Neæra: A Tale of Ancient Rome

by Joel Chandler Harris

  CHAPTER III.

  Afer's idea with regard to the movements of the jackal, as he termed him,was shrewdly correct, for Tigellinus bent his steps without further delaytowards the villa of Neptune. The path was far from being an easy one.There was the high mountain barrier towering above him and separating himfrom the table-land, which sloped towards the north-west, upon thefurthest verge of which the villa of the Emperor rested. He, therefore,decided to shift part of the burden of his toil upon some other shoulders.For that purpose he passed through the town and descended to the Marinaproper on the north side, where he commanded a boatman to row him to hisdestination. His word seemed to carry as much authority with the fishermanas with the coastguard, since he was obeyed, although with some amount ofgrumbling on account of the unseasonable darkness.

  Within an hour's row the boatman pulled into land and deposited hispassenger on a small ledge chiselled out of the rock. Therefrom Tigellinusascended a flight of steps to the level ground above, where, nigh at hand,loomed the walls of the villa Neptune.

  In the rear of the palace were its gardens surrounded by a wall.Tigellinus, evidently familiar with the premises, went straight to a smallside door therein, where he received a sharp summons to halt, from asentinel who paced in front fully armed.

  'What, Siccius, not know an old friend?' quoth Tigellinus, with a laugh;'or must I show my signet?'

  'Ho! ho!' replied the soldier, peering close; 'here again! Where have youdropped from? You come on one, all of a sudden, out of the darkness, likea ghost. Have you flown or swum?'

  'Neither, Siccius. How are things with you all in the island?'

  'Pretty well; a trifle more bustle and stir since the Prefect came. He isgoing to be the son-in-law of Tiberius.'

  'Ay, ay! that grows stale, but do you happen to know how Caesar's humourruns this evening?'

  'I have heard no complaint, and if the weather is foul it spreads, as arule, pretty fast.'

  'Good, then I will go in. Good-night, Siccius!'

  'We shall see you later on,' pleaded the sentinel, 'to tell us the talkand the news of Rome--sweet Rome?'

  'It depends; if I can I will,' returned Tigellinus, going inside the door.Passing through the gardens he reached a long and lofty portico of twostories, from which two or three doors opened. Two more sentinels were onguard here, underneath the portico, but perceiving who the visitor was,they merely exchanged a few whispered words with him. Tigellinus chose oneof the entrances which led him into a narrow passage, thence into a court,open to the sky, and surrounded by offices. The kitchen, in one corner,with its blazing fires, the adjacent servants' hall, as well as other opendoors, threw their stream of light into the central space, in aid of thevarious torches which were stuck around the walls. To and fro across thiscourt busy slaves passed and repassed in the execution of their duties.Others, free for the time from responsibility, were assembled in theservants' hall, full of laugh and chatter. The cooks were resting fromtheir labours beside their fires, amid the yet uncleared disorder of theirapparatus, and, together with a company of equally idle scullions andwaiting slaves, were busily and pleasantly engaged in nibbling at thefragments of dainties returned from the Imperial table. These signs didnot escape the keen-witted Tigellinus, who concluded, therefrom, that thebusiness of Caesar's evening repast had come to an end. After scanning thefaces inside the various offices he quitted the court by a short passageon the left, meeting one or two more domestics on the way, each bearing aload of table furnishments. By these he was satisfied, on inquiry, thatthe Emperor was at ease after his meal, and he went on into a peristyle oropen hall, of magnificent proportions, surrounded by a pillared portico.With the exception of the portico it was open to the sky, and thereflection of the glittering stars danced in the waters of the fountain,which splashed in the basin in the centre of the marble floor. Around thebasin was arranged a miniature flower garden, and throughout the whole ofthe space a soft clear light was diffused from silver lamps, which burnedperfumed oils at frequent intervals around the circuit of the portico.

  Of the numerous doors which opened therefrom, one at the south side wasguarded by the inevitable armed Pretorian. From the frequent passing inand out of stealthy-footed slaves this would seem to be the Imperialsupper-room, but, instead of proceeding thither, Tigellinus pushed open adoor within a yard of the passage by which he had entered. It was a kindof office containing only a bench and table, at which was seated a manengaged in reading, what seemed to be, a paper of accounts. Disturbed bythe sound of the incomer he looked up and gave an ejaculation of surprise,'What, Tigellinus! At last! I have been looking for you long.'

