Valerius. A Roman Story

by J. G. Lockhart

  _CHAPTER XI._

  Upon this, Trajan, with those immediately about his person, withdrew; butRubellia told me he had only gone to the Palatine by the subterraneouspath, for the purpose of taking some refreshment, and that there was nodoubt he would return in time to witness the rest of the spectacle. Thisexample, however, was followed in some sort by a great part of thespectators, for some departed altogether from the Amphitheatre, while manymore were seen moving from place to place, crossing from one vomitory toanother, and paying their respects to different parties of friends, whohad occupied places at a distance from them during the combats. In themeantime, servants of Trajan's household were observed giving directionsin the arena to a great number of persons, who afterwards began todistribute baskets of dried fish, bread, and other eatables, among such aschose to accept of them; while viands of a more costly description wereintroduced among the wealthy, by slaves and freedmen of their own. Neitherwere the bearers of water-jars idle, nor the street hawkers of fruit;least of all, those whose traffic is in snow,--of whom, I believe, hundredswere scrambling in all quarters over the benches, whistling shrilly, as istheir method, to announce the article in which they dealt.

  The Lady Rubellia was not one of those who would ever leave her friendsdestitute of the means of refreshment on such an occasion as this; andaccordingly two or three of her household were soon with us, bearing jarsof sweet-meats, baskets of fruit, flasks of wine, with other appurtenancesof a luxurious collation. We had scarcely begun to taste of these things,when our attention was attracted by some one striding, with greatactivity, from one row of benches to another behind us, and looking round,I discovered the rosy countenance of Sabinus, whose anxiety to join uswas, as I immediately suspected, the cause of this exertion. An ordinaryperson would have sought some circuitous method of approach, rather thanattempt the sheer descent from one of the stone parapets which roseimmediately in our rear; but the brawny limbs of the Centurion shrunk notfrom that adventurous leap, and, in a word, I soon found him seated besideus, bowing and smiling to Rubellia with his usual mixture of boldness andsuavity. He delayed not from participation in her delicacies; but liftinga goblet of Falernian, drank down, without stopping, till he could see thefoundation of its interior gold. His fingers also soon became acquaintedwith the receptacles of fruit and confectionary; and I was half-inclinedto some suspicion, that he might perhaps have remained in his originalsituation, had he not chanced to observe the slaves of Rubellia, as theycame up the vomitory, with their comely-looking, napkin-covered basketsupon their heads. As it was, his arrival was acceptable, except perhaps toRubellia, who I thought looked as if she were not overmuch pleased withthe interruption his mirthful talk occasioned to the conversation on whichshe had been endeavouring to fix the attention of young Licinius.

  For that, however, another interruption had been already prepared inanother part of the assembly, from which our Xerophrastes also had takencognizance of our position. There was such a crowd, however, immediatelybelow us, that I know not whether the philosopher would ever have beenable to make his way to the region where we sat, had it not been that weheard his voice in disputation, and entreated those that opposed hispassage, if possible, to make room for him. The first glimpse we had ofhis countenance, shewed us that the squeeze had been giving him seriousinconvenience, for the drops of perspiration stood visible on his baldfront. The persons whom he was addressing, however, seemed to listen withsuch unconcern, that it was impossible not to feel somewhat displeasedwith them, for treating so disrespectfully one whom his venerable aspectmight have entitled to more courtesy. In vain did he represent to them,(for we heard his strong voice distinctly every now and then,) that it wasnot for the sake of any personal ease or convenience he was desirous ofpenetrating into an upper part. In vain did he reiterate "My pupil"--"mydisciple"--"my young scholar, Sextus Licinius"--"the son of CaiusLicinius"--"the son of the great orator Caius Licinius is there." In vaindid he enlarge upon the constancy of attention which philosophers owe tothose who are placed by the hands of parents under their superintendence.No sooner, however, did Sextus and I begin to shew the interest we took inhis situation, than Sabinus raised himself up on the bench, and calledaloud on those that surrounded the Stoic, with a voice of much sternnessand authority, to let him pass immediately at their peril.

