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diff --git a/47832-tei/47832-tei.tei b/47832-tei/47832-tei.tei new file mode 100644 index 0000000..96a2846 --- /dev/null +++ b/47832-tei/47832-tei.tei @@ -0,0 +1,11233 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> +<!DOCTYPE TEI.2 SYSTEM "http://www.gutenberg.org/tei/marcello/0.4/dtd/pgtei.dtd"> +<TEI.2 lang="en"> + <teiHeader> + <fileDesc> + <titleStmt> + <title>Perpetua. A Tale of Nimes in A.D. 213</title> + <author><name reg="Baring-Gould, Sabine">Sabine Baring-Gould</name></author> + </titleStmt> + <publicationStmt> + <publisher>Project Gutenberg</publisher> + <date value="2014-12-31">December 31, 2014</date> + <idno type='etext-no'>47832</idno> + <availability> + <p>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 online at + www.gutenberg.org/license</p> + </availability> + </publicationStmt> + <sourceDesc> + <bibl> +<title>Perpetua. A Tale of Nimes in A.D. 213</title> + <author><name reg="Baring-Gould, Sabine">Sabine Baring-Gould</name></author> +<imprint><pubPlace>NEW YORK</pubPlace> +<publisher rend="font-size: large">E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY</publisher> +<date>1897</date></imprint> +</bibl> + </sourceDesc> + </fileDesc> + <encodingDesc> + </encodingDesc> + <profileDesc> + <langUsage> + <language id="it" /> + <language id="fr" /> + <language id="en" /> + <language id="de" /> + <language id="la" /> + </langUsage> + </profileDesc> + <revisionDesc> + <change> + <date value="2014-12-31">December 31, 2014</date> + <respStmt> + <resp>Produced by <name>Shaun Pinder</name>, +<name>Stefan Cramme</name> and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</resp> + </respStmt> + <item>Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1</item> + </change> + </revisionDesc> + </teiHeader> + + <pgExtensions> + <pgStyleSheet> + .bold { font-weight: bold } + .center { text-align: center } + .italic { font-style: italic } + .small { font-size: 75% } + .smallcaps { font-variant: small-caps } + .smaller { font-size: 100% } + head { text-align: center } + lg { margin-left: 2 } + </pgStyleSheet> +<pgCharMap formats="txt"> + <char id="U0x2009"> + <charName>thinsp</charName> + <desc>THIN SPACE</desc> + <mapping></mapping> + </char> + </pgCharMap> + </pgExtensions> + +<text lang="en"> +<front> +<div> +<divGen type="pgheader" /> +</div> +<div> +<divGen type="encodingDesc" /> +</div> +<div rend="page-break-before: always"><pgIf output="html"> +<then><p rend="text-align: center"><figure url="images/cover.jpg"><figDesc>Cover image</figDesc></figure></p></then></pgIf></div> +<titlePage rend="page-break-before: right; center"> +<pb/><anchor id='Pgi'/> +<docTitle> + <titlePart type="main" rend="font-size: xx-large">PERPETUA</titlePart> +<lb/><lb/> +<titlePart type="sub" rend="font-size: x-large">A TALE OF NIMES IN A.D. 213</titlePart> +</docTitle> +<lb/><lb/><lb/> +<byline>BY THE<lb/> +<docAuthor rend="font-size: large"><hi rend='smallcaps'>Rev.</hi> S. BARING-GOULD, M.A.</docAuthor> +</byline> +<lb/><lb/><lb/><lb/> +<docImprint><pubPlace>NEW YORK</pubPlace><lb/> +<publisher rend="font-size: large">E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY</publisher><lb/> +<pubPlace>31 <hi rend='smallcaps'>West Twenty-third Street</hi></pubPlace><lb/> +<docDate>1897</docDate> +</docImprint> +</titlePage> +<div rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb/><anchor id='Pgii'/> +<p rend="center; font-size: small"><hi rend='smallcaps'>Copyright</hi>, 1897, <hi rend='smallcaps'>by</hi><lb/> +E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY +</p> +</div> +<div type="contents" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n='iii'/><anchor id='Pgiii'/> +<index index="toc"/><index index="pdf"/> +<head>CONTENTS</head> + +<table rend="tblcolumns: 'r lw(36m) r'; latexcolumns: 'rp{4cm}r'"> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><hi rend="font-size: small">CHAPTER</hi></cell> +<cell></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><hi rend="font-size: small">PAGE</hi></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">I.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Est</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg001">1</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">II. </cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Æmilius</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg014">14</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">III.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Baudillas, the Deacon</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg022">22</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">IV.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>The Utriculares</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg033">33</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">V.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>The Lagoons</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg045">45</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">VI.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>The Passage into Life</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg057">57</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">VII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Oblations</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg068">68</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">VIII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>The Voice at Midnight</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg081">81</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">IX.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Stars in Water</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg093">93</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">X.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Locutus Est!</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg105">105</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XI.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Palanquins</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg117">117</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Reus</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg128">128</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XIII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Ad Fines</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg140">140</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XIV.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>To the Lowest Depth</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg152">152</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XV.</cell> +<cell><q><hi rend='smallcaps'>Revealed Unto Babes</hi></q></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg165">165</ref></cell> +</row> + <pb n='iv'/><anchor id='Pgiv'/><row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XVI.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Doubts and Difficulties</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg177">177</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XVII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Pedo</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg189">189</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XVIII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>In the Citron-house</hi> </cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg204">204</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XIX.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Marcianus</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg218">218</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XX.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>In the Basilica</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg230">230</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XXI.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>A Manumission</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg242">242</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XXII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>The Arena</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg256">256</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XXIII.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>The Cloud-break</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg270">270</ref></cell> +</row> + <row> +<cell rend="text-align: right">XXIV.</cell> +<cell><hi rend='smallcaps'>Credo</hi></cell> +<cell rend="text-align: right"><ref target="Pg287">287</ref></cell> +</row> +</table> + +</div> + +</front> +<body rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="1"/><anchor id="Pg001"/> + +<p rend="center; font-size: xx-large"> +PERPETUA +</p> + +<p rend="center; font-size: large"> +A TALE OF NÎMES IN <hi rend="font-size: medium">A.D.</hi> 213 +</p> + +<div type="chapter" n="1"> +<index index="toc" level1="I. Est"/><index index="pdf" level1="I. Est"/> +<head>CHAPTER I<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">EST</hi></head> + +<p> +The Kalends (first) of March. +</p> + +<p> +A brilliant day in the town of Nemausus—the +modern Nîmes—in the Province of Gallia Narbonensis, +that arrogated to itself the title of being <hi rend="italic">the</hi> +province, a title that has continued in use to the +present day, as distinguishing the olive-growing, rose-producing, +ruin-strewn portion of Southern France, +whose fringe is kissed by the blue Mediterranean. +</p> + +<p> +Not a cloud in the nemophyla-blue sky. The sun +streamed down, with a heat that was unabsorbed, and +with rays unshorn by any intervenient vapor, as in +our northern clime. Yet a cool air from the distant +snowy Alps touched, as with the kiss of a vestal, +every heated brow, and refreshed it. +</p> + +<p> +The Alps, though invisible from Nemausus, make +<pb n="2"/><anchor id="Pg002"/>themselves felt, now in refreshing breezes, then as +raging icy blasts. +</p> + +<p> +The anemones were in bloom, and the roses were +budding. Tulips spangled the vineyards, and under +the olives and in the most arid soil, there appeared +the grape hyacinth and the star of Bethlehem. +</p> + +<p> +At the back of the white city stands a rock, the +extreme limit of a spur of the Cebennæ, forming an +amphitheatre, the stones scrambled over by blue and +white periwinkle, and the crags heavy with syringa +and flowering thorns. +</p> + +<p> +In the midst of this circus of rock welled up a +river of transparent bottle-green water, that filled a +reservoir, in which circled white swans. +</p> + +<p> +On account of the incessant agitation of the water, +that rose in bells, and broke in rhythmic waves +against the containing breastwork, neither were the +swans mirrored in the surface, nor did the white temple +of Nemausus reflect its peristyle of channeled +pillars in the green flood. +</p> + +<p> +This temple occupied one side of the basin; on the +other, a little removed, were the baths, named after +Augustus, to which some of the water was conducted, +after it had passed beyond the precinct within which +it was regarded as sacred. +</p> + +<pb n="3"/><anchor id="Pg003"/> + +<p> +It would be hard to find a more beautiful scene, or +see such a gay gathering as that assembled near the +Holy Fountain on this first day of March. +</p> + +<p> +Hardly less white than the swans that dreamily +swam in spirals, was the balustrade of limestone that +surrounded the sheet of heaving water. At intervals +on this breasting stood pedestals, each supporting a +statue in Carrara marble. Here was Diana in buskins, +holding a bow in her hand, in the attitude of +running, her right hand turned to draw an arrow +from the quiver at her back. There was the Gallic +god Camulus, in harness, holding up a six-rayed +wheel, all gilt, to signify the sun. There was a +nymph pouring water from her urn; again appeared +Diana contemplating her favorite flower, the white +poppy. +</p> + +<p> +But in the place of honor, in the midst of the +public walk before the fountain, surrounded by +acacias and pink-blossomed Judas trees, stood the +god Nemausus, who was at once the presiding deity +over the fountain, and the reputed founder of the +city. He was represented as a youth, of graceful +form, almost feminine, and though he bore some +military insignia, yet seemed too girl-like and timid +to appear in war. +</p> + +<pb n="4"/><anchor id="Pg004"/> + +<p> +The fountain had, in very truth, created the city. +This marvelous upheaval of a limpid river out of the +heart of the earth had early attracted settlers to it, +who had built their rude cabins beside the stream and +who paid to the fountain divine honors. Around +it they set up a circle of rude stones, and called the +place <foreign rend="italic">Nemet</foreign>—that is to say, the Sacred Place. After +a while came Greek settlers, and they introduced a +new civilization and new ideas. They at once erected +an image of the deity of the fountain, and called this +deity Nemausios. The spring had been female to +the Gaulish occupants of the settlement; it now became +male, but in its aspect the deity still bore indications +of feminine origin. Lastly the place became a +Roman town. Now beautiful statuary had taken the +place of the monoliths of unhewn stone that had at +one time bounded the sacred spring. +</p> + +<p> +On this first day of March the inhabitants of Nemausus +were congregated near the fountain, all in +holiday costume. +</p> + +<p> +Among them ran and laughed numerous young +girls, all with wreaths of white hyacinths or of narcissus +on their heads, and their clear musical voices +rang as bells in the fresh air. +</p> + +<p> +Yet, jocund as the scene was, to such as looked +<pb n="5"/><anchor id="Pg005"/>closer there was observable an under-current of alarm +that found expression in the faces of the elder men +and women of the throng, at least in those of such +persons as had their daughters flower-crowned. +</p> + +<p> +Many a parent held the child with convulsive +clasp, and the eyes of fathers and mothers alike followed +their darlings with a greed, as though desirous +of not losing one glimpse, not missing one word, of +the little creature on whom so many kisses were +bestowed, and in whom so much love was centered. +</p> + +<p> +For this day was specially dedicated to the founder +and patron of the town, who supplied it with water +from his unfailing urn, and once in every seven years +on this day a human victim was offered in sacrifice to +the god Nemausus, to ensure the continuance of his +favor, by a constant efflux of water, pure, cool and +salubrious. +</p> + +<p> +The victim was chosen from among the daughters +of the old Gaulish families of the town, and the victim +was selected from among girls between the ages +of seven and seventeen. Seven times seven were +bound to appear on this day before the sacred spring, +clothed in white and crowned with spring flowers. +None knew which would be chosen and which rejected. +The selection was not made by either the +<pb n="6"/><anchor id="Pg006"/>priests or the priestesses attached to the temple. +Nor was it made by the magistrates of Nemausus. +No parent might redeem his child. Chance or destiny +alone determined who was to be chosen out of +the forty-nine who appeared before the god. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly from the temple sounded a blast of +horns, and immediately the peristyle (colonnade) +filled with priests and priestesses in white, the former +with wreaths of silvered olive leaves around their +heads, the latter crowned with oak leaves of gold +foil. +</p> + +<p> +The trumpeters descended the steps. The crowd +fell back, and a procession advanced. First came +players on the double flute, or syrinx, with red bands +round their hair. Then followed dancing girls performing +graceful movements about the silver image +of the god that was borne on the shoulders of four +maidens covered with spangled veils of the finest +oriental texture. On both sides paced priests with +brazen trumpets. +</p> + +<p> +Before and behind the image were boys bearing +censers that diffused aromatic smoke, which rose and +spread in all directions, wafted by the soft air that +spun above the cold waters of the fountain. +</p> + +<p> +Behind the image and the dancing girls marched +<pb n="7"/><anchor id="Pg007"/>the priests and priestesses, singing alternately a +hymn to the god. +</p> + +<lg> +<l><q rend="post: none">Hail, holy fountain, limpid and eternal,</q></l> +<l>Green as the sapphire, infinite, abundant,</l> +<l>Sweet, unpolluted, cold and clear as crystal,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10">Father Nemausus.</l> + +</lg><lg> +<l>Hail, thou Archegos, founder of the city,</l> +<l>Crowned with oak leaves, cherishing the olive,</l> +<l>Grapes with thy water annually flushing,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10">Father Nemausus.</l> + + +</lg><lg> +<l>Thou to the thirsty givest cool refreshment,</l> +<l>Thou to the herdsman yieldeth yearly increase,</l> +<l>Thou from the harvest wardest off diseases,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10">Father Nemausus.</l> + + +</lg><lg> +<l>Seven are the hills on which old Rome is founded,</l> +<l>Seven are the hills engirdling thy fountain,</l> +<l>Seven are the planets set in heaven ruling,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10">Father Nemausus.</l> + + +</lg><lg> +<l>Thou, the perennial, lovest tender virgins,</l> +<l>Do thou accept the sacrifice we offer;</l> +<l>May thy selection be the best and fittest,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10"><q rend="pre: none">Father Nemausus.</q></l> +</lg> + + +<p> +Then the priests and priestesses drew up in lines +between the people and the fountain, and the ædile +<pb n="8"/><anchor id="Pg008"/>of the city, standing forth, read out from a roll the +names of seven times seven maidens; and as each +name was called, a white-robed, flower-crowned child +fluttered from among the crowd and was received by +the priestly band. +</p> + +<p> +When all forty-nine were gathered together, then +they were formed into a ring, holding hands, and +round this ring passed the bearers of the silver +image. +</p> + +<p> +Now again rose the hymn: +</p> + +<lg> +<l><q rend="post: none">Hail, holy fountain, limpid and eternal,</q></l> +<l>Green as the sapphire, infinite, abundant,</l> +<l>Sweet, unpolluted, cold and clear as crystal,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10"><q rend="pre: none">Father Nemausus.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +And as the bearers carried the image round the +circle, suddenly a golden apple held by the god, fell +and touched a graceful girl who stood in the ring. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come forth, Lucilla,</q> said the chief priestess. +<q>It is the will of the god that thou speak the words. +Begin.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the damsel loosed her hands from those she +held, stepped into the midst of the circle and raised +the golden pippin. At once the entire ring of children +began to revolve, like a dance of white +butter<pb n="9"/><anchor id="Pg009"/>flies in early spring; and as they swung from right +to left, the girl began to recite at a rapid pace a +jingle of words in a Gallic dialect, that ran thus: +</p> + +<lg> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="post: none">One and two</q></l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4">Drops of dew,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4">Three and four</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="pre: none">Shut the door.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +As she spoke she indicated a child at each +numeral, +</p> + +<lg> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="post: none">Five and six</q></l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4">Pick up sticks,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4">Seven and eight</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="pre: none">Thou must wait.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +Now there passed a thrill through the crowd, and +the children whirled quicker. +</p> + +<lg> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="post: none">Nine and ten</q></l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4">Pass again.</l> +<l>Golden pippin, lo! I cast,</l> +<l><q rend="pre: none">Thou, Alcmene, touched at last.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +At the word <q>last</q> she threw the apple and struck +a girl, and at once left the ring, cast her coronet of +narcissus into the fountain and ran into the crowd. +With a gasp of relief she was caught in the arms of +her mother, who held her to her heart, and sobbed +<pb n="10"/><anchor id="Pg010"/>with joy that her child was spared. For her, the +risk was past, as she would be over age when the +next septennial sacrifice came round. +</p> + +<p> +Now it was the turn of Alcmene. +</p> + +<p> +She held the ball, paused a moment, looking about +her, and then, as the troop of children revolved, she +rattled the rhyme, and threw the pippin at a damsel +named Tertiola. Whereupon she in turn cast her +garland, that was of white violets, into the fountain, +and withdrew. +</p> + +<p> +Again the wreath of children circled and Tertiola +repeated the jingle till she came to <q>Touched at +last,</q> when a girl named Ælia was selected, and +came into the middle. This was a child of seven, +who was shy and clung to her mother. The mother +fondled her, and said, <q>My Ælia! Rejoice that thou +art not the fated victim. The god has surrendered +thee to me. Be speedy with the verse, and I will +give thee <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">crustulæ</foreign> that are in my basket.</q> +</p> + +<p> +So encouraged, the frightened child rattled out +some lines, then halted; her memory had failed, and +she had to be reminded of the rest. At last she also +was free, ran to her mother’s bosom and was comforted +with cakes. +</p> + +<p> +A young man with folded arms stood lounging +<pb n="11"/><anchor id="Pg011"/>near the great basin. He occasionally addressed a +shorter man, a client apparently, from his cringing +manner and the set smile he wore when addressing +or addressed by the other. +</p> + +<p> +<q>By Hercules!</q> said the first. <q>Or let me rather +swear by Venus and her wayward son, the Bow-bearer, +that is a handsome girl yonder, she who is the +tallest, and methinks the eldest of all. What is her +name, my Callipodius?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She that looks so scared, O supremity of excellent +youths, Æmilius Lentulus Varo! I believe that +she is the daughter and only child of the widow +Quincta, who lost her husband two years ago, and +has refused marriage since. They whisper strange +things concerning her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What things, thou tittle-tattle bearer?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, I bear but what is desired of me. Didst +thou not inquire of me who the maiden was? I +have a mind to make no answer. But who can deny +anything to thee?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>By the genius of Augustus,</q> exclaimed the +patron, <q>thou makest me turn away my head at thy +unctuous flattery. The peasants do all their cooking +in oil, and when their meals be set on the +table the appetite is taken away, there is too much +<pb n="12"/><anchor id="Pg012"/>oil. It is so with thy conversation. Come, thy +news.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I speak but what I feel. But see how the circle +is shrunk. As to the scandal thou wouldst hear, it +is this. The report goes that the widow and her +daughter are infected with a foreign superstition, +and worship an ass’s head.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>An ass’s head hast thou to hold and repeat such +lies. Look at the virgin. Didst ever see one more +modest, one who more bears the stamp of sound +reason and of virtue on her brow. The next thou +wilt say is——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That these Christians devour young children.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>This is slander, not scandal. By Jupiter Camulus! +the circle is reduced to four, and she, that fair +maid, is still in it. There is Quinctilla, the daughter +of Largus; look at him, how he eyes her with agony +in his face! There is Vestilia Patercola. I would +to the gods that the fair—what is her name?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Perpetua, daughter of Aulus Har——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah!</q> interrupted the patron, uneasily. <q>Quinctilla +is out.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Her father, Aulus Harpinius——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>See, see!</q> again burst in the youth Æmilius, +<pb n="13"/><anchor id="Pg013"/><q>there are but two left; that little brown girl, and +she whom thou namest——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Perpetua.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Now arrived the supreme moment—that of the +final selection. The choosing girl, in whose hand +was the apple, stood before those who alone remained. +She began: +</p> + +<lg> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="post: none">One, two</q></l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="pre: none">Drops of dew.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +Although there was so vast a concourse present, +not a sound could be heard, save the voice of the girl +repeating the jingle, and the rush of the holy water +over the weir. Every breath was held. +</p> + +<lg> +<l rend="margin-left: 4"><q rend="post: none">Nine and ten,</q></l> +<l rend="margin-left: 4">Pass again.</l> +<l>Golden pippin, now I cast,</l> +<l><q rend="pre: none">Thou, Portumna, touched at last.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +At once the brown girl skipped to the basin, cast +in her garland, and the high priestess, raising her +hand, stepped forward, pointed to Perpetua, and +cried, <q>Est.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="2" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="14"/><anchor id="Pg014"/> +<index index="toc" level1="II. Æmilius"/><index index="pdf" level1="II. Aemilius"/> +<head>CHAPTER II<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">ÆMILIUS</hi></head> + +<p> +When the lot had fallen, then a cry rang from +among the spectators, and a woman, wearing the +white cloak of widowhood, would have fallen, had +she not been caught and sustained by a man in a +brown tunic and <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lacerna</foreign> (short cloak). +</p> + +<p> +<q>Be not overcome, lady,</q> said this man in a low +tone. <q>What thou losest is lent to the Lord.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Baudillas,</q> sobbed the woman, <q>she is my only +child, and is to be sacrificed to devils.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The devil hath no part in her. She is the +Lord’s, and the Lord will preserve His own.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Will He give her back to me? Will He deliver +her from the hands of His enemies?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The Lord is mighty even to do this. But I +say not that it will be done as thou desirest. Put +thy trust in Him. Did Abraham withhold his son, +his only son, when God demanded him?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But this is not God, it is Nemausus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nemausus is naught but a creature, a fountain, +fed by God’s rains. It is the Lord’s doing that the +<pb n="15"/><anchor id="Pg015"/>lot has fallen thus. It is done to try thy faith, as +of old the faith of Abraham was tried.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The poor mother clasped her arms, and buried her +head in them. +</p> + +<p> +Then the girl thrust aside such as interposed and +essayed to reach her mother. The priestesses laid +hands on her, to stay her, but she said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>Suffer me to kiss my mother, and to comfort her. +Do not doubt that I will preserve a smiling countenance.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot permit it,</q> said the high priestess. +<q>There will be resistance and tears.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And therefore,</q> said the girl, <q>you put drops +of oil or water into the ears of oxen brought to +the altars, that they may nod their heads, and so +seem to express consent. Let me console my +mother, so shall I be able to go gladly to death. +Otherwise I may weep, and thereby mar thy sacrifice.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then, with firmness, she thrust through the belt +of priestesses, and clasped the almost fainting and +despairing mother to her heart. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Be of good courage,</q> she said. <q>Be like unto +Felicitas, who sent her sons, one by one, to receive +the crown, and who—blessed mother that she +was—<pb n="16"/><anchor id="Pg016"/>encouraged them in their torments to play the man +for Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But thou art my only child.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And she offered them all to God.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am a widow, and alone.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And such was she.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then said the brown-habited man whom the lady +had called Baudillas: +</p> + +<p> +<q>Quincta, remember that she is taken from an +evil world, in which are snares, and that God may +have chosen to deliver her by this means from some +great peril to her soul, against which thou wouldst +have been powerless to protect her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot bear it,</q> gasped the heart-broken +woman. <q>I have lived only for her. She is my +all.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then Perpetua gently unclasped the arms of her +mother, who was lapsing into unconsciousness, kissed +her, and said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>The God of all strength and comfort be to thee +a strong tower of defence.</q> And hastily returned +to the basin. +</p> + +<p> +The young man who before had noticed Perpetua, +turned with quivering lip to his companion, and +said: +</p> + +<pb n="17"/><anchor id="Pg017"/> + +<p> +<q>I would forswear Nemausus—that he should +exact such a price. Look at her face, Callipodius. +Is it the sun that lightens it? By Hercules, I could +swear that it streamed with effulgence from within—as +though she were one of the gods.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The more beautiful and innocent she be, the +more grateful is she to the august Archegos!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pshaw!</q> scoffed the young man; his hand +clutched the marble balustrade convulsively, and the +blood suffused his brow and cheeks and throat. <q>I +believe naught concerning these deities. My father +was a shrewd man, and he ever said that the ignorant +people created their own gods out of heroes, or the +things of Nature, which they understood not, being +beasts.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But tell me, Æmilius—and thou art a profundity +of wisdom, unsounded as is this spring—what is +this Nemausus?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The fountain.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And how comes the fountain to ever heave with +water, and never to fail. Verily it lives. See—it +is as a thing that hath life and movement. If not a +deity, then what is it?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay—I cannot say. But it is subject to destiny.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="18"/><anchor id="Pg018"/> + +<p> +<q>In what way?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ruled to flow.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But who imposed the rule?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Silence! I can think of naught save the innocent +virgin thus sacrificed to besotted ignorance.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Thou canst not prevent it. Therefore look on, +as at a show.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot prevent it. I marvel at the magistrates—that +they endure it. They would not do so were +it to touch at all those of the upper town. Besides, +did not the god Claudius——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>They are binding her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She refuses to be bound.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Shrieks now rang from the frantic mother, and +she made desperate efforts to reach her daughter. +She was deaf to the consolations of Baudillas, and +to the remonstrances and entreaties of the people +around her, who pitied and yet could not help her. +Then said the ædile to his police, <q>Remove the +woman!</q> +</p> + +<p> +The chief priest made a sign, and at once the +trumpeters began to bray through their brazen tubes, +making such a noise as to drown the cries of the +mother. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I would to the gods I could save her,</q> said +<pb n="19"/><anchor id="Pg019"/>Æmilius between his teeth. He clenched his hands, +and his eyes flashed. Then, without well knowing +what he did, he unloosed his toga, at the same time +that the priestesses divested Perpetua of her girded +stole, and revealed her graceful young form in the +tunic bordered with purple indicative of the nobility +of the house to which she belonged. +</p> + +<p> +The priest had bound her hands; but Perpetua +smiled, and shook off the bonds at her feet. <q>Let +be,</q> she said, <q>I shall not resist.</q> +</p> + +<p> +On her head she still wore a crown of white narcissus. +Not more fresh and pure were these flowers +than her delicate face, which the blood had left. +Ever and anon she turned her eyes in the direction +of her mother, but she could no longer see her, as +the attendants formed a ring so compact that none +could break through. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Elect of the god, bride of Nemausus!</q> said the +chief priestess, <q>ascend the balustrade of the holy +perennial fountain.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Without shrinking, the girl obeyed. +</p> + +<p> +She fixed her eyes steadily on the sky, and then +made the sacred sign on her brow. +</p> + +<p> +<q>What doest thou?</q> asked the priestess. <q>Some +witchcraft I trow.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="20"/><anchor id="Pg020"/> + +<p> +<q>No witchcraft, indeed,</q> answered the girl. <q>I +do but invoke the Father of Lights with whom is no +variableness, neither shadow of turning.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah, Apollo!—he is not so great a god as our +Nemausus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then at a sign, the trumpeters blew a furious +bellow and as suddenly ceased. Whereupon to the +strains of flutes and the tinkling of triangles, the +choir broke forth into the last verse of the hymn: +</p> + +<lg> +<l><q rend="post: none">Thou, the perennial, loving tender virgins,</q></l> +<l>Do thou accept the sacrifice we offer;</l> +<l>May thy selection be the best and fittest,</l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10"><q rend="pre: none">Father Nemausus.</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +As they chanted, and a cloud of incense mounted +around her, Perpetua looked down into the water. +It was green as glacier ice, and so full of bubbles in +places as to be there semi-opaque. The depth seemed +infinite. No bottom was visible. No fish darted +through it. An immense volume boiled up unceasingly +from unknown, unfathomed depths. The +wavelets lapped the marble breasting as though licking +it with greed expecting their victim. +</p> + +<p> +The water, after brimming the basin, flowed away +over a sluice under a bridge as a considerable stream. +<pb n="21"/><anchor id="Pg021"/>Then it lost its sanctity and was employed for profane +uses. +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua heard the song of the ministers of the +god, but gave no heed to it, for her lips moved in +prayer, and her soul was already unfurling its pure +wings to soar into that Presence before which, as she +surely expected, she was about to appear. +</p> + +<p> +When the chorus had reached the line: +</p> + +<lg> +<l><q rend="post: none">May thy selection be the best and fittest,</q></l> +<l rend="margin-left: 10"><q rend="pre: none">Father Nemausus!</q></l> +</lg> + +<p> +then she was thrust by three priestesses from the balustrade +and precipitated into the basin. She uttered +no cry, but from all present a gasp of breath was +audible. +</p> + +<p> +For a moment she disappeared in the vitreous +waters, and her white garland alone remained floating +on the surface. +</p> + +<p> +Then her dress glimmered, next her arm, as the +surging spring threw her up. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly from the entire concourse rose a cry of +astonishment and dismay. +</p> + +<p> +The young man, Æmilius Lentulus Varo, had +leaped into the holy basin. +</p> + +<p> +Why had he so leaped? Why? +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="3" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="22"/><anchor id="Pg022"/> +<index index="toc" level1="III. Baudillas, the Deacon"/><index index="pdf" level1="III. Baudillas, the Deacon"/> +<head>CHAPTER III<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">BAUDILLAS, THE DEACON</hi></head> + +<p> +The chain of priests and priestesses could not +restrain the mob, that thrust forward to the great +basin, to see the result. +</p> + +<p> +Exclamations of every description rose from the +throng. +</p> + +<p> +<q>He fell in!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, he cast himself in. The god will withdraw +the holy waters. It was impious. The fountain +is polluted.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Was it not defiled when a dead tom-cat was +found in it? Yet the fountain ceased not to flow.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The maiden floats!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Why should the god pick out the handsomest +girl? His blood is ice-cold. She is not a morsel for +him,</q> scoffed a red-faced senator. +</p> + +<p> +<q>He rises! He is swimming.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He has grappled the damsel.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is striking out! Bene! Bene!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Encourage not the sacrilegious one! Thou +makest thyself partaker in his impiety!</q> +</p> + +<pb n="23"/><anchor id="Pg023"/> + +<p> +<q>What will the magistrates do?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Do! Coil up like wood-lice, and uncurl only +when all is forgotten.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is a Christian.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>His father was a philosopher. He swears by the +gods.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is an atheist.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>See! See! He is sustaining her head.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She is not dead; she gasps.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Body of Bacchus! how the water boils. The +god is wroth.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Bah! It boils no more now than it did yesterday.</q> +</p> + +<p> +In the ice-green water could be seen the young +man with nervous arms striking out. He held up +the girl with one arm. The swell of the rising +volumes of water greatly facilitated his efforts. Indeed +the upsurging flood had such force, that to die +by drowning in it was a death by inches, for as often +as a body went beneath the surface, it was again +propelled upwards. +</p> + +<p> +In a minute he was at the breastwork, had one +hand on it, then called: <q>Help, some one, to lift +her out!</q> +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon the man clothed in brown wool put +<pb n="24"/><anchor id="Pg024"/>down his arms, clasped the half-conscious girl and +raised her from the water. Callipodius assisted, and +between them she was lifted out of the basin. The +priests and priestesses remonstrated with loud cries. +But some of the spectators cheered. A considerable +portion of the men ranged themselves beside the two +who had the girl in their arms, and prevented the +ministers of Nemausus from recovering Perpetua +from the hands of her rescuers. +</p> + +<p> +The men of the upper town—Greek colonists, or +their descendants—looked superciliously and incredulously +on the cult of the Gallic deity of the fountain. +It was tolerated, but laughed at, as something +that belonged to a class of citizens that was below +them in standing. +</p> + +<p> +In another moment Æmilius Lentulus had thrown +himself upon the balustrade, and stood facing the +crowd, dripping from every limb, but with a laughing +countenance. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing that the mob was swayed by differing currents +of feeling and opinion, knowing the people +with whom he had to do, he stooped, whispered +something into the ear of Callipodius; then, folding +his arms, he looked smilingly around at the tossing +crowd, and no sooner did he see his opportunity +<pb n="25"/><anchor id="Pg025"/>than, unclasping his arms, he assumed the attitude +of an orator, and cried: +</p> + +<p> +<q>Men and brethren of the good city of Nemausus! +I marvel at ye, that ye dare to set at naught +the laws of imperial and eternal Rome. Are ye not +aware that the god Claudius issued an edict with +special application to Gaul, that forever forbade +human sacrifices? Has that edict been withdrawn? +I have myself seen and read it graven in brass on +the steps of the Capitoline Hill at Rome. So long +as that law stands unrepealed ye are transgressors.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The edict has fallen into desuetude, and desuetude +abrogates a law!</q> called one man. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Is it so? How many have suffered under Nero, +under Caius, because they transgressed laws long +forgotten? Let some one inform against the priesthood +of Nemausus and carry the case to Rome.</q> +</p> + +<p> +A stillness fell on the assembly. The priests +looked at one another. +</p> + +<p> +<q>But see!</q> continued Æmilius, <q>I call you to +witness this day. The god himself rejects such +illegal offerings. Did you not perceive how he +spurned the virgin from him when ye did impiously +cast her into his holy urn? Does he not sustain +<pb n="26"/><anchor id="Pg026"/>life with his waters, and not destroy it? Had he +desired the sacrifice then would he have gulped it +down, and you would have seen the maiden no more. +Not so! He rejected her; with his watery arms he +repelled her. Every crystal wave he cast up was a +rejection. I saw it, and I leaped in to deliver the +god from the mortal flesh that he refused. I appeal +to you all again. To whom did the silver image +cast the apple? Was it to the maiden destined to +die? Nay, verily, it was to her who was to live. +The golden pippin was a fruit of life, whereby he +designated such as he willed to live. Therefore, I +say that the god loveth life and not death. Friends +and citizens of Nemausus, ye have transgressed the +law, and ye have violated the will of the divine +Archegos who founded our city and by whose largess +of water we live.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then one in the crowd shouted: <q>There is a +virgin cast yearly from the bridge over the Rhodanus +at Avenio.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye! and much doth that advantage the bridge +and the city. Did not the floods last November +carry away an arch and inundate an entire quarter +of the town? Was the divine river forgetful that he +had received his obligation, or was he ungrateful +<pb n="27"/><anchor id="Pg027"/>for the favor? Naught that is godlike can be +either.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He demanded another life.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay! He was indignant that the fools of +Avenio should continue to treat him as though he +were a wild beast that had to be glutted, and not +as a god. All you parents that fear for your children! +Some of you have already lost your daughters, +and have trembled for them; combine, and +with one voice proclaim that you will no more suffer +this. Look to the urn of the divine Nemausus. See +how evenly the ripples run. Dip your fingers in the +water and feel how passionless it is. Has he blown +forth a blast of seething water and steam like the +hot springs of Aquæ Sextiæ? Has his fountain +clouded with anger? Was the god powerless to +avenge the act when I plunged in? If he had +desired the death of the maiden would he have suffered +me, a mortal, to pluck her from his gelid lips? +Make room on Olympus, O ye gods, and prepare a +throne for Common Sense, and let her have domain +over the minds of men.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is no such god,</q> called one in the +crowd. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ye know her not, so besotted are ye.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="28"/><anchor id="Pg028"/> + +<p> +<q>He blasphemes, he mocks the holy and immortal +ones.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is ye who mock them when ye make of them +as great clowns as yourselves. The true eternal gods +laugh to hear me speak the truth. Look at the sun. +Look at the water, with its many twinkling smiles. +The gods approve.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Whilst the young man thus harangued and +amused the populace, Baudillas and Quincta, assisted +by two female slaves of the latter, removed the +drenched, dripping, and half-drowned girl. They +bore her with the utmost dispatch out of the crowd +down a sidewalk of the city gardens to a bench, on +which they laid her, till she had sufficiently recovered +to open her eyes and recognize those who surrounded +her. +</p> + +<p> +Then said the widow to one of the servants: +<q>Run, Petronella, and bid the steward send porters +with a litter. We must convey Perpetua as speedily +as possible from hence, lest there be a riot, and the +ministers of the devil stir up the people to insist +upon again casting her into the water.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>By your leave, lady,</q> said Baudillas, <q>I would +advise that, at first, she should not be conveyed to +your house, but to mine. It is probable, should +<pb n="29"/><anchor id="Pg029"/>that happen which you fear, that the populace may +make a rush to your dwelling, in their attempt to get +hold of the lady, your daughter. It were well that +she remained for a while concealed in my house. +Send for the porters to bring the litter later, when +falls the night.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are right,</q> said Quincta. <q>It shall be so.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>As in the Acts of the Blessed Apostles it is related +that the craftsmen who lived by making silver +shrines for Diana stirred up the people of Ephesus, +so may it be now. There are many who get their +living by the old religion, many whose position and +influence depend on its maintenance, and such will +not lightly allow a slight to be cast on their superstitions +like as has been offered this day. But by +evenfall we shall know the humor of the people. +Young lady, lean on my arm and let me conduct +thee to my lodging. Thou canst there abide till it +is safe for thee to depart.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the brown-habited man took the maiden’s +arm. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas was a deacon of the Church in Nemausus—a +man somewhat advanced in life. His humility, +and, perhaps, also his lack of scholarship, prevented +his aspiring to a higher office; moreover, he +<pb n="30"/><anchor id="Pg030"/>was an admirable minister of the Church as deacon, +at a period when the office was mainly one of keeping +the registers of the sick and poor, and of distributing +alms among such as were in need. +</p> + +<p> +The deacon was the treasurer of the Church, and +he was a man selected for his business habits and +practical turn of mind. By his office he was more +concerned with the material than the spiritual distresses +of men. Nevertheless, he was of the utmost +value to the bishops and presbyters, for he was their +feeler, groping among the poorest, entering into the +worst haunts of misery and vice, quick to detect +tokens of desire for better things, and ready to make +use of every opening for giving rudimentary instruction. +</p> + +<p> +Those who occupied the higher grades in the +Church, even at this early period, were, for the most +part, selected from the cultured and noble classes; +not that the Church had respect of persons, but because +of the need there was of possessing men who +could penetrate into the best houses, and who, being +related to the governing classes, might influence the +upper strata of society, as well as that which was +below. The great houses with their families of +slaves in the city, and of servile laborers on their +<pb n="31"/><anchor id="Pg031"/>estates, possessed vast influence for good or evil. A +believing master could flood a whole population that +depended on him with light, and was certain to treat +his slaves with Christian humanity. On the other +hand, it occasionally happened that it was through +a poor slave that the truth reached the heart of a +master or mistress. