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diff --git a/5507-h/5507-h.htm b/5507-h/5507-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1250825 --- /dev/null +++ b/5507-h/5507-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12990 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Serapis, Complete, by Georg Ebers + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd7; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Serapis, Complete, by Georg Ebers + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Serapis, Complete + +Author: Georg Ebers + +Release Date: October 17, 2006 [EBook #5507] +Last updated: August 26, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SERAPIS, COMPLETE *** + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1> + SERAPIS + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Georg Ebers + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated from the German by Clara Bell + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>SERAPIS</b> </a><br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + SERAPIS. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <p> + The busy turmoil of the town had been hushed for some hours; the moon and + stars were keeping silent watch over Alexandria, and many of the + inhabitants were already in the land of dreams. It was deliciously fresh—a + truly gracious night; but, though peace reigned in the streets and alleys, + even now there was in this pause for rest a lack of the soothing calm + which refreshes and renews the spirit of man. For some few weeks there had + been an oppressive and fevered tension in the repose of night. Every house + and shop was closed as securely as though it were done, not only to secure + slumber against intrusion, but to protect life and property from the + spoiler; and instead of tones of jollity and mirth the sleeping city + echoed the heavy steps and ringing arms of soldiers. Now and again, when + the Roman word of command or the excited cry of some sleepless monk broke + the silence, shops and doors were cautiously opened and an anxious face + peered out, while belated wanderers shrunk into gateways or under the + black shadow of a wall as the watch came past. A mysterious burden weighed + on the Heart of the busy city and clicked its pulses, as a nightmare + oppresses the dreamer. + </p> + <p> + On this night of the year of our Lord 391, in a narrow street leading from + the commercial harbor known as Kibotus, an old man was slinking along + close to the houses. His clothes were plain but decent, and he walked with + his head bent forward looking anxiously on all sides; when the patrol came + by he shrank into the shadow; though he was no thief he had his reasons + for keeping out of the way of the soldiery, for the inhabitants, whether + natives or strangers, were forbidden to appear in the streets after the + harbor was closed for the night. + </p> + <p> + He stopped in front of a large house, whose long, windowless wall extended + from one side street to the next, and pausing before the great gate, he + read an inscription on which the light fell from a lamp above: “The House + of the Holy Martyr. His widow here offers shelter to all who need it. He + that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.” + </p> + <p> + “At how much per cent I wonder?” mattered the old man and a satirical + smile curled his beardless lips. A heavy thud with the knocker rang + through the silent street, and after a few short questions from within and + equally curt replies from without, a small door was opened in the great + gate. The stranger was on the point of crossing the vestibule when a human + creature crept up to him on all fours, and clutched his ankle with a + strong hand, exclaiming in a hoarse voice: “As soon as the door is shut—an + entrance fee; for the poor, you know.” + </p> + <p> + The old man flung a copper piece to the gatekeeper who tried it, and then, + holding on to the rope by which he was tied to a post like a watch-dog, he + whined out “Not a drop to wet a Christian’s lips?” + </p> + <p> + “It has not rained for some time,” retorted the stranger, who proceeded to + open a second door which led into a vast court-yard open to the blue vault + of heaven. A few torches stuck against the pillars and a small fire on the + pavement added thin smoky, flickering light to the clear glory of the + stars, and the whole quadrangle was full of a heavy, reeking atmosphere, + compounded of smoke and the steam of hot food. + </p> + <p> + Even in the street the wanderer had heard the dull buzz and roar which now + met his ear as a loud medley of noises and voices, rising from hundreds of + men who were encamped in the wide space before him—in groups or + singly, sleeping and snoring, or quarrelling, eating, talking and singing + as they squatted on the ground which was strewn with straw. + </p> + <p> + The inn was full, and more than half of the humble guests were monks who, + during the last two days, had flowed into the city from every Cenoby, + Laura and hermitage in the desert, and from most of the monasteries in the + surrounding district—the ‘Nitriote Nome’. Some of them had laid + their heads close together for confidential whispering, others squabbled + loudly, and a large group in the northern angle of the court had raised a + psalm which mingled strangely with the “three,” “four,” “seven,” of the + men who were playing ‘mora’, and the cry of the cook inviting purchasers + to his stall spread with meat, bread, and onions. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the court furthest from the gateway there was a covered way, + on to which a row of doors opened leading to the rooms devoted to families + of women and children, each apartment being divided into two by a curtain + across the middle. The stranger made his way into one of these rooms, + where he was warmly welcomed by a young man, who was occupied in cutting a + Kopais reed into a mouth-piece for a double flute, and by a tall matronly + woman. + </p> + <p> + The new-comer’s name was Karnis and he was the head of a family of + wandering singers who had arrived in Alexandria only the day before from + Rome. His surroundings were poor and mean, for their ship had been + attacked off the African coast by a band of pirates, and though they had + saved their lives they had lost everything they possessed. The young owner + of the vessel, to whom he owed his safety, had procured him admission to + this Xenodochium,—[a refuge or inn]—kept by his mother the + Widow Mary; Karnis had, however, found it far from comfortable, and had + gone forth at noon to seek other quarters. + </p> + <p> + “All in vain!” said he, as he wiped the heat drops from his forehead. “I + have hunted Medius half the city through and found him at last at the + house of Posidonius the Magian, whose assistant he is. There was singing + behind a curtain—wretched rubbish; but there were some old airs too + with an accompaniment on the flutes, in the style of Olympus, and really + not so bad. + </p> + <p> + “Then spirits appeared. By Sirius a queer business altogether! Medius is + in the midst of it all. I arranged the chorus and sang with them a little. + All I got for it was a little dirty silver—there! But as for a + lodging—free quarters!—there are none to be found here for + anything above an owl; and then there is the edict—that cursed + edict!” + </p> + <p> + During this speech the younger man had exchanged meaning glances with his + mother. He now interrupted Karnis, saying in a tone of encouragement: + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, father; we have something good in view.” + </p> + <p> + “You have?” said the old man with an incredulous shrug, while his wife + served him with a small roast chicken, on a stool which did duty for a + table. + </p> + <p> + “Yes father, we!” the lad went on, laying aside his knife. “You know we + vowed an offering to Dionysus for our escape, since he himself once fell + into the hands of pirates, so we went at once to his temple. Mother knew + the way; and as we—she, I mean, and Dada and myself...” + </p> + <p> + “Heh! what is this?” interrupted Karnis, now for the first time noticing + the dish before him. “A fowl—when we are so miserably poor? A whole + fowl, and cooked with oil?” He spoke angrily, but his wife, laying her + hand on his shoulder, said soothingly: + </p> + <p> + “We shall soon earn it again. Never a sesterce was won by fretting. Enjoy + to-day’s gifts and the gods will provide for to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed?” asked Karnis in an altered key. “To be sure when a roast fowl + flies into one’s mouth instead of a pigeon.... But you are right as usual, + Herse, as usual, only—here am I battening like a senator while you—I + lay a wager you have drunk nothing but milk all day and eaten nothing but + bread and radishes. I thought so? Then the chicken must pretend to be a + pheasant and you, wife, will eat this leg. The girls are gone to bed? Why + here is some wine too! Fill up your cup, boy. A libation to the God! Glory + to Dionysus!” The two men poured the libation on the floor and drank; then + the father thrust his knife into the breast of the bird and began his meal + with a will, while Orpheus, the son, went on with his story: + </p> + <p> + “Well, the temple of Dionysus was not to be found, for Bishop Theophilus + has had it destroyed; so to what divinity could we offer our wreath and + cake? Here in Egypt there is none but the great Mother Isis. Her sanctuary + is on the shore of Lake Mareotis and mother found it at once. There she + fell into conversation with a priestess who, as soon as she learnt that my + mother belonged to a family of musicians—though Dame Herse was + cautious in announcing this fact—and hoped to find employment in + Alexandria, led her away to a young lady who was closely veiled. This + lady,” Orpheus went on—he not only played the flute but took the + higher parts for a man’s voice and could also strike the lyre—“desired + us to go to her later at her own house, where she would speak with us. She + drove off in a fine carriage and we, of course followed her orders; Agne + was with us too. A splendid house! I never saw anything handsomer in Rome + or Antioch. We were kindly received, and with the lady there were another + very old lady and a tall grave man, a priest I should fancy or a + philosopher, or something of that kind.” + </p> + <p> + “Not some Christian trap?” asked Karnis suspiciously. “You do not know + this place, and since the edict...” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear, father! There were images of the gods in the halls and + corridors, and in the room where we were received by Gorgo, the beautiful + daughter of Porphyrius, there was an altar before an image of Isis, quite + freshly anointed.—This Porphyrius is a very rich merchant; we learnt + that afterwards, and many other things. The philosopher asked us at once + whether we were aware that Theodosius had lately promulgated a new edict + forbidding young maidens to appear in public as singers or flute-players.” + </p> + <p> + “And did Agne hear that?” said the old man in a low voice as he pointed to + the curtain. + </p> + <p> + “No, she and Dada were in the garden on to which the room opened, and + mother explained at once that though Agne was a Christian she was a very + good girl, and that so long as she remained in our service she was bound + to sing with us whenever she was required. The philosopher exclaimed at + once: ‘The very thing!’ and they whispered together, and called the girls + and desired them to show what they could do.” + </p> + <p> + “And how did they perform?” asked the old man, who was growing excited. + </p> + <p> + “Dada warbled like a lark, and Agne—well you know how it always is. + Her voice sounded lovely but it was just as usual. You can guess how much + there is in her and how deep her feeling is but she never quite brings it + out. What has she to complain of with us? And yet whatever she sings has + that mournful, painful ring which even you can do nothing to alter. + However, she pleased them better than Dada did, for I noticed that Gorgo + and the gentleman glanced at each other and at her, and whispered a word + now and then which certainly referred to Ague. When they had sung two + songs the young lady came towards us and praised both the girls, and asked + whether we would undertake to learn something quite new. I told her that + my father was a great musician who could master the most difficult things + at the first hearing.” + </p> + <p> + “The most difficult! Hm... that depends,” said the old man. “Did she show + it you?” + </p> + <p> + “No; it is something in the style of Linus and she sang it to us.” + </p> + <p> + “The daughter of the rich Porphyrius sang for your entertainment? Yours?” + said Karnis laughing. “By Sirius! The world is turning upside down. Now + that girls are forbidden to perform to the gentlefolks, art is being + cultivated by the upper classes; it cannot be killed outright. For the + future the listeners will be paid to keep quiet and the singers pay for + the right of torturing their ears—our ears, our luckless ears will + be victimized.” + </p> + <p> + Orpheus smiled and shook his head; then, again dropping his knife, he went + on eagerly: + </p> + <p> + “But if you could only hear her! You would give your last copper piece to + hear her again.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” muttered his father. “Well, there are very good teachers here. + Something by Linus did you say she sang?” + </p> + <p> + “Something of that kind; a lament for the dead of very great power: + ‘Return, oh! return my beloved, came back—come home!’ that was the + burthen of it. And there was a passage which said: ‘Oh that each tear had + a voice and could join with me in calling thee!’ And how she sang it, + father! I do not think I ever in my life heard anything like it. Ask + mother. Even Dada’s eyes were full of tears.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was beautiful,” the mother agreed. “I could not help wishing that + you were there.” + </p> + <p> + Karnis rose and paced the little room, waving his arms and muttering: + </p> + <p> + “Ah! so that is how it is! A friend of the Muses. We saved the large lute—that + is well. My chlamys has an ugly hole in it—if the girls were not + asleep... but the first thing to-morrow Ague.... Tell me, is she handsome, + tall?” + </p> + <p> + Herse had been watching her excitable husband with much satisfaction and + now answered his question: “Not a Hera—not a Muse—decidedly + not. Hardly above the middle height, slightly made, but not small, black + eyes, long lashes, dark straight eyebrows. I could hardly, like Orpheus, + call her beautiful...” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes, mother.—Beautiful is a great word, and one my father has + taught me to use but rarely; but she—if she is not beautiful who is?—when + she raised her large dark eyes and threw back her head to bring out her + lament; tone after tone seemed to come from the bottom of her heart and + rise to the furthest height of heaven. Ah, if Agne could learn to sing + like that! ‘Throw your whole soul into your singing.’—You have told + her that again and again. Now, Gorgo can and does. And she stood there as + steady and as highly strung as a bow, every note came out with the ring of + an arrow and went straight to the heart, as clear and pure as possible.” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent!” cried the old man covering his ears with his hands. “I shall + not close an eye till daylight, and then... Orpheus, take that silver—take + it all, I have no more—go early to market and buy flowers—laurel + branches, ivy, violets and roses. But no lotuses though the market here is + full of them; they are showy, boastful things with no scent, I cannot bear + them. We will go crowned to the Temple of the Muses.” + </p> + <p> + “Buy away, buy all you want!” said Herse laughing, as she showed her + husband some bright gold pieces. “We got that to-day, and if all is + well....” Here she paused, pointed to the curtain, and went on again in a + lower tone: “It all depends of course, on Agne’s playing us no trick.” + </p> + <p> + “How so? Why? She is a good girl and I will...” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” said Herse holding him back. “She does not know yet what the + business is. The lady wants her...” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “To sing in the Temple of Isis.” + </p> + <p> + Karnis colored. He was suddenly called from a lovely dream back to the + squalid reality. “In the Temple of Isis,” he said gloomily. “Agne? In the + face of all the people? And she knows nothing about it?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, father.” + </p> + <p> + “No? Well then, if that is the case... Agne, the Christian, in the Temple + of Isis—here, here, where Bishop Theophilus is destroying all our + sanctuaries and the monks outdo their master. Ah, children, children, how + pretty and round and bright a soap-bubble is, and how soon it bursts. Do + you know at all what it is that you are planning? If the black flies smell + it out and it becomes known, by the great Apollo! we should have fared + better at the hands of the pirates. And yet, and yet.—Do you know at + all how the girl...?” + </p> + <p> + “She wept at the lady’s singing,” interrupted Herse eagerly, “and, silent + as she generally is, on her way home she said: ‘To sing like that! She is + a happy girl!’” + </p> + <p> + Karnis looked up with renewed confidence. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” he exclaimed, “that is my Agne. Yes, yes, she truly loves her divine + art. She can sing, she will sing! We will venture it, if you, I, all of us + die for it! + </p> + <p> + “Herse, Orpheus, what have we to lose? Our gods, too, shall have their + martyrs. It is a poor life that has no excitement. Our art—why, all + I have ever had has been devoted to it. I make no boast of having + sacrificed everything, and if gold and lands were again to be mine I would + become a beggar once more for the sake of art: We have always held the + divine Muse sacred, but who can keep up a brave heart when he sees her + persecuted! She may only be worshipped in darkness in these days, and the + Queen of Gods and men shuns the light like a moth, a bat, an owl. If we + must die let it be with and for Her! Once more let pure and perfect song + rejoice this old heart, and if afterwards... My children, we have no place + in this dim, colorless world. While the Arts lived there was Spring on the + earth. Now they are condemned to death and it is Winter. The leaves fall + from all the trees, and we piping birds need groves to sing in. How often + already has Death laid his hand on our shoulder, every breath we draw is a + boon of mercy—the extra length given in by the weaver, the hour of + grace granted by the hangman to his victim! Our lives are no longer our + own, a borrowed purse with damaged copper coins. The hard-hearted creditor + has already bent his knuckles, and when he knocks the time is up. Once + more let us have one hour of pure and perfect enjoyment, and then we will + pay up capital and interest when we must.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot and will not be yet,” said Herse resolutely, but she wiped her + eyes with her hand. “If Agne sings even, so long as she does it without + coercion and of her own free-will no Bishop can punish us.” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot, he dare not!” cried the old man. “There are still laws and + judges.” + </p> + <p> + “And Gorgo’s family is influential as well as rich. Porphyrius has power + to protect us, and you do not yet know what a fancy he has taken to us. + Ask mother.” + </p> + <p> + “It is like a story,” Herse put in. “Before we left, the old lady—she + must be eighty or more—took me aside and asked me where we were + lodging. I told her at the Widow Mary’s and when she heard it she struck + her crutch on the floor. ‘Do you like the place?’ she asked. I told her + not at all, and said we could not possibly stop here.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right!” cried Karnis. “The monks in the court-yard will kill us as + dead as rats if they hear us learning heathen hymns.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what I told her; but the old lady did not allow me to finish; she + drew me close to her and whispered, ‘only do as my granddaughter wishes + and you shall be safely housed and take this for the present’—and + she put her hand into the purse at her girdle, gave the gold into my hand, + and added loud enough for the others to hear: ‘Fifty gold pieces out of my + own pocket if Gorgo tells me that she is satisfied with your + performance.’” + </p> + <p> + “Fifty gold pieces!” cried Karnis clasping his hands. “That brightens up + the dull grey of existence. Fifty, then, are certain. If we sing six times + that makes a talent—[estimated in 1880 at $1100]—and that will + buy back our old vineyard at Leontium. I will repair the old Odeum—they + have made a cowhouse of it—and when we sing there the monks may come + and listen! You laugh? But you are simpletons—I should like to see + who will forbid my singing on my own land and in my own country. A talent + of gold! + </p> + <p> + “It is quite enough to pay on account, and I will not agree to any bargain + that will not give me the field-slaves and cattle. Castles in the air, do + you say? But just listen to me: We are sure you see of a hundred gold + pieces at least...” He had raised his voice in his eagerness and while he + spoke the curtains had been softly opened, and the dull glimmer of the + lamp which stood in front of Orpheus fell on a head which was charming in + spite of its disorder. A quantity of loose fair hair curled in papers + stuck up all over the round head and fell over the forehead, the eyes were + tired and still half shut, but the little mouth was wide awake and + laughing with the frank amusement of light-hearted youth. + </p> + <p> + Karnis, without noticing the listener, had gone on with his visionary + hopes of regaining his estates by his next earnings, but at this point the + young girl, holding the curtain in her right hand, stretched out her plump + left arm and begged in a humble whine: + </p> + <p> + “Good father Karnis, give me a little of your wealth; five poor little + drachmae!” + </p> + <p> + The old man started; but he instantly recovered himself and answered + good-naturedly enough: + </p> + <p> + “Go back to bed, you little hussy. You ought to be asleep instead of + listening there!” + </p> + <p> + “Asleep?” said the girl. “While you are shouting like an orator against + the wind! Five drachmae, father. I stick to that. A new ribband for me + will cost one, and the same for Agne, two. Two I will spend on wine for us + all, and that makes the five.” + </p> + <p> + “That makes four—you are a great arithmetician to be sure!” + </p> + <p> + “Four?” said Dada, as much amazed as though the moon had fallen. “If only + I had a counting-frame. No, father, five I tell you—it is five.” + </p> + <p> + “No, child, four; and you shall have four,” replied her father. “Plutus is + at the door and to-morrow morning you shall both have garlands.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of violets, ivy and roses,” added Dame Herse. “Is Agne asleep?” + </p> + <p> + “As sound as the dead. She always sleeps soundly unless she lies wide + awake all the night through. But we were both so tired—and I am + still. It is a comfort to yawn. Do you see how I am sitting?” + </p> + <p> + “On the clothes-chest?” said Herse. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and the curtain is not a strong back to the seat. Fortunately if I + fall asleep I shall drop forwards, not backwards.” + </p> + <p> + “But there is a bed for each of you,” said the mother, and giving the girl + a gentle push she followed her into the sleeping-alcove. In a few minutes + she came out again. + </p> + <p> + “That is just like Dada!” she exclaimed. “Little Papias had rolled off the + chest on which he was sleeping, so the good girl had put him into her bed + and was sitting on the chest herself, tired as she was.” + </p> + <p> + “She would do anything for that boy,” said Karnis. “But it is past + midnight. Come, Orpheus, let us make the bed!” + </p> + <p> + Three long hen-coops which stood piled against the wall were laid on the + ground and covered with mats; on these the tired men stretched their + limbs, but they could not sleep. + </p> + <p> + The little lamp was extinguished, and for an hour all was still in the + dark room. Then, suddenly, there was a loud commotion; some elastic object + flew against the wall with a loud flap, and Karnis, starting up, called + out: “Get out—monster!” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” cried Herse who had also been startled, and the old man + replied angrily: + </p> + <p> + “Some daemon, some dog of a daemon is attacking me and giving me no peace. + Wait, you villain—there, perhaps that will settle you,” and he flung + his second sandal. Then, without heeding the rustling fall of some object + that he had hit by accident, he gasped out: + </p> + <p> + “The impudent fiend will not let me be. It knows that we need Agne’s + voice, and it keeps whispering, first in one ear and then in the other, + that I should threaten to sell her little brother if she refuses; but I—I—strike + a light, Orpheus!—She is a good girl and rather than do such a + thing...” + </p> + <p> + “The daemon has been close to me too,” said the son as he blew on the + spark he had struck. + </p> + <p> + “And to me too,” added Herse nervously. “It is only natural. There are no + images of the gods in this Christian hovel. Away, hateful serpent! We are + honest folks and will not agree to any vile baseness. Here is my amulet, + Karnis; if the daemon comes again you must turn it round—you know + how.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <p> + Early next morning the singers set out for the house of Porphyrius. The + party was not complete, however, for Dada had been forced to remain at + home. The shoes that the old man had flung to scare away the daemon had + caught in the girl’s dress which she had just washed, and had dragged it + down on to the earth; she had found it in the morning full of holes burnt + by the ashes into the damp material. Dada had no other presentable + garment, so, in spite of her indignant refusal and many tears, she had to + remain indoors with Papias. Agne’s anxious offers to stay in her place + with the little boy and to lend Dada her dress, both Karnis and his wife + had positively refused; and Dada had lent her aid—at first silently + though willingly and then with her usual merriment—in twining + garlands for the others and in dressing Agne’s smooth black plaits with a + wreath of ivy and violets. + </p> + <p> + The men were already washed, anointed and crowned with poplar and laurel + when a steward arrived from Porphyrius to bid them follow him to his + master’s house. But a small sacrifice was necessary, for the messenger + desired them to lay aside their wreaths, which would excite ill-feeling + among the monks, and certainly be snatched off by the Christian mob. + Karnis when he started was greatly disappointed, and as much depressed as + he had been triumphant and hopeful a short time before. + </p> + <p> + The monks, who had gathered outside the Xenodochium, glanced with scowling + suspicion at the party, who could not recover the good spirits with which + they had begun the day till they were fairly out of the narrow, gloomy + alleys, reeking with tar and salt fish, that adjoined the harbor, and + where they had to push their way through a dense throng. The steward led + the van with Herse, talking freely in reply to her enquiries. + </p> + <p> + His master, he said, was one of the great merchants of the city, whose + wife had died twenty years since in giving birth to Gorgo. His two sons + were at present absent on their travels. The old lady who had been so + liberal in her treatment of the singers was Damia, the mother of + Porphyrius. She had a fine fortune of her own, and notwithstanding her + great age was still respected as the soul of business in the household, + and as a woman deeply versed in the mysterious sciences. Mary, the pious + Christian, who had founded the “House of the Holy Martyr,” was the widow + of Apelles, the brother of Porphyrius, but she had ceased all intercourse + with her husband’s family. This was but natural, as she was at the head of + the Christian women of Alexandria, while the household of Porphyrius—though + the master himself had been baptized—was as thoroughly heathen as + any in Alexandria. + </p> + <p> + Karnis heard nothing of all this, for he came last of the party. Orpheus + and Agne followed next to Herse and the steward, and after them came two + slaves, carrying the lutes and pipes. Agne walked with downcast eyes, as + if she desired to avoid seeing all that surrounded her, though when + Orpheus addressed her she shyly glanced up at him and answered briefly and + timidly. They presently came out of an obscure alley by the canal + connecting Kibotus with Lake Mareotis where the Nile-boats lay at anchor. + Karnis drew a deeper breath, for here the air was clear and balmy; a light + northerly breeze brought the refreshing fragrance of the sea, and the + slender palm-trees that bordered the canal threw long shadows mingling + with the massive shade of the sycamores. The road was astir with busy + groups, birds sang in the trees, and the old musician drank in the + exciting and aromatic atmosphere of the Egyptian Spring with keen + enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + As they reached the middle of the steep bridge across the canal he + involuntarily stood still, riveted by the view of the southwest. In his + excitement he threw up his arms, his eyes glistened with moisture and with + the enthusiasm of youth, and, as was always the case when his emotions + were stirred by some glorious work of God or man, an image rose to his + mind, all unbidden—the image of his eldest son, now dead, but in + life his closest and most sympathetic comrade. He felt as though his hand + could grasp the shoulder of that son, too early snatched away, whose gifts + had far transcended those of the surviving Orpheus—as though he too + could gaze with him on the grand scene that lay before him. + </p> + <p> + On a platform of rocks and mighty masonry rose a structure of wonderful + magnificence and beauty, so brilliantly illuminated by the morning sun + that its noble proportions and gorgeous colors showed in dazzling splendor + and relief. Over the gilt dome bent the cloudless blue of the African sky, + and the polished hemisphere shone, as radiant as the sun whose beams it + reflected. Sloping planes for vehicles, and flights of steps for + pedestrians led up to the gates. The lower part of this wonderful edifice—the + great Temple of Serapis—was built to stand forever, and the pillars + of the vestibule supported a roof more fitted to the majesty of the gods + than to the insignificance of mortals; priests and worshippers moved here + like children among the trunks of some gigantic forest. Round the cornice, + in hundreds of niches, and on every projection, all the gods of Olympus + and all the heroes and sages of Greece seemed to have met in conclave, and + stood gazing down on the world in gleaming brass or tinted marble. Every + portion of the building blazed with gold and vivid coloring; the painter’s + hand had added life to the marble groups in high relief that filled the + pediments and the smaller figures in the long row of metopes. All the + population of a town might have found refuge in the vast edifice and its + effect on the mind was like that of a harmonious symphony of adoration + sung by a chorus of giants. + </p> + <p> + “All hail! Great Serapis! I greet thee in joyful humility, thankful that + Thou hast granted to my old eyes to see Thy glorious and eternal temple + once again!” murmured Karnis in devout contemplation. Then, appealing to + his wife and son, he pointed in silence to the building. Presently, + however, as he watched Orpheus gazing in speechless delight at its + magnificent proportions he could not forbear. + </p> + <p> + “This,” he began with fervid enthusiasm, “is the stronghold of Serapis the + King of the Gods! A work for all time. Its youth has lasted five hundred + years, its future will extend to all eternity.—Aye, so it is; and so + long as it endures in all its glory the old gods cannot be deposed!” + </p> + <p> + “No one will ever dare to touch a stone of it,” said the steward. “Every + child in Alexandria knows that the world will crumble into dust and ashes + if a finger is laid on that Temple, and the man who ventures to touch the + sacred image...” + </p> + <p> + “The god can protect himself!” interrupted the singer. “But you—you + Christian hypocrites who pretend to hate life and love death—if you + really long so vehemently for the end of all things, you have only to fall + upon this glorious structure.—Do that, do that—only do that!” + </p> + <p> + The old man shook his fist at the invisible foe and Herse echoed his + words: + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye, only do that!” Then she added more calmly: “Well, if everything + comes to an end at once the enemies of the gods will die with us; and + there can be nothing terrible in perishing at the same time with + everything that is beautiful or dear to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” said the steward, “the Bishop has put out his hand to + touch the sanctuary. But our noble Olympius would not suffer the + sacrilegious host to approach, and they had to retire with broken heads. + Serapis will not be mocked; he will stand though all else perish. + ‘Eternity,’ the priest tells us, ‘is to him but as an instant, and while + millions of generations bloom and fade, he is still and forever the + same!’” + </p> + <p> + “Hail, all hail to the great god!” cried Orpheus with hands outstretched + towards the temple. + </p> + <p> + “Yea, hail! for everlasting glory shall be his!” repeated his father. + “Great is Serapis, and his house and his image shall last...” + </p> + <p> + “Till the next full moon!” said a passer-by in a tone of sinister mockery, + shaking his fist in the face, as it were, of the god. Orpheus turned + quickly to punish the prophet of evil; but he had disappeared in the crowd + and the tide of men had borne him onwards. “Till the next full moon!” + murmured Agne, who had shuddered at her companion’s rapturous + ejaculations, and she glanced uneasily at Orpheus; but by the time Herse + addressed her a minute or two later she had controlled the expression of + her features, and the matron’s heart was gladdened by her bright smile. + Nay, many a young Alexandrian, passing the group on foot or in a carriage, + looked at her a second time, for that smile lent a mysterious charm to her + pale, calm face. Nor had it faded away when they had crossed the bridge + and were nearing the shores of the lake, for an idea once conceived + lingered long in Agne’s mind; and as she walked on in the bright glory of + the morning’s sun her mind’s eye was fixed on a nocturnal scene—on + the full moon, high in the sky—on the overthrow of the great idol + and a glittering army among the marble ruins of the Serapeum. Apostles and + martyrs soared around, the Saviour sat enthroned in glory and triumph, + while angels, cradled on the clouds that were his footstool, were singing + beatific hymns which sounded clearly in her ear above the many-voiced + tumult of the quays. The vision did not vanish till she was desired to get + into the boat. + </p> + <p> + Herse was a native of Alexandria and Karnis had passed some of the best + years of his life there; but to Orpheus and Agne all was new, and even the + girl, when once she had escaped from the crowd and noise which oppressed + her, took an interest in the scene and asked a question now and then. The + younger man had not eyes enough to see all that claimed his attention and + admiration. + </p> + <p> + There were the great sluice-gates at the entrance to the canal that joined + the lake to the sea—there, in a separate dock, lay the splendid + imperial Nile-boats which served to keep up communication between the + garrison of Alexandria and the military stations on the river—there, + again, were the gaudy barges intended for the use of the ‘comes’, the + prefect and other high officials—and there merchant-vessels of every + size lay at anchor in countless number. Long trains of many-colored sails + swept over the rippling lake like flights of birds across a cornfield, and + every inch of the shore was covered with stores or buildings. Far away to + the south long trellices of vine covered the slopes, broken by the silvery + glaucous tones of the olive-groves, and by clumps of towering palms whose + crowns mingled to form a lofty canopy. White walls, gaudily-painted + temples and private villas gleamed among the green, and the slanting rays + of the low sun, shining on the drops that fell from the never-resting + wheels and buckets that irrigated the land, turned them into showers of + diamonds. These water-works, of the most ingenious construction, many of + them invented and contrived by scientific engineers, were the weapons with + which man had conquered the desert that originally surrounded this lake, + forcing it into green fertility and productiveness of grain and fruit. + Nay, the desert had, for many centuries, here ceased to exist. Dionysus + the generous, and the kindly garden-gods had blest the toil of men, and + yet, now, in many a plot—in all which belonged to Christian owners—their + altars lay scattered and overthrown. + </p> + <p> + During the last thirty years much indeed was changed, and nothing to the + satisfaction of old Karnis; Herse, too, shook her head, and when the + rowers had pulled them about half-way across, she pointed to a broad + vacant spot on the bank where a new building was just rising above the + soil, and said sadly to her husband: + </p> + <p> + “Would you know that place again? Where is our dear old temple gone? The + temple of Dionysus.” Karnis started up so hastily that he almost upset the + boat, and their conductor was obliged to insist on his keeping quiet; he + obeyed but badly, however, for his arms were never still as he broke out: + </p> + <p> + “And do you suppose that because we are in Egypt I can keep my living body + as still as one of your dead mummies? Let others keep still if they can! I + say it is shameful, disgraceful; a dove’s gall might rise at it! That + splendid building, the pride of the city and the delight of men’s eyes, + destroyed—swept away like dust from the road! Do you see? Do you + see, I say? Broken columns, marble capitals, here, there and everywhere at + the bottom of the lake—here a head and there a torso! Great and + noble masters formed those statues by the aid of the gods, and they—they, + small and ignoble as they are, have destroyed them by the aid of evil + daemons. They have annihilated and drowned works that were worthy to live + forever! And why? Shall I tell you? Because they shun the Beautiful as an + owl shuns light. Aye, they do! There is nothing they hate or dread so much + as beauty; wherever they find it, they deface and destroy it, even if it + is the work of the Divinity. I accuse them before the Immortals—for + where is the grove even, not the work of man but the special work of + Heaven itself? Where is our grove, with its cool grottos, its primaeval + trees, its shady nooks, and all the peace and enjoyment of which it was as + full as a ripe grape is full of sweet juice?” + </p> + <p> + “It was cut down and rooted up,” replied the steward. “The emperor gave + the sanctuary over to Bishop Theophilus and he set to work at once to + destroy it. The temple was pulled down, the sacred vessels went into the + melting-pot, and the images were mutilated and insulted before they were + thrown into the lime-kiln. The place they are building now is to be a + Christian church. Oh! to think of the airy, beautiful colonnades that once + stood there, and then of the dingy barn that is to take their place!” + </p> + <p> + “Why do the gods endure it? Has Zeus lost his thunderbolts?” cried Orpheus + clenching his hands, and paying no heed to Agne who sat pale and sternly + silent during this conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, he only sleeps, to wake with awful power,” said the old man. “See + those blocks of marble and ruins under the waves. Swift work is + destruction! And men lost their wits and looked on at the crime, flinging + the delight of the gods into the water and the kiln. They were wise, very + wise; fishes and flames are dumb and cannot cry to heaven. One barbarian, + in one hour can destroy what it has taken the sublimest souls years, + centuries, to create. They glory in destruction and ruin and they can no + more build up again such a temple as stood there than they can restore + trees that have taken six hundred years to grow. There—out there, + Herse, in the hollow where those black fellows are stirring mortar—they + have given them shirts too, because they are ashamed of the beauty of + men’s bodies—that is where the grotto was where we found your poor + father.” + </p> + <p> + “The grotto?” repeated his wife, looking at the spot through her tears, + and thinking of the day when, as a girl, she had hurried to the feast of + Dionysus and sought her father in the temple. He had been famous as a + gem-cutter. In obedience to the time-honored tradition in Alexandria, + after intoxicating himself with new wine in honor of the god, he had + rushed out into the street to join the procession. The next morning he had + not returned; the afternoon passed and evening came and still he did not + appear, so his daughter had gone in search of him. Karnis was at that time + a young student and, as her father’s lodger, had rented the best room in + the house. He had met her going on her errand and had been very ready to + help her in the search; before long they had found the old man in the + ivy-grown grotto in the grove of Dionysus—motionless and cold, as if + struck by lightning. The bystanders believed that the god had snatched him + away in his intoxicated legion. + </p> + <p> + In this hour of sorrow Karnis had proved himself her friend, and a few + months after Herse had become his wife and gone with him to Tauromenium in + Sicily. + </p> + <p> + All this rose before her mind, and even Karnis sat gazing dumbly at the + waves; for every spot where some decisive change has occurred in our lives + has power to revive the past when we see it again after a long absence. + Thus they all sat in silence till Orpheus, touching his father, pointed + out the temple of Isis where he had met the fair Gorgo on the previous + day. The old man turned to look at the sanctuary which, as yet, remained + intact. + </p> + <p> + “A barbarous structure!” he said bitterly. “The art of the Egyptians has + long been numbered with the dead and the tiger hungers only for the + living!” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, it is not such a bad piece of work,” replied the steward, “but it is + out of their reach; for the ground on which it stands belongs to my old + mistress, and the law protects private property.—You must at your + leisure inspect the ship-yard here; it is perhaps the most extensive in + the world. The timber that is piled there—cedar of Lebanon, oak from + Pontus and heavy iron-wood from Ethiopia—is worth hundreds of + talents.” + </p> + <p> + “And does all that belong to your master?” + </p> + <p> + “No; the owner is the grandson of a freedman, formerly in his family. Now + they are very rich and highly respected, and Master Clemens sits in the + Senate. There he is—that man in a white robe.” + </p> + <p> + “A Christian, I should imagine,” observed the singer. + </p> + <p> + “Very true;” replied the steward. “But what is good remains good, and he + is a worthy and excellent man notwithstanding. He keeps a tight hand over + the ship-yard here and over the others too by the harbor of Eunostus. Only + Clemens can never let other people have their own opinions; in that he is + just like the rest of them. Every slave he buys must become a Christian + and his sons are the same; even Constantine, though he is an officer in + the imperial army and as smart and clever a soldier as lives.—As far + as we are concerned we leave every man to his own beliefs. Porphyrius + makes no secret of his views and all the vessels we use in the corn-trade + are built by Christians.—But here we are.” + </p> + <p> + The boat stopped at a broad flight of marble steps which led from the lake + into the garden of Porphyrius’ house. Karnis as he walked through the + grounds felt himself at greater ease, for here the old gods were at home; + their statues gleamed among the dark clumps of evergreens, and were + mirrored in the clear tanks, while delicious perfumes were wafted from the + garlanded shrines and freshly anointed altars, to greet the newcomers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <p> + The family of musicians were kindly received, but they were not + immediately called upon to perform, for as soon as Damia heard that the + pretty fair-haired child who had pleased her so much the day before had + been obliged to remain at home, she had one of her granddaughter’s dresses + brought out, and requested Herse to go back to fetch her. Some slaves were + to accompany Herse and transfer all her little property on board a + Nile-boat belonging to Porphyrius, which was lying at anchor just off the + ship-yard. In this large barge there were several cabins which had often + accommodated guests, and which would now serve very well as a residence + for Karnis and his party. Indeed, it was particularly well suited for a + family of musicians, for they could practise there undisturbed, and Gorgo + could at any time pay them a visit. + </p> + <p> + Herse went back to the Xenodochium with a lighter heart; her son also + returned to the city to replace a number of necessaries that had been lost + on board ship, and Karnis, rejoicing to be out of the monk-haunted asylum + had remained in the men’s room in the house of his new patron, enjoying + the good things which abounded there. He felt as though he was here once + more at home after years of exile. Here dwelt the spirit of his fathers; + here he found men who enjoyed life after his own fashion, who could share + his enthusiasms and his hatreds. He drank noble liquor out of an elegantly + carved onyx cup, all that he heard soothed his ears, and all that he said + met with entire sympathy. The future prospects of his family, till now so + uncertain, were hardly inferior to those which his vivid imagination had + painted the night before. And even if Fortune should again desert him, the + hours of present enjoyment should be written down to the profit side of + life, and remain a permanent gain at any rate in memory. + </p> + <p> + The venerable Damia, her son Porphyrius, and the fair Gorgo were in fact a + trio such as are rarely met with. The master of the house, more cautious + than the women, was inclined to think that his mother and daughter had + been somewhat overhasty and imprudent in their advances and he had at + first received Karnis with considerable reserve; but after a short + interview he had convinced himself that the musician was a man of unusual + culture and superior stamp. The old lady had, from the first, been + predisposed in his favor, for she had read in the stars last night that + the day was to bring her a fortunate meeting. Her wish was law, and Karnis + could not help smiling when she addressed her son, whose hair had long + been grey and who looked fully competent to manage his own household, as + “my child,” not hesitating to scold and reprove him. Her cathedra was a + high arm-chair which she never quitted but to be carried to her + observatory on the roof of the house, where she kept her astrological + tablets and manuscripts. The only weakness about her was in her feet; but + strong, and willing arms were always at her disposal to carry her about—to + table, into her sleeping-room, and during the daytime out to sunny spots + in the garden. She was never so happy as when Helios warmed her back with + his rays, for her old blood needed it after the long night-watches that + she still would keep in her observatory. Even during the hottest noon she + would sit in the sun, with a large green umbrella to shade her keen eyes, + and those who desired to speak with her might find shade as best they + could. As she stood, much bent, but propped on her ivory crutches, eagerly + following every word of a conversation, she looked as though she were + prepared at any moment to spring into the middle of it and interrupt the + speaker. She always said exactly what she meant without reserve or ruth; + and throughout her long life, as the mistress of great wealth, she had + always been allowed to have her own way. She asserted her rights even over + her son, though he was the centre of a web whose threads reached to the + furthest circumference of the known world. The peasants who tilled the + earth by the Upper and Lower Nile, the shepherds who kept their flocks in + the Arabian desert, in Syria, or on the Silphium meads of Cyrenaica, the + wood-cutters of Lebanon and Pontus, the mountaineers of Hispania and + Sardinia, the brokers, merchants, and skippers of every port on the + Mediterranean, were bound by these threads to the villa on the shore of + Mareotis, and felt the tie when the master there—docile as a boy to + his mother’s will—tightened or released his hold. + </p> + <p> + His possessions, even in his youth, had been so vast that their increment + could bring no added enjoyment to him or his family, and yet their + increase had become his life’s task. He strove for a higher sum to figure + on the annual balance sheet, as eagerly as an athlete strives for a prize; + and his mother not only inspected the account, but watched every important + undertaking with keen interest. When her son and his colleagues doubted + over some decision it was she who gave the casting vote; but though her + advice in most cases proved sound and profitable, she herself ascribed + this less to her own acumen and knowledge of the world than to the hints + she obtained from the stars and from magical calculations. Her son did not + follow her in these speculations, but he rarely disputed the conclusions + that she drew from her astrological studies. While she was turning night + into day he was glad to entertain a few learned friends, for all the hours + of leisure that he could snatch from his pursuit of fortune, he devoted to + philosophy, and the most distinguished thinkers of Alexandria were happy + to be received at the hospitable table of so rich a patron. He was charmed + to be called “Callias,” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The noble Athenian family of Callias was famed for its wealth and + splendor.] +</pre> + <p> + and the heathen teachers at the schools of the Museum and Serapeum + regarded him as a faithful ally. It was known that he had been baptized, + but he never liked to hear the fact mentioned. He won all hearts by his + perfect modesty, but even more perhaps by a certain air of suffering and + melancholy which protected the wealthy merchant against the envy of + detractors. + </p> + <p> + In the course of her conversation with Karnis the old lady enquired + particularly as to the antecedent history of Agne, for if there had been a + stain on her character, or if she were by birth a slave, Gorgo could not + of course be seen with her in public, and in that case Karnis would have + to teach the lament of Isis to some freeborn singer. Karnis in reply could + only shrug his shoulders, and beg the ladies and Porphyrius to judge for + themselves when he should have related the young girl’s story. + </p> + <p> + Three years since, he said, he had been staying at Antioch at the time of + a violent outbreak against the levying of certain taxes. There had been + much bloodshed, and he and his family had got out of the city as quickly + as they could. It was growing dusk when they turned into a wayside inn, + where they found Agne and her little brother captives to a soldier. During + the night the girl had crept up to the little boy’s bed, and to comfort + and lull him had begun to sing him a simple song. The singer’s voice was + so pure and pathetic that it had touched both him and his wife and they + had at once purchased the girl and her brother for a small sum. He had + simply paid what the soldier asked, not regarding the children in the + light of slaves; nor had he had any description of them written out, + though it was, no doubt, in his power to treat them as slaves and to sell + them again, since the sale had taken place before witnesses who might + still be found. He had afterwards learnt from the girl that her parents + were Christians and had settled in Antioch only a few years previously; + but she had no friends nor relatives there. Her father, being a + tax-collector in the service of the Emperor, had moved about a great deal, + but she remembered his having spoken of Augusta Treviroruin in Belgica + prima, as his native place.—[Now Trier or Treves, on the Moselle.] + </p> + <p> + Agne had witnessed the attack on her father’s house by the angry mob who + had killed her parents, their two slaves, and her elder brother. Her + father must certainly have been an official of some rank, and probably, as + it would seem, a Roman citizen, in which case—as Porphyrius agreed—both + the young girl and her little brother could legally claim their freedom. + The insurgents who had dragged the two children out into the street had + been driven off by the troops, and it was from them that Karnis had + rescued them. “And I have never regretted it,” added the old musician, + “for Agne is a sweet, gentle soul. Of her voice I need say nothing, since + you yourselves heard it yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “And were quite delighted with it!” cried Gorgo. “If flowers could sing it + would be like that!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said Karnis. “She has a lovely voice—but she wants + wings. Something—what, I know not, keeps the violet rooted to the + soil.” + </p> + <p> + “Christian scruples,” said the merchant, and Damia added: + </p> + <p> + “Let Eros touch her—that will loosen her tongue.” + </p> + <p> + “Eros, always Eros!” repeated Gorgo shrugging her shoulders. “Nay, love + means suffering—those who love drag a chain with them. To do the + best of which he is capable man needs only to be free, true, and in + health.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a great deal, fair mistress,” replied Karnis eagerly. “With these + three gifts the best work is done. But as to Agne—what can be + further from freedom than a girl bound to service? her body, to be sure is + healthy, but her spirit suffers; she can get no peace for dread of the + Christian’s terrors: Sin, Repentance, and Hell....” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we know how their life is ruined!” interrupted the old lady. “Was it + Agne who introduced you to Mary’s Asylum?” + </p> + <p> + “No, noble lady.” + </p> + <p> + “But how then—that prudent saint generally selects her guests, and + those that are not baptized...” + </p> + <p> + “She certainly sheltered heathens on this occasion.” + </p> + <p> + “I am much surprised. Tell me how it happened.” + </p> + <p> + “We were at Rome,” began Karnis, “and my patron there persuaded Marcus, + Mary’s son, to take us on board his ship at Ostia. We dropped anchor at + Cyrene, where the young master wanted to pick up his brother and bring him + also to Alexandria.” + </p> + <p> + “Then is Demetrius here?” asked Porphyrius. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. He came on board at Cyrene. Hardly had we got fairly to sea + again when we saw two pirate ships. Our trireme was at once turned round, + but in our hurry to regain the harbor we stuck fast on a sand bank; the + boats were at once put out to save the passengers and Cynegius, the + consul...” + </p> + <p> + “Cynegius—on his way here!” exclaimed Porphyrius, much excited. + </p> + <p> + “He landed yesterday with us in the harbor of Eunostus. The secretaries + and officers of his suite filled one boat and Marcus and his brother were + getting into the other with their men. We, and others of the free + passengers, should have been left behind if Dada...” + </p> + <p> + “That pretty little blonde?” asked Damia. + </p> + <p> + “The very same. Marcus had taken a great fancy to her prattle and her + songs during the voyage—no nightingale can sing more clearly—and + when she begged and prayed him he gave way at once, and said: he would + take her in his boat. But the brave child declared that she would jump + into the sea before she would leave without us.” + </p> + <p> + “Well done!” cried the old lady, and Porphyrius added: + </p> + <p> + “That speaks well for her and for you.” + </p> + <p> + “So after all Marcus found room for us in the boat—for all of us, + and we got safely to land. A few days after we all came on in a + troop-ship: Cynegius, the two brothers and the rest, all safe and sound; + and, as we had lost everything we possessed, Marcus gave us a certificate + which procured our admission into his mother’s Xenodochium. And then the + gods brought me and mine under the notice of your noble daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Then Cynegius is here, positively here?” asked Porphyrius once more. + Karnis assured him that he was, and the merchant, turning to his mother, + went on: + </p> + <p> + “And Olympius has not yet come home. It is always the same thing; he is as + rash as a boy. If they should take him! The roads are swarming with monks. + There is something astir. Bring out the chariot, Syrus, at once; and tell + Atlas to be ready to accompany me. Cynegius here!—Ha, ha! I thank + the gods!” + </p> + <p> + The last exclamation was addressed to a man who at this instant came into + the room, muffled up to the eyes. He threw off the hood of his cloak and + the wrapper that went round his throat, concealing his long white beard, + and as he did so he exclaimed with a gasp for breath: + </p> + <p> + “Here I am once more!—Cynegius is here and matters look serious my + friend.” + </p> + <p> + “You have been to the Museum?” + </p> + <p> + “Without any obstruction. I found them all assembled. Brave lads. They are + all for us and the gods. There are plenty of weapons. The Jews—[At + that time about two-fifths of the whole population.]—are not + stirring, Onias thinks he may vouch for that; and we must surely be a + match for the monks and the imperial cohorts.” + </p> + <p> + “If the gods only stand by us to-day and tomorrow,” replied Porphyrius + doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “For ever, if only the country people do their duty!” cried the other. + “But who is this stranger?” + </p> + <p> + “The chief of the singers who were here yesterday,” replied Gorgo. + </p> + <p> + “Karnis, the son of Hiero of Tauromenium,” said the musician, bowing to + the stranger, whose stately figure and handsome, thoughtful head struck + him with admiration. + </p> + <p> + “Karnis of Tauromenium!” exclaimed the newcomer with glad surprise. “By + Hercules! a strange meeting. Your hand, your hand, old man. How many years + is it since we last emptied a wine-jar together at the house of old + Hippias? Seven lustres have turned our hair grey, but we still can stand + upright. Well, Karnis son of Hiero—and who am I?” + </p> + <p> + “Olympius—the great Olympius!” cried Karnis, eagerly grasping the + offered hand. “May all the gods bless this happy day!” + </p> + <p> + “All the gods?” repeated the philosopher. “Is that what you say? Then you + have not crawled under the yoke of the cross?” + </p> + <p> + “The world can rejoice only under the auspices of the gods!” cried Karnis + excitedly. + </p> + <p> + “And it shall rejoice still, we will save it from gloom!” added the other + with a flash of vehemence. + </p> + <p> + “The times are fateful. We must fight; and no longer over trifles; we + cannot now break each other’s heads over a quibble, or believe that the + whole world hangs on the question whether the instant of death is the last + minute of this life or the first of the next. No—what now remains to + be decided is whether the old gods shall be victorious, whether we shall + continue to live free and happy under the rule of the Immortals, or + whether we shall bow under the dismal doctrine of the carpenter’s + crucified son; we must fight for the highest hopes and aims of humanity.