_CHAPTER III._
In the morning I found my kinsman and his son extremely uneasy, inconsequence of the absence of Xerophrastes, who had not returned duringthe night; but Sabinus came in while they were talking to me, andnarrated, without hesitation, all he had seen and heard both in the gardenof Trajan, and at the procession of the Galli. Young Sextus could scarcelybe restrained by respect for his father, from expressing, rather tooopenly, his satisfaction in the course which the affairs of thedisappointed lady appeared to be taking; while the orator muttered wordswhich I thought boded not much of good to the ambitious pedagogue. TheCenturion alone regarded all these things as matters of mere amusement, orso at least he seemed to regard them; for, as I have already hinted, I wasnot without my suspicion, that he was at bottom by no means well pleasedwith the contemplation of the future splendour of the Stoic.
However, after many jests had been exchanged between Sextus and theCenturion concerning this incongruous amour, Licinius said, he was in sofar much relieved by what he had heard, as it satisfied him that both thewidow and Xerophrastes were now otherwise occupied, than in prosecutingtheir designs against the niece of his friend Capito.
"I myself," he continued, "was all yesterday, as well as the day before,exerting every means in my power for her extrication from this unfortunateconfinement. Cotilius, without question, has indeed been a traitor; but Ibelieve the Prince himself is, by this time, well inclined to absolve, notonly the young lady, but by far the greater part of those who were takenwith her, from any participation in his traitorous designs. The charge,however, of which it rests with them alone to exculpate themselves, is oneof a nature so serious, that it is impossible to contemplate without muchanxiety the pain to which so many families--above all, the noble andexcellent Sempronii--may still be exposed. But this day Cotilius will, inall likelihood, pay the last penalty of _his_ crimes--and then we shall seewhat intercession may avail. Would to heaven there were any one who couldobtain access to the deluded lady, and prevail with her to do that whichwould be more effectual than I can hope any intercession to prove. Thisinfatuation--this dream--this madness--is, indeed, a just source of fear; andyet, why should we suppose it to be already so deeply confirmed in abreast young, ingenuous, so full, according to report, of every thingmodest and submissive? Surely this affectionate girl cannot be insensibleto the affliction of those who love her.--But you still shake your head,Valerius; well, it is in our hands to do what we can; as for the issue,who can hope to divert Trajan from doing that which he believes to bejust? Our best hope is in his justice----"
"And in his clemency," interrupted the Centurion; "you will scarcelypersuade me that Caesar can meditate any thing serious concerning a youngbeauty, who has been guilty of nothing but a little superstition andenthusiasm. Nobody will confound her case with that of any obstinate oldfanatic. In the meantime, what avails it to distress ourselves more thanis necessary? Licinius is able to do something; and as for Valerius, thebest thing he can do is to get on horseback, and go with Sextus and myselfto inspect the cohorts that have arrived from Calabria."
Young Sextus, on all occasions fond of military spectacles, embraced thisproposal; and fain would they both have prevailed on me to accede to itlikewise. I knew, however, that it would be impossible, if I accompaniedthem, to keep my appointment with the old Christian; and that I wasresolved on no account to forego. I therefore retired to my chamber, thereto await the approach of the hour; and spent the time till it drew near,in perusing once more the volume which had been restored to me byAthanasia. This volume, and the letter which I have before mentioned, Iplaced together in my bosom, before I went forth into the city.
I entered the Forum, and found it, as formerly thronged with multitudes ofbusy litigants and idle spectators. A greater concourse, indeed, than wasusual, crowded not it only, but the avenues to it, and the neighbouringstreets, by reason of a solemn embassy from the Parthian, which was tohave audience that day in the Senate. But I, for my part, havingdiscovered the statue of Numa Pompilius, resolved to abide by it, lest,being mingled in the tumult of the expecting multitudes, I should, by anymischance, escape the notice of the old man, who, I doubted not, meant toseek me there in person. The time, however, went on--senator after senatorentered the temple--and, at last, the shouts of the people announced thatTrajan had arrived. And immediately after he had gone in, the pomp of theembassy appeared, and every eye was fixed upon the long line of slaves,laden with cloth of gold and rich merchandise, and upon the beautifultroop of snow-white horses, which pawed the ground, in magnificentcaparisons, before the gate of the Senate-house. But while all were intentupon the spectacle, I observed a little fair-haired girl standing overagainst me, who, after looking at me for some moments, said with greatmodesty, "Sir, if you be Caius Valerius, I pray you, follow me."