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas led the girl, now shivering with cold, +from the garden, and speedily reached a narrow +street. Here the houses on each side were lofty, +unadorned, and had windows only in the upper +stories, arched with brick and unglazed. In cold +weather they were closed with shutters. +</p> + +<p> +The pavement of the street was of cobble-stones +and rough. No one was visible; no sound issued +from the houses, save only from one whence came +the rattle of a loom; and a dog chained at a door +barked furiously as the little party went by. +</p> + +<p> +<q>This is the house,</q> said Baudillas, and he struck +against a door. +</p> + +<p> +After some waiting a bar was withdrawn within, +and the door, that consisted of two valves, was +opened by an old, slightly lame slave. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pedo,</q> said the deacon, <q>has all been well?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>All is well, master,</q> answered the man. +</p> + +<pb n="32"/><anchor id="Pg032"/> + +<p> +<q>Enter, ladies,</q> said Baudillas. <q>My house is +humble and out of repair, but it was once notable. +Enter and rest you awhile. I will bid Pedo search +for a change of garments for Perpetua.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Hark,</q> exclaimed Quincta, <q>I hear a sound like +the roar of the sea.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is the voice of the people. It is a roar like +that for blood, that goes up from the amphitheater.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="4" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="33"/><anchor id="Pg033"/> +<index index="toc" level1="IV. The Utriculares"/><index index="pdf" level1="IV. The Utriculares"/> +<head>CHAPTER IV<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">THE UTRICULARES</hi></head> + +<p> +The singular transformation that had taken place +in the presiding deity of the fountain, from being a +nymph into a male god, had not been sufficiently +complete to alter the worship of the deity. As in +the days of Druidism, the sacred source was under +the charge of priestesses, and although, with the +change of sex of the deity, priests had been appointed +to the temple, yet they were few, and occupied a +position of subordination to the chief priestess. She +was a woman of sagacity and knowledge of human +nature. She perceived immediately how critical +was the situation. If Æmilius Lentulus were allowed +to proceed with his speech he would draw to him the +excitable Southern minds, and it was quite possible +might provoke a tumult in which the temple would +be wrecked. At the least, his words would serve +to chill popular devotion. +</p> + +<p> +The period when Christianity began to radiate +through the Roman world was one when the +tradi<pb n="34"/><anchor id="Pg034"/>tional paganism with its associated rights, that had +contented a simpler age, had lost its hold on the +thoughtful and cultured. Those who were esteemed +the leaders of society mocked at religion, and although +they conformed to its ceremonial, did so +with ill-disguised contempt. At their tables, before +their slaves, they laughed at the sacred myths related +of the gods, as absurd and indecent, and the slaves +thought it became them to affect the same incredulity +as their masters. Sober thinkers endeavored +to save some form of religion by explaining away +the monstrous legends, and attributing them to the +wayward imagination of poets. The existence of +the gods they admitted, but argued that the gods +were the unintelligent and blind forces of nature; +or that, if rational, they stood apart in cold exclusiveness +and cared naught for mankind. Many threw +themselves into a position of agnosticism. They +professed to believe in nothing but what their senses +assured them did exist, and asserted that as there +was no evidence to warrant them in declaring that +there were gods, they could not believe in them; +that moreover, as there was no revelation of a moral +law, there existed no distinction between right and +wrong. Therefore, the only workable maxim on +<pb n="35"/><anchor id="Pg035"/>which to rule life was: <q>Let us eat and drink, for +to-morrow we may die.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Over all men hung the threatening cloud of death. +All must undergo the waning of the vital powers, +the failure of health, the withering of beauty, the +loss of appetite for the pleasure of life, or if not the +loss of appetite, at least the faculty for enjoyment. +</p> + +<p> +There was no shaking off the oppressive burden, +no escape from the gathering shadow. Yet, just as +those on the edge of a precipice throw themselves +over, through giddiness, so did men rush on self-destruction +in startling numbers and with levity, +because weary of life, and these were precisely such +as had enjoyed wealth to the full and had run +through the whole gamut of pleasures. +</p> + +<p> +What happened after death? Was there any continuance +of existence? +</p> + +<p> +Men craved to know. They felt that life was too +brief altogether for the satisfaction of the aspirations +of their souls. They ran from one pleasure +to another without filling the void within. +</p> + +<p> +Consequently, having lost faith in the traditional +religion—it was not a creed—itself a composite out +of some Latin, some Etruscan, and some Greek myth +and cult, they looked elsewhere for what they +re<pb n="36"/><anchor id="Pg036"/>quired. Consciences, agonized by remorse, sought +expiation in secret mysteries, only to find that they +afforded no relief at all. Minds craving after faith +plunged into philosophic speculations that led to +nothing but unsolved eternal query. Souls hungering, +thirsting after God the Ideal of all that is Holy +and pure and lovable, adopted the strange religions +imported from the East and South; some became +votaries of the Egyptian Isis and Serapis, others of +the Persian Mithras—all to find that they had pursued +bubbles. +</p> + +<p> +In the midst of this general disturbance of old +ideas, in the midst of a widespread despair, Christianity +flashed forth and offered what was desired by +the earnest, the thoughtful, the down-trodden and +the conscience-stricken—a revelation made by the +Father of Spirits as to what is the destiny of man, +what is the law of right and wrong, what is in store +for those who obey the law; how also pardon might +be obtained for transgression, and grace to restore +fallen humanity. +</p> + +<p> +Christianity meeting a wide-felt want spread +rapidly, not only among the poor and oppressed, but +extensively among the cultured and the noble. All +connected by interest, or prejudiced by association +<pb n="37"/><anchor id="Pg037"/>with the dominant and established paganism, were +uneasy and alarmed. The traditional religion was +honeycombed and tottering to its fall, and how it +was to be revived they knew not. That it would be +supplanted by the new faith in Christ was what they +feared. +</p> + +<p> +The chief priestess of Nemausus knew that in the +then condition of minds an act of overt defiance +might lead to a very general apostasy. It was to her +of sovereign importance to arrest the movement at +once, to silence Æmilius, to have him punished for +his act of sacrilege, and to recover possession of +Perpetua. +</p> + +<p> +She snatched the golden apple from the hand of +the image, and, giving it to an attendant, said: <q>Run +everywhere; touch and summon the Cultores Nemausi.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The girl did as commanded. She sped among +the crowd, and, with the pippin, touched one, then +another, calling: <q>Worshippers of Nemausus, to the +aid of the god!</q> +</p> + +<p> +The result was manifest at once. It was as though +an electrical shock had passed through the multitude. +Those touched and those who had heard the +summons at once disengaged themselves from the +<pb n="38"/><anchor id="Pg038"/>crush, drew together, and ceased to express their +individual opinions. Indeed, such as had previously +applauded the sentiments of Æmilius, now assumed +an attitude of disapprobation. +</p> + +<p> +Rapidly men rallied about the white-robed priestesses, +who surrounded the silver image. +</p> + +<p> +To understand what was taking place it is necessary +that a few words should be given in explanation. +</p> + +<p> +The Roman population of the towns—not in Italy +only, but in all the Romanized provinces, banded +itself in colleges or societies very much like our +benefit clubs. Those guilds were very generally +under the invocation of some god or goddess, and +those who belonged to them were entitled <q>Cultores</q> +or worshippers of such or such a deity. These +clubs had their secretaries and treasurers, their places +of meeting, their common chests, their feasts, and +their several constitutions. Each society made provision +for its members in time of sickness, and furnished +a dignified funeral in the club Columbarium, +after which all sat down to a funeral banquet in the +supper room attached to the cemetery. These colleges +or guilds enjoyed great privileges, and were +protected by the law. +</p> + +<p> +At a time when a political career was closed +<pb n="39"/><anchor id="Pg039"/>to all but such as belonged to the governing class, +the affairs of these clubs engrossed the attention of +the members and evoked great rivalry and controversies. +One admirable effect of the clubs was the +development of a spirit of fellowship among the +members, and another was that it tended in a measure +to break down class exclusiveness. Men of rank +and wealth, aware of the power exercised by these +guilds, eagerly accepted the offices of patron to them, +though the clubs might be those of cord-wainers, +armorers or sailmakers. And those who were ordinary +members of a guild regarded their patrons with +affection and loyalty. Now that the signal had been +sent round to rally the Cultores Nemausi, every +member forgot his private feeling, sank his individual +opinion, and fell into rank with his fellows, +united in one common object—the maintenance by +every available man, and at every sacrifice, of the +respect due to the god. +</p> + +<p> +These Cultores Nemausi at once formed into +organized bodies under their several officers, in face +of a confused crowd that drifted hither and thither +without purpose and without cohesion. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius found himself no longer hearkened to. +To him this was a matter of no concern. He had +<pb n="40"/><anchor id="Pg040"/>sought to engage attention only so as to withdraw +it from Perpetua and leave opportunity for her +friends to remove her. +</p> + +<p> +Now that this object was attained, he laughingly +leaped from the balustrade and made as though he +was about to return home. +</p> + +<p> +But at once the chief priestess saw his object, and +cried: <q>Seize him! He blasphemes the god, founder +of the city. He would destroy the college. Let +him be conveyed into the temple, that the Holy +One may there deal with him as he wills.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The Prefect of Police, whose duty it was to keep +order, now advanced with the few men he had +deemed necessary to bring with him, and he said in +peremptory tone: +</p> + +<p> +<q>We can suffer no violence. If he has transgressed +the law, let him be impeached.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir,</q> answered the priestess, <q>we will use no +violence. He has insulted the majesty of the god. +He has snatched from him his destined and devoted +victim. Yet we meditate no severe reprisals. All +I seek is that he may be brought into the presence +of the god in the adytum, where is a table spread +with cakes. Let him there sprinkle incense on the +fire and eat of the cakes. Then he shall go free. +<pb n="41"/><anchor id="Pg041"/>If the god be wroth, he will manifest his indignation. +But if, as I doubt not, he be placable, then shall this +man depart unmolested.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Against this I have naught to advance,</q> said the +prefect. +</p> + +<p> +But one standing by whispered him: <q>Those cakes +are not to be trusted. I have heard of one who ate +and fell down in convulsions after eating.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is a matter between the god and Æmilius +Varo. I have done my duty.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the confraternity of the Cultores Nemausi +spread itself so as to encircle the place and include +Æmilius, barring every passage. He might, doubtless, +have escaped had he taken to his heels at the +first summons of the club to congregate, but he had +desired to occupy the attention of the people as long +as possible, and it did not comport with his self-respect +to run from danger. +</p> + +<p> +Throwing over him the toga which he had cast +aside when he leaped into the pond, he thrust one +hand into his bosom and leisurely strode through +the crowd, waving them aside with the other hand, +till he stopped by the living barrier of the worshippers +of Nemausus. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You cannot pass, sir,</q> said the captain of that +<pb n="42"/><anchor id="Pg042"/>party which intercepted his exit. <q>The chief +priestess hath ordered that thou appear before the +god in his cella and then do worship and submit +thyself to his will.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And how is that will to be declared?</q> asked the +young man, jestingly. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir! thou must eat one of the dedicated placenta.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I have heard of these same cakes and have no +stomach for them.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nevertheless eat thou must.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What if I will not?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then constraint will be used. The prefect has +given his consent. Who is to deliver thee?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Who! Here come my deliverers!</q> +</p> + +<p> +A tramp of feet was audible. +</p> + +<p> +Instantly Æmilius ran back to the balustrade, +leaped upon it, and, waving his arm, shouted: +</p> + +<p> +<q>To my aid, Utriculares! But use no violence.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Instantly with a shout a dense body of men that +had rolled into the gardens dashed itself against the +ring of Cultores Nemausi. They brandished marlin +spikes and oars to which were attached inflated goat-skins +and bladders. These they whirled around +<pb n="43"/><anchor id="Pg043"/>their heads and with them they smote to the left +and to the right. The distended skins clashed against +such as stood in opposition, and sent them reeling +backward; whereat the lusty men wielding the wind-bags +thrust their way as a wedge through their ranks. +The worshippers of Nemausus swore, screamed, +remonstrated, but were unable to withstand the +onslaught. They were beaten back and dispersed +by the whirling bladders. +</p> + +<p> +The general mob roared with laughter and cheered +the boatmen who formed the attacking party. Cries +of <q>Well done, Utriculares! That is a fine delivery, +Wind-bag-men! Ha, ha! A hundred to five on the +Utriculares! You are come in the nick of time, +afore your patron was made to nibble the poisoned +cakes.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The men armed with air-distended skins did harm +to none. Their weapons were calculated to alarm +and not to injure. To be banged in the face with a +bladder was almost as disconcerting as to be smitten +with a cudgel, but it left no bruise, it broke no bone, +and the man sent staggering by a wind-bag was received +in the arms of those in rear with jibe or laugh +and elicited no compassion. +</p> + +<p> +The Utriculares speedily reached Æmilius, gave +<pb n="44"/><anchor id="Pg044"/>vent to a cheer; they lifted him on their shoulders, +and, swinging the inflated skins and shouting, +marched off, out of the gardens, through the Forum, +down the main street of the lower town unmolested, +under the conduct of Callipodius. +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="5" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="45"/><anchor id="Pg045"/> +<index index="toc" level1="V. Tha Lagoons"/><index index="pdf" level1="V. Tha Lagoons"/> +<head>CHAPTER V<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">THE LAGOONS</hi></head> + +<p> +The men who carried and surrounded Æmilius +proceeded in rapid march, chanting a rhythmic song, +through the town till they emerged on a sort of quay +beside a wide-spreading shallow lagoon. Here were +moored numerous rafts. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Now, sir,</q> said one of the men, as Æmilius +leaped to the ground, <q>if you will take my advice, +you will allow us to convey you at once to Arelate. +This is hardly a safe place for you at present.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I must thank you all, my gallant fellows, for +your timely aid. But for you I should have been +forced to eat of the dedicated cakes, and such as are +out of favor with the god—or, rather, with the priesthood +that lives by him, as cockroaches and black +beetles by the baker—such are liable to get stomach +aches, which same stomach aches convey into the +land where are no aches and pains. I thank you +all.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, sir, we did our duty. Are not you patron +of the Utriculares?</q> +</p> + +<pb n="46"/><anchor id="Pg046"/> + +<p> +<q>I am your patron assuredly, as you did me the +honor to elect me. If I have lacked zeal to do you +service in time past, henceforward be well assured +I will devote my best energies to your cause.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>We are beholden to you, sir.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I to you—the rather.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps the reader will desire to understand who +the wind-bag men were who had hurried to the +rescue of Æmilius. For the comprehension of this +particular, something must be said relative to the +physical character of the country. +</p> + +<p> +The mighty Rhône that receives the melted snows +of the southern slope of the Bernese Oberland and +the northern incline of the opposed Pennine Alps +receives also the drain of the western side of the +Jura, as well as that of the Graian and Cottian Alps. +The Durance pours in its auxiliary flood below +Avignon. +</p> + +<p> +After a rapid thaw of snow, or the breaking of +charged rain clouds on the mountains, these rivers +increase in volume, and as the banks of the Rhône +below the junction of the Durance and St. Raphael +are low, it overflows and spreads through the flat +alluvial delta. It would be more exact to say that +it was wont to overflow, rather than that it does so +<pb n="47"/><anchor id="Pg047"/>now. For at present, owing to the embankments +thrown up and maintained at enormous cost, the +Rhône can only occasionally submerge the low-lying +land, whereas anciently such floods were periodical +and as surely expected as those of the Nile. +</p> + +<p> +The overflowing Rhône formed a vast region of +lagoons that extended from Tarascon and Beaucaire +to the Gulf of Lyons, and spread laterally over the +Crau on one side to Nîmes on the other. Nîmes +itself stood on its own river, the Vistre, but this fed +marshes and <q>broads</q> that were connected with the +tangle of lagoons formed by the Rhône. +</p> + +<p> +Arelate, the great emporium of the trade between +Gaul and Italy, occupied a rocky islet in the midst +of water that extended as far as the eye could reach. +This tract of submerged land was some sixty miles in +breadth by forty in depth, was sown with islets of +more or less elevation and extent. Some were bold, +rocky eminences, others were mere rubble and sand-banks +formed by the river. Arelate or Arles was +accessible by vessels up and down the river or by +rafts that plied the lagoons, and by the canal constructed +by Marius, that traversed them from Fossoe +Marino. As the canal was not deep, and as the current +of the river was strong, ships were often unable +<pb n="48"/><anchor id="Pg048"/>to ascend to the city through these arteries, and had +to discharge their merchandise on the coast upon +rafts that conveyed it to the great town, and when +the floods permitted, carried much to Nemausus. +</p> + +<p> +As the sheets of water were in places and at +periods shallow, the rafts were made buoyant, though +heavily laden, by means of inflated skins and bladders +placed beneath them. +</p> + +<p> +As the conveyance of merchandise engaged a +prodigious number of persons, the raftsmen had +organized themselves into the guild of Utriculares, +or Wind-bag men, and as they became not infrequently +involved in contests with those whose interests +they crossed, and on whose privileges they +infringed, they enlisted the aid of lawyers to act as +their patrons, to bully their enemies, and to fight +their battles against assailants. Among the numerous +classic monumental inscriptions that remain in +Provence, there are many in which a man of position +is proud to have it recorded that he was an honorary +member of the club of the inflated-skin men. +</p> + +<p> +Nemausus owed much of its prosperity to the +fact that it was the trade center for wool and for +skins. The Cevennes and the great limestone +plateaux that abut upon them nourished countless +<pb n="49"/><anchor id="Pg049"/>herds of goats and flocks of sheep, and the dress +of everyone at the period being of wool the demand +for fleeces was great; consequently vast quantities of +wool were brought from the mountains of Nîmes, +whence it was floated away on rafts sustained by the +skins that came from the same quarter. +</p> + +<p> +The archipelago that studded the fresh-water sea +was inhabited by fishermen, and these engaged in +the raft-carriage. The district presented a singular +contrast of high culture and barbarism. In Arles, +Nîmes, Narbonne there was a Greek element. There +was here and there an infusion of Phœnician blood. +The main body of the people consisted of the dusky +Ligurians, who had almost entirely lost their language, +and had adopted that of their Gaulish conquerors, +the Volex. These latter were distinguished +by their fair hair, their clear complexions, their +stalwart frames. Another element in the composite +mass was that of the colonists. After the battle of +Actium, Augustus had rewarded his Egypto-Greek +auxiliaries by planting them at Nemausus, and giving +them half the estates of the Gaulish nobility. +To these Greeks were added Roman merchants, +round-headed, matter-of-fact looking men, destitute +of imagination, but full of practical sense. +</p> + +<pb n="50"/><anchor id="Pg050"/> + +<p> +These incongruous elements that in the lapse of +centuries have been fused, were, at the time of this +tale, fairly distinct. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are in the right, my friends,</q> said Æmilius. +<q>The kiln is heated too hot for comfort. It would +roast me. I will go even to Arelate, if you will be +good enough to convey me thither.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>With the greatest of pleasure, sir.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius had an office at Arles. He was a lawyer, +but his headquarters were at Nemausus, to which +town he belonged by birth. He represented a good +family, and was descended from one of the colonists +under Agrippa and Augustus. His father was dead, +and though he was not wealthy, he was well off, and +possessed a villa and estates on the mountain sides, +at some distance from the town. In the heats of +summer he retired to his villa. +</p> + +<p> +On this day of March there had been a considerable +gathering of raftsmen at Nemausus, who had +utilized the swollen waters in the lagoons for the +conveyance of merchandise. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius stepped upon a raft that seemed to be +poised on bubbles, so light was it on the surface of +the water, and the men at once thrust from land with +their poles. +</p> + +<pb n="51"/><anchor id="Pg051"/> + +<p> +The bottom was everywhere visible, owing to the +whiteness of the limestone pebbles and the sand that +composed it, and through the water darted innumerable +fish. The liquid element was clear. Neither +the Vistre nor the stream from the fountain brought +down any mud, and the turbid Rhône had deposited +all its sediment before its waters reached and mingled +with those that flowed from the Cebennæ. There +was no perceptible current. The weeds under water +were still, and the only thing in motion were the +darting fish. +</p> + +<p> +The raftmen were small, nimble fellows, with +dark hair, dark eyes and pleasant faces. They +laughed and chatted with each other over the incident +of the rescue of their patron, but it was in their +own dialect, unintelligible to Æmilius, to whom +they spoke in broken Latin, in which were mingled +Greek words. +</p> + +<p> +Now and then they burst simultaneously into a +wailing chant, and then interrupted their song to +laugh and gesticulate and mimic those who had been +knocked over by their wind-bags. +</p> + +<p> +As Æmilius did not understand their conversation +and their antics did not amuse him, he lay on +the raft upon a wolfskin that had been spread over +<pb n="52"/><anchor id="Pg052"/>the timber, looking dreamily into the water and at +the white golden flowers of the floating weeds +through which the raft was impelled. The ripples +caused by the displacement of the water caught and +flashed the sun in his eyes like lightning. +</p> + +<p> +His mind reverted to what had taken place, but +unlike the raftmen he did not consider it from its +humorous side. He wondered at himself for the +active part he had taken. He wondered at himself +for having acted without premeditation. Why had +he interfered to save the life of a girl whom he had +not known even by name? Why had he been so +indiscreet as to involve himself in a quarrel with his +fellow-citizens in a matter in no way concerning +him? What had impelled him so rashly to bring +down on himself the resentment of an influential +and powerful body? +</p> + +<p> +The youth of Rome and of the Romanized provinces +was at the time of the empire very blasé. It +enjoyed life early, and wearied rapidly of pleasure. +It became skeptical as to virtue, and looked on the +world of men with cynical contempt. It was selfish, +sensual, cruel. But in Æmilius there was something +nobler than what existed in most; the perception +of what was good and true was not dead in him; +<pb n="53"/><anchor id="Pg053"/>it had slept. And now the face of Perpetua looked +up at him out of the water. Was it her beauty that +had so attracted him as to make him for a moment +mad and cast his cynicism aside, as the butterfly +throws away the chrysalis from which it breaks? No, +beautiful indeed she was, but there was in her face +something inexpressible, undefinable, even mentally; +something conceivable in a goddess, an aura from +another world, an emanation from Olympus. It was +nothing that was subject to the rule. It was not +due to proportion; it could be seized by neither +painter nor sculptor. What was it? That puzzled +him. He had been fascinated, lifted out of his base +and selfish self to risk his life to do a generous, a +noble act. He was incapable of explaining to himself +what had wrought this sudden change in him. +</p> + +<p> +He thought over all that had taken place. How +marvelous had been the serenity with which Perpetua +had faced death! How ready she was to cast +away life when life was in its prime and the world +with all its pleasures was opening before her! He +could not understand this. He had seen men die +in the arena, but never thus. What had given the +girl that look, as though a light within shone through +her features? What was there in her that made him +<pb n="54"/><anchor id="Pg054"/>feel that to think of her, save with reverence, was to +commit a sacrilege? +</p> + +<p> +In the heart of Æmilius there was, though he +knew it not, something of that same spirit which +pervaded the best of men and the deepest thinkers +in that decaying, corrupt old world. All had acquired +a disbelief in virtue because they nowhere +encountered it, and yet all were animated with a +passionate longing for it as the ideal, perhaps the +unattainable, but that which alone could make life +really happy. +</p> + +<p> +It was this which disturbed the dainty epicureanism +of Horace, which gave verjuice to the cynicism +of Juvenal, which roused the savage bitterness of +Perseus. More markedly still, the craving after this +better life, on what based, he could not conjecture, +filled the pastoral mind of Virgil, and almost with a +prophet’s fire, certainly with an aching desire, he +sang of the coming time when the vestiges of ancient +fraud would be swept away and the light of a better +day, a day of truth and goodness would break on the +tear- and blood-stained world. +</p> + +<p> +And now this dim groping after what was better +than he had seen; this inarticulate yearning after +something higher than the sordid round of pleasure; +<pb n="55"/><anchor id="Pg055"/>this innate assurance that to man there is an ideal +of spiritual loveliness and perfection to which he +can attain if shown the way—all this now had found +expression in the almost involuntary plunge into the +<anchor id="corr055"/><corr sic="Nemauscan">Nemausean</corr> pool. He had seen the ideal, and he +had broken with the regnant paganism to reach and +rescue it. +</p> + +<p> +<q>What, my Æmilius! like Narcissus adoring +thine incomparable self in the water!</q> +</p> + +<p> +The young lawyer started, and an expression of +annoyance swept over his face. The voice was that +of Callipodius. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, my good friend,</q> answered Æmilius, <q>I +was otherwise engaged with my thoughts than in +thinking of my poor self.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Poor! with so many hides of land, vineyards and +sheep-walks and olive groves! Aye, and with a +flourishing business, and the possession of a matchless +country residence at Ad Fines.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Callipodius,</q> said the patron, <q>thou art a worthy +creature, and lackest but one thing to make thee +excellent.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And what is that?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Bread made without salt is insipid, and conversation +seasoned with flattery nauseates. I have heard +<pb n="56"/><anchor id="Pg056"/>of a slave who was smeared with honey and exposed +on a cross to wasps. When thou addressest me I seem +to feel as though thou wast dabbing honey over me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My Æmilius! But where would you find wasps +to sting you?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh! they are ready and eager—and I am flying +them—all the votaries of Nemausus thou hast seen +this day. As thou lovest me, leave me to myself, +to rest. I am heavy with sleep, and the sun is hot.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah! dreamer that thou art. I know that thou +art thinking of the fair Perpetua, that worshiper +of an——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Cease; I will not hear this.</q> Æmilius made an +angry gesture. Then he started up and struck at his +brow. <q>By Hercules! I am a coward, flying, flying, +when she is in extreme peril. Where is she now? +Maybe those savages, those fools, are hunting after +her to cast her again into the basin, or to thrust +poisoned cakes into her mouth. By the Sacred +Twins! I am doing that which is unworthy of me—that +for which I could never condone. I am leaving +the feeble and the helpless, unassisted, unprotected +in extremity of danger. Thrust back, my good +men! Thrust back! I cannot to Arelate. I must +again to Nemausus!</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="6" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="57"/><anchor id="Pg057"/> +<index index="toc" level1="VI. The Passage into Life"/><index index="pdf" level1="VI. The Passage into Life"/> +<head>CHAPTER VI<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">THE PASSAGE INTO LIFE</hi></head> + +<p> +Æmilius had sprung to his feet and called to the +men to cease punting. They rested on their poles, +awaiting further instructions, and the impetus given +to the raft carried it among some yellow flags and +rushes. +</p> + +<p> +Callipodius said: <q>I mostly admire the splendor +of your intellect, that shines forth with solar effulgence. +But there are seasons when the sun is +eclipsed or obscured, and such is this with thee. +Surely thou dost not contemplate a return to Nemausus +to risk thy life without being in any way +able to assist the damsel. Consider, moreover—is it +worth it—for a girl?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Callipodius,</q> said the young lawyer in a tone +of vehemence, <q>I cannot fly and place myself in security +and leave her exposed to the most dreadful +danger. I did my work by half only. What I did +was unpremeditated, but that done must be made a +complete whole. When I undertake anything it is +my way to carry it out to a fair issue.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="58"/><anchor id="Pg058"/> + +<p> +<q>That is true enough and worthy of your excellent +qualities of heart and mind. But you know +nothing of this wench, and be she all that you +imagine, what is a woman that for her you should +jeopardize your little finger? Besides, her mother +and kinsfolk will hardly desire your aid, will certainly +not invoke it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Why not?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Callipodius shrugged his shoulders. <q>You are a +man of the world—a votary of pleasure, and these +people are Christians. They will do their utmost +for her. They hang together as a swarm of +bees.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Who and what are these people—this mother +and her kinsfolk?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know little about them. They occupy a house +in the lower town, and that tells its own tale. They +do not belong to the quality to which you belong. +The girl has been reputed beautiful, and many light +fellows have sought to see and have words with her. +But she is so zealously guarded, and is herself so +retiring and modest that they have encountered only +rebuff and disappointment.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I must return. I will know for certain that she +is in safety. Methinks no sooner were they balked +<pb n="59"/><anchor id="Pg059"/>of me than they would direct all their efforts to +secure her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You shall not go back to Nemausus. You +would but jeopardize your own valuable life without +the possibility of assisting her; nay, rather wouldst +thou direct attention to her. Leave the matter with +me and trust my devotion to thine interests.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I must learn tidings of her. I shall not rest till +assured that she is out of danger. By the infernal +gods, Callipodius, I know not what is come upon +me, but I feel that if ill befall her, I could throw +myself on a sword and welcome death, life having +lost to me all value.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then I tell thee this, most resolute of men,</q> said +Callipodius, <q>I will return to the town. My nothingness +will pass unquestioned. Thou shalt tarry at +the house of Flavillus yonder on the promontory. +He is a timber merchant, and the place is clean. +The woman bears a good name, and, what is better, +can cook well. The house is poor and undeserving +of the honor of receiving so distinguished a person +as thyself; but if thou wilt condescend——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Enough. I will do as thou advisest. And, oh, +friend, be speedy, relieve my anxiety and be true as +thou dost value my esteem.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="60"/><anchor id="Pg060"/> + +<p> +Then Æmilius signed to the raftmen to put him +ashore at the landing place to the timber yard of +Flavillus. +</p> + +<p> +Having landed he mounted a slight ascent to a cottage +that was surrounded by piles of wood—of oak, +chestnut, pine and olive. Flavillus was a merchant +on a small scale, but a man of energy and industry. +He dealt with the natives of the Cebennæ, and +bought the timber they felled, conveyed it to his +stores, whence it was distributed to the towns in the +neighborhood; and supplies were furnished to the +shipbuilders at Arelate. +</p> + +<p> +The merchant was now away, but his wife received +Æmilius with deference. She had heard his name +from the raftmen, and was acquainted with Callipodius, +a word from whom sufficed as an introduction. +</p> + +<p> +She apologized because her house was small, as +also because her mother, then with her, was at the +point of death from old age, not from any fever or +other disorder. If Æmilius Lentulus, under the +circumstances, would pardon imperfection in attendance, +she would gladly extend to him such hospitality +as she could offer. Æmilius would have gone elsewhere, +but that the only other house he could think +of that was near was a tavern, then crowded by +Utri<pb n="61"/><anchor id="Pg061"/>culares, who occupied every corner. He was sorry +to inconvenience the woman, yet accepted her offer. +The period was not one in which much consideration +was shown to those in a lower grade. The citizens +and nobles held that their inferiors existed for their +convenience only. Æmilius shared in the ideas of +his time and class, but he had sufficient natural +delicacy to make him reluctant to intrude where his +presence was necessarily irksome. Nevertheless, as +there was no other place to which he could go, he +put aside this feeling of hesitation. +</p> + +<p> +The house was small, and was constructed of wood +upon a stone basement. The partitions between the +rooms were of split planks, and the joints were in +places open, and knots had come out, so that what +passed in one apartment was audible, and, to some +extent, visible in another. A bedroom in a Roman +house was a mere closet, furnished with a bed only. +All washing was done at the baths, not in the house. +The room had no window, only a door over which +hung a curtain. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius divested himself of his wet garment +and gave it to his hostess to dry, then wrapped himself +in his toga and awaited supper. +</p> + +<p> +The meal was prepared as speedily as might be. +<pb n="62"/><anchor id="Pg062"/>It consisted of eggs, eels, with melon, and apples +of last year. Wine was abundant, and so was oil. +</p> + +<p> +When he had eaten and was refreshed, moved by +a kindly thought Æmilius asked if he might see +the sick mother. His hostess at once conducted +him to her apartment, and he stood by the old +woman’s bed. The evening sun shone in at the +door, where stood the daughter holding back the +curtain, and lighted the face of the aged woman. +It was thin, white and drawn. The eyes were large +and lustrous. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am an intruder,</q> said the young man, <q>yet I +would not sleep the night in this house without paying +my respects to the mother of my kind hostess. +Alas! thou art one I learn who is unable to escape +that which befalls all mortals. It is a lot evaded +only by the gods, if there be any truth in the tales +told concerning them. It must be a satisfaction to +you to contemplate the many pleasures enjoyed in a +long life, just as after an excellent meal we can in +mind revert to it and retaste in imagination every +course—as indeed I do with the supper so daintily +furnished by my hostess.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah, sir,</q> said the old woman, <q>on the couch of +death one looks not back but forward.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="63"/><anchor id="Pg063"/> + +<p> +<q>And that also is true,</q> remarked Æmilius. +<q>What is before you but everything that can console +the mind and gratify the ambition. With your +excellent daughter and the timber-yard hard by, you +may calculate on a really handsome funeral pyre—plenty +of olive wood and fragrant pine logs from +the Cebennæ. I myself will be glad to contribute +a handful of oriental spices to throw into the flames.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir, I think not of that.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And the numbers who will attend and the +orations that will be made lauding your many virtues! +It has struck me that one thing only is wanting +in a funeral to make it perfectly satisfactory, +and that is that the person consigned to the flames +should be able to see the pomp and hear the good +things said of him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, sir, I regard not that!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, like a wise woman, you look beyond.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye! aye!</q> she folded her hands and a light +came into her eyes. <q>I look beyond.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To the mausoleum and the cenotaph. Unquestionably +the worthy Flavillus will give you a monument +as handsome as his means will permit, and for +many centuries your name will be memorialized +thereon.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="64"/><anchor id="Pg064"/> + +<p> +<q>Oh, sir! my poor name! what care I for that? +I ask Flavillus to spend no money over my remains; +and may my name be enshrined in the heart of my +daughter. But—it is written elsewhere—even in +Heaven.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I hardly comprehend.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>As to what happens to the body—that is of little +concern to me. I desire but one thing—to be dissolved, +and to be with Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah!—so—with Christ!</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius rubbed his chin. +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is my Hope. He is my Salvation. In Him +I shall live. Death is swallowed up in Victory.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She rambles in her talk,</q> said he, turning to the +daughter. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, sir, she is clear in her mind and dwells on +the thoughts that comfort her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And that is not that she will have an expensive +funeral?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, no, sir!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nor that she will have a commemorative cenotaph +belauding her virtues?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the dying woman said: <q>I shall live—live +forevermore. I have passed from death unto +life.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="65"/><anchor id="Pg065"/> + +<p> +Æmilius shook his head. If this was not the +raving of a disordered mind, what could it be? +</p> + +<p> +He retired to his apartment. +</p> + +<p> +He was tired. He had nothing to occupy him, +so he cast himself on his bed. +</p> + +<p> +Shortly he heard the voice of a man. He started +and listened in the hopes that Callipodius had returned, +but as the tones were strange to him he lay +down again. +</p> + +<p> +Presently a light struck through a knot in the +boards that divided his room from that of the dying +woman. Then he heard the strange voice say: +<q>Peace be to this house and to all that dwell +therein.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is the physician,</q> said Æmilius to himself. +<q>Pshaw! what can he do? She is dying of old +age.</q> +</p> + +<p> +At first the newcomer did inquire concerning the +health of the patient, but then rapidly passed to +other matters, and these strange to the ear of the +young lawyer. He had gathered that the old woman +was a Christian; but of Christians he knew no more +than that they were reported to worship the head of +an ass, to devour little children, and to indulge in +debauchery at their evening banquets. +</p> + +<pb n="66"/><anchor id="Pg066"/> + +<p> +The strange man spoke to the dying woman—not +of funeral and cenotaph as things to look forward +to, but to life and immortality, to joy and rest +from labor. +</p> + +<p> +<q>My daughter,</q> said the stranger, <q>indicate by +sign that thou hearest me. Fortified by the most +precious gift thou wilt pass out of darkness into +light, out of sorrow into joy, from tears to gladness +of heart, from where thou seest through a glass +darkly to where thou shalt look on the face of Christ, +the Sun of Righteousness. Though thou steppest +down into the river, yet His cross shall be thy stay +and His staff shall comfort thee. He goeth before +to be thy guide. He standeth to be thy defence. +The spirits of evil cannot hurt thee. The Good +Shepherd will gather thee into His fold. The True +Physician will heal all thine infirmities. As the +second Joshua, He will lead thee out of the wilderness +into the land of Promise. The angels of God +surround thee. The light of the heavenly city +streams over thee. Rejoice, rejoice! The night is +done and the day is at hand. For all thy labors +thou shalt be recompensed double. For all thy +sorrows He will comfort thee. He will wipe away +thy tears. He will cleanse thee from thy stains. +<pb n="67"/><anchor id="Pg067"/>He will feed thee with all thy desire. Old things +are passed away; all things are made new. Thy +heart shall laugh and sing—Pax!</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius, looking through a chink, saw the stranger +lay his hand on the woman’s brow. He saw +how the next moment he withdrew it, and how, +turning to her daughter, he said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>Do not lament for her. She has passed from +death unto life. She sees Him, in whom she has +believed, in whom she has hoped, whom she has +loved.</q> +</p> + +<p> +And the daughter wiped her eyes. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Well,</q> said Æmilius to himself, <q>now I begin +to see how these people are led to face death without +fear. It is a pity that it should be delusion and +mere talk. Where is the evidence that it is other? +Where is the foundation for all this that is said?</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="7" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="68"/><anchor id="Pg068"/> +<index index="toc" level1="VII. Oblations"/><index index="pdf" level1="VII. Oblations"/> +<head>CHAPTER VII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">OBLATIONS</hi></head> + +<p> +The house into which the widow lady and her +daughter entered was that used by the Christians of +Nemausus as their church. A passage led into the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign>, a quadrangular court in the midst of the +house into which most of the rooms opened, and in +the center of which was a small basin of water. On +the marble breasting of this tank stood, in a heathen +household, the altar to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lares et penates</foreign>, the +tutelary gods of the dwelling. This court was open +above for the admission of light and air, and to allow +the smoke to escape. Originally this had been the +central chamber of the Roman house, but eventually +it became a court. It was the focus of family life, +and the altar in it represented the primitive family +hearth in times before civilization had developed the +house out of the cabin. +</p> + +<p> +Whoever entered a pagan household was expected, +as token of respect, to strew a few grains of +incense on the ever-burning hearth, or to dip his +fingers in the water basin and flip a few drops over +<pb n="69"/><anchor id="Pg069"/>the images. But in a Christian household no such +altar and images of gods were to be found. A +Christian gave great offense by refusing to comply +with the generally received customs, and his disregard +on this point of etiquette was held to be as +indicative of boorishness and lack of graceful courtesy, +as would be the conduct nowadays of a man +who walked into a drawing-room wearing his hat. +</p> + +<p> +Immediately opposite the entrance into the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign>, on the further side of the tank, and beyond +the altar to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lares et penates</foreign>, elevated above the +floor of the court by two or three white-marble steps, +was a semicircular chamber, with elaborate mosaic +floor, and the walls richly painted. This was the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">tablinum</foreign>. The paintings represented scenes from +heathen mythology in such houses as belonged to +pagans, but in the dwelling of Baudillas, the deacon, +the pictures that had originally decorated it had +been plastered over, and upon this coating green +vines had been somewhat rudely drawn, with birds +of various descriptions playing among the foliage +and pecking at the grapes. +</p> + +<p> +Around the wall were seats; and here, in a pagan +house, the master received his guests. His seat was +at the extremity of the apse, and was of white +mar<pb n="70"/><anchor id="Pg070"/>ble. When such a house was employed for Christian +worship, the clergy occupied the seat against +the wall and the bishop that of the master in the +center. In the chord of the apse above the steps +stood the altar, now no longer smoking nor dedicated +to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Lar pater</foreign>, but devoted to Him who is the +Father of Spirits. But this altar was in itself different +wholly from that which had stood by the +water tank. Instead of being a block of marble, +with a hearth on top, it consisted of a table on three, +sometimes four, bronze legs, the slab sometimes of +stone, more generally of wood.