffron flowers; and when it was broken into small pieces, he + said, seeing around him astonished faces,— + </p> + <p> + “My dear friends, be glad and not astonished. Old age and weakness are sad + attendants in the last years of life. But I will give you a good example + and good advice: Ye have the power, as ye see, not to wait for old age; ye + can depart before it comes, as I do.” + </p> + <p> + “What dost thou wish?” asked a number of voices, with alarm. + </p> + <p> + “I wish to rejoice, to drink wine, to hear music, to look on those divine + forms which ye see around me, and fall asleep with a garlanded head. I + have taken farewell of Cæsar, and do ye wish to hear what I wrote him at + parting?” + </p> + <p> + He took from beneath the purple cushion a paper, and read as follows:— + </p> + <p> + “I know, O Cæsar, that thou art awaiting my arrival with impatience, that + thy true heart of a friend is yearning day and night for me. I know that + thou art ready to cover me with gifts, make me prefect of the pretorian + guards, and command Tigellinus to be that which the gods made him, a + mule-driver in those lands which thou didst inherit after poisoning + Domitius. Pardon me, however, for I swear to thee by Hades, and by the + shades of thy mother, thy wife, thy brother, and Seneca, that I cannot go + to thee. Life is a great treasure. I have taken the most precious jewels + from that treasure, but in life there are many things which I cannot + endure any longer. Do not suppose, I pray, that I am offended because thou + didst kill thy mother, thy wife, and thy brother; that thou didst burn + Rome and send to Erebus all the honest men in thy dominions. No, grandson + of Chronos. Death is the inheritance of man; from thee other deeds could + not have been expected. But to destroy one’s ear for whole years with thy + poetry, to see thy belly of a Domitius on slim legs whirled about in + Pyrrhic dance; to hear thy music, thy declamation, thy doggerel verses, + wretched poet of the suburbs,—is a thing surpassing my power, and it + has roused in me the wish to die. Rome stuffs its ears when it hears thee; + the world reviles thee. I can blush for thee no longer, and I have no wish + to do so. The howls of Cerberus, though resembling thy music, will be less + offensive to me, for I have never been the friend of Cerberus, and I need + not be ashamed of his howling. Farewell, but make no music; commit murder, + but write no verses; poison people, but dance not; be an incendiary, but + play not on a cithara. This is the wish and the last friendly counsel sent + thee by the—Arbiter Elegantiæ.” + </p> + <p> + The guests were terrified, for they knew that the loss of dominion would + have been less cruel to Nero than this blow. They understood, too, that + the man who had written that paper must die; and at the same time pale + fear flew over them because they had heard such a paper. + </p> + <p> + But Petronius laughed with sincere and gladsome joy, as if it were a + question of the most innocent joke; then he cast his eyes on all present, + and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Be joyous, and drive away fear. No one need boast that he heard this + letter. I will boast of it only to Charon when I am crossing in the boat + with him.” + </p> + <p> + He beckoned then to the Greek physician, and stretched out his arm. The + skilled Greek in the twinkle of an eye opened the vein at the bend of the + arm. Blood spurted on the cushion, and covered Eunice, who, supporting the + head of Petronius, bent over him and said,— + </p> + <p> + “Didst thou think that I would leave thee? If the gods gave me + immortality, and Cæsar gave me power over the earth, I would follow thee + still.” + </p> + <p> + Petronius smiled, raised himself a little, touched her lips with his, and + said,— + </p> + <p> + “Come with me.” + </p> + <p> + She stretched her rosy arm to the physician, and after a while her blood + began to mingle and be lost in his blood. + </p> + <p> + Then he gave a signal to the leader of the music, and again the voices and + cithariæ were heard. They sang “Harmodius”; next the song of Anacreon + resounded,—that song in which he complained that on a time he had + found Aphrodite’s boy chilled and weeping under trees; that he brought him + in, warmed him, dried his wings, and the ungrateful child pierced his + heart with an arrow,—from that moment peace had deserted the poet. + </p> + <p> + Petronius and Eunice, resting against each other, beautiful as two + divinities, listened, smiling and growing pale. At the end of the song + Petronius gave directions to serve more wine and food; then he conversed + with the guests sitting near him of trifling but pleasant things, such as + are mentioned usually at feasts. Finally, he called to the Greek to bind + his arm for a moment; for he said that sleep was tormenting him, and he + wanted to yield himself