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WII.I. SCALD MANV FINGERS." Page S9. I'age Sg. 1 1 1 DOMITIA BV S. BARING-GOULD Author of ..The Broom-S„„ire"..RU, .. ., •'<«nirt Royal," Rtc. lltuurateJ hy i>''URA C. CHANDLRR I WILLIAM BRIGGS 29-33, Richmond Strket, West TORONl'o ^ -^ *g? II. . III. ( IV. - V. ' VI. 1 VII. 1 VIII. 1 IX. s X. I Contents Book I. CHAPTER „ PAOn I. THE PORT OF CENCHRiT.A . . II. AN ILL-OMEN 10 III. CORBULO 17 IV. THERE IS NO STAR . , 26 V. THE SHIP OF THE DEAD . 35 VI. I DO NOT KNOW . 43 VII. THE FACE OF THE DEAD . . 5* Vill. THE SWORD OF THE DEAD . . <, 02 IX. SHEATHED . 70 X. UBI FELICITAS . . . 79 XI. THE VEILS OK ISHTAR gg XII. THE FALL OF i HE VEILS g XIII. TO ROME . . . IC5 XIV. A LITTLE SUPPER . . I I 2 XV. THE LECTISTERNIUM . 121 XVI. IN THK HOUSE OF THE ACTOR , XVII. THE SATURNALIA OF '60 -' 139 XVIII. A REFUGEE . . 140 XIX. THE END OF VITELLIUS , XX. CHANGED TACTICS . . ' r I I XXI. THE virgin's WREATH ,g XXII. gUONIAM TU CAIUS, EGO CAIA! ,.. XXIII. THE END OF THE DAY ,g XXIV. ALBANUM 192 XXV. BY A RA7,nR '99 XXVI. INTERMEZZO .... e • * • 208 IV Domitia Book II. CHAPTBR FAGa 1. AN APPEAL „ , • • " 2'5 n. THE FISH ... 222 III. IN THE '< INSULA" ^^ IV. ANOTHER APPEAL 2 V. ATRIUM vesta; .... „ , , VI. I'OR THE PEOPLE ... ^5^ VII. "THE BLUES HAVE IT ! " ^fyi VIII. THE LOWER STOOL ,,, IX. GLYCERIA ^ X. THE ACCURSED FIELD 288 XI. AGAIN : THE SWORD OF CORI5ULO ^nG Xn. THE TABLETS XIII. THE HOUR OF TWELVE ,,j XIV. IN THE TULLIANUM ,j„ XV. DRAWING TO THE LIGHT .^6 XVI. AN ECSTASY ,,, 333 XVII. HAIL, GLADSOME LIGHT! -.^ i PAGB 2'i 222 229 237 245 262 271 279 28S 296 311 319 326 333 342 DOMITIA. BOOK I. CHAPTER I. THE PORT OF CENCHR/EA. Flashes as of lightning shot from each side of a galley as she was being rowed into port. She was a bireme, that is to say, had two tiers of oars ; and as simul- taneously the double sets were lifted, held for a moment suspended, wet with brine, feathered, and again dipped, every single blade gleamed, reflecting the declining western sun, and together formed a flash from each side of the vessel of a sheaf of rays. The bireme was approaching the entrance to the harbor of Ccnchraia. The one white sail was filled with what little wind breathed, and it shone against a sapphire sea like a moon. Now, at a signal the oars ceased to plunge. The sail was furled, and the galley was carried into the har- bor between the temple that stood on the northern horn of the mole, and the great brazen statue of Posei- 2 Domitia. don that occupied a rock in the midst of the entrance, driven forward by tlie impulse aheady given her by the muscles of the rowers and the east wind in the sail. This Ccnchra^an harbor in*-") which she swept was one of the busiest in the world. Through it as through a tidal sluice rushed the current of trade from the East to the West, and from the Occident to the Orient. It was planted on a bay of the Saronic Gulf, and on the Isthmus of Corinth, at the foot of that lovely range of mountains thrown up by the hand of God to wait off the Peloponnesus as the shrine of intellectual culture and the sanctuary of Liberty. And a furrow— like an artificial dyke— ran between this range and Hellas proper, a furrow nearly wholly invaded by the sea, but still leaving a strip of land, the Corinthian isthmus, to form a barrier between the Eastern and the Western worlds. On the platform at the head of a flight of marble steps before a temple of Poseidon, in her open litter, lounged a lady, with the bloom of youth gone from her face, but artificially restored. She was handsome, with finely moulded features and a delicate white hand, the fingers studded with rings, and a beautiful arm which was exposed whenever any one drew near whose admiration was worth the ac- quisition. Its charm was enhanced by armlets of gold adorned with cameos. Her arched brows, dark in color, possibly owed their perfection of turn and their depth of color to dye and the skill of the artist who decorated her every day, but not so the violet-blue of her large eyes, although these also were enhanced in effect by the tinting of the lashes, and a touch of paint applied to their roots. fallt the entrance, given her by nd in the sail, le swept was . it as through ide from the :o the Orient, ilf, and on the vely range of )d to wall off ctual culture -ran between learly wholly 3 of land, between the the ht of marble ■ open litter, one from her features and d with rings, ;d whenever vorth the ac- nlets of gold y owed their r to dye and ery day, but hough these )f the lashes- The Port of Cenchraea. 3 The lady, whose name was Longa Duilia, was at- tended by female slaves, who stood behind the litter, and by a freedman, Plancus, who was at her side with a set smile on his waxen face, and who bowed towards the lady every moment to hear her remarks, uttered in a languid tone, and without her troubling to turn her head to address him. He will soon be here," said the lady ; " the bireme is in the port. I can see the ruffle before her bows as she cuts the water." " Like the wave in my lady's hair," sighed Plancus. " Abominable ! " exclaimed Duilia, " when the ripple in my hair is natural and abiding, and that in the water is made and disappears." " Because, Mistress, the wavelets look up, see, and fall back in despair." " That is better," said the lady. " And the swelling sail, like your divine bosom, has faller, as when " " Ugh ! I should hope the texture of my skin was not Hke coarse sail-cloth ; get behind me, Plancus. Here, Lucilla, how am I looking ? I would have my lord see me to the best advantage." "Madam," said the female slave, advancing, "the envious sun is about to hide his head in the west. He Cannot endure, after having feasted on your beauty, to surrender it to a mortal." " Is not one eyebrow a trifle higher than the other ?" asked Duilia, looking at herself in a hand mirror of polished metal. " It is indeed so, lady, but has not the Paphian God- dess in the statue of Phidias the same characteristic ? Defect it is not, but a token of divinity." '<tas if covered ny harm shall t, I will have The Port of Cenchraea. 7 She plucked a bodkin from her dress, and ran it into the shoulder of the slave-woman, Favonia, who stood near her, and made her cry out with pain. "You are a parcel of idle, empty-headed fools," ex- claimed the alarmed and irritated mother, " I will have the child found, and that instantly. You girls, you have been gaping, watching the sailors, and have not had an eye on your young mistress, and no concern for my feelings. There is no more putting anything into your heads than of filling the sieves of the Danaides." " Madam," said Plancus, for once without a smile on his unctuous face, " you may rest satisfied that no harm has befallen the young lady. So long as Eboracus is with her, she is safe. That Briton worships her. He would suffer himself to be torn limb from limb rather than allow the least ill to come to her," " Well, well," said the lady impatiently, " we expect all that sort of thing of our slaves." " Madam, but do we always get it ?" " We ! The Gods save me ! How you talk. We / We, indeed. Pray what are you to expect anything ? " "The other day, lady," hastily continued the steward eager to allay the ebullition he had provoked, " The other day. Eboracus nigh on killed a man who looked with an insolent leer at his young mistress. He is like a faithful Molossus," " I do not ask what he is like," retorted the still ruffled lady, " I ask where she is," Then one of the porters of the palanquin came for- ward respectfully and said to the steward :—" If it may please you, sir, will you graciously report to my Lady that I observed the young mistress draw Eboracus aside, and whisper to him, as though urging somewhat 8 D«^mitia. N ^1 and he seemed to demur, but he finally appeared to yield to her persuasions, and they strolled tof;ether along the mole." Longa Duilia overheard this. It was not the eti- quette for an underling to address his master or mistress directly unless spoken to. She said sharply : — " Why did not the fellow men- tion this before ? Give him thirty lashes. Where did they go, did he say ? " " Along the mole." " Which mole ? " " Madam, Carpentarius is afraid of extending his communication lest he increase the number of his lashes." " Well, well ! " exclaimed the mistress, " We may remit the lashes — let him answer." " Carpentarius," said the steward, " Her ladyship, out of the superabundance of her compassion, will let you off the thirty lashes, if you say where be Eboracus and the young lady, your mistress Domitia Lcngina." " Sir," answered the porter, " that I cannot answer positively ; but — unless my eyes deceive me, I see a small boat on the water, within it a rower and a young girl." " By the Immortal Brothers ! he is right," exclaimed Plancus. " See, lady, yonder is a cockle boat, that has been unmoored from the mole, and there be in it a rower, burly, broadbacked, who is certainly the Briton, and in the bow is as it were a silver dove — and that can be none other than your daughter." " As the Gods love me," gasped Duilia, throwing herself back in the litter; "what indelicacy! It i'-. 1 even so, the child is besotted. She dotes on her . i ■: 1 Ily appeared to rolled together 'as not the eti- ,stcr or mistress :he fellow mcn- es. Where did The Port of Cenchraea. 9 father, whom she has not seen since we left Antioch. And she has actually gone to meet him. O Venus Kalypyge ! What are we coming to, when children act in this independent, indecent manner. O Times ! O Morals ! " extending his lumber of his iss, " We may ' Her ladyship, jassion, will let re be Eboracus litia Lcngina." cannot answer ve me, I see a er and a young lit," exclaimed : boat, that has icre be in it a nly the Briton, love — and that uilia, throwing elicacy ! It i^ dotes on her (# Domitia. ;|. CHAPTER II. AN ILL-OMEN. It was even so. The young girl had coaxed the big Briton to take her in a boat to the galley, so as to meet and embrace her father, before he came on shore. She was a peculiarly affectionate child, and jealous to boot. She knew that, so soon as he landed, his whole attention would be engrossed by her very ex- acting mother, who moreover would keep her in the background, and would chide should the father divert his notice from herself to his child. She was therefore determined to be the first to salute him, and to receive his endearments, and to lavish on him her affection, unchecked by her mother. As for the slave, he knew that he would get into trouble if he compiler' with the girl's request, but he was unable to resist iicr blandishment ;. And now Dom' '- ••.iri. i the sie.^ of the galley, and a rope was cast to the boat, caught by Eboracus, who shipped his oars, and the little skiff was made fast to the side of the vessel. The eyes of the father had already recognized his child. Domitia stood in the bows and extended her arms, poised on tiptoe, as if, like a bird about to leap into the air and fiy to his embrace. ; Briton to take :et and embrace ild, and jealous he landed, his by her very ex- And ring. t\\ set in 1 nclingin •heart v excess For 1 the dea to tell ] to poui great p And meetini "My "Lar The turned Then up. H daught( eyes frc "Dor mate, h With rose of "Na> greeting Then %ian lig] She d "You TWords ai shore, h^ M ' r An Ill-Omen. ji And now he caught her hand, looked into her danc- . ling, twinkling eye?, as drops of the very ^gean itself, set in her sweet face, and in another moment she was clinging round his neck, and sobbing as though her heart would break, yet not with sorrow, but through excess of otherwise inexpressible joy. For an hour she had him to herself — all to herself phe dear father whom she had not seen for half a year, ;to tell him how she loved him, to hear about himself, to pour into his ear her story of pleasures and pains, great pleasures and trifling pains. And yet— no, not wholly uninterrupted was the .meeting and sweet converse, for the father said : I " My darling, hast thou no word for Lucius ? " "Lamia! He is here?" The father, Cna^us Domitius Corbulo, with a smile turned and beckoned. : Then a young man, with pleasant, frank face, came up. He had remained at a distance, when father and daughter met, but had been unable to withdraw his eyes from the happy group. " Domitia, you have not forgotten your old play- mate, have you ? " . With a light blush like the tint on the petal of the rose of June, the girl extended her hand. I "Nay, nay!" said Corbulo. "A gentler, kinder greeting, after so long a separation." Then she held up her modest cheek, and the young man lightly touched it with his lips. She drew herself away and said : " You will not be angry if I give all my thoughts and jwords and looks to my father now. When we come on shore, he will be swallowed up by others." m I 11 za Domitia. Lamia stepped back. " Do not be offended," she said with a smile, and the loveliest, most bewitching dimples came into her checks. " I have not indeed been without thought of you, Lucius, but have spun and spun and weaved too, enough to make you a tunic, all with my own hands, and a purple claviis — it nigh ruined me, the dyed Tyr- ian wool cost ^ — I will not say ; but T wove little crossed L's into the texture." " What,'" said Corbulo. " For Lucius and Longina ? " The girl became crimson. Lamia came to her succor. "That could not be," said he, " for Longina and Lucius are never across, but alack ! Lucius is often so with Lamia, when he has done some stupid thing and he sees a frown on his all but father's face, but hears no word of reproach." "My boy," said Corbulo, "when a man knows his own faults, then a reprimand is unnecessary, and what is unnecessary is wrong." Lamia bowed and retired. And now again father and daughter were alone to- gether in the prow observing the arc of the harbor in which the ship was gliding smoothly. And now the sailors had out their poles and hooks, and they ran the vessel beside the wharf, and cast out ropes that were made fast to bronze rings in the marble breasting of the quay. Domitia would at once have drawn her father on shore, but he restrained her. " Not yet, my daughter," he said ; " the goddess must precede thee." And now ensued a singular formality. ' Double-dyed Tyrian wool cost over £\o in English money per lb. An Ill-Omen. »3 ith a smile, and s came into her lout thought of ^nd wcavcd too, my own hands, :, the dyed Tyr- 3VC little crossed >and Longina?'' : could not be," lever across, but a, when he has frown on his all reproach." man knows his ssary, and what were alone to- of the harbor in 3les and hooks, ,vharf, and cast ze rings in the 1 her father on " the goddess glish money per lb. From the bows of the vessel, the captain and steerer took a statuette of Artemis, in bronze, the Ephesian goddess, with female head and numerous breasts, but with the lower limbs swaddled, and the swaddling bands decorated with representations of all kinds of beasts, birds, and fishes. This image was now conveyed on shore, followed by the passengers and crew. On the quay stood an altar, upon which charcoal ever burnt, under the charge of a priest who attended to it continuously, and whenever a ship entered the port or was about to leave, added fuel, and raked and blew up the fire. Simultaneously from a small temple on the quay issued a priest with veiled head, and his attendants came to the altar, cast some grains of incense on the embers, and as the blue fragrant smoke arose and was dissipated by the sea breeze, he said : — ^ "The Goddess Aphrodite of Corinth salutes her divine sister, the Many-Breasted Artemis of Ephesus, and welcomes her. And she further prays that she may not smite the city or the port with fire, pestilence or earthquake." Then captain, steerman, pilot and the rest of the company advanced in procession to the temple, and on reaching it offered a handful of sweet gums on an altar there, before the image of the foam-born goddess of Beauty, and said : — " We who come from the sea, having safely traversed |the ^gean, escaped rocks and sand-banks, whirlpools and storms, under the protection of the great goddess of Ephesus, salute in her name the goddess of Beauty, .and receive her welcome with thankfulness. And great ^ 14 Domitia. Pi Artemis beseeches her sister to suffer her and the ves- sel with passengers and goods and crew, that she con- ducts and protects, to pass across the isthmus, without let and molestation ; and she for her part undertakes to pay the accustomed toll, and the due to the temple of Aphrodite, and that neither the passengers nor the crew shall in any way injure or disturb the inhabitants of Corinth or of the Isthmus." This ceremony concluded, all were at liberty to dis- perse ; the sailors to attend to the vessel, the slaves of Corbulo to look to and land such of his luggage as he was likely to want, and Corbulo to go to his wife, who had placed herself in an attitude to receive him. The captain, at the same time, entered the harbor- master's office to arrange about the crossing of the isthmus, and to settle tolls. For the vessel was not to make more stay than a few days at the port of Cenchr.xa. After Longa Duilia was ready, then she and her husband and family were to proceed to Lecha^um, the port on the Corinthian Gulf, there to embark for Italy. The vessel would leave the harbor and go to Diolchus, that point of the Isthmus on the east where the neck of land was narrowest. There the ships would be hauled out of the water, placed on rollers, and by means of oxen, assisted by gangs of slaves, would convey the vessel over the land for six miles to the Gulf of Corinth, where again she would be floated. Immediately behind the Roman general, Corbulo, the father of Domitia, walked two individuals, both wearing long beards, and draped to the feet. One of these had a chr.-acteristically Oriental head. 1 r her and the ves- 2w, that she con- isthmus, without art undertakes to to the temple of 5sengers nor the b the inhabitants at hberty to dis- vessel, the slaves 1 of his luggage alio to go to his itude to receive ered the harbor- crossing of the : stay than a few -onga Duilia was family were to Corinthian Gulf, would leave the : of the Isthmus was narrowest. f of the water, cen, assisted by si over the land Inhere again she :ncral, Corbulo, dividuals, both feet. Oriental head. An Ill-Omen. His eyes were set very close together, his nose was aqu.hne, h.s tmt sallow, his eyebrows heavy and bushy and h. general expression one of cunning and sub: tlety. His movements were stately The other was not so tall. He was clumsy in move- ment rugged m feature, with a broken nose, his feat- ures distinctly Occidental, as was his bullet h^ad. H^ hair was sandy, and scant on his crown. He wore a smug, self-complacent expression on his pursed-up lips and had a certain " I am Sir Oracle, let no dog bark '• look in his pale eyes. These two men, walking side by side, eyed each other with Ill-concealed dislike and disdain The former was a Chald.-ean, who was usually called Elymas, but affected in Greek to be named Ascleta rion. c^i«-i.a The latter was an Italian philosopher who had re- ceived his training in Greece at a period when all sys- tems of philosophy were broken up and jostled each other in their common ruin. No sooner was the ceremony at an end, and Corbulo had hastened from the wharf to meet and embrace his wife and Lamia had drawn off Domitia for a few words, than these two men left to themselve! instinctively turned to launch their venom at each i .^l] h^^ l"u "■' t"" ' ''" "' '"'^ ^^^'■^' ^"d - I'ft- W liplld':^ ''''''''''' ^"' ''' ^-^-•^'°" ^^ ^- alias'^EIvr'^'Kt ','/''' '^' profundity of Ascletarion alias Elymas beheld in the bottom of that well h-^ terms his soul?" '" "^ " He has been able to see what is hidden from the i6 Domitia. ml M- shallowness of Claudius Scnccio alias Spcrmologos^ over the surface of which shallowness his soul careers like a water spider. "And that is, O muddiness?" " Ill-luck, O insipidity." "Why so.? — not, the Gods forfend, that I lay any weight on anything you may say. Jkit I like to hear your vaticinations that I may laugh over them." " Hear, then. Bee . se a daughter of Earth dared to set foot on the vessel consecrated to and conducted by Artemis before that the tutelary goddess had been welcomed by and had saluted the tutelary deity of the land." " I despise your prophecies of evil, thou crow." " Not more than do I thy platitudes, O owl ! " " Hearken to the words of the poet," said the philos- opher, and he started quoting the CP2dipus Tyrannus : "The Gods know the affairs of mortals. But among men, it is by no means certain that a soothsayer is of more account than myself ! " And Senecio snapped his fingers in the face of the Magus. "Conclude thy quotation," retorted Elymas. "'A man's wisdom may surpass Wisdom itself. Therefore never will I condemn the seer, lest his words prove true.' How like you that?" and he snapped his fingers under the nose of the philosopher. 1 The term used of St. Paul by the wise men of Athens. Tt means a picker up of unconsidered trifles which he strings together into an unintelligible system. i Sjjcrmolocjos ^ his soul careers Corbulo. 17 that I lay any t I lik'c to hear er thcin." I Earth dared to and conducted dtless had been ary deity of the liou crow." , O owl ! " ' said the philos- Jpus Tyrannus: .Is. But among soothsayer is of lenecio snapped Elymas. " ' A self. Therefore lis words prove lie snapped his icr. )f Athens. It means igs together mto an CHAPTER HI. CORBULO. Cn^us Domitius Corbulo was the greatest gen- eral ^of his time, and he had splendidly served the His sister Cresonia had been the wife of the mad prince Caligula. She was not beautiful, but her flexi- ble mouth, her tender eyes, the dimples in her cheeks her exquisite grace of manner and sweetness of expres- sion had not only won the heart of the tyrant, but had enabled her to maintain it. Once in an outburst of surprise at himself for loving her, he threatened to put her to the torture to wring ^om Cxsonia the secret of her hold on his affections Once, as he caressed her, he broke into hideous laugh- ter, and when asked the reason, said, " I have but to speak the word, and this lovely throat would be cut " \ct this woman loved the maniac, and when he had been murdered in the subterranean gallery leading f.om the palace to the theatre, she crept to the spot and was found kneeling by her dead' husband with t om h,s face. The assassins did not spare her. They t her down and dashed out the brains of the infnt agamst the marble walls. Corbulo was not only able, he was successful. U. 'nd er i8 Domitia. ^Hh Si| • ■{ ^L 1\ . Nero he was engaged in the East against the Parthians, the most redoubted enemies of the empire. He broke their power and sent their king, Tiridates, a suppliant to Rome. His headquarters had been at Antioch, and there for a while his wife and daughter had resided with him. But after a while, they were sent part way homewards, as Corbulo himself expected his recall. They had been separated from him for over six months, and had been awaiting his arrival in a villa at Cenchra;a, that had been placed at their disposal by a Greek client. It was customary for those who did not live in Rome but belonged to a province, to place themselves under the patronage of a Roman noble ; whereupon ensued an exchange of " cards " as we should say, but actually of engraved plates or metal fishes on which the date of the agreement was entered as well as the names of the contracting parties. Then, when a provincial desired assistance at the capital, in obtaining redress for a grievance in a lawsuit, or in recovering a debt, his patron attended to his client's interests, and should he visit Rome received him into his house as an honored guest. On the other hand, if the patron were on a journey and came to the place where his client could serve him, the latter threw his house open to him, treated him with the most profound respect and accorded to him the largest hospitality. So now the villa of a client had been placed at the disposal of Corbulo and his family, and he occupied it with as little hesitation as though it were his own. It was a matter of pride to a Roman noble to have Corbulo. »9 the Parthians, re. He broke -s, a suppliant ch, and there 1 resided with Jilt part way 1 his recall. for over six 'al in a villa at disposal by a t live in Rome msclves under eupon ensued y, but actually ^vhich the date the names of a provincial aining redress vering a debt, sts, and should ; house as an e on a journey \t could serve him, treated id accorded to the villa of a of Corbulo and little hesitation 1 noble to have a large number of silver engraved plates and fishes suspended in his atrium, announcing to all visitors what an extensive clientele he had, and the provincial was not less proud to be able to flourish the name of his distinguished patron at the capital. On the evening following the disembarkation, Cor- bulo and his wife were seated on a bench enjoying the pleasant air that fanned from the sea ; and looking over the terraced garden at their daughter, who was gambolling with a long silky-haired kid from Cilicia, that her father had brought as a present to his child. She was a lovely girl, aged sixteen, with a remark- ably intelligent face, and large, clear, shrewd eyes. Yet, though lovely, none could say that she was beautiful. Her charm was like that of her aunt, Caesonia, in grace of form, in changefulness and sweet- ness of expression, and in the brimming intellect that flashed out of her violet eyes. And now as she played with the kid, her every movement formed an artist's study, and the simple joy that shone out of her face, and the affection wherewith she glanced at intervals at her father, invested her with a spiritual charm, im- possible to be achieved by sculptor with his chisel or by painter with his brush. The eyes of Domitius Corbulo followed his child, wherever she went, whatever she did. He was a man of somewhat advanced age, shaven, with short shorn hair, marked features, the brow somewhat retreating, but with a firm mouth and strong jaw. Though not hand- some, there was refinement in his countenance which gave it a character of nobleness, and the brilliant eye and decision in the countenance inspired universal ao Domitia. $. lit respect. Every one could see that he was not merely a commander of men in war, but a man of culture in the forum and the academy. " Wife," said he, " I pray you desist. It was for this that I sent you back from Antioch. You ever twanged one string, and I ultthat your words, if over- heard, might endanger us all." " I speak but into thine car." "A brimming vessel overflows on all sides," said Corbulo. " Ah well ! some men make themselves by grasping at what the Gods offer them. Others lose themselves by disregarding the favors extended by the Im- mortals." " I deny that any such offer was made me," said the general in a tone of annoyance. "What!" exclaimed Longa Duilia, "art thou so blind as not to see what is obvious to every other eye, that the Roman people are impatient at having a buf- foon, a mimic, a fiddler wearing the purple? " " Nevertheless, he wears it, by favor of the gods." "For how long? Domitius, believe me. In the heart of every Roman citizen rage is simmering, and the wound of injured pride rankles. He has insulted the majesty of eternal Rome. After having acted the buffoon in Italy, running up and down it like a jester on a tight-rope mouthing at the people, and with his assassins scattered about below to cut them down if they do not applaud- :hen he comes here also into Greece, to act on stages, race chariots, before Greeks- Greeks of all people ! To me this is nothing, for all princes are tyrants more or less, and so long as they do not prick me, I care not. But here it docs come close. was not merely an of culture in st. It was for )ch. You ever • word?, if over- ill sides," said 'es by grasping ose themselves by the Im- e me," said the "art thou so /ery other eye, : having a buf- 3le?" of the gods." : me. In the immering, and e has insulted ving acted the it like a jester ', and with his them down if here also into jfore Greeks — othing, for all )ng as they do es come close. Corbulo. ai In every army, in the breast of every soldier, rebellion springs up. Every general is uneasy and looks at the face of every other and asks, Who will draw the sword and make an end of this ? O Morals ! it makes me mad to see you alone quiest nt." " When the Gods will a change, then the change will • be granted." I "You speak like a philosopher and not a man of action. If you do not draw, others will forestall you, and then— instead of my being up at the top— I snail be down in Nowhere." " Never will I be a traitor to Rome, and go against my oath." " Pshaw ! They all do it, so why not you ? " " Because my conscience will not suffer me." " Conscience ! The haruspices have never found it yet. They can discover and read the liver and the kidneys, but no knife has yet laid bare a conscience as big as a bean. You were the darling of the soldiery in Germany. You are still the idol of those who have fought under you in Parthia and Armenia. I am sure 1 did my best to push your cause. I was gracious to the soldiery— sent tit-bits from the table to the guard. I tipped right and left, till I spent all my pocket- money, and smiled benignantly on all military men till I got a horrible crumple here in my cheek, do vou sec ? " "Yes, shocking," said Corbulo, indifferently. ; " How can you be so provoking ! " exclaimed Duilia :■ pettishly. •' Of course there is no wrinkle, there might have been, I did so much smiling. Really, Corbulo, one has to do all the picking— as boys get winkles out of their shells with a pin— -to extract a compliment from aa Domitia. you. And out comes the pin with nothing at the end. Plancus would not have let that pass.'* " Do you say that Nero is here?" " Yes, here, in Greece ; here at our elbow, at Corinth. He has for once got a clever idea into his head and has begun to cut a canal through the isthmus. It has begun with a flourish of trumpets and a dinner and a dramatic exhibition— and then I warrant you it will end." " The Prince at Corinth ! " " Yes, at Corinth ; and you are here with all t'.e wide sea between you and your troops. And docile as a lamb you have come here, and left your vantage ground. What it all means, the Gods know. It is no doing of mine. I warned and exhorted at Antioch, but you might have been born deaf for all the atten- tion you paid to my words." " Never would I raise my sacrilegious hand against Rome — my mother." " Nay— it is Rome that cries out to be rid of a man that makes her the scorn of the world." " She has not spoken. She has not released me of my oath." " Because her mouth is gagged. As the Gods love me, they say that the god Caius (Caligula) named his horse Consul. Rome may have a monkey as her prince and Augustus for aught I care, were it not that by such a chance the handle is offered for you to upset him and seat yourself and me at the head of the universe." " No m.ore of this," said the general. " A good soldier obeys his commander. And I have an impe- rator" he touched his breast ; " a good conscience, ig at the end. N, at Corinth, head and has nus. It has dinner and a t you it will I all t'.e wide 1 docile as a our vantage ow. It is no at Antioch, ill the atten- liand against rid of a man leased me of le Gods love i) named his as her prince not that by ^ou to upset lead of the "A good ve an intpe- conscience, 11 \ i l:\ >1< MV SA< Ull.ru. ,, US HAN,, .\,;AINsr KUMK." J'u,,:- 22 li stars, ciples Corbulo. 23 and I go nowhere, undertake nothing which is not ordered by my master there." " Then I wash my hands of the result." " Come hither ! " Corbulo called, and signed to his daughter who, with a flush of pleasure, left her kid and ran to him. He took both her hands by the wrists, and holding her before him, panting from play, and with light dancing in her blue eyes, he said, " Domitia, I have not said one grave word to thee since we have been together. Yet now will I do this. None can tell what may be the next turn up of the die. And this that lam about to say comes warm and salt from my heart, like the spring hard by, at the Bath of Helene." "And strong, father," said the girl, with flashes in her speaking eyes. '• So strong is the spring that at once it turns a mill, ere rushing down to find its rest in the sea." " Well, and so may what I say so turn and make thee active, dear child, — active for good, though homely the work maybe as that of grinding flour. When you have done a good work, and not wasted the volume of life in froth and cascade, then find rest in the wide sea of " " Of what ? " sneered Duilia, " say it out — of nobody knows what." " That which thou sayest, dearest father, will not sleep in my heart." " Domitia, when we sail at sea, we direct our course by the stars. Without the stars we should not know whither to steer. And the steering of the vessel by the stars, that is seamanship. So in life. There arc prin- ciples of right and wrong set in the firmament " t. i 4^ if I 1 ' te 1 ^3 ' 1 j^g ■ •» ' _^y ■ 24 Domitia. " As the Gods love me, I "Where?" asked Duilia. never saw them." shapi ,,; of o»r court T ,""■■""' ""'' ""■' "■"= ship of h7e." ^ ^"^ seaman- cons^^.,-o„3 ,•„ the „oM of^otvesl." '.r/ ,C not Lamia .s speeding ahead of them." ' ^.^cscntly, .vhcn she was beyond hearing, he ^ii- i.an,;::u'r ; ovt^aTry'oV'H i "-r- ^e^'-r?:^h::et^d-j:~^^ one on V chanc- t„ k ■ t'"' there is I hold fhnr-, *^"'™ ^ Sood husband. Tin's sky-th:::^; , tj' -n^The^Te: t "b^ it "r '■" "'^ comes La,n,-a, and some'Lt::^ him'" ""'"'== ' ""= Lucus was s.c„ approaclnny through the garden # Corbulo. 25 id he was evidently His face was ashen-gray to the livcHest distress. He hastened to Corbulo, but although his lips moved, he could not utter a word. "You would speak with me," said the old general rising, and looking steadily in the young man's face. Something he saw there made him divine his errand. Then Corbulo turned, kissed his wife, and said — " Farewell. I am rightly served." He took a step from her, looked towards Domitia, who was dancing to her kid, above whose reach she held a bunch of parsley. He hesitated for a moment. His inclination drew him towards her ; but a second thought served to make him abandon so doing, and instead, he bent back to his wife, and said to her, with suppressed emotion — " Bid her from me — as my last command — Follow the Light where and when she sees it." # 26 Domitia. fell CHAPTER IV. THERE IS NO STAR. Lamia came out. ^ young man JJomitia was still m fi,« i Wd, and Lamia I "„ e w „ttt"' "''^'"^ "'•"' '"^ with repugnance ''"• "°' ''P^dily, but had -n™uchofe?ch'^.r,-:'s;-r''''"'^"='=^' ^^ Eft:'r; sradeTn.'i^rT-'"';"' '^^^'^ ■•- •>'= had been engaged alts ',f p' "r'"""'"^- «<= niansforeighf/ea J twaH^;''""^. '"' ^™- There is no Star. 27 best society of the province. Corbulo, a quiet, thought- ful and modest man, shrunk from the stir and empti ness of such Hfc, and had found rest and enjoyment in the company of his daughter. Lamia had served as his secretary and aide-de-camp He was a youth of much promise, and of singular in- tegrity of mind and purity of morals in a society that was self-seeking, voluptuous, and corrupt. He belonged to the /Elian gens or clan, but he had been adopted by a Lamia, a member of a family in the same clan, that claimed descent from Lamius a son of Poseidon, or Neptune, by one of those fictions so dear to the Roman noble houses, and which caused the fabrication of mythical origins, just as the ambi- tion of certain honorable families in England led to the falsification of the Roll of Battle Abbey. Pliny tells a horrible story of the first Lamia of im- portance, known to authentic history. He had been an adherent of C^sar and a friend of Cicero. He was supposed to be dead in the year in which he had been elected praetor, and was placed on the funeral pyre when consciousness returned, but too late for him to' be saved. The flames rose and enveloped him, and he died shrieking and struggling to escape from the bandages that bound him to the bier on which he lay Lucius Lamia had been kindly treated by Corbulo" and the young man's heart had gone out to the ven' erated general, to whom he looked up as a model of all the old Roman virtues, as well as a man of com- manding military genius. The simplicity of the old soldier's manner and the freshness of his mind had acted as a healthful and bracing breeze upon the youth's moral character. ' t 28 Domitia. walked w.th her up and down the pleached avenues foi some moments without speakhig. His breast lieaved. His head swam. His hand that held hers worked convulsively. All at once Domitia stood still She had looked up wondering at his manner, into u Z?' ^"^ ^'^^ '^^" t'^^^t they were full. What ails yon Lucius ? " h^" ^r'thc r'' ,"' T '''" "'"^'" "^ ''^^ ^-"V* said for'titu L T 1 '°"^"'^ '^^^^^^ '" "'"^"^-^ -^^ thy the sa^dd^st— -^^ "^"^ ^^ communicate, and they o^ " What ! are we not to return to Rome ? O Lamia I was a clHld when I left it, but I love our houslat Gabn, and the lake there, and the garden " " It IS worse than that, Domitia." He seated him self on the margin of . basin, and nervously nt.t^w ing what he did, drew his finger in the wat^r de crib ing letters, and chasing the darting fish " Domitia, you belong to an ancient race. You are a Roman, and have the blood of the Gods in yo. And rVr:. ''^ '""" '^°^'' ^^ ^-•-- the worst"^" And still he thrust after the frightened fish with his finger, and she looked down, and saw them dar like shadows m the pool, and her own frightened thou J darted as mmbly and as blindly abou^t in her head? Why, how now, Lamia? Thou art descended by adoption from the Earth-shakes, and tremblest as a g^rl! See-a tear fell into the basin. Oh, Luc us' My very kid rears in surprise." " Do not mock. Prepare for the worst. Think wha^ would be the sorest ill that could befall thee." hand There is no Star. 29 Domitia withdrew her eyes from the fish and the water surface rippled by his finger, and looked now with real terror in his face. "My father?" Then Lamia raised his dripping finger and pointed to the house. Slie looked, and saw that the gardener had torn down boughs of cypress, and therewith was decorating the doorway. At the same moment rose a long-drawn, desolate wail, rising, falling, ebbing, flowing— a sea of sound in- finitely sad, heart-thrilling, blood-congealing. For one awful moment, one of those moments that seems an eternity, Domitia remained motionless. She could hear articulate words, voices now. " Come back ! O Cna^us ! Come, thou mighty war- rior ! Come, thou pillar of thy race ! Come back, thou shadow ! Return, O fleeted soul ! See, see ! thy tabernacle is still warm. Return, O soul ! return ! " She knew it— the conclamatio ; that cry uttered about the dead in the hopes of bringing back the spirit that has fled. Then, before Lamia could stop her, Domitia started from the margin of the pool, startling the fish again and sending them flying as rays from where she had been seated, and ran to the house. The gardener, with the timidity of a slave, did not venture to forbid passage. A soldier who was withdrawing extended his arm to bar the doorway. Quick as thought she dived below this barrier, and next moment with a cry that cut through ihe wail of the mourners, she cast herself on the body of her father, that lay extended on the !;r, i > n 30 Domitia. if'H mosaic floor, with a blood-stained sword at Jiis side and a dark rill running fron. his breast or k' amellcd pavement. "" Next moment Lamia entered Around the hall were mourners, slaves of the house as also some of those of Longa Duilia, raisin-' tl"; arms and lowering them, uttering their cries of la e tation and mvocations to the departed soul some rend -g the,r gannents. others making believe to t ^ thet hair and scratch their faces. In the midst lay the dead general, and his child ckmg to h>m, kissed him. chafed his hands, endeavo d to^stanch h.s wound, and addressed him with endea. But all was in vain. The spirit was beyond recall The poor child clasped him. convulsed with te-^rs- her copious chestnut hair had become unbound and was strewed about he, and even dipped in heT ^h:;' blood. She was as though frantic with despair her gestures her cry very different from t)ie formal expies sions and utterances of the servile mourners ^ ^ But Lamia at length touched her, and said- Come away. Domitia. You cannot prevent Fate." Suddenly she reared herself on her knees, and put back the burnished rain of hair that shroLded he face, and said in harsh tones :— " Who slew him ? " " He fell on his own sword." " Why ! He was happy ? " Before an answer was given, she reeled and fell un- Cvnscious across her father's body. There is no Star. 31 Then Lamia stooped, gathered her up tenderly, piti- fully, 111 his arms, and bore her forth into the jjarden to the fountain, where he could bathe her face, and where the cool air might revive her. Why was Corbulo dead? and why hud he died by his own hand ? The Emperor Nero was, as Duilia had told her bus- band, at this very time in Greece, and further, hard by at Corinth, where he was engaged in superintending the cuttmg of a canal, that was to remove the diffi- culty of a passage from the Saronic to the Corinthian Gulf. Nero had come to Greece attended by his Augustal band of five thousand youths with flowing locks, and gold bangles on their wrists, divided into three com panies, whose duty it was to applaud the imperial mountebank, and rouse or lead enthusiasm, the Hummers by buzzing approval, the Clappers by beatmg their hands together, and the Clashers by kickmg pots about so as to produce a contagious uproar. Nero was possessed with the delusion that he had a fine voice, and that he was an incomparable actor ifet his range was so small, that when striving to sink to a bass note, his voice became a gurgle, and when he attempted to soar to a high note, he raised himself on his toes, became purple in face, and emitted a screech like a peacock. Not satisfied with the obsequious applause of the Roman and Neapolitan citizens who crowded the thea- tre to hear the imperial buffoon twitter, he resolved to contest for prizes in the games of Greece. A fleet attended him, crowded with actors, singer.s, 32 Domitia. dancers, heaped i,p wit], tlicatrical properties, masks costumes, wigs, and fiddles. He would show the Greeks that ]-.e could drive a chariot, sing and strut the stage new in male and then in female costume, and adapt his voice to the sex he personated, now grumbling in masculine tones, then squeaking in falsetto, and incomparable in each. ' But with the cunning of a madman, he took with hnn, as his court, the wealthiest nobles of Rome, whom he had marked out for death, either because he coveted their fortunes or suspected their loyalty. Wherever he went, into whatsoever city he entered his artistic eye noted the finest statues and paln^-no-s' and he carried them off, from temple as from market- place, to decorate Rome or enrich his Golden House, the palace he had erected for himself. Tortured by c.ivy of every one whr. made himself conspicuous ; hating, fearing ^uch as were in all men's mouths, through their achiev^ements, or notable for virtue, his suspicion had for some time rested on Domitius Corbulo, who had won laurels first in Ger- many and afterwards in Syria. He had summoned him to Rome, with the promise of preferments, his purpose being to withdraw him from the army that adored him, and to destroy him. No sooner did the tidings reach the tyrant at Corinth, that the veteran hero was arrived at Cenchraea, than he sent him a message to commit suicide. A gracious condescension that, for the property of the man who was executed was forfeit and his wife and children reduced to beggary, whereas the will of the testator who destroyed himself was allowed to remain in force. There is no Star. 33 Lamia washed the stains from the hands and locks of the girl, and bathed her face with water till she came round. Then, when he saw that she had recovered full con- sciousness, he asked to be allowed to hasten for assist- ance. She bowed her head, as she could not speak, and he entered the women's portion of the villa to summon some of the female slaves. These were, how- ever, in no condition to answer his call and be of use. Duilia had monopolized the attentions of almost all such as had not been commissioned to raise the funeral wail. Some, indeed, there were, scattered in all direc- tions, running against each other, doing nothing save add to the general confusion, but precisely these were useless for Lamia's purpose. Unwilling to leave the child longer alone, Lucius returned to the garden, and saw Domitia seated on the breastwork of the fountain. Ten years seemed to have passed over her head, so altered was she. She was not now weeping. The rigidity of the fainting fit seemed not to have left her face, nor relaxed the stony appearance it had assumed. Her eyes were lustreless, and her lips without color. The young man was startled at her look. "Domitia!" said he. She raised her eyes to him, and said in reply, "Lucius!" Then letting them fall, she added in hard, colorless tones, " There is one thing I desire of thee. By some means or other, I care not what, bring me into the presence of the monster. I know how my father has come by his death — as have so many others, the best and the noblest. I have but one ambition on 3 . ^1 m t ^m^m a ^iMtamKnKm i r-iru^ 34 Domitia. earth I .see but a single duty before mc-to drive if it bo but a silver bodkin into liis l.cart " "Domitia!" o b d me look to ti,e stars and to sail by them. I o" ad s e one only star. I feel but one only duty o, cai til -to reventje his death." ^ fnl" ^l\ ^'■''''' • " ■''*^' ^^'•'•"'■^^' '" ^ '°^^' tone. " l^ccare- Diood to be mingled with his." "I care not." "I3ut to me it matters sovereignly " " Why ? Dost thou care for me ? " "Above all in tlie world." " Then revenge me." " Domitia, my grief is little less than thine. If you are suffered'. ' """^ '^ """"^""^ S"-'^'"'" None sear S ; i° ^'^P^'^r^^ '^'^ ^^^ ^-ve not first been length. Nothing can be done, save invoke the Gods." GoJf T? ^"""^^''"^ '^'' Sirl hoarsely. "The with rL ^"' "^ ''"" '^^^' ^^^^^ ^^-'' and crown him a h The'r r -"^'^" ^'^ ""^^^^ -^^ Sood into the earth. The Gods ! see you now ! They set a star in heaven, they grave a duty in my heart, L, the ^r s unattamable, and the duty, they make impossible o aeh.evement. Bah! There is no star, TlCareno dut,es on earth, and no Gods in heaven " The Ship of the Dead. 35 CHAPTER V. THH Smi' OF THE DEAD. " It is of no use in the world, Plancus, your attempt- ing to reason mc out of a fixed resolve," said the lady Longa Duilia, peevishly. " My Corbulo shall not have a shabby funeral." " Madam, I do not suggest that," said the steward humbly, rubbing his hands. "Yes, you do. It is of no good your sta' ding on one leg lil ,i ' ork. Shabby it must be— no ancestors presciu. As the Gods love me, you would not have me borrow ancestors of Asclepiadcs, our client, who has lent us this villa ! He may have them or not, that is no concern of mine. Will you have done preening yourself like an old cockroach. I say it would be an indignity to have a funeral for my Corbulo without ancestors. O Times ! O Morals! What is the good of having ancestors if you do not use them ?" ♦' But, Madam, they are in your palace at Rome in the Carina:— or at the Gabian villa." " And for that reason they are not here. Without the attendance of his forbears, my Corbulo shall not be buried. Ik'sides, who is there to impress here with the solemnity ? Only a lot of wretched sailors, ship sutlers, Jew pedlers and petty officials, not worth con- sidering. I have said it." 36 Domitia. ill ^F one of the family," fully-,s not as yet mal*sl"hetd 1,7 '"^ ^f ""'"=' '"'' -•'" ^er. Ws ashes to Rome'" ""'' '' ^""■°'^"' ^"'^ -"->-d w.4"s';;%::r:;\tr:-?--con..^ soldiers, the lictors \.r.nf^ ^''''^ '''^""^ ^he immedi: et lied • :::'''f °''^"'' '"'^ '"«-^ into two ,nLs. that t e Xd" a'l^d'""'' T 7'"=^' glass eyes One wnc r.i ^^^"'"^^ ^"^ supplied with the corps lay ■ / tui 7^^^ f " '^^' ^^^^' -^-" his fune'ral pjre aT^tl^^t e^ct'oV:!:: ^^"T' ^^ was to dissolve the mask nn^^ , ! ''"^ ^^'^'"^^ The ancient Gtlte'rt the t ''' '^ ' '^"^"••^^• Jaidgoid-leaf mask on t^^^^^^^^^^ ^'-••- ^-d time the face of th. n ' ^ '" "" "^'^^ '^^'-^'er iron, to g e it 1 f s;"'"^ ""^ """"^^^^^ ^^'^'^ --de of p\ .u '^ appearance of life. iiut the second mask was preserved for ,h f •, portrait gallery. prt^seuedfoi the family When a Roman gentleman nri.^ to his funeral ovre h! ^ '''''' "^'"'''^d ^o^th luiieiai pyre, he was preceded hv ^ r^n t- .V.UUCU D). a procession as The Ship of the Dead. 37 of actors dressed up in the togas and military or munic- ipal insignia of departed ancestors, each wearing tlie wax mask of him he personified. I^'''^^-^^^^pp^ " It is against the law," replied Duilia. " I will mVe no occasion to objection, offer no handle to informe,^ bulo forbids the entertainment of such an idea. Really and on my word, Plancus, I am not a child U be mg a abb.t, a fish, or a pig eating out of a trough I annot conceive what you are about with your hands fumblmg one over the other." ' " Madam, I had no thought " whin ^"r ^°" ^'''''' """'• ^^''^ P'^'-^^^d ^"°ther time when addressing me to keep your hands quiet it is -ntatmg. One never knows where they ai- o' wi ill' 38 Domitia. Uit mi m be, sometimes folding and unfolding them, thcn-thcy disappear up your sleeves and project none ean guess where-hke snails' horns. I3e pleased,-and now paw- ng your face like a cat washing itself. Please in future hold them in front of you like a dog when sit- t'"g "P, begging. But as to the funeral-I will not iiave .t cheap and nasty. Without ancestors a funeral is not worth having." "Then," said the harassed freedman, "there is nothing for it but to engage an embalmer." " Of course-one can be obtained at Corinth. Every- thing can be had for money." As Plancus was retiring, the lady recalled him. Here 'said she, " do not act like a fool, and let the man charge a fancy price. Say that I have an idea of p.ckhng Corbulu in brine, and have brought an amMora large enough for the purpose. Don't close with his terms at once." When the steward was gone, then Longa Duilia turned her head languidly and summoned a slave-girl ^"C'lla ! The unfortunate feature of the situation IS that I must not have my hair combed till we reach ^aun It IS customary, and for a bracelet of j^earls I would not transgress custom. You can give my head a tousled look, without being dishevelled, I would wish to appear interesting, not untidy." _ " Lady ! Nothing could make you other than fas- cinating. A widow in tears-some stray locks-it would melt marble." ^^ "And I think I shall outdo Agrippina," said Duilia, she earned her husband's cinders in an urn at the head of her berth and on appropriate occasions howled in the most tragic and charming manner. But I shall ley The Ship of the Dead. 39 convey the unconsumed body of my Corbulo in state exposed on his bier, in his military accoutrements all the way to Rhcgium, then up the coast to Ostia and so to Gabii. There will be talk ! " " You will be cited in history as a widow the like of which the world has never seen. As for Agrippina, in your superior blaze she will be eclipsed forever." " I should prefer doing what Agrippina did — make a land journey from Brindisium, but— but— one must consider. It would be vastly expensive, and " But the lady did not finish the sentence. She con- sidered that Nero might resent such a demonstration, as exciting indignation against himself, in having obliged Corbulo to put an end to his life. But she did not dare to breathe her thought even into the ear of a slave. " No," she said ; " it would come too expensive. I will do what I can to honor my husband, but not ruin myself." When Longa Duilia had resolved to have her own way, and that was always, then all the entire family of slaves and retainers, freedmen and clients knew it must be done. The vessel after a brief stay at Cenchr^a had left for Diolcus where it had been placed on rollers and conveyed across the isthmus, and was launched in the Corinthian Gulf. Nero had been engaged for some days in excavating a canal between the two seas. He had himself turned the first sod, but after getting some little way, rock was encountered of so hard a quality that to cut through it would cost time, toil and money. He speedily tired of the scheme, wanted the money I «l ■ ii h iM« |^ ' NwV>m ii Or» H r law MB if 40 Domitia. I r i; 1. It would have cost for some dramatic exhibition, and was urged by Heh'os, a frcedman whom 'lehad left in Rome, to return to Italy, to prevent an insurrection that was simmering. Nero did not much believe in danger, but he had laden his fleet with the plunder of Greece, he had strutted and twittered on every sta-e carried off every prize in every contest, and was desiro^'us of being applauded in Italy and at Rome for what he had achieved, and exhibit there the chaplets he had won. Accordingly he started, and hardly had he done so before the Artemis with spread sail swept down the Corinthian Gulf. The ship, a Liburnian, of two banks of oars was constructed very differently from a modern vessel. The prow was armed above water-mark with three strong and sharp blades, called the rostra, the beaks which when driven into the side of an enemy would tear her open and sink her. The quarter-deck was midships, and served a double purpose, being raised as high as the bulwarks it served as an elevated place where the captain could stand and survey the horizon and watch the course of the vessel, and it also served to strengthen the mast. On this quarter-deck, on a bed of state, lay the body of Cnaius Domitius Corbulo, with his sword at his side and the wax mask over his face. At his feet was a tripod with glowing coals on which occasionally Incense and Cilician crocus were sprinkled, and on each side of his head blazed torches of pinewood dipped in pitch. The poop had a covered place, called the aplaust're in which sat the steerer. The hinged rudder had not then been invented, it was a discovery of the Middle The Ship of the Dead. 41 Ages, and the head of the vessel was given its direction by the helmsman, gubcrnator, who worked a pair of broad flat padules, one on each side. The rowers, under the deck, were slaves, but the sailors were freemen. The rowers were kept in stroke by a piper, who played continually when the vessel was being propelled; and the rowers were under the direction and command of a hortator, so called because his voice was incessantly heard, urging, reprimanding, praising, threatening. The captain of a Roman vessel was not suprem.e in authority on board ship as with us, but if the vessel contained military, he was subject to the control of the superior military ofificer. The passage down the Corinthian Bay was effected without difficulty, before a favorable wind, but as the vessel was about to pass out of it, the wind suddenly changed and blew a squall from the west. And at this moment an accident occurred that was seriously embarrassing. Whilst the captain was standing near the steersman giving him directions relative to the pas- sage of the straits, a wave rolling in caught the paddle, and caused it by the blow to snap the bronze bolt of the eye in which it worked, and the handle flying up and forward, struck the captain on the forehead, threw him down, and he fell against the bulwark so as to cut open his head. He had to be carried below insensible. The Artemis lay under shelter till the gale abated, and then consultation arose as to what was to be done. Lucius Lamia took the command, he was competent to manage the vessel, with the advice, if needed, of the mate. lie and all were reluctant to put back to Le- chaeum, the port of Corinth, on the Gulf, and the broken u mr 42 Domitia. eye in which the paddle worked was repaired with a stout thong, which, as the steersman said, would hold till Adria was crossed and Rhegium was reached. The squall had passed, and the look of the sky was promising ; moreover the wind was again favorable. " Sir," said the mate, "my opinion is that we should make all speed across Adria. This is a bad season of the year. It is a month in which sailing is overpassed. We must take advantage of our chances. While the wind blows, let us spread sail. The rowers can ship their oars ; should the wind fail, or prove contrary, they will be required, and they may have a hard time of it. Therefore let them husband their strength." " So be it," answered Lucius Lamia. ^ And now the Artemis, with sail spread, leaning on one side, drave through the rippling water, passed the Straits into the Adriatic, with the mountains of ^tolia to the north, and the island of Cephalonia in the blue west before her ; and as she flew, she left behind her a trail of foam in the water, and a waft of smoke in the air from the torches that glowed about the dead gen- eral on the quarter-deck. m I 1' "I Do not Know." 43 CHAPTER VI. "I DO NOT KNOW." The day was in decline, and although the season was winter yet the air was not cold. The mountains of Greece lay in the wake like a bank of purple cloud tinged with gold. On the quarter-deck reposed the corpse, with the feet turned in the direction of the prow ; the torches spluttered, and cast off sparks that flew away with the smoke. On each side were three slave women, detailed to wail, but Longa Duilia had issued instructions that they were not to be noisy in their demonstration so as to disturb or swamp conversation aft. The undulating kiment swerving through semi-tones and demi-semitones, formed alow and sad background to the play of voices on the lower deck, where, sheltered from the wind, the widow reclined on cushions, and her daughter Domitia sat at her side in conversa- tion. A change had come over the girl, so complete, so radical, that she seemed hardi}'' to be the same person as before her father's death. This was noticeable as being in appearance and manner, — noticeable even to the slaves, not the most observant in matters that did not particularly concern their comfort and interests. 