wellas
past
,
we
must
rise
above
matter
,
mount
from
our
base
level
to
the
altitude
of
spirit
.
Thence
all
is
clear
.
But
this
is
not
possible
to
all
,
only
to
those
elect
ones
in
whom
the
flesh
is
subdued
,
and
to
it
the
spirit
remains
attached
only
by
a
fibre
.
Such
is
Helena
.
Through
her
thou
shalt
see
what
thou
desirest
.
Now
behold
!
”
He
pointed
into
the
darkness
before
him
,
and
both
Domitia
and
Lucius
saw
a
spark
that
grew
in
intensity
and
shone
like
a
star
.
“
That
,
”
said
Elymas
,
“
is
a
crystal
.
It
is
the
lens
through
which
the
rays
of
the
Eternal
and
Immortal
Light
pass
to
the
soul
of
Helena
,
out
of
Infinite
Altitude
and
Illimitable
Space
.
She
is
enveloped
in
seven
veils
.
Now
she
lieth
in
a
trance
,
and
seeth
naught
.
But
I
will
invoke
this
Fount
of
Life
and
Light
and
Knowledge
,
and
will
gather
the
rays
together
into
her
soul
through
yonder
crystal
,
and
she
will
see
in
vision
what
thou
desirest
.
Seven
veils
cover
her
,
and
seven
are
the
revelations
that
will
be
made
.
I
cannot
assure
thee
that
all
will
be
future
—
some
may
be
scenes
of
the
past
,
for
to
the
All-Seeing
,
the
Eye
of
Eternity
,
there
is
neither
past
nor
future
;
all
is
present
.
”
“
Well
,
so
be
it
,
”
said
Lamia
,
“
By
the
past
we
can
judge
the
future
.
Let
us
see
things
that
have
been
and
we
can
form
some
notion
of
what
is
shown
us
as
future
.
If
the
one
be
incorrect
,
then
the
other
is
untrustworthy
.
”
“
Thou
shalt
behold
nothing
,
”
said
the
Magus
,
“
for
it
is
not
thou
who
consultest
me
,
but
the
lady
Domitia
Longina
.
”
“
How
shall
I
see
,
and
not
he
who
stands
beside
me
?
”
asked
the
girl
.
Her
heart
fluttered
with
apprehension
.
The
sorcerer
stooped
,
and
drew
from
under
the
covering
the
right
hand
of
the
prostrate
woman
,
and
bade
Domitia
hold
it
.
She
took
the
hand
in
hers
;
it
was
stiff
and
cold
as
that
of
a
corpse
,
and
she
shuddered
.
“
Hold
her
hand
in
thine
,
”
said
Elymas
,
“
and
I
will
invoke
the
Source
of
Spirits
,
and
as
I
withdraw
each
veil
that
covers
her
face
,
she
will
see
something
,
and
she
seeing
it
,
the
sense
of
sight
will
pass
through
her
hand
to
thee
,
and
thou
wilt
see
also
,
inwardly
,
yet
very
really
.
Only
let
not
go
her
hand
,
or
all
will
become
dark
.
”
Then
he
went
before
the
crystal
,
that
stood
on
an
altar
like
a
truncated
column
;
and
he
uttered
words
rapidly
in
a
strange
tongue
,
then
turned
,
threw
a
hand
ful
of
spices
upon
the
coals
,
and
a
dense
aromatic
smoke
filled
the
interior
.
It
dissipated
,
and
Domitia
uttered
a
faint
cry
.
“
What
ails
thee
?
”
asked
Lucius
.
Thinking
she
was
frightened
,
he
added
—
“
Let
us
go
forth
.
This
is
mere
jugglery
.
”
“
But
I
see
,
”
she
said
in
tremulous
tones
.
“
What
dost
thou
see
?
”
“
O
Lucius
!
It
is
the
garden
at
Cenchræa
—
and
my
father
!
O
,
my
father
!
”
she
sobbed
.
One
veil
had
been
withdrawn
.
“
Enough
,
”
said
Lucius
.
“
I
think
naught
of
this
:
every
one
is
aware
how
the
noble
Cnæus
Corbulo
came
by
his
death
.
”
“
Then
see
again
,
”
said
the
Magus
.
He
took
hold
of
a
second
veil
that
covered
the
prostrate
woman
,
drew
it
off
,
and
let
it
fall
on
the
ground
.
Lucius
felt
the
left
hand
of
Domitia
contract
suddenly
on
his
arm
.
He
looked
before
him
,
but
saw
nothing
save
the
crystal
,
in
which
moved
lights
.
It
was
iridescent
as
an
opal
.
Then
Domitia
exclaimed
:
“
It
was
he
!
the
physician
Luke
—
who
cut
the
thong
.
But
for
him
,
we
should
have
run
down
the
Imperial
trireme
.
He
did
it
!
”
“
What
mean
you
?
”
asked
the
young
man
in
surprise
.
“
Lucius
,
I
see
it
all
—
the
sea
,
the
vessel
on
which
is
Nero
carousing
;
—
ourselves
—
we
are
running
at
her
.
And
he
has
cut
the
thong
,
the
paddle
flies
up
,
and
our
course
is
altered
.
”
Then
the
Magus
uttered
a
few
words
,
and
withdrew
the
third
veil
.
The
young
man
heard
his
companion
breathing
heavily
;
but
she
said
nothing
.
He
waited
awhile
and
then
,
stooping
to
her
,
asked
:
“
Seest
thou
aught
?
”
“
Yes
,
”
she
answered
in
a
whisper
.
“
Yet
not
with
my
bodily
eyes
,
I
know
not
how
—
but
I
see
—
”
“
What
?
”
“
The
end
of
Nero
.
Now
thou
hast
thrown
the
mantle
over
his
face
—
enough
!
”
Then
Elymas
turned
and
said
:
“
Hitherto
thou
hast
beheld
that
which
is
past
.
Sufficeth
it
?
or
wilt
thou
even
look
into
that
which
is
to
be
?
”
“
It
sufficeth
,
”
said
Lucius
,
and
would
have
drawn
his
companion
away
.
But
she
held
to
the
hand
of
the
woman
on
the
bed
,
and
said
firmly
:
“
No
,
my
friend
.
Now
I
have
seen
things
that
are
past
,
I
will
even
look
into
the
future
.
It
was
for
this
I
came
hither
.
”
And
now
again
did
the
magician
utter
prayers
,
and
wave
his
hands
.
Thereupon
strange
lights
and
changes
appeared
in
the
crystal
,
and
it
seemed
of
milky
moonlight
hue
,
yet
with
shoots
as
of
lightning
traversing
it
.
All
at
once
the
Magus
took
off
the
fourth
veil
and
cast
it
on
the
marble
floor
.
Lucius
remained
motionless
,
looking
at
the
changing
light
in
the
crystal
,
and
feeling
the
nervous
hand
of
Domitia
twitching
on
his
arm
.
He
thought
that
he
heard
her
laugh
,
but
almost
immediately
with
a
cry
,
she
loosed
her
hand
from
the
unconscious
woman
on
the
couch
,
threw
her
arms
round
the
neck
of
Lamia
,
and
sank
sobbing
on
his
breast
.
It
was
some
time
before
she
was
sufficiently
re
covered
to
speak
,
and
then
was
reluctant
to
disclose
what
she
had
seen
.
Lucius
,
however
,
urged
her
with
gentle
persuasion
,
and
,
clinging
to
him
,
between
sobs
,
in
whispers
she
confided
:
“
Oh
,
Lucius
!
I
thought
—
I
—
I
saw
that
the
day
had
come
when
you
and
I
—
Lucius
,
when
I
went
to
your
house
and
was
lifted
across
the
threshold
,
and
then
,
as
I
stretched
my
hands
to
you
and
took
yours
—
then
,
all
at
once
,
a
red
face
came
up
behind
—
whence
I
know
not
—
and
two
long
hands
thrust
us
apart
.