  Many eyes were forthwith turned towards us; and whether it were thedignity and haughtiness of the Centurion's voice and attitude, or that hisgarb alone gave him much weight in the assembly, the resistance wasrelaxed, and Xerophrastes enjoyed an opportunity of almost entirelyrecovering his usual serenity of aspect before he reached us. The firstthing he did was to accept of a cup which I held out to him, and then withmuch courtesy did he thank us all, but most the Centurion, for the part hehad taken in working out his deliverance from the hands, as he expressedit, of those inhuman and illiterate persons; "while you," he continued,"brave warrior, have shewn that in your breast, as in that ofEpaminondas--of Alexander--and of your own Julius--the reverence of themuses, and of divine philosophy, does not disdain to inhabit with theardour of active patriotism, and the spirit-stirring delights of Mars."

  "As for that," said Rubellia, with a smile, "all the world knows thatSabinus is quite a philosopher--he was just beginning a very learnedharangue when we were attracted by your voice in the crowd; and you havethe more reason to thank him, because he was cut very unseasonably short,in consequence of the distress in which we perceived you."

  "Most noble lady!" replied the Stoic, "you know not how much you havedelighted me; from the first moment, indeed, that my eyes rested upon thecountenance of your heroic friend, I suspected that he had subjectedhimself to some other discipline besides that of camps. I saw the tracesof thought, lady--and serious contemplation. The mind can never exerciseits faculties, without conveying some symptoms of those internaloperations to the external surface of the visage. The soul can neverenergize habitually, without betraying its activity in the delicacy andacumen, which the more elegant and susceptible parts of the corporealframe acquire during those elaborate and mysterious processes of thought.I saw, therefore, and suspected. But what thanks are not due to you, forhaving so agreeably confirmed me in this happy suspicion! Of a surety, thenoise and tumult of the camp is not so well adapted for the theoretic orcontemplative life, as perfect leisure and retirement; yet, who shalldoubt that the soul of great energy can overcome all such disadvantages?Who shall think that the spirit of Socrates did not eagerly philosophizeduring the campaign he served?--Who shall say that the Stagyrite must havesuspended his acute, although imperfect investigations, even although hehad accompanied his royal pupil across the Hellespont, and attended allthe motions of his victorious army, instead of staying at home to teachthe youth of Greece?--Who, finally," said he, casting his courteous eyesfull on the Praetorian, "shall suspect but that this generous warrior hasbeen effectually advancing the growth of philosophic science, within hisown mind at least,--if not composing works, in his intervals of leisure,destined hereafter to benefit and instruct the world, even although he mayhave been attending the flight of the Eagle from utmost Britain to thedesert frontiers of the Parthian?"--"Nobody, indeed," replied the sportivelady--"nobody, indeed, who has enjoyed any opportunity of being acquaintedwith the Centurion, can have any doubt on that head.--Sabinus," shecontinued, turning towards him, "what treatise are you at present engagedwith? Come, now, speak out, and truly;--are you still busy with your perites Phuseos tou oistrou bakchikou,(1) that you were quoting from the othernight?--or are you deep in '_the delight of contemplation_?'--or----"--"Not atall," quoth the Centurion, interrupting her; "I am only deep in _love_----"Saying so, he laid his hand in a very tender fashion upon his breast, andeven, as I thought, began to throw a little sentiment into his eyes; buthe had no opportunity of going on with his speech, for Xerophrastes had nosooner heard him utter the word _love_, than he immediately began to pourout a new rhapsody.