44 Domitia. l\\ She had been transmuted from a playful child into a sad and serious woman. The sparkle had left her eyes to make way for an eager, searching fire. The color had left her cheek • and her face luid assumed a gloomy expression The change, in fact, was much like that in a landscape when a sunny May day makes place for one that is overcast and hreatenmg. The natural features are unaltered, but the aspect is wholly different in quality and character. A mighty sorrow contracting, bruising, oppressing he heart sometimes melts it into a sweetness of pa- tient endurance that inspires pity and love. But gnef seemed to have frozen Domitia and not to have dissolved her into tears. The philosopher approached with solemn stalk walking on the riat of his soles. Such men were retained in noble households as family chaplains, to advise, comfort, and exhort. And this man at intervals approached the widow, who on such occasioiis assumed a woe-begone expression, beat her brow and emitted at intervals long-drawn si<.hs At such times, the Magus, standing near, curfed'his lip contemptuously, and endeavored by shrugs and sniffs to let the bystanders perceive how litUe he valued the words of the stoic. The philosopher Senecio now in formal style ad- dressed the widow, and then turned to harangue the daughter, on the excellence of moderation in Lef as m joy, on the beauty of self-control so as to suler the storms of life to roll over the head with indifference In this consisted the Highest Good, and to attain to such stohdity was the goal of all virtuous endeavor "tIIK PlIILOSOrilF.R Al'l'ROACHKD." fa^'e 44. "I Do not Know." Then he thrust his hand into the folds of his torra Do.nitia who had h'stcncd with indifference, turned to^her mother as soon as he was ,one. and said- The S,„^,u.m Bomun^ the crown and glory of Phi- losophy ,s to become in mind what the slave becomes after many bastinadoes, as callous in soul as he is on ^h::::;:;:.::;:/-^- -— ^ifeisnotw:^- " I think he put it all very well." "\Vhy are the strokes- applied? Why should wc bear them without crying out ? After allf what p of t IS there m this philosophy ? " ^ " Really, my dear, I cannot tell, l^t.t it is the correct hmg to hsten to and to talk philosophy, and good flm ihes keep the.r tame stoics,-even quite new and - .IgTr people, wretched knights who have become rich m trade —Ml a word, they all do it." 'I But, mother, what is this Highest Good ? " ^ \ on must inquire of Claudius Senecio himself It IS I am sure something vc, y suitable to talk about on such solemn occasions as this." " But what is it ? A runner fn f l,« ^ 1 .^ • 1 'uiincr m tne course knowc what ,s the prize for which he contends, a .singer a" the games sees the crown I,e hopes to earn-but thit H,ghes.Good, ..t nothing but not to squeal when " I really do not know." " Mother, would to the Gods I did know' Mv Tc lul And r S T";^" '^'' ^''^>'""^'^' b"t without a clue. And the Highest Good preached by philosophy 46 Domitia. \i is to sit clown in the darkness and despair of the light. I want to know. Has my father's life gone out for- ever, like an extinguished torch cast into the sea ? or is it a smouldering ember that may be blown again into flame ? " " Have you not heard, Domitia, how Senecio has assured you that your father will live." " Where ? " " On the page of histoiy." "First assure me that the page will be written, and that impartially. What I know of historians is that they scribble all the scurrility they can against the great and noble, in the hope of thereby advancing the credit of their own mean selves. Has a man no other hope of life than one built on the complaisance of the most malignant of men ?" " My dear, — positively, I do not know. You turn my head with your questions. Call I'lancus that I may scold him, to ease my overwrought nerves. The fellow has been stopping up his wrinkles with a composition of wax, lard and flour, and really, at his age, and in his social position — it is absurd. " " But, mother, I want to know. " " Bless me, you make me squeamish. Of course we want to know a vast number of things ; and the High- est Good, I take it, is to learn to be satisfied to know nothing. Cats, dogs, donkeys, don't worry themselves to know — and are happy. They have, then, the S/au- mum Bonum. If you want to know more, ask the philos- opher. He is paid for the purpose, and eats at our expense, and ye gods ! how he eats. I believe he finds the Highest Good in the platter. " The lady made signs, and a slave, ever on the watch. " I Do not Know." 47 or liastcncd to learn her desire, and at her command sum- moned the Stoic. The pliilosopher paced the deck with his chin in the air, and canic aft. " My dau^jhter," said tlie widow, " is sph'tting my suffering h' .d \v.'.h questions. Pray answer her satis- factorily. Korc i'\licuhi, Procula, Lucilla, help me to tile cabin. When the lidv 1 .al with(hawn, the philosopher said : " Lady, y(.,. will propound difficulties, and I shall be pleased to solve them." " I ask plain answers to plain questions," said Do- mitia. " At dealh--what then ? " " Death, young hidy, is the full stop at the end of the sentence, it is the closing of the diptychs of life, on which its story is inscribed." " I asked not what tleath is— but to what it leads? " •' Leads !— it— leads ! ahem ! Death encountered with stoic ecpianimily is the highest point to which—" " I do not ask how to meet death, but what it leads to. You seem unable or unwilling to answer a plain question. ]\Ty dear father, docs he live still-— as a star that for a while sets below (.he horizon but returns again ? " " He lives, most a.ssuredly. In all men's mouths— on the snowy plains of Germany, on the arid wastes of Syria, tlic fame of Cn.x'us Domitius Corbulo " " I asked naught about his fame, but about himself. Does he still exist, can he still think of, care for, love me— as I still think of, care for, love him—" Ilcr voice quivered and broke. "Young lady—Socratcs could say no more of the future than that it is a brilliant hope which one may 48 run the risk of Domitia. Il ait. [IS: entertaining. And our own Immort-il Ocero dec arcd that the hope of the soul Hving af e death ,s a dream, and not a doctrine. The Immor 1 have seen fit to cut the thread of his life^L- °""^' ''The Immortals had no scissors wherewith to do it. He fell on h.s own sword. Is there a soul? And afte death where does it go ? Is it a mere shadow ? My dear lady, philosophy teaches us to hope " Natural mstinct does that without the cumhrous assistance of philosophy-but what is that hope built " I cannot tell." ;' Then of what avail is it to lead a good life ? " Un the page of history " ^ " That is where the great man lives-but the poor g.rl or the mechanic ? Of what avail is a good Hf e ' What motive have we to induce us to lead it ? " " The approval of the conscience." " But why should it approve ? What is good ? proach " H.^ '''' ^''^' '"V'^^' ""^"^^ *° ^^y^^' ^° ap- proach He came up with a sneer at the philosopher who retired in discomfiture. ^"pner, theltot ^ V^'^T' ^^^^'-."^^ tJ^'-^t which confounds the btoic You have learning i„ the East which we l^.ve not m the West. Tell me-what is the humln soul ? and has it an existence after death ? " " Certainly, lady. The soul is a ray of Divine light an a.on out of infinite perfection. This ray is L' jected into space and enters into and is entangled in" matter, and that is life, in the plant, in the fish,1n the bird, in the beast, in man." 49 "I Do not Know." " And what after death ? " " Death is the disengagement of this ray from its ulnes o being and hght whence it emanated and loses Itself in the one urn of splendor ' " ''But when Pactolus and Styx run into the sea the waters are mmgled and lost, as to their individuality '• And so with the spirits of men " " What ! " exclaimed Doi.itia. " When I die my little ray re-enters the sun and is lost in the general gC- . and my father's ray is also sucked in fnd disap Zs ' There is no comfort in a thought where individuality IS extinguished. But say. How know you that w la^ you have propounded is the truth ? " The Magus hesitated and became confused It IS," said he, "a solution at which the minds of the great thinkers of the East have arrived " Vo' '1" f^^''"''''^' "'' '' "« "^^'-^ than a guess You and all alike are stagnant pools, whose nfuddy bottoms ferment and generate and throw up guesswork bubbles. One bubble looks more substaift al h „ anc^he, yet are all only the disguise of equal empt" The Chald^^an withdrew muttering in his bcird Domitia looked after him and noticed' the ^^^ Luke standing near, leaning over the bulwarks He was an elderly man, with kindly soft eyes and a short beard in which some strands of'^gray app 'arc!^ A modest man ready when called on 'to'dv se but never self-assertive. ' Domitia had noticed him already and had taken a hkmg to h,m though she had not spoken to him An unaccountable impulse induced her to address him li il m so Domitia. "They arc all (niacks," she said. "They must needs be seekers, and the best they can produce, is out of themselves, and that conjecture. iM-om the depths of the intellect what can be brought up than a more or less plausible guess? " And on those guesses we must live, like those who float across the Tigris and Euphrates— on rafts sup- ported by inflated bladders. There is then no solid ground ? " " Man inflates the bladders-God lays the rocky basis," "What mean you?" " No certainty can be attained, in all these things man desires to know, the basis of hope, the foundation of morality, that cannot be brought out of man. It can only be known by revelation of God." "And till he reveals wc must drift on wind-ba^rs Good lack ! " "^ ' " Do you think, Lady, that He who made man, and planted ni man's heart a desire for a future life, and made It necessary for his welfare that he should know to discern between good and evil, should leave him for- ever in the dark— like as you said Theseus in the lubynnth, without a clue ? " " But where is the clue?" " Or think you that He who launched the vessel of man, having carefully laid the keel and framed the ribs, and set in her a pilot, should send her forth into unknown seas to certain wreckage-to be wafted up and down by every wmd-to be carried along by every current— to fall on reefs, or be engulfed by quicksands, and not to reach a port, and He not to set lights whereby her cou-sc may be directed ? " "I Do not Know." SI " But where are the lights?" At that moment, before Luke could answer, Lamia, who had been in the fore part of the vessel, came hastily aft, and disregarding the physician, heedless of the conversation on which he broke in, i;aid hurriedly and in agitated tone: — " The Imperial galley ! " Sa Domitia. Itir r fM! Hi fiii I M '4 CHAPTER VII. THE FACE OF THE DEAD. The Imperial galley ! Domitia leaped to her feet. Everything was for- gotten m the one thought that before her, on the sea floated the man who had caused the dJath of T.'r " Lucius I must sec " he";etcT ■"" '"""'• '"' *' "" ^='™° '""= checked sa!?'" W,"rf ''""'''"' ' '™"8'" "'■"■ danger," he sa,d^_^ What know you but that yo„ physicL be a _htol!l"°' "'"■" "''" ''"''•'""'• " ='>°'- I'im to me They walked together to tlic bou-.i W.th the declining of the st,„, the light wind had d.ed away, and. althougi, the sea heaved after the recent st.rn, like the boson, of a sleeping gir, • ,he st,lh,ess of the air, the sail drooped anS the^ship ^ade Accordingly the sail was furled, and, by the advice of the mate, the rowers, who I, . .>d during th' d ° were summoned to their ben ,..s ..,d bidden work tte oars during the night. The Face of the Dead. 53 The sky was clear, and the stars were beginning to twinkle. No part of the voyage in calm weather would be less dangerous than this, which might be performed at night, across open sea, unbroken by rocks and sand-banks. So long as the vessel had to thread her way between the headland of Araxus and the Echinades, and then betwixt the isles of Cephalonia and Zacynthus, an ex- perienced navigator was necessary, and caution had to be exercised both in the management of the sail and in the manipulation of the helm. But now all was plain, and the mate had retired below to rest. During the time he reposed Lamia took charge of the vessel, assisted by the second mate. "You take your meridian by Polaris, Castor and loUux, steer due west; if there be a slight deviation from the right course, that is a trifle. I will set it risht when my watch comes." Such was the mate's injunction as he retired below " The steersman is done up," said Lamia ; " he shall rest now, and no better man can be found to replace him than Eboracus, who has been accustomed to the stormy seas of Britain, and whose nerves are of iron. Indeed, the guhcrnalor or helmsman had hard work for his arms. The two enormous paddles Jiad .short cross-pieces let into them, like the handles of a scythe, and the clumsy and heavy mechanism for giv- ing direction to the head of the vessel was worked %y leverage in this manner. The sailors managed everything on deck, the cord- age, the anchors, the sail and the boats. In rou-^h weather they undergirded the ship ; that is to say ■I' .. ■■*• 'I 54 Domitia, m) passed horizontal cords rend I,--,- to brar • l],c sn.rs ogethcr so as to Ucilitau: resistance to tl.e strain when abornvv against the ^vaves. The sailors were under the direction of ihc captain or trierarch, so called v^U,crhecon.n.andedatrire.neora Libunuan of two benches. On deck the steersman occupied a sort of sentry- box ,n the stern, and beside him sat the ,nate, the second mate and often also the captain, forming a sort of council for the direction of the vessel it was a favorite figure in the early Church to repre- Hcnt the iiishop as the h- imsman of the sacred vessel and the presbyters who sat about him as the mates occupymg the stern ben.:-. As already said, in a Roman vessel, there was a l.ck of that unity in direc- tion under the captain to which we are accustomed. A military officer was always supreme everywhere on sea as on land. When the sailors were engaged in sailing, then the rowers rested or caroused, and when they in turn bowed over the oars, the sailors had leisure The sun went down in the west, lighting up the sky above where he set with a rainbow or halo of copped hght fading into green. ^ ^ The night fell rapidly, and the stars looked out above and around, and formed broken reflections in the In winter the foam that broke and was swept to right and left had none of the flash and luminosity it dis- played in summer, when the water was warm r'l^"fV^"I\"-""^''^' ^' '^' ''^'^ ^"^ '""""tain ridges had faded into night The oars dipped ^n'- ,„d the vessel sped for- The Face of the Dead. 55 ward at a speed equal to tluit of a modern Channel steamer. At a signal from Lamia the mourners on the quarter- deck ceased to intone their wail. He and Domitia stood in the bows and looked directly before them. They could see a large vessel ahead, of three banks of oars, but she floated immov- able on the gently heaving, glassy sea. The oars were all shipped and she was making no way. The deck sparkled v/ith lights. Torches threw up red flames, lamps gave out a fainter yellow gleam. To the cordage lights had been suspended, and braziers burning on the quarter-deck, fed with aromatic woods, turned the water around to molten fire, and sent wafts of fragrance over the sea. The twang of a lyre and the chirp of a feeble voice were faintly audible ; and then, after a lull, ensued a musical shout of applause in rhythmic note. " It is the Augustus singing," said Lamia in a tone of smothered rage and mortification. " And he has his band of adulators about him." " But why do not the rowers urge on the vessel ? " asked Domitia. " Because the piper giving the stroke would be com- mittuig high treason in drowning the song of the princely performer. By the Gods ! the grinding of the oars in the rowlocks and the plash in the water would drown even his most supreme trills." " Hast thou seen him on the stage. Lamia ? " " The Gods forbid," answered the young man pas- sionately, " this fancy to be the first of singers and mimes had not come on him before I left Rome for Syria. To think of it, that he — the head of the magis- t !l 56 tracy, of the army, of Domitia. the «J-uld figure as ApolTo h'flT'^' -^^ ^'" ^^'-^'-^d. w.-g, and with pa;,ued cheel W ' '" ' ^old-powdered Th^od.d.H;^rr^:;-t:ra^:;;^^^^^^ I^ut you will behold it now A we shall overtake this f^oatirT "^^ 'P^^^ ^J°"g " I vvill give her a wide b fh "7'" '°°^^^-" wax, though, by the Gods' t';" ''"'" "^^ ^^--^ ^'^^ Domitia leaned over the sid o^.^ '"'" ^°"^-" ;; fe they sharp, Ludusp'^^'^'^ ^^^-^• Are what sharp, Domitia?" ihe beaks." ^" Sharp as lancets." "And strong?" " Strong as rams." an iron vice. ^'"'' ^"^ g^PPed it as with " Run her down, Lucius ' qfnU .u and mountebank in the depths of theT"-'''""^"^^^'' Lamia gasped for breath °'"^" '^^'" She looked up into his fa^e. <-an It be done? " "By Hercules! we rnnJH .• "Then do so." ^ "^ ^^'^ ^^''^e." He stood undecided. " Hearken to me N thi s vessel. oniy long The Face of the Dead. ^j, Eboracus must be in i> q..^ i • . him scream. We shall see him beat th7 Lvc Lucius, let me have a marline-spike to dasl .f h he swims and split his skull and'le out h b airf:: the fishes to banquet on them." °' " We risk all our lives " Still Lamia stood in unresolvc. "Lucius! I will twine my white arm« nU ^ neck :^nr\ ,.mM 1 • . -^ winte arms about your H:rtt:t:mt:!:;r:^-::^^ ;;in the name of Vengeance-then," said Lamia . Eboracus can count on," said Domitia. There is the under-mate. If any one nn i 7 suspect our purpose, we are undone " ^^"^"^ ; None need suspect," said the girl - Siv fhnf f1 pnnce is holding festival on board fhe trireme nd th t Jt behoves us^to salute. None will think oil 'tht that we are befooling ourselves like the rest At th down." ^' ^"^ '" ^ "^°"^^"t .. run her . ^^""'^ "^^^^^^ ^° the quarter-deck, bade the mourn ing women ^o belnw m« ^- • , ''"^ "^^ mourn- said :'' "''"" "'"'" ^''' ■''"^ » » ^"trained voice m illr '^^ Domitia. "The vessel of C-esar is before us. Wc dare not pass without leave asked and granted." " All right, sir." said the second mate. " Any orders below ? ' " Keep on at present speed. When I call Slack, then let them slacken. When I call Double, then at once with full force double." " Right, sir. I will carry down instructions." The mate went to the ladder and descended into the hold. There were now left on deck only Lamia, Domitia, the steersman, Eboracus, one sailor and the physician, who was leaning over the bulwarks looking north at the gl'ttering constellation of Ca^; "opea's Chair. He was near the quarter-deck, in the fore part of the vessel, and had been unobserved in the darkness / Lamia and Domitia, till they returned alL. Then the young man started as he observed him. Was it possible that the man had overheard the wo'-ds spoken ? There was nothing in the attitude or ■ manner of Mie physician to show that he entertained alarm. L nia resolved on keeping an eye upon him that he did not communicate with the Ci ow. Luke returned aft when the young people came in mat direction, and sealed himself quietly on a bench. Eboracus was rapidly cmimuaicated with and gained. The ^ rtemis flew forward, noiselessly, save for the plung. :h .ars and the hi > of the foam, as it rushed by like ilk, nd from the hold sounded the muffled note of the syinphonicms or j per. Every moment the vessel nearc 1 the imperial gall-y, and souads of reveliy became audible. Nothmg The Face of the Dead. 59 ich showed that any on board were aware of the apj of a Liburnian. It was now se(Mi tliat tables were spread on the deck of the Imi)erial vessel, and that the i)rinee and his attendants, and indeed the entire crew were engaged in revelry. Between the courses which were served, Nero as- cended tl luarter-deck, and sang or else delivered a recitation from a Greek tragedian, or a piece of his own composition. If the approach of the bireme was observed, which did not seem to be the case, it caused no uneasiness. The Emperor's vessel had been accompanied by a convoy, but the ships had been dispersed by the storm ; and the bireme, if perceived, was doubtless held to be one of the ilect. And now Helios, the confidant of Nero, had ascended the quarter-deck to his master, and began to declaim the speech of the attendant in the Electra descriptive of the conquests of Orestes — applying the words, by significant indications to the prince returning a victor from the Grecian games. " He, having come to the glorious pageantry of the sports in Greece, entered the 1 s to win the Delphic prizes, he, the admired of every eye. And having started from his goal in wondrous wiiirls he sped along the course, and bore away the of all coveted prize of victory. But that I may tell thee in few words amidst superfluity I have never know n such a man of might and deeds as he — " and he bowed and waved his hands towards Nero. A ro.ir of applause lirnke out, interrupted by a cry from Nero who suddenly beheld a dark ship plunge i: Go ir ( : ( I' Domitia. out of the nfght and come within the radiance ,.f the iights on board his vessel. Meanwhile, on the Artemis, with set face sat Fbo rp.Ru.din,theheadoftl. J.i,...„i,,:/,^^^^^^^^^^^^ He couhl see the tvvinl-^ --•dercd cafgrbTSs '"'~^"' ^^'^-^^ '-^'^ ^•^'^^"" ""^- b.Z:^d1C^:^:r"^^^^- "^^^--ther. 6a Domitia. mm CHAPTER VIII. THE SWORD OF THE DEAD. " It is well done," said Eboracus in an undertone to the physician ; " Otherwise there had been the cross for you and me. The thong broke." " I severed it." said Luke. " That I saw," said the slave, " I shall report that it yielded. One must obey a master even to the risk of the cross. Did'st sec the noble Lamia, how ready he was? He assumed the mask of my dead master and wc have slipped by and sent a shiver through the whole company of the Trireme, and the August too, I trow, —for they have thought us the Ship of the Dead." After a pause he said,—" In my home wc hold that all souls go to sea in a phantom vessel ; and sail away to the West, to the Isles of the Blessed. At night a dark ship with a sail as a thundercloud comes to the shore, and those near can hear the dead in trains go over the beach and enter the ghostly vessel, till she is laden, and then she departs." The Artemis made her way without disaster to Rhcgium, and thence coasted up Italy to the port of Rome. She had gained on the Imperial vessel, that was delayed at Brundusium to collect the scattered fleet. Nero would not land until he reached Neapolis, and then not till all his wreaths and golden apples as I The Sword of the Dead. 63 well as his entire wardrobe of costumes and properties Jiad arrived. Then only did he come ashore, and he did so to commence a triumphal progress through the Peninsula the hk-e of which was never seen before nor will be seen again. This was on the 19th March, the anniversary of the murder of his mother. On the same day a letter was put into his hands announcing the revolt of the legions ni Gaul and the proclamation of Galba, at that time Governor of Spain. _ So engrossed, however, was his mind with prepara- tion for his theatrical procession, that he paid no heed to the news, nor was he roused till he read the address of Vindex, who led the revolt, denouncing him as a " miserable fiddler." ^ This touched him to the quick, and he addressed an indignant despatch to the Senate, demanding that Vindex should be chastised, and appealed to the prizes he had gained as testimony to his musical abilities. So he started for Rome. Eighteen hundred and eight heralds strutted before him, bearing in their hands the crowns that had been awarded him and announcing when and how he had succeeded in winning the award. He entered Rome in this leisurely manner, in a triumphal chariot, wearing a purple robe, embroidered with gold, an olive garland about his head. Beside him a harper struck his instrument and chanted his praises. The houses were decorated with festoons, the streets were strewn with saffron ; singing birds, comfits, flowers were scattered by the people before him. If the Sen- i d 64 Domitia. ', tl ate expected that now the prince was in Rome he would attend to business, it was vastly .nistaken. Hi' fn thiTh" ""'^ '° "'""'«" '°' " 'P''""^'"^ '== ^ fi"'^l«" Study of his acting and singing. Solicitude about his triumph, his voice, his reception had so completely filled the shallow mind of Nero that' ou?oTr V"f ^"' '^^'"^^^ ^" '''' ^^^-1 ^hat had shot had hi '"''/ "'"'■'^ ^""^^^ ^'^ ^^^"^y- ^"d which victims ' "PP"''"'^^ commanded by one of his noblest Longa Duilia arrived on the Gabian estate, with the corpse of her husband, her daughter, Lucius Lam " and her entire " family," as the company of househoM slaves was termed, without accident and without dete' Gabii lay e even miles from Rome at the foot of one of the spurs of the Alban mountains. The town stood on a smal knoll rising out of the Campagna. The perri^o ;; ^^^^^\^-'^-- dan^beingavolcam-c peper no , it was perhaps one of the least attractive sites for a country residence, which a Roman noble ecu d have selected ; but this was not without its al ' vantage, when Emperors acted as did Ahab, and cut off those whose villas and vineyards attracted their covetous eyes. A lake occupied the crater of an extinct volcano ■ the water was dark as ink, but this was due rather to i::,nsrdrbr'''^°"°™''^-'°^=p'''-'''^'>-. The villa and its gardens lay by the water's edge The old cty not flourishing, but maintaining a Ian gu,d existence, was famous for nothing but a peculiarity m g.rdmg the toga adopted by the men, bv the din^I The Sword of the Dead. ness of its building stone, and by it, tcmnl. M I ^^ anobjectofpil„,,magewhcn.hedd es™oth,. I ' had proved unwining or unable 7„ir"'"'" i/Ur of devotion. °'P' " ""^ °f/«- wot,7;ev°:i;:v'rf:e''''f'-r^ ■' '™^ "-"-"^ ^>- fashion at the peior'aToe"' , "''/■' ""' '==" '"^ afJect a love o'f r hetm ? to' t'he '°°' '^""^ '° pretend a taste for si^p"; t;"o'f°, :, ;^°™'f- ^V" fops had their "ehanibcrs of pov r v "m , ?"' --ofs':,f.de:;rairrtr,i— ^-'-p^- p^^rTtXri^tc-iird^rti-r'"-^---^ delicious she h7d ev r';;':,/""r'™''-"-'he n,ost Wth char gave opportJntrs fot bo iL' td iT'-^" signed to the nlsotu'n,™ " """ ""="'='' »" ""' anc"^:;:';frS:.,'':::"V°^* - -"- ">e attend. The invitalr^a To:S"r"'',^=P-''»'- able custom, ,„ antiquated terms ."-i!"' '° """'"" When on the day appo , ted oT't "^ -ntelligibie. numbers were cojl'^cted. It,'" '"''!'°"y- ™«' Fi-'st went the ni„«,v , P™"""°" '^'arted. Master of the'cer^rom-T tV\r'""i °' " Gautists was limited to ten. """'^^^ °^ Then followed the nrofrccf-n i t'>e.casio„fromthe''.e,;:pr:fXS"-p;:- 66 Domitia. ■ r-^ of which were the licensed undertakers. These mourn- ners chanted the ncenia, a lament composed for the purpose of lauding the acts of the deceased and of reciting his honors. When they paused at the conclu- sion of a strophe, horns and trumpets brayed. Im- mediately after the wallers walked a train of actors, one of whom was dressed in the insignia of the deceased and wore a mask representing him. He endeavored to mimic each peculiarity of the man he personated, and buffoons around by their antics and jests provoked the spectators to laughter. This farcical exhibition was calculated to moderate the excessive grief superinduced by the lament of the wallers. Then came the grand procession of the ancestors, especially dear to the heart of the widow. Not only did the efifigies of the direct forefathers appear, but all related families trotted out their ancestors, to attend the illustrious dead, so that there cannot have been less than a hundred present. As already mentioned, the wax masks of the dead of a family ornamented every nobleman's hall, usually enclosed in boxes with the titles of the defunct in- scribed on them in gold characters. These were now produced. The mimes were costumed appropriately, as senators, generals, magistrates, with their attendants, wearing the wax masks, and artificial heads of hair. The idea represented was that of the ancestors hav- ing returned from the land of Shadows to fetch their descendant and accompany him to the nether world. The corpse, that lay on a bier in the hall, was now taken up, and carried forth to a loud cry from all in the house of " Vale ! Farewell ! Fare thee well ! " Between the lips of the dead man was a coin, placed there as payment The Sword of the Dead. 67 of the toll across the River of Death in the ferry-boat of Charon. On each side of the bier walked attendants carrying lighted torches. In ancient times all funerals had been conducted at night. Now the only reminis- cence of this custom was in the bearing of lights ; but the torches served as well a practical purpose, as'they were employed to kindle the pyre. Before the dead were carried the insignia of his offices, pictures of the battles he had won and statues of the kings and chiefs he had conquered. The corpse was foU lowed by a number of manumitted slaves, all wearing the cap of liberty, in token of their freedom. Finally came the members of the family, friends, retainers, and the sympathizing public. Longa Duilia and Domitia Longina walked in their proper place, with dishevelled hair, unveiled heads, and in the ricinmm or black garment thrown over their tunics; the men all wore the /ts;/;//^, or short travelling cloak. The procession advanced into the marketplace of Gabii, where Lucius Lamia ascended the rostrum to pronounce the funeral oration. Immediately, ivory chairs and inlaid stools were ranged in a crescent before him, and on these the an- cestors seated themselves, the bier being placed before them. The panegyric was addressed to the crowd outside the circle of mimes with wax faces. Lamia had a gift of natural eloquence, his feelings were engaged, but his freedom of speech was hampered by necessity of caution in allusion to the death of Corbulo, lest some word should be let slip which might be caught up and tortured into a treasonable reference to Nero. 68 Domitia. X iiii.,. The Laudation ended, the entire assembly arose and re-formed in procession to the place c,f burning, which by law must be sixty feet from any building. There a pit had been excavated and a grating placed above it. On this grating the pyre was erected, consisting of precious woods, sprinkled with gums and spices. To this the corpse was conveyed. But, previous to ics being placed on the fagots, a surgeon amputated one of the fingers, which was preserved for burial, and then a handful of earth was thrown over the face of the deceased. Anciently the Roman dead had been buried, and when the fashion for incineration came in, a trace of the earlier usage remained in the burial of a member and the covering of the face with soil. And now ensued a repulsive scene, one without which no great man's funeral would have been con- sidered as properly performed. Through the crowd pushed two small parties of gladiators, three in each, hired for the occasion of a company that let them out. Then ensued a fight— not mimic, but very real, in front and round the pyre. Now a hard-pressed gladiator ran and was pursued, turned sharply and hackcrJ at his follower. This was continued till three men had fallen and had been stabbed in the breast. Whereupon, the survivors sheathed their swords, bowed and withdrew. The torches were now put into the hands of Duilia and Domitia, and with averted faces they applied the fire to the fagot, and a sheet of flame roared up and enveloped the dead man. And now the mourners raised their loudest cries, tore their hair, scarified their cheeks with their nails ; The Sword of the Dead. 69 pipes, flutes, horns were blown. In a paroxysm of distress, partly real, partly feigned, a rush was made to the pyre, and all who got near cast some offering into the flames— cakes, flowers, precious stuffs, rings, bracelets, and coins. Duilia, in tragic woe, disengaged a mass of artificial hair from her head, and cast it into the fire. Then rang out the sacramental cry :— " /, licet ! You are permitted to retire," and gladly, sick at heart and faint, Domitia was supported rather than walked home. Some hours later, when the ashes of the defunct had been collected and deposited in an urn, which was conveyed to the mausoleum, Lucius Lamia came to the house and inquired for the ladies. He was informed that the widow was too much overcome by her feelings to see any one, but that Domitia was in the tablinnm and would receive him. He at once entered the hall and stepped up into the apartment where she was seated, looking pale and worn, with tear-reddened eyes. She rose, and with a sweet sad smile, extended her hand to Lamia. " No, Domitia," said he gently, " as your dear father gave me permission on the wharf at Cenchraa, I will claim the same privilege now." She held her cold, tear-stained cheek to him without a word, then returned to and sank on her stool. " I thank you, dear friend, and almost brother," she said. " You spoke nobly of my father, though not more nobly than he deserved. Here, my Lucius, is a present for you, I intrust it to you— his sword, which he used so gallantly, on which he fell, and still marked with his blood." JO Domitia. CHAPTER IX. SHEATHED. According to an Oriental legend tl,^ ,i„ ■ • o So,o„,on over .he spirits resided in te 'ZZZ t^:^^:;::r:ird:ii;;r ^°'--'^ leaned on ,t, it gave way and resolved itsHf tltt„«:,j^r::----.-':-:.c; wa. at an end and his fa„ as sudden t„ t e ca Hf Solomon, and as unexpected Jm^T!' ■" "'u ''°''"''='' °f ''"""•"i™ over the "orld and was at the head of inealeulable forces In June all was dissolved in the dust of deeav hi' prostrate, helpless, bereft of the shadow of ^aml or ^ unable to command a single slave. The fi st tot nf what was about to take place was this "" "' the C.s°a:rdi"r-K t"'^ ™^ ■'^P' '"'s-^ h-^o' by tlie Casars d.str,butn,g among them bread gratis and entertanung them with shows free of charge Dunng the winter, contrary winds had deiayed the corn- h,ps from Egypt, and the amount of bread d 1 tnbuted was accordingly curtailed. Games were in Sheathed. y, deed promised, but these would serve as condiments to the bread and not as substitutes. Then a vessel arrived in port, and the hungry people believed that she was laden with the wished-for corn. When liow- ever, they learned her carj^^o was white sand for strewmg the arena the sports, they broke into a storm of discontent and swept, howling insulting words under Nero's windows. ' Next day all Rome heard that Galba, at the head of the legions of Spain and Gaul, was marching into Italy and that none of the troops of Nero sent to guard the frontier of the Alps would draw a sword in his defence. The prince, now only seriously alarmed, bade his household guard conduct him to Ostia, where he would mount the vessel that had discharged its load of sand and escape to Egypt. They contemptuously refused' and disbanded. Then, in an agony of fear, Nero left the Palatine, and fled across the river to the Servilian mansion that adjoined the racecourse, to light which he had burned Christians swathed in tarred wraps. There he found none save his secretary Epaphroditus whom he had sent thereto be chained at the door, and to act as porter because he had offended him. Guards freedmen, courtiers, actors, all had taken to their heels' but not before they had pillaged the palace. He wandered about the house, knocking at everv door, and nowhere meeting with an answer. Night by this time had settled in, murk and close but at intervals electric flashes shivered overhead. Then suddenly the earth reeled, and there passed a sound as of chariot wheels rolling heavily through the streets; yet the streets were deserted. Trembling despairing, Nero crouched on his bed, bit his nails till IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) // / y 4^ #/ • i/.. fA 1.0 I.I l^|28 |2.5 2.2 1^ 1^ lifi 10 IL25 i 1.4 1^ 1.6 Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. Hi>80 (716) 872-4503 iV iV -\ Wk\ o '^1:.^'^^ ^"^^ ..^<> f/o 7a Domitia. he had gnawed them to the quick, then started up ,nd t" H /T '.'^ ^''''' """ ""' ^^'-'^^^ ^y -^ foot.c'a ry ing hat h.de ,n some hovel, till danger was past. But a thievish slave had stolen it. Sick at heart, picking, then biting at his nails shrinking with apprehension at the lea^t noise w t' LT .' :?r' ''°"' ' '"'^'^ ^^-^-^ blood ca'n Te' looked with dazed eyes at the red flare of the heaveil fires pulsating through his open door. ^ man PhT"^?''^'""^ ''" °"'' '° ^"^°"ntera freed- man, Phaon by name, who was coming along the pas sage holding aloft a torch, attended b/two slaves The wretched prince clung to him, and entreated 'that he might not be left alone ; that Phaon would pittec him, and contrive a means of escape "Augustus!" answered the freedman, "I am not ungrateful for favors shown me, but my 'assistance . this hour IS unavailing. I am but one man, a stranger a Greek, and all Rome, all Italy, the entire vorld have risen against you." ' ^ hnnl """rf ^^' '^^^'"y '"'" ^"°^^ ^^^ ^° ^•'^'•" my liveli- hood on the stage. Of what value to any man is my fJ'Tj ^°''^' ^";^hat value have you held the lives of the thousands that you have taken ? Each life cut off has raised against you a hundred enemies. All will pursue, hke a pack of hounds baying for the blood o him who murdered their kinsfolk. Even now I passed one-Lucius Melius Lamia,-and he stayed me o inquire where you might be found. In h^s hand he held an unsheathed sword." Nero shrieked out; then looked timidly about him terrified at the sound of his own voice. Sheathed. 73 " Let us hide. Disguise mc. Get mc a horse. I cannot run, I am too fat ; besides, I have on my felt slippers only." Phaon spoke to one of his slaves, and the man left. " Master," said the freedman, " Do not deceive your- self. There is no escape. Prepare to die as a man. Slay yourself. It is not hard to die. Better so fall than get into the hands of implacable enemies." " I cannot. I have not the courage. I will do it only when everything fails. I have many theatrical wigs. I can paint my face." " Sire ! the people are so wont to see your face besmeared with color, that they are less likely to recognize a face bleached to tallow." " I have a broad-brimmed fisherman's hat. I wear it against becoming freckled. That will shade my face. Find me an ample cloak. Here, at length, comes Sporus." An eunuch appeared in the doorway. ^ Breathless, in short, broken sentences, Nero entreated him to look out in his wardrobe for a sorry mantle, and to bring it him. " But whither will— can you go ? " asked Phaon. " The Senate has been assembled— it has been con- voked for midnight to vote your deposition and death." " I will go before it. Nay ! I will haste to the Forum, I will mount the Tribune. I will ask to be given the government of Egypt. That at least will not be refused me." " My lord, the streets are filling with people. They will tear you to pieces ere you reach the Forum." " Think you so ! Why so ? I have amused the people so well. Good Phaon, hire me a swift galley, and I will < t •J 74 Domitia. ^he take refuge with Tiridates. I restored to h'm crown of Armenia. He will not be ungrateful." " My lord, it will not be possible for you to leave Italy." " Then I will retire to a farm. I will grow cabbages and turnips. The god Tiberius was fond of turnips. O Divine Powers that rule the fate of men ! shall I ever cat turnips again? Phaon, hide me for a season. Men's minds are changeable. They are heated now. They will cool to-morrow. They cannot kill such a superlative artist as myself." "I have a villa between the Salarian andtheNomen- tanc Roads. If it please you to go thither " "At once. I think I hear horse-hoofs. O Phaon, save me ! " Sporus came up, offering an old moth-eaten cloak. The wardrobe had been plundered, only the refuse had been abandoned. A voice was heard pealing through the empty cor- ridors : " Horses ! horses at the door ! " " Who calls so loud ? Si' ^ him. He will betray us ! " said Nero. " Hah ! s Epaphroditus." At the entrance, chained to a cumbrous log, was the Greek, Epaphroditus, formerly a pampered favorite. Bnt two days previously he had ventured to correct a false quantity in some verses by his master, and Nero, in a burst of resentment and mortified vanity, had ordered him to be fastened to a beam as doorkeeper to the Servilian Palace. " The horses are here," shouted the freedman. " May it please my lord to mount. Sporus and the slaves can run afoot." Nero unwound the kerchief from his hand and Sheathed. 75 ^he wrapped it about his throat, drew the broad-brimmed hat over his head, envebped himself in the blanket cloak, and shuffled in his slippers to the door. The chained Greek at once cried out : " Master ! my chain has become entangled and is so knotted that I cannot stir. I have been thus since noon, and none have regarded me. I pray thee, let me go." " Thou fool ! cease hallooing ! " retorted Nero an- grily. " Dost think I carry about with me the key of thy shackles ? " Then to those who followed, " Smite him on the mouth and silence him, or he will call at- tention to me." "The gods smite thee! "yelled the scribe, striving to reach an upright posture, but fallingagain, owing to the tangle in the links. " May they blight thec^ as they have stricken Livia's laurel ! " ^ Mounted on an old gray horse, Nero rode to the i^lian Bridge, where stands now that of St. Angelo, crosocd it and began to traverse the Campus Martins! Electric flashes quivered across the sky. Then again an earthquake made the city rock as if drunk; the buildings were rent, and masses of cornice fell down. A glare of white lightning illumined the whole field and lighted up the mausoleum of Augustus, and the blank faces of such men as were abroad. The horse trembled and refused to move. It was some time before the alarm of the brute could be allayed, and it could be coaxed to go forward and begin the ascent of the Quirinal. The advance was slow; and Nero's fears became greater as the road 1 A laurel on the Palatine, planted by the wife of Augustus. It died suddenly just before the end of Nero. 76 Domitia. approached the Pr.x^torian Camp, and he expected recognition by the sentinels. Yet in the midst of his fear wild flashes of hope shot, and he said to Phaon : "What think you, if I were to enter the camp? Surely the Pnetorians would rally about me, and I might dissolve the Senate." " Sire, they have destroyed your images, and have proclaimed Galba. They would take oH your head and set it on a pike." Nero uttered a groan, and kicked the flanks of his steed. At that moment a passer-by saluted him. "By the Immortals! I am recognized." " We have but to go a little further." " Phaon, what if the Senate declare me an enemy of the State?" "Then you will fare in the customary manner." " How is that ? " The prince put his trembling hand to his brow and in his agitation knocked off his hat. The freedman picked it up. " The customary manner, sire ! your neck will be put in the cleft of a forked stick and you will be beaten, lashed, kicked to death. Better take the sword and fall on it." " Oh, Phaon ! not yet ! I cannot endure pain. I have a spring nail now— and it hurts ! it hurts ! " " Ride on, my lord ; at the cypress hedge we will turn our horses loose, and by a path through the fields reach my villa." Half an hour after Nero had left the Serviliaii palace, where now stands the Lateran, Lamia arrived fo;iowed by two servants. He found the secretary in a heap at the door, vainly writhing in his knotted chains. Lamia Sheathed. at^o,K-c asked him about tlic prince, whether lie was "I will both answer and show you whither he fs flccl, sa.d Lpaphroditus, "if you will release me. Otherwise my tongue is tied like my limbs " " Is he here ? " " Nay, he has been here, but is gone. Whither I alone can say The price of the information is release '' icll me where I can f^nd tools." Epaphroditus gave the required information and ,;r.r ^JfP"'^^^^^ ^ ^^'■^''^"t to bring hammer and ch.se . They were speedily produced ; but some time was taken up in cutting through the links. This, however, was finally effected, and the secretary ftt h^ fist ' "''"^ °^ ''" ^"'"" ''''''' "^' ^^^"^^^^^ ^^^'1 Now I will lead the way," said he, stretching him- The wretched, fallen emperor had in the meanwhile sc-ambled through hedges and waded through a marsh and had at last found a temporary shelter i'n a garS tool-house of the villa. Phaon feared to introduce him into his house. Weaned out, he cast himself on a sort of bier on which the gardeners carried citron trees to and from he conservatory. The cloak had fallen from him and lay on the soil. His feet were muddy and bleeding. He had tried to eat some oat-cake that had been offered him, but was unable to swallow. He continued to be teased with, and to pick or bite at his spring naihs. ^ " I hear steps ! " he cried. " They will kill me ! " 78 Domitia. " Sire, play the man." riuion offered him a couple of poniards. Nero put the point of one to his breast, shrunk and threw it away. " It is too blunt, it will not enter," he said. He tried the other and dropped it. " It is over sharp. It cuts," he said. At that moment the door opened and Lamia and Epaphroditus entered. Nero cried out and covered his face : " Sporus ! Phaon ! one or both ! kill yourselves and show me how to do it." "To do it !" said Lamia sternly. "That is not dif- ficult. Do you need a sword? Here is one — the sword of Corbulo." He extended the weapon to the prince, who ac- cepted it with tremulous hand, looking at Lamia with glassy eyes. "Oh! a moment! I feel sick." Then Phaon said: " Sire — at once ! " Then Nero, with all power going out of his fingers, pointed the blade to his throat. •' I cannot," he gasped, " my hand is numb." Immediately, Epaphroditus with his hand full of chain, brought the weighted fist against the haft, and drove the sword into the coward's throat. He sank back on the bier. Then Lamia stooped, gathered up the moth-eaten cloak, and threw it over the face of the dying man. Ubi Felicitas? 79 Of course. What CHAPTER X UBI FELICITAS? " Push, my dear Domitia, Push, else would you have, but Push ? " "But, sweetest mother, that surely cannot give what 1 ask. " Indeed, my child, it does. It occupies all one's energies, it exerts all one's faculties, and it f^lls the heart." " But— what do you gain ? " "Gain, child ?~everything. The satisfaction of havmg got further up the ladder ; of exciting the envy of your late companions, the admiration of the vulgar the mistrust of those above you." ' " Is that worth having? " " Of course it is. It is-that ver thing you desire, Happ.ness.^ It engages all your thoughts, stimulates your abiht.es. You dress for it ; you prepare your able for ,t. accumulate servants for it, walk, smile, talk, acquire furniture, statuary, bronzes, and so on- for It. It IS charming, ravishing. I live for it. I de sire nothing better." " But I do, mother. I do not care for this " -1 he girl spoke with her eyes on a painting on the wall of the atrium that represented a young maiden running in pursuit of a butterfly. Beneath it were the words "Ubi Felicitas?" 8o ill ' licca Domitia. use you arc yount,^ and silly, D( ,j,i„„ , -. - •-• -V. -'"■■"tia. When older and wiser, you will understand the value of I ush and appreciate Position. My dear, properly considered, everythin<,r can be made use of for the purpose-even widowhood, dexterously dealt with becomes a vehicle for Push. It really is vexatious that in Rome there should just now be such broils and effervescence of minds, proclamation of emperors cut- ting of throats, that I, poor thing, here in Gabii;un a Chance of being forgotten. It is too provokin- I really wish that this upsetting of Nero, and setting up of Galba, and defection of Otho, and so on, had been postponed till my year of widowhood were at an end Unc gets no chance, and it might have been so effec- "And when you have obtained that at which you nave aimed ? " ^ " Then make that the start for another push " "And if you fail?" " Then, my dear, you have the gratification of beinji able to lay the blame on some one else. You have done your utmost." " When you have gained what you aimed at, you are not content." ' ^ "That is just the beauty of Push. No, always go on to what is beyond." ^ ^ "Look at that running girl, mother, she chases a butterfly, and when she has caught the lovely insect she crushes it in her hand. The glory of its wings is gone, Its hfe is at an end. What then ?" " She runs after another butterfly." tain^"?'^"'^^'^''''' """^ '^•'^'^' ''^'^' ^° "^^'^^ '^^ ^'^^ ^^- Ubi Felicitas? 8i Certainly ! " I know all about them. Thcv shoul.i \J as means, child, not as ends." ^ ^''''" '"''^^^^ " I do not understand " duty to his country, to Rome toT' , ''' ^''' and Portumna! tl^at w^:::iL ;'L:^ .^j;;' ^^P^ -Sht he not have been with thofe victor ? b!?, couldn t see it. He had it not in him % *" born to squint; some have cl b f e t ^^^"'''''^ -'^- dear father had no ambition •• ' '"^ ^°"'" P°°^ After a pause the lady added • " Wh. t consider what he mi^ht h. f \ ^"^ ^ ^°"^^ ^o sessed Push t Lk'f,^ T ^°"' ^"'' '"^' ^^^ ^^^ Pos- what is Grr:;rrrj^:;;rir> ivfr-^'"'^^-' these fellows who have b..n ^'^^ ''"^^ ^^ like carp or trout wl en the m'v m'"' "' k"'^ '^^'^^ dear, had your dear f'the^^ hf ^ "' "'' ^^°"^ •' ^y am a w, > n nf H " as complete a man as I ' T t vo^ld 1 """"' ' "^'^^^ ^^ Empress." ^ inat would have contented you " . (; ;-°"Jd have been a step in that direction." .. )V^^ "^^•■^ could you desire ? " g iNcibiy jittle thing! I saw it, it 82 Domitia. c Kl notlunj; but dribble and squall, hut is a ^od for all that. My dear Domitia, think! the Divine Duilia' Salus Ital.a... with my temples, my altars, my statues. By the Immortal Twelve. I think I should have tried o cut out Aphrodite, and have been represented risinL^ from the foam. Oh ! it would have been too, too lovely^ But there ! it makes me mad-all that ..V/./ have been, and ...,././ have been to a certainty, had your dear father listened to mc at Antioch. But he had a head.- She touched her brow. « Somet li ^ wron^r there— no Push." ^ ''But dearest mother, this may be an approved motive for such as you and for all nobles. But then- for the art.san the herdsman, the slave, Push can't be a prmciple of life to such as they." " My child, how odd you are ! What need we con- suier t em .^ They may have their ou n motives I can t tell ; I never was a herdsman nor a slave-never d.d any useful work in my life. As to a slave, of course Push IS a mot.ve-he pushes to gain his freedom." And when he has got that ? " " Then he strives to accumulate a fortune " " And then ? " "Then he will have a statue or a bust of himself " And so all ends in a handful of dust " " Of course. What else would you have .?-Remem. ber, a splendid mausoleum." a l^tuTlf't"^"''"'"^"'^''' That picture teaches a sad truth. Pursue your butterfly : when you have caught ,t, you find only dust between your fingers " Domitia ! as the Gods love me ! I wish you would t; h Ubi Felicitas? 83 refrain from this talk. It is objectionable. It is prem- aturely oldening you, and what ages you reHects on mc-it advances my years. I will listen to no more of this If you relish it, I do not; go. chatter to the 1 Inlosopher Claudius Senecio, he is paid to talk this ^ L Ll J 1 ■ " I will not .speak to him. I know beforehand what ne will say. do'i! '^ will give you excellent advice, he is hired to _ " O yes— to bear everything with equanimity. That «s the sum and substance of liis doctrine. Then not to be too wise about the Gods; to aim to sit on the fulcrum of a sec-saw, when I prefer an end of the plank. " Equanimity ! I desire it with my whole soul " "But why so, mother? It is not running thouLrht but stagnation." ""t"^ " Because, my dear, it keeps off wrinkles " " Mother, you and I will never understand each other. " As the Gods love me, I sincerely hope not. Send me Plancus, Lucilla. I must scold him so as to soothe my ruffled spirits." "And, Euphrosyne, go, send the Chaldsan to me in the garden, said the girl. The slave obeyed and departed. "Ubi Felicitas? Running, pursuing and finding nothing, said Domitia as she went forth The sun was hot. She passed under an arched trelhs with vines trained over it ; the swelling bunches hung down within. At intervals in the arcade were openings through 84 Domitia. W-' which could be scon the still lake, and beyondthc beautiful nd^^cs of Hie limestone Sabine Mountains llie air was musical with the hum of bees. Domitia paced up and down this walk forsome while 1 rcsently the Magus appeared at the end, under the guidance of the girl Euphrosyne. Me approached, bowing at intervals, till he reached Uomitia, when he stood still. " Ubi Felicitas.?" asked she. And when he raised his eyebrows in question, she added in explanation : Ihere is a picture in the atrium representing a damsel in pursuit of a butterfly, and beneath is the egend I have just quoted. When she catches the butterfly it will not content her. It will be a dead pinch of dust. It is now some months since you spoke on the Artemis, when I asked you a question, and then you were forced to admit that all your science was built up on conjecture, and that there was no certainty underlying it. But a guess is better than nothing, and a guess that carries the moral sense with It in approval, may come near to the truth. I recall all you then said. Do not repeat it, but answer my question, f//;//^>//.,V,,, . i asked it of my mother, and she said that it was to be found in Push. If I asked benecio, he would say in Equanimity. Where say you that it is to be found?" •' The soul of man is a ray out of the Godhead " ansvvered the Magus, "it is enveloped, depressed, smothered by matter; and the straining of the spirit in man after happiness is the striving of his divine nature to emancipate itself from the thraldom of matter and return to Him from whom the rav emanated." Ubi Felicitas? 8S '• Then felicity is to be found—? " " In the disengagement of tlic good in man from matter, which presses it down, and which is evil." " Evil ! " exclaimed Domitia, looking through one of the gaps in the arcade, at the lake ; on a balustrade above the water stood a dreaming peacock, whilst be- low it grew bright flowers. Beyond, as clouds, hun- the blue Sabine hills. '^ " The Divine ray," said the girl, " seems rarely to delight m its incorporation in Matter, and to find therein its expression, much as do our thoughts in words. M.^ it not be that Primordial Idea is inarti- culate without Matter in which to utter itself?" "Felicity," continued the Chalda^an, disregarding the objection, "is sought by many in the satisfying of their animal appetites, in pleasing eye and ear and taste and smell. But in all is found the after-taste of satiety that gluts. True happiness is to be sough ■ in teaching the mind to dispense with sensuous dcughts, and to live in absorption in itself." " Why, Elymas ! " said Domitia. " In fine, you arrive by another method at that Apathy which Senecio the Stoic advocates. I grant you give a reason— which seems to me lame -but it is a reason, whereas he supplies none. But I like not your goal— Apathy is the reverse from Felicity. Leave me." The Magus retired, mortified at his doctrine being so ill received. Then Euphrosyne approached timidly. Domitia, who was in moody thought, looked up. The girl could not venture to speak till invited to do so by her mistress. "Your lady mother has desired me to announce to 86 Domitia. ycH,^.at Lucius .Elius I.unia hath mld.n over from "I will conic presently/' said Domitia; " I am iust "' '''==- Then she looked at tlic dreami, ,, peacocl- fh. flashing on its metallie plumage ' ° '"" o< What h-ved, aJdi:,,:^; t r u r'tt'rnr r"^ of life. DomitiT f^if . ^i , ' ^^ '^ ^^^^ short Alumina telt as thoudi she xv^-ro f^ i • theair. Was no ,fl it u^f* '""'^ ™''"-'"''> «»"^d of its purport and t M ' ^'™'" "' ""-■ l^iowledge matter'un'JnflCd Zu^'ZT "' 1^"'' ''' ■nto it, it was th,.^,- • r • '■'"y ''f<-' "itercd ccmpositio"? '''^'""=S«t'"g life of decay and de. She, for her part, had no obligations laid on her. The Veils of Ishtar. 