_CHAPTER XII._
The day was by this time considerably advanced; and, in spite of theawnings spread all over head, the rays of the sun were so powerful, thatthe marble benches felt hot to the touch, wherever they were exposed tothem; and altogether there was such a glare and fervour throughout theplace, that my eyes began to be weary of gazing; and very gladly would Ihave retired, rather than remain to see out the rest of the exhibition.Nevertheless, there was no appearance of any one having gone away inweariness; but, on the contrary, the seats, and even the passages, seemedto be more crowded than they had been in the anterior part of the morning.
The arena was vacant, when I looked down upon it; but in a short time, asingle old man, who, as Rubellia told me, had, without doubt, been foundguilty of some atrocious wickedness, was led forth from a small wicket onthe one side, and presently his fetters being struck off, those thatconducted him retired, leaving him alone upon the sand. The eyes of thismalefactor refused at first to look steadfastly on the objects around him,and it seemed to me that he had probably been long confined in some darkplace, so grievously did the dazzling splendour, reflected from the floorand walls, appear to bewilder and confound him. Nevertheless, after abrief space, he seemed in some measure to recover himself, and assumed aposture of resignation, leaning with one hand against the parapet, as ifhe needed support to uphold himself. Pallid and extenuated were theoutlines of the old man's visage, and his hair and beard exhibited not alittle of the squalidness attendant on long confinement; yet there wassomething in the attitude, and even in the countenance, which made meharbour the suspicion that he had not, at some former period, beenaltogether unacquainted with the luxuries and refinements of social life.The beauty, indeed, of the mould in which his form had originally beencast, might, perhaps, have been the sole cause of these casualdemonstrations of elegance; yet it was impossible not to regard the manwith greater interest, by reason of the contrast suggested between what heonce perhaps had been, and what he now was.
A feeling of the same sort seemed to pervade many more in the assembly;and I heard a continual whispering among those around me, as if there wasa general anxiety to learn something of the history of the man. No one,however, appearing to be able to say any thing concerning this, I kept myeyes fixed upon himself, awaiting the issue in silence. Judge then, whatwas my surprise, when one of the heralds of Trajan, having commanded thatthere should be silence in the amphitheatre, said, "Let Tisias of Antiochcome forth, and answer to the things that shall be alleged against him."To which the old man, that was alone in the arena, immediately madereply,--"Here am I--my name is Tisias of Antioch."--In vain, however, evenafter hearing the well-remembered voice, did I attempt to persuade myselfthat the face was such as I had pictured within myself; for, as to seeingit, I have already told you that utter darkness prevailed in the dungeonall the time I was there with him.
Then arose the Prefect of the city, who had his place immediately underthe chair of Caesar, and said in a voice, which, although not loud, washeard distinctly all through the Amphitheatre,--"Tisias of Antioch, beingaccused of blasphemy and contempt for the Gods, has been brought hither,either to refute this charge, by doing homage at the altar of Jupiter Bestand Greatest; or, persisting in his rebellion, to suffer openly thepunishment which the laws have affixed to such perversity. Let him remainwhere he is until the Flamens invite all to join in the sacrifice."