<note place="foot">So represented in paintings in the Catacombs. There were +two distinct types: the table in the Church and the tomb at the +Sepulcher of the Martyr.</note> +</p> + +<p> +The <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">tablinum</foreign> was shut off from the hall or court, +except when used for the reception of guests, by rich +curtains running on rings upon a rod. These curtains +were drawn back or forward during the celebration +of the liturgy, and this has continued to +form a portion of the furniture of an Oriental +church, whether Greek, Armenian, or Syrian. +</p> + +<p> +In like manner the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">tablinum</foreign>, with its conch-shape +termination, gave the type to the absidal chancel, +so general everywhere except in England. +</p> + +<pb n="71"/><anchor id="Pg071"/> + +<p> +On the right side of the court was the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">triclinium</foreign> +or dining-room, and this was employed by the early +Christians for their love-feasts. +</p> + +<p> +Owing to the protection extended by law to the +colleges or clubs, the Christians sought to screen +themselves from persecution by representing themselves +as forming one of these clubs, and affecting +their usages. Even on their tombstones they so +designated themselves, <q>Cultores Dei,</q> and they +were able to carry on their worship under the appearance +of frequenting guild meetings. One of the +notable features of such secular or semi-religious +societies was the convivial supper for the members, +attended by all. The Church adopted this supper, +called it Agape, but of course gave to it a special +signification. It was made to be a symbol of that +unity among Christians which was supposed to exist +between all members. The supper was also a convenient +means whereby the rich could contribute to +the necessities of the poor, and was regarded as a +fulfilment of the Lord’s command: <q>When thou +makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, +the blind.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Already, in the third century, the believers who +belonged to the superior classes had withdrawn from +<pb n="72"/><anchor id="Pg072"/>them, and alleged as their excuse the command: +<q>When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not +thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsman, +nor thy rich neighbors.</q> Their actual reason was, +however, distaste for associating with such as belonged +to the lower orders, and from being present +at scenes that were not always edifying. +</p> + +<p> +The house of Baudillas had once been of consequence, +and his family one of position; but that had +been in the early days of the colony before the +indigenous Gaulish nobility had been ousted from +every place of authority, and the means for enriching +themselves had been drawn away by the greed +of the conquerors. The quarter of the town in +which was his mansion had declined in respectability. +Many of the houses of the old Volcian +gentry had been sold and converted into lodgings +for artisans. In this case the ancestral dwelling +remained in the possession of the last representative +of the family, but it was out of repair, and the owner +was poor. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I hardly know what should be done,</q> said Baudillas +to himself, rather than to the ladies he was +escorting. <q>The Church has been enjoined to assemble +this afternoon for the Agape, and our bishop, +<pb n="73"/><anchor id="Pg073"/>Castor, is absent at this critical juncture. He has +gone on a pastoral round, taking advantage of the +floods to visit, in boat, some of the outlying hamlets +and villages where there are believers. It seems to +me hardly prudent for us to assemble when there +is such agitation of spirits. Ladies, allow my house-keeper—she +was my nurse—to conduct you where +you can repose after the fatigue and distress you +have undergone. She will provide dry garments for +Perpetua, and hot water for her feet. The baths +are the proper place, but it would be dangerous for +her to adventure herself in public.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas paced the court in anxiety of mind. +He did not know what course to adopt. He was +not a man of initiative. He was devoted to his +duty and discharged whatever he was commanded to +do with punctilious nicety; but he was thrown into +helpless incapacity when undirected by a superior +mind, or not controlled by a dominant will. +</p> + +<p> +It would be difficult to communicate with the +brethren. He had but one male servant, Pedo, who +had a stiff hip-joint. He could not send him round +to give notice of a postponement, and Baudillas was +not the man to take such a step without orders. +Probably, said he to himself, the commotion would +<pb n="74"/><anchor id="Pg074"/>abate before evening. There would be much feasting +in the town that afternoon. The Cultores +Nemausi had their club dinner; and the families of +Volcian descent made it a point of honor to entertain +on that day, dedicated to their Gallic founder +and hero-god. It was precisely for this reason that +the Agape had been appointed to be celebrated on +the first of March. When all the lower town was +holding debauch, the harmless reunion of the Christians +would pass unregarded. +</p> + +<p> +<q>What shall I do?</q> said the deacon. <q>Castor, +our bishop, should not have absented himself at such +a time, but then how could he have foreseen what has +taken place? I will take care that the ladies be +provided with whatever they may need, and then +will sally forth and ascertain what temper our fellow-citizens +are in. We southerners blaze up like +a fire of straw, and as soon does our flame expire. +If I meet some of the brethren, I will consult with +them what is to be done. As it is we have postponed +the Agape till set of sun, when we deemed +that all the town would be indoors merry-making.</q> +</p> + +<p> +An hour later, a slave of the lady Quincta arrived +to say that her house was watched, and that the +servants did not deem it advisable to leave with the +<pb n="75"/><anchor id="Pg075"/>litter, lest some attempt should be made to track +them to the house where their mistress was concealed, +in which case the rabble might even try to +get possession of Perpetua. +</p> + +<p> +Quincta was greatly alarmed at the tidings, and +bade that the litter should on no account be sent. +When those watching her door had been withdrawn, +then a faithful slave was to announce the fact, and +she and her daughter would steal home afoot. Thus +passed the time, with anxiety contracting the hearts +of all. Quincta was a timid woman, Baudillas, as +already said, irresolute. In the afternoon, gifts +began to arrive for the love-feast. Slaves brought +hampers of bread, quails, field-fare stuffed with +truffles; brown pots containing honey were also +deposited by them in the passage. Others brought +branches of dried raisins, apples, eggs, flasks of oil, +and bouquets of spring flowers.<note place="foot">St. Clement of Alexandria complained of the dainties provided +for the Agape: <q>The sauces, cakes, sugar-plums, the +drink, the delicacies, the games, the sweetmeats, the honey.</q> +The hour of supper with the Romans was about 2 <hi rend="small">P.M.</hi>; that, +therefore, was the time for the love-feast to begin.</note> +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas was relieved when the stream of oblations +began to flow in, as it decided for him the +<pb n="76"/><anchor id="Pg076"/>matter of the Agape. It must take place—it could +not be deferred, as some of the food sent was perishable. +</p> + +<p> +A slave arrived laden with an <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">amphora</foreign>—a red +earthenware bottle, pointed below, so that to maintain +it upright it had to be planted in sand or ashes. +On the side was a seal with the sacred symbol, showing +that it contained wine set apart for religious +usage.<note place="foot">In the recently-exhumed house of Saints John and Paul, in +the Cœlian Hill at Rome, such bottles were discovered in the +cellar.</note> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir!</q> said the bearer, <q>happy is the man who +tastes of this wine from Ambrussum (near Lunel).<note place="foot">Now Ambroix.</note> +It is of the color of amber, it is old, and runs like +oil. The heat of the Provence sun is gathered and +stored in it, to break forth and glow in the veins, to +mount into and fire the brain, and to make and +kindle a furnace in the heart.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It shall be used with discretion, Tarsius,</q> said +the deacon. +</p> + +<p> +<q>By Bacchus!—I ask your pardon, deacon! Old +habits are not easily laid aside. What was I saying? +Oh—you remarked something about discretion. +<pb n="77"/><anchor id="Pg077"/>For my part I consider that my master has exercised +none in sending this to your love-feast. Bah! it is +casting pearls before swine to pour out this precious +essence into the cups of such a beggarly, vagabond +set as assemble here. The quality folk are becoming +weary of these banquets and hold aloof.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is sadly true,</q> observed Baudillas, <q>and +the effect of this withdrawal is that it aggravates +the difficulties of myself and my brethren.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The choice liquor is thrown away on such as +you have as congregation. How can they relish +the Ambrussian if they have not had their palates +educated to know good liquor from bad? On my +faith as a Christian! were I master instead of slave, +I would send you the wine of the year when Sosius +Falco and Julius Clarus were consuls—then the +grapes mildewed in the bunch, and the wine is +naught but vinegar, no color, no bouquet, no substance. +Gentlemen and slaves can’t drink it. But +I reckon that my master thinks to condone his +absence by sending one of his choicest flasks.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are somewhat free of tongue, Tarsius.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am a frank man though enslaved. Thoughts +are free, and my tongue is not enchained. I shall +attend the banquet this evening. The master and +<pb n="78"/><anchor id="Pg078"/>mistress remain at home that we, believing members +of the family, may be present at the Agape. I will +trouble you, when pouring out the Ambrussian wine, +not to forget that I had to sweat under the flask, +to your house.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I think, Tarsius, I cannot do better than place +the bottle under your charge. You know its value, +and the force of the wine. Distribute as you see +fit.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye; I know who will appreciate it, and who +are unworthy of a drop. I accept the responsibility. +You do wisely, deacon, in trusting me—a knowing +one,</q> and he slapped his breast and pursed up his +mouth. +</p> + +<p> +Then another servant appeared with a basket. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Here, sir!</q> said he to the deacon. <q>I bring +you honey-cakes. The lady Lampridia sends them. +She is infirm and unable to leave her house, but +she would fain do something for the poor, the +almoners of Christ. She sends you these and also +garments that she has made for children. She +desires that you will distribute them among such +parents as have occasion for them.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Next came a man of equestrian rank, and drew +the deacon aside. +</p> + +<pb n="79"/><anchor id="Pg079"/> + +<p> +<q>Where is Castor?</q> he inquired in an agitated +voice. <q>I cannot appear this evening. The whole +town is in effervescence. Inquisition may be made +for us Christians. There will be a tumult. When +they persecute you in one city—fly to another! +That is the divine command, and I shall obey it to +the letter. I have sent forward servants and mules—and +shall escape with my wife and children to my +villa.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The bishop is away. He will be back this +evening. I have not known what to do, whether +or not to postpone the Agape to another day.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No harm will come of it if you hold the feast. +None will attend save the poor and such as are on +the books of the Church, the widows and those to +whom a good meal is a boon. The authorities will +not trouble themselves about the like of them. I +don’t relish the aspect of affairs, and shall be off +before the storm breaks.</q> Then the knight added +hastily, <q>Here is money, distribute it, and bid the +recipients pray for me and mine, that no harm +befall us.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas saw that the man was quaking with +apprehension. <q>Verily,</q> said he to himself, <q>It +is a true saying, <q>How hardly shall they that have +<pb n="80"/><anchor id="Pg080"/>riches enter into the kingdom of Heaven.</q> I wonder +now, whether I have acted judiciously in entrusting +that old Ambrussian to Tarsius? If the bishop +had been here, I could have consulted him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +So a weak, but good man, may even do a thing +fraught with greater mischief than can be done with +evil intent by an adversary. +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="8" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="81"/><anchor id="Pg081"/> +<index index="toc" level1="VIII. The Voice at Midnight"/><index index="pdf" level1="VIII. The Voice at Midnight"/> +<head>CHAPTER VIII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">THE VOICE AT MIDNIGHT</hi></head> + +<p> +As soon as dusk began to veil the sky, Christians +in parties of three and four came to the house of +Baudillas. They belonged for the most part to the +lowest classes. None were admitted till they had +given the pass-word. +</p> + +<p> +An <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">ostiarius</foreign> or porter kept the door, and as each +tapped, he said in Greek: <q>Beloved, let us love one +another.</q> Whereupon the applicant for admission +replied in the same tongue, <q>For love is of God.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Owing to the Greek element in the province, +large at Massilia, Arelate and Narbo, but not less +considerable at Nemausus, the Hellenic tongue, +though not generally spoken, was more or less comprehended +by all in the towns. The Scriptures +were read in Greek; there was, as yet, no Italic version, +and the prayers were recited, sometimes in +Greek, sometimes in Latin. In preaching, the +bishops and presbyters employed the vernacular—this +was a conglomerate of many tongues and was +in incessant decomposition, flux, and recomposition. +<pb n="82"/><anchor id="Pg082"/>It was different in every town, and varied from year +to year. +</p> + +<p> +In the sub-apostolic church it was customary for +a banquet to be held in commemoration of the +Paschal Supper, early in the afternoon, lasting all +night, previous to the celebration of the new Eucharistic +rite, which took place at dawn. The night was +spent in hymn singing, in discourses, and in prayer. +</p> + +<p> +But even in the Apostolic age, as we learn from +St. Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians, great +abuses had manifested themselves, and very speedily +a change was made. The Agape was dissociated from +the Eucharist and was relegated to the evening after +the celebration of the Sacrament. It was not abolished +altogether, because it was a symbol of unity, +and because, when under control, it was unobjectionable. +Moreover, as already intimated, it served +a convenient purpose to the Christians by making +their meetings resemble those of the benefit clubs +that were under legal protection. +</p> + +<p> +It may be conjectured that where the bulk of the +members were newly converted, and were ignorant, +there would speedily manifest itself among them a +tendency to revert to their pagan customs, and a +revolt against the restraints of Christian sobriety. +<pb n="83"/><anchor id="Pg083"/>And this actually took place, causing much embarrassment +to the clergy, and giving some handle to +the heathen to deride these meetings as scenes of +gross disorder. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner did persecution cease, and the reason +for holding love-feasts no longer held, than they +were everywhere put down and by the end of the +fourth century had absolutely ceased. +</p> + +<p> +In the third century Tertullian, in his <q>Apology</q> +addressed to the heathen, gave a rose-colored description +of the institution; but in his <q>Treatise on +Fasting</q> addressed to the faithful, he was constrained +to admit that it was a nursery of abuses. +But this, indeed, common sense and a knowledge +of human nature would lead us to suspect. +</p> + +<p> +We are prone to imagine that the first ages of the +Church saw only saints within the fold, and sinners +without. But we have only to read the writings +of the early Fathers to see that this was not the case. +If we consider our mission stations at the present +day, and consult our evangelists among the heathen, +we shall discover that the newly converted on +entering the Church, bring with them much of their +past: their prejudices, their superstitions, their ignorance, +and their passions. The most vigilant care +<pb n="84"/><anchor id="Pg084"/>has to be exercised in watching against relapse in +the individual, and deterioration of the general tone. +The converts in the first ages were not made of other +flesh and blood than those now introduced into the +sheepfold, and the difficulties now encountered by +missionaries beset the first pastors of Christ fifteen +and sixteen hundred years ago. +</p> + +<p> +In an honest attempt to portray the condition of +the Church at the opening of the third century, we +must describe things as they were, and not as we +should wish them to have been. +</p> + +<p> +The <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign> or courtyard was not lighted; there +was sufficient illumination from above. The curtains +of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">tablinum</foreign> were close drawn, as the reception +chamber was not to be put in requisition that night. +The <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">triclinium</foreign> or dining-room that received light +through the doorway only would have been dark +had not a lamp or two been kindled there. +</p> + +<p> +About thirty persons were present, male and +female, but no children. Some were slaves from +believing households; there were a few freedmen. +Some were poor artisans, weavers, bakers, and men +who sold charcoal, a porter, and a besom-maker. +</p> + +<p> +Quincta and Perpetua were the highest in social +position of those present. A second deacon, named +<pb n="85"/><anchor id="Pg085"/>Marcianus, was there, a handsome man, peremptory +in manner, quick in movement; in every point a +contrast with his timid, hesitating brother in the +ministry. +</p> + +<p> +The bishop had not arrived when the Agape +began, and the blessing was spoken by an aged and +feeble presbyter. The tables were spread with +viands, and the deacons and deaconesses ministered +to those who reclined at them. There was not room +for all in the dining-chamber, and a table and +couches had been spread in the court for such as +could not be accommodated within. +</p> + +<p> +The proceedings were marked by the strictest +propriety, the eating and drinking were in moderation, +conversation was edifying, and general harmony +prevailed. During the meal, a knocking was +heard at the outer gate, and when the porter asked +the name of the applicant for admission, the password +was given, and he was admitted. +</p> + +<p> +All rose to receive Castor, the bishop. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Recline again, my friends,</q> said he. <q>I have +come from the house of Flavillus, the timber merchant +on the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">stagna</foreign>; his wife’s mother has endured +that which is human. She sleeps, and her spirit is +with the Lord. I have been delayed. I was doing +<pb n="86"/><anchor id="Pg086"/>the work of my Master. One, a stranger to the +faith, questioned me, and I tarried to converse with +him, and disclose to his dark mind some ray of light. +If the supper be ended, I will offer thanks.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then, standing at one of the tables, he made +prayer to God, and thanked Him who had caused +the corn to spring out of the earth, and had gathered +the many grains into one bread; who had watered +the vine from heaven, and had flushed the several +grapes with generous juice, uniting the many into +one bunch. +</p> + +<p> +The thanksgiving ended, lights were introduced +in considerable numbers. There is no twilight in +southern climes; when night falls, it falls darkly. +Now all who had eaten went to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">impluvium</foreign>, +dipped their hands, and washed their lips, then +wiped them on towels held by the deaconesses. +</p> + +<p> +The tables were quickly removed, and the benches +ranged in the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">triclinium</foreign>, so as to accommodate +all. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner was the whole congregation assembled, +than the president, Castor, invited all such as had +a psalm, an interpretation, a vision, or an edifying +narrative, to relate or recite it. +</p> + +<p> +Then up started a little man, who held a lyre. +</p> + +<pb n="87"/><anchor id="Pg087"/> + +<p> +<q>Sir,</q> said he, <q>I have composed a poem in +honor of Andeolus, the martyr of Gentibus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +He struck a chord on his instrument, and sang. +The composition was devoid of poetry, the meter +halting, the Latin full of provincialisms, and the +place of poetic imagery was filled with extravagances +of expression. When he had concluded, he perhaps +inadvertently wound up with the words, <q>Generous +audience, grant me your applause!</q>—the usual +method of conclusion on the stage. +</p> + +<p> +And the request met with favor—hands were +clapped. +</p> + +<p> +Then Bishop Castor rose, and with a grave face, +said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>We have listened to Lartius Garrulus with interest +and with edification. It is well to glorify the +memories of the holy ones who have witnessed a +good confession, who have fought the fight, and +have shed their blood as a testimony. But a poet +in treating of such subjects, should restrain his too +exuberant fancy, and not assert as facts matters of +mere conjecture, nor should he use expressions that, +though perhaps endurable in poetry, cannot be addressed +to the martyrs in sober prose. The ignorant +are too ready to employ words without considering +<pb n="88"/><anchor id="Pg088"/>their meaning with nicety, and to quote poets as +licensing them to do that which their pastors would +forbid.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But,</q> said the deacon Marcianus, <q>what if this +be uttered by inspiration?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The Spirit of God,</q> answered Castor, <q>never +inspires the mind to import into religion anything +that is not true.</q> Turning round, he said: <q>I call +on Turgellius to interpret a portion of the Epistle +of the Blessed Paul, the Apostle to the Romans, +translating it into the vulgar tongue, as there be +those present who comprehend Greek with difficulty.</q> +</p> + +<p> +This done, one rose, and said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir, suffer me to disclose a revelation. I was +asleep on my bed, three nights agone, and I had a +dream, or vision, from on high. I beheld a snow-white +flock pasturing on a mountain; there was +abundance of herbage, and the sky was serene. The +shepherd stood regarding them, leaning on his staff, +and the watch-dog slept at his feet in the grass. +Then, suddenly, the heavens became obscured, +lightning flashed, thunder rolled: the flock was +terrified and scattered. Thereupon came wolves, +leaping among the sheep, and rending them; and I +<pb n="89"/><anchor id="Pg089"/>beheld now that some which I had taken to be +sheep, cast their skins, and disclosed themselves to +be ravening beasts. What may be signified by the +vision, I know not, but I greatly fear that it portends +an evil time to the Church.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is like enough,</q> said Baudillas, <q>after +what has occurred this day. If the bishop has not +heard, I will relate all to him in order.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I have been informed of everything,</q> said +Castor. +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is well that there should be a sifting of the +wheat from the chaff,</q> said Marcianus. <q>Too long +have we had wolves masquerading among us clothed +in sheepskins. See!</q> He threw back his mantle, +and extended his hand. <q>On my way hither, I passed +by the fountain of Nemausus, and none were there. +Then my soul was wrath within me at the idolatry +and worship of devils that goes on in the temple and +about the basin. So I took up a stone, and I climbed +upon the pedestal, and I beat till I had broken this +off.</q> Then he rolled an alabaster sculptured head +on the floor. With a contemptuous kick, he sent +it spinning. <q>This is their god Nemausus. A +deacon of Christ’s Church, with a bit of stone, is +able to break his neck, and carry off his head!</q> +<pb n="90"/><anchor id="Pg090"/>Then he laughed. But none laughed in response. +</p> + +<p> +A thrill of dismay ran through the assembly. +</p> + +<p> +A woman fell into hysterics and screamed. Some +called out that she prophesied, others that she spake +with tongues. Baudillas appeased the excitement. +<q>The tongue she speaks,</q> said he, <q>is the Ligurian +of the Cebennæ, and all she says is that she wishes +she were safe with her children in the mountains, +and had never come into the town. Now, indeed, +it seems that the evil days foreseen by Pantilius +Narbo will come on the Church. The people might +forget that the god was robbed of his victim, but +not that his image has been defaced.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Well done, I say!</q> shouted a man, thrusting +himself forward. His face was inflamed and his +eyes dazed. <q>I—I, Tarsius the slave, and Marcianus, +the deacon, are the only Christians with any +pluck about us. Cowards that ye all are, quaking +at the moment of danger—hares, ye are, hares afraid +of the whistling of the wind in the grass. I—I——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Remove that man,</q> said the bishop. <q>He has +been drinking.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I—I drinking. I have supped the precious +<pb n="91"/><anchor id="Pg091"/>Ambrussian wine, too good for the rag-tag. Dost +think I would pour out to him who binds brooms? +Or to her—a washerwoman from the mountains? +Ambrussian wine for such as appreciate good things—gold +as amber, thick as oil, sweet as honey.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Remove him,</q> said the bishop firmly. +</p> + +<p> +Hands were laid on the fellow. +</p> + +<p> +Then turning to Marcianus, Castor said sternly, +<q>You have acted inconsiderately and wrongly, +against the decrees of the Fathers.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye!—of men who were timorous, and forbade +others doing that from which they shrank themselves. +I have not so learned Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Thou thyself mayest be strong,</q> said Castor, +<q>but thine act will bring the tempest upon the +Church, and it will fall upon the weak and young.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Such as cannot stand against the storm are good +for naught,</q> said Marcianus. <q>But the storm is +none of my brewing. It had arisen before I intervened. +The escape of the lady Perpetua from the +fountain—that was the beginning, I have but added +the final stroke.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Thou hast acted very wrongly,</q> said the bishop. +<q>May God, the God of all comfort, strengthen us +to stand in the evil day. In very truth, the powers +<pb n="92"/><anchor id="Pg092"/>of darkness will combine against the Church. The +lightnings will indeed flash, the sheep be scattered, +and those revealed whom we have esteemed to be +true disciples of Christ, but who are far from Him +in heart. Many that are first shall be last, and the +last first. It is ever so in the Kingdom of Christ—hark!</q> +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly a strange, a terrible sound was heard—a +loud, hoarse note, like a blast blown through +a triton’s shell, but far louder; it seemed to pass in +the air over the house, and set the tiles quivering. +Every wall vibrated to it, and every heart thrilled +as well. Men rushed into the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign> and looked +up at the night sky. Stars twinkled. Nothing +extraordinary was visible. But those who looked +expected to see some fire-breathing monster flying +athwart the dark, heavenly vault, braying; and +others again cried out that this was the trumpet of +the archangel, and that the end of all things was +come. +</p> + +<p> +Then said Marcianus, <q>It is the voice of the devil +Nemausus! He has thus shouted before.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="9" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="93"/><anchor id="Pg093"/> +<index index="toc" level1="IX. Stars in Water"/><index index="pdf" level1="IX. Stars in Water"/> +<head>CHAPTER IX<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">STARS IN WATER</hi></head> + +<p> +As an excuse for not appearing in time at the +Agape, Castor had asserted that he had been engaged +on his Master’s work elsewhere. That was true. +He had been at the house of the timber merchant +as we have seen, and he had been detained by Æmilius +as he left it. This latter had been lying on his +bed resting, whilst his garments were being dried. +</p> + +<p> +He had overheard what had passed in the room +of the dying woman. +</p> + +<p> +When the bishop went forth, then Æmilius rose +from his bed, cast the ample toga about him, and +walked forth. He caught Castor as he descended +to the water’s edge to be paddled away. +</p> + +<p> +After a short salutation, the young lawyer said: +<q>A word with you, sir, if your time is as generously +to be disposed of to a stranger as it is lavished on +the poor and sick.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am at your service,</q> answered the bishop. +</p> + +<p> +<q>My name,</q> said the young man, <q>is Æmilius +Lentulus Varo. My profession is the law. I am +<pb n="94"/><anchor id="Pg094"/>not, I believe, unknown in Nemausus, or at Arelate, +where also I have an office. But you, sir, may not +have heard of me—we have assuredly never met. +Your age and gravity of demeanor belong to a +social group other than mine. You mix with the +wise, the philosophers, and not with such butterflies +as myself, who am a ridiculous pleasure seeker—seeking +and never finding. If I am not in error, +you are Castor Lepidus Villoneos, of an ancient +magisterial family in Nemausus and the reputed +head of the Christian sect.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am he,</q> answered the bishop. +</p> + +<p> +<q>It may appear to you a piece of idle curiosity,</q> +said the young man, <q>if I put to you certain questions, +and esteem it an impertinence, and so send +me away empty. But I pray you to afford me—if +thy courtesy will suffer it—some information concerning +a matter on which I am eager to obtain +light. I have been in the apartment adjoining that +in which the mother of the hostess lay, and I chanced—the +partition being but of plank—to overhear +what was said. I confess that I am inquisitive to +know something more certain of this philosophy or +superstition, than what is commonly reported among +the people. On this account, I venture to detain +<pb n="95"/><anchor id="Pg095"/>you, as one qualified to satisfy my greed for knowledge.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My time is at your disposal.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You spoke to the dying woman as though she +were about to pass into a new life. Was that a +poetic fancy or a philosophic speculation?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It was neither, it was a religious conviction. I +spoke of what I knew to be true.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Knew to be true!</q> laughed Æmilius. <q>How +so? Have you traveled into the world of spirits, +visited the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">manes</foreign>, and returned posted up in all +particulars concerning them?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No. I receive the testimony from One I can +trust.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>One! All men are liars. I knew a fellow who +related that he had fallen into an epileptic fit, and +that during the fit his spirit had crossed the Styx. +But as he had no penny wherewith to pay the fare, +I did not believe him. Moreover, he never told the +story twice alike, and in other matters was an arrant +liar.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Whom would you believe?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>None, nothing save my own experience.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Not Him who made and who sustains your +existence, my good sir?</q> +</p> + +<pb n="96"/><anchor id="Pg096"/> + +<p> +<q>Yes, if I knew Him and were assured He +spoke.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is the assurance I have.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius shook his head. <q>When, how, where, +and by whom did He declare to men that there is +a life beyond the tomb?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The <hi rend="italic">when</hi> was in the principate of Tiberius +Cæsar, the <hi rend="italic">how</hi> was by the mouth of His only-begotten +Son, the <hi rend="italic">where</hi> was in Palestine.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The young lawyer laughed. <q>There is not a +greater rogue and liar on the face of the earth +than a Jew. I cannot believe in a revelation made +elsewhere than at the center of the world, in the +city of Rome.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Rome is the center of the world to you—but +is it so to the infinite God?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius shrugged his shoulders contemptuously. +<q>I am a lawyer. I ask for evidence. And I would +not trust the word of a Jew against that of a common +Gaulish peasant.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nor need you. The witness is in yourself.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not understand you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Have not all men, at all times and everywhere +desired to know what is to be their condition after +death? Does not every barbarous people harbor +<pb n="97"/><anchor id="Pg097"/>the conviction that there is a future life? Do not +you civilized Romans, though you have no evidence, +act as though there were such a life, and testify +thereto on your monumental cenotaphs?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I allow all that. But what of it?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>How comes it that there should be such a conviction +based on no grounds whatever, but a vague +longing, unless there were such a reality provided +for those who have this desire in them? Would +the Creator of man mock him? Would He put this +hunger into him unless it were to be satisfied? You +have eyes that crave for the light, and the light +exists that satisfies this longing! You have ears +that desire sounds, and the world is full of voices +that meet this desire. Where there is a craving +there is ever a reality that corresponds with and +gives repose to that desire. Look,</q> said the bishop, +and pointed to the water in which were reflected +the stars that now began to glitter in the sky. <q>Do +you see all those twinkling points in the still water? +They correspond to the living luminaries set above +in the vault. You in your soul have these reflections—sometimes +seen, sometimes obscured, but ever +returning. They answer to realities in the celestial +world overhead. The reflections could not be +<pb n="98"/><anchor id="Pg098"/>in your nature unless they existed in substance +above.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is a score of other things we long after in +vain here.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What things? I believe I know. Purity, perfection, +justice. Well, you do not find them here +entire—only in broken glints. But these glints +assure you that in their integrity they do exist.</q> +</p> + +<p> +A boat was propelled through the water. It +broke the reflections, that disappeared or were resolved +into a very dust of sparkles. As the wavelets +subsided, however, the reflections reformed. +</p> + +<p> +Castor walked up and down beside Æmilius in +silence for a few turns, then said:— +</p> + +<p> +<q>The world is full of inequalities and injustices. +One man suffers privation, another is gorged. One +riots in luxury at the expense of the weak. Is there +to be no righting of wrongs? no justice to be ever +done? If there be a God over all, He must, if just—and +who can conceive of God, save as perfectly +just?—He must, I say, deal righteous judgment and +smooth out all these creases; and how can he do so, +unless there be a condition of existence after death +in which the wrongs may be redressed, the evil-doers +be punished, and tears be wiped away?</q> +</p> + +<pb n="99"/><anchor id="Pg099"/> + +<p> +<q>There is philosophy in this.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Have you not in your conscience a sense of right +as distinct from wrong—obscured often, but ever +returning—like the reflection of the stars in the +water? How comes it there unless there be the +verities above? Unless your Maker so made you +as to reflect them in your spirit?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius said nothing. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Have you not in you a sense of the sacredness +of Truth, and a loathing for falsehood? How comes +that, unless implanted in you by your Creator, who +is Truth itself?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But we know not—in what is of supreme interest +to us—in matters connected with the gods, +what our duties, what our destiny—what is the +Truth.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Young man,</q> said the bishop, <q>thou art a +seeker after the kingdom of Heaven. One word +further, and I must leave thee. Granted there are +these scintillations within—</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yes, I grant this.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And that they be reflections of verities above.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Possibly.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Whence else come they?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius did not, could not answer. +</p> + +<pb n="100"/><anchor id="Pg100"/> + +<p> +<q>Then,</q> said Castor, <q>is it not antecedently probable +that the God who made man, and put into his +nature this desire after truth, virtue, holiness, justice, +aye, and this hunger after immortality, should +reveal to man that without which man is unable to +direct his life aright, attain to the perfection of his +being, and look beyond death with confidence?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>If there were but such a revelation!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I say—is it conceivable that the Creator should +not make it?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Thou givest me much food for thought,</q> said +the lawyer. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Digest it—looking at the reflection of the stars +in the water—aye! and recall what is told by Aristotle +of Xenophanes, how that casting his eyes upward +at the immensity of heaven, he declared <hi rend="italic">The +One</hi> is God. That conviction, at which the philosopher +arrived at the summit of his research, is +the starting point of the Christian child. Farewell. +We shall meet again. I commend thee to Him +who set the stars in heaven above, and the lights in +thine own dim soul.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the bishop sought a boat, and was rowed +in the direction of the town. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius remained by the lagoon. +</p> + +<pb n="101"/><anchor id="Pg101"/> + +<p> +Words such as these he had heard were novel. +The thoughts given him to meditate on were so +deep and strange that he could not receive them at +once. +</p> + +<p> +The night was now quite dark, and the stars shone +with a brilliancy to which we are unaccustomed in +the North, save on frosty winter nights. +</p> + +<p> +The Milky Way formed a sort of crescent to the +north, and enveloped Cassiopeia’s Chair in its nebulous +light. To the west blazed Castor and Pollux, +and the changing iridescent fire of Algol reflected +its varying colors in the water. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius looked up. What those points of light +were, none could say. How was it that they maintained +their order of rising and setting? None could +answer. Who ruled the planets? That they obeyed +a law, was obvious, but by whom was that law +imposed? +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius paced quicker, with folded arms and +bowed head, looking into the water. The heavens +were an unsolved riddle. The earth also was a +riddle, without interpretation. Man himself was +an enigma, to which there was no solution. Was +all in heaven, in earth, to remain thus locked up, +unexplained? +</p> + +<pb n="102"/><anchor id="Pg102"/> + +<p> +How was it that planets and constellations fulfilled +the law imposed on them without deviation, and +man knew not a law, lived in the midst of a cobweb +of guesses, entangling himself in the meshes +of vain speculations, and was not shown the commandment +he must obey? Why had the Creator +implanted in his soul such noble germs, if they were +not to fructify—if only to languish for lack of +light? +</p> + +<p> +Again he lifted his eyes to the starry vault, and +repeated what had been said of Xenophanes, <q>Gazing +on the immensity of heaven, he declared that +the One was God.</q> And then, immediately looking +down into the depths of his own heart, he added: +<q>And He is reflected here. Would that I knew +Him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Yet how was he to attain the desired knowledge? +On all sides were religious quacks offering their +nostrums. What guarantee did Christianity offer, +that it was other than the wild and empty speculations +that swarmed, engaged and disappointed the +minds of inquirers? +</p> + +<p> +Unconscious how time passed, Æmilius paced the +bank. Then he stood still, looking dreamily over +the calm water. A couple of months more and the +<pb n="103"/><anchor id="Pg103"/>air would be alive with fire-flies that would cluster +on every reed, that would waver in dance above the +surface of the lagoon, tens of thousands of drifting +stars reflecting themselves in the water, and by their +effulgence disturbing the light of the stars also there +mirrored. +</p> + +<p> +Thinking of this, Æmilius laughed. +</p> + +<p> +<q>So is it,</q> said he, <q>in the world of philosophic +thought and religious aspiration. The air is full of +fire-flies. They seem to be brilliant torch-bearers +assuring us guidance, but they are only vile grubs, +and they float above the festering pool that breeds +malarial fevers. Where is the truth, where?</q> +</p> + +<p> +From the distant city sounded a hideous din, like +the bellow of a gigantic bull. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius laughed bitterly. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know what that is, it is the voice of the god—so +say the priestesses of Nemausus. It is heard at +rare intervals. But the mason who made my baths +at Ad Fines, explained it to me. He had been engaged +on the temple and saw how a brazen instrument +like a shell of many convolutions had been +contrived in the walls and concealed, so that one +woman’s breath could sound it and produce such a +bellow as would shake the city. Bah! one religion +<pb n="104"/><anchor id="Pg104"/>is like another, founded on impostures. What +are the stars of heaven but fire-flies of a higher +order, of superior flight? We follow them and +stumble into the mire, and are engulfed in the +slough.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="10" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="105"/><anchor id="Pg105"/> +<index index="toc" level1="X. Locutus est!"/><index index="pdf" level1="X. Locutus est!"/> +<head>CHAPTER X<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">LOCUTUS EST!</hi></head> + +<p> +Every house in Nemausus thrilled with life. +Sleep was driven from the drowsiest heads. The +tipsy were sobered at once. Those banqueting desisted +from conversation. Music was hushed. Men +rushed into the street. The beasts in the amphitheater, +startled by the strange note, roared and +howled. Slowly the chief magistrate rose, sent to +summon an edile, and came forth. He was not +quick of movement; it took him some time to +resolve whether he or his brother magistrate was +responsible for order; when he did issue forth, then +he found the streets full, and that all men in them +were talking excitedly. +</p> + +<p> +The god Nemausus, the <foreign rend="italic">archegos</foreign>, the divine +founder and ancestor had spoken. His voice was +rarely heard. It was told that before the Cimbri +and Teutones had swept over the province, he had +shouted. That had been in ages past; of late he had +been sparing in the exercise of his voice. He was +said to have cried out at the great invasion of the +<pb n="106"/><anchor id="Pg106"/>Helvetii, that had been arrested by Julius Cæsar; +again to have trumpeted at the outbreak of Civilis +and Julius Sabinus, which, however, had never +menaced Narbonese Gaul, though at the time the +god had called the worst was anticipated. The last +time he had been heard was at the revolt of Vindex +that preceded the fall of Nero. +</p> + +<p> +Some young skeptics whispered: <q>By Hercules, +the god has a brazen throat.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is his hunting horn that peals to call attention. +What he will say will be revealed to the +priestess.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Or what the priestess wishes to have believed is +his message.</q> +</p> + +<p> +But this incredulous mood was exhibited by very +few. None ventured openly to scoff. +</p> + +<p> +<q>The god hath spoken!