89 If, however, she were married to Lamia, then at once duties would spring up, and her way would be rosy. Till then her happiness hung in suspense, lii'-'<' "M T . ^^o, uo not rislv it. "ay, Lucius, like mv moth,.r fi, c. me only so far as its afftir ff V ''■"' ™""™^ ■•"'erests. But I do want to '"'' °"" ^'"^ ''"1<= futu'e. Elymas is reputed "o,™ 7 ■ °""""'"S °' ■">' I'^rrd^d^™"'- wo.Mi.umorh^i:"lt-7S;-°:^rei-i 'it over that behind its ; ''greens, I the ]iousc times of "- ^^'^ me that." ^ concerning the State-promise " It shall be so T nrinc r Temple of Isis. Hcts ther'e." ""' "^ '° "'= Tlie two young people walked to a ,m-,ll .1, • a.d.c,, ™ ,, ,„ ,,,^,„,^ ^, ^ ter,:e:r t h>.r In the colonnade in front of the doorwa, the Ma.n^' He was out of humor, offended -.t huT I ^ Domitia. His sole satisfact on t] ^at S ■ " ^' No 7.' "r '^='°"' "'- "• "" i ^tfo'""' "" .mno7a:d^sf;d'."^"'"'''°'"-'"-"''^^P-ty:win„i„, ".inf ;L\^;rr%s!r;'re;rr; °r'-" "> for me that Id ' '' °"' '^^'"^ ^^^ "^ay do -""ot":weXrar2:;r"ft-i;d%r;t^^ :n;i:t;d,iT;;tlf';=---'-.''^^^ people have learL' ^ r d ,3 1™"' ^,7/"" ^°" what the heavens have in stortTo; n,e ' "" '"" ''"°" "Indeed, lady, to consult the stars is a long and m 92 Domitia. P'iinfi.l business, that 1 will c^ladly „,ulcrtnkc hn^ > cannot be (lone hastily ff u-TlI / '^'.^'''^^' "^"t 't arcju.u'cvcr „thc v" • ^^ " '' .'^^^7'-^" t""-^- There the stars TI i ^ /^ ^ r-achn.cj tlie future than by ,'"• ;'^^'^' islshtar, Avhomthe Ivryntians r-.H i- leasurc Is hide 'or my come, The Veils of Ishtar. Heh... sh... be here, and I shall have nude n,y ,J;: '"^'^^t is but an hour hence. H. it s„. Come I-na. Ihou Shalt n..„,e on the lake till ICy,";^ added. ],l.e that not. If it plea.sed the <,.ods to 1^<- us u, at ,sn. store, then they would reveal it Jo ^- I nnslrust me, this man is either an inipostor or he deals wuh the spirits of evil." ''Nay, think not so. Why should net the Truth lie bch.nd seven veils, and if so, and ue are able, why not phick away those veils ?" ^ " In good sooth, Doniitia, thou hast n.ore darincr in thy httle soul than have l." ^ The girl and Lucius Lamia had been so much to go her m Syria, that they had come to re-ar 1 ead other jnth the affection of brother and ^i^t G.cekhfe the females occupied a separate portion. vviU hem. 1 here was no conunon fanu'ly life Old Kon^an domestic arrangements had been very chffe:ent from this. There the wife and mother oc^ he, and sa and span m the atrium, where also the men assemb ed. She prepared the meals, and partook of them with her husband, and the sisters wit^i thet brothers. The only difference between them a table was that the men reclined to eat, whereas "e wome^ sat on stools. But this home life, which had been o wholesome and so happy, in the luxury and weal h of tl^e age at the fall of the Commonwealth and the ise 94 Domitia. Bl i on. 1 or the conversation of tlic m.Mi 1,-, i shameless, .he exi.ibitio,,. at ba,u ',1 ' o : S" enness a„cl „t danci,,,. j-Ws, and the sM„nns of U sont's by m.Hicians. had driven nv „. , " 'S """'■'''I cheeUnr tl, n.niuinin auay shame from the the chide • •'""'"'' •■" ••■'"•"'■"•-■'"I- freshness ,.f mc cniidrcn s ninoccncc Aqd now Lucius was paddling on the glassy tarn All at once he roused himself " Domitia," said he, '' Do you know that there is n Tti; Vf ""^^^ '^ "°^ ^-^^' b^-t ha fl 1 o 1,; Farthians, and that he will return ? " '' T^d" ^^TV''^ '°- " ^^'' SirVs color died away I do not beheve it. It cannot be. The sword of your father would not bite so feebly as to l^t "',: cmoraliza- acl grown rse drunk. : of ribald from the ;sllIlL'S.S of periods, iniplicity -d, i^ood en's eyes -s full of e' of Cor- d been a onorable litia had for each aturalJy sy tarn. ped the till she led her 50 was The Veils of Ishtar. VI. '5 Vet the talc is circulating. Men are unnc,, „ something." uncasy-cxpectmg ;; If ho be dead and burnt, he cannot return." And vet '"h T' " ^^'" '''"""' '■^•^^"■'^ f'--" '^^^ dead. And yet- here be strange rumors. A.nong the C Kstuins, I a,n told, there has risen up a see. w c hath been taken with an ecstasy and h-.th ' , en eh ; 5° " :'" "'••'• ''^'^•'"S — heads, and head, tL fifM ^" ■',' "°'"'- ^"-^ ""<" °f "'"»c heads he fifth, received a death-wound. Then arose two Cher heads, and after them the wounded 7,Z arose onee again and breathed fire and slaug \1 the second state was worse than the first." " Hut, Lucius, what can this signify > " tieneadsare thepnnccs, and the fifth head, that is wounded as unto death, but not slain, is Nero, knd ha after two have arisen, then he will return " Uomitia shuddered. " If l;c return, Lamia, he will not forget thee Well we wdl ourselves look behind the veils^ tha is b!^ r c is a to the vay. 5rd of n live. 96 Domitia. CHAPTHR XII. THH FALL or Till- VHILS. LUCMJS .111(1 Domiti.i sti|,„c(l out of fl, k . , Loni;.i had engaged thf M,...„^.vhen at ;■,.■ i t "■I.cn somewhat ,„™„ ..,,.. ^eat to Fu, nn f '' ^" husband, she had not taken hi 0!^^^ '^' ^- ''"'' with her A« l,„,„ , , '-"•iWiean magician vitii ner As, however, she Iiad no wish to anncar in Rome without him, she had laid it on her h^sb nd when ha returned .0 bring the man with him a d iH e d.d not return himself, to despatch the Magus to ,r hont : he luT to the collcf^c of 'n, with ;i »ii special f Corbulo J taken it i-s Jiaving tlic doors t, till the Chalclce c to (lab- o be able at table, c Powers ons from och, but by her nagician 3pear in lusband nd if he to her. The Fall of the V:jils. „ On her arrival in the villa at (iabii. she had .ive.. „n tile temple of ss to I'lv.i., ,, i i i . f,'^^"ii|) ■ntoapLforstudy' •■''"''"' "'""^•'■^^•^^ r us!^Uo a!r'"n '""^' •'--y curtain. an"!,-i,. ■ said l.„d„H. "J,,,:,,,, i-'vcry o„c is ,,„,.„c li,„v 1 1, i "'"'S'" "' ""» ■• by l.i-s death." *■ ""''''■' ^"^^■"■^ t-^'bulo ca,„c >™» ■ri'l-*--"! as a„ ;,,, ;, "'"^'"""V^-J lights. It TiMi IJoniiti., e.xelai,„ed : pn.sc vvJiat mean you ? " ■,<]■ . i .i isc. ^ '''''^'-'' the young b num in sur- " J-ucius, I see it- -lU n - Nero ca,-ousi„,. ■ J T' ? ■"'•■'• ""-' ^-»'--' "" "-l.ich And l,e base, a,', ,1,^ T" "T,;"'i"">'"-%' "t W. our .lJI'iL' tif ''" ""^■"■" ^' f-^- -•^^. -d uiU,drew ''^c aromatic iJ l->)oniitia " I-ct us go The Fall of the Veils. -and my 't of this : Ji^ilo came took Iiold ' woman, '■act siid- biit saw ^■Iits. It cut tlic own tlic 1 in sur- 1 which at Iicr. Hcl our .lidrc c\v " Sccst tlioii auj^^ht ? " " ^^-S" she answered in a Avliisnci- '< V f IJhmi I'Jynias turned and said • " Ifithcrto thou hast beliel.l tl, <- t • , " No, my friend. Now I h-.v,. c ., • pa.s.. I .iii c.., ,.ok ,•„;: , r t.:." rr ?•" ;'" I Ciiiiii; liilhcr." "ituic. U was for III AiKl „„„, ,,»;„•„ did tlio maL'ici-iM „ft .,. "■•■'vc i,i,s |,a,„|s. Tl,crcu o , '^'■"'■'"''■''' '""' cl-..;csapp.an..c,i,u,,e:,'; ",,, ™'^- "f; -'" .-°"ii«i.e iu,c. yet „i,„ HiC :;;;';" - ■"■"<>' ■■'B 't. All at once tl,c Ma,n„ too off " i""'" ^'"d cast it on the marble floor ' '"'""' ^■'^" .s".c- loosed he? ha, , 'r ,J rr ''"'" """ ••' "'• tl- couch, threw her ar's ^:uJTZ^ TT" "" and sank sobbing o„ hi, h^oast " "'"' It was some ti„,ebefor;shc was sufficiently re. ii* ml It' %i 102 Domitia. covered to speak, and then was reluctant to disclose vvha she had seen. Lucius, however, urged her with gentle persuasion, and, clinging to him, between sobs ni whispers she confided : '' Oh, Lucius ! I thought-I-I saw that the day had come when you and L-Lucius, when I went to your house and was lifted across the threshold, and then, as I stretched my hands to you and took yours -then, all at once, a red face came up behind-whence I know not-and two long hands thrust us apart. Then I let go-I let go-and-and I saw no more." When that day comes, my Domitia, no hands shall divide us, no face be thrust between. Now come lorth. You have seen enough." "Nay, I will look to the end." She took the hand of Helena, into which some flexibility and warmth were returning. " Art thou willing ? " asked the Magus. She nodded, and the fifth veil fell. For full five minutes Domitia stood rigid, without moving a muscle, hardly breathing. Then Lucius said : M^ri^^^ 'l^""^ ^ P^'P'^ ^'^'^^ -^'^'"^^ °"t of the crystal. What IS thy vision now, Domitia ? By the light that beams, it should be right royal." "It is royal," she said in faint tones. "Luciu-^' what that Christian prophet spoke, that have I also seen-the beast with seven heads, one wounded to the death, and there cometh up another out of the deadly wound, and-it hath the red face I saw but just now And It climbeth to a throne and lifteth me up to sit thereon. Away with the vision. It offendeth me. It makcth my blood turn ice cold ! " The Fall of the Veils. 103 " Hast thou a desire to sec further ? " asked the Magus. " I can sec naught worse than this," said Domitia A shudder ran through her, and her teeth chattered as with frost. Then Elymas again waved his hands, and clianted, "Askion, Kataskion, lix, Tctras, damnamcncus," and raised and cast down the sixth veil. At once from the crystal a red light shone forth, and suffused the whole cell of the temple with a blood- colored illumination, and by it Lucius could see that there was in it no image present, only a dense black veil behnid the altar on which the stone glowed like a carbuncle. He heard the breath pass through the teeth of Domitia, like the hissing of a serpent. He looked at her, her face was terrible, inflamed. The eyes stiff- ened, the teeth were set, the brow knitted and lower- ing. Then she said : " I stand on the beast, and the sword of my father pierces his heart." Lucius wondered ; there was a look of hate, a hidcous- ness in her face, such as he had not conceived it possi- ble so beautiful and sweet a countenance could have assumed. Then Elymas cast off the last veil. For a moment all was darkness. The red li^ht in the crystal had expired. In stillness and suspense, not without fear, all waited, all standing save Helena, who had recovered from her trance, and she paused expect- ant on her couch. Then a minute spark appeared in the crystal of the purest white light, that grew, rapidly sending out wave on wave of brilliance, so intense, so splendid, so daz- 104 '? Domitia. ^^'•^ J'^-ad about with hf. / '"'■'■' '"^d Avranned turned u-itli -. . '^^' ^^'-^ mantle. Andfl,,. ,-^ " ^\i ii a cry, as thouirh tJir I.Vi . "icdj um •'' P.-un, buried her face in J 7 ^ f ' '""^^^ ^'^'H^iiys- *l_'>-.l.ng be.^""'^' """ S'«"^-^ life diamcu: •' .,''"'!''•-■ -■'■•1 with a. ,0b: Pl--black a. deepest nigi.t ' '* "S"'" '" '!>= tcn- '<""> -"to tl,c calm evening "• ='"'' "■''■W I.er 0"'Luciu.!.„„e,„.H.he.e,WeHc,V-. Jieeffiilqcec, '"itl A\rappcd tJie nicdfiiin sedherphys. ' l?i-oi)cd on ^ to t-'xcJudc covered Jifs ^^^ soft, tlie tenderness _'■« rose and iamonds in tered into 'the tein- his hand rried Jier ht of the tlrevv a f •' -^"■•f^fd^ntl ft "S..H SAM. w,rH A sun: ^,,„ ...x-nu k.uctas.'- /^,^. ,o^. Sf It); To Rome! 105 CHAPTER XIII. TO ROME ! " Plancus, come hither ! " s avc-gu , Luc.lla, was engaged in driving away tlie flies the I'ady '^' '"'''''"^ ^^ ^'"'' ^°-^'"^^'^'^' '^^'^ towards Summer was over, and winterstorms were beginning to bluster and the flies were dull with eold and only mamtained ahve by the warmth of the chambers, heat ed by underground stoves, and with pipes to convey the hot air carried through every wall. " Plancus, did you hear me speak ? " " I am here, my lady, at your service. " " ^^f y = y°" have become torpid like the flies. Has the chill made you deaf as well as slug<.ish ? " ;; My lady, I can always hear when you speak " Do you mean to imply that I shout like a fishwife ? " I mean not that. But when a harp is played "it sets every thread in every other stringed instrument! chimmg ; and so is it with me. " " The simile is wiredrawn. What I want you for is -no, I will have no stroking of your face like a cat !-is to go to Rome and see that the palace is made ready to receive us. The stoves must be well heated, and every! thing properly aired. The countiy at best of timesTs loG Domitia. •ti i i tedious ; in winter, intolerable. IJcsidcs, I have no right to remain here buried. I must consiiler— riancus, why arc you scratching ? I must consider my daughter.' She is in a fit oi ihe blues, and has nothing to say to amuse me. You need not blow like a sea-horse, breathe more evenly and equably ;—Plancus, you arc becoming unen- durable. I must not consider my bereaved feelings, but her welfare, lier health. The air or the situation of Gabii does not suit her. Roi.i i is an extraordinarily healthy place in winter. I myself am never better any- where than I am there. I was pretty well at Antioch; there were military there, and I f^nd the soil and climate salubrious where there are military, Plancus ?-~as the Gods love me, you have been in the stables. I know it by infallible proofs. Stand at a distance, I insist. And, Plancus ! you pn^iot showing off conjuring tricks, that you should fok. and unfold your hands. You go to Rome and take such of the family with you as are necessary, I am not going to be mewed up here any longer, because my two years of widowhood are not over. You are making faces at me, positively you are, Plancus, Do, I entreat you, look as if you were not a mountebank mouthing at a crowd, " " lily, mistress, as though winged at heel like Mer- cury," " Much more like Mercury's tortoise. Send me Claudius Senecio. I must know what ails Domitia. She has the vapors, " " I obey, " said Plancus, "Am I much worn, Lucilla?" asked the lady, as soon as her steward had withdrawn, "The laceration of the heart tells on a scnsiti-- nature, and precipitates wrinkles and so on. " 1 To Rome ! 107 " Madam, you bloom as in a sccoiul sprin'^" " A second spring, Liicilhi ! " exclaimed "longa, sit- ting bolt ui^right. " You hussy, how dare you ? A sec- ond spring, indeed ! Why, by the zone of Venus, I am not through my first summer yet." " You misconceive me, dear lady. When a virgin has been wedded, then come on her the cares of matron- hood, the capn cs, the ill-humors of her husband— and to some, not without cause, the vexation of his jealousy. ]}ut when the Gods have removed him, it sometimes happens that the ravages caused by the annoyances of marriage disappear, and slie reverts to the freshness and loveliness of her virginity. " •' There is something in what you say ; of course it is true only of highly privileged natures, in which is some divine blood. A storm ruffles the surface of the lake. When the storm is past, the lak-e resumes its placidity and beauty— exactly as it was before. I have noted it a thousand times. Yes, of course it is so. Here comes Senecio ; he waddles just like the Hindu nurse I saw at Antioch, laboring about with two fat babies." The Philosopher approached. " I will trouble you to come in front of me," said the widow. " Have you eaten so heavy a meal as to shrink from so much unnecessary exertion? I cannot talk with my neck twisted. The windpipe is not naturally constructed like a thread in a rope. I am return- ing to Rome." " To Rome, madam ! I do not advise that. The place is in commotion. There have been sad scenes of riot and pillage in *he capital. " " As the Gods love me ! what care I so long as they do not invade the house in the Carinae? " loS Domitia. 111 i " T^tit there have been also massacres. " " Well, when princes shift about, that is inevitable iH-y all do ,t. Jv)r my part. I rather h-ke-that is. I don t object to massacres in their proper places and toiUined to the proper persons." " Madam, yoi, are secure where you are. Whv, there was Ga ba,-he had not been in Rome seven Inonths l>cfore he was killed, and Jie did not enter the cUy save over the boch-es of seven thousand men. butchered on tlie Mamniian Way." "Well! I am not a man. Moreover. I thank the (.ods. my house is not on the I'laminian Way. nor is 't 'n the Velabrum, nor theSuburra, nor in the Forum Hoar.um e.ther. \Ve happen to live in the Carin.e. and conceive that there have been no massacres and all that sort of thing there." tur'b^d^l^"'^'''''''^''^'^"^ '''''''" '''''^"*^^^ "'^^ '" '''■«- "And here, in Gabii. down to the lizards-dead asleep. Give me massacres rather than stai,niation J •shall get back to Rome before the Ides of 'December on account of my daughter's health. J^y the way will you beheve it } She gave away the sword of my dear Corbulo to Lucius Lamia. Just conceive !-how effec t.ve that sword would be in my house-in the tablinum the atrmm, anywhere-and how I could point to it. and' my fee.ngs.^I can imagine nothing more striking. 1 have told Lamia to restore it. I would not lose it tt^a^.^' ^^^"~. Any news from '' ALadam, you are aware that Galba fell, and that Otho threw himself on his sword after a reign of ninety days; and now the new C.Tsar Vitellius is men- ncvi tabic, -that is, r laces and 'll\-, tluML' 1 inontlis city save liercd on lank the ►', nor is c Forum iniL', and and all r is dis- s — dead tion. J cember, ay, will ay dear w effec- blinum, > it, and triking. lose it s from Id that -ign of is men- To Rome I into kinship, ,„. ,|,.„|,,,,,| „„t , ' • '■" .""^ "''"v..tc,l •seances .iccicic. Hi ' , , " "-'''"■■"^'"!' ^'» ^''■""n- .n:"..na„,H„n..,.:;:;'-,:- ,|;;-;.^--fa ^Int and all that sort ..f thin- A : *"''' ^'- say ; I believe h. L:l-talrLt7 ^ ■somewhere because he ,\\,\ fh,. *" '"'" Ho n,arn-.a above IWs >osi';:.: .^rw:^™",;-,-"; llavc seen ,„kI heard of her u „„', ,., ' i ' ' """ ' ' ^ l-Khiins. he took her i, j "I'' T"'"' '"-<-• «;iy^kni,ht.•■ '<•" '"^.«hat hasg.vcn whatever he is called T^l ?', Asclepanon, or believe that He p^Kie] tX^ -::t^: ^- The future! delicious - And what did ^see?" no Domitia. m I ^ " That I cannot say, but slic has looked wan ever since, neither smiles nor speaks, but sits, when the sun shines, on the balustrade above the water, looking into It, as in a dream. I hear that she holds converse with none, save her maid, Euphrosync." ^ " I wonder what she has seen ! Anything concern- ing me? " Madam, that braggart and intriguer is made up of hcs. He has frightened lier with pretended predic- tions. If I might advise, I would counsel his expul- sion from the house." " I should like to hear what are the chances for Havius Vespasian. I think I shall inquire myself I knew Vespasian once, of course he is vastly my senior If he be successful, he may get a proconsulship for our i.amia. He! Flavius Vespasian a Ca:sar ! There is push for you ! As the Gods love me, there is nothin-^ like push. I must go to Rome. Positively two years retirement for a widow is unreasonable. In the good old days of the Republic one was thought cnou-li I would not have the Republic back for anythin- else though of course we all talk about Liberty and Cato' and all that sort of thing-it is talk-nothing else' I must go to Rome. Flavius Sabinus is pra.-fect of the city, and he is the elder brother of Vespasian. I mi-ht show him some little inconspicuous civilities~c.i,rc a little cosy, quiet supper. By the way-yes, he is mar- ried to an old hunks, I remember. Oh ! if his brother gets to the top, he can divorce her. Yes, positively I shall not be able to breathe till I get back to Rome iiy the way, draw mc up on a couple of tablets some moral philosophizii t suitable to widowhood, pepper it well with lines fron lyric poets. I will learn it all by cd wan ever .'ben tlie sun looking into inverse with ng concern- made up of ded predic- liis expul- To Rome! Ill heart in my litter, and serve out as occasion off. , po.s,t iveiy n^ust be „on,c before t„c lS:'Z;"^l,J, a Start of pleasure— « The Ides nf n . , . ..dedication feast of the't^rrTe,.: ft, .t <-auna,. There you have it ! Devotion to tho ,. i an excuse for a little supper-a wee litL sJ^^eflt^ i'O good and so nicely turned out." :hances for myself. I ^ my senior, ship for our ■ There is is nothino- '' two years 1 the good enough. I 'thing else, • and Cato, thing else. ;fcct of the 1. I might es — give a he is mar- lis brother ositively I to Rome. Diets some pepper it n it all by 112 Domitia. V I 1 1 t I I' CHAPTER XIV. A LITTLE SUPPER. LONGA DUILIA and her entire household had re- turned to the capital, and were installed in the family mansion in the Carinas. ^ Happily, as Corbulo had considered it, this house had escaped in the conflagration of Rome under Nero This, however, was a matter of some regret to Duilia' who would have preferred to have had it burnt, so that It m.ght have been rebuilt in greater splendor and m newer style. Nevertheless, although externally dingy, it was a commodious mansion within, and was well furnished especial y with carpets and curtains of Oriental texture' that had been wrought at, or purchased at the bazaars ot yintioch and Damascus. The centre of the house was occupied by the atnum or hall, open to the sky above the water tank in the midst. On each side at the further end from the entrance extended the " wings " that contained the family portraits enclosed in gilded boxes or shrines the doors of which were thrown open on festal occa- sions. In the centre, between the wings was the fal^hmnu, the reception-room of the house, and on the nghts.de of the entrance was the family money- chest, girded with iron. ^ old had re- the family this house inder Nero, t to Duilia, t burnt, so ^r splendor , it was a furnished, tal texture, he bazaars hcatriutn, nk in the from the aincd the T shrines, ::stal occa- was the :, and on ly money- A Little Supper. T\K/,c,„,la. tl,e subsidiary housclmld trods tlnth, I formerly been retained in the Inll „ '^°^f' "'•^""'' curious, smoked, and badlyi ap!d do"' ' ■'"■■"- some in wood, others in ZnlTotu tT" '"■'^'•' consigned to a family chapel but i'^T? '°"''""""' widow of Corbulo, as' in m'Sl'y' al Lf;, ^-/l,"- re egated to a shelf in the kitehen near te heart! 'l a^;->P was maintained perpetually b"™,- ^r'^^.^.^ had"bre'"hr:o,:;i:; ;:'"" t, r ^™p'=' ^^^ '>-^» :;.etwofthee:-:;:-rtt^~-r- . ^" '^'"^^'' the hall was too cold to be s.t in U jnconven.ent to have the cookin, done be or " .Jo"'' Consequently a separate kitehen and sep.r'tVr^'"- rooms were constructed and fh. ^P'^'^^^ ^'"'"S" tl- image by it alone "rem: ^d t thMnfl f '^ '"' n^cence of the family hearth that o e s t d JlLT"" It IS more difficult to understand fh. , meal times of the old l^n,. ?, '"'-'''^^^ ''^"^' of their houses '"'' '^^'" '^'' arrangement They rose vastly earlv in i-hf^ ^ snaekof breakfast of the siller',""'": •''"' '°°'^ " lasted them till luneh a ,oTl ,tr''P''°". -'"ch occupied abroad rarelv r4°r''ed ,,- "'Z"'^'', '■"' '""' At noon they bathed and t , ■; '"' """ "'™'- 3 y oatlied, and then came the great feed of 114 Domitia. ■ijI / the day, tlic cav^a, which we translate " sunner " U . which was be-un at hnlfnncf suppci, but 1 I . ^ ' ''"- naJf-pasL one in winfpr -,,■,.! hour later in .summer. ^"^ ^" This lasted the entire afternoon, and even on .. . occasions into the nicrhf- c ,, " °" Sii^^'^t up till midnight o T" '"'''^^'''' ^'^ "°^ break- It was not ''til' Zr\r'""^''' '''' °^Sy '- d-vn. thecla i wo d th tS -^ ""^ ""'^"''''-^ °^^^^--d the evening '"^^'' '''' Postponed until der of tlie clay was devoted Ml, ', '" '■'="'^'"- -ading. convLa.i„„:::jt:° leLT "^ --' "" '° ^.ep^^c/a^r "ce- :r;-it:?R °""- her little supper. "ffilect of Rome, to ordta^ Urs'tf^'' '""■"• """' ■"^"^ -* very by his s™ s:w„ us!" "" ^"'"''^'' "^ '™ '-'°-. and "'1 could m'n^"T-'r "'" """=°- .-nvitation," youra:;^2;.^„TeTa' r ct:r r*-^--^^ have been at Antiorl, „„>l, j ' ^°""= ^'ars I sword-that sto d ; : d LVtir M "'"^'f'- ''''°^ Partisans and Arme:;^-™ ut t^ t^™^"'' see It-suspended yonder R„t „ t '=ars_you have been from Rome ,o Ion. !■ """ '"^'"S' "= have lived in such Tecusir^', ":.:'"„" "' "'"™ ' and yet considering our rei:.-™!!;!!^.™ ""' "^t- "Oh! yes, of course, cousins." " Cousins ! " I supper," but inter and an en on great iid not break 'gy to dawn, overflowed poned until n till noon, the remain- neal and to iga. Duilia, f Rome, to with very ictors, and ivitation." iiave made le years I nd, whose Germans, Dars— you lying, we ' return I lot met — entitled A Little Supper. member her, ,1,. ,cnai„s of g°eat bTu'tv O^ ■■" I was then 4„i,c a n,itc of a child ■■^' '°'"'"' "This IS indeed flattering-" ncdil'e '"r" '•"■" "'"""""-"e^ t° consider beside pcaigiLL. Cousins we certainly are A,„l i. • , sweet lady, your wife ? By all aceo'unf' , " "'"' ia-st autumn leaf on an acacia ' "" ^""^ "^ "'<= n,de',::,.t" " "^ "■^'' ""'"■-""'-y. -^e enjoys so:c;:;„e:,sr!,oTL::: r'TV^^r':;'^' ^°" go into society, a little „ee,H 7- '°"'''' '^°" ""' not all n,ade lin b!, " • '" '" ""''^- '^'-' ^'■- formed like an Apollo. And ^r",^ '°? ^*'""'' '^ 1 'iij. -r\na ^our daucrhter Ploi.f.-n — so sorry infected In fi,^ -'"LHct.r 1 lautilla .odin„er^rshrj:;;tnis"hr;,or"jt"-- ^Xrabretrn:-nn"ir^--^^°^ the sword of my darl nl He ,7 '"''""'' y°" '=-"' -th his blood.^ E ;• n,"lt b°^ "• u'"''^ '■' blade irith mv tears P "'''''' '•"= =»"ed comes me VwouM h l"?~"y '^"'°"°" o^"" 'ne. I nouid have bured mvself -.t r k- cLispina the suord to my wound-d K , "' .emainder of my shatterecriif , v "" ^°' "'<> health of my cMd A ml • f " "°' '"^™ '"^ "«^ off»pn-ng. Well t/t ta r ^ A^t'^ """ "" a small supper in a houso „f " ' ^''"■'=' °"'y III II I 1 I ii6 Domitia. come-that is my dauoluer. Salute her A .. • G,ve me your hand, Flavius. The tLfe ^Ils us ^"'"• tab es were nhr,.r] c.. ^ ■^ '''^°^<-S- 1 hrec square in the middle. ^ ''^ °P^'" Into this hollow the servants rnn tli. « latter Tho . ' ^^ "° ^'''^'- ^^ P^^^e of these iatter they were furnished with snonn^ h. ■ , hand , but when „scU a. a spoon, then the end was re! In^nl >■'''''•'■'' "■'" P""'' "P "'"> ="«■• and gold plate fcet o! 'I"; """?^ ^'°°"^ ••'™»"'' '^We li hthrle bt':;;,::'dta„r S:"ri„:n '"?■' -■* Hn..b™oche.co„«ts;ro;;t:,nr^L:^^^^^^^^ to the guests along with the dessert. Our prest , ' on of Chr,stmas craekers is a reminiscence of. l,eoW iro-rn-;::'-^'""— --''=--- tt cxi^ndedtJiTd irthelTr-ir"' '^^ '^'^^ reeJ.nc, but recently some empresses had I J' • A cousin. :al]s us." ' period had the air, but 'ves. Three line persons, lid an open 'epository," of a tier of ■s put forth cy fancied, -e of these Having the iw or hoof, ) hold the employed, o\v of the id was re- fold plate, vith three ' up with i trinkets, ) be given presenta- fthe old 'ts at the :heir legs reposed stom for 5SC3 had A Little Supper on stools. ^'incnon. Ladies sat covered with Oriental carpets "' '"^ ^^^^^ Every guest was attended by a slavo K • ewer and napkin so thnf h,. • , , ' '^'-^^'"'>S an recurrence, on account of tL u ^^""^^'^y ^^ constant A baldacWn of":U ot,t;™«. "^ P™P" ^o^^. above the table, and the head, oFthe h "'""''""^ -as done for the p„,.po.e oIcuuZTTJ- ^'"' as immediately above in ,1, , , ^ """ ''raught, an opening tLu^r':,;,: ^ 1 1 f^ ^-^-^ ''— - dinner might escape ind M , ""^ ^"^^^^ of canopy „as not spread,™! refvl::::-' ''''" '"^ scent, even garlands were scatteTnd , " '^^y °' A Roman dinner be J^ ?n °^" ""^ '''-'sellers, present day, with a ''C ! °?' '? ^"''''^ "' "■<= cuiated to stin,„lateC:;^;;,Ttr ; t" ^T' ''' Then came in soft-boiled e,r„. I, ^ d.gest.on. •"^1>, just as invariably, the Jed .l' ,'"""'•''"' ^''' VVith the eggs were"^ ved , d?'-;' T '"'"''■ cabbage shredded in vineAr K , '^■•'"'•■r-k-rant, "'■"> -altpetre to enha^e^ i„!^ ""^'^ '"'""'^ '>-'c^ carrots in „,,tard and vine^a Mm"' "'^^ ""'' "'th pepper, salt, and vineA' artf h T' '""" "'«' -n^-d raw, with oil ; ..allocs an^^^ttolvZ^n:,';: ii8 Domitfa. I I I i rooms and truffles were favorite vegetables, and were cnoppcd lizards. All this was preparatory. anrfish^ATf, ""= "P''^''°'y. groaning under meats h ndtr„ ,""' "■""'•' "'™'-"' => -lave produecd and handed round a menu eard. But before eatin- a benediction was pronouneed, tl,c household gods were mvoked^and promised a share of the good tldngs from sen't '' """^"^f^'y '° "telogue the solids and c«,r.'rs sent up at such a supper. Pork was a favorite dish erved :;° T. "'' ''"'' '" ^''"^- ^ P'^ could be served up Octopus was much relished, as it is to this day ,„ Italy. Wild fowl was stuffed with garlic, mutton wuh asafefda, and some moats were not consid red m condition till decomposition had begun The strong savor produced by those dishes was acted by the diffusion of aromatic smoke, and the sprinkling of guests and table with essences A supper consisted of several courses, but a eonsid- erable interval elapsed between each, ^vhieh int rv aTt cf ^f h"ff" ' "—'-". or enlivened with the poetry "'' °'' "'"" "'"'''• "' *■= ■•'^"'""O" °f in fh°.' h "^ '" 'r"^ '"'""°'' '^'^"' ""=^«""y ™^ allowed We e„7 Longa Duilia, at such entertainments. We read a good deal, in the ancient authors, of the .cense allowed at such times, but this was not general certainly was not suffered except in very " fa " ["hemSv" ■™''' ""' ''''"''" "' "°"= --^^ -P"'ed , and were dines, and der meats luccd and eating-, a ;:ods were ings from id cntri'cs rite dish, could be is to this :, mutton Jnsidered ihes was counter- and the I consid- interval vith the ation of allowed timcnts. , of the general, " fast " spected A Little Supper. 1 lavru.., Sabinus, the prefect, was a great taM-e, ,, l' lllerc was a little rivalry between l.^ ''^''x-''. '"Hi ^1.0>„dlea''"' Duilia bowed nnH fi - t went to meet his' nephet' ''" "' '""'"^ '"'^ P'^^' r ft: ■■ 1 I20 Domitia. "f ^'"'""u's^^r'i'r' ;i'^'"'r ''■"■•'''•-■ ''-'- b.catJ,cVc™ ' "•■ '=" ~"'"' '"■» "™i<--. 'lid -lie ^vv iNcro. O Lamia ! Terrible is Fate ! " i I He looked - eyes she i-^ slightly licm ; and The Lectisternium. 121 the form -, did she in t voice : fth come s Fate ! " CHAPTER XV. THE LECTISTERNIUM. It wen off qu.te charmingly, without a hitch .l" lowed that good FlaviusSabinus to talk- J T- one of those men who enjoys himre/; be.t ^'e hHs' gS and, as y„„ „.,,, pe.ccivc, I „„ drccd .seven d.ys, bcjj.nn,,,^. „n the ,71!. Dccunbcr with ? « .-.«.. ,nstit„ti„n, a han„uc. „f the gods U , .v ca.-on,, .. hancncted .oi:th::;r "hhr Ti^'z;:- cbutchcncs the Rc-ncral confusion can.cd ^ he sat, fi „,, ,„,d cxst.ng dou-n of emperors-three f„ en months- and now, ei^h, months after, a fou , totte ">R; and every change involvinj, m. ssacre ph nde ' disturbance of order ;-this had moved the priets.o decree a solemn lectisternium and suimli„fin„ , ., -oration of tran.nihity and the'^tr Jrdwl The banquet was to take place in the forum. the wul.w and the orphan together. Besides I va;;: some one to talk to WInf- r^r. ., • , "^ Domitiauns ? A modeThd to '"' "1°' ""'^""^ « c: , , '"""est lad, to niy mind." Shy and clum^y," observed Domitia. " The sic^hf of him is a horror to me." ^^^^ " My dear ehild, only a fool will take sprats vvh.n I "'or;:;f ^'r^- , ^°°^^-'^ - bette;c . '^ Uli, mother !— what is that ? " .J' ^ ^r"^ ^r^'?^ *° '"PP"*"'" ^•'^'^' tJ^^ lacly. " We shall seeplenty of them presently." vveshall That w^hich had attracted her daughter's att^nf was a bier supported on the shouldeSo priests on which lay a figure dressed handsomely, in tlSude m dressed 'as (///I'/i- a 't, lasting cr with a Usually I temples 'li'jnn oc- distress, ! by the ce in ten h totter- pl under, nests to I for the of civil th me," spcet — I want t^'lavius :^ sight hen he If." e shall nition ts, on ^itude I The Lectisternium. ,23 of a man at table, raised on his left elbow tliat was bunedma pillow, the head erect and the rioht arm extended, balanced in the air. The body was pVobably of wood under the drooping drapery, but the face and li.-uuls and feet were of wax. In jolting over the pave- ment, tlie sleeve had become disarranged, and showed tlie wooden prop that sustained the waxen right hand 1 lie face was colored, the eyes were of glass, and real iKur was affixed to the head ; the lou-er jaw, hung on wires, opened and shut with the jostling. The staring r.i^ure swaying on the shoulders of the bearers, had a sufficiently startling effect, sweeping round a corner wagguigits beard, and past the palanquin in w'lich were the ladies. " A thing like that can't eat," said Domitia. "Oh, my dear child, no. The gods on'y sniff at the food. After it has been set before them, it is carried away, and the people scramble for it." They are naught but wax and woodwork," said the gnl contemptuously. " My child, how often have I not had to quote to you that text, ' It is not well to be ovcrwise about tlie gods ? ' Here we are ! What a crowd I " The forum of Rome, that wondrous basin towered over on one side by the Capitol, inclosed on another by the Palatine, and on the third by the densely packed blocks of houses in the Suburra below the Quirinal \im.naland Esquiline Hills, was itself crowded with temples and basilicas, yet noc then as dense with monuments as later, when the open spaces were further encroached upon by the Antenines. "Domitia," said Tonga Dviilia. in hor ^ar "all things are working out excellently. Vitellius is aware 124 Domitia. III that he has no chance, and has been consulting with our consul in the Temple of Concord yonder, an'd they have nearly settled between them that Vespasian is to assume the purple without further opposition. Vitel- hus w,ll retire to some country villa on a handsome annuity. Ihat will prevent more bloodshed and con- fiscation, and all that sort of thing. It is always ad- visable to avoid unpleasantnesses if possible. There clnld there are quite a bevy of gods already at table.' i^ee hat dear old doll, Summanus, without a head- you know it was struck off by lightning in the time of 1 yirhus. It was of clay, and rolled all the way to the 1 .ber and plopped in. Since then he has been without a head, the darling!" " Ifow can he either smell or eat, mother?" ; My child, I don't ask. It is not well to be over- wise about the gods. There go the Arval Brothers with the unage of Aca Larentia seated-of course not lyniff. You will see some venerable curiosities, who put in an appearance on days like this so as not to be wholly forgotten." The sight presented by the forum was indeed strange. A space had been cleared and shut off from the intrusion of the crowd, and there lay and sat the nnages at tables that were spread with viands All were either life-size or larger. Some were skilfully modelled and wore gorgeous clothing, but others were of the rudest moulding in terra cotta, or carved wood and evidently of very ancient date, of Etruscan work- manship httle influenced by Greek art. Domitia looked on in astonishment.' The populace aughed and commented on the images, without the least reverence: and the priests and their assistants Iting with ", and they asian is to '11. Vitel- handsomc i and con- Iways ad- ;. Tlierc, ■ at table, a head — le time of ay to the II without be over- Brothers )ursc not ies, who lot to be indeed 3ff from sat the ds. All skilfully ers were :! wood, n work- opulace out the sistants The Lectisternium. j^^ laid the dishes before the puppets, then whisked them off and earned them without the barriers. Thereupon Zu , ■' ^""^ conveyed from the table of the gods, even the vessels used for the viands and for e wme were snatched at and carried away and lo priests offered no resistance. ^' ^ Domitia was completely transported out of herself by astonishment at the sight. Every now and U n the hum of voices spluttered into a burst of laughter a some ribald joke, and then roared up into a hufbub bcir;?o'u;hT Lf ''-'' '' "^-'^ -' ^^^- ^^-^ -"re Already the short winter day was closing in and torches were being brought forth and stood beside tlie^images. Then the tables were cleared and re! A trumpet blast sounded, and instantly the barriers were cast down, and the second act of this LtrLrdl^^aTv spectacle ensued This was the supplication. I^ nd^ a3..tance, whose lips had but recently uttered a Nothing so completely differentiates Christian worsh,p (rona that of Pagan Rome as ^ e c^n grcgafonal character of the former contrasted Z the uncongregational nature of the latter Af ,V P-ent day in Papal Rome the priest my bf set P S Ind's M " M "^ '"^"^^'^ annexed trs i-eters and S. Mana Maggiore saying their offices, ''111 ill 126 Domitia. indifferent to there being no laity present, indeed, with no provision made that they should assist. This is a legacy of Pagan Rome. The sacrifices, the ser- vices in the temples and other sanctuaries, were en- tirely independent of the people, some performed within closed doors. The only popular religious ser vice was the supplication, which took place but occa- sionally. Then the public streamed to the images of the gods, uttering fervent prayer, chanting hymns prostrating themselves before the couches, catching at their bed-coverings, esteeming themselves blessed if they could lay their hands on the sacred pillows. But there was no general consent as to which of the gods and goddesses were most potent. Some cried out that Mother Orbona had helped them, others that Fortuna was a jade and promised but performed nothing. One fanatic, in a transport, shrieked that these gods were good for naught, for his part he trusted only in Consus, whose temple was in ruins, whose altar was buried in earth by the circus of Tar- quin. But there were others who swept in a strong current towards the couch of Jupiter and of that of Venus. Another strong current, howling ' lo Saturne ! Salve Mater Ops ! ' made for the images of the Old God of Time and his divine Mate. Simultaneously came a cross current of vendors of cakes and toys from the Suburra, regardless of the de- votion of the people, careful only to sell their goods— for the Saturnalia was a period at which the children were regaled with gingerbread, and treated to dolls of terra cotta, of ivory and of wood. Hawkers selling pis- tachio nuts, the cones of the edible pine, men with baked chestnuts, others with trays of Pomponian pears Li. \ if**.! snt, indeed, ssist. This es, the ser- 's, were en- performed ;ligious ser- e but occa- the images ing hymns, s, catching k^es blessed 2d pillows. Iiich of the )ome cried others that performed ieked that s part he i in ruins, us of Tar- 1 a strong of that of oSaturne ! i the Old 'cndors of of the de- ir goods — ■ - children to dolls of idling pis- men with lian pears The Lectisternium. 127 and Mattian apples, vociferating and belauding their wares, increased the clamor. ^ Whilst this was at its height, down from the Pala ^ne by he New Way came the German Imperia Rod" Guard, forcng a passage through the mob, their short" swords drawn, bellowing imprecations, whirling he tocutVo::"^ 'f °^ ^^^ -steel, threftenig to cut down such as mipeded their progress Some y,/,,, or city police, came up.^ There was no ove lost between them and the pampered fore "c" employed n. the palace, and they opposed the 1 ^ou awav T" ^r °"^'""^"^ '^^'^ ^•"P^°>^^^d -d cast away. Then a German was struck in the face by a pne cone, another tripped, fell, and a hawker vith a bar ow-load of dolls, in his eagerness to escnne ran h;! vehicle over the prostrate guardsman. ^ on^ Ga-mans blood was up, they rushed upon the ^ol e and a fray ensued in which now this side, then that' gamed advantage. The populace, densely peeked came in for blows and wounds. When a guarclsma. foH ! t ey could lay hold of him, he was ll^^Z^X' and a mos torn to pieces by eager hands stepping iL^f his splendid uniform. ^ ^ ttirec cohorts to his aid, to drive back the household troops, and m a moment the trough between the hi it was converted into a scene of the wildest onfu^o some women screaming that they had lost tl ei^ urchin sat With rLed^tS^lelor:;rt°;;: i 1 1 \ il hUi 128 Domitia. The vendors of cak'cs and toys cursed as their trays were upset, or their barrows clrslied. Men fou-ht each other, for no other reason than that the soIdL-rs were engaged, and they were unable to keep their itch- ing hands off each other. Down a stair from the palace came the Emperor Vi- telhus, carried on tlie shoulders of soldiers, while slaves bore flambeaux before him. He was seen to gesticulate, but in the uproar none heard what he said. Meanwhile, the priests were endeavoring to remove the gods, and met with the greatest dil^culty. Some trantic women clung to the images and refused to al low them to be taken away. Some of the figures had been upset, and the servants of the temples to which they belonged made rings about them with interlaced arms, to protect them from being trampled under foot Jupiter Capitolinus had been injured and lost his nose A priest with the help of a torch, was melting the wax and fastening it on again, whilst the guard of the temple kept off the rabble. The currents of human beings, driven by diverse passions, jostled, broke across each other, resolved themselves into swirls of living men and women car- ried off their feet. The litter of the lady Duilia and her daughter tossed like a boat in a whirlpool, and the widow shrieked with terror. Then two powerful arms were thrust within the cur tains of the palanquin, and the slave Eboracus laid hold of Domitia, and said :— " There is no safety here. Trust me. I will battle through with you. Come on my arm. Fear not." their trays fen fouglit ic soldiers ) tlieiritcli- inperor Vi- liile slaves )roar none remove y. Some ied to al- lures had to which interlaced ader foot. his nose. Iting the ird of the 7 diverse resolved )mcn car- er tossed shrieked 1 the cur- laid hold 11 battle not." ^'"'"' ^^■"■" ^ ' ^"-<'- ^v.^c„ .,. w.nKi.Kn ,. IKK A II.AII.." Page izg. ini The Lectisternium. "■"V^ -,dgc,, which it V ,V,c I'm c a V'>'''' ?™^'' "I'^a, without compunction ,7h, '^ '' '""' "'"^ tion, drove hitt .r„ i , . "°" '"■ ■"»'« down all opposi. -o.t de„;c,t 'o'sft rc::^:;r"^" '".^ "■^""sX:: "»' «ay til, he iZ rc'c ". "" ""-■"'■ """ ^'^ obstructed spot in one of , "mP^ratively „„. ''-^ ^i^h Ma4et\::.;i",^X":-^"es Between h' ; I »30 Domitia. if! CHAPTER XVI. IN THE HOUSE OF THE ACTOR. Hardly had Eboracus conveyed Domitia out of the Forum nUo a place of safety, than a rush of peop ' down the street threatened to drive him back in the dn-ect.on wher.ce he had come. The drifting mb It cascaded down, cried • " Tim P.-^.f • from their camp ! ' ' ^ '"^'°"""' ^'^ '^^"^•"g marchVT ''" ^'°T '^'' '^'" '^>^ '^^ Tiburtine way maiched a compact body of soldiery ^ The dangt^r was imminent ; Eboracus and his youn^ charge were between two masses of miHtary entCle! i^eit t::^^ "^" " ''^'-' ^-^^- ^^^^ ^^r^V^:^'' ""' '-^' "-^- is but one He drew her to a door, knocked, and when a voice asked who de.na, led admittance, answered, Open speedily— Paris ! " _ The door was furtively unbarred and opened sufH aently to admit the slave and Domitiaf a" d h^,' hastily bolted and locked again. could Ho"'' Tu "^'T "^'^^'•^^«." said Eboracus. " I could do no other. In this znsu/a live the actor Paris and Glycena. They were both slaves in yo housT hold, but were given their freedom by youf father my out of the of people =k in the ? mob, as e coming tine way lis young ntangled y of the but one a voice 2d sufiR. d then IS. " I )r Paris house- ler, my In the House of the Actor. 131 late master, when he went to the East. . They will place themselves at your service, and offer you shelter in their hu nble dwelling, the first flat on the right." The house was one of those z,isn/(e, islets of Rome m which great numbers of the lower classes were housed. They consisted in square blocks, built about a court, and ran to the height of seven and even more stories. The several flats were reached by stone stairs that ran from the central yard to the very sum- mit of these barrack-like buildings. They vastly resembled our modern model lodging-houses, with one exception, that they had no exterior windows, or at most only slits looking into the street; doors and windows opened into the central quadrangle. These houses were little towns, occupied by numerous fam- ilies, each family renting two or more chambers on a flat, and as in a city there are diversities in rank, so was it in these lodging-houses ; the most abjectly poor were at the very top, or on the ground floor. The first flat commanded the highest rent, and the price of rooms gradually dwindled, the greater the elevation was. Glass was too great a luxury, far too costly to be employed except by the most wealthy for filling their windows. Even talc was expensive ; in its place thin films of agate were sometimes used ; but among the poor there was little protection in their dwellings against cold. The doors admitted light and air and cold together, and were always open, except at night, and then a perforation in the wood, or a small window in the wall, too narrow to allow of ingress, served for ventilation. In a huge block of building like the tnsu/a, there were no chimneys. All cooking was done at the i 'd^n 132 Domfiia. 'ill PM I P the bo'„r„;:; p':t "t :-,;:, ::r.;™= "°'- »-"' wove, men th,Indren baked c„cstn\,ts' o;':'.: .Td r;^f'^"=^' »" -=^t^iix--s M^Sr- °' prised. The auidrin„i , '"'^'-•'"'ailie was sur. theatre, with its tW^^f T, '''"'°'' '''"' ™ ™plli- aiive With wom^;; d't-S";:"^ ''""'"' ''^^ s2r^:i^:roT:-.£"-~^ aside,andw en thTm't'l "'"" "= ''^^''^d them -■-.ess that i-irb:i:-drrrbn:t ^nd dining. L-' found its irt. >nc, except '■ consisted ;incc. "ultiplying d weather ■' In the est every lie women children ones, and le young ere were ing, that ^'hen the ved, and locks of was sur- amphi- ut here, ony was absent ; of the ared to lies, he first s made I them p edge "amily, In the House of the Actor. ,33 rS; "11:' '!"'■ f ?""^^^"-^ ^^^'^>'' --' -^'"^^^ i-r ly ra.s mg thumb and forefinger united to the lip. ' 1 he slave at once conducted Domitia t uou-di . bed. "Oman lay on :i low .__Uomitia shrank back: but Eboracus said cncoura,. 1 hen approaching the sick woman, he hastily ex tress m tins luimblc lodging. .J!'" "^*'- """'■'" ""■""""' Domitia with a sweet sm le. and n, courteous words entreal.d >■ r to remai, m her chamber so long as was necessary, '" will ^J •"^''""f- '■--• "'^ ■•'ctor. is now out ; but he w, I be home shortly. I trust-unless," her face -row ItJ- "°' '"^'^ '^"" '''=• '"= '■» » 'l"ict, harmless o,.:red\tbrEb'orn"°' °°-'"^' ^"^ '^^ » -' Sife wa!°:o'ronr";r,^„ fh 'h^'t "•°™"'^ '"^ t>„, !■/ 1 , , ^ >o""g. She had at one t me been beautiful, she had large, lustrous dark eye, ami d ,rl" ha,r, but pa,„ and weakness had sharpened he e t riace^!a':o^::,r/wt,?r^rmi;.r-^' '°- ■■- something so new iu^that old^wo^rw!;!; tZ clld^ :.^»afl '^* Domitia. ^-.ke her eyes off her, w<,„dcr/„« what .he faseina.ion Presently Domitia asked : " Have you been long ill ? " "A year, lady." ;; And may I inquire how it came about ? " ^^'as . It Ks a sad story. My little boy " Vou have a son ? • ^ " I had " ''My tor'" 'v'^ '^^^^^^'i^^'-= -y o"-" ^viy nttle boy was p av np' in fh^ .... ^ . chariot was ,hiv. n rapWl/dow ^tLt h ' ."r"' ' that he would be undir the ho e to ;o ' d"" dart to save him." ' "^^"'-' ^ " And then ? " " I was too late to rescue him mrl T f«n , , :-^l went over me. I have l^^^ ^ ^^: thir^ip-^^'^^^^^"^^---^^^ What say ;; Alack, lady ! they give me no hope." iJut for how long may this last ? " " I cannot say." I cannot do that." " What ! you lack the resolution ? " ;; I can bear what is on me laid by God " your husband? " "^^ ^°^- ^"^ W' i I fascination waiting till say on." ■t, when a nd I saw I made a , and the - to rise Vhat say I should ivoided, 't. And i$$ In the House of the Actor. " He is here." door arid drive. o(f •, H„„ ""f /'■"I to turn at the "ad pureed i,i,„, tl cv 7.™^^" ' f T"'"' '^"° arc .;l for yo, T^-r. . ?""""' '"^"'"'y ^ " '4 and ,ucl, acru I, in ti ' , l ," "■"" """^ 'li^""-bancc pu.,h tj.. T ll^^^"'' "'^' ' "ad hard work to " Oh "'■ , , '"'■•'doubt mc some- arc brolcen " _ Oh, ^ar..doy„u not observe?" °'^"- .. Our , "°"""'-' ''"' ">y ^.ct facc> •■ r-p:;rr;S^.--^~wi..eon. parcel fall. ^^' ^"^ ahnost let his Eboracus explained the circunistanre. Ti r. expressed his happiness and Th ^ ? ^^'"^^ ^^'^'^ honored by the v sit un 1 . ^ ^ " ^" ^'^' '" ^^'"^ iady, the daughl r of the' h"'"'^^^ ^^'^'"- ^^ ^^^^ who had given l-l^a GlycTn^' l!"' ^'T^'^ '"-^- , ''^,^^-th,Eboracus;^i^rCur'^^^^^^^^^^ -, learn how it has fared with mvm H t. ^"^''^^ speedily, if thou canst!" ^ "■- ^'"'^ ""' '^^'^ When the slave had withdnwn .h i , and Glyceria ^undrawn, she addressed Paris a^di^rnoTrrXTatrcrhi-b'- "r.aT^n^'tt\ra^r:- 'rf - -a.addo,andco-L.^:nrt::;a'-t: f) I ! ^'1 t f ' ;L:,:r.l^r::■i:;■:t;::trtJ^""'-•"•-•" men?_Yctsee this actor-tl, Pal's n TV'"" even be happy serving him sfck and s. ffe^ri^ rf"" in doing my duty." '" sjnermg. Happy And still musing, she said on to herself : .•" u:a;"rhntT::;i:ri^:tXd": rr; 'T' or dust in the end. His ligl. .::^,,°:'4'-j-P at first, but He drew a 'ping on one set out a epresenting- "icn; some d. to take up J that Paris 3vemeand i> I would ■ his love." he said to me ill, will )oor wife ? md ii evil him, care > sorrow? ded mc ? d neglect fue than le Gods ! 1 a poor I should Happy of mind o a heap ?uished, In the House of the Actor. 13; o and then I, having nothing else to live for. would die aLo-by mine own hand .-there is nothin.. beyond It all leads to an ash-heap." "^ beyond. ,,,^^rT-'' °!^'^''^''"S '^'- Sirl's fixed eye, thou-^ht it wa. look.ng inquiringly a' her, and said m her I'e^ t le ^^ that Vibrated with the tremulousness ^^^^ luni-lri 4-u . ^^uuuLss and piety in the One boy fetches me water-that i^ RIK 1 P-..-;o u L 1 "'^Ln tnat is Uibulus, and mv p..... has bought l,i„, this little horseman a^^ Torquata, a little girl, daughter of a 00^^^,^ cluld she does other neighborly acts for me -and hey thrust me on my bed to the side of thThoarth and bnng me sueh thing, as I need, that I may prepare the meals for my husband. And Claudia, the wife of a seller of nets, she makes my bed for me but aU the shopp„,g is done for me by Pari, a„H r' " you, lady he is quite knowing. 1^2 .TJZTl ^jr a turn,p with a market-woman like'aV houL! "He is very good to you," said Domitia. wiSrmoutsaid™^''' '"'• ■'""'"^ ''^ »»<< O" his "Lady ! you can little know what a ,vife my Glyeeria " He is good." -^aid Gh'rr^r.'-i +„.; <.• i u- . "'^■^^^'^' twisting her mouth from h.s covenng hand. "We have had a hard y.t ■ o^ '.« destination oft7t:i:t:r:rtr:t:?,r:r^"'- ranged on the tabk 'Cr" ? '""^^ ""^ "S"- great pulse of love tl'^r^h '^. S™"^^')'''- Now that humanly made Itsel fe t t °"j'' *<= ^°'^^ "< from her eyes and the ' ^' """"Sh scales fell and blood to 'brcosidrrT''' 'k^^^ ''^'"^^ »' «-h Of suffering, of vi^tu": t^elC^vi^ "'''^"-^ »^ Physician." P^'" ^' '^ ^or Luke, the eri:Tyru;„:;tmrrh::^at,f^'^^^ broken off and never cnZj T^ r ''"'^' ^"^ ^^ was of What he was::;::nome1ay."^™"" ''"^ '"""^ little desire - lias earned ■sicians that nblcs, he is loving." lesires rest. player and destination "the classes 'aving like vn. They lay figures Now that • world of scales fell js of flesh iness and 'e fish on 'Uke, the I her rev- id it was ' the end The Saturnalia of 69. 139 CHAPTER XVII. THE SATURNALIA OF .59 hu'morldir '"' ''"'' ^"^g^-^e^nV'said he, good- Jhen entering, he said to Domitia: "fyou,andthe;o„TfotZ:th:dT' °T '■" '5"=^' cause it is the sttu,™! L™. J '„ ^LXTL ""^' "'=- should do the slave's bidding : That a' b!'"'!l7" but at one time in the veaT and r f. ' '"'"' '"=' gotten.' And the Ia„!/ , °"''' ""' ^^ '<"■- hete will walkon o s de of T "'jt"'"'- " ''»'- it will be well That rl I ,■•'"'' ' ™ *<= other, »- not he, said he'^IoTafurtT':;^"'- ' ^^^= -'t, Bori^rtrittl;';"™""? '''"--• ,,.^ • - leave, sne te.x\(\pxoc\ f-l-sr^n!- • i~i «na and took two steps towards the'eltrnt.halS" ! 1 r ^ * 1 • i 1 1': 1 1' i ill! 140 Domitia. turned back, and taking the thin hand of the sick woman in hers, somewhat shyly s;iid : " I may come again and sec you ? " Before Glyceria could reply, so great was her sur-. prise, Domitia was gone. The streets were nearly empty, they were mere lanes between huge blocks of windowless buildings, towering into the sky, but from the forum could be heard a hub- bub of voices, cries, the clash of arms, and anon a cheer. Presently— " Stand aside!" said Paris, and there swept down the lane a number of young fellows masked and tricked out in ribbons and scraps of tawdry finery. " I am the king ! " shouted one, " Prefect of the guard, arrest those people. Ha ! a woman. She shall be my captive and grace my triumph." Eboracus administered a blow with his fist, planted between the eyes of : •j'^ youth in pasteboard armor who came towards his • ^ung mistress. The blow sent him flying backwards against the king and upset him on the pavement. A roar of laughter from his mates, and one shouted, " Hey Tarquinius ! thou must e'en fare like the rest, Nero, Galba, Otho — and hem ! we know not who else — but down thou art with the others." " Let us go on," said Paris, and without further at- tempt at molestation from the revellers they pursued their way. On reaching the palace inhabited by Longa Duilia, a fresh difificulty arose. Eboracus knocked, but there was no porter at the .' • - answer. He knocked again and continued to i^tr , against the panels, till I sur- The Saturnalia of 69. 141 at length the bolt was witlidrawn, and Euphrosync with timid face, and holding a lamp appeared in the entrance. "Why have you kept us so long waiting ?" asked the Briton. " Eboracus, I could not help myself. It is the Sat- urnalia, and tlie slaves will do no menial work. They are carousing in the triclinium and, though they heard the rap well enough, none would rise and respond. Then, for very shame I came, for I thought it might be my dear mistress." As Domitia crossed the atrium, she heard song and laughter and the click of goblets i-me from the dining- room. She hurr-ed by and entered her mother's chamber. Longa Duilia was in a condition of resentment and irritation. " You have arrived at last ! " said the lady. " I'll have that British slave's hide well basted when the Seven Days are over, for disregarding me and consid- ering your safety alone. Body of Bacchus ! This time of the Saturnalia is insufferable. Not a servant will do a stroke of work, nor execute a single order. They are all, forsooth, lords and ladies for seven days, and we must wait on them. Well ! if it were not an old custom, I'd get up a procession of all the matrons of Rome to entreat the Senate to abolish the u-,age." *' Oh, mother dear, how did you escape ? " " My child ! it was as bad as that bit of storm we had getting out of the Gulf of Corinth, tossed about in my palanquin I hardly know whether I were • Junk- ing with my head or with my toes. But after .. -.vhile they got me through. Never, never again will I go i'': f-\: m f m 143 Doniitia. ffadd.ng after the Gods to their Lcctisternfa. As the Gods love me! this is a topsy-turvy ti.,,. nKlccd.' At t c Saturnaha no strife is permissible, not a lawsuit aU quatrels are supposed co ceaae, not even a malefacto; may be executed, and there are those precious Im- ^'^rtaIs v ,:i- their glass eyes, and extcLled hands f'gln.ng to go or, betore them, midcr their immortal noses, and never interfere! hal I don't wonder. w r' ''"u f.'^'^-^'^r- God 0.^ thenight thunders-and will you beheve ,t, his own head was struck ofT by the ^^eavenly bolt. Ye Gods ! if ye cannot mind your own heads ye are not to bo trusted with ours." The lady was in a condition of towering indignation She wasafTronted-slK. highborn, with a f rop oljuhan blood .n her somewhcc-she had been tossed about among the heads and over the shoulders of a dirty garhc-smelhng asafoetida chewing rabble-had been exposed to danger from tiie swords of the Vigiles on one s.de, of the Palatine guard on the other^ Ld when finally, she reached home ruffled in garments her ha.r n. disorder, and her heart beating fast he found the house in disorder, the slaves in ^osse s on keepmg h.gh hohday, and disregarding her shrilly ut- tered, mipenously expressed orders these horrible seven days, but that I know no one will bring me my meals. Never mind-when the Satur- naha are over, I shall remember which were insolent and disobl.g,ng, and they shall get whippings." But m the house, on the morrow the condition of ;:f:;:!;rr.r^'^?°^-d- ^l^ -vants were anve )erty for seven days only, to the fact that they ha •w3 \f:^ ^. As the idccd. At a lawsuit, malefactor :cious Im- led hands :hcy allow immortal : wonder, ders— and >ff by the your own lignation. of Julian cd about f a dirty, lad been 'igiles on ::r. And arments, fast, she 5ssession irilly ut- 1 bed all one will - Satur- insolent lition of ;re alive ys only, The Saturnalia of 69. 