  His accent was distinctly Greek. His figure was slender and supple, andhis complexion fair. His features were perfectly handsome, but a coldpenetrating expression of eye overbore their beauty with an air ofrepellence.

  'Yes, Zeno; it is no other than myself,' replied Tigellinus, closing thedoor behind him; 'and, old comrade, how go things with yourself?'

  'Just in the humour for fellowship such as yours,' answered Zeno.

  'Delighted at the compliment,' rejoined the new-comer; 'but Caesar firstand you next, worthy steward. Are the omens favourable that I see my royalpatron this evening?'

  'Without fear,' said the steward.

  Drawing their heads together they conversed in whispers for a quarter ofan hour, at the end of which time Tigellinus drew a signet ring from hisfinger and gave it to his friend. Zeno departed and Tigellinus awaited hisreturn, which did not occur until fully twenty minutes had elapsed.'Come!' said the steward, thrusting in his head at the door. In themeantime the sentinel had changed his post to another door in theperistyle. Through this Tigellinus was ushered by the warrior, and thesteward returned to his accounts.

  Within the apartment, which was simply enough appointed, the ruler of theworld sat awaiting his agent, with his cheek resting on his hand. At hisfeet a newly-kindled fire of wood burned brightly, and close to his elbowwas a small table, upon which stood a gold cup filled with wine.Tigellinus stepped forward into the Imperial presence and knelt down, butnot without giving a swift and anxious glance to read, if possible, hismaster's mood.

  To a stranger, the countenance which met his gaze would surely have causedapprehension by reason of its stern lowering appearance, but, in reality,it was nothing more than its native, unruffled expression, whichTigellinus was well accustomed to, and consequently relieved to see.

  The Emperor had now almost completed the allotted age of man. The weightof threescore years and ten had been aided by the undermining of continuedexcesses, of which we have such dark and doubtless exaggerated tales. Yetboth had failed to break the iron constitution of the man. It wascertainly the result most naturally to be expected; but here was prodigyof physical organisation, which still remained unimpaired under the strainof age and a ruler's cares, as well as the self-imposed waste of viciousindulgence.

  But not without the deep indelible traces of the long conflict appearingexternally. His tall form had contracted a stoop, and was shrunk almost toemaciation. His head was bald, except some thin locks which grew low downupon his neck. Thus far might honest age be accountable; but to see theoffensive ulcerous eruptions stuck over with plaster, which blotched hispale face, was to awaken suspicion of polluted habits. Yet from the midstof this unattractive physiognomy there shone the undimmed brilliance ofhis large eyes. Their beauty had outlived the once acknowledged comelinessof his face, as well as the athletic proportions of his large frame.Somewhat heavy lidded and slow moving, their glance, nevertheless, when itbecame fixed, seemed to pierce the inward thoughts of him they restedupon. Their depths were as fathomless as the ocean, save when lit with asudden magnetic flash of wrath, which his minions ever watched for intrembling. Nothing, throughout the wide empire, received such unwearyingcatlike watch and ward as these basilisk orbs which gathered more thanthey emitted.

  In his manner, the Emperor was, by nature, silent and reserved, whichincreased for him a
reputation for intractable pride and malignance. Hewas of the Claudian family, and were they not ever proud and insufferable?He spoke as little as possible, and his words were delivered slowly anddeliberately, with an accompanying motion of his forefinger.

  Such were the most particular personal characteristics of the tyrant who,for some occult reason, had foresworn the seat of his empire, and hadsecluded himself in a rocky islet. His energy and watchfulness wereunabated in affairs private and public. His continued absence, taken inconjunction with the busy ambition of the Prefect, was fruitful of rumoursin no way favourable to the supremacy of Caesar. But who could penetratethe matchless craft, the profound dissimulation which enshrouded thedespot's mind? Without some miracle of light, which might illumine, forone brief moment, the secret solitude of his brooding thoughts, it wereidle to conjecture and speculate upon their tenor.

  The Emperor held out the signet ring which Tigellinus had sent in as anintimation of his arrival. The owner rose and took it with humbleobeisance. At a sign from the eloquent forefinger of Caesar, he went andunloosed the folds of a large curtain which he drew across the door,thereby effectually guarding against any chance of their voices travellingoutside. This little task completed, he returned, and stood awaitingCaesar's pleasure.

