Vergilius

A Tale of the Coming of Christ

By

Irving Bacheller

Author of

"Eben Holden" "D'ri and I" "Darrel of the Blessed Isles"

New York and London

Harper & Brothers Publishers

1904

Copyright, 1904, by IRVING BACHELLER. 

All rights reserved. 

Published August, 1904. 

Vergilius

A Tale of the Coming of Christ

CHAPTER 1

Rome had passed the summits and stood looking into the dark valley offourteen hundred years. Behind her the graves of Caesar and Sallustand Cicero and Catullus and Vergil and Horace; before her centuries ofmadness and treading down; round about her a multitude sickening ofluxury, their houses filled with spoil, their mouths with folly, theirsouls with discontent; above her only mystery and silence; in hertrain, philosophers questioning if it were not better for a man had henever been born--deeming life a misfortune and extinction the onlyhappiness; poets singing no more of "pleasantries and trifles, " butseeking favor with poor obscenities. Soon they were even to celebratethe virtue of harlots, the integrity of thieves, the tenderness ofmurderers, the justice of oppression. Leading the caravan were typesabhorrent and self-opposed--effeminate men, masculine women, cheerfulcynics, infidel priests, wealthy people with no credit, patricians, honoring and yet despising the gods, hating and yet living on thepopulace. Here was the spectacle of a republican empire, and anemperor gathering power while he affected to disdain it. 

The splendor of the capital had attracted from all nations the idlerich, gamblers, speculators, voluptuaries, profligates, intriguers, criminals. To such an extreme had luxury been carried that nothing wastoo sacred, nothing too costly to be enjoyed. Digestion had become ascience, courtship an art, sleep a nightmare, comfort anaccomplishment, and the very act of living an industry. Almost one maysay that the gods lived only in the imagination of the ignorant and thejests of the learned. In a growing patriciate home had become aweariness, marriage a form, children a trouble, and the decline ofmotherhood an alarming fact. Augustus tried the remedy of legislation. Henceforth marriage became a duty to the state. As between men andwomen, things were near a turning-point. Woman cannot long endurescorn nor the absence of veneration. A law older than the tablets ofstone shall be her defence. Love is the price of motherhood. Soon orlate, unless it be mingled in some degree with her passion, thewonderful gift is withdrawn and men cease to be born of her. Slowly, both the bitterness and the understanding of its loss turn the world tovirtue. A new and lofty sentiment was appearing. Woman, weary of herpart in the human comedy, had begun to inspire a love sublime as themiracle in which she is born to act. 

Happily, there were good people in Rome, even noble families, with whomsacrifice had still a sacred power, and who practised the four virtuesof honor, bravery, wisdom, and temperance. In rural Latium, rich andpoor clung to the old faith, and everywhere a plebeian feared alike theassessor and the gods, and sacrificed to both. 

It is no wonder the gods were falling when even Jupiter had beenoutdone by a modest man who dwelt on the Palatine. One might have seenhim there any day--a rather delicate figure with shiny blue eyes andhair now turning gray. He flung his lightning with unerring aim acrossthe great purple sea into Arabia, Africa, and Spain, and northward tothe German Ocean and eastward to the land of the Goths. The genius ofthis remarkable man had outdone the imagination of priest and poet. Agenius for organization, like that of his illustrious uncle, gave toAugustus a power greater than human hands had yet wielded. 

A bit of gossip had travelled far and excited his curiosity. It spokeof a new king, with power above that of men, who was to conquer theworld. Sayings of certain learned men came out of Judea into the landof lost hope. They told of the king of promise--that he would bring tomen the gift of immortal life, that the heavens would declare hisauthority. Superstitious to the blood and bone, not a few werethrilled by the message. 

The minds of thinking men were sad, fearful, and beset with curiosity. "If there be no gods, " they were wont to ask, "have we any hope andresponsibility?" They studied the philosophers Plato, Aristotle, Zeno, Epicurus, and were unsatisfied. 

The nations were at peace, but not the souls of men. A universal andmighty war of the spirit was near at hand. The skirmishers werebusy--patrician and plebeian, master and slave, oppressor andoppressed. Soon all were to see the line of battle, the immortalcaptains, the children of darkness, the children of light, thebeginning of a great revolution. 

Rome was like a weary child whose toys are gods and men, and who, beingweary of them, has yet a curiosity in their destruction. 

CHAPTER 2

Those days it was near twelve o'clock by the great dial of history. One day, about mid-afternoon, the old capital lay glowing in thesunlight. Its hills were white with marble and green with gardens, andtraced and spotted and flecked with gold; its thoroughfares were brightwith color--white, purple, yellow, scarlet--like a field of roses andamarantus. 

The fashionable day had begun; knight and lady were now making andreceiving visits. 

Five litters and some forty slaves, who bore and followed them, werewaiting in the court of the palace of the Lady Lucia. Beyond the wallsof white marble a noble company was gathered that summer day. Therewere the hostess and her daughter; three young noblemen, the purplestripes on each angusticlave telling of knightly rank; a Jewish princein purple and gold; an old philosopher, and a poet who had been readinglove lines. It was the age of pagan chivalry, and one might imperilhis future with poor wit or a faulty epigram. Those older men had longheld the floor, and their hostess, seeking to rally the young knights, challenged their skill in courtly compliment. 

"O men, who have forgotten the love of women these days, look at her!"

So spoke the Lady Lucia--she that was widow of the Praefect Publius, who fell with half his cohort in the desert wars. 

She had risen from a chair of ebony enriched by cunning Etruscanart--four mounted knights charging across its heavy back in armor ofwrought gold. She stopped, facing the company, between two columns ofwhite marble beautifully sculptured. Upon each a vine rose, limberlyand with soft leaves in the stone, from base to capital. Her daughterstood in the midst of a group of maids who were dressing her hair. 

"Arria, will you come to me?" said the Lady Lucia. 

The girl came quickly--a dainty creature of sixteen, her dark hairwaving, under jewelled fillets, to a knot behind. From below the knota row of curls fell upon the folds of her outer tunic. It was a filmy, transparent thing--this garment--through which one could see the whiteof arm and breast and the purple fillets on her legs. 

"She is indeed beautiful in the yellow tunic. I should think thatscarlet rug had caught fire and wrapped her in its flame, " said thepoet Ovid. 

"Nay, her heart is afire, and its light hath the color of roses, " saidan old philosopher who sat by. "Can you not see it shining through hercheeks?"

"Young sirs, " said the Lady Lucia, with a happy smile, as she raisedher daughter's hand, "now for your offers. "

It was a merry challenge, and shows how lightly they treated a sacredtheme those days. 

First rose the grave senator, Aulus Valerius Maro by name. 

"Madame, " said he, stepping forward and bowing low, "I offer my heartand my fortune, and the strength of my arms and the fleetness of myfeet and the fair renown of my fathers. "

The Lady Lucia turned to her daughter with a look of inquiry. 

"Brave words are not enough, " said the fair Roman maiden, smiling, asher eyes fell. 

Then came the effeminate Gracus, in head-dress and neckerchief, frilledrobe and lady's sandals. He was of great sires who had borne the Romaneagles into Gaul. 

"Good lady, " said he, "I would give my life. "

"And had I more provocation, " said Arria, raising a jewelled bodkin, "Iwould take it. "

Now the splendid Antipater, son of Herod the Great, was up andspeaking. "I offer, " said he, "my heart and wealth and half my hopes, and the jewels of my mother, and a palace in the beautiful city ofJerusalem. "

"And a pretty funeral, " the girl remarked, thoughtfully. "Jerusalem ishalf-way to Hades. "

The Roman matron turned, and put her arm around the waist of the girland drew her close. A young man rose from his chair and approachedthem. He was Vergilius, son of Varro, and of equestrian knighthood. His full name was Quintus Vergilius Varro, but all knew the youth byhis nomen. Tall and erect, with curly blond locks and blue eyes andlips delicately curved, there was in that hall no ancestral mask orstatue so nobly favored. He had been taught by an old philosopher tovalue truth as the better part of honor--a view not common then, buttherein was a new light, spreading mysteriously. 

"Dear Lady Lucia, " said he, "I cannot amuse you with idle words. Ifear to speak, and yet silence would serve me ill. I offer not thestrength of my arms nor the fleetness of my feet, for they may fail metomorrow; nor my courage, for that has never been tried; nor the renownof my fathers, for that is not mine to give; nor my life, for thatbelongs to my country; nor my fortune, for I should blush to offer whatmay be used to buy cattle. I would give a thing greater and morelasting than all of these. It is my love. "

The girl turned half away, blushing pink. All had flung off the maskof comedy and now wore a look of surprise. 

"By my faith!" said the poet, "this young knight meant his words. "

"A man of sincerity, upon my soul!" said the old philosopher. "I haveput my hope in him, and so shall Rome. A lucky girl is she, for has henot riches, talent, honor, temperance, courage, and the beauty of agod? And was I not his teacher?"

"My brave Vergilius, " the matron answered, "you are like the knights ofold I have heard my father tell of. They had such a way withthem--never a smile and a melancholy look in their faces when theyspoke of love. I give you the crown of gallantry, and, if she bewilling, you shall walk with her in the garden. That is your reward. "

Vergilius, advancing, took the girl's hand and kissed it. 

"Will you go with me?" said he. 

"On one condition, " she answered, looking down at the folds of hertunic. 

"And it is?"

"That you will entertain me with philosophy and the poets, " sheanswered, with a smile. 

"And with no talk of love, " the matron added, as Arria took his arm. 

They walked through the long hall of the palace, over soft rugs andgreat mosaics, and between walls aglow with tints of sky and garden. These two bore with them a tender feeling as they passed the figures ofembattled horse and host in carven wood, and mural painting and coloredmosaic and wrought metal--symbols of the martial spirit of the empirenow oddly in contrast with their own. They came out upon a peristyleoverlooking an ample garden wherein were vines, flowers, and fruittrees. 

"You have a way of words, " said she. "It is almost possible to believeyou. "

He stopped and for a long moment looked into her eyes. "I love you, sweet girl, " he said, softly; "I love you. As I live, I speak thetruth. "

"And you a man!" she exclaimed, incredulously. 

"Ay, strange as it may be, a Roman. "

"My mother has told me, " said she, looking down at her sandal, "thatwhen a man speaks, it is well to listen but never to believe. "

"They are not easy to understand--these men and women, " said he, thoughtfully. "Sometimes I think they would be nobler if they weredumb as dogs. Albeit I suppose they would find a new way of lying. But, O sweet sister of Appius, try to believe me, though you believe noother, and I--I shall believe you always. "

"You had better not, " said she, with a merry glance. 

"I must. "

"But you will doubt me soon, for I shall say that I do not love you. "

For a little he knew not how to answer. She turned away, looking offat the Capitoline, where the toil and art of earth had wrought to showthe splendor of heaven. Its beautiful, barbaric temples were glowingin the sunlight. 

"Life would be too serious if there were no dissimulation. " She lookedup at him as she spoke, and he saw a little quiver in her curved lips. 

"That bow of your lips--I should think it fashioned by Praxiteles--andit is for the arrows of truth. "

"But a girl--she must deceive a little. "

They were now among the vines. 

"I do not understand you. "

"Stupid fellow!" said she, in a whisper, as she turned, looking up athim. "Son of Varo, lovers are not ever to be trusted. Shall I tellyou a story? One day I was in the Via Sacra and a young man caught andheld me for a moment and tried to touch my lips--that boy, Antipater, agood-looking wretch!"

She gave her shoulders a little shrug and drew her robe closer. "Hehad come out of the Basilica Julia, and I am sure he had beenover-drinking. I cried 'Help!' and quickly a man came and stoodbetween us; and oh! young sir, as I live, it was our great fatherAugustus, and Antipater knelt before him. 

"'Young man, ' said the father--and his eyes shone--'rise and lookyonder. Do you see the citadel? Under its marble floor there is agrave. It is that of one who kissed a vestal and was buried alive. There are sacred people in Rome, and among them is this daughter of mybeloved Publius. Go you to your palace, son of Herod, and, hereafter, forget not that you are in Rome. '

"He was angry, and I, so frightened! Then he took me home and said hewould be my father, and that in good time he would choose a husband forme. "

"The gods grant that he choose me. "

"The gods forbid it, son of Varro. "

"And why?"

Slowly and with assumed severity she spoke. "Because--I--do--not--love--you. "

"Cruel one!" said he, turning and biting his lips. "Your words are asthe blow of the pilum. "

"Have they indeed wounded you?" She touched his hand with a look ofsympathy. 

"They have made me sick at heart. "

"Then would I not believe them, " said she, tenderly, slipping herslender fingers into his. 

He pressed her hand. "And do you, then, love me?"

"No--I--do--not--love--you. "

"You are a strange people--you maidens of the capital, " said he, takingher hand in both of his. "Rome has conquered everything save itswomen. "

She parted her tunic and stood looking down at her white bosom, andwith her delicate fingers brushed off a bit of dust which had fallenfrom the vine above them. 

"I do think much of love, " said she, thoughtfully, still looking downat her breast. 

"And of me, " he insisted. 

"Nay, not of you, " she answered, without delay. 

"I shall know, " said he, wistfully, "for I shall consult the fates. Ihave here a sacred coin. An old dame found it when she was digging inthe side of Soracte. See, it has on its face the head of Apollo, andopposite is an arrow in a death-hand. And the hag had an odd dream ofthis coin, so she told me--that it fell out of the sky, and was, indeed, from the treasury of the gods, and had in it a wonderful powerin all mysteries. And one might tell by tossing it in the air andnoting its fall, if he were loved or hated by the first one he shouldsee after learning its answer. I have never known it to fail. If thehead is up you love me, " said he, tossing the disk of metal. 

It fell and lay at his feet. 

"The head!" he exclaimed, with joy. 

"Is it really blest of the gods?" she inquired, eagerly, her cheeksaflame. "Is it indeed blest?"

"So said the woman who gave it me. "

"Now I shall toss it, " said she, taking the coin. 

"Ah! you would know if I love you, " he answered. 

The coin leaped high and fell and rolled along the marble walk. Bothfollowed eagerly, he leading, and, as it stopped, he quickly coveredthe bit of metal with his hand. 

"Let me see!" said she, her hand upon his wrist. 

"Do not look. "

"Let me see it!" she insisted. 

"Sweet sister of Appius, I beg of you, here on my knees, do not look atthe coin! I will give you the white steeds from Cappadocia, but do notlook. "

"Let me see it, I say, son of Varro!" She was tugging at his wrist, and now, indeed, there was a pretty pleading in her voice. The wordswere to him as pearls strung on a silken thread. 

"Wait a little. "

"I shall not wait. "

"Sweet flower of Rome, " said he, looking into her eyes, "I know thatyou are mine now! Your voice--it is like the love-call of the robin!"

"Stubborn boy! Do you think I care for you?" She stopped and lookedinto his eyes. 

"Else why should you wish to see the coin?" said he. "But, look! Uponmy soul it is false!" A little silence followed. 

"'Tis false!" he repeated. "I swear the coin lies, for I do love you, dearly. "

"It does not lie, " she whispered. 

He put his arm about her. 

"And I know, " he answered, "why you think it cannot lie. It said, before, that you love me, and it was right. "

She thrust him away gently, and, rising, as if stricken with suddenfear of him, ran a few paces up the walk. She turned quickly, andlooked back at him as he approached. Her face had grown pale. 

"I--I shall never speak with you again, " she whispered. 

"Oh, have mercy upon me, beautiful sister of Appius!" said the youngknight, and there was a note of despair in his voice. "Have mercy uponme!"

"Young sir, " said she, retreating slowly, as he advanced, "I do notlove you--I do not love you. "

She turned quickly, and ran to the peristyle, and, stopping not toglance back at him, entered the great marble home of her fathers. 

He stood a moment looking at the sun-glow behind roof and dome andtower. A bridge of light, spanning the hollow of the city, had laidits golden timbers from hill to hill; and for a little the young manfelt as if he were drowning in the shadows under it. He turnedpresently and hurried into the palace. 

CHAPTER 3

"He is more honored than Jupiter these days, " the philosopher wassaying as Vergilius re-entered. 

"Who?" inquired the young man. 

"Who else but Caesar, and it is well. The gods--who are they?"

"The adopted children of Vergil and Homer, " said Appius, brother ofArria, who had just returned from the baths. 

"But our great father Augustus--who can doubt that he deserves ourworship?" said the philosopher, a subtle irony in his voice. It wasthis learned man who had long been the instructor of Vergilius. 

"Who, indeed?" was the remark of another. 

"But these gods!"

"At least they are not likely to cut off one's head, " said Aulus. 

"Speak not lightly of the gods, " said Vergilius. "They are still apower with the people, and the people have great need of them. Whatshall become of Rome when the gods fall?"

"It shall sicken, " said the philosopher, with a lift of his hand. "Youthat are young may live to see the end. It shall be like the openingof the underworld. Our republic is false, our gods are false, and, indeed, I know but one truth. "

"And what may it be?" said another. 

"We are all liars, " he quickly answered. 

"O tempora!" said the Lady Lucia. "It is an evil day, especially amongmen. When Quinta Claudia went with her noble sisters to meet theIdaean mother at Terracina they were able to find in Rome one virtuousman to escort them. But that was more than two hundred years ago. "

"If one were to find him now, and he were to go, " said the philosopher, "by the gods above us! I fear he would return a sad rake indeed. "

"'Tis not a pleasant theme, " said the Lady Lucia, by way of introducinganother. 

"The dear old girl!" said young Gracus, in a low tone, as he turned tothe senator. "Her hair is a lie, her complexion is a lie, her lips area lie. "

"And her life is a lie, " said the other. 

"You enjoyed your walk?" asked the mother of Arria, addressingVergilius. 

"The walk was a delight to me and its end a sorrow, " he answered. 

"And you obeyed me?"

"To the letter. " It is true, he thought, we are a generation of liars, but how may one help it? Then, quickly, a way seemed to suggestitself, and he added: "Madame, forgive me. I do now remember we had aword or two about love; but, you see, I was telling the legend of thiscoin. It has the power to show one if he be loved. "

"By tossing?"

"By tossing. Head, yes; the reverse, no. "

"Let me try. " She flung it to the oaken beams and it fell on the greatrug beside her. 

"Madame, the hand is up, " said Vergilius. "I fear it is notinfallible. "

"Let me see, " she answered, stooping gravely to survey the coin. Something passed between her and her pleasure, and for one second ashadow wavered across her face. 

"It is Death's hand, of course, " she remarked, sadly. "Love is for theyoung and death is for the old. "

"Old, madame! Why, your cheeks have roses in them. "

"Good youth, you are too frank, " said she, with a quick glance abouther. "Did the coin say that she loved you?"

"It did. "

"And what did she say?"

The young man hesitated. 

"Come, you innocent! Of course, I knew that you would talk of nothingbut love. What said she?"

"That she does not love me; but I am sure it is mere coquetry. "

"Dear youth! You have a cunning eye. This very day speak, my braveVergilius--speak to her brother Appius. To-night take him to dine withyou. "

"I had so planned. "

A gong of silver rang in the palace halls. It was the signal toprepare for dinner, and the guests made their farewells. Soon Appiusand the young lover walked side by side in the direction of thePalatine. 

"And what have you been doing?" the former inquired, presently. 

"Only dreaming. "

"Of what?"

"Of love and happiness, and your sister. "

"My sister?"

"Yes; I love her and wish to make her my wife. "

"You have wealth and birth and wit and good prospects. I can see noobjection to you. But love--love is a thing for women to talk about. "

"You are wrong, Appius. I can feel it in my soul. And, believe me, Iam no longer in Rome. I have found the gateway of a better world--likethat heaven they speak of in the Trastevere--full of peace and beauty. "

"You have, indeed, been dreaming, " said the other. "But, Vergilius, there is one higher than I who shall choose her husband--the imperator. Does he know you?"

"I have met him, of course, but do much fear he would not remember me. "

"We may know shortly. Every seventh day this year he has sat, like abeggar, at his gate asking for alms. To-day we shall see him there. "

"It is an odd whim. "

"Hush! you know the people as well as I, and he must please them, " theother whispered. "He must conceal his power if he would live out histime. I will present you, and perhaps he may be gracious--ay, may evenbid you to his banquet. "

"A modest home, " said young Vergilius. 

Now they were nearing the palace of that mild and quiet gentleman whosename and title--Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus--had terrifiedthe world; whose delicate hands flung the levin of his power to the farboundaries of India and upper Gaul, to the distant shores of Spain andAfrica, and into deserts beyond the Euphrates. 

"Many a poor patrician has better furniture and more servants and anobler palace, " said Appius. "Rather plain wood, divans out offashion, rugs o'erworn; but you have seen them. He alone can affordthat kind of thing. "

"He has a fondness for old things. "

"But not for old women, my dear fellow. "

"Indeed! And he is himself sixty-one. "

"Hist--the imperator! There, by the gate yonder. "

An erect figure of a man rather above medium height, in a coarse, graytoga, stood by one of the white columns. Three Moorish children wereplaying about his knees, and a senator was talking with him. 

"My public services are familiar to you, " said the senator, as theyoung knights waited some twenty paces off. "A gift of two hundredthousand denarii would be fitting, and, if you will permit me to sayso, it would delight the populace. Indeed, 'tis generally believed youhave already given me a large sum. "

"But see that you do not believe it, " blandly spake the strangeemperor, for albeit Rome was then a republic in name it was an empirein fact, and Augustus, wielding the power of an emperor, refused thetitle. Turning, he began to play with the children. 

"Great and beloved father! I hope, at least, you will consider myprayer. "

"Good senator, I have considered. You ask for two hundred thousanddenarii. I can give you only the opportunity of earning them. As tomyself, I am poor. Look at me. Even my time belongs to the people. And it is passing, my dear senator--it is passing. "

The importunate man saw the subtle meaning in these words and went hisway. 

The emperor sat down, a child upon each knee, as the young menapproached him. His head was bare and his fair, curly locks, growinglow upon his forehead, were now touched with gray. He looked up at thetwo, his eyes blue, brilliant, piercing. 

"My beloved Appius, " said he, in a gentle tone, as he rose. "Andthis--let me think--ah, it is Vergilius, the son of Varro. "

"It is wonderful you should remember me, " said Vergilius. 

"Wonderful? No. I could tell your age, your misdeeds, your virtues, and how often you failed to answer the roll-calls in Cappadocia. Well, I dare say they were pretty girls. But I forget; I am to-day seekingalms, my good children, for the poor of Rome. I am as ten thousand ofthe hungry standing before you here and asking for bread. In theirname I shall receive, thankfully, what you may bestow. "

Appius gave a handful of coins; Vergilius emptied his purse. 

"'Tis not enough, " said the latter. "Your words have touched me. To-night I shall send five thousand denarii to your palace. "

"Well given, noble youth! It is generous. I like it in you. Say thatI may have you to feast with me the first day before the ides--both ofyou. Say that I may have you. "

"We humbly wait your commands, " said Vergilius, kissing his hand. 

"Now tell me, handsome son of Varro, have you found no pretty girl toyour liking? Know you not, boy, 'tis time you married?" He held thehand of the young knight and spoke kindly, his cunning eyes aglow, andsmiled upon him, showing his teeth, set well apart. 

"Such an one I have found, good sire. Under the great purple domethere is none more beautiful, and with your favor and that of the godsI hope to make her my wife. "

"Ah, then, I know her?"

"It is Arria, sister of Appius. "

"And daughter of my beloved prefect. You are ambitious, my good youth. "

The emperor stood a moment, looking downward thoughtfully. He felt hisretreating chin. His smooth-shaven face, broad from bone to bone abovethe cheeks, quickly grew stern. His mind, which had the world for itstoy and which planned the building or the treading down of empires, hadturned its thought upon that little kingdom in the heart of the boy. And he was thinking whether it should stand or fall. 

"It may be impossible, " said he, turning to the young man. "Say nomore to her until--until I have thought of it. "

And Appius observed, as he went away with his friend: "You will be astatesman, my dear Vergilius; you gave him just the right dose ofreligion, flattery, and silver. "

"I must succeed or I shall have no heart to live, " said the other, soberly. 

CHAPTER 4

That evening Vergilius went to feast with the young Herodian prince, Antipater of Judea. The son of Herod was then a tall, swarthy, robustyoung man, who had come to see life in Rome and to finish hiseducation. He would inherit the crown--so said they who knew anythingof Herodian politics; but he was a Jew, and deep in the red intrigue ofhis father's house. So, therefore, he was regarded in Rome with morecuriosity than respect. Augustus himself had said that he would ratherbe the swine of Herod than Herod's son, and he might have added that hewould rather be the swine of Antipater than his father. But that wasbefore Augustus had learned that even his own household was unworthy offull confidence. 