143 and that their mistress had a faculty of remembcn-ng and pumshmg disobedience ; not indeed during the hohday pcnod. nor ostensibly because of faults then oh"; " r ' '" '^^-'•■-tcring double chastisement tor liglit offences committed later. Some of the slaves, moreover, made no attempt to use their hberty so as to cause inconvenience to ^heir mistress. But if some sort of order was established within the palace, none reigned without. There civil war racked at the same time that the citizens observed the fest.Val' and so long as they kept out of the way of the soldiery,' It did no much concern them whether the city force o? the fn ' ^f"-"" ^'■'""^'^- ^^•■'■■"-^' ^t the head of the Illyrian legions was rapidly advancing on Rome. News had arnved that Spain and Gaul had Seclared for Vespasian. Britain had renounced allegiance to Vitel- hus, only Africa still remained faithful Next tidings arrived that the army of Vitellius that was at Narnia had surrendered. Thereupon th'ross aged Emperor dressed in black, surrounded by hfs sir' vants, and carrying his son, still a child, came howling and sobbing from the Palatine through the Forum to surrender the insignia of Empire into the hands of'the Consul n. the Temple of Concord. But the Consul refused to receive them, and then the German gua" having wind ot his intention, became clamorous and cried out for the head of Flavius Sabinus. V tdlh s unable to resign, and incapable of reigning, wand r d rom one residence to another, asking tdvic of a li^ friends as to what he ought to do, but taking non Meanwhile the fi,.hting in the streets of Rome had recommenced. Titus Flavius Sabinus, for secu i y I M 144 Domitia. ;; t \i ! if !,' ? Ill ill escaped into the Capitol, and took witli him his sons and daughter, and his nephew Domitian. There he was formally besieged by the Imperial guard ; and Sa- bmus, doubting his ability to hold out long, sent off a despatcn to Primus to bid him hasten to his assistance. " Madam ! " exclaimed Eboracus rushing in, " I pray you come on the roof of the house." "What is the matter? Yc Gods! surely Rome is not on fire again ! " " Madam ! The household guard arc assaulting the Capitol and have indeed set fire to the houses below, I doubt if the Praefect can hold out till Primus arrives.'' Duilia ascended to the flat top of the house. The palace of the family was in the Carina:, on the slope o' the Esquiline hill, hard by the gardens of Nero's Golden House. Being on high ground it commanded the Forum and the Capitol, and looked over the tops of the vulgar insn/i^ in the dip of the Suburra. It was the evening of the second day. Heavy clouds had lowered throughout the hours of daylight and the evening had prematurely closed. There had been des- ultory fighting all day, but as the night approached a determined set was made by the German guard to capture the Capitol, and the citadel of Rome^hat ad- joined it, connected by only a small neck of hill. They knew that Primus was close at hand, and they were determined not to be caught between a foe before and another behind. The Capitol is a rocky height rising precipitately above the Forum, and enormous substructures had strengthened it and formed a platform on which rose the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus that stood to Rome almost in the relation that the Temple did to jeru- hi m his sons There he ; and Sa- scnt off a assistance. 1, " I pray The Saturnalia of 69. Rom e IS jltincf the cs below, 1 arrives." ISO. The e slope o' >f Nero's iimandcd the tops /y clouds t and the 3ecn des- :)roached guard to that ad- 1. They ley were fore and ipitatcly ires had lich rose o Rome to jcru- 145 salcm, as the centre of its rehgious and civil institu- tions. It was almost the paladium of the city, the fate of kome was held to be bound up with its preservation And now Domitia and her mother looked on in the gathenng darkness at the temple looming out as of gold against the purple black clouds behind, lit with the glare of the flames of the houses below that had been fired by the soldiery. The roar of conflict came up in waves of sound "Really," said Duilia, "Revolutions are only toler- able when seen from a house-top ; that is, to cultivated minds— the common rabble like them." Shrill above the roar came the scream of a whistle, that a boy was blowing as he went down the street Suddenly the clamor boiled up into ,.. mighty spout or geyser of noise, and the reason became mmifest in another moment. The whole sky was lit b> .< slieet of flame of golden yellow. The conflagration had caught an oil merchant's stores that were planted against the substructures supporting the temple. Columns, shoots of dazzhng light rushed up against the rocks and the walls, recoiled, swept against them again, overleaped them and curled like tongues around the temple Instantly every sound ceased. The soldiers sheathed their swords. The citizens held their bmnHi Nothing for a few minutes was audible, save th. rau.ter of the fire. ''My lady," said Euphrosyne, coming to the roof and addressing Longa Duilia, " A priest of Jupiter is below, and desires to speak with you." I I ; : ii 14^ Domitia. ' f P y CHAPTER XVIIl. A REFUGEE. "A PRIEST of Junitcr hrr^ I " ^ i • . "When his tcmple^^s'^n fi^r Bidl-rb ^f'^ stay. Who let him in?" ^''^ ^"m be off-but "Lady, the Chaldrean introduced l„m " th. eagles will be down-or..olt away." '"~ Lady! the Magian commissioned me f. = you that he bears an important commtic'a i^ :..'^"^^ aay I am engaged." A minute later, tl,e Chalda..an himself arrived o., th. housetop and addrcsed tl,c n,istress. ""^ reolv t"'r°' ■■'"""' '° ^"'"^ '"^'■^^■^dabra," said she in CapL'" ""i"'""°'^' '"---d. "Look there. Th" Mi'?is;;Lr"nntst:;.,!:freh°^''"- begging. They an beg. I ha^e ".rCTy fam ^ tercs^ted , , the fire, .he Revolution, and al^that son of" "Lady -.mgn," said Elymns, "There are mnm . fliaf ,..->«-• . ijitic dre moments! * T''".e'if^°rtir"'^\"'^- ^ereatehance -e It, or put It away forever " -K. t..._ H.mes are hcKH.g Jupiter in his chariot." if d Duilia. off— but tain him. an fire— o iissure n." d oii the ' she, in e. The )ptimus as come [ am in- : sort of omcnts chance is it? iot." A Refugree. ^^^ "If you will step aside I will speak. Not here " Duiha with an impatient toss of her head .1 ul shriirr of her shoulders, gathered up her garment with one hand stepped to a distant part of the roof, and said sulkuy — ' " Well, what is this about.? " " You know that the Pra^fect of Rome who supped at your house the other day is besieged in the Capitol." VVell— this is no news." A ''f ^^' \lKit for security, lest they should be put to deathby V.telhus or the soldiery, he took his children and lus nephew there with him." wi'^^'.-V;'"'''' ^''" ^°^''- '^^^^ ^°^^ "°t concern me. Why d,d he not take also his fat wife ? she would have fed the flames." " My lady-the Capitol cannot hold out another half hour, and then all within will be butchered " ; Can I help that ? They all do it. This sort of thmg happens in revolutions invariably. I cannot alter the course of the world." " But, madam, the son of Vespasian, Flavins Domi tianus has escaped through the Tabularium, by a little door into the Forum." " He might have escaped by turning a somersault over the walls for aught I care." '' His life is in extreme jcupardv. If discovered he will be assassinated, most assuu d!y.' " Well, that is the way these things go." !.' V^u'''', 1^'°"^^^ ^'"^ hither-disguised as a priest." What ! The lady became rigid, eyes, mouth and nostrils. " What ! " " He escaped disguised as a priest of Jupiter. As 148 Domitia. such, with vuK d ],ead he has passed unmolc-stcl, evrn " Domitian here ! What a fool you arc, Elymas. I'll ilcculcs! you compromise me. If it be suspected t at he ,s here. I shall have the house ransacke I ll r 7 valuables plundered, and the Gods al^ i.;::^ what may become of me." ;; That U true, lady, and you must run the risk." 1 will not, -^J Uuilia, stampi,,!,. .angrily on the cccre e of the roof. " Is it not enoi^.l, To iLc 1,0 house turned upside ^"' '■••'^= •-"•'■iv.d in Konu. Do y„„ s„p,,„,^^^ t|,„ ,. body.ruurd can stand against th.n, ? Wlut other l,„„ps Ik," vT clhus to ail back on? Nonc-hc i., ., csct, " ul ca se ,s fatally .smitten. Jly to.ntorrow cvcnin,, „ V, be dcac cast down tl.eGcn.onian stain Vcs, "tian w,ll be proc anncd in the K„,,,n,. Your risk wil bo at an end and yon will have obtained tl,e lastin,. ,,n„t del t '""T" '^"'"' ""■H'l'>.-...ytl.tn« o s "d tl e"lif T, "'",:'^'"'-- '» y™ for having saved tJie life of his son. •' There is something in that," said DuiHa. And suppose now that Domitian is here, th.at you family .' Do yon not suppose that you will be the first to suffer the resentment of the Au,aistus>" the MtgJs's^Wr' '^■^" '" '"^"•" ^^"■' ""'""• '°^'■'■■■^'■ " I have no fear of betrayal from any in the house avo Senecio, that owUike philosopher. He is not I.kc the slaves, he may suspect, and trip me up." My good I^lymas," interrupted Duilia, "do not nXlls'X f '''°"' """■ "'•' '^ ""' ^' ■"-' '» ^ nutshells when he can munch kernel.s " ^^^^Domitian is in my apartment, will you see him, "Byallmecins. I have a notion. Go, fetch Domitia bnng her down there to me." ^omitia, Then Longa descended to that portion of the mansion where were s.tuated the rooms given up to the "h- ayer . they were on one side of a small court and the -philosopher occupied chambers on the other side! '5° Domitia. tei- ^4i 'i ■ n'j'i . Across the water tank in the midst many an altercation nua taken place. ak.n<^ a philosophic view of the internecine strife, and morahxms over the burning of the Capitol. With a benignant smile and a tear in her eye Duilia almost ran to Domitian. her two hands extended S le J^^ul just looked round the court to make sure she was unobserved and that there was no one within earshot I am so grateful to the Gods/' she said, with a cmor ,n her voice, "that they should allow me the onor and happiness of offering you an asylum. Blood s th.cker than water. Though I perish for my advo cacy of your dear father-I cannot help it. Cousins must be cousinly. It is with us a family^eculLr yl we liang together like a swarm of bees " The young man cautiously removed his white veil or hcad-coveru.g, and exposed his face, that was somewhat pale. I c had a shy modest appearance, a delicate complex.on that flushed and paled at the changTf cmot.on ,n his heart. His eyes were a watery^.! a^ large, but he screwed the eyelids together, a. though ncar-s.ghted. He was fairly well built, but had sp'dle legs, no calves, and his toes as if cut short In manner he was awkward, without ease in his address ; owmg to the low associates with whom he had consorted, hav.ng been kept short of money, and to h's lack of acquaintance with the courtesies of the cultured classes. " I thank you. My life is in danger, I came hither as my uncle supped here the other day, and I kne,^ somethnjB about kinslnp, I had nowhere else whi heT to go, I would have been hunted out and murderc" A Refugee. j^j Jiad I gone to my unclc-my mother's brother Thcv woukl have sought me there first of all " ^ esteeTn mt elf T 'f' "^ ''"' ''''''' ''^ P^^^' ' ^^-^ ^ esteem m> self the vilest of women were I to refuse vo„ my protection at such a time as this Senedo mv ph.osopher, is out, gadding about-o^ co " V"u ta he^r^^' '", ^°°"' ^"^ ' ^'^'-^^ ^^-^ -strict orders that he be not admitted. I will not have philosophers careenng m and out of my house at - II ° P^'"'" pleases them This i^ nnt- uu. '^"'■'' '''" love mo ' 7l'. 1 '''''^'^ '^^''^"' ^^ the Gods love me ! But here comes my daughter to unite with me m assurance of welcon.e and protection ' Domit.a had entered, in obedience to the comm.nd transmitted by the sorcerer. command There was butone oil lamp on a table in the chamber The moment the girl saw it, she started back and put her hands to her bosom. "My dear child," said Longa Duilia, "you will thank wither?;' r"-^^^^^^ with us. The Capitol is in flames, the Imperial euard^ are storming the walls, there is, I fear, no l.o" foTo' na -al ex.ts the sword, „,c Tuina,n„n.4d . ^G I ma teps-hornbic, b„t inevitable. Domitia,, has fed to us, disguised as .1 nn'n-f -f T • - "a"<-U what a nice tlVin/ t i. .tt th '""^ ' " "^ "'"■ ■'""B It lb that there is so mucll religion ? ' III . ) < 1: '' »fc|i ' H I Hi '52 Domitia. for him." ' '"'' '"'' '^"^^ ^« ^^^^^t we can "Cast him out," said Domitia hoarsely. What, my love ?" "Cast him out — the hn^f f i, , new Nero. The fi h tha w TT"^ ^''''' '^'' will be." '''"' ^"^^ ^^^''^ ^''gl^th that Duilia raised lier eyebrows generally accounted bad " ^ "^"^ Cast him forth. What ho ! Slaves ' " '•I would have you thrust forth into the street " mZy ^:,T""''~'°'" '° P-- by the blood- " It is to save myself." "Tliyself! I do thee no harm - .imi!i!°v"\id"D t'°/'"'- " '■' ''"'^'^- "-denly may.-Asthe Gods ove me' Se ? "''■""""."d-we we may be called on to suffc, Bu l" ''^"'^:f''* asHef^s;„dX?or^fife:e:r:r^"^'-'r^ mean coward, he would not comrier to t °T of two women, and shelter hi:,LK't:hinrr: y respected his ) what we can ed beast, the ^ eighth that and enigmas, parts are not LS you desire T your roof. he shoulders. ; street." ' the blood- h, maidenly and shaking- 2en you, we 3unced — we saying what V, perish all ^ah'ty." ■s white as I coward, a the hou'^e ■^'^nd their %' J^-w .fi- '■■^'■VV mm.;N, COUAKU." y„4... /j-j. i hi ; if I A Refugee. ^"J:^- ''"'"^ °™""""-' "-' "-u can tl " "I praise the Gods' " siiVl T on.rn r. -r wrath " ^hn A ^'^ ^"'^'^' »" toweriiifr do T M ,^°"\"°^ command in this house. Th.? dol; and when I sav welrnmn fl, she shall not gainsay '^c.;-' ' ^°" ^'^^^ """ "Mothcr-to„.clcomchi,n,istocxilc.todestroymc" 1 his IS rank folly." ^y me. " Mother, eject him ! " and remember only „,at I sholterei'Ihee ^ '' I «-,ll remember. I am not one to forget." tl.c God" wiirVr"''","'^''" °°""«- "Whom Well be t o ;f "^-"^y P-''- remor,d..»,ly. veil, ,t so.-btay then, coward ! I am undone." (I '54 Domitia. |U -i CHAPTER XIX. THE END OF VITELLIUS. " I NEVER made a greater mistake in my life " said m:rmr"i::.""""^='""°' ''''"'' '■-'-•^"o:;:d •'What mistake ? " asked the Chald.xan. The mistake of inviting the uncle in place of the nephew o my little supper. As to that supper I flat tr myself ,t was perfect-so finished in eve'ry 'detd " Tjrl:Z\T '°''"™ '■ '° "^""'^'y "---d w th reserve, as became ,uy position as a widow ; and you recommended me to invite Flavius Sabinus. the Prefect -and now he ias icm. That delicate ittle suppe; thrown away, and my attentions so nicely ad us S to he creumstances, all that trouble and Thought gone to, nothn,g. Do you know that Flavius Sabinus ^'^ now m bits > He has been positively had ed o pic e I .s not the supper itself I regret, and mj. best Fa e ' n.an wme-but I gave him a gold signe .ring ,rit , a cameo, representing Daphne. It had belonged o my dear Corbu lo, and was valuable. But I con^aler^d i^ as a means to an end. And now-where is that rino ' Bu for your counsel, I might have invited thenc-hv "•• Madam, I counselled aright " ,^, 'WZ^^'V" '^'^ '° "^y""'--" ? Do you not know that Sabmus has had his head struck off, and W. tdv The End of Vitellius. fe, " said allowed :e of the ■r, I flat- / detail, ed with tnd you Praefect, supper sted to It gone linus is pieces. Faler- witli a to my ered it ring ? aheu." know body fh-agged by hooks down f-h^ r ■ '^^ positively torn to prces-but'7"'""^^"^' ^"^ ^^-" hold of the ring P n^e Iost\-t thrl ^^ '" ^^^ pretend to read the stars Jdr. ^ ^^'^^"-h you. Vou " Ladv T I "^ P'^^'" '"^o futurity ' " acco^n'gV "^' '"'° "'"' '^ '° ^''^ -"'counsel ""cwo,f;v: lrc!;:roroCt ■•■■ ^ rr "'™"«'- "Madam, consider „° '"""y- ^^^''y ''"Ic lifrl.t." fcctwhohaUee ;:nwo,MZr' '""'''' "'= '''•- who is, and wno came n a the '"'^^ ^"" "«= "^phew -way. It was thus I,e rrriveri , .T" '" "" '''^ ""^'0 house, and your friendlv dT .^ '"'"wledge of your «!>.- he was^nduccdTo 'tl. ^hr :,"■ r" '""^ ■' "'- tion. " ""iisejt on your protec- " There is somethiufr in th^^ " . .H:rrdtr;'t~-r'rd^r'---- come here along with his se. . ""■' '"^Phew «cape from theCapito s h ' '' r""'^''''''"''>' ''« to«ured to disclose hsltr:;"' "" "''^ -"^ would have betrayed this C >! ""^calment, they ed theyeould not' upp '^tt'uM tT " '"^ "'W-^ "There is a good'Sea T^'.'t' "'"f "--" meditatively. " Well :, ,-. , ,' -"""'cred Duilia in had but^noJ,!!! „ ,°;;'J^''- "-"gthat I regret. but showy would have ffi"? 'r"'''"*'"^'"= have done without that dish of 'b •tn'''"'''''' ' ™«''' expensive, and, as you see thro oysters-very I enjoyed them." ' "'"' "^y- Yet ! well, "t.ven that ring is not lost." ll Wi ill IWu '!| ■ H If I 156 Domitia. " How so ? " " It is oil Domitian's finger." "You really say so?" "When the Pr.x- feet bade his nephew and sons at- tempt to escape from the Capitol, he recommended the former to engage your protection, and in token of this he put the ring that you had given him, on his nephew s finger, that he might present it to you- should there be mistrust, in pledge that he came from Mavuis Sabmus. I encountered Domitian in the street I knew him and conducted him to your door, and ob- tained his admission. There was no necessity for him to show his ring, as I stood sponsor for him." " You are a good old creature," said Duilia, " I with- draw any offensive expressions I may have used. To gratify you, I will pay that old woman, Senecio his wage and bid him pack." " Then, madam, my services shall be amply repaid The man himself is harmless. Engage him as a clown —he is consumed with conceit, and so renders himself a laughing-stock. That is all he is qualified to be. " " Go-send me Domitia. She has behaved like a fool." Shortly after the girl entered the room where was her mother. The latter at once exclaimed : — " My dear, the ring is not lost Domitian has it. By the foresight of the Gods, Sabinus removed it from his finger, and confided it to his nephew, before unhappy circumstances arose which might have led to the ring getting into the hands of any Cyrus or Dromo." " Was it to hear this that you sent for me ? " asked Domitia sullenly. " No, it was not. Your conscience must upbraid vou. i sons at- icnclcd the token of m, on his to you — ame from :hc street, and ob- / for him , " I with- scd. To lecio, his y repaid, a clown, > himself o be. " d like a lere was 3 it. By from his inhappy the ring It asked aid vnii. The End of VitelHus. 157 you have acted in an insensate manner. You have flouted and angered the son of him who in-perhaps half an hour -will be an Augustus, supreme in the state. " Mother, I do not like him." "Ye Gods of the Capitol !— confound them by the way, they are all burnt ! O Tellus and Terminus ' Do you suppose we are to see and be courteous only to those wh„m we like ? What cared I for that para-^on of virtue, riavius Sabinus, who talked to such an t'x tent that I could not get in a word edgeways But I gave him a nice little supper-and oysters from P-'-un my best Ivalernian, and that ring of your father's, be- cause I thought he might be useful. And now Titus I'lavius Domitianus is our guest-in hiding till mat- ters are settled one way or the other-and you insult him to his face. It is not conduct worthy of your mother. You interfere with my plans " • " What plans ? " " My dear child, Vespasian is old-about sixty I think, and has but two sons, of whom Domitian is the youngest. The elder, Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespa- r^nelT? -•"'''""''"■• ^°y--^--? 1^0 you " I do neither, mother. " whl^T '''' ^u^' ^'" '"^'^^ ''^' '^''' y°"«- father, who had no ambition. Give the old fellow ten years before he becomes a god ; the eldest son, if the worst comes, may succeed and be Augustus for another ten, and then,-the second son, Domitian, will be prince, t^nitts?' • ' °PP°^^""^^-^ •' ^Vhat gorgeous oppor- *' Opportunities for what ? " 'S8 Domitia. ^1 clay." ^ "^ "°*^ '^" '"^dc of the same tu- o, a rew months Co nJt ^l-u'^t^ Jt^ N^": out consider— the Diii-nl„ i\» j member how Valeria caurf,rM ^^' "■■■ '^° ^"^ "=■ sat behind him ,^ t e , eat e Z T7 ''''"" '""^ hfs toga. He turnnd 77 . ^"^"^ '"'"^ ""■= oT • Sir,' faid she. ' " n b r^de? ""'^'" "" '°'"^ "• some of .he ,Jek th'a"'! e^ "y^ '° TL'°,Tr^" loved that woman It wa. .„ u ' ''°"''' '''''^'^ bit of wool drew Su la and *),!?''• '° "'"• ''■''« Vou, what a blundele^ou arc' '"'^'^T'"'' '° ''"• Domitian. who may so^^d ; be "a cTth "*=' Sulla, when you had .> ."n , ^ *^^" ^^^ look, a dimpled smile I ^T- ^''''' ^^ ^ ''^'^' ^ purple." '' ^° '"'" ^'"^' ^"d with him the " Mother, I do not covef ,> v promised to Lueius ^liirLanlL.."^"" '°''''~' ^ consulship ""■" •' "" """ "» """S'" off with a pro- ■• I do not desire to be separated from him i t him, and have loved I,,™ ■ ' ' '"^^^ together." ™ ""'=' *■= "'"'e children grudge alainst you.' ^ ""'" ^""•■^'^'■- ^ ^-t •^Madam'"' '"™; f '°^^^"^ ""^ ■"■ tered heTity'der^""' "'^"^" 'egions have en. thcstrcct. '^he " pro?t\"\'''"= '^ '^""'"S '" P«opl' on the housetops chwr on Your dear the same me with 5e adven- vv Nero." ) you re- 11a. She e flue off doing it. myself uld have :. That to her. )ffended lan was word, a lim the —I am a pro- 1 love lildrcn I sur- great i^e en- ng in ;r on The End of VitcUius. ,^^ «t;:,;:;t;. '"'"■ "' "'°"s" "-^ -- .^' .^ show J V.tclli.,. -The, t '"T'Tf ■ ""'' " '•^"•' favors the you,,. ,„„„ „p .."'■'"'' »''■•"' »ot scrupk. to give ,1 , """= partisans of VcsinsiTt. ...i, advanced steadily over the bodies of the Z ' ■ng the,„. Fifty tl,ousand per on, lo t , •"r""""'- these eventful days of the sLutnalia "' "'' '"•"' "" .1.0 c: Sxf ;f;r ^""r^- '" --"'-'"« wa,d i,Uo ,i,e f',„,;: " ™°'''"e' ^"^ Px^l-d for- Meanwhile, Vitellius in thr. p i ^- to .resolutio;,, ,ad hHerhi'::, ":, ^X"-; ^7 -port that his .roo;:;re Vuestrre "t" ' ''''" the Palatine, and found it d ser "d h T '' '° I.™ a.o„g':it,:'theUr"'"^ ""= ^^^^^ '°-^'^ ha^d^otrffe'itl-lto l" "^ ^"'^ "= -""■ '^-^ ''■■^ ragged .u'it, and t, , t, ratre^r'/f"""' ^" °" no.v he found every ave^l ^^Z"'^^^: !>"' r-Jing rinTsi'o'r sr "- -"""="."": vaded the palace, an, a tribu„l7u;;::Rad t?,- " IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) M. A :/ "Ms 1.0 I.I U Hi S lis IM 11-25 111.4 1.8 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV (V N> ^^ the foot, and he came forth thus his hnn,i • f u ] dirty straw, and strands adherin Aoh h ' "^ mf-nfc AT 1- . ''"-"'^""g to Ills Jiair and unr- mcnt.. A l,owl,„g rabble at once surrounded 1dm leap.ng, jeenng, tbrowing mud and stones a 2 sold.ers succeeded in surrounding him - i; 117. rinedr'T^s" b "" ''•':i^'' ™^ ^ ™'- ^^'^ '^" ' neck. Thus he was dragged tiirough the street, an object of msult to the people. Some struck 1 „ i abble were breaking his statues and dragging .",em about. One ruffian thrust a pike under ?l,eul tunate pnnee's chin and bade him hold up hi h j" Then said Vitellius :— • " Thou, who thus addrcssest me_a tribune 'hn„ .n- remember I was once thy commander ' ■' '' Thereupon a German soldier, desirous of shorteninir h.s m,sery struck him down with a blow of his swor , and m so do.ng cut off the ear of the tribune wirind msulted the fallen Emperor. ° At once the body of the prince, from whom the life ■ wa no sped, was dragged to the Gemonian stai fl.ght of steps down which the corpses of male e or" were flung and there he was despatched with dagger^ tha^Tofk pit! '"' '-'" "''' -" '"'---^ asto"Ii No sooner was she assured that Vitellius was deid «.an she rushed into the apartment given u„,o Domitian. ^ "P *-^ "Salve, C^sar! As the Gods love me, I am the first to so salute you, son of the Augustus' Oh T . so happy ! And it might have been'oTher.ise^b^t ;: they never would have reached save over.my body.^ Changed Tactics. i6i • I CHAPTER XX. CHANGED TACTICS. The an.,rchy which had lasted from the i„h I 68, when Nero perished, came to an end o 'the^ o.h Decemijer, ,„ the ensuing year. I„ that t^ribt yc r KU^a^-erir:ci^r':?rr2tt? posed to biotoutthe memo^^f t^o '';;';:;L::ro„t of m,sery and national humiliation, as fhough it d not been, and to reckon the strong VesDasi.n , next after Nero. Indeed „„ °"S Vespasian as pnnce of Vitelliu, when t c °"°''' °' "'= ^eath never been, and were to be foro-otfon .T T Tv,ot , . lorgotten as an evil dream c:L:\:r.:^-i::ie'^;rcro7rv''th"'=°' That day, also, Mucianus arrived with the Svrfnn To Duilias vast delight Dom ■I itian did not fori^et h IS l62 Domitta. i, . 1 obligation to her, but paid frequent visits to her house, and it was a matter of pride to her to have his attend- ant h'ctors standing outside her door, as in former days. When he came, she made a point of summoning her daughter, and requiring her to De juesen-: during the interview. ]5ut she could not make her speak or com- pel her to graciousness of manner towards the visitor. ^ The young prince's eyes watched the girl with ques- tion in them, but he addressed all his conversation to the mother. Longa Duilia did her utmost to disguise her child's incivility, attributed it to shyness, and used all her blandishments to make a visit to her house agreeable to Domitian. At length, the irksomeness caused by Domitia's ir- responsive manner seemed to satisfy the mother that she did more harm than good in enforcing her nttend- ance, and she ceased to require the girl to ap[ Some months passed, and Domitia had not ^;7en a thought to Glyceria, and her ofTer to revisit the sick woman, when, all at once, in a fit of weariness with all things that surrounded her, and a sense of incapacity to find enjoyment anywhere, she started from her languor to bid Eboracus go forth, buy hone3--cakes and t'oys, and accompany her on a visit to the Suburra. As she was on her way, Domitian came by with his Hctors and other attendants. Since his elevation from poverty and insignificance to ease and importance, he had acquired a swagger that made his manner more offensive than before in his phase of cubbishness. He at once addressed her, for though veiled he rec- ognized her. Changed Tactics. 163 •; May I attend you ? I have at the moment nothing of importance to occupy me." " I am bound for the Suburra." " For the Suburra ! What can take you into the slums of Rome? " " I am going to see the wife of Paris, the tragic actor " " Oh ! the wife of the actor, Paris," with a sneer. " I said so— the wife of Paris the actor," she withdrew her veil and looked him straight in the eyes. He winced. "And pray-is she a visiting acquaintance of the family ? " " She is our freedwoman. Paris was freed by my father likewise. Are you content ? I may add that she has met with an accident and is crippled and con- fined to her bed." " Oh! " with a vulgar laugh, "and you are infected with the Christian malady, and go among the sick and starving." " I know naught of this Christian malady. What is it ? " " We have had the contagion touch us. There is my cousin Clemens, and his wife Domitilla, both taken badly with it. He is a poor, mean-spirited fool. He has been offered excellent situations, with money to be made in them, in bushels, but he refuses— will not swear by the genius of my father, will not offer sacri- fice to the Gods. Such thin gruel minds I cannot away with. Were I Augustus, such as would not serve the Commonwealth should be sent to kick their heels in a desert island. These Christians are the enemies of the human race." " What, because they visit the sick and relieve the poor?" t; :\ >!l 'I Jl ' i /!l .f M' M: ■ ^ I 164 Domitia. " The sick are smitten by the Gods and should be left to die. The poor arc encumbrances and should be left to rot away. ]kit a man of rank and of family—" " Flavins Clemens ! of what family ? " Domitian bit his lip. The Flavians were of no an- cestry ; money-lenders, tax-collectors, jobbers in vari- ous ways, with no connections save through the mother of Vespasian, and that middle-class only. " I say that a man who will not serve his country should be pitched out of it." " About that I have no opinion." " Clemens was cast to the lions by Nero, but some witchcraft charmed them, and they would not touch him." Domitia sai'i u.thing to this. She was desirous of being rid of her self-imposed escort. "You must wish me success," said the young prince. " I am off to Germany. There has been revolt there, and I go to subdue it." " By all means carry with you a pair of shears." " What mean you?" " To obtain a crop of golden hair from the German women, wherewith to grace your triumph." Domitian knitted his brows. " You have a sharp tongue." "I need one. It is a woman's sole defence." " Come, if a cousin, as your mother asserts,— though by the Gods ! I know not where the kinship comes fn, —wish me well. Such words as yours are of ill-omen." " I wish confusion and destruction to the worst enemies of Rome," answered Domitia. " That sufifices. I will offer the spoils to you." " Thank you, I do not yet wear wigs." I Changed Tactics. 1 6s He turned away with an expression of irritation. You arc either silent, or stick pins into me " he muttered. ' Domitia continued her course, but as she entered t he Island in wliich was the home of Paris she observed the young Caesar still in the street, at a corner watclnng her. Much annoyed, and with her temper ruffled by this meetmg, she ascended the steps to the f^rst story and at once turned towards the apartments of Paris and Glycena, but had to thread her way among poor people, women weaving and spinning, and children romping and running races. She was welcomed with pleasure, Glyceria would have raised herself, had she been able ; as it was, she could show her respect only by a salutation with the hand, and I:er pleasure by a smile and a word. The chamber was fragrant with violets. Domitia looked round and saw a small marble table on which stood a statuette of a shepherd with pan- pipes, and a lamb across his shoulders. Violets in a basin stood before the figure. "Ah! Hermes," said Domitia, and plucking a little bunch of the purple flowers from her bosom\she laid It in the bowl with the rest. "Nay, dear Lady, not Hermes," said Glyceria 'though indeed it was sculptured to represent him— but to me that figure has another meaning. And I hold your offering of the violets as made to Him who to me IS the Good Shepherd."! iThe statuette of the Good Shepherd, of beautiful art, 3d century, in the Lateran Museum. It is an error to suppose in early Christ an a complete emancipation from old usages and modes of thought. ! , I ;!' i. i\. - I i,l |1 i66 Domitia. " Whom mean you ? Atys ? " " Not Atys." Domitia was not particularly interested in the mat- ter. She presumed that some foreign cult was fol- lowed by Glyceria, and foreign cults at this time swarmed in Rome. " Do you believe me, Glyceria," said Domitia, " as I came hither, the Caesar Domitian accompanied me, and said that I must be a Christian to care for the sick and suffering. What are these Christians?" " I am one," answered the paralyzed woman. " What ! and Paris ? " " Nay, he hovers between two opinions. His busi- ness holds him and he will not give that up, he thinks that, were he to do so, he and I might starve. But with the mind I think he is one." " And what are these Christians ? " "Those who believe in Christ." "And he?— is that his image?" pointing to the Good Shepherd. " Oh Lady ! it is only so much His image as the words Good Shepherd written in characters are such, they call up a notion and so does that figure. But in our worship we have no images, no sacrifices." "What is Christianity?" " That is long to answer, but I may say in two words what it is to me." " Say on." " The Daylight of the soul." " How mean you ? " " I once was in darkness. I knew not why I was set in the world, whither I was going, what I ought to worship, what were my duties, where was right and Changed Tactics. 167 the mat- was fol- his time as itia, niccl me, r the sick n, lis bu si- te thinks ^e. But to the as the e such, But in o words was set Jght to fht and what was wrong. I had no hght, no road, no law Now I have all." " So every votary of every new religion says. Where is your guarantee that you are not in tlclusion?" *' Madam, when the sun rises and there is day, you do not suppose the light, the splendor, the confidence inspired by it is a delusion. You know that you see, and see that you may walk, and act with purpose and direction. The soul has eyes as well as the body. These eyes behold the light and cannot doubt it, by internal conscience that distinguishes between the truth and falsehood. By that internal conscience I am assured that the light is as real as that seen by eyes of flesh." " I cannot understand you," said Domitia. " Now for other matters— I have made Eboracus bring you some dainties for yourself and presents for the children who are so kind to you. Where is your husband? " "He is rehearsing. Better times have arrived, and he is now occupied." "And you see less of him." " Yes— but we must live. When away from me, I know that in heart he is with me." " You are sure of that ? " " Yes." " What, by the conscience that establishes between truth and falsehood ?" " Nay— by trust. We must trust some one and some thing. We trust God, we trust His Revelation, we trust in the goodness there is in mankind." " There is evil rather than good." " There is good— but that is oft astray because of the darkness, and docs nnf know its course." Domitia did not remain long in the Insula. She 1 68 Domitia. •I ^^^^■^jl ;| HMHHSii'iit> i ^^^H^mf 1 ^ ^^hdII ^M ^Hi ^ bade farewell to the wife of the actor and promised to revisit her. The presence of Glyceria refreshed, soothed, sweetened the mind of the girl that was heated, ruffled and soured by contact with so much there was m pagan life that jarred against her noble instincts, by the uncongeniality of her mother, and by the disgust she felt at association with Domitian VVhen she arrived at the palace, she heard that her mother had been inquiring after her, and she at once went to her apartments. Duilia asked where she had been, but did not listen for an answer, or pay attention to what was said, when the reply came. _ "What is this I hear.?" said Duilia, In a tone of irritation. " Lucilla tells me you have been chatting with Domitian, and in the street too- (( I hadnowishtospeakwithhim. Hccameafterme " Oh ! he went after you, did he ? And pray what had he to say?" ^ " He is going to Germany to conclude a campaio-n already fought out and come back and triumph for anotlicr man's victories." " You did not say so to him ? " " Not in so many words." " My dear, it is true. He is going, and whether he be successful or not, will return wearing the title Ger- manicus. I shall have a little supper " "For whom?" "For whom, do you ask? For him to be sure to wish him good success on the expedition." "You will allow me not to be present." "As you will, perverse girl. My dear," in a con- fidential tone, - if kittens can't catch rats, cats can." The Virgin's Wreath. miscd to cfrcshcd, liat was so much icr noble ■, and by un. that lier at once ot h'sten d, when tone of :hatting terme." ly what mpaign iph for ther he le Ger- ure, to a con- can." 169 CHAPTER XXI. THE VIRGIN'S WREATH. ^^ "My dear," said Longa Duilia to her daughter, with wit such as you have, that might be drawn through a needle's eye, it is positively necessary to have you married as quickly as possible. I can no longer bear the responsibility of one so full of way- wardness and humors as yourself." "That, mother, is as Lamia chooses. You know that I can marry only him." " And I do not ask you to take another. I will fret It settled forthuith. I'll see his father by adoption and have the settlements looked to. You are a good match. I presume you are aware of that, and this explains certain poutings and bad temper. Well- reserve them for Lamia, and don't vex me. I wash my hands of you, when that you .i, : narricd. A camel carries his own hump, but a man iiis wife's humors." Domitia was sufficiently acquainted with her mother's elasticity of spirit and fertility of invention to be satisfied that she had a motive for pressing on her marriage, and what that motive was seemed ob- vious. But it was one that distressed her greatly. " My dearest mother," she said timidly, " I hope— I mean, since you are so good as not to urge me further to break my engagement with Lamia, that you have not set your mind— I mean your heart " ' ,t 'H 170 Domitia. Ill if'' i Ji.Ui " My excellent child," answered Lon^a Duilia cut- ting her daughter short, " make no scruple of blurtin- out what Ks on your tongue. You allude to Domitian^ Well. If you had common sense, you would know that to get on in life, one must f.t one's heart with the legs of a grasshopper, so as to be able to skip from an inconvenient, into any suitable position. When a dish of ortolans is set on table, none but a fool will dismiss .t untasted to be devoured by the servants in the Kitchen !" " I^ut, mother, he is quite young." " l^y the favor of the Gods, Domitia, youths always fall in love with women somewhat older than them- selves. The Gods ordered it for their good. If they I mean the young men— would only follow their— I mean tiic Gods-direction, there would be fewer unhappy marriages. For my part, I can't see anything attractive in half-baked girls." _ But the thoughts of her own future, and approach- mg happmess took up the whole of Domitia's brain and left no space for consideration of her mother's schemes, and their chances of success. The young prince was away. It was, as had been feared, too late for him to reap laurels in Germany the revolt had been quelled by Cerealis, but as there was a ferment working in Gaul, it was deemed advisable that Domitian should go thither and overcome the dissatis fled instead of crossing the Alps. He had accordingly changed his route, and had appeared in Lyons. The marriage between Domitia and Lamia could not take place so speedily as Duilia desired. She was wishful to have it over before the return to Rome of Domitian, so that sh(? might be left a freer hand, and ^uili'a cut- )f blurtinj iJoniitiaii. iild know t with tlic p from an icn a dish ill dismiss ts in the IS always an thcm- If they, their — I be fewer anything pproach- .'s brain, mother's ad been I any, the re was a xble that dissatis- Drdingly 3uld not •he was .ome of nd, and The Virgin's Wreath. 171 her daughter put out of the way who, she thought cxercsed a peculiar fascination over the young i,rince-' but she was unable to decide in her own L^uUvhethe; what drew Ins eyes towards Domitia was dislike or love ; poss.bly .t was a comnu-ngling of resentment at her Ueatment of him. and admiration for her loveli- Hut hindrances arose. Lamia was absent on his estates .n h.cly, where there had been disturbance among he slaves, and till matters were settled there he could not return. ' JJltT''"l^'" "T^' "^ ^^"^y '■" ^^'J^'ch no marriages m.ght be performed owing to the hauntings of the Ln.ur.s or ghosts of bad n.en. and such at had not received bur.al. These, seen in the forms of walk^n. skdetons or bugbears, .ioted in that sweetest month alon't ■'""•• ^'^-^ t^'^-T obtained opportunities among the mcaufous to slip into their bodies, and possess them with madness, or to take up their abodes m dwelhng-houses and disturb the living occupants by phantom appearances and mysterious sounds. On three days in the month of May special means were adopted to propitiatcor scare away these spectres On the 9th, nth and ,3th. at midnight, the master of a house, or m the event of his death or absence his widow or w.fe, walked barefoot before the door io a and t en the propitiator of the ghosts returned home and threw black beans over the shoulder, sayi'g These I give to you, and with these beans I ransom myself and mine." fdn^som It was supposed that the ghost scrambled for the beans, and so enabled the owner of the house to reach '\ A IV 172 Domitia. i^'llf the door before them. There stood the servants beat- ing bra.en vessels, pots and pans, shouting, "Out with you ! Out with you, ye ghosts ! " At the beginning of June was the cleansing of the Temple of Vesta, and till that wa. completed, on the iStli, marriages were forbidden. Consequently the wedding could not take place much before midsummer, and to this LongaDuilia had to submit. Domitia was content and happy. She had not been so happy since her father's death. Indeed till now she had not been able to shake off the pain .he had felt at his loss. For to her, that father was the model of noble manhood, high-minded, full of integrity, strong yet gentle She had often marvelled at the manner in which he had dealt with her mother, whom she indeed oved but who somewhat rasped her. With his wife he had ever been firm yet forbearing. He allowed her to form her little schemes, but always managed to thwart them when foolish or mischievous, without her perceiving who had put a spoke in the wheel Lucius ^lius Lamia she looked upon as formed in her father s school, upon his model. He was modest honorable, true ; a good man to whom she could give her whole heart with full assurance that he would treasure the gift, and that she could trust him to be as true to her as she would be true to him Since her father's death, Domitia had felt more than previously the incompatibility of her mind with that of her mother. They had no thoughts, no wishes, no feelings in common. Domitia was a dreainer, specu- la ive, ever with eager mind seeking the things beyond what was known, whereas Duiiia had not a thought a rvants beat- "Out with iing of the ted, on the take place Duih'a had d not been ill now she had felt at model of ity, strong manner in she indeed 1 his wife lowed her naged to thout her formed in i modest, )uld give le would 1 to be as lore than t'ith that ishes, no ;r, specu- s beyond ought, a The Virgin's Wreath. 173 care that were not material. The lady Duilia cared To.: t\;t:': /'"''"^-^^'^^ °'- ''- ^'^-y -• ' -- rions It was to Ler a matter of complete indifference T^uth AndJl'^T'^^^'"""" "^ '^'' importance of i . uth. And she had no wish that could not be cvMi ficd by money or the acquisition of position. ^ '" Now also the hauntincr horror of fi, dreads .hat .,hc had seen h, ^:Z:,f'-l:;^ from the heart of the young ghl, hkethc vap^t^ ,at o av^y and d,sclose the blue heaven,, and the gb,.;" sun She l,ad been drifth.g purposeless; nowfhe s™ that she was about to enter on a condi ion o hfe il wh,ch she would have an object, and would fi d U" plete happ„,ess ,n the pursuit of that object -in J fulfi ment of her duties as housewife to I Lcdi" ba,,d, ,n whom she would find strength, sy,„paX alld And now also, for the first time since the denth „( Corbulo, she sang as she went about the house or worked at her bridal dress. ' ' Lamia, on his return from Sicily was surprised to passed on that terrible day at Cenchr.^a lov^anrt!" ''f •' 'l'^^' '^^ 'y^'^ ^P--^^l-g with love and tears of joy, he thought he had never seen one sweeter and to whom ho coi.M -. u n , i-nself as to his dear Domitia "'°"^ '^^°^^ ■4' i "^ i'^ '1 I ISJiJ! 174 Domitia. Then arrived the eve of the marriacrc. The young girl wa? in the garden, stooping, picking the flowers of which her virginal crown was to be woven, and singing as she plucked. Then she came with her lap full of herbs and blos- soms to her mother, who said : — " That is right. None may gather the flowers but the bride. By the way, have you heard ? Domitian is back from Gaul. I was rejoiced at the news, and have despatched an invitation to him to attend the wedding." " Oh, mother ! it is a bad omen." At the mention of the name, the vision of the red face, seen at Gabii between her own and that of Lamia, started up before her, and she let drop the lap of flowers, and they fell at her feet. " By the Gods ! what a silly thing thou art ! Quick, gather up the herbs and then go fetch thy dolls and toys of childhood, they must all this evening be offered on the altar of the household gods." "I have them not, mother." " Not your dolls ! " " Not one." "But what have you done with them? I know they were all brought from Antioch." " Mother, they have been given away." " Given away ! to whom ?" " To Glyceria, the sister of Euphrosyne." " But what can have induced you tu do this?" " She is paralyzed, and served by little children in the story of the Insula where she lives. I considered that it would amuse her to dress the dolls afresh, and perhaps mend broken limbs, and aftor that she will The Virgin's Wreath. I7S ig, picking vas to be and blos- owcrs but Domitian news, and .ttend the )f the red of Lamia, he lap of t! Quick, dolls and be offered now they lildren in onsidered resh, and t she will distribute them among the little willing children that help her in her infirmity." " As the Gods love mc ! " exclaimed Duilia, " Who- ever heard before of such madness. Hellebore would not cure it. Verily the more you labor at a hole the greater the hollow. You are a fool, and your folly grows daily greater. You must present your toys of child- hood to the Lares, they expect it— it is the custom, it is right." "But I have none left." " Mother Ops ! what is to be done ? Run, Eboracus, —run and buy me half a dozen dolls — dressed if possible. Domitia, you are determined to bring ill- luck on yourself. There is nothing else to be done but for you to spend an hour in playing with the dolls, and then you can present them at the altar, and the Gods will be none the wiser. Between me and you and the pillars of the peristyle, they are bigger fools than us mortals, and easier gulled." Domitia stooped to collect the fallen flowers. "What is that?" asked her mother— "Oh! right enough, natrix} that drives away ghosts and night- mare. And that of course is in the virginal wreath, inyosotis (Forget-me-not) it dries tears. An Egyptian slave I had — he fell ill, so I exposed him on the isle between the two Bridges — he told me that if one ate the root in the month of Thoth — that is August, one escaped sore eyes for a twelvemonth. That is right also, the scarlet anemone, it betokens the flame of love — and that evergreen its continuance. The centaury — that is the herb of union, it will close a wound so as ' Probably Dictamtms FraxincUa. For properties of these plants see Pliny, H. N. lib, xxv., xxvi., xxvii. jf! ' . . -: i I . I ■ f'l J hi' ' h 'B^ ^;<^ Domitia. not to show even a scar — and in mr ^., ^, symbol than that. What have you here?' Tlie Ij^sl viachia, that gives harmony and agreement of mind. They say that a plant of it fastened to the pole of a chariot will make the wildest and most impatient horses pull together. And the herb of the Twelve Gods ! quite right, always remember the gods, they come in useful. The vervain— of course, it will give you all you will. But, ye Gods of Olympus ! What have you done to pluck cypress! My dear Domitia, are you mad? Thyme, mint, if you will— but cypress ! the tree of the infernal g^ds, and— as the Gods love me! let me look at your hands ! They are red— what have you plucked —plucked till your hands are dyed— the androscsvium ! Oh! Domitia! ill-fated child— look, look at your hands, the juice has stained them, they are dipped in blood." ^^ I 'I •a 1 I u ■ \ ILL-FATED CHILD, LOOK AT Y OUR HANDS." /',i,'e 776. \' .1 > 4 ' r'. i * ■^ i 1 .: 1 mill «n m iil II m 'i ,i \ s; , • n o fc si ir w tc gi St h( of hi pr of A pe th w; be 1 wa Quoniam tu Caius, ego Caia. »77 CHAPTER XXII. QUONIAM TU CAIUS, EGO CAIA ! At the earliest rays of dawn the auguries were taken, not as of old by the flight of birds, but by inspection of the liver and heart of a sheep, that was slaughtered for the purpose by the Aruspices, and this done they came to the palace of Duilia, bearing the skin of the sheep, to announce that the portents were favorable, in fact, were of extraordinarily good promise. " That is as I hoped," said Longa Duilia, " and that will counteract and bring to naught the disastrous tokens of the wreath. Why, by Venus's girdle, the girl has not been able to get her hands white yet. The stain of that nefast herb is on them still. But— ah ! here she comes in her flame-colored veil. By the Body of Bacchus ! after all it means no ill, for do not her hands agree in hue with her head-gear? " ^ Domitia had laid aside her maidenly dress, the toga prcstextata woven with horizontal stripes, for the dress of a married woman, the toga recta, with vertical stripes. About her waist was a woollen girdle fastened in a peculiar manner, with the so-called knot of Hercules, that was regarded as a charm against the evil eye, and was also employed in binding up wounds and fractured bones. The girl's dress, as well as a net of red silk 1 Our word nuptial comes from the veil wherewith the bride's head was covered. 12 : ' I 178 Domitia. 1 i 11 r i 1 fl M threads in which her hair had been tied up on the previous day, had been offered on the altars of the ancestral deities worshipped in the house. Her hair had been divided that morning, not by a comb, but by the head of a lance, into six tresses that were plaited with colored ribbons. And about her head, beneath the veil, was the virgin's wreath woven out of the flowers she had herself picked— but the ill- omened cypress and the blood distilling androsicmnm had been omitted And now with pipes and cymbals came the bride- groom attended by all his friends, to fetch the bride home. The house door was decorated with laurels, and incense smoked on the domestic altars, in the vestibule, and in the atrium. The boxes that con- tained the ancestral wax masks were open, and each face was wreathed about with flowers. Green lines connecting the boxes united all to one trunk forming a family tree. The household gods were not ignored, lamps burned before them, flowers adorned their heads| and cakes and wine were placed on shelves below them. Slaves ran to and fro, and ran against each other. Ten witnesses, kinsmen of the bride and bridegroom, assembled to take cognizance of the marriage contract. Two seats were introduced into the hall, and the legs bound together, and over both was spread the skin of the sheep slaughtered that morning for the auspices. Then bride and bridegroom were seated on these stools, the marriage contract was read aloud, and they received the salutations nf their friends i\\c promiba, a married female relative united their hands, and that accomplished, the bridegroom rose, and attended by the friends and kinsfolk of both parties, departed for up on the :ars of the :, not by a resses that about her ath woven but the ill- drosicviutn the bride- the bride th laurels, rs, in the that con- and each rccn lines k forming t ignored, leir heads, low them, ich other, idegroom, '■ contract, d the legs lie skin of uspices. on these and they ')ronuba, a and that ended by parted for Quoniam tu Caius, ego Caia. 179 the Temple of Jupiter, where the flamen Dialis offered sacrifice to the gods of marriage, to Jupiter, Juno, Tellus, and the old Latin half-forgotten deities of Picumnus and Pilumnus. Whilst the sacred sacrifice was being performed, in the house of the bride all was being made ready 'for the wedding or meal after midday. The bride was now esteemed to have passed out of the family of her father into that of her husband, his gods would be her gods, his house her house, his name hers. In signification of this the formula was used by her, " Since thou art Caius, I am Caia." At a remote period it would have been " Since thou art Lucius I am Lucia," and she would have lost her name of Domitia. But this was no longer customary, only the liturgical form of surrender was employed. It was past noon when the procession returned, swelled by more friends and by all well-wishers, and as it entered the house, with a shiver Domitia observed the glowing face and water-blue eyes of the young prince, attended by his lictors. She caught his glance, but he dropped his eyes the moment they encountered hers, and she saw his cheeks pucker, as though with laughter. But she had no time to give thought to him ; she was required to acknowledge the felicitations of the visitors, and to entreat them to partake of the hospitality of the hour, and to oi^er a pinch of incense and a libation to her happiness. The supper was lengthy— many partook and came in relays, so that the entire afternoon was consumed by it. To the relief of Domitia, the prince Domitian had withdrawn. As each left the table he saluted the bride with the exclamation, Feliciter. ■ 1 i i8o Domitia. h \ i) .' For this long and tedious ceremonial feast, she was allowed to rest on a couch, next to her husband, at the table, in the place of honor. The meal lasted till evening, and then there ensued a movement. The household goods of the bride, her spindle and distaff, her chest containing robes, were brought forth, and placed on biers to be conveyed to the new house. Then Domitia rose, with tears in her eyes, and went to the several chambers she had occupied, to say fare- well to the kitchen, to salute the hearth, to the shelf that served as chapel, to bid farewell to the ancestral gods, to the wax forefathers in the hall, then to kiss her mother, finally to turn, kneel and embrace the doorposts of the paternal dwelling, and kiss the thresh- old from which she parted. Without, the procession waited. She was gently disengaged from her mother's arms, and to the cries of Talasse ! amidst a shower of walnuts thrown among the boys by the bridegroom, the procession started. Domitia was attended by three lads, one went be- fore carrying a torch, the other two walked, one on each side, carrying spindle and distaff. The torch, according to rule, was of whitethorn wood, and on arrival at the house of the bridegroom would be scram- bled for and ripped to pieces by the guests, as every shred was esteemed to carry good luck. Now rose a burst of song, the so-called Fescennian lays, some old and some new, accompanied by the flutes of musicians and the clash of castanets and cym- bals of dancing girls. The procession descended the hill to the Forum, crowds lining the way and shouting Feliciter ! Quoniam tu Caius, ego Caia. i8i At a corner there was a little clearing, for there lay a pallet, and on it a sick woman, who had been brought from her dwelling to see the sight. She extended and waved her hand, holding something as Domitia ap- proached, and the bride through her tears noticed hci, halted, went towards her, and said :— " Glyccria ! you here to wish me happiness ! " " And to give thee, dear lady, a little present." She extended to her a small amulet, that Domitia accepted gratefully, and stooping kissed the paralyzed woman on the brow. An unheard-of thing! unparalleled! A thing she would not have done, had she been in full controfover herself— a thing she would not have done, had not her heart brimmed with love for all, at that moment. She, a noble lady, belonging to one of the greatest houses in Rome, kissed a poor actor's wife, an enfranchised slave— and that before all eyes. About Glyccria was a dense throng of men and women and children, the occupants of the " Island " in which she lived. It was they, who, pitying her suffer- ings, desirous that she should see the procession, had opened a space before her, and held it open, that none might impede a full view of the marriage train. And this throng of rude artisans, shoemakers, cord- wainers, leather-sellers, hawkers and their wives and children saw this act of Domitia. For a moment they were silent, and then they broke into a roar of " Feli- citer ! feliciter ! the Gods be with thee, dear lady ! The Gods protect thee ! The Gods shower blessings on thee ! " But Domitia might not tarry ; confused, half ashamed of what she had done, half carried off her feet by the thrill of joy that went from the crowd to her, ^he advanced. ■i it" ' I ■ ,i :■ il: ;i • i lii Domitia. The train descended by the lake of Nero, now occu- pied by the Colosseurn, then ascended tiie Celian Hill to the house of Lamia. On reaching his door, the procession spread out, and gave space for the bride to advance. Modestly, trembling with love, timidity, hope in her heart, she anointed the doorposts with oil and then passed woollen strings round them. This accomplishetl, two young men started forward, caught her up, made a seat for her of their hands, and bore her over the threshold, which she might not touch with her feet, lest by accident or nervousness she should stumble, and so her entry into the new house be ill-omened. On being admitted into the habitation of her husband, it was her duty to ^oto the hearth and make up the fire, then to the fountain and draw water; next to worship the household gods. The house was pretty. It had been fresh painted, and was bright with color, and sweet with flowers, for every pillar was wreathed and each door garlanded. Numerous lamps illumined the chambers, and in the atri'.p.Ti were reflected in the water tank. The air was vibrating with music, as choirs sang Fescennian songs, and timbrels tinkled and pipes twittered. Domitia was received by the wife of L. ^lius Lamia, who had adopted Domitia's husband. He was a qi i ;i man, who had no ambition, had taken no ofifices, and had passed his time in taming birds. He was the son of a betie known man, who had been a friend of Horace. The c, v^ oiT'an, gentle in manner, took Domitia by the hand at ' ltd her into the tablinum, where was old Lamia, a. rr;!.- ;! patted hc< iiar:^s and spo hrough T' ut, and he kissed the girl, an affectionate welcome. Quoniam tu Caius, ego Caia. 183 " Claudia and I," said he, " were childless and so we adopted Lucius. He has been a tjood son to us, and this is a happy 'l.iy to all throe, —to him who has secured the sweetest flower of Rome, and to Claudia and me who obtain so good a dau^ditcr. Hut, ah ! we arc old and have our humors, I, with my gout, am liable to be peevish. You must bear with our infirmities. You willhavea worthy husband, one cut out of the old rock of which were the ancient Romans, and not of the Tiber- ine mud of which the present generation are moulded." •' Come now." said the old woman, " the guests arc about to depart, bid them farewell." Then she led the young girl back into the atrium. There stood the Chakhean, dark, stern, ominous. Domitia in exuberant joy smiled at him, and said: " Elymas ! You see my happiness. Isis has for once been in error— we, my Lamia ami I, are united, and there have been no hamls thrust forth to part us." " My lady," said the astrologer, " the day is not yet over." " And the auguries were all propitious." " The promise of the augurs may not jump with thy desire," he replied. She had no time for more words, as her hand was -aught by L. ^lius Lamia, who drew her aside into the larariiini or chapel. " My dearest," he said, " this is a day of trial to thee— but we shall be left undisturbed shortly. The guests depart and the riot will cease." She looked at him, with eyes that brimmed with tears, and a sob relieved her heart, as she cast herself on his breast and said : — " Quoniam tu Caius, ego Caia." i '^A ■■■' it I ^% n I ,'! i .