  'So, you have come--Priscus never bade me expect you,' said Tiberius,speaking as if it needed an effort to find his voice.

  'I know not that, Caesar, but I sent him word as usual,' repliedTigellinus, whose obsequious, not to say cringing, manner in the Imperialpresence, bore a very striking contrast to his cool authoritativedeportment elsewhere.

  'Well, it is no matter whether you did, or whether he forgot to tellme--when did you come?' asked Tiberius.

  'Only this very night, illustrious, since sundown.'

  'Where did you land, and what have you come with? Use your tongue andspare mine, good Tigellinus,' continued the Emperor, with the faintestwrinkle of his eyebrows.

  'Yes, I was about to!' rejoined Tigellinus, brisking up at his master'stone. 'I have those with me that I have chosen with my best endeavours tobe worthy of Caesar's household. I landed at the same place as usual, notfar from the Scopuli, and left my companions of the voyage on board thegalley, while I came on hither to wait upon you, Caesar, without delay.Meanwhile I sent up to the villa Jovis, and, no doubt, the noble Priscuswill see them removed and safely bestowed at once.'

  'Humph! I shall be able to judge of your efforts when I go to the villa.Meanwhile what have you to tell me of--come nearer!'

  Tigellinus approached a step or two as desired, and replied, 'There islittle or nothing that I have been able to gather since I was last here.The people seem to be full at present with the Prefect's visit here--it iswhispered everywhere that he is to be honoured with the hand of the nobleLivia, for which reason he has come hither.'

  'Well!'

  'Does Caesar wish me to say exactly what is commonly said in Rome?'

  'Exactly!'

  'I will speak then without fear. It seems still to pass as a joke,presumptuous and incredible as it may appear, that the Prefect Sejanus iscalled the autocrat, and you, Caesar, the governor of an island.'

  Tigellinus seemed not altogether at ease in imparting this scandal, butCaesar gazed into the fire with a face as unmoved as granite. Not asparkle rose to his eyes, not a curl to his lip.

  'Is that all?' he said dreamily.

  'Yes; except that the Romans seem to believe in it.'

  'Any more?'

  'Nothing, I grieve to say, illustrious; for you only instructed me tocollect what floats from citizen's mouth to citizen's mouth.'

  'If you did more I would have you flung from the walls of the villa intothe sea,' observed Tiberius, with the same placidity of manner.

  'I never seek to exceed the bounds of your commands,' replied Tigellinushastily, giving an involuntary shudder at the same time.

  'Meanwhile I am glad to know that the Prefect is so zealous in the dutieswhich fall to his share,' said Tiberius, calmly spreading his fingers overthe warmth of the fire.

  'What!--your highness is glad!' exclaimed Tigellinus, betrayed into suddensurprise.

  But the piercing glance of the Emperor transfixed him, and his tongueclove to the roof of his mouth. He clenched his fist in suspense andcursed his heedlessness in his heart.

  'Glad!' repeated Tiberius, without removing his gaze--'rejoiced, worthyTigellinus, as every master should be at the diligence of his servant.Should it not be so?'

  'I--it should--certainly! The Prefect is most diligent. And he is happy likemy humble self in having a master beyond compare.'

  Tigellinus stammered in the former part of his reply, but he rolled outthe latter with recovered self-possession and glib readiness.

  'May I be hurled to Hades if I permit my voice in future to show that Ihave an idea how the wind blows,' he thought to himself, as he breathedfreer. 'Ugh! I seemed already to fancy myself standing on yonder cliffready for a dive. He is a sublime hypocrite, or I am an equally sublimefool--I'll stick to my own trade--at least as far as speaking goes!'

  'You are a poor newsmonger on this occasion, Tigellinus,' quoth theEmperor.

  'I am grieved to acknowledge the fact, Caesar,' answered the othermournfully, 'but what can your humble servant do in the lack of news? Youwould be displeased if I were to manufacture any to entertain you.'

  'Do not try!' said Tiberius drily; 'since nothing stirs the air of thecity I may infer then that the people are well satisfied with the conductof those in authority over them?'