  "Love!" quoth he; "Ha! love:--in good sooth
, a noble subject, and oneconcerning which not a few laudable treatises have been composed. Yet,without question, much remains to be done in this matter; and I should bemost proud if the illustrious Sabinus would vouchsafe to me a perusal ofhis speculations. Without question," he continued, "you have commencedwith a proper definition and division of the subject. You havedistinguished betwixt what is properly called _love_, and the other moreor less kindred affections, with which hallucinating writers have toooften committed the error of confounding it. You have described, in thefirst place, the difference between it and the _Storge_ or naturalaffection which parents have for their offspring--an affection in which nota few of the irrational tribes appear (if physiologists may be trusted) tobe even superior to the human race."--"Hens, for example," quoth theCenturion, with a face of infinite gravity.--"Even so--_hens_," continuedthe sage; "an apt illustration.--I perceive, indeed, lady," whispered he toRubellia, "that you have not deceived me concerning the attainments ofthis your noble friend.--Hens--a most acute illustration!--See you now, OSextus!" he went on, "it is not the characteristic of true philosophy todespise those illustrations which are drawn from the affairs of ordinarylife, and the common surfaces of things. No: it is rather her part to shewforth her own intrinsic excellence and splendour, by raising that which isin itself low and customary, to unexpected dignity, by her methods offelicitous application. See you, now, with what unexampled skill thishero--this philosopher, I should rather say--may I presume to add, thisbrother philosopher?--has illustrated the nature of love in this treatiseof his, by introducing the domestic habits of your common household fowl.Such things should not pass unheeded by the young aspirants to learning,because these, more than any other circumstances, may furnish them withencouragement to proceed in their course, by shewing how many of thematerials of philosophy lie every where under the eyes of the most commontraveller of the path of life; and how assuredly it is the fault of theindividual himself, if he neglect the means of spiritual advancement,which are sure to be afforded in whatever situation may chance to havebeen assigned to him."

  "I beg your pardon for interrupting you," said Rubellia; "but Sabinus hasalmost finished the grapes while you have been speaking; and I would onlyjust beg to suggest, that it is the fault of the individual, Xerophrastes,if he neglects the means of corporeal refreshment, which may yet beafforded to him by what remains in the basket."

  "Most kind lady," resumed he, "your benevolence is worthy of yournobility.--But you know not how much the philosophy I have embraced, tendsto lessen the natural desire of man for such things as you alludeto--nevertheless," he continued, "I will not refuse to partake yet fartherof your bounty; for I have been sorely dealt with in the multitude, asyourselves witnessed."

  So saying, he took hold of the basket, and began to feel in the bottom ofit, but found very little to his purpose; for, to say the truth, the restof the party had been almost as eager in their attentions to it as theCenturion. A few slender bunches, notwithstanding, were still there, oneof which the philosopher thrust into his mouth, and the rest he concealedbeneath one of the folds of his huge mantle, until he should have made anend of his criticism. Meantime, the natural language of the broad, jovial,unreflective countenance of our worthy Centurion, seemed considerably atvariance from the notion of his attainments and pursuits, which this merrylady had been instilling into the pedagogue. Rubellia herself, however,appeared to enjoy the thing far more keenly than either Sextus or I;insomuch, that I was afraid Xerophrastes would penetrate through the jokeshe was playing off upon him, before he had given himself his full swingin commendation of the Praetorian. But Sabinus, on his side, was, as itseemed, of opinion, that he had already heard enough of suchdisquisitions; for he had scarcely seen out the last cup of Falernian, erehe began to give hints that he wished very much to descend into the arena,for the purpose of observing the animals about to be exhibited, while theywere yet in their cages. Xerophrastes, however, even when he had heard himsignify this desire, appeared still to be resolved on considering him asone of the philosophic order of mankind; for he at once offered toaccompany him, saying, that the visit was of course intended for thegratification of some scientific curiosity, and that therefore he shouldthink himself culpable did he neglect the opportunity.