I followed her in silence up the hanging stairs, and, in a word, had soonreached the level of the Capitol, from whence, looking back, I couldperceive the whole array of the forensic multitudes far below me. Thechild paused for a moment at the summit, and then, still saying nothing,conducted me across two magnificent squares, and round about the Temple ofJupiter, until, at length, she stopped at one of the side doors of anedifice, which, from the manner in which it was guarded, I alreadysuspected to be the Mammertine.
The girl knocked, and he who kept the gate, saluting her cheerfully,allowed us to pass without question into the interior of the prison. Mycompanion tripped before me along many passages, till we reached at lengtha chamber which was arranged in such a manner that I could with difficultybelieve it to belong to a place of punishment.
Here I was soon joined by the old priest, (whose name, if I have notbefore mentioned it, was Aurelius Felix,) together with a mild-looking manof middle age, whom he desired me to salute as the keeper of the prison,saying, "Here, Valerius, is that Silo, of whom yesterday evening you spakewith so great admiration. But I hope the benevolence of a Christian willere long cease to be an object of so much wonder in your eyes."
"My father," said the jailer, "methinks you yourself say too much aboutsuch little things. But, in the meantime, let us ask Valerius if he hasheard any thing of what has been determined by Caesar."
I answered by telling what I had just heard from Licinius; upon which thecountenance of the old man was not a little lightened; but Silo fixed hiseyes upon the ground, and seemed to regard the matter very seriously. Hesaid, however, after a pause, "So far, at least, it is well. Let us hopethat the calumnies which have been detected, may turn more and more ofdiscredit upon those that have gone abroad concerning that which is dearerto you, my father, and to all your true companions, than any thing of whatmen call their own. But, alas! these, after all, are but poor tidings forour dear young lady."
"Fear not," answered Aurelius: "have I not told you already oftentimes,that strength of heart goes not with bone and sinew, and that my gentlechild is prepared for all things? She also well knows that the servant isnot greater than the master."
The old man motioned to us to remain where we were, and withdrew. I satefor some minutes by the side of Silo, who was, indeed, manifestly muchtroubled, until at length the same modest little damsel opened the door,and addressing the jailer as her father, asked leave to conduct me toAurelius.
The child led me, therefore, into the adjoining chamber, and tapped gentlyat a door on the other side of it. The voice of the old priest bade uscome in, and Athanasia arose with him to receive me. She was dressed in awhite tunic, her hair braided in dark folds upon her forehead; hercountenance was calm, and, but for the paleness of her lips, I should havesaid that her gravity scarcely partook of sadness. When, however, we hadexchanged our salutations, it was evident that some effort had beennecessary for this appearance of serenity; for when she spoke to me hervoice trembled in every tone, and, as she stooped to caress my youngguide, who had sate down by her feet, I saw the tear that had beengathering drop heavily, and lose itself among the bright clusters of thelittle damsel's hai
r. I took her unresisting hand, and imitated as best Icould the language of consolation. But it seemed as if my poor whispersonly served to increase the misery. She covered her face with her hands,and sobs and tears were mingled together, and the blood glowed red in herneck, in the agony of her lamentation.
The old priest was moved at first scarcely less than myself by thissorrowful sight. Yet the calmness of age deserted him not long, and aftera moment there remained nothing on his countenance but the gravity andtenderness of compassion. He arose from his seat, and walked quietlytowards the end of the apartment, from which when he returned, after abrief space, there was an ancient volume open in his hand. And standingnear us, he began to read aloud, in the Greek tongue, words which werethen new, and which have ever since been in a peculiar manner dear to me.
_God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Thereforewill not we fear though the earth be removed; though the mountains becarried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and betroubled; though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof._
Athanasia took her hands from her face, and gradually composing herself,looked through her tears upon the old man as he proceeded.