</q> this was the cry through +the streets and the forum. Every man asked his +fellow what it signified. Some cried out that the +prince—the divine Aurelius Antoninus (Caracalla)—had +been assassinated, just as he was about to start +from Rome for Gaul. Others that the privileges +of the city and colony were going to be abrogated. +But one said to his fellow, <q>I augured ill when we +heard that the god had been cheated of his due. No +<pb n="107"/><anchor id="Pg107"/>marvel he is out of humor, for Perpetua is esteemed +the prettiest virgin in Nemausus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I wonder that the rescue passed off without +notice being taken of the affair by the magistrates.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Bah! it is the turn of the Petronius Alacinus +now, and he will not bestir himself unnecessarily. +So long as the public peace be not broken——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But it was—there was a riot, a conflict.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>A farcical fight with wind-bags. Not a man was +hurt, not a drop of blood flowed. The god will not +endure to be balked and his sacrifice made into a +jest.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is hoarse with rage.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What does it all mean?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then said a stout man: <q>My good friend, it means +that which always happens when the priesthood is +alarmed and considers that its power is menaced—its +credit is shaken. It will ask for blood.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There has been a great falling off of late in the +worshipers of the gods and in attendance at the +games.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>This comes of the spread of the pestilent sect of +the Christians. They are the enemies of the human +race. They eat little children. The potter Fusius +lost his son last week, aged six, and they say it was +<pb n="108"/><anchor id="Pg108"/>sacrificed by these sectaries, who stuck needles into +it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Bah! the body was found in the channel of the +stream the child had fallen in.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I heard it was found half eaten,</q> said a third. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Rats, rats,</q> explained another standing by. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Well, these Christians refuse to venerate the +images of the Augustus, and therefore are foes to +the commonwealth. They should be rooted out.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are right there. As to their religious +notions—who cares about them? Let them adore +what they will—onions like the Egyptians, stars like +the Chaldeans, a sword like the Scythians—that is +nothing to us; but when they refuse to swear by the +Emperor and to offer sacrifice for the welfare of the +empire then, I say, they are bad citizens, and should +be sent to the lions.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The lions,</q> laughed the stout man, <q>seem to +respond to the voice, which sounded in their ears, +<q>Dinner for you, good beasts!</q> Well, may we have +good sport at the games founded by Domitius Afer. +I love to lie in bed when the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">circius</foreign> (mistral) howls +and the snowflakes fly. Then one feels snug and +enjoys the contrast. So in the amphitheater one +realizes the blessedness of life when one looks on at +<pb n="109"/><anchor id="Pg109"/>wretches in the hug of the bear, or being mumbled +by lions, or played with by panthers.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps the only man whom the blast did not +startle was Tarsius, the inebriated slave, who had +been expelled the house of Baudillas, and who was +engrossed only with his own wrongs, and who +departed swearing that he excommunicated the +Church, not the Church him. He muttered threats; +he stood haranguing on his own virtues, his piety, +his generosity of spirit; he recorded many acts of +charity he had done. <q>And I—I to be turned out! +They are a scurvy lot. Not worthy of me. I will +start a sect of my own, see if I do not.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Whilst reeling along, growling, boasting, confiding +his wrongs to the walls on each side, he ran +against Callipodius just as the words were in his +mouth: <q>I am a better Christian than all of them. +I don’t affect sanctimoniousness in aspect, but I am +sound, sound in my life—a plain, straight-walking +man.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Are you so?</q> asked Callipodius. <q>Then I +wish you would not festoon in such a manner as +to lurch against me. You are a Christian. Hard +times are coming for such as you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye, aye! I am a Christian. I don’t care who +<pb n="110"/><anchor id="Pg110"/>knows it. I’m not the man to lapse or buy a +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">libellus</foreign>,<note place="foot">Certain Christians bought substitutes to sacrifice in their +room and receive a ticket (<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">libellus</foreign>) certifying that they had sacrificed. +The Church was a little perplexed how to deal with +these timorous members, who were termed <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">libellatics</foreign>.</note> though they have turned me out.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Callipodius caught the fellow by the shoulder and +shook him. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Man,</q> said he. <q>Ah, a slave! I recognize +you. You are of the family of Julius Largus +Litomarus, the wool merchant. Come with me. +The games are in a few days, and the director of the +sports has been complaining that he wanted more +prisoners to cast to the beasts. I have you in the +nick of time. I heard you with these ears confess +yourself to be a Christian, and the sole worthy one +in the town. You are the man for us—plump and +juicy, flushed with wine. By the heavenly twins, +what a morsel you will make for the panthers! +Come with me. If you resist I will summon the +crowd, then perhaps they will elect to have you +crucified. Come quietly, and it shall be panthers, +not the cross. I will conduct you direct to the +magistrate and denounce you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I pray you! I beseech you! I was talking +<pb n="111"/><anchor id="Pg111"/>nonsense. I was enacting a part for the theater. +I am no Christian; I was, but I have been turned +out, excommunicated. My master and mistress believe, +and just to please them and to escape stripes, +and get a few favors such as are not granted to the +others, I have—you understand.</q> The slave +winked. +</p> + +<p> +Beside Callipodius was a lad bearing a torch. He +held it up and the flare fell over the face of the now +sobered Tarsius. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come with me, fellow,</q> said Callipodius. +<q>Nothing will save you but perfect obedience and +compliance with what I direct. Hark! was not that +the howl of the beasts. Mehercule! they snuff you +already. My good friend Æmilius Lentulus Varo, +the lawyer, will be your patron; a strong man. But +you must answer my questions. Do you know the +Lady Quincta and her daughter? Quincta is the +widow of Harpinius Læto.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye, aye! the wench was fished out of the pond +to-day.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is right. Where are they, do you know +their house?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yes, but they are not at home now.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Where are they then?</q> +</p> + +<pb n="112"/><anchor id="Pg112"/> + +<p> +<q>Will you denounce them?</q> asked the slave +nervously. +</p> + +<p> +<q>On the contrary. They are menaced. I seek +to save them.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh! if that be all, I am your man. They are +in the mansion of Baudillas, yonder—that is—but +mum, I say! I must not speak. They kicked me +out, but I am not ungenerous. I will denounce +nobody. But if you want to save the ladies, I will +help you with alacrity. They charged me with +being drunk—not the ladies—the bishop did that—more +shame to him. I but rinsed out my mouth +with the Ambrussian. Every drop clear as amber. +Ah, sir! in your cellar have you——</q> +</p> + +<p> +A rush of people up the street shouting, <q>The +will of the god! the will of the god! It is being +proclaimed in the forum.</q> +</p> + +<p> +They swept round Callipodius and the slave, +spinning them, as leaves are spun in a corner by an +eddy of wind, then swept forward in the direction +of the great square. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come aside with me, fellow,</q> said Callipodius, +darting after the slave who was endeavoring to slink +away. <q>What is your name? I know only your +face marked by a scar.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="113"/><anchor id="Pg113"/> + +<p> +<q>Tarsius, at your service, sir!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Good Tarsius, here is money, and I undertake +to furnish you with a bottle of my best old Ambrussian +for your private tipple, or to make merry +therewith with your friends. Be assured, no harm +is meant. The priests of Nemausus seek to recover +possession of the lady Perpetua, and it is my aim +to smuggle her away to a place of security. Do +thou watch the door, and I will run and provide +litters and porters. Do thou assure the ladies that +the litters are sent to convey them in safety to where +they will not be looked for; say thy master’s house. +I will answer for the rest. Hast thou access to +them?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye! I know the pass-word. And though I +have been expelled, yet in the confusion and alarm +I may be suffered again to enter.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Very excellent. Thou shalt have thy flask and +an ample reward. Say that the litters are sent by +thy master, Largus Litomarus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Right, sir! I will do thy bidding.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then Callipodius hastened in the direction of the +habitation of Æmilius. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile the forum filled with people, crowding +on one another, all quivering with excitement. +<pb n="114"/><anchor id="Pg114"/>Above were the stars. Here and there below, +torches. Presently the chief magistrate arrived +with his lictors, and a maniple of soldiers to keep +order and make a passage through the mob between +the Temple of Nemausus and the forum. +</p> + +<p> +Few women were present. Such as were, belonged +to the lowest of the people. But there were +boys and men, old and young, slaves, artisans, freedmen, +and citizens. +</p> + +<p> +Among the ignorant and the native population +the old Paganism had a strong hold, and their interests +attached a certain number of all classes to it. +But the popular Paganism was not a religion affecting +the lives by the exercise of moral control. It +was devoid of any ethic code. It consisted in a +system of sacrifice to obtain a good journey, to ward +off fevers, to recover bad debts, to banish blight and +mildew. The superstitious lived in terror lest by +some ill-considered act, by some neglect, they should +incur the wrath of the jealous gods and bring +catastrophe on themselves or their town. They +were easily excited by alarm, and were unreasonable +in their selfish fervor. +</p> + +<p> +Ever in anticipation of some disaster, an earthquake, +a murrain, fire or pestilence, they were ready +<pb n="115"/><anchor id="Pg115"/>to do whatever they were commanded, so as to avert +danger from themselves. The words of the Apostle +to the Hebrews describing the Gentiles as being +through fear of death all their lifetime subject to +bondage, were very true. The ignorant and superstitious +may be said to have existed on the verge of +a panic, always in terror lest their gods should hurt +them, and cringing to them in abject deprecation of +evil. It was this fear for themselves and their substance +that rendered them cruel. +</p> + +<p> +The procession came from the temple. Torches +were borne aloft, a long wavering line of lurid fire, +and vessels were carried in which danced lambent +flames that threw out odoriferous fumes. +</p> + +<p> +First came the priests; they walked with their +heads bowed and their arms folded across their +breasts, and with fillets of wool around their heads. +Then followed the priestesses shrouded in sable +mantles over their white tunics. All moved in +silence. A hush fell on the multitude. Nothing +was heard in the stillness save the tramp of feet in +rhythm. When the procession had reached the +forum, the chief priestess ascended the rostrum, and +the flambeau-bearers ranged themselves in a half-circle +below. She was a tall, splendidly formed +<pb n="116"/><anchor id="Pg116"/>woman, with profuse dark hair, an ivory complexion, +flashing black eyes under heavy brows. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly she raised her arms and extended them, +letting the black pall drop from her shoulders, and +reveal her in a woven silver robe, like a web of +moonlight, and with white bare arms. In her right +she bore an ivory silver-bound wand with mistletoe +bound about it, every berry of translucent stone. +</p> + +<p> +Then amidst dead silence she cried: <q>The god +hath spoken, he who founded this city, from whom +are sprung its ancient patrician families, who supplieth +you with crystal water from his urn. The +holy one demands that she who hath been taken +from him be surrendered to him again, and that +punishment be inflicted on the Christians who have +desecrated his statue. If this, his command, be not +fulfilled, then will he withhold the waters, and +deliver over the elect city to be a desolation, the +haunt of the lizard and the owl and bat. To the +lions with the Christians! <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Locutus est Divus +Archegos!</foreign></q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="11" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="117"/><anchor id="Pg117"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XI. Palanquins"/><index index="pdf" level1="XI. Palanquins"/> +<head>CHAPTER XI<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">PALANQUINS</hi></head> + +<p> +With the exception of the bishop, Marcianus, and +a few others, all assembled at the Agape were struck +with the liveliest terror. They entertained no +doubt but that the sound that shook the walls was +provoked by the outrage on the image of the tutelary +god, following on the rescue of the victim <anchor id="corr117"/><corr sic="alloted">allotted</corr> +to him. +</p> + +<p> +The pagan inhabitants of Nemausus were roused +to exasperation. The priesthood would employ +every available means to work this resentment to +a paroxysm, and the result would be riot and murder, +perhaps an organized persecution. +</p> + +<p> +It must be understood that although the Roman +State recognized other religions than the established +paganism, as that of the Jews, and allowed the +votaries freedom of worship, yet Christianity was +not of this number. It was in itself illegal, and any +magistrate, at his option, in any place and at any +time, might put the laws in force against the members +of the Church. Not only so, but any envious, +<pb n="118"/><anchor id="Pg118"/>bigoted, or resentful person might compel a magistrate +to take cognizance of the presence of Christians +in the district under his jurisdiction, and require +him to capitally convict those brought before him. +</p> + +<p> +The system in the Roman Commonwealth for the +maintenance of order was that every man was empowered +to act as spy upon and delate another. +Any man might accuse his neighbor, his brother, +before the court; and if he could prove his charge, +the magistrate had no option—he must sentence. +Consequently the Christians depended for their +safety on the favor of their fellow-citizens, on their +own abstention from giving offence. +</p> + +<p> +The sole protection against false accusations in the +Roman Commonwealth lay in the penalties to which +an accuser was subject should he fail to establish +his charge. But as on conviction a portion of the +estate of the guilty person was handed over to the +accuser, there was an inducement to delation. +</p> + +<p> +Under the Julian and Claudian Cæsars the system +had worked terribly. An entire class of men +made denunciation their trade. They grew rich on +the spoils of their victims, they spared none, and +the judges themselves lived in fear of them. The +evil became so intolerable that measures were taken +<pb n="119"/><anchor id="Pg119"/>to accentuate the risk to the accusers. If the Christians +were not oftener denounced, the reason was +that in the event of one lapsing, and through terror +or pain abjuring Christ, then immediately the tables +were turned, and the accuser was placed in danger +of his life. +</p> + +<p> +When an Emperor issued an edict against the +Christians he enacted no new law; he merely required +that the <anchor id="corr119"/><corr sic="exisiting">existing</corr> laws should be put in force +against them, and all risk to delators was removed +in that no delation was exacted. On such an occasion +every citizen and householder was required +to appear before the court and offer a few grains +of incense on an altar to the genius of the empire +or of the prince. Should any one refuse to do this, +then he was convicted of high treason and delivered +over to the executioner to be either tortured or put +to death off-hand. When the magistrate deemed +it important to obtain a recantation, then he had +recourse to the rack, iron hooks, torches, thumbscrews +as means of forcing the prisoner through +pain to abjure Christ. +</p> + +<p> +The Christians in Nemausus had lived in complete +tranquillity. There had been no persecution. They +had multiplied. +</p> + +<pb n="120"/><anchor id="Pg120"/> + +<p> +The peace enjoyed by the Church had been to it +of a mixed advantage. Many had been included +whose conversion was due to questionable motives. +Some had joined through sincere conviction; more +from conviction seasoned with expectation of advantage. +The poor had soon learned that a very rich +and abundant stream of charity flowed in the +Church, that in it the sick and feeble were cared +for and their necessities were supplied, whereas in +the established paganism no regard was paid to the +needy and suffering. Among the higher classes +there were adherents who attached themselves to the +Church rather because they disbelieved in heathenism +than that they held to the Gospel. Some accepted +the truth with the head, but their hearts +remained untouched. +</p> + +<p> +None had given freer expression to his conviction +that there were weak-kneed and unworthy members +than Marcianus the deacon. He had remonstrated +with the bishop, he had scolded, repelled, but without +effect. And now he had taken a daring step, +the consequence of which would be that the members +of the community would indeed be put to the +test whether they were for Christ or Mammon. The +conviction that a time of trial was come broke on +<pb n="121"/><anchor id="Pg121"/>the community like a thundercloud, and produced a +panic. Many doubted their constancy, all shrank +from being brought to a trial of their faith. The +congregation in the house of Baudillas, when it had +recovered from the first shock, resolved itself into +groups agitated by various passions. Some launched +into recrimination against Marcianus, who had +brought them into jeopardy; some consulted in +whispers how to escape the danger; a few fell into +complete stupefaction of mind, unable to decide on +any course. Others, again, abandoned themselves +to despair and shrieked forth hysterical lamentations. +Some crowded around Castor, clung to his +garments and entreated him to save them. Others +endeavored to escape from a place and association +that would compromise them, by the back entrance +to the servants’ portion of the house. +</p> + +<p> +A few, a very few maintained their composure, +and extending their arms fell to prayer. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas hurried from one party to another uttering +words of reassurance, but his face was blanched, +his voice quivered, and he was obviously employing +formal expressions that conveyed no strength to his +own heart. Marcianus, with folded arms, looked at +him scornfully, and as he passed, said, <q>The bishop +<pb n="122"/><anchor id="Pg122"/>should not have ordained such an unstable and quaking +being as thyself to serve in the sacred ministry.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah, brother,</q> sighed Baudillas, <q>it is with me +as with Peter. The spirit truly is willing, but the +flesh is weak.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That was spoken of him,</q> answered Marcianus, +<q>before Pentecost and the outpouring of the spirit +of strength. Such timidity, such feebleness are +unworthy of a Christian.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pray for me that my faith fail not,</q> said Baudillas, +and passed on. By action he deadened his +fears. Now came in Pedo, the old servant of the +house, who had been sent forth to reconnoiter. His +report was not reassuring. The mob was sweeping +through the streets, and insisting on every household +producing an image at its doors and placing a light +before it. There were fuglemen who directed the +crowd, which had been divided into bands to perambulate +every division of the town and make inquisition +of every house. The mob had begun by +breaking into such dwellings as were not protected +by an image, and wrecking them. But after one or +two of such acts of violence, the magistrates had +interfered, and although they suffered the people +to assemble before the houses and to clamor for the +<pb n="123"/><anchor id="Pg123"/>production of an image and a light, yet they sent +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">vigiles</foreign> (<hi rend="italic">i.e.</hi>, the watch) to guard such dwellings as +remained undecorated. When the master of the +house refused obedience to the mandate of the mob, +then an officer ordered him to open the door, and he +summoned him to appear next day in court and there +do sacrifice. By this means the mob was satisfied +and passed on without violence. +</p> + +<p> +But as the crowd marched down the streets it +arrested every man and woman that was encountered, +and insisted on their swearing by the gods and +blaspheming Christ. +</p> + +<p> +Castor ordered the congregation to depart by twos +and by threes, to take side alleys, and to avoid the +main thoroughfares. This was possible, as the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">posticum</foreign>, a back door, communicated with a mean +street that had the city wall for one side. +</p> + +<p> +<q>My sons and daughters in Christ,</q> said the +bishop with composure, <q>remember that greater is +He that is with us than those that be against us. +When the servant of Elisha feared, then the Lord +opened his eyes that he might behold the angels with +chariots and horses of fire prepared to defend His +servant. Avoid danger, but if it cannot be avoided +stand firm. Remember His words, <q>He that +con<pb n="124"/><anchor id="Pg124"/>fesseth me before men, him will I also confess before +my Father which is in heaven.</q></q> +</p> + +<p> +As soon as all had departed, but not till then, did +Castor leave. Marcianus turned with a sneer to his +fellow-deacon and said, <q>Fly! you have full license +from the bishop; and he sets the example himself.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I must tarry in my own house,</q> answered Baudillas. +<q>I have the ladies Quincta and Perpetua +under my protection. They cannot return to their +home until they be fetched.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>So! they lean on a broken reed such as thee!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Alack! they have none other to trust to.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The mob is descending our street,</q> cried the +slave, Pedo, limping in. +</p> + +<p> +<q>What are we to do?</q> asked Quincta trembling. +<q>If they discover me and my daughter here we are +undone. They will tear her from my arms.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon <anchor id="corr125"/><corr sic="Baudillas,">Baudillas</corr> clasped his hands to his +head. Then his slave said: <q>Master, Tarsius is at +the door with litters and bearers. He saith he hath +been sent for the lady Perpetua.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And for me?</q> asked Quincta eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +<q>And for thee also, lady. It is said that guards +are observing thy house and that, therefore, thy +slaves cannot venture hither. Therefore, so says +<pb n="125"/><anchor id="Pg125"/>Tarsius, his master, the wool-merchant, Julius +Largus, hath sent his litters and porters.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But his house will be visited!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The bearers have instructions as to what shall +be done.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>This is strange,</q> said Quincta. <q>I did not suppose +that Largus Litomarus would have shown such +consideration. We are not acquainted—indeed we +belong to different classes——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yet are ye one in Christ,</q> said the deacon. +<q>Call in Tarsius, he shall explain the matter. But +let him be speedy or the rabble will be on us.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>They are at the head of the street,</q> said the +slave, <q>and visit the door of Terentius Cominius.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He believes.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And he has set out a figure of the Good Shepherd +before his door with a lamp. The crowd regards it +as a Mercury and has cheered and gone on to the +next door.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Tarsius, thoroughly recovered from his intoxication, +was now admitted. He looked none in the +face, and stumbled through his tale. Julius Largus +Litomarus had bidden him offer his litters; there +were curtains closing them, and his servants would +convey the ladies to a place of security. +</p> + +<pb n="126"/><anchor id="Pg126"/> + +<p> +Quincta was too frightened, too impatient to be +off, to question the man, nor was the deacon more +nice in inquiry, for he also was in a condition of +nervous unrest. +</p> + +<p> +The shouts of the mob could be heard. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not wholly trust this man,</q> said Baudillas. +<q>He was expelled for misconduct. Yet, what can +we do? Time presses! Hark!—in a brief space +the rabble will be here. Next house is a common +lodging and will not detain them. Would that +Marcianus had remained. He could have advised +us. Madam, act as you think best.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The mob is on the move,</q> said Pedo. <q>They +have been satisfied at the house of Dulcius Liber, +and now Septimus Philadelphus is bringing out half-a-dozen +gods. Master—there is not a moment to +be lost.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Let us fly—quick!</q> gasped Quincta. +</p> + +<p> +She plucked her daughter’s arm, and fairly +dragged her along the passage out of the house. +</p> + +<p> +In the street they saw a flare. The rabble, held +in control by some directing spirit, was furnished +with torches. It was roaring outside a house, impatient +because no statue was produced, and proceeded +to throw stones and batter the door. +</p> + +<pb n="127"/><anchor id="Pg127"/> + +<p> +<q>That house is empty,</q> whispered Pedo. <q>The +master was bankrupt and everything sold. There +is not a person in it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Quincta mounted the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lectica</foreign> or palanquin that +was offered, without looking whether her daughter +were safe, and allowed the bearers, nay urged them, +to start at a trot. +</p> + +<p> +Tarsius remained behind. He handed Perpetua +into the second closed litter, then gave the word, +and ran beside it, holding the curtains together with +one hand. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas trembling for himself was now left +alone. +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="12" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="128"/><anchor id="Pg128"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XII. Reus"/><index index="pdf" level1="XII. Reus"/> +<head>CHAPTER XII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">REUS</hi></head> + +<p> +<q>Master!</q> said the old slave, moving uneasily +on his stiff joint, before the even more nervously +agitated master, <q>Master, there is the freedwoman +Glyceria below, who comes in charing. She has +brought an idol of Tarranus under her cloak, and +offers to set that with a lamp before the door. She +is not a believer, she worships devils, but is a good +soul and would save us. She awaits your permission.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon was profoundly moved. +</p> + +<p> +<q>It must not be! It may not be! I—I am a +deacon of the Church. This is known to be a +Christian household. The Church is in my house, +and here the divine mysteries are celebrated. If +she had not asked my leave, and had—if—but +no, I cannot sanction this. God strengthen me, +I am distracted and weak.</q> The slave remained. +He expected that his master in the end would +yield. +</p> + +<p> +<q>And yet,</q> stammered Baudillas, <q>He hath +com<pb n="129"/><anchor id="Pg129"/>passion on the infirm and feeble. He forgave Peter. +May He not pardon me if—? Glyceria is a heathen +woman. She does not belong to my family. I +did not propose this. I am not responsible for her +acts. But no—it would be a betrayal of the truth, +a dishonor to the Church. He that confesseth me +before men—no, no, Pedo, it may not be.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And now it is too late,</q> said the slave. <q>They +are at the door.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Blows resounded through the house, and the +roar of voices from the street surged up over the +roof, and poured in through the opening over the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">impluvium</foreign>. It was as though a mighty sea were +thundering against the house and the waves curled +over it and plunged in through the gap above the +court. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You must open, Pedo. I will run upstairs for +a moment and compose myself. Then—if it must +be—but do not suffer the rabble to enter. If a +prefect be there, or his underling and soldiers, let +them keep the door. Say I shall be down directly. +Yet stay—is the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">posticum</foreign> available for escape?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir—the mob have detailed a party to go to +the backs of the houses and watch every way of +exit.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="130"/><anchor id="Pg130"/> + +<p> +<q>Then it is God’s will that I be taken. I cannot +help myself. I am glad I said No to the offer of +Glyceria.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon ascended a flight of limestone steps to +the upper story. The slabs were worn and cracked, +and had not been repaired owing to his poverty. He +entered a room that looked out on the street, and +went to the window. +</p> + +<p> +The street above his doorway was dense with +people, below it was completely empty. Torches +threw up a glare illumining the white façades of the +houses. He saw a sea of heads below. He heard +the growl of voices breaking into a foam of coarse +laughter. Curses uttered against the Christians, +blasphemies against Christ, words of foulness, +threats, brutal jests, formed the matter of the hubbub +below. A man bearing a white wand with a +sprig of artificial mistletoe at the end, gave directions +to the people where to go, where to stop, what +to do. He was the head of the branch of the guild +of the Cultores Nemausi for that portion of the +town. +</p> + +<p> +Someone in the mob lifting his face, looked up +and saw the deacon at the window, and at once +shouted, <q>There! there he is! Baudillas Macer, +<pb n="131"/><anchor id="Pg131"/>come down, sacrilegious one! That is he who +carried the maiden away.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then rose hoots and yells, and a boy putting his +hands together and blowing produced an unearthly +scream. +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is one of them! He is a ringleader! He +has an ass’s head in the house to which he sacrifices +our little ones. He it was who stuck needles into +the child of the potter Fusius, and then gnawed off +the cheeks and fingers. He can inform where is +the daughter of Aulus Harpinius who was snatched +from the basin of the god. Let us avenge on him +the great sacrilege that has been committed. It was +he who struck off the head of the god.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then one flung a stone that crashed into the room, +and had not Baudillas drawn back, it would have +struck and thrown him down stunned. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Let the house be ransacked!</q> yelled the mob. +<q>We will seek in it for the bones of the murdered +children. Break open the door if he will not unfasten. +Bring a ladder, we will enter by the windows. +Someone ascend to the roof and drop into +the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign>.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then ensued a rush against the valves, but they +were too solid to yield; and the bars held them +<pb n="132"/><anchor id="Pg132"/>firm, run as they were into their sockets in the solid +wall. +</p> + +<p> +The slave Pedo now knocked on the inside. This +was the signal that he was about to open. +</p> + +<p> +The soldiers drew up across the entrance, and +when the door was opened, suffered none to enter +the house save the deputy of the prefect with four +of his police, and some of the leaders of the Cultores +Nemausi. And now a strange calm fell on the +hitherto troubled spirit of Baudillas. He was aware +that no effort he could make would enable him to +escape. His knees, indeed, shook under him as +he went to the stairs to descend, and forgetting +that the tenth step was broken, he stumbled at it +and was nearly precipitated to the bottom. Yet +all wavering, all hesitation in his mind was at an +end. +</p> + +<p> +He saw the men in the court running about, calling +to each other, peering into every room, cubicle, +and closet; one called that the cellar was the place +in which the infamous rites of the Christians were +performed and that there would be found amphoræ +filled with human blood. Then one shouted that +in the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">tablinum</foreign> there was naught save a small table. +Immediately after a howl rose from those who had +<pb n="133"/><anchor id="Pg133"/>penetrated to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">triclinium</foreign>, and next moment they +came rushing forth in such excitement that they +dragged down the curtain that hung before the door +and entangled their feet in it. One, not staying to +disengage himself, held up his hands and exhibited +the broken head of the statue, that had been brought +there by Marcianus, and by him left on the floor. +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is he who has done it! The sacrilegious one! +The defacer of the holy image!</q> howled the men, +and fell upon the deacon with their fists. Some +plucked at his hair; one spat in his face. Others +kicked him, and tripping him up, cast him his length +on the ground, where they would have beaten and +trampled the life out of him, had not the deputy +of the ædile interfered, rescued him from the hands +of his assailants and thrust him into a chamber at +the side of the hall, saying: <q>He shall be brought +before the magistrate. It is not for you to take +into your hands the execution of criminals untried +and uncondemned.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then one of the officers of the club ran to the +doorway of the house, and cried: <q>Citizens of Nemausus, +hearken. The author of the egregious +impiety has been discovered. It is Cneius Baudillas +Macer, who belongs to an ancient, though decayed, +<pb n="134"/><anchor id="Pg134"/>family of this town. He who should have been +the last to dishonor the divine founder has raised +his parricidal hand against him. He stands convicted. +The head of the god has been found in the +house; it is that recently broken off from the statue +by the baths. Eheu! Eheu! Woe be to the city, +unless this indignity be purged away.</q> +</p> + +<p> +A yell of indignation rose as an answer. +</p> + +<p> +The slave Pedo was suffered to enter the bedroom, +on the floor of which lay his master bruised and with +his face bleeding; for some of his front teeth had +been broken and his lips were cut. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh master! dear master! What is to be done?</q> +asked the faithful creature, sobbing in his distress. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I wonder greatly, Pedo, how I have endured +so much. My fear is lest in the end I fall away. +I enjoin you—there is naught else you can do for +me—seek the bishop, and ask that the prayers of the +Church may go up to the Throne of Grace for me. +I am feeble and frail. I was a frightened shy lad +in old times. If I were to fall, it would be a shame +to the Church of God in this town, this Church that +has so many more worthy than myself in it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Can I bring thee aught, master? Water and a +towel?</q> +</p> + +<pb n="135"/><anchor id="Pg135"/> + +<p> +<q>Nay, nothing, Pedo! Do as I bid. It is all +that I now desire.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The soldiers entered, raised the deacon, and made +him walk between them. A man was placed in +front, another behind to protect him against the +people. As Baudillas was conveyed down the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">ostium</foreign>, the passage to the door, he could see faces +glowering in at him; he heard angry voices howling +at him; an involuntary shrinking came over +him, but he was irresistibly drawn forward by +the soldiers. On being thrust through the doorway +before all, then a great roar broke forth, fists and +sticks were shaken at him, but none ventured to +cast stones lest the soldiers should be struck. +</p> + +<p> +One portion of the mob now detached itself from +the main body, so as to follow and surround the +deacon and assure itself that he did not escape before +he was consigned to the prison. +</p> + +<p> +The city of Nemausus, capital of the Volcæ Arecomici, +though included geographically in the province +of Narbonese Gaul, was in fact an independent +republic, not subject to the proconsul, but under +Roman suzerainty. With twenty-four <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">comæ</foreign> or +townships under it, it governed itself by popular +election, and enjoyed the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lex Italica</foreign>. This little +<pb n="136"/><anchor id="Pg136"/>republic was free from land tax, and it was governed +by four functionaries, the Quatuor-viri, two of whom +looked after the finances, and two, like the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">duum-viri</foreign> +elsewhere, were for the purpose of maintaining +order, and the criminal jurisdiction was in their +hands. Their title in full was <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">duum viri juri +dicendo</foreign>, and they were annually elected by the +senate. Their function was much that in small of +the Roman consuls, and they were sometimes in joke +entitled consuls. They presided over the senate +and had the government of the town and state in +their hands during their tenure of office. On leaving +their office they petitioned for and received the +right to ride horses, and were accounted knights. +They wore the dignified <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">præ texta</foreign>, and were attended +by two lictors. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas walked between his escort. He was +in a dazed condition. The noise, the execrations +cast at him, the flashing of the torches on the helmets +and breastplates of the guard, the glittering eyes and +teeth of the faces peering at him, the pain from the +contusions he had received combined to bewilder +him. In the darkness and confusion of his brain, +but one thought remained permanent and burnt like +a brilliant light, his belief in Christ, and one desire +<pb n="137"/><anchor id="Pg137"/>occupied his soul, to be true to his faith. He was +too distracted to pray. He could not rally his senses +nor fix his ideas, but the yearning of his humble +soul rose up, like the steam from a new turned glebe +in the sun of a spring morning. +</p> + +<p> +In times of persecution certain strong spirits had +rushed to confession and martyrdom in an intoxication +of zeal, such as Baudillas could not understand. +He did not think of winning the crown of martyrdom, +but he trembled lest he should prove a castaway. +</p> + +<p> +Thrust forward, dragged along, now stumbling, +then righted by the soldiers sustaining him, Baudillas +was conveyed to the forum and to the basilica +where the magistrate was seated. +</p> + +<p> +On account of the disturbance, the Duum-vir—we +will so term him though he was actually one of +the Quatuor-viri—he whose turn it was to maintain +order and administer justice, had taken his place +in the court, so as to be able to consign to custody +such as were brought in by the guard on suspicion +of being implicated in the outrage; he was there as +well for the purpose of being ready to take measures +promptly should the mob become unmanageable. +So long as it was under control, he did not +<pb n="138"/><anchor id="Pg138"/>object to its action, but he had no thought of letting +it get the upper hand. Rioters, like children, have +a liking for fire, and if they were suffered to apply +their torches to the houses of Christians might produce +a general conflagration. +</p> + +<p> +Although the magistrates were chosen by popular +election, it was not those who constituted the rabble +who had votes, and had to be humored, but the +citizen householders, who viewed the upheaval of +the masses with jealous suspicion. +</p> + +<p> +That the proceedings should be conducted in an +orderly manner, instructions had been issued that no +arrest was to be made without there being someone +forthcoming to act as accuser, and the soldiers were +enjoined to protect whosoever was menaced against +whom no one was prepared to formulate a charge +which he would sustain in court. +</p> + +<p> +In the case of Baudillas there would be no difficulty. +The man—he was the treasurer of the guild—who +had found the mutilated head was ready to +appear against him. +</p> + +<p> +The court into which the deacon was brought +rapidly filled with a crowd, directly he had been +placed in what we should now call the dock. Then +the accuser stood up and gave his name. The +magis<pb n="139"/><anchor id="Pg139"/>trate accepted the accusation. Whereupon the +accuser made oath that he acted from no private +motive of hostility to the accused, and that he was +not bribed by a third person to delate him. This +done, he proceeded to narrate how he had entered +the house of Baudillas, surnamed Macer, who was +generally believed to be a minister of the sect of +the Christians; how that in searching the house he +had lighted on a mutilated head on the pavement +of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">triclinium</foreign>. He further stated that he well +knew the statue of the god Nemausus that stood +by the fountain which supplied the lower town, and +that he was firmly convinced that the head which he +now produced had belonged to the statue, which +statue had that very night been wantonly and impiously +defaced. He therefore concluded that the +owner of the house, Baudillas Macer, was either +directly or indirectly guilty of the act of sacrilege, +and he demanded his punishment in accordance +with the law. +</p> + +<p> +This sufficed as preliminary. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas was now <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">reus</foreign>, and as such was ordered +to be conveyed to prison, there to be confined until +the morning, when the interrogation would take +place. +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="13" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="140"/><anchor id="Pg140"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XIII. Ad Fines"/><index index="pdf" level1="XIII. Ad Fines"/> +<head>CHAPTER XIII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">AD FINES</hi></head> + +<p> +Perpetua was carried along at a swinging trot in +the closed litter, till the end of the street had been +reached, and then, after a corner had been turned, +the bearers relaxed their pace. It was too dark +for her to see what were the buildings past which +she was taken, even had she withdrawn the curtains +that shut in the litter; but to withdraw these curtains +would have required her to exert some force, as they +were held together in the grasp of Tarsius, running +and striding at the side. But, indeed, she did not +suppose it necessary to observe the direction in which +she was being conveyed. She had accepted in good +faith the assurance that the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lectica</foreign> had been sent +by the rich Christian wool merchant, Largus Litomarus, +and had acquiesced in her mother’s readiness +to accept the offer, without a shadow of suspicion. +</p> + +<p> +God had delivered her from a watery death, and +she regarded the gift as one to be respected; her +life thus granted her was not to be wilfully thrown +<pb n="141"/><anchor id="Pg141"/>away or unnecessarily jeopardized. Unless she +escaped from the house of the deacon, she would +fall into the hands of the rabble, and this was a +prospect more terrifying than any other. If called +upon again to witness a good confession, she would +do so, God helping her, but she was glad to be spared +the ordeal. +</p> + +<p> +It was not till the porters halted, and knocked at +a door, and she had descended from the palanquin, +that some suspicion crossed her mind that all was +not right. She looked about her, and inquired for +her mother. Then one whom she had not hitherto +noticed drew nigh, bowing, and said: <q>Lady, your +youthful and still beautiful mother will be here +presently. The slaves who carry her have gone +about another way so as to divert attention from +your priceless self, should any of the mob have set +off in pursuit.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The tone of the address surprised the girl. Her +mother was not young, and although in her eyes +that mother was lovely, yet Quincta was not usually +approached with expressions of admiration for her +beauty. +</p> + +<p> +Again Perpetua accepted what was said, as the +reason given was plausible, and entered the house. +<pb n="142"/><anchor id="Pg142"/>The first thing she observed, by the torch glare, was +a statue of Apollo. She was surprised, and inquired, +hesitatingly, <q>Is this the house of Julius Largus +Litomarus?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Admirable is your ladyship’s perspicuity. Even +in the dark those more-than-Argus eyes discern the +truth. The worthy citizen Largus belongs to the +sect. He is menaced as well as other excellent +citizens by the unreasoning and irrational vulgar. +He has therefore instructed that you should be conveyed +to the dwelling of a friend, only deploring +that it should be unworthy of your presence.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>May I ask your name, sir?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Septimus Callipodius, at your service.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not remember to have heard the name, +but,</q> she added with courtesy, <q>that is due to my +ignorance as a young girl, or to my defective +memory.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is a name that has not deserved to be harbored +in the treasury of such a mind.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The girl was uneasy. The fulsome compliment +and the obsequious bow of the speaker were not +merely repugnant to her good taste, but filled her +with vague misgivings. It was true that exaggeration +and flattery in address were common enough +<pb n="143"/><anchor id="Pg143"/>at the period, but not among Christians, who abstained +from such extravagance. The mode of +speaking adopted by Callipodius stamped him as +not being one of the faithful. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I will summon a female slave to attend on your +ladyship,</q> said he; <q>and she will conduct you to +the women’s apartments. Ask for whatever you +desire. The entire contents of the house are at your +disposal.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I prefer to remain here in the court till my +mother shall arrive.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Alas! adorable lady! it is possible that you may +have to endure her absence for some time. Owing +to the disturbed condition of the streets, it is to be +feared that her carriage has been stopped; it is not +unlikely that she may have been compelled to take +refuge elsewhere; but, under no circumstances short +of being absolutely prevented from joining you, will +she fail to meet you to-morrow in the villa Ad +Fines.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Whose villa?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The villa to which, for security, you and your +mother the Lady Quincta are to be conveyed till +the disturbances are over, and the excitement in +men’s minds has abated. By Hercules! one might +<pb n="144"/><anchor id="Pg144"/>say that the drama of the quest of Proserpine by +Ceres were being rehearsed, were it not that the +daughter is seeking the mother as well as the latter +her incomparable child.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot go to Ad Fines without her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Lady, in all humility, as unworthy to advise you +in anything, I would venture to suggest that your +safety depends on accepting the means of escape that +are offered. The high priestess has declared that +nothing will satisfy the incensed god but that you +should be surrendered to her, and what mercy you +would be likely to encounter at her hands, after what +has taken place, your penetrating mind will readily +perceive. Such being the case, I dare recommend +that you snatch at the opportunity offered, fly the +city and hide in the villa of a friend who will die +rather than surrender you. None will suspect that +you are there.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What friend? Largus Litomarus is scarcely to +be termed an acquaintance of my mother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Danger draws close all generous ties,</q> said +Callipodius. +</p> + +<p> +<q>But my mother?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Your mother, gifted with vast prudence, may +have judged that her presence along with you would +<pb n="145"/><anchor id="Pg145"/>increase the danger to yourself. I do not say so. +But it may so happen that her absence at this +moment may be due to her good judgment. On +the other hand, it may also have chanced, as I +already intimated, that her litter has been stayed, +and she has been constrained to sacrifice.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That she will never do.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>In that case, I shudder at the consequences. +But why suppose the worst? She has been delayed. +And now, lady, suffer me to withdraw—it is an +eclipse of my light to be beyond the radiance of +your eyes. I depart, however, animated by the conviction, +and winging my steps, that I go to perform +your dearest wish—to obtain information relative +to your lady mother, and to learn when and where +she will rejoin you. Be ready to start at dawn—as +soon as the city gates are opened, and that will +be in another hour.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then Perpetua resigned herself to the female servants, +who led her into the inner and more private +portions of the house, reached by means of a passage +called <q>the Jaws</q> (<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">fauces</foreign>). +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua was aware that she was in a difficult +situation, one in which she was unable to know how +she was placed, and from which she could not +extri<pb n="146"/><anchor id="Pg146"/>cate herself. She was young and inexperienced, and, +on the whole, inclined to trust what she was told. +</p> + +<p> +In pagan Rome, it was not customary for girls to +be allowed the liberty that alone could give them +self-confidence. Perhaps the condition of that evil +world was such that this would not have been possible. +When the foulest vice flaunted in public without +a blush, when even religion demoralized, then a +Roman parent held that the only security for the +innocence of a daughter lay in keeping her closely +guarded from every corrupting sight and sound. +She was separated from her brothers and from all +men; she associated with her mother and with female +slaves only. She was hardly allowed in the street or +road, except in a litter with curtains close drawn, +unless it were at some religious festival or public +ceremony, when she was attended by her relatives +and not allowed out of their sight. +</p> + +<p> +This was due not merely to the fact that evil was +rampant, but also to the conviction in the hearts of +parents that innocence could be preserved only by +ignorance. They were unable to supply a child +with any moral principle, to give it any law for the +government of life, which would plant the best +guardian of virtue within, in the heart. +</p> + +<pb n="147"/><anchor id="Pg147"/> + +<p> +Augustus, knowing of no divine law, elevated +sentimental admiration for the simplicity of the +ancients into a principle—only to discover that it was +inadequate to bear the strain put on it; that the +young failed to comprehend why they should control +their passions and deny themselves pleasures out +of antiquarian pedantry. Marcus Aurelius had +sought in philosophy a law that would keep life pure +and noble, but his son Commodus cast philosophy +to the winds as a bubble blown by the breath of man, +and became a monster of vice. Public opinion was +an unstable guide. It did worse than fluctuate, it +sank. Much was tolerated under the Empire that +was abhorrent to the conscience under the Republic. +It allowed to-day what it had condemned yesterday. +It was a nose of wax molded by the vicious governing +classes, accommodated to their license. +</p> + +<p> +Although a Christian maiden was supplied with +that which the most exalted philosophy could not +furnish—a revealed moral code, descending from +the Creator of man for the governance of man, yet +Christian parents could not expose their children to +contamination of mind by allowing them the wide +freedom given at this day to an English or American +girl. Moreover, the customs of social life had to be +<pb n="148"/><anchor id="Pg148"/>complied with, and could not be broken through. +Christian girls were accordingly still under some +restraint, were kept dependent on their parents, and +were not allowed those opportunities for free action +which alone develop individuality and give independence +of character. Nevertheless, in times of +persecution, when many of these maidens thus +closely watched were brought to the proof of their +faith, they proved as strong as men—so mighty was +the grace of God, so stubborn was faith. +</p> + +<p> +Although Perpetua was greatly exhausted by the +strain to which she had been exposed during the +day, she could not rest when left to herself in a +quiet room, so alarmed was she at the absence of +her mother. +</p> + +<p> +An hour passed, then a second. Finally, steps +sounded in the corridor before her chamber, and she +knew that she must rise from the couch on which +she had cast herself and continue her flight. +</p> + +<p> +A slave presented herself to inform Perpetua +that Callipodius had returned with the tidings that +her mother was unable at once to rejoin her, that +she was well and safe, and had preceded her to Ad +Fines; that she desired her daughter to follow with +the utmost expedition, and that she was impatient +<pb n="149"/><anchor id="Pg149"/>to embrace her. The slave woman added that +the streets were now quiet, the city gates were +open, and that the litter was at the door in readiness. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I will follow you with all speed. Leave me to +myself.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then, when the slave had withdrawn, Perpetua +hastily arranged her ruffled hair, extended her arms, +and turning to the east, invoked the protection of +the God who had promised, <q>I will never leave +thee, nor forsake thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +On descending to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign>, Perpetua knelt by +the water-tank and bathed her face and neck. Then +she mounted the litter that awaited her outside the +house. The bearers at once started at a run, nor +did they desist till they had passed through the city +gate on the road that led to the mountain range of +the Cebennæ. This was no military way, but it led +into the pleasant country where the citizens of Nemausus +and some of the rich merchants of Narbo +had their summer quarters. +</p> + +<p> +The gray dawn had appeared. Market people +from the country were coming into the town with +their produce in baskets and carts. +</p> + +<p> +The bearers jogged along till the road ascended +<pb n="150"/><anchor id="Pg150"/>with sufficient rapidity to make them short of breath. +The morning was cold. A streak of light lay in +the east, and the wind blew fresh from the same +quarter. The colorless white dawn overflowed the +plain of the Rhodanus, thickly strewn with olives, +whose gray foliage was much of the same tint as +the sky overhead. To the south and southeast the +olive plantations were broken by tracts of water, +some permanent lagoons, others due to recent inundations. +To the right, straight as an arrow, white +as snow, ran the high road from Italy to Spain, that +crossed the Rhodanus at Ugernum, the modern +Beaucaire, and came from Italy by Tegulata, the +scene of the victory of Marius over the Cimbri, and +by Aquæ Sextiæ and its hot springs. +</p> + +<p> +The journey was long; the light grew. Presently +the sun rose and flushed all with light and heat. The +chill that had penetrated to the marrow of the +drowsy girl gave way. She had refused food before +starting; now, when the bearers halted at a little +wayside tavern for refreshment and rest, she accepted +some cakes and spiced wine from the fresh +open-faced hostess with kindly eyes and a pleasant +smile, and felt her spirits revive. Was she not to +rejoin her dear mother? Had she not escaped with +<pb n="151"/><anchor id="Pg151"/>her life from extreme peril? Was she not going to +a place where she would be free from pursuit? +</p> + +<p> +She continued her journey with a less anxious +heart. The scenery improved, the heights were +wooded, there were juniper bushes, here and there +tufts of pale helebore. +</p> + +<p> +Then the litter was borne on to a terrace before +a mass of limestone crag and forest that rose in the +rear. A slave came to the side of the palanquin +and drew back the curtain. Perpetua saw a bright +pretty villa, with pillars before it forming a peristyle. +On the terrace was a fountain plashing in a +basin. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Lady,</q> said the slave, <q>this is Ad Fines. The +master salutes you humbly, and requests that you +will enter.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The master? What master?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Æmilius Lentulus Varo.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="14" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="152"/><anchor id="Pg152"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XIV. To the Lowest Depth"/><index index="pdf" level1="XIV. To the Lowest Depth"/> +<head>CHAPTER XIV<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">TO THE LOWEST DEPTH</hi></head> + +<p> +Baudillas found that there were already many in +the prison, who had been swept together by the mob +and the soldiers, either for having refused to produce +an image, or for having declined to sacrifice. To +his no small surprise he saw among them the wool-merchant +Julius Largus Litomarus. The crowd +had surrounded his house, and as he had not complied +with their demands, they had sent him to the +duumvir,<note place="foot">I employ the term Duumvir for convenience. As already +stated, there were four chief magistrates, but two only had +criminal jurisdiction.</note> Petronius Atacinus, who had consigned +him to prison till, at his leisure, he could investigate +the charge against him. +</p> + +<p> +The two magistrates who sat in court and gave +sentence were Petronius Atacinus and Vibius Fuscianus, +and they took it in turns to sit, each being +the acting magistrate for a month, when he was succeeded +by the other. Atacinus was a humane man, +easy-going, related to the best families in the place, +<pb n="153"/><anchor id="Pg153"/>and acquainted with such as he was not allied with +by blood or marriage. His position, in face of the +commotion relative to the mutilation of the image +and the rescue of Perpetua, was not an easy one. +</p> + +<p> +In Rome and in every other important city, the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign>, or chief priest, occupied a post of considerable +importance and influence. He sat in the seat +at the games and in the theater next to the chief +magistrates, and took precedence over every other +officer in the town. Nemausus had such a <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign>, +and he was not only the official religious head in the +place, but was also the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen Augustalis</foreign>, the pontiff +connected with the worship of Augustus, which had +become the predominant cult in Narbonese Gaul, +and also head of the College of the Augustals, that +comprised the very powerful body of freedmen. +The priestess of the divine founder and giver of the +fountain shared his dignity and authority. Between +them they could exercise a preponderating power in +the town, and it would be in vain for Petronius +Atacinus, however easy-going he might be, and disinclined +to shed blood, to pass over what had been +done without affording satisfaction to the pagan +party moved and held together by the priesthood. +</p> + +<p> +Yet the duumvir judged that it would be +emi<pb n="154"/><anchor id="Pg154"/>nently unadvisable for him to proceed with too great +severity, and to punish too many persons. Christianity +had many adherents in the place, and some +of these belonged to the noble, others to the mercantile, +families. The general wish among the well-to-do +was that there should be no systematic persecution. +An inquisitorial search after Christians +would break up families, rouse angry passions, and, +above all, disturb business. +</p> + +<p> +Petronius had already resolved on his course. +He had used every sort of evasion that could be +practiced. He had knowingly abstained from enjoining +on the keepers of the city gates the requisition +of a passport from such as left the town. The +more who fled and concealed themselves, the better +pleased would he be. +</p> + +<p> +Nevertheless, he had no thought of allowing the +mutilation of the statue to pass unpunished, and he +was resolved on satisfying the priesthood by restoring +Perpetua to them. If he were obliged to put +any to death, he would shed the blood only of such +as were inconsiderable and friendless. +</p> + +<p> +There was another element that entered into the +matter, and which helped to render Atacinus inclined +to leniency. The Cæsar at the time was M. +<pb n="155"/><anchor id="Pg155"/>Aurelius Antoninus, commonly known as Caracalla. +He had been brought up from infancy by a Christian +nurse, and was thought to harbor a lurking +regard for the members of the religion of Christ. +At any rate, he displayed no intolerance towards +those who professed it. He was, himself, a ferocious +tyrant, as capricious as he was cruel. He had murdered +his brother Geta in a fit of jealousy, and his +conscience, tortured by remorse, drove him to seek +relief by prying into the mysteries of strange +religions. +</p> + +<p> +The duumvir Atacinus was alive to the inclinations +and the temper of the prince, and was the more +afraid of offending him by persecution of the Christians, +as the Emperor was about shortly to visit Gaul, +and might even pass through Nemausus. +</p> + +<p> +If in such a condition of affairs the Christians +were exposed to danger, it may well be inferred that, +where it was less favorable, their situation was surrounded +with danger. They were at all times liable +to fall victims to popular tumults, occasioned sometimes +by panic produced by an earthquake, by +resentment at an accidental conflagration which the +vulgar insisted on referring to the Christians, sometimes +by distress at the breaking out of an epidemic. +<pb n="156"/><anchor id="Pg156"/>On such occasions the unreasoning rabble clamored +that the gods were incensed at the spread of the +new atheism, and that the Christians must be cast +to the lions. +</p> + +<p> +When Baudillas saw the wool merchant in the +prison, he went to him immediately. Litomarus +was sitting disconsolately on a stone bench with his +back against the prison wall. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I did not go to the Agape,</q> said he; <q>I +was afraid to do so. But I might as well. The +people bellowed under my windows like bulls of +Bashan.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And you did not exhibit an image?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, I could not do that. Then the <foreign rend="italic" lang="la">viatores</foreign> of +the ædiles took me in charge. I was hustled about, +and was dragged off here. My wife fell down in +a faint. I do not think she will recover the shock. +She has been in a weak condition ever since the +death of our little Cordula. We loved that child. +We were wrapped up in her. Marcianus said that +we made of the little creature an earthly idol, and +that it was right she should be taken away. I do not +know. She had such winning ways. One could +not help loving her. She made such droll remarks, +and screwed up her little eyes——</q> +</p> + +<pb n="157"/><anchor id="Pg157"/> + +<p> +<q>But before you were arrested, you thought considerately +of Perpetua and her mother Quincta.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not understand to what you refer.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To the sending of litters for them.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I sent no litters.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Your slave Tarsius came to my house to announce +that you had been pleased to remember the +ladies there taking refuge, and that you had placed +your two palanquins at their disposal.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Tarsius said this?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Even Tarsius.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Tarsius is a slippery rascal. He was very fond +of our little Cordula, and was wont to carry her +on his shoulder, so we have liked him because of +that. Nevertheless, he is—well, not trustworthy.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>May God avert that a trap has been laid to +ensnare the virgin and her mother. Tarsius was +expelled the Church for inebriety.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know nothing about the palanquins. I have +but one. After the death of little Cordula, I did +not care to keep a second. I always carry about +with me a lock cut from her head after death. It +is like floss silk.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The wool merchant was too greatly absorbed in +his own troubles to give attention to the matter that +<pb n="158"/><anchor id="Pg158"/>had been broached by the deacon. Baudillas withdrew +to another part of the prison in serious concern. +</p> + +<p> +When day broke, Litomarus was released. His +brother was a pagan and had easily satisfied the +magistrate. This brother was in the firm, and +traveled for it, buying fleeces from the shepherds +on the limestone plateaux of Niger and Larsacus. +He had been away the day before, but on his return +in the morning, on learning that Julius was arrested, +he spoke with the duumvir, presented him with a +ripe ewe’s milk cheese just brought by him from +Larsacus, and obtained the discharge of Julius without +further difficulty. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas remained in prison that morning, and +it was not till the afternoon that he was conducted +into court. By this time the duumvir was tired and +irritable. The <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign> had arrived and had spoken +with Atacinus, and complained that no example had +been made, that the Christians were being released, +and that, unless some sharp punishments were administered, +the people, incensed at the leniency that +had been exhibited, would break out in uproar again. +Petronius Atacinus, angry, tired out, hungry and +peevish, at once sent for the deacon. +</p> + +<p> +The head of the god had been found in his house, +<pb n="159"/><anchor id="Pg159"/>and he had been seen conveying the rescued virgin +from the fountain, and must certainly know where +she was concealed. +</p> + +<p> +It was noticeable that nothing had been said about +the punishing of Æmilius. Even the god, as interpreted +by the priestess, had made no demand that +he should be dealt with; in fact, had not mentioned +him. The duumvir perfectly understood this reticence. +Æmilius Lentulus belonged to a good family +in the upper town, and to that most powerful and +dreaded of all professions—the law. Even the +divine founder shrank from attacking a member +of the long robe, and a citizen of the upper town. +</p> + +<p> +When Baudillas appeared in court, the magistrate +demanded an explanation of the fact of the broken +head being found in his house, and further asked +of him where Perpetua was concealed. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas would offer no explanation on the first +head; he could not do so without incriminating his +brother in the ministry. He denied that he had +committed the act of violence, but not that he knew +who had perpetrated the outrage. As to where Perpetua +was, that he could not say, because he did +not know. His profession of ignorance was not +believed. He was threatened with torture, but in +<pb n="160"/><anchor id="Pg160"/>vain. Thereupon the duumvir sentenced him to be +committed to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>, and consigned to the lowest +depth thereof, there to remain till such time as he +chose to reveal the required information. +</p> + +<p> +Then Petronius Atacinus turned and looked at +the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign> with a smile, and the latter responded +with a well-satisfied nod. +</p> + +<p> +A Roman prison consisted of several parts, and +the degree of severity exercised was marked by the +portion of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">carcer</foreign> to which the prisoner was consigned. +Roman law knew nothing of imprisonment +for a term as a punishment. The <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">carcer</foreign> was employed +either as a place for temporary detention till +trial, or else it was one for execution. +</p> + +<p> +The most tolerable portion of the jail consisted +of the outer court, with its cells, and a hall for +shelter in cold and wet weather. This was in fact +the common <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">atrium</foreign> on an enlarged scale and without +its luxuries. But there was another part of the +prison entitled the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>, after the Tullian prison at +Rome. This consisted of one large vaulted chamber +devoid of window, accessible only by the door, +through the interstices of which alone light and +air could enter. It derived its name from oak beams +planted against the walls, to which were attached +<pb n="161"/><anchor id="Pg161"/>chains, by means of which prisoners were fastened +to them. In the center of the floor was a round +hole, with or without a low breastwork, and this +hole communicated with an abyss sometimes given +the Greek name of <foreign rend="italic">barathrum</foreign>, with conical dome, +the opening being in the center. This pit was deep +in mire. Into it flowed the sewage of the prison, +and the outfall was secured by a grating.<note place="foot"><q>Erat et robur, locus in carcere, quo præcipitabatur maleficorum +genus, quod ante arcis robustis includebatur.</q>—<hi rend="smallcaps">Liv.</hi> +38, 39.</note> The +title of <foreign rend="italic">barathrum</foreign> sometimes accorded to this lower +portion of the dungeon was derived from a swamp +near Athens, in which certain malefactors were +smothered. +</p> + +<p> +When Jeremiah was accused before King Zedekiah +of inciting the people to come to terms with the +Chaldeans, he was put into such a place as this. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the +dungeon of Malchiah, that was in the court of the +prison, and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And +in the dungeon there was no water, but mire; so +Jeremiah sunk in the mire.</q> +</p> + +<p> +When Paul and Silas were at Philippi, they were +imprisoned in the superior portion of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>, +<pb n="162"/><anchor id="Pg162"/>where were the stocks, whereas the other prisoners +were in the outer portion, that was more comfortable, +and where they had some freedom of movement. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas turned gray with horror at the thought +of being consigned to the awful abyss. His courage +failed him and he lost power in his knees, so +that he was unable to sustain himself, and the +jailer’s assistants were constrained to carry him. +</p> + +<p> +As he was conveyed through the outer court, those +who were awaiting their trial crowded around him, +to clasp and kiss his hand, to encourage him to play +the man for Christ, and to salute him reverently as +a martyr. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am no martyr, good brethren,</q> said the deacon +in a feeble voice. <q>I am not called to suffer for the +faith, I have not been asked to sacrifice; I am to be +thrown down into the pit, because I cannot reveal +what I do not know.</q> +</p> + +<p> +One man, turning to his fellow, said, in a low +tone: <q>If I were given my choice, I would die by +fire rather than linger in the pit.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Will he die there of starvation?</q> asked another, +<q>or will he smother in the mire?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>If he be sentenced to be retained there till he +<pb n="163"/><anchor id="Pg163"/>tells what he does not know, he must die there, it +matters not how.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>God deliver me from such a trial of my faith! +I might win the crown through the sword, but a +passage to everlasting life through that foul abyss—that +would be past endurance.</q> +</p> + +<p> +As Baudillas was supported through the doorway +into the inner prison, he turned his head and looked +at the brilliant sky above the yard wall. Then the +door was shut and barred behind him. All, however, +was not absolutely dark, for there was a gap, +through which two fingers could be thrust, under +the door, and the sun lay on the threshold and sent +a faint reflection through the chamber. +</p> + +<p> +Nevertheless, on entering from the glare of the +sun, it seemed to Baudillas at first as though he were +plunged in darkness, and it was not for some +moments that he could distinguish the ledge that +surrounded the well-like opening. The jailer now +proceeded to strike a light, and after some trouble +and curses, as he grazed his knuckles, he succeeded +in kindling a lamp. He now produced a rope, +and made a loop at one end about a short crosspole. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sit astride on that,</q> said he curtly. +</p> + +<pb n="164"/><anchor id="Pg164"/> + +<p> +Baudillas complied, and with his hands grasped +the cord. +</p> + +<p> +Then slowly he was lowered into the pitch blackness +below. Down—down—down he descended, +till he plashed into the mire. +</p> + +<p> +The jailer holding the lamp, looked down and +called to him to release the rope. The deacon +obeyed. There he stood, looking up, watching the +dancing pole as it mounted, then saw the spark of +the lamp withdrawn; heard the retreating steps +of the jailer, then a clash like thunder. The door +of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign> was shut. He was alone at the bottom +of this fetid abyss. +</p> + +<p> +Then he said, and tears coursed down his cheeks +as he said it: <q>Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit—in +the place of darkness and in the grave.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="15" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="165"/><anchor id="Pg165"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XV.“Revealed unto Babes”"/><index index="pdf" level1="XV."Revealed unto Babes""/> +<head>CHAPTER XV<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller"><q>REVEALED UNTO BABES</q></hi></head> + +<p> +On account of the death in the family of the +timber merchant, Æmilius left the house and took +a room and engaged attendance in the cottage of +a cordwainer a little way off. The house was clean, +and the good woman was able to cook him a meal +not drowned in oil nor rank with garlic. +</p> + +<p> +He was uneasy because Callipodius did not return, +and he obtained no tidings concerning Perpetua. +The image of this maiden, with a face of transparent +purity, out of which shone the radiance of a beautiful +soul, haunted his imagination and fluttered his +heart. He walked by the side of the flooded tract +of land, noticed that the water was falling, and +looked, at every turn he took, in the direction of +Nemausus, expecting the arrival of his client, but +always in vain. +</p> + +<p> +He did at length see a boat approach, towards +evening, and he paced the little landing-place with +quick strides till it ran up against it; and then only, +<pb n="166"/><anchor id="Pg166"/>to his disappointment, did he see that Callipodius +was not there. Castor disembarked. +</p> + +<p> +On the strength of his slight acquaintance Æmilius +greeted the bishop. The suspense was become +unendurable. He asked to be granted a few words +in private. To this Castor gladly consented. +</p> + +<p> +He, the head of the Christian community, had +remained unmolested. He belonged to a senatorial +family in the town, and had relations among the +most important officials. The duumvir would undoubtedly +leave him alone unless absolutely obliged +to lay hands on him. Nemausus was divided into +two towns, the Upper and the Lower, each with its +own water-supply, its own baths, and each distinct +in social composition. +</p> + +<p> +The lower town, the old Gallic city, that venerated +the hero-founder of the same name as the town, +was occupied by the old Volcian population and by +a vast number of emancipated slaves of every nationality, +many engaged in trade and very rich. These +freedmen were fused into one <q>order,</q> as it was +termed, that of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Liberti</foreign>. +</p> + +<p> +The upper town contained the finest houses, and +was inhabited by the Roman colonists, by some +descendants of the first Phocean settlers, and by such +<pb n="167"/><anchor id="Pg167"/>of the old Gaulish nobility as had most completely +identified themselves with their conquerors. These +had retained their estates and had enriched themselves +by taking Government contracts. +</p> + +<p> +Such scions of the old Gaulish houses had become +fused by marriage and community of interest with +the families of the first colonists, and they affected +contempt for the pure-blooded old aristocracy who +had sunk into poverty and insignificance in their +decayed mansions in Lower Nemausus. +</p> + +<p> +Of late years, slowly yet surely, the freedmen +who had amassed wealth had begun to invade superior +Nemausus, had built themselves houses of +greater magnificence and maintained an ostentatious +splendor that excited the envy and provoked the +resentment of the old senatorial and knightly +citizens. +</p> + +<p> +The great natural fountain supplied the lower +town with water, but was situated at too low a +level for the convenience of the gentry of Upper +Nemausus, who had therefore conveyed the spring +water of Ura from a great distance by tunneling +mountains and bridging valleys, and thus had furnished +themselves with an unfailing supply of the +liquid as necessary to a Roman as was the air he +<pb n="168"/><anchor id="Pg168"/>breathed. Thus rendered independent of the natural +fountain at the foot of the rocks in Lower Nemausus, +those living in the higher town affected the +cult of the nymph Ura, and spoke disparagingly of +the god of the old town; whereas the inferior part +of the city clung tenaciously to the divine Nemausus, +whose basin, full of unfailing water, was presented +to their very lips and had not to be brought +to them from a distance by the engineering skill of +men and at a great cost. +</p> + +<p> +Devotion to the god of the fountain in Lower +Nemausus was confined entirely to the inhabitants +of the old town, and was actually a relic of the old +Volcian religion before the advent of the colonists, +Greek and Roman. It had maintained itself and its +barbarous sacrifice intact, undisturbed. +</p> + +<p> +No victim was exacted from a family of superior +Nemausus. The contribution was drawn from +among the families of the native nobility, and it was +on this account solely that the continuance of the +septennial sacrifice had been tolerated. +</p> + +<p> +Already, however, the priesthood was becoming +aware that a strong feeling was present that was +averse to it. The bulk of the well-to-do population +had no traditional reverence for the Gaulish +founder-<pb n="169"/><anchor id="Pg169"/>god, and many openly spoke of the devotion of a +virgin to death as a rite that deserved to be abolished. +</p> + +<p> +From the cordwainer Æmilius had heard of the +mutilation of the statue and of the commotion it +had caused. This, he conjectured, accounted for +the delay of Callipodius. It had interfered with his +action; he had been unable to learn what had become +of the damsel, and was waiting till he had definite +tidings to bring before he returned. Æmilius was +indignant at the wanton act of injury done to a +beautiful work of art that decorated one of the loveliest +natural scenes in the world. But this indignation +was rendered acute by personal feeling. The +disturbance caused by the rescue of the virgin might +easily have been allayed; not so one provoked by +such an act of sacrilege as the defacing of the image +of the divine founder. This would exasperate passions +and vastly enhance the danger to Perpetua +and make her escape more difficult. +</p> + +<p> +As Æmilius walked up from the jetty with the +bishop, he inquired of him how matters stood with +the Christians in the town and received a general +answer. This did not satisfy the young lawyer, +and, as the color suffused his face, he asked +particu<pb n="170"/><anchor id="Pg170"/>larly after Perpetua, daughter of the deceased +Harpinius Læto. +</p> + +<p> +The bishop turned and fixed his searching eyes on +the young man. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Why make you this inquiry?</q> he asked. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Surely,</q> answered Æmilius, <q>I may be allowed +to feel interest in one whom I was the means +of rescuing from death. In sooth, I am vastly +concerned to learn that she is safe. It were indeed +untoward if she fell once more into the +hands of the priesthood or into those of the populace. +The ignorant would grip as hard as the interested.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She is not in the power of either,</q> answered +Castor. <q>But where she is, that God knows, not I. +Her mother is distracted, but we trust the maiden +has found a refuge among the brethren, and for her +security is kept closely concealed. The fewer who +know where she is the better will it be, lest torture +be employed to extort the secret. The Lady Quincta +believes what we have cause to hope and consider +probable. This is certain: if she had been discovered +and given up to the magistrate the fact would +be known at once to all in the place.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To break the image of the god was a wicked +<pb n="171"/><anchor id="Pg171"/>and a wanton act,</q> said Æmilius irritably. <q>Is such +conduct part of your religion?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The act was that of a rash and hot-headed member +of our body. It was contrary to my will, done +without my knowledge, and opposed to the teaching +of our holy fathers, who have ever dissuaded from +such acts. But in all bodies of men there are hot-heads +and impulsive spirits that will not endure +control.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Your own teaching is at fault,</q> said Æmilius +peevishly. <q>You denounce the gods, and yet express +regret if one of you put your doctrine in +practice.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>If images were ornaments only,</q> said the bishop, +<q>then they would be endurable; but when they +receive adoration, when libations are poured at +their feet, then we forbid our brethren to take +part in such homage, for it is idolatry, a giving +to wood and stone the worship due to God alone. +But we do not approve of insult offered to any +man’s religion. No,</q> said Castor emphatically; +<q>Christianity is not another name for brutality, +and that is brutality which insults the religious +sentiment of the people, who may be ignorant but +are sincere.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="172"/><anchor id="Pg172"/> + +<p> +They had reached the rope-walk. The cordwainer +was absent. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Let us take a turn,</q> said the bishop; and then +he halted and smiled and extended his palm to a +little child that ran up to him and put its hand +within his with innocent confidence. +</p> + +<p> +<q>This,</q> said Castor, <q>is the son of the timber +merchant.</q> Then to the boy: <q>Little man, walk +with us, but do not interrupt our talk. Speak only +when spoken to.</q> He again addressed the lawyer: +<q>My friend, if I may so call thee, thou art vastly +distressed at the mutilation of the image. Why +so?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Because it is a work of art, and that particular +statue was the finest example of the sculpture of a +native artist. It was a gift to his native town of +the god Marcus Antoninus (the Emperor Antoninus +Pius).</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir,</q> said Castor, <q>you are in the right to be +incensed. Now tell me this. If the thought of the +destruction of a statue made by man and the gift +of a Cæsar rouse indignation in your mind, should +you not be more moved to see the destruction of +living men, as in the shows of the arena—the +slaughter of men, the work of God’s hands?</q> +</p> + +<pb n="173"/><anchor id="Pg173"/> + +<p> +<q>That is for our entertainment,</q> said Æmilius, +yet with hesitation in his voice. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Does that condone the act of the mutilator of +the image, that he did it out of sport, to amuse a +few atheists and the vulgar? See you how from his +mother’s womb the child has been nurtured, how +his limbs have grown in suppleness and grace and +strength; how his intelligence has developed, how +his faculties have expanded. Who made the babe +that has become a man? Who protected him from +infancy? Who builds up this little tenement of an +immortal and bright spirit?</q> He led forward and +indicated the child of Flavillus. <q>Was it not God? +And for a holiday pastime you send men into the +arena to be lacerated by wild beasts or butchered +by gladiators! Do you not suppose that God, the +maker of man, must be incensed at this wanton +destruction of His fairest creation?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What you say applies to the tree we fell, to the +ox and the sheep we slaughter.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Not so,</q> answered the bishop. <q>The tree is +essential to man. Without it he cannot build himself +a house nor construct a ship. The use of the +tree is essential to his progress from barbarism. +Nay, even in barbarism he requires it to serve him +<pb n="174"/><anchor id="Pg174"/>as fuel, and to employ timber demands the fall of +the tree. As to the beast, man is so constituted by +his Creator that he needs animal food. Therefore +is he justified in slaying beasts for his nourishment.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>According to your teaching death sentences are +condemned, as also are wars.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Not so. The criminal may forfeit his right to +a life which he is given to enjoy upon condition that +he conduce to the welfare of his fellows. If, instead +thereof, he be a scourge to mankind, he loses his +rights. As to the matter of war: we must guard the +civilization we have built up by centuries of hard +labor and study after improvement. We must protect +our frontiers against the incursions of the barbarians. +Unless they be rolled back, they will overwhelm +us. Self-preservation is an instinct lodged +in every breast, justifying man in defending his life +and his acquisitions.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Your philosophy is humane.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is not a philosophy. It is a revelation.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>In what consists the difference?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>A philosophy is a groping upwards. A revelation +is a light falling from above. A philosophy is +reached only after the intellect is ripe and +experi<pb n="175"/><anchor id="Pg175"/>enced, attained to when man’s mind is fully developed. +A revelation comes to the child as his mind +and conscience are opening and shows him his way. +Here, little one! stand on that <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">cippus</foreign> and answer +me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Castor took the child in his arms and lifted him +to a marble pedestal. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Little child,</q> said he, <q>answer me a few simple +questions. Who made you?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>God,</q> answered the boy readily. +</p> + +<p> +<q>And why did He make you?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To love and serve Him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And how can you serve Him?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>By loving all men.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What did the Great Master say was the law by +which we are to direct our lives?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q><q>He that loveth God, let him love his brother +also.</q></q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Little child, what is after death?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Eternity.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And in eternity where will men be?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Those that have done good shall be called to +life everlasting, and those that have done evil will +be cast forth into darkness, where is weeping and +gnashing of teeth.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="176"/><anchor id="Pg176"/> + +<p> +The bishop took the child from the pedestal, and +set him again on the ground. +</p> + +<p> +Then, with a smile on his face, he said to Æmilius, +<q>Do we desire to know our way <hi rend="italic">after</hi> we have erred +or <hi rend="italic">before</hi> we start? What was hidden from the wise +and prudent is revealed unto babes. Where philosophy +ends, there our religion begins.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="16" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="177"/><anchor id="Pg177"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XVI. Doubts and Difficulties"/><index index="pdf" level1="XVI. Doubts and Difficulties"/> +<head>CHAPTER XVI<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">DOUBTS AND DIFFICULTIES</hi></head> + +<p> +Æmilius paced the rope-walk in deep thought. +He did not speak during several turns, and the +bishop respected his meditation and kept silence as +well. +</p> + +<p> +Presently the young man burst forth with: <q>This +is fairly put, plausible and attractive doctrine. But +what we lawyers demand is evidence. When was +the revelation made? In the reign of the god +Tiberius? That was two centuries ago. What proof +is there that this be not a cleverly elaborated philosophy—as +you say, a groping upwards—pretending +to be, and showing off itself as, a lightening +downwards?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The evidence is manifold,</q> answered Castor. +<q>In the first place, the sayings and the acts of the +Divine Revealer were recorded by evangelists who +lived at the time, knew Him, heard Him, or were +with those who had daily companied with Him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Of what value is such evidence when we cannot +put the men who gave it in the witness-box and +<pb n="178"/><anchor id="Pg178"/>cross-question them? I do not say that their evidence +is naught, but that it is disputable.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is other evidence, ever-living, ever-present.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What is that?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Your own reason and conscience. You, Æmilius +Lentulus, have these witnesses in yourself. He +who made you seated a conscience in your soul to +show you that there is such a thing as a law of right +and wrong, though, as far as you know, unwritten. +Directly I spoke to you of the <hi rend="italic">sin</hi> of murdering +men to make pastime, your color changed; you +<hi rend="italic">knew</hi> that I was right. Your conscience assented +to my words.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I allow that.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My friend, let me go further. When your mind +is not obscured by passion or warped by prejudice, +then you perceive that there is a sphere of holiness, +of virtue, of purity, to which men have not yet attained, +and which, for all you see, is unattainable +situated as you are, but one into which, if man could +mount, then he would be something nobler than +even the poets have conceived. You have flashes of +summer lightning in your dark sky. You reject the +monstrous fables of the gods as inconsistent with +<pb n="179"/><anchor id="Pg179"/>what your reason and conscience tell you comport +with divinity. Has any of your gods manifested +himself and left such a record of his appearance as +is fairly certain? If he appeared, or was fabled to +have appeared, did he tell men anything about the +nature of God, His will, and the destiny of man? A +revelation must be in agreement with the highest +aspirations of man. It must be such as will regulate +his life, and conduce to his perfection and the advantage +of the community. It must be such as will +supply him with a motive for rejecting what is base, +but pleasing to his coarse nature, and striving after +that which is according to the luminous ideal that +floats before him. Now the Christian revelation +answers these conditions, and is therefore probably +true. It supplies man with a reason why he should +contend against all that is gross in his nature; should +be gentle, courteous, kindly, merciful, pure. It +does more. It assures him that the Creator made +man in order that he might strive after this ideal, +and in so doing attain to serenity and happiness. +No other religion that I know of makes such claims; +no other professes to have been revealed to man as +the law of his being by Him who made man. No +other is so completely in accordance on the one hand +<pb n="180"/><anchor id="Pg180"/>with what we conceive is in agreement with the +nature of God, and on the other so completely +accords with our highest aspirations.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I can say nothing to that. I do not know it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yes, you do know it. The babe declared it; +gave you the marrow and kernel of the gospel: Love +God and man.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To fear God is what I can understand; but to +love Him is more than I can compass.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Because you do not know God.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not, indeed.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>God is love.