Antipater had brought many slaves to Rome, and some of the noblesthorses in the empire. He had hired a palace and built a lion-house, where, before intimates, he was wont to display his courage and hisskill. It had a small arena and was in the midst of a great garden. There he kept a lion from northern Africa, a tiger, and a black leopardfrom the Himalayas. He was training for the Herodian prize at theJewish amphitheatre in Caesarea. These great, stealthy cats in hisgarden typified the passions of his heart. If he had only fought theselatter as he fought the beasts he might have had a better place inhistory. 

Antipater had conceived a great liking for the sister of Appius. Herbeauty had roused in him the great cats of passion now stalking theirprey. He had sworn to his intimates that no other man should marryher. His gallantry was unwelcome, he knew that, and Appius had assuredhim that a marriage was impossible; but the wild heart of the Idumeanheld to its purpose. And now its hidden eyes were gazing, catlike, onVergilius, the cause of its difficulty. In Judea he would have knownhow to act, but in Rome he pondered. 

It had been a stormy day in the palace of Antipater. He had crucifieda slave for disobedience and run a lance through one of his best horsesfor no reason. He came out of his bath a little before the hour of hisbanquet, and two slaves, trembling with fear, followed him to hischamber. They put his tunic on him, and his sandals, and wound thefillets that held them in place. One of the slaves began brushing thedark hair of his master while the other was rubbing a precious ointmenton his face and arms. 

"Fool!" he shouted. "Have I not told you never to bear upon my head?"

He jumped to his feet, black eyes flashing under heavy brows, and, seizing a lance, broke the slave's arm with a blow and drove him out ofthe chamber. A few minutes later, in a robe of white silk and a yellowgirdle, he came into his banquet-hall with politeness, dovelike, worshipful, and caressing. 

"Noble son of Varro!" said he, smiling graciously, "it is a joy to seeyou. And you, brave Gracus; and you, Aulus, child of Destiny; and you, my learned Manius; and you, Carus, favored of the Muses: I do thank youall for this honor. "

It was a brilliant company--gay youths all, who could tell the newstories and loved to sit late with their wine. As they waited fordinner many tempting dishes were passed among them. There wereoysters, mussels, spondyli, fieldfares with asparagus, roe-ribs, sea-nettles, and purple shellfish. When they came to their couches, the dinner-table was covered with rare and costly things. On plattersof silver and gold one might have seen tunny fishes from Chalcedon, murcenas from the Straits of Gades, peacocks from Samos, grouse fromPhrygia, cranes from Melos. Slaves were kept busy bringing boar's headand sow's udder and roasted fowls, and fish pasties, and boiled teals. Other slaves kept the goblets full of old wine. Soon the banquet hadbecome a revel of song and laughter. Suddenly Antipater raised a calixhigh above his head. 

"My noble friends, " he shouted, "I bid you drink with me to Arria, sister of Appius, and fairest daughter of Rome--"

Vergilius had quickly risen to his feet. "Son of Herod, " said he, withdignity, "I am in your palace and have tasted of your meat, and amtherefore sacred. You make your wine bitter when you mingle it withthe name of one so pure. Good women were better forgotten at amidnight revel. "

A moment of silence followed. 

"My intention was pure as she, " Antipater answered, craftily. "Be notso jealous, my noble friend. I esteem her as the best and loveliest ofwomen. "

"Nay, not the loveliest, " said the young Manius, an assessor in Judea. "I sing the praise of Salome, sister of our noble prince. Of all theforms in flesh and marble none compare with this beautiful daughter ofthe great king. "

"May fairest women be for the best men, " said Antipater, drinking hiswine. 

In a dim light along the farther side of the dining-hall was a row offigures, some draped, some nude, and all having the look of old marble. Two lay in voluptuous attitudes, one sat on a bank of flowers, andothers stood upon pedestals. 

There were all the varying forms of Venus represented in living flesh. None, save Antipater and the slaves around him, knew that under eachbosom was a fearful and palpitating heart. They were beautifulslave-girls captured on the frontiers of Judea. In spite of achingsinew and muscle, they had to stand like stone to escape theobservation of evil eyes. There was a cruelty behind that stonystillness of the maidens, equal, it would seem, to the worst in Hades. 

Slaves kept the wine foaming in every goblet, and fought and danced andwrestled for the pleasing of that merry company, and the hours woreaway. Suddenly the sound of a lyre hushed the revels. All heard thevoice of a maiden singing, and turned to see whence it came. A sweetvoice it was, trembling in tones that told of ancient wrong, in wordsfull of a new hope. Had life and song come to one of those whitemarbles yonder? Voice and word touched the heart of Vergilius--he knewnot why; and this in part is the chant that stopped the revels ofAntipater:

 "Lift up my soul; let me not be ashamed---I trust in Thee, God of my fathers; Send, quickly send, the new king whose arrows shall fly as the lightning, Making the mighty afraid and the proud to bow low and the wicked to tremble. Soon let me hear the great song that shall sound in the deep of the heavens; Show me the lantern of light hanging low in the deep of the heavens. "

The voice of the singer grew faint and the lyre dropped from her hands. They could see her reeling, and suddenly she fell headlong to the rugbeneath her pedestal. Antipater rose quickly with angry eyes. 

"The accursed girl!" said he. "A Galilean slave of my father. She isforever chanting of a new king. "

Hot with anger and flushed with wine, he ran, cursing, and kicked theshapely form that lay fainting at the foot of its pedestal. 

"Fool!" he shouted. "Know you not that I only am your king? You shallbe punished; you shall enter the cage of the leopard. "

He went no further. Vergilius had rushed upon him and flung him to thefloor. Antipater rose quickly and approached the young Roman, a devilin his eyes. Vergilius had a look of wonder and self-reproach. 

"What have I done?" said he, facing the Jew. "Son of Herod, forgiveme. She is your slave, and I--I am no longer master of myself. Idoubt not some strange god is working in me, for I seem to beweak-hearted and cannot bear to see you kick her. "

The declaration was greeted with loud laughter. Antipater stoodmuttering as he shook the skirt of his toga. 

"'Tis odd, my goodfellows, " said Vergilius, "but the other day I saw aman scourging his lady's-maid. Mother of the gods! I felt as if theblows were falling on my own back, and out went my hand upon his armand I begged him--I begged him to spare the girl. "

All laughed again. 

"You should have a doll and long hair, " said Antipater, in a tone ofcontempt. 

The proud son of Varro stood waiting as the others laughed, his browsand chin lifting a bit with anger. When silence came he spoke slowly, looking from face to face:

"If any here dare to question my courage, within a moment it shall beproved upon him. "

None spoke or moved for a breath. Antipater answered, presently:

"I doubt not your courage, noble Vergilius, but if you will have ittried I can show you a better way, and one that will spare yourfriends. Come, all of you. "

As they were rising, the young Gracus remarked: "By Apollo! I have nottaken my emetic. "

"To forget that is to know sorrow, " said another. 

Slaves brought their outer robes and they followed the young prince. He led them, between vines and fruit trees and beds of martagon andmirasolus, to the lion-house in his garden. Vergilius now understoodthe test of courage to be put upon him. The great beasts were asleepin their cages, and Antipater prodded them with a lance. A thunder intheir throats seemed to fill the air and shake the flames in thelampadaria. With sword and lance Antipater entered the arena, a spacebarred high, about thirty feet square, upon which all the cages opened. 

"The tiger!" he commanded. 

Keepers lifted a metal gate, and the huge cat leaped away from theirlances, backed snarling to the end of his cage, and with a slow, creeping movement put his head and fore-paws into the arena; then aswift step or two, a lowering of the great head, and side-long hestood, with eyes aglow and fangs uncovered, a low mutter in his mouth, like the roar of a mighty harp-string. Some fifteen feet away stoodthe son of Herod, his lance poised. 

"Never strike while your beast has a foot to the ground, " said he, keeping his gaze on the face of the tiger. "He will be quick to moveand parry. Wait until he is in the air, and then thrust your lance. "

He made a feint with his weapon; the tiger darted half his lengthaside, with a great, bursting roar, and, crouching low, stealthily feltthe ground beneath him. 

"Watch him now, " said the tall Antipater. "He will leap soon. "

Again he drove him forward, and then the beast turned, facing histormentor, and crouched low. There, in a huge setting of bone andmuscle strangely fitted to its fierceness, with eyes of fire and feetof deadly stealth, its back arched like a drawn bow, the wild heart ofthe son of Herod seemed to be facing him. 

"Look!" a slave shouted. "He has bent his bow. "

The haired lip of the beast quivered; great cords of muscle were drawntense. Like a flash the bow sprang and the columns of bone beneath himlifted, flinging his long, striped body in the air. With cat-likeswiftness Antipater stepped aside, and while the huge beast was inmid-air, thrust the lance into his heart. He bore with all hisstrength and rushed away, seizing an other weapon. The big cat felland rose and struck at the clinging lance, and stood a second floodingthe floor with blood. Then down he went shuddering to his death. Theyoung men shouted loud their applause in honor of Herod's son. Whilethe beast was dying slaves came and sanded the floor. Then, presently, they swept up the red sand, and tying a rope to the legs of the limptiger, dragged him away. They had done this kind of work before, andeach knew his part. Presently Antipater called two of them. 

"Bring that girl Cyran--she that chants of her new king, " said he, asthey ran to do his bidding. 

"Noble prince, the strange god is again at work in me, " said Vergilius, with rising ire. "I could not bear to see you put her with theleopard; I should rather face him myself. "

"You!" said the other, tauntingly, and with a shrewd purpose. Theyouths turned to see if Vergilius would really accept the challenge. No man had ever faced a black leopard at close quarters withoutsuffering death or injury. 

"I, " said Vergilius, promptly. "If it is amusement you desire, I cansupply it as well as she. Surely I have more blood in me. If you wishonly to feed the leopard--will I not make a better feast?"

A sound hushed them. It was the slave-girl, singing as she came near:

 "Send, quickly send, the new king whose arrows shall fly as the lightning, Making the mighty afraid and the proud to bow low and the wicked to tremble. Soon let me hear the great song that shall sound in the deep of the heavens; Show me the lantern of light hanging low in the deep of the heavens. "

She was fair to look upon as she came, led by the carnifex, her form, draped in soft, transparent linen, like that of a goddess in itsoutline, her face lighted even with that light of which she sang. 

"The girl against a hundred denarii that you cannot live an hour in thearena with him, " said Antipater, hotly. 

"I accept the wager, " Vergilius calmly answered, laying off his robeand seizing a lance. He entered the arena and closed its gate behindhim. "Drive the beast in upon me, son of Herod; and you, Gracus, beready to hand me another lance. "

The black leopard spat fiercely and struck at the points that were putupon it, the deep rumble in its throat swelling into loud crescendos. Of a sudden it bounded through the gateway and stood a moment, baringgreat fangs. The animal threatened with long hisses. Vergilius heldits eye, his lance raised. The hissing ceased, the growl diminished, the stealthy paws moved slowly. Soon it rolled upon its side, purring, and seemed to caress the floor with head and paws--a trick to divertthe gaze of Vergilius. The Satanic eyes were ever on its foe. As thebeast lay there, twisting and turning, the black fur seemed to wrap itin the gloom of Tartarus, and the fire of the burning lake to shinethrough its eyes. While Vergilius stood motionless and alert, a slavehurriedly entered the lion-house and spoke to Antipater. 

"The imperator!" whispered the slave. "He cannot wait; he must see youquickly. "

"Where?"

"In the palace hall. "

Antipater hurried away. 

The slave-girl went close to the barred arena. 

"Young master, " said she, in quick and eager words, "the lamps areburning dimmer. They will go out soon. It is a trick. You will notbe able to see and the leopard will rend you. "

Antipater ran to the banquet-hall of his palace, where sat the emperor, his chin resting thoughtfully on his hand. The great Augustus did notlook up nor even change his attitude as the son of Herod came near andbowed low and called him father. 

"I have a plan, " said the emperor thoughtfully, "--a pretty plan, myyoung prince of--of--"

"Judea?" suggested the young prince. 

"Oh, well, it matters not, " the great father went on. "You know thatfair Vergilius, son of Varro? A headstrong, foolish youth he is, and Ifear much that he is like to die shortly. What think you?"

The piercing eyes of Augustus were looking into those of the young man. 

"My great father, " said the latter, "I do not know. "

"'Tis gross ignorance and unworthy of you, " said Augustus, quickly, ashe rose. "Well, I have bethought me of a pretty plan. Your funeraland his shall occur on the same day--a fine, great, amusing funeral, "he added, thoughtfully. "It shall be so. Do not worry, I shall seeyou well buried. Ah, you are most impolite. Why do you not ask me todrink your health? My pretty prince, you look most ill and have needof my good wishes. "

"Dominus!" said the other, trembling with anxiety. 

"Dominus!" the old emperor shouted, angrily. "Call me ass, if youdare, but never call me 'Dominus. '"

"You honor me, great father, " said the young man, his eyes staring withterror, "but I beg you to excuse me for a little time. "

"Ah, so you would leave me, " said the sly emperor, in his mildesttones. "A most inhospitable wretch, indeed. "

The tall Jew was now pale with fright. His feeling showed in greatbeads of perspiration. He dared not to stay; he dared not to go. Hewas in a worse plight than Vergilius, now standing in the leopard'scage. 

"A most inhospitable prince, " the bland emperor repeated, smiling withamusement. "You are in a hurry?"

"I am ill. "

The emperor stood smiling as Antipater glided away. 

"Run, you knave!" said the former to himself, with a chuckle ofsatisfaction. "Upon my soul! the Jew has already set his snare. "

Then the gentle and cunning man, Gaius Julius Caesar OctavianusAugustus, made his way to the entrance where lecticarii were waitingwith his litter. 

"Can you hear the sound of running feet?" he inquired of the lady whosat beside him as they went away. 

"Yes. What means it?"

He turned with a smile and a movement of his hand. Then he answeredcalmly:

"Death is chasing a man through the garden yonder. "

While Antipater was running towards the lion-house, that small tragedyof the arena was near its end. 

The lights are burning low. Two have flickered for a little and goneout. The young men are watching with eager eyes. 

"I can bear it no longer, " says one, rushing to the gate of the arena, only to find that he could not open it. 

The slave-girl utters a cry and steps forward and is caught and held bythe carnifex. 

Vergilius urges the leopard. He steps quickly, feinting with hislance; the cat darts along the farther side of the arena, roaring. Itseyes glow fiery in the dusk. The beast is become furious withcontinued baiting. Half the lamps are out and the light rapidlyfailing as Antipater rushes through the door. He falls beside thearena, rises and opens the gate. 

"A lance, " he whispers, and it is quickly put in his hands. "Come, come quickly, son of Varro, " he whispers again. "The light is failing. He will tear you into shreds. Come through the gate here. "

Vergilius had stopped, facing the leopard with lance raised. 

"Not unless I have the wager, " says he, calmly. 

"You have won it, " Antipater answers. "Come, good friend, be quick, Ibeg of you!"

Both moved backward through the gate, and before it closed there came afling of claws on the floor. A black ball, bound hard with tightenedsinew, rose in the air and shot across the arena and shook the gatewhich had closed in time to stop it. 

"You are living, son of Varro, and I thank the God of my fathers, "Antipater shouted, as he flung himself on a big divan, his breathcoming fast. "I forgot the lights. I thought of them suddenly, andran to save you. If I had been running in the games I should have wonthe laurel of Caesar. "

"I was wrong--he could not have meant to slay me, " thought Vergilius. "Not by the paws of the leopard. "

Cyran stood near the door, weeping. Antipater rose and led her toVergilius. 

"The girl is yours, " said he. "I am glad to be done with her. Come, all. "

They followed him to the palace, and Vergilius bade the girl dress andbe ready to join his pedisequi in the outer hall. She knelt before himand kissed the border of his tunic. 

"Oh, my young master!" said she, "I shall be of those who part thebriers in your way. " Then she hurried to obey him. 

"I would speak with you, noble son of Varro, " said Antipater, beckoning. 

Vergilius followed to the deep atrium of the palace, where they stoodalone. 

"You have one thing I desire, and I will pay you five thousand aurei torelinquish it--five thousand aurei, " the Jew whispered. 

"And what is it you would buy of me, noble prince?"

"A mere plaything! A bouquet that will fade shortly and be flungaside. The thing happens to suit my fancy, and--and I can afford it. "

In the moment of silence that followed this remark a stern look ofinquiry came into the face of Vergilius. 

"Man, do you not know? 'Tis the sister of Appius, " Antipater added, lightly. 

"Cur of Judea!" hissed the knight, his sword flashing out of itsscabbard, "I shall cut you down and fling you out to the dogs. Fighthere and now. I demand it!"

The young Roman spoke loudly and stood waiting. Those others had heardthe challenge and were now coming near. Antipater stood silent, glaring, as had the leopard, with an evil leer at his foe, and thinkingno doubt of the warning of Augustus. The stiff, straight hairs in hismustache quivered as he turned slowly, watchfully, towards the others, who were now standing near. Since his funeral should occur on the sameday, how could he fight with Vergilius?

"You dare not, " the latter added, fiercely; "and before these men Idenounce you as a coward--a coward who fears to raise a hand. "

His arm was extended, his finger at the face of the Jew, now white withpassion. Half a moment passed in which there was no word. 

"You living carrion!" said the young knight, turning and walking away. "I am done with you. "

He took the hand of the poor slave Cyran, and walked to the fartherside of the atrium. He turned, still white with anger as ifunsatisfied. 

"Pet of harlots!" said he, fiercely. "It is time for some one to standfor the honor of good women. If you do but speak her name again beforeme I will run you through. "

Receiving no answer, he departed with Cyran, while the others gatheredabout their host. 

There was a heavy rumble in the throat of Antipater--a tiger-like, Herodian trait--and then a volley of oaths came out of it. He trembledwith rage and flung his sword far across the dim atrium with a shout ofanger. Like the great cats in his rage, he was like them also in hismethods of attack--sly and terrible, but with a deep regard for theintegrity of his own skin. Sure of his advantage, he could be as braveas when he faced the tiger. 

He sat awhile muttering, his face between his hands. Soon, havingcalmed his passion, he rose and snarled: "Good sirs, never quarrel withthe pet of an emperor, for if one spares you the other will not. "

CHAPTER 5

Arria and her mother sat with the emperor. He was at home and in aplayful humor. The hour of his banquet was approaching. Soon he wouldbe summoned to receive his guests. 

"Nay, but I am sure he loves me, " the girl was saying. 

The cunning emperor smiled and spoke very gently. "Think you so, dearchild? I will put him to the test. Soon we shall know if he be worthyof so great a prize. I will try both his wit and his devotion, butyou--you cannot be here. "

"And why, great father?"

"Think you it could be a test with your eye upon him?"

"Oh, but I must see it, " said the girl. "Unless I see it I shall notknow. Let me be your slave and stand behind you in gray cloth. Beloved father, I implore you, let me see the test. "

"Ah, well, " said the emperor, rising, with a smile. "I shall knownothing but that you have gone above-stairs to find Clia, mistress ofthe robes. Tell her to give you a box of tablets, and when I raise myfinger--so--they are to be delivered. Away with you. "

Arria left with a cry of joy, and presently Augustus went with the LadyLucia to meet his guests. 

The "commands" of the emperor had given the hour of the banquet andprescribed the dress to be worn. Vergilius had waited anxiously forthe moment when he should again see the great god of Rome, who couldgive or take away as he would. Standing at the door of Caesar, hewondered whether he were nearing the end of all pleasure or the gate ofparadise. A plate of polished brass hung on its lintel, bearing inlarge letters the word Salve. A slave opened the door and took hispallium. Julia, that wayward daughter of Augustus, now three timesmarried but yet beautiful, met him in the inner hall, and together theywalked to the banquet-room. There the emperor, limping slightly, cameto meet Vergilius, and there, also, were the guests, seven in number:Appius and his mother, the Lady Lucia; Terentia, wife of the lateMaecenas; Manius, an assessor in Judea; Hortensius, legate of Spain;Antipater, son of Herod the Great; and Aulus Valerius Maro, the senator. 

"It enters my thought to say to you, " said the emperor, aside, as heput his hand upon the shoulder of Vergilius, "keep the number one inyour mind, so that by-and-by you can tell me what you make of it. "

Slaves had covered the table with fish and fowl in dishes of unwroughtsilver. The guests reclined upon three great divans set around as manysides of the table. They ate resting on their elbows, and were sodisposed that each could see the host without turning. The emperorasked only for coarse bread, a morsel of fish, two figs, and a bit ofcheese. 

"My good friends, " said he, in a low voice, when the wine was served, "we have with us an able officer in this young Manius, one of ourassessors in Jerusalem. I ask you to drink his health. Though I candrink no wine, I can feel good sentiments. "

One could not help remarking his fixed serenity of face and voice andmanner as he went on:

"Some time ago it came to my ear that he thought me a tyrant wallowingin vulgar and ill-gotten luxury. "

There was a little stir in those heads around the table, and in everyhand and face one might have seen evidence of quickened pulses. Theyoung officer was now staring through deathly pallor. 

"My friends, it is not strange, " said the great Augustus, mildly. "ToJerusalem is quite two thousand miles; and, then he was very young whenhe left the home of his fathers. Am I not right, Manius?"

"Your words are both true and kindly, " said the young man. 

"And you are discerning, " said the emperor, with a smile. "Now, goodpeople, observe that I have invited our young officer to Rome for twopurposes: to show him, first, that I live no better than the poorestnobleman; secondly, that I am only a servant of the people; for, sincehe is an able officer, I shall resist my own will and keep him in thepublic service. "

"Bravo!" said they all, and clapped their hands. 

A strange, inscrutable man was the emperor at that moment, the mildnessof a lamb in his voice and manner, the gleam of a serpent's eye underhis brows. And that right hand of his, clinched now and quivering alittle, had it grasped a reaching, invisible serpent within him?Kindly? Yes, but with the kindness of a deep and subtle character whosaw in forbearance the best politics and the most effective discipline. Lights were now aglow in a great candelabrum over the table and in manytall lampadaria. 

A slave, who was a juggler, came near and began to fill the gloom abovehim with golden disks. From afar came the music of flutes andtimbrels. Julia retired presently, and returned soon with her petdwarf Cenopas. She stood him on a large, round table, and the guestsgreeted him with loud laughter as he looked down. He had a hard, unlovely face, that little dwarf. He suggested to Vergilius unwelcomethoughts of a new sort of Cupid--deformed, evil, and hideous--typifyingthe degenerate passions of Rome. There were in the quiver of thisCupid arrows which carried the venom of the asp. Some at the tablemocked his grinning face and made a jest of his deformity. When hecould be heard he mimicked the speech and manners of public men. 

"A Cupid with a knot in his back, " said one. 

"And if I were to aim an arrow at you, " said the dwarf, quickly, "I'msure you'd have a pain in yours. "

"My dear, " said the gentle-mannered emperor, when the laughter had diedaway, "I think we shall now give him the crown of folly and let him go. "

"Between the greatest and the least of Romans, " said his daughter, rising and pointing at her father and then at the dwarf, "I am lost inmediocrity. "

A slave took the little creature in his arms and bore him away as if hehad been a pet dog. 

"Tell me, young men, " said the emperor, "have you no lines to readus--you that have youth and beauty and sweethearts? How is it withyou, good Vergilius?"

The young man shook his head. "No, " said he; "I have youth and asweetheart, but not the gift of poesy. "

"No lines! What are we coming to in this Rome of ours? Are there nomore poets? My dear friends, tell me, in the baths or the forum or thetheatre, or wherever the people congregate, do you hear of no youththat has the divine gift of song?"

He paused for a little, but there was no reply. 

"Then Rome is in evil days, " said the great father, sadly. 

"Why?" It was the question of Gracus. 

"Why, young man? Because in every land there should be those who cancherish the fear of the gods and make honor beautiful and love sacredand valor a thing of imperishable fame. I assure you, good people, onepoet is better, " he paused, thoughtfully--"than ten thousand soldiers, "he added. "Who will bring me a poet?"

The gods are indeed helpless, thought Vergilius. They must have poetsto do their work for them? But he said nothing. 

"The streets are full of poets, " said Gracus. 

