_CHAPTER II._
The Centurion, in virtue of his office, had free access to the gardens ofTrajan; so he led us by both a more delightful and a nearer path towardsthe Salarean Gate. Young Sextus then quitted us; and we returned slowlythrough the beautiful groves of the Imperial Villa, in hopes of finding mykinsman by the time we should reach his mansion. But as we were walkingvery quietly along one of the broad green terraces, we heard voices in anadjoining alley, separated from us by luxuriant thickets of myrtle, andSabinus, whispering to me, "Hush, let us see what we have got here,"insinuated himself with great dexterity among the verdant shrubs. Ifollowed him with as little noise as was possible, and having found aconvenient peeping place, we soon perceived two figures at some littledistance from us in the moonlight.--"Come, Sabinus," I whispered, "they arelovers perhaps--I don't see what right we have to overhear."--"Peace," quothhe, "if you stir, they will detect us, and it is nothing unless it beknown."
With some reluctance I remained where I was; but my scruples were at anend the moment I perceived who they were.
"Most noble, most illustrious lady," said Xerophrastes, "this matter hasindeed been conducted unfortunately, yet no reason see I why you shouldgive way to so many groundless apprehensions. The only thing, after all,that you have lost, if indeed you have lost it, is the good opinion ofLicinius; for, as to that foolish boy----"--"Name him not," replied Rubellia,"name not the stripling. Surely madness alone can account for mybehaviour."--"Madness!" quoth the Stoic; "yes, truly, and who, at certainmoments, is free from such madness? As Euripides has expressed it, Venus,if she come in wisdom, is the wisest; if otherwise, the most frenzied ofinfluences. The greatest have not been exempt from such visitations.Banish it from your heart, noble lady, or replace it by something moreworthy of your discernment. There is, I think, but one pair of eyes inRome that could have been blind to such perfections."--"O Xerophrastes!"said she, "speak not to me of perfections. Alas! I was born under adeceitful star--a star of apparent splendour and real misery."--"Noblelady," he replied, "I swear to you that what tincture of philosophy I haveimbibed, is unable to sustain my serenity when I hear such words from yourlips. You are surrounded by all that externals can minister. It is yourpart to compose your mind, and then how should it be possible for you totaste of unhappiness? Think no more of that boy."
The philosopher took her hand with an air of the deepest sympathy, and atthe same time drew the end of his mantle over his face, as if to concealthe extent of his participation in her distresses.--"Alas! lady, this is,after all, a miserable world. There is no rest but in the affections, andbehold how they are harassed on every hand by the invidious accidents oflife. Philosophy proclaims her antidote, but the poison is every where;and it is all one course of being wounded to be cured, and being curedonly to be more easily wounded again."
Our friend continued in an attitude of pensive contemplation. Themoonbeams fell full on his high brow and the large massy features of hiscountenance, and on the robust limbs which emerged from below the statelyfolds of his mantle; and I could not help thinking that there wassomething almost heroic, which I had never before remarked, in the wholeof his appearance. Rubellia kept her eyes fixed steadfastly upon him.
"I should have known nothing of it," he resumed, "had I never deserted mypaternal valley for the vain pleasures of Athens, and the magnificence ofRome."--"You repent," said she, "that you ever visited Italy? I pray youdeal with me openly. If it be your wish to leave Rome, speak, and I shallput it in your power to retire to Greece as handsomely as you could everhave hoped to do from the family of Licinius. Of wealth, as you well know,I have enough both for myself and for my faithful friends, among whom, besure, I place you in the first rank. Control your feelings, I pray youonce more--and speak freely."
Hastily and fervently he pressed his lip upon the beautiful hand ofRubellia, and whispered something into her ear. She started, and I thinkblushed in the moonlight; but neither seemed offended very deeply withwhat he had said, nor with the gesture he had used.--"Softly, softly,"whispered the Centurion, "be not ashamed, fair lady, of the love of thyservant."
But (whether the echo of his Horatian parody had reached her ear or not, Icannot tell,) scarcely had these words been uttered, ere Rubellia startedfrom her seat, and began to move pretty quickly down the shaded alley, asif towards the entrance of the gardens. Xerophrastes sate still for amoment, even after the lady had arisen, covering his eyes, and part of hisbroad forehead with his hands, as if buried in his own thoughts too deeplyto be with ease affected with a sense of things passing around him. Then,at last, he arose, and uttering an exclamation of surprise, walked afterthe noble dame, taking heed, however, (it did not escape our observation,)to arrange, as he rapidly followed her, the massive folds of his mantleinto a graceful drapery.