Tisias, hearing these words, stept forth into the middle of the arena, andfolding his arms upon his breast, stood there composedly, without oncelifting up his eyes, either to the place from which the Prefect hadspoken, or to any other region of the Amphitheatre. The situation in whichhe stood was such, that I commanded, where I sate, a full and distinctview of every movement of the old man's countenance, and assuredly my eyeswere in no danger of being directed away from him. For a few moments therewas perfect silence throughout the assembly, until at length the sameherald made proclamation for the doors to be thrown open, that the priestsof Jupiter might have access. There was heard forthwith a noise, as of theturning of some heavy machinery, and a part of the ground-work of thearena itself appeared to be giving way, right over against that quarter inwhich Tisias had his station. But of this the purpose was soon manifested,when there arose from underneath into the space thus vacated, a woodenstage, or platform, covered all over with rich carpetings, whereof thecentre was occupied by a marble altar, set forth already with all theusual appurtenances of sacrifice, and surmounted on one side by a giganticstatue of bronze, in which it was easy to recognize the features of thegreat Phidian Jupiter. Neither had the altar any sooner made itsappearance there, and the sound of the machinery, by which its greatweight had been lifted, ceased to be heard, than even as the herald hadgiven command, the main gates of the Amphitheatre were expanded, andthereby a free passage prepared for the procession of the Flamens. Withthat, all those that were present in the Amphitheatre, arose from theirseats and stood up, and a sweet symphony of lutes and clarions ushered inthe sacred band to the place appointed for them. And, first of all, theremarched a train of fifty beautiful boys, and then an equal number of veryyoung maidens, all, both boys and maidens, arrayed in white tunics, andhaving their heads crowned with oaken garlands, and bearing in their handsfresh branches of the oak tree, which, above all the other trees of theforest, is, as you have heard and well know, held dear and sacred toJupiter. Then these youthful bands were separated, and they arrangedthemselves, the boys on the right, and the girls on the left hand of thealtar, some of them standing on the arena itself, and others on eitherside, upon the steps of the platform whereon the altar was fixed; andbeautiful, indeed, was their array, and comely and guiltless were theirlooks; and much modesty was apparent, both in the downcast eyes and closedlips, with which some of them stood there to await the issue of theircoming, and in the juvenile admiration wherewith others of them wereregarding the wide and splendid assemblage around them; insomuch, that Icould not but feel within myself a certain dread and fearfulness, when Isaw the feet of so many tender and innocent ones placed there upon thesame hot and guilty sand, which had so often drunk the blood of fiercebeasts and cruel malefactors--alas!--which had drunk the blood of theinnocent also--and which was yet to drink thereof abundantly.
And after them there came in the priests themselves of Jupiter, arrayed inthe white garments of sacrifice, walking two by two, the oldest andprincipal of them coming last. And behind them again, were certain youngerassistants, clothed also in white, who led by a cord of silk inwroughtwith threads of silver, a milk-white steer, without spot or blemish, whosehorns were already gilt, and his broad brows crowned with oak leaves androses. And last of all entered the Vestal Virgins, none of whom had everbefore been seen by me, and they also walked two by two; and no one couldcontemplate without veneration the majesty of their demeanour. With broadfillets were they bound around the forehead, and deep flowing veils hungdown to their feet, entirely covering their faces and their hands;nevertheless, their dignity was apparent; and it was not the lessimpressive, by reason of the great mystery in which all things about themappeared to be enveloped.
Imagine, therefore, to yourselves, how magnificent was the appearance ofall things, when youths and damsels, and priests and vestals, had takentheir places, according to the custom of their sacred observances; and allthat innumerable company of spectators yet standing up in theamphitheatre, the choral-hymn was begun, in which every voice there wasunited, except only that of Tisias the Christian. Now, it was the soft lowvoices of the young maidens that sounded, and then these would pause, andgive place to the clearer and more piercing notes of the boys that stoodon the other side of the altar; then again the priestesses of Vesta wouldbreak in from afar with their equable harmony; and anon these in theirturn ceasing, the Flamens of Jupiter would lift up their strong deepchanting, until, at the appointed signal from him that stood on thehighest step of the altar, with the cup of libation in his hand, the wholepeople that were present burst in and jo
ined in the rushing stream of theburden, "Jupiter,--Jupiter, hear us!--hear us, Father of Gods and men!"while the wine was poured out, gushing red upon the marble, and theincense flung on high from fifty censers, rolled its waves of smoke allover the surface of the arena, and quite up to the gorgeous canopy of thatresounding Amphitheatre. Magnificent, indeed, was the spectacle, andmajestic the music; yet in the midst of it, how could I take away my eyesfrom the pale and solitary old man, by reason of whose presence alone allthese things were so? With calm eyes did he regard all the pageantry ofthose imperial rites,--with closed lips did he stand amidst all theshouting multitudes. He bowed not his head; he lifted not up his hand;neither would he bend his knee, when the victim was slain before the hornsof the altar; neither would he in any thing give semblance of being apartaker in the worship.