to Hypnos before Thanatos put him to sleep + forever. + </p> + <p> + In fact, he fell asleep. When he woke, the head of Eunice was lying on his + breast like a white flower. He placed it on the pillow to look at it once + more. After that his veins were opened again. + </p> + <p> + At his signal the singers raised the song of Anacreon anew, and the + citharæ accompanied them so softly as not to drown a word. Petronius grew + paler and paler; but when the last sound had ceased, he turned to his + guests again and said, + </p> + <p> + “Friends, confess that with us perishes—” + </p> + <p> + But he had not power to finish; his arm with its last movement embraced + Eunice, his head fell on the pillow, and he died. + </p> + <p> + The guests looking at those two white forms, which resembled two wonderful + statues, understood well that with them perished all that was left to + their world at that time,—poetry and beauty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_EPIL" id="link2H_EPIL"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EPILOGUE + </h2> + <p> + AT first the revolt of the Gallic legions under Vindex did not seem very + serious. Cæsar was only in his thirty-first year, and no one was bold + enough to hope that the world could be freed so soon from the nightmare + which was stifling it. Men remembered that revolts had occurred more than + once among the legions,—they had occurred in previous reigns,—revolts, + however, which passed without involving a change of government; as during + the reign of Tiberius, Drusus put down the revolt of the Pannonian + legions. “Who,” said the people, “can take the government after Nero, + since all the descendants of the divine Augustus have perished?” Others, + looking at the Colossus, imagined him a Hercules, and thought that no + force could break such power. There were those even who since he went to + Achæa were sorry for him, because Helius and Polythetes, to whom he left + the government of Rome and Italy, governed more murderously than he had. + </p> + <p> + No one was sure of life or property. Law ceased to protect. Human dignity + and virtue had perished, family bonds existed no longer, and degraded + hearts did not even dare to admit hope. From Greece came accounts of the + incomparable triumphs of Cæsar, of the thousands of crowns which he had + won, the thousands of competitors whom he had vanquished. The world seemed + to be one orgy of buffoonery and blood; but at the same time the opinion + was fixed that virtue and deeds of dignity had ceased, that the time of + dancing and music, of profligacy, of blood, had come, and that life must + flow on for the future in that way. Cæsar himself, to whom rebellion + opened the road to new robberies, was not concerned much about the revolt + of the legions and Vindex; he even expressed his delight on that subject + frequently. He did not wish to leave Achæa even; and only when Helius + informed him that further delay might cause the loss of dominion did he + move to Naples. + </p> + <p> + There he played and sang, neglecting news of events of growing danger. In + vain did Tigellinus explain to him that former rebellions of legions had + no leaders, while at the head of affairs this time was a man descended + from the ancient kings of Gaul and Aquitania, a famous and tried soldier. + “Here,” answered Nero, “the Greeks listen to me,—the Greeks, who + alone know how to listen, and who alone are worthy of my song.” He said + that his first duty was art and glory. But when at last the news came that + Vindex had proclaimed him a wretched artist, he sprang up and moved toward + Rome. The wounds inflicted by Petronius, and healed by his stay in Greece, + opened in his heart anew, and he wished to seek retribution from the + Senate for such unheard-of injustice. + </p> + <p> + On the road he saw a group cast in bronze, representing a Gallic warrior + as overcome by a Roman knight; he considered that a good omen, and + thenceforward, if he mentioned the rebellious legions and Vindex, it was + only to ridicule them. His entrance to the city surpassed all that had + been witnessed earlier. He entered in the chariot used by Augustus in his + triumph. One arch of the Circus was destroyed to give a road to the + procession. The Senate, knights, and innumerable throngs of people went + forth to meet him. The walls trembled from shouts of “Hail, Augustus! + Hail, Hercules! Hail, divinity, the incomparable, the Olympian, the + Pythian, the immortal!” Behind him were borne the crowns, the names of + cities in which he had triumphed; and on tablets were inscribed the names + of the masters whom he had vanquished. Nero himself was intoxicated with + delight, and with emotion he asked the Augustians who stood around him, + “What was the triumph of Julius compared with this?” The idea that any + mortal should dare to raise a hand on such a demigod did not enter