Then
I
let
go
—
I
let
go
—
and
—
and
I
saw
no
more
.
”
“
When
that
day
comes
,
my
Domitia
,
no
hands
shall
divide
us
,
no
face
be
thrust
between
.
Now
come
forth
.
You
have
seen
enough
.
”
“
Nay
,
I
will
look
to
the
end
.
”
She
took
the
hand
of
Helena
,
into
which
some
flexibility
and
warmth
were
returning
.
“
Art
thou
willing
?
”
asked
the
Magus
.
She
nodded
,
and
the
fifth
veil
fell
.
For
full
five
minutes
Domitia
stood
rigid
,
without
moving
a
muscle
,
hardly
breathing
.
Then
Lucius
said
:
“
See
what
a
purple
light
shines
out
of
the
crystal
.
What
is
thy
vision
now
,
Domitia
?
By
the
light
that
beams
,
it
should
be
right
royal
.
”
“
It
is
royal
,
”
she
said
in
faint
tones
.
“
Lucius
!
what
that
Christian
prophet
spoke
,
that
have
I
also
seen
—
the
beast
with
seven
heads
,
one
wounded
to
the
death
,
and
there
cometh
up
another
out
of
the
deadly
wound
,
and
—
it
hath
the
red
face
I
saw
but
just
now
.
And
it
climbeth
to
a
throne
and
lifteth
me
up
to
sit
thereon
.
Away
with
the
vision
.
It
offendeth
me
.
It
maketh
my
blood
turn
ice
cold
!
”
“
Hast
thou
a
desire
to
see
further
?
”
asked
the
Magus
.
“
I
can
see
naught
worse
than
this
,
”
said
Domitia
.
A
shudder
ran
through
her
,
and
her
teeth
chattered
as
with
frost
.
Then
Elymas
again
waved
his
hands
,
and
chanted
,
“
Askion
,
Kataskion
,
lix
,
Tetras
,
damnameneus
,
”
and
raised
and
cast
down
the
sixth
veil
.
At
once
from
the
crystal
a
red
light
shone
forth
,
and
suffused
the
whole
cell
of
the
temple
with
a
blood-colored
illumination
,
and
by
it
Lucius
could
see
that
there
was
in
it
no
image
present
,
only
a
dense
black
veil
behind
the
altar
on
which
the
stone
glowed
like
a
carbuncle
.
He
heard
the
breath
pass
through
the
teeth
of
Domitia
,
like
the
hissing
of
a
serpent
.
He
looked
at
her
,
her
face
was
terrible
,
inflamed
.
The
eyes
stiffened
,
the
teeth
were
set
,
the
brow
knitted
and
lowering
.
Then
she
said
:
“
I
stand
on
the
beast
,
and
the
sword
of
my
father
pierces
his
heart
.
”
Lucius
wondered
;
there
was
a
look
of
hate
,
a
hideousness
in
her
face
,
such
as
he
had
not
conceived
it
possible
so
beautiful
and
sweet
a
countenance
could
have
assumed
.
Then
Elymas
cast
off
the
last
veil
.
For
a
moment
all
was
darkness
.
The
red
light
in
the
crystal
had
expired
.
In
stillness
and
suspense
,
not
without
fear
,
all
waited
,
all
standing
save
Helena
,
who
had
recovered
from
her
trance
,
and
she
paused
expectant
on
her
couch
.
Then
a
minute
spark
appeared
in
the
crystal
,
of
the
purest
white
light
,
that
grew
,
rapidly
sending
out
wave
on
wave
of
brilliance
,
so
intense
,
so
splendid
,
so
daz
zling
,
that
the
magician
,
unable
to
endure
the
effulgence
,
turned
and
threw
himself
into
a
corner
,
and
wrapped
his
head
about
with
his
mantle
.
And
the
medium
turned
with
a
cry
,
as
though
the
light
caused
her
physical
pain
,
buried
her
face
in
the
pillow
,
and
groped
on
the
floor
for
the
veils
to
cast
over
her
head
to
exclude
the
light
.
Lucius
,
unable
to
endure
the
splendor
,
covered
his
eyes
with
his
palm
.
But
Domitia
looked
at
it
,
and
her
face
grew
soft
,
the
scowl
went
from
her
brow
,
and
a
wondrous
tenderness
and
sorrow
came
into
her
eyes
;
great
tears
rose
and
rolled
down
her
cheeks
,
and
glittered
like
diamonds
in
the
dazzling
beam
.
Then
she
said
with
a
sob
:
“
Ubi
lux
—
ibi
Felicitas
.
”
Suddenly
an
explosion
.
The
orb
was
shattered
into
a
thousand
sparks
,
and
all
was
black
again
in
the
temple
—
black
as
deepest
night
.
Then
Lucius
caught
Domitia
to
him
,
put
his
hand
behind
him
,
drew
back
the
curtain
,
and
carried
her
forth
into
the
calm
evening
air
,
and
the
light
of
the
aurora
hanging
over
the
setting
sun
.
She
sobbed
,
gradually
recovered
herself
,
drew
a
profound
sigh
,
and
said
:
“
Oh
,
Lucius
!
where
is
light
,
there
is
felicity
!
”
CHAPTER
XIII
.
TO
ROME
!
“
Plancus
,
come
hither
!
”
The
lady
Longa
Duilia
was
in
an
easy-chair
,
and
a
slave-girl
,
Lucilla
,
was
engaged
in
driving
away
the
flies
that
,
perhaps
attracted
by
her
cosmetics
,
came
towards
the
lady
.
Summer
was
over
,
and
winter
storms
were
beginning
to
bluster
,
and
the
flies
were
dull
with
cold
and
only
maintained
alive
by
the
warmth
of
the
chambers
,
heated
by
underground
stoves
,
and
with
pipes
to
convey
the
hot
air
carried
through
every
wall
.
“
Plancus
,
did
you
hear
me
speak
?
”
“
I
am
here
,
my
lady
,
at
your
service
.
”
“
Really
;
you
have
become
torpid
like
the
flies
.
Has
the
chill
made
you
deaf
as
well
as
sluggish
?
”
“
My
lady
,
I
can
always
hear
when
you
speak
.
”
“
Do
you
mean
to
imply
that
I
shout
like
a
fishwife
?
”
“
I
mean
not
that
.
But
when
a
harp
is
played
,
it
sets
every
thread
in
every
other
stringed
instrument
a-chiming
;
and
so
is
it
with
me
.
”
“
The
simile
is
wiredrawn
.
What
I
want
you
for
is
—
no
,
I
will
have
no
stroking
of
your
face
like
a
cat
!
—
is
to
go
to
Rome
and
see
that
the
palace
is
made
ready
to
receive
us
.
The
stoves
must
be
well
heated
,
and
everything
properly
aired
,
The
country
at
best
of
times
is
tedious
;
in
winter
,
intolerable
.
Besides
,
I
have
no
right
to
remain
here
buried
.
I
must
consider
—
Plancus
,
why
are
you
scratching
?
I
must
consider
my
daughter
.
She
is
in
a
fit
of
the
blues
,
and
has
nothing
to
say
to
amuse
me
.
You
need
not
blow
like
a
sea-horse
,
breathe
more
evenly
and
equably
;
—
Plancus
,
you
are
becoming
unendurable
.
I
must
not
consider
my
bereaved
feelings
,
but
her
welfare
,
her
health
.
The
air
or
the
situation
of
Gabii
does
not
suit
her
.
Rome
is
an
extraordinarily
healthy
place
in
winter
.
I
myself
am
never
better
anywhere
than
I
am
there
.
I
was
pretty
well
at
Antioch
;
there
were
military
there
,
and
I
find
the
soil
and
climate
salubrious
where
there
are
military
.
Plancus
?
—
as
the
Gods
love
me
,
you
have
been
in
the
stables
.
I
know
it
by
infallible
proofs
.
Stand
at
a
distance
,
I
insist
.