_There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God;the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High._
_God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her,and that right early._
_The heathen raged; the kingdoms were moved. He uttered his voice; theearth melted._
_The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge._
The blood had mounted in the countenance of Aurelius, ere he reached theselast words. The tears also had been dried up on the pale cheek ofAthanasia; and although her voice was not heard, I saw that her lips movedfervently along with those of the priest. Even in me, ignorant of theirsource, the words of the royal prophet produced I know not what ofbuoyance and emotion, and perhaps my lips, too, had involuntarily essayedto follow them; for when he paused from his reading, the old man turned tome with a face full of benignity, and said, "Yes, Valerius, it is even so;Homer, Pindar, AEschylus--these, indeed, can stir the blood; but it is suchpoetry as this that alone can sooth in sorrow, and strengthen in the hourof tribulation. Your vain-glorious Greeks called all men barbarians butthemselves; and yet these words, and thousands not less precious thanthese, consoled the afflictions, and ennobled the triumphs of the chosenrace of Israel long, long years, ere ever the boasted melody of Ionian orDoric verse had been heard of. From this alone, young man, you may judgewhat measure of candour inhabits along with the disdain of our proudenemies:--how fairly, without question, or opportunity of defence, thecharge of barbarity is heaped upon what they are pleased to call our_superstition_;--how wisely the learned and the powerful of the earth havecombined in this league against the truth which they know not,--of whichthey fear or despise the knowledge. Surely the truth is mighty, and thegates of hell shall not prevail against her."
"But, alas! my dear father," said Athanasia, "I fear me this is not theplace, nor the situation, in which Valerius might be most likely to listento your words. It may be that his own narrow escape, to say nothing of ourpresent danger, has rendered him even more cautious than he was before."
"And who, my dear child," he replied hastily,--"and who is he that shalldare to blame caution, or to preach, above all in such things as these,the rashness that is of folly? Valerius will not believe that we, like themiserable creatures whose impious songs he heard last night, are studiousonly of working upon the fears of the ignorant, and harassing, with darkand lying dreams, the imaginations of the simple. _Here_ are no wildstories of blood-thirsty deities, and self-sacrificing maniacs. _Here_ isthat which Socrates vainly sought by all the ingenuity of reason. _Here_is that of which some faint and mysterious anticipations would appear tohave been shadowed forth in the visions of Plato. _Here_ is that which, asthat Mighty Martyr who died in this very city hath said, innumerableprophets and kings of the old time desired to see, and yet saw not. Donothing rashly, young man; but it is possible, as you yourself well know,that this may be the last opportunity I shall ever have of speaking withyou; and therefore, before we part, I must needs charge you solemnly, thathenceforth, if your knowledge increase not, the sin shall be upon yourhead. I charge you, Valerius, that when you return to your island, youblot not from your memory the things that you have seen and heard in thisgreat city of light and of darkness. Examine--judge--ask aid, and aid shallnot be refused you. I take Athanasia to witness, that I have given you thewarning that is needful."
"Oh, sir!" said Athanasia, "I am sure it shall not be in vain that youhave done so. I am sure Valerius will never forget this hour----"
She gazed in my face, and a tear was again visible, yet on all hercountenance there was no other semblance of passion. The venerableAurelius clasping his thin hands together, whispered,--"Would to God that Iwere here alone! Shall the axe be laid to the root of the fair young treethat hath but begun to blossom, when so many old trunks stand aroundwithered with the lightnings, and sore broken by the winds?--The will ofthe Lord be done!"
"Amen!" said Athanasia, taking the old man by the hand, and smiling, Ithink, more cheerfully than I had yet seen her--"My dear father, I fear youyourself, after all, are teaching Valerius to take but a sad farewell ofus."
"Alas! my child," he replied, "he must have a hard heart that could lookunmoved on that sweet face in this hour of sadness. But we are in thehands of a greater than Trajan. If so it please Him, all may yet go wellwith us even here upon the earth. You may live to see many happy yearsamong your kindred--and I, (the old man smiled most serenely,) and for me,my gray hairs may be laid in bloodless dust. Whatever awaits us, blessedbe the name of the Lord!"