At length the song ceased, and there was a proclamation again for deepsilence; and the Prefect of the city, addressing himself once more toTisias, spoke thus:--"Impious and unhappy man, with great clemency have allthings been conducted as concerning thee. When, after long imprisonment,and innumerable exhortations in private and in public, thou hadst alwaysrejected every means of safety, and spurned from thee the pardon of thosein whose hands thy being is placed, yet, notwithstanding of all thineobstinacy and continual rebellion, was it determined, that, in the face ofall the people, thou shouldst once more have free grace offered to thee,provided only thou shouldst, when all the assembly worshipped, join thyvoice with them, and bow thy head also toward the altar of Jupiter.Nevertheless all that now hear me shall bear witness, that, with open andvisible contumacy, thou hast rejected this opportunity also of beingreconciled unto the prince and the empire,--that, when every knee bent, andevery voice was lifted up, thou alone hast stood upright, and thy lipsalone have been closed. If it be so, that, from some inflicted, ratherthan voluntary perversion of mind, thou hast never yet been able tounderstand the danger in which thou art placed, know now, that thereremains no hope at all for thee, except for a moment; and let the strongfear of death open thine eyes, that thou mayst see where thou art, and forwhat purpose thou hast been brought hither. Thou art a born subject ofRome, and thy life can only be held by thee, in virtue of obedience to thelaws. These are clearer upon nothing, than the necessity that all menshould acknowledge the deities of Rome; and of good reason, since, if theybe despised, and their authority set at nought, by what means shall anoath be ratified, or a pledge given; or how may the head, which counselsand protects, be assured that the members shall not be lifted up againstit? Let silence remain in the assembly, and let Tisias of Antioch make hiselection, whether he will give obedience, or suffer the penalty oftransgression."
Then the Prefect, and all those round about Trajan, sat down, and therewas a deep silence throughout the lower region, where, for the most part,they of condition were placed; but when the rabble, that sat above, beheldthe stern and resolute countenance with which the old man stood there uponthe arena, it seemed as if they were enraged beyond measure, and therearose among them a fierce uproar, and a shouting of hatred; and, amidstgroans and hisses, there was a cry from innumerable voices of--"Christian!Christian!--Blasphemer! Blasphemer!--Atheist! Atheist!--A tiger! A tiger!--Letloose a tiger upon the Christian!"
Nevertheless, the old man preserved unmoved the steadfastness of hisdemeanour, and lifting up his eyes to the place from whence the tumultproceeded, regarded the ferocious multitude with a visage, not of anger orof scornfulness, but rather of pity and calmness; insomuch, that Iperceived the nobles and senators were somewhat ashamed of the outcry, andthe Prefect of the city arose from his place, and beckoned with his hand,until the people were weary of shouting, and order was, in some measure,re-established in the Amphitheatre.
Then Tisias, perceiving that silence once more prevailed, lifted up hishand, and bowed himself before Trajan, and the great men of authority thatwere near to his chair, and said, with a firm clear voice, in the Romantongue, "My name, O Trajan, is Tisias--the son of Androboulos. I am anative of Antioch, in Syria, and have in all things, except only in whatpertains to this cause, observed throughout all the years of my life thestatutes of the empire, as they, by whose accusation I have been ledhither, shall themselves be constrained to bear witness for me this day.My father was a Greek of Macedonian extraction, being descended from oneof those that came into Syria beneath the banners of the great KingSeleucus; but he took to wife a maiden of the Hebrew nation, and inprocess of time became a proselyte to the faith of her fathers.Nevertheless, he lived in trust and honour beneath the governors appointedby those that were before you in the empire, and brought up me and all hischildren to reverence, in all things that are lawful, the authority ofCaesar. But as to the faith of the true God, whose worshippers ye blindlyand foolishly call atheists and blasphemers, from that he neither swervedhimself, nor would permit any of those that were in his household todepart. Now, when he had been a dweller for some time in Jerusalem, thegreat city of the Jews, he began to examine into those things which werereported publicly concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who is also called theChrist, of which things not a few that had been eye-witnesses were thenliving in that city. And when he had been satisfied from their testimony,that those miracles, of which you have all heard, were in truth performedin the sight of the people by Jesus, and had listened unto the words oftheir teachers, and saw how they proved that the old prophets of theHebrews had foretold those wonderful works, he perceived that Jesus ofNazareth was indeed the Christ of God, and the great Deliverer that hadbeen promised to that people, even from the beginning of their nation. Andhe believed on him with all his household; and I also, from a stripling,have, although unworthy, been a Christian; for by that name were theyfirst called in Antioch, the city of my birth.