And
,
Plancus
!
you
are
not
showing
off
conjuring
tricks
,
that
you
should
fold
and
unfold
your
hands
.
You
go
to
Rome
and
take
such
of
the
family
with
you
as
are
necessary
.
I
am
not
going
to
be
mewed
up
here
any
longer
,
because
my
two
years
of
widowhood
are
not
over
.
You
are
making
faces
at
me
,
positively
you
are
,
Plancus
.
Do
,
I
entreat
you
,
look
as
if
you
were
not
a
mountebank
mouthing
at
a
crowd
.
”
“
I
fly
,
mistress
,
as
though
winged
at
heel
like
Mercury
.
”
“
Much
more
like
Mercury’s
tortoise
.
Send
me
Claudius
Senecio
.
I
must
know
what
ails
Domitia
.
She
has
the
vapors
.
”
“
I
obey
,
”
said
Plancus
,
“
Am
I
much
worn
,
Lucilla
?
”
asked
the
lady
,
as
soon
as
her
steward
had
withdrawn
.
“
The
laceration
of
the
heart
tells
on
a
sensitive
nature
,
and
precipitates
wrinkles
and
so
on
.
”
“
Madam
,
you
bloom
as
in
a
second
spring
.
”
“
A
second
spring
,
Lucilla
!
”
exclaimed
Longa
,
sitting
bolt
upright
.
“
You
hussy
,
how
dare
you
?
A
second
spring
,
indeed
!
Why
,
by
the
zone
of
Venus
,
I
am
not
through
my
first
summer
yet
.
”
“
You
misconceive
me
,
dear
lady
.
When
a
virgin
has
been
wedded
,
then
come
on
her
the
cares
of
matronhood
,
the
caprices
,
the
ill-humors
of
her
husband
—
and
to
some
,
not
without
cause
,
the
vexation
of
his
jealousy
.
But
when
the
Gods
have
removed
him
,
it
sometimes
happens
that
the
ravages
caused
by
the
annoyances
of
marriage
disappear
,
and
she
reverts
to
the
freshness
and
loveliness
of
her
virginity
.
”
“
There
is
something
in
what
you
say
;
of
course
it
is
true
only
of
highly
privileged
natures
,
in
which
is
some
divine
blood
.
A
storm
ruffles
the
surface
of
the
lake
.
When
the
storm
is
past
,
the
lake
resumes
its
placidity
and
beauty
—
exactly
as
it
was
before
.
I
have
noted
it
a
thousand
times
.
Yes
,
of
course
it
is
so
.
Here
comes
Senecio
;
he
waddles
just
like
the
Hindu
nurse
I
saw
at
Antioch
,
laboring
about
with
two
fat
babies
.
”
The
Philosopher
approached
.
“
I
will
trouble
you
to
come
in
front
of
me
,
”
said
the
widow
.
“
Have
you
eaten
so
heavy
a
meal
as
to
shrink
from
so
much
unnecessary
exertion
?
I
cannot
talk
with
my
neck
twisted
.
The
windpipe
is
not
naturally
constructed
like
a
thread
in
a
rope
.
I
am
returning
to
Rome
.
”
“
To
Rome
,
madam
!
I
do
not
advise
that
.
The
place
is
in
commotion
.
There
have
been
sad
scenes
of
riot
and
pillage
in
the
capital
.
”
“
As
the
Gods
love
me
!
what
care
I
so
long
as
they
do
not
invade
the
house
in
the
Carinæ
?
”
“
But
there
have
been
also
massacres
.
”
“
Well
,
when
princes
shift
about
,
that
is
inevitable
.
They
all
do
it
.
For
my
part
,
I
rather
like
—
that
is
,
I
don’t
object
to
massacres
in
their
proper
places
and
confined
to
the
proper
persons
.
”
“
Madam
,
you
are
secure
where
you
are
.
Why
,
there
was
Galba
,
—
he
had
not
been
in
Rome
seven
months
before
he
was
killed
,
and
he
did
not
enter
the
city
save
over
the
bodies
of
seven
thousand
men
,
butchered
on
the
Flaminian
Way
.
”
“
Well
!
I
am
not
a
man
.
Moreover
,
I
thank
the
Gods
,
my
house
is
not
on
the
Flaminian
Way
,
nor
is
it
in
the
Velabrum
,
nor
the
Suburra
,
nor
in
the
Forum
Boarium
either
.
We
happen
to
live
in
the
Carinæ
,
and
I
conceive
that
there
have
been
no
massacres
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
there
.
”
“
No
,
my
dear
lady
,
but
when
the
entire
city
is
disturbed
—
—
”
“
And
here
,
in
Gabii
,
down
to
the
lizards
—
dead
asleep
.
Give
me
massacres
rather
than
stagnation
.
I
shall
get
back
to
Rome
before
the
Ides
of
December
,
on
account
of
my
daughter’s
health
.
By
the
way
,
will
you
believe
it
?
She
gave
away
the
sword
of
my
dear
Corbulo
to
Lucius
Lamia
.
Just
conceive
!
—
how
effective
that
sword
would
be
in
my
house
—
in
the
tablinum
,
the
atrium
,
anywhere
—
and
how
I
could
point
to
it
,
and
my
feelings
!
—
I
can
imagine
nothing
more
striking
.
I
have
told
Lamia
to
restore
it
.
I
would
not
lose
it
for
a
great
deal
.
Well
now
,
come
.
Any
news
from
the
capital
?
”
“
Madam
,
you
are
aware
that
Galba
fell
,
and
that
Otho
threw
himself
on
his
sword
after
a
reign
of
ninety
days
;
and
now
the
new
Cæsar
Vitellius
is
men
aced
.
I
hear
that
the
East
has
risen
,
and
that
Vespasian
has
been
proclaimed
in
Syria
.
The
legions
in
Illyria
have
also
declared
for
him
and
are
marching
into
Italy
.
Egypt
has
pronounced
against
Vitellius
,
and
it
is
but
seven
months
since
Otho
died
by
his
own
hand
.
”
“
Vespasian
,
did
you
say
?
”
exclaimed
the
lady
.
“
My
good
Senecio
,
he
is
a
sort
of
cousin
,
a
country
cousin
,
just
one
of
those
cousins
that
can
be
cultivated
into
kinship
,
or
dropped
out
of
relationship
as
circumstances
decide
.
His
father
was
a
pottering
sort
of
a
man
,
an
auctioneer
,
and
commissioner
of
drains
and
dirt
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
.
A
worthy
fellow
,
I
dare
say
;
I
believe
he
had
a
statue
erected
to
him
somewhere
because
he
did
the
scavengering
so
well
.
He
married
above
his
position
,
one
Vespasia
Polla
;
I
have
seen
and
heard
of
her
,
a
round-faced
woman
like
a
pudding
;
he
took
her
for
her
blood
,
but
she
was
only
a
knight’s
daughter
;
and
those
city
knights
,
as
the
Gods
love
me
!
what
a
money-grubbing
low
set
they
are
!
His
son
,
Flavius
Vespasianus
is
proclaimed
!
It
is
really
funny
.
It
is
,
O
Morals
!
I
must
laugh
.
Now
,
if
my
good
man
had
but
listened
to
me
.
But
there
,
I
shall
become
mad
.
—
I
don’t
know
how
long
it
is
since
you
have
been
pecking
,
or
whether
you
eat
all
day
long
?
But
you
have
crumbs
sticking
in
your
beard
.
Another
time
be
good
enough
to
comb
your
beard
before
approaching
me
.
Tell
me
,
what
has
given
Domitia
the
dumps
?
”
“
I
believe
,
madam
,
she
has
been
frightened
by
that
unscrupulous
impostor
,
Elymas
,
or
Ascleparion
,
or
whatever
he
is
called
.
I
do
not
know
particulars
,
but
believe
that
he
pretended
to
show
her
the
future
.
”
“
The
future
!
Delicious
!
And
what
did
she
see
?