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” interrupted Karnis, “you have already done battle valiantly for + great Serapis. They wanted to lay hands on his sanctuary but you and your + disciples put them to rout. The rest got off scot-free...” + </p> + <p> + “But they have taught me the value of my head,” said Olympius laughing. + “Evagrius prices it at three talents. Why, you might buy a house with the + money and a modest man could live upon the interest. This worthy man keeps + me concealed here. We must talk over a few things, Porphyrius; and you, + Gorgo, do not forget the solemn festival of Isis. Now that Cynegius is + here it must be made as splendid as possible, and he must tell the + Emperor, who has sent him, what temper we Alexandrians are in. But where + is the dark maiden I saw yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + “In the garden,” replied Gorgo. + </p> + <p> + “She is to sing at the foot of the bier!” cried Olympius. “That must not + be altered.” + </p> + <p> + “If I can persuade her—she is a Christian,” said Karnis doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “She must,” said the philosopher positively. “It will be a bad lookout + indeed for the logic and rhetoric of Alexandria if an old professor and + disputant cannot succeed in turning a young girl’s resolutions upside + down. Leave that to me. I shall find time for a chat with you by and bye, + friend Karnis. How in the world does it happen that you, who so often have + helped us with your father’s coin, have come down to be the chief of a + band of travelling musicians? You will have much to tell me, my good + friend; but even such important matters must give way to those that are + more pressing. One word with you, Porphyrius.” + </p> + <p> + Agne had been all this time awaiting Herse’s return in the colonnade that + ran along the garden-front of the house. She was glad to be alone, and it + was very comfortable to rest on the soft cushions under the gilt-coffered + ceiling of the arcade. At each end stood large shrubs covered with bunches + of violet-blue flowers and the spreading branches cast a pleasant shade on + the couch where she sat; the beautiful flowers, which were strange to her, + were delightfully fragrant, and from time to time she helped herself to + the refreshments which Gorgo herself had brought out to her. All she saw, + heard, and felt, was soothing to her mind; never had she seen or tasted + juicier peaches, richer bunches of grapes, fresher almonds or more + tempting cakes; on the shrubs in the garden and on the grass-plots between + the paths there was not a dead leaf, not a dry stem, not the tiniest weed. + The buds were swelling on the tall trees, shrubs without end were covered + with blossoms—white, blue, yellow, and red—while, among the + smooth, shining leaves of the orange and lemon trees, gleamed the swelling + fruit. On a round tank close at hand some black swans were noiselessly + tracing evanescent circles and uttering their strange lament. The song of + birds mingled with the plash of fountains, and even the marble statues, + for all that they were dumb, seemed to be enjoying the sweet morning air + and the stir and voice of nature. + </p> + <p> + Yes, she could be happy here; as she peeled a peach and slowly swallowed + the soft fragrant mouthfuls, she laughed to remember the hard + ship’s-biscuit, of the two previous days’ fare. And it was Gorgo’s + privilege to revel in these good things day after day, year after year. It + was like living in Eden, in the perpetual spring of man’s first blissful + home on earth. There could be no suffering here; who could cry here, who + could be sorrowful, who could die?... Here a new train of thought forced + itself upon her. She was still so young, and yet she was as familiar with + the idea of death as she was with life; for whenever she had happened to + tell any minister of her creed that she was an orphan and a slave, and + deeply sad and sorrowful, the joys of eternity in Paradise had always been + described to her for her consolation, and it was in hopes of Heaven that + her visionary nature found such a modicum of comfort as might suffice to + keep the young artist-soul from despair. And now it struck her that it + must be hard, very hard to die, in the midst of all this splendor. Living + here must be a foretaste of the joys of Paradise—and in the next + world, among the angels of Heaven, in the presence of the Saviour—would + it not be a thousand times more beautiful even than this? She shuddered, + for, sojourning here, she was no longer to be counted as one of the poor + and humble sufferers to whom Christ had promised the Kingdom of Heaven—here + she was one of the rich, who had nothing to hope for after death. + </p> + <p> + She pushed the peaches away with a feeling of oppression, and closed her + eyes that she might no longer see all these perishable splendors and + sinful works of the heathen, which pandered only to the senses. She longed + to remain miserable and poor on earth, that she might rejoin her parents + and dwell with them eternally. + </p> + <p> + To her it was not a belief but a certainty that her father and mother were + dwelling in Heaven, and she had often felt moved to pray that she might + die and be reunited to them; but she must not die yet, for her little + brother still needed her care. The kind souls whom she served let him lack + for nothing, it is true, that could conduce to his bodily welfare; still, + she could not appear before her parents without the little one in her + hand, and he would be lost eternally if his soul fell into the power of + the enemies of her faith. Her heart ached when she reflected that Karnis, + who was certainly not one of the reprobate and whom she affectionately + revered as a master in the art she loved—that Herse, and the + light-hearted Dada, and Orpheus even, must all be doomed to perish + eternally; and to save Orpheus she would willingly have forfeited half the + joys of Paradise. She saw that he was no less an idolater than his + parents; and yet, day by day, she prayed that his soul might be saved, and + she never ceased to hope for a miracle—that he too might see a + vision, like Paul, and confess the Saviour. She was so happy when she was + with him, and never happier than when it was her fortune to sing with him, + or to his admirable accompaniment on the lute. When she could succeed in + forgetting herself completely, and in giving utterance by her lovely voice + to all that was highest and best in her soul, he, whose ear was no less + sensitive and appreciative than his father’s, would frankly express his + approval, and in these moments life was indeed fair and precious. + </p> + <p> + Music was the bond between her and Orpheus, and when her soul was stirred + she could feel and express herself in music. Song was the language of her + heart, and she had learnt by experience that it was a language which even + the heathen could both use and understand. The Eternal Father himself must + find joy in such a voice as Gorgo’s. She was a heathen, and yet she had + thrown into her song all that Agne herself could feel when she lifted up + her heart in passionate prayer. The Christian—so she had often been + taught—must have no part with the idolaters; but it was God himself + who had cast her on the hands of Karnis, and the Church commanded that + servants should obey their masters. Singing seemed to her to be a language + in itself, bestowed by God on all living creatures, even on the birds, + wherein to speak to Him; so she allowed herself to look forward with + pleasure to an opportunity of mingling her own voice with that of the + heathen lady. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + Not long after Porphyrius and the philosopher had retired to a private + room Herse returned with Dada. Gorgo’s blue spangled dress, which Damia + had sent her, suited the girl to perfection; but she was quite out of + breath, and her hair was in disorder. Herse, too, looked agitated, her + face was red and she dragged little Papias, whose hand she held, rather + roughly at her heels. + </p> + <p> + Dada was evidently abashed; less by reason of the splendor that surrounded + her than because her foster-mother had strictly enjoined her to be very + quiet and mannerly in the presence of their patrons. She felt shy and + strange as she made her low courtesy to the old lady; but Damia seemed to + be pleased with the timid grace of her demeanor, for she offered her her + hand—an honor she usually conferred only on her intimates, bid her + stoop, and gave her a kiss, saying kindly: “You are a good brave girl. + Fidelity to your friends is pleasing in the sight of the gods, and finds + its reward even among men.” + </p> + <p> + Dada, obeying a happy impulse, threw herself on her knees before the old + woman, kissed her hands, and then, sitting on her heels, nestled at her + feet. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo, however, noticing Herse’s agitation, asked what had happened to + them. Some monks, Herse explained, had followed them on the road hither, + had snatched Dada’s lyre from the slave who was carrying it and pulled the + wreath out of her hair. Damia was furious as she heard it, and trembled + with rage as she railed at the wild hordes who disgraced and desecrated + Alexandria, the sacred home of the Muses; then she began to speak once + more of the young captain, Mary’s son, to whom the troupe of singers owed + their lives. + </p> + <p> + “Marcus,” said she, “is said to be a paragon of chastity. He races in the + hippodrome with all the gallants of the town and yet—if it is true + it is a miracle—he shuns women as though he were a priest already. + His mother is very anxious that he should become one; but he, by the grace + of Aphrodite, is the son of my handsome Appelles, who, if he had gazed + into those blue eyes all the way from Rome to Alexandria, would have + surrendered at mercy; but then he would also have conquered them—as + surely as I hope to live till autumn. You need not blush so, child. After + all, Marcus is a man like other men. Keep your eyes open, Dame Herse!” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear!” cried Herse. “And I have need to keep them open I am sorry + to say. The young captain, who on board ship was so bashful and retiring, + as soon as he was on land altered his time. While we were away this + morning he crept into his own mother’s inn like a ferret, opened the door + of our room with the keys of which he has the command—it is + shameful!—and proposed to the girl to fly, to leave us—she is + the daughter of a dear sister of mine—and go with him; who but he + knows where!” + </p> + <p> + Damia struck the floor with her crutch and, interrupting the indignant + matron with a spiteful laugh, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Ha, ha! The saintly Mary’s most saintly son! Such wonders do not happen + every day! Here, Dada—here; take this ring, it has been worn by a + woman who once was young and who has had many lovers. Close—come + close, my sweet child.” + </p> + <p> + Dada looked up at the old lady with puzzled eyes; Damia bent her head + close to the girl’s, and whispered, softly but vehemently in her ear: + </p> + <p> + “Only turn that milksop’s head, make him so madly and desperately in love + with you that he does not know which way to turn for delicious torment. + You can do it I know, and if you do—well, I make no promises; but on + the day when all Alexandria is talking of that woman’s son as wandering + out, night after night, to watch under the window of the fair Dada, the + heathen singer—when he drives you out in the face of day and in his + own chariot, down the Canopic Way and past his mother’s door—then + child, ask, claim whatever you will, and old Damia will not refuse it.” + </p> + <p> + Then raising her head she added to the others: + </p> + <p> + “In the afternoon, my friends, you can take possession of your new + quarters. Go with them, Dada. By-and-bye we will find you a pretty room in + the tower. Come and see me very often, sweet one, and tell me all your + prettiest tales. When I am not too busy I shall always be glad to see you, + for you and I have a secret you know.” + </p> + <p> + The girl stood up, looking uneasily at the old woman; Damia nodded + knowingly, as much as to say that they quite understood each other and + again offered her hand to Dada; but Dada could not kiss it; she turned and + followed the others more gravely than usual. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo guessed what the old lady would be at with Dada; as soon as the + party of singers had taken leave she went up to her grandmother and said + reproachfully: + </p> + <p> + “That little fair thing will find no difficulty in making a fool of + Marcus; for my part I hardly know him, but why should he pay for his + mother’s sins against you? How can he help...” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot help it,” interrupted Damia with decisive abruptness. “He can + do nothing to save his mother, any more than you can help being a child of + twenty and bound to hold your tongue till your opinion is asked.” + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ........................... +</pre> + <p> + The family of musicians had all met on board the barge which was lying at + anchor in the lake, off the ship-yard. Orpheus had just been an + eye-witness of the disturbance which prevailed throughout the city, and + the wild howls and cries that were audible in the distance confirmed his + report; but the waters of the lake were an unruffled mirror of blue, the + slaves in the ship-yard were at work as usual, and the cooing turtle-doves + flew from palm to palm. + </p> + <p> + No signs of troubled times were to be seen in the floating home of the + wanderers. The steward had provided for everything. There were rooms and + beds to spare in the vessel; the large deck-cabin was a comfortable + sitting-room, and from the little galley at the prow came a savory smell + of cooking and a cheerful clang of pots and pans. + </p> + <p> + “This is living!” exclaimed Karnis, stretching himself comfortably on a + divan. “This abode seems made on purpose for our noble selves! Sit down, + mother, make yourself at home. Here we are people of consequence, and if + it were only to make things pleasant for the slaves we must behave as + though we had never known people who take their meals squatted round an + earthen bowl, and clawing out the broken meat. Enjoy the gifts of the + present—who knows how long this golden hour may last! Ah, wife, it + reminds us of former times! It would be very pleasant to be like this, + side by side, and help ourselves from a table all our own to dainty dishes + which we had not assisted in cooking. For you, old woman, have done + everything with your own hands for so long, that you deserve to have some + one to wait on you for once.” + </p> + <p> + A little table was placed by each divan and covered with appetizing food; + the steward mixed some fine wine of the country with fresh, clear water, + Orpheus offered the libation, and Karnis spiced the meal with jests and + tales of his youth, of which he had been reminded by his meeting with his + old friend and comrade Olympius. + </p> + <p> + Dada interrupted him frequently, laughing more loudly and recklessly than + usual; she was in a fever of excitement and Herse did not fail to remark + it. The good woman was somewhat uneasy. The very fact that her husband + always gave himself up heart and soul to the influences of the hour—though + she was glad that he should enjoy this good fortune to the utmost—made + her look beyond the present into the future. She had seen with her own + eyes the tumult that was rife in Alexandria, and felt that they had + arrived at an inauspicious moment. If it should come to a struggle between + the Christians and the Heathen, Karnis, finding that his old friend + Olympius was the head of his party, would infallibly seize the sword, and + if, then, the victory remained with the Christians no mercy would be shown + to those who had fought for the old gods. Gorgo’s wish that Agne should + sing in the temple of Isis was another source of anxiety; for if it came + to that they might, only too probably, be accused of perverting a + Christian to heathen worship, and be condemned to a severe penalty. All + this had worn a very different aspect yesterday when she had thought of + Alexandria as the gay home of her youth; but now she saw what a change had + taken place in these thirty years. The Church had risen on the ruins of + the Temple, and monks had forced the sacrificing priests into the + background. + </p> + <p> + Karnis and his troupe were musicians of no ordinary stamp; still the law + concerning singing-girls might place him in peril, especially now that—to + make matters worse—a young Christian was paying court to his pretty + niece. What catastrophes might not be called down on his hapless head if + so influential a woman as Marcus’ mother Mary should come to know of her + son’s backsliding! Herse had long perceived how attractive that little + simpleton was to all men—old and young—and when one of the + lovers, of whom she had no lack, happened to take her fancy she was apt to + forget herself and play a too audacious game; but as soon as she found she + had gone too far and somewhat committed herself she would draw back and + meet him, if she could not avoid him, with repellent and even unmannerly + coldness. Again and again had Herse scolded and warned her, but Dada + always answered her reproofs by saying that she could not make herself + different from what she was, and Herse had never been able to remain stern + and severe in the face of the foolish excuses that Dada put forward so + convincingly. + </p> + <p> + To-day the good woman could not quite make up her mind whether it would be + wiser to warn Dada against Marcus and desire her to repel any advances he + might attempt to make, or to let bygones be bygones. She knew full well + how a trifling incident gains importance when undue emphasis is laid on + it; she therefore had merely asked the girl what secret she could have + with old Damia and had accepted some evasive subterfuge in reply, while, + at the same time, she guessed the truth and was quite determined not to + remit her watchfulness. For a time, at any rate, she thought she would let + matters go their own way, and never mention the young fellow’s name; but + her husband spoilt this plan, for with the eager jollity of a man very + much at his ease after a good dinner he called upon Dada to tell their the + whole history of the young Christian’s invasion in the morning. Dada at + first was reticent, but the old man’s communicative humor proved + infectious and she presently told her story: + </p> + <p> + “I was sitting alone with the poor little boy, like—well I do not + know what like—you must find a comparison for yourselves. I was + comforting myself with the reflection that the key was on the inside and + the door locked, for I was getting frightened as the monks began to sing + in the yard below, one part going off to the left, as it were, and the + other part to the right. Did you ever see two drunken men walking arm in + arm, and lurching first to one side and then to the other? You may laugh, + but by the nine Muses it was just like that. Then Papias grew tired and + cross and kept asking where Agne was, till at last he began to cry. When I + asked him what he was crying for, he said he had forgotten, I really am + patient—you must all allow that—I did not do anything to him, + but, just to give him something to play with, I took out the key, for + there was nothing else at hand that he could not break, and gave it to him + and told him to play a tune on it. This delighted him, and he really did + it quite prettily. Then I looked over my burnt dress and was horrified to + see how large the holes were, and it struck me that I might turn it, + because when you turn a thing the spots, you know, do not show.” + </p> + <p> + “You have invented that this very minute,” cried Orpheus laughing. “We + know you. If you can only turn the laugh against yourself...” + </p> + <p> + “No, really,” cried Dada, “the idea flew through my head like a bird + through a room; but I remembered at once that a hole burnt through shows + on both sides, so I threw the dress aside as past mending and sat down on + the low stool to peep through the wicket by the door out at the yard; the + singing had stopped and the silence frightened me almost as much. Papias + had stopped his piping too, and was sitting in the corner where Orpheus + sat to write his letter to Tauromenium.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said Orpheus, “the inkstand was there, that the steward of the + inn had lent us the day before.” + </p> + <p> + “Just so; and when mother came in, there he was, dipping his finger in the + ink, and painting his white dress—you can study the pattern at your + leisure.—But no not interrupt me.—Well, I was looking into the + court-yard; it was quite empty; all the monks were gone. Suddenly a tall + young man in a white dress with a beautiful sky-blue border appeared + through the great gate. The gate-keeper crawled after him very humbly as + far as his rope would allow and even the steward spoke to him with both + hands pressed to his breast as if he had a faithful heart on the right + side as well as the one on the left. This young man—it was our kind + friend Marcus, of course—crossed the court, taking a zigzag at + first, as a snipe flies, and then came towards our door. The steward and + the gate-keeper had both vanished.—Do you remember the young Goths + whom their father took to bathe in the Tiber last winter, when it was so + cold? And how they first stood on the brink and dipped their toes in, and + then ran away and when they came back again just wetted their heads and + chests? But they had to jump in at last when their father shouted some + barbaric words to them—I can see them now. Well, Marcus was exactly + like those boys; but at last he suddenly walked straight up to our door + and knocked.” + </p> + <p> + “He remembered your pretty face no doubt,” laughed Karnis. + </p> + <p> + “May be. However, I did not stir. I kept as still as a mouse, sitting on + my stool and watching him through the key-hole, till presently he called + out: ‘Is no one there?’ Then I forgot and answered: ‘They are all out!’ Of + course I had betrayed myself—but it is impossible to think of + everything at once. Oh! yes—you may laugh. And he smiled too—he + is a very handsome fellow—and desired me most pressingly to open the + door as he had something of the greatest importance to say to me. I said + he could talk very well through the gap at the top; that Pyramus and + Thisbe had even kissed through a chink in a wall. But he would not see the + joke; he got graver and more earnest, and insisted, saying that our fate, + his and mine, hung on that hour, and that not a soul must overhear what he + had to say. The top of the door was too high to whisper through, so there + was nothing for it but to ask Papias for the key; however, he did not know + where he had put it. I afterwards thought of asking him what he had done + with his flute and he fetched it then at once.—In short, the key was + nowhere to be found. I told Marcus this and he wrung his hands with + vexation; but in a few minutes the inn-steward, who must have been hiding + to listen behind a pillar, suddenly appeared as if he had dropped from the + skies, took a key out of his girdle, threw the door wide open, and + vanished as if the earth had swallowed him. + </p> + <p> + “There we stood, Marcus and I, face to face. He was quite agitated; I + really believe the poor fellow was trembling, and I did not feel very + confident; however, I asked him what it was that he wanted. Then he + recovered himself a little: ‘I wished,’—he began; so I went on: + ‘Thou wishedst,’—and it might have gone on to the end: ‘he wished, + we wished’—-and so forth, like the children at school at Rome, when + we were learning Greek; but, Papias came to the rescue, for he ran up to + Marcus and asked him to toss him up high, as he used to do on board ship. + Marcus did as he was asked, and then he suddenly broke out into such a + torrent of words that I was quite terrified. First he said so many fine + things that I quite expected a declaration of love, and was trying to make + up my mind whether I would laugh him out of it or throw myself into his + arms—for he really is a dear, good, handsome fellow—and if you + would like to know the truth I should have been very willing to oblige him—to + a certain extent. But he asked me nothing, and from talking of me—listen + to this Father Karnis—and saying that the great Father in Heaven had + granted me every good gift, he went on to speak of you as a wicked, + perverse and reprobate old heathen.” + </p> + <p> + “I will teach him!” exclaimed Karnis shaking his fist. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but listen,” Dada went on. “He praised you and mother for a great + many things; but do you know what he says is wrong? He says you will + imperil my psyche—my soul, my immortal soul. As if I had ever heard + of any Psyche but the Psyche whom Eros loved!” + </p> + <p> + “That is quite another thing,” said Karnis very seriously. “In many songs, + you know, I have tried to make you uplift your soul to a higher flight. + You have learnt to sing, and there is no better school for a woman’s soul + than music and singing. If that conceited simpleton—why, he is young + enough to be my grandson—if he talks any such nonsense to you again + you may tell him from me...” + </p> + <p> + “You will tell him nothing,” cried Herse, “for we can have nothing + whatever to do with the Christian. You are my own sister’s child and I + desire and order you—do you hear—to keep out of his way, if he + ever tries to come near you again...” + </p> + <p> + “Who is likely to find us here?” said Dada. “Besides, he has no such ideas + and motives as you suppose. It is what he calls my soul that he cares for + and not myself; and he wanted to take me away, not to his own house, but + to some man who would be the physician of my soul, he said. I am generally + ready enough to laugh, but what he said was so impressive and solemn, and + so wonderfully earnest and startling that I could not jest over it. At + last I was more angry at his daring to speak to me in such a way than any + of you ever thought I could be, and that drove him half mad. You came in, + mother, just as the gentleman had fallen on his knees to implore me to + leave you.” + </p> + <p> + “And I gave him my mind on the subject,” retorted Herse with grim + satisfaction. “I let him know what I thought of him. He may talk about the + soul—what he is after is the girl. I know these Christians and I + know what the upshot will be. He will take advantage of the edict to gain + his ends, and then you will be separated from us and shut up in a + reformatory or a refuge or a cloister or whatever they call their dismal + prisons, and will learn more about your soul than you will care to know. + It will be all over then with singing, and laughter, and amusement. Now + you know the truth, and if you are wise you will keep out of his way till + we leave Alexandria; and that will be as soon as possible, if you listen + to reason, Karnis.” + </p> + <p> + She spoke with such earnest conviction that Dada remained silent with + downcast eyes, and Karnis sat up to think the matter over. + </p> + <p> + However, there was no time now for further reflection; the steward came in + and desired that he, with his son and Agne should go at once to Gorgo to + practise the lament of Isis. + </p> + <p> + This command did not include Herse and Dada, who remained on the barge. + Herse having plenty to occupy her in the lower rooms, Dada went on deck + and watched the others on their way to the house; then she sat looking at + the shipwrights at their work and tossed fruit and sweetmeats, the remains + of their dessert, for the children to catch who were playing on the shore. + Meanwhile she thought over Marcus’ startling speech, Damia’s injunctions + and Herse’s warnings. + </p> + <p> + At first it seemed to her that Herse might be right, but by degrees she + fell back into her old conviction that the young Christian could mean no + harm by her; and she felt as sure that he would find her out wherever she + might hide herself, as that it was her pretty and much-admired little + person that he sought to win, and not her soul—for what could such + an airy nothing as a soul profit a lover? How rapturously he had described + her charms, how candidly he had owned that her image was always before him + even in his dreams, that he could not and would not give her up—nay, + that he was ready to lay down his life to save her soul. Only a man in + love could speak like this and a man so desperately in love can achieve + whatever he will. On her way from the Xenodochium to the house of + Porphyrius she had passed him in his chariot, and had admired the splendid + horses which he turned and guided with perfect skill and grace. He was + scarcely three years older than herself; he was eighteen—but in + spite of his youth and simplicity he was not unmanly; and there was + something in him—something that compelled her to be constantly + thinking of him and asking herself what that something was. Old Damia’s + instructions troubled her; they took much of the charm from her dream of + being loved by Marcus, clasped in his arms, and driven through the city in + his chariot. + </p> + <p> + It was impossible—yes, quite impossible, she was sure—that + they should have parted forever; as she sat, thinking still of him and + glancing from time to time at the toiling carpenters, a boat pulled up at + the landing close to the barge out of which jumped an officer of the + imperial guard. Such a handsome man! with such a noble, powerful, sunburnt + face, a lightly waving black beard, and hair that fell from under his gold + helmet! The short-sword at his side showed him to be a tribune or prefect + of cavalry, and what gallant deeds must not this brilliant and glittering + young warrior have performed to have risen to such high rank while still + so young! He stood on the shore, looking all round, his eyes met hers and + she felt herself color; he seemed surprised to see her there and greeted + her respectfully with a military salute; then he went on towards the + unfinished hulk of a large ship whose bare curved ribs one or two foremen + were busily measuring with tape and rule. + </p> + <p> + An elderly man of dignified aspect was standing close by, who, as Dada had + already discovered, was the head of the ship-yard, and the warrior + hastened towards him. She heard him say: “Father,” and in the next instant + she saw the old man open his arms and the officer rush to embrace him. + </p> + <p> + Dada never took her eyes off the couple who walked on, arm in arm and + talking eagerly, till they disappeared into a large house on the further + side of the dockyard. + </p> + <p> + “What a handsome man!” Dada repeated to herself, but while she waited to + see him return she gazed across the lake by which Marcus might find his + way to her. And as she lingered, idly dreaming, she involuntarily compared + the two men. There were fine soldiers in plenty in Rome, and the + ship-builder’s son was in no particular superior to a hundred others; but + such a man as Marcus she had never before seen—there could hardly be + such another in the world. The young guard was one fine tree among a grove + of fine trees; but Marcus had something peculiar to himself, that + distinguished him from the crowd, and which made him exceptionally + attractive and lovable. His image at length so completely filled her mind + that she forgot the handsome officer, and the shipmaster and every one + else. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <p> + Karnis and his two companions were a long time away. Dada had almost + forgotten her wish to see the young soldier once more, and after playing + with little Papias for some time, as she might have played with a dog, she + began to feel dull and to think the quiet of the boat intolerable. The sun + was sinking when the absentees returned, but she at once reminded Karnis + that he had promised to take her for a walk and show her Alexandria. + Herse, however, forbid her going on such an expedition till the following + day. Dada, who was more irritable and fractious than usual, burst into + tears, flung the distaff that her foster-mother put into her hand over the + side of the ship, and declared between her sobs that she was not a slave, + that she would run away and find happiness wherever it offered. In short + she was so insubordinate that Herse lost patience and scolded her + severely. The girl sprang up, flung on a handkerchief and in a moment + would have crossed the plank to the shore; Karnis, however, held her back. + </p> + <p> + “Why, child,” he said, “do you not see how tired I am?” The appeal had its + effect; Dada recovered her reason and tried to look up brightly, but her + eyes were still tearful and heavy and she could only creep away into a + corner and cry in silence. The old man’s heart was very soft towards the + girl; he would have been glad only to speak a few kind words to her and + smoothe down her hair; however, he made an effort, and whispering a few + words to his wife said he was ready, if Dada wished it, to take her as far + as the Canopic way and the Bruchium. + </p> + <p> + Dada laughed with delight, wiped away her tears, flung her arms round the + musician’s neck and kissed his brown cheeks, exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “You are the best of them all! Make haste, and Agne shall come too; she + must see something of the city.” + </p> + <p> + But Agne preferred to remain on board, so Karnis and Dada set out + together. Orpheus followed them closely for, though the troops had + succeeded in quelling the uproar, the city was still in a state of + ferment. Closely veiled, and without any kind of adornment—on this + Herse had positively insisted—the girl, clinging to the old man’s + arm, made her way through the streets, asking questions about everything + she saw; and her spirits rose, and she was so full of droll suggestions + that Karnis soon forgot his fatigue and gave himself up to the enjoyment + of showing her the old scenes that he knew and the new beauties and + improvements. + </p> + <p> + In the Canopic way Dada was fairly beside herself with delight. Houses + like palaces stood arrayed on each side. Close to the buildings ran a + covered arcade, and down the centre of the roadway there was a broad + footpath shaded by sycamores. This fine avenue swarmed with pedestrians, + while on each side chariots, drawn by magnificent horses, hurried past, + and riders galloped up and down; at every step there was something new and + interesting to be seen. + </p> + <p> + Rome, even, could not boast of a handsomer street, and Dada expressed her + delight with frank eagerness; but Karnis did not echo her praises; he was + indignant at finding that the Christians had removed a fine statue of the + venerable Nile-god surrounded by the playful forms of his infant children, + which had formerly graced the fountain in the middle of the avenue, and + had also overthrown or mutilated the statues of Hermes that had stood by + the roadside. Orpheus sympathized in his wrath which reached its climax + when, on looking for two statues, of Demeter and of Pallas Athene, of + which Karnis had spoken to his son as decorating the gateway of one of the + finest houses in the city, they beheld instead, mounted on the plinths, + two coarsely-wrought images of the Lamb with its Cross. + </p> + <p> + “Like two rats that have been caught under a stone!” cried the old man. + “And what is most shameful is that I would wager that they have destroyed + the statues which were the pride of the town and thrown them on a rubbish + heap. In my day this house belonged to a rich man named Philippus. But + stop—was not he the father of our hospitable protector...” + </p> + <p> + “The steward spoke of Porphyrius as the son of Philippus,” Orpheus said. + </p> + <p> + “And Philippus was a corn merchant, too,” added Karnis. “Demeter was + figurative of a blessing on the harvest, for it was from that the house + derived its wealth, and Pallas Athene was patroness of the learning that + was encouraged by its owners. When I was a student here every wealthy man + belonged to some school of philosophy. The money-bag did not count for + everything. Heathen or Jew, whether engaged in business or enjoying the + revenues of an inherited fortune, a man was expected to be able to talk of + something besides the price of merchandise and the coming and sailing of + vessels.” + </p> + <p> + During this conversation Dada had withdrawn her hand from the old man’s + arm to raise her veil, for two men had gone up to the gate between the + images that had roused Karnis to wrath, and one of them, who at this + instant knocked at the door, was Mary’s son. + </p> + <p> + “Father, see, there he is!” cried Dada, as the door was opened, speaking + louder than was at all necessary to enable her companion to hear her; the + musician at once recognized Marcus, and turning to his son he said: + </p> + <p> + “Now we may be quite sure! Porphyrius and this young Christian’s father + were brothers. Philippus must have left his house to his eldest son who is + the one that is dead, and it now belongs no doubt to Mary, his widow. I + must admit, child, that you choose your adorers from respectable + families!” + </p> + <p> + “I should think so,” said the girl laughing. “And that is why he is so + proud. My fine gentleman has not even a glance to cast at us. Bang! the + door is shut. Come along, uncle!” + </p> + <p> + The young man in question entered the hall of his father’s house with his + companion and paused there to say in a tone of pressing entreaty: “Only + come and speak with my mother; you really must not leave like this.” + </p> + <p> + “How else?” said the other roughly. “You stick to your way, I will go + mine. You can find a better steward for the estate—I go to-morrow. + May the earth open and swallow me up if I stay one hour longer than is + absolutely necessary in this demented place. And after all Mary is your + mother and not mine.” + </p> + <p> + “But she was your father’s wife,” retorted Marcus. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, or you would not be my brother. But she—I have amply + repaid any kindness she ever did me by ten years of service. We do not + understand each other and we never shall.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, you will indeed. I have been in church and prayed—nay, do + not laugh—I prayed to the Lord that he would make it all work right + and He—well, you have been baptized and made one of His flock.” + </p> + <p> + “To my misfortune! You drive me frantic with your meek and mild ways,” + cried the other passionately. “My own feet are strong enough for me to + stand on and my hand, though it is horny, can carry out what my brain + thinks right.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Demetrius, no. You see, you believe in the old gods...” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said the other with increasing irritation. “You are merely + talking to the winds, and my time is precious. I must pack up my small + possessions, and for your sake I will say a few words of farewell when I + take the account-books to your mother. I have land enough belonging to + myself alone, at Arsinoe; I know my own business and am tired of letting a + woman meddle and mar it. Good-bye for the present, youngster. Tell your + mother I am coming; I shall be with her in just an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Demetrius!” cried the lad trying once more to detain his brother; but + Demetrius freed himself with a powerful wrench and hurried across the + court-yard—gay with flowers and with a fountain in the middle—into + which the apartments of the family opened, his own among the number. + </p> + <p> + Marcus looked after him sadly; they differed too widely in thought and + feeling ever to understand each other completely, and when they stood side + by side no one would have imagined that they were the sons of one father, + for even in appearance they were strongly dissimilar. Marcus was slight + and delicate, Demetrius, on the contrary, broad-shouldered and + large-boned. + </p> + <p> + After this parting from his half-brother Marcus betook himself to the + women’s rooms where Mary, after superintending the spinning and other work + of the slave-girls, in the rooms at the back, was wont to sit during the + evening. He found his mother in eager conversation with a Christian priest + of advanced age, an imposing personage of gentle and dignified aspect. The + widow, though past forty, might still pass for a handsome woman: it was + from her that her son had inherited his tall, thin figure with narrow + shoulders and a slight stoop, his finely-cut features, white skin and + soft, flowing, raven-black hair. Their resemblance was rendered all the + more striking by the fact that each wore a simple, narrow circlet of + gold-round the head; nay it would have seemed some unusual trick of + Nature’s but that their eyes were quite unlike. Hers were black, and their + gaze was shrewd and sharp and sometimes sternly hard; while the dreamy + lustre of her son’s, which were blue, lent his face an almost feminine + softness. + </p> + <p> + She must have been discussing some grave questions with the old man, for, + as the young man entered the room, she colored slightly and her long, + taper fingers impatiently tapped the back of the couch on which she was + lounging. + </p> + <p> + Marcus kissed first the priest’s hand and then his mother’s, and, after + enquiring with filial anxiety after her health, informed her that + Demetrius would presently be coming to take leave of her. + </p> + <p> + “How condescending?” she said coldly. “You know reverend Father what it is + that I require of him and that he refuses. His peasants—always his + peasants! Now can you tell me why they, who must feel the influence and + power of their masters so much more directly than the lower class in + towns, they, whose weal or woe so obviously depends on the will of the + Most High, are so obstinately set against the Gospel of Salvation?” + </p> + <p> + “They cling to what they are used to,” replied the old man. “The seed they + sow bore fruit under the old gods; and as they cannot see nor handle our + Heavenly Father as they can their idols, and at the same time have nothing + better to hope for than a tenth or a twentieth of the grain...” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, mine and thine—the miserable profit of this world!” sighed the + widow. “Oh! Demetrius can defend the idolatry of his favorites warmly + enough, never fear. If you can spare the time, good Father, stay and help + me to convince him.” + </p> + <p> + “I have already stayed too long,” replied the priest, “for the Bishop has + commanded my presence. I should like to speak to you, my dear Marcus; + to-morrow morning, early, will you come to me? The Lord be with you, + beloved!” + </p> + <p> + He rose, and as he gave Mary his hand she detained him a moment signing to + her son to leave them, and said in a low tone: + </p> + <p> + “Marcus must not suspect that I know of the error into which he has been + led; speak roundly to his conscience, and as to the girl, I will take her + in hand. Will it not be possible for Theophilus to grant me an interview?” + </p> + <p> + “Hardly, at present,” replied the priest. “As you know, Cynegius is here + and the fate of the Bishop and of our cause hangs on the next few days. + Give up your ambitious desires I beseech you, daughter, for even if + Theophilus were to admit you I firmly believe, nay—do not be angry—I + can but hope that he would never give way on this point.” + </p> + <p> + “No?” said the widow looking down in some embarrassment; but when her + visitor was gone she lifted her head with a flash of wilful defiance. + </p> + <p> + She then made Marcus, who had on the previous day given her a full account + of his voyage from Rome, tell her all that had passed between himself and + Demetrius; she asked him how he liked his horse, whether he hoped to win + the approaching races, and generally what he had been doing and was going + to do. But it did not escape her notice that Marcus was more reticent than + usual and that he tried to bring the conversation round to his voyage and + to the guests in the Xenodochium; however, she always stopped him, for she + knew what he was aiming at and would not listen to anything on that + subject. + </p> + <p> + It was not till long after the slaves had lighted the three-branched + silver lamps that Demetrius appeared. His stepmother received him kindly + and began to talk on indifferent subjects; but he replied with + ill-disguised impatience, for he had not come to chatter and gossip. She + fully understood this; but it pleased her to check and provoke him and she + did it in a way which vividly reminded him of his early days, of the + desolation and unhappiness that had blighted his young life when this + woman had taken the place of his own tender gentle mother, and come + between him and his father. Day after day, in that bygone time, she had + received him just as she had this evening: with words that sounded kindly, + but with a cold, unloving heart. He knew that she had always seen his + boyish errors and petty faults in the worst light, attributing them to bad + propensities and innate wickedness, that she had injured him in his + father’s eyes by painting a distorted image of his disposition and doings—and + all these sins he could not forgive her. At the time of his father’s + assassination Demetrius was already grown to man’s estate, and as the + eldest son it would have been his right and duty to take part with his + uncle Porphyrius in the management of the business; but he could not + endure the idea of living in the same place with his stepmother, so, + having a pronounced taste for a country life, he left the widow in + possession of the house in the Canopic street, persuaded his uncle to pay + over his father’s share in the business in hard cash and then had quitted + Alexandria to take entire charge of the family estates in Cyrenaica. In + the course of a few years he had become an admirable farmer; the + landowners throughout the province were glad to take his advice or follow + his example, and the accounts which he now laid on the table by the side + of Mary’s couch—three goodly rolls—proved by the irrefragable + evidence of figures that he had actually doubled their revenues from the + estates of which he had been the manager. He had earned his right to claim + his independence, to persist in his own determinations and to go his own + way; he was animated by the pride of an independent nature that recklessly + breaks away from a detested tie when it has means at command either to + rest without anxiety or to devote its energies to new enterprise. + </p> + <p> + When Demetrius had allowed his stepmother time enough for subjects in + which he took no interest, he laid his hand on the account-books and + abruptly observed that it was now time to talk seriously. He had already + explained to Marcus that he could no longer undertake to meet her + requirements; and as, with him, to decide was to act, he wished at once to + come to a decision as to whether he should continue to manage the family + estates in the way he thought proper, or should retire and devote himself + to the care of his own land. If Mary accepted the latter alternative he + would at once cancel their deed of agreement, but even then he was very + willing to stay on for a time in Cyrenaica, and put the new steward, when + she had appointed one, in the way of performing his onerous duties. After + that he would have nothing more to do with the family estates. This was + his last word; and whichever way she decided, they might part without any + final breach, which he was anxious to avoid if only for the sake of + Marcus. + </p> + <p> + Demetrius spoke gravely and calmly; still, the bitterness that filled his + soul imparted a flavor to his speech that did not escape the widow, and + she replied with some emphasis that she should be very sorry to think that + any motives personal to herself had led to his decision; she owed much, + very much, to his exertions and had great pleasure in expressing her + obligations. He was aware, of course, that the property he had been + managing had been purchased originally partly with her fortune and partly + out of her husband’s pocket, and that half of it was therefore hers and + half of it the property of Marcus and himself; but that by her husband’s + will the control and management were hers absolutely. She had endeavored + to carry out the intentions of her deceased husband by entrusting the + stewardship of the estate to Demetrius while he was still quite young; + under his care the income had increased, and she had no doubt that in the + future he might achieve even greater results; at the same time, the + misunderstandings that the whole business had given rise to were not to be + endured, and must positively be put an end to, even if their income were + to diminish by half. + </p> + <p> + “I,” she exclaimed, “am a Christian, with my whole heart and soul. I have + dedicated my body and life to the service of my Saviour. What shall all + the treasures of the world profit me if I lose my soul; and that, which is + my immortal part, must inevitably perish if I allow my pockets to be + filled by the toil of heathen peasants and slaves. I therefore must insist—and + on this point I will not yield a jot—that our slaves in Cyrenaica, a + flock of more than three thousand erring sheep, shall either submit to be + baptized or be removed to make way for Christians.” + </p> + <p> + “That is to say...” began Demetrius hastily. + </p> + <p> + “I have not yet done,” she interrupted. “So far as the peasants are + concerned who rent and farm our land they all, without exception—as + you said yesterday—are stiff-necked idolaters. We must give them + time to think it over, but the annual agreement will not be renewed with + any who will not pledge themselves to give up the old sacrifices and to + worship the Redeemer. If they submit they will be safe—in this world + and the next; if they refuse they must go, and the land must be let to + Christians in their stead.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as I change this seat for another!” said Demetrius with a laugh, and + lifting up a heavy bronze chair he flung it down again on the hard mosaic + pavement so that the floor shook. + </p> + <p> + Maria started violently. + </p> + <p> + “My body may tremble,” she said in great excitement, “but my soul is firm + when its everlasting bliss is at stake. I insist—and my + representative, whether he be you or another, must carry my orders into + effect without an hour’s delay—I insist that every heathen shrine, + every image of the field and garden-gods, every altar and sacred stone + which the heathens use for their idolatrous practices shall be pulled + down, overthrown, mutilated and destroyed. That is what I require and + insist on.” + </p> + <p> + “And that is what I will never consent to,” cried Demetrius in a voice + like low thunder. “I cannot and will not. These things have been held + precious and sacred to men for thousands of years and I cannot, will not, + blow them off the face of the earth, as you blow a feather off your cloak. + You may go and do it yourself; you may be able to achieve it.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” asked Mary drawing herself up with a glance of + indignant protest. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—if any one can do it you can!” repeated Demetrius + imperturbably. “I went to-day to seek the images of our forefathers—the + venerable images that were clear to our infancy, the portraits of our + fathers’ fathers and mothers, the founders of the honor of our race. And + where are they? They have gone with the protectors of our home, the pride + and ornament of this house—of the street, of the city—the + Hermes and Pallas Athene that you—you flung into the lime-kiln. Old + Phabis told me with tears in his eyes. Alas poor house that is robbed of + its past, of its glory, and of its patron deities!” + </p> + <p> + “I have placed it under a better safeguard,” replied Maria in a tremulous + voice, and she looked it Marcus with an appeal for sympathy. “Now, for the + last time, I ask you: Will you accede to my demands or will you not?” + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said Demetrius resolutely. + </p> + <p> + “Then I must find a new agent to manage the estates.” + </p> + <p> + “You will soon find one; but your land—which is our land too—will + become a desert. Poor land! If you destroy its shrines and sanctuaries you + will destroy its soul; for they are the soul of the land. The first + inhabitants gathered round the sanctuary, and on that sanctuary and the + gods that dwell there the peasant founds his hopes of increase on what he + sows and plants, and of prosperity for his wife and children and cattle + and all that he has. In destroying his shrines you ruin his hopes, and + with them all the joy of life. I know the peasant; he believes that his + labors must be vain if you deprive him of the gods that make it thrive. He + sows in hope, in the swelling of the grain he sees the hand of the gods + who claim his joyful thanksgiving after the harvest is gathered in. You + are depriving him of all that encourages and uplifts and rejoices his soul + when you ruin his shrines and altars!” + </p> + <p> + “But I give him other and better ones,” replied Mary. + </p> + <p> + “Take care then that they are such as he can appreciate,” said Demetrius + gravely. “Persuade him to love, to believe, to hope in the creed you force + upon him; but do not rob him of what he trusts in before he is prepared to + accept the substitute you offer him.—Now, let me go; we are neither + of us in the temper to make the best arrangements for the future. One + thing, at any rate, is certain: I have nothing more to do with the + estate.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + After leaving his stepmother Demetrius made good use of his time and + dictated a number of letters to his secretary, a slave he had brought with + him to Alexandria, for the use of the pen was to him unendurable labor. + The letters were on business, relating to his departure from Cyrenaica and + his purpose of managing his own estates for the future, and when they lay + before him, finished, rolled up and sealed, he felt that he had come to a + mile-stone on his road, a landmark in his life. He paced the room in + silence, trying to picture to himself the fate of the slaves and peasants + who, for so many years, had been his faithful servants and + fellow-laborers, whose confidence he had entirely won, and many of whom he + truly loved. But he could not conceive of their life, their toil or their + festivals, bereft of images, offerings, garlands, and hymns of rejoicing. + To him they were as children, forbidden to laugh and play, and he could + not help once more recurring to his boyhood and the day of his going to + school, when, instead of running and shouting in his father’s sunny + garden, he had been made to sit still and silent in a dull class-room. And + now had the whole world reached such a boundary line in existence beyond + which there was to be no more freedom and careless joy—where a + ceaseless struggle for higher things must begin and never end? + </p> + <p> + If the Gospel were indeed true, and if all it promised could ever find + fulfilment, it might perhaps be prudent to admit the sinfulness of man and + to give up the joys and glories of this world to win the eternal treasure + that it described. Many a good and wise man whom he had known—nay + the Emperor, the great and learned Theodosius himself—was devoted + heart and soul to the Christian faith, and Demetrius knew from his own + experience that his mother’s creed, in which he had been initiated as a + boy and from which his father, after holding him at the font had perverted + him at an early age, offered great consolations and enduring help to those + whose existence was one of care, poverty, and suffering. But his laborers + and servants? They were healthy and contented. What power on earth could + induce them—a race that clung devotedly to custom—to desert + the faith of their fathers, and the time-honored traditions to which they + owed all the comforts and pleasures of life, or to seek in a strange creed + the aid which they already believed that they possessed. + </p> + <p> + He did not repent of his determination; but he nevertheless said to + himself that, when once he was gone, Mary would proceed only too soon on + the work of extermination and destruction; and every temple on the estate, + every statue, every whispering grotto, every shrine and stone anointed by + pious hands, doomed now to perish, rose before his fancy. + </p> + <p> + Demetrius was accustomed to rise at cock-crow and go to bed at an early + hour, and he was on the point of retiring even before the usual time, when + Marcus came to his room and begged him to give him yet an hour. + </p> + <p> + “You are angry with my mother,” said the younger man with a look of + melancholy entreaty, “but you know there is nothing that she would not + sacrifice for the faith. And you can smile so bitterly! But only put + yourself in my place. Loving my mother as I do, it is acutely painful to + me to see another person—to see you whom I love, too, for you are my + friend and brother—to see you, I say, turn your back on her so + completely. My heart is heavy enough to-day I can tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor boy!” said the countryman. “Yes, I am truly your friend, and am + anxious to remain so; you are not to blame in this business—and for + that matter, I am anything but cheerful. You have chosen to say: Down with + the shrines! Perish all those who do not think as we do! Still, look at + the thing as you will, in some cases certainly violence must ensue—nay, + if no blood is shed it will be a wonder! You sum up the matter in one + common term: The heathen peasants on the estate. My view of it is totally + different; I know these farmers and their wives and children, each one by + name and by sight. There is not one but is ready to bid me good day and + shake my hand or kiss my dress. Many a one has come to me in tears and + left me happy.—By the great Zeus! no one ever accused me of being + soft-hearted, but I could wish this day that I were harder; and my blood + turns to gall as I ask—What is all this for—to what possible + end?” + </p> + <p> + “For the sake and honor of the faith, Demetrius; for the eternal salvation + of our people.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” retorted Demetrius with a drawl, “I know better. If that and + that alone were intended you would build churches and chapels and send us + worthy priests—Eusebius and the like—and would try to win + men’s hearts to your Lord by the love you are always talking so much + about. That was my advice to your mother, only this morning. I believe the + end might be attained by those means, among us as elsewhere; ultimately it + will, no doubt, be gained—but not to-day nor to-morrow. A peasant, + when he had become accustomed to the church and grasped a trust in the new + God, would of his own accord give up the old gods and their sanctuaries; I + could count you off a dozen such instances. That I could have looked on at + calmly, for I want only men’s arms and legs and do not ask for their + souls; but to burn down the old house before you have collected wood and + stone to build a new one I call wicked.