Quintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1

by Ernst Eckstein

  CHAPTER VIII.

  Outside, under the branches of the elm and sycamore-trees, whichstretched in long avenues up the Viminal and down again on the farthestside, an ingenious intendant had devised much such an entertainmentas in our days would be given under corresponding circumstances.Thousands of colored lamps hung in long festoons from tree to tree.The quaintly-clipped laurel and yew bushes, that stood between thesix great avenues, were starred with semicircular lights, and thebronze and marble statues held torches and braziers of flame. Theopen space between the two centre avenues was screened by an immensecurtain of purple stuff, which was fastened to two tall masts and wavedmysteriously in the night air, casting strange reflections; to theright and left also a space was enclosed and screened from prying eyesby boards hung with tapestry.

  "This promises something delightful," said Clodianus, addressingQuintus for the first time during the evening. "She is a splendidcreature, this Lycoris! Always ready to spend millions for the pleasureof her guests. Did you ever see handsomer hangings? Nero's enormousvelarium[178] was not more costly."

  "Oh! gold is all-powerful!" Quintus said absently. "Listen," he wenton, taking the officer on one side, "quite in confidence.--Is what Iheard to-day at the baths of Titus[179] true?--that you had really beento Domitia?"

  "As you say."

  "It is true then?"

  "And why not? You know what happened in the Circus?"

  "Of course; but I thought...."

  "No, there was no help for it this time. I solemnly and formallyoffered her the hand of reconciliation in Caesar's name."

  "And Domitia?"

  "To-morrow she will return an answer to her husband's message; but, ofcourse, she is only too ready."

  At this moment the fair Massilian came up to them.

  "Quintus, one word with you," she begged with an engaging smile. "Youwill excuse him, Clodianus?"

  The officer bowed.

  "Listen," said Lycoris, as she drew Quintus away, "you must tell me allyou can about your provincial friend. The man is unbearable with hisstrictness and sobriety, and yet there is something in him--how canI explain it?--something that is wanting in every one of you otherswithout exception; a balance of mind, a steadfast certainty--one may aswell give in as soon as he opens his mouth."

  And as she spoke she laid her hand familiarly in the young man's arm.

  "Very true," he said coldly. "Aurelius is not much like those oiled andperfumed gallants, who think themselves happy to kiss the dust on yoursandals. But that boy is waiting to speak to you."

  Lycoris looked round; a young slave, who had slowly followed her,glanced at her significantly.

  "Madam," he said, "everything is ready."

  "Ah?" said the lady. "The actors are ready? Very good; then let themusic begin."

  The slave bowed and vanished. Lycoris imperceptibly guided hercompanion into a thickly overgrown sidewalk.

  "We have time to spare," she said, "and the music sounds much betterfrom here than up there from the terrace. What were we talkingabout?... oh! the Batavian.... Why did you not bring your strangespecimen to my house sooner?"

  "Because he has not long been in Rome."

  "In Rome...." repeated Lycoris vaguely. Her eyes were searching theshrubbery. Then, recollecting herself, she went on talking vivaciously.Thus the couple lost themselves farther and farther in the recesses ofthe garden; their conversation ceased, and they listened involuntarilyto the Dionysiac hymn which reached them in softened tones fromthe distance. Out here even, in this remote alley, everything wasfestally illuminated; every leaf, every pebble in the path, shonein many-colored hues. And yet, how deserted, how lonely it was, inspite of the lights! there was something uncanny and ghostly in theirdoubtful flicker and sparkle. Suddenly Lycoris stood still.

  "By the Styx!" she exclaimed. "I have lost my most valuable ring. Nottwo seconds since I saw it on my finger! Wait, you must have troddenon it; it cannot be twenty paces off and must be lying on the ground."Before Quintus fairly understood what had happened, she had vanisheddown a side path. The young man waited. "Lycoris!" he called outpresently.

  No answer.

  He went back to the turning--of Lycoris, not a sign.

  "This is strange!" thought he. "What can it mean?"

  Suddenly he stood stock-still, for in the middle of the path stooda girlish form, small, but well made and of the sweetest grace. Shepressed her finger mysteriously to her rosebud lips, and then madeunmistakable signs to the youth that he was to follow her.

  "What do you want?" asked Quintus, going up to her.