^^, '. ,. '' 184 Domitia. CHAPTER XXIII. THE END OF THE DAY. A RUMOR, none knew from whom it arose, spread rapidly in whispers, sending a quiver of alarm, distress, pity, through the entire wedding party, reaching last of all him most concerned. None dared breathe in his ear what all feared ; but none would separate till it was surely ascertained whether what was surmised was a fact or not. The slaves knew it and looked wistfully at Lamia. He was engaged in making trifling presents to the many guests and well-wishers, moving from one to an- other, attended by slaves with trays piled up with gifts. Eboracus burst on him, through the throng, forget- ting, in his agitation and fear, the dififidence that be- longed to his position. " Sir ! Where is the mistress ? " Lamia, without looking at him, or desisting from what he was about, answered : " Within, being freed from her veil and bridal orna- ments." " Sir ! Lucius ! she has been stolen from you ! she has been carried away." Lamia stood as one petrified. " How dare you utter such a jest ?" The End of the Day. She " It is no jest— she has been conveyed hence is not in your house." Without another word. Lamia flew into the portion of the house to which Domitia had retired _ There all was in confusion. The female slaves were either struck down with terror, or crying out that they were not to blame. ^ <' Where is she?" asked Lamia, hardly reahV.incr that here was actual loss, thinking this was some frolic of his young companions, who on such occasions allowed themselves great licence. To add to the confusion, a tame magpie with clipped wmg. belongmg to the gouty old Lamia, got in the way o every one, and screamed when run over ; and the elder man roared out reproach and bra.ulished his crutch when the life of his pet was endangered. Claudia, like a pious woman, had rushed to the /arannm to supplicate the assistance of the Gods cs pecially of Lamius, son of Hercules and Omphale.'thc reputed half-divine ancestor of the family Domitia had disappeared.-How .'-none could say She had been spirited away, one said in this manner another said in that. One held it as his opinion that she had been carried off by some disbanded Vitellian soldiers who were said to lurk about the suburbs of Rome and commit depredations. Some thoucrht that m •^'^yden shyness she had fled home ; some whisoered hat the Goch. had translated her ; others that a former over had suborned the servants to admit him, and that he had conveyed her from her husband's house to his But in what direction had she been taken ? There again opinions differed, and tongues gave conflicting it at ■if t I' !• li i :.] i86 Domitia. f ? ! . " |> ''■ ;iil i i ' '/ ■ 1 f 111 It accounts. One had scon a litter hurried down the Clivius Scauri. One declared that he had seen a girl running in the direction of Nero's lake, and suggested that this was Domitia who hud gone thither to destroy herself. One had noticed suspicious-looking men wrapped in military cloaks lounging about, and these had disappeared — he had even seen the backs of some near the Porta Metrovia. Then one cried out : — " What else can be expected when such an ill-omened bird is kept in the house, as a magpie ? " Not until all guests, visitors, had been excluded from the house, could anything be learned with cer- tainty, and that was little. During the afternoon, shortly before the arrival of the procession, several male and female slaves had arrived under the direction of a Chalda^an soothsayer, who announced that he had been sent along with them to the house of the bride- groom by the bride's mother, the Lady Duilia, and that they formed a portion of Domitia's attendance, who had been associated with her in her former home, and would be about her person in her new quarters. No suspicion had been roused, and as the Magian spoke with authority, and gave directions, which it was pre- sumed he was commissioned to do, and as old Lamia was crippled with gout and moreover indisposed to at- tend to such matters, and the old lady was simple to childishness, these strangers were suffered to do much what they pleased ; and on the bride retiring to be divested of the flame colored veil, her wreath and other ornaments, had been allowed to take possession of her. What happened further they did not know. In the excitement of the arrival of visitors nothing had been down the seen a girl suggested to destroy king men and these vs of some Lit:— ill-omened excluded 1 with cer- afternoon, n, several : direction lat he had the bride- 1, and that }, who had lomc, and ■ters. No ;ian spoke : was pre- old Lamia )sed to at- simple to ) do much ing to be 'cath and possession y. In the had been The End of the Day. 187 observed till some of the household servants remarked that the servants of the family of Duilia had left,— that there had been a bustle in the garden court, and that a litter had departed, borne by men who ran un- der their load. But even then no notion that the bride had been carried off was entertained. For some time no suspicion of mischief arose. When the slaves be- came aware that their new mistress was no longer in the house, there was f^rst some surprise entertained th.:i she was not seen, then a notion that she might be unwell or over-tired— but the first word that sug- gested that she had been conveyed away came from without the house, from a guest who inquired casually what lady had left the house, in a litter, borne by trotting porters. Lamia, in violent agitation, at once hurried to the house whence Domitia had come, to ask for an explanation. There he learn nothing satisfac- tory. No servants had been sent beforehand. Do- mitia had taken with her two female slaves, but they had attended her in the procession. The sorcerer, it was true, had disappeared and had not returned. Lamia was obliged to return home, without his anxiety being in any way removed. On reaching his palace on the Ccelian, he learned something further. In the room in which Domitia had been divested of her bridal ornaments, which lay scat- tered in disorder, was a crystal cup that contained the dregs of wine, and this wine was drugged with a power- ful narcotic. Of this the slave who acted as house- surgeon and physician was certain. He had tasted it and detected the presence of an opiate. Nothing further could be learned, neither whence came the strange slaves nor whither they had gone. '1^ '; 'm i88 Domitia. I ' lit In the mean time a party surrounding a closed litter had passed through the Porta Capena, and was hurry- ing along the Appian Way. Directly the city was left, a tall man who directed the convoy called a halt ; — then approaching tlie litter, he drew back the curtains, and said : — "Asleep! Two of you take her up, lift her, set her on her feet and rouse her." lie was obeyed and a helpless body was removed, sustained between two stout slaves, and made to stand on the causeway. " Shake her," said the director, who was none other than the Chaldaian. "If she sleep on, she will never wake. Roused and made to walk she must be. We need fear no pursuit. I have left those behind who will spread a false rumor, and send such as think she has been carried away along the wrong road. Make her walk." The helpless girl — it was Domitia — staggered with drowsiness and stumbled. " Let me sleep," she murmured. " It must not be, lady. To let you sleep is to con- sign you to death. You must be constrained to walk." " Let me sleep ! " fretfully said. " If you sleep you die." " I want to die — only to sleep. I am dead weary." " Make her move along," said the sorcerer in a low tone, and the slaves who held her up drew her forward. She scarce moved her feet. " Oh, you are cruel. I want to sleep. An hour! half an hour. For one moment longer ! " she pleaded. Still the bearers drew her forward, they did not lift The End of the Day. I ! 189 She was con- her so that she need not move her feet strained to step forward. " I pray you ! I will give you gold. You shall have all my jewels. Lay me down. Let go your hold, and 1 will he where I am, and sleep." AM^i'T.-^Tu"''^"'--""''^-' ^^^'■'^ '^^^ horses. Aside ! behind that tomb! " The party stole from off the road and secreted itself behind one of the mausoleums that line the sides of the Appian Way. " Shake her-lest she doze off in your arms." said h.Iymas, and the slaves obeyed. Then Domitia began to sob. " Have pity ! only for a httle while, I am so tired. The day has been so long and so wearying." ° " They are passed— mere travellers," said the sor cerer. " Into the road again. Force her to walk " Then she called, " Lamia-my Lucius! come to me drive these men away. They will not let me sleep " and she struggled to free herself, and unable to do so by a spasmodic effort, began to sob, and sobbed her- self into a half doze. " She is sleeping. Run with her," called the Magus In vain did she weep, entreat, threaten, naught availed, she was forced to advance ; now to take a few steps, to rest on her feet, to walk in actuality The very anger she felt at not being allowed to cast herself down, fold her hands under her head, and drop off into unconsciousness, tended to rouse her. After about half an hour, her entreaties to be al lowed to rest became less frequent, and alternated with inquiries as to where she was, whither she was going, why she was forced to walk, and th&t at night f i:' M 1' ^^ III! yE>": 190 Domitia. Then she ceased altogether to comphiin of drowsiness, and finding she met with no response to her in([uiries as to her desliination, she became silent ; she was now conscious, but her brain was clouded, perplexed. She could remember nothing that would account for her present posi'-ion. Whether she were in a dream, labor- in"- under nightmare, she could not tell, and purposely she struck her foot against one of the i)aving blocks of lava, and by the pain assured herself that she was actually awake. But where was she ? She looked up. The sky was besprent with stars, a sky limpid, tender, vaporless and vast, out of which the stars throbbed with iridescent light in all the changeful flicker of topaz, emerald and ruby. And the air was full of flying stars, in tens of thousands, they settled on rushes by the roadside in chains of fire, they flashed across the eyes, they settled down on the dress ; and out of the cool grass shone the steady lustre of innumerable glow-worms. The milky way, like an illumined veil, crossed the vault, vaporous, transparent with stars shining through it. From the black monuments on each side hooted the owls, bats swept by, diving out of night to brush by the passers along the road and plunge back into night, like old forgotten fancies of the dreaming mind, that recur and vanish again, in waking hours. Out of the grass the crickets shrilled, and frogs called with flute- like tones at intervals, whilst others maintained an incessant chatter. Where was she ? What were these great fantastic edifices on each side of the road? They were no The End of the Day. 191 houses, for out of none glimmered a li-ht. No occu pants stood in the doors, or san- and piped on the threshold. I hcse were no taverns, for no host invited to rest within, and praised his fare. The road was forsaken, still as death, and these mansions were the dwelhngs of the dead. She knew this now-that she was on one „f the roads that led fnnn the gates of Rome, lined with tombs. How she had got there she knew not. Least of all did she know for what reason she was bemg dragged along it. She had thus trud-cd for a considerable time ; she had ceased to speak She was occupied with her thoughts. Weary she was, but in too great anguish of mind to be aware how weary she was, till tripping on a stone she fell. Then a voice said : — " She is full awake now. There is naught to fear. Let her again mount the litter." "Elymas!" exclaimed the girl, "I know you, I know your voice. What means this ? Whither am I being taken ? " ^^ " Madam," said the sorcerer in reply, after a pause, your own eyes shall answer the question better than my lips, to-morrow." ''V ! : r 192 Domitia. CHAPTER XXIV. ALBANUM. ^iiyii SLEEr-DRUNK, with cloudcd brain, eyes that saw as in a dream, feet that moved involuntarily, Domitia descended from the litter and tottered in at a doorway when informed that she had reached her destination. Where that was she did not care, whose house this was mattered nothing to her in her then condition of weariness. Female slaves bearing lights received her and di- rected her s^-ops to a chamber where they would have divested her of her garments and put her to bed, had she not refused their assistance, thrown herself on the couch and in a moment fallen fast asleep. The slaves looked at each other, whispered, and re- solved not to torment by rousing her ; they accord- ingly drew the heavy curtains of the doorway and left her to her slumbers. But weary though Domitia was, her sleep was not dreamless, the song of a thousand nightingales that made the night musical reached her ears and pene- trated the doorways of her troubled brain and wove fantasies ; the ever-present sense of fear, not dissipated by slumber, weighed on her and gave sombre color to her dreams ; the motion of the palanquin had com- municated itself in her fancy, to the bed, and that Albanum. IC 93 tossed and swayed under lier. Ilcr weary feet seemed stun- and burnt as though they had been lield too close to the fire. Now she saw Lamia's face, and then jt was withdrawn ; now her mother seemed to be call- ing to her from an ever-increasing distance. Yet troubled though her sleep was. it afforded her brain some rest, and she woke in the morning at a later hour than usual, when by the strip of warm light below the curtairs she was made aware that the sun had risen. She started from sleep, passed her hand across her face, pressed her brows, stepped to the doorway, pushed the curtains aside and looked out into a little atrium, in which plashed a fountain, and where stood boxes of myrtles in full flower, steeping the atmosphere with fragrance. At once two female servants came to her, bowed low and desired permission to assist in dressing her. With some hesitation she consented. " Where am I ? " she asked. " By the lake of Alba," answered a dark-faced serv- ant with hard lustrous eyes, and in a foreign dialect. " In whose house ? " The slaves looked at each other, and made no reply. Again she put the question. " Lady, we are forbidden to say," answered one of the slaves. " At Alba ? " muttered Domitia. Then, as the woman divested her of her tunic, some- thing fell from her bosom on the mosaic floor. The maid stooped, picked it up and handed it to Domitia, who turned it in her palm and looked at it, at first without comprehension. Then she recoltected what 13 » I, :i! i / il i i II -f^ 194 Domitia. I m ■ ■ 1 i, 1' ! 1: 1 1 this was — the amulet given her by Glyceria. It was a red corneUan fish pierced at one end a.. '. a fine gold ring inserted in the hole, so that the stone might be suspended. Domitia was not in a condition of mind to pay at- tention to the ornament, but she bade one of the serv- ants thread a piece of silk through the ring that she might wear the amulet about her neck, and then she allowed herself to be conducted to the bath. With suspicious eyes the girl observed everything. She was obviously in a country villa belonging to some Roman noble, and that villa beside the Alban Lake. The AL\\\ Lami.e had no country-house at this place, of that she was aware. She had heard some of the friends of her mother speak of the beauties of the I^. iban Lake, and then her mother had lamented that the family estate lay by the Gabian puddle. 13ut she could not recall that any one of them had a villa there. When she left the bath she walked out of the door- way through the vestibule and stood on the terrace. Below was the sombre lake, almost circular, with the rolling woods of oak and beech flowing down the slopes to the very water's edge, here and there the green cover- ing interrupted by precipitous crags of tuffa. Yonder was the great ridge on which gleamed white the Temple of Jupiter Latiaris, the central shrine of the Latin races, the great pilgrimage place to which the country people turned in every distress. She had not previously seen the Alban Lake, al- though Gabii had been her residence for some months, and that was seated on a low spur of the mountains, in the crater of one of which slept this tranquil and love- ly sheet of water. But she knew enough about it by Albanum. , . hearsay to be sure that she u-as not misinformed by the skives as to where she now was. She ccrtain'y was beside that lake, near which once stretched Alba Lon^ra tlic cradle of the Roman race— a race of shepherds driven from its first seat by volcanic fires, to settle beside the Tiber on the Palatine Hill. That road alon^- which she had been conveyed di, Inn; the night was the great Appian Way. It could have been none other, and that led. as she was aware, along the spurs of the Alban mountains. She walked the terrace, her brow moist with anxious thought. Why had she been carried off? By wliom iKid shebeen swept as by a hurricane from her husband's side ? A sense of numbness was on her brain still, caused by the shock. To Lucius Lamia her heart had turned with the reverence she had borne to her father, with the sweetness and glow of girlish love for one who would be linked with her by a still nearer tie. She could not realize that she was parted from Lamia finally, irrevo- cably. She was in a waking dream : a dream of great horror, but yet a dream that would roll away and real- ity would return. She would wake from it in the arms of her dear husband, looking into his eyes, clinging to his heart, hearing his words soothing her mind, allayin- her terrors. *' If at this time she could have conceived that to be possible which nevertheless was to take place she would have run to the lake and plunged into its' blue waters. Singularly enough no thought of the ( temple of Isis recurred to her. V vision in the ossibly slie was in too .,^1. 8.^iii]i 196 Domitia. (j !i: ''t tti% stunned a condition of mind ; possibly the effects of the narcotic still hung abort her, like the vapors that trail along the landscape after a storm of rain at the break of the weather. No thought of hers connected this outrage with Domitian. This was due to the impression produced in her by conversation with her mother, who, she believed, was designing to secure Domitia for herself. Moreover, the young prince had never shown her any favor. He had studiously neglected her, that he might address himself to Duilia. He had taunted her, sneered at her, but never spoken to her words that might be construed as a declaration of love. She re- called how she had urged her uother to expel him from the house when he sought refuge there ; how she had sought to thrust him forth to certain death, to deny him the rights of hospitality. Such was enough to provoke resentment, not to awaken love. Her mother, on the other hand, had bound him to her by the tie of gratitude, for she had saved him at that time of ex- treme peril. Seeing the dark slave girl, Domitia signed to her to approach, and asked : " Where are some of my family ? Is not Euphrosyne here — or Eboracus ? " " Lady— none came with you save the servants of our master." "And he?" " Madam, I may not say." " There is that Magus, Elymas ; send him to me." After some delay the sorcerer appeared, and ap- proached, bowed and stood silent with hands crossed on his breast. Albanum. ,gy me' ^ wT'^' • ?;''' ^''"'^''^' "I'vqulrcyou to enlighten mc. What .s the mcamn^ of this? Why have I been --.^awaytoA,.a,u,.. By whose oL. h^^-^ un^i:r-^;;^t~~ " Destiny will be fiilfillcd." " What mean you ? Destiny! some drive it before ^em as a wheelbarrow, and such seem you to be Why am I here and not in Lamia's house in Rome ? '• to bf r'^°" "°'' ^^' ^'^^"^'' '" ^'•^'°" '^''' ^'^^'^'^^ was She started, lost color and shivered. " What mean you ? " "The purple." .iiSnrtoi ',:vf:r/"^f- ,^°-p-''e„fe. t J . . '^'^^^^ '^ treacherous nart in orwardmg .h.s a« of violence. I h.vc been sr^ched from my dcr husband's side, the Gods who gave me to h™ have been outraged, 1-1, a men.berof a noWe house a daughter of Domiti . Corbulo, have been treated as though the prey „f a party of si. ve-irunters VVhat next? Am I to be talcen into the market, aee and sold by auetion? Or am I carried off c- free booters-to be let go for a price ? Name me the captam of this robber band, and the price at ZI^l may be ransomed I promise it shall be paid. Bu tha T^^^^ ^'•^^"^™'"' b'-'innietcd for this insult, that I vvU also guarantee. I thank the Gods, Rome is not on the confines of the world, that these deeds can be perpetrated with impunity. We are not at Nizibis or Edessatobe fallen upon by I'arthians, or he d to ransom by Armenians " ■ ! Il :-i \ S,' : \ Ill I''! ■;:i f|i ' ! 198 Domitia. " Young lady," said the Magian, " your words are high-sounding, but your threats are such as cannot be executed, nor is any price asked for your redemption. When you set your foot on the CHvus Scauri, it is a narrow way, between high walls— and there is no option, you must go on. You cannot turn aside to right or left." " I can turn back." " The way is broken up behind. You must go forward." "Whither?" "Look!" A number of male slaves came forth from the villa ; they were in white. " Do you know that livery ? " asked the sorcerer. Then Domitia uttered a cry of despair, and threw herself on the ground. Now she did know where she was, in whose power she was, and how hopeless it was for her to expect to escape. The white was the Imperial livery. our words are li as cannot be ir redemption, s Scauri, it is d there is no 1 aside to right '^ou must go •om the villa ; e sorcerer, ir, and threw 3w where she )peless it was I Hr ■ JKi.MlTIA 1 HKKW iii;ksi;i.k •JI'l'N TIIK GROUND.-' J] 14; e /tp^f. ^y a Razor. '99 CHAPTER XXV. BY A RAZOR. great relief the C^llrn'^","'" ^°""- •>"' '° '>e,- a meeting „„ , hS L,ustTr' I" "°' "PP^'-^^- That but in what m.„ZZVoMt7 '''t "" =''™-' could not guess • vvlieth u '"'^ ''"■ "«" ^''e exhibit ignoble ■retgeLhr:" '''"' °="^'™ '» "•e night when he ojht ' '"''T"' °' ''™ °" w:,ether he would aDnrnfh T ^' '" ''" ''°"=^. "^ seque, could alone liX 't^'' " '"^T ^'"'^ '"^ was what she mainly d,eaTed ''""'' '"""^"^= con°:c;uH4'';;:,f:it:™S^^^''-'lei„ the hall, and critical moment had come Do^v'"' "'" "'^' '"= chamber with beatil r . "" '"•■'""=<' '" her When thecurtahs^ feshaTlT.hd''"""-'""" ^'s'- prise and delight h"r moth '^ ""thdrawn, to her sur- best toilette, her hceaff '""''''• "'"^"' '" her 'he paint, wreaked wrthtik:"'" "^^'"^S^'' '"rough ;vhor:,d;,:::?;txf;---- v„„^ I have sent out no invitations to 711,,^ ""'™'- ■' now no occasion for it and "n . ™PP"' ""='•'■• ^Pend Without an e.pect'ti oT.^ fZlT' '"'■'' To loo. at your face no one would ha'^Vo-seTtiat l( 'i r ¥ 200 Domitia. depth in you— and to play us all such a trick, poor Lamia and me. It would really make a widow of a week old lau<^h. Don't smother me, my dear, and above all, don't cry— that is to say, if you cry do not let your tears fall on my cheek, you know I am — well — well — it might spoil my complexion," " Mother," gasped the unhappy girl—" O, how can you speak to me in this manner. You know, you must know, I have been carried away against my will. O mother, Lucius does not suppose that " " My dear child, it does not concern me in the least, whether the kitten carried off the rat, or the rat the kitten. Here you are in the rat's hole, and all you have to look to is to eat your rat and not let the rat jat you." *' Oh, mother ! mother ! take me home with you." *' Domitia, do not be a baby. Of course you cannot return. You have bidden farewell to the household Gods, and renounced the paternal threshold." " Mother — I have embraced the gate-posts of the Lamiae." " But the Gods of that family have been unable or unwilling to retain you, they have resigned you to — I cannot say, in conscience, nobler hands, for the Flavian family — well, we know what we know, — but to more powerful hands, that will not let you go. Besides, my dear, I have no wish to have you home again. When a bird has flown, it has said farewell to the nest, to its cracked eggshells and worms, and must find another." " Do not be cruel ! " " I am not cruel — but Vv hat has happened must be accepted, that is the true philosophy of life, bett^." than all that nonsense declaimed by philosophers." trick, poor 'idow of a dear, and cry do not I am — well ), how can know, you st my will. 1 the least, he rat the id all you let the rat ith you." you cannot household )sts of the 1 unable or 1 you to — I :he Flavian at to more Besides, my .in. When nest, to its d another." :d must be life, bettv..* )phers." By a Razor. 20I " Mother ! I will not stay here." " Domitia, here you must stay till somebody comes to take you away. Why ! as the Gods love me ! I expect yet to hear you proclaimed Augusta, and to have to offer incense and to pour a libation on your altar. Think— what an honor to have your wax head among the ancestors, as a divinity to be worshipped— but no-I am wrong there, you would be in the lara- rium, or set up in the vestibule, a deified ancestress or member of the family is exalted from the atrium to the temple. I really will go out of my way and have a httle supper to honor the occasion. I sec it all— wc shall before long have a college of Flavian priests, and all the whole bundle of mouldy old usurers, and' tax- collectors, and their frowsy womankind will be gods, with temples and a cult, and you, my dear ! It makes my mouth water." " But, mother, why am I carried away ?" "Why! O you jocose little creature, why? be- cause some person I know of has taken a fancy to your monkey ways and baby face." " I belong to Lamia. I have been married to him." ^ " Oh ! that is easily settled. I thank the Immortal's, divorce is easily obtained in Rome— with money, influ- ence in Rome— to the end of time, my dear." "I do not desire to be divorced— I will not be divorced. I love Lucius and he loves me." " You are a child— just away from your dolls, and know nothing of life." " But, mother, there are laws. I will throw myself on the protection of the Senate." Longa Duilia laughed aloud. " Silly foql ! laws bind the subjects and the weak, not princes and the strong. I I i)\ -I (! ) ■ -pH •• ■ f *8 f J 202 Domitia. Make your mind up to accept what has happened. It is the work of destiny." " It is an infamous crime." " My child, do not use such words, what n.:;:jlit be crime among common folk is pleasantry among princes. They all do it. It is their right. It isof no avail your attempting resistance. Domitian has taken a fancy to you— he is young, good-looking, C;esar, all sorts of honors have been heaped on him, and he has but to put out a rake and comb together all the good in tlic world. And " — she drew nearer to her daughter, — " he may be Emperor some day. Titus has but one lumpy, ugly girl — no son." " I care not. I hate him ! let me go back to Lamia ! " " That is impossible." " Not if I will ! " "You cannot. You would be stayed by the serv- ants here." " But you — cannot you help me ? O mother, if you have any love for me ! For the sake of my dear, dear father ! " " Even if I would, I could not. Why, there is not a court in Rome, not the Senate even can afford you protection and release. The Flavians are up now." " I will appeal to Vespasian, to the Emperor ! " " He is in Egypt." The girl panted and beat her head with her hands. " Lamia ! he shall release me." " He needs some one to release him." " How so ? " " He insulted Domitian in the Senate House — all because of you, and is under arrest. For less rnatters than what he has done, lives have been lost." I I penccl. It n.:;^lit be MS princes. I avail your a fancy to II sorts of las hut to )ocl in the Iter, — " he »ne lumpy, ) Lamia ! " / the serv- bcr, if you dear, dear re is not a .fford you ) now." ror ! •• r hands. louse — all s nnatters, By a Razor. ^03 "He will never-no, never ! •' she could not finish c« sentence, her heart was boiling over, and she bus into a paroxysm of sobs. ;; The Gods! the Gods help me .-she cried. My dear Dom.t.a. you might as well call on the walls to assist you. The r.o,l« i ti, • asmnH-,1. v„ ""-^^»-ose • nrf- -- r* •^- t ^'"-cicu. R« ■; J r ' ^"^ Domitia Longina. rte stood for a moment looking at the girl. if' 3 6 1 ' m , ;• i ;■ I'm ill j I i % if i 3 « . II i- i f ii 204 Domitia. "Saucy still?" he said. " Wrathful at this treatment," she answered, with her eyes on the ground, and her hands clasped. " Be- cause I would have denied to you a suppliant, the hospitality of our house, must I, unsoliciting it, be forced to accept yours?" " Domitia, has your mother informed you what I have designed for you ? " " I should prefer that you concerned yourself with your pn-Etorial duties." Domitian bit his lip. He had been invested with the office of pra:;tor of the city, but in his overweening conceit deemed it unworthy of him to discharge the duties of the office. " It is my intent, Domitia, to elevate you into the Flavian family." "O how gracious!" sneered the girl,— "taken up like Trygdeus." " Domitia ! " exclaimed her mother, then at once perceiving that the allusion was lost on the uneducated prince, she said : — " Quite so, on the wings of the Bird of Jove." * The young man became crimson. He was con- vinced that there was some bitter sneer in the words of Domitia, and he was ashamed at his inability to comprehend the allusion. " What I intend for you," said he, moving from the doorway to where he could observe her face, " what I intend for you is what there is not another woman in Rome who would not give her jewels to obtain." " Then I pray you address yourself to them. Pay ivas to the " Peace " of Aristophanes. Trygdeus to the Gods on the back of a dung-beetle. was The referen carried 'i By a Razor. Lam.a! laughed Domitian. "You ire f. k My mother has no more power over me I .„, , of the paternal family." ^ ^"^°"^ [[ You will consent yourself." " Who will make me ? " •■That will I. I, is easy to rend apart—" Dom.fa, be adv.sed and do not incense me - I care not for mvsplf i u^ u . -go. Take,ifyou il tlTim °"'"'^^^- ^^^ that of Lamia, but let us retire o 7 ^'''P''"'^' *^^'^ farm and be quiet tier. , ^ '"' '" '^"^^ ^'^^le Italy-1 ut dotrsetlt '^ -- You talk at random. Follow me." "Come -Lamia awaits you," said Domitian Then the girl started to her feet "He IS here! You will be generous y,h ■ . " Come with me." Senerous,-hke a prmce ! " She now followed with beatin^r heart H u , were flushed a smrHo • u ^ ^^^ cheeks bat": tti'"e':t:!'ed T°" °' '"= ^""' "'■^■^ -- *e ciuered the warm room Thpi-e n saw at once La^ia, stripped ataost to Ihe" Ik.xT,:,: i: ',H Ul • H' !o6 Domitia. 1 i ! :' by soldiers of the prince's guard, his mouth gagged, and a surgeon standing by with a razor. She would have sprung to him and thrown her arms around him, had she not been restrained. "];)omitia," said the young Cesar; "you will sec how that to divorce you is in my power, unless you consent to it yourself, and give yourself to me." Domitia trembled in every limb. She looked with distended eyes at Lamia, who liad no power to speak, save with his eyes, and they were fixed on her. A large marble bath stood near, and both hot and cold water could be turned on into it. She knew but too well what the threat was. Seneca had so perished under Nero, — by the cutting of the veins he had bled to death. Petronius, master of the Revels to the s^.Kie tyrant, had suffered in the same manner, and as his blood flowed he had mocked and hearkened to ribald verses till the power to listen and to flaunt his indifference were at an end. And now the second Nero, not yet full blown, but giving earnest of what he would be, was threatening Lamia with the same death. It was not a gradual and painless extinction, but a death of great suffering, for it led to agonizing cramps, knotting the muscles, and contracting the limbs. Domitia knew this — she had heard the dying agonies of Seneca and Petronius described,— and she looked with quivering lips and bloodless cheeks on him whom she loved best — on the only one in the world she loved, threatened with the same awful death. She would do anything short of taking the Cssar Domitian as her husband in place of him to whom she til gagged, a her arms u will see inlcss you nc. )okcd with r to speak, icr. th hot and IS. Seneca ing of the KiC tyrant, his blood bald verses idifference dIowh, but hreatening ;radual and ffering, for nscles, and 5 — she had Pctronius g lips and :st — on the d with the the Cssar I whom she By a Razor. was bound by the mom- q-,^. i .• ^°^ that to save L Hf "„7V"nh ""'■-^'"^"""ff ^'">n of own swam with teirs ->n,i . '^'''"''i'' ^yes, but her would advise. ' '"^ ''^^^ '''''^'' "^^ ''-•acl what he " My child," said her mother "of m. • • very sad, and tlua sort of thing-but itTs .T, '' ''^ f -. I a wilful girl ,vi„ not be b^d " '""'^ '^' any other way-well, k is a pity '' ^ '■''''°" '" ^r^omitian turned to Domitia. that in his place you accept I^" ^ " """ '""'■ "'"I Domitia turned i.er face away, ■so bo it," said lie " c;,,,„ With a s,as,. of the ra.or ZT" "" 'T'" anattery was severed, and t Ibl .''m' '7''= '""■ forth. ^''^'^'^ Diood spurted "Srytu:fb^:rre^.^:ij^i,^'-"--'" beliind. " You were b^n /^l .u"' ^'^ ? >'ho stood for the ■H ! 11^ J purple. 308 Domitia. CHAPTER XXVI. INTKRMBZZO. :| 1 If I • \ The dramatic composer has this fjrcat advantage over the novcHst, that when he has to allow for a cer- tain amount of timc,~iL may be for years — to elapse between the i)arts of liis play, he lowers the curtain, the first or second act is concluded, ices, oranges are taken round in the stalls ; the orchestra strikes up an overture, the gentlemen retire to the promenade gal- lery for a cigar, and the ladies discuss their acciuaint- ances, and the toilette of those in the boxes, after hav- ing explored the theatre with their glasses. At Munich and Bayreuth, at the performance of Wagner's operas, the space allowed between tlic acts is sufficient for a walk and for a meal. Thus the lapse of time between the parts of a drama is given a real expression, and tlie minds of those who have followed the first part of the story are prepared to accept a change in the conditions of the performers, such as could be brought about solely by the passage of time. But a novelist has no such assistance, he is not able to produce such an illusion ; even when his story ap- pears in a serial, he is without this advantage, for the movement of his tale, when it is rapid, is artificially delayed by the limitations laid down by the editors of the magazines, and the space allotted to him, and when dvantafjc for a ccr- :o elapse curtain, .ngcs are :es up an nade gal- ac(]uaint- iftcrliav- nance of the acts the lapse en a real followed accept a , such as : of time, not able itory ap- , for the rtificially iditors of md when 1 Intermezzo. a Grcdc cl or , „ sV f.Tf"'' " ""■ '" '"' '""^'"^'' '''<'= t.'l' the"?- "use Dl";;;::H,aTi':,^ '"? .?■■'•"'■ -^^ '^--o arrogated to hin.:,;,' r uT, c, ,1 be """" '"' '"" hun by the Senate, in „is fathl! IbLte'^:';^ Emperor was vastly disnleas.vl -f .1, °''' >- younger son, and .. o ^.^ , , ^^ .?,'",:"'"" °' with him, had he not been d ' ; 7 ''■"" ''^'"'''>' Titus, who pointed out, that t" ™'; Z^Z' "' ::e:j\oXt;r°'"''^-^-"'^---«'-."e:^^^^^ fully watched and restr u' «1 " '"'^'y =-^P'-'''"°". care- natural disposition, cl If a li? T""^, '""' '° '"' and at the Larked ma „ ,1 ll;" "^'^'^ '"-""-'y. his elder brotl which he was set behind salem, had .ained ar";'":-,':^ ''',^- "P"'"- <>' J 14 a me cru. i. fl and had attached the sol- 210 Dotnitia. . I ; diery to him. Domitian was known to the miHtary only by his abortive attempt to pluck the laurels in Germany from the brow of his kinsman Cerealis, for the adorn- ment of his own head. Domitian was granted none af the titles that indi- cated association in the Empire. He was not suffered to take part in public affairs. His insolence in neglect- ing the duties of praitor of the city, as beneath his dignity, was punished in this manner. When Titus celebrated his triumph after the Jewish war, with un- usual magnificence, he and his father rode in chariots of state, but Domitian was made to follow on horse- back. When Vespasian and his eldest son showed themselves in public, they were carried on thrones, whereas Domitian was made to attend in the rear in a litter. The envious, ambitious young prince, under this treatment was driven to wear a mask, and he affected a love of literature, and indifference to the affairs of state. Titus, who knew less of him than his father, was deceived, but Vespasian was too well aware of the radically evil heart of his younger son to trust him in any way. Domitia was unable to escape from compulsary as- sociation with this imperial cub. Vespasian was un- willing to undo the past, and have the scandal raked up again, and public attention called to it. The minds of the volatile Romans had forgotten the circumstances and were occupied with new matters of gossip. Do- mitian married Domitia Longina, and the old Emperor after some consideraf on concluded that she should re- main his wife. But the relations between her and the prince were : t C 1 c i t 1 ary only Germany 2 adorn- hat indi- suffered neglect- eath his :n Titus with un- chariots »n horse- showed thrones, rear in a der this affected iffairs of is father, re of the st him in ilsary as- was un- [al raked he minds m stances sip. Do- Emperor hould re- ince were Intermezzo. 211 strained. She hated him for what he had done, and she made no attempt to affect a liking she did not feel. Lamia remained unmarried ; he had cared for no other woman, and he felt that there was not to be found one who could ever be to him what he had hoped Domitia would have proved. Once Titus asked him his reason for not marrying. '' Why do you inquire ? " said Lamia, with a bitter smile, " do you also wish to carry off my wife ?" On the death of the old Emperor, Titus succeeded without any difficulties being raised. His father had already associated him in the Empire and had gradually transferred the conduct of affairs to his hands. Hitherto the brothers had lived on very good terms with each other, at all events in appearance, and Do- mitian had been sufficiently prudent to veil his jealousy of Titus, who had shown himself kindly disposed to- wards his younger brother. On the accession of Titus, Domitian hoped to be associated with him in government in the same manner as Titus had been with his father. In this he was dis- appointed, his disappointment got the better of his prudence, and he declared that his brother had falsified the will of Vespasian, who had divided the power equally between them. On the first day of his reign, Titus designated Domitian as his successor, but he allowed him no in- dependent power; and the young prince at once involved himself in intrigues and sought to rouse the troops to revolt, and to proclaim him in place of Titus. The condition of Domitia would have been more intolerable than it was it that Vespasian, up to h is ![■ 1 1 b lit Domitia. death, retained his younger son about his person, in Rome, and it was but rarely that the prince was able to escape to his villa, at Albanum, where Domitia re- mained in seclusion. And his visits there were not only few and far between, but also brief. ^ He was in bad humor when there, at liberty to vent his irritation at the manner in which he was treated by his father, and the behavior towards him of Domitia was not calculated to dispel his vapors. A considerable change had come over her face. The expression had altered ; it had been full of sweetness, and the muscles had been flexible. Now it was hard- set and stern. Domitian cursed her for the fascination she still exercised over him. It was perhaps her unyielding temper, her openly expressed scorn, and her biting sarcasms which stung him to maintain his grip on her, knowing that this was to her torture. Yet her beauty exercised over him a hold from which he could not escape. His feelings towards her were a mixture of passionate admiration and savage resentment. From every one else he met with adulation, or at least re- spect, from her neither. His will was a law to a legion of sycophants, to her it was something she seemed to find a pleasure in defying. Domitia nursed her resentment, and this soured her nature and reflected itself in her features. In the long Chiaramonte Gallery of the Vatican Museum is an exquisite and uninjured bust of Domitia Longina as a girl ; die face is one that holds the passer. by, it is so sweet, so beautiful, so full of a glorious soul. In the Florence Gallery is one of the same woman ( Intermezzo. still, but the bo"ut , I / ,'• ^"""'y ""= '"« ■■» darkened life broods over it ' ''""'°^" "' ^ "ft^™erb;tc:fp''t'''"^''^ understand I daMglitrwriV °"''" """' "°' table and failure to ky hold o , '■'"'■■'" ""= '■""'- as she termed it, " eatl' S.^' ?>:X:X'T' ""'■ the less inclined she , VI, t„ , l ',°'''''^"''-^SKW, the more frivolous and I. "*"°"'fJg'= ''^■'- ^-ge, and ■iivoious and sclienimo; she bcnm,. ci was never weary of wcavinir litfl "-,''"'™'- She a..d of contriving plani .™ „ • "''" °' ™y""y was a supper. '^1^ '=,';„ 'h;^7::''"r"!^-^^ yet was withal of a frugal mind , °''<-'"'at,on, costly dishes, or broached Tj'h"f "™" °"''""' calculation that they wot'M leld ot ualirrers"" --ow strongly sh"' dtiifd he':::;orbt'i;'"'"^'='"'' •self was never able to nU ' ^onutia her. aged Emperor, :„d Dniha Zl™ '"'"""^ '^"" "- that the marr ase had h P""" '° ■■"'"■'= '"'"' >- approval, Zt h , o",^:;:',:?" ""■'■^'',^ -■•'" The penod was not one in which the personal feel. III ."il 11" 214 Domitia. ings of a girl were counted as deserving of much thought, certainly not of being considered by an Em- peror, and Vespasian took no steps to relieve Domitia. Titus was better aware of the facts, and had some notion of the wrench it had been to the young married people, but he was not desirous of having the matter reopened. It would not conduce to the credit of the Phvian house, nd that was in his eyes a matter of paramount consideration — as the process of deification of the Flavians had already begun. BOOK II. CHAPTER I. AN APPEAL. J What can I do for thee, Domitia? " asked Titus who was pacng the room ; he halted before tl yo n"^ She h"d 7f ' "^ "" '"^^''"^ °" ^^-^ mosaicl"' the iL , ? ''"'"'^^^ °' '''' introduction into the Imperial palace to make an appeal to Titus now Emperor. She had not been allowed to appear therl during the reign of Vespasian. ^^ Titus was a tall, solidly built man, with the neck of a bull; he had the same vulgarity of aspe t that characterized both his father and brother and wh 1 was also conspicuous in his daughter ju a ' The \ f Flavian family looked, what it\vas, If 4;ob^:|t -there was none of the splendid beauty that belonS d to Augustus, and to the Claudian family U.at ucceed^d Their features were fleshy and coarse,fheir movements w. hout grace, their address without dignity If they attempted to be gracious, they spoiled the graciousness by clumsiness in the act; ff they did \ Titus had not borne a good character before his ele vation to the purple. He had indulged in coar'e vices" had shown himself callous toward i^.-^-^- rr ' Yet there was his muddy natu I U re a spark of p-ood 211 u'M 2l6 Domitia. m ill If ML: feeling, a desire to do what was right, a rough sense of justice and much family affection. It was a disappointment to him that ho had but one child, a daughter, a gaunt, stupid girl, big-boned, amiable and ugly. He knew that Domitian, his younger brother, would in all probability succeed him, but he also was childless. Next to him, the nearest of male kin, were the sons of that Flavius Sabinus, who had been butchered by the Vitellians, and their names were Sabinus and Clemens. The former was much liked by the people, he was an upright grave man. The second was regarded with distrust, as a Christian. It was not the fact of his fol- lowing Ti strange religion that gave offence. To that Romans were supremely indifferent, but that which they could not understand and allow was a man with- drawing himself from the public service, the noblest avocation of a man, because he scrupled to worship the image of the Emperor, and to swear by his genius. They regarded this as a mere excuse to cover inertness of character, and ignobility of mind. For the like reason. Christians could not attend public banquets or go to private entertainments as the homage done to the gods, and the idolatrous offerings associated with them, stood in their way. The pro- fession of Christianity, accordingly, not only debarred from the public service, but interfered with social amen- ities. Such withdrawal from public social life the Romans could not understand, and they attributed this conduct to a morbid hatred entertained by the Chris- tians for their fellow-men. The public shows were either brutal or licentious. The Christians equally refused to be present at the gladiato- An Appeal. 217 rial combats and at the coarse theatrical representations of broad comedy and low buffoonery. This also was con- sidered as indicative of a ^doomy and unamiable spirit. There were indeed heathen men who loathed the fnghtiul butchery in the arena, such, was the Emperor T,benus,-and Pliny in his letters shows us that to some men of his time they were disgusting, but never- theless they attended these exhibitions, as a public duty, and contented themselves with exoressing objec- tion to them privately. The objection was founded on tas^e, not principle, and therefore called for no public expression of reprobation. Clemens was quite out of the question as a successor. If he was too full of scruple to take a pra^torship, he was certamly unfit to be an emperor. Not so Flavins Sabmus his elder brother. Him accordingly, Domitian looked upon with jealousy. ^ " What can I do for thee ? " again asked Titus, and h.s heavy face assumed a kindly expression; "my child I know that thou hast had trouble and art mated to a fellow with a gloomy, uncertain humor; but what has been done cannot be undone " "Pardon me," interrupted Domitia, "it is that I desire ; let me be separated from him. I never, never desired to leave my true husband, Lamia, I was snatched away by violence— let me go back " "What! to Lamia! That will hardly do. Would he have thee?" "Tainted by union with Domitian, perhaps not ' " exclaimed Domitia fiercely. " Right indeed-he would " Nay, nay," said Titus, his brovv cloi ^1 f . ! M I ' word as that is impious clouding, " such a and in another would be trea- :■(-;! 2l8 Domitia. M i ! / . ,1 ,. son. Domitia, you have a bitter tongue. I have heard my brother say as much. But I cannot think that Lamia would dare to receive thee again after having been the wife of a Flavian prince." Domitia's lip curled, but she said nothing. These upstart Flavians made a brag of their consequence. "Then," said she, " let mc go to my old home at Gabii. I have lived in seclusion enough at Albanum to find Gabii in the current of life — and my mother and her many friends will come there anon. Let me go. Let there be a divorce — and I will go home and paddle on the lake and pick flowers and seek to be heard of no more." " It would not do for you and Lamia to be married again. It would be a political error ; it might be dan- gerous to us Flavians." *' I should have supposed, in your brand-new di- vinity that a poor mouse like myself could not have scratched away any of the newly-laid-on gold leaf." " Domitia," said Titus, who had resumed his walk, " be careful how you let that tongue act — it is a file, it has already removed some of the gilding." A smile broke out on his face at first inclined to darken. " There ! There ! " said he, laughing ; " I am not a fool. I know well enough what we were, as I feel what we have become. Caligula throw mud, the mud of Rome, into the lap of my grandfather, because he had not seen to the efficient scouring of the streets. It was ominous — the soil of Rome has been taken away from the divine race of Julius — and has been cast into the lap of us money-lenders, pettyfogging at- torneys of Reate. Well I the Gods willed it, Domitia — it is necessary for us to make a display." An Appeal. ^^^ '' Push, as my mother would say." Well— push— as you will it n„f j ;«■ T 11. •'^ ^oas ; i do not wonder af- ■t. I would be torn by wild horse,, myself rXTth abandon you, had I been so fortunate—" """ bire, so wicked " "Well, well! you must excuse Domitian. Love they say, rules even the Gods, and is stronger than wme to turn men's heads." ^'tronger than He clapped his hands. A slave appeared " Send hither the Casar," he ordered Th, i u , withdrew. ^^^ ordered. I he slave bowed and Domitian entered next moment. He must h-ivn h. waiting in an adjoining apartment. "" ^''" "Come hither, brother," said Titus. "I have a suppliant at mv feet ;inri ,.,!,.«. ^ her petition ?'^ ' ''^'' '"^^^^^ >^°" ^'^^ been Domitian looked down. He had apouting disdainful I>P. a dogged brow, and eyes in which nr er d d . sparkle flash; but his face^ushed readily not with modesty, but shyness or an-er ; f'f'^/C said Domiti^,, « I know well enough at Ls so"i 'to k "'''' "^^°^"P ^"^ i>bo and whether h "J "^' '' ' ^"'^"'^^- ^ ^now not vhcther .he use a love-philtre so as to hold me? I know not If .t be her very treatment of me wl'ch makes f- ^f ^■ii 220 Domitia. )' ' i .11 li B^^ ^K^ iai 1 If me love her the more. Love her ! It is but the turn- ing of a hair whether I love or hate licr most. I know what is her petition without being told, and I say— I refuse consent." " Listen to what I have to propose," said Titus, " and do not blurt out your family quarrels before I speak about them. It is not I only, but all Rome, that knows that your life together is not that of Venus's doves. It is unpleasant to me, it detracts from the dignity of the Flavian family "—he glanced aside at his sister-in-law, and his lips quivered, " that this cat-and- dog existence should become the gossip of every noble house, and a matter of tittle-tattle in eve-y wine-shop. Make an end to it and repudiate her." Domitian kept his eyes on the floor. Domitia looked at him for his answer with eagerness. He turned on her with a vulgar laugh and said :— " Vixen ! I see thee— naught would give thee greater joy than for me to assent. I should see thee skip for gladness of heart, as I have never seen thee move thy little feet since thou hast been with me ! I should hear thee laugh— and I have heard no sound save flout from thee as yet. I should see a sun dance in thine eyes, that perpetually lower or are veiled in tears. Is it not so? "— He paused and looked at her with truculence in his face—" and therefore, for that alone, I will not consent." " Listen further to me, Domitian," said Titus ; " I have a proposiiion to make. Separate from Domitia, send her back " " What, into the arms of Lamia ? " "No, to Gabii. She shall be guarded there, she shall not remarry Lamia." " I shall take good heed to that." " Hear me out, Domitian. I have but one child, I the turn- I know I say — I us, "and I speak mc, that " Vcnus's rom the do at his cat-and- ry noble ine-shop. Domitia e turned 2 greater skip for !Ove thy uld hear >ut from ^es, that so?"— 2 in his )nsent." tus; "I )omitia, :re, she i child, "I iiAlB hkr! ■' /'.(^v 2^^r. iiil< i f An Appeal. Julia. The voice of the pconl well pleased with ourl aai people has proclaimccl itself peace and prosperity at home, and loiisc. We have given to R jelicve that there are fe w who ome vir^wr\ .broad. I ,.„.... , ., , - -regard nu- unhi orably. JJu >t rs no so w.th thee. Thy f„Ily. h,. disorders, thy v.olence, before our father came to Rom ■ ;,ave :..t b n forgottenorforg.ven,andScnateandp..o.v lookonthee w.th m.strust. I will give thee Julia to ^ifc. It is true she ,s thy mece-bu t since Claudius took Agrippina-^' ^^ Thanks, 1 m,s, I have no appetite for muihrooms." i Tut you know Julia, a good-hearted jade." ^^ I w.U not consent," said Domitian surlily Hear nrie out, brother, before making thy decision anc^rer— •' "' '^'^ J"^'^' ^'^^"^ ' ^'-'' ^^^ ^- to "To whom?" asked Domitian looking up. He at once perce.ved that a danger to himself lurked behind thus proposal. The husband of Juliamight contest his claims to the throne, should the popularity of Titus grow with years, and his own decline. "I .shall give her to our cousin, Flavins Sabinus " Domitian was silent, and moved his hands and 'feet uneasily. ^^'- Looking furtively out of the corn, rs of his eyes he saw a flash of hope in those of Domitia ' .f ^^ M"^ ^'.!,^'^^' ""^ ^°°^'"S ^^'th leaden eyes at his brother, said :-- -^ " Still I refuse." "The consequences-have you considered them ? " Domitian turned about, and made a tiger-like 'lean at Domitia and catching her by hershouldeS said •- ' 1 hate her. IvvJlI ricUoii r-<-li-rf' • i- i—-. .i.i, ratncrtiian jctnergofree." J The allusion was to the death of Claudius attrihnt^rf fo • .. mushrooms administered to him by his .if.iLce A^na '""""^ . J v! J ) 222 Domitia. CHAPTER II. THE FlSh. DOMITIAN had been accorded by his bromer a portion of the palace of Tiberius on the Palatine Hill, that was crowded with imperial residences : and Domitia had been brought there from Albanum. She was one day on the terrace. The hilltop was too much encumbered with buildings to afford much space for gardens, but there were platforms on which grew cypresses, and about the balustrades roses twined and poured over in curtains of flower. Citrons and oleanders also stood in tubs, and against the walls glistened the burnished leaves of the pomegranate; the scarlet flowers bloomed in spring and the warm fruit ripened till it burst in the hot autumn. Domitia, seated beside the bab-strade, looked over mighty Rome, the teeming forum, roofs with gilded tiles of bronze, lay below her, f-ashing in the sun, and beyond on the Capitol, white as snow, but glinting with gold, was the newly completed temple of Jupiter, rebuilt in greater splendor ' han before sinco the disastrous fire. The hum of the city came up to her as the murmur of a sea, not a troubled one, but a sea of a thousand wavelets trifling with the pebbles of a beach, and dancing in and out amono^ the teeth of a reef; a hum not unlike that of the bees— but somewhat louder, and pitched on a lower note. f t 1: c c n re te ar pi ! ! ^r a portion 11, that was Jinitia had lilltop was ford much on which ses twined itrons and the walls mate ; the /arm fruit aked over ith gilded : sun, and iting with er, rebuilt itrous fire. e murmur thousand ;ach, and f; a hum uder, and The Fish. ,2, Domitia paid no attention to the scene, nor to the had"bt T;." r'^'"'' '''''' ''^' i--'-b-' that had bi ought forth uno the sun, in order that she might count over her treasures. ^ At a respectful distance sat Euphrosyne spinning. Dom. ,. had some Syrian filagree gold work in her hand- 1 formed a decoration for the head, to be fastened by two pins; the heads were those of owl with opals for eyes. She laid it aside and looked at her rings and brooches There was one of the latter, a cameo given her by "; rno her, of coral of two hues, a Medusa's head, a beau B it sir;' ", r- ?™ *= '""^ "P ^ -*'ace of British pearls from the Severn, she twisted it about he arm and lovely were the pure pearls against he delicate flesh.-iike the dainty tints on the rose and --■-■h.te coral of the brooch she had laid aside She replaced the chain, and took up a cornelian fish, this l"lf tT"'" ^^'d Do-^itia, " come hither ! observe this fish Thy sister gave it me the day I was married but alack It brought me no luck. Think you it is an omen^ofm? But Glyceria would not hav'e give! m^ '■ Nay, lady, the fish brings the greatest happiness." What IS Its meaning? It is a strange symbol. It must have some purport." The slave hesitated about answering rnJn^rn^'''""^ steps on the pavement, and looking round Dom.t.a called-" Thou ! Elymas ! who pre m^utt '' It '? ''"^^' ^"^^^^^ -'^^'■^' I have' n amulet-a fish— what doth it portend ? " purpTe/'"'"''' "'"''"• ^^^^ ^'-^ ^he imperial f '■ M : ; 1, if r ■! '■■■ 1 ^^'y tpt "' w ■ k I. ^Hl |- ^^^^^B ' iJl Hf !' BHI^W %t ^ph ■ H 2:14 Domitia. " IJiih ! It is nomurcx, not a sea snail but a fish. What is the signification ? " " Lady, to one so high, ever-increasing happiness." " Away ! you are all wrong. Happiness is not where you deem it. False thou art, false to thy creed. T/iou speak of a divine ray in every man and woman ! an emanation from the Father of Light, quivering, battling, straining to escape out of its earthly enve- lope and soar to its source ! — thou speak of this, and in all thy doings and devisings seekcst what is sordid and dark ! " The gloomy man folded his cloak about him, and look- ing at her from under his penthouse brows answered : — " Thou launchest forth against me without reason. Knowest thou what is a comet ? It is a star that cir- cles about the sun and from it drinks in all the illumi- nation it can absorb, like as the thirsty soil in summer sucks in the falling rain, or the fields the outflow of the Alban Lake ; then it flies away into space, and as it flics it sheds its effulgence, becoming ever more dim till it reaches infinite darkness and is there black in the midst of absolute nigritude. Then it turns and comes back to replen" h its urn." " Nay," said Domitia, " that can never be. When all light is gone, then all desire for return goes like- wise. I know that in myself — I — I am such a comet. When I was a child I longed, I hungered for the light, and in my days of adolescence it was the same, only stronger — it was as a famine. I was the poor comet sweeping up towards my sun ; but where my sun was, that — in the vast abyss of infinity — I knew not. I sought and found not, I sought and shed my glory, till there was but a faint glimmer left in me ; ; The Fish. 1 but a fisli. 