"But being brought into trouble by reason of his religion, which therulers of the Jews abhorred, my father departed, after a time, fromJerusalem, and dwelt with my mother in one of the villages of Palestine,until his death. Not long after which time, the Jews rebelled againstCaesar, and the great war began, which terminated in the overthrow ofJerusalem, and the utter ruin of their nation. Now, when Vespasian firstcame with his army into those regions, I, being without employment in theplace where we had our habitation, and having, moreover, taken up a great,and perhaps a sinful, wrath against the Jews, on account of the sufferingswhich my father had undergone among them, and of the evils which, at theirhands, our whole household had sustained, joined myself to one of thebands of Syrian auxiliaries; and although my mother entreated me, couldnot be persuaded to refrain from following the camp of Caesar with them. Ofwhich thing it has often since then repented me, and in which, it may be,I still hold myself not to have done altogether as was right; for if theJews had offended Caesar, it was, indeed, a reasonable thing that Caesarshould visit them with his vengeance; but, peradventure, it behoved notany of them that were descended from the fathers of that people, to takepart in the warfare. Nevertheless, being then young, and, as I have said,irritated by the sense of domestic injuries, I scrupled not to fulfil inall things the duty of a soldier, and followed the eagles of Vespasian andhis son, even to the day when the lines were drawn around the Holy City;and it was manifest, that the war could have no end, but in the eternaloverthrow of the power of the Jews. Neither did the length of the siegeweary me, or produce within me any sort of unwillingness; but, on thecontrary, so long as the city was beleaguered, I remained with the band inwhich I had numbered myself, and did in all labours such service as mystrength would permit. Even among the soldiers that have guarded myprison, since I was led into Rome for the sake of that accusation whichhas been brought against me in the matter of my belief,--even among them, Ihave seen the faces of some that were my comrades in that fierce war, andthat long beleaguerment, who also, if they be commanded, will not refuseto bear testimony before you, that all these things are true, even as Ihave said, and that I was a faithful soldier, both of Vespasian and ofTitus, unto the last. Neither, indeed, did I lay down arms immediatelywhen Jerusalem had been
sacked, and the Temple burnt, according to theprediction of Christ, but went with Caesar along the sea-coast, and waspresent with him all through the journeyings he made in Egypt, even to theday when he made his great festival at Alexandria, and crowned the Ox Apiswith his own hands, in the presence of all that people. On which day itwas, that, for the first time, I also was accused of being a Christian,and at the command of Titus himself, was interrogated by one of the rulersof the army.
"Now with shame and confusion of face must I acknowledge, that on that dayI, from desire of life, forgot myself utterly, and being deserted of allsteadfastness, went up to the altar in presence of my judge, and offeredgifts there, whereon I was declared free of all blame; and even receivedhonour and commendation thereafter from them, on account of my services inthe war. But, from that day, my spirit sunk within me, and I knew not whatto do; I grew weary of all things, and determined to leave the band inwhich I was serving, that I might seek out, if it were possible, thehabitation of my mother, and make atonement in secret for the wickednessof which I, unhappy and fearful man, had been guilty at Alexandria. Beingabsolved, therefore, from my oath of service, on account of the length oftime I had remained with the army, I departed from Egypt, and, after atime, found out my mother where she was dwelling in the mountainouscountry of Palestine, to the north of Jerusalem. In going thither,however, I was constrained to pass by the place where I had so long lainin your camp, O Romans! and to look with my own eyes on the sorrowfuldesolation of that ancient city, where so many holy prophets of theHebrews had ministered, and so many great kings reigned in the days of theold time, when their nation flourished, and was chosen and favoured of theAlmighty. And it was then, indeed, that I first began to repent me ofhaving been present in the host of Titus, and of having had a part in thatterrible destruction; to which, when I added the recollection of my ownmiserable timorousness at Alexandria, great was my perplexity, and I fledacross the mountains with much speed, seeking in vain to fly from thestings and unceasing torment of my own meditations, which neverthelesscontinued ever more and more to sink into my spirit; insomuch, that when Icame into the place where my mother was dwelling, scarcely could sherecognize me, wasted and worn as I was with that perpetual misery of shameand repentance. Without reproaches, however, and indeed with greatkindness, did she receive me into her habitation, even although, as I havesaid, she had been much offended with me because of my going up to thebeleaguerment of the city of her fathers. But when I, being humbled, madeconfession to her and her household, and to all the faithful that were inthat place, of the grievous sin whereof I had been guilty in Egypt, bothshe and all the rest of them busied themselves continually to comfort me,and to assure me that there was yet hope, if my repentance were sincere,and my resolution immovable never again to yield myself to any similartemptation. One of them also, that had been set