”
“
That
I
cannot
say
,
but
she
has
looked
wan
ever
since
,
neither
smiles
nor
speaks
,
but
sits
,
when
the
sun
shines
,
on
the
balustrade
above
the
water
,
looking
into
it
,
as
in
a
dream
.
I
hear
that
she
holds
converse
with
none
,
save
her
maid
,
Euphrosyne
.
”
“
I
wonder
what
she
has
seen
!
Anything
concerning
me
?
”
“
Madam
,
that
braggart
and
intriguer
is
made
up
of
lies
.
He
has
frightened
her
with
pretended
predictions
.
If
I
might
advise
,
I
would
counsel
his
expulsion
from
the
house
.
”
“
I
should
like
to
hear
what
are
the
chances
for
Flavius
Vespasian
.
I
think
I
shall
inquire
myself
.
I
knew
Vespasian
once
,
of
course
he
is
vastly
my
senior
.
If
he
be
successful
,
he
may
get
a
proconsulship
for
our
Lamia
.
He
!
Flavius
Vespasian
a
Cæsar
!
There
is
push
for
you
!
As
the
Gods
love
me
,
there
is
nothing
like
push
.
I
must
go
to
Rome
.
Positively
two
years
retirement
for
a
widow
is
unreasonable
.
In
the
good
old
days
of
the
Republic
one
was
thought
enough
.
I
would
not
have
the
Republic
back
for
anything
else
,
though
of
course
we
all
talk
about
Liberty
and
Cato
,
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
—
it
is
talk
—
nothing
else
.
I
must
go
to
Rome
.
Flavius
Sabinus
is
præfect
of
the
city
,
and
he
is
the
elder
brother
of
Vespasian
.
I
might
show
him
some
little
inconspicuous
civilities
—
give
a
little
cosy
,
quiet
supper
.
By
the
way
—
yes
,
he
is
married
to
an
old
hunks
,
I
remember
.
Oh
!
if
his
brother
gets
to
the
top
,
he
can
divorce
her
.
Yes
,
positively
I
shall
not
be
able
to
breathe
till
I
get
back
to
Rome
.
By
the
way
,
draw
me
up
on
a
couple
of
tablets
some
moral
philosophizing
suitable
to
widowhood
,
pepper
it
well
with
lines
from
lyric
poets
.
I
will
learn
it
all
by
heart
in
my
litter
,
and
serve
out
as
occasion
offers
.
I
positively
must
be
home
before
the
Ides
;
why
—
”
with
a
start
of
pleasure
—
“
The
Ides
of
December
!
that
is
the
dedication
feast
of
the
temple
of
Tellus
in
the
Carinæ
.
There
you
have
it
!
Devotion
to
the
gods
—
an
excuse
for
a
little
supper
—
a
wee
little
supper
—
but
so
good
and
so
nicely
turned
out
.
”
CHAPTER
XIV
.
A
LITTLE
SUPPER
.
Longa
Duilia
and
her
entire
household
had
returned
to
the
capital
,
and
were
installed
in
the
family
mansion
in
the
Carinæ
.
Happily
,
as
Corbulo
had
considered
it
,
this
house
had
escaped
in
the
conflagration
of
Rome
under
Nero
.
This
,
however
,
was
a
matter
of
some
regret
to
Duilia
,
who
would
have
preferred
to
have
had
it
burnt
,
so
that
it
might
have
been
rebuilt
in
greater
splendor
and
in
newer
style
.
Nevertheless
,
although
externally
dingy
,
it
was
a
commodious
mansion
within
,
and
was
well
furnished
,
especially
with
carpets
and
curtains
of
Oriental
texture
,
that
had
been
wrought
at
,
or
purchased
at
the
bazaars
of
Antioch
and
Damascus
.
The
centre
of
the
house
was
occupied
by
the
atrium
,
or
hall
,
open
to
the
sky
above
the
water
tank
in
the
midst
.
On
each
side
at
the
further
end
from
the
entrance
extended
the
“
wings
”
that
contained
the
family
portraits
enclosed
in
gilded
boxes
or
shrines
,
the
doors
of
which
were
thrown
open
on
festal
occasions
.
In
the
centre
,
between
the
wings
was
the
tablinum
,
the
reception-room
of
the
house
,
and
on
the
right
side
of
the
entrance
was
the
family
money-chest
,
girded
with
iron
.
On
the
ledge
of
the
water
tank
before
the
reception
room
,
smoked
a
little
altar
before
an
image
of
Larpater
,
the
ancestor
and
founder
of
the
family
,
regarded
as
the
tutelary
deity
of
the
house
.
The
penates
,
the
subsidiary
household
gods
,
that
had
formerly
been
retained
in
the
hall
,
near
the
altar
—
curious
,
smoked
,
and
badly-shaped
dolls
,
some
in
rags
,
some
in
wood
,
others
in
terra
cotta
—
were
sometimes
consigned
to
a
family
chapel
,
but
in
the
house
of
the
widow
of
Corbulo
,
as
in
many
another
,
they
had
been
relegated
to
a
shelf
in
the
kitchen
near
the
hearth
,
and
a
lamp
was
maintained
perpetually
burning
before
them
.
In
primitive
times
,
when
life
was
simple
,
the
hall
had
been
the
common
room
of
the
house
,
in
which
the
wife
cooked
the
meals
at
the
hearth
,
and
where
also
on
seats
,
father
,
wife
,
children
and
domestics
partook
together
of
the
common
meal
.
But
now
all
this
was
altered
.
In
winter
the
hall
was
too
cold
to
be
sat
in
.
It
was
inconvenient
to
have
the
cooking
done
before
all
eyes
.
Consequently
a
separate
kitchen
and
separate
dining-rooms
were
constructed
,
and
the
smoking
altar
and
the
image
by
it
alone
remained
in
the
hall
as
a
reminiscence
of
the
family
hearth
that
once
stood
there
.
It
is
more
difficult
to
understand
the
meals
and
meal
times
of
the
old
Romans
,
than
the
arrangement
of
their
houses
.
They
rose
vastly
early
in
the
morning
,
and
took
a
snack
of
breakfast
of
the
simplest
description
,
which
lasted
them
till
lunch
at
10
a
.
m
.
But
such
as
were
occupied
abroad
rarely
returned
home
for
this
meal
.
At
noon
they
bathed
,
and
then
came
the
great
feed
of
the
day
,
the
cœna
,
which
we
translate
“
supper
,
”
but
which
was
begun
at
half-past
one
in
winter
and
an
hour
later
in
summer
.
This
lasted
the
entire
afternoon
,
and
even
on
great
occasions
into
the
night
.
Some
revellers
did
not
break
up
till
midnight
,
or
even
prolonged
the
orgy
to
dawn
.
It
was
not
till
the
Goths
and
Vandals
overflowed
the
classic
world
,
that
the
supper
was
postponed
until
the
evening
.
The
Roman
citizen’s
day
was
from
dawn
till
noon
.
Then
he
had
his
snooze
and
his
bath
,
and
the
remainder
of
the
day
was
devoted
to
the
mighty
meal
and
to
reading
,
conversation
,
and
amusement
.
“
I
am
so
pleased
to
see
you
,
”
said
Longa
Duilia
,
stepping
forward
to
receive
the
Præfect
of
Rome
,
to
her
little
supper
.
He
was
a
gray-headed
,
plain
,
blunt
man
,
with
very
ordinary
features
;
he
was
attended
by
two
lictors
,
and
by
his
son
,
Sabinus
.
“
I
thank
you
,
madam
,
for
the
courteous
invitation
.
”
“
I
could
kill
myself
with
vexation
not
to
have
made
your
acquaintance
earlier
.
You
see
,
for
some
years
I
have
been
at
Antioch
,
with
my
dearest
husband
,
whose
sword
—
that
sword
which
drank
the
blood
of
Germans
,
Parthians
and
Armenians
—
excuse
these
tears
—
you
see
it
—
suspended
yonder
.