  "Above all things silence," said the girl. "My errand is to you alone."

  "Speak on then."

  "Nay, not here, noble Quintus; consider a moment--with impenetrablehedges on each side of us! If any one came upon us, how could weescape?"

  "And who are you?" asked Quintus with a meaning smile.

  "Only a slave--named Polycharma. Will you come with me?"

  "Certainly, Polycharma, I follow you."

  About a hundred yards farther on a small circular clearing openedto their right; the entrance to it was decorated with gold-coloredfestoons. Just before reaching this spot the path became so narrow,that a stout man could hardly pass along it; the wall of yew on eachside had overgrown three-quarters of its width. Polycharma drew thefolds of her dress more closely round her slim limbs, while the youngman pushed aside the branches to the right and left. He looked roundonce more to see if he could discover Lycoris, but behind him all wassilent and deserted. Even the sound of the music was only heard faintlyand as if in a dream. Having reached the round plot, the slave girltook a letter out of her bosom. "My lord," she said, "I must exact asolemn oath from you...."

  "What about?"

  "That you will keep my errand an absolute secret, and return me thisletter when you have read it."

  "Good, I swear it by Jupiter!"

  Polycharma handed him the note; the mere sight of it filled him with asuspicion of its origin. He hastily broke the seal and the silk thread,and by the light of the colored lamps which lighted the place, he readas follows:

  "She who is wont only to command, humbles herself to the dust--so terrible is the power of love to change us. The cruel wretch who scorns me--he is the god of my aspirations! Have pity, O Quintus! have pity on the miserable woman, who is dying of love for you. Caesar, my husband, holds out his hand to me in reconciliation. It costs me but one word, and I shall be again, as I have been, the mistress of Rome and sovereign of the world. But behold, beloved Quintus, all this might and all this splendor I will cast from me and go into the remotest banishment without a tear, if you will give me, for one second only, the happy certainty of your love. Crush me, kill me, but ere you kill me say you are mine! Quintus, I await my sentence. At a sign, a glance, from you I reject all reconciliation."

  The young man was stunned; he stared speechless at the letter, whichdeclared in such plain terms a consuming passion. And yet, in spite ofthe answering emotion which any love--even though it be rejected--mustrouse in the recipient, he could not shake off the feeling which he hadalready experienced at Baiae. A dull, unutterable loathing remainedparamount in his soul, and the foppish figure of Paris, the actor, roseclearly before his fancy. Had not the ear of that slave drunk in thesame flattering words, as were now intended to intoxicate and ravishhim? Miserable, contemptible woman--ah! how differently and how trulybeat the proud heart of his Cornelia!

  Cornelia!--The thought of her turned the balance finally; Quintus drewa wax tablet out of his bosom and wrote on it:

  "I feel and acknowledge the greatness of the sacrifice, which your Highness proposes to make; but, as a true patriot, I must prefer the advantages which will ensue to the state from the reunion of the sovereign couple, even to the duties imposed by gratitude."

  He folded the tablet in the letter, tied it up again and gave itto Polycharma, who swiftly vanished. When her steps were no longeraudible, Quintus
pressed his hand over his eyes and sat down on amarble bench to reflect. Oh! that sly, intriguing Lycoris! She too,then, was paid by the Empress as well as by Stephanus! Subsidized byboth, and a traitoress to both--for so much at any rate was certain:Stephanus knew nothing of this nocturnal meeting. He, the realinstigator of the scene in the circus, could evidently have no part inan intrigue, of which the issue would be diametrically opposed to hisown efforts.

  Sunk in gloomy reflections on these unpleasing details, Quintus satstaring at the ground. Suddenly he heard footsteps, and confused crieswere audible in the distance, mingled with the clatter of swords andarms. The next minute two dark figures ran across the entrance to therotunda, and up the narrow path towards the top of the hill. They werefollowed by two others, who came less rapidly than the first.

  "Leave me, for Christ's sake, I can go no farther!" groaned a piteousvoice, which touched the young man strangely, and at the same timethe light of the lamps fell on a pale and suffering face. Quintusrecognized the victim he had seen at Baiae tied to the stake.

  "Courage, Eurymachus," whispered his companion, a square, thick-setman who held him stoutly up. "Hang on to my shoulders; a hundred stepsfarther, and you are safe." And they disappeared among the shrubbery.