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>A charming sentiment; a rhetorical flourish. +What evidence can you adduce that God is love?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Creation.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The earth is full of suffering; violence prevails; +wrong overmasters right. There is more of misery +than of happiness, saving only to the rich and noble; +they are at any rate supposed to be exempt, but, by +Hercules, they seem to me to be sick of pleasure, +and every delight gluts and leaves a bad taste in +the mouth.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is true; but why is there all this wretchedness? +Because the world is trying to get along without +God. Look!</q> The bishop stooped and took +<pb n="181"/><anchor id="Pg181"/>up a green-backed beetle. <q>If I cast this insect +into the water it will suffer and die. If I fling it +into the fire it will writhe and perish in agony. +Neither water nor fire is the element for which it +was created—in which to exist and be happy. The +divine law is the atmosphere in which man is made +to live. Because there is deflection from that, and +man seeks other ends than that for which he was +made, therefore comes wretchedness. The law of +God is the law man must know, and knowing, pursue +to be perfectly happy and to become a perfect +being.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Now I have you!</q> exclaimed Æmilius, with a +laugh. <q>There are no men more wretched than +Christians who possess, and, I presume, keep this +law. They abstain from our merry-makings, from +the spectacles; they are liable to torture and to +death.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>We abstain from nothing that is wholesome and +partaken in moderation; but from drunkenness, surfeiting, +and what is repugnant to the clean mind. +As to the persecution we suffer, the powers of evil +rebel against God, and stir up bad men to resist the +truth. But let me say something further—if I do +not weary you.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="182"/><anchor id="Pg182"/> + +<p> +<q>Not at all; you astonish me too much to weary +me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are dropped suddenly—cast up by the sea +on a strange shore. You find yourself where you +have never been before. You know not where to +go—how to conduct yourself among the natives; +what fruits you may eat as wholesome, and must +reject as poisonous. You do not know what course +to pursue to reach your home, and fear at every step +to get further from it. You cry out for a chart to +show you where you are, and in what direction you +should direct your steps. Every child born into this +world is in a like predicament. It wants a chart, +and to know its bearings. This is not the case with +any animal. Every bird, fish, beast, knows what +to do to fulfill the objects of its existence. Man +alone does not. He has aspirations, glimmerings, a +law of nature traced, but not filled in. He has lived +by that natural law—you live under it, and you +experience its inadequacy. That is why your conscience, +all mankind, with inarticulate longing desires +something further. Now I ask you, as I did +once before, is it conceivable that the Creator of +man, who put in man’s heart that aspiration, that +longing to know the law of his being, without which +<pb n="183"/><anchor id="Pg183"/>his life is but a miserable shipwreck—is it conceivable +that He should withhold from him the chart +by which he can find his way?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You have given me food for thought. Yet, my +doubts still remain.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot give you faith. That lightens down +from above. It is the gift of God. Follow the law +of your conscience and He may grant it you. I +cannot say when or how, and what means he may +employ—but if you are sincere and not a trifler +with the truth—He will not deny it you. But see—here +comes some one who desires to speak with +you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius looked in the direction indicated, and +saw Callipodius coming up from the water-side, waving +his hand to him. So engrossed had he been in +conversation with Castor, that he had not observed +the arrival of a boat at the landing-place. +</p> + +<p> +At once the young lawyer sped to meet his client, +manifesting the utmost impatience. +</p> + +<p> +<q>What tidings—what news?</q> was his breathless +question. +</p> + +<p> +<q>As good as may be,</q> answered Callipodius. +<q>The gods work to fulfill thy desire. It is as if thou +wert a constraining destiny, or as though it were a +<pb n="184"/><anchor id="Pg184"/>pleasure to them to satisfy the wishes of their +favorite.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I pray, lay aside this flattery, and speak plain +words.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Resplendent genius that thou art! thou needest +no flattery any more than the sun requires burnishing.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Let me entreat—the news!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>In two words——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Confine thyself to two words.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She is safe.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Where? How?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Now must I relax my tongue. In two words +I cannot satisfy thy eagerness.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then, Body of Bacchus! go on in thine own +fashion.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The account may be crushed into narrow compass. +When I left your radiant presence, then I +betook myself to the town and found the place in +turmoil—the statue of the god had been broken, +and the deity was braying like a washerwoman’s +jackass. The populace was roused and incensed by +the outrage, and frightened by the voice of the god. +All had quieted down previously, but this worked up +the people to a condition of frantic rage and panic. +<pb n="185"/><anchor id="Pg185"/>I hurried about in quest of the Lady Perpetua; +and as I learned that she had been conveyed from +the pool by Baudillas Macer, I went into the part +of the town where he lives; noble once, now slums. +Then, lo! thy genius attending and befriending me, +whom should I stumble against but a fellow named +Tarsius, a slave of a wool merchant to whom I owe +moneys, which I haven’t yet paid. I knew the fellow +from a gash he had received at one time across +nose and cheek. He was drunk and angry because +he had been expelled the Christian society which +was holding its orgies. I warrant thee I frightened +the poor wretch with promises of the little horse, +the panthers, and the cross, till he became pliant +and obliging. Then I wormed out of him all I +required, and made him my tool to obtain possession +of the pretty maid. I learned from him that the +Lady Quincta and her daughter were at the house +of Baudillas, afraid to return home because their +door was observed by some of the Cultores Nemausi. +Then I suborned the rascal to act a part for me. +From thy house I dispatched two litters and carriers, +and sent that tippling rogue with them to the dwelling +of Macer, to say that he was commissioned by his +master, Litomarus, to conduct them to his country +<pb n="186"/><anchor id="Pg186"/>house for their security. They walked into the +snare like fieldfare after juniper berries. Then the +porters conveyed the girl to thy house.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To my house!</q> Æmilius started. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Next, she was hurried off as soon as ever the +gates were opened, to your villa at Ad Fines.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And she is there now, with her mother?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>With her mother! I know better than to do +that. I bade the porters convey the old lady in +her palanquin to the goose and truffle market and +deposit her there. No need to be encumbered with +her.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The Lady Quincta not with her daughter?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You were not desirous for further acquaintance +with the venerable widow, I presume.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But,</q> said Æmilius, <q>this is a grave matter. +You have offered, as from me, an insult most wounding +to a young lady, and to a respectable matron.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Generous man! how was it possible for me to +understand the niceties that trouble your perspicuous +mind? But be at ease. Serious sickness demands +strong medicines. Great dangers excuse bold measures. +The priestess has demanded the restoration +of the virgin. The <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen Augustalis</foreign> is backing +her up. So are all the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Seviri</foreign>. The religious +cor<pb n="187"/><anchor id="Pg187"/>poration feel touched in their credit and insist on +the restitution. They will heap on fuel, and keep +Nemausus in a boil. By no possibility could the +damsel have remained hidden in the town. I saw +that it was imperiously necessary for me to remove +her. I could think of no other place into which to +put her than Ad Fines. I managed the matter in +admirable fashion; though it is I who say it. But +really, by Jupiter Capitolinus, I believe that your +genius attended me, and assisted in the execution of +the design, which was carried out without a hitch.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius knitted his arms behind his back, and +took short turns, in great perturbation of mind. +</p> + +<p> +<q>By Hercules!</q> said he, <q>you have committed +an actionable offense.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Of course, you look on it from a legal point of +view,</q> said Callipodius, a little nettled. <q>I tell you +it was a matter of life or death.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not complain of your having conveyed the +young lady to Ad Fines, but of your not having +taken her mother there along with her. You have +put me in a very awkward predicament.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>How was I to judge that the old woman was +to be deported as well?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You might have judged that I would cut off my +<pb n="188"/><anchor id="Pg188"/>right hand rather than do aught that might cause +people to speak lightly of Perpetua.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The client shrugged his shoulders. <q>You seem +to breed new scruples.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I thank you,</q> said Æmilius, <q>that you have +shown so good a will, and have been so successful +in your enterprise. I am, perhaps, over hasty and +exacting. I desired you to do a thing more perfectly +than perhaps you were able to perform it. +Leave me now. I must clear my mind and discover +what is now to be done.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is no pleasing some folk,</q> said Callipodius +moodily. +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="17" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="189"/><anchor id="Pg189"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XVII. Pedo"/><index index="pdf" level1="XVII. Pedo"/> +<head>CHAPTER XVII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">PEDO</hi></head> + +<p> +Baudillas had been lowered into the pit of the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>, and he sank in the slime half-way up his +calves. He waded with extended arms, groping +for something to which to cling. He knew not +whether the bottom were even, or fell into deep +holes, into which he might stumble. He knew not +whether he were in a narrow well or in a spacious +chamber. +</p> + +<p> +Cautiously, in obscurity, he groped, uncertain +even whether he went straight or was describing a +curve. But presently he touched the wall and +immediately discovered a bench, and seated himself +thereon. Then he drew up his feet out of the mire, +and cast himself in a reclining position on the stone +seat. +</p> + +<p> +He looked up, but could not distinguish the opening +by which he had been let down into the horrible +cess-pit. He was unable to judge to what depth he +had been lowered, nor could he estimate the extent +of the dungeon in which he was confined. +</p> + +<pb n="190"/><anchor id="Pg190"/> + +<p> +The bench on which he reposed was slimy, the +walls trickled with moisture, were unctuous, and +draped with a fungous growth in long folds. The +whole place was foul and cold. +</p> + +<p> +How long would his confinement last? Would +food, pure water be lowered to him? Or was he +condemned to waste away in this pit, from starvation, +or in the delirium of famine to roll off from +his shelf and smother in the mire? +</p> + +<p> +After a while his eyes became accustomed to the +dark and sensitive to the smallest gradations in it; +and then he became aware of a feeble glowworm +light over the surface of the ooze at one point. Was +it that some fungoid growth there was phosphorescent? +Or was it that a ray of daylight penetrated +there by some tortuous course? +</p> + +<p> +After long consideration it seemed to him probable +that the light he distinguished might enter by a +series of reflections through the outfall. He thought +of examining the opening, but to do so he would be +constrained to wade. He postponed the exploration +till later. Of one thing he was confident, that although +a little sickly light might be able to struggle +into this horrible dungeon, yet no means of +egress for the person would be left. Precautions +<pb n="191"/><anchor id="Pg191"/>against escape by this means would certainly have +been taken. +</p> + +<p> +The time passed heavily. At times Baudillas +sank into a condition of stupor, then was roused to +thought again, again to lapse into a comatose condition. +His cut lip was sore, his bruises ached. He +had passed his tongue over his broken teeth till they +had fretted his tongue raw. +</p> + +<p> +The feeble light at the surface became fainter, +and this was finally extinguished. The day was +certainly at an end. The sun had set in the west, +an auroral glow hung over the place of its decline. +Stars were beginning to twinkle; the syringa was +pouring forth its fragrance, the flowering thorns +their too heavy odor. Dew was falling gently and +cool. +</p> + +<p> +The deacon raised his heart to God, and from this +terrible pit his prayer mounted to heaven; a prayer +not for deliverance from death, but for grace to +endure the last trial, and if again put to the test, to +withstand temptation. Then he recited the evening +prayer of the Church, in Greek: <q>O God, who art +without beginning and without end, the Maker of +the world by Thy Christ, and the sustainer thereof, +God and Father, Lord of the spirit, King of all +<pb n="192"/><anchor id="Pg192"/>things that have reason and life! Thou who hast +made the day for the works of light, and the night +for the refreshment of our infirmity, for the day is +Thine, the night is Thine: Thou hast prepared the +light and the sun—do Thou now, O Lord, lover of +mankind, fountain of all good, mercifully accept +this our evening thanksgiving. Thou who hast +brought us through the length of the day, and hast +conducted us to the threshold of night, preserve us +by Thy Christ, afford us a peaceful evening, and a +sinless night, and in the end everlasting life by Thy +Christ, through whom be glory, honor and worship +in the Holy Spirit, for ever, amen.</q><note place="foot">The prayer is given in the <q>Apostolic Constitutions,</q> +viii. 37.</note> After this +prayer Baudillas had been wont in the church to +say, <q>Depart in peace!</q> and to dismiss the faithful. +Now he said, <q>Into Thy hands I commend my +spirit.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Out of that fetid abyss and its horrible darkness +rose the prayer to God, winged with faith, inspired +by fervor sweet with humility, higher than the +soaring lark, higher than the faint cloud that caught +the last rays of the set sun, higher than the remotest +star. +</p> + +<pb n="193"/><anchor id="Pg193"/> + +<p> +Presently a confused sound from above reached +the prisoner, and a spot of orange light fell on the +water below. Then came a voice ringing hollow +down the depth, and echoed by the walls, <q>Thy +food!</q> A slender rope was sent down, to which +was attached a basket that contained bread and a +pitcher of water. Baudillas stepped into the ooze +and took the loaf and the water vessel. +</p> + +<p> +Then the jailer called again: <q>To-morrow morning—if +more be needed—I will bring a second +supply. Send up the empty jar when I lower that +which is full, if thou art in a condition to require it.</q> +He laughed, and the laugh resounded as a bellow in +the vaulted chamber. +</p> + +<p> +Few were the words spoken, and they ungracious. +Yet was the deacon sensible of pleasure at hearing +even a jailer’s voice breaking the dreadful silence. +He waded back to his ledge, ate the dry bread and +drank some of the water. Then he laid himself +down again. Again the door clashed, sending +thunders below, and once more he was alone. +</p> + +<p> +As his hand traveled along the wall it encountered +a hard round knot. He drew his hand away precipitately, +but then, moved by curiosity, groped for +it again. Then he discovered that this seeming +ex<pb n="194"/><anchor id="Pg194"/>crescence was a huge snail, there hibernating. He +dislodged it, threw it from him and it plashed into +the mire. +</p> + +<p> +Time dragged. Not a sound could be heard save +the monotonous drip of some leak above. Baudillas +counted the falling drops, then wearied of +counting, and abandoned the self-imposed task. +</p> + +<p> +Now he heard a far-away rushing sound, then +came a blast of hot vapor blowing in his face. He +started into a sitting posture, and clung to his bench. +In another moment he heard the roar of water that +plunged from above; and a hot steam enveloped him. +What was the signification of this? Was the pit +to be flooded with scalding water and he drowned +in it? In a moment he had found the explanation. +The water was being let off from the public baths. +There would be no more bathers this night. The +tide of tepid water rose nearly level with the ledge +on which he was crouching, and then ebbed away +and rolled forth at the vent through which by day +a pale halo had entered. +</p> + +<p> +Half suffocated, part stupefied by the warm vapor, +Baudillas sank into a condition without thought, his +eyes looking into the blackness above, his ears hearing +without noting the dribble from the drain +<pb n="195"/><anchor id="Pg195"/>through which the flood had spurted. Presently he +was roused by a sense of irritation in every nerve, +and putting his hand to his face plucked away some +hundred-legged creature, clammy and yet hard, that +was creeping over him. It was some time before +his tingling nerves recovered. Then gradually torpor +stole over him, and he was perhaps unconscious +for a couple of hours, when again he was roused by +a sharp pain in his finger, and starting, he heard a +splash, a rush and squeals. At once he knew that +a swarm of rats had invaded the place. He had +been bitten by one; his start had disconcerted the +creatures momentarily, and they had scampered +away. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas remained motionless, save that he trembled; +he was sick at heart. In this awful prison +he dared not sleep, lest he should be devoured +alive. +</p> + +<p> +Was this to be his end—to be kept awake by +horror of the small foes till he could endure the +tension no longer, and then sink down in dead weariness +and blank indifference on his bench, and at once +be assailed from all sides, to feel the teeth, perhaps +to attempt an ineffectual battle, then to be overcome +and to be picked to his bones? +</p> + +<pb n="196"/><anchor id="Pg196"/> + +<p> +As he sat still, hardly breathing, he felt the rats +again. They were rallying, some swimming, some +swarming up on to the shelf. They rushed at him +with the audacity given by hunger, with the confidence +of experience, and the knowledge of their +power when attacking in numbers. +</p> + +<p> +He cried out, beat with his hands, kicked out with +his feet, swept his assailants off him by the score; +yet such as could clung to his garment by their +teeth and, not discomfited, quickly returned. To +escape them he leaped into the mire; he plunged +this way, then that; he returned to the wall; he +attempted to scramble up it beyond their reach, but +in vain. +</p> + +<p> +Wherever he went, they swam after him. He +was unarmed, he could kill none of his assailants; +if he could but decimate the horde it would be +something. Then he remembered the pitcher and +felt for that. By this time he had lost his bearings +wholly. He knew not where he had left the vessel. +But by creeping round the circumference of his +prison, he must eventually reach the spot where he +had previously been seated, and with the earthenware +vessel he would defend himself as long as he +was able. +</p> + +<pb n="197"/><anchor id="Pg197"/> + +<p> +Whilst thus wading, he was aware of a cold +draught blowing in his face, and he knew that he +had reached the opening of the sewer that served +as outfall. He stooped and touched stout iron bars +forming part of a grating. He tested them, and +assured himself that they were so thick set that it +was not possible for him to thrust even his head +between them. +</p> + +<p> +All at once the rats ceased to molest him. They +had retreated, whither he could not guess, and he +knew as little why. Possibly, they were shrewd +enough to know that they had but to exercise +patience, and he must inevitably fall a prey to their +teeth. +</p> + +<p> +Almost immediately, however, he was aware of a +little glow, like that of a spark, and of a sound of +splashing. He was too frightened, too giddy, to +collect his thoughts, so as to discover whence the +light proceeded, and what produced the noise. +</p> + +<p> +Clinging to the grating, Baudillas gazed stupidly +at the light, that grew in brightness, and presently +irradiated a face. This he saw, but he was uncertain +whether he actually did see, or whether he were +a prey to an illusion. +</p> + +<p> +Then the light flashed over him, and his eyes after +<pb n="198"/><anchor id="Pg198"/>a moment recognized the face of his old slave, Pedo. +A hand on the further side grasped one of the +stanchions, and the deacon heard the question, +<q>Master, are you safe?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, Pedo, how have you come into this +place?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Hush, master. Speak only in a whisper. I +have waded up the sewer (<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">cloaca</foreign>), and have brought +with me two stout files. Take this one, and work +at the bar on thy side. I will rasp on the other. In +time we shall cut through the iron, and then thou +wilt be able to escape. When I heard whither thou +hadst been cast, then I saw my way to making an +effort to save thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pedo! I will give thee thy liberty!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Master! it is I who must first manumit thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the slave began to file, and as he filed he +muttered, <q>What is liberty to me? At one time, +indeed! Ah, at one time, when I was young, and +so was Blanda! But now I am old and lame. I +am well treated by a good master. Well, well! +Sir! work at the bar where I indicate with my +finger. That is a transversal stanchion and sustains +the others.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Hope of life returned. The heart of Baudillas +<pb n="199"/><anchor id="Pg199"/>was no longer chilled with fear and his brain stunned +with despair. He worked hard, animated by eagerness +to escape. There was a spring of energy in +the little flame of the lamp, an inspiring force in the +presence of his slave. The bar was thick, but happily +the moisture of the place and the sour exhalations +had corroded it, so that thick flakes of rust fell +off under the tool. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yesterday, nothing could have been done for +you, sir,</q> said Pedo, <q>for the inundation was so +extensive that the sewer was closed with water that +had risen a foot above the opening into the river. +But, thanks be to God, the flood has fallen. Those +who know the sky declare that we shall have a blast +of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">circius</foreign> (the mistral) on us suddenly, and +bitter weather. The early heat has dissolved the +snows over-rapidly and sent the water inundating all +the low land. Now with cold, the snows will not +melt.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pedo,</q> said the deacon, <q>hadst thou not come, +the rats would have devoured me. They hunted +me as a pack of wolves pursue a deer in the Cebennæ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I heard them, master, as I came up the sewer. +There are legions of them. But they fear the light, +<pb n="200"/><anchor id="Pg200"/>and as long as the lamp burns will keep their distance.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pedo,</q> whispered Baudillas again, after a pause, +whilst both worked at the bar. <q>I know not how it +was that when I stood before the duumvir, I did not +betray my Heavenly Master. I was so frightened. +I was as in a dream. They may have thought me +firm, but I was in reality very weak. Another moment, +or one more turn of the rack and I would +have fallen.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Master! God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yes, it is so. I myself am a poor nothing. Oh, +that I had the manhood of Marcianus!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Press against the bar, master. With a little +force it will yield.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Pedo removed the lamp that he had suspended by +a hook from the crossbar. Baudillas threw himself +with his full weight against the grating, and the +stanchion did actually snap under the impact, at the +place where filed. +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is well,</q> said the slave. <q>Thy side of the +bar is also nearly rasped through. Then we must +saw across this upright staff of iron. To my thinking +it is not fastened below.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="201"/><anchor id="Pg201"/> + +<p> +<q>It is not. I have thrust my foot between it +and the paving. Methinks it ends in a spike and +barbs.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>If it please God that we remove the grating, +then thou must follow me, bending low.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Is the distance great?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sixty-four paces of thine; of mine, more, as I +do but hobble.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Hah! this is ill-luck.</q> +</p> + +<p> +With the energy of filing, and owing to the loosened +condition of the bar, the lamp had been displaced, +and it fell from where it had been suspended +and was extinguished in the water. +</p> + +<p> +Both were now plunged in darkness as of Erebus, +and were moreover exposed to danger from the rats. +But perhaps the grating of the files, or the whispers +of the one man to the other, alarmed the suspicious +beasts, and they did not venture to approach. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Press, master! I will pull,</q> said the slave. His +voice quivered with excitement. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas applied his shoulder to the grating, and +Pedo jerked at it sharply. +</p> + +<p> +With a crack it yielded; with a plash it fell into +the water. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Quick, my master—lay hold of my belt and +<pb n="202"/><anchor id="Pg202"/>follow. Bow your head low or you will strike the +roof. We must get forth as speedily as may be.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Pedo! the jailer said that if alive I was to give +a sign on the morrow. He believes that during the +night I will be devoured by rats, as doubtless have +been others.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Those executed in the prison are cast down +there.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Perhaps,</q> said Baudillas, <q>if he meet with no +response in the morning he will conclude that I am +dead, and I do not think he will care to descend and +discover whether it be so.</q> +</p> + +<p> +After a short course through the arched passage, +both stood upright; they were to their breasts in +water, but the water was fresh and pure. Above +their heads was the vault of heaven, not now +spangled with stars but crossed by scudding drifts +of vapor. +</p> + +<p> +Both men scrambled out of the river to the bank, +and then Baudillas extended his arms, and said, with +face turned to the sky: +</p> + +<p> +<q>I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined +unto me, and heard my calling. He hath brought +me also out of the horrible pit, out of the mire and +clay, and hath set my feet upon the rock. And He +<pb n="203"/><anchor id="Pg203"/>hath put a new song in my mouth, even a thanksgiving +unto our God.</q><note place="foot">The casting into the lowest pit of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>—sometimes +termed the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">barathrum</foreign>—was not a rare act of barbarity. Jugurtha +perished in that of the Tullianum in Rome. <q>By +Hercules!</q> said he as he was being lowered into it, <q>your bath +is cold!</q> S. Ferreolus, of Vienne, was plunged into this horrible +place in <hi rend="small">A.D.</hi> 304. He was young, and by diving or by +working at the grating he managed to escape much in the manner +described above. Thus through the sewer he reached the +Rhône, and swam across it. He was, however, recaptured and +taken back to Vienne, where he was decapitated. He is commemorated +in the diocese of Vienne on September 18th, and is +mentioned by Sidonius Apollinaris in the fifth century, and by +Venantius Fortunatus in the sixth. S. Gregory, the illuminator, +was cast into the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">barathrum</foreign> by Tiridates. Theodoret describes +martyrs devoured by rats and mice in Persia (<q>Hist. Eccl.,</q> +v. 39).</note> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="18" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="204"/><anchor id="Pg204"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XVIII. In the Citron-House"/><index index="pdf" level1="XVIII. In the Citron-House"/> +<head>CHAPTER XVIII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">IN THE CITRON-HOUSE</hi></head> + +<p> +Perpetua, at Ad Fines, was a prey to unrest. She +was in alarm for the safety of her mother, and she +was disconcerted at having been smuggled off to the +house of a man who was a stranger, though to him +she owed her life. +</p> + +<p> +The villa was in a lovely situation, with a wide +outstretch of landscape before it to the Rhône, and +beyond to the blue and cloudlike spurs of the Alps; +and the garden was in the freshness of its first spring +beauty. But she was in too great trouble to concern +herself about scenery and flowers. Her thoughts +turned incessantly to her mother. In the embarrassing +situation in which she was—and one that was +liable to become far more embarrassing—she needed +the support and counsel of her mother. +</p> + +<p> +Far rather would she have been in prison at Nemausus, +awaiting a hearing before the magistrate, +and perhaps condemnation to death, than be as at +present in a charming country house, attended by +obsequious servants, provided with every comfort, +<pb n="205"/><anchor id="Pg205"/>yet ignorant why she had been brought there, and +what the trials were to which she would be subjected. +</p> + +<p> +The weather had changed with a suddenness not +infrequent in the province. The warm days were +succeeded by some of raging wind and icy rains. In +fact, the mistral had begun to blow. As the heated +air rose from the stony plains, its place was supplied +by that which was cold from the snowy surfaces of +the Alps, and the downrush was like that to which +we nowadays give the term of blizzard. So violent +is the blast on these occasions that the tillers of the +soil have to hedge round their fields with funereal +cypresses, to form a living screen against a wind that +was said, or fabled, to have blown the cow out of one +pasture into that of another farmer, but which, without +fable, was known to upset ricks and carry away +the roofs of houses. +</p> + +<p> +To a cloudless sky, traversed by a sun of almost +summer brilliancy, succeeded a heaven dark, iron-gray, +with whirling vapors that had no contour, and +which hung low, trailing their dripping skirts over +the shivering landscape. +</p> + +<p> +Trees clashed their boughs. The wood behind +the villa roared like a cataract. In the split ledges +and prongs of limestone, among the box-bushes and +<pb n="206"/><anchor id="Pg206"/>junipers, the wind hissed and screamed. Birds fled +for refuge to the eaves of houses or to holes in the +cliffs. Cattle were brought under shelter. Sheep +crouched dense packed on the lee side of a stone wall. +The very ponds and lagoons were whipped and their +surfaces flayed by the blast. Stones were dislodged +on the mountain slopes, and flung down; pebbles +rolled along the plains, as though lashed forward by +whips. The penetrating cold necessitated the closing +of every shutter, and the heating of the hypocaust +under the house. In towns, in the houses of +the better classes, the windows were glazed with thin +flakes of mica (<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">lapis specularis</foreign>), a transparent stone +brought from Spain and Cappadocia, but in the +country this costly luxury was dispensed with, as the +villas were occupied only in the heat of summer, +when there was no need to exclude the air. The +window openings were closed with shutters. Rooms +were not warmed by fireplaces, with wood fires on +hearths, but by an arrangement beneath the mosaic +and cement floor, where a furnace was kindled, and +the smoke and heated air were carried by numerous +pipes up the walls on all sides, thus producing +a summer heat within when all was winter without. +</p> + +<p> +In the fever of her mind, Perpetua neither felt +<pb n="207"/><anchor id="Pg207"/>the asperity of the weather nor noticed the comfort +of the heated rooms. She was incessantly restless, +was ever running to the window or the door, as often +to be disappointed, in anticipation of meeting her +mother. She was perplexed as to the purpose for +which she had been conveyed to Ad Fines. The +slave woman, Blanda, who attended her, was unable +or unwilling to give her information. All she pretended +to know was that orders had been issued by +Callipodius, friend and client of Æmilius Lentulus, +her master, that the young lady was to be made comfortable, +was to be supplied with whatever she required, +and was on no account to be suffered to leave +the grounds. The family was strictly enjoined not +to mention to any one her presence in the villa, +under pain of severe chastisement. +</p> + +<p> +Blanda was kind and considerate, and had less of +the fawning dog in her manner than was customary +among slaves. It was never possible, even for +masters, to trust the word of their servants; consequently +Perpetua, who knew what slaves were, +placed little reliance on the asseverations of ignorance +that fell from the lips of Blanda. There was, +in the conversation of Blanda, that which the woman +intended to reassure, but which actually heightened +<pb n="208"/><anchor id="Pg208"/>the uneasiness of the girl—this was the way in which +the woman harped continually on the good looks, +amiability and wealth of her master, who, as she +insisted, belonged to the Voltinian tribe, and was +therefore one of the best connected and highest +placed in the colony. +</p> + +<p> +The knowledge that she had been removed to Ad +Fines to insure her safety did not satisfy Perpetua; +and she was by no means assured that she had thus +been carried off with the approbation and knowledge +of her mother, or of the bishop and principal Christians +of her acquaintance in Nemausus. Of Æmilius +Varo she really knew nothing save that he was +a man of pleasure and a lawyer. +</p> + +<p> +Adjoining the house was a conservatory. Citron +trees and oleanders in large green-painted boxes were +employed in summer to decorate the terrace and +gardens. They were allowed to be out in mild +winters, but directly the mistral began to howl, the +men-servants of the house had hurriedly conveyed +them within doors into the conservatory, as the gale +would strip them of their fruit, bruise the leaves and +injure the flowers. +</p> + +<p> +In her trouble of mind, unable to go abroad in +the bitter weather, impatient of quiet, Perpetua +<pb n="209"/><anchor id="Pg209"/>entered the citron-house and walked among the trees +in their green tubs, now praying for help, then +wiping the drops from her eyes and brow. +</p> + +<p> +As she thus paced, she heard a stir in the house, +the opening of doors, the rush of wind driving +through it, the banging of valves and rattle of shutters. +Then she heard voices, and among them one +that was imperious. A moment later, Blanda ran to +Perpetua, and after making a low obeisance said: +<q>The master is come. He desires permission to +speak with you, lady, when he hath had his bath +and hath assumed a change of raiment. For by the +mother goddesses, no one can be many moments +without and not be drenched to the bone. And this +exhibits the master’s regard for thee, lady; his extreme +devotion to your person and regard for your +comfort, that he has exposed himself to cold and +rain and wind so as to come hither to inquire if you +are well, and if there be aught you desire that he +can perform to content you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +What was Perpetua to do? She plucked some +citron blossoms in her nervous agitation, unknowing +what she did, then answered timidly: <q>I am in the +house of the noble Æmilius. Let him speak with +me here when it suits his convenience. Yet stay, +<pb n="210"/><anchor id="Pg210"/>Blanda! Inquire at once, whether he brings me +tidings of my dear mother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The slave hasted away, and returned directly to +inform Perpetua that her master was grieved to +relate that he was unable to give her the desired +information, but that he only awaited instructions +from Perpetua to take measures to satisfy her. +</p> + +<p> +Then the girl was left alone, and in greater agitation +than before. She walked among the evergreens, +putting the citron flowers to her nose, plucking +off the leaves, pressing her hand to her brow, +and wiping her distilling eyes. +</p> + +<p> +The conservatory was unglazed. It was furnished +with shutters in which were small openings like +those in fiddles. Consequently a twilight reigned +in the place; what light entered was colorless, and +without brilliancy. Through the openings could be +seen the whirling vapors; through them also the +rain spluttered in, and the wind sighed a plaintive +strain, now and then rising to a scream. +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua still held the little bunch of citron in +her hand; she was as unaware that she held it as +that she had plucked it. Her mind was otherwise +engaged, and her nervous fingers must needs clasp +something. +</p> + +<pb n="211"/><anchor id="Pg211"/> + +<p> +As she thus walked, fearing the appearance of +Æmilius, and yet desirous of having a term put to +her suspense, she heard steps, and in another +moment the young lawyer stood before her. He +bowed with hands extended, and with courtly consideration +would not draw near. Aware that she +was shy or frightened, he said: <q>I have to ask your +pardon, young lady, for this intrusion on your privacy, +above all for your abduction to this house of +mine. It was done without my having been consulted, +but was done with good intent, by a friend, +to place you out of danger. I had no part in the +matter; nevertheless I rejoice that my house has had +the honor of serving you as a refuge from such as +seek your destruction.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I thank you,</q> answered the girl constrainedly. +<q>I owe you a word of acknowledgment of my lively +gratitude for having rescued me from the fountain, +and another for affording me shelter here. But if I +may be allowed to ask a favor, it is that my mother +be restored to me, or me to my mother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Alas, lady,</q> said Æmilius, <q>I have no knowledge +where she is. I myself have been in concealment—for +the rabble has been incensed against me +for what I was privileged to do, at the Nemausean +<pb n="212"/><anchor id="Pg212"/>basin, unworthy that I was. I have not since ventured +into the town; not that I believe the rabble +would dare attempt violence against me, but I do +not think it wise to allow them the chance. I sent +my good, blundering friend Callipodius to inquire +what had become of you, as I was anxious lest you +should again be in peril of your life; and he—Callipodius—seeing +what a ferment there was in the +town, and how determined the priesthood was to get +you once more into its power, he consulted his +mother wit, and had you conveyed to my country +house. Believe me, lady, he was actuated by a +sincere wish to do you service. If he had but taken +the Lady Quincta away as well, and lodged her here +along with you, I would not have a word of reproach +for him, nor entertain a feeling of guilt in your +eyes.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My mother was in the first litter.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That litter did not pass out of the gates of Nemausus. +Callipodius was concerned for your safety, +as he knew that it was you who were menaced and +not your mother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But it is painful for me to be away from my +mother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Lady! you are safer separated from her. If she +<pb n="213"/><anchor id="Pg213"/>be, as I presume, still in the town, then those who +pursue you will prowl about where she is, little supposing +that you are elsewhere, and the secret of your +hiding-place cannot be wrung from her if she does +not herself know it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I concern myself little about my life,</q> said Perpetua. +<q>But, to be alone here, away from her, from +every relation, in a strange house——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know what you would say, or rather what you +feel and do not like to say. I have a proposal to +make to you which will relieve your difficulty if it +commends itself to you. It will secure your union +with your mother, and prevent anything being +spoken as to your having been concealed here that +may offend your honorable feelings.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua said nothing. She plucked at the petals +of the citron flower and strewed them on the marble +pavement. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You have been brought to this house, and happily +none know that you are here, save my client, +Callipodius, and myself. But what I desire to say is +this. Give me a right to make this your refuge, +and me a right to protect you. If I be not distasteful +to you, permit this. I place myself unreservedly +in your hands. I love you, but my respect for +<pb n="214"/><anchor id="Pg214"/>you equals my love. I am rich and enjoy a good +position. I have nothing I can wish for but to be +authorized by you to be your defender against every +enemy. Be my wife, and not all the fools and +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamines</foreign> of the province can touch a hair of your +head.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The tears welled into Perpetua’s eyes. She looked +at the young man, who stood before her with such +dignity and gentleness of demeanor. He seemed to +her to be as noble, as good as a heathen well could +be. He felt for her delicate position; he had risked +his life and fortunes to save her. He had roused the +powerful religious faction of his native city against +him, and he was now extending his protection over +her against the priesthood and the mob of Nemausus. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know,</q> pursued Æmilius, <q>that I am not +worthy of one such as yourself. I offer myself because +I see no other certain means of making you +secure, save by your suffering me to be your legitimate +defender. If your mother will consent, and I +am so happy as to have yours, then we will hurry +on the rites which shall make us one, and not a +tongue can stir against you and not a hand be lifted +to pluck you from my side.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua dropped the flower, now petalless. She +<pb n="215"/><anchor id="Pg215"/>could not speak. He respected her emotions, and +continued to address her. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am confident that I can appease the excitement +among the people and the priests, and those +attached to the worship of the divine ancestor. +They will not dare to push matters to extremities. +The sacrifice has been illegal all along, but winked +at by the magistrates because a custom handed down +with the sanction of antiquity. But a resolute protest +made—if need be an appeal to Cæsar—and the +priesthood are paralyzed. Consider also that as my +wife they could no longer demand you. Their hold +on you would be done for, as none but an unmarried +maid may be sacrificed. The very utmost they can +require in their anger and disappointment will be +that you should publicly sprinkle a few grains of +incense on the altar of Nemausus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot do that. I am a Christian.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Believe what you will. Laugh at the gods as +do I and many another. A few crumbs of frankincense, +a little puff of smoke that is soon sped.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It may not be.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Remain a Christian, adhere to its philosophy +or revelation, as Castor calls it. Attend its orgies, +and be the protectress of your fellow-believers.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="216"/><anchor id="Pg216"/> + +<p> +<q>None the less, I cannot do it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But why not?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot be false to Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What falsehood is there in this?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is a denial of Him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Bah! He died two hundred years ago.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He lives, He is ever present, He sees and knows +all.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Well, then He will not look harshly on a girl +who acts thus to save her life.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I should be false to myself as well as to Him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot understand this——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, because you do not know and love Him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Love Him!</q> echoed Æmilius, <q>He is dead. +You never saw Him at any time. It is impossible +for any one to love one invisible, unseen, a mere +historical character. See, we have all over Gallia +Narbonensis thousands of Augustals; they form a +sect, if you will. All their worship is of Augustus +Cæsar, who died before your Christ. Do you suppose +that one among those thousands loves him +whom they worship, and after whom they are +named, and who is their bond of connection? No—it +is impossible. It cannot be.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But with us, to know is to love. Christ is the +<pb n="217"/><anchor id="Pg217"/>power of God, and we love Him because He first +loved us.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Riddles, riddles!</q> said Æmilius, shaking his +head. +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is a riddle that may be solved to you some +day. I would give my life that it were.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You would?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye, and with joy. You risked your life for +me. I would give mine to win for you——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Faith. Having that you would know how to +love.