But
,
as
I
was
saying
,
we
have
been
from
Rome
so
long
,
and
since
my
return
I
have
lived
in
such
seclusion
,
that
we
have
not
met
—
and
yet
,
considering
our
relationship
—
—
”
“
My
dear
lady
,
I
was
unaware
that
I
was
entitled
to
such
an
honor
.
”
“
Oh
!
yes
,
of
course
,
cousins
.
”
“
Cousins
!
”
“
Through
Vespasia
Polla
,
your
mother
.
What
a
sweet
creature
she
was
!
So
distinguished
in
her
manner
.
She
had
such
an
intelligent
face
,
and
,
as
I
remember
her
,
the
remains
of
great
beauty
.
Of
course
I
was
then
quite
a
mite
of
a
child
.
”
“
This
is
indeed
flattering
.
”
“
You
men
have
other
things
to
consider
beside
pedigree
.
Cousins
we
certainly
are
.
And
how
is
that
sweet
lady
,
your
wife
?
By
all
accounts
as
frail
as
the
last
autumn
leaf
on
an
acacia
.
”
“
I
am
glad
to
say
that
,
on
the
contrary
,
she
enjoys
rude
health
.
”
“
You
do
not
say
so
!
What
fibs
are
told
!
Your
son
Clemens
is
not
here
?
I
—
I
have
heard
,
does
not
go
into
society
,
a
little
peculiar
in
his
views
.
We
are
not
all
made
alike
.
But
this
,
your
son
Sabinus
,
is
formed
like
an
Apollo
.
And
your
daughter
Plautilla
—
so
sorry
!
infected
in
the
same
way
.
Will
not
go
to
dinners
or
shows
—
ah
!
well
it
is
her
loss
.
It
is
a
pleasure
to
reunite
family
ties
.
Alas
!
you
know
of
my
irreparable
loss
.
I
do
not
know
whether
you
saw
the
sword
of
my
darling
.
He
fell
on
it
.
Bathed
it
with
his
blood
.
Every
night
I
bedew
the
sacred
blade
with
my
tears
.
Excuse
me
—
my
emotion
overcomes
me
.
I
would
have
buried
myself
at
Gabii
,
clasping
the
sword
to
my
wounded
bosom
for
the
remainder
of
my
shattered
life
,
had
it
not
been
for
the
health
of
my
child
.
A
mother’s
thoughts
are
with
her
offspring
.
Well
,
now
to
table
.
A
widow’s
fare
,
only
a
small
supper
in
a
house
of
mourning
—
though
more
than
a
twelvemonth
since
the
funeral
—
indeed
,
two
years
since
my
dear
one
died
—
on
that
sword
.
Oh
!
I
turn
away
my
eyes
!
The
sight
of
that
blade
.
But
,
come
—
that
is
my
daughter
.
Salute
her
.
A
cousin
.
Give
me
your
hand
,
Flavius
.
The
table
calls
us
.
”
The
house
of
a
wealthy
Roman
at
this
period
had
not
only
a
summer
dining-room
,
open
to
the
air
,
but
one
also
for
winter
,
well
heated
by
stoves
.
Three
tables
were
placed
,
so
as
to
accommodate
nine
persons
,
three
at
each
,
leaving
the
ends
of
two
and
an
open
square
in
the
middle
.
Into
this
hollow
the
servants
ran
the
“
repository
,
”
a
sort
of
what-not
,
on
wheels
,
consisting
of
a
tier
of
shelves
,
all
laden
with
dishes
;
and
the
guests
put
forth
their
hands
and
selected
such
meats
as
they
fancied
.
Knives
they
had
,
but
no
forks
.
In
place
of
these
latter
they
were
furnished
with
spoons
,
having
the
extremity
of
the
handle
turned
down
as
claw
or
hoof
,
or
sharpened
to
a
point
,
so
as
to
serve
to
hold
the
meat
whilst
it
was
being
cut
.
When
so
employed
,
the
bowl
of
the
spoon
was
held
in
the
hollow
of
the
hand
;
but
when
used
as
a
spoon
,
then
the
end
was
reversed
.
A
sideboard
was
piled
up
with
silver
and
gold
plate
.
In
addition
in
a
corner
stood
a
round
table
with
three
feet
;
on
which
were
laid
napkins
neatly
tied
up
with
blue
and
red
bands
.
These
napkins
contained
trinkets
,
rings
,
brooches
,
comfits
,
mottoes
,
and
were
to
be
given
to
the
guests
along
with
the
dessert
.
Our
presentation
of
Christmas
crackers
is
a
reminiscence
of
the
old
Roman
custom
of
making
presents
to
the
guests
at
the
close
of
a
banquet
.
The
males
lay
at
table
on
couches
,
with
their
legs
extended
behind
them
,
their
left
elbows
reposed
on
pillows
.
It
was
against
ancient
Roman
custom
for
ladies
to
recline
,
but
recently
some
empresses
had
broken
through
the
rule
,
and
when
they
set
the
example
of
lounging
,
others
followed
.
Duilia
,
however
,
was
a
stickler
in
some
things
,
and
she
somewhat
affected
archaic
usages
,
as
a
mark
of
distinction
,
as
a
token
of
the
antiquity
of
the
family
,
whose
customs
had
acquired
an
almost
sacred
sanction
.
Ladies
sat
on
stools
.
The
couches
and
seats
were
sumptuous
,
inlaid
with
mother-of-pearl
,
tortoise-shell
and
silver
,
and
were
covered
with
Oriental
carpets
.
Every
guest
was
attended
by
a
slave
,
bearing
an
ewer
and
napkin
,
so
that
he
might
cleanse
his
fingers
directly
they
became
greasy
—
a
necessity
of
constant
recurrence
,
on
account
of
the
absence
of
proper
forks
.
A
baldachin
of
embroidered
silk
was
stretched
above
the
table
,
and
the
heads
of
the
banqueters
.
This
was
done
for
the
purpose
of
cutting
off
the
draught
,
as
immediately
above
,
in
the
ceiling
,
was
the
lacunar
,
an
opening
through
which
the
steam
and
savor
of
dinner
might
escape
,
and
through
which
,
when
the
canopy
was
not
spread
,
rose-leaves
,
violets
,
a
spray
of
scent
,
even
garlands
were
scattered
over
the
revellers
.
A
Roman
dinner
began
,
like
one
in
Russia
at
the
present
day
,
with
a
gustus
,
a
snack
of
something
calculated
to
stimulate
the
appetite
or
to
help
digestion
.
Then
came
in
soft-boiled
eggs
,
the
invariable
first
dish
,
just
as
invariably
,
the
meal
closed
with
apples
.
With
the
eggs
were
served
salads
and
sauer-kraut
,
cabbage
shredded
in
vinegar
,
Brussels
sprouts
boiled
with
saltpetre
to
enhance
their
green
,
turnips
and
carrots
in
mustard
and
vinegar
.
Melons
were
eaten
with
pepper
,
salt
,
and
vinegar
;
artichokes
were
consumed
raw
,
with
oil
;
mallows
and
sorrel
,
olives
,
mush
rooms
and
truffles
were
favorite
vegetables
,
and
were
eaten
along
with
large
snails
,
oysters
,
sardines
,
and
chopped
lizards
.
All
this
was
preparatory
.
Now
entered
the
repository
,
groaning
under
meats
and
fish
.
At
the
same
moment
a
slave
produced
and
handed
round
a
menu
card
.
But
before
eating
,
a
benediction
was
pronounced
,
the
household
gods
were
invoked
and
promised
a
share
of
the
good
things
from
the
table
.
It
is
unnecessary
to
catalogue
the
solids
and
entrées
sent
up
at
such
a
supper
.
Pork
was
a
favorite
dish
,
and
there
were
fifty
ways
in
which
a
pig
could
be
served
up
.
Octopus
was
much
relished
,
as
it
is
to
this
day
in
Italy
.
Wild
fowl
was
stuffed
with
garlic
,
mutton
with
asafœtida
,
and
some
meats
were
not
considered
in
condition
till
decomposition
had
begun
.