Sabinus restrained himself till they were beyond the reach of his voice;but he then made himself ample amends. "Ha!" said he, "is this to be theend? Most pensive ghost of Leberinus, is this to be thy successor?"--"Goodheavens!" said I, "Sabinus, do you think it possible she should make thepedagogue her husband--she that was but yesterday so desperately enamouredof the beautiful young Sextus?"--"My dear islander," quoth the Centurion,"do you remember the story of a certain beautiful boy, called Adonis?"--"Tobe sure," said I, "who is ignorant of the story of Adonis, or of thebeautiful verses of Bion--
"I weep for fair Adonis--for Adonis is no more, Dead is the fair Adonis--his beauty I deplore; His white thigh with a tusk of white the greenwood monster tore, And now I weep Adonis--for Adonis is no more.'"
"Well spouted," quoth the soldier; "and with an excellent gravity: Butthink you Venus never altered the burden of her ditty? Have you neverheard of Mars the blood-stained, the destroyer of men, the leveller ofcity walls--nor of Anchises, the Dardan shepherd, wiser in his generationthan one who inherited both his station and his opportunity; no, nor evenof Vulcan, the cunning Artificer, the Lord of the One-eyed Hammerers, theLemnian, the Chain-maker, the Detector, the awkward Cup-bearer, whoseministration, as honest Homer confesses, fills Olympus withinextinguishable laughter. Have you heard of all these, and I take it of afew more besides; and yet do you talk as if Venus, after the white boar'stusk had pierced the white thigh of her Adonis, had made no use of herbeautiful girdle, but to wipe the tears from her pretty eyes withal?--hergirdle, of which, heaven pity your memory, I know not how many blessedages after Adonis had fallen, the same faithful bard said,
'In it is stored whate'er can love inspire: In it is tender passion, warm desire, Fond lovers' soft and amorous intercourse; The endearing looks and accents that can fire The soul with passionate love's resistless force, 'Gainst which the wisest find in wisdom no resource.'
I was there the night she espoused Leberinus, and I pitied her verysincerely, when I saw the pretty creature lifted over the old man'sthreshold in her yellow veil, which I could not help thinking concealedmore sighs, if not more blushes, than are usual on such occasions. But Ipromise you the glare of her new torches shall affect me with differentemotions."
Such talk passed as we were leaving the gardens of Trajan. But as weadvanced into the more peopled region, we found the streets full ofclamour, insomuch that quiet discourse could no longer be carried on. Theevening was one of the most lovely I had ever seen, and the moon wasshedding a soft and yellow light upon the lofty towers and trees, and uponall that long perspective of pillars and porticos. Yet groups of citizenswere seen running to and fro with torches in their hands; while many morewere stationary in impenetrable crowds, which had the air, as it seemed tous, of being detained in the expectation of some spectacle. Accordingly wehad not jostled on much farther, ere there arose behind us a peal of whatseemed to me martial music; but my companion, as soon as the soundsreached him, warned me that a procession of the priests of Cybele must beat hand.
At last they came quite close to us, and passed on dancing around theimage of the Goddess, and singing the chaunt of Atys. A path being openedfor
them by the crowd all along, they made no halt in their progress, butwent on at the same pace, some of them leaping high from the ground asthey dashed their cymbals, and others dancing lowly while they blew thelong Phrygian trumpets and crooked horns of brass. The image itself wasseated in a brazen chariot, to which brazen lions also were fastened, thewhole being borne on the shoulders of some of the assistants. Behind itcame others, beating great hollow drums; and then again more, leaping, anddancing, and singing, like those who preceded it. They were all clad inlong Asiatic vests, with lofty tiaras; and their countenances, as well astheir voices, intimated sufficiently that they were ministers of the sameorder to which the hapless Atys had belonged. Yet nothing but enthusiasmand triumph could be discovered in their manner of singing that terriblehymn.