  "Come, then," quoth the good-natured Sabinus, "by all means prepareyourself for the descent; but at least allow me to precede you, that theremay be no risk of untimely obstructions."--"Most assuredly, nobleCenturion," replied Xerophrastes, "in this, as in all things, I shall beproud to be enumerated among your followers. My pupil, also," he added,"and his friend, will no doubt accompany us, that they may benefit by ourdiscourse on whatever may be subjected to observation."--"Veneratedfriend," said Rubellia, "would you leave the ladies by themselves in themidst of the Amphitheatre? I hope Sextus Licinius, at least, will considerour weakness, and remain for our protection."

  She laid her hand on my companion's arm, with a look which was decisive.Her ancient crony whispered something about the impropriety of leavingonly one of the party to attend upon two females; but I took advantage ofher low tone to pretend ignorance of that hint, and rose with theCenturion.

  "Go quickly," said Sextus, "for the interval must be well-nigh at an end;and if those that have gone out begin to rush in again, you may havedifficulty in regaining your places."--"Give fear to the winds," quothSabinus; "am not I with them, that know every lion-feeder in Rome? Nochance of the exhibition recommencing without my having sufficientwarning. It is not for nothing that I have lost and won so many thousandsesterces in the Amphitheatre. Would to Hercules as much respect were paidto experience every where else, as in the Arena to your true old Better.Already, I perceive that half a dozen of those knowing characters downbelow, about the entrances to the dens, have detected me. They must fancymy purse is in a poor state indeed, when I don't seem to think it worthwhile to take even a single peep at the cages. Come, worthy brother inphilosophy, and you, my fellow-voyager, let us be alert, lest we arriveafter Plataea."

  We obeyed with due alacrity, and, leaving the reluctant Sextus to hisfate, touched presently the margin of the arena. We had no sooner arrivedthere, than an old skin-dried limping Numidian, with a bit of lion's hidefastened round his loins--one who, from his leanness and blackness, hadvery much the appearance of having been baked to a cinder, drew to theCenturion, with many nods and significant grins of recognition. Sabinus,on his part, seemed noways backward to acknowledge this acquaintance; but,on the contrary, began to talk volubly with him in a strange sort ofbroken dialect, chiefly composed, as I afterwards learned, of Punicvocables. After this had lasted some minutes, he took Xerophrastes and meby the hand, and seemed to introduce us to the Numidian, who then desiredus all to come down, and he would conduct us to a place where we shouldsee something not unworthy of being seen. About to follow thesedirections, I felt my gown seized from behind, and looking round, observedthat it was my faithful Briton, who, from the heat and confusion of hisaspect, appeared not to have come thither without a considerable struggle.Sabinus seeing him, said, "Ah! my old friend Boto, how have you come tothis part of the Amphitheatre? We must not leave you behind us, however:Of a surety, you have never seen a lion--you shall descend along with yourmaster; and who knows but we may persuade Xerophrastes that you also are abrother philosopher?"--"Most noble Centurion," replied the grateful slave,"I saw you and my master from the very topmost bench, where I have beensitting for these three hours with Dromo, and I was determined to drawnear to you, if it were possible. To go from this place up to yonderquarter would perhaps be impossible; but it is never a very difficultmatter to go down in this world; so, saving your reverence, I trundledmyself over the benches, and when heads were in my way, I trundled myselfover them too."--"It is well, good Briton," quoth the Centurion--by thistime we had crossed the arena--"and now prepare to exercise your eyes aswell as you already have exercised your limbs; for know, that very near toyou is the abode of nobler animals than even your lord hath everobserved."