  Quintus was not a little bewildered.

  "What is going on here?" thought he, rising and quitting the open plotfor one of the side paths. "Is this park peopled with demons?"

  Again he heard steps and voices, more numerous and wrathful thanbefore. "This way, men! There, up the path between the hedges!"

  "Do not let them get away. Ten thousand sesterces to the man, whobrings the villains back alive!"

  And shouting thus in loud confusion, a party of armed men came insight, running in breathless haste through the narrow paths. Theforemost of them was now standing in front of Quintus.

  "Make way, my lord!" he exclaimed in eager hurry: "We are seeking acriminal," and he tried to push past Quintus.

  Strange! but Quintus, the proud and high-born Quintus, suddenly felt anunaccountable impulse to protect and shield the wretched and contemnedslave.

  "Insolent knave!" he exclaimed in well-feigned indignation: "Would youdare to touch Quintus Claudius?" And seizing the astonished man bythe wrist he flung him violently from him. Meanwhile the others hadcome up. Quintus still barred the way simply by standing there. Theband of men looked doubtfully now at the young nobleman, and then attheir comrade, who got up, grumbling, from the stones. Thus a preciousmoment was gained. At last Quintus thought it as well to understand thesituation.

  "Idiots!" he exclaimed. "Why did you not explain at once what youwanted?--instead of that, you storm and rave like madmen...." And hestood aside.

  The pursuers rushed by him in breathless fury.

  "On with you!" he said to himself, as he looked after the armed men."But unless I have reckoned very badly, the game has this time escapedthe hunters."

  Quintus found the company in the greatest excitement; they werestanding in agitated knots vehemently discussing something;uncertainty, alarm, and consternation were visible in all. The only manwho appeared altogether calm and indifferent was Stephanus, haggard anddiplomatically reserved. He was sitting apart, not far from the spotwhere the avenue by which Quintus returned, opened on to the terrace. Aman of athletic build was lying on the ground, bleeding from numerouswounds; in his right hand he held the hilt of a broken sword and hisleft was pressed in speechless anguish to his breast, where the enemy'sblade had pierced him. Five or six slaves, who had carried him hither,were standing round him with expressive gestures, while Stephanus wasmaking a pitiable abortive attempt to cross-examine the dying man. Atabout forty paces farther away four slaves, fearfully injured, werelying in their blood. One had had his skull cleft to the neck, and theothers were covered with hideous and gaping wounds. All four were dead.

  On the spot too, where just now the curtain of gold-tissue hadwaved, there was the greatest confusion. The curtain[180] had beenlowered--the fanciful decorations of one side had been overthrown andnearly half-burnt, while hammers, nails, ropes, fragments of dresses,and rubbish of every kind strewed the stage. In the midst of thishideous disorder a tall cross[181] stood upright.

  It was some time before Quintus could get any connected account of whathad happened; at first ten voices were raised at once to their highestpitch of explanation. Lycoris was sulky and peevish, because the besteffect of her whole programme had been spoilt. Her friend Leaina,on the contrary, swore by Hercules that Quintus had lost the finestsight in the world. His wily acquaintance Clodianus, who took everyopportunity of assuming airs of frank bluntness, railed in threateningbass tones at the audacity of the rascals, and others wandered offinto questions, so that Quintus at last lost patience. He went to thecaptain of the Praetorian guard, took him by the arm, and asked almostangrily:

  "Norbanus, will you tell me in plain words? I was absent, in theremotest part of the wood, and on my return I find a perfect chaos.What does it all mean?"

  "It means one more sign of the times. Rome is become a perfectVesuvius; there are rumblings and mutterings on every side and in everycorner. What do you think? We were sitting here very contentedly onthe garden seats, enjoying the pleasures of digestion. Well, I wasjust wondering to myself what this Massilian bay mare could still havein reserve, and somewhat excited with curiosity, when the curtain waslowered. A grand burst of music! and a fellow dressed in scarlet cameto the front and informed us in well-turned trimeters,[182] that adevilish funny piece was about to be performed, the capital punishmentof a criminal slave[183] named Eurymachus...."

  "What?" cried Quintus horrified.