his + head. He felt himself really Olympian, and therefore safe. The excitement + and the madness of the crowd roused his own madness. In fact, it might + seem in the day of that triumph that not merely Cæsar and the city, but + the world, had lost its senses. + </p> + <p> + Through the flowers and the piles of wreaths no one could see the + precipice. Still that same evening columns and walls of temples were + covered with inscriptions, describing Nero’s crimes, threatening him with + coming vengeance, and ridiculing him as an artist. From mouth to mouth + went the phrase, “He sang till he roused the Gauls.” Alarming news made + the rounds of the city, and reached enormous measures. Alarm seized the + Augustians. People, uncertain of the future, dazed not express hopes or + wishes; they hardly dared to feel or think. + </p> + <p> + But he went on living only in the theatre and music. Instruments newly + invented occupied him, and a new water-organ, of which trials were made on + the Palatine. With childish mind, incapable of plan or action, he imagined + that he could ward off danger by promises of spectacles and theatrical + exhibitions reaching far into the future, Persons nearest him, seeing that + instead of providing means and an army, he was merely searching for + expressions to depict the danger graphically, began to lose their heads. + Others thought that he was simply deafening himself and others with + quotations, while in his soul he was alarmed and terrified. In fact, his + acts became feverish. Every day a thousand new plans flew through his + head. At times he sprang up to rush out against danger; gave command to + pack up his lutes and citharæ, to arm the young slave women as Amazons, + and lead the legions to the East. Again he thought to finish the rebellion + of the Gallic legions, not with war, but with song; and his soul laughed + at the spectacle which was to follow his conquest of the soldiers by song. + The legionaries would surround him with tears in their eyes; he would sing + to them an epinicium, after which the golden epoch would begin for him and + for Rome. At one time he called for blood; at another he declared that he + would be satisfied with governing in Egypt. He recalled the prediction + which promised him lordship in Jerusalem, and he was moved by the thought + that as a wandering minstrel he would earn his daily bread,—that + cities and countries would honor in him, not Cæsar, the lord of the earth, + but a poet whose like the world had not produced before. And so he + struggled, raged, played, sang, changed his plan, changed his quotations, + changed his life and the world into a dream absurd, fantastic, dreadful, + into an uproarious hunt composed of unnatural expressions, bad verses, + groans, tears, and blood; but meanwhile the cloud in the west was + increasing and thickening every day. The measure was exceeded; the insane + comedy was nearing its end. + </p> + <p> + When news that Galba and Spain had joined the uprising came to his ears, + he fell into rage and madness. He broke goblets, overturned the table at a + feast, and issued orders which neither Helius nor Tigeliinus himself dared + to execute. To kill Gauls resident in Rome, fire the city a second time, + let out the wild beasts, and transfer the capital to Alexandria seemed to + him great, astonishing, and easy. But the days of his dominion had passed, + and even those who shared in his former crimes began to look on him as a + madman. + </p> + <p> + The death of Vindex, and disagreement in the revolting legions seemed, + however, to turn the scale to his side. Again new feasts, new triumphs, + and new sentences were issued in Rome, till a certain night when a + messenger rushed up on a foaming horse, with the news that in the city + itself the soldiers had raised the standard of revolt, and proclaimed + Galba Cæsar. + </p> + <p> + Nero was asleep when the messenger came; but when he woke he called in + vain for the night-guard, which watched at the entrance to his chambers. + The palace was empty. Slaves were plundering in the most distant corners + that which could be taken most quickly. But the sight of Nero frightened + them; he wandered alone through the palace, filling it with cries of + despair and fear. + </p> + <p> + At last his freedmen, Phaon, Sporus, and Epaphroditus, came to his rescue. + They wished him to flee, and said that there was no time to be lost; but + he deceived himself still. If he should dress in mourning and speak to the + Senate, would it resist his prayers and eloquence? If he should use all + his eloquence, his rhetoric and skill of an actor, would any one on earth + have power to resist him? Would they not give him even the prefecture of + Egypt? + </p> + <p> + The freedmen, accustomed to flatter, had not the boldness yet to refuse + him directly; they only warned him that before he could reach the Forum + the