"Those old men with long beards and stilted rubbish!" said Augustus, "with tragedies that slay the hero and the hearer! Bring me a poet, and, remember, I shall honor him above all men. Once I invited Horaceto dine with me, and got no answer. He was a proud man"--this with amerry smile. "Again I invited him, and then he deigned to write me asentence, merely, and said: 'Thanks, I am happy out here on my farm. 'I did not know what to do, but I wrote a letter and said to the greatman: 'You may not desire my friendship, but that is no reason for myfailing to value yours. ' I am proud to say that he was my friend everafter. But I weary you. "

A female slave, thickly veiled, stood behind him. He made a signal andshe quickly put in his hand a little box of ivory, finely wrought. 

"I have here, " said the great father, "nine disks of wax. You see theyare very small, but so they shall serve my purpose the better. Willeach of you take one and retire from the table and write upon it thething he most desires? Now, my dear friends, brevity is ever as thepoint of the lance. Wit is blunt and Truth half armed without it. Ilay a test upon you. "

All retired quickly, and, soon returning, dropped their wishes in thebox. The playful emperor closed and shook it and withdrew a disk. 

"I find here the word 'preference, '" said he, and all observed that hiskeen eyes were calmly measuring the prince Antipater. "It is a poorword, and does you little honor, my young friend. In mere preferencethere is no merit. Here is another, and it says 'more wine. ' Keep hisgoblet full, " he added, pointing to that of the senator, as alllaughed. "Here is one says 'rest. ' Have patience, my good daughter, Ishall soon be done talking. Another has on it the words 'yourhealth'--a charming compliment, dear Lady Lucia. 'Courage, ' 'wisdom, ''success, '" he added, reading from the tablets. "Naturally, and who, indeed, does not desire those things? Here is one that says 'help'--agreat word, upon my soul! He that prays for help and not for favor, ifhe do his best, may have many good things--even 'courage, ' 'wisdom, ''success. ' Keep at work and you shall have my help, Appius, and, Idoubt not, that of the gods also. Here is one--I like it best ofall--it is that of the modest young Vergilius. He would have apriceless thing. And do you, " he inquired, turning to the youngknight, "desire this above all things? Think; there is the distinctionof place and power and honor--the ring of a legate would become youwell!"

"But, above all, " said Vergilius, "I desire that I have written. "

"Beautiful boy!" said the cunning emperor. "'Tis so great a prize, give me another test of your quality. With one word you ask for onething. To try your wit, I give you a theme so small it is next tonaught--the number one. Tell us, and briefly as you may, what is init. "

The young man rose and bowed low. "One is in all numbers, " said he, "and unless all numbers are as one they are nothing. I desire onemistress for my heart, one purpose for my conduct, and one great masterfor my country. "

"The gods grant them!" said Augustus, leading the applause. 

"And now I shall proclaim the word he has written. It is 'Arria, ' andstands, I know well, for the sister of Appius. "

He turned quickly to the still and silent figure of the slave behindhim. All eyes were now watching her. 

"Are you content?" he inquired. 

Gray veil and robe fell away, revealing the beautiful sister of Appius. Vergilius went quickly to her side. 

"I declare them for each other!" said the emperor, as all rose andgathered around the two. He took the boy's hand. "Come to me at tento-morrow, " he added. 

"But, O father of Rome!" said Arria, looking up at the great man, "howlong shall you detain him?"

"Give me half an hour, you love-sick maiden, " said Augustus. "He shallbe at your palace in good time. "

"Come at the middle hour, " said the Lady Lucia, her hand upon the armof Vergilius. 

"The gods give you sleep, " said the great father, as he bade themgood-night. 

Beneath the laurels on their way to the gate, Gracus, who rode withAntipater, said:

"And what of your oath, son of Herod?"

"But they are not yet married, " the other answered, malevolently. "Vergilius! Bah! He is the son of a praetor and I am the son of aking. Curse the old fox! He never spoke to me after greetings, andonce when I glanced up at him I thought his keen eyes were lookingthrough me. 

"Those eyes! Jupiter!" said Gracus, "they drop a plummet into one. "

CHAPTER 6

Now there were few barriers between the emperor and the people. Hewent to work in his study at an early hour and gave a patient hearingto any but foolish men. This morning he had been reading a longaddress from the legate of Syria. He had a way of dividing his thoughtbetween reading and small affairs of the state. His legate recited allhe had been able to learn of the new king they were now expecting inJudea. He told also of a plot which had baffled all his efforts andwhich aimed to take the life of Herod and crown the king of prophecyand divine power. 

"We must have a spy of noble blood and bearing, of unswerving fidelityand honor, and with some knowledge of the religion of Judea, " said thelegate. "Of course, you will not be able to find him, for where in allthe world, save yourself, good father, is there such a man?"

Augustus dropped the sheet of vellum and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. 

"How about this young Vergilius--the handsome, clever, woman-lovingVergilius?" he thought. Then for a moment the cunning emperor laughedsilently. 

Ever since he began to read the letter he had been conversing with hisdaughter Julia. 

"If you can propose a better candidate for the girl, I--" he paused, looking intently at the letter--"I shall consider him, " he added, presently. 

"She is beautiful, " his daughter whispered. "I know one who will giveto the state many thousand aurei. "

"No need of hurry. The young Vergilius will give what is better thanmoney, and then--"

The emperor paused again. 

"And then?" it was the inquiry of Julia. 

"He will forget her and she will grow weary and yield. There's timeenough, and time"--he took a little mirror from the table and lookeddown upon it--"can accomplish many things, " he added. "It will havethe assistance of fame and honor and new faces. Now go, I beg of you, and leave me to my work. "

A delegation of Jews--petty merchants of the Trastevere--were leavingas Vergilius entered. The emperor, now alone save for his youngcaller, rose and gave him a sprig of laurel. 

"Sit here, " said he, resuming his seat and pausing for a little tostudy a sheet of vellum in his hands. He continued, without raisinghis eyes: "I have another test for you, my fair son. You shall beassistant procurator in Jerusalem, with rank of tribune. It may be youshall have command of the castle. Three days from now take the southroad with Manius and a troop of horse. This court of Herod--of course, I am speaking kindly, my dear Vergilius--but, you may know, it is aplace of mysteries, and there are many things I do not need to _say_ to_you_. "

The old emperor, leaning forward, touched the arm of the young man andgave him a cunning glance. 

"A cipher, " he added, passing the sheet of vellum. "It will be knownto you and to me only. You will understand what I wish to know. Youshall have command of a cohort. "

Vergilius thought for a second of that strange overhauling of Maniusthe night before, and of the shrewdness of the great father inreturning him, kindly, to his task, with a pair of eyes to keep watchof him. 

"With all my heart I thank you, " said the young knight. "But--mybeloved father--I was hoping to marry and--and know the path of peace. "

"But I am sure you will wait two years--only two years, " said theother, rising with extended hands. "There is time enough; andremember, whether to peace or war, your path is that of duty. Farewell!"

It was a way he had of commanding, kindly but inexorable, and Vergiliusknew it. Again he spoke as the knight turned away. 

"This young Antipater--do you know him?"

"Not well. "

"But, possibly, well enough, " said the emperor, with a knowing look. Then, casually: "Oh, there is yet a little matter--that new king theJews are looking for--if he should come, I suppose he will report tome, but--but let me know what you learn. Study the Jewish faith anddiscover what this hope is founded upon. " Then he turned quickly andwent away. 

This "little matter" counted much with the shrewd emperor. Kings werehis puppets, and if there were to be a new one he must, indeed, consider what to do with him. Yet he had shame of his interest in"that foolish gossip" of an alien race. Therefore he put it only as atrifling after-thought. But he had a way of talking with his eyes, andthe alert youth read them well. 

That elation of the young lover now had its boundary of thoughtfulness. Going down the Palatine, he was also descending his hill of happiness. Below him, in the Forum, he could see the golden mile-stone ofAugustus, now like a pillar of fire in the sunlight; he could see thebeginning of those many roads radiating from it to far peripheries ofthe empire. Tens of thousands had turned their backs upon it, leavingwith slow feet, some to live in distant, inhospitable lands, some todie of fever and the sword, some to return forgotten of their kindred, and some few with laurels of renown; but all of these many who wentaway were leaving, for long or forever, love and home and peace. 

"The army is sucking our blood, and Hate grows while Love is starving, "Vergilius reflected, as he went along, while a hideous, unwelcomethought grew slowly, creeping over him. This golden mile-stone was thecentre of a great spider-web laced by road and sea way to the farcorners of the empire; and that cunning, alert man--who was he but thespider?

"And I--what am I, now, but one of his flies caught in the mighty web?"he thought. "Love and its peace have come to me and I shall knowthem--for three days--and perhaps no longer. "

His wealth and rank and influence might, if used with diplomacy, havekept him at home, for, after all, he was a Varro; but Arria had beenused to press him into bondage. 

"Another test!" he said to himself. "Ah, what a cunning old fox! Heneeded a spy, and one of character and noble blood. How well he testedmy cleverness! And now I am his, body and soul. "

CHAPTER 7

While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things, Vanity, the only real goddess who, in Rome, managed the great theatre offashion, had her stage set for a love scene. It was to occur in thetriclinium, or great banquet-hall, of a palace--that of the Lady Lucia. There were portrait-masks and mural paintings on either wall; ancestralstatues of white marble stood in a row against the red wall; there wereseats and divans of ebony enriched by cunning hands; lamp-holders ofwrought metal standing high as a man's head, and immense violet rugs onthe floor. The heroine wore a white robe banded low with purple, andher jewelled hair was in fillets of gold. There was always a prettyartfulness in the match-making of a patrician beauty and her mother. Indeed, life had grown far from elemental emotions. 

"Now, when he enters, " said the girl, turning to the Lady Lucia, "Ishall bring him here at once and sit down by this heap of cushions, andthen--Oh, god of my heart! What shall I do with that big man--whatshall I say to him?"

"My dear, he will speak, and then you will know what to say, " said thematron. "Only do not let him know that you love him--at least, not fora time yet. "

"Too late; I fear he knows it now--the wretch!" said Arria, rubbing hercheeks to make them glow. 

"But mind you hold him off, and do not let him caress you for an hourat least. One kiss and one only. "

"One!" the girl repeated, with contempt. "How ungenerous are the old!"

"Hard to count are a lover's kisses, " her mother answered, with a sigh. "But you can use them up in a day. Really, you can use them up all ina day. "

"A day full of kisses! Oh, heart of me! Think of it!" said thebeautiful girl, covering her face a moment. "I will not have theyellow cushions, " she added, quickly. "Here, take these and bring metwo violet ones, and that cushion of gauze filled with rose leaves. Iwill have that in my lap when we are sitting here. Now what do youthink of the colors?" she demanded. 

"Beautiful! And best of all that in your cheeks. I doubt not he willworship you. "

"Or he is no kind of a man, " said Arria, thoughtfully. "Oh, son ofVarro! come, I am waiting. If he takes me in his arms, what shall Ido?"

"Thrust him aside--tell him that you do not like it. "

"And what shall I do if he does not?"

"Bid him go at once. We have no need of any half-men. "

"But he will, " said the girl, with a worried look. "He shall embraceme--he shall, or--or I will bid my brother kill him. Oh, wretch!" Shejumped to her feet with a merry cry. "I have an idea, " she added, clapping her hands. "When the sunlight falls on the floor yonder, Iwill get up and dance in it. "

"A pretty trick!" said her mother. 

"Oh, son of Varro! why do you not come?" said the girl, impatiently. "I love him so I could die for him--I could die for him! Perhaps heloves me not and I shall never see him again. "

She hurried to the outer court, whispering anxiously: "Come, son ofVarro. Oh, come quickly, son of Varro!"

When Vergilius arrived Arria was waiting for him there in the court ofthe palace. Her white silk rustled as she ran to meet him. Her cheekshad the pink of roses and her eyes a glow in them like that ofdiamonds. She stopped as he came near, and turned away. 

"Tears?" said he, leaning down, with his arms about her. "Oh, love, let me see your face!"

She turned quickly with a little toss of her head and took a stepbackward. 

"You shall not call me love, " said she--"not yet. You have not told methat you love me. "

"I told all who were at the palace of the great father. "

"But you have not told me, son of Varro. "

"I do love you. " He was approaching. 

"Hush! Not now, " she answered, taking his hand in hers--temporizing. "Come, I will race with you. "

She ran, leading him, with quick, pattering feet through an inner halland up the long triclinium. There, presently, she threw herself uponthe heap of cushions. 

"Now, sit, " said she, draping her robe and then feeling her hair thatwas aglow with jewels. 

A graceful and charming creature was this child of the new empire, anoble beauty in her face and form, the value of a small kingdom on herbody. "Not so near, " said she, as he complied. "Now, son of myfather's friend, say what you will and quickly. "

"I love you, " he began to say. 

"Wait, " she whispered, stopping him as she turned, looking up and downthe great hall. "It is for me alone. I will not share the words withany other. Now tell me--tell me, son of Varro, " she whispered, movingnearer; "tell me at once. "

"I love you, sweet girl, above gods and men. You are more to me thancrowns of laurel and gold, more than all that is in the earth andheavens. My heart burns when I look at you. "

He hesitated, pressing her hand upon his lips. 

"Is that all?" said she, with a pretty sadness, looking down at thegolden braces on her fan. "Now, say it again, all, slowly. "

She might as well have told a bird how he should sing. 

He went on all unconscious of her command, his words lighted by thefire in his heart. They were as waters rippling in the sun-glow. 

"Without you there is no light in the heavens, no beauty in the earth, no hope or glory in the future, no joy in my heart. My sword threatensme, dear love, when I think of losing you. "

She turned, quickly, with almost a look of surprise. 

"It is beautiful, " said she, with a sigh; "but is there no more?Think, dear, noble knight; do think of more!"

She was near forgetting her plan. He took her in his arms and kissedher. 

"Think--think of more, " said she, "and I will dance the tourina. "

There was a note of gladness in her voice. It rang merry as a girdleof silver bells. Now, on the floor near them was a golden square ofsunlight, and, tabret in hand, she sprang up and began to dance in it. She moved swiftly back and forth, her arms extended, her white robeflowing above the sapphires in each purple fillet on her ankles. 

"Now, dear Vergilius, tell me, why do you love me?" she said, throwingherself upon the cushions near him with glowing cheeks. 

"Because you are Arria. Because Arria is you. Because I must, foryour pure and noble heart and for your beauty, " said he. "When I lookupon you I forget my dreams of war and conquest; I think only of peaceand love and have no longer the heart to slay. Oh, sweet Arria! Ifeel as if I should fling my swords into the Tiber. "

"Oh, my love! could I make you throw your swords into the Tiber Ishould be very happy. " Her eyes had turned serious and thoughtful. Her girlish trickery had come to an end. Vanity retired, now, and Lovehad sole command. 

He put his arms about her and rained kisses upon her face, her hair, her eyes. "Say it all again, dear Vergilius--say it a hundred times, "she whispered. 

"My dear one, I love you more than I can say. Now am I prepared tospeak in deeds, in faithfulness, in devotion. "

"But, once more, why do you love me? Why me?" said she, moving asidewith an air of preoccupation, her chin resting upon her hand, her elbowupon the gauze pillow of rose leaves in her lap. "Is it my beauty morethan myself?"

"No, " he answered; "your beauty is intoxicating, and I thank the godsfor it, but your sweet self, your soul, is more, far more to me thanyour grace and all your loveliness. "

She had dreamed of such love but never hoped for it, and now all thepretty tricks she had thought of had become as the mummery of fools. She sat in silence for a little space, her eyes upon her girdle, and anew and serious look came into her face. 

"I shall try, then, " said she, presently--"I shall try to be noble. But shall you--shall you truly throw your swords into the Tiber?"

"Would I might, " said he, sadly. "And now I must tell you--" Hepaused, and Arria turned quickly, her lips trembling as her color faded. 

"In three days I go to Jerusalem, " he added, "by command of theemperor. "

"For how long?" she whispered, her eyes taking years upon them as theseconds flew. 

"For two years. "

Quickly she hid her face in the cushions and her body quivered. Thatold, familiar cry, which had in it the history and the doom of Rome, rang in the great halls around them--that cry of forsaken women. 

"The iron foot is upon us, " said he. "Do not let it tread you down asit has other women. Be my vestal and guard the holy fire of love. "

Then he told of Cyran, the slave-girl, and added: "I leave her in yourcare. Every day she will cause you to think of me. "

CHAPTER 8

It was near the middle hour of the night. Many, just out ofbanquet-hall, theatre, and circus, thronged the main thoroughfares ofthe capital. Cries of venders, ribald songs, shouts of revelry, thehurrying of many feet roused the good people who, wearied by othernights of dissipation, now sought repose. They turned, uneasily, reflecting that to-morrow they would have their revenge. 

Antipater had dined with but a single guest--a young priest, who, arriving that very day from Damascus, had sought the palace of hiscountryman. The service at his table had not pleased the prince. Leaping from his couch, he struck down a slave and ordered hiscrucifixion. It was a luckless Arab, who many times had unwittinglyoffended his master. 

Now the son of Herod lay asleep where, a little time ago, he had beenfeasting. Manius, who had just entered the palace of his friend, cameinto the banquet-hall. He touched the arm of Antipater, who startedwith a curse and rose with an apology. 

"I was dreaming of foes and I see a friend, " he muttered. "Forgive me, noble Manius. "

The prince pulled a golden bell-cord that shone against the greenpargeting of the wall. 

"Now to our business, " he whispered, turning to the officer. 

They crossed the atrium, descended a stairway, and threw open a barreddoor. They were now in a gloomy passage between walls of marble. Antipater halted, presently, and tapped with his seal ring on a metaldoor. Then a rattle of bolts and the door swung open. 

"Now, " Antipater whispered, "are you of the same mind?"

"I am. "

"And again you swear secrecy?"

"I do. "

Without more delay they entered a room walled with white marble andlighted by candles. A bearded Jew, in a scarlet cloak embroidered withgold, rose to greet them. 

"To John ben Joreb I present the noble Manius, " said Antipater. 

"Blessings of the one God be upon thee, " said Ben Joreb, bowing low. 

"And the favor of many gods on thee, " said the assessor. "FromJerusalem?"

"Nay, from Damascus. "

Antipater stirred the fire in iron braziers on either side of the room, and then bade them recline beside him at a small table whereon a supperwaited. 

"Ben Joreb has good news of our plan, " said he, turning to Manius. 

"It prospers, " said the priest. "Our council is now in thirty cities. "

"And the king is better, " said Manius. "He will not soon perish ofinfirmity. "

"But you tell me that my father suffers?"

Antipater started nervously. A long, weird wail from the Arab dying ona cross in the garden flooded down the flues. 

"A hundred deaths a day, " said Ben Joreb. 

"I have been talking with Manius, " Antipater answered. "He thinks itwould be a mercy to--"

He was interrupted again. That tremulous, awful cry for mercy foundits way to his ear. It seemed to mock the sacred word. Antipaterjumped to his feet, cursing. 

"I will put an end to that, " said he, rushing to the door and flingingit back and running down the passage. 

Manius turned to Ben Joreb. 

"What is there in the howling of that slave?" he whispered. "I amweak-hearted. "

"I take it for a sign, " the other answered, gravely. "It is written, 'Thy spirit shall be as the candle of the Lord, ' and, again, 'Thoushall hearken to the cry of anguish. '"

In a few moments Antipater returned. 

"I have summoned the carnifex, " said he, bolting the door and resuminghis place at the table. "I was saying to you, good Manius, that myfriend here, Ben Joreb, would think it a great mercy to remove him. "

"A great mercy!" Ben Joreb answered; "a man's mercy to him; a God'smercy to his people. "

"And what think you?" said Antipater, turning to Manius. 

"I agree; 'twould be a mercy, but a risky enterprise, " said the Roman. 

"I would risk my head to save him a day of pain, " said the treacherousson of Herod. "You love him not as I do or you would brave all to endhis misery. "

There was now half a moment filled with a long, piercing cry frombeyond the walls of the palace until Antipater spoke, a tiger look inhis face again. "Put the lance into him, my good carnifex, " hegrowled, striking with clinched fist. "Again, now; and again, andagain. "

He listened for a breath, and as silence came he added, "There, thatwill do. "

Neither spoke for a little time. 

"I wish I could make you feel how dearly I love my father, " he went on, addressing his friends now and hiding his claws with revolting guileand all unconscious that he had shown them. 

Again a breath of silence, in which Manius thought of the black leopardwhen he lay making those playful and caressing movements on the floor. And there came to the heart of Ben Joreb a fear that this man mightprove more terrible than his father. 

"We feel it, " said Manius, with inner smiles that showed not upon hisface. 

"Then be servants of my love. "

"And of our own welfare?"

"Certainly! You shall each have a palace in Jerusalem and fiftythousand aurei; and you, Manius, shall command the forces on land andsea, and you, John ben Joreb, of the tribe of Aaron, shall behigh-priest. "

"I agree, " said Manius, an overwhelming cupidity in the words. 

"And I agree, " said the Jew, who had entered upon this intrigue withmotives of patriotism, and now, although suspicious of the result, wascommitted beyond a chance of turning. 

"Angels of mercy!" Antipater exclaimed, rising and taking a hand ofeach in his. "My love shall be ever a shield and weapon for you. Oneother thing. The couriers who bring to Rome news of my father'sdeath--bid them hurry and take with them, also, word of the illness ofthat dog Vergilius. After they leave let him not linger in needlesspain--do you understand me? For that, I say, each of you shall havefive thousand aurei added to his wealth. "

The others nodded. 

"Now take this--it may be useful, " whispered the prince of Judea, handing a little golden box to the assessor. "There is something in itwill hasten the effect of wine--a fine remedy for a weary land, goodManius. He that makes it a friend shall have no enemies. Hold, let methink. That old fox on the hill yonder has a thousand eyes and hisears are everywhere. Not a word, Manius, after we leave this door. Inyon passage turn to the right. Walk until your head touches theceiling, then creep to the door. Open it and use your ears. If no oneis passing, go straight ahead. You will come to a gate on the ViaSacra. You, " he added, turning to Ben Joreb, "shall leave by the maingate. "

When both had gone, this prince of Judea walked across the inner hallof his palace and flung himself on the cushions of a great divan. 

A swarthy eunuch came near him on tip-toe. 

"Begone!" The word burst from the lips of Antipater in a hoarse growl, and, like a tiger's paw, his hand struck the cushions in front of him. As he lay blinking drowsily, his chin upon his hands, there was stillin his face and attitude a suggestion of the monster cat. 

And he thought fondly of his wreaking of vengeance when he should becrowned the great king of prophetic promise--of the fury of armies, ofthe stench of the slain, of the cry of the ravished, of "mountainsmelting in blood. "

CHAPTER 9

It was the fifth anniversary of that resolution of the senate fathersto consecrate the altar of Peace. Pilgrims thronged the city, and somehad journeyed far. Tens of thousands surrounded the great monument, immense and beautiful beyond any in the knowledge of men. Itsignalized a remarkable state of things--the world was at peace. Morethan seven centuries before that day an idea had entered the heart of aprophet; now it was in the very heart of the world. This heap ofmarble, under pagan gods, had given it grand, if only partial, expression. There was no symbol of war in the long procession of itsupper frieze, and its lower was like a sculptured song of peace wroughtin fruits and bees and birds and blossoms. Here was a mighty plantflowering twice a year and giving its seed to the four winds. EveryJuly and January its erection was celebrated in the imperial republic. 

Vergilius stood beside the emperor that day when, at the Ars PacisAugustas, he addressed the people. 

"I have been reading, " he said, "the words of a certain dreamer ofJudea, who, in the olden time, wrote of a day when swords should bebeaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning-hooks, and when peaceshould reign among the nations of the earth. Well, give me an army fora hundred years, good people, and then I may voice the will of the godsthat iron be used no more to plough its way in living flesh, but onlyto turn the furrow and to prune the tree. Meanwhile, believe me, everyman must learn to love honor and virtue, and to respect his neighbor, and the gods above all. "

A hundred years! The playful emperor knew not how quickly a man passesand how slowly, how exceeding slowly, moves the great procession ofmankind. But so it befell; the very right hand of Jupiter had helpedin the sowing of that seed which, as it grew, was to lift thefoundations of his power. 

Vergilius left the scene with Augustus. They rode away in the royallitter. 