So saying, the old man retired from the chamber, and once more I was leftalone in the presence of Athanasia. I took from my bosom the book and theletter which I had placed there, and laid them upon her knee. She brokethe seal, and read hastily what Tisias had written, and then concealed thescroll within her tunic, saying, "Alas! Valerius, little did the brave oldsoldier suspect how soon his peril was to be mine--Will you permit me likehim to make you my messenger?--will you seek out my cousin, my sister, andtell Sempronia in what condition you have found me?--no, not in what youfound--but in what you now see me. Will you go, Valerius, and speak comfortto my poor friend? Her pity, at least, I am sure is mingled with no angrythoughts; and yet she only has reason to complain, for her secret thoughtswere not hid from me, and, alas! I concealed mine from her."
"I have already seen her," said I, "and you do her no more than justice.But, indeed, Sempronius himself thinks of you even as gently as hisdaughter."
"I doubt it not, Valerius; but, alas! there are many others besides these;and I know not what relic of weakness it is, but methinks I could haveborne the worst more easily, had it not been for what I picture to myselfof their resentment. Alas! I am cut off for ever from the memory of mykindred." She threw open the lattice, as if that she might inhale the freeair, and her eyes wandered to and fro over all the magnificent prospectthat lay stretched out below us,--the temples and high porticos of theForum--the gleaming battlements and long arcades of the Palatine--the baths,and theatres, and circuses between and the river--Tiber winding away amongfields and groves--and the sky of Italy extending over all things its archof splendour. When the trumpets were blown by the gate of theSenate-house, the sound floated upwards to us as gently as if it had beenborne over the waters. The shouts of the multitude were faintly re-echoedfrom the towers and the rocks. The princely pageant shewed like a pomp ofpigmies; spear, and helmet, and eagle glittered together, almost like dewsupon the distant herbage. Athanasia rested her eye once more upon the widerange of the champaign, where fields and forests were spread out ininterminable succession--away towards the northern region and the visiblemountains. She raised her hand, and said, "Valerius, your home lies faraway yonder. I must give you something which you shall promise me to carrywith you, and
preserve in memory--of Rome."
Before I had time to make any answer, she had taken out of a casket thatstood beside us, a scroll of parchment, bound with a silk ribbon, whichshe immediately put into my hands, and--"To-morrow," said she, "Valerius,our fate, they tell us, must at length be determined;--if we share the fateof Tisias, the last gift of Tisias shall be yours. If, however, any mercybe extended to us, I cannot part with that memorial of a dying martyr. Imust keep to myself the old man's favourite volume, for it was for me hehad designed it. But I have made a copy of the same book for yourself. Ihave written it since I came hither, Valerius, and you must not despise itbecause the Mammertine has not furnished the finest of materials. Takethis, Valerius, and take with it my thanks--my prayers. I know you will notforget my message to my dear sister.--Sextus and she--may many happy days betheirs--and yours."
I kissed the sad gift, and placed it in my bosom.
"Valerius," she said, "dry up your tears. You weep for me because I am aChristian; forget not that the Roman blood flows in my veins, and thinknot that its current is chilled, because I have forsworn the worship ofidol and demon, and am in peril for the service of The Living God."
"Athanasia!" said I,--"I weep for you, but not for you alone. I asknothing--I hope nothing--but I could not bear to part with you thus, and notto tell you that when I part from you, I bid farewell to all things.Pardon me--once more pardon me."
A single flush of crimson passed over her face, and I saw her lips move,but the syllables died ere they were uttered. She continued for a momentgazing on me, pale, and trembling; and then at last she fell upon my neckand wept--not audibly--but I felt her tears.
Athanasia was still folded to my bosom in that strange agony of sorrow andof confidence, when Silo, the jailer, entered the apartment, abrupt andbreathless.
"Oh, sir!" said he, "your sufferings are mine--but it is necessary that youshould leave us, and on the instant, for the Prefect is already at thegate, and unquestionably he will examine every part of the prison; andshould you be recognized as the person who was taken in the Mausoleum, yousee plainly to what suspicions it might give rise. Come then, sir, and letme secure your escape--we shall take care to warn you of whatever occurs,and we shall send for you, if there be opportunity."
Athanasia recovered herself almost instantly, when she heard what Silosaid.
"We shall meet again," said I.
"Once more," she replied--"at least once more, Valerius."
And I tore myself away from her; and the jailer having once againcommitted me to the guidance of his child, I was in a few momentsconducted to the same postern by which I had been introduced. In a word, Ifound myself in the court of the Capitol, at the instant when the Prefect,with all his attendants, was entering by the main gate of the Mammertine.
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