They had not advanced much beyond the spot where we were standing, erethey stopped of a sudden, and, placing the chariot and image of Cybelebetween the pillars of one of the porticos that run out into the street,began a more solemn species of saltation. When they had finished thisdance also, and the more stately and measured song of supplication withwhich it was accompanied, the priests then turned to the multitude, andcalled upon all those who reverenced the Didymaean mysteries, to approachand offer their gifts. Immediately the multitude that were beyond formedthemselves into a close phalanx, quite across the street, and torchesbeing conveyed into the hands of such as stood in the foremost rank, therewas left in front of the image an open space, brightly illuminated, forthe convenience, as it seemed, of those who might come forward to carrytheir offerings to the foot of the statue. And, indeed, it appeared as ifthese were not likely to be few in number; for the way being quite blockedup by those torch-bearers, no one could hope to pass on easily withoutgiving something, or to pass at all without being observed. Not a fewchariots, therefore, and litters also, having been detained, the personsseated in these vehicles seemed to be anxious, as soon as possible, topresent their offerings, that the path onward might be cleared to them bycommand of the priests. It was necessary, however, as it turned out, thateach person in advancing to the chariot of Cybele, should imitate themotions practised by the Galli themselves; and this circumstance, as maybe imagined, was far from being the most acceptable part of the ceremonyto some of those who had thus been arrested. A few of the common sort,both men and women, stepped boldly into the open ring, and with greatappearance of joy went through the needful gesticulations. But, at first,none of the more lordly tenants of the chariots and litters seemed to beable to prevail on themselves to follow the example. At length, however,the impatience even of these dignified persons began to overcome theirreluctance; one and another red-edged gown was seen to float in loftyundulations across the torch-lighted stage, and when a handful of coin washeard to ring upon the basin of the Goddess, doubt not the priestshalf-cracked their cheeks in blowing horn and trumpet, and clattered upontheir great tambarines as violently as if they had made prize of anotherAtys. But how did the Centurion chuckle when he observed that one of thenext chariots was no other than that of Rubellia herself, and perceivedthat she and the Stoic were now about to pass onwards like the rest, atthe expense of exhibiting their agility before the multitude.
"Jove in heaven!" cried he, "I thought the garden scene was all in all;but this is supreme! Behold how the sturdy Thracian tucks up his garment,and how, nodding to the blows of the tambarine, he already meditateswithin himself the appropriate convolutions. And the pretty widow! by thegirdle of Venus, she also is pointing her trim toe, and, look ye! betterand better, do you not see that she has given her veil to the Stoic, thatso she may perform the more expeditely?"
At this moment, some one from behind laid hold of my arm, and whispered myname. I looked round, and perceived an old man, wrapped in a very largeand deep mantle, the folds of which, however, were so arranged that Icould see very little of his features. Stepping a pace or two backwards,he beckoned to me with his hand. I hesitated; but his gesture beingrepeated, I also entered within the shade of the pillars, and then he,dropping his mantle on his shoulders, said, "Valerius, do you not rememberme? We met last at the tomb of the Sempronii."--"At the tomb of theSempronii!" said I; and recognized, indeed, the features of the Christianpriest, who had treated me on that eventful evening with so much courtesy;but my wonder was great to find him in such a situation; for I had seenhim conveyed away between armed guards, and I could not imagine by whatmeans he, of all others, should have so soon regained his freedom. Heobserved my astonishment, and said, in a low voice, "My friend, perhaps Imight have as much reason to be surprised with seeing you here, as youhave in seeing me. But follow me into this house, where we may communicatewhat has occurred."
The hope of perhaps hearing something concerning Athanasia determined me.I cast a look towards Sabinus, and saw him attentively engaged inwitnessing the performance; and hoping that he might continue to amusehimself so for a few minutes longer, I permitted the old man to lead meinto the vestibule. The slaves, who were waiting there, seemed to receivehim with much respect. He passed them, saying, "Do not troubleyourselves--I shall rejoin your master;" and shortly ushered me into achamber situated over the hall of entrance, where a grave personage wasreclining by the open window. He perceived not our approach till we hadcome close up to his couch, for he was occupied with what was going onwithout. When the old man accosted him, and said, "Pontius, I have beensuccessful. Here is my friend, Caius Valerius," the stranger rose up, andsaluted me with kindness. "Caius Valerius," said he, "will pardon me forbeing desirous of seeing him here, when he learns that I was one of hisfather's oldest friends, and served with him many campaigns both inGermany and Britain. I should have been ill pleased had I heard that youhad been in Rome, and departed without my having an opportunity ofretracing, as I now do, the image of my comrade."
I had to answer not a few questions concerning the situation of my motherand myself, before I could lead the conversation into the channel Idesired; and at length, indeed, it was not so much any thing I said, asthe readiness of the priest himself, which gave to it that direction; forthe first pause that occurred in the discourse between Pontius and myself,he filled up, by saying, "And now, will Valerius pardon me for asking, ifhe has ever looked again into the narrative of Luke, or whether hiscuriosity, in regard to these matters, has been entirely satisfied by theadventures of one unfortunate night?"