"In all the great cities men are speaking to-day of the value of peaceand honor, " said the subtle emperor--a sceptic in religion, a cynic inphilosophy, a rake in private life, and a conqueror who commanded"peace" with a trained army of four hundred and fifty thousand men. 

"It is a great thing to do, " said the young knight. 

"Give me men enough to say it, and if they grow not weary I will bringthe world to believe that the sun is only the breast-plate of Jupiter, "said Augustus. "Honor and peace are good things--do not forget that, my young friend. Give the words to your tongue, not flippantly, butwith a sober eye, and often, my brave knight--often. You leaveto-morrow--have you made ready?"

"Ready but for the leave-taking;" this with a sigh. 

"It ill becomes you to be cast down. Shake your heart withlaughter--it will roll away the stone of regret. Buy a fool, my youngfriend. For five thousand denarii you may obtain a most excellentfool. "

He knew the price of all, from the hewer of wood to the crowned king, but only he could afford a slave like that. 

"I should prefer a wise man, " said the young knight. 

"Philosophers are more expensive, " the father continued, craftily--"twenty thousand denarii, and dear at that. They will teachyou little but discontent. I recommend a grammarian. "

The old emperor turned his cunning eyes upon the face of Vergilius. 

"Forty thousand, at least, for a good one, " he added; "but a youth ofyour talent should remember the value of immortal fame. " Word and lookwere a hint to the young man that he should prepare himself with alldiligence for an active career in the senate. The youth understoodtheir meaning and was a trifle comforted. There was no promise nor theleast warrant for a claim--it was only the emperor's way of guiding. 

They were now passing a row of shops on the Via Claudia. The emperor, putting his hand out of the door, motioned to his lecticarii and theyhalted. 

"Come with me, " said the great man. They left the litter and entered alarge shop. There Augustus bought many gifts for the young man--newarms, a beautiful corselet, a girdle of the look of knitted gold--forthe Roman wore a girdle in Judea--articles of apparel suited to theclimate of the Far East. The shop had filled with people, who tried tocover their curiosity by the purchase of trifles. 

"This cloth would make a fine toga, " said the shopkeeper. 

The emperor surveyed it closely. 

"Let me hold it up to the light and then you will see its texture, " theother continued. 

"You are a hard master, " said Augustus. 

"You would have us walk on the house-tops to show the fineness of ourtogas? It is enough. Let us pass, good people. "

A cheer, starting at the shop door, went to the far sides of the city. It signified that the emperor was out among the people and in his bestmood. 

Their nomenclator cleared a way for them to the litter and they satdown again, facing each other, the emperor and the boy. 

"If I had your riches, " the great man remarked, as they went on, "Iwonder what I should do with them. "

"You jest with me, good father, " said Vergilius. 

"Nay, but I envy you; for have you not youth and love and the beauty ofApollo?"

He laid his hand upon the arm of the boy, and there was in his voiceand manner a gentleness to make one regret that he lived not in abetter time; for, perhaps, after all, he was what he had to be as theruthless conqueror of a savage world. 

"And I--what have I but burdens I dare not lay aside? When I sleep, even, they press upon me. I am weary--but if I should let them fall, what, think you, would happen?"

His keen eyes, seeing before them, possibly, the great down-rush tomadness, pressed a glance into the very soul of the young man. Thelatter started to reply, but with a look the emperor forbade him. 

"Think, good youth--learn to think. It will profit you--there is solittle competition. By-and-by Rome will need you. "

Gently, forcefully this teacher of statesmen had given the young knighthis first lesson. It was nearing its end now. The litter had stoppedhard by the gate of the Lady Lucia. 

"I wonder how you knew my destination, " said Vergilius. 

"You credit me with small discernment. Learn to know things that arenot told you--it is the beginning of wisdom. "

CHAPTER 10

Arria met them in the atrium. She saw not the great father of Rome, but only her lover, and ran to him with a little cry of delight. 

The playful emperor mounted a chair and stood looking down at them. 

"I am so small here in the presence of this great king, " said he, asthey turned to him. "Were my head as high as the ceiling I am sure Ishould not be seen. "

"What long, good father?" said Arria, bowing low. 

"Love! 'Tis better, I have heard, to be ruler of one than of many. You give him kisses, little tyrant, and me not a glance. "

He looked down, smiling at the pretty maiden. 

"Because 'tis he I love, " said she, her cheeks red with blushes, hereyes upon her sandals. "You--you have been cruel. "

"I am sadly out of favor, " said Augustus, playfully, stepping to thefloor. "If the great king dared, I am sure he would cut off my head, now. Let him not condemn me without trial. Remember the law of Rome. "

"You are sending my love away. " Her voice trembled as she spoke. 

"And happy are you, sweet girl, to have so much to give to yourcountry. "

There was a moment of silence. Then said the emperor: "Be merry. 'Tisnot for long. "

"'Tis a thousand years!" said she, sadly. 

He was fond of the young, and her frank innocence appealed to all bestin the heart of the old emperor. He turned to greet the Lady Lucia. 

"Come with me, son of Varro, " said Arria, taking the arm of her loverand leading him away. "It will soon be to-morrow. "

"And I am acquitted?" So spoke the emperor. 

"You are condemned to the company of my mother, " said Arria, quickly. 

She wore a tunic of the color of violets, with not a jewel. Now sheled her lover to a heap of yellow cushions in the triclinium. 

"Dear Vergilius, " said she, turning to him with a serious look as theysat down; "tell me again--say to me again how you love me. " She heldhis hand against her cheek and her eyes looked into his. 

"Oh, my beloved! I have thought of naught else since I saw you. Ihave heard your pretty feet and the rustle of your tunic in my dreams;I have felt the touch of your hands; every moment I have seen yourface--now glowing with happiness, now white and lovely with sorrow. And, dear, I love its sorrow--I confess to you that I love its sorrowbetter than its happiness. I saw in your sad eyes, then, a thingdearer than their beauty. It told me that you felt as I feel--that youwould live and, if need be, die for the love of me. "

The girl listened thoughtfully, and moved close to her lover; he tookher in his arms. She had dreamed of many things to say, but now sheonly whispered to him, her lips against his ear, the simple message: "Ilove you, I love you, I love you. " Then: "But I forgot, " said she, pushing him away, a note of fear in her voice. She straightened thefolds of her tunic, and drew the transparent silk close to her full, white bosom. It was all unconscious as the trick of a wooing bird. 

"And what did you forget?" he inquired. 

"That you are you, and a man, " said she, sighing. "In some way itis--it is such a pity, I dare not suffer you to caress me. Andyet--and yet, I do love it. "

"And your lips, " said he, embracing her, "they are to me as the gate ofElysium!"

"It may be we are now in the islands of the blest and know them not, "she whispered. 

She tried to draw herself away. 

"I will not let you go. Indeed, I cannot let you go. "

"And I am glad, " she answered, with a little laugh, her hand caressinghis brow. "I do love the feel of your arms and your lips--beautifulson of Varro!"

"I will not let you go until--until you have promised to be my bride. Think, the term is only two years. "

"Be it one or many, I will be your bride, " said she. "And although youwere never to return, yet would I always wait for you and think of thisday. "

She drew herself away and sat thoughtful, her chin upon her hands. 

"Now are you most beautiful, " said he, "with that little touch ofsorrow in your face. It gives me high thoughts to look at you. "

While they were thus sitting a woman, well past middle age, came intotheir presence. She stopped near the feet of Arria. It was hergrandmother, the Lady Claudia, once a beauty of the great capital, nowgray and wrinkled, but still erect with patrician pride. 

Vergilius had risen quickly, bowed low, and kissed her hand. 

"I often saw you, son of my friend, when you were a child, " said she. "I remember when you were young you went away with the legions. "

"To learn the art of war, " he answered. 

"Sit down, dear grandmother, " said the girl, as he brought a chair. "Now let her hear you tell me why it is that you have chosen me, dearVergilius--let her hear you. "

"I know not. Perhaps because your beauty, sweet girl, is like thesnare of the fowler and brought me to your hand. Then something inyour eyes captured the heart of me--something better than beauty. Itis the light of your soul. Love and peace and innocence and gentlenessand all good are in it. That is why. "

The two embraced each other. The Lady Claudia rose and came and puther hands upon them, and her voice trembled with emotion. 

"They are beautiful, " said she, "the kisses of the young, and theirwords are as the music of Apollo's lyre. I thank the gods I have seenit all again. But you are going away to-morrow. Son of Varro, be notas other men. Remember it is not well for women to live apart from themen they love. "

"I leave at daybreak, " said the young knight. "'Tis for two years, sosaid the emperor; for 'only' two years. "

"She shall not be as others I have known, " said the Lady Claudia. "Itis an evil time, good youth; but, remember, as men are so are women. Last night I dreamed a wonderful dream of you two, and of a sweet, immortal love between men and women. Some say the dreams of men are, indeed, the plans of the gods. Pray to them. It may be they will giveyou this great love. "

"It is here--it is in her soul and mine!" the youth declared, his armabout Arria. "It has prepared us for any trial--even parting. "

"I have so much happiness already, " said the girl. "So much--it willkeep me through many years. "

"Then it is the great love, and I thank the gods I have seen it, " saidthe Lady Claudia. "Who may say where it shall end?" She came nearthem as she spoke and offered her cheek to the boy. He kissed her, andshe went away with tears upon her face. 

"Now you are brave and strong with this great love in you, " saidVergilius. "Let it bear you up as I leave the palace. Promise youwill not cry out. If you do, my beloved, I shall hear always the soundof mourning when I think of you. "

"Then I shall not weep, " said she, bravely, but with a little quiver inher voice. 

She knew the old story of a young man's love--how often he went awaywith sweet words, to return, if ever, hardened to stern trials andbloody work, his vows long forgotten. 

"For your sake, dear Vergilius, I will be calm, " she added. 

"Now sit here, " said he, as he led her to the heap of cushions, "justas I saw you a little time ago. Rest your chin upon your hands. There; now your soul is in your eyes. Let me see only this picture asI go. "

He took a handful of her curls and let them fall upon her shoulders. Then he crowned her with a sprig of vervain from a vase near by. 

"I will not weep--I will not weep, " she repeated, her voice tremblingas he touched her hair. 

He moved backward slowly, as one might leave a queen. Her eyesfollowed him, and suddenly she rose and flew to his arms again. 

"I will not weep--I will not weep, " said she, brokenly. Again he heldher to his breast. 

"Though you get fame and glory, forget not love, " she whispered. 

"Dear one, " he exclaimed, kissing her, "this hour shall be in every dayof my life. "

"But with adventures and battles and the praise of kings it is so easyto forget. "

"But with one so noble and so beautiful at home it will be easy toremember. Let us be brave. I am only a woman myself to-day. Help meto be a man. "

He led her again to the cushions, and she sat as before--a picture, now, beyond all art, sublime indeed with love and sorrow andtrustfulness and repression. It was that look of abnegation upon herthat he remembered. 

"I shall not rise nor speak again, dear son of Varro, " said she. "Youshall know that my love for you has made me strong. See, dear love. Look at my face and see how brave I am. " Her voice, now calm, had init some power that touched him deeply. It was the great, new lovebetween men and women---forerunner of the mighty revolution. 

He stood silent, looking down at her. The song of a nightingale rangin the great halls. He turned and brought a lyre that lay on a tablenear them. She took it in her hands. Then it seemed as if her sorrowfell upon the strings, and in their music was the voice of her soul. 

He bowed before her, whispering a prayer; he put all his soul into onelong look and quickly went away. 

Then she rose and ran to the end of the banquet-hall. "I can hear hisvoice, " she whispered. "No, I must not go--I must not go. "

A moment followed in which there came to her a sound of distant voices. She stilled her sobs and listened. She ran towards the loved voice andchecked her eager feet. 

She stood a moment with arms extended. The sound grew fainter and ahush fell. She ran to the white statue of the little god Eros, and, kneeling, threw her arms around the shapely form and wept bitterly. 

CHAPTER 11

The dark was lifting as Vergilius entered the Field of Mars. Therewere lanterns about his litter, and far and near, in lines andclusters, he could see lights on the plain, some moving, some standingstill. Hard by the Tiber he joined a small troop of horse, andvaulting on the shaft of his lance, mounted a white charger. Maniuswheeled into place beside him at the head of the column. A quaestorcalled the roll. 

"Ready?" Vergilius inquired, turning to Manius. 

"All ready, " the other answered. 

Then a trumpet sounded and those many feet had begun the long journeyto Jerusalem. They made their way to the Forum. Scores of women andchildren of the families of those departing had gathered by the goldenmile-stone. The troop halted. Those who had been waiting in the dank, chill air sought to press in among the horses. It was hard to keepthem back. Vergilius, full of his own sorrow, felt for them and gavethem good time. A little group, in gray paenula and veils, werewatching from without the crowd. He moved aside, beckoning to them. 

"Make your farewells, " said he, as they came near. "We shall be off ina moment. "

A beautiful white hand was extended to him. He took it in his, andthen quickly pressed it to his lips. 

"Farewell, dear love!" he whispered. 

A quick pressure answered him, and the veiled figure turned away. Thena trumpet-call, a flash of blue vexilla and silver eagles in the air, and, a moment later, some eighty hoofs were drumming in the Appian Way. For a little the horsemen heard them that were left behind, wailing. 

"It is like a sticking of pigs to leave a lot of plebeian women, " saidManius, when the sound was far out of hearing. 

"An arrow in the heart of the soldier, but I think it good, " saidVergilius. "For a time, at least, Rome will be dear to him. "

There were forty men riding in the troop, all lancers, saving a fewslingers and bowmen. They rattled over the hard Way at a pace offifteen miles an hour. It was an immense, rock-paved road--this AppianWay--straight, wide, and level, flinging its arches over fen, river, and valley, and breaking through hill and mountain to the distant sea. No citizen might bring his horse upon it unless a diploma had beengranted him--it was, indeed, for the larger purposes of the government. After two hours they drew up at a posting-house and changed horses. They rode this mount some forty miles, halting at a large inn, itsdoors flush with the road. A transport and postal train bound for Romewas expected shortly, and, before eating, Vergilius wrote a letter andhad it ready when the wagons came rattling in a deep-worn rut, behindteams of horses moving at a swift gallop. There were five wagons inthe train, bearing letters and light merchandise from the south. Hardby was one of the wheelwright-shops that lined the great thoroughfare. The train stopped only a moment for water and a new wheel, then rushedalong on its way to the capital. A light meal of bread and porridge, half an hour of rest, and again, with new horses, the troop was in fullcareer. A sense of loneliness grew in the heart of the youth as hejourneyed. Lover and soldier had fought their duel, and the latter wasoutdone. But the lover's courage was now sorely tried. Every mountedcourier hastening to Rome on the south road bore a letter from theyoung man to her he loved. He met a legion of infantry going north, and envied every soldier, sweating under a set pace of four miles tothe hour and a burden of sixty pounds--shield, helmet, breast-plate, pilum, swords, intrenching tools, stakes for a palisade, and corn forseventeen days. 

A trireme was waiting for them on the Adriatic Sea, and Vergilius, Manius, and their escort sailed to northwestern Macedonia, mountedhorses again, galloping over the great highway to Athens; crossed bytrireme to Ephesus, thence to Antioch by the long sea-road, and, agreeably with orders, they began to leave their men at forts along thefrontier. 

Events on the way filled him with contempt for his country and forhimself. Here and there he met people travelling under imperial passesthat gave them the use of the road and a right of free levy forsubsistence, often much abused. These travellers were people ofleisure from the large cities, wont to stretch their power to the pointof robbery. He saw them seizing slaves and cattle from terrifiedagrarians; he saw Manius strike a man down for resenting insults to hisdaughter; he saw the deadly toil of the oarsmen, the bitter punishmentof the cross. 

His heart was now sore and sensitive. Was it the new love which hadflung off its shield of sternness and left it exposed to every lashthat flew? The misery of others afflicted him. Thoughts of injusticegrew into motives of action, the loss of faith into the gain ofunutterable longing. Who were these gods who heard not the cry of theweak and were ever on the side of the strong? Were they only in thosehands of power that flung their levin from the Palatine? Could he, whohad learned to love innocence and purity, love also the foul harpywhich Rome had become? It seemed to him difficult to reconcile thelove of Arria and the love of Rome. Was the time not, indeed, overduewhen the wicked should tremble and the proud should bow themselves, according to that song of the slave-girl?

From Antioch they turned southward, passing the cloistered plain pavedwith polished marble, and hurried to Damascus. Thence they rode toJerusalem. The troop had dwindled to a squad of six, and came slowlyinto the ancient capital at dawn. From afar they could hear bugles atthe castle of Antonia. 

"They are changing the guard, " Manius remarked. 

Having entered the city gates, they passed throngs of cattle and theirdrivers and many worshippers hurrying to the temple. One of the latterstopped, and, pointing to the eagles and the medallion of Augustus ontheir signa, shouted loudly:

"I thank Thee, O God, and the God of my fathers, that I am not of themwho provoke Thine anger with the graven image. "

A chant of many voices from the temple roof floated over the plain, saying:

"The light has come as far as Hebron. "

Vergilius turned, looking up at the splendid Doric temple of Jerusalem. As he looked, the sun's rays fell on a great, golden lantern before athicket of high columns in its eastern portico. It was the signal foranother outburst of trumpets. 

"They are now making incense for the nostrils of Jehovah, " said Manius. "Soon they will offer him one of the most beautiful lambs in Judea. "

In a few moments they drew up at the castle of Antonia. News of theircoming had reached Jerusalem by courier, three days before. Thecaptain of the guard repeated part of the introduction. 

"Vergilius, son of Varro, sent by the great father?" said he, in a toneof inquiry. 

"And worn with much riding, " said the young knight. 

"I have a message for you. It is from the king. "

"He would see me at once, " said Vergilius, having read it. 

"The sooner you go the more gracious you will be like to find him, "said Manius, with a smile. 

"My apparel! It is on the transport and has not yet arrived. "

"But you have arrived, and forget not you are in the land of Herod--amost impatient king. "

"He will not know, however, that we have come, " Vergilius answered. 

"Friend of Caesar, " said the captain of the guard, "within an hour hewill know everything you have done since you entered the city--whitheryou went, to whom you spoke, and what you said, and perhaps even whatyou thought. "

CHAPTER 12

The characters of Herod and Augustus were as far apart as theircapitals. Extremes of temperament were in these two. The Roman wascold, calm, of unfailing prudence; the Jew hot-blooded, reckless, andwarmed by a word into startling and frank ferocity. The one was keenand delicate, the other blunt and robust. The emperor was a fox, theking a lion. Herod and his people were now worried with mutualdistrust. He had no faith in any man, and no man--not even the emperorby whose sufferance he held the crown--had any faith in him. The kingfeared the people and the people feared the king. 

Herod began his career with good purposes. An erect, powerful, andhandsome youth of Arabic and Idumaean blood, brave with lance andcharger, he raided the bandit chieftain Hezekias and slew him, with allhis followers. The Sanhedrim thought not of his valor but only of theancient law he had broken. They put him on trial for usurping thepower of life and death. In the midst of his peril he escaped, takingwith him the seed of those dark revenges which, when he got the crown, destroyed all save a single member of the old court of justice and theconfidence of his people. 

His household became the scene of bloody intrigues which even stirredthe tongue of Caesar with contempt. Herod became the dupe of adesigning sister, of base flatterers, and of an evil and ambitious son. They undermined his confidence in all who deserved it. His belovedwife Mariamne, his two sons Alexander and Aristobulus, and many othersof exceptional good repute in the kingdom were unjustly put to death. Then, swiftly, as he penetrated the maze of plot and counterplot, thosewho had fooled him began to fall before his wrath. He was now, indeed, a forlorn, loveless, and terrible creature. 

Many thought him afflicted with madness. There were noble folk inJerusalem who said they had seen the body of Mariamne embalmed inhoney, above the king's chamber, where every day he could look upon it. Some had seen him wandering about the palace at night with a candle, mourning over his loss and raging at his own folly. Some had seen himso shaken by remorse that he roared like a lion goaded by hunger andthe lance. At such a time it was, indeed, a peril to come before him. Plots against his life had worried him, and, distrusting his helpers, he was wont to go about the city in disguise seeking information. Twice he had forgiven Antipater, his favorite son, for crimes in theroyal household. 

Now, in his seventy-sixth year, the king was, indeed, sorely pressedwith trouble. Jerusalem was the centre of a plot formidable andfar-reaching. Its object was, in part, clear to him, or so he thought, and with some reason. It seemed to aim at his removal and the crowningof a mysterious king of prophecy, who, many said, was now waiting thedeath of Herod. It baffled him. He saw signs that many had theirheads together in this plot. So far, however, he had not been able tolay hands upon them. There were many theories about the new king. They were strange and conflicting and zealously put forth. Theydiffered as to whether he were yet born and as to his divinity, hischaracter, and his purposes. The Sanhedrim held that when he came intothe world there would be certain signs and portents seen of all men. This conflict of authority increased the confusion of Herod. WhenVergilius came to his capital the king was mired on the very edge ofthe great mystery. 

Powers of darkness ruled the city of Jerusalem. The sword, the lance, the dagger, and the wheel were wreaking vengeance and creating newperils while they were removing old ones. The king had tried vainly torepair the past. He gave freely to the poor; he erected gorgeousplaces of amusement; he built the new temple and a great palace in theupper city. The splendor of the latter structures had outdone theimperator. No shape born of barbaric dreams, to be slowly spread uponthe earth in marble and gold, had so taxed the cunning and the patienceof human hands. Such, in brief, were the character, the troubles, thehome, and the city of Herod. 

CHAPTER 13

In travel-worn garb Vergilius went early to see the king. Accustomedto the grandeur of Rome itself, he yet saw with astonishment thebeautiful groves, the lakes, canals, and fountains sparkling in thesunlight which surrounded the great marble palace of Herod. In theshadow of its many towers, each thirty cubits high, Vergilius began tofeel some dread of this terrible king. At least fifty paces from thedoor of his chamber, in the great hall above-stairs, he could hear thegrowl of the old lion. In Herod was the voice of wrath and revenge andterror. His words came rolling out in a deep, husky, guttural tone, orleaped forth hissing with anger. Some officials stood by the king'sdoor with fear and dread upon their faces. A young woman of singularbeauty was among them. 

"O Salome, daughter of Herod, " said one, "the king would have you cometo-morrow. He is in ill humor with the plotters. "

"And I with him, " said she, stamping her foot. 

An usher had presented Vergilius at the door. As Herod's daughterproudly turned away, she came face to face with the young Roman noble. For one moment their eyes held each other. A chamberlain approachedVergilius, whispered a few inquiries, and then led him before the king. Herod was having a bad day. 

"Traitors!" he hissed. In a voice like the menacing growl of a savagebeast he added: "May their eyes rot in their heads! Go! I have heardenough, bearer of evil tidings. "

Far down the great chamber in which half a cohort could have stoodcomfortably, in a carved chair on a dais, under a vault and against abackground of blue, Babylonian tapestry, sat the king. A priest hadbowed low and was now leaving his presence. The chamberlain announced, in a loud voice, "Vergilius, son of Varro, of Rome, and officer of thefatherly and much-beloved Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus. "

The king sat erect, a purple tarboosh and crown of wrought gold uponhis head. As Vergilius approached, the dark, suspicious eyes of Herodwere surveying him from under long, quivering tufts of gray hair. Hisgreat body, in its prime, must have been like that of Achilles. 

"Stand where you are, son of Varro, " said the king, as he movednervously. His broad shoulders were beginning to bend a little undertheir burden of trouble and disease. The harrow of pain and passionhad roughened his face with wrinkles. His manner was alert andwatchful. 

"Have you seen my son?" he inquired, quickly. 

"Yes, great sire, and he was well. "

"And is he not comely?"

"Ay, and brave with his lance. "

"And a born king, " said Herod. "I have fixed my heart upon him. Ihave no other to love--but the great imperator. And how is he?"

"I left him well, good sire. "

"Stand a moment, son of Varro, " said the king, with an impatientgesture. An attendant approached him and spoke in a low tone. Herod, snarled like a huge cat when the lance threatens. 

"Break him on the rack, " he muttered; "and unless he tell, crucifyhim--crucify him. He shall do me no further injury. That priestLugar, bring him back to me. Quickly now, bring him to me!"

The attendant hurried away, soon returning with him who had retired asVergilius entered the king's chamber. 

"Saw you the men of learning in Ascalon?" the king demanded. 

"I did. "

"What said they?"

There was a moment of silence. 