—It is cruelty and madness, + and when so shrewd a woman as your mother is bent on carrying through such + a measure, come what may, there is something more behind it.” + </p> + <p> + “You think she wants to get rid of you—you, Demetrius!” interrupted + Marcus eagerly. “But you are mistaken, you are altogether wrong. What you + have done for the estate...” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! as for that!” cried the other, “what has my work to do with all this? + Ere the year is out everything that can remind us of the heathen gods is + to be swept away from the hamlets and fields of the pious Mary. That is + what is intended! Then they will hurry off to the Bishop with the great + news and to crown one marvel with another, the reversion will be secured + of a martyr’s nimbus. And this is what all this zeal is for—this and + nothing else!” + </p> + <p> + “You are speaking of my mother, remember!” cried Marcus, looking at his + brother with a touching appeal in his eyes. Demetrius shook his shaggy + head and spoke more temperately as he went on: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, child, I had forgotten that—and I may be mistaken of course, + for I am no more than human. Here one thing follows so close on another, + and in this house I feel so battered and storm-tossed, that I hardly know + myself. But old Phabis tells me that steps are being seriously taken to + procure the title of Martyr for our father Apelles.” + </p> + <p> + “My mother is quite convinced that he died for the faith, and she loved + him devotedly...” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is so!” cried Demetrius, grinding his teeth and thumping his fist + down on the table. “The lies sown by one single man have produced a deadly + weed that is smothering this miserable house! You—to be sure, what + can you know of our father? I knew him; I have been present when he and + his friends, the philosophers, have laughed to scorn things which not only + you Christians but even pious heathen regard as sacred. Lucretius was his + evangelist, and the Cosmogony of that utter atheist lay by his pillow and + was his companion wherever he went.” + </p> + <p> + “He admired the heathen poets, but he was a Christian all the same,” + replied Marcus. + </p> + <p> + “Neither more nor less than Porphyrius, our uncle, or myself,” retorted + his brother. “Since the day when our grandfather Philippus was baptized, + wealth and happiness have deserted this house. He gave up the old gods + solely that he might not lose the right of supplying the city and the + Emperor with corn, and became a Christian and made his sons Christians. + But he had us educated by his heathen friends, and though we passed for + Christians we were not so in fact. When it was absolutely necessary he + showed himself in church with us; but our daily life, our pleasures, our + pastimes were heathen, and when life began for us in earnest we offered a + bleeding sacrifice to the gods. It was impossible to retract honestly, + since a renegade Christian returning to the worship of the old gods is + incapacitated by law from making a will. You know this; and when you ask + me why I am content to live alone, without either wife or child—and + I love children, even those of other people—a solitary man dragging + out my days and nights joylessly enough—I tell you: I am openly and + honestly a worshipper of our old gods, and I will not go to church because + I scorn a lie. What should I do with children who, in consequence of my + retractation, must forfeit all I might leave them? It was this question of + inheritance only that induced my father to have us baptized and to make a + pretense of Christianity. He set out for Petra with his Lucretius in his + satchel—I packed it with my own hands into his money-bag—to + put in a claim to supply grain to the ‘Rock city.’ He was slain on his way + home; most likely by his servant Anubis, who certainly knew what money he + had with him, and who vanished and left no trace. Because—about the + same time—a band of Saracens had fallen on some Christian anchorites + and travellers, in the district between Petra and Aila, your mother chose + to assume a right to call our father a martyr! But she knew his opinions + full well, I tell you, and shed many a tear over them, too.—Now she + has expended vast sums on church-building, she has opened the Xenodochium + and pours her money by lavish handfuls clown the insatiable throats of + monks and priests. To what end? To have her husband recognized as a + martyr. Hitherto her toil and money have been wasted. In my estimation the + Bishop is a perfectly detestable tyrant, and if I know him at all he will + take all she will give and never grant her wish. Now she is preparing her + great move, and hopes to startle him into compliance by a new marvel. She + thinks that, like a juggler who turns a white egg black, she can turn a + heathen district into a Christian one by a twist of her finger. Well—so + far as I am concerned I will have nothing to do with the trick.” + </p> + <p> + During this harangue Marcus had alternately gazed at the floor and fixed + his large eyes in anguish on his brother’s face. For some minutes he found + nothing to reply, and he was evidently going through a bitter mental + struggle. Demetrius spoke no more, but arranged the sheets of papyrus that + strewed the table. At length Marcus, after a deep sigh, broke out in a + tone of fervent conviction and with a blissful smile that lighted up his + whole face: + </p> + <p> + “Poor mother! And others misunderstand her just as you do; I myself was in + danger of doubting her. But I think that now I understand her perfectly. + She loved my father so completely that she hopes now to win for his + immortal soul the grace which he, in the flesh, neglected to strive after. + He was baptized, so she longs to win, by her prayers and oblations, the + mercy of the Lord who is so ready to forgive. She herself firmly believes + in the martyrdom of her beloved dead, and if only the Church will rank him + among those who have died for Her, he will be saved, and she will find him + standing in the pure radiance of the realms above, with open arms, + overflowing with fervent love and gratitude, to welcome the faithful + helpmate who will have purged his soul. Yes, now I quite understand; and + from this day forth I will aid and second her; the hardest task shall not + be too hard, the best shall not be too good, if only we may open the gates + of Heaven to my poor father’s imperilled soul.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke his eye glistened with ecstatic light; his brother, too, was + touched, and to hide his emotion, he exclaimed, more recklessly and + sharply than was his wont: + </p> + <p> + “That will come all right, never fear, lad!” But he hastily wiped his eyes + with his hand, slapped Marcus on the shoulder, and added gaily: “It is + better to choke than to swallow down the thing you think right, and it + never hurt a man yet to make a clean breast of his feelings, even if we do + not quite agree we understand each other the better for it. I have my way + of thinking, you have yours; thus we each know what the other means; but + after the tragedy comes the satyr play, and we may as well finish this + agitating evening with an hour’s friendly chat.” + </p> + <p> + So saying Demetrius stretched himself on a divan and invited Marcus to do + the same, and in a few minutes their conversation had turned, as usual, to + the subject of horses. Marcus was full of praises of the stallions his + brother had bred for him, and which he had ridden that very day round the + Myssa—[The Myssa was the Meta, or turning-post]—in the + Hippodrome, and his brother added with no small complacency: + </p> + <p> + “They were all bred from the same sire and from the choicest mares. I + broke them in myself, and I only wish.... But why did you not come to the + stables this morning?” + </p> + <p> + “I could not,” replied Marcus coloring slightly. Then we will go to-morrow + to Nicopolis and I will show you how to get Megaera past the Taraxippios.”—[The + terror of the horses.] + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow?” said Marcus somewhat embarrassed. “In the morning I must go + to see Eusebius and then....” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must—I mean I should like....” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, to be sure I might, all the same.—But no, it is not to be + done—I have....” + </p> + <p> + “What, what?” cried Demetrius with increasing impatience: “My time is + limited and if you start the horses without knowing my way of managing + them they will certainly not do their best. As soon as the market begins + to fill we will set out. We shall need a few hours for the Hippodrome, + then we will dine with Damon, and before dark....” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” replied Marcus, “to-morrow, certainly, I positively cannot....” + </p> + <p> + “People who have nothing to do always lack time,” replied the other. “Is + to-morrow one of your festivals?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not that=-and Good Heavens! If only I could....” + </p> + <p> + “Could, could!” cried Demetrius angrily and standing close in front of his + brother with his arms folded. “Say out honestly: ‘I will not go,’ or else, + ‘my affairs are my own secret and I mean to keep it.’—But give me no + more of your silly equivocations.” + </p> + <p> + His vehemence increased the younger man’s embarrassment, and as he stood + trying to find an explanation which might come somewhat near the truth and + yet not betray him, Demetrius, who had stood watching him closely, + suddenly exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “By Aphrodite, the daughter of the foam! it is a love affair—an + assignation.—Woman, woman, always woman!” + </p> + <p> + “An assignation!” cried Marcus shaking his head. “No indeed, no one + expects me; and yet—I had rather you should misunderstand me than + think that I had lied. Yes—I am going to seek a woman; and if I do + not find her to-morrow, if in the course of tomorrow I do not succeed in + my heart’s desire, she is lost—not only to me, though I cannot give + up the heavenly love for the sake of the earthly and fleshly—but to + my Lord and Saviour. It is the life—the everlasting life or death of + one of God’s loveliest creatures that hangs on to-morrow’s work.” + </p> + <p> + Demetrius was greatly astonished, and it was with an angry gesture of + impatience that he replied: + </p> + <p> + “Again you have overstepped the boundary within which we can possibly + understand each other. In my opinion you are hardly old enough to + undertake the salvation of the imperilled souls of pretty women. Take care + what you are about, youngster! It is safe enough to go into the water with + those who can swim, but those who sink are apt to draw you down with them. + You are a good-looking young fellow, you have money and fine horses, and + there are women enough who are only too ready to spread their nets + abroad...” + </p> + <p> + “What are you thinking of?” cried Marcus passionately. “It is I who am the + fisher—a fisher of souls, and so every true believer ought to be. + She—she is innocence and simplicity itself, in spite of her roguish + sauciness. But she has fallen into the hands of a reprobate heathen, and + here, where vice prowls about the city like a roaring lion, she will be + lost—lost, if I do not rescue her. Twice have I seen her in my + dreams; once close to the cavern of a raging dragon, and again on the edge + of a precipitous cliff, and each time an angel called out to me and bid me + save her from the jaws of the monster, and from falling into the abyss. + Since then I seem to see her constantly; at meals, when I am in company, + when I am driving,—and I always hear the warning voice of the angel. + And now I feel it a sacred duty to save her—a creature on whom the + Almighty has lavished every gift he ever bestowed on the daughters of Eve—to + lead her into the path of Salvation.” + </p> + <p> + Demetrius had listened to his brother’s enthusiastic speech with growing + anxiety, but he merely shrugged his shoulders and said: + </p> + <p> + “I almost envy you your acquaintance with this favorite of the gods; but + you might, it seems to me, postpone the work of salvation. You were away + from Alexandria for half a year, and if she could hold out so long as + that...” + </p> + <p> + “Do not speak so; you ought not to speak so!” cried Marcus, pressing his + hand on his heart as though in physical pain. “But I have no time to lose, + for I must at once find out where the old singer has taken her. I am not + so inexperienced as you seem to think. He has brought her here to trade in + her beauty, and enrich himself. Why, you, too, saw her on board ship; I, + as you know, had arranged for them to be taken in at my mother’s + Xenodochium.” + </p> + <p> + “Whom?” asked Demetrius folding his hands. + </p> + <p> + “The singers whom I brought with me from Ostia. And now they have + disappeared from thence, and Dada...” + </p> + <p> + “Dada!” cried Demetrius, bursting into a loud laugh without heeding Marcus + who stepped up to him, crimson with rage. “Dada! that little fair puss! + You see her day and night and an angel calls upon you to save that child’s + merry soul? You ought to be ashamed of yourself, boy! Why, what shall I + wager now? I will stake this roll of gold that I could make her come with + me to-morrow—with me, a hard-featured countryman, freckled all over + like a plover’s egg, where my clothes do not protect my skin, and with + hair on end like the top of a broom—yes, that she will follow me to + Arsinoe or wherever I choose to bid her. Let the hussy go, you simple + innocent. Such a Soul as hers is of small account even in a less exclusive + Heaven than yours is.” + </p> + <p> + “Take back those words!” cried Marcus, beside himself and clenching his + fist. “But that is just like you! Your impure eyes and heart defile purity + itself, and see spots even in the sun. Nothing is too bad for a ‘singing + girl,’ I know. But that is just the marrow of the matter; it is from that + very curse that I mean to save her. If you can accuse her of anything, + speak; if not, and if you do not want to appear a base slanderer in my + eyes, take back the words you have just spoken!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I take them back of course,” said Demetrius indifferently. “I know + nothing of your beauty beyond what she has herself said to me and you and + Cynegius and his Secretaries—with her pretty, saucy eyes. But the + language of the eye, they say, is not always to be depended on; so take it + as unsaid. And, if I understood you rightly, you do not even know where + the singers are hiding? If you have no objection, I will help you to seek + them out.” + </p> + <p> + “That is as you please,” answered Marcus hotly. “All your mockery will not + prevent my doing my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Very right, very right,” said his brother. “Perhaps this damsel is unlike + all the other singing-girls with whom I used so often to spend a jolly + evening in my younger days. Once, at Barca, I saw a white raven—but + perhaps after all it was only a dove. Your opinion, in this case, is at + any rate better founded than mine, for I never thought twice about the + girl and you did.—But it is late; till to-morrow, Marcus.” + </p> + <p> + The brothers parted for the night, but when Demetrius found himself alone + he walked up and down the room, shaking his head doubtfully. Presently, + when his body-slave came in to pack for him, he called out crossly: + </p> + <p> + “Let that alone—I shall stay in Alexandria a few days longer.” + </p> + <p> + Marcus could not go to bed; his brother’s scorn had shaken his soul to the + foundations. An inward voice told him that his more experienced senior + might be right, but at the same time he hated and contemned himself for + listening to its warnings at all. The curse that rested on Dada was that + of her position; she herself was pure—as pure as a lily, as pure as + the heart of a child, as pure as the blue of her eyes and the ring of her + voice. He would obey the angel’s behest! He could and he must save her! + </p> + <p> + In the greatest excitement he went out of the house, through the great + gate, into the Canopic way, and walked on. As he was about to turn down a + side street to go to the lake he found the road stopped by soldiers, for + this street led past the prefect’s house where Cynegius, the Emperor’s + emissary, was staying; he had come, it was said, to close the Temples, and + the excited populace had gathered outside the building, during the + afternoon, to signify their indignant disapprobation. At sundown an armed + force had been called out and had dispersed the crowd; but it was by + another road that the young Christian at length made his way to the shore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + While Marcus was restlessly wandering on the shore of Mareotis, dreaming + of Dada’s image and arranging speeches of persuasive eloquence by which to + touch her heart and appeal to her soul, silence had fallen on the floating + home of the singers. A light white mist, like a filmy veil—a tissue + of clouds and moonbeams—hung over the lake. Work was long since over + in the ship-yard, and the huge skeletons of the unfinished ships threw + weird and ghostly shadows on the silvered strand-forms like black visions + of crayfish, centipedes, or enormous spiders. + </p> + <p> + From the town there came not a sound; it lay in the silence of intoxicated + sleep. The Roman troops had cleared the streets, the lights were dead in + every house, and in all the alleys and squares; only the moon shone over + the roofs of Alexandria, while the blazing beacon of the light-house on + the north-eastern point of the island of Pharos shone like a sun through + the darkness. + </p> + <p> + In a large cabin in the stern of the vessel lay the two girls, on soft + woollen couches and covered with rugs. Agne was gazing wide-eyed into the + darkness; Dada had long been asleep, but she breathed painfully and her + rosy lips were puckered now and then as if she were in some distress. She + was dreaming of the infuriated mob who had snatched the garland from her + hair—she saw Marcus suddenly interfere to protect her and rescue her + from her persecutors—then she thought she had fallen off the gangway + that led from the land to the barge, and was in the water while old Damia + stood on the shore and laughed at her without trying to help her. Night + generally brought the child sound sleep or pleasant dreams, but now one + hideous face after another haunted her. + </p> + <p> + And yet the evening had brought her a great pleasure. Not long after their + return from their walk the steward had come down to the boat and brought + her a very beautiful dress, with greetings from his old mistress; he had + at the same time brought an Egyptian slave-woman, well skilled in all the + arts of the toilet, who was to wait upon her so long as she remained in + Alexandria. Dada had never owned such a lovely dress! The under-robe was + of soft sea-green bombyx silk, with a broad border, delicately + embroidered, of a garland of roses and buds. The peplos was of the same + color and decorated to match; costly clasps of mosaic, representing + full-blown roses and set in oval gold settings, fastened it on the + shoulders. In a separate case were a gold girdle, a bracelet, also of + gold, in the shape of a snake, a gold crescent with a rose, like those on + the shoulder-clasps, in its centre, and a metal mirror of spotless lustre. + </p> + <p> + The slave, a middle-aged woman with a dark cunning face, had helped her to + put on this new garment; she had also insisted on dressing her hair, and + all the time had never ceased praising the charms that nature had bestowed + on her young mistress, with the zeal of a lover. + </p> + <p> + Agne had looked on smiling, good-naturedly handing the slave the pins and + ribbands she had needed, and sincerely rejoicing in her companion’s beauty + and delight. + </p> + <p> + At last Dada had made her appearance in the deckroom and was greeted by + many an Ah! and Oh! of admiration from the men of the party, including + Medius, the singer whom Karnis had met in the street. Even Herse, who had + received her quite disagreeably on her return from the city, could not + suppress a smile of kindly approval, though she shook her finger at her + saying: + </p> + <p> + “The old lady has set her heart on turning your head completely I see. All + that is very pretty, but all the good it will do will be to rouse spiteful + tongues. Remember, Dada, that you are my sister’s child; I promise you I + shall not forget it, and I shall keep my eye upon you.” + </p> + <p> + Orpheus made haste to light every lamp and taper, of which there were + plenty, for the barge was handsomely furnished, and when Dada was plainly + visible in the brilliant illumination Karnis exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “You look like a senator’s daughter! Long live the Fair!” + </p> + <p> + She ran up to him and kissed him; but when Orpheus walked all round her, + examining the fineness of the tissue and the artistic finish of the + clasps, and even turned the snake above her round elbow, she sharply bid + him let her be. + </p> + <p> + Medius, a man of the age of Karnis who had formerly been his intimate + companion, never took his eyes off the girl, and whispered to the old + musician that Dada would easily carry off the palm for beauty in + Alexandria, and that with such a jewel in his keeping he might recover + wealth and position and by quite honest means. At his suggestion she then + assumed a variety of attitudes; she stood as Hebe, offering nectar to the + gods—as Nausicae, listening to the tale of Odysseus—and as + Sappho, singing to her lyre. The girl was delighted at all this, and when + Medius, who kept close to her, tried to persuade her to perform in a + similar manner in the magical representations at the house of Posidonius, + before a select company of spectators, she clapped her hands exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “You took me all round the city, father, and as your reward I should like + to earn back your pretty vineyards, I should stand like this, you know, + and like this—to be stared at. I only hope I might not be seized + with a sudden impulse to make a face at the audience. But if they did not + come too close I really might...” + </p> + <p> + “You could do no better than to play the parts that Posidonius might give + you,” interrupted Medius. “His audiences like to see good daemons, the + kindly protecting spirits, and so forth. You would have to appear among + clouds behind a transparent veil, and the people would hail you with + acclamations or even raise their hands in adoration.” + </p> + <p> + All this seemed to Dada perfectly delightful, and she was on the point of + giving her hand to Medius in token of agreement, when her eye caught the + anxious gaze of the young Christian girl who stood before her with a deep + flush on her face. Agne seemed to be blushing for her. The color rushed to + her own cheeks, and shortly saying: “No—after all, I think not,” she + turned her back on the old man and threw herself on the cushions close to + where the wine-jug was standing. Medius now began to besiege Karnis and + Herse with arguments, but they refused all his offers as they intended + quitting Alexandria in a few days, so he had no alternative but to submit. + Still, he did not altogether throw up the game, and to win Dada’s consent, + at any rate, he made her laugh with a variety of comical pranks and showed + her some ingenious conjuring tricks, and ere long their floating home + echoed with merriment, with the clinking of wine-cups and with songs, in + which even Agne was obliged to take part. Medius did not leave till near + midnight and Herse then sent them all to bed. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the slave had undressed her young mistress and left the girls + alone, Dada threw herself into the arms of Agne who was on the point of + getting into bed, and kissed her vehemently, exclaiming: “You are much—so + much better than I! How is that you always know what is right?” + </p> + <p> + Then she lay down; but before she fell asleep she once more spoke to Agne: + “Marcus will find us out, I am certain,” she said, “and I should really + like to know what he has to say to me.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes sleep had sealed her eyes, but the Christian girl lay + awake; her thoughts would not rest, and Sleep, who the night before had + taken her to his heart, to-night would not come near her pillow; so much + to agitate and disturb her soul had taken place during the day. + </p> + <p> + She had often before now been a silent spectator of the wild rejoicings of + the musician’s family, and she had always thought of these light-hearted + creatures as spendthrifts who waste all their substance in a few days to + linger afterwards through years of privation and repentance. Troubled, as + she could not fail to be, as to the eternal salvation of these lost souls, + though happy in her own faith, she had constantly turned for peace to her + Saviour and always found it; but to-night it was not so, for a new and + unexpected temptation had sprung up for her in the house of Porphyrius. + </p> + <p> + She had heard Gorgo sing again, and joined her own voice with hers. + Dirges, yearning hymns, passionate outpourings in praise of the mighty and + beautiful divinity had filled her ear and stirred her soul with an + ecstatic thrill, although she knew that they, were the composition of + heathen poets and had first been sung to the harmony of lutes by reprobate + idolaters. And yet, and yet they had touched her heart, and moved her soul + to rapture, and filled her eyes with tears. + </p> + <p> + She could not but confess to herself that she could have given no purer, + sweeter, or loftier expression to her own woes, thankfulness, aspirations, + and hopes of ever lasting life and glory, than this gifted creature had + given to the utterance of her idolatry. Surprise, unrest, nay, some little + jealousy had been mingled with her delight at Gorgo’s singing. How was it + that this heathen could feel and utter emotions which she had always + conceived of as the special privilege of the Christian, and, for her own + part, had never felt so fervently as in the hours when she had drawn + closest to her Lord? Were not her own sentiments the true and right ones; + had her intercourse with these heathens tainted her? + </p> + <p> + This doubt disturbed her greatly; it must be based on something more than + mere self-torture, for she had not once thought of asking to whom the + two-part hymn, with its tender appeal, was addressed, when Karnis had + first gone through it with her alone; nor even subsequently, when she had + sung it with Gorgo—timidly at first, more boldly the second time, + and finally without a mistake, but carried completely away by the beauty + and passion of the emotions it expressed. + </p> + <p> + She knew now, for Karnis himself had told her. It was the Lament of Isis + for her—lost husband and brother—oh that horrible heathen + confusion!—The departed Osiris. The wailing widow, who called on him + to return with “the silent speech of tears,” was that queen of the + idolater’s devils whose shameful worship her father had often spoke of + with horror. Still, this dirge was so true and noble, so penetrated with + fervent, agonized grief, that it had gone to her heart. The sorrowing + Mother of God, Mary herself, might thus have besought the resurrection of + her Son; just thus must the “God-like maid”—as she was called in the + Arian confession of her father—have uttered her grief, her prayers, + and her longings. + </p> + <p> + But it was all a heathen delusion, all the trickery and jugglery of the + Devil, though she had failed to see through it, and had given herself up + to it, heart and soul. Nay, worse! for after she had learnt that Gorgo was + to represent Isis and she herself Nephthys, the sister of the divine pair, + she had opposed the suggestion but feebly, even though she knew that they + were to sing the hymn together in the Temple of Isis; and when Gorgo had + clasped her in her arms with sisterly kindness, begging her not to spoil + her plans but to oblige her in this, she had not repulsed the tempter with + firm decision, but merely asked for time to think it over. + </p> + <p> + How indeed could she have found the heart to refuse the noble girl, whose + beauty and voice had so struck and fascinated her, when she flung her arms + round her neck, looked into her eyes and earnestly besought her: + </p> + <p> + “Do it for my sake, to please me. I do not ask you to do anything wicked. + Pure song is acceptable to every god. Think of your lament, if you like, + as being for your own god who suffered on the cross. But I like singing + with you so much; say yes. Do not refuse, for my sake!” + </p> + <p> + She had thrown her arms so gladly, so much too gladly round the heathen + lady—for she had a loving heart and no one else had ever made it a + return in kind—and clinging closely to her she had said: + </p> + <p> + “As you will; I will do whatever you like.” + </p> + <p> + Then Orpheus, too, had urged her to oblige Gorgo, and himself, and all of + them; and it had seemed almost impossible to refuse the first request that + the modest youth—to whom she would willingly have granted anything + and everything—had ever made. Still, she had held back; and in her + anxious bewilderment, not daring to think or act, she had tried every form + of excuse and postponement. She would probably have been awkward enough + about this, but Gorgo was content to press her no further, and when, after + leaving the house, she had summoned up courage to refuse to enter the + Temple of Isis, Karnis had only said: “Be thankful that this gifted lady, + the favorite of the Muses, should think you worthy to sing with her. We + will see about the rest by-and-bye.” + </p> + <p> + Now, in the watches of the sleepless night, she saw clearly the abyss + above which she was standing. She, like Judas, was on the point of + betraying her Saviour; not indeed for money, but in obedience to the + transient sound of an earthly voice, for the pleasure of exercising her + art, to indulge a hastily-formed liking; nay, perhaps because it satisfied + her childish vanity to find herself put on an equality with a lady of rank + and wealth, and matched with a singer who had roused Karnis and Orpheus to + such ardent admiration. + </p> + <p> + She was an enigma to herself; while passages out of the Bible crowded on + her memory to reproach her conscience. + </p> + <p> + There lay Dada’s embroidered dress. Worn for the first time this day, in a + month it would be unpresentably shabby and then, ere long, flung aside as + past wearing. Like this—just like this—was every earthly + pleasure, every joy of this brief existence. Alas, she certainly was not + happy here in Karnis’ sense of the word; but in the other world there were + joys eternal, and she had only to deny herself the petty enjoyments of + this life to secure unfailing and everlasting happiness in the next. There + she would find an endless flow of all her soul could desire, there perhaps + she might be allowed to cool the lips of Gorgo, as Lazarus cooled those of + the rich man. + </p> + <p> + She was quite clear now what her answer would be to-morrow, and, firmly + resolved not to allow herself to think of singing in the Temple of Isis, + she at last fell asleep just as the light began to dawn in the east. She + did not wake till late, and it was with downcast eyes and set lips that + she went with Karnis and Orpheus to the house of Porphyrius. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <p> + When the steward went to summons the musicians to his master’s house he + had again had no bidding for Dada, and she was very indignant at being + left behind. “That old cornsack’s daughter,” she said, “was full of her + airs, and would have nothing to say to them excepting to make use of them + for her own purposes!” If she had not been afraid of being thought + intrusive she would have acted on old Damia’s invitation to visit her + frequently, and have made her appearance, in defiance of Gorgo, dropping + like a shooting-star into the midst of their practising. It never occurred + to her to fancy that the young lady had any personal dislike to her, for, + though she might be ignored and forgotten, who had ever had any but a kind + word for her. At the same time she assumed the right of feeling that “she + could not bear” the haughty Gorgo, and as the party set out she exclaimed + to Agne, “Well, you need not kill her for me, but at any rate, I send her + no greeting; it is a shame that I should be left to mope alone with Herse. + Do not be surprised if you find me turned to a stark, brown mummy—for + we are in Egypt, you know, the land of mummies. I bequeath my old dress to + you, my dear, for I know you would never put on the new one. If you bewail + me as you ought I will visit you in a dream, and put a sugarplum in your + mouth—a cake of ambrosia such as the gods eat. You are not even + leaving me Papias to tease!” + </p> + <p> + For in fact Agne’s little brother, dressed in a clean garment, was to be + taken to Gorgo who had expressed a wish to see him. + </p> + <p> + When they had all left the ship Dada soon betrayed how superficial her + indignation had been; for, presently spying through the window of the + cabin the young cavalry officer’s grey-bearded father, she sprang up the + narrow steps—barefoot as she was accustomed to be when at home—and + threw herself on a cushion to lean over the gunwale of the upper deck, + which was shaded by a canvas awning, to watch the ship-yard and the + shore-path. Before she had begun to weary of this occupation the + waiting-slave, who had been up to the house to put various matters in + order, came back to the vessel, and squatting down at her feet was ready + to give her all the information she chose to require. Dada’s first + questions naturally related to Gorgo. The young mistress, said the slave, + had already dismissed many suitors, the sons of the greatest families of + Alexandria, and if her suspicions—those of Sachepris, the slave—were + well founded, all for the sake of the old shipbuilder’s son, whom she had + known from childhood and who was now an officer in the Imperial guard. + However, as she opined, this attachment could hardly lead to marriage, + since Constantine was a zealous Christian and his family were immeasurably + beneath that of Porphyrius in rank; and though he had distinguished + himself greatly and risen to the grade of Prefect, Damia, who on all + occasions had the casting-vote, had quite other views for her + granddaughter. + </p> + <p> + All this excited Dada’s sympathies to the highest pitch, but she listened + with even greater attention when her gossip began to speak of Marcus, his + mother, and his brother. In this the Egyptian slave was the tool of old + Damia. She had counted on being questioned about the young Christian, and + as soon as Dada mentioned his name she shuffled on her knees close up to + the girl, laid her hand gently on her arm and looking up into her eyes + with a meaning flash, she whispered in broken Greek—and hastily, for + Herse was bustling about the deck: “Such a pretty mistress, such a young + mistress as you, and kept here like a slave! If the young mistress only + chose she could easily—quite easily—have as good a lover as + our Gorgo, and better; so pretty and so young! And I know some one who + would dress the pretty mistress in red gold and pale pearls and bright + jewels, if sweet Dada only said the word.” + </p> + <p> + “And why should sweet Dada not say the word?” echoed the girl gaily. “Who + is it that has so many nice things and all for me? You—I shall never + remember your name if I live to be as old as Damia....” + </p> + <p> + “Sachepris, Sachepris is my name,” said the woman, “but call me anything + else you like. The lover I mean is the son of the rich Christian, Mary. A + handsome man, my lord Marcus; and he has horses, such fine horses, and + more gold pieces than the pebbles on the shore there. Sachepris knows that + he has sent out slaves to look for the pretty mistress. Send him a token—write + to my lord Marcus.” + </p> + <p> + “Write?” laughed Dada. “Girls learn other things in my country; but if I + could—shall I tell you something? I would not write him a line. + Those who want me may seek me!” + </p> + <p> + “He is seeking, he is trying to find the pretty mistress,” declared the + woman; “he is full of you, quite full of you, and if I dared....” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “I would go and say to my lord Marcus, quite in a secret....” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what? Speak out, woman.” + </p> + <p> + “First I would tell him where the pretty mistress is hidden; and then say + that he might hope once—this evening perhaps—he is not far + off, he is quite near this... over there; do you see that little white + house? It is a tavern and the host is a freedman attached to the lady + Damia, and for money he would shut his shop up for a day, for a night, for + many days.—Well, and then I would say—shall I tell you all? My + lord Marcus is there, waiting for his pretty mistress, and has brought her + dresses that would make the rose-garment look a rag. You would have gold + too, as much gold as heart can wish. I can take you there, and he will + meet you with open arms.” + </p> + <p> + “What, this evening?” cried Dada, and the blue veins swelled on her white + forehead. “You hateful, brown serpent! Did Gorgo teach you such things as + this? It is horrible, disgraceful, sickening!” + </p> + <p> + So base a proposal was the last thing she would ever have expected from + Marcus—of all men in the world, Marcus, whom she had imagined so + good and pure! She could not believe it; and as her glance met the cunning + glitter of the Egyptian’s eyes her own sparkled keenly, and she exclaimed + with a vehemence and decision which her attendant had never suspected in + her: + </p> + <p> + “It is deceit and falsehood from beginning to end! Go, woman, I will hear + no more of it. Why should Marcus have come to you since yesterday if he + does not know where I am? You are silent—you will not say?... Oh! I + understand it all. He—I know he would never have ventured it. But it + is your ‘noble lady Damia’—that old woman, who has told you what to + say. You are her echo, and as for Marcus.... Confess, confess at once, you + witch....” + </p> + <p> + “Sachepris is only a poor slave,” said the woman raising her hands in + entreaty. “Sachepris can only obey, and if the pretty mistress were to + tell my lady Damia...” + </p> + <p> + “It was she then who sent for me to go to the little tavern?” + </p> + <p> + The woman nodded. “And Marcus?” + </p> + <p> + “If the pretty mistress had consented...” + </p> + <p> + “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “Then—but Great Isis! if you tell of me!” + </p> + <p> + “I will not tell; go on.” + </p> + <p> + “I should have gone to my lord Marcus and invited him, from you...” + </p> + <p> + “It is shameful!” interrupted Dada, and a shudder ran through her slight + frame. “How cruel, how horrible it is! You—you will stay here till + the others come home and then you will go home to the old woman. I thank + the gods, I have two hands and need no maid to wait upon me! But look + there—what is the meaning of that? That pretty litter has stopped + and there is an old man signing to you.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the widow Mary’s house steward,” whined the woman, while Dada + turned pale, wondering what a messenger from Marcus’ mother could want + here. + </p> + <p> + Herse, who had kept a watchful eye on the landing-plank, on Dada’s + account, had also seen the approach of the widow’s messenger and suspected + a love-message from Marcus; but she was utterly astounded when the old man + politely but imperiously desired her—Herse to get into the litter + which would convey her to his mistress’s house. Was this a trap? Did he + merely want to tempt her from the vessel so as to clear the way for his + young master? No—for he handed her a tablet on which there was a + written message, and she, an Alexandrian, had been well educated and could + read: + </p> + <p> + “Mary, the widow of Apelles, to the wife of Karnis, the singer.” And then + followed the same urgent request as she had already received by word of + mouth. To reassure herself entirely she called the slave-woman aside, and + asked her whether Phabis was indeed a trust worthy servant of the widow’s. + Evidently there was no treason to be apprehended and she must obey the + invitation, though it disturbed her greatly; but she was a cautious woman, + with not only her heart but her brains and tongue in the right place, and + she at once made up her mind what must be done under the circumstances. + While she gave a few decorative touches to her person she handed the + tablet to the waiting-woman, whom she had taken into her own room, and + desired her to carry it at once to her husband, and tell him whither she + had gone, and to beg him to return without delay to take care of Dada. But + what if her husband and son could not come away? The girl would be left + quite alone, and then... The picture rose before her anxious mind of + Marcus appearing on the scene and tempting Dada on shore—of her + niece stealing away by herself even, if the young Christian failed to + discover her present residence—loitering alone along the Canopic way + or the Bruclumn, where, at noon, all that was most disreputable in + Alexandria was to be seen at this time of year—she saw, shuddered, + considered—and suddenly thought of an expedient which seemed to + promise an issue from the difficulty. It was nothing new and a favorite + trick among the Egyptians; she had seen is turned to account by a lame + tailor at whose house her father had lodged, when he had to go out to his + customers and leave his young negress wife alone at home. Dada was lying + barefoot on the deck: Herse would hide her shoes. + </p> + <p> + She hastily acted on this idea, locking up not only Dada’s sandals, but + also Agne’s and her own, in the trunk they had saved; a glance at the + slave’s feet assured her that hers could be of no use. + </p> + <p> + “Not if fire were to break out,” thought she, “would my Dada be seen in + the streets with those preposterous things on her pretty little feet.” + </p> + <p> + When this was done Herse breathed more freely, and as she took leave of + her niece, feeling perhaps that she owed her some little reparation, she + said in an unusually kind tone: + </p> + <p> + “Good bye, child. Try to amuse yourself while I am gone. There is plenty + to look at here, and the others will soon be back again. If the city is + fairly quiet this evening we will all go out together, to Canopus, to eat + oysters. Good bye till we meet again, my pet!” She kissed the child, who + looked up at her in astonishment, for her adopted mother was not usually + lavish of such endearments. + </p> + <p> + Before long Dada was alone, cooling herself with her new fan and eating + sweetmeats; but she could not cease thinking of the shameful treachery + planned by old Damia, and while she rejoiced to reflect that she had not + fallen into the net, and had seen through the plot, her wrath against the + wicked old woman and Gorgo—whom she could not help including—burnt + within her. Meanwhile she looked about her, expecting to see Marcus, or + perhaps the young officer. Finding it impossible to think any evil of the + young Christian, and having already trusted him so far, her fancy dwelt on + him with particular pleasure; but she was curious, too, about the prefect, + the early love of the proud merchant’s daughter. + </p> + <p> + Time went on; the sun was high in the heavens, she was tired of staring, + wondering and thinking, and, yawning wearily, she began to consider + whether she would make herself comfortable for a nap, or go down stairs + and fill up the time by dressing herself up in her new garments. However, + before she could do either, the slave returned from her errand to the + house, and a few moments after she espied the young officer crossing the + ship-yard towards the lake; she sat up, set the crescent straight that she + wore in her hair, and waved her fan in a graceful greeting. + </p> + <p> + The cavalry prefect, who knew that, of old, the barge was often used by + Porphyrius’ guests, though he did not happen to have heard who were its + present occupants—bowed, with military politeness and precision, to + the pretty girl lounging on the deck. Dada returned the greeting; but this + seemed likely to be the end of their acquaintance, for the soldier walked + on without turning round. He looked handsomer even than he had seemed the + day before; his hair was freshly oiled and curled, his scale-armor gleamed + as brightly, and his crimson tunic was as new and rich as if he were going + at once to guard the Imperial throne. The merchant’s daughter had good + taste, but her friend looked no less haughty than herself. Dada longed to + make his acquaintance and find out whether he really had no eyes for any + one but Gorgo. To discover that it was not so, little as she cared about + him personally, would have given her infinite satisfaction, and she + decided that she must put him to the test. But there was no time to lose, + so, as it would hardly do to call after him, she obeyed a sudden impulse, + flung overboard the handsome fan which had been in her possession but one + day, and gave a little cry in which alarm and regret were most skilfully + and naturally expressed. + </p> + <p> + This had the wished-for effect. The officer turned round, his eyes met + hers, and Dada leaned far over the boat’s side pointing to the water and + exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “It is in the water—it has fallen into the lake!—my fan!” + </p> + <p> + The officer again bowed slightly; then he walked from the path down to the + water’s edge, while Dada went on more quietly: + </p> + <p> + “There, close there! Oh, if only you would!... + </p> + <p> + “I am so fond of the fan, it is so pretty. Do you see, it is quite + obliging? it is floating towards you!” Constantine had soon secured the + fan, and shook it to dry it as he went across the plank to the vessel. + Dada joyfully received it, stroked the feathers smooth, and warmly thanked + its preserver, while he assured her that he only wished he could have + rendered her some greater service. He was then about to retire with a bow + no less distant than before, but he found himself unexpectedly detained by + the Egyptian slave who, placing herself in his way, kissed the hem of his + tunic and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “What joy for my lord your father and the lady your mother, and for poor + Sachepris! My lord Constantine at home again!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, at home at last,” said the soldier in a deep pleasant voice. “Your + old mistress is still hale and hearty? That is well. I am on my way to the + others.” + </p> + <p> + “They know that you have come,” replied the slave. “Glad, they are all + glad. They asked if my lord Constantine forgot old friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Never, not one!” + </p> + <p> + “How long now since my lord Constantine went away—two, three years, + and just the same. Only a cut over the eyes—may the hand wither that + gave the blow!” + </p> + <p> + Dada had already observed a broad scar which marked the soldier’s brow as + high up as she could see it for the helmet, and she broke in: + </p> + <p> + “How can you men like to slash and kill each other? Just think, if that + cut had been only a finger’s breadth lower—you would have lost your + eyes, and oh! it is better to be dead than blind. When all the world is + bright not to be able to see it; what must that be! The whole earth in + darkness so that you see nothing—no one; neither the sky, nor the + lake, nor the boat, nor even me.” + </p> + <p> + “That would indeed be a pity,” said the prefect with a laugh and a shrug. + </p> + <p> + “A pity!” exclaimed Dada. “As if it were nothing at all! I should find + something else to say than that. It gives me a shudder only to think of + being blind. How dreadfully dull life can be with one’s eyes open! so what + must it be when they are of no use and one cannot even look about one. Do + you know that you have done me not one service only, but two at once?” + </p> + <p> + “I?” said the officer. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you. But the second is not yet complete. Sit down awhile, I beg—there + is a seat. You know it is a fatal omen if a visitor does not sit down + before he leaves.—That is well.—And now, may I ask you: do you + take off your helmet when you go into battle? No.—Then how could a + swordcut hurt your forehead?” + </p> + <p> + “In a hand to hand scuffle,” said the young man, “everything gets out of + place. One man knocked my helmet off and another gave me this cut in my + face.” + </p> + <p> + “Where did it happen?” + </p> + <p> + “On the Savus, where we defeated Maximus.” + </p> + <p> + “And had you this same helmet on?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! pray let me look at it! I can still see the dent in the metal; how + heavy such a thing must be to wear!” + </p> + <p> + Constantine took off his helmet with resigned politeness and put it into + her hands. She weighed it, thought it fearfully heavy, and then lifted it + up to put it on her own fair curls; but this did not seem to please her + new acquaintance, and saying rather shortly: “Allow me—” he took it + from her, set it on his head and rose. + </p> + <p> + But Dada pointed eagerly to the seat. + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she said, “I have not yet had enough of your second kindness. I + was on the point of death from sheer tedium; then you came, just in time; + and if you want to carry out your work of mercy you must tell me something + about the battle where you were wounded, and who took care of you + afterwards, and whether the women of Pannonia are really as handsome as + they are said to be...” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to say that I have not time,” interrupted the officer. + “Sachepris here is far better qualified to amuse you than I; some years + since, at any rate, she lead a wonderful store of tales. I wish you a + pleasant day!” + </p> + <p> + And with this farewell greeting, Constantine left the vessel, nor did he + once look back at it or its pretty inhabitant as he made his way towards + the house of Porphyrius. + </p> + <p> + Dada as she gazed after him colored with vexation; again she had done a + thing that Herse and—which she regretted still more—that Agne + would certainly disapprove of. The stranger whom she had tried to draw + into a flirtation was a really chivalrous man. Gorgo might be proud of + such a lover; and if now, he were to go to her and tell her, probably with + some annoyance, how provokingly he had been delayed by that pert little + singing-girl, it would be all her own fault. She felt as though there were + something in her which forced her to seem much worse than she really was, + and wished to be. Agne, Marcus, the young soldier—nay, even Gorgo, + were loftier and nobler than she or her people, and she was conscious for + the first time that the dangers from which Marcus had longed to protect + her were not the offspring of his fancy. She could not have found a name + for them, but she understood that she was whirled and tossed through life + from one thing to another, like a leaf before the wind, bereft of every + stay or holdfast, defenceless even against the foolish vagaries of her own + nature. Everyone, thought the girl to herself, distrusted and suspected + her, and, solely because she was one of a family of singers, dared to + insult and dishonor her. A strange spite against Fate, against her uncle + and aunt, against herself even, surged up in her, and with it a vague + longing for another and a better life. + </p> + <p> + Thus meditating she looked down into the water, not noticing what was + going on around her, till the slave-woman, addressing her by name, pointed + to a carriage drawn up at the side of the road that divided the grove of + the Temple of Isis from the ship-yard, and which the Egyptian believed + that she recognized as belonging to Marcus. Dada started up and ran off to + the cabin to fetch her shoes, but everything in the shape of a sandal had + vanished, and Herse had been wise when she had looked at those of the + Egyptian, for Dada did the same and would not have hesitated to borrow + them if they had been a little less dirty and clumsy. + </p> + <p> + Herse, no doubt, had played her this trick, and it was easy to guess why! + It was only to divert her suspicions that the false woman had been so + affectionate at parting. It was cheating, treachery-cruel and shameful! + She, who had always submitted like a lamb—but this was too much—this + she could not bear—this!... The slave-woman now followed her to + desire her to come up on deck; a new visitor had appeared on the scene, an + old acquaintance and fellow-voyager: Demetrius, Marcus’ elder brother. + </p> + <p> + At any other time she would have made him gladly welcome, as a companion + and comfort in her solitude; but he had chosen an evil hour for his visit + and his proposals, as the girl’s red cheeks and tearful eyes at once told + him. + </p> + <p> + He had come to fetch her, cost him what it might, and to carry her away to + his country-home, near Arsinoe on the coast. It was not that he had any + mad desire to make her his own, but that he thought it his most urgent + duty to preserve his inexperienced brother from the danger into which his + foolish passion for the little singing-girl was certain to plunge him. A + purse full of gold, and a necklace of turquoise and diamonds, which he had + purchased from a jeweller in the Jews’ quarter for a sum for which he had + often sold a ship-load of corn or a whole cellar full of wine or oil, were + to supplement his proposals; and he went straight to the point, asking the + girl simply and plainly to leave her friends and accompany him to Arsinoe. + When she asked him, in much astonishment, “What to do there?” he told her + he wanted a cheerful companion; he had taken a fancy to her saucy little + nose, and though he could not flatter himself that he had ever found favor + in her eyes he had brought something with him which she would certainly + like, and which might help him to win her kindness. He was not niggardly, + and if this—and this—and he displayed the sparkling necklace + and laid the purse on her pillow—could please her she might regard + them as an earnest of more, as much more as she chose, for his pockets + were deep. + </p> + <p> + Dada did not interrupt him, for the growing indignation with which she + heard him took away her breath. This fresh humiliation was beyond the + bounds of endurance; and when at last she recovered her powers of speech + and action, she flung the purse off the divan, and as it fell clattering + on the floor, she kicked it away as far as possible, as though it were + plague-tainted. Then, standing upright in front of her suitor, she + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Shame upon you all! You thought that because I am a poor girl, a + singing-girl, and because you have filthy gold.... Your brother Marcus + would never have done such a thing, I am very sure!... And you, a horrid + peasant!... If you ever dare set foot on this vessel again, Karnis and + Orpheus shall drive you away as if you were a thief or an assassin! + Eternal Gods! what is it that I have done, that everyone thinks I must be + wicked? Eternal Gods....” + </p> + <p> + And she burst into loud spasmodic sobs and vanished down the steps that + led below. + </p> + <p> + Demetrius called after her in soothing words and tones, but she would not + listen. Then he sent down the slave to beg Dada to grant him a hearing, + but the only answer he received was an order to quit the barge at once. + </p> + <p> + He obeyed, and as he picked up the purse he thought to himself: + </p> + <p> + “I may buy ship and vineyard back again; but I would send four more after + those if I could undo this luckless deed. If I were a better and a + worthier man, I might not so easily give others credit for being evil and + unworthy.