apart to minister in holythings among the scattered believers that dwelt up and down in thatregion, came not many days after to the same place, and having publiclyheard my confession, admitted me once more to be a partaker with them inthe mysteries of the sanctuary. From which day, O Trajan! I have neveragain been so far deserted of myself, as to fall back into that miserableerror, or by any cowardly word of mine, to deny the faith that is in me,which is the faith of the True God that made heaven and earth, and of hisSon Jesus Christ, whom he sent into the world to teach loving-kindness,and long-suffering, and patience, among all kindreds, and tongues, andnations of mankind; and to make expiation, by the accursed death of thecross, for the evil and the wickedness that is in the world. From whichfaith, should I now depart, out of terror for that which, by your command,may befal me in this place, of a surety no comfort could ever again cometo me in my mind, for I should be bowed down, and utterly miserable, outof grief and shame; which as you yourself, O Caesar, will admit andacknowledge, is far worse than death itself, or any evil which the body ofman can sustain. Neither could I have any hope of being reconciled untothe True God, whom I should have so, once and again, denied; insomuch,that neither in life nor in death should I be able to have anyhappiness;--for in life, what happiness is there to him that is ashamed ofhimself?--and, in departing from life, what comfort can be given to him,that, knowing the truth, hath openly abjured the truth for the sake of afew, at the utmost, and these most miserable and unhappy years? I am anold man, and my near kindred and my friends are already dead, so that poorafter all, and not worthy to be mentioned, is the sacrifice on which Ihave this day resolved. And as for you, O Romans, should I now makeshipwreck of my faith, and tell a lie to save my life before you, withwhat contempt would yourselves be constrained forthwith to look upon me?Whosoever is wise among you, according to the philosophy of the earth,would utterly despise me; and whosoever is brave and steadfast of spirit,would think foul scorn that a soldier of Titus should be so much afraid todie. Therefore, O Trajan, am I resolved to endure all things rather thansacrifice to your gods; and if such be your will, I will not refuse to diefor this cause, to which witness has already been borne in Rome by theblood of holy Apostles, and other noble martyrs of Christ."
The old man, having said these words, bowed himself once more reverentlybefore Trajan, and then folding his arms in his cloak, appeared to awaitwhatever might be appointed. Steadfastly did I look upon his face at thatmoment, to see whether it might exhibit no trace of wavering, or at least,if pride barred irresolution, whether, nevertheless, there might notappear some token of natural sorrow, and human unwillingness to die; yetin vain did I scrutinize and seek for any such symptoms of spiritualweakness; for although it was visible that, with the exertion of so longstanding and speaking, to say nothing of thought and anxiety, his bodilystrength was much spent, still his eye preserved firmness, and his browremained serene; and the parched lips of the old man did not once betraythe least shadow of trembling. Methinks I see him even now, as he thenstood--his deep calm eyes sometimes turned upwards to Trajan, but for themost part bent to the ground, beneath those gray brows of his, whose darkshade rested upon his large solemn eyelids. Upon his broad front, as hestooped, no hair appeared, but long hoary ringlets, clustered down oneither side, mingling with the venerable, although dishevelled beard, thatlay upon his bosom. Heroic meekness was enthroned visibly upon all hislineaments, and a murmur began to run through the assembly, as if--even ina Christian--it were not possible to contemplate such things withoutadmiration.
But as they afterwards related to me--for I myself was not indeedsufficiently attentive to it--Trajan, who had as yet, during all theoccurrences of the day, preserved unmoved the majestic serenity of hiscountenance, when he observed this last movement in the spirit of theassembly, began all at once to be very indignant, that such things shouldoccur in such a place, in consequence of the appearance merely, and thelanguage, of a culprit and a Christian. I confess it, that I was too muchoccupied with gazing on Tisias, to have any leisure for remarking theparticulars of the deportment of any other person present--no, not even ofCaesar; yet such had been the effect produced on me by the history whichthe old man delivered of himself, that I indeed was not prepared at themoment to find the strong arm of power directed ruthlessly, andimmediately against him. At least, said I to myself, the Prince willinstitute an inquiry among all those now present in the capital, who arelikely to be able either to contradict essentially, or to confirm, thenarrative in which this man has thought fit to embody his only defence.Many years indeed have elapsed since the walls of Jerusalem were shatteredby the engines of Rome, and the golden gate of its antique temple refusedto be any protection against the furious soldiery of Titus. Yet surely nota few of such as were present in that proud host, must be still in life;yea, not a few of them must be now present in the capital of the world.The old spearman, with whom I talked in the guard-room, and beside theramparts underneath which this Christian was imprisoned, he surely cannotbe the only witness that remains to give testimony. He at least there is,and we shall forthwith have him at least confronted with Tisias.