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="19" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="218"/><anchor id="Pg218"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XIX. Marcianus"/><index index="pdf" level1="XIX. Marcianus"/> +<head>CHAPTER XIX<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">MARCIANUS</hi></head> + +<p> +When the deacon Baudillas and his faithful Pedo +emerged from the river, and stood on the bank, they +were aware how icy was the blast that blew, for it +pierced their sodden garments and froze the marrow +in their bones. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Master,</q> said Pedo, <q>this is the beginning of a +storm that will last for a week; you must get under +shelter, and I will give you certain garments I have +provided and have concealed hard by in a kiln. +The gates of the town are shut. I have no need to +inform you that we are without the city walls.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Pedo guided the deacon to the place where he had +hidden a bundle of garments, and which was not a +bowshot distant from the mouth of the sewer. The +kiln was small; it had happily been in recent use, +for it was still warm, and the radiation was grateful +to Baudillas, whose teeth were chattering in his +head. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I have put here bread and meat, and a small skin +of wine,</q> said the slave. <q>I advise you, master, to +<pb n="219"/><anchor id="Pg219"/>make a meal; you will relish your food better here +than in the black-hole. Whilst we eat we consume +time likewise; but the dawn is returning, and with +it the gates will be opened and we shall slip in among +the market people. But, tell me, whither will you +go?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I would desire, were it advisable, to revisit my +own house,</q> said the deacon doubtfully. +</p> + +<p> +<q>And I would advise you to keep clear of it,</q> +said the slave. <q>Should the jailer discover that +you have escaped, then at once search will be made +for you, and, to a certainty it will begin at your +habitation.</q> Then, with a dry laugh, he added, +<q>And if it be found that I have assisted in your +evasion, then there will be one more likely to give +sport to the people at the forthcoming show. Grant +me the wild beasts and not the cross.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I will not bring thee into danger, faithful +friend.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot run away on my lame legs,</q> said Pedo. +<q>Ah! as to those shows. They are to wind up with +a water-fight—such is the announcement. There +will be gladiators from Arelate sent over to contend +in boats against a fleet of our Nemausean ruffians. +On the previous day there will be sport with wild +<pb n="220"/><anchor id="Pg220"/>beasts. I am told that there have been wolves +trapped during the winter in the Cebennæ, and sent +down here, where they are retained fasting. I have +heard their howls at night and they have disturbed +my sleep—their howls and the aches in my thigh. +I knew the weather would change by the pains in +my joint. There is a man named Amphilochius, a +manumitted slave, who broke into and robbed the +villa of the master who had freed him. He is a +Greek of Iconium, and the public are promised that +he shall be cast to the beasts; but whether to the +panthers, or the wolves, or bear, or given to be gored +by a bull, that I know not. Then there is a taverner +from somewhere on the way to Ugernum, who for +years has murdered such of his guests as he esteemed +well furnished with money, and has thrown their +carcasses into the river. He will fight the beasts. +There is a bear from Larsacus; but they tell me he +is dull, has not yet shaken off his winter sleep, and +the people fear they will get small entertainment +out of him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You speak of these scenes with relish.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah! master, before I was regenerate I dearly +loved the spectacles. But the contest with bulls! +That discovers the agility of a man. Falerius +<pb n="221"/><anchor id="Pg221"/>Volupius Servilianus placed rosettes between their +horns and gave a prize to any who would pluck +them away. That was open to be contested for by +all the youths of Nemausus. There was little danger +to life or limb, and it taught them to be quick of +eye and nimble in movement. But it was because +none were gored that the spectators wearied of these +innocent sports and clamored for the butchery of +criminals and the contests of gladiators. There was +a fine Numidian lion brought by a shipmaster to +Agatha; a big price was asked, and the citizens of +Narbo outbid us, so we lost that fine fellow.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah, Pedo! please God that none of the brethren +be exposed to the beasts.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I think there will not be many. The Quatuor-viri +are slow to condemn, and Petronius Atacinus +most unwilling of all. There are real criminals +in the prison sufficient to satisfy an ordinary appetite +for blood. But, see! we are discussing the amphitheater +and not considering whither thou wilt betake +thyself.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I have been turning the matter over, and I +think that I will go first to Marcianus, my brother-deacon, +and report myself to be alive and free, that +he may inform the bishop; and I will take his advice +<pb n="222"/><anchor id="Pg222"/>as to my future conduct, and where I shall bestow +myself.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He has remained unmolested,</q> said the slave, +<q>and that is to me passing strange, for I have been +told that certain of the brethren, when questioned +relative to the mutilation of the statue, have accused +him by name. Yet, so far, nothing has been done. +Yet I think his house is watched; I have noticed one +Burrhus hanging about it; and Tarsius, they say, +has turned informer. See, master! the darkness is +passing away; already there is a wan light in the +east.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Had the mouth of the kiln been turned to the +setting in place of the rising sun, we should not have +felt the wind so greatly. Well, Pedo, we will be on +the move. Market people from the country will be +at the gates. I will consult with Marcianus before +I do aught.</q> +</p> + +<p> +An hour later, Baudillas and his attendant were at +the gate of Augustus, and passed in unchallenged. +Owing to the furious mistral, accompanied by driving +rain, the guards muffled themselves in their +cloaks and paid little attention to the peasants bringing +in their poultry, fish and vegetables for sale. +The deacon and his slave entered unnoticed along +<pb n="223"/><anchor id="Pg223"/>with a party of these. In the street leading to the +forum was a knot of people about an angry potter +whose stall had been blown over by the wind. He +had set boards on trestles, and laid out basins, +pitchers, lamps, urns on the planks; over all he had +stretched sail-cloth. The wind had caught the awning +and beaten it down, upsetting and crushing his +ware. The potter was swearing that he was ruined, +and that his disaster was due to the Christians, who +had exasperated the gods by their crimes and impieties. +</p> + +<p> +Some looking on laughed and asked, shouting, +whether the gods did not blow as strong blasts out +of their lungs every year about the same time, and +whether they did so because annually insulted. +</p> + +<p> +<q>But they don’t break my crocks,</q> stormed the +potter. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Charge double for what remain unfractured,</q> +joked an onlooker. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come, master,</q> said Pedo, plucking Baudillas +by the sleeve. <q>If that angry fellow recognize +you, you are lost. Hold my cloak and turn down +the lane, then we are at the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">posticum</foreign>, at the back of +the house. I know some of the family, and they +will admit us.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="224"/><anchor id="Pg224"/> + +<p> +Near by was a shop for flowers. Over the shop +front was the inscription, <q>Non vendo nisi amantibus +coronas</q> (<q>I sell garlands to lovers only</q>).<note place="foot">This sign is now in the museum.</note> +The woman in charge of the bunches and crowns +of spring flowers looked questioningly at Baudillas. +Her wares were such as invited only when the sun +shone. The poor flowers had a draggled and desponding +appearance. No lovers came to buy in the +bitter mistral. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come, master, we shall be recognized,</q> said +Pedo. +</p> + +<p> +In another moment they had passed out of the +huffle of the wind and the drift of the rain into the +shelter and warmth of a dwelling. +</p> + +<p> +Pedo bade a slave go to Marcianus and tell the +deacon that someone below desired a word with +him. Almost immediately the man returned with +orders to conduct the visitor to the presence of the +master. +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas was led along a narrow passage into a +chamber in the inner part of the house, away from +the apartments for the reception of guests. +</p> + +<p> +The room was warmed. It was small, and had a +glazed window; that is to say, the opening was closed +<pb n="225"/><anchor id="Pg225"/>by a sheet of stalagmite from one of the caves of +Larsacus, cut thin. +</p> + +<p> +In this chamber, seated on an easy couch, with +a roll in his hand, which he was studying, was +Marcianus. His countenance was hard and haughty. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You!</q> he exclaimed, starting with surprise. +<q>What brings you here? I heard that you had +been before the magistrate and had confessed. But, +bah! of such as you martyrs are not made. You +have betrayed us and got off clear yourself.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You mistake, brother,</q> answered Baudillas, +modestly. <q>In one thing are you right—I am not +of the stuff out of which martyrs and confessors +are fashioned. But I betrayed no one. Not that +there is any merit due to me for that. I was in such +a dire and paralyzing fright that I could not speak.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>How then come you here?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>As we read that the Lord sent His angel to +deliver Peter from prison, so has it been with me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You lie!</q> said Marcianus angrily. <q>No miracle +was wrought for you—for such as you who shiver +and quake and lose power of speech! Bah! Come, +give me a more rational explanation of your escape.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My slave was the angel who delivered me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>So you ran away! Could not endure +martyr<pb n="226"/><anchor id="Pg226"/>dom, saw the crown shining, and turned tail and +used your legs. I can well believe it. Coward! +Unworthy of the name of a Christian, undeserving +of the cross marked on thy brow, unbecoming of the +ministry.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know that surely enough,</q> said Baudillas; <q>I +am of timorous stuff, and from childhood feared +pain. But I have not denied Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>What has brought you here?</q> asked Marcianus +curtly. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I have come to thee for counsel.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The counsel I give thou wilt not take. What +saith the Scripture: <q>He that putteth his hand to +the plough and turneth back is not fit for the kingdom +of God.</q> Thou wast called to a glorious confession, +and looked back and ran away.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And thy counsel?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Return and surrender, and win the crown and +palm. But it is waste of breath to say such words +to thee. I know thee. Wast thou subjected to +torture?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, brother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No; not the rack, nor the torches, nor the hooks, +nor the thumbscrews. Oh, none of these!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, brother. It is true, I was scarce tried at +<pb n="227"/><anchor id="Pg227"/>all. Indeed, it was good luck—God forgive me!—it +was through His mercy that I was saved from +denying the faith. I was not even asked to sacrifice.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Well; go thy ways. I cannot advise thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Stay,</q> said Baudillas. <q>I saw in the outer +prison some of the faithful, but was in too great fear +to recognize any. Who have been taken?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The last secured has been the widow Quincta. +The pontiff and the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign> Augustalis and the priestess +of Nemausus swear that she shall be put on the +rack and tortured till she reveals where her daughter +is concealed, and that amiable drone, the acting +magistrate, has given consent. Dost thou know +where the damsel Perpetua is concealed?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Indeed, Marcianus, I know not. But tell me: +hast thou not been inquired for? I have been told +how that some have accused thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Me! Who said that?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Marcianus started, and his face worked. <q>Bah! +they dare not touch me. I belong to the Falerii; +we have had magistrates in our family, and one +clothed with the pro-consulship. They will not +venture to lay hands on me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But what if they know, and it is known through +<pb n="228"/><anchor id="Pg228"/>the town, that it was thou who didst mutilate the +statue of the founder?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>They do not know it.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, thou deceivest thyself. It is known. +Some of those who were at the Agape have spoken.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It was thou—dog that thou art!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, it was not I.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Marcianus rose and strode up and down the room, +biting his nails. Then, contemptuously, he said: +<q>My family will stand between me and mob or +magistrate. I fear not. But get thee gone. Thou +compromisest me by thy presence, thou runagate +and jail-breaker.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I came here but to notify my escape and to ask +counsel of thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Get thee gone. Fly out of Nemausus, or thy +chattering tongue will be set going and reveal everything +that ought to be kept secret.</q> Then taking +a turn he added to himself, <q>I belong to the Falerii.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas left; and, as he went from the door, +Pedo whispered in his ear: <q>Let us escape to Ad +Fines. We can do so in this detestable weather. +I have an old friend there, named Blanda. In my +youth I loved—ah! welladay! that was long ago—and +we were the chattels of different masters, so it +<pb n="229"/><anchor id="Pg229"/>came to naught. She is still a slave, but she may be +able to assist us. I can be sure of that; for the +remembrance of our old affection, she will do what +lies in her power to secrete us.</q> +</p> + +<p> +He suddenly checked himself, plucked the deacon +back, and drew him against the wall. +</p> + +<p> +An ædile, attended by a body of the city police, +armed like soldiers, advanced and silently surrounded +the house of Marcianus. +</p> + +<p> +Then the officer struck the door thrice, and called: +<q>By the authority of Petronius Atacinus and Vibius +Fuscianus, Quatuor-viri juridicundo, and in the +name of the Imperator Cæsar Augustus, Marcus +Aurelius Antoninus, I arrest Cneius Falerius Marcianus, +on the atrocious charge of sacrilege.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="20" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="230"/><anchor id="Pg230"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XX. In the Basilica"/><index index="pdf" level1="XX. In the Basilica"/> +<head>CHAPTER XX<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">IN THE BASILICA</hi></head> + +<p> +The Quatuorvir Petronius Atacinus, who was on +duty, occupied his chair in the stately Plotinian +Basilica, or court of justice, that had been erected +by Hadrian, in honor of the lady to whose ingenious +and unscrupulous maneuvers he owed his elevation +to the throne of the Cæsars. Of this magnificent +structure nothing remains at present save some +scraps of the frieze in the museum. +</p> + +<p> +When the weather permitted, Petronius or his +colleagues liked to hear a case in the open air, from +a tribune in the forum. But this was impossible +to-day, in the howling wind and lashing rain. The +court itself was comparatively deserted. A very few +had assembled to hear the trials. None who had a +warmed home that day left it uncalled for. Some +market women set their baskets in the doorway and +stepped inside, but it was rather because they were +wet and out of breath than because they were interested +in the proceedings. Beside the magistrate sat +the chief <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">pontifex</foreign> who was also Augustal <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign>. +<pb n="231"/><anchor id="Pg231"/>Of <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">pontifices</foreign> there were three in the city, but one +of these was a woman, the priestess of Nemausus. +</p> + +<p> +Throughout the south of Gaul the worship of +Augustus had become predominant, and had displaced +most of the ancestral cults. The temples +dedicated to Augustus exceeded in richness all +others, and were crowded when the rest were +deserted. +</p> + +<p> +Jupiter was only not forgotten because he had +borrowed some of the attributes of the Gallic solar +deity, and he flourished the golden wheel in one +hand and brandished the lightnings in the other. +Juno had lent her name to a whole series of familiar +spirits of the mountains and of the household, closely +allied to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Proxumes</foreign>, a set of domestic Brownies +or Kobolds, who were chiefly adored and propitiated +by the women, and who had no other temple than +the hearth. At Tarasconum, the Phœnician goddess +Britomartis reigned supreme, and her worship +was stimulated by a grand annual procession and +dramatic representation of her conquest over a +dragon. At Nemausus the corresponding god of +war was called Mars Britovius. But the Volcæ +Arecomici were a peaceably-disposed people, and +paid little devotion to the god of battles. The cult +<pb n="232"/><anchor id="Pg232"/>of the founder Nemausus did not flag, but that +of Augustus was in the ascendant. All the freedmen +were united in one great sodality under his +invocation, and this guild represented an important +political factor in the land. It had its religious +officers, its <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamines</foreign> and <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">seviri</foreign>, attended by lictors, +and the latter had charge of all the altars at the crossroads, +and sat next to the civic functionaries in the +courts, at banquets, in the theater. Rich citizens +bequeathed large sums to the town and to the sodalities +to be expended in public feasts, in largesses, +and in gladiatorial shows. The charge of these +bequests, as also their distribution, was in the hands +of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamines</foreign> and <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">seviri</foreign>. The priesthood was, +therefore, provided with the most powerful of all +means for gaining and moving the multitude, which +desired nothing better than bread and games. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Have that door shut!</q> called the magistrate. +<q>It bangs in this evil wind, and I cannot even hear +what my excellent friend Lucius Smerius is saying +in my ear; how then can I catch what is said in +court?</q> Then, turning to the pontiff, he said: <q>I +detest this weather. Last year, about this time, I +was struck with an evil blast, and lost all sense of +smell and taste for nine months. I had pains in +<pb n="233"/><anchor id="Pg233"/>my loins and an ache in all my bones. I doubt if +even the jests of Baubo could have made me laugh; +I was in lower dumps than even Ceres. Even now, +when seated far too long in this marble chair, I get +an ache across my back that assures me I am no +longer young. But I could endure that if my sense +of taste had been fully restored. I do not relish +good wine as of old, and that is piteous, and I really +at times think of suicide.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It was the work of enchantment,</q> said the pontiff. +<q>These Christians, in their orgies, stick pins +into images to produce pains in those the figures +represent.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>How do you know this? Have you been initiated +into their mysteries?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I——! The Immortals preserve me therefrom.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then, by Pluto, you speak what you have heard +of the gossips—old wives’ babble. I will tell you +what my opinion is, Smerius. If you were to thrust +your nose into the mysteries of the Bona Dea you +would find—what? No more than did Clodius—nothing +at all. My wife, she attends them, and +comes home with her noddle full of all the tittle-tattle +of Nemausus. It is so with the Christian +<pb n="234"/><anchor id="Pg234"/>orgies. I would not give a snap of the fingers for +all the secrets confided to the initiated—neither in +Eleusis nor in the Serapium, nor among the Christians.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>These men are not like others; they are unsociable, +brutish, arrogant.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Unsociable I allow. Brutish! The word is inapt; +for, on the contrary, I find them very simple, +soft-headed, pulp-hearted folk. They abstain from +all that is boisterous and cruel. Arrogant they may +be. There I am at one with you. <q>Live and let +live</q> is my maxim. We have a score of gods, home +made and foreign, and they all rub and tumble +together without squabbling. Of late we have had +Madame Isis over from Egypt, and the White +Ladies,<note place="foot">Fairies, adored at Nemausus.</note> and the Proxumes, Victoria Augusta, +Venus, and Minerva, make room for her without +even a frown on their divine faces. And imperial +Rome sanctions all these devotions. Why, did not +the god Augustus build a temple here to Nemausus +and pay him divine honors, though he had never +heard him named before? Now this Christian sect +is exclusive. It will suffer no gods to stand beside +Him whom they adore. He must reign alone. +<pb n="235"/><anchor id="Pg235"/>That I call illiberal, narrow-minded, against the +spirit of the age and the principle of Roman policy. +That is the reason why I dislike these Christians.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Here come the prisoners. My good friend, do +not be too easy with them. It will not do. The +temper of the people is up. The sodality of Augustus +swear that they will not decree you a statue, and +will oppose your nomination to the knighthood. +They have joined hands with the Cultores Nemausi, +and insist that proper retribution be administered to +the transgressors, and that the girl be surrendered.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It shall be done; it shall be so,</q> said the Quatuorvir. +Then, raising his hand to his mouth, and speaking +behind it—not that in the roar of the wind such +a precaution was necessary—he said to the pontiff: +<q>My dear man, a magistrate has other matters to +consider than pleasing the clubs. There is the +prince over all, and he is on the way to Narbonese +Gaul. It is whispered that he is favorably disposed +towards this Nazarene sect.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>The Augustus would not desire to have the laws +set at naught, and the sodalities are rich enough to +pay to get access to him and make their complaint.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Well, well, well! I cannot please all. I have to +steer my course among shoals and rocks. Keep the +<pb n="236"/><anchor id="Pg236"/>question of Christianity in the background and +charge on other grounds. That is my line. I will +do my best to please all parties. We must have +sport for the games. The rabble desire to have some +one punished for spoiling their pet image. But, +by the Twins, could not the poor god hold his own +head on his shoulders? If he had been worth an as, +he would have done so. But there, I nettle you. +You shall be satisfied along with the rest. Bring up +the prisoners: Quincta, widow of Aulus Harpinius +Læto, first of all.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The mother of Perpetua was led forward in a condition +of terror that rendered her almost unconscious, +and unable to sustain herself. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Quincta,</q> said the magistrate, <q>have no fear for +yourself. I have no desire to deal sharply with you; +if you will inform us where is your daughter, you +shall be dismissed forthwith.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not know——</q> The poor woman could +say no more. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Give her a seat,</q> ordered Petronius. Then to +the prisoner: <q>Compose yourself. No doubt that, +as a mother, you desire to screen your daughter, supposing +that her life is menaced. No such thing, +madame. I have spoken with the priestess, and with +<pb n="237"/><anchor id="Pg237"/>my good friend here, Lucius Smerius, chief pontiff, +Augustal <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign>, and public haruspex.</q> He bowed +to the priest at his side. <q>I am assured that the +god, when he spoke, made no demand for a sacrifice. +That is commuted. All he desires is that the young +virgin should pass into his service, and be numbered +among his priestesses.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She will not consent,</q> gasped Quincta. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I hardly need to point out the honor and advantage +offered her. The priestesses enjoy great favor +with the people, have seats of honor at the theater, +take a high position in all public ceremonies, and are +maintained by rich endowments.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She will never consent,</q> repeated the mother. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Of that we shall judge for ourselves. Where +is the girl?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I do not know.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>How so?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>She has been carried away from me; I know +not whither.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>When the old ewe baas the lamb will bleat,</q> +said the Quatuorvir. <q>We shall find the means to +make you produce her. Lady Quincta, my duty +compels me to send you back to prison. You shall +be allowed two days’ respite. Unless, by the end of +<pb n="238"/><anchor id="Pg238"/>that time, you are able and willing to give us the +requisite information, you will be put to the question, +and I doubt not that a turn of the rack will +refresh your memory and relax your tongue.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot tell what I do not know.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Remove the woman.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The magistrate leaned back, and turning his head +to the pontiff, said: <q>Did not your worthy father, +Spurius, die of a surfeit of octopus? I had a supper +off the legs last night, and they made me sleep badly; +they are no better than marine leather.</q> Then to +the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">vigiles</foreign>: <q>Bring forward Falerius Marcianus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon was conducted before the magistrate. +He was pale, and his lips ashen and compressed. His +dark eyes turned in every direction. He was looking +for kinsmen and patron. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are charged, Falerius, with having broken +the image of the god whom Nemausus delights to +honor, and who is the reputed founder of the city. +You conveyed his head to the house of Baudillas, +and several witnesses have deposed that you made +boast that you had committed the sacrilegious act +of defacing the statue. What answer make you to +this?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Marcianus replied in a low voice. +</p> + +<pb n="239"/><anchor id="Pg239"/> + +<p> +<q>Speak up,</q> said the magistrate; <q>I cannot hear +thee, the wind blusters and bellows so loud.</q> Aside +to the pontiff Smerius he added: <q>And ever since +that evil blast you wot of, I have suffered from a +singing in my ears.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I did it,</q> said the deacon. Again he looked +about him, but saw none to support him. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then,</q> said the magistrate, <q>we shall at once +conclude this matter. The outrage is too gross to +be condoned or lightly punished. Even thy friends +and kinsfolk have not appeared to speak for thee. +Thy family has been one of dignity and authority +in Nemausus. There have been members who have +been clothed with the Quatuorvirate <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">de aerario</foreign> +and have been accorded the use of a horse at public +charge. Several have been decurions wearing the +white toga and the purple stripe. This aggravates +the impiety of your act. I sentence Cneius Falerius +Marcianus, son of Marius Audolatius, of the Voltinian +tribe, to be thrown to the beasts in the approaching +show, and that his goods be confiscated, +and that out of his property restitution be made, by +which a new statue to the god Nemausus be provided, +to be set up in the place of that injured by +the same Cneius Falerius Marcianus.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="240"/><anchor id="Pg240"/> + +<p> +The deacon made an attempt to speak. He +seemed overwhelmed with astonishment and dismay +at the sentence, so utterly unexpected in its severity. +He gesticulated and cried out, but the Quatuorvir +was cold and weary. He had pronounced a sentence +that would startle all the town, and he thought he +had done enough. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Remove him at once,</q> said he. +</p> + +<p> +Then Petronius turned to the pontiff and said: +<q>Now, my Smerius, what say you to this? Will not +this content you and all the noisy rag-tag at your +back?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Next he commanded the rest of the prisoners to be +brought forward together. This was a mixed number +of poor persons, some women, some old men, +boys, slaves and freedmen; none belonged to the +upper class or even to that of the manufacturers and +tradesmen. +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are all dismissed,</q> said the magistrate. +<q>The imprisonment you have undergone will serve +as a warning to you not to associate with image-breakers, +not to enter into sodalities which have not +received the sanction of Cæsar, and which are not +compatible with the well-being and quiet of the city +and are an element of disturbance in the empire. Let +<pb n="241"/><anchor id="Pg241"/>us hear no more of this pestilent nonsense. Go—worship +what god ye will—only not Christos.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then the lictors gathered around the Quatuorvir +and the pontiff, who also rose, and extended his hand +to assist the magistrate, who made wry faces as +rheumatic twinges nipped his back. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come with me, Smerius,</q> said the Quatuorvir, +<q>I have done the best for you that lay in my power. +I hate unnecessary harshness. But this fellow, +Falerius Marcianus, has deserved the worst. If the +old woman be put on the rack and squeak out, and +Marcianus be devoured by beasts, the people will +have their amusement, and none can say that I have +acted with excessive rigor—and, my dear man—not +a word has been said about Christianity. The +cases have been tried on other counts, do you see?</q> +he winked. <q>Will you breakfast with me? There +are mullets from the Satera, stewed in white wine—confound +those octopi!—I feel them still.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="21" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="242"/><anchor id="Pg242"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XXI. A Manumission"/><index index="pdf" level1="XXI. A Manumission"/> +<head>CHAPTER XXI<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">A MANUMISSION</hi></head> + +<p> +<q>Blanda, what shall I do?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius had withdrawn immediately after the +interview in the citron-house, and Perpetua was +left a prey to even greater distress of mind than +before. +</p> + +<p> +Accustomed to lean on her mother, she was now +without support. She drew towards the female +slave, who had a patient, gentle face, marked with +suffering. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Blanda, what shall I do?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Mistress, how can I advise? If you had been +graciously pleased to take counsel of my master, he +would have instructed you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Alack! what I desire is to find my mother. If, +as I suppose, she is in concealment in Nemausus, +he will be unable to discover her. No clue will be +put into his hand. He will be regarded with suspicion. +He will search; I do not doubt his good +will, but he will not find. Those who know where +my mother is will look on him with suspicion. O +<pb n="243"/><anchor id="Pg243"/>Blanda, is there none in this house who believes, +whom I could send to some of the Church?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Lady,</q> answered the slave, <q>there be no Christians +here. There is a Jew, but he entertains a deadly +hate of such as profess to belong to this sect. To the +rest one religion is as indifferent as another. Some +swear by the White Ladies, some by Serapis, and +there is one who talks much of Mithras, but who +this god is I know not.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>If I am to obtain information it must be through +some one who is to be trusted.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Lady,</q> said the woman-slave, <q>the master has +given strict orders that none shall speak of you as +having found a shelter here. Yet when slaves get +together, by the Juno of the oaks, I believe men +chatter and are greater magpies than we women; +their tongues run away with them, especially when +they taste wine. If one of the family were sent +on this commission into the town, ten <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">sesterces</foreign> to +an <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">as</foreign>, he would tell that you are here, and would +return as owlish and ignorant as when he went forth. +Men’s minds are cudgels, not awls. If thou desirest +to find out a thing, trust a woman, not a man.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot rest till I have news.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There has been a great search made after +<pb n="244"/><anchor id="Pg244"/>Christians, and doubtless she is, as thou sayest, in +concealment, surely among friends. Have patience.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>But, Blanda, she is in an agony of mind as to +what has become of me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The slave-woman considered for awhile, and then +said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is a man who might help; he certainly +can be relied on. He is of the strange sect I know, +and he would do anything for me, and would betray +no secrets.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Who is that?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>His name is Pedo, and he is the slave to Baudillas +Macer, son of Carisius Adgonna, who has a +house in the lower town.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>O Blanda!</q> exclaimed Perpetua, <q>it was from +the house of Baudillas that I was enticed away.</q> +Then, after some hesitation, she added: <q>That +house, I believe, was invaded by the mob; but I +think my mother had first escaped.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Lady, I have heard that Baudillas has been +taken before the magistrate, and has been cast into +the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>, because that in his house was found the +head of the god; and it was supposed that he was +guilty of the sacrilege, either directly or indirectly. +<pb n="245"/><anchor id="Pg245"/>He that harbors a thief is guilty as the thief. I +heard that yesterday. No news has since been received. +I mistrust my power of reaching the town, +of standing against the gale. Moreover, as the +master has been imprisoned, it is not likely that the +slave will be in the empty house. Yet, if thou wilt +tarry till the gale be somewhat abated and the rain +cease to fall in such a rush, I will do my utmost to +assist thee. I will go to the town myself, and communicate +with Pedo, if I can find him. He will +trust me, poor fellow!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot require thee to go forth in this furious +wind,</q> said Perpetua. +</p> + +<p> +<q>And, lady, thou must answer to my master for +me. Say that I went at thine express commands; +otherwise I shall be badly beaten.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Is thy master so harsh?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, I am a slave. Who thinks of a slave any +more than of an ass or a lapdog? It was through a +severe scourging with the cat that I was brought to +know Pedo.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Tell me, how was that?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Does my lady care for matters that affect her +slave?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nay, good Blanda, we Christians know no +differ<pb n="246"/><anchor id="Pg246"/>ence between bond and free. All are the children +of one God, who made man. Our master, though +Lord of all, made Himself of no reputation, but took +on Him the form of a servant; and was made subject +for us.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is just how Pedo talks. We slaves have +our notions of freedom and equality, and there is +much tall talk in the servants’ hall on the rights of +man. But I never heard of a master or mistress +holding such opinions.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Nevertheless this doctrine is a principle of our +religion. Listen to this; the words are those of one +of our great teachers: <q>There is neither Jew nor +Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is +neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ +Jesus.</q></q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Was he a slave who said that?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No; he was a Roman citizen.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That I cannot understand. Yet perhaps he +spoke it at an election time, or when he was an +advocate in the forum. It was a sentiment; very +fine, smartly put, but not to be practiced.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There, Blanda, you are wrong. We Christians +do act upon this principle, and it forms a bond of +union between us.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="247"/><anchor id="Pg247"/> + +<p> +<q>Well, I understand it not. I have heard the +slaves declaim among themselves, saying that they +were as good as, nay, better than, their masters; but +they never whispered such a thought where were +their masters’ ears, or they would have been soundly +whipped. In the forum, when lawyers harangue, +they say fine things of this sort; and when candidates +are standing for election, either as a sevir or +as a quatuorvir, all sorts of fine words fly about, and +magnificent promises are made, but they are intended +only to tickle ears and secure votes. None +believe in them save the vastly ignorant and the +very fools.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come, tell me about thyself and Pedo.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah, lady, that was many years ago. I was then +in the household of Helvia Secundilla, wife of Calvius +Naso. On one occasion, because I had not +brought her May-dew wherewith to bathe her face +to remove sun-spots, she had me cruelly beaten. +There were knucklebones knotted in the cat wherewith +I was beaten. Thirty-nine lashes I received. +I could not collect May-dew, for the sky was overcast +and the herb was dry. But she regarded not +my excuse. Tullia, my fellow-slave, was more sly. +She filled a flask at a spring and pretended that she +<pb n="248"/><anchor id="Pg248"/>had gathered it off the grass, and that her fraud +might not be detected, she egged her mistress +on against me. I was chastised till my back was +raw.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Poor Blanda!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Aye, my back was one bleeding wound, and yet +I was compelled to put on my garment and go forth +again after May-dew. It was then that I encountered +Pedo. I was in such pain that I walked sobbing, +and my tears fell on the arid grass. He came +to me, moved by compassion, and spoke kindly, and +my heart opened, and I told him all. Then he gave +me a flask filled with a water in which elder flowers +had been steeped, and bade me wash my back therewith.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And it healed thee?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It soothed the fever of my blood and the anguish +of my wounds. They closed, and in a few days +were cicatriced. But Pedo had been fellow-slave +with a Jewish physician, and from him had learned +the use of simples. My mistress found no advantage +from the spring-water brought her as May-dew. +Then I offered her some of the decoction given me +by Pedo, and that had a marvelous effect on her +freckles. Afterwards her treatment of me was +<pb n="249"/><anchor id="Pg249"/>kinder, and it was Tullia who received the whippings.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And did you see more of Pedo?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Blanda colored. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Mistress, that was the beginning of our acquaintance. +He was with a good master, Baudillas Macer, +who, he said, would manumit him at any time. But, +alas! what would that avail me? I remained in +bondage. Ah, lady, Pedo regarded me with tenderness, +and, indeed, I could have been happy with +none other but him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>He is old and lame.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ah, lady, I think the way he moves on his lame +hip quite beautiful. I do not admire legs when one +is of the same length as another—it gives a stiff +uniformity not to my taste.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>And he is old?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Ripe, lady—full ripe as a fig in August. Sour +fruit are unpleasant to eat. Young men are prigs +and think too much of themselves.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>How long ago was it that this acquaintance +began?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Five and twenty years. I trusted, when my +master, Calvius Naso—he was so called because he +really had a long nose, and my mistress was wont to +<pb n="250"/><anchor id="Pg250"/>tweak it—but there! I wander. I did think that +he would have given me my freedom. In his illness +I attended to him daily, nightly. I did not sleep, +I was ever on the watch for him. As to my mistress, +she was at her looking-glass, and using depilatory +fluid on some hairs upon her chin, expecting shortly +to be a widow. She did not concern herself about +the master. He died, but left money only for the +erection of a statue in the forum. Me he utterly +forgot. Then my mistress sold me to the father of +my present master. When he died also he manumitted +eight slaves, but they were all men. His +monument stands beside the road to Tolosa, with +eight Phrygian caps sculptured on it, to represent +the manumissions; but me—he forgot.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then, for all these five and twenty years you +have cared for Pedo and desired to be united to +him!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Yes, I longed for it greatly for twenty years, +and so did he, poor fellow; but, after that, hope died. +I have now no hope, no joy in life, no expectation of +aught. Presently will come death, and death ends +all.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, Blanda; that is not what we hold. We look +for eternal life.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="251"/><anchor id="Pg251"/> + +<p> +<q>For masters, not for slaves.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>For slaves as well as masters, and then God will +wipe away all tears from our eyes.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Alack, mistress. The power to hope is gone +from me. In a wet season, when there is little sun, +then the fruit mildews on the tree and drops off. +When we were young we put forth the young fruit +of hopes; but there has been no sun. They fall off, +and the tree can bear no more.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Blanda, if ever I have the power——</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, mistress, with my master you can do anything.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Blanda, I do not know that I can ask him for +this—thy freedom. But, if the opportunity offers, +I certainly will not forget thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +A slave appeared at the door and signed to Blanda, +who, with an obeisance, asked leave to depart. The +leave was given, and she left the room. +</p> + +<p> +Presently she returned in great excitement, followed +by Baudillas and Pedo, both drenched with +rain and battered by the gale. +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua uttered an exclamation of delight, and +rushed to the deacon with extended arms. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I pray, I pray, give me some news of my +mother.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="252"/><anchor id="Pg252"/> + +<p> +But he drew back likewise surprised, and replied +with another question: +</p> + +<p> +<q>The Lady Perpetua! And how come you to +be here?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That I will tell later,</q> answered the girl. <q>Now +inform me as to my mother.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Alas!</q> replied Baudillas, wiping the rain from +his face, <q>the news is sad. She has been taken +before Petronius, and has been consigned to prison.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My mother is in prison!</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon desired to say no more, but he was +awkward at disguising his unwillingness to speak +the whole truth. The eager eyes of the girl read +the hesitation in his face. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I beseech you,</q> she urged, <q>conceal nothing +from me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I have told you, she is in jail.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>On what charge? Who has informed against +her?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I was not in the court when she was tried. I +know very little. I was near the town, waiting +about, and I got scraps of information from some of +our people, and from Pedo, who went into the city.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then you do know. Answer me truly. Tell +me all.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="253"/><anchor id="Pg253"/> + +<p> +<q>I—I was in prison myself, but escaped through +the aid of Pedo. I tarried in an old kiln. He advised +that I should come on here, where he had +friends. Dost thou know that Marcianus has been +sentenced? He will win that glorious crown which +I have lost. I—I, unworthy, I fled, when it might +have been mine. Yet, God forgive me! I am not +ungrateful to Pedo. Marcianus said I was a coward, +and unfit for the Kingdom of God; that I should be +excluded because I had turned back. God forgive +me!