The
strong
savor
produced
by
those
dishes
was
dissipated
by
servants
holding
large
fans
,
and
counteracted
by
the
diffusion
of
aromatic
smoke
,
and
the
sprinkling
of
guests
and
table
with
essences
.
A
supper
consisted
of
several
courses
,
but
a
considerable
interval
elapsed
between
each
,
which
interval
was
filled
in
with
conversation
,
or
enlivened
with
the
antics
of
buffoons
,
or
with
music
,
or
the
recitation
of
poetry
.
Nothing
in
the
smallest
degree
unseemly
was
allowed
in
the
house
of
Longa
Duilia
,
at
such
entertainments
.
We
read
a
good
deal
,
in
the
ancient
authors
,
of
the
license
allowed
at
such
times
,
but
this
was
not
general
,
certainly
was
not
suffered
except
in
very
“
fast
”
houses
,
and
such
were
attended
by
none
who
respected
themselves
.
The
widow
knew
how
to
make
herself
agreeable
.
Flavius
Sabinus
,
the
præfect
,
was
a
great
talker
,
and
there
was
a
little
rivalry
between
the
two
as
to
which
should
lead
the
conversation
.
Domitia
hardly
spoke
,
but
the
guests
generally
entertained
themselves
heartily
.
Lamia
was
there
,
and
near
his
betrothed
,
but
found
it
difficult
to
carry
on
conversation
with
her
.
Since
the
questioning
of
Ishtar
in
the
Temple
at
Gabii
,
she
had
been
haunted
by
the
visions
presented
to
her
inner
sight
,
and
she
was
unable
to
shake
off
the
oppression
of
spirits
and
distress
of
mind
,
they
had
caused
.
When
supper
was
ended
,
previous
to
the
dessert
,
all
rose
,
a
grace
was
said
,
and
again
the
household
gods
were
invoked
.
All
were
thus
standing
,
in
solemn
hush
,
whilst
a
portion
for
the
deities
was
being
taken
away
,
when
the
curtain
before
the
door
was
roughly
drawn
aside
,
and
a
young
man
ran
in
—
then
halted
,
bewildered
by
the
lights
and
the
company
,
and
hesitated
before
advancing
further
.
A
faint
cry
escaped
the
breast
of
Domitia
;
and
she
staggered
back
,
and
caught
Lamia
convulsively
by
the
wrist
.
Then
Flavius
Sabinus
said
apologetically
to
his
hostess
:
“
This
youth
is
my
nephew
,
Titus
Flavius
Domitianus
,
the
younger
son
of
my
brother
Vespasian
.
Pardon
his
lack
of
breeding
,
lady
—
I
bade
him
find
me
here
,
if
matters
of
importance
demanded
my
attention
.
Excuse
me
,
I
pray
,
if
I
retire
with
him
and
hear
what
news
of
weight
he
bears
.
”
Duilia
bowed
,
and
the
præfect
,
leaving
his
place
,
went
to
meet
his
nephew
.
Lamia
felt
that
Domitia
was
trembling
.
He
looked
in
her
face
and
it
alarmed
him
.
With
wide
eyes
she
was
staring
at
the
intruder
;
her
lips
were
slightly
parted
,
every
trace
of
color
had
deserted
them
;
and
between
them
gleamed
her
teeth
.
Not
till
the
curtain
had
fallen
,
and
hidden
the
form
of
the
young
man
,
as
he
left
with
his
uncle
,
did
she
breathe
freer
.
Then
she
heaved
a
long
sigh
,
and
said
in
a
faint
voice
:
“
It
is
he
—
the
eighth
crowned
head
—
the
fifth
come
again
—
the
new
Nero
.
O
Lamia
!
Terrible
is
Fate
!
”
CHAPTER
XV
.
THE
LECTISTERNIUM
.
“
My
dear
child
,
”
said
Duilia
,
“
I
never
did
a
better
stroke
of
policy
than
that
supper
a
few
evenings
ago
.
It
went
off
quite
charmingly
,
without
a
hitch
.
I
allowed
that
good
Flavius
Sabinus
to
talk
;
and
he
is
just
one
of
those
men
who
enjoys
himself
best
where
he
is
given
full
flow
for
his
twaddle
.
A
good
,
worthy
,
commonplace
man
.
I
doubt
if
he
has
push
in
him
,
but
he
is
just
so
situated
now
that
he
must
go
ahead
.
The
news
is
most
encouraging
.
Mucianus
is
on
his
way
to
Italy
at
the
head
of
an
army
.
Primus
,
with
his
legions
,
is
approaching
;
he
has
beaten
the
troops
sent
against
him
,
and
has
sacked
Cremona
;
there
are
positively
none
who
hold
by
Vitellius
except
his
brother
in
Campania
,
and
his
German
bodyguard
.
Domitia
,
”
the
widow
dropped
her
voice
,
“
we
can
do
better
than
with
that
milksop
Ælius
Lamia
.
”
“
Mother
,
I
will
have
no
other
.
”
“
Then
we
must
push
him
up
into
position
.
But
come
,
my
dear
,
we
must
show
ourselves
at
the
Lectisternia
.
It
will
be
expected
of
us
,
and
be
setting
a
good
example
,
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
,
and
it
is
positively
wicked
to
mope
indoors
when
we
ought
to
be
seen
in
the
streets
and
the
forum
.
So
there
,
make
yourself
ready
.
I
am
going
instantly
.
I
have
ordered
round
the
palanquins
,
and
,
as
you
may
perceive
,
I
am
dressed
and
my
hair
done
to
go
out
.
That
supper
was
quite
a
success
.
”
The
time
was
now
that
of
the
Saturnalia
,
lasting
seven
days
,
beginning
on
the
17th
December
with
a
strange
institution
,
a
banquet
of
the
gods
.
Usually
the
several
gods
had
their
feasts
in
their
own
temples
and
invited
others
to
them
,
but
on
certain
solemn
occasions
all
banqueted
together
in
public
.
The
distress
,
the
butcheries
,
the
general
confusion
caused
by
the
setting
up
and
casting
down
of
emperors
—
three
in
ten
months
—
and
now
,
eight
months
after
,
a
fourth
tottering
;
and
every
change
involving
massacre
,
plunder
,
disturbance
of
order
;
—
this
had
moved
the
priests
to
decree
a
solemn
lectisternium
and
supplication
for
the
restoration
of
tranquillity
and
the
cessation
of
civil
broil
.
The
banquet
was
to
take
place
in
the
forum
.
“
You
shall
come
in
the
lectica
(
palanquin
)
with
me
,
”
said
Duilia
.
“
It
will
have
quite
a
pathetic
aspect
—
the
widow
and
the
orphan
together
.
Besides
,
I
want
some
one
to
talk
to
.
What
do
you
think
of
Flavius
Domitianus
?
A
modest
lad
,
to
my
mind
.
”
“
Shy
and
clumsy
,
”
observed
Domitia
.
“
The
sight
of
him
is
a
horror
to
me
.
”
“
My
dear
child
,
only
a
fool
will
take
sprats
when
he
can
have
whitebait
.
Look
out
to
better
yourself
.
”
“
Oh
,
mother
!
—
what
is
that
?
”
“
A
god
going
to
supper
,
”
said
the
lady
.
“
We
shall
see
plenty
of
them
presently
.
”
That
which
had
attracted
her
daughter’s
attention
was
a
bier
supported
on
the
shoulders
of
priests
,
on
which
lay
a
figure
dressed
handsomely
,
in
the
attitude
of
a
man
at
table
,
raised
on
his
left
elbow
that
was
buried
in
a
pillow
,
the
head
erect
and
the
right
arm
extended
,
balanced
in
the
air
.
The
body
was
probably
of
wood
under
the
drooping
drapery
,
but
the
face
and
hands
and
feet
were
of
wax
.
In
jolting
over
the
pavement
,
the
sleeve
had
become
disarranged
,
and
showed
the
wooden
prop
that
sustained
the
waxen
right
hand
.