  "As I tell you--the execution of the slave Eurymachus, who had sinnedgravely against his illustrious master Stephanus, and so had forfeitedhis life."

  "An execution as a garden comedy? This is something new, by Jupiter!"

  "New indeed! hardly heard of since the days of the divine Nero."

  "Well, and what next?"

  "The speaker announced that Lycoris had obtained leave from Parthenius,the head chamberlain, to have the execution carried out in thesemblance of a jest before the eyes of her illustrious and nobleguests; he begged our indulgence for the performers, bowed, and theentertainment began.--You know me, Quintus, and that I am no lover ofsuch horrible buffoonery. I fought for many years against the Daci[184]and Germanii, and the gods know that the sight of death turns me cold.Merely to see an unarmed wretch butchered--do you know, Quintus, italways reminds me of slaughtering swine. When I sit there at my ease,looking on, a lump rises in my throat, even in the amphitheatre. It maybe outrageously simple and quite out of fashion, but for the life of meI cannot help it."

  "Go on, go on!" cried Quintus in growing excitement.

  "Well then; the performance began. They dragged the man in, half-nakedand crowned with roses. I cannot say he looked to me like a dangerouscharacter; quite the contrary--even at that moment, when his life wasat stake, he was quite quiet; only his paleness betrayed that theproceedings were not altogether pleasant to him. Then all sorts ofmocking and games began at his expense; men scourged him or kickedhim--all with consummate grace--and half-naked girls danced and leapedround him like mad things, nipped and pinched him, boxed his ears,and played all kinds of stupid tricks. This went on for about tenminutes. Then the executioners set a ladder by the cross there, flunga rope round him under the arms, hauled him up, and the first blow ofthe hammer was on the point of hitting the nail in, when a part ofthe side scene fell in with a tremendous crash. Four men, with theirfaces blackened with soot, rushed in like a thunder-storm, seizedEurymachus--who was as pale as death--by the arms, and were gonebefore the pack of slaves had recovered their senses. The spectatorsthought at first that this was part of the entertainment, till theywere enlightened by the angry shouts of Stephanus and Lycoris. Then itoccurred to the half-stunned executioners, that they might pursue themen. But then they perceived, that in the breach made by the fallenscenery a tall giant of a man was standing.
He received the pursuerswith a perfect storm of sword-strokes. Rhodius, the gardener's son,fell without a cry, and the second man fared no better; the uproarwas general, and the scenery broke out in flames. The whole gang ofthem fell back before the one with a howl, like dogs before a wolf atbay. The tall fellow, however, retired through fire and smoke till hewas safe outside it all, and then he planted himself up above at theentrance of the avenue of elms, sword in hand. Eight men rushed uponhim at once, but for fully five minutes not one could get at him. Threeof the assailants bit the dust, before a well-aimed thrust pierced theHercules through the breast. He started, once more gathered himselftogether, and a fourth man fell in front of him, cleft through theskull. That was the last of it."

  "A noble ending truly to a friendly festival!" said Quintus glancing atLycoris, who still was fuming over the disaster. "And the rash defenderis dead?"

  "Not yet," said Clodianus joining them. "Stephanus is questioning him.But as the fellow refuses to give any information, they propose totorture him to make him speak."

  "Impossible!" cried Quintus furious. "His wound is mortal, he foughtlike a hero. At any rate leave him to die in peace!" Clodianus shruggedhis shoulders.

  "Settle that with Stephanus! If the villain will not confess, it iscertainly permissible to egg on his loquacity."

  Quintus frowned. After a few minutes of reflection he went up toStephanus, at the very instant when two slaves came on to the terracewith a steaming cauldron of water.

  "A very painful incident!" said Claudius coolly.

  "Most painful!" replied Stephanus in the same tone. "I mean to try,whether the error may not be remedied." And as he spoke he gave ahighly-significant nod to the slaves, who had set the cauldron down onthe ground close to him. Quintus involuntarily stepped forward and putout his hand in remonstrance.

  "I hope, my good friend," he said, still perfectly coolly, "thatyou only intended to frighten this villain--good taste alone mustprohibit...."

  Stephanus changed color slightly, and the slaves looked terrified intohis face. The tension of the situation was interrupted by the return ofthe armed men, who had been sent after the fugitives and now came backbreathless and streaming with sweat.