Such were my thoughts within me; judg
e, therefore, what was myastonishment when I heard the trumpet sound, and perceived that its note,without any word being spoken, was at once received as a sufficientwarning by the priests and the vestals, and the youths and the damsels,and all those that had in any way been connected with the service of thealtar, to retire from the place whereon they stood, and leave the old manthere alone, to await the issue of his destiny. Immediately on the signalbeing given by the trumpet, did all these begin to move away; but althoughin silence they had at first marched into the Amphitheatre, they did notretire from it in silence. Another hymn, on the contrary, in which also,as it seemed, different parts were allotted for each different order ofsingers, was begun to be sung by them even before they had moved from thearena; and after the last of their procession had disappeared behind thewide folding-doors of the Amphitheatre, we still heard their voiceschanting solemnly until they had entered the great Temple of Isis andSerapis, which, as I have already said, stands over against it, on thebrink of the Esquiline. And while all were yet listening to their singing,and to the harmony of lutes and other sweet-sounding instruments thataccompanied their voices, the slaves and other attendants removed everything from the arena, except only the altar and statue of Jupiter, whichwere still left where they had been placed; insomuch, that ere they hadmade an end of singing, and we of listening, the old man was left alonethere as at the beginning, when he first came forth.
But just when deep silence once more prevailed, and expectation was mostintense concerning what should be at length commanded by Trajan, it fellout so, that a little bald ape escaped through the bars of one of thegrated doors, which were along the boundary-wall of the arena, and leapingforth upon the sand, began to skip up and down, challenging, by all mannerof foolish gestures, the attention of those that sate over against it,leaning down from the parapet. And immediately certain painted courtezans,that were sitting not far from thence, with gilded breasts andbright-coloured garlands, and all other gorgeous trappings of thedegradation of harlotry, began to throw down apples and nuts to theobscene creature, and to testify much delight in the grimaces with whichit received them, hopping to and fro, and casting them away, and thencatching them up again, with continual gibbering and prating; and nosooner did the rabble that were above perceive these things, than theyall, as with one consent, began to applaud; so that the vaulted vomitoriesand wide arches of entrance, and all the marble walls, re-echoed withevery wild sound of carelessness and merriment. While, in the meantime,the African feeders and naked gladiators, and all those hangers-on of theAmphitheatre, whom we had seen in the dark places below, hearing now thesounds that had arisen among the assembly, began to shew themselves incrowds from behind the same grated doors through one of which the monkeyhad escaped, and to partake in the mirth of the spectators, and to whistleupon the creature, and to excite it to new caperings, by their outcriesand jeerings. It seemed as if the minds of all present were entirelyoccupied with the pranks of this brute; and that almost it was forgottenamidst the tumult, not only for what purpose all that solemn and statelypageantry had just been exhibited before them; but even that Tisias wasstill standing there upon the same arena.
For myself, who had never before looked upon any creature of thisdisgusting tribe, and had gathered only some general notion of itsappearance from the treatises of the physiologists and the narratives oftravellers,--I could not, indeed, refuse to contemplate at first itsmotions with some curiosity; but I knew not, after the scene had lastedfor a little space, whether to be more humbled within myself by themonkey's filthy mimickings of the form and attitudes of mankind, or by thedisplay of brutish heartlessness, which burst forth from all thatcountless multitude, while gazing on that spectacle of humiliation.