225 and novv-now all light is extinguished, and with it desire to know, to love, to be happy, to return." Madam, you, as the comet, are reaching your apogee, your extreme limit; you must shed all your light before you can return to the source of light " T ■u^f^'^'^l '', ^^'""^ ^^^^ P^^'Iosophy ? The Father of Light sends forth his ray to expire in utter darkness, pi-edestined this ray of light to extinction. If so-then He ,s not good. And yet," she sighed, "it is so. I am such. In blackness of night. Look you, Elymas when I was a child, I laughed and danced ; I cannot dance, I can but force a laugh now. I once loved the flowers and the butterflies ; I love them no more. My light IS gone. The faculty of enjoyment is gone wihit. Do 1 want to return? To what ? To the source of light that launched me into this misery? No not into that cold and cruel fate. Let me go on my 'inky way, I have no more light to lose-I look only to go out as a fallen star and leave nothing behind me." " What ! when a great future is before you ? " "What future? you have none to offer me that I value Away with your hints concerning the purple- it IS the sable of mourning to me." She panted. The tears cam- into her eyes. " It is you who have wrecked my life-you— you It was you who devised that crime-when I was snatched away from the only man I loved-the only nian with whom I could have been happy-..whom I~" she turned aside and hid her face. Then recoverinr hersel but with a cheek glistening with tears, she said: I admit it, I love still, and ever shall love. iiont thinks fe, for he on me. Ther^; could darkness be deeper than 'If, i I' 226 ) Domitia. H/i if i in L'4i K t 1 ir.y no.v condition? And you did it, you betrayed me into the hands-" she had sufucicnt sclf-conLl no to say to whom, before this n.an and her slave Lady, It is not I, but Destiny." " And you,with your tortuous ways, work to ends that you desire, and excuse it by saying, It is Destiny." What discussing the lore of emanations, h'ttle woman ? asked the Emperor, coming suddenly up. H-lymas stood back and assumed a deferential atti- tude. T.tus waved him to withdraw, and was obeyed Ihen he tooK Domitia by the hand. " A philosopner, are you ? " "No, I ask questions, but get no answers that con- tent me. " Ah ! you asked a favor of me the other day and spiced It with a sneer— your jibes hit me." " I meant not to give pain " " I have come to you touching this very matter I am not sure, child, that the scandal is not greater so long as you and Domitian remain linked together and pulling opposite ways, than if you were parted Y^ur quarrels are now the talk of Rome, and many a cutting jest IS put into your pretty mouth at our expense^ mvented by others, attributed to you." ;' You will have us divorced!" her breath came quick and short. "Listen to what I propose. Domitia, I am not well. I have this accursed Roman fever on me." "Sire, I mark suffering in your face." _ " It has been vexing me for some days, and it is my intent to leave Rome and be free from business and take my cure at Cutilia^-our old .state in the Sabine country. Perhaps the air, the waters of the old home I The Fish. u betrayed self-control r slave. o ends that ;stiny." ions, little enly up. mtial atti- cs obeyed. that con- day and latter. I reater so ther, and d. Your a cutting expense ; :h came am not it is my less and i Sabine d home, the nest of our d 227 but there was a srd exp ivine family—" his mouth twitched do me good. It is somethine. D ssion in his face—" they may the soil that bent w g, JJomitia, to stand on ey as turned by one's forbears, when th as humble farmers over the plough. They were honest men and happy ; and when one is down at heart there is naught like home-the old home where are the bones of one's ancestors, though they may have been yeomen, and one a commissioner, and another an usurer, and so on. They were honest men. Aye ! the rate-collector, he was an honest man. Here all is false, and unreal, and-Domitia-~I feel that I want to stand on the soil where my worthy, humble, dear o d people worked and worshipped, and laid them clown to die, "You are downcast indeed," said Domitia " And because downcast, I have been brooding over your troubles, little sister-in-law. Come ! I did some- thing for your poor Lamia,-I made him consul, and I vvill do more. Can you be patient and tarry till my strength is restored ? I shall return from my family farm in rude health, I trust, and by the Gods ! the first matter I will then take in hand will be yours I know what my brother is. By Jupiter Capitolinus* ! if Rome should ever have him as its prince, it will weep tears of blood. I know his savage humo.. and hi^ sullen mind. No, Domitia, you cannot be happy v him. A cruel wrong was done you, and when I return from Cutiha. I will right it. You shall be separated ! " bhe threw herself at his feet. He smiled, and withdrawing from her clasp, said :- _ I will do more than that for your verv -ood fncnd, in whom you still take such a lively interest 228 Domitia. I shal find means to advance him to some forelen post-he knows Antioch, I will .,ive him the procon- sul.hip of Syria and Cilicia, and so move him r.vay from Rome. And then-" he took a turr, locked sm.h; gly at Domitia, and said,-" I do not sec tha. you uccd mop. .t Gabii. You know Antioch ; -.-on were there for u.rac years. It "s, I believe, not well for a governor to take his wife with him ; she has the credit oi being a ve-y h ,rse-lcech to the province. But I can trust thee, liiUc woman! There, no thanks, J seek mine own interest, and to protect our divine images and the neiv gilding from the rasp of that tongue. That is the true motive of my making this offer. Do not thank me. On my return from Cutilic-e you may reckon on me." Then hastily brushing away her thanks, and evading her arms, extended to clasp him, he walked from the terrace. " Euphrosyne ! " cried Domitia, " did you hear ' The comet has reached its extreme limit, it is turning-it is^drawing to the light-to hope. Happiness is near- In her excitement she had struck her jewel-case that stood on the marble balustrade, and sent it, with all its costly contents, flying down the precipice into the thronged lanes at the back of the forum in a glittering "Ye Gods!" gasped Domitia, "the omen! O ye Crods! the bad omen." ^ " Lady," said Euphrosyr-, "all is not lost." " What remains ? Ah leFish!" .. "l^"' T^'^'' ^^^''' ^'^^^^^ ^" else "is lost, remem.,. • the Fish. 'i^i^''^'^'^ n! O ye ■cmemi)w„; 3me foreign tlio procon- i him "'vay UJTi, lo >kcfj ot sec that, itioch ; you e, not well she has the ^ince. 15 u I thanks, I our divine sp of that lakin^r this )m Cutilic-e nc! evading 1 from the ear ! The urning— it s is near — 1-case that A'ith all its into the glittering In the " Insula." 339 CHAPTER Ml. IN THE "INSULA." niglitmarc, said Domitia to herself. " He is awav wl.y he has attended Titus to the Sabine land S~ not, unless the E„,peror could not trust him in RoTI -or may be, ,n his goodness he has done it to rehe^ me of h,s presence. I „i|| g, ,ee ,ny mother." tri^r't?"":"' '" """ '"" ^=^'"^- She had no tnnlvcts to put on, .save the fish of cornelian Mfr Dom t,a pa,d her a visit she adorned herself to please the old lady,_„ow she could not assume jewelry asshe had lost all her articles of precious ston s a 7me Ul So she hung the cornelian amulet about her neck. . When a Roman lady went forth in palanquin it was n some state. Before her went two heralds in' livery to clear the way and announce her coming at the scent hoHl ^f "f." ' °' '"■■■■ °"'" '"=•'=• '^-■■■■ylng her 1 ink it oI'm T^"'"' ''"'■ '"" "'»'»" *e might tnmk It possible she would require , Domitia was impatient of display, but it had been ■mposed on her by the Emperor. « The F avians " .aid he smiling, " must make a show in public "' yeChairMl'' ™^■-'"•■- P"»d expected to wear yellow hair, if she would be in the fashion. Under the 'ii' ■;*-*li l-i..s. ajo Domitia. Ill' dliii. Flavians, ,t was a compliment to the rci.„i„„ p,;„^^, to affect tl„s color. It was „ue that the word Z" meant anything in color, from mud upward, to win m.ght be termed yellow by courtesy, ,'t was ml.llyed as descnpfvc of the Tiber, that was of the din, iest of drabs, and of the Campagna when every particle o vege,at,on was burnt up on it, and the tone was hat o the dnst.heaps. But now that the parsnip.ha ed Flavians were divine and all-powerful, the adjVc ve was employed to describe the harvest field and goU Lad.es talked of their hair as " (lavan " when it had been dyed with .saffron and dusted with gold. No "o have yellow hair was expressive of disaLtion to 1 e dynasty_so every lady who would be in the f-rshion and eveo: husband who wanted office, fir bl a S and then dyed their hair, and as hair was occasStiy thm, t.,ey employed vast masses of padding and borrowed cods from German " fraus " fo make the trdti:trvk'''*'°^^''^'-'-^-'»--''°-o^ Domitia dared not be out of faslifon, and she was constrained to submit to having her chestnut l^a" dredged w:th gold-dust before she went forth on h vsit. For her, conspicuously to wear her hair in s "on'andt' "'•"'' '' ^"^^ ^"^^ ^^^^^'^^ -"-c^- s on. and been mterpreted as a publication, in most defiant manner, of the domestic discord that w^s a t"p of gossip m the saloons of Rome ^ When she had entered her palanquin, she gave her orders and was carried lightly down the slopfng ro\d mt. the l^orum. This was crossed, and theu'dr^^^g back the curtams of her litter, she said — ^ " Eboracus, tell the fellows not to go at once to the In the " Insula. ing- princes word flavus ds to what s employed dingiest of particle of e was that snip-haired : adjective \ and gold, len it had I. Not to ion to the e fashion, bleached casionally ding and make the house of she was -nut hair th on her air in its imadver- in most tsa topic gave her ing road drawing 2 to the Carinc-B. I have a fancy to actor, in the Insula of Castor and'poll e was placing with the fish 931 see the wife of Paris the m Sh suspended on hei tic thought had come .0 her that .she had „„t seen Glycena for a long thne, and that now wa.s a good occa.,on as her husband-whom these visits annoyed and^who had u, fact forbidden them-was absent f^om' The porters at o„ce entered the narrow, tortuous lanes, where the lofty blocics of buildings cut ^ff all sun and made twilight in midday. As Domitia stepped out of her litter, she saw com- mg down the street, a man much i„ the company of Domujan, for whom she entertained a particular dis- like. He was a very daric man, and blind ; his face was pomted. and his nose long; he ran ^vith prc^ ectmg head turnn.g his sharp nose from side to sWe sam-us ^"'"'•■- '"' ""'' ""^ ^"'"i- Mes! One of his slaves whispered something into his ear and he tw,sted about his head, and then came tmtting ni the direction of the litter of Domitia ^ "Quick," said she, "I must go in; I will not speak rthe'mt"""- ^''--^^'--.-y I am output She at once entered the block of lodgin Sure v , " '"'"''"' """ actl'rVtvin. '"' P.:'r '° ■; '"■•"'. ■'^■«^"'" ••■"■--red ,l,e ' -^ "'" • i -ins performs n thcrmnri r^l i i "' G'-'k only ; in tl,;,,e of .!■ ,cl yluf " " ■''■T" and .So|,i,oeies, he i,, a tragie acto";„d •■;',""'"''•" --an .niled, .• p..l,ap.'l,„n,e'';;„u; l-„aM: 'lie' l.iUKl.ler out of ln,„. /[e h -i sn,l l, , . comedy. Now the taste of R „,' t„"7,:" masterpiece, of the aneients. The peoole el " see an elephant danee on a tied.t rLT °' '° crucified ,vho ponrs forth blid'^ "^r ot.mp";^" To that the peo,r:ro:d"' Hor:::™ t.v^^'Tr^^' as a log about my Paris', neck butthantr 7', = his log and uould not be rid of i Jo I , ' ^' '°"" ■• But if you will suffer me to as^i's yo u " Tn "'' Giyceria shook her head "No Tar "f ^r""' fi:^;ti„;:^'^='-^--r'^-'-"='°^--^'.-orr .c:kppe;ras:::l;;-^^z- would all be in tear/and ed t L'a .hVht'i 7' ''" ""^^ and for myself, I could never be h;p^ ^ r.re^.: .wSi^drhrosI.^"^ -' '° "- "-• H" St *' None but the poor know " <;;ji-ri fi,^ • , Wnd how tender th'e poor::'to o t ZZTX. 7 .s abrotherhood-we are al, of one b,ood:l!;d ^eK.:"^ Jn the "Insula." ,,. "And I.-." said ihc ill-cat huly, lookinf; out on the balcony w„h .,s svvann of „.,,,,,, ,„,„e busy, son,. Kilo, nost m<.T,y_"AndI-"said she, drcu J y.-- I love the poor. ^ f,.nl?Ir'\'-''"\''' ''''' ^'■'" '''^''^'' "^''"" «••' not far fiom the Kin^rclom of Ifcavcn." She turned and started. She recollected hhn, that stately man with deep soft eyes. Luke, the I'hysician. ecp, sott "I am not surprised." he added, "if you be His d.scple," and he touched the cornehln fish It was not St. m^r, that in this splendid lady with go den ha.r he did not reco.Mii.e the timid, crushed g.H w.th auburn locks, he had seen on the Artemis. Bu the recollection of that ,n%;ht came back with a rush he a tulal wave, over Domitia, and she Zcw fcth the question. " Why did you cut the thongs- He did not coniprehend her. She saw it " and added, "You do not recollect me. Do you not recall w en we nearly ran down the galley of \hat monste Nero ? On that n.ght, we would have sent him to the bottom of the sea, but for you.-you spoiled it all ; you cut the thon. of the rudder. Why did you pre vent us from doing it ? " j y^^x prt. "Because," answered the physician. " It is written Vengeance .s mme, I will repay, saith the Lord U was not for you to do it. You were not called to be the mmister of His sentence." " I understand you not." " My daughter- " " Hold ! " said Domitia. rearing herself up. " Dost o" l^now to whom thou addressest thvself ? T_t Z ^er.-^ I am Domitia tho ^'A Longina, daughter of the lU n . M m 1 1 236 great Corbulc Domitia. nd— " but she would not add, " wil the Caesar Domitian." " Well, lady," said Luke, " forgive me. I thou-ht seeing that sign on thy breast, and hearing thee'say that thou didst love the poor, that thou wast one whom, whatever thy rank and wealth and position I might so address, not indeed as one of the Brethren but as a hearer and a seeker— enough— I was mistaken "' "What means this fish?" asked Domitia, her wounded pride oozing away at once. " I pray you forgive me. I spoke hastily." " The fish," said he— But before he could offer any explanation, Paris ap- peared, his face expressive of alarm ; he had seen the servants in the imperial white below, and knew there- fore whom to find in his wife's lodgings. He hastily saluted her and said :— " Lady ! I beseech thee to go at once. Something has occurred most grave. Return immediately to the palace." "What is it? Tell me." " Madam, I dare not name it, lest it be untrue. To speak of it if untrue were to be guilty of High Trea- son." " High Treason ! " gasped Domitia. She knew what such a charge entailed. "The Cassar Domitian has passed at full gallop through the streets, his attendants behind him." "Whither has he gone?" " To the Praetorian barracks." " Ye Gods ! ' spoke Domitia, she could not raise her voice above a whisper. " Then the worst has happened. My light is out once more." f del, "wife of Another Appeal. 337 I thought, ng thee say u wast one i position I le Brethren, 5 mistaken." omitia, her I pray you ti, Paris ap- ad seen the ^t the aspect of the populace was clian-rccl I„Bt,.„i . 1, busy hum of trade, the calls of hu°c stcr ,ot , ^^ the™v.hful asti,l„esshadcon,co,: ;t^:l!.':« ;J smUed no yo,cc was raised, scarcely any .l-rso ." o ' d Ihose who had been bustliiie here ii d tl, - V ,' motionless trade had ceased. 1 s: d f o hat: rested the flow of life and reduced all its mani estatt™; o he lowest tern,. Such as had been running abo olloc ed ,„ clusters, and conversed In whispers. " I ° k faces rooked at Domitia as she entered her li ter with awed respect. ' '"' the fad""" ■' '''''' '"' ''' "'""'"^ ^' ''''' ' " -'-^ J' ^r^"""' ^ ''"°'' "°'- ^""^ ^^^11 ^^'^"fide what thcv seem to know or to suspect " ^ the Ca°rinr sli' "'f, f'"' " ' ""' '''" ™^ '"°"- •" iiie <.,arii>iE. She w.ll know everything " In another moment her train was in"movement and as she passed along, all bowed and saluted with 'theit hands ; they had done as much previously, but , „„ the earnestness that was now obaervrble. I ft he heart of Domitia was as it were a blade of ice trans Cd^pLt7^-"''-^'-'-'esthersu:m;:: li 238 Domitia. I- !i' ... , Z 'U .iiti She would not draw the curtains of her litter but looked at everything in the streets, and saw t at al were ni the same condition of stupefaction. On reaching tlie entrance to the palace occupied by her ^^th.r. Do.itia noticed another palan.^ln an!! d:;^' s^ri^o^cur^' ^^^-^^^ '- --''' '- ^-^y She passed the vestibule, traversed the Atrium and entered the Tablinum. But Lonra n,n-lf; there A slave coming up, saidTat sS d^tr w, h the Great Mother into a private apartment w] re she might not be disturbed. •'Well! I am no stranger. Lead the way " In another instant she was ushered into her mother's presence, and at once Duiiia bowed to her with pro found respect. ^ " Mother— what does this mean ? " " Here is the Lady Abbess, Cornelia, let me present her to your Highness." present " Mother-I salute the Lady Cornelia-what is this that has cast a shadow over Rome and frightened t^c people as with an eclipse ? " "^ "- " My dear, of course you have heard. It may be only^rumor and yet,-he was suffering when hflef^ wo J^ ?k' ; "^^ "°' '"^ '" • ^^^h^*-' withdraw your words of bad omen. Naught has befallen him 'I was but a slight fever." " So we esteemed it, but " " But. mother " Domitia panted. f her litter, but nd saw that all tion. cc occupied by palanquin and ivith the Lady i esteem her," le Atrium and ^uilia was not lie had entered iitment, where way." o her mother's her with pro- ct me present -what is this rightcned the It may be vhen he left ithdraw your en him! It Another Appeal. 239 " The news are weighty, and concern you vastly mv daughrer." " It is too horrible for me to think. Surely, surclv mother, it is false." " Plearken, my dear,— Lady Cornelia, come also to the top of the house. It is a fine situation for seeing and hearing, and out of all reach of eavesdroppers I hear shouts, I hear horns blowing. Come-specdily ' let us to the house-top." Laying hold of Domitia and the Vestal Superior by the wrists, she drew them with her to the roof. The silence that had fallen on Rome had passed away, the town was now resonant with horns and trumpets pealing from the Praetorian camp, with the shouting of many voices from the same quarter. In the streets, messengers were running, armed with knotted sticks, and were hammering at the doors of Senators to summon them to an extraordinary meeting The clash of arms resounded, so also the tramp of feet' as the city po.'ice marched in the direction of the PalatJne. Here and there rose loud cries, but what they signified could not be judged. In another moment Eboracus came out on the house- top, and hastening to his mistress, said :— "Madam, the Augustus-Titus, has beau The Ca,'sar Domitian is proclaimed Emperor by the troops. The vigilcs arc hastening in cohorts to swear allegiance." " I congratulate you— I congratulate you with all my heart!" exclaimed Longa Duilia, throwing her arms round her daughter. " I have reached thesJmmit of my ambition. I vow a kid to Febronia for her opportune-ahem !-but who would have thought the Roman fever would have been so speedy in bringing 111 t 240 Domitia. hi' us luck. Run, Eboracus, summon the housekeeper- order the anecstral masks to be exposed, all th box L' opened, dust the noses with the feather brush letTl" /«-. be garlanded. Tell Paulina to brin, out the be -cense, not the cheapest this time, and^ I vow .n gods. Who would have thought it ! I-I mother in an empress. I would danee on the house-top, but that my ^vls is not properly pinned, and might come off 1 must, I positively must embrace you again, Domitia- and you too, Cornelia, I am so happy !-As the Gods love me ! Wig pinned or not, I must dance ' ^; Let us go down," said Domitia in a hard tone. ^^ Come down, by all means," acquiesced her mother I mus see that the Gods be properly thanked. I stepped this morning out of bed left leg foremost 1 T knew some happiness would come to me to-day." As the Gods love me ! I'll give a little supper. Domitii ' whom shall I invite ? None of your second-cla s ml' now. There !- thought as much ; my wig has com dt'tcir""'-"^'"- D^ti^::!;;' ;i ''^ ^'^^^^ ''-'-'^' °^ ^^- ^^^y> " Mother— a word.' She was white, save that a flame was kindled on each cheek-bone and her eyes scintillated like burning coals We 1 my dear, I am all ears-even to my toes." Mother, he murdered him. I know it-I feared herevyas mischief meant, when Domitian attended him o Cu iha,^ and took Elymas with him. It was not fever that " ^ ' The left was lucky witl. the Ro.nans, the reverse with the Greeks, I le housekeeper ; -d, all the boxes r brush ; let the •iiig out the best nd I vow I will the household I— I, mother to -se-top, but that night come off. igain, Domitia ; —As the Gods ance." hard tone. ed her mother. )' thanked. I foremost. ^ I c to-day. As cr. Domitia ! ond-class men wig has come , and women of the lady, tidied on each turning coals, my toes." it — I feared attended him It was not th the Greeks, 1 1 "moihi.k^ II,.; jn-^j ''i-K],ii iii\i.'' /;, ■g' 2.1 o. »nH^ mil in'i. ii^ tl in Oi so do SOI Another Appeal. 241 "My dear, don't bother your head ihnnf .1 matters. They all do it W x ^ ^^'"^ God,,, .e o„.Le J°^U,^; ^Ir:;, '^J^f "- mus not say such things, not oven thi 'ti,;; '' I^: :™rt';w^hre:tSttr^^ feared what tL w , of 4 itus t 1"' '^ "V^'' "^■ might name as his suecesso M f '"•-"■''°"' ''« .-.e^st.ofaiiwin.XLsS;'"^''""^""''-"^ ^ Hist! the word is of bad omen." Well, my dear," said Longa Duili-r " T rl. . e'-rver'-rT °"^^^'^" att^jii:; rv:: see, everj night, stars drop out of the heaven.- H ^:Lr:jT"^''''; '"' thosclTth ; : Of course, it were much ,nK T "T'' °" ''•""■ ' sortofthi^B- butwr '° '■'^ '''■■sned-and all that do we rnlel;. In- " '"""^ "'= "°'-'"' "-'"" some addle." i6 eggs in a nest do not liatch out ■ , jllfi ,M, V" >, l! •i i'>^ It j Pi( 242 Domitia. Mother, I will not go back to him. you cannot do other. "Folly " I will not. My condition it will be worse now." was bad enough before, " Domitia, set your mind at rest. I have no doubt that there have been little unpleasantnesses. Man and wife do not always agree. Your poor father woulc not be ruled by me. If he had-ah me .'-Things would have been very different in Rome. But he suffered for his obstinacy. You must be content to take thino-,s as you find them. Most certainly it would be better in every way if peacocks had eyes on both sides of their tails, but as they have not, only very silly peacocks turn about and expose the eyeless side. Make the best of matrimony. It is not many marriages are like young walnuts, that you can peel off the bitter and eat only the sweet. In most, the skin adheres so tightly that you have to take the sweet with the gall, and be content that there is any sweet at all." " I shall go away. I will not return to the palace " "Go whither? the world belongs to Domitian. 1 here is not a corner where you can hide. There are officials, and when not officials— spies. I have no doubt that the fish in that tank put up their heads and wish they were butterflies to soar above the roof and get away and sport among the flowers, instead of going interminably about the impliivium. But my dear, they can't do it, so they acquiesce in tank exist- ence. Yours is the finest and best lot in the world — and you would surrender it ! From being a lioness you would decline to be a house cat ! " Domitia turned abruptly away, tears of anger and d-sappointment were in her eyes. ■:■'»: 243 nough before, lavc no doubt scs. Man and licr woulc not Things would hesuffered for take things as J be better in sides of their Billy peacocks ^ Make the iages are like bitter and eat 'es so tightly i gall, and be the palace." o Domitian. . There are I have no sir heads and the roof and , instead of /A But, my n tank exist- the world, — ng a lioness if anger and Another Appeal. She said in a muffled voice •— •' Lady Cornelia, will you come with me ? " am at your service," answered the Vestal "To the Atrium Vest.x," said Domitia. rum!::g7:::^^:-"°^^^^'^1-'^titudes, currents were endeavorino to m,l,-„ , servants divided, and eveV ob'tle Z"'' """' ''"""y ButtheVestalsT.n. ^,^ "•'•5' ™»"^diately. wife shouXf r rad'trtr'r "''^"--^"^^ was aeeorded to her as to Dom!ua "' ''''"'' aw^ted the Tb"::""'^ '''''"''' ^™" "-"''-• and Corneha also stepped from her h'tlnr SI, tall and stately lady of forty yea s who I '.H T ' beautiful, but whose eharmLCaded '"t, °"'?r" " Yoii rvHi r^o . . '-^uea. bhe smi ed~ 1 ji 244 .1, ij,. ill I ; Domitia. " A lengthy visit," said Domitia. " Time will never seem long in your sweet society " answered the Vestal and taking Domitia's hand led her up the steps to the platform. No sooner was Domitia there, than she ran to the altar of the Goddess on which burned the perpetual f^re withm a domed Temple, and clasped it. Cornelia had fol^lowcd her, and looked at her with surprise. "I claim the protection of the Goddess," said Do- mitia. I will not return to the palace ! I will be free from /n'm." Cornelia became grave. " If your Godd - has any might, any grace, she will protect me. V. .ou fear? Have you lost your nghts ? I clains Ihcm." "Be it so," said the Abbess. " None have appealed to the Goddess in vain, none taken sanctuary with her who have been rejected. She will maintain your cause. .'ill ' i Atrium Vestae. >45 I'cet society," la's hand led he ran to the )cipctual fire, Cornelia had rise. s," said Do- [ will be free race, she will u lost your ive appealed iry with her, intain your i CHAPTH'> V. ATRIUM VBST/E. When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba then It was the duty of the youn-girls to attend to the- common hearth and keep the fire ever burnin- To obtam fresh fire was not always possible, and\t the best of times not easy. Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the do mestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess. When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire. This hut be came the Temple of Hestia or Vesta, and certain girls were set apart to watch the fire that it should never become extinguished. This was the origin of the institution of the Vestal Virgins, an institution which lasted from the foundin- of Rome in B. C. 753, to the disestablishment of Pa- ganism, and the expulsion of the last Vestal, in A D 394. nearly eleven hundred and fifty years. No girl under six or above ten years of age was ad- missible as priestess of the sacred fire, and but six damsels were allowed.-their term of service was thirty years, after which the Vestal wa? free to return home and to marry. The eldest of the Vestals was li !' ^1 :^' .^Ri .v-.-^^ ^^«^" ,. V C/j '/. "W I 246 Domitia. f i termed Maxima, and she acted as superior or abbess over the community. They enjoyed great possessions and privileges and were shown the most extraordinary respect. Seats of honor were accorded to the Vestals in the theatres the amphitheatre and the circus. ' The Vestals had other duties to perform beside that of mamtaining the perpetual fire. They preserved the palladia of Rome, those mysterious articles on which the prosperity, nay, the very existence of the city was tliought to depend. What these were was never known. w-!, T f'^""^ "'"'""'^ ^^'""^ ^^^y ^"^ concealed them. >A/i h her death the secret was lost. Moreover, thev took charge of the wills of great men, emperors and nobles, and in times of civil war they mediated between the conflicting parties. Cornelia gently detached the hands of Domitia from the altar of Vesta, and led her within the colle-e of the Vestals, the only door to which opened on the platform on which stood the Temple. On entering, she found herself in an oblong court surrounded on all four sides by a cloister, the prototype of those to be in later days erected in the several con- vents and abbeys, and collegiate buildings of Chris- tendom. In the open space in the midst was the cir- cular treasury of the palladia, at one end was the well e cloister whence the virgins drew their water. Th. ^.uisier was composed of marble columns, and sustained an upper gallery, also open to the court but roofed over and the roof supported on columns of red marble. Between the columns below and above stood statues of the Superiors, who had merited commemoration. :rior or abbess Atrium Vestae. 247 There was no garden, the place for walking was the cloister. Cornelia conducted Domitia into the reception- chamber, and kissing her said :— ''Under the protection of the Goddess you are safe. " I trust I in no way endanger your safety " " Mine ! " Cornelia laughed. " There is none above me save the supreme pontiff, and so long as I do no wrong no one can molest me. But tell me-what wilt thou do? " In the first place send out and bid my servants return home ; and if they ask when to come for me answer, when I send for them." " That is easil V done," said the Abbess. She clapped her hands and a slave girl answered and received this commission. " Now," said she, " now wc come to the real dif?!- culty. Here you are, but here you cannot tarry for long. For six days we may accord sanctuary, but for no more. After that we must deliver over the person who has taken refuge with us if required." "I have for some time considered what might be done. I have been so miserable, so degraded, so im- patient, that I have racked my brain how to escape and I see but one course. When we were at Cenchr^a' my mother and I, wc were in the house of a Greek client of our family, who was very kind to us, and his wife loved me well. If I could escape thither in dis- guise, then I think he would be able to secrete me there are none so astute as arc the Greeks, and who so love to outwit their masters.'' " But how is this possible ? " i i' -rf ■ U> 248 Domitia. If H •J " That I know not-only let me get away from Rome, then trust my craft to enable me to evade pur- suit. Let ,t be given out that I am here in fulfilment of a vow, then no suspicion will be roused, and I can take my measures." ^^ '' It is not possible," said Cornelia in some alarm. Have you considered what your mother sai • ? the Augustus ,s all-seeing and all-powerfu!, and has his hand everywhere." " Get me out of Italy, and I shall be safe. I will not return to the Palatine. If my life was hateful to me before, what will it be made now? Then //,- had Tortoir' ''■' ''''" "^' °' '''' '^°^^"'-' "°- ^^ ^-^ The Vestal said, " Let me have time to think this over-and yet, it doth not seem to me feasible " " Get me but a beggar's suit, and walnut juice that I may stam my face and hands and arms. I will wash all this gold-dust from my hair-and I warrant yn none will know me, with a staff and a wallet, I wil' forth, right willingly. I will not return to /m;/ " "That ,s impossible. You-with your beauty- your nobihty " ^ " My nobility is of no account with mo now " " You think so, and so it may be whilst untouched flash oT.""'"" '"' ''"' "''' "°"^' "^'''-' y°"^ P"^'^' ^ Domitia remembered her resentment at the phvsi cian s apparent familiarity. II Well— my beauty will be disguised." " That nothing can conceal." " Oh ! do not speak thus, or I shall mistri st you as 1 mistrust every one else— except my si ' ave Eupl iro- Atrium Vesta. •sync and Eboracus, and Glyccria tl.c actor's Ju^ rhcse seem to me tl,e only true persons in the wo d" I wou d cast myself on them, but two are s v d the other ,s paralyzed. Consider now C(.r d ■ you not understand how that one may re u. and become bad, and dead to all t is ob e'-m r." /"«, and to be Emnress nl tL u " '° „i, ij 1 . '-'"P'^'=^s 01 the Roman word tint I should have but one thine to liv,- for ,i, , Plaee and the blazonin/o^^^p^o^o :.";',; J' "' "'][ thatwhieh h-es deep wit,,,, me^'leedi^'c ;,;;,' hungering, and witli dry lip,_dead " "My dear ladv, you were never made for what vou are forced to become." ^ " "Then, why do the Gods thrust me on to a throne w,t a splendor that I despise. Tell mo why > Q Vesta I.mmacu ate Goddess! how I would that I had da'L-rtir ?^ ""^'"■'"''' "^g-^. to spend'" iJo you sec.' I must away. I am loQf f, n good-if I remain. I must away! it's mvl, tl s,.ea,.s, that spreads its i.ands to'thce, CoTL^"'! Jl:: kissed it. ^"'- ""Sht her dress and Corneh'a was deeply moved. " I beseech you, rise," she ili; fi ,;■■ said, h-fting the kneel incr 25° Domitia. Hi suppiiant, clasping her in her arms, and caressing her as a child. " Hearken to nic, Domitia, I can think but of one per- son that can assist us ; that is my cousin Cclcr. lie is a good man, and whatever I desire, lie will strive to execute as a sacred duty. Yet the risk is great." " I pray you !— I pray you get him to assist me to escape." " He must furnish you with attendants. It will not be secure for you to be accompanied by any of your own servants. They might be traced. Celer has got a villa. Stay, I will go forth at once and see him. He can give counsel. Do nothing till my return." The Vestal Great-Mother left, and Domitia was glad to be alone. The habitation of the Vestals was wonderfully peace- ful, in the midst ' busy, seething Rome, and in the centre of its greatest movement. As already said, it had no windows, and but one door that opened on the outer world. It drew all its air, all its light, from the patch of sky over the central court. Figures of Vestals glided about like spirits, and the white statues stood ghostlike on their pedestals. But to be without flowers, without a peristyle com- manding a landscape of garden and lake and trees and mountains ! That was terrible. It would have been an unendurable life, but that the Vestal college was possessed of country seats, to which some of the elder of the sisterhood were allowed occasionally to go and take with them some one or two of the novices. Although there were no flowers in the quadrangle, there was abundance of birds. In and out among the variegated marbles, perching on balustrades, fluttering caressing her Atrium Vestae. 2^, among the statues, were numerous pigeons, as marbled in tint as the sculptured stonework, and looking like anmiated pieces of the same ; and a tame flamingo in gorgeous plumage basked In'mself, then strutted, and on secmg a Vestal approach hopped towards her. When moreover, the same maiden drew water from the well' the pigeons came down like a fall of snow about her' clirstering round the bucket to obtain a dip and a drink.' Several hours passed. At length the Abbess re- turned. She at once sought Domitia, who rose on her entry. Cornelia took both her hands within her own and said : — " VVe women are fcols, that is what Celer said, when I told him your plan. As he at once pointed out, it is impossible for you to lie hid anywhere in Italy-and impossible to escape from it, unknown to the Augustus Any one endeavoring to assist you to escape would lose his hfe, most assuredly. ' I cannot sell smoke to a clown, said he bluntly-he is a plain man-' I will not put out a finger to assist in such an attempt, which would bring ruin on us all. Eut,' he said, ' this may be done ; let the Lady Domitia retire to one of her own villas, m the country, and commit the matter to the Vesta s. Your entreaty is powerful, and if attended by two of the sisters-or perhaps better alone, for this is not a matter to be made public-go to the prince, and plead in the lady's name, that thou feelest unequal to the weight ot duties that will now fall on the Augusta and that thy health is feeble and thou needest repose and country air-~then he may yield his consent, at least to a temporary retreat.' But my kinsman Celer advised nothing beyond this. In very truth, nothing else can be done. Most men's noses are crooked -he il '52 Domitia. w said — and he is a blunt man — and those who have straight ones do not like to follow them. But in your case, Lady Domitia, there is practically no other way." " Then I will to Gabii," said Domitia with a sigh. " If he will force me back — there is the lake." Then, said Cornelia, " Dost thou know that blind- man Messalinus? " " Full well— he hangs on to the Casar Domitian, like a leech." " Since thou didst enter the house of us Vestals, he hath been up and down the Via Nova and the Sacred Way, never letting this place out of his eye— blind though he be. Some say he scents as doth a dog, and that is why he works his head about from side to side snuffing the wind. When I went forth he detached two of his slaves to follow — and they went as far as myself and stood watching outside the door of the knight Celer, and when I came forth they were still there, and when I returned to the Atrium of Vesta, I found Messalinus peering with his sightless eyes round the corner. But, I trow, he sees through his servants' eyes." " He is a bird of ill omen," said Domitia, "a vulture scenting his prey." For the People. 253 sar Domitian, la, "a vulture i CHAPTER VI. FOR THE PEOPLE. DOMITIA was at Gabii. Cornelia, the Vestal Great Mother had sent her thither in her own litter, and a tended by her own servants, but with the assistance of he k-n.ght Celer, who had gone before to Gabii to make preparations. Gabii had none of the natural beauties of Albanum, but Dom.t.a eared httle for that. It was a seat tha had belonged to her father and here his ashes reposed The v.lla vyas by no means splendid; but then-no^ had been t^iat of Albanum when she was first carried thither. Domitian had bought it immediately after the proclamation of his father, and it had then been a niodest, but very charming country residence. Since then, he had lavished vast sums upon it. and had con- verted it into a palace, without having really improved It thereby To Albanum he had become greatly attached; to it he retired in his moody fits, when resentful of his treatment by his father, envious of his brother and suspicious of his first cousin Sabinus There he had vented his spleen in harassing his masons, bullying his slaves, and in sticking pins through it had 1.^"^'' "'' '^^f ,^^^"^'^"1 -"d less sumptuous, ^ the immeasurable advantage of not being oc cupied by Domitian. There, for a while, Domitia Was 254 Domitia. [ / free from his hateful society, his endearments and his insults, alike odious to her. And she enjoyed the rest ; she found real soothing to her sore heart in wandering about the garden, and by the lake, and visiting familiar nooks. Only into the temple of Isis she did not penetrate the recollection of the vision there seci ful to be revived. On the third day after she had bcei pet was too pain- ma clay after she had been in the Gabian villa, Celer came out from Rome. He was a plain middle-aged man with a bald head, and a short brusque manner, but such a man as Domitia felt she could trust. He informed her that Cornelia had been before the Augustus and had entreated him to allow his wife to absent herself from the palace, and from his company. She had made the plea that Domitia Longina was out of health, overstrained by the hurry of exciting events, and that she needed complete rest. " But I demand more than that," said she. " Madam, more than that, my cousin, the Great Mother, dared not ask. The prince was in a rough mood, he was highly incensed at your having with- drawn without his leave, and he saw behind Cornelia's words the real signification. He behaved to her with great ill-humor, and would give no answer one way or the other— and that means that here you arc to remain, till it is his pleasure to recall you." "And may that never be," sighed Domitia. " The Augustus is moreover much engaged at pres- ent." '' What has he been doing ? But stay— tell me now — is there news concerning Sabinus? " rmcnts and his i\ real soothing he garden, and • not penetrate, 1 was too pain- in the Gabian [e was a plain a short brusque felt she could ccn before the ow his wife to 1 his company, angina was out xciting events, she. iin, the Great vas in a rough • having with- liind Cornelia's :d to her with /cv one way or are to remain, mitia. jaged at pres- — tell me now For the People. »SS i i " Ah lady ! he has been." '' I knew it would be so. On what charge." ''The Augustus was incensed against him, because under the god Vespasian he had put his servant in the white hvery, when Flavins Sabinus was elected to serve as consul for the ensuing year. Unhappily, the herald in announcing his election gave him the title of Kmperor in place of consul, through a mere slip of the tongue. But it was made an occasion of delation Messahnus snapped at the opportunity, and at once the noble Sabinus was found guilty of High Treason and sentenced to death." ' ''And what has become of Julia, daughter of the god Titus, the wife of Sabinus ? " " She has been brought by the Augustus to the Palatine." Next day, the slave Euphrosync arrived. She had been sent for by Domitia, and was allowed to go to her mistress. She also brought news. The town was in agitation. It was rumored that the Emperor was about to divorce Domitia, and to marry his niece. "It would be welcome to me were this to take place," said Domitia. " Come, now, 1 ^phrosyne bring me spindle and distaff, I will be as a spinster of old " So days passed, occasionally tidings came from Rome, but these were uncertain rumors. Domitia was enjoying absolute peace and freedom from annoyance m the country. And she had in Euphrosyne one with whom she talked with pleasure, for the girl had much to say that showed novelty, springing out of a mind very different in texture from that usual among slnve<= I Ch is a delight to me to be still. Child !— I can well 2S6 Domitia. It ! ' • r>i. think it, after a toilsome and discouraging life, it is pleasant to fold the hands, lay the head on the sod. and go to sleep, without a wish to further keep awake." "Yes, when there is a prospect of waking again." " Ikit even without that, is life so pleasant that one would incline to renew it ? Not I. for one." Domitia looked up at the fresco of the Quest of Pleasure, and said — " Once I wondered at that picture yonder, and that all pleasure attained should resolve itself into a sense of disappointment. It is quite true that we pursue the butterfly, after wc have ceased to value it, but that is because wc must p'-rsue some- thing, not that wc value that which is attained or to be attained." " All, lady, wc must pursue something. That is in our nature — it is a necessity." '• It is so ; and what else is there to follow after ex- cept pleasure ? " " There is knowledge." " Knowledge ! the froth-whipping of philosophers, the smoke clouds raised by the magicians, the dreams and fancies of astronomers — pshaw! I have no stomach for such knowledge. No ! I want nothing but to be left alone, to dream away my remainder of life." " No, lady, that would not content you. You must seek. We are made to be seekers, as the bird is made to fly, and the fish to swim." "If we do not seek one thing, we seek another, and in every one, find — what the pinched butterfly is — dust." " No, mistress, not if we seek the truth. The knowl- edge of the truth, the Sunimiim Botium." " But where, how are we to seek it ? " 1 jrinjT life, it is d oil the sod. further keep :ing again." asant that one le." the Quest of It that picture jhould resolve t is quite true ave ceased to p'Tsuc some- attained or to ing. That is illovv after ex- philosophers, IS, the dreams I have no It nothing but linder of life." I. You must : bird is made : another, and rfly is — dust." The knowl- f« For the People. 357 " In God," answered the slave. ^ " The Gods ! of them we know only idle talcs and in place of the talcs, when taken away, there remains but guesswork. There again-thc pinch of dust." " Lady, if we are created to seek, as the fish to swim, there must be an element in which to pursue our quest, an end to attain. That is inevitable, unless we be made by a freakish malevolent power that plants in us desire that can feed only on dust, ever, ever dust. No, that cannot be, the soul runs because it sees Its goal — " " And that ?— " A bustle, and in a moment, in sailed Longa Duilia very much painted, very yellow in hair, and with saffron eyelashes and brows. "Little fool!" said the mother. "Come, let me embrace thee, yet gently lest you crumple me, and be cautious of thy kisses, lest thou take ofT the bloom of my cheek. Thou art ever boisterous in thy demon- strations. There, give me a seat, I must put up my feet. As the Gods love me ! what a hole this Gabii IS. How dingy, how dirty, how shabby it all looks' As the Gods-but how art thou ? some say ill, some say sulky, some say turned adrift. As the Gods love me ' that last is a lie, and I can swear it. The Au-nistus distills with love, like a dripping honeycomb." You must positively come back with mc. I have come- not alone. Messalinus is with me-a charming man- but blind, blind as a beetle." " What, that fourfolder !" 1 1 Informers were so termed, because they obtained a quarter of the goods of such as they denounced and who were condemned. The l.atui word IS quadruf'latijr. 17 "j*T'**l' 258 Domitia. !:■ »!! ■ii-r .li S.'' ! 1 1 • !■ I c. " Now, now, no slang ! I detest it, it is vulgar. Be- sides, they all do it, and what all do can't b.- wrong. One must live, and the world is so contrived that one lives upon another ; consequently, it must be right." " Well have the Egyptians represented the God who made men as a beetle— blind, a;.d this world as a pellet of dung rolled about blindly by him." •' My dear, I am not a philosopher and never wish to be one. Come, we have brought the Imperial retinue for taking you back." " Whither ? To your house in the Carina ? " " Oh, my Domitia ! How ridiculous ! Of course you go to the Palatine, to your proper place. My dear, you will be proclaimed Augusta, and receive worship as a divinity. The Senate are only pausing to adjudge you a goddess, to know whether the Emperor intends to repudiate you or no. It is abso- lutely necessary that yoi; come back with me." " My godhead is determined by the question whether I be divorced or not ! " exclaimed Domitia contemptuously. " I cannot go with you, mother." "Then," said Duilia, looking carefully about, "that jade, big-boned and ugly as a mule— you know to whom I refer, will get the upper hand, and your nose will be broken." " Mother, I ask but to be left alone." " I will not suffer it. By my maternal authority " " Alas, mother ! I have passed out of that— I did so at my marriage." " Well then, in your own interest." " If I consider that I remain here." " Avaunt nonsense ! Your position, yuur opportu- \ is vulgar. Be- n't be' wrong, ontrived that , it must be the God who 5 world as a n." id never wish the Imperial inae ? " ! Of course • place. My and receive only pausing whether the It is abso- me." he question ned Domitia , mother." about, " that Du know to id your nose thority " that— I did * ™ ur opportu. For the People. 259 nities! Just think! There is cousin Cna;us must be given a help up. He is a fool— but that don't matter, you must get him aproconsulship. Then there is Ful- via, you must exert yourself to find her a wealthy hus- band. As the God.3 love me ! you can push up all your father's family, and mine to boot. Come, get the girls to dress you becomingly and make haste." " I cannot go.' " You must. The Augustus wills it." "And if I refuse?" " You cannot refuse." " I do so now." " My dear, by the Good Event ! you shall come. You can no more refuse him than you can Destiny." " Let him send his lictors and lead me to death." " Lead you to— how can you talk such rubbish ? You must come. This is how the matter stands. There has been a good deal of disturbance in Rome. As the Gods love me ! I do not know why it is, but the people like thee vastly, and the rumor has got about that thou wast about to be repudiated, and that raw-boned filly taken in your place. First there were murmurings, then pasquinades affixed to the statues of the august Domitian. Then bands of rioters passed under his windows howling out mocking songs and blas- phemies against his majesty, and next they clustered in knots, and that Insula of Castor and Pollux is a nest of insubordination. In fact, return you must to quiet men's minds. You know what a disturbance in Rome is, we have gone through several. By Jupiter ! I shall never forget the rocking I Avent through that night of the Lectisternium. These sort of things are only un- objectionable when seen from a distance. But thev ill > < li 26o '.! ' Domitia. le over, thei ave a taste of bloc come proscription ; tlic delators have a fine Dchind them. When the riot IS time of it, and the rich and noble are made to suffer. But, mother, let Julia do what she will I Rome does. The I care not. so. You have been famil Roman rabble will not have it multitude. Can't think h iar with the base and vih . , ow you could do it ! How- ever, It has succeeded this time and turned out a -ood move, for the people are clamorous for your return. Ihe Augustus is but recently proclaimed and alle- glance is still frcsh-and I believe his cousin Ursushas been at him to have you back so as to humor the public. " Yet, if I refuse to gratify him." "Then, my dear, of course, it will be a pity, and all that sort of thing ; but they all do it, and it must be right. The Augustus would prefer not to use severity —but if severe he must be, he will put down this dis- turbance with a hand of iron. He bears no actor's sword, the blade of which is innocuous. I will call in Messahnus. He will tell you more." She clapped her hands ; in obedience to her order a slave went outside the villa, and presently returned with the blind man. He entered, working his sharp nose about, and then made a cringing bow towards the wall-not knowin- where stood Domitia. '^ " Catullus Messalinus," said Duilia, " have the good- ness to inform my daughter of the intentions of the Augustus relative to the rabble in th. Insula of Castor and Pollux, whence all the agitation proceeds." "Madam," said the blind informer, "my god-like prince has already given command to clear the streets 'Vhen the riot is itors have a fine made to suffer." will, I care not." will not have it ' base and vile opening on etched across :)ct sounded, our chariots lind the line, md, threw a ord fell, and shouted and :d potsherds; from behind pants of the described a er the heads modate still the boards 1. ngthe right How at the : further ex- i, as an egg 267 i At eacli end of the spfnc, detached from it, were three obchsks. or conical masses of stone, sculptured hlcc clipped yew trees. These were the JAv,^. Attending every charioteer was, as already said an outrider in his colors, to lash the horses, and to assist in case of accident. Moreover, boys stood about with pitchers of water, to dash over the axles of the wheels when they became heated, or to wash away blood stams, should there be an accident. Domitia sat watcliing the race, at first with inat- tention. Yet the general excitement was irresistible It caught and carried her out of herself, and the color mounted into her ivory cheek. The Emperor paid no attention to her, he studiously avoided speaking to her, and addressed his conversa- tion to Juha alone— who was constrained to be present notwithstanding that the execution of her husband had taken place but a few days previously. But her heavy face gave no indication of acute sorrow. It was due to her position and relationship to the prince to be there, and when he commanded her attendance . It did not occur to her to show opposition. The keenest rivalry existed bewcen the parties of the circus, at a time when political partisanship was dangerous except to the sycophants of the regnant prince, all faction feeling was concentrated on the colors of the race-course. Caligula had championed the green, so had Nero, who had even strewn the course with green sand when he himself, in a green suit had driven on it. And now Domitian accepted the green as the color that it comported with the dio-nity of h^,./>,-rr^'enH dynasty to favor. It was also genemlly preferred to the other, at any rate in the betting be 268 Domitia. Ir: « cause it was known that the Imperial favorites were allowed to win the majority of the races. Yet the jockeys and horses and chariots belonged to different ant! rival companies, and were hired by the givers of games. It was not in the interest of the other colors to be beaten too frequently. They there- fore arranged among themselves how many and which races were, as a matter of course, to be won by the green, and the rest of the races were open to be fairly contested. lUit the public generally were not let into the secret ; though indeed the secret was usually sold to a few book-makers. Hah ! down went the red. In turning the incta; at the further end, the wheel had caught in that of the white, throwing the latter out, but not upsetting the chariot, whereas the car of the red jockey overturned, one horse went down, sprang up again, and would have dragged the driver along, had he not dextrously whipped a curved knife out of his girdle and cut the reins. This was necessary, as the reins of all four horses were thrown over the shoulder and wrapped round the body. Consequently a fall was certain to be fatal unless the driver had time and presence of mind at once to shear through the leathers. " He is out ! the red is out ! " roared the mob. Then, " The white ! the white is lagging — he cannot catch up ! — the red did for him ? Out of the way ! Out ye two ! ye cumber the course." The white struggled on, driver and outrider lashed the steeds, they strained every muscle, but there was no recovering from the loss of time caused by the lock of wheels, and on reaching the doors on the right, which were at once swung open, both chariots retreated into U ** The Blues Have It." /oritcs were belonged to ired by the ;rcst of the They thcre- ■ and which won by the be fairly not let into usually sold he mctiv at that of the setting the overturned, and would dextrously ind cut the 1 four horses pped round I to be fatal lind at once lob. Then, innot catch 7 ! Out ye ider lashed ; there was by the lock right, which reated into 269 the r^trrt-, amidst the groans of such as had bets on their favor. "It lies now between green and blue! " was the gen- eral shout. "On with the Panfaracus ! " "Nay' hit the off horse, he sulks, Euprepes ! " " Well done.Nereus! Pull well, Auster ! Prave horses ! brave greens greens forever! The Gods befriend the greens ! Then some one looking in the direction of the impe- nal box noticed Domitia in her blue habit, with her blue eyes wide distended, and the blue ribbons in her hair, buddcnly m a clear voice he cried,— " The blue ! the blue ! It is the color of the Au- gusta The blue! Sabaste ! I swear by her divinity I 1 invoke her aid ! The blue will win." Like an electric shock there went a throb through the vast concourse-there were nearly three hundred thousand persons present. At once there rose a roar, it was loud, thrilling, imperious :— " The blue ! It shall win ! The color of the Au- gusta! of the divine Augusta, the friend of the Roman people ! The blue ! the blue ! we will have the blue ! The drivers lashed furiously, the outriders swung themselves in their saddles to beat the horses. But he gallant steeds needed no scourging, they were as keen in their rivalry as were their drivers and their supporters. ^ " The last tgg ! the last dolphin ! Again ! the green W fr ,, ^^'■°'" '''■°^'"" ^y °"^y ^ f^^- cheers. Wonderfu ! In the sudden contagion even those who had betted on the green, cheered the rival color "Who was that cried out for the blue?" asked I 7° Domitia. Doniitiaii, turning sharply about. " Find him, cast him to the dogs tu be torn." • His kinsman Ursus whispered in his car, — " It is the actor Paris. Vet do nothing now. It wouUl be inausi)icious." The command was grudgingly withchawn. A gasp -stiUness, the extreme iin((i had been turned ; then a restless, quivering sound, men, women, too agitated to shout, held their breath, but muttered and moved their feet — the blue! the blue gains; nay! the green is forging ahead — Ha! Ha! at the last moment in swung the blue, across the white line, one stride ahead of the green. Then there rolled up a thunder of applause. " The blue ! the dear blue ! the blue of the Augusta has it ! Ye Gods be praised ! I v(n\' a pig to Eppona ! The blue has it. All hail to the Augusta ! to heaven's blue ! •• Domitian turned with a look of hate at his wife, and whispered : — Nevertheless she shall come in second. ^ On another occasion, a shosv of gladiators, this savage order was actually given and carried out under the eyes of Domitian. ■j. , '■■ Wk ! i i L k(. ' ImiuI him, cast i car, — uthing now. It drawn. lad bcLM turned ; en, women, too lit muttered and j^ains ; nay ! the the last moment line, one stride pplause. of the Augusta L pig to Eppona ! sta ! to heaven's : at his wife, and id. lis savage order was omitian. 