  "My lord," the foremost began, "we return as jaded as a pack of hounds,but with empty hands."

  "So I see," said Stephanus in chill tones. "And what tavern did youstop at, and what wenches did you stop to kiss."

  "Forgive us, my lord!" groaned another sinking on to his knees, partlyfrom exhaustion, and partly from terror. "We rushed up the hill likeblood-hounds,[185] but they had too much the start of us."

  Stephanus looked down.

  "Was the gate on to the Patrician Way[186] locked?" he asked frowning.

  "Fast locked."

  "It is well. I will speak to your mistress. Woe to you, if you are infault!"

  "My lord," the first speaker began again. "Grant me to say one word ofexplanation. In spite of the start the fugitives had gained, we mighthave caught them if an accident...."

  He broke off and glanced at Quintus, who smiled and told him to go on."Speak fearlessly," he said kindly. "Accuse me, if you think well to doso--in fact, you have every right."

  The slave went on to relate how Quintus had delayed him and hiscomrades in the narrow hedge-grown passage. At each word Stephanus grewpaler, and Quintus became more and more scornful in air and demeanor.

  "Are this man's assertions founded on fact?" asked Stephanus as theslave ceased speaking.

  "How am I to interpret such a question?"

  "Exactly as I ask it. I am interested to know whether a son of thenoble Claudia gens can so far--condescend, as to abet the flight of acriminal?"

  "That I did not say!" cried the slave, shocked.

  "Never mind!" said Quintus reassuringly, to the excited narrator. "Youhave spoken the truth, and I will vouch for it at any moment. When Iwas loitering in the gardens of our fair hostess, how should I guessthat certain persons, who came upon me quite suddenly, were chasing arunaway slave? And even if I had guessed it, what is there to compelme to step among the thorns and briars, in order to make way for yourthief-catchers?"

  "Politeness and a due regard for the interests of the commonwealth,"replied Stephanus drily. "However, what is done cannot be undone. Itis all the more necessary to act promptly, in what yet remains to bedone."

  As he spoke he went close up to the blood-stained Hun, who, with hislast remaining strength, lifted himself up and cast a wild glance roundhim.

  "You hardened hound," he said in a rough, hoarse voice, "I will softenyou! Do you see that cauldron? I ask you once more: Who are you? Whoare your fellow-conspirators?" The gasping man's breast heaved morerapidly.

  "Will you speak?" repeated Stephanus furiously. And now, for the firsttime the victim spoke; till now he had not uttered a sound.

  "No!" he cried with his last remnant of strength, and he sank backgroaning.

  "Very well; then abide by your destiny." At this moment QuintusClaudius stepped up to the slaves who held the cauldron, his armscrossed on his breast.

  "Enough of this horse-play!" he said curtly and vehemently. "Begoneindoors, you parcel of idiots! I, Quintus Claudius, command you to go."

  "And I, Stephanus, command you in the name of your mistress: remain andobey! Rufus, Daedalus, lay hold!"

  "We will solve this dilemma, as Alexander did in Gordium," said Quintusscornfully, and with these words he pushed the slaves aside and gavethe cauldron a mighty kick, so that the contents poured steaming outall over the terrace.

  "This is violence!"[187] exclaimed Stephanus, involuntarily raising hishands.

  "The violence of reason against bad taste and coarse feeling!" saidQuintus with a scowling look. "I should advise you, freedman,[188] tokeep your hand hidden away in the folds of your robe, or in the depthsof your coffers and money-boxes, or Quintus Claudius might happen tosqueeze that hand rather more tightly than you would like!"

  At the word "freedman" Stephanus had turned as pale as a corpse. Heclosed his eyes and staggered. His lean fingers trembled and twitched,as if he were feeling for a dagger. Then, mastering his agitation withan almost superhuman effort, he said faintly:

  "I do not altogether understand what it is that you mean, so I willnot trouble myself to answer ... you. Meanwhile you have only giventhe slaves some unnecessary extra labor.--To work, men!--refill thecauldron."

  "Too late," said Quintus. "Your victim has escaped you."

  "He is dead!" cried the slaves.

  Stephanus muttered something unintelligible between his teeth; then heordered that the body should be removed.