But it was not until my eye fell again on Tisias, who stood all this timesolitary and silent amidst the hub-bub, that my sorrow and indignationwere the greatest. There stood the old man even as before, with his armsfolded in his gown, and his eyes resting on the sand before him, pale,calm, and unmoved in his meekness, even as if his ears had not oncereceived any sound of all the shoutings and the joyous laughters of thatunpitying rabble, that had come there to behold him die. Once, indeed--itwas but once--I thought I could perceive that a slight emotion of contemptwreathed for an instant his thin and bloodless lips; but it seemed as ifthat were but the involuntary and momentary passing over him of one proudthought, which he cast from him immediately, as a thing unworthy of theresolute mind of his integrity, choosing rather to array himself in thedivine armour of patience, than to oppose, with any weapon of humanpassion, the insults heaped upon his head by the cruel callousness of thatdegenerate congregation of men. And, whether it were that the sight of allthis did not affect me alone with such reflections, or only that they inauthority were afraid too much of the day might be occupied with whatformed so unseemly an addition to the ordained business of the assembly,while the uproar of mirth was yet at its height, certain of the lictorsthat were about the consular chairs leapt down into the arena, and beatthe monkey back again among the feeders, and other base hirelings, thatstood behind the grated doors of which I have spoken. Whereupon there wasat once an end of the tumult, and the lictors having reascended to theirplaces, the eyes of all began once more to fix themselves upon theChristian.
And he also, when he perceived that it was so, and was sensible of thesilence that once more prevailed, it seemed as if he, too, were aware thatat last his appointed hour had come, and that he must needs preparehimself in good earnest for the abiding of the issue. For, instead ofcontinuing steadfast in his place, as he had done during all the time hehad as yet been exposed there, it appeared as if now at length, beingswallowed up in the contemplation of the approaching fate, he had quiteforgotten all the rules he had laid down to himself concerning hisbehaviour. Not that he now lost remembrance of the courage which hithertohe had manifested, or even, that any the least symptom of changeablenesswas made visible upon his countenance. But it seemed to me, of a truth,that of such things as he had determined upon within himself before hecame thither, touching the mere external demeanour of his bodily frame,the memory now, in this final moment of expectation, had somewhat passedaway; for Tisias stood still no longer on the centre of the arena; butretaining his arms folded as they had been, and his eyes fixed upon thesand, he began to pace rapidly to and fro, traversing the open spacewhereon he alone now was, from side to side, without once looking up, orexhibiting any token that he was conscious of the presence of any man. Byand by, nevertheless, in the deeper knittings of his brows, and in thecloser pressure of his extenuated lips, and then again in the quivering ofthe nerves and muscles upon the arms and legs of the old man, as he movedbefore us, it was testified how keenly the spirit was at work within; thestrong soul wrestling, it may be, with some last stirring temptations ofthe flesh, and the mind itself not altogether refusing to betray itssympathy with the natural shudderings of the body. But the moment that theherald of Trajan commanded attention in the assembly, and that the Prefectof the city began again to prepare himself for speaking, that moment didthe old man appear to return at once again entirely to himself; and hefixed his eyes upon the Prefect with even the same steadfastness as whenhe made his oration to Caesar.
"By all the gods," whispered Sabinus at that moment, "this is a truesoldier of Vespasian and Titus. He will die for this superstition with theconstancy of a Roman."--"With all the constancy of a philosopher, sayrather," quoth Xerophrastes, who had overheard his whisper--"yea, with allthe constancy of a philosopher. Of a surety, there must be some lessons ofnobility in this faith of the Jews."--"Now, speak not, but look at the oldman," interrupted Rubellia; "the signal is given for the executioner."
And I looked, and saw that the Prefect was standing up in his place,immediately below the chair of Trajan, and immediately he began to speak;and he said, first looking towards the people,--"Let there be silence, andlet no man stir in this place until this matter be ended." And thenaddressing himself, as it seemed, to Tisias,--"With all patience,"proceeded
he, "have the words which this man chose to utter in hisdefence, been listened to; but it must be manifest to all men, that theycontain no shadow of apology, but rather afford the strongest confirmationof all that had before been alleged. Instead of departing from his error,or offering any extenuation of its magnitude, his words have tended onlyto shew what was already well known to all that have had any dealings withthe adherents of this blasphemous sect; that their obstinacy is as greatas their atheism is perverse; and that no clemency can, without blame, beextended to their wilfulness, and to the scorn wherewith they are resolvedto regard all things sacred. Nevertheless, inquiry has been made, andconfirmation has been given, by those who were present in the wars of theDivine Titus, as to that which this man hath said concerning his ownservice throughout the glorious campaign of Palestine, and the siege ofthe city of the Jews. For which service, it hath seemed right unto Caesar,Ever-Merciful, that no circumstance of needless shame be added to thedeath by which this Christian must now expiate before all them who haveseen his contempt of the sacrifice of Jupiter, and heard his words ofblasphemy against all the gods, the guilt of which, it is manifest to all,he hath been justly and necessarily accused. Let those, therefore, who hadbeen commanded to bring forth a tiger, depart now with their beast, andlet this man be beheaded before the Altar of Jupiter; after which, forthis day, the assembly will disperse; for, until the morrow, the spectacleof the wild animals, which the Prince hath prepared, must be deferred."