270, pi "^i ,f 'U i ■1 I I li '«ff; B •1 1 it ' t d The Lower Stool. 271 CHAPTER VIII. THE LOWER STOOL. "Come now'" snM fii« c- ^eat : ■■ it is ti^e tare ZljirVZl T ''' n,ay it please you to sup with us ? " ^ ^^ ^°"e'™' There was a malevolent Hnnm ;„ u- 1 Tf:jr;-pe^--S'^t^--:' but as they withdrew there rose ringing eheer the' tne CKsar, the Augustus, tlie Imperator-but hpr Do™,t,a, the blue. The people's ow' true blue He h ard .t, and ground his teeth-his face waxed ed as bbod Domrtia heard it, and her heart filled and h eyes brimmed with tears. Then Domitian turned and looked at her savafr.h, as a dog might look at another against vvllhTw^' meditating an onslaught, and said T ''^ '' ^"^ "Remove that blue~I hatp t> ^r.^ banquet." Then with an ^:;j:t CTs n" t the actor to amuse you." " What actor ? " "Pari,s, madam, the inimitable, the admired Paris The's oH :::1T.1T.«^!* p'>- - 0- p w:: These Greek tragedians are at a discount. °o>fr do not people care .-or the dismals. But they-are wr;!:^;: 272 Domitia. > . t W1 ! |'?ji'l w if I h not estimate true art. You do that really ! You like tragedy! and tragedy you shall liave, 1 warrant you." The blood mounted to the brow of Domitia at the sneers and covert insinuations. Paris! what was Paris to her ? what but the struggling husband of Glyccria ? Was it impossible for her to do a kind act, to give ex- pansion to her heart, vvitliout misinterpretation, with- out the certainty of incurring outrage ? She withdrew to her apartments and changed her dress, from the blue to white with purple stripe and fringes. Then she entered the triclinium where the meal was spread. Domitian was already there, together with Julia, Messalinus, Ursus, and some other friends. The Emperor, standing apart from the latter, said with a sneer to Domitia, — " So you have shed your blue— a cloud has passed over the azure ! That is well. And now, madam, I granted you the first place at the games, in the circus, to humor the people ; but in my palace it shall be as I will, not as they. Julia shall take the precedence, and she shall occupy the first position at table, and every- where. She is the daughter of the God Titus, grand- daughter of the God Vespasian " " And great grand-daughter of the Commissioner of Nuisances." " Silence," roared Domitian, " she has the sacred Flavian blood, she is of Divine race, and shall sit by me, recline by me, in the position of honor, and you occupy a stool at my feet. Julia and I will have a Icctisternium of the Gods ! Am not I divine ?— and she divine ? " •' Certainly," answered Domitia, "she is the daughter of a victor who has triumphed, I the wife of a man who really ! You like e, I warrant you." of Domitia at the is ! what was Paris sbaiul of Glyceria ? nd act, to give cx- iterpretation, with- ve? > and changed her purple stripe and 'liniitnt where the jether with Julia, ler friends. The latter, said with a cloud has passed id now, madam, I nes, in the circus, ace it shall be as I e precedence, and tabic, and every- God Titus, grand- Commissioner of : has the sacred nd shall sit by me, ir, and you occupy ive a lectistcrnium id she divine? " he is the daughter ivife of a man who \ |i The Lower Stool. -cfitn'x,:^ "" ^'^■"'•■'•^'^■' -^' '■■•™-" '•" ^^Domitfan clenched his teeth and hands, and glared S^.bin„.,, you would stoop to „c ' '""'' ""='" " What— what— -what is flifc?" ^ . • valued not h„ life tmcicnti;' ^ I 0,7,::.^;'.^ "^ f ^'i::^; sh.::;;r^f ^.;-,-"'- Of looked hesitatingly at her sisteWn I i ' ''"'' word seated l„.t If f"'''-'-"i-l.iw, who witliout a ^rdTuliirter ofTilr "" ""^^^ '"''^' "° ™^'"- in fared Tvr« i- ''^ "" i-'' uncrc .'' asked the ferret- feed Messahnus, " What l,as been done ? HeTe vthat h. I f' ""' ''""^^ ^'"-•"'l'--'' '•"'>. " Tell me' Something was communicated in an undertone, and % 274 Domitia. LM: ]',. Vr-i I il = I i 1" If H 'i \ll r I i ^lil* ■ . i ' Messalinus broke into a cackle, that he quickly smothered — •' That is admirable, great and god-like is our prince ! As a Jew physician said to me, he sets down one and setteth up another, at his pleasure. That is divine caprice. The Gods alone can act without having to account for what they do. I like it— vastly." And now at once the sycophant herd began to pay their addresses to Julia, and to neglect Domitia. The former was overloaded with flattery, her every word was repeated, passed on from one to another, as though oracular. Domitian, conspicuously and purposely ignored his wife made to sit at his feet ; and raising himself on the left elbow upon his puhinaror, o*r cushion of gold brocade, talked with his niece, who also reclined instead of sittino-. o Domitia remained silent with lowered eyes, carna- tions flowered in her checks. She made no attempt to speak ; eat she could not. She felt the slight. Her pride was cut to the quick. The humiliation, before such as Messalinus was numbing. She would have endured being ordered to execution, she would have arranged her hair with alacrity, for the bowstring that would have finished her troubles, bat this outrage before members of the court, before the imperfal slaves,— and the knowledge that it would be the talk on the morrow of Roman society, covered her with confusion, and filled her soul with wrath, for she had pride — not a little. Ursus, a kinsman of the Emperor, an elderly man, of good character and upright walk, was near her. He alone seemed to feel the indignity put upon the Em press. His eyes, full of pity, rested on her, and he waited that he quickly ike is our prince! its down one and That is divine ithout having to -vastly." erd began to pay t Domitia. The her every word lother, as though and purposely eet ; and raising s pulvinaror, or I his niece, who ;red eyes, carna- Je no attempt to :he sh"ght. Her mih'ation, before She would have she would have the bowstring but this outracfe 'c the imperial ould be the talk 3vered her with th, for she had I elderly man, of ; near her. He t upon the Em :r, and he waited The Lower Stool. an opportunity to speak to her unheard by others Then he saul. turning his head towards Domida -- Lady recall the fable of the oak and the bulrush Humor the prince and you can do with him wh " j 1 In ' '"'' "^' ' ^P"'^'^ sincerely,_he love yo almost say in heaven-and L canno' IdJ e tT t "ne frad woman's heart should alone be denied him • " that turn to stone whatever is exno.orl f T with 4:r t: >;• "^^'-^ ^' "-^ "--"' "o"-" wim angu . It can also beat with love " Never towards him who has maltreated me." ing t?s:,ch trds.'"*^^^- ' ^™ ^■"^-»--'' ^y "^te„. " What-what-what is Ursus saying?" asked Me,- sahnus, who caught a word or two. " Ae is bc'we .T,: A.,gusta-wl,at did he say-a„d in a low t I als f No^t.a.o„ hatching at the table o, our Diviri.td,- " H"<: come the jesters and the mimes " slid I ;,■.„. •and may ,l,e god of Laughter provide sud,,":; for mn-th as will satisfy Otullus Messalin us"" " " for to'l " m"'! ,"" '' ''''^"^y" ^^'id •••"O'l'" guest toreZertb?;::!!:^--^'---""-"'^-^^ We have all our frifts " qtiVI T\/r» r Then cni-PrpH Messahnus, smirking. ll.en entered some acrobats who went through m —..^ 276 If'i •' ■I 'ml r • H Ui^ii- mn Domitia. CToIutfons, casting k„,v,., ,, , ' 1 • , J't-vcr seen nn^ 1 . •' '•"'^ic iJomi. J'"' at ho,- motl,e,.-/,o.'e '"-■■■"■" '"'>'"""S "' t^ e flam.ng chock.,, bro.v and 1:''^''""^ '° ''" f^'-' "'f 1° -»c. She knew t_U° ™' '"'."''"'' - ■»ot,on had been commanded by , t ' .'"""""S P-formance of llumihathiir her «, ^ P'"'«. for the numo and called out,- °" h". 'iaw her purpose Tfje crea,n of the entert ai, t„t ,11 ""''''" '"" ^°" -at. U sus put his hand to her t ^"' '° "'"<=-" '''■• down on her scat. ^''■""="' ^"^ ffently drew Endure it," he whispered -'U ■„ •It .s the worst outrage o/al""' TT "" °^--" •"S breast, and the blood so . f "" "'"•' «"tl' l>cav ears that she could see and L'To ■■"'° "" "^" -^ indeed, she was harrlN, "'°''^- la. ' ^ tch.n. them, fon.f„„ thro t'"'"^' P°^- - ^^''ough contortions at Jcrcd the performers to performed lo^v Lu/foon- ^^rspersed with snatches -o decency tlu.t Domi- "^^'•d anything of the '••^"g to her feet with "'''^d. made a motion 'S^^tmg performance ■'"^^' f«'- the purpose go. But Domitian, ^^^^ saw her purpose "-emain in your seat as yet to come." cnt and gently drew i^iJI soon be over." said she with heav- J ^"to her eyes and more. ^^'hen the buffoons ;arble f^oor, strewn J^L't suddenly she faction into which •^^^"ting a floor after a ^' P'cked bones, flower 1 m \\'k' If ii The Lower Stool. 277 she had fallen, by hearing the voice of Paris, the tra.n'c actor. ^ She looked up sharply, and saw him, a tall, hand- some man, of Greek profile, and with curly dark hair. He was clad ni a long mantle, and wore the buskins Behind h.m were minor performers, to take a part in dialogue, or to chant a chorus. " Lord and Augustus, what is it your pleasure that we represent in your presence ?" asked the actor " Repeat the speech of CEdipus Coloneus to Theseus towards the close of the drama. That, I mean, wlM'ch bcgms, " O son of ^geus, I will teach the things that are m store. Paris bowed, and drawing himself up, closin .-o still camhio ^f fi, or pain but not or bci,,, »c„slb,'c toTa^o "' ^"^^ ever „ Kri'.T'' "■"■'? '''"'">' "'^^ 8°- f™'" her ror. Next day she rose white and self-restriinod =1 c.i.sposa, of j.o„,. .istc.,.4 j^birL^" t: ,o'c'o;;' ^':? btam mastery over lierself, as her emotion y ? ir mlw. hi 'b j I ffl" I 11^ '? 282 Domitfa. threatened to get the upper hand — " and, Euphrosync, tell Glyceria tliat I sliall go to sec her later. Not for a few days, not till the first agony of her grief is over; but go I will — for go I must — and I pray the Gods I may not be a cause of fresh evil. O, Euphrosyne, loes she Glyc curse me ^cena curses none, dear mistress, least of all you. Do not doubt, she will welcome you when you do her the honor of a visit." •' If she were to curse me, I feel as if I should be glad — glad, too, if the curse fell heavy on my head — but you know — she knows — I meant to do well, to be kind — to — but go your way — I can speak no more. Tell Glyceria not to curse me — no — I could not bear that — not a curse from her." Euphrosyne saw by her mistress's manner, by her contradictory words, how deeply she was moved, how great was her suffering. She stooped, took up the hem of her garment, and kissed the purple fringe. Then sobbing, withdrew. That day tidings came to Domitia to render her pain more acute. The kindly, sympathetic people in the insula of Castor and Pollux, in poetic, picturesque fashion had come with baskets of violets and late roses, and had strewn with the flowers the spot stained with the blood of Paris. This was reported to the Emperor, and he sent his guards down the street to disperse the people, and in doing this, they employed their swords, wot iding several and killing two or three, of whom one was a child. Three days later-, Domitia ordered her litter and at- , Euphrosync, ^r. Not for a grief is over ; 'ay the Gods Euphrosyne, ;ast of all you. n you do her I should be 1 my head — ;lo well, to be :ak no more, uld not bear anner, by her 1 moved, how took up the )urplc fringe. o render her he insula of fashion had )ses, and had nth the blood id he sent his eople, and in Is, wol iding •m one vvas a litter and at- ^1 Glyceria. stairs Don„tif ^l t ^ ^.^f '^^ and .scc„di„g the restraint. The ncnnl. , , '"-'" ''"' "'"' some enthusiasm a. ber^ t e' T' "T "^°"' ''" "■"> her that evi, had Z.^Z tZ "r,".,"" ',"™"«" her visit as inauspicious "''•>' '^'■<=^''<^d oJyVnoZJZZ 'td "' "^""™"' ■•" ->' f-e. tations with tl,f S;: Xr'Th '""' '•'"" •'■^■"■ full well that it was tl„! ' , ^'"'P°°'- Mt^ Icnew Paris and his pupl ' r' "" I'Y'" °" ''" P»" "'at fallen. '^'^' "'"' '°™'-' »' '■"=''• own party had Ti"sT.tntdtr X'''^^"'r ^^"^"'•- °' Domitia, the Empre 's ' '"1 '■"'™'"^'--'' ••'''o^<= would repudiate I^ wife' ;"= " '"i" °"'"''"^" "iece, and that he waited o'ikim ""»'" '"^"'■y ""'s ■■ng for her husband w re ,n IJ "°""'-' °' "°"'-"- a scandal. Others said , ' T ' '° '"" "°' '° I'™''''" Domitia. but trea "r. N ^,"'7'" '»' -■'""'^•te -r *= -"'----.e:id'TC-::s -'™:::^ofT;:,r::,:e,rt:^r;:tf-"''- Pe-s.theRo,nanpopul..ewere4::^:;--:^^ ^H I i ^1 284 Domitia. K 1 ' m 1' I'n .^j'. And now, although these poor creatures loved the beautiful woman of imperial rank who deigned to come among them, and care for one of their most broken and bruised members, yet they feared for themselves, lest her presence should again draw disaster upon them. Domitia was conscious rather than observant of this as she passed along the gallery to the apartment of Glyceria. At the door to the poor woman's lodgings she knocked, and in response to a call, opened and entered. She waved her attendants to remain without and suffer none to enter. Then she approached the bed of the sick woman, hastily, and threw herself on her knees beside it. " Glyceria," she said, " can you forgive me? '' ^ The crippled woman took the hands of Domitia and covered them with kisses, whilst her tears flowed over them. This was more than the Empress could bear. She disengaged her hands, threw her arms about the widow, and burst into convulsive weeping. " Nay, nay ! " said Glyceria, " do not give way. It was not thy doing." " But you fear mc," sobbed Domitia, " they do so— they without. Not one touched, not one kissed me. They think me of evil omen." "There is nothing unlucky. Everything falls out as God wills ; and whatever comes, if we bow under His hand. He will give sweetness and grace." " You say this ! You who have lost everything ! " " Oh, no ! lady," then the cripple touched the cor- nelian fish. " This remains." " It is a charm that has brought no luck." .» :» turcs loved the leigned to come r most broken for themselves, stcr upon them, bservant of this e apartment of s lodgings she ncd and entered. ;thout and suffer he sick woman, beside it. ive me? " of Domitia and ears flowed over ould bear. She irms about the )ing. )t give way. It a, " they do so — one kissed me. rything falls out if we bow under d grace." )st everything I " touched the cor- luck." Glyceria. .g^ i- cannot understand " .hl^'rco,!?""" '"" "^"- ^"' '" ™» -ho doe.,, tiicic lb comiort m cverv cru-.-/-.,,, „ • i . ' cloud, roses to every tho7n ' ' ' ""'°" " ^^^^^ ''Glyceria," said Domitia, and she reared herself upon her knees, and took hold of bothTh cena ! wilt thou grant me one favor ?' ^ ^^^■ ask T'l! fA'^'""' ^''^^' '""y'^^'^'S that thou canst ask. I should be ungrateful to deny thee ought ' ..m7, ''^ ^'T "'^""''' "" ^'^^'-P ^^'^^"ch I ask of thee " said the daughter of Corbulo ' ;; I will do all that I can," replied the widow. 1 hen come with me to the nahrp Wo. none to c..e f„. ,ou. none to ea"::' r^eltX" 'r — 1 want you there." ' ' Glyceria hesitated. " Do you fear ? " " I fear nothing for myself." mo's^'^miseUbr'" ''°'"'''" "''''' ^'>'^^"^' ' -^ the mos. miserable woman on earth. I thought I could no be more unhappy than I was-then come- w M no speak of it,-thy loss-caused unwill ngTy by m because I came here-and that has broken my L"' have done the cruellest hurt to the one I loved bes' iT.TLT^'^^'^r^.^^^ --erable." She cove d fac ■c, sank on the bed and wept. >?::l°" !' ":= P'^^- -"-vo-d '0 soothe with soft words and The caresses. her ;n again Domitia spoke. " I have ' I I'll 'tn no one, I have li 286 Domitia. Wf ^iiLiu, nothing to look to, I am as one dead, and the only life in me is hate, that bites and writhes as a serpent." " And that thou must lay hold of and strangle as did Hercules." " I cannot, and I will not." " That will bring thee only greater suffering." " I cannot suffer more." " It is against the will of God." " But how know we His will ? " " It has been revealed." Again Domitia threw her arms about the sick woman, she pressed her wet cheek to her tear-moistened face, and said : — " Come with me, and tell me all thou knowest — and about the Fish. Come with me, and give me a Httle happiness, that I may think of thee, comfort thee, read to thee, talk with thee — I care for no other woman. And Euphrosyne, thy sister, she is with me, and I will keep thee as the apple of mine eye." " Oh, lady ! this is too great ! " " What ? anon thou wouldst deny me naught, and now refusest me this." " In God's name so be it," said Glyceria. " But when ?" " Now. I will have no delay, see — " she went to the door and spoke with her slaves. " They shall bear thee in my litter, at once. Euphrosyne shall tarry here and collect thy little trifles, and the good Eboracus, he shall bear them to thy new home. O Glyceria ! For once I see a sunbeam." Never could the dwellers in the Insula have dreamt nf beholdincr that which this day they saw. The actor's crippled widow lifted by imperial slaves and id the only life L serpent." strangle as did ffering.' he sick woman, noistened face, knowest — and give me a little ifort thee, read other woman. me, and I will le naught, and lyceria. " But Glyceria. ^g^ placed in the litter of the Empress, the Augusta, to whom divme honors had been accorded. And fur thcij they saw the cripple borne away, down the' lane' of the Suburra ui which was their block of lodgincis and the Empress walked by the side, holding the hand of the patient who lay within. They did not shout, they uttered no sound indicative of approval no applause. They held their breaths they laid their hands on their mouths, they looked each other in the eyes-and wondered what t^u's mar yel might portend. A waft of a new life had entered into the evil world, whence it came, they knew not what It would effect, that also they could not concXe she went to the hey shall bear shall tarry here id Eboracus, he Glyceria! For la have dreamt ley saw. The rial slaves and lii. 288 Domitia. §: ' #« CHAPTER X. THE ACCURSED FIELD. No notice was taken by Domitian of the presence in the palace of the murdered actor's widow. It con- cerned him in no way, and he allowed the unfortunate woman to remain there, under the care of his wife, and without making any protest. Domitia found an interest and a delight in the society of the paralyzed woman, so simple in mind, gentle in thought, always cheerful, ever serene, who lived in an atmosphere of love and harbored no resent- ments. She marvelled at what she saw, but it was to her an unattainable condition. Her own affections were seared, and a gnawing hate against the man who had blighted her life, and to whom she was tied, ever con- sumed her. She was like a dead plant in the midst of spring vegetation. It looks down on the beautiful life about its feet, but itself puts forth no buds, shows no signs of mounting sap. Every now and then Glyceria approached the topic of the Fish, and the mysteries involved in the symbol, but would not disclose them, for she saw that Domitia, however miserable she felt, however hopeless, was not in a frame of mind to receive and welcome the inter- pretation. For in her, the one dominating passion was le presence in iow. It con- c unfortunate f his wife, and elight in the nple in mind, r serene, who red no rescnt- was to her an fections were man who had tied, ever con- idst of spring ;iful life about hows no signs hed the topic n the symbol, that Domitia, eless, was not )me the inter- ig passion was The Accursed Field. 289 hate-a desire to have her wrongs revenged, and a chafing at her powerlessness to do anything to revenge Her treatment by Domitian was capricious. At one ime he neglected her; then he went sometimes out of h.s way to offer her a slight ; at others he made real effor . to heal the breach between them, and to show her that he loved her still. But he met with not merely a frosty but a contempt- uous reception, that sent him away, his vanity hurt, and his blood in a ferment. / "it> In her indifference to life, she was able to brave him without fear, and he knew that if he ordered her to execution she would hail death as a welcome means ot escape from association with himself His blundering and brutal tyranny was no match for her keen wit cutting into him, and maddening him He revenged himself by a coarse insult or by a side Wow at her friends. She was without ambition. Many a w^oman would have endured his treatment without repining, for the sake of the splendor with which she could surround herself, and the towering position which she occupied. But neither had any attraction for Domitia. The one thing she did desire, to be left alone in retirement, in the country, that he could not, he would not accord her. Usually, when he was in his splendid villa at Alba- num, she elected to remain in Rome, and when he came to the palace on the Palatine, if permitted, she es- caped to Albanum ; but he would not always suffer this Thus awretched life was drag.^ed on, and the heart of Dom.t.a became harder cveiy day. It would have become as adamant but for the presence of Glyceria 290 Domitia. -. liiljluiii I i iii^ Hi > whom the Empress sincerely loved, and who exercised a subtle, softening and purifying influence on the princess. Glyceria saw how the Empress suffered, and she pitied her, saw how hopeless the conditions were for improvement ; she saw also what was hidden to other eyes, that circumstances were closing round and draw- ing towards a crisis. Beyond a certain point Glyceria could effect nothing, once only did she dare to suggest that the Augusta should assume a gentler demeanor towards the sover- eign of the world, but she was at once cut back with the words : — '• There, Glyceria, I allow no interference. He has wronged me past endurance. I can never forgive. I have but one hope, I make but one prayer— and that for revenge." When Domitian was at Albanum, the Empress en- joyed greater freedom. She was not compelled when she went out, to journey in state ; and she could make excursions into the country as she phased. The ab- sence of gardens on the Palatine and the throng of servants and ofificers made it an almost intolerable resi- dence to her, beautiful as the situation was, and splen- did as were the edifices on it. Nor was this all. Domitian had not rested content with the palaces al- ready erected and crowding the summit of the rock,— those of Augustus, of Tiberius, and of Caligula, he must build one himself, and to find material, he tore down the golden house of Nero. But the construction of his palace served s|ill further to reduce the privacy of the Palatine, for it was th ronged with masons, carpenters and plasterers. Ii who exercised uencc on the ered, and she tions were for dden to other ind and draw- :ffect nothing, the Augusta rds the sover- cut back with nee. He has er forgive. I ''er — and that Empress en- npelled when e could make led. The ab- le throng of :oIerable resi- is, and splen- ivas this all. le palaces al- f the rock, — jula, he must s tore down 1 sfill further , for it was stcrers. In- The Accursed Field. 291 deed the Palatine hill-top was almost as crowded and as noisy as was the Forum below. From this, then, Domitia was glad to escape to a httle villa on the Via Nomentana, on a height above the Anio, commanding a view of the Sacred Mount. On one occasion, when Domitian was away at Alba- num, she had been at this modest retreat, where she was surrounded by a few servants, and to which she hod conveyed Glycerfa, to enjoy the pure air and rest of the country. But she was obliged to return to Rome ; and with a small retinue, and without heralds preceding her she started, and in the morning arrived at the Porta 'col- lina. Then Eboracus, coming to the side of the litter said : — ' " Lady, there is a great crowd, and the street is full to choking. What is your good pleasure? shall we announce who you are, and command a passage ? " "Nay," answered the princess, "my good Eboracus let us draw aside, and the swarm will pass, then we can go our way unconcerned. I am in no precipitate haste, and, in faith, every minute I am outside Rome the better satisfied am I." ' " But, madam, it is an ill spot, we are opposite the Accursed Field." " That matters not. It is but for a brief while Go forward, Eboracus, and inquire what this crowd signi- fies. Methinks the people are marvellously still. I hear no shout, not even a murmur." " There be priests leading the v\^ay." " It is some religious rite. Run forward, Eboracus and make inquiries. That boy bears an inverted torch " The sight was extraordinary. A prdccssion of priests 292 Domitk. 1!^: I'tf % ill lii ! was advancing in silence, and an enormous crowd fol- lowed through the gate, pouring forth Hke water from a sluice, yet without a word spoken. The only sound was that of the tramp of feet. The place where Domitia had halted was just outside the Collina gateway, where was the wall of Servius TulHus and in its moat, thirty feet deep, but dry, out of which rose the wall of massive blocks to another thirty above the level of the ground. This ditch was a pestilential refuse place into which the carcasses of beasts, foul rags, sometimes even the bodies of men, and all the unmentionable filth of a great city were cast. So foul was the spot, so unwhole- some the exhalations that no habitations were near it, and the wide open space before the wall went by the designation of the Accursed Field. And now, through the gateway car e a covered hearse, and at each corner walked a youth in mourning garb, one bearing a lamp and oil, another milk in : brass vessel, a third water, and a fourth bread. Now, and now only, with a shudder of horror, did Domitia suspect what was about to take place. She saw how that as the crowd deployed, it thickened about one portion of the bank of the ditch, and she saw also the battlements above crowded with the faces of men and women leaning over to look dovn into the dyke. And there, at one spot in the fosse stood three men. In- stinctively Domitia knew who they were — the execu- tioner and his assistants. But who was to be put to death— and on what charge, and by what means ? Now the hearse was slowly brought to the edge of the moat and tlio curtains were raised. ous crowd fol- ike water from he only sound as just outside 'all of Servius ), but dry, out ks to another ace inro which imes even the iblc filth of a )t, so unwhole- s were near it, 11 went by the ■ c a covered h in mourning her milk in ;, bread. Now, , did Domitia She saw how cd about one ; saw also the ^s of men and le dyke. And rce men. In- L^ — the execu- n what charge, 3 the edge of (r The Accursed Field. .^^ Then Domitia saw how that within, prostrate hv a s^:;:";' i:t t '''' ^°°^ ^° ^'^ p^^^^ '^>' ^-^e s raps, u.th her face covered, and her mouth muffled that her cnes might not be heard She saw the attendants of the priests imff. fi thon ^°'^- ''- --rid the?:-: , r ^ ;ight of the lamp as ,t passed within, then it was losf The bread followed, the milk and the u" ter al on veyed mto some underground cellar fromlhrhce'oflh^^' '^""'"^ ^"""^ P^"^^-^ ^'- -il irom the face of the victim, and with a gasp-she could not cry out, the power was taken fromTeLt e Empress recognized Cornelia. She made an effort to escape from her litter and flv f. ' Ma^J"^ -strained her. Madam, he said in a low tone, vibrating with emo the Sacred TwlV " Power-not that of iiie :5acr£d Iwelve can save her." " Ye Gods ! But what has she done ? " • bhe has been accused of breach of- her vows, and fU rf 't ' i 'im rti '■f \l ' rl 1^ "'"' r ' ! 1 [ Il I ' iri ' « ii5 I : i '■ f ' { 'AC •f! : u , ■'" TO- « i- "-/i 1 gjj_^ _; 294 Domitia. condemned by the Augustus, as Chief I'licst— " in a lower tone, hardly above a whisper, " unheard in her defence." " I must go to her." "You must not. Nothing can save her. Pray for a speedy death." With glazed eyes, with a surging in her cars, and throbbing in the temples — as in some paralyzing nightmare— Domitia looked on. And now the gag was removed, and with dignity the Great Mother of the Vestals descended from the bier. She stood, tall and with nobility in her aspect, and looked round on the crowd, then down into the moat, at the black hole under the roots of the wall. " Citizens, by the sacred fire of Vesta, I swear I am innocent of the charge laid against me, and for which I am sentenced. No witnesses have been called. I have not been suffered to offer any defence. I knew not, citizens, until I was told that I was sentenced, that any accusation had been trumped up against me. Thou, O Eternal God— above all lights in the firma- ment, Thou, O Sovereign Justice that baldest true balances— I invoke Thee— I summon the Chief Pontiff who has sentenced me, before your just thrones, to answer for wnat is done unto me this day. I summon him for midnight three days hence." Then the deputy of the Chief J'ontiff, who presided at the execution, Domitian being absent at Albanum (he being Pontifex Maximus), raised his arms to heaven in silent prayer. His prayer ended, he extended his hand to Cornelia, but she refusing his help, unaided descended into the fosse. The Accursed Field. 395 The vast concourse was as thou^H, turned to stone by a magician's wand-so immovable was it and so hushed. Some swallows swept screamin- along the moat, and their shrill cries sent a shudder 'through the entire concourse, wrought to such a tcnsic,, that even the note of the birds was an intok-rablc addition. Ihe Vestal reached the mouth of the pit-the ends of a ladder could be seen at the threshold of this open- ing. It was evident that the opening gave access to a vault of some depth. Beside it were stones from the wall piled up, and mortar. As soon as the Abbess reached the openinir she turned, and again declared her innocence. " The Emperor," said she in clear, firm tones, "hasadjud-ed me guilty, knowing that my prav, -ve obtained^'for him victory, triumph and an ii...ortal name. I repeat my summons. I bid him answer before the throne on nigh, at midnight, three days hence." Then she looked steadily at the blue sky-then up at the sun,— to take a last view of light. With calm- ness with fortitude, she turned, and entering the open- ing began to disai>pear, descending the ladder In so doing her veil caught in one of the ends of the side poles of the ladder. She must have reascended a step or two, for her hand was visible disengaging the white veil, and then-hand and veil disappeared Immediately stones were caught up, trowels and mortar seized, and with incredible celerity the opening was walled up. The pontifT applied his leaden seal " Be speedy ! Remove her ! Run-" shouted Ebo. racus for his mistress had fallen back in the litter in a dead faint,— "At once— to the Palace ' " d. 296 Domitia. I H I i ' CHAPTER XI. AGAIN : THE SWORD OF CORBULO. Eboracus was able to open a way for the litter through the crowd, now clustered on the bank of the dyke, watching as the workmen threw down earth and stones, and buried deep that portion of the wall in which was the vault where the unhappy Abbess Cor- nelia was buried alive. And now the populace broke forth in sighs and tears, and in murmurings low ex- pressed at the injustice committed in sentencing a woman without allowing her to know that she had been accused, and of saying a word in her own de- fence. Some of the crowd was drifting back into Rome, and by entering this current, the train of Do- mitia travelled alone. Eboracus returned from the head of the litter re- peatedly to the side, to look within and ascertain whether his mistress were recovering. At the first fountain he stopped the convoy and obtained for her water to bathe her face, and at a little tavern, he procured strong Campanian wine, which he entreated her to sip, so as to nerve her. As the litter approached the Forum, the crowd again coagulated and at last remained completely sta- tionary. Again the street was blocked. Eboracus wen' forward and forced his way through, that he might ascertain the cause, and whether the LO. for the litter bank oT the wn earth and f the wall in Abbess Cor- pulace broke ings low ex- sentencing a hat she had her own de- g back into train of Do- he litter re- id ascertain At the first ined for her 2 tavern, he le entreated , the crowd npletely sta- ay through, -vhether the Again: The Sword of Corbulo. 297 block was temporary and would speedily cease He came back m great agitation, and said hastily to his mistress: — ^ " Lady, you cannot proceed. Suffer me to recom- mend that you go to the Carin.^and tarry there-with your lady mother for a while, till your strength is restored, and till the streets be more open." " Eboracus— what is going on ? tell me." " Madam, there is somctliing being transacted in the ro.n^^u.^ that causes all the approaches to be packed w. h people. We might make a circuit-but! lady ! I think ,f you would deign to repose for an hour at your mother s house, after what you have suffered it would be advisable." "uerca, it ;; Tell me what is taking place in the comtizum." I should prefer, lady, not to be asked." " But I have asked." ansJer"^"' "^^^^ mistress, do not require of me to make " Answer truly. Tell me no lie. What is it ? " He hesitated. Then Domitia said :— "Look at my hand, it is firm, it docs not tremble Nothing that I hear can be worse than what I have " Lady-your strength has already failed." ' And now I have gathered my resolution together and can bear anything. I adjure you. by vour duty to' me-answer me, what is taking place in the co^nJum, what I. It that causes the streets leading thereto to be impassable. 'I'i If I must reply ," If you do not, I will have you sco Nay, lady, that is not like thee. I I I i fi If urged." t is not fear that 2g8 Domitia. = 4 I '. ».( will make me speak, but because I know that if I do not, the information can be got from another." " Well— wliat is it ? " " The knight Celer, on the same charge as that which lost the Great Mother Cornelia, is being whipped to death with the scorpion." ^ " By the same orders ? To my mother's in the Carinas." Hastily Domitia drew the curtains of her litter, and was seen no more, spoke no more till she reached the door of Longa Duilia. Here she descended and entered the house. " My dear Domitia ! my august daughter ! What a pleasure ! What an honor ! " The lady Duilia started up to embrace the Empress. Domitia received the kiss coldly, and sank silent on a stool. Her mother looked at her with surprise. Domitia was waxen white, her eyes with dark rings about them, and unnaturally large and bright. The color had left her lips and these were leaden in hue. Domitia did not speak, did not move. She remained for some moments like a statue. " As the Gods love me ! " exclaimed her mother after a long pause, " you are not going to be ill, surely — nothing dangerous, nothing likely to end unhappily. Ye Gods ! and I have so much I want you to do for me. Tell me, I entreat you. Hide nothing from me. You are suffering. Where is it ? What is it ? Shall I send for a doctor? " •' Mother, no doctor can cure me. It is here," Domitia pressed her hands to her heart — " and here," ' A scourge of leather thongs and nails knotted in them. low that if I do n other." ge as that which ing whipped to lother's in the F her litter, and she reached the house. hter! What a :e the Empress, sank silent on Drise. Domitia igs about them, i color had left She remained ed her mother to be ill, surely end unhappily. )u to do for me. rom me. You ? Shall I send It IS here," — " and here," ted in them. Again ; The Sword of Corbulo. 299 to her temples. " I am the most miserable, the most unfortunate of women." " Ye Gods ! He has divorced you ? " •' No, mother. I would that he had." " Then what is the matter ? Have you eaten what disagrees with you? As the Gods love me! you should not come out such a figure. Who was your face-dresser to-day ? she ought to be crucified ! Not a particle of paint-white as ivory. Intolcrable-and it has given me such a , urn." Domitia ma--' reply. "But what ^. :., What has made you look like rarian marble.? " The Great Mother Cornelia-" Domitia could say no more, a lump rose in her throat and choked her Then all at once she began to shiver as though frost- stricken and her teeth chattered. I have an essence-you must take that," said the lady Duiha. " My dear, I know all about that. An estimable lady. I mean she was so till the Augustus decreed otherwise. I am sorry, and all that-but you know-well, these things do happen and must, and I dare be bound that some are glad, as it makes an open- ing for another needy girl, of good family of course. What is one person's loss is another's gain. The world IS so and we can't alter it, and a good thing, I say, that It IS so. ' " Mother— she was innocent." " Well, well, we know all about that. Of course it was all nonsense what was charged against her, that we quite understand. It would never have done for the real truth to have been advertised." " And what was the truth ? " u: fj \if 300 Domitia. Mil I " My dccar Domitia ! How can you ask such a silly, infantile question ? It was your doing, you must understand that. You threw yourself on her protec- tion, embraced the altar of Vesta, and Cornelia with the assistance of Celcr did what she could to further your object in leaving Rome. If people will do donkey- like things they must get a stick across their backs. It is so, an>' always will be so in this world, and we cannot make it otherwise." " I thought so. I was sure it was so," said Domitia gravely. There was an infinity of sadness, of despair in her tone. " Mother, I bring misfortune upon all with whom I have to do." " Ye Gods ! not on me ! I hope to be preserved from that ! Do not speak such unlucky words — they are of bad omen." " I cannot help it, mother, it is true. I am the most unfortunate of women myself " " You speak rank folly. Ye Gods forgive me ! say- ing such a thing to one who is herself divine. But, it is so— you are positively the most fortunate of women. What more do you desire ? You are the Augusta, the people swear by your genius and fortune." " By my fortune ! Alack poor souls ! " "And is it not a piece of good fortune to be raised so high that there is none above you ? " " My fortune ! The Gods know— if they know any- thing — that I would gladly exchange my lot with that of a poor woman in a cottage who spins and sings, or cf a girl among the mountains who keeps goats and is defended by a boisterous dog. Mother, listen to me. I have brought misfortune on Lucius Lamia, I have | caused the death of that harmless actor Paris, I have '< such a silly, ig, you must n her protec- Cornelia with lid to further illdodonkey- ; their backs, orld, and we said Domitia ss, of despair une upon all 3e preserved words — they am the most 've me ! say- 'ine. But, it te of women. Augusta, the to be raised ;y know any- iot with that ind sings, or goats and is isten to me. imia, I have Paris, I have Again : The Sword of Corbulo. 30, -y that the Augustus is .norosc? W, "mnde I ^ = -you by your behavior. Do thcv siv ,1,T, 1 '^ in his judgments ' Wl,„ i ,, ^ ''" '^ '^'^^^ hi.n cr!,ei?_yo'Lwr''ha:: '"rid":' •!;;':, •'"" """^ of tenderness in his breast. He wat t' '^^'"^ he be what men thi„l<_it is your work. Yo wit your .,tn,g„,g words goaded him to madness Zl a! cannot or will not beat you, as you de r^ | . ^ the blows on some one else Of .. , -.ch as you regard and love-b" au,e "^ev ob!'^ T' to >vhich he has a right, but whiehTo^dTn " i':.."'"' He — he — a right ! " Domitia started up, anger, resentment, hatred fltrcd m her eyes, stiffened the muscles of her vh' 7 made her hair bristle above her brou' '"'' '"^' union blessed by he Gods' 'j^rT"'"' °" ■•""' "'"■ tality, the most'^sacred rights "at b , f"' ,'""'"'■ who repaid your kindnesst s t , s ,'1 :he";'r' ^^^^ng'-d:ri^^-^-:f;^S-- -nt heart of the daughter of her who'ha'"p,':;ecId 302 D'omitia. ^If ll him ! No, mother, I OAvcd him no love. I have never given him any, because he never had a right to any. Mother — this must have an end." She sank into silence that continued for some while. DuiHa did not speak. She did not desire another such explosion, lest the slaves should hear and betray what had been said. Presently, however, she whis- pered coaxingly ? " My dear Domitia, you are overwrought. You have eaten something that has affected your temper. I find gherkins always disagree with me. There, go and take a little ginger in white wine, and sleep it off." Domitia rose, stififly, as though all her joints were wooden. " Yes, mother, I will go. But there is one thing I desire of thee. I have long coveted it, as a remem- brancer of my father — may I take it ? " " Anything — anything you like." Domitia went to the wall and took down the sword of Corbulo, there suspended. " It is this, mother. I need it." Then she departed. " That sword— ah ! " said Duilia. " It has been a little overdone. I have caught my guests exchanging winks when I alluded to it, and dropped a tear. O by all means she shall have it. It has ceased to be of use to me." iti> n mm I 'II:';-' :t ,:•* 4 S c. I have never a right to any. for some while. t desire another hear and betray ever, she whis- The Tablets. 303 wrought. You :d your temper, me. There, go md sleep it off." her joints were c is one thing I it, as a remem- lown the sword has been a little xhanging winks tear. O by all to be of use to CHAPTER XII. THE TABLETS. Elymas the sorcerer stood bowing before Domitia his hands crossed upon his breast ' \ 4. u t , '^^'"'^'ned nnmovable and «; len before her, awaitins che announcement o her wi " have sent for thee," she said. " How lon^ I would know, before the sixth veil falls ?•• ^' ' "Lady and Augusta," answered the IWafrian "re member that when thou lookest out upon tfrSabint Mountains, on one day all is so distinet that th wou d,^ ^ ^^,^ ^^ ^^ ^_^^^ J . ct th t thou em t?-thn tt: "°™m' ""= '^"S= -^ '° '-•"* -*- remote th„t thou wouldst consider it must rennir^ days of travel to attain their roots, It is so with tW Futur We look into its distance and b h d fH but whether near or far we know not. This oT H„ we say with confidence, that we are aware of hdr^suc "What"' "h'^J '"="■ "^^™"= "' '-oteness." "" What ! and the stars, will they not help thee?" planlts!" '^ '' ""^ '™= ^" °"»°- ""i"""ure o, whichThTy'p^rteTI" "' ''^ '''''"■ '"' '^" - «>^' looUnfo?"''" """ '■""'^=' Augusta, thou desirest to " ^'y'"='=' ""y ''°'-y has been unfolded-to what an ft; Tkr 304 Domitia. m extent it has been managed by such as thyself, that I cannot judge. But of a certainty it was thou who didst contrive that I was carried away from my hus- band's house. Then what followed, the Gods know how far thou wast in it, but I have heard it said that the God Titus would not have had h<'- mortal thread cut short but that, when in fever, thou didst persuade him to a bath in snow water. It is very easy to predict what will be, when with our hands we mould the future. And now— I care not whether thou makest or predic- test what is to be— but an end there must be, and that a speedy one— for thine own safety hangs thereon " " How so, lady ? " " The Augustus has been greatly alarmed of late at sinister omens and prophesies; and he attributes them to thee. Perhaps," with a scornful intonation, ''he also is aware that fulfilment is assured before a proph- esy is given out." The Magus remained motionless, but his face became pale. " I know, because at supper with his intimates, Mes- sala and Regulus and Carus, he swore by the Gods he would have you cast to savage dogs, and he would make an example of such as filled mens' minds with expectation of evil." " Lady " But Domitia interrupted him. " Thou thinkest that I say this to alarm thee and bend thee to my will. If the Augustus has his spies that watch and repeat to him whatsoever I do, whomsoever I see, almost every word I say— shall not I also have a watch put upon him ? Even now. Magus, that I have sent for thee, and that thou art closely consulted by me this has thyself, that I ^■^s thou who from my hu .- ic Gods know it said that the tal thread cut persuade him isy to predict uld the future, kest or predic- t be, and that 3 thereon." ned of late at tributes them onation, "he fore a proph- s face became timates, Mes- • the Gods he nd he would ' minds with thinkest that my will. If nd repeat to ilmost every ch put upon int for thee, me this has I The Tablets. 30- been carried to his ears, and as he knows how I esteem hnri he w,l think this interview bodes him no good." When, Lady Augusta, was this said . " J'/l'h ^r'^'-'^^'- '^ t'^'^ day returned from Albanum, and the threat was made but yesterday. Who can say but that the order has already been given for thy arrest, and for the gathering together of the dogs tha^ are to rend thee." ** The man became alnrmed and moved uneasily. Magus, said Domitia, " I cannot save thee, thine own w.ts must do that. Find it written in the stars that thy life ,s so bound up with that of the C.xsar, that he death of one is the extinction of the other ; or that thou boldest so potent a charm that if thou wilt thou canst employ it for his destruction. It is not for me to pomtout how thou maycst twist out of hisgrasp-thou art a very eel for slipperiness, and a serpent for con- trivance. What I desire to know is-How much longer IS this tyranny to last, and how long am I to suffer ?" 1 hen the magician looked round the room, to make sure that he was unobserved ; he raised the curtain at the door to see that none listened outside, and satis- fied that he vvas neither observed nor overheard he pointed to a clepsydra. This was an ingenious, but to our minds a clumsy contrivance for measuring time. It consisted of a sil! ver ball, with a covered opening at the top, through which the interior could be replenished. About the base of the globe were minute perforations through which the liquid that was placed in the vessel slowly oo^ed and oozing ran together into a drop at the bottom' which fell at intervals into the bucket of a tiny wheel. \Vhen the bucket was full, the wheel revolved and ' i 1^ I >i 3o6 Domitia. metal. The numbers nnged from one tu twelve and .heeo„.r,yanceans.e,.edforha,ftI,^ ^ady, said the Macus "h.fnmQnf i . ed to the twelfth hour—" ''"''" ^^^^ P^'"^" anger, entered the apartment of hi: /w?: '^^^'"^ ^'^^^ So? said he, "you are in league with astrol ogers and magicians against me ! But, by the Gods I can protect myself." ^ ^ ' ^ He clapped his hands, and some of the ^uard n peared m the doorway ^ '^ ''^^ "Augustus," answered the necromancer " I h. read that I should be rent by wild dogl" ' '''™ thy ^^r'c'o™ : tl n^u'X ""'ttl ' ' r" -^^ command that h b^ al on e marl'- v " fr' ' " " "^ burnedalive. We will see whe" t ^is"; IT "^ "'^'''■ true. Here is my order." Propheccs come Domitian plucked a 'packet of tablets from hu bosom, bound together with , . • '"^ 'rora his another bucket connection vith t-'tte of Satu/n, =r on an arc of to twelve, and -nty-four hours, turn has point- >om, along the the curtain was ^ blazing with • e with astrol- ^ the Gods ! I the guard up- ' I have given ^agus! know- lo pretendest :er, "I have I will make us ! — it is my is very night, pheciescome ts from his ^w forth one, tl on the wax officer. The Tablets. 30; Then the guard surrounded the astrologer, and led nim away. Domitian waved his hand. "Every one out of earshot," ordered he, and he walked to the window and looked forth. ^ It was already night ; to the south the sky was quiver- ing vvith lightning, summer flashes, without thunder » .u 'm?"' "" '^'"■"' '■' '^"'"''"S on," said the Emperor ; there II be storms everywhere, and lightning falling on a 1 sides-portents they say. So be it ! as the sword of heaven smites, so does mine. But it falls not on me, but on my enemies. Domitia," said he, leav- ing the window, " there has been a conspiracy entered into against my life, and the fools thought to set up Clemens-he, that weakling, that coward; but I have sent him to his death, and those who were associated with him, the sentence is gone forth against them also " " I marvel only that any in Rome are suffered to live. 1^' Minerva gives me wisdom— to defend myself." "Any wild beast can employ teeth and claws.'' " Domitia," he came close to her, " 1 am the most lonely of men. I have no friends ; my kinsmen either have been, or hate me ; my friends are the most despicable of flatterers, who would betray their own parents to save their own throats ; I use them, but I scorn them. You know not what it is to be alone ! " " I ! I have been alone ever since you tore me from Lamia." " Lamia ! " he ground his teeth ; " still Lamia ' But by the Gods ! not for long. And you-you my wife whom I have loved, for whom 1 would have done anything— you are against me ; you take counsel vvith a m 3o3 Domitia. Cha W.uan how Ion,, I l,.-.vc to live ; the Senate the noble., hate me, and by Jupiter, they have good c, ..., for I cut them with a seythe like ripe wheat That was a «o,Kl lesson of Tarqnin to his son Sextu to n,p off the heads of the tallest poppies. And the Z hi w,' ■■ '°'""' •■'''""•■ '""' ""-•• because I have doubled the.r pay ; let another offer to treble it Z o a man. they will desert me. Hy the ImmortM, "it' by'^sVi^e'^- ''""'-'"' '° '' O"'"^''' ■•'^-•-'. -e'„' ..a"^;;t:^to;^,r<:;:p^;r'''"^ ■'■•-»•>'-.'■'- " Wh.at said that star.gazer about the twelfth «r? he asked. ;' Walls have ears, nothing iTsaW « does no reaeh me. So, old Saturn, with thy cythe dost thou threaten .» Then I defy thee- l.a^ I saw the storm was coming up over Rome '• A long-drawn growl of thunder muttered through the passages of the palace. "ougn "I saw no Hash,- said the prince, "yet lightnine alls somewhere, maybe to kindle the pyre on which hat sorcerer w,ll burn ; I care not. Fire of heaveTw and strdce where and whom thou wilt ' •' He went again to the window and looked forth The a,r w.as stdl and close. The sky was enveloped .n vapor and not a star could be seen. A continuous qu.ver of electric light ran along the horizon. The„ he heavens seemed to be rent asunder and a blazcof hghtmng shot forth, blinding to the eyes Dom.tian turned away, and laid the tablets on the marble s.deboard as he pressed his hands to his eye! le Senate, the '' have good :e ripe wheat, is son Sextus es. And the with them— ecausc I have treble it and, mmort. U! it against, even tablets, then the twelfth thing is said rn, with thy y thee— ha ! e." red through -t lightning re on which heaven fall Dked forth, enveloped continuous ^on. Then I a blaztf of lets on the to his eye- The Tablets. 3^9 "By the Gods!- he exclaimed a moment later wllh" Z- •• " "" ' '' '""""''^ '" "^^'-^^ ■' '^ f^"^' He paced the room, halted, stood in front of the water 1 ad been rddened, and it . ..ned like blood sweated out of the s.Iver globe. At t).,. moment t. wheel revolved, and sent a c irnson , sh in o , l-cuver. With a jerk Saturn .a..,:d l" . scy 1 c^ and indicated the hour ten. ^ "^ Dom^tia^"'^'"''"' '"''"'"^ ''''^' '"^ '""^^ '" f'-^^t of " None have ever loved me," he said bitterly, "how hen can .t be expected that I shall love any ? n,; father d.shked me, my brother distrusted me-and you -- my w.fe, have ever hated me. I need not ask the caLe ot that. I ,s Lam.a, always Lamia. Because he has never marned you think he still harbors love for you and you-you hate me because of him. It is hard to I c 'tch '"11'' ' '" '' ''°"" '' ' '''''' ^ P^^-^y-I think I catch allusions to me ; if it be a comedy-there is a jestaunedatme; if a tragedy, it expresses what men w.sh may befall me. If I read a historian, he declaims on the glor.es of a commonwealth before these men these Caesars became tyrants, and as for your philoso! phers-away with them, they are wind-bags, but the wind .s poisonous, it is malarious to me. wLen I am hooo of'"'"'; ^"''"'r ^ ^''^ ^-een-you, the entire hoop of spectators cheer, bet on the blue-to show me that tl^y hate me. At the Amphitheatre, if T favor the b.g shields, then every one else is for the small targets. A prince is ever the most solitnrv of men. iiyou had protested that you loved me, "had 310 Domitia. •i ; , r ~ fondled me, I would have held you in suspicion, mis- trusted your every word and look and gesture. Per- haps it is because that you have never given me good word, g-. Me look, and gesture of respect that I feel you are true— cruelly true, and I have loved you as the only true person I know. Now answer me — you asked after my death ? " " Yes," answered Domitia. " I knew it." " And," said she, in cold, hard tones, looking straight into his agitated, twitching countenance, " I bear to you a message." " From whom ? " " From Cornelia, the Great Mother." " Well, and what " he stopped, some one ap- proached the door. " What would you have ? " The mime Latinus appeared. " Well— speak." " Sire, the rain extinguished the pyre, before that the astrologer was much burnt ; then the dogs lell on him, as he was unbound, and they tore him and he is dead." " Ye Gods ! " gasped Domitian, putting up his hand. " His word has come true after all." Domitia signed to the actor to withdraw. " You have not heard the message of Cornelia." He did not speak. "She has summoned you, the Augustus, the Chief Pontiff, the unjust Judg., to answer before the All- righteous Supreme Justice, above— before the scythe points to Twelve." Domitian ? swered not a word, he threw his mantle about his face and left the room. He had left his tablets on the table. The Hour of Twelve. 311 ispicion, mis- esture. Per- 2r given me :spect that I /e loved you inswer me — king straight " I bear to me one ap- ive ? " 'ore that the i lell on him, he is dead." ap his hand. rnelia." IS, the Chief )re the AU- : the scythe r his mantle CHAPTER XIII. THE HOUR OF TWELVE. For some moments Domitia remained without stirring. But then, roused by a glare of lightning, succeeded by a crash so loud as to sliake the palace,' she saw in the white blaze the tablets of the Emperor lying on the table. At once, aware of the importance of what she had secured, she seized them, and went to the lamp to open them. They consisted of thin citron-wood boards, framed and hinged on one side, the surfaces within covered with a film of wax, on which notes were inscribed with a stile or iron pen. There were stray leaves that served for correspondence, orders and so forth, but what Domitia now held was a diptych, that is to say, two leaves hinged, like a book-cover, which had in- cluded loose sheets and were bound together by strings. She at once opened the diptych, and saw on the first page : — " To be executed immediately : — In the Tullianum, by strangulation, Lucius ^lius Lamia Plautius yElianus. To be torn by dogs : — The Chaldacan Elymas, otherwise called Ascletarion." If ( ::: III M 1 ' 14 L ;l'. \M 'Asiii, s ^'^ Domitia. On the second leaf ; " To be executed on the morrow :— By decapitation : Petronius Secundus, Prc-efect of the Prato rium. Norbanus, h-kcwise Pro^fect of the Pr^to- rium. By strangling in the TuHianum : Parthcnius and Sigerius, Chamberlains of the jralace. To be bled to death ; Stephanus : steward to my niece Domitilla. tntellus : Secretary a libcllis. The words applying to Lamia acted on her as a blow against her heart. She stae-frereH f^ . . , , it and struggled for breath.^' ^ ' ^'°°^' ^^"'^ ^» .l,f"M^!,T'"'^°^ the danger allowed no delay- she ralhed her strength immediately, flew from the room and summoned Eboracus To him breathless, she said :' " Fly-summon me at once Stephanus the steward, Petronfus and N<^-banus r^ r'/?.' ''' ^'--berlains Parthenius and Sge: nu.. B,d them come to me at once-not make a moment's delay." ^'^^ ^ She sank again on the stool and put her hands to her temples and p, , sed them *° rol[''Thtr'"^ ";"■""' '" '^'"^ ^"^ ^^^ tJ^^nder to roll. Tl e.e ensued a turmoil, and a sound of voices crymg ; then a rush of feet. Euphrosyne entered with started m,en '' My mistress! The'^bolt of he Jen has fallen on the Palatine, and the chamber of Ihe of the Prseto- of the Praeto- tberlains of the :e Domitilla. I her as a blow 'tool, sank on d no delay — ievv from the immon me at nd Norbanus, ius and Sige- ■not make a her hands to e thunder to nd of voices entered with t of heaven nber of the The Hour of Twelve. ,13 Augustus has been struck. The Temple of the FIi vians ,s on fire and is burning in despite of th rain •' The chamberlain, Parthenius, entered parttlh''' ' ," "'' '"' " '''' ''^''''''"'^ ^^- -^^-ck that part of the palace occupied by Caesar. He must have li.s apartment for the night on this side - ' That IS well," answered Domitia. " Parthenius have you received my message from Eboracus? ' JNo, lady. tablJts." "'' '''^'" ^'^ ^^^^"^^^ '^ ^-- t'- wax '^Parthr'".