 
With this the African opened one of the iron doors edging the arena, andhaving received some money, admitted us to the sight of a long flight ofmarble steps, which appeared to descend into the bowels of the earth, farbelow the foundation of the Amphitheatre. "Come along, masters," quoth he;"we had better go down this way, for we shall have a better view of theanimals so, than on the other side. My master, Sabinus, will tell you all,that old Aspar knows as much about these things as any Numidian in theplace."--"Indeed, since friend Bisbal is gone," quoth the Centurion, "thereis not another of these that is to be compared to you."--"Ah!" repliedAspar, "Bisbal was a great man; there is not a feeder in Rome that isworthy to tie the latchet of his sandals, if he were alive."--"Why, as tothat," said the other, "old Bisbal was very seldom worth a pair of sandalsworth the tying, when he was alive; but, come on, we have no great leisurefor talking now, and Aspar shall shew a lion with any Bisbal that everwielded whip.--Come on."

  We soon reached a large vaulted place, apparently below the Amphitheatre,the sides of which were almost entirely covered with iron-gratings,--whileup and down the open space were strolling many strange groupes of men,connected in different capacities with the bloody spectacles of the arena.On one hand, we saw some of the gladiators, who had already beencombating, walking to and fro with restless and agitated steps, as if theyhad not yet been able to recover themselves from the excitement into whichtheir combats had thrown them. Even of such as had been victorious, Iobserved that not a few partook in all these symptoms of uneasiness; andthe contrast thus exhibited to the haughty mien of calmness they had solately been displaying, affected me with a strange sense of the irrationaland inhuman life these unhappy persons were condemned by folly ornecessity to lead. The blood had forsaken the lips and cheeks of others,and from the fixed stare of their eyes, it appeared that their minds wereentirely withdrawn from every thing passing around them. Their limbs, sorecently nerved to the utmost show of vigour, were now relaxed andunstrung, and they trod the marble floor with heavy and straggling feet.But they that appeared to me to be in the most wretched state, were suchas, they told us, expected to be led forth shortly to contend with thewild beasts, in whose immediate vicinity they were now walking. Thesummons to battle with a human opponent calls into action the fiercenessand the pride of man; but he that has to fight with a beast, how should henot be weighed down with the sense of mortal degradation; how should theReason that is in him not fill him, in such a prospect, with dispiritingand humbling, rather than with strengthening and stimulating thoughts?Howbeit, the Centurion, although the most good-natured of mankind, beingrendered from custom quite callous to these things, immediately enteredinto conversation with some of those unfortunates, in a tone of coolnessand unconcern that shocked me the more, because it did not seem in thesmallest degree to shock them. Among other topics, he enlarged at muchlength to one of them upon the best method of evading the attack of atiger.

  "Look ye now," said he, "there are some that are always for taking things,as they call it, in good time,--these will be pointing their swords beforethe creature makes his spring; but I have seen what comes of that, and sohas old Aspar here, if he would be honest enough to confess it. The trueway is to watch his eye when he is setting; let him fairly fix upon hismark, and spring; but at the moment when he is taking his leap, then isthe time for the gladiator to start aside, and have at him with aside-thrust. Your side-thrust is the only one I would lay an _as_upon."--"Yea," quoth the grinning Aspar,--"it was always on your cool steadyside-thrust, the moment he had sprung, that the great Bisbal used to stakehimself. Ha! ha! I was fond of the side-thrust in my day myself; but I gota scratch once--witness my poor leg, masters,--and since then I am a poorfeeder."--"I was always clear for the side-thrust," quoth Sabinus. "I neversaw it fail but twice, and then, to be sure, the men died; but they couldhave had no chance at all with the frontguard; and it is alwayssomething," continued he, clapping one of the poor expecting gladiators onthe back,--"it is always something to have a chance. Be sure you try himwith the side-thrust, if it come to your turn to-day."

  The poor creature--he also was an African--lifted up his head on being soaddressed, and shewed all his white teeth in a melancholy attempt at asmile; but said not a word in reply, and forthwith became as downcast asbefore. But the Centurion took little or no heed of the manner in whichhis advice had been received. He contemplated the man's figure for amoment, as if to form some judgment concerning the measure of hisstrength; and after doing the like in regard to some of his companions,commanded Aspar to shew us where the prime lions of the day were reposing.