The Prefect made his obeisance again to Caesar, and sate down in his place,and immediately one of the doors of the arena was flung open, and thereentered some slaves, bearing a wooden block upon their shoulders, behindwhom followed also certain ill-favoured blacks, out of the company ofAfrican gladiators, one of whom carried bare in his hand a long and heavysword, the surface of which glittered brightly as he moved, as if newlysharpened and burnished for the occasion. Seeing all which fatalpreparations, Tisias immediately flung aside the long cloak in whichhitherto his arms and all his body had been wrapped; and after regardingthose that had come in for a moment with a steadfast eye, he turnedhimself to the place where the Prefect was sitting, as if he had yet oneword to say before he should submit himself to the sword; whereupon thePrefect said,--"If the prisoner has yet any thing to offer, it is not toolate for mercy--Let him speak."
"I have nothing more to offer, O Romans!" answered the old man, "asconcerning that of which I have spoken. But since already some favour hasbeen extended to me by reason of my services in the army of Caesar, perhapsso neither will this be refused, that my body may be given to such asshall ask for it, that it may be treated without indignity after my soulis released."
"It is granted," replied the Prefect.--"Is there any thing more?"
The old man was silent.
With that, the block being already fixed upon the sand immediately infront of the Altar of Jupiter, one of the Africans moved towards Tisias,as if to conduct him to the place where it behoved him to kneel; but he,observing what was his intention, forthwith prevented him, and walked ofhimself steadily close up to him in whose hand the sword was unsheathed.Being come thither, he immediately took his station over against theblock, and having for a moment placed his hand upon his eyes, and movedhis lips, as it seemed, in fervent supplication, dropped his one knee onthe ground, and stretched forth his neck towards the block; but suddenly,after he had done so, he sprung again upon his feet, and began to gazewith a keen eye all around the assembly, as if he were in search of someone to whom he had something yet to say. In vain, however, as it appeared,did he make this endeavour; for after a little space, he shook his headdespairingly, and gave over the steadfastness of his look. Nevertheless,he lifted up his voice, and, surveying once more the whole face of theAmphitheatre round about, from side to side, said audibly,--"There is onehere who made last night a promise to me in my dungeon. I cannot see himwhere he is; but I conjure him to take good heed, and execute, as he is aman and a Roman, all those things which he said to me he would do." Now,when I heard him say so, I well knew within myself that it was for me onlyhis eye had been searching, and half did I arise from my seat, that hemight see I was there, and observe my resolution to keep the faith I hadplighted voluntarily to him in his prison. But Sabinus, having watched myearnestness in contemplating Tisias, and comprehending something of thatwhich was meant, held me firm upon the bench, whispering, "As you regardme, Valerius, and as you regard your own safety, be still."
Being thus constrained, I neither rose up, nor made any attempt to attractthe attention of Tisias--for which forbearance, I confess to you, I havesince that day undergone the visitation of not a few bitter thoughts--butremained steadily in my place, while the old man once more addressedhimself to kneel down upon the block that was before him. Calmly now atlength did he kneel, and with much composure did he place himself. Yet,before the gladiator was ready to strike, he lifted his head once again,and gazed upwards for a moment towards heaven, with such a countenance offaith and hope, that there went through all the assembly a murmur, as itwere, and a stirring breath of admiration. Then bowed he for the last timehis gray hairs, and almost before he had rested his neck upon the tree,the strong sword of the African smote with merciful fierceness, and theheadless trunk falling backwards upon the sand, the blood spouted forth ina gushing stream, and sprinkled all over with red drops the base of thestatue of Jupiter Capitolinus, and the surface of the marble altar,whereupon the sacrifice of the Flamens had been offered.
The executioner having made an end of his duty, wiped his sword from theblood of the Christian, and advancing towards the seats of themagistrates, claimed the largess that was due to him,--which when he hadreceived, as is the custom, he and all his attendants withdrew immediatelyfrom the arena; the Emperor, at the same moment, and the Consulars, andall they that were about him, departing also from the assembly; and thewhole Amphitheatre speedily being filled with the clamours of an universalupbreaking and dispersion.
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