  Fairly warned by his slip, Tigellinus resolutely stifled his curiositywith regard to the Imperial policy, and was watchful not to be temptedfrom the secure path of plain matter-of-fact answers. He, therefore,replied to the artful question of the Emperor in a simple affirmative,'That it was as Caesar had said, as far as his perception was able toascertain.'

  'Happy people! happy city!' murmured Tiberius softly, as if to himself, orto the fire, into which he was gazing.

  'Truly happy!' was the refrain of Tigellinus.

  'Ah--what?' said Tiberius, looking up hastily, as though roused from areverie.

  'I was merely agreeing with you, Caesar, when you remarked what is truebeyond doubt, that Rome and its people were happy,' said Tigellinus.

  'Did I then speak?' said the Emperor carelessly; 'I knew it not--I musthave thought aloud--a style I am not given to.'

  His glance fell on the goblet of wine, which stood untasted, and hestretched out his hand to take it.

  'I had forgotten my drink--no doubt because of your stirring news,'continued Tiberius, with a delicate sarcasm, which the other instinctivelylikened to the toying of a tiger's claws sheathed in velvet; 'I drink tothe happiness of my Romans, and to that of my Prefect in particular.'

  A deep draught gurgled down the Imperial throat, and the cup was set downagain more than half emptied. Tigellinus eyed his master with covert,doubting glances.

  'One little matter, illustrious, I had forgotten for the moment,' he said,not daring to withhold it, and yet doubting how it might be received.

  'A little matter,' observed Tiberius ironically, 'I daresay with more init than the other.'

  'It is in a measure connected with the Prefect, who so well deserves yourgracious esteem,' continued the other, deeming it safe to add thecompliment from what had passed, although it had upset all his previoustheories.

  The Emperor nodded for him to proceed.

  'Shortly before the Prefect left Rome for Capreae, he told me that acertain lady wished to visit this island, and, in order that she mightcome without arousing any notice, I was to send her word when I was tostart, that she might accompany me. She and a waiting slave, therefore,took passage with us, and, as I was instructed to do exactly as shedesired, I took her, at her request; to the most secluded and out-of-the-way lodging I could think of, where she might pass the time without thefear of her presence becoming generally known.'

  'Is she young or old?' asked Tiberius, raising his eyebrows
in thefaintest degree.

  'Young, most decidedly.'

  'Beautiful or hideous, good Tigellinus?'

  'One of the most beautiful in Rome.'

  Caesar's pallid lips, for the first time, curved into a satirical smile.

  'You have made a mistake,' he said; 'the Prefect's betrothed bride, theLady Livia, would have been more grateful for your information than I am!'

  'I do beseech you, Caesar, remember, that solely in my zeal and duty toyou I have revealed what I swore to keep entirely secret,' utteredTigellinus, perturbed in spirit by the Emperor's answer. 'The worshipfulSejanus may discover and visit his vengeance upon me!'

  'Be easy,' said Tiberius, 'as long as anything proves of use to me Isuffer nothing to harm it. Who is this woman?'

  'Plautia, the sister of Apicius.'

  'Apicius the spendthrift fool of the Palatine who poisoned himself atsupper?'

  'The same--all Rome talked of it.'

  'And this Plautia?--I know her not.'

  'She dwells nigh the Forum of Caesar--alone.'

  'Has she anything to recommend her but her beauty?'

  'Her suppers are celebrated among a certain set.'

  'Of which the Prefect makes one?'

  'They have been most intimate for some time.'

  'Who else of any note?'

  'The Prefect's friend, Domitius Afer; one called Martialis is infatuatedwith the love of her, follows her like a dog, and report says she treatshim like one.'

  'She is fonder of the Prefect, and, now that she has followed after him,this Martialis will forthwith hang himself, as a dog in despair should.The Prefect has a centurion whom I know by that name. Without doubt it isthe same luckless dog.'

  'No, the centurion is a younger brother.'

  'You are invaluable, Tigellinus,' said Tiberius, nodding his headapprovingly. 'I should deem myself clever with only half of your industryand power of memory. Do you happen to know if this other Martialis, theofficer of the Prefect, is also accounted one of the set blessed with thecookery of this lady's kitchen?'

  'No, I should say not. He is seldom seen, even with his brother, I amtold. He and the guard were waiting for me to-night, when I rowed ashoreat dusk--bears himself somewhat proudly.'