people would tear him to pieces, and declared that if he did not mount + his horse immediately, they too would desert him. + </p> + <p> + Phaon offered refuge in his villa outside the Nomentan Gate. After a while + they mounted horses, and, covering Nero’s head with a mantle, they + galloped off toward the edge of the city. The night was growing pale. But + on the streets there was a movement which showed the exceptional nature of + the time. Soldiers, now singly and now in small groups, were scattered + through the city. Not far from the camp Cæsar’s horse sprang aside + suddenly at sight of a corpse. The mantle slipped from his head; a soldier + recognized Nero, and, confused by the unexpected meeting, gave the + military salute. While passing the pretorian camp, they heard thundering + shouts in honor of Galba. Nero understood at last that the hour of death + was near. Terror and reproaches of conscience seized him. He declared that + he saw darkness in front of him in the form of a black cloud. From that + cloud came forth faces in which he saw his mother, his wife, and his + brother. His teeth were chattering from fright; still his soul of a + comedian found a kind of charm in the horror of the moment. To be absolute + lord of the earth and lose all things, seemed to him the height of + tragedy; and faithful to himself, he played the first role to the end. A + fever for quotations took possession of him, and a passionate wish that + those present should preserve them for posterity. At moments he said that + he wished to die, and called for Spiculus, the most skilled of all + gladiators in killing. At moments he declaimed, “Mother, wife, father, + call me to death!” Flashes of hope rose in him, however, from time to + time,—hope vain and childish. He knew that he was going to death, + and still he did not believe it. + </p> + <p> + They found the Nomentan Gate open. Going farther, they passed near + Ostrianum, where Peter had taught and baptized. At daybreak they reached + Phaon’s villa. + </p> + <p> + There the freedmen hid from him no longer the fact that it was time to + die. He gave command then to dig a grave, and lay on the ground so that + they might take accurate measurement. At sight of the earth thrown up, + however, terror seized him. His fat face became pale, and on his forehead + sweat stood like drops of dew in the morning. He delayed. In a voice at + once abject and theatrical, he declared that the hour had not come yet; + then he began again to quote. At last he begged them to burn his body. + “What an artist is perishing!” repeated he, as if in amazement. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Phaon’s messenger arrived with the announcement that the Senate + had issued the sentence that the “parricide” was to be punished according + to ancient custom. + </p> + <p> + “What is the ancient custom?” asked Nero, with whitened lips. + </p> + <p> + “They will fix thy neck in a fork, flog thee to death, and hurl thy body + into the Tiber,” answered Epaphroditus, abruptly. + </p> + <p> + Nero drew aside the robe from his breast. + </p> + <p> + “It is time, then!” said he, looking into the sky. And he repeated once + more, “What an artist is perishing!” + </p> + <p> + At that moment the tramp of a horse was heard. That was the centurion + coming with soldiers for the head of Ahenobarbus. + </p> + <p> + “Hurry!” cried the freedmen. + </p> + <p> + Nero placed the knife to his neck, but pushed it only timidly. It was + clear that he would never have courage to thrust it in. Epaphroditus + pushed his hand suddenly,—the knife sank to the handle. Nero’s eyes + turned in his head, terrible, immense, frightened. + </p> + <p> + “I bring thee life!” cried the centurion, entering. + </p> + <p> + “Too late!” said Nero, with a hoarse voice; then he added,— + </p> + <p> + “Here is faithfulness!” + </p> + <p> + In a twinkle death seized his head. Blood from his heavy neck gushed in a + dark stream on the flowers of the garden. His legs kicked the ground, and + he died. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow the faithful Acte wrapped his body in costly stuffs, and + burned him on a pile filled with perfumes. + </p> + <p> + And so Nero passed, as a whirlwind, as a storm, as a fire, as war or death + passes; but the basilica of Peter rules till now, from the Vatican + heights, the city, and the world. + </p> + <p> + Near the ancient Porta Capena stands to this day a little chapel with the + inscription, somewhat worn: Quo Vadis, Domine? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Quo Vadis, by Henryk Sienkiewicz + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK QUO VADIS *** + +***** This file should be named 2853-h.htm or 2853-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/2853/ + +Produced by David Reed, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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