"Out with it, " said the king, fiercely. "Must I put every man upon therack? Speak, and that you may tell the truth I shall not demand theirnames. "

"They, also, look for the new king, " said Lugar. "Many believe he isalready born. They say that on your death he will declare himself. "

"And they, too, pray for my death?"

"Most earnestly, my beloved king. "

"Traitors!" said Herod, and as he spoke his powerful hands were tearinghis kerchief into rags. "I shall soon change the burden of theirprayers. Go tell them this: the day I die two of the wisest men fromevery city in the kingdom shall die also. Go everywhere, and tellthese learned doctors they had best pray for my good health. "

The priest bowed before his king and retired. The pagan noble lookedup at this ruler of the land of the one God and felt a thrill ofhorror. Herod, turning quickly, beckoned to the young knight, hiswrinkles quivering with anger. Now, indeed, he was like a lion at bay. 

"Ha-a!" he roared, and his head bent slowly and his voice fell to a lowrumble as he continued. "'Tis an evil time in Jerusalem. I weary ofthis long fight with traitors. They grind their points; they stirpoison; they swarm in the streets. They rob me of my friends, andnow--now they seek alliance with Jehovah to rob me of my throne. 'Tiswell you should know and beware. I have a plan which will make themdesire my good health. Report to Quirinus, and remember"--he took ahand of the youth in both of his with a fawning movement--"I have needof friends. "

That very day an order went forth that certain of the learned men ofevery city be assembled in the amphitheatre at Jericho, and be thereconfined to wait the further pleasure of the king. It was a bold planthrough which Herod hoped to confound his enemies and insure hissafety. He decreed that on the day of his death all these men shouldbe executed. 

CHAPTER 14

Among the orderlies at the castle was one David, a young Jew, whoseface and bearing had attracted the eye of Vergilius. There was in bothsomething admirable and familiar. Straightway the tribune chose theyoung Jew for his own service, and soon held him in high esteem. Together they set out one morning, with a troop of horse, bound for thesouthern limit of Samaria. Thus quickly orders had arrived from theemperor. They sent Vergilius on a journey to inspect roads and report"as to hopes, plans, and theories of import to the king. "

That morning as they left the old city, Vergilius and the young Jewrode abreast. 

"Tell me, " said the former, presently, "what know you of the new king?"

"Of him I have thought much and know little, " said David. "My mothertaught me to look for him. That was before the evil days. "

"And you learned what of her?"

"Little save the long hope. She taught me an old chant of the coming. If you wish, I will sing it. "

Being bidden, he sang, as she had sung who hushed the revels ofAntipater, of signs and fears and of arrows to fly as the lightning. Words, melody, emotion, the note of inveterate wrong, were those of theslave-girl. 

"The same nose and blue eyes, and fair, curly locks--the same feelingand chant of faith, " said Vergilius, thoughtfully. "Did you not livein Galilee and suffer ill fortune?"

"We lived in Galilee, and, by-and-by, were as those hurled intoGehenna. "

"And have you a sister in Rome?"

"I have a sister, but know not where she may be. Cyran the Beloved, somy mother called her. "

Then Vergilius told his companion how he had won her from the son ofHerod and left her in the keeping of Arria. David wept as he listened. 

When the tale was finished he spoke bitterly: "'Twas she--the Beloved. My father was put to death, his property seized, his wife and childrendragged to captivity. My heart is faint with sorrow. God! I weary ofthy slowness. 

 "Send, quickly send the new king, whose arrows shall fly as the lightning Making the mighty afraid and the proud to bow low and the wicked to tremble. "

For a moment they rode in silence. David was first to speak. 

"Forgive me, " said he, with fear of his imprudence. "My tongue hasgone too far. I am true to Herod, being his debtor, for he gave mefreedom. But I am of the house of David. "

"Fear not, " said Vergilius. "Never shall I betray the broken hearted. I give you friendship. "

"And I give you gratitude, " was the answer of the Jew. 

"I am as a child here in Judea and seek understanding. You shall be myteacher. "

For a time neither spoke; soon David asked: "Will you tell me of her mysister is now serving?"

"Of all the daughters of Rome she is noblest. We love each other. Ah, friend! 'Tis a wonder--this great love. My tongue halts when I thinkof it. "

He paused, in meditation. 

"I have heard much of it here in Judea--a love that exalts the soul, "said David. 

"And changes the heart of man with all that is in it. My love hasfilled me with a tender feeling for all women; it has made me to hateinjustice and even to complain of the gods. "

"To complain of the gods!" said David, turning and looking into theface of his friend. 

"It does seem to me they set a bad example and are too childish for thework they have to do, but still--still I bow before them. "

"I do not understand you, " said David. 

"They are given to spite, anger, vanity, lust, revenge, and idleness. Caesar is greater than they. He has learned self-control. And thisnew king of your faith, who, you tell me, is to conquer the world--heis no better. "

"And why think you so?"

"He is to conquer the world. Good sir, it has been conquered--how manytimes! He shall make the mighty afraid--have they not often trembledwith fear and perished by the sword? He shall fling arrows of justrevenge, as if our old earth were not already soaked in the blood ofthe wicked. Ah, my David, I wonder not you long for a king of thesword and the arrow. Revenge is ever the dream of the oppressed. ButI have dreamed of a greater king. "

"Tell me who?"

"He would be like this love in me, " said Vergilius. "If it were to goabroad--if it were only to find the hearts of the mighty--what, thinkyou, would happen?"

"Ay, if it were to go from friend to friend and from neighbor toneighbor, " said the young Jew, "it would indeed conquer the world. "

"And there would be neither war nor injustice. "

"Tell me, " said David. "Are there many lovers like you in Rome?"

"Some half a score that I have heard of, and I doubt not there be many. "

"'Tis the candle of the Lord--the preparation of the heart of man, "said David. "I do believe his arrow shall be that of love. "

"This feeling in me has kindled a great desire, " said Vergilius. "Iburn for knowledge. "

Then said the young Jew: "Let us find my kinsman, Zacharias--a priestof holy life and great learning. Through his aged wife a miracle hasbeen accomplished. I learn that she has given birth, and many havejourneyed far to see the child. There be some who say that he is, indeed, the king of promise, albeit I have no such opinion. "

"Why?"

"There shall be signs in the deep of the heavens, and we have not seenthem. "

"Where may we find the priest?"

"In the village of Ain Karim, yonder. "

They could see its low dwellings and the dome of its synagogue. TheRoman halted near the abode of Zacharias, while David took theirfollowers to the inn. Suddenly the young Roman saw an aged priestapproaching with a child in his arms. 

"I have a message for you, " said the man of God, stopping near theRoman officer. 

"And I seek it, " said Vergilius, looking at the long, gray beard of thevenerable priest. 

"It is borne in upon me to say to you that the kingdom of heaven is athand. "

"Tell me of the king, " said Vergilius. "I do thirst for knowledge. "

"He shall be the prince of peace. "

Vergilius looked thoughtfully at the old priest, who now sat down as ifweary. 

"And he shall conquer with the sword?"

"Nay, but as it is written, 'he shall judge among the nations and shallrebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into ploughsharesand their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up swordagainst nation, neither shall they learn war any more. '"

Now the Roman was alert to hear. His ideal, which had taken form atthe altar of peace and grown with his love, was being set up before him. 

"But the nations are stubborn, " said he. "Tell me, O wise and learnedman, how shall he subdue them?"

"By the love of God, almighty and ever-lasting. "

"God, almighty and everlasting, " said Vergilius. "I know him not. "

"I do but defile myself to speak with you, worshipper of idols, "sternly spake the priest. "And yet I am constrained to instruct you. Listen--there is a power which even Rome has not been able to conquer. Know you what power it is?"

The young tribune was recounting the peoples of the earth, whenZacharias continued:

"'Tis the God of the Jews. Rome has conquered his people, but mark howhe stands. And what is there of wrong that his law cannot remedy?Tell me, is there no injustice in your land?"

"There is much, " said the young Roman. 

"And so I know--but name it. "

"Well, for one thing, men torture and kill their slaves. "

"And in the law of the one God 'tis written, 'Thou shalt not kill. '"

After a thoughtful moment Vergilius added: "And the strong prey uponthe weak, seizing their property and holding it for their own. "

"And the one God commands, 'Thou shalt not steal'; and again, 'Thoushalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thyneighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. '"

"But you have injustice, also, in Judea. "

"Ay, because there be evil men who obey not the law of God. Butpresently they shall be put to shame. Here is he that is come toprepare the way of the Lord. "

The child was now asleep, his head on his father's knee. 

"John, " said the priest, tenderly looking down. 

But the little one continued to sleep, and a wonderful peace and beautyhad come upon him. 

"And this new king--whence shall he come and how shall we know him?"the young Roman persisted. 

"Conceived of God, he is now in the womb of his mother, " said thepriest. "Soon--very soon, he shall enter the gate of the world. Theground is ready and he shall be like a sower, and his seed shall belove, and peace shall be his harvest. If ye would know him, beholdthis face. "

He touched the brow of the child. "Son of darkness, " he continued, "look upon the son of light! The faith of Mizraim or the wisdom ofHillel could show you no more. Do you see the new light shining withinthis lovely veil of flesh? Look, and you shall know the fashion of hiscountenance, and that his hand shall make no wound. "

The priest rose, and, lifting the child in his arms, went away, saying, "His peace be with you. "

The young Roman stood looking at the sweet face that lay on theshoulder of him departing. The great hope of Judea had entered hisheart--the hope of a just king to rule the nations and point the way toeternal life. 

On his return he bought a statue representing a beautiful young boy. He set it up in his chamber, and, kneeling, prayed to it as the one Godwho forbade killing and theft and every evil practice of men. Heprayed for understanding; he prayed, also, that he might see her heloved. But this new God seemed as deaf to his entreaty as had beenthose of the pagan temples. Groping for light, he turned to the youngDavid. Then first he learned that God, being jealous, hated the imageof everything that has the breath of life. His understanding haddiminished, for, in this matter, the one God was like the many. Hequestioned the Jew. "Wonder not, " said his friend, "that God hates thesymbol of ancient error. It has been as a cloud upon the sun. "

Vergilius had taken a palace and filled it with treasures, for, possibly, he had thought, some day she would see all. Now its noblestatues were sent away--a kind of sacrifice to the God of the Jews. But there was one he could not part with--a copy of the lovely Venus ofAlcamenes which his mother had sent to him. He concealed her in acloset, contenting himself with a furtive glance at her now and then. He set up in his fancy a giant of benevolent face, and humbly soughthis favor. Still he had no success. 

Lying at table one night with Manius and Ben Joreb, he sought counselof the latter. 

"He that hath his prayer hath prayed wisely, " said the priest. "Youhave much to learn. "

"How, and of whom?" said Vergilius. 

"There is in Jerusalem a council of learned men. They expound theScripture and study all mysteries of the faith. "

"And who are they?"

"I would I knew. Being wise, they are unknown. "

"Unknown!"

"So I have heard. They have knowledge of him who is to come, and Herodis very jealous. "

"True, " said Vergilius. "I would I were of them who know. "

"If it may be so you shall have word tomorrow, " said the priest. 

Promptly Manius relieved the tension of curiosity. 

"Vergilius, I drink to you--the new commander of the cohorts, " said he, rising. 

"I reserve my thanks for more information, " said Vergilius. 

"It will come, " said Manius, who then left with the priest in hiscompany. 

Soon the former added, in a low tone: "He may be of some value beforehe dies. "

"Ah, yes, but he will die young, " said the other. 

CHAPTER 15

Next day among his letters were two of value in the history ofVergilius--one from the procurator, apprising him of his appointment tocommand the cohorts, the other a communication with no signature, thesource of which was, in his view, quite apparent. This latter one gavehim the greater satisfaction. It conveyed, in formal script, thefollowing message:

"TO ONE SEEKING WISDOM IN PRAYER

"If you would share in the deliberations of the Council of theCovenant, be at the well of Nicanor, which is opposite the tenth columnin the king's portico of the temple, at the second sounding of thesacred horns on the Day of Atonement. There wait until one shall comeand ask what you are seeking, and you shall answer, 'Knowledge of theone God. ' Then, if he turns away, follow him and do as he bids you. "

His opportunity had come. He waited with the curiosity of a child. Soon, possibly, he should see the face of the great Lawgiver and learnof things beyond the valley of death. If all went well he would amazethe people of Rome with wonder stories and give them assurance ofimmortal life. 

The city had been thronged with pilgrims that day of the ancientfestival. It was turning dusk when Vergilius made his way throughcrowded streets to the well of Nicanor. Suddenly he heard a trumpetsignal, and then followed that moment of silence when every tongue andfoot and wheel stopped, quickly, and all stood listening for the awfulname spoken but once a year. 

Presently the shout of the high priest rang like a trumpet-peal abovethe roofs of the city. Then Jerusalem was all begirt and overfloodedwith song. Maidens, white robed, were singing in distant vineyards;people were singing in the streets; trained devotees were whirling anddancing and chanting psalms in the court of the Temple, while priestand Levite followed, blowing, with all their power of lung, upon thesacred horns. 

In the midst of this outbreak a stranger approached Vergilius at thewell, saying, "What seek you?" The young Roman gave his answer, butwas unable to see the face of him who questioned. The stranger turnedaway and bade him follow. Without more ceremony Vergilius walkedbehind him through narrow streets, wholly unfamiliar, and presentlydescending a stairway, came into a dark passage. They halted, after afew paces, whereupon a loud rap startled the new-comer. Soon he couldhear a door open. The stranger, taking his hand, led him into somedark place. It was all very strange, and like tales long familiar, relating to the city of mysteries. Standing there in the dark andsilence, he had some misgivings which gave way when a voice addressedhim as follows:

"You are now in the council-chamber of the Covenant. We meet indarkness, so that no shape or form or image may turn our thought fromthe contemplation of him who is most high and who hath his dwelling inblack darkness. Moreover, those who are not seen shall have neithervanity nor the will to deceive. Would you share in our deliberations?"

Vergilius answered yes, and one of the council then took his hand andadministered the oath of secrecy, and led him to what seemed to be alarge divan, where he sat, shoulder to shoulder, between other membersof the council. He listened long to the casuistry of learned mentouching prayer, atonement, and sacrifice. It led at last to somediscussion of the new king. 

"Is there one here can tell me where and when he shall be born?" wasthe query of Vergilius. 

"We believe the Messiah is already born, " said a councillor. "Moreover, some here have beheld his face. "

"And where, then, does he dwell?" Vergilius inquired. 

"That you shall know some day. At the next meeting of the council itmay be told. We wait only for the fulness of time. He dwells in adistant city, and not long ago I spoke with him. He sent his love andgreeting to every member of our council. He bids you wait his time, when all your prayers shall be answered. "

"Shall there be signs of his coming?" So spoke Vergilius. 

"There shall be signs, and you shall hear of them in this chamber. "

"And what shall be the aim of the king?"

"To establish the reign of justice. "

Vergilius queried much regarding the government of the new king, andgot replies adding more to his curiosity than to his knowledge. 

It was near the middle hour of the night when a voice announced: "Thekeeper of the new door will now leave the council. "

Vergilius heard a stir coming near him in the darkness. Hands werelaid upon him, and, presently, one took his arm and led him away. Thetwo climbed a long flight of stairs and made hastily across a broadroof. At a railed opening they came to other stairs, and, descending, entered a passage, dark as had been the chamber. At its end the Romanreceived a password. Then a door swung and again he was on thepavements of Jerusalem, and, far away, could see the lights of TempleHill. 

His conductor, returning, announced the departure of "the new voice. "

"We will now hear from the keeper of records, " said one. 

A voice quickly answered: "He secured a lock of his hair. "

"And what says the keeper of the hidden light?"

Then said another voice: "He now sees but one obstacle. "

"And what says the Angel of Death?"

A low, deep tone broke the silence in which all waited. "The sixth daybefore the kalends, he shall claim his own, " so it answered. 

"Enough, " said the questioner. "The ways lead to safety. I bid yougo. "

One by one the councillors began to leave. There was no treading uponheels, for one was well out of the way before another was allowed togo. So cunningly was their room devised that half the exits led to onethoroughfare and half to another; and so many were they, it was said, no more than two councillors came or went by the same door. And of allwho came, so say the records, not one knew another to be sure of him. 

CHAPTER 16

For the king there were three great perils: the people, Caesar, and hisown family. The descendant of old John Hyrcanus of Idumaea--a Jew onlyby compulsion--had no understanding of the children of Moses. Hetripped every day on the barriers of ancient law, and often hisgenerosity was taken for defiance. Caesar was not so hard to please. He had vanity and laws not wholly inflexible. Herod's family, with itsevil sister, its profligate sons, its voluptuous daughters, its wives, of whom it is enough to say they were nine, its intrigues andjealousies, gave him greater trouble than either the kingdom or theemperor. He built a city near Jerusalem, on the sea. Magnificent inmarble and gold, Caesarea stood for a monument of Herodian troubles. Therein he sought to amuse the people, to pacify his kindred, and toflatter Caesar. Its vast breakwater; its great arches through whichthe sea came gently in all weather; its mosaic pavements washed dailyby the salt tide; its palaces of white marble; its great, glowingamphitheatre--these were unique in their barbaric splendor, albeit, inthe view of the people, an offence to God. 

Among those who dwelt in Caesarea was Elpis, eighth wife of the king, with her daughter Salome, whose praises had been sung at the banquet ofAntipater. Both were renowned for beauty and the splendor of theirdress. Salome had the colors of the far north, and that perfect andvoluptuous contour found only in marble figures of Venus, above thegreat purple sea, and, below it, in the daughters of men. She wastall, shapely, full blooded. They called her Salome, child of the sun, because she had the dark of night in her large eyes, the tints ofmorning in her cheeks, and the gold of noonday in her hair. 

When Manius came to seek her hand the king said, with a smile: "Mynoble youth, she is for the like of Achilles--a man of heroic heart andsize. Have you no fear of her?"

Quickly Manius replied: "Know you not, O king! my fathers fought withAchilles?"

"But they had the protection of the gods, " said Herod, with a smile. "However, you may find her favor sufficient. I have heard her speakfair of you. "

Now a quarrel had arisen between Elpis and a sister of Herod. So, therefore, to calm a tempest, the adroit king had sent his eighth wifeto live by the sea. 

It was a day near the nones of October, when the tribune went toCaesarea with Manius. There in a great palace, erected by the king, they met the two renowned women. It was a fête day and the gay peopleof Herod's court were in attendance. Salome was dancing, tabret inhand, her form showing through a robe of transparent silk as the twoentered. Once before, at the door of the king, Vergilius had seen her. 

"See the taper of arm and leg, " said he, addressing his companion, "Sheis wonderful!"

A lithe and beautiful creature, she swayed and bent, with armsextended, her feet, now slow as the pinions of a sailing hawk, nowswift as the wings of a tilting sparrow. She stopped suddenly, herform proudly erect, looking at her lover. Now she had the dignity of awild deer in the barrens. With one hand she felt her jewelled hair, with the other she beckoned to him. The young men approached her. 

"Children of Aeneas, I give you welcome, " said she. Then turning toVergilius: "Did Manius tell you that I bade him bring you here?"

"I knew not I was so honored. "

"He is jealous. He will not permit me to embrace my little page. Ihave wished to meet you, noble tribune, ever since I saw you in myfather's palace. "

Her eyes were playful, as if they would try the heart of her lover. 

"And when I saw you, " said Vergilius, "I--I knew you were the betrothedof the assessor. "

"And why?" she besought, with a smile. 

"Because I heard him say in Rome that, of all the daughters of Judea, you were most beautiful. "

Her eyes looked full upon his and he saw in them a glint of that firewhich had begun to burn within her. He said to himself, as he cameaway, "Here is another Cleopatra--a woman made to pull down the mighty. "

Next day from the daughter of Herod came a letter to the young tribune:

"NOBLE SON OF VARRO, --I have much to say concerning your welfare, and Idoubt not you will desire to hear it. If I judge you rightly, come tothe palace of my mother the second evening before the nones. An hourafter sunset I will meet you at the gate of bronze. Say naught toManius of your coming or of this letter. "

"Temptress!" said he, crushing the sheet of scented vellum. "But sheis beautiful, " he added, wistfully. "She is like the Venus ofAlcamenes. I would love well to look upon her again. "

He smoothed out the crumpled vellum. 

"'Say naught to Manius, '" he read again. "I like it not. I shallwrite to her that I have other business. "

And so did he, although in phrases of regret, as became one addressinga daughter of the great king. 

Sorely vexed, she thought ever of the noble beauty of the Roman youth, and became more eager to gain her purpose. It may be the girl bore forhim a better feeling than she had ever known. She wished, if possible, to win him, knowing that her father would not be slow to help himforward. The handsome youth had pleased her eye, and might, also, gratify her ambition. Those days the art of intrigue was the study ofa king's daughter; so, straightway, she invented a cunning plan. Knowing the great desire of Vergilius, she bribed the priest Lugar togive him crafty counsel. On the very morning of that second day thepriest came to him. 

"How fares your soul, noble tribune?" said Lugar. 

"I feel it strong in me, " said Vergilius. 

"And you would know if it be strong unto salvation?"

"That would I gladly know. "

"Come with me this night and you shall see your soul in the balance. "

"And whither shall we go?"

"To the palace of Laban, steward of the king. I shall come for yousoon after the ninth hour. "

"And thereby increase my debt to you, " said Vergilius. "Remember mysoul may not be rejected for lack of gratitude. "

Now in that hour which follows the beginning of night, Lugar andVergilius were come to the place appointed. Slaves led them through agreat hall to the banquet-chamber. There were the daughters of Laban, reclining in graceful ease. The banquet-table had been removed. Nowthey were taking their feast of old tales and new gossip. They roseand came to meet the young men. Tunics of jewelled gauze coveredwithout concealing forms lovely as the sculptures of immortal Greeceand redolent of all rare perfumes. 

"And you would see a maidens' frolic?" said one to Vergilius. 

Then said he: "Maidens are ever a delight to me. "

"Ay, they make you to forget, " said the girl. 

He thought a moment before answering. "It may be true, " said he. "Butthey keep you in mind of the power of woman. "

Strains of the lyre broke in upon them. Suddenly the centre of thegreat room was thronged with maidens. The young tribune was full ofwonder, knowing not whence they had come. There was a wreath of roseson each brow, and as they gathered in even rank with varicolored robesupon them, they reminded the knight of garden walls in Velitrae. Quickly they began to mingle, with feet tripping lightly, with bodiesbending to display their charms. Threadlike, wavering gleams of ruby, pearl, and sapphire seemed to weave a net upon them. Such a sceneappealed to the love of beauty in Vergilius. It awoke dying butdelightful memories of the pagan capital--splendors of form and color, glowing eyes and pretty frolic. 

"O Venus, mother of love!" he whispered, turning to admire a statue inthe dim-lit corner where he stood. Now the eyes of Venus were coveredwith an arm. Out went his hand to feel the shapely marble. It waswarm, and slowly Venus began to move, as did the strains of music, and, presently, whirled away. 

"How beautiful!" he said. "'Tis the magic of a dream. "

His eyes were upon the form of Venus, taller than the others and morenobly fashioned. 

"'Tis the great goddess come to earth, " said he, turning to Lugar. 

The music had ceased. The maidens, save two, had flung themselves uponrugs and couches. Venus and another were approaching the Roman. 

"Daughter of Herod, " said he, going to meet her, "I knew you not. "

She took his arm and led him to one of the couches. 

"You are very stubborn, " said she, looking into his eyes. "You had'business. '"

"So have I. We came here, as I thought, to confer with--with wise men. "

"And not with wise women?"

"It may be. I had not learned to look for wisdom where there isbeauty. "

"And have I not wisdom? Ah, son of Varro, my mother has taught me manymysteries. I can read the future and the past. "

She leaned close to his ear and whispered, her arm against his: "Ibelieve in the power of fate. I had much to say and you had not thewill to listen. It has brought you and me together, "

"To enchant me with your beauty?" he inquired. 

"Nay, " said she, her cheek touching his shoulder. "But to instruct youwith my wisdom. I see much in your face. "

"And what see you?"

"Apollo!" she whispered, with a sigh; "and the power to be great. "

It flattered him, but he knew the sound of fair words. 

"In Rome, " said he, laughing, "we belittle with compliments. "

"In Jerusalem we fill them with sincerity, and often--"

He listened as the daughter of Herod drew closer. 

"They convey our love, " she added, in a whisper. 