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <p> + The town of Alexandria was stirred to its very foundations. From dawn till + night every centre of public traffic and intercourse was the scene of + hostile meetings between Christians and heathen, with frequent frays and + bloodshed, only stopped by the intervention of the soldiery. Still, as we + see that the trivial round of daily tasks is necessarily fulfilled, even + when the hand of Fate lies heaviest on a household, and that children + cannot forego their play even when their father is stretched on his + death-bed, so the minor interests of individual lives pursued their + course, even in the midst of the general agitation and peril. + </p> + <p> + The current of trade and of public business was, of course, checked at + many points, but they never came to a stand-still. The physician visited + the sick, the convalescent made his first attempt, leaning on a friendly + arm, to walk from his bedroom to the “viridarium,” and alms were given and + received. Hatred was abroad and rampant, but love held its own, + strengthening old ties and forming new ones. Terror and grief weighed on + thousands of hearts, while some tried to make a profit out of the + prevailing anxiety, and others—many others—went forth, as + light-hearted as ever, in pursuit of pleasure and amusement. + </p> + <p> + Horses were ridden and driven in the Hippodrome, and feasts were held in + the pleasure-houses of Canopus, with music and noisy mirth; in the public + gardens round the Paneum cock-fighting and quail-fighting were as popular + as ever, and eager was the betting in new gold or humble copper. Thus may + we see a child, safe on the roof of its father’s house, floating its toy + boat on the flood that has drowned them all out; thus might a boy fly his + gaudy kite in the face of a gathering storm; thus does the miser, on whom + death has already laid its bony hand, count his hoarded coin; thus + thoughtless youth dances over the heaving soil at the very foot of a + volcano. What do these care for the common weal? Each has his separate + life and personal interests. What he himself needs or desires—the + greatest or the least—is to him more important and more absorbing + than the requirements of the vast organism in which he is no more than a + drop of blood or the hair of an eyelash. + </p> + <p> + Olympius was still in concealment in the house of Porphyrius—Olympius, + whose mind and will had formerly had such imperious hold on the fate of + the city, and to whose nod above half of the inhabitants were still + obedient. Porphyrius and his family shared his views and regarded + themselves as his confederates; but, even among them, the minor details of + life claimed their place, and Gorgo, who entered into the struggle for the + triumph of the old gods, gave but a half-hearted attention to the great + cause to which she was enthusiastically devoted, because a companion of + her childhood, to whose attentions she had every claim, delayed his visit + longer than was kind. + </p> + <p> + She had performed her ‘Isis’ lament the day before with all her heart and + soul, and had urgently claimed Agne’s assistance; but to-day, though she + had been singing again and well, she had stopped to listen whenever she + heard a door open in the adjoining room or voices in the garden, and had + sung altogether with so much less feeling and energy than before that + Karnis longed to reprove her sharply enough. This, however, would have + been too indiscreet, so he could only express his annoyance by saying to + his son, in a loud whisper: + </p> + <p> + “The most remarkable gifts, you see, and the highest abilities are of no + avail so long as Art and Life are not one and the same—so long as + Art is not the Alpha and Omega of existence, but merely an amusement or a + decoration.” + </p> + <p> + Agne had been true to herself, and had modestly but steadfastly declared + that she could not possibly enter the temple of Isis, and her refusal had + been accepted quite calmly, and without any argument or controversy. She + had not been able to refuse Gorgo’s request that she would repeat to-day + the rehearsal she had gone through yesterday, since, to all appearance, + her cooperation at the festival had been altogether given up. How could + the girl guess that the venerable philosopher, who had listened with + breathless admiration to their joint performance, had taken upon himself + to dissipate her doubts and persuade her into compliance? + </p> + <p> + Olympius laid the greatest stress on Agne’s assistance, for every one who + clung to the worship of the old gods was to assemble in the sanctuary of + Isis; and the more brilliant and splendid the ceremony could be made the + more would that enthusiasm be fired which, only too soon, would be put to + crucial proof. On quitting the temple the crowd of worshippers, all in + holiday garb, were to pass in front of the Prefect’s residence, and if + only they could effect this great march through the city in the right + frame of mind, it might confidently be expected that every one who was not + avowedly Jew or Christian, would join the procession. It would thus become + a demonstration of overwhelming magnitude and Cynegius, the Emperor’s + representative, could not fail to see what the feeling was of the majority + of the towns folk, and what it was to drive matters to extremes and lay + hands on the chief temples of such a city. + </p> + <p> + To Olympius the orator, grown grey in the exercise of logic and eloquence, + it seemed but a small matter to confute the foolish doubts of a wilful + girl. He would sweep her arguments to the winds as the storm drives the + clouds before it; and any one who had seen the two together—the fine + old man with the face and front of Zeus, with his thoughtful brow and + broad chest, who could pour forth a flood of eloquence fascinatingly + persuasive or convincingly powerful, and the modest, timid girl—could + not have doubted on which side the victory must be. + </p> + <p> + To-day, for the first time, Olympius had found leisure for a prolonged + interview with his old friend Karnis, and while the girls were in the + garden, amusing little Papias by showing him the swans and tame gazelles, + the philosopher had made enquiries as to the Christian girl’s history and + then had heard a full account of the old musician’s past life. Karnis felt + it as a great favor that his old friend, famous now for his learning—the + leader of his fellow-thinkers in the second city of the world, the + high-priest of Serapis, to whose superior intellect he himself had bowed + even in their student days—should remember his insignificant person + and allow him to give him the history of the vicissitudes which had + reduced him—the learned son of a wealthy house—to the position + of a wandering singer. + </p> + <p> + Olympius had been his friend at the time when Karnis, on leaving college, + instead of devoting himself to business and accounts, as his father + wished, had thrown himself into the study of music, and at once + distinguished himself as a singer, lute-player and leader of heathen + choirs. Karnis was in Alexandria when the news reached him of his father’s + death. Before quitting the city he married Herse, who was beneath him + alike in birth and in fortune, and who accompanied him on his return to + Tauromenium in Sicily, where he found himself the possessor of an + inheritance of which the extent and importance greatly astonished him. + </p> + <p> + At Alexandria he had been far better acquainted with the theatre than with + the Museum or the school of the Serapeum; nay, as an amateur, he had often + sung in the chorus there and acted as deputy for the regular leader. The + theatre in his native town of Tauromenium had also been a famous one of + old, but, at the time of his return, it had sunk to a very low ebb. Most + of the inhabitants of the beautiful city nestling at the foot off Etna, + had been converted to Christianity; among them the wealthy citizens at + whose cost the plays had been performed and the chorus maintained. Small + entertainments were still frequently given, but the singers and actors had + fallen off, and in that fine and spacious theatre nothing was ever done at + all worthy of its past glories. This Karnis deeply regretted, and with his + wonted energy and vigor he soon managed to win the interest of those of + his fellow-citizens who remained faithful to the old gods and had still + some feeling for the music and poetry of the ancient Greeks, in his plans + for their revival. + </p> + <p> + His purpose was to make the theatre the centre of a reaction against the + influence of the Christians, by vieing with the Church in its efforts to + win back the renegade heathen and confirming the faithful in their + adhesion. The Greeks of Tauromenium should be reminded from the + stage-boards of the might of the old gods and the glories of their past. + To this end it was needful to restore the ruined theatre, and Karnis, + after advancing the greater part of the money required, was entrusted with + the management. He devoted himself zealously to the task, and soon was so + successful that the plays at Tauromenium, and the musical performances in + its Odeum, attracted the citizens in crowds, and were talked of far and + wide. Such success was of course only purchased at a heavy cost, and in + spite of Herse’s warnings, Karnis would never hesitate when the object in + view was the preservation or advancement of his great work. + </p> + <p> + Thus passed twenty years; then there came a day when his fine fortune was + exhausted, and a time when the Christian congregation strained every nerve + to deal a death-blow to the abomination of desolation in their midst. + Again and again, and with increasing frequency, there were sanguinary + riots between the Christians who forced their way into the theatre and the + heathen audience, till at last a decree of the Emperor Theodosius + prohibited the performance of heathen plays or music. + </p> + <p> + Now, the theatre at Tauromenium, for which Karnis had either given or + advanced his whole inheritance, had ceased to exist, and the usurers who, + when his own fortune was spent, had lent him moneys on the security of the + theatre itself—while it still flourished—or on his personal + security, seized his house and lands and would have cast him into the + debtor’s prison if he had not escaped that last disgrace by flight. Some + good friends had rescued his family and helped them to follow him, and + when they rejoined him he had begun his wanderings as a singer. Many a + time had life proved miserable enough; still, he had always remained true + to his art and to the gods of Olympus. + </p> + <p> + Olympius had listened to his narrative with many tokens of sympathy and + agreement, and when Karnis, with tears in his eyes, brought his story to a + close, the philosopher laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder and drawing + him towards him, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Well done, my brave old comrade! We will both be faithful to the same + good cause! You have made sacrifices for it as I have; and we need not + despair yet. If we triumph here our friends in a thousand towns will begin + to look up. The reading of the stars last night, and the auguries drawn + from this morning’s victims, portend great changes. What is down to the + ground to-day may float high in the air to-morrow. All the signs indicate: + ‘A fall to the Greatest;’ and what can be greater than Rome, the old + tyrant queen of the nations? The immediate future, it is true, can hardly + bring the final crash, but it is fraught with important consequences to + us. I dreamed of the fall of the Caesars, and of a great Greek Empire + risen from the ruins, powerful and brilliant under the special protection + of the gods of Olympus; and each one of us must labor to bring about the + realization of this dream. You have set a noble example of devotion and + self-sacrifice, and I thank you in the name of all those who feel with us—nay, + in the name of the gods themselves whom I serve! The first thing to be + done now is to avert the blow which the Bishop intends shall strike us by + the hand of Cynegius—it has already fallen on the magnificent + sanctuary of the Apamaean Zeus. If the ambassador retires without having + gained his purpose the balance will be greatly—enormously, in our + favor, and it will cease to be a folly to believe in the success of our + cause.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! teach us to hope once more,” cried the musician. “That in itself is + half the victory; still, I cannot see how this delay...” + </p> + <p> + “It would give us time, and that is what we want,” replied Olympius. + “Everything is in preparation, but nothing is ready. Alexandria, Athens, + Antioch, and Neapolis are to be the centres of the outbreak. The great + Libanius is not a man of action, and even he approves of our scheme. No + less a man than Florentin has undertaken to recruit for our cause among + the heathen officers in the army. Messala, and the great Gothic captains + Fraiut and Generid are ready to fight for the old gods. Our army will not + lack leaders...” + </p> + <p> + “Our army!” exclaimed Karnis in surprise. “Is the matter so far advanced?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean the army of the future,” cried Olympius enthusiastically. “It does + not count a man as yet, but is already distributed into several legions. + The vigor of mind and body—our learned youth on one hand and + strong-armed peasantry on the other—form the nucleus of our force. + Maximus could collect, in the utmost haste, the army which deprived + Gratian of his throne and life, and was within a Hair-breadth of + overthrowing Theodosius; and what was he but an ambitious rebel, and what + tempted his followers but their hopes of a share in the booty? But we—we + enlist them in the name of the loftiest ideas and warmest desires of the + human heart, and, as the prize of victory, we show them the ancient faith + with freedom of thought—the ancient loveliness of life. The beings + whom the Christians can win over—a patch-work medley of loathsome + Barbarians—let them wear out their lives as they choose! We are + Greeks—the thinking brain, the subtle and sentient soul of the + world. The polity, the empire, that we shall found on the overthrow of + Theodosius and of Rome shall be Hellenic, purely Hellenic. The old + national spirit, which made the Greeks omnipotent against the millions of + Darius and Xerxes, shall live again, and we will keep the Barbarians at a + distance as a Patrician forbids his inferiors to count themselves as + belonging to his illustrious house. The Greek gods, Greek heroism, Greek + art and Greek learning, under our rule shall rise from the dust—all + the more promptly for the stringent oppression under which their + indomitable spirit has so long languished.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak to my heart!” cried Karnis. “My old blood flows more swiftly + already, and if I only had a thousand talents left to give...” + </p> + <p> + “You would stake them on the future Greek Empire,” said Olympius eagerly. + “And we have adherents without number who feel as you do, my trusty + friend. We shall succeed—as the great Julian would have succeeded + but for the assassins who laid him low at so early an age; for Rome...” + </p> + <p> + “Rome is still powerful.” + </p> + <p> + “Rome is a colossus built up of a thousand blocks; but among them a + hundred and more be but loosely in their places, and are ready to drop + away from the body of the foul monster—sooner rather than later. Our + shout alone will shake them down, and they will fall on our side, we may + choose the best for our own use. Ere long—a few months only—the + hosts will gather in the champaign country at the foot of Vesuvius, by + land and by sea; Rome will open its gates wide to us who bring her back + her old gods; the Senate will proclaim the emperor deposed and the + Republic restored. Theodosius will come out against us. But the Idea for + which we go forth to fight will hover before us, will stir the hearts of + those soldiers and officers who would gladly—ah! how + gladly-sacrifice to the Olympian gods and who only kiss the wounds of the + crucified Jew under compulsion. They will desert from the labarum, which + Constantine carried to victory, to our standards; and those standards are + all there, ready for use; they have been made in this city and are lying + hidden in the house of Apollodorus. Heaven-sent daemons showed them in a + vision to my disciple Ammonius, when he was full of the divinity and lost + in ecstasy, and I have had them made from his instructions.” + </p> + <p> + “And what do they represent?” + </p> + <p> + “The bust of Serapis with the ‘modius’ on his head. It is framed in a + circle with the signs of the zodiac and the images of the great Olympian + deities. We have given our god the head of Zeus, and the corn-measure on + his head is emblematic of the blessing that the husbandman hopes for. The + zodiac promises us a good star, and the figures representing it are not + the common emblems, but each deeply significant. The Twins, for instance, + are the mariner’s divinities, Castor and Pollux; Hercules stands by the + Lion whom he has subdued; and the Fishes are dolphins, which love music. + In the Scales, one holds the cross high in the air while the other is + weighed down by Apollo’s laurel-wreath and the bolts of Zeus; in short, + our standard displays everything that is most dear to the soul of a Greek + or that fills him with devotion. Above all, Nike hovers with the crown of + victory. If only fitting leaders are to be found at the centres of the + movement, these standards will at once be sent out, and with them arms for + the country-folk. A place of meeting has already been selected in each + province, the pass-word will be given, and a day fixed for a general + rising.” + </p> + <p> + “And they will flock round you!” interrupted Karnis, “and—I, my son, + will not be absent. Oh glorious, happy, and triumphant day! Gladly will I + die if only I may first live to see the smoking offerings sending up their + fragrance to the gods before the open doors of every temple in Greece; see + the young men and maidens dancing in rapt enthusiasm to the sound of lutes + and pipes, and joining their voices in the chorus! Then light will shine + once more on the world, then life will once more mean joy, and death a + departure from a scene of bliss.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, and thus shall it be!” cried Olympius, fired by this eager + exposition of his own excitement, and he wrung the musician’s hand. “We + will restore life to the Greeks and teach them to scorn death as of yore. + Let the Christians, the Barbarians, make life miserable and seek joy in + death, if they list! But the girls have ceased singing. There is still + much to be done to-day, and first of all I must confute the objections of + your recalcitrant pupil.” + </p> + <p> + “You will not find it an easy task,” said Karnis. “Reason is a feeble + weapon in contending with a woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Not always,” replied the philosopher. “But you must know how to use it. + Leave me to deal with the child. There are really no singing-women left + here; we have tried three, but they were all vulgar and ill taught. This + girl, when she sings with Gorgo, has a voice that will go to the heart of + the audience. What we want is to fire the crowd with enthusiasm, and she + will help us to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well. But you, Olympius, you who are the very soul of the revulsion + we hope for, you must not be present at the festival. Indeed, sheltered as + you are under Porphyrius’ roof, there is a price on your head, and this + house swarms with slaves, who all know you; if one of them, tempted by + filthy lucre...” + </p> + <p> + “They will not betray me,” smiled the philosopher. “They know that their + aged mistress, Damia, and I myself command the daemons of the upper and + lower spheres, and that at a sign from her or from me they would instantly + perish; and even if there were an Ephialtes among them, a spring through + that loop-hole would save me. Be easy, my friend. Oracles and stars alike + foretell me death from another cause than the treason of a slave.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <p> + Olympius followed Agne into the garden where he found her sitting by the + marble margin of a small pool, giving her little brother pieces of bread + to feed the swans with. He greeted her kindly and, taking up the child, + showed him a ball which rose and fell on the jet of water from the + fountain. Papias was not at all frightened by the big man with his white + beard, for a bright and kindly gleam shone in his eyes, and his voice was + soft and attractive as he asked him whether he had such another ball and + could toss it as cleverly as the fountain did. + </p> + <p> + Papias said: “No,” and Olympius, turning to Agne, went on: + </p> + <p> + “You should get him a ball. There is no better plaything, for play ought + to consist in pleasant exertion which is in itself its object and gain. + Play is the toil of a little child; and a ball, which he can throw and run + after or catch, trains his eye, gives exercise to his limbs and includes a + double moral which men of every age and position should act upon: To look + down on the earth and keep his gaze on the heavens.” + </p> + <p> + Agne nodded agreement and thanks, while Olympius set the child down and + bid him run away to the paddock where some tame gazelles were kept. Then, + going straight to the point, he said: + </p> + <p> + “I hear you have declined to sing in the temple of Isis; you have been + taught to regard the goddess to whom many good men turn in faith and + confidence, as a monster of iniquity, but, tell me, do you know what she + embodies?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Agne looking down; but she hastily rose from her seat and + added with some spirit: “And I do not want to know, for I am a Christian + and your gods are not mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well; your beliefs, of course, differ from ours in many points: + still, I fancy that you and I have much in common. We belong to those who + have learnt to ‘look upwards’—there goes the ball, up again!—and + who find comfort in doing so. Do you know that many men believe that the + universe was formed by concurrence of mechanical processes and is still + slowly developing, that there is no divinity whose love and power guard, + guide and lend grace to the lives of men?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! yes, I have been obliged to hear many such blasphemous things in + Rome!” + </p> + <p> + “And they ran off you like water off the silvery sheen of that swan’s + plumage as he dips and raises his neck. Those who deny a God are, in your + estimation, foolish or perhaps abominable?” + </p> + <p> + “I pity them, with all my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “And with very good reason. You are an orphan and what its parents are to + a child the divinity is to every member of the human race. In this Gorgo, + and I, and many others whom you call heathen, feel exactly as you do; but + you—have you ever asked yourself why and how it is that you, to whom + life has been so bitter, have such a perfect conviction that there is a + benevolent divinity who rules the world and your own fate to kindly ends? + Why, in short, do you believe in a God?” + </p> + <p> + “I?” said Ague, looking puzzled, but straight into his face. “How could + anything exist without God? You ask such strange questions. All I can see + was created by our Father in Heaven.” + </p> + <p> + “But there are men born blind who nevertheless believe in Him.” + </p> + <p> + “They feel Him just as I see Him.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay you should say: ‘As I believe that I see and feel Him.’ But I, for my + part, think that the intellect has a right to test what the soul only + divines, and that it must be a real happiness to see this divination + proved by well-founded arguments, and thus transformed to certainty. Did + you ever hear of Plato, the philosopher?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Karnis often speaks of him when he and Orpheus are discussing things + which I do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Plato, by his intellect, worked out the proof of the problem which + our feelings alone are so capable of apprehending rightly. Listen to me: + If you stand on a spit of land at the entrance to a harbor and see a ship + in the distance sailing towards you—a ship which carefully avoids + the rocks, and makes straight for the shelter of the port—are you + not justified in concluding that there is, on board that ship, a man who + guides and steers it? Certainly. You not only may, but must infer that it + is directed by a pilot. And if you look up at the sky and contemplate the + well-ordered courses of the stars—when you see how everything on + earth, great and small, obeys eternal laws and unerringly tends to certain + preordained ends and issues, you may and must infer the existence of a + ruling hand. Whose then but that of the Great Pilot of the universe—the + Almighty Godhead.—Do you like my illustration?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much. But it only proves what I knew before.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, you must, I think, be pleased to find it so beautifully + expressed.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “And must admire the wise man who thought out the comparison. Yes?—Well, + that man again was one of those whom you call heathen, who believed as we + believe, and who at the same time worked out the evidence of the + foundations of his faith for you as well as himself. And we, the later + disciples of Plato—[Known as the school of the Neo-Platonists]—have + gone even further than our master, and in many respects are much nearer to + you Christians than you perhaps suspect. You see at once, of course, that + we are no more inclined than you to conceive of the existence of the world + and the destiny of man as independent of a God? However, I dare say you + still think that your divinity and ours are as far asunder as the east + from the west. But can you tell me where any difference lies?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said Ague uneasily. “I am only an ignorant girl; and who + can learn the names even of all your gods?” + </p> + <p> + “Very true,” said Olympius. “There is great Serapis, whose temple you saw + yesterday; there is Apollo, to whom Karnis prefers to offer sacrifice; + there is Isis the bountiful, and her sister Nephthys, whose lament you and + my young friend sing together so thrillingly; and besides these there are + more immortals than I could name while Gorgo—who is leading your + little brother to the lake out there—walked ten times from the shore + to us and back; and yet—and yet my child, your God is ours and ours + is yours.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, He is not, indeed!” cried Agne with increasing alarm. + </p> + <p> + “But listen,” Olympius went on, with the same kind urgency but with + extreme dignity, “and answer my questions simply and honestly. We are + agreed, are we not?—that we perceive the divinity in the works of + his creation, and even in his workings in our own souls. Then which are + the phenomena of nature in which you discern Him as especially near to + you? You are silent. I see, you have outlived your school-days and do not + choose to answer to an uninvited catechism. And yet the things I wish you + to name are lovely in themselves and dear to your heart; and if only you + did not keep your soft lips so firmly closed, but would give me the answer + I ask for, you would remember much that is grand and beautiful. You would + speak of the pale light of dawn, the tender flush that tinges the clouds + as the glowing day-star rises from the waves, of the splendor of the + sun-as glorious as truth and as warm as divine love. You would say: In the + myriad blossoms that open to the morning, in the dew that bathes them and + covers them with diamonds, in the ripening ears in the field, in the + swelling fruit on the trees—in all these I see the mercy and wisdom + of the divinity. I feel his infinite greatness as I gaze on the wide + expanse of deep blue sea; it comes home to me at night when I lift my eyes + to the skies and see the sparkling hosts of stars roll over my head. Who + created that countless multitude, who guides them so that they glide past + in glorious harmony, and rise and set, accurately timed to minutes and + seconds, silent but full of meaning, immeasurably distant and yet closely + linked with the fate of individual men?—All this bears witness to + the existence of a God, and as you contemplate it and admire it with + thankful emotion, you feel yourself drawn near to the Omnipotent. Aye, and + even if you were deaf and blind, and lay bound and fettered in the gloom + of a closely-shut cavern, you still could feel if love and pity and hope + touched your heart. Rejoice then, child! for the immortals have endowed + you with good gifts, and granted you sound senses by which to enjoy the + beauty of creation. You exercise an art which binds you to the divinity + like a bridge; when you give utterance to your whole soul in song that + divinity itself speaks through you, and when you hear noble music its + voice appeals to your ear. All round you and within you, you can recognize + its power just as we feel it—everywhere and at all times. + </p> + <p> + “And this incomprehensible, infinite, unfettered, bountiful and infallibly + wise Power, which penetrates and permeates the life of the universe as it + does the hearts of men, though called by different names in different + lands, is the same to every race, wherever it may dwell, whatever its + language or its beliefs. You Christians call him the Heavenly Father, we + give him the name of the Primal One. To you, too, your God speaks in the + surging seas, the waving corn, the pure light of day; you, too, regard + music which enchants your heart, and love which draws man to man, as his + gifts; and we go only a step further, giving a special name to each + phenomenon of nature, and each lofty emotion of the soul in which we + recognize the direct influence of the Most High; calling the sea Poseidon, + the corn-field Demeter, the charm of music Apollo, and the rapture of love + Eros. When you see us offering sacrifice at the foot of a marble image you + must not suppose that the lifeless, perishable stone is the object of our + adoration. The god does not descend to inform the statue; but the statue + is made after the Idea figured forth by the divinity it is intended to + represent; and through that Idea the image is as intimately connected with + the Godhead, as, by the bond of Soul, everything else that is manifest to + our senses is connected with the phenomena of the supersensuous World. But + this is beyond you; it will be enough for you if I assure you that the + statue of Demeter, with the sheaf in her arms, is only intended to remind + us to be grateful to the Divinity for our daily bread—a hymn of + praise to Apollo expresses our thanks to the Primal One for the wings of + music and song, on which our soul is borne upwards till it feels the very + presence of the Most High. These are names, mere names that divide us; but + if you were called anything else than Agne—Ismene, for instance, or + Eudoxia—would you be at all different from what you are?—There + you see—no, stay where you are—you must listen while I tell + you that Isis, the much—maligned Isis, is nothing and represents + nothing but the kindly influences of the Divinity, on nature and on human + life. What she embodies to us is the abstraction which you call the + loving-kindness of the Father, revealed in his manifold gifts, wherever we + turn our eyes. The image of Isis reminds us of the lavish bounties of the + Creator, just as you are reminded by the cross, the fish, and the lamb, of + your Redeemer. Isis is the earth from whose maternal bosom the creative + God brings forth food and comfort for man and beast; she is the tender + yearning which He implants in the hearts of the lover and the beloved one; + she is the bond of affection which unites husband and wife, brother and + sister, which is rapture to the mother with a child at her breast and + makes her ready and able for any sacrifice for the darling she has brought + into the world. She shines, a star in the midnight sky, giving comfort to + the sorrowing heart; she, who has languished in grief, pours balm into the + wounded souls of the desolate and bereaved, and gives health and + refreshment to the suffering. When nature pines in winter cold or in + summer drought and lacks power to revive, when the sun is darkened, when + lies and evil instincts alienate the soul from its pure first cause, then + Isis uplifts her complaint, calling on her husband, Osiris, to return, to + take her once more in his arms and fill her with new powers, to show the + benevolence of God once more to the earth and to us men. You have learnt + that lament; and when you sing it at her festival, picture yourself as + standing with the Mother of Sorrows—the mother of your crucified + divinity, by his open grave, and cry to your God that he may let him rise + from the dead.” + </p> + <p> + Olympius spoke the last words with excited enthusiasm as though he were + certain of the young girl’s consent; but the effect was not what he + counted on; for Agne, who had listened to him, so far, with increasing + agitation, setting herself against his arguments like a bird under the + fascinating glare of the snake’s eye, at this last address seemed suddenly + to shake off the spell of his seductive eloquence as the leaves drop from + the crown of a tree shaken by the blast; the ideas of her Saviour and of + the hymn she was to sing were utterly irreconcilable in her mind; she + remembered the struggle she had fought out during the night, and the + determination with which she had come to the house this morning. All the + insidious language she had just heard was forgotten, swept away like dust + from a rocky path, and her voice was firmly repellent as she said: + </p> + <p> + “Your Isis has nothing in common with the Mother of our God, and how can + you dare to compare your Osiris with the Lord who redeemed the world from + death?” + </p> + <p> + Olympius, startled at the decision of her tone, rose from his seat, but he + went on, as though he had expected this refusal: + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you—I will show you. Osiris—we will take him as + being an Egyptian god, instead of Serapis in whose mysterious attributes + you would find much to commend itself even to a Christian soul—Osiris, + like your Master, voluntarily passed through death—to redeem the + world from death—in this resembling your Christ. He, the Risen One, + gives new light, and life, and blossom, and verdure to all that is + darkened, dead and withered. All that seems to have fallen a prey to death + is, by him, restored to a more beautiful existence; he, who has risen + again, can bring even the departed soul to a resurrection; and when during + this life its high aims have kept it unspotted by the dust of the sensual + life, and he, as the judge, sees that it has preserved itself worthy of + its pure First Cause, he allows it to return to the eternal and supreme + Spirit whence it originally proceeded. + </p> + <p> + “And do not you, too, strive after purification, to the end that your soul + may find an everlasting home in the radiant realms? Again and again do we + meet with the same ideas, only they bear different forms and names. Try to + feel the true bearing of my words, and then you will gladly join in the + pathetic appeal to the sublime god to return. How like he is to your Lord! + Is he not, like your Christ, a Saviour, and risen from the dead? The + Temple or the Church—both are the sanctuaries of the Deity. By the + ivy-wreathed altar of the weeping goddess, at the foot of the tall + cypresses which cast their mysterious shadows on the snowy whiteness of + the marble steps on which lies the bier of the god, you will feel the + sacred awe which falls upon every pure soul when it is conscious of the + presence of the Deity—call Him what you will. + </p> + <p> + “Isis, whom you now know, and who is neither more nor less than a + personification of divine mercy, will make you a return by restoring you + to the freedom for which you pine. She will allow you to find a home in + some Christian house through our intervention, in acknowledgment of the + pious service you are rendering, not to her but to the faith in divine + goodness. There you may live with your little brother, as free as heart + can desire. To-morrow you will go with Gorgo to the temple of the goddess + ...” + </p> + <p> + But Agne broke in on his speech: “No, I will not go with her!” + </p> + <p> + Her cheeks were scarlet and her breath came short and fast with excitement + as she went on: + </p> + <p> + “I will not, I must not, I cannot! Do what you will with me: sell me and + my brother, put us to turn a mill—but I will not sing in the + temple!” + </p> + <p> + Olympius knit his brows; his beard quivered and his lips parted in wrath, + but he controlled himself and going close to the girl he laid his hand on + her shoulder and said in a deep grave tone of fatherly admonition: + </p> + <p> + “Reflect, child, pause; think over what I have been saying to you; + remember, too, what you owe the little one you love, and to-morrow morning + tell us that you have duly weighed your answer. Give me your hand, my + daughter; believe me, Olympius is one of your sincerest well-wishers.” + </p> + <p> + He turned his back on her and was going in doors. In front of the house + Porphyrius and Karnis were standing in eager colloquy. The news that + Marcus’ mother Mary had sent for Herse had reached the singer, and his + vivid fancy painted his wife as surrounded by a thousand perils, + threatened by the widow, and carried before the judges. The merchant + advised him to wait and see what came of it, as did Damia and Gorgo who + were attracted to the spot by the vehemence of the discussion; but Karnis + would not be detained, and he and Orpheus hurried off to the rescue. Thus + Agne was left alone in the garden with her little brother, and perceiving + that no one paid any further attention to their proceedings, she fell on + her knees, clasped the child closely to her and whispered: + </p> + <p> + “Pray with me, Papias; pray, pray that the Lord will protect us, and that + we may not be turned out of the way that leads us to our parents! Pray, as + I do!” + </p> + <p> + For a minute she remained prostrate with the child by her side. Then, + rising quickly, she took him by the hand and led him in almost breathless + haste through the garden-gate out into the road, bending her steps towards + the lake and then down the first turning that led to the city. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <p> + Agne’s flight remained unperceived for some little time, for every member + of the merchant’s household was at the moment intent on some personal + interest. When Karnis and Orpheus had set out Gorgo was left with her + grandmother and it was not till some little time after that she went out + into the colonnade on the garden side of the house, whence she had a view + over the park and the shore as far as the ship-yard. There, leaning + against the shaft of a pillar, under the shade of the blossoming shrubs, + she stood gazing thoughtfully to the southward. + </p> + <p> + She was dreaming of the past, of her childhood’s joys and privations. Fate + had bereft her of a mother’s love, that sun of life’s spring. Below her, + in a splendid mausoleum of purple porphyry, lay the mortal remains of the + beautiful woman who had given her birth, and who had been snatched away + before she could give her infant a first caress. But all round the solemn + monument gardens bloomed in the sunshine, and on the further side of the + wall covered with creepers, was the ship-yard, the scene of numberless + delightful games. She sighed as she looked at the tall hulks, and watched + for the man who, from her earliest girlhood, had owned her heart, whose + image was inseparable from every thing of joy and beauty that she had ever + known, and every grief her young soul had suffered under. + </p> + <p> + Constantine, the younger son of Clemens the shipbuilder, had been her + brothers’ companion and closest friend. He had proved himself their + superior in talents and gifts, and in all their games had been the + recognized leader. While still a tiny thing she would always be at their + heels, and Constantine had never failed to be patient with her, or to help + and protect her, and then came a time when the lads were all eager to win + her sympathy for their games and undertakings. When her grandmother read + in the stars that some evil influences were to cross the path of Gorgo’s + planet, the girl was carefully kept in the house; at other times she was + free to go with the boys in the garden, on the lake or to the ship-yard. + There the happy playmates built houses or boats; there, in a separate + room, old Melampus modelled figure-heads for the finished vessels, and he + would supply them with clay and let them model too. Constantine was an apt + pupil, and Gorgo would sit quiet while he took her likeness, till, out of + twenty images that he had made of her, several were really very like. + Melampus declared that his young master might be a very distinguished + sculptor if only he were the son of poor parents, and Gorgo’s father + appreciated his talent and was pleased when the boy attempted to copy the + beautiful busts and statues of which the house was full; but to his + parents, and especially his mother, his artistic proclivities were an + offence. He himself, indeed, never seriously thought of devoting himself + to such a heathenish occupation, for he was deeply penetrated by the + Christian sentiments of his family, and he had even succeeded in inflaming + the sons of Porphyrius, who had been baptized at an early age, with zeal + for their faith. The merchant perceived this and submitted in silence, for + the boys must be and remain Christians in consequence of the edict + referring to wills; but the necessity for confessing a creed which was + hateful to him was so painful and repulsive to a nature which, though + naturally magnanimous was not very steadfast, that he was anxious to spare + his sons the same experience, and allowed them to accompany Constantine to + church and to wear blue—the badge of the Christians—at races + and public games, with a shrug of silent consent. + </p> + <p> + With Gorgo it was different. She was a woman and need wear no colors; and + her enthusiasm for the old gods and Greek taste and prejudices were the + delight of her father. She was the pride of his life, and as he heard his + own convictions echoed in her childish prattle, and later in her + conversation and exquisite singing, he was grateful to his mother and to + his friend Olympius who had implanted and cherished these feelings in his + daughter. Constantine’s endeavors to show her the beauty of his creed and + to win her to Christianity were entirely futile; and the older they grew, + and the less they agreed, the worse could each endure the dissent of the + other. + </p> + <p> + An early and passionate affection attracted the young man to his charming + playfellow; the more ardently he cherished his faith the more fervently + did he desire to win her for his wife. But Olympius’ fair pupil was not + easy of conquest; nay, he was not unfrequently hard beset by her questions + and arguments, and while, to her, the fight for a creed was no more than + an amusing wrestling match, in which to display her strength, to him it + was a matter in which his heart was engaged. + </p> + <p> + Damia and Porphyrius took a vain pleasure in their eager discussions, and + clapped with delight, as though it were a game of skill, when Gorgo + laughingly checkmated her excited opponent with some unanswerable + argument. + </p> + <p> + But there came a day when Constantine discovered that his eager defence of + that which to him was high and holy, was, to his hearers, no more than a + subject of mockery, and henceforth the lad, now fast growing to manhood, + kept away from the merchant’s house. Still, Gorgo could always win him + back again, and sometimes, when they were alone together, the old strife + would be renewed, and more seriously and bitterly than of old. But while + he loved her, she also loved him, and when he had so far mastered himself + as to remain away for any length of time she wore herself out with longing + to see him. They felt that they belonged to each other, but they also felt + that an insuperable gulf yawned between them, and that whenever they + attempted to clasp hands across the abyss a mysterious and irresistible + impulse drove them to open it wider, and to dig it deeper by fresh + discussions, till at last Constantine could not endure that she, of all + people, should mock at his Holy of Holies and drag it in the dust. + </p> + <p> + He must go—he must leave Gorgo, quit Alexandria, cost what it might. + The travellers’ tales that he had heard from the captains of + trading-vessels and ships of war who frequented his father’s house had + filled him with a love of danger and enterprise, and a desire to see + distant lands and foreign peoples. His father’s business, for which he was + intended, did not attract him. Away—away—he would go away; and + a happy coincidence opened a path for him. + </p> + <p> + Porphyrius had taken him one day on some errand to Canopus; the elder man + had gone in his chariot, his two sons and Constantine escorting him on + horseback. At the city-gates they met Romanus, the general in command of + the Imperial army, with his staff of officers, and he, drawing rein by the + great merchant’s carriage, had asked him, pointing to Constantine, whether + that were his son. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Porphyrius, “but I wish he were.” At these words the + ship-master’s son colored deeply, while Romanus turned his horse round, + laid his hand on the young man’s arm and called out to the commander of + the cavalry of Arsinoe: “A soldier after Ares’ own heart, Columella! Do + not let him slip.” + </p> + <p> + Before the clouds of dust raised by the officers’ horses as they rode off, + had fairly settled, Constantine had made up his mind to be a soldier. In + his parents’ house, however, this decision was seen under various aspects. + His father found little to say against it, for he had three sons and only + two shipyards, and the question seemed settled by the fact that + Constantine, with his resolute and powerful nature, was cut out to be a + soldier. His pious mother, on the other hand, appealed to the learned + works of Clemens and Tertullian, who forbid the faithful Christian to draw + the sword; and she related the legend of the holy Maximilianus, who, being + compelled, under Diocletian, to join the army, had suffered death at the + hands of the executioner rather than shed his fellow-creatures’ blood in + battle. The use of weapons, she added, was incompatible with a godly and + Christian life. + </p> + <p> + His father, however, would not listen to this reasoning; new times, he + said, were come; the greater part of the army had been baptized; the + Church prayed for, victory, and at the head of the troops stood the great + Theodosius, an exemplar of an orthodox and zealous Christian. + </p> + <p> + Clemens was master in his own house, and Constantine joined the heavy + cavalry at Arsinoe. In the war against the Blemmyes he was so fortunate as + to merit the highest distinction; after that he was in garrison at + Arsinoe, and, as Alexandria was within easy reach of that town, he was in + frequent intercourse with his own family and that of Porphyrius. Not quite + three years previously, when a revolt had broken out in favor of the + usurper Maximus in his native town, Constantine had assisted in + suppressing it, and almost immediately afterwards he was sent to Europe to + take part in the war which Theodosius had begun, again against Maximus. + </p> + <p> + An unpleasant misunderstanding had embittered his parting from Gorgo; old + Damia, as she held his hand had volunteered a promise that she and her + granddaughter would from time to time slay a beast in sacrifice on his + behalf. Perhaps she had had no spiteful meaning in this, but he had + regarded it as an insult, and had turned away angry and hurt. Gorgo, + however, could not bear to let him go thus; disregarding her grandmother’s + look of surprise, she had called him back, and giving him both hands had + warmly bidden him farewell. Damia had looked after him in silence and had + ever afterwards avoided mentioning his name in Gorgo’s presence. + </p> + <p> + After the victory over Maximus, Constantine, though still very young, was + promoted to the command of the troop in the place of Columella, and he had + arrived in Alexandria the day before at the head of his ‘ala miliaria’. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The ala miliaria consisted of 24 ‘turmae’ or 960 mounted troopers + under the conduct of a Prefect.] +</pre> + <p> + Gorgo had never at any time ceased to think of him, but her passion had + constantly appeared to her in the light of treason and a breach of faith + towards the gods, so, to condone the sins she committed on one side by + zeal on another, she had come forth from the privacy of her father’s house + to give active support to Olympius in his struggle for the faith of their + ancestors. She had become a daily worshipper at the temple of Isis, and + the hope of hearing her sing had already mere than once filled it to + overflowing at high festivals. Then, while Olympius was defending the + sanctuary of Serapis against the attacks of the Christians, she and her + grandmother had become the leaders of a party of women who made it their + task to provide the champions of the faith with the means of subsistence. + </p> + <p> + All this had given purpose to her life; still, every little victory in + this contest had filled her soul with regrets and anxieties. For months + and years she had been conspicuous as the opponent of her lover’s creed, + and the bright eager child had developed into a grave girl a clear-headed + and resolute woman. She was the only person in the house who dared to + contradict her grandmother, and to insist on a thing when she thought it + right. The longing of her heart she could not still, but her high spirit + found food for its needs in all that surrounded her, and, by degrees, + would no doubt have gained the mastery and have been supreme in all her + being and doing, but that music and song still fostered the softer + emotions of her strong, womanly nature. + </p> + <p> + The news of Constantine’s return had shaken her soul to the foundations. + Would it bring her the greatest happiness or only fresh anguish and + unrest? + </p> + <p> + She saw him coming!—The plume of his helmet first came in sight + above the bushes, and then his whole figure emerged from among the + shrubbery. She leaned against the pillar for support now, for her knees + trembled under her. Tall and stately, his armor blazing in the sunshine, + he came straight towards her—a man, a hero—exactly as her + fancy had painted him in many a dark and sleepless hour. As he passed her + mother’s tomb, she felt as though a cold hand laid a grip on her beating + heart. In a swift flash of thought she saw her own home with its wealth + and splendor, and then the ship-builder’s house-simple, chillingly bare, + with its comfortless rooms; she felt as though she must perish, nipped and + withered, in such a home. Again she thought of him standing on his + father’s threshold, she fancied she could hear his bright boyish laugh and + her heart glowed once more. She forgot for the moment—clear-headed + woman though she was, and trained by her philosopher to “know herself”—she + forgot what she had fully acknowledged only the night before: That he + would no more give up his Christ than she would her Isis, and that if they + should ever reach the dreamed-of pinnacle of joy it must be for an instant + only, followed by a weary length of misery. Yes—she forgot + everything; doubts and fears were cast aside; as his approaching footsteps + fell on her ear, she could hardly keep herself from flying, open armed, to + meet him. + </p> + <p> + He was standing before her; she offered him her hand with frank gladness, + and, as he clasped it in his, their hearts were too full for words. Only + their eyes gave utterance to their feelings, and when he perceived that + hers were sparkling through tears, he spoke her name once, twice—joyfully + and yet doubtfully, as if he dared not interpret her emotion as he would. + She laid her left hand lightly on his which still grasped her right, and + said with a brilliant smile: “Welcome, Constantine, welcome home! How glad + I am to see you back again!” + </p> + <p> + “And I—and I...” he began, greatly moved. + </p> + <p> + “O Gorgo! Can it really be years since we parted?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed,” she said. “Anxious, busy, struggling years!” + </p> + <p> + “But to-day we celebrate the festival of Peace,” he exclaimed fervently. + “I have learnt to leave every man to go his own way so long as I am + allowed to go mine. The old strife is buried; take me as I am and I, for + my part, will think only of the noble and beautiful traits in which your + nature is so rich. The fruit of all wholesome strife must be peace; let us + pluck that fruit, Gorgo, and enjoy it together. Ah! as I stand here and + gaze out over the gardens and the lake, hearing the hammers of the + shipwrights, and rejoicing in your presence, I feel as though our + childhood might begin all over again—only better, fuller and more + beautiful!” + </p> + <p> + “If only my brothers were here!” + </p> + <p> + “I saw them.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! where?” + </p> + <p> + “At Thessalonica, well and happy—I have letters for you from them.” + </p> + <p> + “Letters!” cried Gorgo, drawing away her hand. “Well, you are a tardy + messenger! Our houses are within a stone’s throw, and yet in a whole day, + from noon till noon, so old a friend could not find a few minutes to + deliver the letters entrusted to him, or to call upon such near neighbors + ...” + </p> + <p> + “First there were my parents,” interrupted the young soldier. “And then + the tyrant military duty, which kept me on the stretch from yesterday + afternoon till an hour or two since. Romanus robbed me even of my sleep, + and kept me in attendance till the morn had set. However, I lost but + little by that, for I could not have closed my eyes till they had beheld + you! This morning again I was on duty, and rarely have I ridden to the + front with such reluctance. After that I was delayed by various details; + even on my way here—but for that I cannot be sorry for it gave me + this chance of finding you alone. All I ask now is that we may remain so, + for such a moment is not likely to be repeated.—There, I heard a + door...” + </p> + <p> + “Come into the garden,” cried Gorgo, signing to him to follow her. “My + heart is as full as yours. Down by the tank under the old sycamores—we + shall be quietest there.” + </p> + <p> + Under the dense shade of the centenarian trees was a rough-hewn bench that + they themselves had made years before; there Gorgo seated herself, but her + companion remained standing. + </p> + <p> + “Yes!” he exclaimed. “Here—here you must hear me! Here where we have + been so happy together!” + </p> + <p> + “So happy!” she echoed softly. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” he went on, “we are together once more. My heart beats wildly, + Gorgo; it is well that this breastplate holds it fast, for I feel as + though it would burst with hope and thankfulness.” + </p> + <p> + “Thankfulness?” said Gorgo, looking down. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, thankfulness—sheer, fervent passionate gratitude! What you + have given me, what an inestimable boon, you yourself hardly know; but no + emperor could reward love and fidelity more lavishly than you have done—you, + the care and the consolation, the pain and the joy of my life! My mother + told me—it was the first thing she thought of—how you shed + tears of grief on her bosom when the false report of my death reached + home. Those tears fell as morning dew on the drooping hopes in my heart, + they were a welcome such as few travellers find on their return home. I am + no orator, and if I were, how could speech in any way express my feelings? + But you know them—you understand what it is, after so many years...” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” she said looking up into his eyes, and allowing him to seize her + hand as he dropped on the bench by her side. “If I did not I could not + bear this—and I freely confess that I shed many more tears over you + than you could imagine. You love me, Constantine...” + </p> + <p> + He threw his arm round her; but she disengaged herself, exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Nay—I implore you, not so—not yet, till I have told you what + troubles me, what keeps me from throwing myself wholly, freely into the + arms of happiness. I know what you will ask—what you have a right to + ask; but before you speak, Constantine, remember once more all that has so + often saddened our life, even as children, that has torn us asunder like a + whirlwind although, ever since we can remember, our hearts have flowed + towards each other. But I need not remind you of what binds us—that + we both know well, only too well....” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” he replied boldly: “That we are only beginning to know in all its + fullness and rapture. The other thing the whirlwind of which you speak, + has indeed tossed and tormented me, more than it has you perhaps; but + since I have known that you could shed tears for me and love me I have had + no more anxieties; I know for certain that all must come right! You love + me as I am, Gorgo. I am no dreamer nor poet; but I can look forward to + finding life lovely and noble if shared with you, so long as one—only + one thing is sure. I ask you plainly and truly: Is your heart as full of + love for me as mine is for you? When I was away did you think of me every + day, every night, as I thought of you, day and night without fail?” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo’s head sank and blushes dyed her cheeks as she replied: “I love you, + and I have never even thought of any one else. My thoughts and yearnings + followed you all the while you were away... and yet... oh, Constantine! + That one thing...” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot part us,” said the young man passionately, “since we have love—the + mighty and gracious power which conquers all things! When love beckon: the + whirlwind dies away like the breath from a child’s lips; it can bridge + over any abyss; it created the world and preserves the existence of + humanity, it can remove mountains—and these are the most beautiful + words of the greatest of the apostles: ‘It is long suffering and kind, it + believes all things, hopes all things’ and it knows no end. It remains + with us till death and will teach us to find that peace whose bulwark and + adornment, whose child and parent it is!” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo had looked lovingly at him while he spoke, and he, pressing her hand + to his lips went on with ardent feeling: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you shall be mine—I dare, and I will go to ask you of your + father. There are some words spoken in one’s life which can never be + forgotten. Once your father said that he wished that I was his son. On the + march, in camp, in battle, wherever I have wandered, those words have been + in my mind; for me they could have but one meaning: I would be his son—I + shall be his son when Gorgo is my wife!—And now the time has + come...” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, not to-day,” she interrupted eagerly. “My hopes are the same as + yours. I believe with you that our love can bring all that is sweetest + into our lives. What you believe I must believe, and I will never urge + upon you the things that I regard as holiest. I can give up much, bear + much, and it will all seem easy for your sake. We can agree, and settle + what shall be conceded to your Christ and what to our gods—but not + to-day; not even to-morrow. For the present let me first carry out the + task I have undertaken—when that is done and past, then.... You have + my heart, my love; but if I were to prove a deserter from the cause to-day + or to-morrow it would give others—Olympius—a right to point at + me with scorn.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it then that you have undertaken?” asked Constantine with grave + anxiety. + </p> + <p> + “To crown and close my past life. Before I can say: I am yours, wholly + yours...” + </p> + <p> + “Are you not mine now, to-day, at once?” he urged. + </p> + <p> + “To day-no,” she replied firmly. “The great cause still has a claim upon + me; the cause which I must renounce for your sake. But the woman who gives + only one person reason to despise her signs the death-warrant of her own + dignity. I will carry out what I have undertaken.... Do not ask me what it + is; it would grieve you to know.—The day after tomorrow, when the + feast of Isis is over....” + </p> + <p> + “Gorgo, Gorgo!” shouted Damia’s shrill voice, interrupting the young girl + in her speech, and half a dozen slave-women came rushing out in search of + her. + </p> + <p> + They rose, and as they went towards the house Constantine said very + earnestly: + </p> + <p> + “I will not insist; but trust my experience: When we have to give + something up sooner or later, if the wrench is a painful one, the sooner + and the more definitely it is done the better. Nothing is gained by + postponement and the pain is only prolonged. Hesitation and delay, Gorgo, + are a barrier built up by your own hand between us and our happiness. You + always had abundance of determination; be brave then, now, and cut short + at once a state of things that cannot last.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” she said hurriedly. “But you must not, you will not require + me to do anything that is beyond my strength, or that would involve + breaking my word. To-morrow is not, and cannot be yours; it must be a day + of leave-taking and parting. After that I am yours, I cannot live without + you. I want you and nothing else. Your happiness shall be mine; only, do + not make it too hard to me to part from all that has been dear to me from + my infancy. Shut your eyes to tomorrow’s proceedings, and then—oh! + if only we were sure of the right path, if only we could tread it + together! We know each other so perfectly, and I know, I feel, that it + will perhaps be a comfort to our hearts to be patient with each other over + matters which our judgment fails to comprehend or even to approve. I might + be so unutterably happy; but my heart trembles within me, and I am not, I + dare not be quite glad yet.