  'It is a prerogative of the legion to which he belongs, Tigellinus, and wepoor mortals of the simple coat must put up with it. But he is a goodofficer, and highly prized by Sejanus, which is a sufficient guarantee forhis trustworthiness. But enough of that--tell me who else is familiar withthis lady's table.'

  'Charinus, Pomponius, Blaesus, Vitellius--these are some I know, but Inever set myself to inquire particularly concerning the matter. Had Iknown that you would have taken so much interest I would have made it mybusiness to have got more information.'

  'It matters little--I seem scarce to know those you have already named. Thelady, herself, no doubt, is the chief attraction--what else is there ofinterest about her in addition to her comeliness and her savoury suppers?Are her manners free and captivating--is she wise or witty?'

  'H'm, in truth, Caesar,' said Tigellinus, with a hesitating air, 'some sayone thing and some another, but I am told that she is a woman whom no onecan properly fathom, so that no one can prove whether she be too free ornot. I have only been in her company from Rome hither, but I wouldconfidently say that she is a woman of ability, and with a haughty tempersuch as I should not care to get foul of. Of her loveliness there is nodoubt.'

  'You are a judge, my Tigellinus.'

  'It is my profession, or part of it, so please you, illustrious,' repliedthe other, with a smirk.

  The lips of Caesar deigned a faint smile, and he betrayed furthercuriosity as to the reason of Plautia's visit. But his informant wasobliged to admit his complete ignorance.

  'I should recommend you to tell me, nevertheless,' quoth Caesar coldly andmercilessly.

  'I swear to the gods, illustrious, that I do not know,' protestedTigellinus with vehemence and trepidation; 'had I any knowledge I wouldnot, nor dare I, hide it from you--I would have no cause for doing so. Whatcause there is for her coming is, perhaps, only known to her and to thePrefect. I have observed nothing which could give me any suspicion. But Iwill endeavour to get some information if Caesar thinks proper to bid me.'

  'I will consider,' returned Tiberius, musing; 'it seems, however, to beeasily explained, and no doubt may be left to herself and the Prefect. Inwhat part of the island have you put her, in order that she may beundisturbed?'

  'Noble Caesar?' ejaculated the Suburan faintly.

  Tiberius frowned.

  'I say where have you left this woman?'

  'In the house of one named Tucca, at the edge of the cliffs under the hillof the villa of Mars. It is almost hid from sight; there are no dwellingsat hand, so that it seemed to me to be as serviceable for the purpose asany.'

  'No doubt,' observed the Emperor; 'but had it been under the villa ofMercury it would have been more convenient for those concerned.'

  There was a knock at the door, and on receiving permission to enter, thesentinel made his appearance, and announced the arrival of a courier withdespatches.

  Caesar's demeanour and voice betrayed evident interest. 'I will summon himdirectly--let him be at hand,' he said. 'And now, Tigellinus, best and mostdiscreet of servants, we will let these matters of ours rest until to-morrow.'

  Tigellinus made a low obeisance and withdrew. He went across the spaciousperistyle, and disappeared down the passage, by which he had arrived,toward the quarters of the household staff, where he held a largelyattended levee, as the newest arrival from Rome.

  The Emperor stepped to the door, and, slightly opening it, peered throughto assure himself of his vassal's complete departure. When the sound ofsteps had completely died away, he clapped his hands and then returned tohis seat. In a few seconds the slender figure and handsome face of theGreek steward Zeno entered.

  'Know you the house of one named Tucca, standing on the cliffs at the footof the hill of Mars?' demanded Tiberius.

  The steward replied in the affirmative.

  'There is a young female arrived there in secret, together with a slave. Iwish to have her described to me; I wish to know, if possible, why she ishere--I wish to know all her movements. Neither she nor any one else mustknow that she is watched, and the matter must be confined to threepersons--myself, yourself, and the spy, whoever he may be. And, especially,must it be kept from Tigellinus, your good friend, as I know.'

  'I understand perfectly,' answered Zeno.

  'If she desires to be secret you will find darkness more prolific thandaylight. Go, and call the courier!'

  The Greek vanished, and the Emperor took some small tablets from his bosomand proceeded to make a few notes. By the time he had finished the courierentered, bearing a packet of despatches, to which he immediately turnedhis serious attention.