"I learn wonderful things every day. But why think you I am to begreat?"

"I know the mysteries of fate, " she answered, quickly, and with alittle resentment of his coldness. "But there is one thing in yourway. "

"And what?"

"Your work is to be in Judea, and you love, or think you love, a Romanmaiden. "

"I know that I love her, " said he, quickly. 

"But love is a great deceiver. You shall not take her for your wife. "

"Why?" he demanded, turning and looking into the face of Salome. 

Her dark eyes were now gazing into his, her hand softly stroking hisbare arm. 

"Because, " she whispered, and now he could feel the motion of hershapely red lips upon his ear, "here, in Judea, you shall find one wholoves you with a greater love. "

His pulses were quick with passion. He rose, turning from the daughterof Herod. To his amazement the others had all departed. He and thisliving Venus of Judea were alone. 

She rose and spoke rapidly, her heart's fire in her words! "Here thelove of women is longer than their lives--greater than their prudenceor their hope of heaven. "

She stood erect before him, her beauty striving with the ardor of herwords. 

He looked down at her with a kind of fear in his eyes. 

She took his hand in hers. "My father is fond of you, " she continued. "Shall I tell your future?"

"And I knew it for a moment hence I should know all, " he answered;covering his eyes. She came near, and, caressingly, put an arm abouthis neck. He could hear a nightingale singing somewhere in the greatpalace. It seemed to fling open the gates of memory. He thought ofhis love--sacred now above all things. His fear of it was like as thefear of the gods had been to his fathers. For a moment honor, wisdom, and love trembled in the balance. Suddenly he stood erect and put hishand upon the shoulder of Salome and gently pushed her aside. 

He turned away, his left arm covering his eyes and his right moving ina gesture of protest. He staggered as one drunk with wine. Slowly hecrossed the chamber, struggling to defend his soul. 

"I dare not look upon your face again, " said he, sternly. 

She ran before and tried to stop him. "Hear me, son of Varro, " saidshe. "It is my will to help you. "

"I will not look upon your face again, " he repeated. 

She struck at his hand fiercely, her foot stamping on the floor. Nowwas she of the catlike tribe of Herod. 

"Go, stupid fool!" The words came hissing from her lips. "I hateyou!" She ran away, with impassioned laughter. He passed the door. 

"To the evil honor is ever stupid, " he said, to himself, as he left thepalace. By-and-by he added, thoughtfully, "'Tis a mighty friend--thisgreat love in me. "

And said David, who was waiting when he returned: "They kept you long, my master. "

"Yes; I have been fighting!"

"Fighting?"

"For the prize of heaven in the amphitheatre of hell. My love was myshield, the power of God my weapon. "

"Friend, what mean you?"

"That an evil woman has tried to put the leash of fate upon me. "

"How fared the battle?"

"It was my victory, " said Vergilius; "and I do feel a mighty peace inme. "

CHAPTER 17

Vergilius had thought wisely of his temptation. Fate rules them onlywho are too weak to rule themselves, and the great leash of fate is thepower of evil women. It was now to hasten the current of history inthe old capital. 

Salome sat with Manius in the great picture-room of her mother'spalace. Guests had left the banquet-hall and gone to their homes. Itwas near the middle hour of the night and Herod's daughter was alonewith the young assessor of Augustus. 

"You shall choose, " said she, "between the daughter and the son ofHerod. My brother hates me, and I fear him. When he is king, what, think you, would happen to the husband of Salome, and what to her? Ishould have to train my tongue to praise him and my knees to bend. Ishould need to bow my head for fear of losing it. Know you not ofAlexander and Aristobulus and the dear, beloved Mariamne--how theydied? You--poor fool!--you would be lucky if he made you master of thestables!"

"But he has promised--"

"Promised! If you care to live a day after he is king remind him notof his promises. "

"Think you Antipater would dare to take my life? I am an officer ofAugustus. "

"Oh, beautiful boy!" she laughed. "He would be no toy of Caesar. Hedreams of conquest. He will gather an army in Judea, Parthia, andArabia. He will attack Caesar, and Caesar is growing old. Do you notknow it is long since Actium?"

Alarm had risen to the eyes of the young Roman, his lips were nowtrembling. "What is your plan?" he whispered. 

"Betray the council, " said she. "Tell the king and write to Caesarabout it. So you will prove your faithfulness and devotion. LovingCaesar, you have been a spy self-appointed. Antipater shall be put todeath, and we--we shall have honor and glory and, maybe, a palace ofmany towers. "

She put her arms about his neck and gave him a look whose meaning heunderstood. 

"By all the gods! you are worthy to be the wife as well as the daughterof a king, " he whispered, his cheeks red with enthusiasm. "But theywill think me a poor spy if I give not the names of the conspirators, and how may I?"

"But the God-fearing fool, Vergilius--you know he is of them?"

"I am sure--I heard his voice, but I have not seen him. "

"You shall see him, " said she, with rising fury in her eyes; "and Ishall see him"--she paused, her hands clinched, her tongue sorting hotwords--"melting in fire, " she added, fiercely. She clapped her hands;she leaned forward, her body shaking with a silent, horrible laughterof the spirit. 

A moment she seemed to dwell upon the awful picture. Then, turning toManius; "Give the password to my father and let him go and listen. Ipromise you their names shall not be long a secret. He must hear all. Give him plans of that chamber so he may guard the exits. "

"I will do my part, dear and wonderful daughter of Herod! To-morrow Ishall begin the good work. " So saying the Roman embraced Salome andspoke his farewell. 

Having left her, he went to his own palace and sat awhile pondering. 

"But if Herod is there, " said he to himself, "and the soldiers come inwith lights and the council members see me, they will learn that I havebetrayed them. And some may be there who know of my part in otherenterprises. By showing proof--Jupiter! they would bring confusion ordeath upon me. I must not be there, and yet--and yet I must. Theywait for the shrill voice to declare the fulness of time. Unless I bethere the king may be no wiser for his coming. I will go, but I willnot tell Herod of the long way underground to the street of tombs. Iwill announce the fulness of time and quit the council before itsproclamation is made. Then the old lion may spring his trap, and who, save Ben Joreb, will know that I ever sat with traitors. And as forthe priest, I shall warn him. I know that he is weary of Antipater andwill take a share in the new enterprise. "

CHAPTER 18

It was the day before the nones of November in Rome. The emperor hadreturned to his palace after opening the Ludi Plebeii. The people hadhailed him as father, forgiver, peace-maker. A softened spirit, sweeping over the world, was come upon them. That day they had put inhis hands a petition for new laws to limit the power of men overslaves. But in that matter he was bound to ancient custom by fettersof his own making. Once--he was then emperor of Rome but not of hisown spirit--he had punished a slave by crucifixion for killing a petquail. For that act, one cannot help thinking, he must have beenharassed with regret. The sting of it tempered his elation thatNovember day. He was, however, pleased with the spirit of the peopleand his heart was full of sympathy and good-will. 

On his table were letters from the south. He lay comfortably in hisgreat chair and began to read them. Presently his body straightened, the wrinkles deepened in his brow. Soon he flung the letter he hadbeen reading upon his table and leaned back, laughing quietly as heremarked to himself:

"Innocent, beautiful son of Varro! He is making progress. "

An attendant came near. 

"Find my young Appius at once and bring him to me, " said the emperor, as he went on reading his letters. 

Appius, quickly found, came with all haste to the great father of Rome. 

"I have news for you, " said the latter, quietly, with a glance at hisyoung friend. He continued to read his letters. 

"News!" said Appius. 

"'Tis of Vergilius--the apt and youthful Vergilius. How swift, industrious, and capable is he! How versatile! How varied hisattainments!"

"I am delighted. "

The emperor turned his keen eyes on the young man, with a smile ofamusement. Then he spoke, gently:

"'Tis only four months, and he has become a conspirator, and also aprophet, and is likely soon to be--what is that word they use inJudea?--an angel. You will start for Jerusalem to-morrow, my goodAppius. And when you arrive there convey to him my congratulations. "

"Your congratulations!"

"That he is upon earth to receive them, " said the great man. Heresumed his letters and continued speaking, slowly: "Tell him I havebeen asked to consider whether he should keep his head upon hisshoulders, and that I have decided to refer the question to him. Itwill not come back to me. Say, also, that he should have more lightupon his friends, and that I have withdrawn my consent to his marriage. "

The young man rose, a look of astonishment in his face. 

"But shall I be in time?" said he, with some excitement. 

"Learn composure, my good Appius. Herod may not be extremely polite tohim, but--but he will wait. "

That odd man, Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus, laughed silentlyas the youth was leaving. He beckoned to a slave, who halted Appiusand turned him back. 

"An escort will be on the campus at dawn, " said the emperor. "I wishyou a pleasant journey and will write you when to return. "

Now there had been no changes of moment in the palace of the LadyLucia, save one. The slave-girl, Cyran, had brought to Arria theinspiration of a new faith. The sister of Appius had begun to try itin secret prayers. Her mother had fallen ill of a deadly fever so thatnone had hope of her recovery, and the girl had prayed, and, lo! herprayer had been answered. Letters from Vergilius, full of the newlight in him, had confirmed her faith. And Arria confided to herfamily and intimates knowledge of her devotion to the one God. Soonthe religion of Judea had become a topic of patrician Rome. 

When Vergilius had left the capital, Antipater came every day for atime to the palace of the Lady Lucia, and brought with him manybeautiful gifts. But Arria refused to see him or to accept the giftshe had brought. Now the stubborn prince had faith that when he wasmade king she would no longer be able to resist him. If he failed withsplendor, he was beginning to consider what he might do with power. 

That day of the interview between youth and emperor a letter came toArria from her lover. It began as follows:

"DEAR LOVE, --It has been a day illumined with new honor and the praisesof a king. Now, before sleeping, I send these words to tell you that Ihave not forgotten. Every day I think of you, and my love grows. Isee your face full of honor and the will to give all for me. Becauseit is in you, I love honor beyond all my hope of it, and--that look inyour eyes--oh, it has made me to think gently and be kind! Now I tellyou of a wonderful thing--this feeling is the very seed of friendship. The legate, the procurator, the high priest, and Herod himself, are myfriends. I had only the will to serve, and now they insist that Ishall command. After all, it is in no way remarkable--there be so fewhere who forget themselves for the good of the service. It all leadsto a new and a great law--think of the good of others and you need haveno thought of yourself. Consider this, my beloved, if every man loveda good woman as I love you a new peace would fill the world. "

Then he told her of his discovery of David, the brother of Cyran, andtheir friendship. 

CHAPTER 19

When Appius told his mother and his sister what Augustus had said tohim, they were greatly distressed. But Arria would not believe thatVergilius had been guilty of dishonor. Such were her anxiety and herfear of injustice falling upon her lover, the girl would have it thatshe must go to Jerusalem with Appius. She would neither be turned awaynor bear with dissuasion. Her brother told her not of the bittermessage of Augustus, and, fearing the wiles of the Jewish prince, determined to take her with him. So, therefore, as the sun rose on thenones of November in that year of the birth of Jesus, they set out witha troop of horse on the Appian Way. 

They were midland in Thrace on their way to Piraeus, where a shipwaited them, when they were overtaken by the cavalcade of Antipater. The prince, summoned by Herod, was now returning, under royal banners, to receive his inheritance of glory and power. A letter had startedhim, which, according to the great historian of that time, was warmwith affectionate greeting. Antipater, also, was to take ship forJudea. He had learned of the departure of Appius and Arria, and hadpushed his horses to the limit of their speed in order to overtakethem. When he first saw the troop of the young Roman, he left hiscolumn and came rushing on to greet them. 

The troop of Appius quickly faced about and stood with raised lances. 

"Proud son and daughter of Publius, " said Antipater, drawing rein, "myheart, my horses, and my men are at your service!" He was now splendidin royal vestments of purple and gold. 

"Our gratitude is not less than our surprise, " said Appius. "How cameyou flying out of the west like a bluebird?"

"'Tis a winged foot that goes to meet a friend, " said the prince. "Ileft Rome far behind you and I go to Jerusalem. "

"We took you for a bandit. "

"And I am only a king, " said Antipater, proudly. "I am summoned totake the crown of my father. "

"And is he dead?"

"Nay, but ill and weary of his burden. "

Appius removed his helmet as he made answer:

"The gods give you health, honor, and wisdom, O king! Will you ridewith us?"

"Already the gods give me honor, " said the prince, bowing politely asthe troop made way for him. "I doubt not they will add health andwisdom. But there is a blessing I put above either. "

They started slowly, Antipater riding between Arria and her brother inadvance of the troop. 

"And shall we ask the gods to grant it?" said Arria. 

"Yes, for it is your favor, sweet girl. I adore you, and shall have noother queen. "

"I cannot give you my heart, " said she, frankly. "It is impossible--Icannot bear to speak of it. "

"And you would not share my power and glory with me?" said Antipater, turning, with a look of surprise. 

Appius answered:

"Once before I have told you, my worthy prince, that whom the emperorchooses she will wed. "

"Think not of that--I shall make terms with him, " said Antipater. "Sheshall never wed a weak-hearted tribune. "

"You speak lightly of my friend, " said Appius. "I like it not, goodsire. "

"Son of Herod, " said Arria, drawing rein, "we cannot longer enjoy yourcompany. "

Appius halted the troop. 

For a little Antipater was dumb with astonishment. He drew aside, andwhen he spoke his voice trembled with ire, it was near bursting intofury. 

"Sweet girl, " said he, caressing the neck of his horse, "not even thepower of Rome shall forbid me to love you, and I swear, by the god ofmy fathers, no man shall live between us!" He turned quickly, and afierce look came into his eyes and he added, in a hoarse half-whisper, "You shall be my wife, sister of Appius. "

The young Roman wheeled his horse between them. Antipater backed away, threatening with his lance. He shouted to his trumpeter, his troopbeing hard by, and quickly a call sounded. Then spur went to flank, and the followers of the Jew passed in a quick rush and went thunderingoff, Antipater at the head of their column. He rode to Athens in illhumor and was at Piraeus three hours in advance of Arria and Appius. The sun had set and the sea lay calm in a purple dusk. He went aboardhis trireme at once and called his pilot to him. 

"Go find the vessel waiting here for one Appius of Rome, " he commanded. 

"It is she that lies near us, " said the other. 

"And you know her pilot?"

"Ay, 'tis Tepas the Idumaean. He knows the broad sea as one may knowhis own vineyard. "

"Bring him to me. "

When Tepas came, Antipater took him aside and spread before him a chartof the vast, purple sea which beat upon the shores of Hellas. He puthis finger on a little spot some leagues from the coast of Africa. 

"Know you the Isle of Doom?" said he. 

"Ay, 'tis a lonely heap of rocks. "

"A roost of sea-birds, " said the prince of Judea. "Know you who am I?"

"You are the son of Herod. "

"And I go to be king of the Jews. "

Antipater took from a bag many pieces of gold and heaped them on thechart above the Isle of Doom. 

"Would you earn this money, and much more?" he whispered. 

"If you will but show me how, " said Tepas, the fire of greed nowburning in his heart. 

"Sail close to the Isle of Doom. There your trireme shall be leakingand you shall desert her and seek refuge on the isle and wait for me. You shall have ample store of provisions, and this treasure, and when Icome you shall have, also, three talents more and a home in Jerusalem, and my favor as long as you live. "

"But how long must I wait?"

"Not beyond, the ides of January, good man. "

"Then I agree, " said Tepas. 

So was it with an evil man those days. If he were armed with power hehalted not between his plan and his purpose. There were, indeed, fewthings so valued as to be above price. 

But the cunning of the tempter was to lead his prey into further depthsof infamy. The prince took the hand of the sailor and whispered to him:

"If you would be a friend to me, then my enemies should be yourenemies. " He paused a moment, looking into the eyes of the pilot andtenderly patting his shoulder. It was like the guile of the blackleopard. Presently he continued:

"Now this young Roman is my enemy. If by any chance he, Appius, shoulddie before I come, you shall have six instead of three talents. He isfond of wine, and for such the sea has many perils. Do you understandme?"

"I do, " said Tepas, nodding his approval, and then that heap of gold, lying on the chart, was delivered to him, and without more delay hewent to his own vessel. Antipater sat in silence, thinking for amoment, his chin upon his breast. Soon the thought of his enemies andtheir doom brightened his eyes and lifted the corners of his mouth alittle and set his lips quivering. He leaned forward upon a table, softly, as if in fear that some eye would observe him. One might haveheard then that menacing, Herodian rumble in his throat. He seemed tocaress the table with his hands. 

"Dear Appius! Good Vergilius!" he muttered, seizing a piece of vellumand crushing it in his hand. "Soon my power shall close upon you. AndArria, my pretty maiden, you shall repair my heart with kisses. "

A pet kitten leaped upon the table. It seemed to startle him, and hestruck it dead with his hand. 

Then he sprang up suddenly and looked about, a feline stealth upon him, and ran with catlike paces to the deck. 

"Get to work, you sea-rats!" he roared. "Every man to his place. Ifwe are not gone to sea before the moon is up, some of you will be goneto Hades. "

In half a moment slaves were up in the rigging and rushing across thedeck and tumbling into the galley. 

And that night Antipater pushed his prow into the deep sea. 

Meanwhile Arria and Appius, fearing the power of this new king ofJudea, and thinking also of the peril of Vergilius, travelled slowly, considering what they should do. Appius feared either to go or toreturn, but Arria was of better courage. 

"I must go to him, " said she. "You know not this love in me, dearbrother. I would give up my life to be with him. If he is dead Ishall never see the seven hills again. I shall go--" she paused, covering her eyes a moment. 

"Where?"

"To the city of God, " she whispered. 

"May all the gods protect us, " said her brother. 

And the day after Antipater had set sail, they, too, with Cyran, theslave-girl, were moving southward in the great, middle sea. 

CHAPTER 20

Again the council of the covenant was in session. Herod, unknown toall, sat in the darkness of the council chamber. The intrigue ofSalome and the treachery of Manius had led the Lion of Judea to hisprey. Swords of fate were in the gloom that surrounded the traitors. 

Now there had been, that night, a great discussion of the new king, andsuddenly a man sitting by the side of Vergilius had risen. He beganspeaking in a strange voice, which had, however, some quality familiarto the young Roman. Shrill and trembling with emotion, it thrilledmany with a feeling of religious awe. 

"The time is upon us, " said he, "when the judges of the council havecome to the end of their deliberations. It is for me, therefore, toreveal it to you in part. If there be any here who give not fullapproval, let them freely express their minds. "

He did not explain that such were, then and there, to be won byargument or put out of the way by daggers. 

"I speak of great things, but he that is to follow me shall speak ofgreater. After weighing all the promises of Holy Writ, and enforcingtheir wisdom by the counsel of other learned men, " he continued, "yourjudges declare the fulness of time. "

The speaker paused. He heard a little stir of bodies, a rustle ofrobes in the darkness. 

The speaker went on:

"When Herod dies you shall see a rider go swiftly through the streetsbearing a red banner and crying, 'The king is dead. ' Then shall thecommander of the cohorts go quickly and take possession of the royalpalace and await the new king. "

Vergilius turned quickly in the direction of the fateful voice. He hadbegun to suspect a plot. In a moment he saw to the very depths of itscunning. Here was a band of conspirators meeting in the darkness andspeaking in disguised voices. Probably no member had ever seen theface of another, and the betrayal of a name was, therefore, impossible. Vergilius, now commander of the castle, heard with consternation of hispart in the programme. By some movement of the speaker's body an endof his girdle was flung against the hand of Vergilius. Immediately theyoung Roman laid hold of the silken cord. Tracing it stealthily, tomake sure of its owner, he drew his dagger and cut the girdle in twain, hiding an end of it in his bosom. 

"The new king is in Rome, " the speaker added. "Presently you shallhear the voice of his herald, whose face I know not, but of whosefidelity and wisdom. I have long been sure. He will give you furtherrevelation of our purposes. "

It was cunningly said, for the speaker knew that such a promise woulddelay the vengeance of Herod. 

A little silence followed the ceasing of "the shrill voice. " Vergiliuscould hear its owner moving away in the darkness. Fearfulpossibilities had begun to suggest themselves to the new convert. Nowhad he the flinty heart and the cunning mind of his fathers. Thedarkness had begun to smother and sicken him. 

"Hear me now, good friends, " said a low, calm, but unfamiliar voice, "and let my words enter your hearts and be there cherished in secret, for I shall tell you a name, and for its safe-keeping you shall answerto the Most High. Know you, then, that the new king is no other thanthe son of Herod and his name is Antipater--a man of great valor, learned in all wisdom and all mystery, who loves the people of God. His heart has suffered, feeling the wrongs of Israel. He has the voiceof wrath, the hand of power, and the claim of a just and naturalinheritor. I have his word that we who are bound in this council ofthe covenant shall share in the glory of his reign. "

Vergilius, hot with anger, rose to his feet. 

"Good sirs, " said he, in a piping voice very unlike his own, "let usnot approve without full understanding. There may be some here who intheir zeal have been deceived. Let us be fair, and warn them that allwho approve this plan are traitors. I came here to study the mysteriesof the one God, and I am learning the mysteries of an evil plot. 'Tisa great surprise to me. I like it not, and shall have no part in it. I know not your names or your faces, but I know your plan is murder, and if the one God favor it, I can no longer honor Him. "

He paused, but there came no answer. Again he heard a rustle ofgarments in the dark chamber, and, also, a stealthy and suggestivegrating of steel upon scabbard. He perceived now the imminence of hisperil. He could hear no sound in the darkness. 

He stepped quickly aside, hearing not the feet which followed, norfeeling him who clung to the skirt of his toga. He stood silent, withdagger drawn. As he felt about him, he touched a pair of great, trembling hands. He stood motionless, expecting every breath to feel apoint plunging into his flesh. Suddenly some one blew a sharp whistleclose beside him. Then, for a little, it seemed as if the doors werebeing rent by thunderbolts. Crowding forms and cries of terror filledthe darkness. The young Vergilius kept his place after the firstoutbreak. Men, rushing past him, had torn the toga from his back. Thehands which had clung upon him now held his wrist with a gripimmovable. Doors fell and lights were flashing in. He saw now, onevery side, a gleam of helmet and cuirass. Men, retreating from thelights, huddled in a dark corner. Some began to weep and cry to God. The scene was awful with swiftness and terror. The crowding groupmoved like caving sand. It sank suddenly, every man going to hisknees. Quick as the serpent, a line of soldiers flung itself aroundthem. Vergilius, with the man who clung to him, stood apart near themiddle of the chamber. 

Suddenly he heard an impatient, wrathful shout close beside him:"Lights here, ye laggards!"

Vergilius jumped as if he had felt the prick of steel. He turned, looking at the man who held his arm. A squad with torches cameswiftly, forming about them. The powerful hands let go; a cloak andhood fell upon the floor. 

"The king!" said Vergilius, bowing low. 

"And you, " said Herod, breathing heavily and leaning on the shoulder ofthe young man, "you are the only friend of the king. To save you fromthe fate of those dogs yonder, I would not let you go. "

This unloved and terrible man, still leaning upon the shoulder ofVergilius, wept feebly. It seemed as if the infirmity of old age hadfallen suddenly upon him. He muttered, in a weak and piping tone, ofhis great life weariness. Then he seemed to hear those low cries ofterror from beyond the line of guards. He lifted his head, listening. He turned quickly, crouching low, and seemed to threaten the soldiersnear him with his hand. They stepped aside fearfully. Then was he, indeed, the old lion of Judea, ready to spring upon his prey. 

"Stand them here before me, " he growled, fiercely. 

The conspirators were drawn up in line. Torches were held before theirfaces. Vergilius looked with pity at the terrified throng. There wereLugar and two merchants he knew, and that chamberlain of Herod's palacewho had taken him before the king. There was also a famous young Romanathlete, whom Vergilius had first seen and admired at the circus inRome, and who had lately been a member of the castle guard. But nonewore the girdle which Vergilius had cut in twain. 

The king stood before them, raging like a man possessed of demons. Fate, which had whispered through lips of beauty in the palace atCaesarea, now thundered in the voice of power. 

"Serpents, murderers, children of the devil!" he roared. "Soon shallyour souls wander in hell and your bodies rot in the valley of Hinnom. Take them to the torture, and make it slow for such as give us nofurther knowledge. Away with them! Let their food be fear and theirdrink be the sweat of agony and their end be death at the games ofCaesar!"

The will of that graceful and voluptuous maiden had been well if onlypartially expressed. 