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> + <p> + The young soldier was heartily welcomed by his friends of the merchant’s + family; but old Damia was a little uneasy at the attitude which he and + Gorgo had taken up after their first greeting. He was agitated and grave, + she was eager and excited, with an air of determined enterprise. + </p> + <p> + Was Eros at the bottom of it all? Were the young people going to carry out + the jest of their childhood in sober earnest? The young officer was + handsome and attractive enough, and her granddaughter after all was but a + woman. + </p> + <p> + So far as Constantine was concerned the old lady had no personal objection + to him; nay, she appreciated his steady, grave manliness and, for his own + sake, was very glad to see him once more; but to contemplate the + ship-builder’s son—the grandson of a freedman—a Christian and + devoted to the Emperor, even though he were a prefect or of even higher + grade—as a possible suitor for her Gorgo, the beautiful heiress of + the greater part of her wealth—the centre of attraction to all the + gilded youth of Alexandria—this was too much for her philosophy; + and, as she had never in her life restrained the expression of her + sentiments, though she gave him a friendly hand and the usual greeting, + she very soon showed him, by her irony and impertinence, that she was as + hostile to his creed as ever. + </p> + <p> + She put her word in on every subject, and when, presently, Demetrius—who, + after Dada’s rebuff, had come on to see his uncle—began speaking of + the horses he had been breeding for Marcus, and Constantine enquired + whether any Arabs from his stables were to be purchased in the town, Damia + broke out: + </p> + <p> + “You out-do your crucified God in most things I observe! He could ride on + an ass, and a stout Egyptian nag is not good enough for you.” + </p> + <p> + However, the young officer was not to be provoked; and though he was very + well able to hold his own in a strife of words, he kept himself under + control and pretended to see nothing in the old woman’s taunts but + harmless jesting. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo triumphed in his temperate demeanor, and thanked him with grateful + glances and a silent grasp of the hand when opportunity offered. + </p> + <p> + Demetrius, who had also known Constantine as a boy, and who, through + Porphyrius, had sold him his first charger, met him very warmly and told + him with a laugh that he had seen him before that day, that he had + evidently learnt something on his travels, that he had tracked the + prettiest head of game in all the city; and he slapped him on the shoulder + and gave him what he meant to be a very knowing glance. Constantine could + not think where Demetrius had seen him or what he meant; while Gorgo + supposed that he alluded to her, and thought him perfectly odious. + </p> + <p> + Porphyrius pelted the prefect with questions which Constantine was very + ready to answer, till they were interrupted by some commotion in the + garden. On looking out they saw a strange and unpleasing procession, + headed by Herse who was scolding, thumping and dragging Dada’s Egyptian + slave, while her husband followed, imploring her to moderate her fury. + Behind them came Orpheus, now and then throwing out a persuasive word to + soothe the indignant matron. This party soon came up with the others, and + Herse, unasked, poured out an explanation of her wrath. + </p> + <p> + She had had but a brief interview with Mary, Marcus’ mother, for she had + positively opposed the Christian lady’s suggestion that Karnis and his + family would do well to quit Alexandria as soon as possible, accepting an + indemnification from Mary herself. To the widow’s threats of seeking the + intervention of the law, she had retorted that they were not public + singers but free citizens who performed for their own enjoyment; to the + anxious mother’s complaints that Dada was doing all she could to attract + Marcus, she had answered promptly and to the point that her niece’s good + name would certainly out-weigh anything that could be said against a young + man to whom so much license was allowed in Alexandria. She would find some + means of protecting her own sister’s child. Mary had replied that Herse + would do well to remember that she—Mary—had means at her + command of bringing justice down on those who should attempt to entrap a + Christian youth, and tempt him into the path of sin. + </p> + <p> + This had closed the interview. Herse had found her husband and son waiting + for her at the door of Mary’s house and had at once returned with them to + the ship. There an unpleasant surprise awaited them; they had found no one + on board but the Egyptian slave, who told them that Dada had sent her on + shore to procure her some sandals; on her return the girl had vanished. + The woman at the same time declared that she had seen Agne and her brother + leave the garden and make for the high-road. + </p> + <p> + So far as the Christian girl was concerned Herse declared there would be + no difficulty; but Dada, her own niece, had always clung to them + faithfully, and though Alexandria was full of sorcerers and Magians they + could hardly succeed in making away with a fullgrown, rational, and + healthy girl. In her inexperience she had, no doubt, gone at the bidding + of some perfidious wretch, and the Egyptian witch, the brown slave had, of + course, had a finger in the trick. She would accuse no one, but she knew + some people who would be only too glad if Dada and that baby-faced young + Christian got into trouble and disgrace together. She delivered herself of + this long story with tears of rage and regret, angrily refusing to admit + any qualifying parentheses from her husband, to whose natural delicacy her + rough and vociferous complaints were offensive in the presence of the + high-bred ladies of the house. Old Damia, however, had listened + attentively to her indignant torrent of words, and had only shrugged her + shoulders with a scornful smile at the implied accusation of herself. + </p> + <p> + Porphyrius, to whom the whole business was simply revolting, questioned + Herse closely and when the facts were clearly established, and it also was + plainly proved that Agne had escaped from the garden, he desired the + slave-woman to tell her story of all that had occurred during the absence + of Karnis, promising her half a dozen stripes from the cane on the soles + of her feet for every false word she might utter. The threat was enough to + raise a howl from the Egyptian; but this Porphyries soon put a stop to, + and Sachepris, with perfect veracity, told her tale of all that had + happened till Herse’s return to the vessel. The beginning of the narrative + was of no special interest, but when she was pressed to go faster to the + point she went on to say: + </p> + <p> + “And then—then my lord Constantine came to us on the ship, and the + pretty mistress laughed with him and asked him to take off his helmet, + because the pretty mistress wanted to see the cut, the great sword-cut + above his eyes, and my lord Constantine took it off.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a lie!” exclaimed Gorgo. + </p> + <p> + “No, no; it is true. Sachepris does not want her feet flayed, mistress,” + cried the slave. “Ask my lord Constantine himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I went on board,” said Constantine. “Just as I was crossing the + ship-yard a young girl dropped her fan into the lake. I fished it out at + her request, and carried it back to her.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that was it,” cried Sachepris. “And the pretty mistress laughed with + my lord Constantine—is it not true?—and she took his helmet + out of his hand and weighed it in hers...” + </p> + <p> + “And you could stop on your way here to trifle with that child?” cried + Gorgo wrathfully. “Pah! what men will do!” + </p> + <p> + These words portended rage and intense disgust to Constantine. “Gorgo!” he + cried with a reproachful accent, but she could not control her indignation + and went on more vehemently than ever: + </p> + <p> + “You stopped—with that little hussy—on your way to me—stopped + to trifle and flirt with her! Shame! Yes, I say shame! Men are thought + lucky in being light-hearted, but, for my part, may the gods preserve me + from such luck! Trifling, whispering, caressing—a tender squeeze of + the hand—solemnly, passionately earnest!—And what next? Who + dares warrant that it will not all be repeated before the shadows are an + ell long on the shore!” + </p> + <p> + She laughed, a sharp, bitter laugh; but it was a short one. She ceased and + turned pale, for her lover’s face had undergone a change that terrified + her. The scar on his forehead was purple, and his voice was strange, harsh + and hoarse as he leaned forward to bring his face on a level with hers, + and said: + </p> + <p> + “Even if you had seen me with your own eyes you ought not to have believed + them! And if you dare to say that you do believe it, I can say Shame! as + well as you. My life may be at stake but I say: Shame!” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he clutched the back of a chair with convulsive fury and stood + facing the girl like an avenging god of war, his eyes flashing to meet + hers. This was too much for old Damia; she could contain herself no + longer, and striking her crutch on the floor she broke out: + </p> + <p> + “What next shall we hear! You threaten and storm at the daughter of this + house as if she were a soldier in your camp! Listen to me, my fine + gentleman, and mind what I say: In the house of a free Alexandrian citizen + no one has any right to give his orders—be he Caesar, Consul or + Comes; he has only to observe the laws of good manners.” Then turning to + Gorgo she shook her head with pathetic emphasis; “This, my love, is the + consequence of too much familiar condescension. Come, an end of this! + Greeting and parting often go hand in hand.” + </p> + <p> + The prefect turned on his heel and went towards the steps leading to the + garden; but Gorgo flew after him and seized his hand, calling out to the + old woman: + </p> + <p> + “No, no, grandmother; he is in the right, I am certain he is in the right. + Stop, Constantine—wait, stay, and forgive my folly! If you love me, + mother, say no more—he will explain it all presently.” + </p> + <p> + The soldier heaved a sigh of relief and assented in silence, while the + slave went on with her story: “And when my lord Constantine was gone, my + lord Demetrius came and he—but what should poor Sachepris say—ask + my lord Demetrius himself to tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “That is soon done,” replied Demetrius, who had failed to understand a + great deal of all that had been going forward. “My brother Marcus is over + head and ears in love with the little puss—she is a pretty creature—and + to save that simple soul from mischief I thought I would take the business + on my own shoulders which are broader and stronger than his. I went boldly + to work and offered the girl—more shame for me, I must say—the + treasures of Midas; however, offering is one thing and accepting is + another, and the child snapped me up and sent me to the right about—by + Castor and Pollux! packed me off with my tail between my legs! My only + comfort was that Constantine had just quitted the pretty little hussy. By + the side of the god of war, thought I, a country Pan makes but a poor + figure; but this Ares was dismissed by Venus, and so, if only to keep up + my self-respect, I was forced to conclude that the girl, with all her + pertness, was of a better sort than we had supposed. My presents, which + would have tempted any other girl in Alexandria to follow a cripple to + Hades, she took as an insult; she positively cried with indignation, and I + really respect pretty little Dada!” + </p> + <p> + “She is my very own sister’s child,” Herse threw in, honestly angered by + the cheap estimation in which every one seemed to hold her adopted child. + “My own sister’s,” she insisted, with an emphasis which seemed to imply + that she had a whole family of half-sisters. “Though we now earn our bread + as singers, we have seen better days; and in these hard times Croesus + to-day may be Irus to-morrow. As for us, Karnis did not dissipate his + money in riotous living. It was foolish perhaps but it was splendid—I + believe we should do the same again; he spent all his inheritance in + trying to reinstate Art. However, what is the use of looking after money + when it is gone! If you can win it, or keep it you will be held of some + account, but if you are poor the dogs will snap at you!—The girl, + Dada—we have taken as much care of her as if she were our own, and + divided our last mouthful with her before now. Karnis used to tease her + about training her voice—and now, when she could really do something + to satisfy even good judges—now, when she might have helped us to + earn a living-now...” + </p> + <p> + The good woman broke down and burst into tears, while Karnis tried to + soothe and comfort her. + </p> + <p> + “We shall get on without them somehow,” he said. “‘Nil desperandum’ says + Horace the Roman. And after all they are not lizards that can hide in the + cracks of the walls; I know every corner of Alexandria and I will go and + hunt them up at once.” + </p> + <p> + “And I will help you, my friend,” said Demetrius, “We will go to the + Hippodrome—the gentry you will meet with there are capital + blood-hounds after such game as the daughter of your ‘own sister,’ my good + woman. As to the black-haired Christian girl—I have seen her many a + time on board ship...” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! she will take refuge with some fellow-Christians,” remarked + Porphyrius. “Olympius told me all about her. I know plenty of the same + sort in the Church. They fling away life and happiness as if they were + apple-peelings to snatch at something which they believe to constitute + salvation. It is folly, madness! pure unmitigated madness! To have sung in + the temple of the she-devil Isis with Gorgo and the other worshippers + would have cost her her seat in Paradise. That, as I believe, is the cause + of her flight.” + </p> + <p> + “That and nothing else!” cried Karnis. “How vexed the noble Olympius will + be. Indeed, Apollo be my witness! I have not been so disturbed about + anything for many a day. Do you happen to recollect,” he went on, turning + to Demetrius, “our conversation on board ship about a dirge for Pytho? + Well, we had transposed the lament of Isis into the Lydian mode, and when + this young lady’s wonderful voice gave it out, in harmony with Agne’s and + with Orpheus’ flute, it was quite exquisite! My old heart floated on wings + as I listened! And only the day after to-morrow the whole crowd of + worshippers in the temple of Isis were to enjoy that treat!—It would + have roused them to unheard-of enthusiasm. Yesterday the girl was in it, + heart and soul; nay, only this morning she and the noble Gorgo sang it + through from beginning to end. One more rehearsal to-morrow, and then the + two voices would have given such a performance as perhaps was never before + heard within the temple walls.” + </p> + <p> + Constantine had listened to this rhapsody with growing agitation; he was + standing close to Gorgo, and while the rest of the party held anxious + consultation as to what could be done to follow up and capture the + fugitives, he asked Gorgo in a low voice, but with gloomy looks: + </p> + <p> + “You intended to sing in the temple of Isis? Before the crowd, and with a + girl of this stamp?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said firmly. + </p> + <p> + “And you knew yesterday that I had come home?” She nodded. + </p> + <p> + “And yet, this morning even, while you were actually expecting me, you + could practise the hymn with such a creature?” + </p> + <p> + “Agne is not such another as the girl who played tricks with your helmet,” + replied Gorgo, and the black arches of her eyebrows knit into something + very like a scowl. “I told you just now that I was not yours today, nor + to-morrow. We still serve different gods.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed we do!” he exclaimed, so vehemently that the others looked round, + and old Damia again began to fidget in her chair. + </p> + <p> + Then with a strong effort he recovered himself and, after standing for + some minutes gazing in silence at the ground, he said in a low tone: + </p> + <p> + “I have borne enough for to-day. Gorgo, pause, reflect. God preserve me + from despair!” + </p> + <p> + He bowed, hastily explained that his duties called him away, and left the + spot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> + <p> + The amateurs of horse-racing who assembled in the Hippodrome could afford + no clue to Dada’s hiding-place, because she had not, in fact, run away + with any gay young gallant. Within a few minutes of her sending Sachepris + to fetch her a pair of shoes, Medius had hailed her from the shore; he + wanted to speak with Karnis, and having come on an ass it was not in vain + that the incensed damsel entreated him to take her with him. He had in + fact only come to try to persuade Karnis and his wife to spare Dada for a + few performances, such as he had described, in the house of Posidonius. + His hopes of success had been but slender; and now the whole thing had + settled itself, and Dada’s wish that her people should not, for a while, + know where to find her was most opportune for his plans. + </p> + <p> + In the days when Karnis was the manager of the theatre at Tauromenium + Medius had led the chorus, and had received much kindness at the hands of + the girl’s uncle. All this, he thought, he could now repay, for certainly + his old patron was poor enough, and he intended honestly to share with his + former benefactor the profits he expected to realize with so fair a + prodigy as Dada. No harm could come to the girl, and gold—said he to + himself—glitters as brightly and is just as serviceable, even when + it has been earned for us against our will. + </p> + <p> + Medius, being a cautious man, made the girl bring her new dress away with + her, and the girdle and jewels belonging to it, and his neat hands packed + everything into the smallest compass. He filled up the basket which he + took for the purpose with sweetmeats, oranges and pomegranates “for the + children at home,” and easily consoled Dada for the loss of her shoes. He + would lead the ass and she should ride. She covered her face with a veil, + and her little feet could be hidden under her dress. When they reached his + house he would at once have “a sweet little pair of sandals” made for her + by the shoemaker who worked for the wife of the Comes and the daughters of + the Alabarch—[The chief of the Jewish colony in Alexandria.]—These + preparations and the start only took a few minutes; and their rapid search + and broken conversation caused so much absurd confusion that Dada had + quite recovered her spirits and laughed merrily as she tripped bare-foot + across the strand. She sprang gaily on to the little donkey and as they + made their way along the road, the basket containing her small wardrobe + placed in front of her on the ass’s shoulders, she remarked that she + should be mistaken for the young wife of a shabby old husband, returning + from market with a load of provisions. + </p> + <p> + She was delighted to think of what Herse’s face would be when, on her + return home, she should discover that the prisoner could make her escape + even without shoes. + </p> + <p> + “Let her have a good hunt for me!” she cried quite enchanted. “Why should + I always be supposed to be ready for folly and wickedness! But one thing I + warn you: If I am not comfortable and happy with you, and if I do not like + the parts you want me to fill, we part as quickly as we have come + together.—Why are you taking me through all these dirty alleys? I + want to ride through the main streets and see what is going on.” But + Medius would not agree to this, for in the great arteries of the town + there were excitement and tumult, and they might think themselves + fortunate if they reached his house unmolested. + </p> + <p> + He lived in a little square, between the Greek quarter and Rhacotis where + the Egyptians lived, and his house, which was exactly opposite the church + of St. Marcus, accommodated Medius himself, his wife, his widowed daughter + and her five children, besides being crammed from top to bottom with all + sorts of strange properties, standing or hanging in every available space. + Dada’s curiosity had no rest, and by the time she had spent a few hours in + the house her host’s pretty little grandchildren were clinging to her with + devoted affection. + </p> + <p> + Agne had not been so fortunate as to find a refuge so easily. With no + escort, unveiled, and left entirely to her own guidance, leading the + little boy, she hurried forward, not knowing whither. All she thought was + to get away—far away from these men who were trying to imperil her + immortal soul. + </p> + <p> + She knew that Karnis had actually bought her, and that she was, therefore, + his property and chattel. Even Christian doctrine taught her that the + slave must obey his master; but she could not feel like a slave, and if + indeed she were one her owner might destroy and kill her body, but not her + soul. The law, however, was on the side of Karnis, and it allowed him to + pursue her and cast her into prison. This idea haunted her, and for fear + of being caught she avoided all the chief thoroughfares and kept close to + the houses as she stole through the side streets and alleys. Once, in + Antioch, she had seen a runaway slave, who, having succeeded in reaching a + statue of the Emperor and laying his hand on it, was by that act safe from + his pursuers. There must surely be such a statue somewhere in Alexandria—but + where? A woman, of whom she enquired, directed her down a wider street + that would take her into the Canopic Way. If she crossed that and went + down the first turning to the left she would reach a large open square in + the Bruchium, and there, in front of the Prefect’s residence and by the + side of the Bishop’s house, stood the new statue of Theodosius. + </p> + <p> + This information, and the mention of the Bishop, gave a new course to her + proceedings. It was wrong to defy and desert her master, but to obey him + would be deadly sin. Which must she choose and which avoid? Only one + person could advise in such a case—only one could relieve her mind + of its difficulties and terrors: The Shepherd of souls in the city—the + Bishop himself. She too was a lamb of his flock; to him and to no one else + could she turn. + </p> + <p> + This thought fell on her heart like a ray of light dispersing the clouds + of uncertainty and alarm. With a deep breath of relief she took the child + in her arms and told him—for he was whimpering to know where she was + taking him, and why he might not go back to Dada—that they were + going to see a good, kind man who would tell them the way home to their + father and mother. Papias, however, still wailed to go to Dada and not to + the man. + </p> + <p> + Half insisting and half coaxing him with promises, she dragged him along + as far as the main street. This was full of an excited throng; soldiers on + foot and on horseback were doing what they could to keep the peace, and + the bustle amused the little boy’s curiosity so that he soon forgot his + homesickness. When, at length, Ague found the street that led to the + Prefect’s house she was fairly carried along by the surging, rushing mob. + To turn was quite impossible; the utmost she could do was to keep her wits + about her, and concentrate her strength so as not to be parted from the + child. Pushed, pulled, squeezed, scolded, and abused by other women for + her folly in bringing a child out into such a crowd, she at last found + herself in the great square. A hideous hubbub of coarse, loud voices + pierced her unaccustomed ears; she could have sunk on the earth and cried; + but she kept up her courage and collected all her energies, for she saw in + the distance a large gilt cross over a lofty doorway. It was like a + greeting and welcome home. Under its protection she would certainly, find + rest, consolation and safety. + </p> + <p> + But how was she to reach it? The space before her was packed with men as a + quiver is packed with arrows; there was not room for a pin between. The + only chance of getting forward was by forcing her way, and nine-tenths of + the crowd were men—angry and storming men, whose wild and strange + demeanor filled her with terror and disgust. Most of them were monks who + had flocked in at the Bishop’s appeal from the monasteries of the desert, + or from the Lauras and hermitages of Kolzum by the Red Sea, or even from + Tabenna in Upper Egypt, and whose hoarse voices rent the air with vehement + cries of: “Down with the idols! Down with Serapis! Death to the heathen!” + </p> + <p> + This army of the Saviour whose very essence was gentleness and whose + spirit was love, seemed indeed to have deserted from his standard of light + and grace to the blood-stained banner of murderous hatred. Their matted + locks and beards fringed savage faces with glowing eyes; their haggard or + paunchy nakedness was scarcely covered by undressed hides of sheep and + goats; their parched skins were scarred and striped by the use of the + scourges that hung at their girdles. One—a “crown bearer”—had + a face streaming with blood, from the crown of thorns which he had vowed + to wear day and night in memory and imitation of the Redeemer’s + sufferings, and which on this great occasion he pressed hard into the + flesh with ostentatious martyrdom. One, who, in his monastery, had earned + the name of the “oil-jar,” supported himself on his neighbors’ arms, for + his emaciated legs could hardly carry his dropsical carcass which, for the + last ten years, he had fed exclusively on gourds, snails, locusts and Nile + water. Another was chained inseparably to a comrade, and the couple dwelt + together in a cave in the limestone hills near Lycopolis. These two had + vowed never to let each other sleep, that so their time for repentance + might be doubled, and their bliss in the next world enhanced in proportion + to their mortifications in this. + </p> + <p> + One and all, they were allies in a great fight, and the same hopes, ideas, + and wishes fired them all. The Abominable Thing—which imperilled + hundreds of thousands of souls, which invited Satan to assert his dominion + in this world—should fall this day and be annihilated forever! To + them the whole heathen world was the “great whore;” and though the gems + she wore were beautiful to see and rejoiced the mind and heart of fools, + they must be snatched from her painted brow; they would scourge her from + off the face of the redeemed earth and destroy the seducer of souls + forever. “Down with the idols! Down with Serapis! Down with the heathen!” + Their shouts thundered and bellowed all about Agne; but, just as the + uproar and crush were at the worst, a tall and majestic figure appeared on + a balcony above the cross and extended his hand in calm and dignified + benediction towards the seething mass of humanity. As he raised it all + present, including Ague, bowed and bent the knee. + </p> + <p> + Agne felt, knew, that this stately man was the Bishop whom she sought, but + she did not point him out to her little brother, for his aspect was that + of some proud sovereign rather than of “the good, kind man” of whom she + had dreamed. She could never dare to force her way into the presence of + this great lord! How should the ruler over a million souls find time or + patience for her and her trivial griefs? + </p> + <p> + However, there must be within his dwelling sundry presbyters and deacons, + and she would address herself to one of them, as soon as the crowd had + dispersed enough for her to make her way to the door beneath the cross. + Twenty times at least did she renew her efforts, but she made very small + progress; most of the monks, as she tried to squeeze past them, roughly + pushed her back; one, on whose arm she ventured to lay her hand, begging + him to make way for her, broke out into shrieks as though a serpent had + stung him, and when the crush brought her into contact with the + crown-bearer he thrust her away exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Away woman! Do not touch me, spawn of Satan tool of the evil one! or I + will tread you under foot!” + </p> + <p> + Retreat had been as impossible as progress, and long hours went by which + to her seemed like days; still she felt no fatigue, only alarm and + disgust, and, more than anything else, an ardent desire to reach the + Bishop’s palace and take counsel of a priest. It was long past noon when a + diversion took place which served at any rate to interest and amuse the + crying child. + </p> + <p> + On the platform above the doorway Cynegius came forth—Cynegius, the + Emperor’s delegate; a stout man of middle height, with a shrewd round head + and a lawyer’s face. State dignitaries, Consuls and Prefects had, at this + date, ceased to wear the costume that had marked the patricians of old + Rome—a woollen toga that fell in broad and dignified folds from the + shoulders; a long, close-fitting robe had taken its place, of purple silk + brocade with gold flowers. On the envoy’s shoulder blazed the badge of the + highest officials, a cruciform ornament of a peculiarly thick and costly + tissue. He greeted the crowd with a condescending bow, a herald blew three + blasts on the tuba, and then Cynegius, with a wave of his hand introduced + his private secretary who stood by his side, and who at once opened a roll + he held and shouted at the top of a ringing voice: + </p> + <p> + “Silence in Caesar’s name!” + </p> + <p> + The trumpet then sounded for the fourth time, and silence so complete fell + on the crowded square that the horses of the mounted guard in front of the + Prefect’s house could be heard snorting and champing. + </p> + <p> + “In Caesar’s name,” repeated the official, who had been selected for the + duty of reading the Imperial message. Cynegius himself bent his head, + again waved his hand towards his secretary, and then towards the statues + of the Emperor and Empress which, mounted on gilt standards, were + displayed to the populace on each side of the balcony; then the reading + began: + </p> + <p> + “Theodosius Caesar greets the inhabitants of the great and noble city of + Alexandria, by Cynegius, his faithful ambassador and servant. He knows + that its true and honest citizens confess the Holy Faith in all piety and + steadfastness, as delivered to believers in the beginning by Peter, the + prince of the Apostles; he knows that they hold the true Christian faith, + and abide by the doctrine delivered by the Holy Ghost to the Fathers of + the Church in council at Nicaea. + </p> + <p> + “Theodosius Caesar who, in all humility and pride, claims to be the sword + and shield, the champion and the rampart of the one true faith, + congratulates his subjects of the great and noble city of Alexandria + inasmuch as that most of them have turned from the devilish heresy of + Arius, and have confessed the true Nicaean creed; and he announces to + them, by his faithful and noble servant Cynegius, that this faith and no + other shall be recognized in Alexandria, as throughout his dominions. + </p> + <p> + “In Egypt, as in all his lands and provinces, every doctrine opposed to + this precious creed shall be persecuted, and all who confess, preach or + diffuse any other doctrine shall be considered heretics and treated as + such.” + </p> + <p> + The secretary paused, for loud and repeated shouts of joy broke from the + multitude. Not a dissentient word was heard-indeed, the man who should + have dared to utter one would certainly not have escaped unpunished. It + was not till the herald had several times blown a warning blast that the + reader could proceed, as follows: + </p> + <p> + “It has come to the ears of your Caesar, to the deep grieving of his + Christian soul, that the ancient idolatry, which so long smote mankind + with blindness and kept them wandering far from the gates of Paradise, + still, through the power of the devil, has some temples and altars in your + great and noble city. But because it is grievous to the Christian and + clement heart of the Emperor to avenge the persecutions and death which so + many holy martyrs have endured at the hands of the bloodthirsty and cruel + heathen on their posterity, or on the miscreant and—misbelieving + enemies of our holy faith—and because the Lord hath said ‘vengeance + is mine’—Theodosius Caesar only decrees that the temples of the + heathen idols in this great and noble city of Alexandria shall be closed, + their images destroyed and their altars overthrown. Whosoever shall defile + himself with blood, or slay an innocent beast for sacrifice, or enter a + heathen temple, or perform any religious ceremony therein, or worship any + image of a god made by hands-nay, or pray in any temple in the country or + in the city, shall be at once required to pay a fine of fifteen pounds of + gold; and whosoever shall know of such a crime being committed without + giving information of it, shall be fined to the same amount.”—[Codex + Theodosianus XVI, 10, 10.] + </p> + <p> + The last words were spoken to the winds, for a shout of triumph, louder + and wilder than had ever before been heard even on this favorite + meeting-place of the populace, rent the very skies. Nor did it cease, nor + yield to any trumpet-blast, but rolled on in spreading waves down every + street and alley; it reached the ships in the port, and rang through the + halls of the rich and the hovels of the poor; it even found a dull echo in + the light-house at the point of Pharos, where the watchman was trimming + the lamp for the night; and in an incredibly short time all Alexandria + knew that Caesar had dealt a death-blow to the worship of the heathen + gods. + </p> + <p> + The great and fateful rumor was heard, too, in the Museum and the + Serapeum; once more the youth who had grown up in the high schools of the + city, studying the wisdom of the heathen, gathered together; men who had + refined and purified their intellect at the spring of Greek philosophy and + fired their spirit with enthusiasm for all that was good and lovely in the + teaching of ancient Greece—these obeyed the summons of their master, + Olympius, or flew to arms under the leadership of Orestes, the Governor, + for the High-Priest himself had to see to the defences of the Serapeum.—Olympius + had weapons ready in abundance, and the youths rapidly collected round the + standards he had prepared, and rushed into the square before the Prefect’s + house to drive away the monks and to insist that Cynegius should return + forthwith to Rome with the Emperor’s edict. + </p> + <p> + Young and noble lads were they who marched forth to the struggle, equipped + like the Helleman soldiers of the palmy days of Athens; and as they went + they sang a battle-song of Callinus which some one—who, no one could + tell—had slightly altered for the occasion: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Come, rouse ye Greeks; what, sleeping still! + Is courage dead, is shame unknown? + Start up, rush forth with zealous will, + And smite the mocking Christians down!” + </pre> + <p> + Everything that opposed their progress was overthrown. Two maniples of + foot-soldiers who held the high-road across the Bruchium attempted to turn + them, but the advance of the inflamed young warriors was irresistible and + they reached the street of the Caesareum and the square in front of the + Prefect’s residence. Here they paused to sing the last lines of their + battlesong: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Fate seeks the coward out at home, + He dies unwept, unknown to fame, + While by the hero’s honored tomb + Our grandsons’ grandsons shall proclaim: + ‘In the great conflict’s fiercest hour + He stood unmoved, our shield and tower.’” + </pre> + <p> + It was here, at the wide opening into the square, that the collision took + place: on one side the handsome youths, crowned with garlands, with their + noble Greek type of heads, thoughtful brows, perfumed curls, and anointed + limbs exercised in the gymnasium—on the other the sinister fanatics + in sheep-skin, ascetic visionaries grown grey in fasting, scourging, and + self-denial. + </p> + <p> + The monks now prepared to meet the onset of the young enthusiasts who were + fighting for freedom of thought and enquiry, for Art and Beauty. Each side + was defending what it felt to be the highest Good, each was equally in + earnest as to its convictions, both fought for something dearer and more + precious than this earthly span of existence. But the philosophers’ party + had swords; the monks’ sole weapon was the scourge, and they were + accustomed to ply that, not on each other but on their own rebellious + flesh. A wild and disorderly struggle began with swingeing blows on both + sides; prayers and psalms mingling with the battle-song of the heathen. + Here a monk fell wounded, there one lay dead, there again lay a fine and + delicate-looking youth, felled by the heavy fist of a recluse. A hermit + wrestled hand to hand with a young philosopher who, only yesterday had + delivered his first lecture on the Neo-Platonism of Plotinus to an + interested audience. + </p> + <p> + And in the midst of this mad struggle stood Agne with her little brother, + who clung closely to her skirts and was too terrified to shed a tear or + utter a cry. The girl was resolutely calm, but she was too utterly + terror-stricken even to pray. Fear, absorbing fear had stunned her + thoughts; it overmastered her like some acute physical pain which began in + her heart and penetrated every fibre of her frame. + </p> + <p> + Even while the Imperial message was being read she had been too frightened + to take it all in; and now she simply shut her eyes tight and hardly + understood what was going on around her, till a new and different noise + sounded close in her ears: the clatter of hoofs, blare of trumpets and + shouts and screams. At last the tumult died away and, when she ventured to + open her eyes and look about her, the place all round her was as clear as + though it had been swept by invisible hands; here and there lay a dead + body and there still was a dense crowd in the street leading to the + Caesareum, but even that was dispersing and retreating before the advance + of a mounted force. + </p> + <p> + She breathed freely once more, and released the child’s head from the + skirt of her dress in which he had wrapped and buried it. The end of her + alarms was not yet come, however, for a troop of the young heathen came + flying across the square in wild retreat before a division of the heavy + cavalry, which had intervened to part the combatants. + </p> + <p> + The fugitives came straight towards her; again she closed her eyes + tightly, expecting every instant to find herself under the horses’ feet. + Then one of the runaways knocked down Papias, and she could bear no more; + her senses deserted her, her knees failed under her, she lost + consciousness, and with a dull groan she fell on the dusty pavement. Close + to her, as she lay, rushed the pursued and the pursuers—and at last, + how long after she knew not, when she recovered her senses she felt as if + she were floating in the air, and presently perceived that a soldier had + her in his arms and was carrying her like a child. + </p> + <p> + Fresh alarms and fresh shame overwhelmed the poor girl; she tried to free + herself and found him quite ready to set her down. When she was once more + on her feet and felt that she could stand she glanced wildly round her + with sudden recollection, and then uttered a hoarse cry, for her mouth and + tongue were parched: + </p> + <p> + “Christ Jesus! Where is my brother?” She pushed back her hair with a + desperate gesture, pressing her hands to her temples and peering all round + her with a look of fevered misery. + </p> + <p> + She was still in the square and close to the door of the Prefect’s house; + a man on horseback, in all probability her preserver’s servant, was + following them, leading his master’s horse. On the pavement lay wounded + men groaning with pain; the street of the Caesareum was lined with a + double row of footsoldiers of Papias no sign! + </p> + <p> + Again she called him, and with such deep anguish in her voice, which was + harsh and shrill with terror, that the young officer looked at her with + extreme compassion. + </p> + <p> + “Papias, Papias—my little brother! O God my Saviour!—where, + where is the child?” + </p> + <p> + “We will have him sought for,” said the soldier whose voice was gentle and + kind. “You are too young and pretty—what brought you into this crowd + and amid such an uproar?” + </p> + <p> + She colored deeply and looking down answered low and hurriedly: “I was + going to see the Bishop.” + </p> + <p> + “You chose an evil hour,” replied Constantine, for it was he who had found + her lying on the pavement and who had thought it only an act of mercy not + to trust so young and fair a girl to the protection of his followers. “You + may thank God that you have got off so cheaply. Now, I must return to my + men. You know where the Bishop lives? Yes, here. And with regard to your + little brother.... Stay; do you live in Alexandria?” “No, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have some relation or friend whom you lodge with?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord. I am... I have... I told you, I only want to see my lord the + Bishop.” + </p> + <p> + “Very strange! Well, take care of yourself. My time is not my own; but + by-and-bye, in a very short time, I will speak to the city watchmen; how + old is the boy?” + </p> + <p> + “Nearly six.” + </p> + <p> + “And with black hair like yours?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord—fair hair,” and as she spoke the tears started to her + eyes. “He has light curly hair and a sweet, pretty little face.” + </p> + <p> + The prefect smiled and nodded. “And if they find him,” he went on, + “Papias, you say, is his name where is he to be taken?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, my lord, for—and yet! Oh! my head aches, I cannot + think—if only I knew.... If they find him he must come here—here + to my lord the Bishop.” + </p> + <p> + “To Theophilus?” said Constantine in surprise. “Yes, yes—to him,” + she said hastily. “Or—stay—to the gate-keeper at the Bishop’s + palace.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is less aristocratic, but perhaps it is more to the purpose,” + said the officer; and with a sign to his servant, he twisted his hand in + his horse’s mane, leaped into the saddle, waved her a farewell, and + rejoined his men without paying any heed to her thanks. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> + <p> + There was much bustle and stir in the hall of the Episcopal palace. + Priests and monks were crowding in and out; widows, who, as deaconesses, + were entrusted with the care of the sick, were waiting, bandages in hand, + and discussing their work and cases, while acolytes lifted the wounded on + to the litters to carry them to the hospitals. + </p> + <p> + The deacon Eusebius, whom we have met as the spiritual adviser of Marcus, + was superintending the good work, and he took particular care that as much + attention should be shown to the wounded heathen as to the Christians. + </p> + <p> + In front of the building veterans of the twenty-first legion paced up and + down in the place of the ordinary gate-keepers, who were sufficient + protection in times of peace. + </p> + <p> + Agne looked in vain for any but soldiers, but at last she slipped in + unobserved among the men and women who were tending the wounded. She was + terribly thirsty, and seeing one of the widows mixing some wine and water + and offer it to one of the wounded men who pushed it away, she took + courage and begged the deaconess to give her a drink. The woman handed her + the cup at once, asking to whom she belonged that she was here. + </p> + <p> + “I want to see my lord, the Bishop,” replied Agne, but then correcting + herself, she added hastily: “If I could see the Bishop’s gate-keeper, I + might speak to him.” + </p> + <p> + “There he is,” said the deaconess, pointing to an enormously tall man + standing in the darkest and remotest corner of the hall. The darkness + reminded her for the first time that it was now evening. Night was drawing + on, and then where could she take refuge and find shelter? She shuddered + and simply saying: “Thank you,” she went to the man who had been pointed + out to her and begged that if her little brother should be found and + brought to him, he would take charge of him. + </p> + <p> + “To be sure,” said the big man good-naturedly. “He can be taken to the + orphanage of the ‘Good Samaritan’ if they bring him here, and you can + enquire for him there.” + </p> + <p> + She then made so bold as to ask if she could see a priest; but for this + she was directed to go to the church, as all those who were immediately + attached to the Bishop were to-day fully occupied, and had no time for + trifles. Agne, however, persisted in her request till the man lost + patience altogether and told her to be off at once; but at this instant + three ecclesiastics came in at the door by which her friend was on guard, + and Agne, collecting all her courage, went up to one of them, a priest of + advanced age, and besought him urgently: + </p> + <p> + “Oh! reverend Father, I beg of you to hear me. I must speak to a priest, + and that man drives me away and says you none of you have time to attend + to me!” + </p> + <p> + “Did he say that!” asked the priest, and he turned angrily on the culprit + saying: “The Church and her ministers never lack time to attend to the + needs of any faithful soul—I will follow you, brothers.—Now, + my child, what is it that you need?” + </p> + <p> + “It lies so heavily on my soul,” replied Agne, raising her eyes and hands + in humble supplication. “I love my Saviour, but I cannot always do exactly + as I should wish, and I do not know how I ought to act so as not to fall + into sin.” + </p> + <p> + “Come with me,” said the priest, and leading the way across a small + garden, he took her into a wide open court and from thence in at a side + door and up a flight of stairs which led to the upper floor. As she + followed him her heart beat high with painful and yet hopeful excitement. + She kept her hands tightly clasped and tried to pray, but she could hardly + control her thoughts of her brother and of all she wanted to say to the + presbyter. + </p> + <p> + They presently entered a lofty room where the window-shutters were closed, + and where a number of lamps, already lighted, were hanging over the + cushioned divans on which sat rows of busy scribes of all ages. + </p> + <p> + “Here we are,” said the priest kindly, as he seated himself in an + easy-chair at some little distance from the writers. “Now, tell me fully + what troubles you; but as briefly as you can, for I am sparing you these + minutes from important business.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” she began, “my parents were freeborn, natives of Augusta + Trevirorum. My father was a collector of tribute in the Emperor’s service + ...” + </p> + <p> + “Very good—but has this anything to do with the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, it has. My father and mother were good Christians and in the + riots at Antioch—you remember, my lord, three years ago—they + were killed and I and my brother—Papias is his name...” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes—go on.” + </p> + <p> + “We were sold. My master paid for us—I saw the money; but he did not + treat us as slaves. But now he wants me—he, Sir, is wholly devoted + to the heathen gods-and he wants me...” + </p> + <p> + “To serve his idols?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, reverend Father, and so we ran away.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right, my child.” + </p> + <p> + “But the scriptures say that the slave shall obey his master?” + </p> + <p> + “True; but higher than the master in the flesh is the Father in Heaven, + and it is better a thousand times to sin against man than against God.” + </p> + <p> + This conversation had been carried on in an undertone on account of the + scribes occupied at the desks; but the priest raised his voice with his + last words, and he must have been heard in the adjoining room, for a heavy + curtain of plain cloth was opened, and an unusually deep and powerful + voice exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Back again already, Irenaeus! That is well; I want to speak with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Immediately, my lord—I am at your service in a moment.—Now, + my child,” he added, rising, “you know what your duty is. And if your + master looks you up and insists on your assisting at the sacrifice or what + ever it may be, you will find shelter with us. My name is Irenaeus.” + </p> + <p> + Here he was again interrupted, for the curtain was lifted once more and a + man came out of the inner room whom no one could forget after having once + met him. It was the Bishop whom Agne had seen on the balcony; she + recognized him at once, and dropped on her knees to kiss the hem of his + robe in all humility. Theophilus accepted the homage as a matter of + course, hastily glancing at the child with his large keen eyes; Agne not + daring to raise hers, for there was certainly something strangely + impressive in his aspect. Then, with a wave of his long thin hand to + indicate Agne, he asked: + </p> + <p> + “What does this girl want?” + </p> + <p> + “A freeborn girl—parents Christian—comes from Antioch...” + replied Irenaeus. “Sold to a heathen master—commanded to serve idols—has + run away and now has doubts...” + </p> + <p> + “You have told her to which Lord her service is due?” interrupted the + Bishop. Then, turning to Agne, he said: “And why did you come here instead + of going to the deacon of your own church?” + </p> + <p> + “We have only been here a few days,” replied the girl timidly, as she + ventured to raise her eyes to the handsome face of this princely prelate, + whose fine, pale features looked as if they had been carved out of marble. + </p> + <p> + “Then go to partake of the sacred Eucharist in the basilica of Mary,” + replied the Bishop. “It is just now the hour—but no, stop. You are a + stranger here you say; you have run away from your master—and you + are young, very young and very.... It is dark too. Where are you intending + to sleep?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said Agne, and her eyes filled with tears. + </p> + <p> + “That is what I call courage!” murmured Theophilus to the priest, and then + he added to Agne: “Well, thanks to the saints, we have asylums for such as + you, here in the city. That scribe will give you a document which will + secure your admission to one. So you come from Antioch? Then there is the + refuge of Seleucus of Antioch. To what parish—[Parochia in Latin]—did + your parents belong?” + </p> + <p> + “To that of John the Baptist?” + </p> + <p> + “Where Damascius was the preacher?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, holy Father. He was the shepherd of our souls.” + </p> + <p> + “What! Damascius the Arian?” cried the Bishop. He drew his fine and + stately figure up to its most commanding height and closed his thin lips + in august contempt, while Irenaeus, clasping his hands in horror, asked + her: + </p> + <p> + “And you—do you, too, confess the heresy of Arius?” + </p> + <p> + “My parents were Arians,” replied Agne in much surprise. “They taught me + to worship the godlike Saviour.” + </p> + <p> + “Enough!” exclaimed the Bishop severely. “Come Irenaeus.” + </p> + <p> + He nodded to the priest to follow him, opened the curtain and went in + first with supreme dignity. + </p> + <p> + Agne stood as if a thunderbolt had fallen, pale, trembling and desperate. + Then was she not a Christian? Was it a sin in a child to accept the creed + of her parents? And were those who, after charitably extending a saving + hand, had so promptly withdrawn it—were they Christians in the full + meaning of the All-merciful Redeemer? + </p> + <p> + Agonizing doubts of everything that she had hitherto deemed sacred and + inviolable fell upon her soul; doubts of everything in heaven and earth, + and not merely of Christ and of his godlike, or divine goodness—for + what difference was there to her apprehension in the meaning of the two + words which set man to hunt and persecute man? In the distress and + hopeless dilemma in which she found herself, she shed no tears; she simply + stood rooted to the spot where she had heard the Bishop’s verdict. + </p> + <p> + Presently her attention was roused by the shrill voice of an old writer + who called out to one of the younger assistants. + </p> + <p> + “That girl disturbs me, Petubastis; show her out.” Petubastis, a pretty + Egyptian lad, was more than glad of an interruption to his work which + somehow seemed endless to-day; he put aside his implements, stroked back + the black hair that had fallen over his face, and removing the reed-pen + from behind his ear, stuck in a sprig of dark blue larkspur. Then he + tripped to the door, opened it, looked at the girl with the cool impudence + of a connoisseur in beauty, bowed slightly, and pointing the way out said + with airified politeness: + </p> + <p> + “Allow me!” + </p> + <p> + Agne at once obeyed and with a drooping head left the room; but the young + Egyptian stole out after her, and as soon as the door was shut he seized + her hand and said in a whisper: “If you can wait half an hour at the + bottom of the stairs, pretty one, I will take you somewhere where you will + enjoy yourself.” + </p> + <p> + She had stopped to listen, and looked enquiringly into his face, for she + had no suspicion of his meaning; the young fellow, encouraged by this, + laid his hand on her shoulder and would have drawn her towards him but + that she, thrusting him from her as if he were some horrible animal, flew + down the steps as fast as her feet could carry her, and through the + courtyard back into the great entrance-hall. + </p> + <p> + Here all was, by this time, dark and still; only a few lamps lighted the + pillared space and the flare of a torch fell upon the benches placed there + for the accommodation of priests, laymen and supplicants generally. + </p> + <p> + Utterly worn out—whether by terror or disappointment or by hunger + and fatigue she scarcely knew—she sank on a seat and buried her face + in her hands. + </p> + <p> + During her absence the wounded had been conveyed to the sick-houses; one + only was left whom they had not been able to move. He was lying on a + mattress between two of the columns at some little distance from Agne, and + the light of a lamp, standing on a medicine-chest, fell on his handsome + but bloodless features. A deaconess was kneeling at his head and gazed in + silence in the face of the dead, while old Eusebius crouched prostrate by + his side, resting his cheek on the breast of the man whose eyes were + sealed in eternal sleep. Two sounds only broke the profound silence of the + deserted hall: an occasional faint sob from the old man and the steady + step of the soldiers on guard in front of the Bishop’s palace. The widow, + kneeling with clasped hands, never took her eyes off the face of the + youth, nor moved for fear of disturbing the deacon who, as she knew, was + praying—praying for the salvation of the heathen soul snatched away + before it could repent. Many minutes passed before the old man rose, dried + his moist eyes, pressed his lips to the cold hand of the dead and said + sadly: + </p> + <p> + “So young—so handsome—a masterpiece of the Creator’s hand!... + Only to-day as gay as a lark, the pride and joy of his mother-and now! How + many hopes, how much triumph and happiness are extinct with that life. O + Lord my Saviour, Thou hast said that not only those who call Thee Lord, + Lord, shall find grace with our Father in Heaven, and that Thou hast shed + Thy blood for the salvation even of the heathen—save, redeem this + one! Thou that are the Good Shepherd, have mercy on this wandering sheep!” + </p> + <p> + Stirred to the bottom of his soul the old man threw up his arms and gazed + upwards rapt in ecstasy. But presently, with an effort, he said to the + deaconess: + </p> + <p> + “You know, Sister, that this lad was the only son of Berenice, the widow + of Asclepiodorus, the rich shipowner. Poor, bereaved mother! Only + yesterday he was driving his guadriga out of the gate on the road to + Marea, and now—here! Go and tell her of this terrible occurrence. I + would go myself but that, as I am a priest, it might be painful to her to + learn of his tragic end from one of the very men against whom the poor + darkened youth had drawn the sword. So do you go, Sister, and treat the + poor soul very tenderly; and if you find it suitable show her very gently + that there is One who has balm for every wound, and that we—we and + all who believe in Him—lose what is dear to us only to find it + again. Tell her of hope: Hope is everything. They say that green is the + color of hope, for it is the spring-tide of the heart. There may be a + Spring for her yet.” + </p> + <p> + The deaconess rose, pressed a kiss on the eyes of the dead youth, promised + Eusebius that she would do her best and went away. He, too, was about to + leave when he heard a sound of low sobbing from one of the benches. He + stood still to listen, shook his old head, and muttering to himself: + </p> + <p> + “Great God—merciful and kind.... Thou alone canst know wherefore + Thou hast set the rose-garland of life with so many sharp thorns,” he went + up to Agne who rose at his approach. + </p> + <p> + “Why, my child,” he said kindly, “what are you weeping for? Have you, too, + lost some dear one killed in the fray?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she hastily replied with a gesture of terror at the thought. + </p> + <p> + “What then do you want here at so late an hour?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing—nothing,” she said. “That is all over! Good God, how long I + must have been sitting here—I—I know I must go; yes, I know + it.” + </p> + <p> + “And are you alone-no one with you?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head sadly. The old man looked at her narrowly. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will take you safe home,” he said. “You see I am an old man and a + priest. Where do you live, my child?” + </p> + <p> + “I? I...” stammered Agne, and a torrent of scalding tears fell down her + cheeks. “My God! my God! where, where am I to go?” + </p> + <p> + “You have no home, no one belonging to you?” asked the old man. “Come, + child, pluck up your courage and tell me truly what it is that troubles + you; perhaps I may be able to help you.” + </p> + <p> + “You?” she said with bitter melancholy. “Are not you one of the Bishop’s + priests?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a deacon, and Theophilus is the head of my church; but for that very + reason...” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Agne sharply, “I will deceive no one. My parents were Arians, + and as my beliefs are the same as theirs the Bishop has driven me away as + an outcast, finally and without pity.