  The Numidian seized a long pole that was leaning against one of thepillars of the vault, and led us to a certain part of the grated wall,behind which was the den, wherein six monstrous Atlantic lions were kept.I looked in upon them with wonder, and not without dread, through the ironnet-work of the doors. An imperfect gleam of light descended from aboveupon their tawny hides and glaring eyes. They, like the gladiators, seemedalso to be preparing for the combat; but not like them in fear, nor incold dewy tremors; for the deprivation of food, which they had been madeto suffer in prospect of the exhibition, had roused all the energies oftheir savage natures; insomuch, that a sulky and yearning rage seemed tospread through every nerve and sinew of their gigantic frames, and to makethem paw their quadrangular prison with long and pliant strides. Theymoved, however, as yet in total silence; so that Boto having fixed hiseyes upon them, took courage to approach the grate,--slowly, nevertheless,and with a face that appeared to lengthen an inch for every inch headvanced. But when he had almost touched the bars, one of the huge lionscame forward towards him, with something between a growl and a sigh, whichmade Boto spring backward with great and surprising agility, and with suchforce, that both he and Xerophrastes, who happened unfortunately to havebeen standing a little way behind him, were overthrown at all their lengthupon the floor.

  The Centurion, and the limping old keeper, burst into laughter; butXerophrastes rising, and shaking his garment, said, with some warmth,"Think not, O Sabinus, that any sudden start of fear has thus ridiculouslystretched me upon the floor; but attribute the mischance only to this rudeoffspring of British earth, whose unreclaimed natural feelings are stillshamefully affected by natural causes."--"Castor and Pollux," quoth theCenturion,--"you take every thing too seriously, my friend."--"I take it notseriously," replied he, with admirable gravity. "My philosophy forbids meto do so; it has steeled me against externals."--"Has it so, in faith!"rejoined the Centurion. "I think some of your equanimity is, in fact,owing to the trifling circumstance, that you have in reality received noinjury whatever from your tumble. And as to steeling, let me tell you, Ithink the iron in the grated door there is much better placed, than in thebosom of a philosopher; for, in the door, it serves the purpose ofpreventing all harm; but if these animals were once out, all the mentalsteel of which you boast would not save every bone in your body from beingcracked in the twanging of a bow-string."--"You speak," repliedXerophrastes, "as if you had embraced the tenets of a sect not worthy ofthe lovers of wisdom--You speak as if the artificial contrivances of humanworkmen were all in all. An iron cage may confine wild beasts; but cancages be made for all those misfortunes to which mankind are liable, andagainst which the force of the mind is their only means of defence? Canyou cage the Eumenides, when they come to avenge a life spent in ignobleindolence and degrading luxury?"--"In truth," replied the Centurion with asmile, "I have never seen the Eumenides except once, and that was in thetheatre of Athens. But Boto, perhaps, has been more fortunate. Did youever see the Eumenides, good Boto?" "No, master," replied, stupidly, theperplexed Boto, "I never was at the theatre."

  "Ye gods!" exclaimed the Stoic, "of a surety this Britain must have beenthe last spot rescued from the dominion of Chaos!"

  But while we were yet contemplating those enormous animals, and amusedwith the awkward gestures of Boto, the trumpets were blown in theAmphitheatre, and no sooner did the sound of them penetrate into thevaults, than it was evident, from
the bustle which ensued, that theEmperor had returned to his place. With all speed, therefore, did wereascend to the upper air, leaving the gladiators in the act of musteringin their respective quarters of the gloomy vault; and the feeders not lessbusied in preparing their beasts for the expected combat. Had we not beenunder the protection of Sabinus, we should have attempted in vain toregain our places; but he being an acknowledged and current authority,known in every department of the Amphitheatre, the door-keepers, and otherfunctionaries, durst refuse him nothing; room was made for us where noroom appeared; and, in a word, we shortly found ourselves once more seatedby the side of Rubellia and Sextus.