A guard of soldiers led the unfortunate men away. 

Herod, now weak and trembling, took the arm of Vergilius. 

"To my palace!" said he, and they made their way to his litter. 

"It will do no good to put them to torture, " said Vergilius. "You haveheard all. They have met in darkness and the leaders have disguisedtheir voices. No member could be sure of the identity of any savehimself. Only two or three, perhaps, could have betrayed other membersof the order. "

"Fool! were they not sure of Vergilius, the commander of the cohorts?"said Herod. 

"But the plot is uncovered, and now, great sir, I implore you, try theremedy of Caesar. "

Herod ceased muttering and turned with a look of inquiry. 

"Forgive them, " Vergilius added. 

The king answered with curses. Then from his chamber, where they hadnow arrived, he drove all save the young Roman. "Long ago I discoveredevidence of the treachery of the prince, " said he. "To Antipater--foulson of Doris--I despatched this letter. "

He spread a sheet of vellum before Vergilius, bidding him read. It wasthe copy of a letter addressed to his "dutiful and affectionate sonAntipater. " It recited that, whereas he (Herod) was now become ill andweary under his many cares, and needed the companionship of them heloved, Antipater should ask, in the name of his father, for a goodlyescort of cavalry and proceed at once to Jerusalem, there, shortly, toreceive his inheritance. 

"Foul son of Doris!" the king growled, hoarsely, as the young Romanturned. Then his voice broke into a shrill, piping laugh. "Ha, ha!He is coming--even now he is coming to take the crown of his lovingfather!"

Then he loaned forward with a savage leer, as if he saw the object ofhis wrath. His lips were parted, his mouth open, his breath camehissing from his throat. 

"Foul son of Doris!" he repeated, beating the floor with his feet. "Your lies have drowned me in the blood of those I love. Swamp plant!creeping asp! Soon shall I put my foot upon you!"

Turning to Vergilius, he continued, presently:

"Be ready, my tribune, to go down to the sea with a cohort. There meethim, as he comes, and let him fall quickly from his height ofgreatness, and chain him, hand and foot, and bring him hence. You maygo now. "

Vergilius bowed and left the home of Herod. As he went away he fell tothinking of that girdle's end in his bosom. Although it was past themiddle hour of night, he hastened to the palace of Manius. Theassessor, distraught and pale, started as he met him, and Vergilius sawat once that an end of the other's girdle had been cut away. The youngtribune drew that piece of braided silk from under his tunic. 

"It is yours?" said he, tossing it to Manius. 

"I--I had not observed, " said the other, nervously, "It is part of thegirdle I wear in deference to the people among whom I live. How cameyou by it?"

"Fox! Your cunning will not save you. Tell me first how you escapedthe peril into which you had drawn me. "

"I do not understand you. "

"But I understand you, " said Vergilius, with anger. "There are but twoplaces in the world for you. One is beyond the boundaries of Rome, theother is the valley of Hinnom. " Having said which, he turned, quickly, and left the assessor's palace. 

CHAPTER 21

Arria and her brother were far from the shores of Hellas and near theIsle of Doom. Tepas knew that a few leagues more would bring him insight of the familiar cliffs. Brother and sister were reclining on thedeck of their trireme. The tenth day of their journey was near itsend. The sun had sunk through misty depths of purple, and now seemedto melt and pour a flood of fire upon the waters. 

"I am weary, " said the girl, looking thoughtfully at the calm sea. 

"Of me?" said her brother. 

"Nay, but of that groaning of the rowers. It tells me of aching armsin the galley. I cannot sleep at night, hearing it. "

Appius laughed with amusement. "Little fool!" said he. "The slaves ofTepas are all Jews. "

"But they are men, " said the beautiful girl; "and do you notunderstand, dear brother? I love a man. "

"Love!" exclaimed Appius, with contempt, "'Tis only as the longing ofthe bird for its mate. "

"Nay, I would give all for him I love. "

"Not all, " said he, with a look of surprise. 

"Yes, all--even you, and my mother, and my home, and my country, and mylife--I am sick with longing. And when I think of him I cannot bear tosee men suffer. "

"You are gone mad, " said Appius, "and I pray the gods to bring youback. It may be the fair Vergilius forgets you. "

She turned, quickly, and her voice trembled as she whispered: "Nay, healso has the great love in him. He could not forget. "

Cyran, the pretty slave-girl, came soon with their evening repast. Arria bade her sit beside them. 

"Tell us, dear Cyran, " said the Roman beauty--"tell us a tale of oldJudea. "

"Beloved mistress, " said Cyran, kneeling by the side of Arria andkissing the border of her robe, "listen; I will tell you of the comingof the great love. Long ago there was a maiden of Galilee so beautifulthat many came far to see her. Now, it so befell, there came a certainpriest, young and fair to look upon, who did love her and seek her handin marriage. And she loved him, even as you love, but would not wedhim. O my good mistress! She knew that a mighty king was coming, andshe was held of a great hope that God would choose her for the blessedmother. And, still loving the priest, she kept herself pure in thoughtand deed. Every day they saw each other, but stayed apart, and theirlove grew holier the more it was put down. And oh, it was a wonder!for it filled their hearts with kindness and sent their feet uponerrands of mercy. And many years passed, and one day they sat together. 

"'My beloved, you are grown old and feeble, and so am I, ' said she, 'Wehave pitied every child of sorrow but ourselves. ' And they rose andput their arms about each other and went into the dark valley of death, heart to heart, that very day, and were seen no more of men. And theyin the hills of Galilee, where the lovers dwelt, made much account ofthem, for while she had not borne the great king, still was she longremembered as the blessed mother of holy love. Now, maidens, withyouth and love and beauty strong upon them, gave all for the greathope. And wonderful stories went abroad, and women were more sacred inthe eyes of men, seeing that one of them, indeed, must be mother of thevery Son of God. "

The slave-girl covered her face and her body shook with emotion. 

"Cyran, why are you crying?" said Arria. 

"Because, " Cyran replied, her voice trembling--"because I can never bethe blessed mother. "

"Tell me, " said Arria, "have you never felt the great love?"

Cyran rose and looked down at her mistress. 

"I have felt the pain of it, " said she, sadly. "And my heart--Oh, itis like the house of mourning where Sorrow has hushed the Children ofJoy. But the sweet pain of love is dear to me. "

"Tell me of it. "

"Good mistress, I cannot tell you. "

"Why, dear Cyran?"

"Because--" the slave-girl hesitated; then timidly and with tremblinglips she whispered, "because, dear mistress, I--I love you. " Sheseemed to bend beneath her burden and, knelt beside her mistress andwept. 

"Go--please go, " said Appius, turning to Cyran. "You irritate me, andI cannot understand you. "

But Arria divined the secret of the poor slave-girl, and pitied her. 

Cyran rose and left them. 

"The great love may come to you, and then you shall understand, " saidArria to Appius. 

"The great madness!" her brother exclaimed. "I like not these Jewishcattle. The gods forgive me that we have fallen among them. With aJew for a pilot we should make a landing in Hades. "

Something in his manner alarmed the girl. 

"What mean you?" she inquired. 

"I will tell you to-morrow, " said her brother. "'Tis time you went toyour couch and I to mine. Have no fear. "

Now, the young Roman had begun to suspect the pilot of some evil plan. After the girl had left him he sat drinking wine for hours. Soon hewas in a merry way, singing songs and jesting with all who passed him. Long after the dark had come, when Tepas only remained upon deck, Appius reeled up and down, singing, with a flask in his hand. The moonhad risen. Eastward her light lay like hammered silver on the ripples. 

Appius neared the tall, rugged form of Tepas. Against the illuminedwaters he could see the long, bent nose, the great beard, the shaggybrows, the large, hairy head of his pilot. Tepas, who ruled his menwith scourge and pilum, had made himself feared of all save the youngRoman noble. Appius halted, looking scornfully at the Jew. Then heshouted:

"A knave, upon my honor! 'Tis better to be drunk, for then one hashope of recovery. You long-haired dog! Here is something would makeyou bay the moon. Drink and howl. You weary me with silence. "

Tepas, familiar with the contempt of Romans, took the flask, and, pouring into his cup, drank of the rich wine. Then Appius held theflask above his head, and with a word of scorn flung it into the sea. He started to cross the deck and fell heavily. Now, after striving, asit seemed, to regain his feet, he lay awhile muttering and helpless andsoon began to snore. The deck was deserted by all save him and thepilot. Tepas looked down at the young Roman. Already, far off in themoonlight, he had seen cliffs and knew they were on the Isle of Doom. He must be about his business. He went to where Appius lay and bentover him. The pilot drew his dagger; the youth rolled drowsily and hishands were now upon the feet of Tepas. The latter leaned to strike. Asound startled him. It was a footfall close behind. The Jew rose, turning to listen. Suddenly his feet went from under him and he fellhead-long; quickly two seamen leaped upon him, seizing his head andhands. One disarmed him, the other covered his mouth. Appius clungupon the feet of the Jew. A Roman slave had taken the wheel. 

"Shall we bind him?" said one of the seamen. 

"No, " said Appius, breathing heavily as the pilot tried to shake himoff. "Give the dog a chance. Yonder is an island. We shall soon benear it, and by swimming he may save his life. "

"The gold is upon him, " said a seaman; "I can feel it under his tunic. "

"But we shall not rob him, " was the answer of Appius. 

"It is heavy. It will be like a stone to sink him. "

"However, we shall not rob him, " the young Roman repeated. 

Now, when they were come as near the isle as they dare bring theirship, Appius gave a command. They lifted the body of that cursingwretch. Back and forth they swung it as one counted. Then over itwent with reaching hands and fell upon the moonlit plane of water. They could see him rise and turn towards the isle, swimming. Weightedby his burden, he swam not twice his length before the sea closed abovehim. 

"I thought he had struck you with his dagger, " said one of the seamen. 

"It would have done no harm, " Appius replied. "I have a corselet undermy tunic. Is the ship still leaking?"

"A little, good sire. We found a wedge in the planks. He would havedriven it through, no doubt, if all had gone well with him. I know notwhy, unless he meant to beach her under the cliffs yonder. "

The young Roman stood silent for a little time. Presently his thoughtcame in a whisper to his lips: "And hold my sister until Antipatershould come. "

He called the seamen to his side. 

"I, who am a friend of the great father of Rome, " said he, "shall seeyou well rewarded. The little I gave you is not enough. Without yourhelp and warning worse luck than death might soon have come to us. "

A light wind was now blowing, and the sails began to fill. 

Suddenly all rushed forward, falling upon the deck. Their trireme hadlost half her headway and was now crashing over rocks and trembling asher bow rose. She stopped, all her timbers groaning in the shock, androlled sideways and lay with tilted deck above the water. Cries ofalarm rose from her galley. Men fought their way up the ladders andscrambled like dripping rats to every place of vantage. After theshock, Appius had leaped to the upper rail, and, rushing forward to thedoor of Arria's deck-house, found her and the slave-girl within it, unharmed. The two were crying with fear, and he bade them dressquickly and await his orders. Then he took command. Soon a raft andsmall boats were ready alongside the wreck. Within half an hour Appiusand the two maidens and part of the crew landed. 

Before daylight all were safely carried to the bare, lonely rocks, witha goodly store of food and water. 

CHAPTER 22

It was a clear morning and the tenth day before the kalends of January. Since the ides, Vergilius had been lying in camp with a cohort, nearthe port of Ascalon. Night and day on the headland velites had beenwatching for the trireme of Antipater. A little before dawn theirbeacon-fires had flamed up. Since daylight all had been watching thefar-come vessel of the son of Herod, and, as she came near, they couldsee the pattern of gold upon the royal vestments of Antipater. Now, presently, he would set foot upon the unhappy land of his inheritance. The cohort had formed in a long arc at the landing. Before now, on hisreturn, the king's horsemen had greeted him with cheers; to-day hegreeted them with curses. Vergilius, hard by, faced the cohort, hisback turned to the new-comer. Antipater halted as he came ashore, looking in surprise at the tribune. He seized a lance, and, crouchingas he ran, with sly feet approached the Roman officer. He was like thecat nearing its prey. Vergilius, now seeming unmindful of his pursuer, walked in the direction of the cohort. Swiftly, stealthily, the princecame near, intending to plunge his lance into the back of the youngtribune. Suddenly there rose an outcry among the soldiers. Vergiliusturned; the prince halted, breathing heavily, for he had run near ahundred paces in the sea-sand. A roar of rage burst from his lips. 

"Dog!" he shouted. "Bid them cheer me or I will run you through!" Hislance threatened. 

"There shall be cheers in a moment, son of Herod, " said Vergilius, calmly and respectfully approaching him. Antipater, unaware of hisperil, stood with lance at rest. With a hand quick as the paw of aleopard, Vergilius whirled it away and caught the wrist of the Jew andflung him down. While Antipater struggled in his great robe thetribune had disarmed him. Every man of the cohort was now cheering. Antipater rose in terrible wrath and flung off his robe of gold andpurple. 

"Put him in irons!" he shouted. "I, who shall soon be king of theJews, command you!"

The cohort began to jeer at him; Vergilius commanded silence. 

"You lapdog!" Antipater hissed, turning upon the Roman. "Am I met withtreason?"

"You give yourself a poor compliment, " said Vergilius. "Better call mea lion than a lapdog. " He turned to an officer who stood near andadded: "You will now obey the orders of the king. "

Forthwith, Vergilius went aboard the new-come vessel and seized thegoods of Antipater and put them on their way to the king. Meanwhile, the soldiers, many of whom had borne with the cruelty and insolence oftheir prisoner, were little inclined to mercy. He struggled, cursing, but they bore him down, binding him hand and knee to an open litter, sohe stood, like a beast, upon all fours, for such, indeed, was the orderof the king. Then they put on him the skin of a wild ass and carriedhim up and down, jeering as the long ears flapped. Vergilius, returning, removed the skin of the ass and loosed the fetters a little, and forbade the soldiers any further revenge. 

"The skin of a leopard would become you better, " said Vergilius toAntipater, as he unlashed the coat of shame. 

The wrathful Jew, still cursing, tried to bite the friendly hand of hiskeeper. "My noble prince, " said Vergilius, "you flatter me; I am notgood to eat. "

Those crowding near laughed loudly, but Vergilius hushed them andsignalled to the trumpeter. Then a call and a rush of horses intoline. The litter was lifted quickly and lashed upon the backs of twochargers. In a little time the cohort was on its way to Jerusalem. 

Arriving, it massed in front of the royal palace. Vergilius repairedto the king's chamber. The body of Herod was now become as an oldhouse, its timbers sagging to their fall, its tenant trembling at dimwindows while the storm beat upon it. Shame and sorrow and remorsewere racking him down. King and kingdom were now swiftly changing. 

"At last!" he piped, with quivering hands uplifted. "Slow-footedjustice! come--come close to me. "

Eagerly he grasped the hands of the young Roman and kissed them. Thenhe spoke with bitter irony, his words coming fast. "You met the greatking?"

"Yes, good sire. "

"You put him in chains and brought him hither?"

"And I commend him to your mercy. "

"Ha, ha!" the king shrieked, caressing the hand of the Roman. Now hishead rose, and for a little his old vigor and menacing voice returnedto him. "He has run me through with the blade of remorse and put uponme the chains of infirmity, " he complained, an ominous, croaking rattlein his throat. "To-day, to-day, my wrath shall descend upon him and mygratitude upon you! These forty years have I been seeking a man ofhonor. At last, at last, here is the greatest of men! I, Herod, surnamed the Great, king of Judea, conqueror of hosts, builder ofcities, bare my head before you!"

He removed his jewelled crown; he drew off his purple tarboosh, andbowed before the young tribune. Tenderly Vergilius replaced them onthe gray head. 

"O king, " said he, bowing low, "you do me great honor. "

Herod closed his eyes and muttered feebly. Again remorse and age hadflung their weight upon him. His hard face seemed to shrink andwither, and the young man thought as he looked upon it, "What a great, good thing is death!"

The king opened his eyes and piped, feebly: "Help me; help me to winthe favor of my people! You shall be procurator, commander of theforces, counsellor of kings, priest of God. "

The king waited, but Vergilius made no reply. Now, indeed, was heliving in a great and memorable moment. He thought of the poweroffered him--power of doing and undoing, power of raising up andputting down, power over good and evil. 

"Well, " said Herod, impatiently, "what say you?"

"O king!" said Vergilius, "I had hoped soon to return to Rome and marryand live in the land of my fathers. "

"Hear me, good youth, " said Herod, sternly, seizing the hand of theyoung man. "There is a wise proverb in Judea. It is: 'Speak not muchwith a woman. ' Had I obeyed it, then had I saved my soul andhappiness. Women have been ever false with me--an idle, whispering, and mischievous crew! O youth, give not your heart to them! For fiveyears let Judea be your bride. She woos you, son of Varro, and she isfair. She asks for love and justice, and she will give you immortalfame. "

The king fondly pressed the hand of the Roman, who stood beside him, grave and thoughtful. For the young man it was a moment of almostoverwhelming temptation. Love and ambition wrestled in his soul. Hestood silent. 

"For only five years, " the king pleaded. "For five years give me yourheart. Man!" he shouted, impatiently, "will you not answer?"

"I will consider, " said Vergilius, calmly. 

"Go!" said Herod, in a burst of ire. Then, presently: "Now, now I willattend to the son of Doris. "

And Vergilius hastened away. 

Within the hour, Antipater, son of Herod the Great, was dragged to thatstrong chamber in a remote end of the vast home of Herod whence were tocome cries for mercy by night such as he had often heard from his ownvictims. 

CHAPTER 23

Now in Vergilius and in many of that time the human heart had droppedits plummet into new depths of feeling, the human mind had made a reachfor nobler principles. A greater love between men and women, spreadingmysteriously, had been as the uplift of a mighty wave on the deep ofthe spirit. It had broadened the sympathy of man; it had extended hisvision beyond selfish limits. Vergilius and Arria had crossed theboundary of barbaric evolution under the leadership of love. The youngman was now in the borderland of new attainment. He was full of thejoy and the wonder of discovery. He was like a child--eager forunderstanding and impatient of delay. Now he thought with the pagansand now with the Jews. 

At his palace a letter had been waiting for the tribune. It was fromhis friend Appius. "My excellent and beloved Vergilius, " it said, "Iaddress you with a feeling of deep concern for your safety. To-nightby tabellarius, my letter shall go down to the sea on its way toJerusalem. And now to its subject. This morning I went to the publicgames, and, returning, I was near my palace when a messenger, bearingthe command of Augustus, overtook and stopped me. Quickly I made myway to The Laurels. Our great imperator was in his chamber and readingletters. He gave me a glance and greeted me. I saw he wished me tocome near, and I stood close beside him. Then, with that slow, gentletone, he hurled his lightning into me--you remember his way. He toldme, as he read, that you were making rapid progress in Jerusalem; thatyou had become a conspirator, a prophet, and were likely soon to be anangel. And he bade me go to you with his congratulations that you havesucceeded so long in keeping your head upon your shoulders. Oh, deepand cunning imperator! Said he: 'I cannot tell you the name of myinformant; and really, my good son, why--why should I?' There, spreadbefore me on the table, so I knew he wished me to see it, was a letterwhich bore the signature of Manius and gave information of a certaincouncil. I could not make out the name, but I was able to recall howthe great father had said to me, once, that when a man secretly putsblame upon another, the infamy he charges shall be only half his own. Our imperator is no fool, my friend. 'A ship will be leaving theseventh day before the ides, ' said he. '_You_ will not be able to makeit. ' His meaning was clear. It could bear my warning, if not me, andhere it is. With the gods' favor, soon, also, I shall be able to sayto you, here am I. To-morrow at dawn I leave for Jerusalem. "

Beneath the signature these words were added: "As soon as possible Iwish to know all and to speak my heart to you. The emperor haswithdrawn his consent to your marriage with Arria. I shall explaineverything but the purpose of the emperor, and who may understand him?If it be due to caprice or doubt or anger he will do you justice. Butif a deeper motive is in his mind who knows what may happen?"

This letter kindled a fire in the heart of Vergilius. It burnedfiercely, so that prudence and noble feeling were driven out. In spiteof the warning of the young tribune, Manius had remained in Jerusalem. Vergilius had delayed action, dreading to bring the wrath of Rome uponone so young, so well born, so highly honored, and possibly so farmisled. Therefore, he had held his peace and waited patiently for moreknowledge. Now the evil heart of the assessor was laid bare, hisinfamy proven. Vergilius reread the letter with flashing eyes. Thenhe summoned his lecticarii and set out for the palace of the plotter. Manius approached him, a kindly greeting on his lips. 

"Liar!" Vergilius interrupted, his hand upon his sword. "Speak no wordof kindness to me!"

"What mean you, son of Varro?" the other demanded. 

"That, with me, you have not even the right of an enemy. You are adeadly serpent, born to creep and hide. Shame upon you--murderer! Ifthere be many like you, what--God tell me!--what shall be the fate ofRome?"

Vergilius stepped away, and, lifting his hands, gave the other a lookof unspeakable scorn. Manius made no reply, but stood as still andwhite as marble, with sword in hand. 

"It was I who sat beside you that night, " said the other, his voiceaglow with feeling. "When I heard you speak treason I cut off the endof your girdle. But you left by some unguarded way and escaped thefate of your fellows. You have not seen them since, and shall not. When you see them die in the arena think what you escaped, althoughdeserving it more than they. Vile serpent! you brought the king, andhoped to send me also to Hades. You are a traitor, and that I know. Traitor to friend and country! Dare to provoke me further and I shallslay you!"

"What would you, son of Varro?" said the other, sullenly. 

"Wretch! If you would save your life, hide as becomes the asp. Creepaway from them who would put their feet upon you. Go live and die withthe wild men of the far deserts. "

"Traitor to the gods!" said Manius, threatening with his sword. "RomanJew! I am of noble birth, and claim the right of combat. "

"I give it, though you have no better right than dogs. Well, it wouldplease my hand to slay you. I know the name and father you havedishonored, and you are grandnephew of the good Lady Claudia--noblemother of Publius. For their sake I give you the right of combat. Bythe wayside near Bethlehem are lonely hills. There, the seventh daybefore the kalends, in the middle hour of the night, you shall see abeacon-fire and near it my colors. Three friends may go with each, andyou and I will draw swords in the fire-light. "

"I shall meet you there, " said Manius. Vergilius, putting away hisweapon, turned quickly, and, without speaking, left the traitor'spalace with firm faith in the one God--that he was ever on the side ofthe just who humbly sought his favor. 

CHAPTER 24

The festival of games, in honor of Augustus, were about to begin atCaesarea. Lately the highway from north to south, which passed thegates of Jerusalem, had been as a fair of the nations. A host hadjourneyed far to amuse the great king or to enjoy his holiday. Gayerand more given to proud speech than they who came to the festivals ofthe Temple, beneath the skull-bone there was yet a more remarkableunlikeness. 

These were mostly the children of Hatred, each heart a lair of wildpassions, each brain teeming with catlike gods. Here were they to belifted up by the power of love--the heathen, the debased. What agathering of the enemies of God and man! Crowding at the gates weregladiators from Greece and Rome; Arab chiefs upon camels, with horsestrained for the race; troops of rich men with armed retainers; huntersbringing wild beasts in cages lashed upon heavy carts; squads of Romancavalry; gamblers, peddlers, thieves, bandits, musicians, dancers, andsingers, some walking, some riding horse or camel. Many had travelledfar for one purpose--to behold the great king. Now solemn whispers ofgossip had gone to every side of the city. Herod was ill, so saidthey, and had not long to live. That morning of the day before thegames the old king had summoned Vergilius. 

"I will not be cheated by God or man, " said he, fiercely. "Tell themaster of the games that I will have him entertain me here to-day, after the middle hour, in my palace court. Bid him bring beast andgladiator and the strong men of the prisons. Let him not forget thetraitors. I would have, also, a thousand maids to sing and dance forme. "

The king looked down, impatiently, at his trembling hands. He flung awrathful gesture, and again that bestial voice: "Go, bid him bringthem!"