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” said Eusebius. “Did the Bishop do that? Well, as the head of a + large community of Christians he, of course, is bound to look at things in + their widest aspect; small things, small people can be nothing to him. I, + on the contrary, am myself but a small personage, and I care for small + things. You know, child, that the Lord has said ‘that in his Father’s + kingdom there are many mansions,’ and that in which Arius dwells is not + mine; but it is in the Father’s kingdom nevertheless. It cannot be so much + amiss after all that you should cling to the creed of your parents. What + is your name?” + </p> + <p> + “Agne.” + </p> + <p> + “Agne, or the lamb. A pretty, good name! It is a name I love, as I, too, + am a shepherd, though but a very humble one, so trust yourself to me, + little lamb. Tell me, why are you crying? And whom do you seek here? And + how is it that you do not know where to find a home?” + </p> + <p> + Eusebius spoke with such homely kindness, and his voice was so full of + fatherly sympathy that hope revived in Agne’s breast, and she told him + with frank confidence all he wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + The old man listened with many a “Hum” and “Ha”—then he bid her + accompany him to his own house, where his wife would find a corner that + she might fill. + </p> + <p> + She gladly agreed, and thanked him eagerly when he also told the + doorkeeper to bring Papias after them if he should be found. Relieved of + the worst of her griefs, Agne followed her new friend through the streets + and lanes, till they paused at the gate of a small garden and he said: + “Here we are. What we have we give gladly, but it is little, very little. + Indeed, who can bear to live in luxury when so many are perishing in want + and misery?” + </p> + <p> + As they went across the plot, between the little flower-beds, the deacon + pointed to a tree and said with some pride: “Last year that tree bore me + three hundred and seven peaches, and it is still healthy and productive.” + </p> + <p> + A hospitable light twinkled in the little house at the end of the garden, + and as they entered a queer-looking dog came out to meet his master, + barking his welcome. He jumped with considerable agility on his fore-legs, + but his hind legs were paralyzed and his body sloped away and stuck up in + the air as though it were attached to an invisible board. + </p> + <p> + “This is my good friend Lazarus,” said the old man cheerfully. “I found + the poor beggar in the road one day, and as he was one of God’s creatures, + although he is a cripple, I comfort myself with the verse from the Psalms: + ‘The Lord has no joy in the strength of a horse, neither taketh he + pleasure in any man’s legs.’” + </p> + <p> + He was so evidently content and merry that Agne could not help laughing + too, and when, in a few minutes, the deacon’s wife gave her a warm and + motherly reception she would have been happier than she had been for a + long time past, if only her little brother had not been a weight on her + mind and if she had not longed so sadly to have him safe by her side. But + even that anxiety presently found relief, for she was so weary and + exhausted that, after eating a few mouthfuls, she was thankful to lie down + in the clean bed that Elizabeth had prepared for her, and she instantly + fell asleep. She was in the old deacon’s bed, and he made ready to pass + the night on the couch in his little sitting-room. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the old couple were alone Eusebius told his wife how and where + he had met the girl and ended by saying: + </p> + <p> + “It is a puzzling question as to these Arians and other Christian + heretics. I cannot be hard on them so long as they cling faithfully to the + One Lord who is necessary to all. If we are in the right—and I + firmly believe that we are—and the Son is of one substance of the + Father, he is without spot or blemish; and what can be more divine than to + overlook the error of another if it concerns ourselves, or what more + meanly human than to take such an error amiss and indulge in a cruel or + sanguinary revenge on the erring soul? Do not misunderstand me. I, + unfortunately—or rather, I say, thank God!—I have done nothing + great here on earth, and have never risen to be anything more than a + deacon. But if a boy comes up to me and mistakes me for an acolyte or + something of that kind, is that a reason why I should flout or punish him? + Not a bit of it. + </p> + <p> + “And to my belief our Saviour is too purely divine to hate those who + regard Him as only ‘God-like.’ He is Love. And when Arius goes to Heaven + and sees Jesus Christ in all His divine glory, and falls down before Him + in an ecstasy of joy and repentance, the worst the Lord will do to him + will be to take him by the ear and say: ‘Thou fool! Now thou seest what I + really am; but thine errors be forgiven!’” + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth nodded assent. “Amen,” she said, “so be it.—And so, no + doubt, it will be. Did the Lord cast out the woman taken in adultery? Did + he not give us the parable of the Samaritan?—Poor little girl! We + have often wished for a daughter and now we have found one; a pretty + creature she is too. God grants us all our wishes! But you must be tired, + old man; go to rest now.” + </p> + <p> + “Directly, directly,” said Eusebius; but then, striking his forehead with + his hand, he went on in much annoyance: “And with all this tumult and + worry I had quite forgotten the most important thing of all: Marcus! He is + like a possessed creature, and if I do not make a successful appeal to his + conscience before he sleeps this night mischief will come of it. Yes, I am + very tired; but duty before rest. It is of no use to contradict me, + Mother. Get me my cloak; I must go to the lad.” And a few minutes later + the old man was making his way to the house in the Canopic street. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> + <p> + Dread and anxiety had taken possession of the merchant’s household after + Constantine had left them. Messengers came hurrying in, one after another, + to request the presence of Olympius. A heathen secretary of Evagrius the + Governor, had revealed what was astir, and the philosopher had at once + prepared to return to the Serapeum. Porphyrius himself ordered his closed + harmamaxa to be brought out, and undertook to fetch weapons and standards + to the temple from a storehouse where they were laid by. This building + stood on a plot of ground belonging to him in Rhacotis, behind a + timber-yard which was accessible from the streets in front and behind, but + sheltered from the public gaze by sheds and wood-stacks. + </p> + <p> + The old aqueduct, which supplied the courts of sacrifice and the + Subterranean crypts of the temple where the mysteries of Serapis were + celebrated, passed close by the back-wall of this warehouse. Since the + destruction of the watercourse, under the Emperor Julian, the underground + conduit had been dry and empty, and a man by slightly stooping could + readily pass through it unseen into the Serapeum. This mysterious passage + had lately been secretly cleared out, and it was now to be used for the + transport of the arms to the temple precincts. + </p> + <p> + Damia had been present at the brief but vehement interview between her son + and Olympius, and had thrown in a word now and again: “It is serious, very + serious!” or, “Fight it out—no quarter!” + </p> + <p> + The parting was evidently a very painful one to Olympius; when the + merchant held out both his hands the older man clasped them in his and + held them to his breast, saying: “Thanks, my friend; thanks for all you + have done. We have lived—and if now we perish it is for the future + happiness of our grandchildren. What would life be to you and me if it + were marred by scourgings and questionings?—The omens read ill, and + if I am not completely deceived we are at the beginning of the end. What + lies beyond!... we as philosophers must meet it calmly. The supreme Mind + that governs us has planned the universe so well, that it is not likely + that those things of which we now have no knowledge should not also be + ordered for the best. The pinions of my soul beat indeed more freely and + lightly as I foresee the moment when it shall be released from the burden + of this flesh!” + </p> + <p> + The High-Priest raised his arms as though indeed he were prepared to soar + and uttered a fervent and inspired prayer in which he rehearsed to the + gods all that he and his had done in their honor and vowed to offer them + fresh sacrifices. His expressions were so lofty, and his flow of language + so beautiful and free, that Porphyrius did not dare to interrupt him, + though this long delay on the part of the leader of the cause made him + intolerably anxious. When the old man—who was as emotional as a boy—ceased + speaking, his white beard was wet with tears, and seeing that even Damia’s + and Gorgo’s eyes were moist, he was preparing to address them again; but + Porphyrius interposed. He gave him time only to press his lips to Datnia’s + hand and to bid Gorgo farewell. + </p> + <p> + “You were born into stirring times,” he said to her, “but under a good + sign. Two worlds are in collision; which shall survive?—For you, my + darling, I have but one wish: May you be happy!” + </p> + <p> + He left the room and the merchant paced up and down lost in gloomy + thoughts. Presently, as he caught his mother’s eye fixed uneasily upon + him, he murmured, less to her than to himself: “If he can think thus of + what the end will be, who can still dare to hope?” Damia drew herself up + in her chair. + </p> + <p> + “I,” she exclaimed passionately, “I—I dare, and I do hope and trust + in the future. Is everything to perish which our forefathers planned and + founded? Is this dismal superstition to overwhelm and bury the world and + all that is bright and beautiful, as the lava stream rolled over the + cities of Vesuvius? No, a thousand times no! Our retrograde and cowardly + generation, which has lost all heart to enjoy life in sheer dread of + future annihilation, may perhaps be doomed by the gods, as was that of + Deucalion’s day. Well—if so, what must be must! But such a world as + they dream of never can, never will last. Let them succeed in their + monstrous scheme! if the Temple of temples, the House of Serapis, were to + be in ashes and the image of the mighty god to be dashed to pieces, what + then.... I say what then? Then indeed everything will be at an end—we, + everybody; but they too, they, too, will perish.” + </p> + <p> + She clenched her fist with hatred and revenge and went on: “I know what I + know—there are legible and infallible signs, and it is given to me + to interpret them, and I tell you: It is true, unerringly true, as every + Alexandrian child has learnt from its nurse: When Serapis falls the earth + will collapse like a dry puff-ball under a horse’s hoof. A hundred oracles + have announced it, it is written in the prophecies of the heavenly bodies, + and in the scroll of Fate. Let them be! Let it come! The end is sweet to + those who, in the hour of death, can see the enemy thrust the sword into + his own breast.” + </p> + <p> + The old woman sank back panting and gasping for breath, but Gorgo hastened + to support her in her arms and she soon recovered. Hardly had she opened + her eyes again than, seeing her son still in the room, she went on + angrily: + </p> + <p> + “You—here still? Do you think there is any time to spare? They will + be waiting, waiting for you! You have the key and they need weapons.” + </p> + <p> + “I know what I am about,” replied Porphyrius calmly. “All in good time. I + shall be on the spot long before the youngsters have assembled. Cyrus will + bring me the pass-words and signs; I shall send off the messengers, and + then I shall still be in time for action.” + </p> + <p> + “Messengers! To whom?” + </p> + <p> + “To Barkas. He is at the head of more than a thousand Libyan peasants and + slaves. I shall send one, too, to Pachomius to bid him win us over + adherents among the Biamite fishermen and the population of the eastern + Delta.” + </p> + <p> + “Right, right—I know. Twenty talents—Pachomius is poor—twenty + talents shall be his, out of my private coffer, if only they are here in + time.” + </p> + <p> + “I would give ten, thirty times as much if they were only here now!” cried + the merchant, giving way for the first time to the expression of his real + feelings. “When I began life my father taught me the new superstitions. + Its chains still hang about me; but in this fateful hour I feel more + strongly than ever, and I mean to show, that I am faithful to the old + gods. We will not be wanting; but alas! there is no escape for us now if + the Imperial party are staunch. If they fall upon us before Barkas can + join us, all is lost; if, on the contrary, Barkas comes at once and in + time, there is still some hope; all may yet be well. What can a party of + monks do? And as yet only our Constantine’s heavy cavalry have come to the + assistance of the two legions of the garrison.” + </p> + <p> + “Our Constantine!” shrieked Damia. “Whose? I ask you, whose? We have + nothing to do with that miserable Christian!” + </p> + <p> + But Gorgo turned upon her at once: + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, grandmother,” she exclaimed, quivering with rage, “but we have! + He is a soldier and must do his duty; but he is fondly attached to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Us, us?” retorted the old woman with a laugh. “Has he sworn love to you, + let me ask? Has he? and you-do you believe him, simple fool? I know him, I + know him! Why, for a scrap of bread and a drop of wine from the hand of + his priest he would see you and all of us plunged into misery! But see, + here are the messengers.” + </p> + <p> + Porphyrius gave his instructions to the young men who now entered the + hall, hurried them off, clasped Gorgo in a tender embrace and then bent + over his mother to kiss her—a thing he had not done for many a day. + Old Damia laid aside her stick, and taking her son’s face in both her + withered hands, muttered a few words which were half a fond appeal and + half a magical formula, and then the women were alone. For a long while + both were silent. The old woman sat sunk in her arm-chair while Gorgo + stood with her back against the pedestal of a bust of Plato, gazing + meditatively at the ground. At last it was Damia who spoke, asking to be + carried into the women’s rooms. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo, however, stopped her with a gesture, went close to her and said: + “No, wait a minute, mother; first you must hear what I have to say.” + </p> + <p> + “What you have to say?” asked her grandmother, shrugging her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I have never deceived you; but one thing I have hitherto concealed + from you because I was never till this morning sure of it myself—now + I am. Now I know that I love him.” + </p> + <p> + “The Christian?” said the old woman, pushing aside a shade that screened + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Constantine; I will not hear you abuse him.” Damia laughed sharply, + and said in a tone of supreme scorn: + </p> + <p> + “You will not? Then you had better stop your ears, my dear, for as long as + my tongue can wag....” + </p> + <p> + “Hush, grandmother, say no more,” said the girl resolutely. “Do not + provoke me with more than I can bear. Eros has pierced me later than he + does most girls and has done it but once, but how deeply you can never + know. If you speak ill of him you only aggravate the wound and you would + not be so cruel! Do not—I entreat you; drop the subject or else...” + </p> + <p> + “Or else?” + </p> + <p> + “Or else I must die, mother—and you know you love me.” + </p> + <p> + Her tone was soft but firm; her words referred to the future, but that + future was as clear to Gorgo’s view as if it were past. Damia gave a + hasty, sidelong glance at her grandchild, and a cold chill ran through + her; the—girl stood and spoke with an air of inspiration—she + was full of the divinity as Damia thought, and the old woman herself felt + as though she were in a temple and in the immediate presence of the + Immortals. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo waited for a reply, but in vain; and as her grandmother remained + silent she went back to her place by the pedestal. At last Damia raised + her wrinkled face, looked straight in the girl’s eyes and asked: + </p> + <p> + “And what is to be the end of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye—what?” said Gorgo gloomily and she shook her head. “I ask + myself and can find no answer, for his image is ever present to me and yet + walls and mountains stand between us. That face, that image—I might + perhaps force myself to shatter it; but nothing shall ever induce me to + let it be defiled or disgraced! Nothing!” + </p> + <p> + The old woman sank into brooding thought once more; mechanically she + repeated Gorgo’s last word, and at intervals that gradually became longer + she murmured, at last scarcely audibly: “Nothing—nothing!” + </p> + <p> + She had lost all sense of time and of her immediate surroundings, and + long-forgotten sorrows crowded on her memory: The dreadful day when a + young freedman—a gifted astronomer and philosopher who had been + appointed her tutor, and whom she had loved with all the passion of a + vehement nature—had been kicked out of her father’s house by slaves, + for daring to aspire to her hand. She had given him up—she had been + forced to do so; and after she was the wife of another and he had risen to + fame, she had never given him any token that she had not forgotten him. + Two thirds of a century lay between that happy and terrible time, and the + present. He had been dead many a long year, and still she remembered him, + and was thinking of him even now. A singular effort of fancy showed her + herself, as she had then been, and Gorgo—whom she saw not with her + bodily eyes, though the girl was standing in front of her—two young + creatures side by side. The two were but one in her vision; the same + anguish that embittered one life now threatened the other. But after all + she, Damia, had dragged this grief after her through the weary decades, + like the iron ball at the end of a chain which keeps the galley-slave to + his place at the oar, and from which he can no more escape than from a + ponderous and ever-present shadow; and Gorgo’s sorrow could not at any + rate be for long, since the end of all things was at hand—it was + coming slowly but with inevitable certainty, nearer and nearer every hour. + </p> + <p> + When had a troop of enthusiastic students and hastily-collected + peasant-soldiers ever been able to snake an effectual stand against the + hosts of Rome? Damia, who only a few minutes since had spoken with such + determined encouragement to her son, had terrible visions of the Imperial + legions putting Olympius to rout, with the Libyans under Barkas and the + Biamite rabble under Pachomius; storming the Serapeum and reducing it to + ruin: Firebrands flying through its sacred halls, the roof giving way, the + vaults falling in; the sublime image of the god—the magnificent work + of Bryaxis—battered by a hail of stones, and sinking to mingle with + the reeking dust. Then a cry rose up from all nature, as though every star + in heaven, every wave of ocean, every leaf of the forest, every blade in + the meadow, every rock on the shore and every grain of sand in the + measureless desert had found a voice; and this universal wail of “Woe, + woe!” was drowned by rolling thunder such as the ear of man had never + heard, and no mortal creature could hear and live. The heavens opened, and + out of the black gulf of death-bearing clouds poured streams of fire; + consuming flames rose to meet it from the riven womb of earth, rushing up + to lick the sky. What had been air turned to fire and ashes, the silver + and gold stars fell crashing from the firmament, and the heavens + themselves bowed and collapsed, burying the ruined earth. Ashes, ashes, + fine grey dusty ashes pervaded space, till presently a hurricane rose and + swept away the chaos of gloom, and vast nothingness yawned before her: a + bottomless abyss—an insatiable throat, swallowing down with greedy + thirst all that was left; till where the world had been, with gods and men + and all their works, there was only nothingness; hideous, inscrutable and + unfathomable. And in it, above it, around it—for what are the + dimensions of nothingness?—there reigned the incomprehensible Unity + of the Primal One, in calm and pitiless self-concentration, beyond—the + Real, nay even beyond the Conceivable—for conception implies + plurality—the Supreme One of the Neo-Platonists to whose school she + belonged. + </p> + <p> + The old woman’s blood ran cold and hot as she pictured the scene; but she + believed in it, and chose to believe in it; “Nothing, nothing...” which + she had begun by muttering, insensibly changed to “Nothingness, + nothingness!” and at last she spoke it aloud. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo stood spellbound as she gazed at her grandmother. What had come over + her? What was the meaning of this glaring eye, this gasping breath, this + awful expression in her face, this convulsive action of her hands? Was she + mad? And what did she mean by “Nothingness, nothingness...” repeated in a + sort of hollow cry? + </p> + <p> + Terrified beyond bearing she laid her hand on Dalnia’s shoulder, saying: + “Mother, mother! wake up! What do you mean by saying ‘nothingness, + nothingness’ in that dreadful way?” + </p> + <p> + Dainia collected her scattered wits, shivered with cold and then said, + dully at first, but with a growing cheerfulness that made Gorgo’s blood + run cold: “Did I say ‘nothingness’? Did I speak of the great void, my + child? You are quick of hearing. Nothingness—well, you have learnt + to think; are you capable of defining the meaning of the word—a + monster that has neither head nor tail, neither front nor back—can + you, I say, define the idea of nothingness?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, mother?” said Gorgo with growing alarm. + </p> + <p> + “No, she does not know, she does not understand,” muttered the old woman + with a dreary smile. “And yet Melampus told me, only yesterday, that you + understood his lesson on conic sections better than many men. Aye, aye, + child; I, too, learnt mathematics once, and I still go through various + calculations every night in my observatory; but to this day I find it + difficult to conceive of a mathematical point. It is nothing and yet it is + something. But the great final nothingness!—And that even is + nonsense, for it can be neither great nor small, and come neither sooner + nor later. Is it not so, my sweet? Think of nothing—who cannot do + that; but it is very hard to imagine nothingness. We can neither of us + achieve that. Not even the One has a place in it. But what is the use of + racking our brains? Only wait till to-morrow or the day after; something + will happen then which will reduce our own precious persons and this + beautiful world to that nothingness which to-day is inconceivable. It is + coming; I can hear from afar the brazen tramp of the airy and incorporeal + monster. A queer sort of giant—smaller than the mathematical point + of which we were speaking, and yet vast beyond all measurement. Aye, aye; + our intelligence, polyp-like, has long arms and can apprehend vast size + and wide extent; but it can no more conceive of nothingness than it can of + infinite space or time. + </p> + <p> + “I was dreaming that this monstrous Nought had come to his kingdom and was + opening a yawning mouth and toothless jaws to swallow its all down into + the throat that it has not got—you, and me, and your young officer, + with this splendid, recreant city and the sky and the earth. Wait, only + wait! The glorious image of Serapis still stands radiant, but the cross + casts an ominous shadow that has already darkened the light over half the + earth! Our gods are an abomination to Caesar, and Cynegius only carries + out his wishes...” + </p> + <p> + Here Damia was interrupted by the steward, who rushed breathless into the + room, exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Lost! All is lost! An edict of Theodosius commands that every temple of + the gods shall be closed, and the heavy cavalry have dispersed our force.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah ha!” croaked the old woman in shrill accents. “You see, you see! There + it is: the beginning of the end! Yes—your cavalry are a powerful + force. They are digging a grave—wide and deep, with room in it for + many: for you, for me, and for themselves, too, and for their Prefect.—Call + Argus, man, and carry me into the Gynaeconitis—[The women’s + apartment]—and there tell us what has happened.” In the women’s room + the steward told all he knew, and a sad tale it was; one thing, however, + gave him some comfort: Olympius was at the Serapeunt and had begun to + fortify the temple, and garrison it with a strong force of adherents. + </p> + <p> + Damia had definitively given up all hope, and hardly heeded this part of + his story, while on Gorgo’s mind it had a startling effect. She loved + Constantine with all the fervor of a first, and only, and long-suppressed + passion; she had repented long since of her little fit of suspicion, and + it would have cost her no perceptible effort to humble her pride, to fly + to him and pray for forgiveness. But she could not—dared not—now, + when everything was at stake, renounce her fidelity to the gods for whose + sake she had let him leave her in anger, and to whom she must cling, cost + what it might; that would be a base desertion. If Olympius were to triumph + in the struggle she might go to her lover and say: “Do you remain a + Christian, and leave me the creed of my childhood, or else open my heart + to yours.” But, as matters now stood, her first duty was to quell her + passion and retrain faithful to the end, even though the cause were lost. + She was Greek to the backbone; she knew it and felt it, and yet her eye + had sparkled with pride as she heard the steward’s tale, and she seemed to + see Constantine at the head of his horsemen, rushing upon the heathen and + driving them to the four winds like a flock of sheep. Her heart beat high + for the foe rather than for her hapless friends—these were but + bruised reeds—those were the incarnation of victorious strength. + </p> + <p> + These divided feelings worried and vexed her; but her grandmother had + suggested a way of reconciling them. Where he commanded victory followed, + and if the Christians should succeed in destroying the image of Serapis + the joints of the world would crack and the earth would crumble away. She + herself was familiar with the traditions and the oracles which with one + consent foretold this doom; she had learnt them as an infant from her + nurse, from the slave-women at the loom, from learned men and astute + philosophers—and to her the horrible prophecy meant a solution of + every contradiction and the bitter-sweet hope of perishing with the man + she loved. + </p> + <p> + As it grew dark another person appeared: the Moschosphragist—[The + examiner of sacrificed animals]—from the temple of Serapis, who, + every day, examined the entrails of a slaughtered beast for Damia; to-day + the augury had been so bad that he was almost afraid of revealing it. But + the old woman, sure of it beforehand, took his soothsaying quite calmly, + and only desired to be carried up to her observatory that she might watch + the risings of the stars. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo remained alone below. From the adjoining workrooms came the + monotonous rattle of the loom at which, as usual, a number of slaves were + working. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the clatter ceased. Damia had sent a slave-girl down to say that + they might leave off work and rest till next day if they chose. She had + ordered that wine should be distributed to them in the great hall, as + freely as at the great festival of Dionysus. + </p> + <p> + All was silent in the Gynaeconitis. The garlands of flowers, which Gorgo + herself had helped some damsels of her acquaintance to twine for the + temple of Isis, lay in a heap-the steward had told her that the venerable + sanctuary was to be closed and surrounded by soldiers. This then put an + end to the festival; and she could have been heartily glad, for it + relieved her of the necessity of defying Constantine; still, it was with + tender melancholy that she thought of the gentle goddess in whose + sanctuary she had so often found comfort and support. She could remember, + as a tiny child, gathering the first flowers in her little garden, and + sticking them in the ground near the tank from which water was fetched for + libations in the temple; with the pocketmoney given her by her elders, she + had bought perfumes to pour on the altars of the divinity; and often when + her heart was heavy she had found relief in prayer before the marble + statue of the goddess. How splendid had the festivals of Isis been, how + gladly and rapturously had she sung in their honor! Almost everything that + had lent poetry and dignity to her childhood had been bound up with Isis + and her sanctuary—and now it was closed and the image of the divine + mother was perhaps lying in fragments in the dirt! + </p> + <p> + Gorgo knew all the lofty ideals which lay at the foundation of the worship + of this goddess; but it was not to them that she had turned for help, but + to the image in whose mystical strength she trusted. And what had already + been done to Isis and her temple might soon be done to Serapis and to his + house. + </p> + <p> + She could not bear the thought, for she had been accustomed to regard the + Serapeum as the very heart of the universe—the centre and fulcrum on + which the balance of the earth depended; to her, Serapis himself was + inseparable from his temple and its atmosphere of magical and mystical + power. Every prophecy, every Sibylline text, every oracle must be false if + the overthrow of that image could remain unpunished—if the + destruction of the universe failed to follow, as surely as a flood ensues + from a breach in a dyke. How indeed could it be otherwise, according to + the explanation which her teacher had given her of the Neo-Platonic + conception of the nature of the god? + </p> + <p> + It was not Serapis but the great and unapproachable One—supreme + above comprehension and sublime beyond conception, for whose majesty every + name was too mean, the fount and crown of Good and Beauty, in whole all + that exists ever has been and ever shall be. He it was who, like a brimful + vessel, overflowed with the quintessence of what we call divine; and from + this effluence emanated the divine Mind, the pure intelligence which is to + the One what light is to the sun. This Mind with its vitality—a life + not of time but of eternity—could stir or remain passive as it + listed; it included a Plurality, while the One was Unity, and forever + indivisible. The concept of each living creature proceeded from the + second: The eternal Mind; and this vivifying and energizing intelligence + comprehended the prototypes of every living being, hence, also, of the + immortal gods—not themselves but their idea or image. And just as + the eternal Mind proceeded from the One, so, in the third place, did the + Soul of the universe proceed from the second; that Soul whose twofold + nature on one side touched the supreme Mind, and, on the other, the baser + world of matter. This was the immortal Aphrodite, cradled in bliss in the + pure radiance of the ideal world and yet unable to free herself from the + gross clay of matter fouled by sensuality and the vehicle of sin. + </p> + <p> + The head of Serapis was the eternal Mind; in his broad breast slept the + Soul of the Universe, and the prototypes of all created things; the world + of matter was the footstool under his feet. All the subordinate forces + obeyed him, the mighty first Cause, whose head towered up to the realm of + the incomprehensible and inconceivable One. He was the sum total of the + universe, the epitome of things created; and at the same time he was the + power which gave them life and intelligence and preserved them from + perishing by perpetual procreation. It was his might that kept the + multiform structure of the material and psychical world in perennial + harmony. All that lived—Nature and its Soul as much as Man and his + Soul—were inseparably dependent on him. If he—if Serapis were + to fall, the order of the universe must be destroyed; and with him: The + Synthesis of the Universe—the Universe itself must cease to exist. + </p> + <p> + But what would survive would not be the nothingness—the void of + which her grandmother had spoken; it would be the One—the cold, + ineffable, incomprehensible One! This world would perish with Serapis; but + perhaps it might please that One to call another world into being out of + his overflowing essence, peopled by other and different beings. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo was startled out of these meditations by a wild tumult which came up + from the slaves’ hall some distance off and reached her ears in the + women’s sitting-room. Could her grandmother have opened the wine stores + all too freely; were the miserable wretches already drunk? + </p> + <p> + No, the noise was not that of a troop of slaves who have forgotten + themselves, and given the rein to their wild revelry under the influence + of Dionysus! She listened and could distinctly hear lamentable howls and + wild cries of grief. Something frightful must have happened! Had some evil + befallen her father? Greatly alarmed she flew across the courtyard to the + slaves’ quarters and found the whole establishment, black and white alike, + in a state of frenzy. The women were rushing about with their hair unbound + over their faces, beating their breasts and wailing, the men squatted in + silence with their wine-cups before them untouched, softly sobbing and + whining. + </p> + <p> + What had come upon them—what blow had fallen on the house? + </p> + <p> + Gorgo called her old nurse and learnt from her that the Moschosphragist + had just told them that the troops had been placed all round the Serapeum + and that the Emperor had commanded the Prefect of the East to lay violent + hands on the temple of the King of gods. Today or to-morrow the crime was + to be perpetrated. They had been warned to pray and repent of their sins, + for at the moment when the holiest sanctuary on earth should fall the + whole world would crumble into nothingness. The entrails of the beast + sacrificed by Damia had been black as though scorched, and a terrific + groan had been heard from the god himself in the great shrine; the pillars + of the great hypostyle had trembled and the three heads of Cerberus, lying + at the feet of Serapis; had opened their jaws. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo listened in silence to the old woman’s story; and all she said in + reply was: “Let them wail.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h2> + <p> + The day had flown swiftly for Dada under the roof of Medius; there were + costumes and scenery in wonderful variety for her to look over; the + children were bright and friendly, and she had enjoyed playing with them, + for all her little tricks and rhymes, which Papias was familiar with by + this time, were to them new and delightful. It amused her, too, to see + what the domestic difficulties were of which the singer had described + himself as being a victim. + </p> + <p> + Medius was one of those men who buy everything that strikes them as cheap—for + instance, that very morning, at Kibotus he had stood to watch a fish + auction and had bought a whole tub-full of pickled fish for “a mere + trifle;” but when, presently, the cargo was delivered, his wife flew into + a great rage, which she vented first on the innocent lad who brought the + fish, and then on the less innocent purchaser. They would not get to the + bottom of the barrel and eat the last herring, she asserted, till they + were a century old. Medius, while he disputed so monstrous a statement, + vehemently declared that such wholesome and nutritious food as those fish + was undoubtedly calculated to prolong the lives of the whole family to an + exceptionally great age. + </p> + <p> + This discussion, which was not at all by way of a jest, amused Dada far + more than the tablets, cylinders and cones covered with numbers and + cabalistic signs, to which Medius tried to direct her attention. She + darted off in the midst of his eager explanations to show his + grandchildren how a rabbit sniffs and moves his ears when he is offered a + cabbage-leaf. + </p> + <p> + The report, which reached them in the afternoon, of the proceedings in the + square by the Prefect’s house, disturbed Medius greatly, and he set off at + once for the scene of action. + </p> + <p> + He did not return till evening, and then he looked like an altered man. He + must have witnessed something very terrible, for his face was as pale as + death, and his usually confident and swaggering manner had given place to + a stricken and care-worn air. He walked up and down the room, groaning as + he went; he flung himself on the divan and stared fixedly at the ground; + he wandered into the atrium and gazed cautiously out on the street. Dada’s + presence seemed suddenly to be the source of much anxiety to him, and the + girl, painfully conscious of this, hastened to tell him that she would + prefer to return home at once to her uncle and aunt. + </p> + <p> + “You can please yourself,” was all he said, with a shrug and a sigh. “You + may stay for aught I care. It is all the same now!” + </p> + <p> + So far his wife had left him to himself, for she was used to his violent + and eccentric behavior whenever anything had crossed him; but now she + peremptorily desired to be informed what had happened to him and he at + once acceded. He had been unwilling to frighten them sooner than was + needful, but they must learn it sooner or later: Cynegius had arrived to + overthrow the image of Serapis, and what must ensue they knew only too + well. “To-day,” he cried, “we will live; but by to-morrow—a thousand + to one-by to-morrow there will be an end of all our joys and the earth + will swallow up the old home and us with it!” + </p> + <p> + His words fell on prepared ground; his wife and daughter were appalled, + and as Medius went on to paint the imminent catastrophe in more vivid + colors, his energy growing in proportion to its effect on them, they began + at first to sob and whimper and then to wail loudly. When the children, + who by this time were in bed, heard the lamentations of their elders, + they, too, set up a howl, and even Dada caught the infection. As for + Medius himself, he had talked himself into such a state of terror by his + own descriptions of the approaching destruction of the world that he + abandoned all claim to his proud reputation as a strong-minded man, and + quite forgot his favorite theory that everything that went by the name of + God was a mere invention of priests and rulers to delude and oppress the + ignorant; at last he even went so far as to mutter a prayer, and when his + wife begged to be allowed to join a family of neighbors in sacrificing a + black lamb at daybreak, he recklessly gave her a handful of money. + </p> + <p> + None of the party closed an eye that night. Dada could not bear to remain + in the house. Perhaps all these horrors existed only in Medius’ fancy; but + if destruction were indeed impending, she would a thousand times rattier + perish with her own relations than with these people, in whom there was + something—she did not know what—for which she felt a deep + aversion. This she explained to her host early in the day and he was ready + to set out at once and restore her to the care of Karnis. + </p> + <p> + In fact, the purpose for which he had needed her must certainly come to + nothing. He himself was attached to the service of Posidonius, a great + magician and wizard, to whom half Alexandria flocked—Christians, + Jews, and heathens—in order to communicate with the dead, with gods + and with demons, to obtain spells and charms by which to attract lovers or + injure foes, to learn the art of becoming invisible, or to gain a glimpse + into the future. In the performance which was being planned Dada was to + have appeared to a bereaved mother as the glorified presence of her lost + daughter; but the disturbance in the city had driven the matron, who was + rich, to take refuge in the country the previous afternoon. Nor was it + likely that the sorcerer’s other clients—even if all turned out + better than could be hoped—would venture into the streets by night. + Rich people were timid and suspicious; and as the Emperor had lately + promulgated fresh and more stringent edicts against the magic arts, + Posidonius had thought it prudent to postpone the meeting. Hence Medius + had at present no use for the girl; but he affected to agree so readily to + her wishes merely out of anxiety to relieve Isarnis as soon as possible of + his uneasiness as to her fate. + </p> + <p> + The morning was bright and hot, and the town was swarming with an excited + mob soon after sunrise. Terror, curiosity and defiance were painted on + every face; however, Medius and his young companion made their way + unhindered as far as the temple of Isis by the lake. The doors of the + sanctuary were closed, and guarded by soldiers; but the southern and + western walls were surrounded by thousands and thousands of heathen. Some + hundreds, indeed, had passed the night there in prayer, or in sheer terror + of the catastrophe which could not fail to ensue, and they were kneeling + in groups, groaning, weeping, and cursing, or squatting in stolid + resignation, weary, crushed and hopeless. It was a heart-rending sight, + and neither Dada—who till this moment had been dreading Dame Herse’s + scolding tongue far more than the destruction of the world—nor her + companion could forbear joining in the wail that rose from this vast + multitude. Medius fell on his knees groaning aloud and pulled the girl + down beside him; for, upon the wall that enclosed the temple precincts, + they now saw a priest who, after holding the sacred Sistrum up to view and + muttering some unintelligible prayers and invocations, proceeded to + address the people. + </p> + <p> + He was a short stout man, and the sweat streamed down his face as he stood + under the blazing sun to sketch a fearful picture of the monstrous doom + which was hanging over the city and its inhabitants. He spoke with pompous + exaggeration, in a shrill, harsh voice, wiping his face meanwhile with his + white linen robe or gasping for air, when breath failed him, like a fish + stranded on the beach. All this, however, did not trouble his audience, + for the hatred that inspired his language, and the terror of the immediate + future which betrayed itself in every word exactly reflected their + feelings. Dada alone was moved to mirth; the longer she looked at him the + more she felt inclined to laugh; besides, the day was so bright—a + pigeon on the wall pattered round his mate, nodding and wriggling after + the funny manner of pigeons in love—and, above all, her heart beat + so high and she had such a happy instinctive feeling that all was ordered + for the best, that the world seemed to her a beautiful and fairly secure + dwelling-place, in spite of the dark forebodings of the zealous preacher. + On the eve of destruction the earth must surely look differently from + this; and it struck her as highly improbable that the gods should have + revealed their purpose to such a queer old driveller as this priest, and + have hidden it from other men. The very fact that this burly personage + should prophesy evil with such conviction made her doubt it; and + presently, when the plumes of three or four helmets became visible behind + the speaker, and a pair of strong hands grasped his thick ankles and + suddenly dragged him down from his eminence and back into the temple, she + could hardly keep herself from laughing outright. + </p> + <p> + Now, however, there was more real cause for alarm a trumpet-blast was + heard, and a maniple of the twenty-second legion marched down in close + order on the crowd who fled before them. Medius was one of the first to + make off; Dada kept close to his side, and when, in his alarm, he fairly + took to his heels, she did the same; for, in spite of the reception she + apprehended, she felt that the sooner she could rejoin her own people the + better. Never till now had she known how dear they were to her. Herse + might scold; but her sharpest words were truer and better than the smooth + flattery of Medius. It was a joy to think of seeing them again—Agne, + too, and little Papias—and she felt as though she were about to meet + them after years of separation. + </p> + <p> + By this time they were at the ship-yard, which was divided only by a lane + from the Temple-grove; there lay the barge. Dada pulled off her veil and + waved it in the air, but the signal met with no response. They were at the + house, no doubt, for some men were in the very act of drawing up the + wooden gangway which connected the vessel with the land. Medius hurried + forward and was so fortunate as to overtake the steward, who had been + superintending the operation, before he reached the garden-gate. + </p> + <p> + The old man was rejoiced to see them, and told them at once that his old + mistress had promised Herse to give Dada shelter if she should return to + them. But Dada was proud. She had no liking for Gorgo or her grandmother; + and when she had caught up to Medius, quite out of breath, she positively + refused the old lady’s hospitality. + </p> + <p> + The barge was deserted. Karnis—so the steward informed her—had + withdrawn to the temple of Serapis with his son, intending to assist in + its defence; and Herse had accompanied them, for Olympius had said that + women would be found useful in the beleaguered sanctuary, in preparing + food for the combatants and in nursing the wounded. + </p> + <p> + Dada stood looking at their floating home, utterly disappointed and + discouraged. She longed to follow her aunt and to gain admission to the + Serapeutn; but how could she do this now, and of what use could she hope + to be? There was nothing heroic in her composition, and from her infancy + she had always sickened at the sight of blood. She had no alternative but + to return with Medius, and take refuge under his roof. + </p> + <p> + The singer gave her ample time for reflection; he had seated himself, with + the steward, under the shade of a sycamore, and the two men were absorbed + in convincing each other, by a hundred arguments which they had picked up + during the last day or two, how inevitably the earth must be annihilated + if the statue of Serapis should be overthrown. In the warmth of their + discussion they paid no heed to the young girl, who was sitting on a + fallen Hermes by the road-side. Her vigorous and lively temperament + rendered her little apt to dream, or even meditate, in broad daylight; but + the heat and the recent excitement had overwrought her and she fell into a + drowsy reverie. Now and again, as her heavy head drooped on her breast, + she fancied the Serapeum had actually fallen; then, as she raised it + again, she recovered her consciousness that it was hot, that she had lost + her home, and that she must, however unwillingly, return with Medius. But + at length her eyelids closed, and as she sat in the full blaze of the sun, + a rosy light filled her eyes and a bright vision floated before her: + Marcus took the modius—the corn measure—from the head of the + statue of Serapis and offered it to her; it was quite full of lilies and + roses and violets, and she was delighted with the flowers and thanked him + warmly when he set the modius down before her. He held out his hands to + her calmly and kindly, and she gave him hers, feeling very happy under the + steady, compassionate gaze of his large eyes which had often watched her, + on board ship, for some minutes at a time. She longed to say something to + him, but she could not speak; and she looked on quite unmoved as the + statue of the god and the hall in which it stood were wrapt in flames. No + smoke mingled with this clear and genial blaze, but it compelled her to + shade her dazzled eyes; and as she lifted her hand she woke to see Medius + standing in front of her. + </p> + <p> + He desired her to come home with him at once, and she rose to obey, + listening in silence to his assurances that the lives of Karnis and + Orpheus would not be worth a sesterce if they fell into the hands of the + Roman soldiers. + </p> + <p> + She walked on, more hopeless and depressed than she had ever felt in her + life before, past the unfinished hulks in the ship-yard where no one was + at work to-day when, coming down the lane that divided the wharf from the + temple precincts, she saw an old man and a little boy. She had not time to + ask herself whether she saw rightly or was mistaken before the child + caught sight of her, snatched his hand away from that of his companion, + and flew towards her, shouting her name. In the next moment little Papias + had rushed rapturously into her arms and, as she lifted him up, had thrown + his hands round her neck, clinging to her as if he would never leave go + again, while she hugged him closely for joy, and kissed him with her eyes + full of tears. She was herself again at once; the sad and anxious girl was + the lively Dada once more. + </p> + <p> + The man who had been leading the little boy was immediately besieged with + questions, and from his answers they learnt that he had found the child + the evening before at the corner of a street, crying bitterly; that he had + taken him home, and with some little difficulty had ascertained from him + that he belonged to some people who were living on board a barge, close to + a ship-yard. In spite of the excitement that prevailed he had brought the + child home as soon as possible, for he could fancy how anxious his parents + must be. Dada thanked the kind-hearted artisan with sincere warmth, and + the man, seeing how happy the girl and the child were at having met, went + his way quite satisfied. + </p> + <p> + Medius had stood by and had said nothing, but he looked on the pretty + little boy with much favor. If the earth were not to crumble into + nothingness after all, this child would be a real treasure trove; and when + Dada begged him to find a corner for Papias in his house, though he hinted + at the smallness of his earnings and the limited space at his command, he + yielded, if reluctantly, to her entreaties, on her offering him her gold + brooch to cover his expenses. + </p> + <p> + As they made their way back she cast many loving glances at the child; she + was extremely fond of him, and he seemed a link to bind her to her own + people. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. + </h2> + <p> + The singer’s wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a + black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of + earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the + edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and + rigidly enforced. The more the different members of the family came into + contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that + the end of all things was at hand. As soon as it was dark the old man + buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt + that he—though how or why he knew not—might be exempt from the + common doom. + </p> + <p> + The night was warm, and great and small alike slept—or lay awake—under + the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the + next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the + scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in + the singer’s garden. Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could + not be still. + </p> + <p> + He rushed off to the town again and again, but only to return each time to + enhance the anguish of the household by relating all sorts of horrors + which he had picked up in his wanderings. They were obliged to satisfy + their hunger with bread, cheese, and fruit, for the two slave-women + positively refused to risk their lives by cooking in the house. + </p> + <p> + Medius’ temper varied as he came and went; now he was gentle and + affectionate, and then again he raged like a madman; and his wife outdid + him. At one moment she would abandon him and the children, while she + anointed the household altar and put up prayers; at the next she railed at + the baseness and cruelty of the gods. When her husband brought the news + that the Serapeum was surrounded by the Imperial troops, she scoffed and + spit at the sacred images, and five minutes later she was vowing a + sacrifice to the deities of Olympus. The general confusion was + distracting; as the sun rose, the anguish, physical and mental, of the + whole family greatly increased, and by noon had reached an appalling + pitch. + </p> + <p> + Dada looked on intensely disgusted, and only shook her head when one or + another of her companions was sure she felt a shock of earthquake or heard + the roll of distant thunder. She could not explain to herself why she, who + was usually timid enough, was exempt from the universal panic though she + felt deeply pitiful towards the terrified women and children. None of them + troubled themselves about her; the day dragged on with intolerable + slowness, quenching all her gay vivacity, while she was utterly exhausted + by the scorching African sun, of which, till now, she had never known the + power. At last, in the afternoon, she found the little garden, which was + by this time heated like an oven, quite unbearable, and she looked round + for Papias. The child was sitting on the wall looking at the congregation + streaming into the basilica of St. Mark. Dada followed his example, and + when the many-voiced psalms rang out of the open door of the church, she + listened to the music, for it seemed long since she had heard any, and + after wiping the perspiration from the little boy’s face with her peplos, + she pointed to the building and said: “It must be nice and cool in there.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is,” said Papias. + </p> + <p> + “It is never too hot in church. I will tell you what—we will go + there.” This was a bright idea; for, thought Dada, any place must be + pleasanter than this; and she felt strongly tempted, too, to see the + inside of one of Agne’s temples and to sing once more, or, at any rate, + hear others sing. + </p> + <p> + “Come along,” she said, and they stole through the deserted house to get + into the street by the atrium. Medius saw them, but he made no attempt to + detain them; he had sunk into lethargic indifference. It was not an hour + since he had taken stock of his life and means, setting the small figure + of his average income against his hospitality to Dada and her little + companion; but then, again, he had calculated that, if all went well, he + might make considerable profits out of the girl and the child. Now, he + felt it was all the same to him whether he and his family and Dada met + their doom in the house or out of it. + </p> + <p> + Dada and Papias soon reached the church of St. Mark, the oldest Christian + basilica in the city. It consisted of a vestibule—the narthex—and + the body of the church, a very long hall, with a flat roof ceiled with + stained wood and supported on a double row of quite simple columns. This + space was divided into two parts by a screen of pierced work; the + innermost portion had a raised floor or podium, on which stood a table + with chairs placed round it in a semicircle. The centre seat was higher + and more richly decorated than the others. These chairs were unoccupied; a + few deacons in ‘talares’ of light-colored brocade were busied about the + table. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the vestibule there was a small tank; here a number of + penitents had collected who, with their flayed ribs and abject + lamentations, offered a more melancholy spectacle than even the terrified + crowd whom Dada had seen the day before, gathered round the temple of + Isis. Indeed, she would have withdrawn at once but that Papias dragged + her forward, and when she had passed through the great door into the nave + she breathed a sigh of relief. A soothing sense of respite came over her, + such as she had rarely felt; for the lofty building, which was only half + full, was deliciously cool and the subdued light was restful to her eyes. + The slight perfume of incense and the sober singing of the assembled + worshippers were soothing to her senses, and, as she took a seat on one of + the benches, she felt sheltered and safe. + </p> + <p> + The old church struck her as a home of perfect peace; in all the city, she + thought, there could hardly be another spot where she might rest so + quietly and contentedly. So for some little time she gave herself up, body + and soul, to the refreshing influences of the coolness, the solemnity, the + fragrance and the music; but presently her attention was attracted to two + women in the seats just in front of her. + </p> + <p> + One of them, who had a child on her arm, whispered to her neighbor: + </p> + <p> + “You here, Hannah, among the unbaptized? How are you going on at home?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot stay long,” was the answer. “It is all the same where one sits, + and when I leave I shall disturb no one. But my heart is heavy; the child + is very bad. The doctor says he cannot live through the day, and I felt as + if I must come to church.” + </p> + <p> + “Very right, very right. Do you stay here and I will go to your house at + once; my husband will not mind waiting.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much, but Katharine is staying with the boy and he is + quite safe there.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will stay and pray with you for the dear little child.” + </p> + <p> + Dada had not missed a word of this simple dialogue. The woman whose child + was ill at home, and who had come here to pray for strength or mercy, had + a remarkably sweet face; as the girl saw the two friends bow their heads + and fold their hands with downcast eyes, she thought to herself: “Now they + are praying for the sick child...” and involuntarily she, too, bent her + curly head, and murmured softly: “O ye gods, or thou God of the + Christians, or whatever thou art called that hast power over life and + death, make this poor woman’s little son well again. When I get home again + I will offer up a cake or a fowl—a lamb is so costly.” + </p> + <p> + And she fancied that some invisible spirit heard her, and it gave her a + vague satisfaction to repeat her simple supplication over and over again. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile a miserable blind dwarf had seated himself by her side; near him + stood the old dog that guided him. He held him by a string and had been + allowed to bring his indispensable comrade into the church. The old man + joined loudly and devoutly in the psalm which the rest of the congregation + were singing; his voice had lost its freshness, no doubt, but he sang in + perfect tune. It was a pleasure to Dada to listen, and though she only + half understood the words of the psalm she easily caught the air and began + to sing too, at first timidly and hardly audibly; but she soon gained + courage and, following the example of little Papias, joined in with all + her might. + </p> + <p> + She felt as though she had reached land after a stormy and uncomfortable + voyage, and had found refuge in a hospitable home; she looked about her to + discover whether the news of the approaching destruction of the world had + not penetrated even here, but she could not feel certain; for, though many + faces expressed anguish of mind, contrition, and a passionate desire—perhaps + for help or, perhaps, for something quite different—not a cry of + lamentation was to be heard, such as had rent the air by the temple of + Isis, and most of the men and women assembled here were singing, or + praying in silent absorption. There were none of the frenzied monks who + had terrified her in the Xenodochium and in the streets; on this day of + tumult and anxiety they are devoting all their small strength and great + enthusiasm to the service of the Church militant. + </p> + <p> + This meeting, at so unusual an hour, had been convened by Eusebius, the + deacon of the district, with the intention of calming the spirits of those + who had caught the general infection of alarm. Dada could see the old man + step up into a raised pulpit on the inner side of the screen which parted + the baptized from the unbaptized members of the congregation; his silvery + hair and beard, and the cheerful calm of his face, with the high white + forehead and gentle, loving gaze, attracted her greatly. She had heard + Karnis speak of Plato, and knew by heart some axioms of his doctrine, and + she had always thought of the sage as a young man; but in advanced age, + she fancied, he might have looked like Eusebius. Aye, and it would have + well beseemed this old man to die, like the great Athenian, at a mirthful + wedding-feast. + </p> + <p> + The priest was evidently about to give a discourse, and much as she + admired him, this idea prompted her to quit the church; for, though she + could sit still for hours to hear music, she found nothing more irksome + than to be compelled to listen for any length of time to a speech she + might not interrupt. She was therefore rising to leave; but Papias held + her back and entreated her so pathetically with his blue baby-eyes not to + take him away and spoil his pleasure that she yielded, though the + opportunity was favorable for moving unobserved, as the woman in front of + her was preparing to go and was shaking hands with her neighbor. She had + indeed risen from her seat when a little girl came in behind her and + whispered, loud enough for Dada’s keen ears to catch the words: “Come + mother, come home at once. He has opened his eyes and called for you. The + physician says all danger is over.” + </p> + <p> + The mother in her turn whispered to her friend in glad haste: “All is + well!” and hurried away with the girl. The friend she had left raised her + hands and eyes in thanksgiving, and Dada, too, smiled in sympathy and + pleasure. Had the God of the Christian heard her prayer with theirs. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the preacher had ended his preliminary prayer and began to + explain to his hearers that he had bidden them to the church in order to + warn them against foolish terrors, and to lead them into the frame of mind + in which the true Christian ought to live in these momentous times of + disturbance. He wished to point out to his brethren and sisters in the + Lord what was to be feared from the idols and their overthrow, what the + world really owed to the heathen, and what he expected from his + fellow-believers when the splendid and imminent triumph of the Church + should be achieved. + </p> + <p> + “Let us look back a little, my beloved,” he said, after this brief + introduction. “You have all heard of the great Alexander, to whom this + noble city owes its existence and its name. He was a mighty instrument in + the hand of the Lord, for he carried the tongue and the wisdom of the + Greeks throughout all lands, so that, in the fulness of time, the doctrine + which should proceed from the only Son of God might be understood by all + nations and go home to all hearts. In those days every people had its own + idols by hundreds, and in every tongue on earth men put up their prayers + to the supreme Power which makes itself felt wherever mortal creatures + dwell. Here, by the Nile, after Alexander’s death, reigned the Ptolemies; + and the Egyptian citizens of Alexandria prayed to other gods than their + Greek neighbors, so that they could never unite in worshipping their + divinities; but Philadelphus, the second Ptolemy, a very wise man, gave + them a god in common. In consequence of a vision seen in a dream he had + the divinity brought from Sinope, on the shores of Pontus, to this town. + This idol was Serapis, and he was raised to the throne of divinity here, + not by Heaven, but by a shrewd and prudent man; a grand temple was built + for him, which is to this day one of the wonders of the world, and a + statue of him was made, as beautiful as any image ever formed by the hand + of man. You have seen and know them both, and you know too, how, before + the gospel was preached in Alexandria, crowds of all classes, excepting + the Jews, thronged the Serapeum. + </p> + <p> + “A dim perception of the sublime teaching of the Lord by whom God has + redeemed the world had dawned, even before His appearance on earth, on the + spirit of the best of the heathen, and in the hearts of those wise men who—though + not born into the state of grace—sought and strove after the truth, + after inward purity, and an apprehension of the Almighty. The Lord chose + them out to prepare the hearts of mankind for the good tidings, and make + them fit to receive the gospel when the Star should rise over Bethlehem. + </p> + <p> + “Many of these sages had infused precious doctrine into the worship of + Serapis before the hour of true redemption had come. They enjoined the + servants of Serapis to be more zealous in the care of the soul than in + that of the body, for they had detected the imperishable nature of the + spiritual and divine part of man; they saw that we are brought into + existence by sin and love, and we must therefore die to our sinful love + and rise again through the might of love eternal. These Hellenes, like the + Egyptian sages of the times of the Pharaohs, divined and declared that the + soul was held responsible after death for all it had done of good or evil + in its mortal body. They distinguished virtue and sin by the eternal law, + which was written in the hearts even of the heathen, to the end that they, + by nature, might do the works of the law; nay, there were some of their + loftiest spirits who, though they knew not the Lord, it is true, required + the repentance in the sinner, in the name of Serapis, and pronounced that + it was good to give up the delusive joys and vain pleasures of the flesh + and to break away from the evil—whether of body or of soul—which + we are led into by the senses. They called upon their disciples to hold + meetings for meditation whereby they might discern truth and the divinity; + and the vast precincts of the Serapeum contained cells and alcoves for + penitents and devotees, in which many a soul touched by grace, dead to the + world and absorbed in the contemplation of such things as they esteemed + high and heavenly, has ripened to old age and death. + </p> + <p> + “But, my beloved, the Light in which we rejoice, through no merits or + deserts of our own, had not yet been shed on the lost children of those + days of darkness; and all those noble, and indeed most admirable efforts + were polluted by an admixture, even here, of coarse superstition, bloody + sacrifices, and foolish adoration of perishable stone idols and beasts + without understanding; and in other places by the false and delusive arts + of Magians and sorcerers. Even the dim apprehension of true salvation was + darkened and distorted by the subtleties of a vain and inconsistent + philosophy, which held a theory as immutably true one day and overthrew or + denied it the next. Thus, by degrees, the temple of the idol of Sinope + degenerated into a stronghold of deceit and bloodshed, of the basest + superstition, the pleasures of the flesh, and abominations that cried to + Heaven. Learning, to be sure, was still cherished in the halls of the + Serapeum; but its disciples turned with hardened hearts from the truth + which was sent into the world by the grace of God, and they remained the + prophets of error. The doctrines which the sages had associated with the + idea of Serapis, debased and degraded by the most contemptible + trivialities; lost all their worth and dignity; and after the great + Apostle to whom this basilica is dedicated, had brought the gospel to + Alexandria, the idol’s throne began to totter, and the tidings of + salvation shook its foundations and brought it to the verge of destruction + in spite of the persecutions, in spite of the edicts of the apostate + Julian, in spite of the desperate efforts of the philosophers, sophists, + and heathen—for our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, has given + certainty and actuality to the fleeting shadow of half-divined truth which + lies in the core of the worship of Serapis. The pure and radiant star of + Christian love has risen in the place of the dim nebulous mist of Serapis; + and just as the moon pales when the sun appears triumphant, the worship of + Serapis has died away in a thousand places where the gospel has been + received. Even here, in Alexandria, its feeble flame is kept alive only by + infinite care, and if the might of our pious and Christian Emperor makes + itself felt-tomorrow, or next day—then, my beloved, it will vanish + in smoke, and no power on earth can fan it into life again. Not our + grandsons, no, but our own children will ask: Who—what was Serapis? + For he who shall be overthrown is no longer a mighty god but an idol + bereft of his splendor and his dignity. This is no struggle of might + against might; it is the death-stroke given to a wounded and vanquished + foe. The tree is rotten to the core and can crush no one in its fall, but + it will cover all who stand near it with dust and rubbish. The sovereign + has outlived his dominion, and when his fingers drop the sceptre few + indeed will bewail him, for the new King has already mounted the throne + and His is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever! Amen.” + </p> + <p> + Dada had listened to the deacon’s address with no particular interest, but + the conclusion struck her attention. The old man looked dignified and + honest; but Father Karnis was a well-meaning man, no doubt, and one of + those who are wont to keep on the winning side. How was it that the + preacher could draw so pitiable a picture of the very same god whose + greatness her uncle had praised in such glowing terms only two days since? + How could the same thing appear so totally different to two different + people? + </p> + <p> + The priest looked more sagacious than the musician; Marcus, the young + Christian, had a most kind heart; there was not a better or gentler + creature under the sun than Agne—it was quite possible that + Christianity was something very different in reality from what her foster + parents chose to represent. As to the frightful consequences of the + overthrow of the temple of Serapis, on that point she was completely + reassured, and she prepared to listen with greater attention as Eusebius + went on: + </p> + <p> + “Let us rejoice, beloved! The great idol’s days are numbered! Do you know + what that false worship has been in our midst? It has been like a splendid + and richly-dressed trireme sailing, plague-stricken, into a harbor full of + ships and boats. Woe to those who allow themselves to be tempted on board + by the magnificence of its decorations! How great is their chance of + infection, how easily they will carry it from ship to ship, and from the + ships on to the shore, till the pestilence has spread from the harbor to + the city! Let us then be thankful to those who destroy the gorgeous + vessel, who drive it from amongst us, or sink or burn it. May our Father + in Heaven give courage to their hearts, strength to their hands and + blessing on their deeds! When we hear: ‘Great Serapis has fallen to the + earth and is no more, we and the world are free from him!’ then, in this + city, and wherever Christians dwell and worship, let a solemn festival be + held. + </p> + <p> + “But still let us be just, still let us bear in mind all the great and + good gifts that the trireme brought to our parents when it rode the waves + manned by a healthy crew. If we do, it will be with sincere pity that we + shall watch the proud vessel sink to the bottom, and we shall understand + the grief of those whom once it bore over ebb and flow, and who believe + they owe every thing to it. We shall rejoice doubly, too, to think that we + ourselves have a safe bark with stout planks and strong masts, and a + trustworthy pilot at the helm; and that we may confidently invite others + to join us on board as soon as they have purified themselves of the plague + with which they have been smitten. + </p> + <p> + “I think you will all have understood this parable. When Serapis falls + there will be lamentation and woe among the heathen; but we, who are true + Christians, ought not to pass them by, but must strive to heal and save + the wounded and sick at heart. When Serapis falls you must be the + physicians—healers of souls, as the Lord hath said; and if we desire + to heal, our first task must be to discover in what the sufferings consist + of those we wish to succor, for our choice of medicine must depend on the + nature of the injury. + </p> + <p> + “What I mean is this: None can give comfort but those who know how to + sympathize with the soul that craves it, who feel the sorrows of others as + keenly as though they were their own. And this gift, my brethren, is, next + to faith, the Christian grace which of all others best pleases our + Heavenly Master. + </p> + <p> + “I see it in my mind’s eye! The ruined edifice of the Serapeum, the + masterpiece of Bryaxis laid in fragments in the dust, and thousands of + wailing heathen! As the Jews wept and hung their harps on the trees by the + waters of Babylon when they remembered Zion, so do I see the heathen weep + as they think of the perished splendor. They themselves, indeed, ruined + and desecrated the glory they bewail; and when something higher and purer + took its place they hardened their hearts, and, instead of leaving the + dead to bury their dead and throwing themselves hopefully into the new + life, they refused to be parted from the putrefying corpse. They were + fools, but their folly was fidelity; and if we can win them over to our + holy faith they will be faithful unto death, as they have been to their + old gods, clinging to Jesus and earning the crown of life. ‘There will be + more joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and + nine that need no repentance,’—that you have heard; and whichever + among you loves the Saviour can procure him a great joy if he guides only + one of these weeping heathen into the Kingdom of Heaven. + </p> + <p> + “But perhaps you will ask: Is not the sorrow of the heathen a vain thing? + What is it after all that they bewail? To understand that, try to picture + to yourselves what it is that they think they are losing. Verily it is not + a small matter, and it includes many things for which we and all mankind + owe them a debt of gratitude. We call ourselves Christians and are proud + of the name; but we also call ourselves Hellenes, and are proud of that + name too. It was under the protection of the old gods, whose fall is about + to be consummated, that the Greeks achieved marvellous deeds, nurturing + the gifts of the intellect which the Almighty bestowed on their race, like + faithful gardeners, and making them bring forth marvellous fruit. In the + realm of thought the Greek is sovereign of the nations, and he has given + to perishable matter a perfection of form which has elevated and vivified + it to immortality. Nothing more beautiful has ever been imagined or + executed, before or since, or by any other people, than was produced by + Greece in its prime. But perhaps you will ask, why did not the Redeemer + come down among our fathers in those glorious days? Because beauty, as + they conceived and still conceive of it, is a mere perishable accident of + matter, and because a race which thus devoted every thought and feeling to + an inspired and fervent worship of beauty—which was so absorbed in + the contemplation of the visible, could have no longing for the invisible + which is the real life that came down among us with the only-begotten Son + of God. Nevertheless Beauty is beautiful; and when the time shall come + when the visible is married to the invisible, when eternal Truth is + clothed in perfect form, then, and not till then, will the ideal which our + fathers strove after in the great old days be realized, by the grace of + the Saviour. + </p> + <p> + “But this visible beauty, which they so passionately cherished, does us + good service too, so long as we do not allow it to dazzle us and lead us + astray from the one thing needful. To whom, if not to the heathen + Hellenes, do our great teachers owe, under God, the noble art of + coordinating their loftiest feelings, and casting them in forms which are + intelligible to the Christian and at once instruct, delight, and edify + him? It was in a heathen school that each one of your pastors—that + even I, the humblest of them—studied that rhetoric which enables me + to utter with a flowing tongue the things which the Spirit gives me to + speak to you; and if some day there are Christian schools, in which our + sons may acquire the same power, they must adopt many of the laws devised + by the heathen. If in the future we are rich enough to raise churches to + the Almighty, to the Virgin Mary and the great Saints, in any way worthy + of their sublime merits, we shall owe our skill to the famous architects + of heathen Hellas. We are indebted to the arts of the heathen for a + thousand things in daily use, beside numberless others that lend charm to + existence. Yes, my beloved, when we consider all they did for us we cannot + in justice withhold our tribute of gratitude and admiration. + </p> + <p> + “Nor can we doubt that the best of them were acceptable to the Almighty + himself, for he granted to them to see darkly and from afar what he has + brought nigh to us, and poured into our hearts by divine revelation. You + all know the name of Plato. He, from whom Salvation was hidden, saw + remotely, by presentiment as it were, many things which to us, the + Redeemed, are clear and plain and near. He perceived the relation of + earthly beauty and heavenly truth. The great gift of Love binds and + supports us all and Plato gave the name of the divine Eros, that is divine + love, to an inspired devotion to the Imperishable. He placed goodness—the + Good—at the top of the great scale of Ideas which he constructed. + The Good was, to him, the highest Idea and the uttermost of which we can + conceive:—Good, whose properties he made manifest by every means his + lofty and lucid mind could command. This heathen, my brethren and sisters, + was well worthy of the grace bestowed on us. Do justice then to the + blinded souls, justice in Plato’s sense of the word; he calls the virtue + of reason Wisdom; the virtue of spirit Courage, and the virtue of the + senses Temperance. Well, well! ‘Prove all things and hold fast that which + is good.’ That is to say: consider what may be worth anything in the works + of the heathen that it may be duly preserved; but, on the other hand, + tread all that is idolatry in the dust, all that brings the unclean thing + among us, all that imperils our souls and bodies, or anything that is high + and pure in life; but do not forget, my beloved, all that the heathen have + done for us. Be temperate in all things; avoid excess of zeal; for thus, + and thus only, can we be just. ‘It is not to hate, but to love each other + that we are here.’ It was not a Christian but Sophocles, one of the + greatest of the heathen, who uttered those words, and he speaks them still + to us!” + </p> + <p> + Eusebius paused and drew a deep breath. + </p> + <p> + Dada had listened eagerly, for it pleased her to hear all that she had + been wont to prize spoken of here with due appreciation. But since + Eusebius had begun to discourse about Plato she had been disturbed by two + men sitting just in front of her. One was tall and lean, with a long + narrow head, and the other a shorter and more comfortable-looking + personage. The first fidgeted incessantly, nudging and twitching his + companion, and looking now and then as if he were ready to start up and + interrupt the preacher. This behavior evidently annoyed his neighbors who + kept signing to him to be quiet and hushing him down, while he took no + notice of their demonstrations but kept clearing his throat with obtrusive + emphasis and at last scraped and shuffled his feet on the floor, though + not very noisily. But Eusebius began again: + </p> + <p> + “And now, my brethren, how ought we to demean ourselves in these fateful + times of disturbance? As Christians; only—or rather, by God’s aiding + grace as Christians in the true sense of our Lord and Master, according to + the precepts given by Him through the Apostles. Their words shall be mine. + They say there are two paths—the path of Life and the path of Death, + and there is a great difference between them. The path of Life is this: + First, Thou shalt love God who hath created thee; next thou shalt love thy + neighbor as thyself, and whatsoever thou wouldst men should do unto thee + even so do unto them; but what thou wouldst not have done unto thee do + thou not to them. And the sum of the doctrine contained in these words is + this: Bless those that curse you, pray for your enemies and repent for + those who persecute you, for ‘if ye love them that love you what thank + have ye? Do not even the heathen the same?’ Love those that hate you and + you will have no enemies. + </p> + <p> + “Take this teaching of the holy Apostles to heart this day. Beware of + mocking or persecuting those who have been your enemies. Even the nobler + heathen regarded it as an act of grace to respect the conquered foe, and + to you, as Christians, it should be a law. It is not so hard to forgive an + enemy when we regard him as a possible friend in the future; and the + Christian can go so far as to love him when he remembers that every man is + his brother and neighbor, and equally precious in the sight of the Saviour + who is dearer to us than life. + </p> + <p> + “The heathen, the idolater, is the Christian’s archfoe; but soon he will + be in fetters at our feet. And, then, my brethren, pray for him; for if + the Almighty, who is without spot or stain and perfect beyond words, can + forgive the sinner, ye who are base and guilty may surely forgive. + ‘Fishers of souls’ we all should be; try to fulfil the injunction. Draw + the enemy to you by kindness and love; show him by your example the beauty + of the Christian life; let him perceive the benefits of Salvation; lead + those whose gods and temples we have overthrown, into our churches; and + when, after triumphing over those blind souls by the sword, we have also + conquered them by love, faith and prayer—when they can rejoice with + us in the Redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ—then shall we all be + as one fold under one shepherd, and peace and joy shall reign in the city + which is now torn by dissension and strife.” + </p> + <p> + At this point the preacher was interrupted, for a loud uproar broke out in + the Narthex—[The vestibule of the early Christian basilica which was + open to penitents.]—shouts and cries of men fighting, mingled with + the dull roar of a bull. + </p> + <p> + The congregation started to their feet in extreme consternation, and the + door was flung open and a host of heathen youths rushed into the nave, + followed by an overwhelming force of Christians from whom they had sought + refuge in the sanctuary. Here they turned at bay to make a last desperate + resistance. Garlands, stripped of their leaves and flowers, still crowned + their heads and hung over their shoulders. They had been attacked close to + the church, by a party of monks when in the act of driving a + gaily-decorated steer to the temple of Apollo, in defiance of the Imperial + edict; and the beast, terrified by the tumult, had rushed into the narthex + for shelter. + </p> + <p> + The fight in the church was a short one; the idolaters were soon + vanquished; but Eusebius threw himself between them and the monks, and + tried to save the victims from the revengeful fury of the conquerors. The + women had all made for the door, but they did not venture out into the + vestibule, for the young bull was still raging there, trampling or tossing + everything that came in his way. At last, however, a soldier of the + city-watch dealt him a sword-thrust in the neck, and he fell rolling in + his own blood. At once the congregation forced their way out, shrieking + with alarm and excitement, Dada among the number, dragging the child with + her. Papias pulled with all his might to keep her back, declaring with + vehement insistence that he had seen Agne in the church and wanted to go + back to her. Dada, however, neither heard nor heeded; frightened out of + her wits she went on with the crowd, taking him with her. + </p> + <p> + She never paused till she reached the house of Medius, quite out of + breath; but then, as the little boy still asserted that he had seen his + sister in the sanctuary, she turned back with him, as soon as the throng + had dispersed. In the church there was no one to hinder them; but they got + no further than the dividing screen, for on the floor beyond lay the + mutilated and bleeding bodies of many a youth who had fallen in the + contest. + </p> + <p> + How she made her way back to the house of Medius once more she never knew. + For the first time she had been brought face to face with life in hideous + earnest, and when the singer went to look for her in her room, at dusk, he + was startled to find her bright face clouded and her eyes dim with tears. + How bitterly she had been weeping Medius indeed could not know; he + ascribed her altered appearance to fear of the approaching cataclysm and + was happy to be able to tell her, in all good faith, that the danger was + as good as over. Posidonius, the Magian, had been to see him, and had + completely reassured him. This man, whose accomplice he had been again and + again in producing false apparitions of spirits and demons, had once + gained an extraordinary influence over him by casting some mysterious + spell upon him and reducing his will to abject subjection to his own; and + this magician, who had recovered his own self-possession, had assured him, + with an inimitable air of infallibility, that the fall of the Temple of + Serapis would involve no greater catastrophe than that of any old worn-out + statue. Since this announcement Medius had laughed at his own alarms; he + had recovered his “strong-mindedness,” and when Posidonius had given him + three tickets for the Hippodrome he had jumped at the offer. + </p> + <p> + The races were to be run next day, in spite of the general panic that had + fallen on the citizens; and Dada, when he invited her to join him and his + daughter in-the enjoyment of so great a treat, dried her eyes and accepted + gleefully. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. + </h2> + <p> + Alarming as was the outlook in Alexandria, the races, were to be held as + usual. This had been decided only a few hours since at the Bishop’s + palace, and criers had been sent abroad throughout the streets and squares + of the city to bid the inhabitants to this popular entertainment. In the + writing-office of the Ephemeris, which would be given to the public the + first thing in the morning, five hundred slaves or more were occupied in + writing from dictation a list of the owners of the horses, of the + ‘agitatores’ who would drive them, and of the prizes offered to the + winners, whether Christians or heathen. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Ephemeris—The news-sheet, which was brought out, not only in Rome, + but in all the cities of the Empire, and which kept the citizens + informed of all important events.] +</pre> + <p> + The heat in the Episcopal council-hall had been oppressive, and not less + so the heat of temper among the priests assembled there; for they had + fully determined, for once, not to obey their prelate with blind + submission, and they knew full well that Theophilus, on occasion, if his + will were opposed, could not merely thunder but wield the bolt. + </p> + <p> + Besides the ecclesiastical members of the council, Cynegius, the Imperial + legate—Evagrius, the Prefect—and Romanus, the + commander-in-chief and Comes of Egypt,—had all been present. The + officials of the Empire—Roman statesmen who knew Alexandria and her + citizens well, and who had often smarted under the spiritual haughtiness + of her Bishop—were on the prelate’s side. Cynegius was doubtful; but + the priests, who had not altogether escaped the alarms that had stricken + the whole population, were so bold as to declare against a too hasty + decision, and to say that the celebration of the games at a time of such + desperate peril was not only presumptuous but sinful, and a tempting of + God. + </p> + <p> + In answer to a scornful enquiry from Theophilus as to where the danger lay + if—as the Comes promised—Serapis were to be overthrown on the + morrow, one of the assembly answered in the name of his colleagues. This + man, now very old, had formerly been a wonderfully successful exorcist, + and, notwithstanding that he was a faithful Christian, he was the leader + of a gnostic sect and a diligent student of magic. He proceeded to argue, + with all the zeal and vehemence of conviction, that Serapis was the most + terrible of all the heathen daemons, and that all the oracles of + antiquity, all the prophecies of the seers, and all the conclusions of the + Magians and astrologers would be proved false if his fall—which the + present assembly could only regard as a great boon from Heaven—did + not entail some tremendous convulsion of nature. + </p> + <p> + At this Theophilus gave the reins to his wrath; he snatched a little + crucifix from the wall above his episcopal throne, and broke it in + fragments, exclaiming in deep tones that quavered with wrath: + </p> + <p> + “And which do you regard as the greater: The only-begotten Son of God, or + that helpless image?” And he flung the pieces of the broken crucifix down + on the table round which they were sitting. Then, as though + horror-stricken at his own daring act, he fell on his knees, raised his + eyes and hands in prayer, and gathering up the broken image, kissed it + devoutly. + </p> + <p> + This rapid scene had a tremendous effect. Amazement and suspense were + painted on every face, not a hand, not a lip moved as Theophilus rose + again and cast a glance of proud and stern defiance round the assembly, + which each man took to himself. For some moments he remained silent, as + though awaiting a reply; but his repellent mien and majestic bearing made + it sufficiently clear that he was ready to annihilate any opponent. In + fact none of the priests contradicted him; and, though Evagrius looked at + him with a doubting shake of his shrewd head, Cynegius on the other hand + nodded assent. The Bishop, however, seemed to care for neither dissent nor + approval, and it was in brief and cutting terms, with no flourish of + rhetoric, that he laid it down that wood and stone had nothing to do with + the divine Majesty, even though they were made in the image of all that + was Holy and worshipful or were most lavishly beautified by the hand of + man with the foul splendors of perishable wealth. The greater the power + ascribed by superstition to the base material—whatever form it bore—the + more odious must it be to the Christian. Any man who should believe that a + daemon could turn even a breath of the Most High to its own will and + purpose, would do well to beware of idolatry, for Satan had already laid + his clutches somewhere on his robe. + </p> + <p> + At this sweeping accusation many a cheek colored wrathfully, and not a + word was spoken when the Bishop proceeded to require of his hearers that, + if the Serapeum should fall into the hands of the Imperial troops, it + should be at once and ruthlessly destroyed, and that his hearers should + not cease from the work of ruin till this scandal of the city should be + swept from the face of the earth. + </p> + <p> + “If then the world crumbles to atoms!” he cried, “well and good—the + heathen are right and we are wrong, and in that case it were better to + perish; but as surely as I sit on this throne by the grace of God, Serapis + is the vain imagining of fools and blind, and there is no god but the God + whose minister I am!” + </p> + <p> + “Whose Kingdom is everlasting, Amen!” chanted an old priest; and Cynegius + rose to explain that he should do nothing to hinder the total overthrow of + the temple and image. + </p> + <p> + Then the Comes spoke in defence of the Bishop’s resolution to allow the + races to be held, as usual, on the morrow. He sketched a striking picture + of the shallow, unstable nature of the Alexandrians, a people wholly given + over to enjoyment. The troops at his command were few in number in + comparison with the heathen population of the city, and it was a very + important matter to keep a large proportion of the worshippers of Serapis + occupied elsewhere at the moment of the decisive onset. Gladiator-fights + were prohibited, and the people were tired of wild beasts; but races, in + which heathen and Christian alike might enter their horses for + competition, must certainly prove most attractive just at this time of + bitter rivalry and oppugnancy between the two religions, and would draw + thousands of the most able-bodied idolaters to the Hippodrome. All this he + had already considered and discussed with the Bishop and Cynegius; nay, + that zealous destroyer of heathen worship had come to Alexandria with the + express purpose of overthrowing the Serapeum; but, as a prudent statesman, + he had first made sure that the time and circumstances were propitious for + the work of annihilation. All that he had here seen and heard had only + strengthened his purpose; so, after suggesting a few possible + difficulties, and enjoining moderation and mercy as the guiding principles + of his sovereign, he commanded, in the Emperor’s name, that the sanctuary + of Serapis should be seized by force of arms and utterly destroyed, and + that the races should be held on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + The assembled council bowed low; and when Theophilus had closed the + meeting with a prayer he withdrew to his ungarnished study, with his head + bent and an air of profound humility, as though he had met with a defeat + instead of gaining a victory. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ....................... +</pre> + <p> + The fate of the great god of the heathen was sealed, but in the wide + precincts of the Serapeum no one thought of surrender or of prompt defeat. + The basement of the building, on which stood the grandest temple ever + erected by the Hellenes, presented a smooth and slightly scarped rampart + of impregnable strength to the foe. A sloping way extended up over a + handsomely-decorated incline, and from the middle of the grand curve + described by this road, two flights of steps led up to the three great + doors in the facade of the building. + </p> + <p> + The heathen had taken care to barricade this approach in all haste, piling + the road and steps with statuary-images of the gods of the finest + workmanship, figures and busts of kings, queens, and heroes, Hermes, + columns, stelae, sacrificial stones, chairs and benches-torn from their + places by a thousand eager hands. The squared flags of the pavement and + the granite blocks of the steps had been built up into walls and these + were still being added to after the besiegers had surrounded the temple; + for the defenders tore down stones, pilasters, gutters and pieces of the + cornice, and flung them on to the outworks, or, when they could, on to the + foe who for the present were not eager to commence hostilities. + </p> + <p> + The captains of the Imperial force had miscalculated the strength of the + heathen garrison. They supposed a few hundreds might have entrenched + themselves, but on the roof alone above a thousand men were to be seen, + and every hour seemed to increase the number of men and women crowding + into the Serapeum. The Romans could only suppose that this constantly + growing multitude had been concealed in the secret halls and chambers of + the temple ever since Cynegius had first arrived, and had no idea that + they were still being constantly reinforced. + </p> + <p> + Karnis, Herse, and Orpheus, among others, had made their way thither from + the timber-yard, down the dry conduit, and an almost incessant stream of + the adherents of the old gods had preceded and followed them. + </p> + <p> + While Eusebius had been exhorting his congregation in the church of St. + Mark to Christian love towards the idolaters, these had collected in the + temple precincts to the number of about four thousand, all eager for the + struggle. A vast multitude! But the extent of the Serapeum was so enormous + that the mass of people was by no means densely packed on the roof, in the + halls, and in the underground passages and rooms. There was no crowding + anywhere, least of all in the central halls of the temple itself; indeed, + in the great vestibule crowned with a dome which formed the entrance, in + the vast hall next to it, and in the magnificent hypostyle with a + semicircular niche on the furthest side in which stood the far-famed image + of the god, there were only scattered groups of men, who looked like + dwarfs as the eye compared them with the endless rows of huge columns. + </p> + <p> + The full blaze of day penetrated nowhere but into the circular vestibule, + which was lighted by openings in the drum of the cupola that rested on + four gigantic columns. In the inner hall there was only dim twilight; + while the hypostyle was quite dark, but for a singularly contrived shaft + of light which produced a most mysterious effect. + </p> + <p> + The shadows of the great columns in the fore hall, and of the double + colonnade on each side of the hypostyle, lay like bands of crape on the + many-colored pavement; borders, circles, and ellipses of mosaic + diversified the smooth and lucent surface, in which were mirrored the + astrological figures which sparkled in brighter hues on the ceiling, the + trophies of symbols and mythological groups that graced the walls in + tinted high relief, and the statues and Hermes between the columns. A + wreath of lovely forms and colors dazzled the eye with their multiplicity + and profusion, and the heavy atmosphere of incense which filled the halls + was almost suffocating, while the magical and mystical signs and figures + were so many and so new that the enquiring mind, craving for an + explanation and an interpretation of all these incomprehensible mysteries, + hardly dared investigate them in detail. + </p> + <p> + A heavy curtain, that looked as though giants must have woven it on a loom + of superhuman proportions, hung, like a thick cloud shrouding a + mountain-peak, from the very top of the hypostyle, in grand folds over the + niche containing the statue, and down to the floor; and while it hid the + sacred image from the gaze of the worshipper it attracted his attention by + the infinite variety of symbolical patterns and beautiful designs which + were woven in it and embroidered on it. + </p> + <p> + The gold and silver vessels and precious jewels that lay concealed by this + hanging were of more value than many a mighty king’s treasure; and + everything was on so vast a scale that man shuddered to feel his own + littleness, and the mind sought some new standard of measurement by which + to realize such unwonted proportions. The finite here seemed to pass into + the infinite; and as the spectator gazed up, with his head thrown back, at + the capitals of the lofty columns and the remote height of the ceiling, + his sight failed him before he had succeeded in distinguishing or even + perceiving a small portion only of the bewildering confusion of figures + and emblems that were crowded on to the surface. Greek feeling for beauty + had here worked hand in hand with Oriental taste for gorgeous + magnificence, and every detail could bear examination; for there was not a + motive of the architecture, not a work of sculpture, painting, or mosaic, + not a product of the foundry or the loom, which did not bear the stamp of + thorough workmanship and elaborate finish. The ruddy, flecked porphyry, + the red, white, green, or yellow marbles which had been used for the + decorations were all the finest and purest ever wrought upon by Greek + craftsmen. Each of the hundreds of sculptured works which here had found a + home was the masterpiece of some great artist; as the curious visitor + lingered in loving contemplation of the mosaics on the polished floor, or + examined the ornamental mouldings that framed the reliefs, dividing the + walls into panels, he was filled with wonder and delight at the beauty, + the elegance and the inventiveness that had given charm, dignity, and + significance to every detail. + </p> + <p> + Adjoining these great halls devoted especially to the worship of the god, + were hundreds of courts, passages, colonnades and rooms, and others not + less numerous lay underground. There were long rows of rooms containing + above a hundred thousand rolls of books, the famous library of the + Serapeum, with separate apartments for readers and copyists; there were + store-rooms, refectories and assembly-rooms for the high-priests of the + temple, for teachers and disciples; while acrid odors came up from the + laboratories, and the fragrance of cooking from the kitchen and + bake-houses. In the very thickness of the walls of the basement were cells + for penitents and recluses, long since abandoned, and rooms for the + menials and slaves, of whom hundreds were employed in the precincts; under + ground spread the mystical array of halls, grottoes, galleries and + catacombs dedicated to the practice of the Mysteries and the initiation of + neophytes; on the roof stood various observatories—among them one + erected for the study of the heavens by Eratosthenes, where Claudius + Ptolemaeus had watched and worked. Up here astronomers, star-gazers, + horoscopists and Magians spent their nights, while, far below them, in the + temple-courts that were surrounded by store-houses and stables, the blood + of sacrificed beasts was shed and the entrails of the victims were + examined. + </p> + <p> + The house of Serapis was a whole world in little, and centuries had + enriched it with wealth, beauty, and the noblest treasures of art and + learning. Magic and witchcraft hedged it in with a maze of mystical and + symbolical secrets, and philosophy had woven a tissue of speculation round + the person of the god. The sanctuary was indeed the centre of Hellenic + culture in the city of Alexander; what marvel then, that the heathen + should believe that with the overthrow of Serapis and his temple, the + earth, nay the universe itself must sink into the abyss? + </p> + <p> + Anxious spirits and throbbing hearts were those that now sought shelter in + the Serapeum, fully prepared to perish with their god, and yet eager with + enthusiasm to avert his fall if possible. + </p> + <p> + A strange medley indeed of men and women had collected within these sacred + precincts! Grave sages, philosophers, grammarians, mathematicians, + naturalists, and physicians clung to Olympius and obeyed him in silence. + Rhetoricians with shaven faces, Magians and sorcerers, whose long beards + flowed over robes embroidered with strange figures; students, dressed + after the fashion of their forefathers in the palmy days of Athens; men of + every age, who dubbed themselves artists though they were no more than + imitators of the works of a greater epoch, unhappy in that no one at this + period of indifference to beauty called upon them to prove what they could + do, or to put forth their highest powers. Actors, again, from the + neglected theatres, starving histrions, to whom the stage was prohibited + by the Emperor and Bishop, singers and flute-players; hungry priests and + temple-servitors expelled from the closed sanctuaries; lawyers, scribes, + ships’ captains, artisans, though but very few merchants, for Christianity + had ceased to be the creed of the poor, and the wealthy attached + themselves to the faith professed by those in authority. + </p> + <p> + One of the students had contrived to bring a girl with him, and several + others, seeing this, went back into the streets by the secret way and + brought in damsels of no very fair repute, till the crowd of men was + diversified by a considerable sprinkling of wreathed and painted girls, + some of them the outcast maids of various temples, and others priestesses + of higher character, who had remained faithful to the old gods or who + practised magic arts. + </p> + <p> + Among these women one, a tall and dignified matron in mourning robes, was + a conspicuous figure. This was Berenice, the mother of the young heathen + who had been ridden down and wounded in the skirmish near the Prefect’s + house, and whose eyes Eusebius had afterwards closed. She had come to the + Serapeum expressly to avenge her son’s death and then to perish with the + fall of the gods for whom he had sacrificed his young life. But the mad + turmoil that surrounded her was more than she could bear; she stood, hour + after hour, closely veiled and absorbed in her own thoughts, neither + raising her eyes nor uttering a word, at the foot of a bronze statue of + justice dispensing rewards and punishments. + </p> + <p> + Olympius had entrusted the command of the little garrison of armed men to + Memnon, a veteran legate of great experience, who had lost his left arm in + the war against the Goths. The high-priest himself was occupied + alternately in trying to persuade the hastily-collected force to obey + their leader, and in settling quarrels, smoothing difficulties, + suppressing insubordination, and considering plans with reference to + supplies for his adherents, and the offering of a great sacrifice at which + all the worshippers of Serapis were to assist. Karnis kept near his + friend, helping him so far as was possible; Orpheus, with others of the + younger men, had been ordered to the roof, where they were employed—under + the scorching sun, reflected from the copper-plated covering and the + radiating surface of the dome—in loosening blocks of stone from the + balustrade to be hurled down to-morrow on the besieging force. + </p> + <p> + Herse devoted herself to the sick and wounded, for a few who had ventured + forth too boldly to aid in barricading the entrance, had been hurt by + arrows and lances flung by the idle soldiery; and a still greater number + were suffering from sun-stroke in consequence of toiling on the top of the + building. + </p> + <p> + Inside the vast, thick-walled halls it was much cooler than in the streets + even, and the hours glided fast to the besieged heathen. Many of them were + fully occupied, or placed on guard; others were discussing the situation, + and disputing or guessing at what the outcome might, or must be. Numbers, + panic-stricken or absorbed in pious awe, sat huddled on the ground, + praying, muttering magical formulas, or wailing aloud. The Magians and + astrologers had retired with knots of followers into the adjoining + studies, where they were comparing registers, making calculations, reading + signs, devising new formulas and defending them against their opponents. + </p> + <p> + An incessant bustle went on, to and fro between these rooms and the great + library, and the tables were covered with rolls and tablets containing + ancient prophecies, horoscopes and potent exorcisms. Messengers, one after + another, were sent out from thence to command silence in the great halls, + where the assembled youths and girls were kissing, singing, shouting and + dancing to the shrill pipe of flutes and twang of lutes, clapping their + hands, rattling tambourines—in short, enjoying to the utmost the few + hours that might yet be theirs before they must make the fatal leap into + nothingness, or at least into the dim shades of death. + </p> + <p> + The sun was sinking when suddenly the great brazen gong was loudly struck, + and the hard, blatant clatter rent the air of the temple-hall. The mighty + waves of sound reverberated from the walls of the sanctuary like the surge + of a clangorous sea, and sent their metallic vibration ringing through + every room and cell, from the topmost observatory-turret to the deepest + vault beneath, calling all who were within the precincts to assemble. The + holy places filled at once; the throng poured in through the vestibule, + and in a few minutes even the hypostyle, the sanctum of the veiled statue, + was full to overflowing. Without any distinction of rank or sex, and + regardless of all the usual formalities or the degrees of initiation which + each had passed through, the worshippers of Serapis crowded towards the + sacred niche, till a chain, held up by neokores—[Temple-servants]—at + a respectful distance from the mystical spot, checked their advance. + Densely packed and in almost breathless silence, they filled the nave and + the colonnades, watching for what might befall. + </p> + <p> + Presently a dull low chant of men’s voices was heard. This went on for a + few minutes, and then a loud pean in honor of the god rang through the + temple with an accompaniment of flutes, cymbals, lutes and trumpets. + </p> + <p> + Karnis had found a place with his wife and son; all three, holding hands, + joined enthusiastically in the stirring hymn; and, with them, Porphyrius, + who by accident was close to them, swelling the song of the multitude. All + now stood with hands uplifted and eyes fixed in anxious expectancy on the + curtain. The figures and emblems on the hanging were invisible in the + gloom—but now-now there was a stir, as of life, in the ponderous + folds,—they moved—they began to ripple like streams, brooks, + water-falls, recovering motion after long stagnation—the curtain + slowly sank, and at length it fell so suddenly that the eye could scarcely + note the instant. From every lip, as but one voice, rose a cry of + admiration, amazement, and delight, for Serapis stood revealed to his + people. + </p> + <p> + The noble manhood of the god sat with dignity on a golden throne that was + covered with a blaze of jewels; his gracious and solemn face looked down + on the crowd of worshippers. The hair that curled upon his thoughtful + brow, and the kalathos that crowned it were of pure gold At his feet + crouched Cerberus, raising his three fierce heads with glistening ruby + eyes. The body of the god—a model of strength in repose—and + the drapery were of gold and ivory. In its perfect harmony as a whole, and + the exquisite beauty of every detail, this statue bore the stamp of + supreme power and divine majesty. When such a divinity as this should rise + from his throne the earth indeed might quake and the heavens tremble! + Before such a Lord the strongest might gladly bow, for no mortal ever + shone in such radiant beauty. This Sovereign must triumph over every foe, + even over death—the monster that lay writhing in impotent rage at + his feet! + </p> + <p> + Gasping and thrilled with pious awe, enraptured but dumb with reverent + fear, the assembled thousands gazed on the god dimly revealed to them in + the twilight, when suddenly, for a moment of solemn glory, a ray of the + setting sun—a shaft of intense brightness—pierced the + star-spangled apse of the niche and fell on the lips of the god as though + to kiss its Lord and Father. + </p> + <p> + A shout like a thunder-clap-like the roar of breakers on a reef, burst + from the spectators; a shout of triumph so mighty that the statues + quivered, the brazen altars rang, the hangings swayed, the sacred vessels + clattered and the lamps trembled and swung; the echo rolled round the + aisles like a whirlpool at the flood, and was dashed from pillar to column + in a hundred wavelets of sound. The glorious sun still recognized its + lord; Serapis still reigned in undiminished might; he had not yet lost the + power to defend himself, his world and his children! + </p> + <p> + The sun was gone, night fell on the temple and suddenly there was a + swaying movement of the apse above the statue; the stars were shaken by + invisible hands, and colored flames twinkled with dazzling brightness from + a myriad five-rayed perforations. Once more the god was revealed to his + worshippers under a flood of magical glory, and now fully visible in his + unique beauty. Again the great halls rang with the acclamations of the + delirious throng; Olympius stepped forth, arrayed in a flowing robe with + the insignia and decorations of the high-priesthood; standing in front of + the image he poured on the pedestal a libation to the gods out of a golden + cup, and waved a censer of the costliest incense. Then, in burning words, + he exhorted all the followers of Serapis to fight and conquer for their + god, or—if need must—to perish for and with him. He added a + fervent prayer in a loud ringing voice—a cry for help that came from + the bottom of his heart, and went to the souls of his hearers. + </p> + <p> + Then a solemn hymn was chanted as the curtain was raised; and while the + assembled multitude watched it rise in reverent silence, the + temple-servants lighted the lamps that illuminated the sanctuary from + every cornice and pillar. + </p> + <p> + Karnis had left hold of his companions’ hands, for he wanted to wipe away + the tears of devotional excitement that flowed down his withered cheeks; + Orpheus had thrown his arms round his mother, and Porphyrius, who had + joined a group of philosophers and sages, sent a glance of sympathy to the + old musician. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. + </h2> + <p> + By an hour after sunset the sacrifice of a bull in the great court of the + Serapeum was consummated, and the Moscosphragist announced that the god + had graciously accepted it—the examination of the entrails showed + more favorable indications than it had the day before. The flesh of the + slaughtered beast went forthwith to the kitchen; and, if the savor of + roast beef that presently rose up was as grateful to Serapis as to his + worshippers, they might surely reckon on a happy issue from the struggle. + </p> + <p> + The besieged, indeed, were, ere long, in excellent spirits; for Olympius + had taken care to store the cellars of the sanctuary with plenty of good + wine, and the happy auguries drawn from the appearance of the god and the + state of the victim had filled them with fresh confidence. As there was + not sleeping accommodation for nearly all the men, they had to turn night + into day; and as, to most of them, life consisted wholly in the enjoyment + of the moment, and all was delightful that was new or strange, they soon + eat and drank themselves into a valiant frame of mind. + </p> + <p> + Couches, such as they were wont to be on at meals, there were not, so each + man snatched up the first thing he could lay his hands on to serve as a + seat. When cups were lacking the jugs and vessels from the sanctuary were + sent for, and passed from one to another. Many a youth lounged with his + head in some fair one’s lap; many a girl leaned back to back with some old + man; and as flowers were not to be had, messengers were sent to the town + to buy them, with vine-wreaths and other greenery. + </p> + <p> + They were easily procured, and with them came the news that the races were + to be held next morning. + </p> + <p> + This information was regarded by many as being of the first importance; + Nicarchus, the son of the rich Hippocleides, and Zenodotus a weaver of + tapestry—whose quadriga had once proved victorious—hastily + made their way into the town to give the requisite orders in their + stables, and they were closely followed by Hippias, the handsome agitator, + who was the favorite driver in the arena for the horses belonging to + wealthy owners. In the train of these three every lover of horses vanished + from the scene, with a number of Hippias’ friends, and of flower-sellers, + door-keepers, and ticket-holders-in short, of all who expected to derive + special pleasure or profit from the games. Each man reflected that one + could not be missed, and as the god was favorably disposed he might surely + contrive to defend his own temple till after the races were over; they + would then return to conquer or die with the rest. + </p> + <p> + Then some others began to think of wives and children in bed at home, and + they, too, departed; still, by far the larger proportion remained behind—above + three thousand in all, men and women. These at once possessed themselves + of the half-emptied wine-jars left by the deserters; gay music was got up, + and then, wreathed with garlands on their heads and shoulders, and ‘filled + with the god’ they drank, shouted and danced far into the night. The merry + feast soon became a wild orgy; loud cries of Evoe, and tumultuous singing + reached the ears of the Magians, who had once more settled down to + calculations and discussions over their rolls and tablets. + </p> + <p> + The mother of the youth that had been killed still sat huddled at the foot + of the statue of justice, enduring the anguish of listening to these + drunken revels with dull resignation. Every shout of laughter, every burst + of mad mirth from the revellers above cut her to the heart—and yet, + how they would have gladdened her if only one other voice could have + mingled with those hundreds! When Olympius, still in his fullest dress, + and carrying his head loftily as became him, made his way through the + temple at the head of his subordinates, he noticed Berenice—whom he + had known as a proud and happy mother—and begged her to join the + friends whom he had bidden to his own table; but she dreaded any social + contact with men whom she knew, and preferred to remain where she was at + the feet of the goddess. + </p> + <p> + Wherever the high-priest went he was hailed with enthusiasm: “Rejoice,” he + would say to encourage the feasters, cheering them with wise and fervid + exhortations, reminding them of Pharaoh Mycerinus who, having been told by + an oracle that he had only six years to live, determined to prove the + prophecy false, and by carousing through every night made the six years + allotted to him a good dozen. + </p> + <p> + “Imitate him!” cried Olympius as he raised a cup to his lips, “crowd the + joys of a year into the few hours that still are left us, and pour a + libation to the god as I do, out of every cup ere you drink.” + </p> + <p> + His appeal was answered by a rapturous shout; the flutes and cymbals piped + and clanged, metal cups rang sharply as the drinkers pledged each other, + and the girls thumped their tambourines, till the calf-skin droned and the + bells in the frames tinkled shrilly. + </p> + <p> + Olympius thanked them, and bowed on all sides, as he walked from group to + group of his adherents. Seldom, indeed, had his heart beat so high! His + end perhaps was very near, but it should at least be worthy of his life. + </p> + <p> + He knew how the sunbeam had been reflected so as to kiss the statue’s + lips. For centuries had this startling little scene and the sudden + illumination of the niche round the head of the god been worked in + precisely the same way at high festivals—[They are mentioned by + Rufinus.]