The
face
was
colored
,
the
eyes
were
of
glass
,
and
real
hair
was
affixed
to
the
head
;
the
lower
jaw
,
hung
on
wires
,
opened
and
shut
with
the
jostling
.
The
staring
figure
swaying
on
the
shoulders
of
the
bearers
,
had
a
sufficiently
startling
effect
,
sweeping
round
a
corner
,
wagging
its
beard
,
and
past
the
palanquin
in
which
were
the
ladies
.
“
A
thing
like
that
can’t
eat
,
”
said
Domitia
.
“
Oh
,
my
dear
child
,
no.
The
gods
only
sniff
at
the
food
.
After
it
has
been
set
before
them
,
it
is
carried
away
,
and
the
people
scramble
for
it
.
”
“
They
are
naught
but
wax
and
woodwork
,
”
said
the
girl
contemptuously
.
“
My
child
,
how
often
have
I
not
had
to
quote
to
you
that
text
,
“
It
is
not
well
to
be
overwise
about
the
gods
?
”
Here
we
are
!
What
a
crowd
!
”
The
forum
of
Rome
,
that
wondrous
basin
towered
over
on
one
side
by
the
Capitol
,
inclosed
on
another
by
the
Palatine
,
and
on
the
third
by
the
densely
packed
blocks
of
houses
in
the
Suburra
below
the
Quirinal
,
Viminal
and
Esquiline
Hills
,
was
itself
crowded
with
temples
and
basilicas
,
yet
not
then
as
dense
with
monuments
as
later
,
when
the
open
spaces
were
further
encroached
upon
by
the
Antonines
.
“
Domitia
,
”
said
Longa
Duilia
,
in
her
ear
,
“
all
things
are
working
out
excellently
.
Vitellius
is
aware
that
he
has
no
chance
,
and
has
been
consulting
with
our
cousin
in
the
Temple
of
Concord
yonder
,
and
they
have
nearly
settled
between
them
that
Vespasian
is
to
assume
the
purple
without
further
opposition
.
Vitellius
will
retire
to
some
country
villa
on
a
handsome
annuity
.
That
will
prevent
more
bloodshed
and
confiscation
,
and
all
that
sort
of
thing
.
It
is
always
advisable
to
avoid
unpleasantnesses
if
possible
.
There
,
child
,
there
are
quite
a
bevy
of
gods
already
at
table
.
See
that
dear
old
doll
,
Summanus
,
without
a
head
—
you
know
it
was
struck
off
by
lightning
in
the
time
of
Pyrrhus
.
It
was
of
clay
,
and
rolled
all
the
way
to
the
Tiber
and
plopped
in
.
Since
then
he
has
been
without
a
head
,
the
darling
!
”
“
How
can
he
either
smell
or
eat
,
mother
?
”
“
My
child
,
I
don’t
ask
.
It
is
not
well
to
be
overwise
about
the
gods
.
There
go
the
Arval
Brothers
with
the
image
of
Aca
Larentia
seated
—
of
course
not
lying
.
You
will
see
some
venerable
curiosities
,
who
put
in
an
appearance
on
days
like
this
so
as
not
to
be
wholly
forgotten
.
”
The
sight
presented
by
the
forum
was
indeed
strange
.
A
space
had
been
cleared
and
shut
off
from
the
intrusion
of
the
crowd
,
and
there
lay
and
sat
the
images
at
tables
that
were
spread
with
viands
.
All
were
either
life-size
or
larger
.
Some
were
skilfully
modelled
,
and
wore
gorgeous
clothing
,
but
others
were
of
the
rudest
moulding
in
terra
cotta
,
or
carved
wood
,
and
evidently
of
very
ancient
date
,
of
Etruscan
workmanship
little
influenced
by
Greek
art
.
Domitia
looked
on
in
astonishment
.
The
populace
laughed
and
commented
on
the
images
,
without
the
least
reverence
;
and
the
priests
and
their
assistants
laid
the
dishes
before
the
puppets
,
then
whisked
them
off
and
carried
them
without
the
barriers
.
Thereupon
ensued
a
struggle
who
should
get
hold
of
the
savory
morsels
that
were
being
conveyed
from
the
table
of
the
gods
;
even
the
vessels
used
for
the
viands
and
for
the
wine
were
snatched
at
and
carried
away
,
and
the
priests
offered
no
resistance
.
Domitia
was
completely
transported
out
of
herself
by
astonishment
at
the
sight
.
Every
now
and
then
the
hum
of
voices
spluttered
into
a
burst
of
laughter
at
some
ribald
joke
,
and
then
roared
up
into
a
hubbub
of
sound
over
the
trays
of
meats
and
wine
that
were
being
fought
for
.
Already
the
short
winter
day
was
closing
in
,
and
torches
were
being
brought
forth
and
stood
beside
the
images
.
Then
the
tables
were
cleared
and
removed
.
A
trumpet
blast
sounded
,
and
instantly
the
barriers
were
cast
down
,
and
the
second
act
of
this
extraordinary
spectacle
ensued
.
This
was
the
supplication
.
Instantly
the
temper
of
the
mob
changed
from
scepticism
and
mockery
to
enthusiastic
devotion
,
and
those
pressed
forward
to
kneel
and
touch
the
cushions
and
drapery
on
which
the
gods
reposed
,
and
to
entreat
their
assistance
,
whose
lips
had
but
recently
uttered
a
scoff
.
Nothing
so
completely
differentiates
Christian
worship
from
that
of
Pagan
Rome
as
the
congregational
character
of
the
former
contrasted
with
the
uncongregational
nature
of
the
latter
.
At
the
present
day
in
Papal
Rome
the
priests
may
be
seen
behind
glass
doors
in
little
chapels
annexed
to
S.
Peter’s
and
S.
Maria
Maggiore
saying
their
offices
,
indifferent
to
there
being
no
laity
present
,
indeed
,
with
no
provision
made
that
they
should
assist
.
This
is
a
legacy
of
Pagan
Rome
.
The
sacrifices
,
the
services
in
the
temples
and
other
sanctuaries
,
were
entirely
independent
of
the
people
,
some
performed
within
closed
doors
.
The
only
popular
religious
service
was
the
supplication
,
which
took
place
but
occasionally
.
Then
the
public
streamed
to
the
images
of
the
gods
,
uttering
fervent
prayer
,
chanting
hymns
,
prostrating
themselves
before
the
couches
,
catching
at
their
bed-coverings
,
esteeming
themselves
blessed
if
they
could
lay
their
hands
on
the
sacred
pillows
.
But
there
was
no
general
consent
as
to
which
of
the
gods
and
goddesses
were
most
potent
.
Some
cried
out
that
Mother
Orbona
had
helped
them
,
others
that
Fortuna
was
a
jade
and
promised
but
performed
nothing
.
One
fanatic
,
in
a
transport
,
shrieked
that
these
gods
were
good
for
naught
,
for
his
part
he
trusted
only
in
Consus
,
whose
temple
was
in
ruins
,
whose
altar
was
buried
in
earth
by
the
circus
of
Tarquin
.
But
there
were
others
who
swept
in
a
strong
current
towards
the
couch
of
Jupiter
and
of
that
of
Venus
.
Another
strong
current
,
howling
‘Io
Saturne
!
Salve
Mater
Ops
!
’
made
for
the
images
of
the
Old
God
of
Time
and
his
divine
Mate
.
Simultaneously
came
a
cross
current
of
vendors
of
cakes
and
toys
from
the
Suburra
,
regardless
of
the
devotion
of
the
people
,
careful
only
to
sell
their
goods
—
for
the
Saturnalia
was
a
period
at
which
the
children
were
regaled
with
gingerbread
,
and
treated
to
dolls
of
terra
cotta
,
of
ivory
and
of
wood
.