  "Antinous," said he to one of the slaves, a remarkably beautiful youngfellow: "I look to you to report all that has happened here, fully andexactly to the authorities. If Eurymachus is delivered up to me alive,I promise you a hundred thousand sesterces.--Here comes Lycoris withthe soldiers of the town-watch.[189] Speak to them; tell them all youknow, and offer them gold; that will inspire the most dilatory."

  "I hear and obey, my lord."

  "I am tired and shall withdraw. In ten minutes I shall expect to seeyou."

  "I shall be with you in five."

  The file of men at arms--a division of a military body, who performedthe duties of a town-watch, combining the functions of our modernfiremen and police--came up just at the right moment to verify thedeath of the unknown victim, to take the statements of the assistantsand spend an hour very comfortably in the atrium. The guests of thefair Lycoris had soon recovered from the unpleasant impression producedby the untoward incident. Amusements and sports of every kind effacedthe last traces of its remembrance, and for a long time after the tonesof luxurious music sounded through the starry night.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [178] VELARIUM. The cloth hung across the amphitheatre, to screen it from the sun.

  [179] THE BATHS OF TITUS were located near the Cyprius Street, on the site of Nero's _domus aurea_, which had been destroyed after its builder's
death.

  [180] CURTAIN. The drop-scene (as we should call it) raised between the acts of a play. The curtain, properly so-called, was the _aulaeum_. These were not drawn up, as in modern theatres, but lowered.

  [181] A TALL CROSS. Crucifixion was the common punishment of great crimes.

  [182] TRIMETER. A verse of three double feet--the usual metre in dramatic verse.

  [183] THE CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OF A CRIMINAL SLAVE. Such executions in theatrical form, especially pantomimic representations of them, were no rarity in the arena. Condemned criminals were specially trained for such performances. "They entered, clad in costly, gold-broidered tunics and purple mantles, and adorned with golden wreaths; suddenly, like the death-dealing robes of Medea, flames burst from these magnificent garments, in which the miserable creatures died a cruel death. There was scarcely a torture or terrible end known in history or literature, with whose representation the populace had not been entertained in the amphitheatre. Hercules was seen burning to death on Mt. Oeta, Mucius Scaevola holding his hand over the brazier of coals till it was consumed, the robber, Laureolus, the hero of a well-known farce, fastened to a cross and torn by wild beasts. At the same spectacle, another condemned criminal, in the character of Orpheus, ascended from the ground as if returning from the nether-world. Nature seemed enchanted by his playing, the rocks and trees moved towards him, birds hovered over him, countless animals surrounded him; when the scene had lasted long enough, he was torn to pieces by a bear." (Friedlaender II, 268, etc.) It can scarcely be termed an unwarrantable license, that Lycoris presents a similar spectacle for the amusement of her guests. The masters' right to dispose of the lives and persons of their slaves had been restricted in the first century, it is true; but the omnipotent Parthenius was doubtless superior to such legal edicts.

  [184] DACI. A people living in the region now called Hungary, east of the Danube.

  [185] BLOOD-HOUNDS. (_Molossi._) The dogs from Molossis in eastern Epirus were famous sleuth-hounds. (Hor. Virg. etc.)

  [186] PATRICIAN WAY. (_vicus Patricius_) ran between the Esquiline and Viminal hills.

  [187] THIS IS VIOLENCE! Julius Caesar's famous exclamation just before his murder, when Cimber Tullius, having approached him with a petition, after a refusal, seized him by the toga. (Suet. _Jul. Caes._ 82.)

  [188] I SHOULD ADVISE YOU, FREEDMAN. Their former condition of slavery affixed an ineffaceable stigma upon all freedmen, especially in the eyes of the old senatorial nobility. Even the vast power attained by some of the emperor's freedmen, for instance the high chamberlain Parthenius, was of no avail in this respect; they too were at heart despised by all free-born citizens, much as they strove, from motives of prudence, to conceal this contempt beneath protestations of sycophantic devotion. Quintus addressing Stephanus as "freedman," could not fail to be taken by the latter as a mortal insult.

  [189] TOWN-WATCH, (_cohortes urbanae_). Besides the imperial body-guard, specially devoted to the Caesar's service, there was a city-guard, which provided for the maintenance of public safety.