The manner in which Pontius regarded me when the priest said this, left meno doubt that he was at least favourably inclined to the opinions of theChristians; so I answered without hesitation, "My curiosity, instead ofbeing satisfied by what I saw that evening, received new strength; but youmay easily believe that the troubles in which I was involved, and stillmore the troubles with which I know others yet to be surrounded, havehitherto taken away from me both the means and the power of gratifying mycuriosity as I would wish.--But tell me, I pray you, by what means is yourimprisonment at an end?"--"My friend," replied the priest, "you speaknaturally but rashly. I believe you yourself are the only one of thosesurprised in the tower, whose imprisonment has as yet terminated. Yethope, good hope is not absent,--above all, I trust there is no reason todespair concerning that dear child who interfered in your behalf, when abold, and, I fear me, a false man, had drawn his weapon to your peril. Asfor me, I have but gained the liberty of an hour or two, and long ere dawnI shall be restored again to my fetters."--"Your fetters!" said I, "am I tounderstand, that, by the connivance of a Roman jailor, you are this nightat liberty to perambulate the streets of Rome?"--"Young man," answered thepriest, "he is a Christian."--"Even for his sake," said I, "the name ishonourable."
"Valerius," said he, "I pray you speak not things which may hereafter givepain to your memory. Already you have read something of the life of ONE,for whose sake our name is indeed honourable--of Him I trust you shall erelong both read and think more; but how shall I bless God, that threw mylot, since captivity it was to be, into a place where such authority wasto have the superintendence of me? Yet more, how shall I be sufficientlygrateful,
that She, in all things so delicate, although in nothingfearful, has shared the same blessing?"
"Heavens," said I, "what do I hear!--Is Athanasia indeed lodged in the sameprison with yourself, and may she also go abroad thus freely?"
"Think not," he replied, "that I embrace such freedom for any purposes ofmine own. What I do for the service to which I am bound, think not thatAthanasia will ever desire to do for herself. She abides her timepatiently where the lot hath been cast for her; in due season, if such bethe will of the Lord, she shall regain that in truth, of which this is butthe shadow."
"God grant our prayer," said Pontius, "and not ours only, but the prayerof all that know her, and have heard of this calamity!--Whatever theexertions of her family and their friends can accomplish, most surelyshall not be awanting. Would that those who are linked to her by ties yetmore sacred had the power, as they have the will, to serve her! Yet Hopemust never be rejected. The investigations of this very night may producethe true accomplices of Cotilius; and then Trajan will be satisfied thatthe Christians stand guiltless of that treason."
"Alas!" said I, "if this faith be a crime, how can any one hope to followit without being continually liable to accidents as unfortunate? In Rome,at all events, what madness is it thus to tempt the fate which impendsover the discovery of that which it must be so difficult, so impossible toconceal?"
The aged Priest laid his finger on his lips, and pointed to the window. Ilistened, and heard distinctly the shrill voices of the mutilated dancers,as they brake forth above the choral murmurs of the drums and cymbals, andI perceived that the bloody legend of Atys was once more the subject oftheir song.
The ancient waited till the voices were drowned again in the clamour ofthe instruments, and then said to me, "Young man, do you know to whathorrid story these words of theirs refer? Do you know what sounds allthese are designed to imitate? Do you know what terror--what flight--whatblood--what madness are here set forth in honour of a cruel demon--orrather, I should say, for the gain of these miserable and maimedhirelings? Do you know all these things, and yet give counsel of flightand of cowardice to me, upon whose head the hand of Christ's holy apostlehath been laid? Read, dear Valerius, read and ponder well.--My prayers, andthe prayers of one that is far purer than me--they are ever with you. Butnow since I have introduced you to Pontius, why should I delay here anylonger? He, both for your father's sake and for your own, and for that ofthe faith, (of which you have had some glimpses) will abundantly aid youin all things. Deal not coldly nor distantly with him. I commit you intohis hands, as a brand to be snatched from the burning."
Pontius reached forth his hand and grasped mine in token of acquiescencein all the old man expressed. He, by and by, looking into the street,said, "These jugglers have now departed to their dens, and the gapingmultitudes have dispersed. But I still see one person walking up and down,as if expecting somebody; and it seems to me that it is the same,Valerius, who was in your company." I perceived that it was indeedSabinus, whistling to himself on the bright side of the pavement. Itherefore bade them adieu, saying, "Dear father, when shall I see youagain, and when shall I hear farther of Athanasia?"--The old man pausingfor a moment, said, "To-morrow at noontide be in the Forum, over againstthe statue of Numa. You will there find tidings."
The Centurion plainly intimated that he took it for granted I had beenengaged in something which I wished to keep from his knowledge; but suchaffairs made no great impression on him; and after laughing out his laugh,he bade me farewell by the portico of Licinius.
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