Hawkers
selling
pistachio
nuts
,
the
cones
of
the
edible
pine
,
men
with
baked
chestnuts
,
others
with
trays
of
Pomponian
pears
and
Mattian
apples
,
vociferating
and
belauding
their
wares
,
increased
the
clamor
.
Whilst
this
was
at
its
height
,
down
from
the
Palatine
by
the
New
Way
came
the
German
Imperial
Body-Guard
,
forcing
a
passage
through
the
mob
,
their
short
swords
drawn
,
bellowing
imprecations
,
whirling
their
blades
,
striking
with
the
flat
of
the
steel
,
threatening
to
cut
down
such
as
impeded
their
progress
.
Some
vigiles
,
or
city
police
,
came
up
.
There
was
no
love
lost
between
them
and
the
pampered
foreigners
employed
in
the
palace
,
and
they
opposed
the
household
troops
.
Remonstrances
were
employed
and
cast
away
.
Then
a
German
was
struck
in
the
face
by
a
pine
cone
,
another
tripped
,
fell
,
and
a
hawker
with
a
barrow-load
of
dolls
,
in
his
eagerness
to
escape
,
ran
his
vehicle
over
the
prostrate
guardsman
.
At
once
the
Germans’
blood
was
up
,
they
rushed
upon
the
police
,
and
a
fray
ensued
in
which
now
this
side
,
then
that
,
gained
advantage
.
The
populace
,
densely
packed
,
came
in
for
blows
and
wounds
.
When
a
guardsman
fell
,
and
they
could
lay
hold
of
him
,
he
was
dragged
away
,
and
almost
torn
to
pieces
by
eager
hands
stripping
him
of
his
splendid
uniform
.
The
Præfect
,
who
was
in
the
Forum
,
summoned
three
cohorts
to
his
aid
,
to
drive
back
the
household
troops
,
and
in
a
moment
the
trough
between
the
hills
was
converted
into
a
scene
of
the
wildest
confusion
,
some
women
screaming
that
they
had
lost
their
children
,
others
crying
to
the
gods
to
help
them
.
Boys
had
scrambled
up
the
bases
of
the
statues
,
and
one
urchin
sat
with
folded
legs
on
the
shoulders
of
Julius
Cæsar
,
hallooing
,
and
occasionally
pelting
with
nuts
where
they
did
not
fear
retaliation
.
The
vendors
of
cakes
and
toys
cursed
as
their
trays
were
upset
,
or
their
barrows
clashed
.
Men
fought
each
other
,
for
no
other
reason
than
that
the
soldiers
were
engaged
,
and
they
were
unable
to
keep
their
itching
hands
off
each
other
.
Down
a
stair
from
the
palace
came
the
Emperor
Vitellius
,
carried
on
the
shoulders
of
soldiers
,
while
slaves
bore
flambeaux
before
him
.
He
was
seen
to
gesticulate
,
but
in
the
uproar
none
heard
what
he
said
.
Meanwhile
,
the
priests
were
endeavoring
to
remove
the
gods
,
and
met
with
the
greatest
difficulty
.
Some
frantic
women
clung
to
the
images
and
refused
to
allow
them
to
be
taken
away
.
Some
of
the
figures
had
been
upset
,
and
the
servants
of
the
temples
to
which
they
belonged
made
rings
about
them
with
interlaced
arms
,
to
protect
them
from
being
trampled
under
foot
.
Jupiter
Capitolinus
had
been
injured
and
lost
his
nose
.
A
priest
with
the
help
of
a
torch
,
was
melting
the
wax
and
fastening
it
on
again
,
whilst
the
guard
of
the
temple
kept
off
the
rabble
.
The
currents
of
human
beings
,
driven
by
diverse
passions
,
jostled
,
broke
across
each
other
,
resolved
themselves
into
swirls
of
living
men
and
women
carried
off
their
feet
.
The
litter
of
the
lady
Duilia
and
her
daughter
tossed
like
a
boat
in
a
whirlpool
,
and
the
widow
shrieked
with
terror
.
Then
two
powerful
arms
were
thrust
within
the
curtains
of
the
palanquin
,
and
the
slave
Eboracus
laid
hold
of
Domitia
,
and
said
:
—
“
There
is
no
safety
here
.
Trust
me
.
I
will
battle
through
with
you
.
Come
on
my
arm
.
Fear
not
.
”
“
Save
me
!
Me
,
also
!
”
screamed
Duilia
,
“
I
shall
be
thrown
out
,
trodden
under
foot
!
O
my
wig
!
My
wig
!
”
But
Eboracus
,
regardless
of
the
widow
,
holding
his
young
mistress
on
his
left
arm
,
with
the
right
armed
with
a
cudgel
,
which
he
whirled
like
a
flail
,
and
with
which
,
without
compunction
he
broke
down
all
opposition
,
drove
,
battered
his
way
through
the
throng
where
most
dense
,
across
the
currents
most
violent
,
and
did
not
stay
till
he
had
reached
a
comparatively
unobstructed
spot
,
in
one
of
the
narrow
lanes
between
the
Fish
Market
and
the
Hostilian
Court
.
CHAPTER
XVI
.
IN
THE
HOUSE
OF
THE
ACTOR
.
Hardly
had
Eboracus
conveyed
Domitia
out
of
the
Forum
into
a
place
of
safety
,
than
a
rush
of
people
down
the
street
threatened
to
drive
him
back
in
the
direction
whence
he
had
come
.
The
drifting
mob
,
as
it
cascaded
down
,
cried
:
“
The
Prætorians
are
coming
from
their
camp
!
”
It
was
so
.
Down
the
hill
by
the
Tiburtine
way
marched
a
compact
body
of
soldiery
.
The
danger
was
imminent
;
Eboracus
and
his
young
charge
were
between
two
masses
of
military
,
entangled
in
a
seething
mob
of
frightened
people
,
mostly
of
the
lowest
class
.
“
My
lady
!
”
said
the
slave
.
“
There
is
but
one
thing
to
be
done
.
”
He
drew
her
to
a
door
,
knocked
,
and
when
a
voice
asked
who
demanded
admittance
,
answered
,
“
Open
speedily
—
Paris
!
”
The
door
was
furtively
unbarred
and
opened
sufficiently
to
admit
the
slave
and
Domitia
,
and
then
hastily
bolted
and
locked
again
.
“
Excuse
me
,
dear
mistress
,
”
said
Eboracus
.
“
I
could
do
no
other
.
In
this
insula
live
the
actor
Paris
and
Glyceria
.
They
were
both
slaves
in
your
household
,
but
were
given
their
freedom
by
your
father
,
my
late
master
,
when
he
went
to
the
East
.
They
will
place
themselves
at
your
service
,
and
offer
you
shelter
in
their
humble
dwelling
,
the
first
flat
on
the
right
.
”
The
house
was
one
of
those
insulæ
,
islets
of
Rome
in
which
great
numbers
of
the
lower
classes
were
housed
.
They
consisted
in
square
blocks
,
built
about
a
court
,
and
ran
to
the
height
of
seven
and
even
more
stories
.
The
several
flats
were
reached
by
stone
stairs
that
ran
from
the
central
yard
to
the
very
summit
of
these
barrack-like
buildings
.
They
vastly
resembled
our
modern
model
lodging-houses
,
with
one
exception
,
that
they
had
no
exterior
windows
,
or
at
most
only
slits
looking
into
the
street
;
doors
and
windows
opened
into
the
central
quadrangle
.
These
houses
were
little
towns
,
occupied
by
numerous
families
,
each
family
renting
two
or
more
chambers
on
a
flat
,
and
as
in
a
city
there
are
diversities
in
rank
,
so
was
it
in
these
lodging-houses
;
the
most
abjectly
poor
were
at
the
very
top
,
or
on
the
ground
floor
.
The
first
flat
commanded
the
highest
rent
,
and
the
price
of
rooms
gradually
dwindled
,
the
greater
the
elevation
was
.
Glass
was
too
great
a
luxury
,
far
too
costly
to
be
employed
except
by
the
most
wealthy