</q> +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly Perpetua laid hold of Baudillas by +both arms, and so gripped him that the water +oozed between her fingers and dropped on the +floor. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I adjure thee, by Him in whom we both believe, +answer me truly, speak fully. Is my mother retained +in prison till I am found?</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon looked down nervously, uncomfortably, +and shuffled from foot to foot. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Understand,</q> said he, after a long silence, <q>all +I learned is by hearsay. I really know nothing for +certain.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I suffer more by your silence than were I to be +told the truth, be the truth never so painful.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="254"/><anchor id="Pg254"/> + +<p> +<q>Have I not said it? The Lady Quincta is in +prison.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Is that all?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Again he maintained an embarrassed silence. +</p> + +<p> +<q>It matters not,</q> said Perpetua firmly. <q>I will +my own self find out what has taken place. I shall +return to Nemausus on foot, and immediately. I +will deliver myself up to the magistrate and demand +my mother’s release.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You must not go—the weather is terrible.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I shall—nothing can stay me. I shall go, and +go alone, and go at once.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is no need for such haste. It is not +till to-morrow that Quincta will be put on the +rack.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>On the rack!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Fool that I am! I have uttered what I should +have kept secret.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>It is said. My resolve is formed. I return to +Nemausus.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then,</q> said the deacon, <q>I will go with thee.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>There is no need. I will take Blanda.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I will go. A girl, a young girl shames me. I +run away from death, and she offers herself to the +sword. Marcianus said I was a renegade. I will +<pb n="255"/><anchor id="Pg255"/>not be thought to have denied my Master—to have +fled from martyrdom.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then,</q> said Perpetua, <q>I pray thee this—first +give freedom unto Pedo.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Baudillas administered a slight stroke on the +cheek to his slave, and said: +</p> + +<p> +<q>Go; thou art discharged from bondage.</q> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="22" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="256"/><anchor id="Pg256"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XXII. The Arena"/><index index="pdf" level1="XXII. The Arena"/> +<head>CHAPTER XXII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">THE ARENA</hi></head> + +<p> +The games that were to be given in the amphitheater +of Nemausus on the nones of March were +due to a bequest of Domitius Afer, the celebrated, +or rather infamous, informer and rhetorician, who +had brought so many citizens of Rome to death during +the principate of Tiberius. He had run great +risk himself under Caligula, but had escaped by a +piece of adroit flattery. In dying he bequeathed a +large sum out of his ill-gotten gains—the plunder of +those whom he had destroyed, and whose families +he had ruined—to be expended in games in the +amphitheater on the nones of March, for the delectation +of the citizens, and to keep his memory +green in his native city. +</p> + +<p> +The games were to last two days. On the first +there would be contests with beasts, and on the +second a water combat, when the arena would be +flooded and converted into a lake. +</p> + +<p> +Great anxiety was entertained relative to the +<pb n="257"/><anchor id="Pg257"/>weather. Unless the mistral ceased and the rain +passed away, it would be impossible for the sports +to be held. It was true that the entire oval could +be covered in by curtains and mats, stretched between +poles, but this contrivance was intended as +shelter against sun and not rain. Moreover, the +violence of the wind had rendered it quite impossible +to extend the curtains. +</p> + +<p> +The town was in the liveliest excitement. The +man guilty of having mutilated the statue had been +sentenced to be cast to the beasts, and this man was +no vulgar criminal out of the slums, but belonged to +one of the superior <q>orders.</q> +</p> + +<p> +That a great social change had taken place in the +province, and that the freedmen had stepped into +power and influence, to the displacement of their +former masters, was felt by the descendants of the +first Ægypto-Greek colonists, and by the relics of +the Gaulish nobility, but they hardly endured to +admit the fact in words. The exercise of the rights +of citizenship, the election of the officials, the qualification +for filling the superior secular and religious +offices, belonged to the decurion or noble families. +Almost the sole office open to those below was that +of the seviri; and yet even in elections the +freed<pb n="258"/><anchor id="Pg258"/>men were beginning to exhibit a power of control. +</p> + +<p> +Now, one of the old municipal families was to +be humbled by a member being subjected to the +degradation of death in the arena, and none of the +Falerii ventured to raise a voice in his defence, so +critical did they perceive the situation to be. The +sodality of the Augustals in conclave had determined +that an example was to be made of Marcianus, and +had made this plain to the magistrates. They had +even insisted on the manner of his execution. His +death would be a plain announcement to the decurion +class that its domination was at an end. The +ancient patrician and plebeian families of Rome had +been extinguished in blood, and their places filled by +a new nobility of army factors and money-lenders. +A similar revolution had taken place in the provinces +by less bloody means. There, the transfer of power +was due largely to the favor of the prince accorded +to the freedmen. +</p> + +<p> +In the Augustal colleges everywhere, the Cæsar +had a body of devoted adherents, men without +nationality, with no historic position, no traditions +of past independence; men, moreover, who were +shrewd enough to see that by combination they +<pb n="259"/><anchor id="Pg259"/>would eventually be able to wrest the control of the +municipal government from those who had hitherto +exercised it. +</p> + +<p> +The rumor spread rapidly that a fresh entertainment +was to be provided. The damsel who had +been rescued from the basin of Nemausus had surrendered +herself in order to obtain the release of her +mother; and the magistrate in office, Petronius +Atacinus, out of consideration for the good people +of the town, whom he loved, and out of reverence +for the gods who had been slighted, had determined +that she should be produced in the arena, and there +obliged publicly to sacrifice, and then to be received +into the priesthood. Should she, however, prove +obdurate, then she would be tortured into compliance. +</p> + +<p> +Nor was this all. Baudillas Macer, the last scion +of a decayed Volcian family, who had been cast into +the pit of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">robur</foreign>, but had escaped, was also to +be brought out and executed, as having assisted in +the rescue of Perpetua from the fountain, but chiefly +for having connived at the crime of Falerius Marcianus. +</p> + +<p> +To the general satisfaction, the wind fell as suddenly +as it had risen, and that on the night preceding +<pb n="260"/><anchor id="Pg260"/>the sports. The weather remained bitterly cold, and +the sky was dark with clouds that seemed ready to +burst. Not a ray of sunlight traveled across the +arena and climbed the stages of the amphitheater. +The day might have been one in November, and the +weather that encountered on the northern plains of +Germania. +</p> + +<p> +The townsfolk, and the spectators from the country, +came provided against the intemperance of the +weather, wrapped in their warmest mantles, which +they drew as hoods over their heads. Slaves arrived, +carrying boxes with perforated tops, that contained +glowing charcoal, so that their masters and mistresses +might keep their feet warm whilst attending the +games. Some carried cushions for the seats, others +wolf-skin rugs to throw over the knees of the well-to-do +spectators. +</p> + +<p> +The ranges of the great oval were for the most +part packed with spectators. The topmost seats were +full long before the rest. The stone benches were +divided into tiers. At the bottom, near the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">podium</foreign> +or breastwork confining the arena, were those for +the municipal dignitaries, for the priests, and for +certain strangers to whom seats had been granted +by decree of the town council. Here might be read, +<pb n="261"/><anchor id="Pg261"/><q>Forty seats decreed to the navigators of the Rhône +and Saone;</q> at another part of the circumference, +<q>Twenty-five places appointed to the navigators of +the Ardèche and the Ouvèze.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Above the ranges of seats set apart for the officials +and guests were those belonging to the decurions and +knights, the nobility and gentry of the town and +little republic. The third range was that allotted to +the freedmen and common townsfolk and peasants +from the country, and the topmost stage was abandoned +to be occupied by slaves alone. At one end +of the ellipse sat the principal magistrates close to +the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">podium</foreign> at one end, and at the other the master +of the games and his attendants, the prefect of the +watch and of the firemen. +</p> + +<p> +Two doors, one at each end, gave access to the +arena, or means of exit. One was that of the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">vivarium</foreign>, +whence the gladiators and prisoners issued +from a large chamber under the seats and feet of the +spectators. The other door was that which conducted +to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">libitinum</foreign>, into which were cast the +corpses of men and the carcasses of beasts that had +perished in the games. +</p> + +<p> +Immediately below the seat of the principal +magistrates and of the pontiffs was a little altar, on +<pb n="262"/><anchor id="Pg262"/>the breastwork about the arena, with a statue of +Nemausus above it; and a priest stood at the side +to keep the charcoal alight, and to serve the incense +to such as desired to do homage to the god. +</p> + +<p> +It was remarked that the attendance in the reserved +seats of the decurions was meager. Such as +were connected with the Falerian family by blood +or marriage made it a point to absent themselves; +others stayed away because huffed at the insolence +of the freedmen, and considering that the sentence +passed on Marcianus was a slight cast on their +order. +</p> + +<p> +On the other hand, the freedmen crowded to the +show in full force, and not having room to accommodate +themselves and their families in the zone +allotted to them, some audaciously threw themselves +over the barriers of demarcation and were followed +by others, and speedily flooded the benches of the +decurions. +</p> + +<p> +When the magistrates arrived, preceded by their +lictors, all in the amphitheater rose, and the +Quatuor-viri bowed to the public. Each took a pinch +from the priest, who extended a silver shell containing +aromatic gums, and cast it on the fire, some +gravely, Petronius with a flippant gesture. Then +<pb n="263"/><anchor id="Pg263"/>the latter turned to the Augustal <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign>, saying: +<q>To the god Augustus and the divine Julia (Livia),</q> +and he threw some more grains on the charcoal. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Body of Bacchus!</q> said he, as he took his seat, +<q>a little fizzling spark such as that may please the +gods, but does not content me. I wish I had a roaring +fire at which, like a babe out of its bath, I could +spread my ten toes and as many fingers. Such a day +as this is! With cold weather I cannot digest my +food properly. I feel a lump in me as did Saturn +when his good Rhea gave him a meal of stones. I +am full of twinges. By Vulcan and his bellows! +if it had not been for duty I would have been at +home adoring the Lares and Penates. These shows +are for the young and warm-blooded. The arms of +my chair send a chill into my marrow-bones. What +comes first? Oh! a contest with a bull. Well, I +shall curl up and doze like a marmot. Wake me, +good Smerius, when the next portion of the entertainment +begins.</q> +</p> + +<p> +A bull was introduced, and a gladiator was employed +to exasperate and play with the beast. He +waved a garment before its eyes, then drove a sharp +instrument into its flank, and when the beast +turned, he nimbly leaped out of the way. When +<pb n="264"/><anchor id="Pg264"/>pursued he ran, then turned sharply, put his hands +on the back of the bull, and leaped over it. +</p> + +<p> +The people cheered, but they had seen the performance +so often repeated that they speedily tired +of such poor sport. The bull was accordingly +dispatched. Horses were introduced and hooked to +the carcass, which was rapidly drawn out. Then +entered attendants of the amphitheater, who strewed +sand where the blood had been spilt, bowed and +retired. +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon the jailer threw open the gates of the +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">vivarium</foreign> and brought forth the prisoners. These +consisted of the taverner who had murdered his +guests, the manumitted slave who had robbed his +master, Baudillas, Marcianus and Perpetua. +</p> + +<p> +A thrill of cruel delight ran through the concourse +of spectators. Now something was about to +be shown them, harrowing to the feelings, gratifying +to the ferocity that is natural to all men, and is +expelled, not at all by civilization, but by divine +grace only. +</p> + +<p> +It enhanced the pleasure of the spectators that +criminals should witness the death of their fellows. +Eyes scanned their features, observed whether they +turned sick and faint, whether they winced, or +<pb n="265"/><anchor id="Pg265"/>whether they remained cool and callous. This gave +a cruel zest to their enjoyment. +</p> + +<p> +A bear was produced. Dogs were set on him, and +he was worried till he shook off his torpor and was +worked into fury. Then, at a sign from the manager +of the games, the dogs were called off, and the +man who had murdered his guests was driven forward +towards the incensed beast. +</p> + +<p> +The fellow was sullen, and gave no token of fear. +He folded his arms, leaned against the marble +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">podium</foreign>, and looked contemptuously around him at +the occupants of the tiers of seats. +</p> + +<p> +The bear, relieved from his aggressors, seemed +indisposed to notice the man. +</p> + +<p> +Then the spectators roared to the criminal, bidding +him invite the brute against himself. It was a +strange fact that often in these horrible exhibitions +a man condemned to fight with the beasts allowed +himself a brief display of vanity, and sought to elicit +the applause of the spectators by his daring conduct +to the animal that was to mangle and kill +him. +</p> + +<p> +But the ill-humored fellow would not give this +pleasure to the onlookers. +</p> + +<p> +Then the master of the sports signed to the +attend<pb n="266"/><anchor id="Pg266"/>ants to goad the bear. They obeyed, and he turned +and growled and struck at them, but would not +touch the man designed to be hugged by him. +</p> + +<p> +After many vain attempts, amidst the hooting +and roar of the people, a sign was made. Some +gladiators leaped in, and with their swords dispatched +the taverner. +</p> + +<p> +The spectators were indignant. They had been +shown no sport, only a common execution. They +were shivering with cold; some grumbled, and said +that this was childish stuff to witness which was +not worth the discomfort of the exposure. Then, +as with one voice, rose the yell: <q>The wolves! send +in the wolves! Marcianus to the wolves!</q> +</p> + +<p> +The master of the games dispatched a messenger +to the Quatuorvir who was then the acting magistrate. +He nodded to what was said, waved his hand +in the direction of the master’s box, and the latter +sent an attendant to the keeper of the beasts. +</p> + +<p> +The jailer-executioner at once grasped the deacon +Falerius Marcianus by the shoulders, bade him descend +some steps and enter the arena. +</p> + +<p> +Marcianus was deadly white. He shrank with +disgust from the spot where the soil was drenched +with the blood of the taverner, and which was not +<pb n="267"/><anchor id="Pg267"/>as yet strewn over with fresh sand. He cast a furtive +look at the altar, then made an appealing +gesture to the magistrate. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come here, Cneius Marcianus,</q> said Petronius. +<q>You belong to a respectable and ancient family. +You have been guilty of an infamous deed that has +brought disgrace on your entire order. See how +many absent themselves this day on that account! +Your property is confiscated, you are sentenced to +death. Yet I give you one chance. Sacrifice to the +gods and blaspheme Christ. I do not promise you +life if you do this. You must appeal to the people. +If they see you offer incense, they will know that +you have renounced the Crucified. Then I will put +the question to their decision. If they hold up their +thumbs you will live. Consider, it is a chance; it +depends, not on me, but on their humor. Will you +sacrifice?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Marcianus looked at the mighty hoop of faces. He +saw that the vast concourse was thrilled with expectation; +a notion crossed the mind of one of the +freedmen that Marcianus was being given a means +of escape, and he shouted words that, though audible +and intelligible to those near, were not to be caught +by such as were distant. But the purport of his +<pb n="268"/><anchor id="Pg268"/>address was understood, and produced a deafening, +a furious roar of remonstrance. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I will not sacrifice,</q> said the deacon; <q>I am a +Christian.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then Petronius Atacinus raised his hand, partly +to assure the spectators that he was not opposing +their wishes, partly as a signal to the master of the +games. +</p> + +<p> +Instantly a low door in the barrier was opened, +and forth rushed a howling pack of wolves. When +they had reached the center of the arena, they stood +for a moment snuffing, and looked about them in +questioning attitudes. Some, separating from the +rest, ran with their snouts against the ground to +where the recent blood had been spilt. But, all at +once, a huge gray wolf, that led the pack, uttered +a howl, and made a rush and a leap towards Marcianus; +and the rest followed. +</p> + +<p> +The sight was too terrible for the deacon to contemplate +it unmoved. He remained but for an +instant as one frozen, and then with a cry he started +and ran round the ellipse, and the whole gray pack +tore after him. Now and then, finding that they +gained on him, he turned with threatening gestures +that cowed the brutes; but this was for a moment +<pb n="269"/><anchor id="Pg269"/>only. Their red eyes, their gleaming teeth filled the +wretched man with fresh terror, and again he ran. +</p> + +<p> +The spectators clapped their hands—some stood +up on their seats and laughed in ecstasy of enjoyment. +Once, twice he made the circuit of the arena; +and his pace, if possible, became quicker. The delight +of the spectators became an intoxication. It was +exquisite. Fear in the flying man became frantic. +His breath, his strength were failing. Then suddenly +he halted, half turned, and ran to the foot of +the barrier before the seat of the Quatuor-viri, and +extended his hand: <q>Give me the incense! I worship +Nemausus! I adore Augustus! I renounce +Christ!</q> +</p> + +<p> +At the same moment the old monster wolf had +seized him from behind. The arms of the deacon +were seen for an instant in the air. The spectators +stamped and danced and cheered—the dense gray +mass of writhing, snarling beasts closed over the +spot where Marcianus had fallen! +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="23" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="270"/><anchor id="Pg270"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XXIII. The Cloud-Break"/><index index="pdf" level1="XXIII. The Cloud-Break"/> +<head>CHAPTER XXIII<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">THE CLOUD-BREAK</hi></head> + +<p> +The acting magistrate turned to his fellow-quatuorvir, +charged with co-ordinate judicial authority, +on the left, and said: <q>Your nose is leaden-purple +in hue.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>No marvel, in this cold. I ever suffer there +with the least frost. My ear lobes likewise are seats +of chilblain.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>In this climate! Astonishing! If it had been +in Britain, or in Germany, it might have been +expected.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>My brother-magistrate,</q> said Vibius Fuscianus, +<q>I believe that here in the south we are more sensible +to frost than are those who live under hyperborean +skies. There they expect cold, and take precautions +accordingly. Here the blasts fall on us +unawares. We groan and sigh till the sun shines +out, and then forget our sufferings. Who but fools +would be here to-day? Look above. The clouds +hang low, and are so dark that we may expect to +be pelted with hail.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="271"/><anchor id="Pg271"/> + +<p> +<q>Aye,</q> laughed Petronius, <q>as big as the pebbles +that strew the Crau wherewith Hercules routed the +Ligurians. Well; it is black as an eclipse. I will +give thee a hint, Vibius mine! I have made my +slave line this marble seat with hot bricks. They +are comforting to the spine, the very column of life. +Presently he will be here with another supply. +You see we are not all fools. Some do make provision +against the cold.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I wish I had thought of this before.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is precisely the wish that crossed the mind +of the poor wretch whom the wolves have finished. +He postponed his renunciation of Christ till just too +late.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then Lucius Petronius yawned, stretched himself, +and signed that the freedman who had robbed the +master who had manumitted him, should be delivered +to a panther. +</p> + +<p> +The wolves were with difficulty chased out of the +arena, and then all was prepared for this next exhibition. +It was brief. The beast was hungry, and the +criminal exposed made little effort to resist. Next +came the turn of Baudillas. +</p> + +<p> +Without raising himself in his seat, the Quatuorvir +said languidly: <q>You broke out of prison, you +<pb n="272"/><anchor id="Pg272"/>were charged with aiding and abetting sacrilege. +You refused to sacrifice to the genius of the Emperor. +Well, if you will cast a few grains of incense +in the fire, I will let you depart.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot forswear Christ,</q> said Baudillas with +a firmness that surprised none so much as himself. +But, indeed, the fall of Marcianus, so far from drawing +him along into the same apostasy, had caused a +recoil in his soul. To hear his fellow-ministrant +deny Christ, to see him extend his hands for the +incense—that inspired him with an indignation +which gave immense force to his resolution. The +Church had been dishonored, the ministry disgraced +in Marcianus. Oh, that they might not be thus +humbled in himself! +</p> + +<p> +<q>Baudillas Macer,</q> said the magistrate, <q>take +advice, and be speedy in making your election; your +fellow, who has just furnished a breakfast to the +wolves, hesitated a moment too long, and so lost his +life. By the time he had resolved to act as a wise +man and a good citizen, not the gods themselves +could deliver him. <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Flamen</foreign>, hand the shell with +the grains to this sensible fellow.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot offer sacrifice.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You are guilty of treason against Cæsar if you +<pb n="273"/><anchor id="Pg273"/>refuse to sacrifice to his genius. Never mind about +Nemausus, whose image is there. Say—the genius +of Cæsar, and you are quit.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am his most obedient subject.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then offer a libation or some frankincense.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot. I pray daily to God for him.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>A wilful man is like a stubborn ass. There is +naught for him but the stick. I can do no more. +I shall sentence you.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I am ready to die for Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then lead him away. The sword!</q> +</p> + +<p> +The deacon bowed. <q>I am unworthy of shedding +my blood for Christ,</q> he said, and his voice, +though low, was firm. +</p> + +<p> +Then he looked around and saw the Bishop Castor +in the zone allotted to the citizens and knights. +Baudillas crossed his arms on his breast and knelt on +the sand, and the bishop, rising from his seat, extended +his hand in benediction. +</p> + +<p> +He, Castor, had not been called to sacrifice. He +had not courted death, but he had not shrunk from +it. He had not concealed himself, nevertheless he +had been passed over. +</p> + +<p> +Then the deacon, with firm step, walked into the +center of the arena and knelt down. +</p> + +<pb n="274"/><anchor id="Pg274"/> + +<p> +In another moment his head was severed from the +body. +</p> + +<p> +The attendants immediately removed every trace +of the execution, and now arrived the moment for +which all had looked with impatience. +</p> + +<p> +The magistrate said: <q>Bring forward Perpetua, +daughter of Aulus Harpinius Læto, that has +lived.</q> +</p> + +<p> +At once Æmilius sprang into the arena and advanced +before Petronius. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Suffer me to act as her advocate,</q> said he in an +agitated voice. <q>You know me, I am Lentulus +Varo.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>I know you very well by repute, Æmilius,</q> +answered the Quatuorvir; <q>but I think there is no +occasion now for your services. This is not a court +of justice in which your forensic eloquence can be +heard, neither is this a case to be adjudicated upon, +and calling for defence. The virgin was chosen by +lot to be given to the god Nemausus, and was again +demanded by him speaking at midnight, after she +had been rescued from his fountain, if I mistake not, +by you. Your power of interference ceased there. +Now, she is accused of nothing. She is reconsigned +to the god, whose she is.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="275"/><anchor id="Pg275"/> + +<p> +<q>I appeal to Cæsar.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>If I were to allow the appeal, would that avail +thy client? But it is no case in which an appeal +is justifiable. The god is merciful. He does not +exact the life of the damsel, he asks only that she +enter into his service and be a priestess at his shrine, +that she pour libations before his altar, and strew +rose leaves on his fountain. Think you that the +Cæsar will interfere in such a matter? Think you +that, were it to come before him, he would forbid +this? But ask thy client if the appeal be according +to her desire.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Perpetua shook her head. +</p> + +<p> +<q>No, she is aware that it would be profitless. +If thou desirest to serve her, then use thy persuasion +and induce her to do sacrifice.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Sir,</q> said Æmilius in great agitation, <q>how can +she become the votary of a god in whom she does +not believe?</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Oh, as to that,</q> answered the Quatuorvir, <q>it +is a formality, nothing more; a matter of incense +and rose leaves. As to <hi rend="italic">belief</hi>,</q> he turned to his +fellow-magistrate, and said, laughing, <q>listen to this +man. He talks of belief, as though that were a +necessary ingredient in worship! Thou, with thy +<pb n="276"/><anchor id="Pg276"/>plum-colored nose, hast thou full faith in Æsculapius +to cure thee even of a chilblain?</q> +</p> + +<p> +Fuscianus shrugged his shoulders. <q>I hate all +meddlers with usages that are customary. I hate +them as I do a bit of grit in my salad. I put them +away.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The populace became impatient, shouted and +stamped. Some, provided with empty gourds, in +which were pebbles, rattled them, and made a +strange sound as of a hailstorm. Others clacked +together pieces of pottery. The magistrate turned +to the pontiff on his right and said: <q>We believe +with all our hearts in the gods when we do sacrifice! +Oh, mightily, I trow.</q> Then he laughed again. +The priest looked grave for a moment, and then he +laughed also. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come now,</q> said Lucius Petronius to the young +lawyer, <q>to this I limit thy interference. Stand by +the girl and induce her to yield. By the Bow-bearer! +young men do not often fail in winning +the consent of girls when they use their best blandishments. +It will be a scene for the stage. You +have plenty of spectators.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Suffer me also to stand beside her,</q> said the +slave-woman Blanda, who had not left Perpetua. +</p> + +<pb n="277"/><anchor id="Pg277"/> + +<p> +<q>By all means. And if you two succeed, none +will be better content than myself. I am not one +who would wish a fair virgin a worse fate than to +live and be merry and grow old. Ah me! old age!</q> +</p> + +<p> +Again the multitude shouted and rattled pumpkins. +</p> + +<p> +<q>We are detaining the people in the cold,</q> said +the presiding magistrate; <q>the sports move sluggishly +as does our blood.</q> Then, aside to Fuscianus, +<q>My bricks are becoming sensibly chilled. I require +a fresh supply.</q> Then to the maiden: <q>Hear +me, Perpetua, daughter of Harpinius Læto that was—we +and the gods, or the gods and we, are indisposed +to deal harshly. Throw a few crumbs of +incense on the altar, and you shall pass at once up +those steps to the row of seats where sit the white-robed +priestesses with their crowns. I shall be well +content.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is a thing I cannot do,</q> said Perpetua +firmly. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Then we shall have to make you,</q> said the +magistrate in hard tones. He was angry, vexed. +<q>You will prove more compliant when you have +been extended on the rack. Let her be disrobed +and tortured.</q> +</p> + +<pb n="278"/><anchor id="Pg278"/> + +<p> +Then descended into the arena two young men, +who bowed to the magistrate, solicited leave, and +drew forth styles or iron pens and tablets covered +with wax. These were the scribes of the Church +employed everywhere to take down a record of the +last interrogatory of a martyr. Such records were +called the <q>Acts.</q> Of them great numbers have +been preserved, but unhappily rarely unfalsified. +The simplicity of the acts, the stiffness of style, the +<anchor id="corr278"/><corr sic="adsence">absence</corr> of all miraculous incident, did not suit the +taste of mediæval compilers, and they systematically +interpolated the earlier acts with harrowing details +and records of marvels. Nevertheless, a certain +number of these acts remain uncorrupted, and with +regard to the rest it is not difficult to separate in +them that which is fictitious from that which is genuine. +Such notaries were admitted to the trials and +executions with as much indifference as would be +newspaper reporters nowadays. +</p> + +<p> +Again, with the sweat of anguish breaking out on +his brow, Æmilius interposed. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I pray your mercy,</q> he said; <q>let the sentence +be still further modified. Suffer the damsel to be +relieved of becoming a priestess. Let her become +my wife, and I swear that I will make over my estate +<pb n="279"/><anchor id="Pg279"/>of Ad Fines to the temple of the god Nemausus, +with the villa upon it, and statues and works of +art.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is an offer to be entertained by the priesthood +and not by me. Boy—hot bricks! and be +quick about removing those which have become +almost cold.</q> +</p> + +<p> +A pause ensued whilst the proposal of Æmilius +was discussed between the chief priestess of the +fountain and the Augustal <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamen</foreign> and the other +pontiffs. +</p> + +<p> +The populace became restless, impatient, noisy. +They shouted, hooted; called out that they were +tired of seeing nothing. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Come,</q> said Petronius, <q>I cannot further delay +proceedings.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>We consent,</q> said the chief pontiff. +</p> + +<p> +<q>That is well.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Then Æmilius approached Perpetua, and entreated +her to give way. To cast a few grains on +the charcoal meant nothing; it was a mere movement +of the hand, a hardly conscious muscular act, +altogether out of comparison with the results. Such +compliance would give her life, happiness, and +would place her in a position to do vast good, and +<pb n="280"/><anchor id="Pg280"/>he assured her that his whole life would be devoted +to her service. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot,</q> she said, looking Æmilius full in +the face. <q>Do not think me ungrateful; my heart +overflows for what you have done for me, but I +cannot deny my Christ.</q> +</p> + +<p> +Again he urged her. Let her consent and he—even +he would become a Christian. +</p> + +<p> +<q>No,</q> said she, <q>not at that price. You would +be in heart for ever estranged from the faith.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>To the rack! Lift her on to the little horse. +Domitius Afer left his bequest to the city in order +that we should be amused, not befooled,</q> howled +the spectators. +</p> + +<p> +<q><anchor id="corr280"/><corr sic="(quote mark missing)">Executioners</corr>, do your duty,</q> said the magistrate. +<q>But if she cry out, let her off. She will +sacrifice. Only to the first hole—mind you. If +that does not succeed, well, then, we shall try +sharper means.</q> +</p> + +<p> +And now the little horse was set up in the midst +of the arena, and braziers of glowing charcoal were +planted beside it; in the fire rested crooks and pincers +to get red hot. +</p> + +<p> +The <q>little horse</q> was a structure of timber. +Two planks were set edgeways with a wheel between +<pb n="281"/><anchor id="Pg281"/>them at each end. The structure stood on four legs, +two at each extremity, spreading at the base. Halfway +down, between these legs, at the ends, was a +roller, furnished with levers that passed through +them. A rope was attached to the ankles, another +to the wrists of the person extended on the back of +the <q>horse,</q> and this rope was strained over the +pulleys by means of the windlasses. The levers +could be turned to any extent, so as, if required, to +wrench arms and legs from their sockets. +</p> + +<p> +And now ensued a scene that refuses description. +<q>We are made a spectacle unto men and angels,</q> +said the apostle, and none could realize how true +were the words better than those who lived in times +of persecution. Before that vast concourse the +modest Christian maiden was despoiled of her raiment +and was stretched upon the rack—swung between +the planks. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius felt his head swim and his heart contract. +What could he do? Again he entreated, but she +shook her head, yet turned at his voice and smiled. +</p> + +<p> +Then the executioners threw themselves on the +levers, and a hush as of death fell on the multitude. +Twenty thousand spectators looked on, twice that +number of eyes were riveted on the frail girl +under<pb n="282"/><anchor id="Pg282"/>going this agony. Bets had been made on her constancy, +bandied about, taken, and booked. Castor +stood up, with face turned to heaven, and extended +arms, praying. +</p> + +<p> +The creaking of the windlass was audible; then +rang out a sharp cry of pain. +</p> + +<p> +Immediately the cords were relaxed and the victim +lowered to the ground. Blanda threw a mantle +over her. +</p> + +<p> +<q>She will sacrifice,</q> said Æmilius; <q>take off the +cords.</q> +</p> + +<p> +The executioners looked to the magistrate. He +nodded, and they obeyed. The bonds were rapidly +removed from her hands and feet. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Blanda, sustain her!</q> commanded Æmilius, +and he on one side, with his arm round the sinking, +quivering form, and the slave-woman on the other, +supported Perpetua. Her feet dragged and traced +a furrow in the sand; they were numbed and powerless +through the tension of the cords that had been +knotted about the ankles. Æmilius and Blanda +drew her towards the altar. +</p> + +<p> +<q>I cannot! I will not sacrifice! I am a Christian. +I believe in Christ! I love Christ!</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Perpetua,</q> said Æmilius in agitated tones, +<pb n="283"/><anchor id="Pg283"/><q>your happiness and mine depend on compliance. +For all I have done for you, if you will not for your +own sake—consent to this. Here! I will hold +your hand. Nay, it is I who will strew the incense, +and make it appear as though it were done by you. +Priest! The shell with the grains.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Spare me! I cannot!</q> gasped the girl, struggling +in his arms. <q>I cannot be false to my Christ—for +all that He has done for me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>You shall. I must constrain you.</q> He set his +teeth, knitted his brow. All his muscles were set in +desperation. He strove to force her hand to the altar. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Shame on thee!</q> sobbed she. <q>Thou art more +cruel than the torturer, more unjust than the judge.</q> +</p> + +<p> +It was so. Æmilius felt that she was right. They +did but insult and rack a frail body, and he did +violence to the soul within. +</p> + +<p> +The people hooted and roared, and brandished +their arms threateningly. <q>We will not be balked! +We are being treated to child’s play.</q> +</p> + +<p> +<q>Take her back to the rack. Apply the fire,</q> +ordered the Quatuorvir. +</p> + +<p> +The executioners reclaimed her. She offered no +resistance. Æmilius staggered to the <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">podium</foreign> and +grasped the marble top with one hand. +</p> + +<pb n="284"/><anchor id="Pg284"/> + +<p> +She was again suspended on the little horse. +Again the windlass creaked. The crowd listened, +held its breath, men looked in each other’s eyes, then +back to the scene of suffering. Not a sound; not a +cry; no, not even a sigh. She bore all. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Try fire!</q> ordered the magistrate. +</p> + +<p> +Æmilius had covered his face. He trembled. +He would have shut his ears as he did his eyes, could +he have done so. Verily, the agony of his soul was +as great as the torture of her body. But there was +naught to be heard—an ominous stillness, only the +groaning of the windlass, and now and then a word +from one executioner to his fellow. +</p> + +<p> +At every creak of the wheel a quiver went +through the frame of Æmilius. He listened with +anguish of mind for a cry. The populace held its +breath; it waited. There was none. Into her face +he dared not look. But the twenty thousand spectators +stared—and saw naught save lips moving in +prayer. +</p> + +<p> +And now a mighty wonder occurred. +</p> + +<p> +The dense cloud that filled the heavens began +softly, soundlessly, to discharge its burden. First +came, scarce noticed, sailing down, a few large white +flakes like fleeces of wool. Then they came fast, +<pb n="285"/><anchor id="Pg285"/>faster, ever faster. And now it was as though a +white bridal veil had been let down out of heaven +to hide from the eyes of the ravening multitude the +spectacle of the agony of Christ’s martyr. None +could see across the arena; soon none could see +obscurely into it. The snowflakes fell thick and +dense, they massed as a white cornice on the parapet, +they dropped on every head, they whitened the +bloodstained, trampled sand. And all fled before +the snow. First went a few in twos or threes; then +whole rows stood up, and through the vomitories the +multitude poured—freedmen, slaves, knights, ladies, +<foreign lang="la" rend="italic">flamines</foreign>, magistrates; none could stand against the +descending snow. +</p> + +<p> +<q>Cast her down!</q> This was the last command +issued by Petronius as he rose from his seat. The +executioners were glad to escape. They relaxed the +ropes, and threw their victim on the already white +ground. +</p> + +<p> +Still thick and fast fell the fleeces. Blanda had +cast a mantle of wool over the prostrate girl, but out +of heaven descended a pall, whiter than fuller on +earth can bleach, and buried the woolen cloak and +the extended quivering limbs. Beside her, in the +snow, knelt Æmilius. He held her hand in one of +<pb n="286"/><anchor id="Pg286"/>his. She looked him in the face and smiled. Then +she said: <q>Give to Blanda her liberty.</q> +</p> + +<p> +He could not speak. He signed that it should +be so. +</p> + +<p> +Then she said: <q>I have prayed for thee—on the +rack, in the fire—that the light may shine into thy +heart.</q> +</p> + +<p> +She closed her eyes. +</p> + +<p> +Still he held her hand, and with the other gently +brushed away the snowflakes as they fell on her pure +face. Oh wondrous face! Face above the dream +of the highest Greek artist! +</p> + +<p> +Thus passed an hour—thus a second. +</p> + +<p> +Then suddenly the clouds parted, and the sun +poured down a flood of glory over the dazzling white +oval field, in the midst of which lay a heap of whiteness, +and on a face as of alabaster, inanimate, and +on a kneeling, weeping man, still with reverent +finger sweeping away the last snowflakes from eyelash, +cheek and hair, and who felt as if he could +thus look, and kneel, and weep for ever.<note place="foot">The incident of the fall of snow occurring at the martyrdom +of a virgin saint is no picture of the author’s imagination. It +occurred at the passion of S. Eulalia of Merida, in <hi rend="small">A.D.</hi> 303, and +is commemorated in the hymn on her by Prudentius.</note> +</p> + +</div><div type="chapter" n="24" rend="page-break-before: always"> +<pb n="287"/><anchor id="Pg287"/> +<index index="toc" level1="XXIV. Credo"/><index index="pdf" level1="XXIV. Credo"/> +<head>CHAPTER XXIV<lb/><lb/><hi rend="smaller">CREDO</hi></head> + +<p> +Many days had passed. All was calm in Nemausus. +The games were over. +</p> + +<p> +The day succeeding that we have described was +warm and spring-like. The sun shone brilliantly. +Every trace of the snow had disappeared, and the +water-fight in the amphitheater had surpassed the +expectations of the people. They had enjoyed themselves +heartily. +</p> + +<p> +All had returned to its old order. The wool +merchant took fresh commands, and sent his travelers +into the Cebennæ to secure the winter fleeces. +The woman who had the flower-shop sold garlands +as fast as she could weave them. The potter spread +out a fresh collection of his wares and did a good +business with them. +</p> + +<p> +The disturbances that had taken place were no +more spoken about. The deaths of Marcianus, +Baudillas and Perpetua hardly occupied any +thoughts, save only those of their relatives and the +Christians. +</p> + +<pb n="288"/><anchor id="Pg288"/> + +<p> +The general public had seen a show, and the +show over, they had other concerns to occupy +them. +</p> + +<p> +Now both Pedo and Blanda were free, and the +long tarrying was over. They had loved when +young, they came together in the autumn of their +lives. +</p> + +<p> +In the heart of the Church of Nemausus there +was not forgetfulness of its heroes. +</p> + +<milestone unit="tb"/> + +<p> +If the visitor at the present day to Nîmes will +look about him, he will find two churches, both +recently rebuilt, in place of, and on the site of, very +ancient places of worship, and the one bears the +name of St. Baudille. If he inquire of the sacristan, +<q>Mais qui, donc, était-il, ce saint?</q> then the answer +given him will be: <q>Baudillas was a native of +Nîmes, a deacon, and a martyr.</q> +</p> + +<p> +If he ask further, <q>But when?</q> Then the sacristan +will probably reply with a shrug: <q>Mais, +monsieur; qui sait?</q> +</p> + +<p> +In another part of the town is a second church, +glowing internally with color from its richly painted +windows, and this bears the name of Ste. Perpetue. +</p> + +<pb n="289"/><anchor id="Pg289"/> + +<p> +Does the visitor desire to be told whether it has +been erected in honor and in commemoration of the +celebrated African martyrs Felicitas and Perpetua, +or of some local virgin saint who shed her blood +for Christ, then let him again inquire of the sacristan. +</p> + +<p> +What his answer will be I cannot say. +</p> + +<milestone unit="tb"/> + +<p> +The Bishop Castor remained much in his house. +He grieved that he had not been called to witness +to the faith that was in him. But he was a humble +man, and he said to himself: <q>Such was the will of +God, and that sufficeth me.</q> +</p> + +<p> +One evening he was informed that a man, who +would not give his name, desired to speak with +him. +</p> + +<p> +He ordered that he should be introduced. +</p> + +<p> +When the visitor entered, Castor recognized +Æmilius, but the man was changed. Lines of +thought and of sorrow marked his face, that bore +other impress as well of the travail of his soul within +him. He seemed older, his face more refined than +before, there was less of carnal beauty, and something +spiritual that shone out of his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +The bishop warmly welcomed him. +</p> + +<pb n="290"/><anchor id="Pg290"/> + +<p> +Then said Æmilius in a low tone, <q>I am come to +thee for instruction. I know but little, yet what I +know of Christ I believe. He is not dead, He liveth; +He is a power; mighty is faith, and mighty is the +love that He inspires. <foreign lang="la" rend="italic">Credo.</foreign></q> +</p> + </div></body> + <back> +<div> + <pgIf output="pdf"> + <then/> + <else> + <div id="footnotes" rend="page-break-before: right"> + <index index="toc" level1="Footnotes"/> + <head>Footnotes</head> + <divGen type="footnotes"/> + </div> + </else> + </pgIf> + </div> +<div rend="page-break-before:right; x-class: boxed"> + <index index="pdf" level1="Transcriber's Note"/><index index="toc" level1="Transcriber’s Note"/> + <head>Transcriber’s Note</head> + +<p>Variations in hyphenation or spelling have not been changed.</p> + <!--<p> In several places, wrong quotation marks have been silently corrected.</p>--> + <p>Changes, which have been made to the text:</p> + +<list> +<item><ref target="corr055">page 55</ref>, <q>Nemauscan</q> changed to <q>Nemausean</q></item> +<item><ref target="corr117">page 117</ref>, <q>alloted</q> changed to <q>allotted</q></item> +<item><ref target="corr119">page 119</ref>, <q>exisiting</q> changed to <q>existing</q></item> +<item><ref target="corr125">page 125</ref>, comma removed after <q>Baudillas</q></item> +<item><ref target="corr278">page 278</ref>, <q>adsence</q> changed to <q>absence</q></item> +<item><ref target="corr280">page 280</ref>, quote mark added before <q>Executioners</q></item> +</list> + </div> +<div rend="page-break-before: right"> + <divGen type="pgfooter"/> + </div> + </back> + </text> +</TEI.2> diff --git a/47832-tei/images/cover.jpg b/47832-tei/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c3094a --- /dev/null +++ b/47832-tei/images/cover.jpg |