^"*" •';!."'' -'^ g-y and trembled. Parthenms, said Domitia, " it is no vain aueurv that hghtnmg has struck the Temple of the Flavfans and dnven Caesar from his apartments. Let h phce It lie wakes- she looked at the clepsydra, as at thif moment with a click the wheel turned , d It t moved h,s scythe-" there is but an hour in which 1 fate of more than yourself, of Lamia-of Entellusmu t be decided. Take the tablets " Scarce had she spoken, before quick steps were heard, and in a moment Domitian entered Parthenius hastily concealed the tablets by throwing cifamberrist^be on^' ^^^ " ^"^^-^ '^^ ^^^^^ that'll h7ve"'''K 7i ""'T''''' ''^"Shly, "see to ft that I have a bed brought at once. Hast heard Domitia, the fire has fallen ! " ' J'n'l'" f "^ P^^thcnius, " I haste to obey and pnv the Gods that in spite of thunder and liglLi g y"^ may sleep sound and not wake." ^ ^1 1:1 J! »< n| 314 Domitia. The Emperor walked to the clepsydra, and laughed scornfully. -'The bolt of Jove has n^issed :ne,-'said he. The red-handed One made a mistake. I am wont to be in bed at this hour-by good luck, this night I was iiot. He has levelled his bolt at my pillow and burnt that-I am escaped scot-free. Novv 1 have no further fear." "The temple of your divine family is in flames." What care I? I will rebuild it-thc majesty the diy.mty of the Flavians resides not in stones and marble -It ,s incorporate in Me. I may have been in danger for a moment. Novv I snap my fingers in the face of that b underer Jove, who burnt a hole in my pillow instead of transfixing my head. And yon old Chronos-" he made a sign of contempt towards scythed Time "I defy thee and thy bucket of blood. Twelve o'clock ' In spite of Jove's bolt, and the summons of Corndia-- 1 shall be asleep by that hour." " I pray the Gods it may be so." Then Domitian went out precipitately. His defiant a t.tude his danng talk did not serve to disguise the alarm which he felt. Suddenly, after having left the room he turned, came back and said, " Domitia! What sword IS that ? What need has a woman with a sword > " the wl'"''' '' ''''^' °' '^"''"'°' "^^P^"^^^ ^^--t He went to it and took it down " Leave it," said she harshly. " It is that on which ^fNero "'' '" '''"'''"^ ^'^''''''' ''''^' ^^^^ ^^^^^ He held it by the scabbard. She caught the h.v • and, as he turned, drew forth the blade. At the same moment he heard steps in the passa e Ii'a, and laughed lissed me," said mistake. I am good luck, this lis bolt at my Jcot-free. Now s in flames." le majesty, the )nes and marble en in danger for the face of that ■ pillow instead Chronos — " he thcd Time, "I wclve o'clock ! s of Cornelia — '. His defiant > disguise the aving left the -mitia! What ^itli a sword ? " :nded against hat on which ith tile blood ht the hn' ,\ II the passttj,e The Hour of Twelve. 31. approaching the door, and without noticing that he held but the sheath, or else purposing to demand t he weapon tsclf later, when the interruption was over, he walked owards the entrance uttering an expression of impa- tience holcnng the empty scabbard in his right hand In the doorway stood Stephanus, a freedman, the steward of Havia Domitilla, wife, or rather widow of Clemens, whom Domitian had recently put to death Dom.tilla had been exiled, and the Emperor had ap' propnated to his own use the estates of his kinsm-n Why camest thou hither?" asked the prince roughly. « I shall have enough to say to thee on the morrow because of thy embezzlements." "Augustus! I am innocent." "A thief, a vile purloiner,a blood-sucking leech that has fattened as do all thy kind on thy nuusters! Go thy way— I want thee not here." And striding towards him, with Corbulo's scabbard he struck the freedman across the face Stephanus uttered a cry of rage and pain, and in- stantly smote at the Emperor with a dagger lie had held concealed in his sleeve. ; What, hound ! You dare ! You shall be flayed ahve ! Ho ! to my aid ! " ^ Stephanus threw himself on the Emperor. Then Domitia stepped between the struggling men and the doorway, and with one hand drew together the curtains so as to muffle the cries. " To my aid ! to my aid ! - called Domitian ^hc powerful steward grappled him, and struck his dagger into the thigh of the prince ^^ To my aid ! Ho, a sword ! " shouted the F, peror, and he grasped the weapon of the steward b m- ut 3^6 Domitia. so that, holding the blade with his hind H ' cut .t across and the blood strL ^ed fo/t ^ *^"^^^'^" He now made an effort to reach hI the steward, holding him strove ''°'''"^' ^"^ cla^cer and inflict a , Jl^^::^. ;; --"fy^^"^ '^^ aware of his object, with Lis b^ : .. ^"' P""'^'-^' his grasp of the blade " "'^^—k^ hand retained The two men ,,,,istcd a„d „.,-rtI, 7 prince. Hut Domitiin 1 u '° '''■'^P'"" !■ the Though hi. legs w 'e thnL^" % '°' '"■ "'=' h.-f body, he ,i a ™ 7::' °',:°/ P'""""' " '° tained his vigor by exercrse of f7 "'"'' ""''"- never weakeLd W,„::;r;°'e ^r^.r^V"" "^^ dnnlcmg. "^ ^-^^cess m eatnig and b/^i^Sf':^it;"c-o,:-f,tf»-.>'".c,.ped n^atfog:;;::'; 'rnZZn'' 7' '°'-" ■- ^--^^^^^ growl of rage filled thero™ ^''''""'' "'« "-'-' " Quick ! Domitia-the sword ! At once tr -the sword!" said the Emperor '""""-"^"word and gasps. "peror. He spoke in gulps che"t^':d^!^h'^d::,:e1:s?j■ ;;■•; ^- - on his blood, contracted the prStt ^^^^'"^ -«■ Domitia ! the sword ' " But she stood, stern, cold, without stirring a .„o,.. on Jiand, the weap ;f proporti :.n to had ever rnain- uscles and had in eating and s, but clasped cd hi a tangled and the bestial ICC— the sword 5poke in gulps -e was on his flowing with ■oat. rring a s^te^: 'f-fl KOMI I lA I TIIK SWdKI) ,;*r«i ■■I I 1 1 r' , ij 1 ' >'f '^ 1 JitJ. The Hour of Twelve. and she folded the sword of her father to her breast with her arms crossed over it. ' " Because of Paris— No ! " 1' Tw' '''°1 -J"' -^P^^^y- I ^-i" finish him ! " Because of Cornelia— No ! " " Domitia— help ! " "Because of Lucius Lamia— No ' " r^llL'"'"' !° '^' '"'''''^'"•^' ^''^^ them apart and called down the passage to Norbanus. ^ ' ^ The two Pn-etorian pra^fects were there with the chamberlams-but they were ill able to rest" n the guard who suspected that th^ir pdnce and fT was in dange. and scented trcacherT '"" Instantly a rush was made. Som^ of the soldiers thonty to restrain the rest. But from the other pnH r.f fi,^ For a moment there was a jam in fhi a "'"^' Meanwhile Petronius continued to exhort his ,ol d,ers to stand back, and Partheniu. to p™n,i re Jd ' to the glad.ators who pressed on. The tumult he came terrible. Men came to blows without the wa" a runnmg together of slaves and freedmen_of frilt ened women and pages from all sides Some had othe^ ttptLTo^x -^lu Tfr'f ^^■^'■" "''^'" •■Tre--son M' Tw., ? theiights. Some cried lre,„son! Others Away with the monster!" In f: i 1 1 ' i im 'tf an 318 Doiuitia. i! Some called uut " Ncrva is the Emperor! others " Domitian is the Augustus ! " Then the gladiator at the door, by dint of elbowing, forced his way within, but he was unarmed. Next moment the Prietoriar -t,,:. ..,;an hr,ld back by the gladiator entered and struck at Stephanus, dealing a frightful blow. Relieved by this assistance, Domitian staggered to his feet and glared about him. He was too much out of breath to speak, and in at the door came others pressing, some crying one thing, some another. Then Domitia unfolded her arms, and taking the sword of Corbulo in her right hand, extended it to the gladiator aiul said—" Make an end." The man snatched at the hrit; and with a blow drove the blade into the breast of the Emperor. Still the prince remained standing, and stretched forth his hands gropingly for a weapon. Parmenas leaped at him, and with a knife struck him in the throat. Then he reeled ; in another moment he was sur- rounded, blows from all sides were ra.ned on him. Again the .swonl of Corbulo v as lifted and again smote, and he fell ivs a heap on the body of Stephanui,. For a moment there was stillness. Then in that hus'i . unded a click and a g jsh. The bucket of the clepsy.Ira had discharged, and with a jerk Saturn raised his scythe and po-nted to the hour of midnight. " He has answered his su on- before the sent of Divine Justice!" said Dom 1. She stooped and plucked Lne signet ring from <^he finger of the murdered princ{ !ce. I m Imperor ! others iint of elbowing, armed. ..,i.ui ho.ld hack at Stephanus, an staggered to as too much out 3or came others another, and taking the tended it to the d with a blow- Emperor. , and stretched 1, a knife struck It he was sur- rained on him. ted and again y of Stephanui.. idaghsh. The :d, and with a ed to the hour ore the sent of ring from *^he In the Tullianum. 3'9 CHAPTER XIV. \\ 'N THE TULLIANUM. V fin^rr^^'i'^'^'^^^^^'-^'^-t from the I linger ot the dead Emncror flnn ' . i,-, i. i /• I 4.U ^"ipLioi, cnan nastencd from I he room trembling, ahno.st blhul .s to her course b" .-.rmed v.h ,nore than her natural strength to (ore; he way through tho.e who filled the passage larmenas was now there, and he cleared a way for eav.hhe palace; I'etroniusat thesametimegave order, othe n|d,er,s of the guard ,„ ren,ainwl,ere they were keep,,,, .atd, that none left to spread the tiZ^ unt. Coccus Nerva h :,d been communicated tu' and the F nate had been summoned. Domitia, how^ ■^r rmHf^ ii^.- ,.. c v , , , -r, made Jici way from amono- thp exc:ted and aUu, d throng, and finding some of her ovvn slaves, bade them bring Eboracus to her. 1 am uere, lady," answered the Kriton '' Then quick-with me. Not a moment is to be lost. Light a torch and lead the way." "Whither, mistress?" "To the Tullianum." He stared at her in amazement. "Puick-a life, a precious life is at stake Not a mmute must wc delay or it will be too late " I am ready, lady." tO^-,''rr''""'1 " '^""^ '"■" "" """'*''"*■ ""d ='dv^«Ccd towards a postern gate that communicated with a fli..|,t of steps lead.ng to the Forum. It was employed almo 320 Domitia. HI: U':l Ifi Bh' lijafiii Hi: wholly by the servants and was used for communica- tion between the kLlchen and the markets. "Shall we take any one else with us?" asked Eboracus. He answered himself— " Yes— here is Eu- phrosync. She shall attend, and a boy shall carry the link. At night— and on such a night, I must have both arms at my disposal." Domitia said nothing. She was eager to be on her way, was impatient of the smallest delay. Euphrosyne came up, and obeyed a sign from the Briton. He caught a scullion who was rubbing his sleepy eyes, and wondering what had caused the commotion, and' had roused him from his bed. Eboracus thrust the torch into his hand and opened the door for the Empress. Domitia stepped out to the head of the stairs. The rain had ceased, but the steps were running with water. The eaves dripped. The shrubs were laden with rain, they stooped their boughs and shed a load of moist- ure on the soil, then raised their leaves again, once more to^ accumulate the wet, and again to stoop and shower it down. Runnels conveying water from the roof were flowing as streams, noisily: the ground covered with pools, reflected the torch ; as also every gleam from the retiring storm. Still in the distance thunder muttered, but it was a grumble of discontent at having failed to achieve all it had been sent to execute. On such a night few would be abroad, except the patrols of the Vi'^t/cs and them there would be no difificulty in passing as the watchword was known to Eboracus, the word which allowed those only who could say it to traverse the streets at night in the re- spectable portions of the city. But there were no lamps, not even the feeble glimmer of a lantern slung in the midst of the .street. Notwithstanding all the civili- In the Tullianum. or communica- nts. :h us?" asked cs — here is Eu- shall carry the :, I must have er to be on her . Euphrosyne e Briton. He Icepy eyes, and otion, and had I rust the torch le Empress. \c stairs. The ing with water, den with rain, load of moist- ^s again, once to stoop and Mter from the : the ground as also every tlic distance ' discontent at nt to execute. d, except the would be no -vas known to )se only who ight in the re- nere were no ntcrn slung in J all the civili- 321 nation of ancient Rome the art of lighting the thorough- fares at n.ght was unknown. Such as were constrai.icd to walk abroad after dark were attended by slaves bear- ing torches. The s^treets of Rome had for h.ngbeen of bad repute or the brawls and murders committed in them at night l.psy youths and rufflers had assaulted honest Ln and should a wc.man be out after dark, she was certain of msult. Nero himself had distinguished himself m such vulgar performances. lUit under the Fla vian princes much had been done to establish order and to ensure protection to life and purse of such as were out after dark, .0 that now, except in the slums aat./encouhi visithis friends, a doctor his patients' by night, without fear of molestation. And of all portions of Rome, the Forum with its splendid monuments, its rleli temples, especially that of baturn, that contained the city treasures, was most pa- trolled and therefore the safest. Eboracus had little expectation that his mistress would meet with rudeness or encounter danger, the rain must have swept the street of all idlers. The long flight of steps was descended with caution as they were slippery with rain, indeed with more caution than Domitia approved, so impatient was she to reach the object of her journey. The distance was not great bhe had but to traverse the upper end of the Forum That at which she aimed was the prison of Rome It lay at the foot of the Capitolln. Hill, and consisted of an ancient well or subterranean chamber in which flowed a small spring. Above this was the prison, con- sistmg of a series of cells that rose in stages to a con- siderable height, against the rock, the chambers being m part scooped out of the travestine. From the top 322 Domitia. m-.- > of the hill ran a set of steps called the Gcmonian stair, and it was customary for State prisoners who had been condemned to death, after execution to be cast from the upper chamber of the Tullianum down the stairs ; whence with hooks the corpses were dragged across the Forum and then (lung into the Tiber. To the house of the jailer, Domitia with her attend- ants made her way. She had been stopped once in crossing the Forum, but the watch recognized her, and saluted with respect, though with an expression of astonishment on his countenance at seeing Caisar's wife abroad at such a time of the night, in such weather and with such scant attendance. On reaching the jailer's door, Eboracus knocked. No answer was given. He knocked again and louder, and continued knocking, till at length a gruff voice from within called to know who was without, and what was wanted. "Open— in the name of the Augustus," said the British slave ; and at once the keeper of the prison let down the bars and withdrew the bolts and chains, then carrying a lamp, peered out at those who demanded admittance. Then Domitia stood forward. " You have a prisoner here— Lucius ^lius Lamia ? " "Yes." "You must lead me to him." "The jailer appeared disconcerted, he held his lamp aloft and eyed the woman who spake. He did not know her, his light was feeble, and as it happened, he had seen little of the Empress. " You do not know me," said Domitia. " Know you this ring ? "' The prison-keeper held the flame of his lamp to the 2 Gcmonian stair, ers who had been I to bo cast from down the stairs ; raggec! across the with her attend- stoppcd once in ;ognized her, and n expression of seeing Caesar's , in such weather oracus knocked, igain and louder, th a gruff voice ithout, and what Listus," said the of the prison let and chains, then who demanded ^h'us Lamia ? " le held his lamp e. He did not it happened, he a. " Know you his lamp to the In the Tullianum. 323 signet, and made the usual sign of respect and recog- nition. ° "You are required to lead me within," said Domitia ihe jailer at once stood aside, and suffered the Em- press and her attendants to enter. Then he barred and bolted the door again. " And now," said Domitia, impatient at the leisurely proceeding of the man, " lead mc to him." Without another word he went forward, holding his lamp down that those who followed might see the steps and not stumble at them. "This way," said he, "and bow your heads, the en- trance is low; but most of them that pass this way have to hold their heads still lower when they arc taken out. Look at these stones— great blocks built by the Kings— by Servius TuUus, they say. By Her- cules ! this is not a tavern where men tarry long nor do they relish our fare. One thing I must say in our favor, we make no charge for our hospitality." Thus the jailer muttered as he went along. " Look there— on your right— there is the cell where banon Bar Gioras, the Jew, was strangled— he who was the ia t to maintain the struggle against the God Titus in defence of Jerusalem ; and see—" he threw open a door. " Here is the Bath of Mamertius in which Ju- gurtha was starved, all in blackness of darkness and soaking in ice-cold water. What ! Impatient-do you not care to sec the sights and hear my gossip ? WVll well— but I have pretty things to show. I have a shankbone of Appius Claudius, who committed suicide in yon cell, and a garment of Sejanus, and the very bowstring wherewith-I am going on as fast as may bt. See ! we have had Christians here also. There was another Jew, Simon Pctrus by name, he was in this 324 Domitia. ; I M : ;> I'k'A nth t i cell and I have the chain whereby he was bound/and I sell the hnks to the followers of the Nazarene " he began to cackle. " By Hercules ! the chain is 'lon^ enough. They come for more links than there would be, were the chain to reach across the Tiber. But any bit of old iron will serve, and they are not particular- take any scrap and pay in silver. I am going as fast as may be. I am not young. Fast enough I warrant Jlc IS in no hurry-not Lamia. He can wait. All the sametohnnwhetherwereachhimnoworanhourhcnce" I hen Domitia, whose brow was beaded with cold sweat, like the stones of the vault that ran with moist ure, laid hold of the prison-keeper's arm and said :- Tell me-,s he-" she could not say the word, her heart beat so furiously, and everything swam before her eyes 'Aye, aye, you shall see for yourself. Come from the Augustus to satisfy him that we do our work prop- erly I trow. I have not much strength in these old- hands, but my two sons are lusty-and say the word- they will bend your back and snap the spine, smite and shear off your head Hke a pumpkin under a scythe, twist andthe life is throttled out of you. Here-here weare' Go in and sec for yourself that we are good workmen '* He threw open a door and raised his lamp. A low vaulted chamber was faintly illumined by the flame the torch held by Eboracus was behind Domitia and the jailer ; he had taken it from the link boy at the prison door. He and Euphrosyne attended their mistress, the boy was left without. The old prison-keeper stood on one side " The order came yesterday," said he, '< and weare not slack in the execution." Domitia saw the figure of a man lying on the stone floor. She started forward— If! I was bound, and c Nazarene," he ic chain is long lian there would Tiber. But any not particular — m going as fast lough I warrant. n wait. All the ranhourhence." aded with cold : ran with moist rm and said: — ? word, her heart before her eyes. If. Come from our work prop- h in these old- say the word — pine, smite and ■ a scythe, twist, ■e— here we are. ood workmen." amp. umined by the »ehind Domitia lie link boy at attended their do. , " and we are ? on the stone In the Tullianum. 325 Leave me alone " He sleeps ! " "I warrant you— right soundly." She uttered a smothered cry. " Put down the lamp ! " She turned and faced the jailer with him. I will wake him. I know he'bu^t deeps/'' 1 he man hesitated. _ Then Eboracus pressed forward and laid hold of the ja.ler and whispered-" Go without, it is the Augusta ' " The keeper of the prison started, raised his hand to drew back."" ' "' '''' '""^ °" ^^" '"^'^^ «°- -^ ;< Withotit ! Without all ! " ordered Domitia. Ihen Eboracus pulled the jailer out of the cell Euphrosyne stood doubtful whether to remain with her mistress or obey but an impatient sign from the Em- pre^s^s drove her forth, and the British slave closed the "He is dead " said the jailer. - Did the Augustus too late. The prisoner has been throttled by my sors " The old man and the two slaves remained for some quar er of an hour in the passage almost smothered oy the smoke emitted by the torch From within_ they heard a voice-at intervals, now raised m weeping, then uttering low soothing tones Tthe d ;" ''^n"'^' '' '''' ''"''''^'''^^ ^' hi.-cd'wai]er.s for the dead, calling on Lamia by name to return, to re- turn, to leave the Shadowland and come back intoligh And then— a laugh. ^ A laugh so weird, so horrible, so unexpected that ^vith.a^ thrust, without scruple. Eboracus L re w open 326 Domitia. On the stone pavement sat Domitia, her hair dis- hevelled, and on her hip the head of the dead man. She was wiping his brow with Iier veil, stooping, kiss- ing his lips, weeping, then laughing again—then point- ing to purple letters, crossed L's woven into his tunic. Eboracus saw it all— her reason was gone. :i I" I, ? VHiii CHAPIER XV. DRAWING TO THE LIGHT. In the old home of Gabii, under the tender care of Euphrosyne and in the soothing company of Glyceria, little by little, stage by stage, Domitia recovered. There was a horrible past to which no reference might be made. The true British slave, Eboracus, was ever at hand to help— when needed. Never a day, never half a day, but his honest face appeared at the door to inquire after his dear lady, and as her senses came flickering back, it was he to whom she clung to tc.ke her in his arms into the trellised walk, or when stronger to lead her where she could pick violets for Glyceria, and to pile about the feet of the little statue of the Good Shepherd. He took her a row on the lake and let her f^sh— he found nests of young birds and brought them to her ; and all at once disclosed great powers of story-telling ; he told marvellous British tales as to a little child, of the ploughing of Hu Cadarn, of Ceridwen and her cauldron. And he would sing— he fashioned himself a harp, of British shape, and sail? as he accompanied himself, but his ballads were all in^the :cltic tongue that Domitia could not understand- a, her hair dis- the dead man. stooping, kiss- lin—thcn point- 1 into his tunic, gone. Drawing to the Light. tender care of ny of Glyceria, ■ecovered. 1 no reference , Eboracus, was Never a day, )peared at the 1 as her senses n she ckuig to walk, or when )ick violets for ic Httle statue ow on the lake -ing birds and [isclosed great -IS British tales Hu Cadarn, of ould sing — he c, and sang as iverc all in the understand — -vcrthelcs., it soothed and pleased he. .,,,,u.,,UoIu LoHRa Duilia did not visit her often i;!, ""- tft;^:-;tra7.h:-if :;;,t;^:r-: was not he,- gift. Society was her sph re ' ?hi „' floated and wh.ch she adorned, but l,e was di ,r . t and drooping in a siek-room. She wished ,| e I '' Tl^ r t rtl ■■"' ""' ""' °' '^"■"«-^"' ^'l ■"'' . n ve not cast ni tl^e same mould, run out of the s.an,e metal -and, my dear, parenthetically^-some are ,f o C.S of Corinthian brass-and'which ar ,,, , ' ' no. for me to say-she thanked the Gods it was so aval" "'f, ."'= '■■'"^ -'! ^-ff'-ts to amnse, of I ,"nia avatl anythme towards Domitia's cure. On he con ul T ,; '■■"'y '■'PP'-''' "P ill-healed sores irfcoTdi:^. ^^^°""'°"^' -"'^ - ^"-^ "- -^ue in 'm^lffr'l'T' ""'^",' """ ""'^ ■■' «-•"- '-'""''er in my lUe— I, too, who have the pcdiL-rce -.t ■„„ c gers e„ds-as to fancy that there wa y e , it w, h hose Flavians. My dear I yellow hair i,°,' out o fashion now, quite out. Look at mine a r iJJ, 's wing is not darker. It was through Vespa h .a!! I thought we were related-stupid that i u-as- i vas the Vipsanians we were allied to, not those |„„ Z begg.arly Ve.spasians. As the Gods love me, I b dieve Pollas fa her was an army contractor. H„ "' made .t all right, i have smud,ed out the lie I Id r r j 328 Domitia. added to the family tree, and as for the wax heads of those P"lavians, I liavc Iiad them melted up. Will you believe it — I had the mask of Domitian run into a pot and that stupid Lucilla did not put a cover on it, and the rats have eaten it — eaten all the wax. I hope it has clogrrrcd their stomachs and given them indigestion. They doubtless thought it was dripping, l^ut I really have made a most surprising discovery. I find there was an alliance with the Cocceii — most respectable family, very ancient, admirable men all — and so there is a sort of cousinship with the present admirable prince. His brother Aulus — rather old perhaps — but an estimable man— is — well — may be — in .1 word, I intend to give a little supper — a dainty affair — all in the best style — so sorry you can't be there, my dear Domitia — but of course absolutely impossible. Your state of health and all that sort of thing. Don't be surprised if you hear — but there, there — he is rather old though, for one who is only just turning off the very bloom of life and beauty." After such a visit and such talk the mind of Domitia was troubled for several days. She became timid, alarmed at the least noise, and distraught. But then the poor crippled woman succeeded in comforting and laying her troubles, and the painful expression faded from her face. It became placid, but always with a sadness that was inseparable from the eyes, and a trcmulousness of the lips, as though a very little — a rough word or two — would dissolve her into tears. With the spring, the growing light, the increasing warmth, the bursting life in plant and insect, she began to amend more steadily, and relapses became fewer. One sweet spring day, when Glyeeiia had been car- :hc wax heads of ;d up. Will you m run into a pot cover on it, and wax. I hope it hem indigestion, ig. But I really •y. I find there nost respectable II — and so there escnt admirable Id perhaps — but c — in .1 word, I ity affair — all in c there, my dear ipossiblc. Your liing. Don't be re — he is rather turning off the Tiind of Domitia became timid, ight. But then comforting and :;xpression faded t always with a ;he eyes, and a a very little — a r into tears. t, the increasing insect, she began )ccame fewer, ia had been car- Drawing to the Light. 3.5 ried forth into the garden, and Domitia sat on tl.c turf near her with purple anemones in her lap, that she was bmchng mto a garland, the paralyzed woman was startled by hearing Domitia suddenly speak of the past, blic spoke, and continued weaving the flowers. " Mv G ycena I intend this for the little temple of my father ^ It ,s all I can do for him-to give flowers where his ashes lie-but it does not content me. There were two whom I loved and looked up to as the best of mrn, and both are gone-gone to dust : my own dearest father, and my lover, my husband, Lamia I cannot bear to think of them as heaps of ashes or as wandenng ghosts. When that thought comes over me I seem to be as one drowning, and then darkness IS before my eyes. I cannot cry— T smother " "Why should you think of them as wandering ghosts or as heaps of dust ? " "I know that they are dust-I suppose they are shadows. But of anything else, all is guess-work, we know nothmg-and that is so horrible. I love two only have loved two only-and they are no more than shadows. No, no ! I mean not that." She fiuivr her arms about Glyceria, and laid her cheek against that of the sick woman. " No, I do love you, and I love Euphrosyne and I love Eboracus. But I mean- I mean in a different manner. One was my father, and the other my husband. It is so terribly sad to think they are lost to me like yesterday or last summer " " They are not lost. You will see them again." " St^ my father ! See my Lamia ! " "Yes— I know it will be so." O, Glyceria. do not say such thin"- s. You make my heart jump. How can it be ? They have b een. 33° Domitia. " They are and will be. Death is swallowed up in Life." "That is impossible. Death is death and nothing more." ^ Then Glyceria took the hand of Domitia, and look- ing into her eyes, said solemnly : " Dost thou remem- ber having asked me about the Fish ? " "Yes— this amulet," answered the noble lady, and :ihe detached the cornelian from her throat, and held it in the hand not engaged by Glyceria. '-Yes— I recollect— there was some mystery, but what was it ?" " The Fish is a symbol, as I said once before, and it is no amulet." " Of what is it the symbol ? " " Of One who died— who tasted of the bitterness of the parting of soul and body, and who went into the region of Shadows and returned— the soul to the body, and rose from the dead, and by the virtue of His resurrection gives power to all who believe in Him to rise in like manner." " And he could tell about what the ghosts do— how they wander ? " " I cannot say that. There would be no comfort in that. He rose to give us joy and to rob death of its terrors." " But what has this to do with the Fish ? " " You know what the word Fish is in Greek." " Very well." " Take each letter of that word, and each letter is the first of words that contain the very substance of the Christian belief— Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Saviour." Domitia looked at the little cornelian nsh ; she could not understand. :?-M,, jvvallowed up in ath and nothing mitia, and look- st thou rcmcm- noble lady, and :hroat, and held :eria, 'Yes — I : what was it ?" s before, and it le bitterness of ' went into the ul to the body, virtue of His :ve in Him to hosts do — how no comfort in lb death of its sh ? " Greek." ich letter is the bstance of the 1 of God, the iian fish ; she Drawing to the Light. I believe that one could d ie and wake 33 i I T,„ r . , — "'" '-"^ 'iiiu wake arram T have fa.ntcd and come round. And he mteh sav wha was „, the spirit ,vorid ,nto which he h^d been iMay, He can do more. As He r^^P R^ us to new life, and He will do t or He ! VoT T made us and He Will recall „» 4^,",, '^O''- "= What-my father! Lucius' I shall se. tl, aga.n not as shadows, but as they wet- > "" """ an hnl^t^in;:'" ""'^ ''''''' '""'"' ^ ""' "-J 'o ^"::uS;irb:,:^irtr----— Glyceria strolced her hand. „ J J'"" '■" "^■°" '"'•■ '""" i"y""' '» ou •■ llope Death is nothing-it IS only a good-bve for •, hlr t I " O Glvcerin ' O ■( r ' '" '"'^'=' again." ceria- o '^'"''V 'p; " ' ""'J see them-O Glv- I could 1 but once on,;t;.a?;,:L:,;!:!^?.^-°-'" V ; m>glit-it could be ' " not turn the conversat on to the snmn f„ ■ , wsely waited for the noble ladv to u ' ' '''= self, and she judged that .' e wo„'|d °=^.f " .""r" ""■ constder what had been spoken abouttV tr^ig::; [;: ( . 332 Domitia. And in fact Domitia made no fnrther allusion to the matter for seme days. Rut after about a week when alone with the paralyzed woman, she said to her abruptly : " You have never been in Syria? " " No, dear lady." " I have-and I have been on the confines of the desert and Ir.oked away, as far as the eye could reach and have seen nothing but sand and barren rock Be! hind me a rose-garden, syringas, myrtle and citron trees, and murmuring streams, before me— no green leaf only death. It is to me, as I stand now and look back on my life as if it were that barren desert ; and the fearful thmg is-I dare not turn and look the other way. for It is into impenetrable night. But no, my life IS not all desolation, there are just t^vo green spots in It wh;;n the date palms stand and there are wells- mych.ldhooii, when I sat on my father's knee and cudcii d aito his arms; and once again, when I was recoyeniu; from the loss of him and was basking in the joy of my love for Lucius Lamia. All the rest—" she made a gesture of despair—" Death " " Dearest lady ! I would like to turn you about and show you that where you think only blackness reigns Iicvs a beautiful garden, a paradise, and One at the gate who beckons and says. Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "Ah! but that may be all fancy and dream work like the promises of the Magi, and the mysteries of Isis " Glycena got no further than this. Domitia was dis- posed to talk with her on her hope, and on the Chris- tian belief, but always with reserve and some mistrust There were old prejudices to be overcome, there was the consciousness that the promises so largely made further allusion to after about a week, nan, she said to her n Syria ? " the confines of the he eye could reach, d barren rock. Be- myrtle and citron fore me — no green stand now and look ren desert ; and the md look the other iffht. But no, my 1st two green spots i there arc wells- father's knee and again, when I was nd was basking in 1. All the rest—" :ath." rn you about and ' blackness reigns, id One at the gate Me, all you that 1 give you rest." and dream work mysteries of Isis." Domitia was dis- and on the Chris- tid some mistrust, ^rcome, there was > so largely made An Ecstasy. 333 by thcvotarie, of the many cits from E„t ,n,l <; ., unable to place confidence in the new rcli-ion l.r-M K sl-s an,, .Vnotant people, howeve,- allnrCit n IS Among the very few who cimo fr^rx- ^ • illnpcic n„,i , ^^"ocamc to Ga'jii durin> cr iiiness and conva esccnrc wn ■ u-t • i . 't, t-r widow of Flavius cC ■ vh" I d b" '"''' '"' by Domitian. Domitill I, ,M K ',; '™\ ""'=^"' returned tamcdiateron he death o7t, 'r"''"'' '"" suffered for his faith! ''" °""' ""^ ^^^ It was with real pleasuro finf .u her one morning, who ^h^^^ announced : " The Ladv fi '!''' ^"^'""''^^ ^"^ ■int. i^ady Plavia Domitilla." CHAPTER XVI. AN ECSTASY. thrir^orK"]:;.^ cfemt'r :z: r"™'" -'^ will wound me if you refuTe " " °"' ^^ "But who would wound so crentle •, !,„ o- answered Domitia, kissing her visit^or ■ He m 'L heartless who draws a bow against a dove." ' '= Hearken first to what I ask I im l m , very feebleness inspires me with audadty."""'"' "^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k // ^/ 'A<' {< :/, /, % ■^ 1.0 I.I I us 12.0 L25 ill 1.4 6" ill 1.6 TiL riiu c Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 # iV qv :\ \ i> ^> 4^ \# %' C/.i 334 Domitia. \)i- a i! !; mil "What is it, then?" " That you come with me to my villa for a h'ttle change of scene, air and society. It will do you good." " And I cannot refuse. It is like your sweet spirit to desire nothing save what is kindly intended and does good to others." "As you have assented so graciously, I will push my advance a little further and say-Return with me to-day Let us travel together. If you will-I have a double htter—and we can chatter as two magpies together." " Magpies bring sorrow." " Nay, two—mirth— we have cast our sorrows behind us. You said I was a dove, so be it-a pair of doves, per- haps wounded, lamed— but we coo into each other's car, and lay our aching hearts together and so obtain solace."' "I will refuse you nothing," said Domitia, again kissmg her visitor. Accordingly, a couple of hours later the two ladies started, Domitia taking with her some attendants, but travelling, as was proposed, in the large litter of Do- mitilla. This latter lady was, as already mentioned, the widow of Clemens, one of the two sons of Flavius Sabinus pra^fect of the city, who had held the Capitol against the Praetorians of Vitellius and had been murdered but a few hours before Rome was entered by the troops that favored his brother Vespasian. On that occasion his sons had escaped, and the elder was married to Juha, daughter of Titus, but had been put to death by Domitian. The younger brother, Clemens, a quiet, inoffensive man, who took no part in public affairs, had been executed as well, shortly before Domitian himself perished. An Ecstasy. not Ur f,om the Ardcatmc Gate of Rome. How. said Flavia, suddenly, as she espied the vo "'■"t'" .--P=ndcd on the bosom of Demi 1 you have the Fish ! " ^uiuma, ^" Yes, Glyceria gave it mc-lon- ago." ^^ -Do you know what it means ? " " Glyceria told me hut i> .-„ n i fane, nothi„„„o,.e. l^l'isl^tir:..'^^""'"' ^^ f^omit.a, you have not sought for it " But one and another all are naught." ^'^"^ors. " H jw know you that ? " " % the spirit that is within me It r.n .v "And where is that ?" " Where you have not sought for it." "If I were sure I would seek U„i- t disillusioningsand disapnoi.Umtt""' "" ""^^ °' "Well— will you hear?" " I am not sure. I have met with too many disio- pomtments to desire another " ^ ^ reached. Dom.t.a showed that she did not desire lave it pursued. As Flavia alighted from her 1 itter, a young man 336 Domitia. W : II if approached, handed her something and asked for an answer. The widow of Clemens opened a tied diptych and read some words written therein. She seemed disconcerted and doubtful. She looked questioningly at Domitia, and then asked leave of the latter to say a word in private to Euphrosync. Leave was granted and a whispered communication passed between them. Again Flavia looked inquiringly at Domitia, and it was with considerable hesitation that she signed to the young man to approach, and said :—" Be it so. The Collect shall be here." That evening before she and her guest parted for the night, Flavia took Domitia by the hand and said : —"You are right— the faculty of determination is seated in every breast. Inquire and choose." A few days passed, and then the hostess became uneasy. Evidently she had somethinfr that she de- sired to say, but was afraid of broci g the subject. At length, abruptly, she began on u. '• Domitia, I show you the utmost confidence. I must tell you something. You know how that the Christians have been persecuted under — I mean of late, and how we have suffered. My dear husband shed his blood for the cause, and he was but one among many. Now there is a respite granted, but how long it will last we know not. The laws against us stand unrepealed and any one who wishes us ill can set them in motion for our destruction." " You do not think, Cousin " " Nay, hear me out, Domitia. You saw a young man approach me as we arrived here. He is what we I and asked for an a tied diptych and An Ecstasy. 337 day of the week ZZ ll J T^ ^"""^ "'''' «■•« for prayer on tl 7h ".' "''"'"'''= '°g'="'" tion. And now r,r, fi, escape observa- we term the Collect 1)11?^","""'" "''"'"'''y' "'"^h thy chamber, and .ho 'j± f "' °° "'°" '"-y '•" have dispersed." ' ''" =""""°ned when all "Nay I would see and hear what takes place " mltilted •• ^^ not be, Domi.ia, that is o^l/^, .^^ ashamedT"'' """^ '' "^^ "^ "-gh' °f which to be C-ifhrcry^to^rTe^'lf Jf^ ■•= '->' ™- Domitia's brow flamed and her eyes flashed. serve them ^70 r" e "no "' """ "^ "°"" P- you cannot be Tresen" '°" ""'"="'"'' ""y " But I would not mock " -aV;::^:;;'."' '° "°"' *= ^■-« »' p^famty.- '■ There is one thing more," said Flavia ■• Vo„ , •,. brig'ht\r "J ^"^ ^™' - »- -- been^able to be preselit at a gath 'winfT to her ir>firr.-.u ?^ i ^'^^"^ °.u . '"nrmity she has not '^'"'"g of the Church 338 Domitia. fllii]j.'Hi.:' HHIH ifl HjHB 1 ;|;^ ^^^^^^»S 1^ '^ ' '^M '>Ja ^^^B^HmB' 1^ % i'yM ..4gl ^^BM 1 Mi. :^ E. for a long time, and nothing could give her greater consolation and happiness." "I am willing for anything that can cheer her," an- swered Domitia; then in a tone of vexation, " So — a freedwoman, and Euphrosyne, a slave, will be admitted where I am shut out — I, who was Empress " " Do not be offended. Is it not so in every sodality, that the members of the Club alone attend the gather- ings of the Club." "You are a Club then?" " We are the worshippers of God." ^ Domitia was silent, then Flavia started up. " I hear them — they have come with Glyceria. I must see that she be cared for. The long journey to that frail and broken frame will have exhausted her slender powers." "And 1 will go, too" — with a tinge of jealousy in her manner. Domitia little liked that another should interest herself about the poor woman, and should stand to her in a more intimate relation than herself. On going forth, all feeling of envy disappeared at once before a sense of alarm. An accident had occurred on the way. Owing to some fault in the paving of the road, one of the bearers had stumbled and, in falling, the litter had been thrown down and the woman within injured. Domitia saw by the ashen face and the green hue about the mouth and temples that Glyceria was in great pain. But her eyes were bright and sought her at once and a world of love flowed out of them, she put forth her thin hand to lay hold of the great lady. * The Roman benefit Clubs were under the invocation of some god or goddess, and the members were called Cultores Apollinis, or Jovi, as the case might be. i give her greater :an cheer her," an- vexation, " So — a ^c, will be admitted mprcss " 3 in every sodality, attend the gathcr- arted up. " I hear 1. I must see that to that frail and :r slender powers." nge of jealousy in at another should )man, and should ion than herself, ivy disappeared at : way. Owing to , one of the bearers :r had been thrown ind the green hue : Glyceria was in It and sought her out of them, she of the great lady. invocation of some god tores Apollinis, or Jovi, An Ecstasy. ^^^ Domitia at once flashed into anger. " This comes of bnngmg her here. Had she been left at Gabii it vvould never have happened. Where is the fellow who threw her down ?-Flavia ! have him whipped with the scorpion. Glyceria caught her hand. "It was an accident. He was not in fault. I am happy. It is the will of Lrod— that IS everything to me." " You suffer." The paralyzed woman could not speak more. She was bemj; lifted out of the litter, and fainted as she was moved. She was conveyed, in a condition of uncon- sciousness, to the room she was to occupy, a room open- ing out of the same corridor as that given up to Domitia. llie family physician was summoned ; he gave little hopes of the poor woman recovering from the shock her natural strength and recuperative power had long ago been exhausted. _ All that evening Domitia remained silent, apparently m 111 humor, or great distress, and Flavia Domitilla was unable to get many words from her. She retired early to rest, but could not sleep Be- fore going to her bed, she had visited the sick woman and she convinced herself with her own eyes that the flame of the lamp of life was flickering to extinction Domitia loved the actor's widow with all the oassion of her stormy heart ; and the thought of losing her was to her unendurable. The night was still, balmy, and the heavens star-be- sprent. She looked from the corridor at the lights above, and then dropped the curtains over her door She threw herself on her cushions, but her thoughts turned and tossed in her head. 340 Domitia. Mt'. i. She pressed her knuckles to her eyeballs to close her eyes, but could not force on sleep. It was to her as though every person whom she loved was taken from her ; till she had no one left to whom her heart could cling. " I vow a pig to yEsculapius ! " she said, " if he will recover her! " and then impatiently turned to the wall ' What can ^sculapius do.' Whom has he succored at any time ? He is but a name." To whom could she cry ? What god of Olympus would stoop to care for-cven to look at an actor's widow, a poor Greek freedwoman." The gods ! They revelled and drank Ambrosia • nriadelove and deceived the simple, and lied and showed themselves to be arrant knaves. They were greedy of sacrifices, they accepted all that was given— but they gave nothing in return. Their ears were open to flattery not to prayer. They were gods for the merry and rich' not for the miserable and poor. ' She thought she heard hasty steps in the passage then voices. "And He! the God of Glyccria-why had not He saved her from this fall ? Was He as powerless, as regardless, of His votaries as those of Olympus.?" Yes— something was the matter-there was a stir in the house-at that hour-at dead of night- Domitia's heart bounded. Was Glyceria passing away ? She threw a mantle about her, and barefooted as she was, ran forth into the gallery. _ She saw at the further end a light at the door of the sick room, and sounds issued thence. Instantly she flew thither, plucked aside the curtain and stood in the doorway, arrested by the sight. Euphrosyne was seated on the bed, and had raised j'cballs to close her person whom she liad no one left to e said, " if he will turned to the wall, n has he succored To whom could )uid stoop to care ow, a poor Greek drank Ambrosia ; d lied and showed -y were greedy of given — but they re open to flattery, lie merry and rich, s in the passage, 'f Glyceria — why ill? Was He as iries as those of le matter— there it dead of night — ria passing away ? d barefooted as t the door of the side the curtain, the sight. i, and had raised An Ecstasy. 34, her sister in her arms ; the sick woman rested against her in a sitting posture ; Flavia DomitiUa was there as well Directly she saw Domitia she signed to her to approach. But Glyceria !— she was at once transfigured. Her face seemed to shine with a supernatural light— it had acquired a loveliness and transparency as of an anrrd— her eyes were upraised and fixed as in a trance^and her arms were outspread. She seemed not to wei-h on Euphrosyne, but to be raised and sustained by supernatural power. The joy, the rapture in that sublimated countenance were beyond description. She saw, she knew, she felt none of those things that usually meet the senses And yet Domitia, Flavia, were convinced that those Illumined happy eyes looked on some One— were eaz ing into a light to themselves unseen. From her lips poured rapturous prayer " I see Thee ! Thou-the joy of my heart, my hope and my portion forever! Thee whom I have loved and longed for! I hold Thee-I clasp Thy feet' C give her to me-the dear mistress ! Take me, take me to Thyself-but ere I go-by Thy wounded hands- by Thy thorn-crowned head-by Thy pierced side- bring her to the light ! To the light! To the light'" And suddenly-with an instantaneous eclipse the illu- mination died off from her face, the tension was over the arms, the entire body sank heavily against the bosom_ of Euphrosyne, the eyes closed ; she heaved a long sigh, but a smile lingered about her lips. Awed, not daring to draw nearer, unwilling to go back, Domitia stood looking. Neither did Flavia Domitilla stir. After a little while, however, the latter signed to U i. !• [; 'j i f as though she also 342 Domitia. Domitia to depart, and made would go. " She sleeps," she said. Then Glyccria's bright oycs opened, and she said •— " Not till after the Collect-at that I must be-bear mc down — then only " CHAPTER XVII. HAIL, GLADSOME light! Before the day began to break, from various quar- ters came men and women, in twos and threes to the house of Flavia Domitilla. The visitor to Rome may see the very spot where stood her house and garden. For this good woman converted the latter into u place of sepulture for the Christians, and the catacomb that bears her name is one of the most interesting of those about Rome Not only so, but the ruins of her villa remain, on the farm of I or Marancia, or the Ardeatine Way. Here lived the widow of the martyr Clemens, with her sister-in- law, Plautilla, and her niece, of the same name as her self all three holy women, serving God and ministerinff to the necessities of the poor. The Collect, or assembly of the Faithful, was to take place in the atrium or hall of the villa. Domitilla had only Christian slaves with her in her country residence and could trust them. * In the large mansions of the Roman nobility there were grand reception halls, called basilicas, with rows of pillars down the sides dividing them into a nave and hough she also , and she said : — I must be — bear m various quar- d threes to the cry spot where s good woman pulture for the irs her name is ut Rome. Not in, on the farm y. Here lived h her sister-in- e name as her- nd ministering "ul, was to take Domitilla had ntry residence, nobility there cas, with rows ito s^ nave and Hail, Gladsome Light! 343 aisles, with an apse, or finun as it was termed, at the end, in which the master of the house sat to receive his visitors. Here he and his clients, his parasites and friends walked, talked, declaimed, listened to readings, when the weather was wet or cold. At a later period' when the nobility became Christian, many of them' gave up their basilicas to be converted into churches, and such is the origin of several churches of Rome.' They never were, as some have erroneously supposed halls of justice-they were, as described, the halls attached to the great Roman palaces. But at the time I am speaking of, no such surrenders had been made. The great families had not been con- verted, only here and there, at rare intervals, some of their members had embraced the Gospel. But smaller people had become Christian, and these did tempora- rily give up the more public portion of the house the atrium and tablinum for Christian worship. It' was dangerous to thus assemble, and it would have been infinitely more dangerous had the assemblies taken place always at the same house. Accordingly it was contrived to vary the place of meeting and to give secret notice to the faith' . .vhere the gathering would be on the ensuing Lord s day. The danger of these Collects was further reduced by their being held sometimes in the churches under- ground in the catacombs, or in the cc/Za- near the tombs • and these gatherings passed uncommented on, as it was customary for the pagans to meet for a solemn banquet m the decorated chambers attached to their places of interment on the anniversaries of the death of their friends. The various guilds also had their meeting for the 344 Domitia. •I i: Pi transaction of business, a sacred meal, and a sacrifice to the gods, and the early Cliristians were able so to copy the customs of the guilds or sodalities, as to carry on their worship undetected by the authorities, who supposed their assemblies were mere guild gatherings. The hour was so early that lights were necessary, and lamps were suspended in the tablinum, which was raised a couple of steps above the floor of the hall. Round the arc of the chamber, which was semi-circu- lar, seats had been arranged, and in the centre against the wall one of more dignity than the rest, covered with white linen. In the midst A the tablinum at the top of the two steps was a table, and on one side a desk on legs. Great care was taken at the door to admit none but such as could give the sign that they were Christians. The ostiarius or porter in the early Church held a very important office, on his discretion much of the safety of the Church depended. He had to use the utmost caution lest a spy should slip in. The hall rapidly filled. Before the steps into the apse lay Glyceria on a sort of bier, her hands folded, and her earnest eyes upraised ! She had been gently, carefully conveyed thither, to be for the last time united in worship with the Church on earth, before she passed into the Church beyond. On each side of the tablinum were curtains, that could be easily and rapidly drawn along a rod and so close the apse. In the atrium itself there were few lights. They were not needed, day would soon break. In the tablinum, against the wall, sat the presbyters with Clement, the bishop, in the centre. He was an al, and a sacrifice s wore able so to iilitics, as to carry authorities, who guild gatherings, s were necessary, linum, which was »or of the hall, h was semi-circu- le centre against the rest, covered ; tablinum at the d on one side a admit none but were Christians. urch held a very ch of the safety > use the utmost lyccria on a sort it eyes upraised ! ::d thither, to be 1 the Church on ch beyond, e curtains, that ng a rod and so w lights. They k. the presbyters re. He was an Hail, Gladsome Light! 345 old man, with a gentle face, full of love. He had been a freedman of the Flavians, and it was out of respect to them that he had takx-n the name of Clement, which was one of those in use in their family. At his side, on the right hand, was one far more aged than he— one we have seen before, Luke the Physician and Evangelist. Now one with a pair of clappers gave a signal and all rose who had been seated, A deacon standiiitr at the top of the step said :— " Let us pray for the Emperor." Whereupon all the congregation responded as with a smgle voice : " Lord, have mercy." Then Clement, the l^ishop, prayed :— " We beseech Thee, O Father, to look down upon the Emperor and to strengthen him against his foes, and to illumine his mind that he may rule in Justice, and be Thou his defence and strong tower." Thereupon the deacon called again :— " Let us pray for the magistrates." To which the people responded m the same manner, and the Bishop prayed in few terse words for the magistrates. In precisely similar manner was prayer made for the bishops and clergy, for all the faithful, for those in chains, working in mines, for the sick and the sorrowful, for the widows and orphans ; it was as though a flood of all-embracing charity flowed forth. Then the intercessions ended, Luke came to the desk, and a deacon brought the roll of the Law and unfolded it before him, and another held aloft a torch. He read as follows :—" This commandment which I command thee neither is it far off. is day, it is not hidden from thee But the word is very nigh ^i!^ a'- 346 ii Domitit thee ni thy heart and in thy mouth, that thou mayest do ,t See, I have set before thee Hfe and good and death and evil. ... I call heaven and earfh to record this day that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life • • ■ . that thou mayest love the Lord thy God and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou' mayest cleave unto Him." Tlien the Evangelist closed the roll and returned it to the deacon, and he spake some words of exhorta- tion thereon. Next came another deacon and unfolded the roll of he Irophets; and Luke read :-" The Spirit of the Lord God IS upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek • He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to pro- claim hbertyto the captives, and the opening of the pnson to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable ye.r of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God ; to comfort all that mourn. To give to them that mourn beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness ; that they might be called Trees of Righteousness, the Planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." Then again Luke spoke a few simple words and declared how that the prophecy of old was fulfilled in Christ who was the healer of all sick souls, and the strengthener of all who were feeble, the restorer of the halt the comforter of all that mourn, and the planter in the field of the Church of such as would grow up plants of righteousness to bear their fruit in due season. that thou mayest e hfe and good, 'en and earth to ore you life and ore choose life. Lord thy God, e, and that thou and returned it ords of exhorta- 3lded the roll of ic Spirit of the :he Lord hath o the meek ; He •hearted, to pro- opening of the 3 proclaim the ly of vengeance nourn. ... To ishes, the oil of ie for the spirit ailed Trees of Lord, that He pie Avords and ■vas fulfilled in souls, and the restorer of the id the planter ould grow up fruit in due Haf!, Gladsome Light! grcwotoflhT fn""" ''"""'' "" ''-'-g'-l service HP.t,e.,a„A^2::rei:r:o'„:;v™"- ■^t tJie tunc ot our mrmfKro ^i, • cess of fo™,,Ho„ and^j' ^' t7:™:d™:„7.r estabhshcd. Hcvever, now Luke .stood forward and Then he unfolded a short roll and read i. fnll " Roi-.,^!^ t- ..^ itiia as lollows : — i5ehold what manner of love the Father h.,u u knew H.-„ not. Beloved, now I ve he sons S g" ," :: :.rt"x?,? rr '''-'-' s,::„Te i*; ■ forwe"ru e H n^'S t^'Z/' """ '" '"' "'"• an": r^'t::t:sr re r.t:tfr- °' and became all but inaudible " "'"^ wa?;:;^'" '" ''^^^" •" ^^'""-^^ ^g--" this sound " This is the message that ye heard ning, that we should love one another. from the be^in- 348 Domitia. Again he ceased, and looked round, and listened For once more this strange wailing sou^^d arose iiut as ,t declined, he resumed his reading Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you We know that we have passed from death unto We' because we love the brethren." He was constrained to cease. Then at a signal two deacons went in the direction hushed' T; r, ' ''' "'°^^ congregation was .nH l! Glycena, on her bed, lifted her hands and her eyes shone with expectation. Presently the deacons returned:-" A woman-a weepmg woman in a dark room." Then Luke descended from the bema, and attended by them went m the direction of the voice, and came where crouching, concealed, Domitia lay on the ground' sobbmg as if her heart would break-they could no^ stay her-they did not try-they waited And presently she raised her face, streaming with tears, and sa,d-"The light ! the glorious light ! " And the sun rose over the roof, and shone down into the atrium, on the face of Glyceria Then Flavia Domitilla stooped over her, laid he- Free to" FfceT" '"' "^' ^-" '" ^'^ J°^ ^' ''y L-'^' round, and listened. g sound arose. lis reading. he world hate you. om death unto life, ent in the direction congregation was 2d, lifted her hands )n. ^' — "A woman — a dema, and attended le voice, and came, a lay on the ground, ik— they could not /aited. ice, streaming with orious light ! " '.and shone down sria. over her, laid he- e Joy of thy Lord, 'thk lii;htI the glorious light I •/''V S-fS.