So at the middle hour a wonderful scene was beginning in the greatcourt of Herod's palace. The king sat on a balcony with Salome, Elpis, Roxana, Phaedra, and others of his kindred. On the circular terracesof a great fountain below and in front of them were rows of nakedmaidens. Circle after circle of this living statuary towered, withdiminishing radii, above the court level, to an apex, where a stream ofcool, perfumed water, broken to misty spray, rose aloft, scattering inthe sunlight. So cunningly had they contrived to enhance the charm ofthe spectacle, those many graceful shapes were under a fine, transparent veil of water-drops lighted by rainbow gleams and sweetwith musky odor. Circles were closely massed around the base of thefountain. They stood in silence, all looking down. The old kingsurveyed them. Within the palace a hundred harpers smote theirstrings, flooding the scene with music. Slowly each circumferencebegan to move. Step and measure increased their speed. The circleswere now revolving, one around another, with swift and bewilderingmotion. At a signal the silent figures broke into song. They sang ofthe glories of Jerusalem and the great king. Herod's hand was up--hewould have no more of it. The song ceased, the circles, one by one, rolled into helices which, unbending into slender lines, vanishedquickly beneath a great arch. Then a trumpet peal and a rattle of ironwheels. Brawny arms were pushing a movable arena. Swiftly it cameinto that ample space between the king and the great fountain. Behindits iron bars a large lion paced up and down. Two hundred mounted menof the cohort stood in triple rank some fifty paces from the scene. Vergilius, on a white charger, was in front of the column. 

While Arab slaves pushed the arena into place, David came and touchedthe arm of the young tribune. He whispered, eagerly: "My sister, Cyranthe Beloved, is here. She is waiting at the castle. "

"Whence came she?" said the tribune, with astonishment. 

"From the port of Ascalon, where she arrived by trireme with Appius. They were wrecked, finding shore in a far country. There the friend ofCaesar, Probus Sulpicius Quirinus, discovered them on his way fromCarthage, and brought them hither. "

Appius, fearing Antipater, had waited by the sea while Cyran came tofind her brother and Vergilius. The prince's threat and the words ofCaesar had checked his feet with caution. He forbade Cyran to tell anyone of the presence of Arria. 

"And where is my friend?" Vergilius demanded. 

"He waits on the ship to hear from you--whether it be safe to come. Itseems Antipater has threatened him. "

"Tell Cyran I would have her come to me. Then find my orderly and bidhim bring Appius hither by the way of Bethlehem. If he arrives therebefore the end of the third watch he will see my fire-light on thehill. "

David left the scene as a powerful Thracian, standing by the arena'sgate, saluted the king. Entering, the gladiator engaged the lion withhis lance. Incautiously he pressed his weapon too far, drawing blood. Before he could set his lance the wild foe was upon him. A leap intothe air, a double stroke of the right fore-paw, and down fell thebeast, while the man reeled, with rent tunic, and caught the side ofthe arena. In a twinkling, as he clung feebly, he reddened from headto toe. Three bestiarii had thrust in their lances and held the lionback; others opened a gate and removed the dying gladiator. Herod, leaning over, beckoned to the master of the games. 

"A noble lion!" said he, his voice trembling. "Save him for the battleof the pit. "

Now, in pursuance of the order of the king, a pit had been dug andwalled with timber near that place where the fighter had met his death. A score of slaves forthwith lowered the arena into the pit with ropes. Herod and all who sat with him could see the open top of the barredspace, but the beast was beyond their vision. 

Another trumpet-call. A band of prisoners have entered the court. Antipater, tall and erect in exomis of plain gray, right arm andshoulder bare, walked in the centre of the front rank. Traitors of thebetrayed council were there beside him. Slowly they about to die cameforth and stood in even rank and bowed low before the king. Herod beathis palms upon the golden rail before him and muttered hoarsely. Thenwith raised finger and leering face he taunted them. 

"Outlaws!" he croaked. "I doubt not ye be also cowards. "

All drew back save Antipater and a huge Scythian bandit. They drewbroadswords and rushed together, fighting with terrific energy. TheScythian fell in a moment. One after another four conspirators came tobattle with their chief, but each went down before his terrible attack. Some asked for mercy as they fell, but all perished by the hand of himthey had sought to serve. Held for the battle of the pit, the youngRoman whom Vergilius had recognized in the council chamber advanced tomeet Herod's son. He had won his freedom in the arena and lost it inthe conspiracy of the prince. He was a tall, lithe, splendid figure ofa man. The heart of the young commander was touched with pity as hebeheld the comely youth. This game, invented by Antipater himself, wasa test of strength and quickness. Nets were the only weapons, strongsinews and a quick hand the main reliance of either. Each tried toentangle the other in his net and secure a hold. Then he sought torush or drag his adversary to the edge of the pit and force him down. Weapons lay on every side of the arena below. The unfortunate had, therefore, a chance to defend himself against the lion. 

On the signal to begin, Jew and Roman wrestled fiercely, their weaponson their arms, but neither fell. Suddenly Antipater broke away andflung his net. Nimbly the other dodged. Down came the net, grazinghis head. Swiftly he sprang upon the Jew, striving to entangle him. Antipater pulled away. Again the Roman was upon his enemy and the twostruggled to the very noses of the cohort. Hard by the centre of thecolumn, where sat Vergilius on his charger, the powerful prince threwhis adversary, and, choking him down, secured the net over his head. Swiftly he began to drag the fallen youth. Vergilius, angered by theprince's cruelty, could no longer hold his peace. 

"'Tis unfair, " said he, pointing at Antipater. "In the name of thefatherly Augustus, I protest. "

The prince, still dragging his foe, answered with insulting threats. The young commander leaped from his horse and ran to the side ofAntipater. The latter released his captive and drew sword. SwiftlyVergilius approached him and the two met with a clash of steel. 

Now the first battle in that war of the spirit, which was to shake theworld with fury had begun. 

Back and forth across the court of Herod they fought their way--the sonof light and the son of darkness. Sparks of fire flew from theirweapons while a murmur in the cohort grew to a loud roar and the oldking and his women stood with hands uplifted shrieking like fiends ofhell. Hand and foot grew weary; their speed slackened. Slowly, now, they moved in front of the cohort and back to the middle space. Theywere evenly matched; both began to reel and labor heavily, theirstrength failing in like degree. The end was at hand. Now the angelof death hovered near, about to choose between them. SuddenlyAntipater, pressing upon his man, fell forward. At the very momentVergilius, who had been giving quarter, reeled a few paces and was downupon his back. Prince and tribune lay apart some twenty cubits. Bothtried to rise and fell exhausted. Half a moment passed. Antipater hadrisen to his elbow. Slowly he gained a knee, while the other lay asone dead. He rested, staring with vengeful eyes at his enemy. Stealthily he felt for his weapon. The right hand of Vergilius beganto move. A hush fell upon the scene. Swiftly, from beside the cohorta fair daughter of Judea, in a white robe, ran across the field ofbattle. She knelt beside Vergilius and touched his pale face with herhands. Then she called to him: "Rise, O my beloved! Rise quickly! Hewill slay you!"

"Cyran!" he whispered. 

Antipater had gained his feet and now ran to glut his anger. Cyranrose upon her knees and put her beautiful body between the steel andhim she loved. The sword seemed to spring at her bosom. She seizedit, clinging as if it were a thing she prized. Vergilius had risen. Swiftly sword smote upon sword. The young Roman pressed his enemy, forcing him backward. From dying lips he heard again the old chant offaith:

 "Let me not be ashamed--I trust in Thee, God of my fathers; Send, quickly send the new king" . . . 

The words seemed to strengthen his arm. He fought as one having powerabove that of men. On and on he forced his foe with increasing energy. He gave him no chance to stop or turn aside. Yells of fury drowned theclash of steel. The tumult grew. The son of Herod was near the pit. He seemed to tempt the Roman to press him. Suddenly he leaped backwardto the very edge. The Roman rushed upon him. Before their swords met, Antipater sprang aside with the quickness of a leopard. In cunning hehad outdone his foe. Unable to check his onrush, Vergilius leapedforward and fell out of sight. A booming roar from the startled lionrose out of the pit and hushed the tumult of the people. Herod, pointing at his son, shrieked with rage as he bade the soldiers of thecohort to seize and put him in irons. 

A score of slaves hastened to the mouth of the pit. They caught theropes and quickly lifted the arena. As it came into view the tumultbroke out afresh. There far spent, resting on his bloody weapon, nearthe middle of the arena stood Vergilius, and the lion lay dead beforehim. 

Slaves opened the iron gate. Vergilius ran to the still form of theslave-girl. He knelt beside her and kissed her lifeless hand. 

"Poor child of God!" he whispered. "If indeed you loved me, I have nowonder that you knelt here to die. "

The master brought a wreath of laurel to the young tribune, saying:"'Tis from the king. " Vergilius seemed not to hear. Tenderly heraised the lifeless body of Cyran in his arms. The spectators werecheering. "Hail, victor!" they shouted. 

"Hail, victor!" he whispered, looking into the dead face. "Blessed bethey who conquer death. "

CHAPTER 25

The day was near its end. Soldiers of the cohort, bearers of the dead, harpers and singers filed through the gate of Herod's palace. Hard by, in Temple Street, were many people. An old man stood among them, hiswhite beard falling low upon a purple robe, his face turned to the sky. He sang as if unconscious of all around him. Often he raised his hand, which trembled like a leaf in the wind. Horses, maidens, and menhalted to hear the words:

 "Now is the day foretold of them who dwell in the dust of the vineyard. Bow and be silent, ye children of God and ye of far countries. Consider how many lie low in the old, immemorial vineyard. Deep--fathom deep--is the dust of the dead 'neath the feet of the living. 

 "Gone are they and the work of their hands--all save their hope and desire have perished. Only the flowers of the heart have endured-- only they in the waste of the ages, Ay--they have grown, but the hewn rock has crumbled away and the temples have fallen. Bow, haughty people; ye live in the day of fulfilment--the day everlasting. Soon the plough of oppression shall cease and the ox shall abandon the furrow. Ready the field, and I sing of the sower whose grain has been gathered in heaven. 

 "Now is he come, with my voice and my soul I declare him. Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. "

The flood of inspiration had passed. The singer turned away. "It isSimeon, " said a voice in the crowd. "He shall not die until his eyeshave beheld the king of promise. "

Those departing from the games of Herod resumed their march. At thegate of the castle of Antonia, Vergilius, with David and two armedequites, one bearing colors, left the squadron. They rode slowlytowards the setting sun. Now there was not in all the world a city sowonderful as Jerusalem. Golden dome and tower were gleaming abovewhite walls on the turquoise blue of the heavens. 

"Good friend, I grieve for her who is dead, " said Vergilius to David. 

"She died for love, " the other answered as one who would have done thesame. 

Vergilius looked not to right nor left. His dark, quivering plume wasan apt symbol of thought and passion beneath it. His blood was hotfrom the rush and wrath of battle, from hatred of them who had soughthis life. He could hear the cry of Cyran; "Rise, rise, my beloved!"Again, he was like as he had been there on the field of battle. Hecould not rise above his longing for revenge. He hated the emperorwhose cruel message had wrung his heart; he hated Manius, who hadsought to destroy him; he despised the vile and stealthy son of Herod, who had plotted to rob him of love and life; he had begun to doubt thegoodness of the great Lawgiver. 

No sooner had he found an enemy than his God was become a god ofvengeance. The council, the continued failure of his prayers, thecruelty of impending misfortune, the death of Cyran had weakened thefaith of Vergilius. He had begun to founder in the deep mystery of theworld. The voice of the old singer had not broken the spell of bitterpassion. Vergilius trembled with haste to kill. He feared even thathis anger would abate and leave him unavenged. There were memorieswhich bade him to forgive, and of them was the gentle face of Arria, but he turned as one who would say "Begone!" He had not time even toconsider what he should do to oppose the will of the emperor. As theyrode on, his companion addressed the young commander. 

"Saw you Manius in the balcony of Herod?"

"No. "

"As I passed beneath it I saw him by the side of Salome, and I heardher say: 'Not until you slay him shall I be your wife. ' I fear shemeans you ill, good friend. "

"She-cat!" exclaimed Vergilius. "'Tis a yowling breed that haunts thehouse of Herod. "

They came soon to where a throng was gathered thick, so for a littlethey saw not a way to pass. In the midst were three men sitting upontall, white camels, their trappings rich with colored silk and shiningmetal. 

"They speak, to the people, " said David. "It must be their words areas silver and gold. "

"I doubt not they be story-tellers from the desert, " said one behind. 

The press parted; the camels had begun to move slowly. One of theirriders hailed the young commander, saying, in a voice that rang like atrumpet:

"Where is he that is born king of the Jews?"

"I would I knew, " was the answer of Vergilius. 

"So shall ye soon, " said the stranger. "We have seen his star in theeast and have come to worship him. "

The camels passed with long, stately strides. The horsemen resumedtheir journey. 

"Strange!" thought Vergilius, turning his charger and looking back. "They be surely those who have travelled far. "

The squad of cavalry, under plume and helmet, moved on, passing theJoppa gate and riding slowly down a long hill. 

"See the glowing clouds yonder, " said Vergilius, pointing westward. 

"Ay, they be fair as the tents of Kedar, " was the answer of David. 

"There is a great beauty in the sky and the blue hills, " Vergiliusremarked, thoughtfully. 

"And you would kill, look not upon them--they are so fair. "

"If I close my eyes, then, I do see a thing more fair. "

"What?"

"The face of one I love. It is a love greater than all otherthings--fame or king or fatherland. "

"Or revenge?" inquired David. 

For a little Vergilius made no answer; but presently he said: "I am aRoman; who seeks my life shall lose his own. "

They came upon a ewe lying in the roadway. She looked up with a muteappeal, but moved not. She seemed to reckon upon the kindness of themapproaching. The squad parted, passing on either side. All drew rein, and one, dismounting, stood a moment looking down at her. Then layinghold of her fleece, he moved the ewe tenderly aside. 

"A sign and a wonder!" said the Roman knight, as they continued theirjourney. "That old fighter has no hand for kindness. "

"But mark this miracle of God, " said the friend of Vergilius. "Hesoftens the heart of those with young and makes gentle the hand thattouches them. Ay, has he not softened the heart of the world? 'Tislike a mother whose time is near. "

Soon a purple dusk had overflooded the hills and risen above thesplendor of Jerusalem. The old capital was now like a dim, mysterious, golden isle in a vast, azure sea. Vergilius thought, as he went on, ofthose camel-riders. He seemed to hear in the lift and fall of hoofs, in the rattle of scabbards, that strange cry: "Where is he that is bornking of the Jews?"

Darkness fell upon those riding in silence on the lonely road. Suddenly they drew rein, listening. 

Said Vergilius, whispering: "I thought I heard voices. "

"And I, " said David, his words touched with awe. "'Twas like tens ofthousands singing in some distant place. "

Again they listened, but the song, if song it was, had ceased. 

Then, boldly, as one who would put down his fear, the color-bearerspoke up; "'Tis a band of shepherd folk on some far hill. Never saw Iso dark a night. By the curtains of Solomon, I cannot see my horse!"

"There is no star in the sky, " said another. 

Then said the young commander, whist with awe: "Look yonder! A lighton the hills! I saw it appear. "

Amazement was in the tone of David: "Nay, 'tis a window of paradise!Or maybe that time is come when the three great stars should gatherside by side. Do you not remember the talk of the astrologers?"

"I say 'tis a light on the hills. " Vergilius now spoke in a husky, solemn whisper. "See, 'tis larger; and I would think it near thevillage of Bethlehem. "

After a moment of silence he added, with a laugh: "Why stand we hereand whisper, like a lot of women? Let us move on. "

Again he seemed to hear peals of song in the sky and their rhythm inhoof and scabbard. It put him in mind of that strange, mysteriouschant of the old singer. 

Soon he drew rein, saying: "Halt and listen!" They stopped, consciousonly of the great silence of the night. Vergilius felt for the arm ofhis friend. 

"What think you?" said he, his voice full of wonder. "I doubt not thesound is in our fancy. "

"See! The star! It grows!" said David, eagerly. "'Tis like a mightylantern hung in the dome of the sky. "

Then said Vergilius, a pagan fancy filling his mind: "It may be God iswalking upon the earth. "

A moment they rode on, looking up at the heavens. Suddenly Vergiliusbade them halt again, saying: "Hist! What is that cry?"

Now they could hear a faint halloo far behind them. 

Then the bearer of the colors remarked: "It might be the squad ofManius. "

"God curse him!" said Vergilius, quickly, his heart filling withpassion dark as the night around. He heard no more the great song, butonly the smite of steel in deadly combat. He seemed to see his enemyfall bleeding at his feet. "I will take what Herod offers, " hethought. "I will make war on the cats and the serpents. "

He had forgotten everything now save his bitterness. 

"See! 'Tis gone!" said his friend, in a loud whisper. "The star isgone! I saw it disappear as if a cloud were suddenly come over it. "

All drew rein, looking into the sky. Many stars were now uncovered inthe vault above them. 

"'Twas a light on the hills, " said Vergilius, with a vague fear in him. "Yonder I can see a smaller one. 'Tis a lantern. Look! It moves. "

Suddenly they were startled by a mighty voice that seemed to travel farinto dark and lonely caverns of the sky. Like a trumpet-call itresounded over the gloomy hills---that cry of the camel-rider:

"Where is he that is born king of the Jews?"

Vergilius whispered, his awe returning: "They are coming--those men whorode the camels. "

Said David, his voice trembling: "They are like many who have goneabroad with that ancient hope in them. "

The horsemen now stood, breathing low as they listened. Vergilius wasfull of wonder, thinking of the awe which had fallen upon him and theothers. He tried to throw it off. "We waste time, " said he, startinghis charger. "Come, good men, we have work to do. "

Awhile they rode in silence, their eyes on the light of the lantern. Slowly they came near, and soon saw its glow falling upon rocks andmoving shadows beneath it. 

Then said David, turning to Vergilius: "The battle--suppose it goes illwith you?"

"Ill!" said the Roman, with rising ire. "Then Jehovah is no betterthan Mars. "

They could now see people standing in the light of a lantern which hungabove the entrance of a cave. Its opening was large enough to admit ahorse and rider. 

"Soldiers of Caesar!"--the whisper went from mouth to mouth there inthe light of the lantern. 

The horsemen halted. 

"I shall soon be done with this traitor to friend and king, " thoughtthe tribune, dismounting and approaching the cave. 

That group of people under the light, seeing symbols of Roman authorityand hearing its familiar voice, fell aside with fear in their faces. Awoman standing in the entrance of the cave addressed Vergilius, hervoice trembling with emotion. 

"Good sir, " said she, "if you mean harm to those within I pray you gohence. "

"I know not who is within, " he answered, as both he and David passedher. Fearing treachery, they drew their swords. Just beyond theentrance of the cave both halted. A man stood before them, his facefull of high authority, his hand raised as if to command silence. Hewas garbed like a toiler and somewhat past middle age, his beard andeyebrows long and gray. A lantern hung near his head, and well beyondhim, resting peacefully on the farther floor of the cave, were horses, sheep, and oxen. The man spoke not save by the beckon of his hand. Without a word they followed him. The light of the lantern seemed nowto glow with exceeding brightness. They stopped. On the straw beforethem lay a beautiful young maiden, a child upon her breast. Her arms, which encircled the babe, her hands, her head, her whole body, and thesoul within had a glow of fondness. Nature had clothed her for itsgreat event with a fulness of beauty wonderful and yet familiar. Inher soft, blue eyes they saw that peace and love which are a part ofthe ancient, common miracle of God. They saw more, even the light ofthe world, but were not able to understand. Calmly she looked up atthem. Waving strands and masses of golden hair lay above her shouldersand about the head of the child upon her bosom. It was lustrous, beautiful hair, and seemed to glow as the bearded man came near withthe lantern. What was there in the tender, peaceful look of themother, what in her full breasts, what in the breathing of the child, what in the stir of those baby hands to make the soldier bare and bowhis head? He leaned against the rock wall of the cave and covered hiseyes and thought of his beloved Arria, of his dream of home and peaceand little children. The sword fell from his hand. A great sicknessof the soul came on him as he thought of those evil days in Jerusalemand of his part in their bloody record. There and then he flung offthe fetters of king and emperor. 

He knew not yet who lay before him. 

As he looked through tears upon them they seemed to be covered withlight as with a garment. David knelt before the mother and child inadoration. 

Vergilius, full of astonishment, turned to look around him, and sawManius, who stood near, trembling with superstitious awe. The wondersof the night, the great star and song in the heavens, the glowing cave, the mysterious child and mother had wrought upon him. Were they omensof death?

"Apollo save me!" he whispered, turning to go. 

David rose and approached Manius, and spoke with lifted hand. 

"Apollo cannot save you, " said he. "Kneel! kneel before the sacredmother and put all evil out of your hearts!"

Vergilius knelt, and then his enemy. Manius began to weep. 

"O God! who hast softened the heart of the world, give us peace!" saidDavid. 

Again they heard that voice which had greeted their ears in Jerusalem. It spoke now at the entrance of the cave, saying again: "Where is hethat is born king of the Jews?"

David, going to the door of the cave, answered: "Here, within. "

"Tis he--the new king!" the tribune whispered. "I thought kings wereborn in palaces, and here are they so near the beasts of the field. "

Soon came David, and behind him, following in single file, three men, aGod-sent majesty in step and countenance. Vergilius and Manius movedaside, saluting solemnly as the men passed. The young tribune turnedto his friend and to Manius. 

"Come, " he whispered. "The Judge of all the earth is here, and, as forme, I dare not remain. "

Softly, silently, they departed, their hearts lifted to that peace nonemay understand. Gently, gently, Vergilius took the hand of him who hadbeen his enemy. They had forgotten their bitterness and the touch ofawe had made them kin. 

"All debts are paid, my brother, " said Vergilius. "I forgive you. "

He struck his sword deep in the earth. "Henceforth it shall be for aploughshare, " he added. 

The assessor bowed low, kissing the hand of Vergilius, who quicklymounted horse. 

Then said the latter, turning to his followers: "Come, let us makehaste. Before the gold is shining in the great lantern of Shushan. Imust be on my way to the sea. "

"On your way to the sea!" said his friend. 

As he answered, the voice of Vergilius had a note of longing andbeloved memories: "Yes, for the day is come when I return to the cityof Caesar. Nothing shall separate me longer from my beloved. Butcome, let us seek Appius at the beacon-fire. "

On all sides the great shadow was now thick-sown with stars. The groupof horsemen, with colors flying, rode swiftly down the broad way toJerusalem. Suddenly they drew rein. Great surges of song were rollingin upon this rounded isle from off the immeasurable, mighty deep of theheavens. Beating of drums, and waving of banners, and trumpet-sounds, and battle-cries of them unborn were in that new song--so it seemed tothose who heard it. Winding over the gloomy hills near them under thelight of the great star, they could see a long procession of shepherdsbearing crooks. Awhile the horsemen looked and listened. The host ofthe dead now seemed to cry unto the host of the living:

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good-will towards men. "

Slowly the song diminished. 

"The everlasting gates are lifted up, " said David, thoughtfully. Then, thinking of the perils of the new king, he added: "I beseech you, saynothing of these things abroad. "

The song had ceased. A cloud, with all its borders bright, nowcurtained the great star. Another band of horsemen were descending thehill from Bethlehem. Swiftly they came near and halted. 

"God send you peace, " said the voice of a maiden. "We seek oneVergilius, officer of the cohort. "

"And who is he that you should seek him?" said the young tribune, dismounting quickly. 

"My lover, " said she, a note of trouble in her voice, "and I do fearhis life is in peril. "

Vergilius was at her side. Now the light of the great star shone fullupon them. 

"Blood of my heart!" he whispered, lifting the maiden from her horse. 

"Oh, you that have made me love you with the great love!" she cried, pressing her cheek upon his. "I have been as one lost in the desert, and I thank the one God he has led me to you. "

A moment they stood together and all were silent. 

"God has answered my prayer, " said he. "But how came you here?"

Then she whispered: "I came with Appius, and the emperor has writtenthat we are to bring you home. "

"And we shall live no more apart, " said he. "'Tis a night of tenthousand years, dear love. The Christ is come. "

"The Christ is come!" she repeated. "How know you?"

"Have you not seen his light in the heavens nor heard the mighty song?"

"Yes, and all the night we have been full of wonder. Listen!"

Again the air trembled with that peal of song:

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towardsmen. "

Slowly it sank into silence. Vergilius drew the maiden close andtouched her ear with his lips and whispered: "Love has opened ourhearts to the knowledge of mighty things. It has led us to the Princeof Peace. "

Then said the maiden: "Let us build a temple wherein to worship him, and make it a holy place. "

"And call it home, " said the young knight, as he kissed her. 

THE END