—these were mere stimulants to the dull souls of the vulgar + who needed to be stirred up by the miraculous power of the god, which the + elect recognized throughout the universe, in the wondrous co-operation of + forces and results in nature, and in the lives of men. He, for his part, + firmly believed in Serapis and his might, and in the prophecies and + calculations which declared that his fall must involve the dissolution of + the organic world and its relapse into chaos. + </p> + <p> + Many winds were battling in the air, each one driving the ship of life + towards the whirlpool. To-day or to-morrow—what matter which? The + threatened cataclysm had no terrors for Olympius. One thing only was a + pang to his vanity: No succeeding generations would preserve the memory of + his heroic struggle and death for the cause of the gods. But all was not + yet lost, and his sunny nature read in the glow of the dying clay the + promise and dawn of a brilliant morrow. If the expected succor should + arrive—if the good cause should triumph here in Alexandria—if + the rising were to be general throughout Greek heathendom, then indeed had + he been rightly named Olympius by his parents—then he would not + change places with any god of Olympus—then the glory of his name, + more lasting than bronze or marble, would shine forth like the sun, so + long as one Greek heart honored the ancient gods and loved its native + land. + </p> + <p> + This night—perhaps its last—should see a grand, a sumptuous + feast; he invited his friends and adherents—the leaders of spiritual + life in Alexandria—to a ‘symposium’, after the manner of the + philosophers and dilettanti of ancient Athens, to be held in the great + concert-hall of the Serapeum. + </p> + <p> + How different was its aspect from that of the Bishop’s council-chamber! + The Christians sat within bare walls, on wooden benches, round a plain + table; the large room in which Olympius received his supporters was + magnificently decorated, and furnished with treasures of art in fine + inlaid work, beaten brass and purple stuffs-a hall for kings to meet in. + Thick cushions, covered with lion and panther-skins, tempted fatigue or + indolence; and when the hero of the hour joined his guests, after his + progress through the precincts, every couch was occupied. To his right lay + Helladius, the famous grammarian and high-priest of Zeus; Porphyrius, the + benefactor of the Serapeum, was on his left; even Karnis had been allotted + a place in his old friend’s social circle, and greatly appreciated the + noble juice of the grape, that was passed round, as well as the eager and + intelligent friction of minds, from which he had long been cut off. + </p> + <p> + Olympius himself was unanimously chosen Symposiarch, and he invited the + company to discuss, in the first instance, the time-honored question: + Which was the highest good? + </p> + <p> + One and all, he said, they were standing on a threshold, as it were; and + as travellers, quitting an old and beloved home to seek a new and unknown + one in a distant land, pause to consider what particular joy that they + have known under the shelter of the old Penates has been the dearest, so + it would beseem them to reflect, at this supreme moment, what had been the + highest good of their life in this world. They were on the eve, perhaps, + of a splendid victory; but, perchance, on the other hand, their foot was + already on the plank that led from the shore of life to Charon’s bark. + </p> + <p> + The subject was a familiar one and a warm discussion was immediately + started. The talk was more flowery and brilliant, no doubt, than in old + Athens, but it led to no deeper views and threw no clearer light on the + well-worn question. The wranglers could only quote what had been said long + since as to the highest Good, and when presently Helladius called upon + them to bring their minds to bear on the nature of humanity, a vehement + disputation arose as to whether man were the best or the worst of created + beings. This led to various utterances as to the mystical connection of + the spiritual and material worlds, and nothing could be more amazing than + the power of imagination which had enabled these mystical thinkers to + people with spirits and daemons every circle of the ladder-like structure + which connected the incomprehensible and self-sufficing One with the + divine manifestation known as Man. It became quite intelligible that many + Alexandrians should fear to fling a stone lest it might hit one of the + good daemons of which the air was full—a spirit of light perhaps, or + a protecting spirit. The more obscure their theories, the more were they + overloaded with image and metaphor; all simplicity of statement was lost, + and yet the disputants prided themselves on the brilliancy of their + language and the wealth of their ideas. They believed that they had + brought the transcendental within the grasp of intelligent sense, and that + their empty speculations had carried them far beyond the narrow limits of + the Ancients. + </p> + <p> + Karnis was in raptures; Porphyrius only wished for Gorgo by his side, for, + like all fathers, he would rather that his child should have enjoyed this + supreme intellectual treat than himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ........................ +</pre> + <p> + In Porphyrius’ house, meanwhile, all was gloom and anxiety. In spite of + the terrific heat Damia would not be persuaded to come down from the + turret-room where she had collected all the instruments, manuals and + formulas used by astrologers and Magians. A certain priest of Saturn, who + had a great reputation as a master of such arts, and who, for many years, + had been her assistant whenever she sought to apply her science to any + important event, was in attendance—to give her the astrological + tables, to draw circles, ellipses or triangles at her bidding, to + interpret the mystical sense of numbers or letters, which now and then + escaped her aged memory; he made her calculations or tested those she made + herself, and read out the incantations which she thought efficacious under + the circumstances. Occasionally, too, he suggested some new method or + fresh formula by which she might verify her results. + </p> + <p> + She had fasted, according to rule, the whole forenoon, and was frequently + so far overcome by the heat as to drop asleep in the midst of her studies; + then, when she woke with a start, if her assistant had meanwhile worked + out his calculation to a result contrary to her anticipations, she took + him up sharply and made him begin again from the beginning. Gorge, went up + from time to time; but, though she offered the old woman refreshment + prepared by her own hand, she could not persuade her even to moisten her + lips with a little fruitsyrup, for to break the prescribed fast might + endanger the accuracy of her prognostications and the result of all her + labor. However, when she seemed to doze, her granddaughter sprinkled + strong waters about the room to freshen the air, poured a few drops on the + old lady’s dress, wiped the dews from her brow, and fanned her to cool + her. Damia submitted to all this; and though she had only closed her weary + eyes, she pretended to be asleep in order to have the pleasure of being + cared for by her darling. + </p> + <p> + Towards noon she dismissed the Magian and allowed herself a short interval + of rest and sleep; but as soon as she woke she collected her wits, and set + to work again with fresh zeal and diligence. When, at last, she had + mastered all the signs and omens, she knew for certain that nothing could + avert the awful doom foretold by the oracles of old. + </p> + <p> + The fall of Serapis and the end of the world were at hand. + </p> + <p> + The Magian covered his head as he saw, plainly demonstrated, how she had + reached this conclusion, and he groaned in sincere terror; she, however, + dismissed him with perfect equanimity, handing him her purse, which she + had filled in the morning, and saying: + </p> + <p> + “To last till the end.” + </p> + <p> + The sun was now long past the meridian and the old woman, quite worn out, + threw herself back in her chair and desired Gorgo to let no one disturb + her; nay, not to return herself till she was sent for. As soon as Damia + was alone she gazed at herself in a mirror for some little time, murmuring + the seven vocables incessantly while she did so; and then she fixed her + eyes intently on the sky. These strange proceedings were directed to a + particular end, she was endeavoring to close her senses to the external + world, to become blind, deaf, and impervious to everything material—the + polluting burthen which divided her divine and spiritual part from the + celestia fount whence it was derived; to set her soul free from its + earthly shroud—free to gaze on the god that was its father. She had + already more than once nearly attained to this state by long fasting and + resolute abstraction and once, in a moment she could never forget, had + enjoyed the dizzy ecstasy of feeling herself float, as it were through + infinite space, like a cloud, bathed in glorious radiance. The fatigue + that had been gradually over powering her now seconded her efforts; she + soon felt slight tremor; a cold sweat broke out all over her; she lost all + consciousness of her limbs, and all sense of sighs and hearing; a fresher + and cooler air seemed to revive not her lungs only, but every part of her + body, while undulating rays of red and violet light danced before her + eyes. Was not their strange radiance an emanation from the eternal glory + that she sought? Was not some mysterious power uplifting her, bearing her + towards the highest goal? Was her soul already free from the bondage of + the flesh? Had she indeed become one with God and had her earnest seeking + for the Divinity ended in glorification? No; her arms which she had thrown + up as if to fly, fell by her side it was all in vain. A pain—a + trifling pain in her foot, had brought her down again to the base world of + sense which she so ardently strove to soar away from. + </p> + <p> + Several times she took up the mirror, looked in it fixedly as before, and + then gazed upwards; but each time that she lost consciousness of the + material world and that her liberated soul began to move its unfettered + pinions, some little noise, the twitch of a muscle, a fly settling on her + hand, a drop of perspiration falling from her brow on to her cheek, roused + her senses to reassert themselves. + </p> + <p> + Why—why was it so difficult to shake off this burthen of mortal + clay? She thought of herself as of a sculptor who chisels away all + superfluous material froth his block of marble, to reveal the image of the + god within; but it was easier to remove the enclosing stone than to + release the soul from the body to which it was so closely knit. Still, she + did not give up the struggle to attain the object which others had + achieved before her; but she got no nearer to it—indeed, less and + less near, for, between her and that hoped-for climax, rose up a series of + memories and strange faces which she could not get rid of. The chisel + slipped aside, went wrong or lost its edge before the image could be + extracted from the block. + </p> + <p> + One illusion after another floated before her eyes first it was Gorgo, the + idol of her old heart, lying pale and fair on a sea of surf that rocked + her on its watery waste—up high on the crest of a wave and then deep + down in the abyss that yawned behind it. She, too—so young, a + hardly-opened blossom—must perish in the universal ruin, and be + crushed by the same omnipotent hand that could overthrow the greatest of + the gods; and a glow of passionate hatred snatched her away from the aim + of her hopes. Then the dream changed she saw a scattered flock of ravens + flying in wide circles, at an unattainable height, against the clouds; + suddenly they vanished and she saw, in a grey mist, the monument to + Porphyrius’ wife, Gorgo’s long-departed mother. She had often visited the + mausoleum with tender emotion, but she did not want to see it now—not + now, and she shook it off; but in its place rose up the image of her + daughter-in-law herself, the dweller in that tomb, and no effort of will + or energy availed to banish that face. She saw the dead woman as she had + seen her on the last fateful occasion in her short life. A solemn and + festal procession was passing out through the door of their house, headed + by flute-players and singing-girls; then came a white bull; a garland of + the scarlet flowers of the pomegranate—[This tree was regarded as + the symbol of fertility, on account of its many-seeded fruit.]—hung + round its massive neck, and its horns were gilt. By its side walked + slaves, carrying white baskets full of bread and cakes and heaps of + flowers, and these were followed by others, bearing light-blue cages + containing geese and doves. The bull, the calves, the flowers and the + birds were all to be deposited in the temple of Eileithyia, as a sacrifice + to the protecting goddess of women in child-birth. Close behind the bull + came Gorgo’s mother, dressed with wreaths, walking slowly and timidly, + with shy, downcast eyes-thinking perhaps of the anguish to come, and + putting up a silent prayer. + </p> + <p> + Damia followed with the female friends of the house, the clients and their + wives and some personal attendants, all carrying pomegranates in the right + hand, and holding in the left a long wreath of flowers which thus + connected the whole procession. + </p> + <p> + In this order they reached the ship-yard; but at that spot they were met + by a band of crazy monks from the desert monasteries, who, seeing the + beast for sacrifice, abused them loudly, cursing the heathen. The slaves + indignantly drove them off, but then the starveling anchorites fell upon + the innocent beast which was the chief abomination in their eyes. The bull + tossed his huge head, snuffing and snorting to right and left, stuck out + his tail and rushed away from the boy whose guidance he had till now + meekly followed, flung a monk high in the air with his huge horns, and + then turned in his fury on the women who were behind. + </p> + <p> + They fled like a flock of doves on which a hawk comes swooping down; some + were driven quite into the lake and others up against the paling of the + shipyard, while Damia herself—who was going through it all again in + the midst of her efforts to rise to the divinity—and the young wife + whom she had vainly tried to shelter and support, were both knocked down. + To that hour of terror Gorgo owed her birth, while to her mother it was + death. + </p> + <p> + On the following day Alexandria beheld a funeral ceremony as solemn, as + magnificent, and as crowded as though a conquering hero were being + entombed; it was that of the monk whom the bull had gored; the Bishop had + proclaimed that by this attack on the abomination of desolation—the + blood-sacrifice of idolatry—he had won an eternal crown in Paradise. + </p> + <p> + But now the black ravens crossed Damia’s vision once more, till presently + a handsome young Greek gaily drove them off with his thyrsus. His powerful + and supple limbs shone with oil, applied in the gymnasium of Timagetes, + the scene of his frequent triumphs in all the sports and exercises of the + youthful Greeks. His features and waving hair were those of her son + Apelles; but suddenly his aspect changed: he was an emaciated penitent, + his knees bent under the weight of a heavy cross; his widow, Mary, had + declared him a martyr to the cause of the crucified Jew and defamed his + memory in the eyes of his own son and of all men. Damia clenched her + trembling hands. Again those ravens came swirling round, flapping their + wings wildly over the prostrate penitent. + </p> + <p> + Then her husband appeared to her, calmly indifferent to the birds of + ill-omen. He looked just as she remembered him many—so many years + ago, when he had come in smiling and said: “The best stroke of business I + ever did! For a sprinkling of water I have secured the corn trade with + Thessalonica and Constantinople; that is a hundred gold solidi for each + drop.” + </p> + <p> + Yes, he had made a good bargain. The profits of that day’s work were + multiplied by tens, and water, nothing in the world but Nile water—Baptismal + water the priest had called it—had filled her son’s money-bags, too, + and had turned their plot of land into broad estates; but it had been + tacitly understood that this sprinkling of water established a claim for a + return, and this both father and son had solemnly promised. Its magic + turned everything they touched to gold, but it brought a blight on the + peace of the household. One branch, which had grown up in the traditions + of the old Macedonian stock, had separated from the other; and her + husband’s great lie lay between them and the family still living in the + Canopic way, like a wide ocean embittered with the salt of hatred. That he + had infused poison into his son’s life and compelled him, proud as he was, + to forfeit the dignity of a free and high-minded man. Though devoted in + his heart to the old gods he had humbled himself, year after year, to bow + the knee with the hated votaries of the Christian faith, and in their + church, to their crucified Lord, and had publicly confessed Christ. The + water—the terrible thaumaturgic stream—clung to him more + inseparably than the brand-mark on a slave’s arm. It could neither be + dried up nor wiped away; for if the false Christian, who was really a + zealous heathen, had boldly confessed the Olympian gods and abjured the + odious new faith, the gifts of the all-powerful water and all the + possessions of their old family would be confiscated to the State and + Church, and the children of Porphyrius, the grandchildren of the wealthy + Damia, would be beggars. And this—all this—for the sake of a + crucified Jew. + </p> + <p> + The gods be praised the end of all this wretchedness was at hand! A thrill + of ecstasy ran through her as she reflected that with herself and her + children, every soul, everything that bore the name of Christian would be + crushed, shattered and annihilated. She could have laughed aloud but that + her throat was so dry, her tongue so parched; but her scornful triumph was + expressed in every feature, as her fancy showed her Marcus riding along + the Canopic street with that little heathen hussy Dada, the singing girl, + while her much-hated daughter-in-law looked after them, beating her + forehead in grief and rage. + </p> + <p> + Quite beside herself with delight the old woman rocked backwards and + forwards in her chair; not for long, however, for the black birds seemed + to fill the whole room, describing swift, interminable spirals round her + head. She could not hear them, but she could see them, and the whirling + vortex fascinated her; she could not help turning her head to follow their + flight; she grew giddy and she was forced to try to recover her balance. + </p> + <p> + The old woman sat huddled in her chair, her hands convulsively clutching + the arms, like a horseman whose steed has run away with him round and + round the arena; till at length, worn out by excitement and exhaustion, + she became unconscious, and sank in a heap on the ground, rigid and + apparently lifeless. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. + </h2> + <p> + Gorgo, when she had left her grandmother, could not rest. Her lofty + calmness of demeanor had given way to a restless mood such as she had + always contemned severely in others, since she had ceased to be a vehement + child and grown to be a woman. She tried to beguile the alarm that made + her pulses beat so quickly, and the heart-sickness that ached like a + wound, by music and singing; but this only added to her torment. The means + by which she could usually recover her equanimity of mind had lost their + efficacy, and Sappho’s longing hymn, which she began to sing, had only + served to bring the fervid longing of her own heart to light—to set + it, as it were, in the full glare of the sun. She had become aware that + every fibre, every nerve of her being yearned for the man she loved; she + would have thrown away her life like a hollow nut for one single hour of + perfect joy with him and in him. The faith in the old gods, the heathen + world which contained the ideal of her young soul, her detestation of + Christianity, her beautiful art—everything, in short, that had + filled the spiritual side of her life, was cast into the shade by the one + absorbing passion that possessed her soul. Every feeling, every instinct, + urged her to abandon herself entirely to her lover, and yet she never for + one instant doubted which side she would take in the approaching conflict + of the great powers that ruled the world. The last few hours had only + confirmed her conviction that the end of all things was at hand. The world + was on the eve of destruction; she foresaw that she must perish—perish + with Constantine, and that, in her eyes, was a grace from the gods. + </p> + <p> + While Damia was vainly struggling to liberate her soul from the bondage of + the flesh, Gorgo had been wandering uneasily about the house; now going to + the slaves, encouraging them with brave words, and giving them employment + to keep them from utter desperation, and then stealing up to see whether + her grandmother might not by this time be in need of her. As it grew dark + she observed that several of the women, and even some of the men, had made + their escape. These were such as had already shown a leaning towards the + new faith, and who now made off to join their fellow-Christians, or to + seek refuge in the churches under the protection of the crucified God + whose supreme power might, perhaps, even yet, avert the impending + catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + Twice had Porphyrius sent a messenger to assure his mother and daughter + that all was well with him, that a powerful party was prepared to defend + the Serapeum, and that he should pass the night in the temple. The Romans + were evidently hesitating to attack it, and if, next morning, the heathen + should succeed in repelling the first onset, reinforcements might yet be + brought up in time. Gorgo could not share these hopes; a client of her + father’s had brought in a rumor that the Biamites, after advancing as far + as Naucratis, had been dispersed by a few of the Imperial maniples. Fate + was stalking on its way, and no one could give it pause. + </p> + <p> + The evening brought no coolness, and when it was already quite dark, as + her grandmother had not yet called her, Gorgo could no longer control her + increasing anxiety, so, after knocking in vain at the door of the + observatory, she went in. Her old nurse preceded her with a lamp, and the + two women stood dumb with consternation, for the old lady lay senseless on + the ground. Her head was thrown back against the seat of the chair off + which she had slipped, and her pale face was lifeless and horrible to look + at, with its half-closed eyes and dropped jaw. Wine, water, and strong + essences were all at hand, and they laid the unconscious woman on a couch + intended for the occasional use of the wearied observer. In a few minutes + they had succeeded in reviving the old lady; but her eyes rested without + recognition on the girl who knelt by her side, and she murmured to + herself: “The ravens—where are they gone? Ravens!” + </p> + <p> + Her glance wandered round the room, to the tablets and rolls which had + been tossed off the couch and the table to make room for her, and for the + lamps and medicaments. They lay in disorder on the floor, and the sight of + this confusion produced a favorable excitement and reaction; she succeeded + in expressing herself in husky accents and broken, hardly intelligible + sentences, so far as to scold them sharply for their irreverence for the + precious documents, and for the disorder they had created. The + waiting-woman proceeded to pick them up: but Damia again became + unconscious. Gorgo bathed her brow and tried to pour some wine between her + teeth, but she clenched them too firmly, till the slave-woman came to her + assistance and they succeeded in making Damia swallow a few drops. The old + woman opened her eyes, smacking her tongue feebly; but she took the cup + into her own hand to hold it to her lips; and though she trembled so that + half the contents were spilt, she drank eagerly till it was quite empty. + “More,” she gasped with the eagerness of intense thirst, “more—I + want drink!” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo gave her a second and a third draught which Damia drank with equal + eagerness; then, with a deep breath, she looked up fully conscious, at her + granddaughter. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, child,” she said. “Now I shall do very well for a little + while. The material world and all that belongs to it weighs us down and + clings to us like iron fetters. We may long and strive to be free, but it + pursues us and holds us fast. Only those who are content with their + miserable humanity can enjoy it. They laugh, as you know, at Praxilla, the + poetess, because she makes the dying Adonis lament, when face to face with + death, that he is forced to leave the apples and pears behind him. But is + not that subtly true? Yes, yes; Praxilla is right! We fast, we mortify + ourselves—I have felt it all myself—to partake of divinity. We + almost perish of hunger and thirst, when we might be so happy if only we + would be satisfied with apples and pears! No man has ever yet succeeded in + the great effort; those who would be truly happy must be content with + small things. That is what makes children so happy. Apples and pears! + Well, everything will be at an end for me ere long—even those. But + if the great First Cause spares himself in the universal crash, there is + still the grand idea of Apples and Pears; and who knows but that it may + please Him, when this world is destroyed, to frame another to come after + it. Will He then once more embody the ideas of Man—and Apples and + Pears? It would be plagiarism from himself. Nay, if He is merciful, He + will never again give substance to that hybrid idea called Man; or, if He + does, He will let the poor wretch be happy with apples and pears—I + mean trivial joys; for all higher joys, be they what they may, are vanity + and vexation.... Give me another draught. Ah, that is good! And to-morrow + is the end. I could find it in my heart to regret the good gifts of + Dionysus myself; it is better than apples and pears; next to that comes + the joy that Eros bestows on mortals, and there must be an end to all + that, too. That, however, is above the level of apples and pears. It is + great, very great happiness, and mingled therefor with bitter sorrow. + Rapture and anguish—who can lay down the border line that divides + them? Smiles and tears alike belong to both. And you are weeping? Aye, aye—poor + child! Come here and kiss me.” Damia drew the head of the kneeling girl + close to her bosom and pressed her lips to Gorge’s brow. Presently, + however, she relaxed her embrace and, looking about the room, she + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “How you have mixed and upset the book-rolls! If only I could show you how + clearly everything agrees and coincides. We know now exactly how it will + all happen. By the day after to-morrow there will be no more earth, no + more sky; and I will tell you this, child: If, when Serapis falls, the + universe does not crumble to pieces like a ruinous hovel, then the wisdom + of the Magians is a lie, the course of the stars has nothing to do with + the destinies of the earth and its inhabitants, the planets are mere + lamps, the sun is no more than a luminous furnace, the old gods are + marsh-fires, emanations from the dark bog of men’s minds—and the + great Serapis.... But why be angry with him? There is no doubt—no if + nor but.... Give me the diptychon and I will show you our doom. There—just + here—my sight is so dazzled, I cannot make it out.—And if I + could, what matter? Who can alter here below what has been decided above? + Leave me to sleep now, and I will explain it all to you to-morrow if there + is still time. Poor child, when I think how we have tormented you to learn + what you know, and how industrious you have been! And now—to what + end? I ask you, to what end? The great gulf will swallow up one and all.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it, so be it!” cried Gorgo interrupting her. “Then, at any rate, + nothing that I love on earth will be lost to me before I die!” + </p> + <p> + “And the enemy will perish in the same ruin!” continued Damia, her eyes + sparkling with revived fire. “But where shall we go to—where? The + soul is divine by nature and cannot be destroyed. It must return—say, + am I right or wrong?—It will return to its first fount and cause; + for like attracts and absorbs like, and thus our deification, our union + with the god will be accomplished.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe it—I am sure of it!” replied Gorgo with conviction. + </p> + <p> + “You are sure of it?” retorted the old woman. “But I am not. For our + clearest knowledge is but guesswork when it is not based on numbers. + Nothing is proved or provable but by numbers, but they are surer than the + rocks in the sea; that is why I believe in our coming doom, for, on those + tablets, we have calculated it to a certainty. But who can calculate + evidence of the future fate of the soul? If, indeed, the old order should + not pass away—if the depths should remain below and the empyrean + still keep its place above—then, to be sure, your studies would not + be in vain; for then your soul, which is fixed on spiritual, supernatural + and sublime conceptions, would be drawn upwards to the great Intelligence + of which it is the offspring, to the very god, and become one with him—absorbed + into him, as the rain-drop fallen from a cloud rises again and is reunited + to its parent vapor. Then—for there may be a metempsychosis—your + songful spirit might revive to inform a nightingale, then...” + </p> + <p> + Damia paused; and gazed upwards as if in ecstasy, and it was not till a + few minutes later that she went on, with a changed expression in her face: + “Then my son’s widow, Mary, would be hatched out of a serpent’s egg and + would creep a writhing asp.... Great gods! the ravens! What can they mean? + They come again. Air, air! Wine! I cannot—I am choking—take it + away!—To-morrow—to-day.... Everything is going; do you see—do + you feel? It is all black—no, red; and now black again. Everything + is sinking; hold me, save me; the floor is going from under me.—Where + is Porphyrius? Where is my son?—My feet are so cold; rub them. It is + the water! rising—it is up to my knees. I am sinking—help! + save me! help!” The dying woman fought with her arms as if she were + drowning; her cries for help grew fainter, her head drooped on her + laboring chest, and in a few minutes she had breathed her last in her + grandchild’s arms, and her restless, suffering soul was free. + </p> + <p> + Never before had Gorgo seen death. She could not persuade herself that the + heart which had been so cold for others, but had throbbed so warmly and + tenderly for her, was now stilled for ever; that the spirit which, even in + sleep, had never been at rest, had now found eternal peace. The + slave-woman had hastily taken her place, had closed the dead woman’s eyes + and mouth, and done all she could to diminish the horror of the scene, and + the terrible aspect of the dead in the sight of the girl who had been her + one darling. But Gorgo had remained by her side, and, while she did + everything in her power to revive the stiffening body, the overwhelming + might of Death had come home to her with appalling clearness. She felt the + limbs of one she had loved growing cold and rigid under her hands, and her + spirit rose in obstinate rebellion against the idea that annihilation + stood between her and the woman who had so amply filled a mother’s place. + She insisted on having every method of resuscitation tried that had ever + been heard of, and made her nurse send for physicians, though the woman + solemnly assured her that human help was of no avail: then she sent for + the priest of Saturn who—as the dead woman herself had told her—knew + mighty spells which had called back many a departed spirit to the body it + had quitted. + </p> + <p> + When, at last, she was alone and gazed on the hard, set features of the + dead, though she shuddered with horror, she so far controlled herself as + to press her lips in sorrow and gratitude to the thin hand whose caresses + she had been wont to accept as a mere matter of course. How cold and heavy + it was! She shivered and dropped it, and the large rings on the fingers + rattled on the wooden frame of the couch. There was no hope; she + understood that her friend and mother was indeed dead and silent forever. + </p> + <p> + Deep and bitter grief overwhelmed her completely, with the sense of + abandoned loneliness, the humiliating feeling of helplessness against a + brutal power that marches on, scorning humanity, as a warrior treads down + the grass and flowers in his path. She fell on her knees by the corpse, + sobbing passionately, and crying like an indignant child when a stronger + companion has robbed it of some precious possession. She wept with rage at + her own impotence; and her tears flowed faster and faster as she more + fully realized how lonely she was, and what a blow this must be to her + father. In this hour no pleasant reminiscences of past family happiness + came to infuse a drop of sweetness into the bitterness of her grief. Only + one reflection brought her any comfort, and that was the thought that the + grave which had yawned already for her grandmother would soon, very soon, + open for herself and all living souls. On the table, close at hand, lay + the evidence of their impending doom, and a longing for that end gradually + took complete possession of her, excluding every other feeling. Thinking + of this she rose from her knees and ceased to weep. + </p> + <p> + When, presently, her waiting-woman should return, she was resolved to + leave the house at once; she could not bear to stay; her feelings and duty + alike indicated the place where she might find the last hour’s happiness + that she expected or desired of life. Her father must learn from herself, + and not from a stranger, of the loss that had befallen them, and she knew + that he was in the Serapeum—on the very spot where she might hope + next morning to meet Constantine. It would be her lover’s duty to open the + gate to destruction, and she would be there to pass through it at his + side. + </p> + <p> + She waited a long, long time, but at last there was a noise on the stairs. + That was her nurse’s step, but she was not alone. Had she brought the + leech and the exorciser? The door opened and the old steward came in, + carrying a three-branched lamp; then followed the slave-woman, and then—her + heart stood still then came Constantine and his mother. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo, pale and speechless, received her unexpected visitors. The nurse + had failed to find the physician, whose aid would, at any rate, have come + too late; and as the housekeeper had taken herself off with others of the + Christian slaves, the faithful soul had said to herself that “her child” + would want some womanly help and comfort in her trouble, and had gone to + the house of their neighbor Clemens, to entreat his wife to come with her + to see the dead, and visit her forlorn young mistress. Constantine, who + had come home a short time previously, had said nothing, but had + accompanied the two women. + </p> + <p> + While Constantine gazed with no unkindly feelings at the still face of + Damia—to whom, after all, he owed many a little debt of kindness—and + then turned to look at Gorgo who stood downcast, pale, and struggling to + breathe calmly, Dame Marianne tried to proffer a few words of consolation. + She warmly praised everything in the dead woman which was not in her + estimation absolutely reprobate and godless, and brought forward all the + comforting arguments which a pious Christian can command for the + edification and encouragement of those who mourn a beloved friend; but to + Gorgo all this well-meant discourse was as the babble of an unknown + tongue; and it was only when, at length, Marianne went up to her and drew + her to her motherly bosom, to kiss her, and bid her be welcome under + Clelnens’ roof till Porphyrius should be at home again, that she + understood that the good woman meant kindly, and honestly desired to help + and comfort her. + </p> + <p> + But the allusion to her father reminded her of the first duty in her path; + she roused her energies, thanked Marianne warmly, and begged her only to + assist her in carrying the corpse into the thalamos, and then to take + charge of the keys. She herself, she explained, meant at once to seek her + father, since he ought to learn from no one but herself of his mother’s + death. Nor would she listen for a moment to her friend’s pressing + entreaties that she would put off this task, and pass the night, at any + rate, under her roof. + </p> + <p> + Constantine had kept in the background; it was not till Gorgo approached + the dead and gave the order to carry the body down into the house that he + came forward, and with simple feeling offered her his hand. The girl + looked frankly in his face, and, as she put her hand in his, she said in a + low voice: “I was unjust to you, Constantine. I insulted and hurt you; but + I repented sincerely, even before you had left the house. And you owe me + no grudge, I know, for you understood how forlorn I must be and came to + see me. There is no ill-feeling, is there, nothing to come between us?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, nothing!” he eagerly exclaimed, seizing her other hand with + passionate fervor. + </p> + <p> + She felt as if all the blood in her body had rushed in a full tide to her + heart—as if he were some part of her very being, that had been torn + out, snatched from her, and that she must have back again, even if it cost + them both their life and happiness. The impulse was irresistible; she drew + away her hands from his grasp and flung them round his neck, clinging to + him as a weary child clings to its mother. She did not know how it had + come about—how such a thing was possible, but it was done; and + without paying any heed to Marianne, who looked on in dismay while her + son’s lips were pressed to the brow and lips of the lovely idolatress, she + wept upon her lover’s shoulders, feeling a thousand roses blossoming in + her soul and a thousand thorns piercing and tearing her heart. + </p> + <p> + It had to be, that she felt; it was at once their union and their parting. + Their common destiny was but for a moment, and that moment had come and + gone. All that now retrained for them was death—destruction, with + all things living; and she looked forward to this, as a man watches for + the dawn after a sleepless night. Marianne stood aside; she dimly + perceived that something vital was going on, that something inevitable had + happened which would admit of no interference. Gorgo, as she freed herself + from Constantine’s embrace, stood strangely solemn and unapproachable. To + the simple matron she was an inscrutable riddle to which she could find no + clue; but she was pleased, nevertheless, when Gorgo came up to her and + kissed her hand. She could not utter a word, for she felt that whatever + she might say, it would not be the right thing; and it was a real relief + to her to busy herself over the removal of the body, in which she could be + helpful. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo had covered the dead face; and when old Damia had been carried down + to the thalamos and laid in state on the bridal bed, she strewed the couch + with flowers. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the priest of Saturn had been found, and he declared in all + confidence that no power on earth could have recalled this departed soul. + Damia’s sudden end and the girl’s great grief went to his faithful heart, + and he gladly acceded to Gorgo’s request that he would wait for her by the + garden-gate and escort her to the Serapeum. When he had left them she gave + the keys of her grandmother’s chests and cupboards into Marianne’s + keeping; then she went into the adjoining room, where Constantine had been + waiting while she decked the bed of death, and bid him a solemn, but + apparently calm, farewell. He put out his arm to clasp her to his heart, + but this she would not permit; and when he besought her to go home with + them she answered sadly, “No, my dearest... I must not; I have other + duties to fulfil.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he replied emphatically, “and I, too—I have mine. But you + have given yourself to me. You are my very own; you belong to me only, and + not to yourself; and I desire, I command you to yield to my first request. + Go with my mother, or stay here, if you will, with the dead. Wherever your + father may be, it is not, cannot be, the right place for you—my + betrothed bride. I can guess where he is. Oh! Gorgo, be warned. + </p> + <p> + “The fate of the old gods is sealed. We are the stronger and to-morrow, + yes to-morrow—by your own head, by all I hold dear and sacred!—Serapis + will fall!” + </p> + <p> + “I know it,” she said firmly. “And you are charged to lay hands on the + god?” + </p> + <p> + “I am, and I shall do it.” + </p> + <p> + She nodded approbation and then said submissively and sweetly: “It is your + duty, and you cannot do otherwise. And come what may we are one, + Constantine, forever one. Nothing can part us. Whatever the future may + bring, we belong to each other, to stand or fall together. I with you, you + with me, till the end of time.” She gave him her hand and looked lovingly + into his eyes; then she threw herself into his mother’s arms and kissed + her fondly. + </p> + <p> + “Come, come with me, my child,” said Marianne; but Gorgo freed herself, + exclaiming: “Go, go; if you love me leave me; go and let me be alone.” + </p> + <p> + She went back into the thalamos where the dead lay at peace, and before + the others could follow her she had opened a door hidden behind some + tapestry near the bed, and fled into the garden. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. + </h2> + <p> + The night was hot and gloomy. Heavy clouds gathered in the north, and + wreaths of mist, like a hot vapor-bath, swayed over the crisply-foaming + wavelets that curled the lustreless waters of the Mareotis Lake. The moon + peeped, pale and shrouded, out of a russet halo, and ghostly twilight + reigned in the streets, still heated by the baked walls of the houses. + </p> + <p> + To the west, over the desert, a dull sulphurous yellow streaked the black + clouds, and from time to time the sultry air was rent by a blinding flash + sent across the firmament from the north. There was a hot, sluggish wind + blowing from the southwest, which drove the sand across the lake into the + streets; the fine grit stung: and burnt the face of the wanderer who + hurried on with half-closed eyes and tightly-shut lips. A deep oppression + seemed to have fallen on nature and on man; the sudden gusts of the heated + breeze, the arrow-like shafts of lightning, the weird shapes and colors of + the clouds, all combined to give a sinister, baleful and portentous aspect + to this night, as though skies and waters, earth and air were brooding + over some tremendous catastrophe. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo had thrown a veil and handkerchief round her head and followed the + priest with an aching brow and throbbing heart. When she heard a step + behind her she started-for it might be Constantine following her up; when + a gust of wind flung the stinging sand in her face, or the storm-flash + threw a lurid light on the sky, her heart stood still, for was not this + the prelude to the final crash. + </p> + <p> + She was familiar with the way they were going, but its length seemed to + have stretched tenfold. At last, however, they reached their destination. + She gave the pass-word at the gate of her father’s timber-yard and + exchanged the signs agreed upon; in a few minutes she had made her way + through the piles of beams and planks that screened the entrance to the + aqueduct—a slave who knew her leading the way with a light—and + she and her companion entered the underground passage. + </p> + <p> + It was hot and close; bats, scared by the flare of the torch, fluttered + round her with a ghostly rustle, startling and disgusting her; still, she + felt less alarm here than outside; and when, as she went forward she + thought of the great temple she was coming to, of its wonderful beauty and + solemn majesty, she only cared to press onward to that refuge of ineffable + splendor where all would be peace. To die there, to perish there with her + lover, did not seem hard; nay, she felt proud to think that she might + await death in the noblest edifice ever raised to a god by mortal hands. + Here Fate might have its way; she had known the highest joy she had ever + dreamed of, and where on earth was there a sublimer tomb than this + sanctuary of the sovereign of the universe, whose supremacy even the other + gods acknowledged with trembling! + </p> + <p> + She had known the sacred halls of the temple from her childhood, and she + pictured them as filled with thousands of lofty souls, united in this + supreme hour by one feeling and one purpose. She even fancied she could + hear the inspired and heartfelt strains of the enthusiasts who were + prepared to give their lives for the god of their fathers, that she + breathed the odor of incense and burnt sacrifices, that she saw the chorus + of youths and maidens, led by priests and dancing with solemn grace in + mazy circles round the flower-decked altars. There among the elders who + had gathered round Olympius to meditate devoutly on the coming doom and on + the inmost meaning of the mysteries—among the adepts who were + anxiously noting, in the observatories of the Serapeum, the fateful + courses of the stars, the swirling of the clouds and the flight of birds, + she would doubtless find her father; and the fresh wound bled anew as she + remembered that she was the bearer of news which must deeply shock and + grieve him. Still, no doubt, she would find him wrapped in dignified + readiness for the worst, sorrowing serenely for the doomed world, and so + her melancholy message would come to a prepared and resigned heart. + </p> + <p> + She had no fear of the crowd of men she would find in the Serapeum. Her + father and Olympius were there to protect her, and Dame Herse, too, would + be a support and comfort; but even without those three, on such a night as + this—the last perhaps that they might ever see—she would have + ventured without hesitation among thousands, for she firmly believed that + every votary of the gods was awaiting his own end and the crash of falling + skies with devout expectancy, and perhaps with not less terror than + herself. + </p> + <p> + These were her thoughts as she and her guide stopped at a strong door. + This was presently opened and they found themselves in an underground + chamber, devoted to the mysteries of the worship of Serapis, in which the + adepts were required to go through certain severe ordeals before they were + esteemed worthy to be received into the highest order of the initiated—the + Esoterics. The halls and corridors which she now went through, and which + she had never before seen, were meagrely lighted with lamps and torches, + and all that met her eye filled her with reverent awe while it excited her + imagination. Everything, in fact—every room and every image—was + as unlike nature, and as far removed from ordinary types as possible, in + arrangement and appearance. After passing through a pyramidal room, with + triangular sides that sloped to a point, she came to one in the shape of a + polygonal prism. In a long, broad corridor she had to walk on a narrow + path, bordered by sphinxes; and there she clung tightly to her guide, for + on one side of the foot-way yawned a gulf of great depth. In another place + she heard, above her head, the sound of rushing waters, which then fell + into the abyss beneath with a loud roar. After this she came upon a large + grotto, hewn in the living rock and defended by a row of staring + crocodiles’ heads, plated with gold; the heavy smell of stale incense and + acrid resins choked her, and her way now lay over iron gratings and past + strangely contrived furnaces. The walls were decorated with colored + reliefs: Tantalus, Ixion, and Sisyphus toiling at his stone, looked down + on her in hideous realism as she went. Rock chambers, fast closed with + iron doors, as though they enclosed inestimable treasures or inscrutable + secrets, lay on either hand, and her dress swept against numerous images + and vessels closely shrouded in hangings. + </p> + <p> + When she ventured to look round, her eye fell on monstrous forms and + mystical signs and figures; if she glanced upwards, she saw human and + animal forms, and mixed with these the various constellations, sailing in + boats—the Egyptian notion of their motions—along the back of a + woman stretched out to an enormous length; or, again, figures by some + Greek artist: the Pleiades, Castor and Pollux as horsemen with stars on + their heads, and Berenice’s star-gemmed hair. + </p> + <p> + The effect on the girl was bewildering, overpowering, as she made her way + through this underground world. The things she had glimpses of were very + sparely illuminated, nay scarcely discernible, and yet appallingly real; + what mysteries, what spells might not be hidden in all she did not see! + She felt as if the end of life, which she was looking for, had already + begun, as if she had already gone down, alive, into Hades. + </p> + <p> + The path gradually sloped upwards and at last she ascended, by a spiral + staircase, to the ground-floor of the temple. Once or twice she had met a + few men, but solemn silence reigned in those subterranean chambers. + </p> + <p> + The sound of their approaching and receding steps had only served to make + her aware of the complete stillness. This was just as it should be—just + as she would have it. This peace reminded her of the profound silence of + nature before a tempest bursts and rages. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo took off her veil as she went up the stairs, shook out the folds of + her dress, and assumed the dignified and reverent demeanor which became a + young girl of rank and position when approaching the altars of the + divinity. But as she reached the top a loud medley of noises and voices + met her ear-flutes, drums?—The sacred dance, she supposed, must be + going on. + </p> + <p> + She came out into a room on one side of the hypostyle; her companion + opened a high door, plated with gilt bronze and silver, and Gorgo followed + him, walking gravely with her head held high and her eyes fixed on the + ground, into the magnificent hall where the sacred image sat enthroned in + veiled majesty. They crossed the colonnade at the side of the hypostyle + and went down two steps into the vast nave of the temple. + </p> + <p> + The wild tumult that she had heard on first opening the door had surprised + and puzzled her; but now, as she timidly looked up and around her, she + felt a shock of horror and revulsion such as might come over a man who, + walking by night and believing that he is treading on flowers, suddenly + finds that the slimy slope of a bottomless bog is leading him to + perdition. She tottered and clutched at a statue, gazing about her, + listening to the uproar, and wondering whether she were awake or dreaming. + </p> + <p> + She tried not to see and hear what was going on there; it was revolting, + loathsome, horrible; but it was too manifest to be overlooked or ignored; + its vulgarity and horror forced it on her attention. For some time she + stood spell-bound, paralyzed; but then she covered her face with her + hands; maidenly shame, bitter disillusion, and pious indignation at the + gross desecration of all that she deemed most sacred and inviolable surged + up in her stricken soul, and she burst into tears, weeping as she had + never wept in all her life before. Sobbing bitterly, she wrapped her face + in her veil, as though to protect herself from storm and chill. + </p> + <p> + No one heeded her; her companion had left her to seek her father. She + could only await his return, and she looked round for a hiding place. Then + she observed a woman in mourning garb sitting huddled at the foot of the + statue of justice; she recognized her as the widow of Asclepiodorus and + breathed more freely as she went up to her and said, between her sobs “Let + me sit by you; we can mourn together.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, come,” said the other; and without enquiring what Gorgo’s + trouble might be, moved only by the mysterious charm of finding another in + like sorrow with herself, she drew the girl to her and bending over her, + at length found relief in tears. + </p> + <p> + The two weeping women sat in silence, side by side, while in front of them + the orgy went on its frantic course. A party of men and women were dancing + down the hall, singing and shouting. Flutes yelled, cymbals clanged, drums + rattled and droned, without either time or tune. Drunken pastophori had + flung open the rooms where the vestments and sacred vessels were kept, and + from these treasuries the ribald mob had dragged forth panther-skins such + as the priests wore when performing the sacred functions, brass cars for + carrying sacrifices, wooden biers on which the images of the gods were + borne in solemn processions, and other precious objects. In a large room + adjoining, a party of students and girls were concocting some grand scheme + for which they needed much time and large supplies of wine; but most of + those who had possessed themselves of the plunder had taken it into the + hypostyle and were vying with each other in extravagant travesties. + </p> + <p> + A burly wine-grower was elected to represent Dionysus and was seated with + nothing but some wreaths of flowers to cover his naked limbs, in a + four-wheeled sacrificial car of beaten brass. An alabaster wine-jar stood + between his fat knees, and his heavy body rolled with laughter as he was + drawn in triumph through the sacred arcades by a shouting rabble, as fast + as they could run. Numbers of the intoxicated crew, mad with excitement + and wine, had cast off their clothes which lay in heaps between the + pillars, soaking in puddles of spilt wine. In their wild dance the girls’ + hair had fallen about their heated faces, tangled with withered leaves and + faded flowers, and the men, young and old alike, leaped and waltzed like + possessed creatures, flourishing thyrsus-staves and the emblems of the + lusty wine-god. + </p> + <p> + A small band of priests and philosophers ventured into the chaos in the + hope of quelling the riot, but a tipsy flute-player placed himself in + front of them and throwing back his head blew a furious blast to heaven on + his double pipe, shrill enough to wake the dead, while a girl seconded him + by flinging her tambourine in the face of the intruding pacificators. It + bounced against the shaft of a column, and then fell on the shaven head of + a priestling, who seized it and tossed it back. The game was soon taken + up, and before long, one tambourine after another was flying over the + heads of the frenzied crew. Every one was eager to have one, and sprung to + catch them, scuffling and struggling and making the parchment sound on his + neighbor’s head. + </p> + <p> + Some of the women had jumped on to the processional biers and were being + carried round the hall by staggering youths, screaming with alarm and + laughter; if one of them lost her balance and fell she was captured with + shrieks of merriment and forced to mount her insecure eminence again. + Presently the car of Dionysus came to wreck over the body of an + unconscious toper, but no one stopped to set it right; and though the + hapless representative of the god howled loudly to them to stop while he + extricated himself from the machine, in which he had stuck, it was in + vain; the score or so of youths who were dragging it tore on, passing + close by Gorgo, who noted with indignation, that the brasswork of the + axles was cutting deeply into the splendid mosaic of the pavement. At last + the burly god fell out by his sheer weight, and his followers restored him + to consciousness by taking him by the heels and dipping his towzled and + bleeding head into a huge jar of wine and water. Then some hundreds of his + drunken votaries danced madly round the rescued god; and as all the + tambourines were split and the flute-players had no breath left, time was + kept by beating with thyrsus-staves against the pillars, while three men, + who had found the brazen tubas among the temple vessels, blew with all + their might and main. + </p> + <p> + Strong opposition, however, was roused by this mad uproar. A party of + worshippers, in the first place, rebelled against it; these had been + standing with veiled heads, near the statue of Serapis, muttering + exorcisms after a Magian and howling lamentably at intervals; then a + preacher, who had succeeded in collecting a little knot of listeners, bid + the trumpeters cease; and finally, a party of actors and singers, who had + assembled in the outer hall to perform a satira play, tried to stop them, + though they themselves were making such a noise that the trumpet-blast + could have affected them but little. When the players found that + remonstrance had no effect they rushed into the hypostyle and tried to + reduce the musicians to silence by force. + </p> + <p> + Then a frenzied contest began; but the combatants were soon separated; the + actors and their antagonists fell on each other’s necks, and a Homeric + poet, who had compiled an elegy for the evening on the “Gods coerced by + the hosts of the new superstition,” made up simply of lines culled from + the Iliad and Odyssey, seized this favorable opportunity. He had begun to + read it at the top of his voice, screaming down the general din, when + everything was forgotten in the excitement caused by the entrance of a + procession which was the successful result of many raids on the + temple-treasuries and lumber-rooms. + </p> + <p> + A storm of applause greeted its appearance; the tipsiest stammered out his + approval, and the picture presented to drunken eyes was indeed a beautiful + and gorgeous one. On a high platform-intended for the display of a small + image of Serapis and certain symbols of the god, at great festivals—Glycera, + the loveliest hetaira of the town, was drawn in triumph through the + temple. She reclined in a sort of bowl representing a shell, placed at the + top of the platform, and on the lower stages sat groups of fair girls, + swaying gently with luxurious grace, and flinging flowers down to the + crowd who, with jealous rivalry, strove to catch them. Everyone recognized + the beautiful hetaira as Aphrodite, and she was hailed, as with one voice, + the Queen of the World. The men rushed forward to pour libations in her + honor, and to join hands and dance in a giddy maze round her car. + </p> + <p> + “Take her to Serapis!” shouted a drunken student. “Marry her to the god. + Heavenly Love should be his bride!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—take her to Serapis,” yelled another. “It is the wedding of + Serapis and Glycera.” + </p> + <p> + The crazy rabble pushed the machine towards the curtain, with the + beautiful, laughing woman on the top, and her bevy of languishing + attendants. + </p> + <p> + Until this instant the vivid lightning outside, and the growling of + distant thunder had not been heeded by the revellers, but now a blinding + flash lighted up the hall and, at the same instant, a tremendous peal + crashed and rattled just above them, and shook the desecrated shrine. A + sulphurous vapor came rolling in at the openings just below the roof, and + this first flash was immediately followed by another which seemed to have + rent the vault of heaven, for it was accompanied by a deafening and + stunning roar and a terrific rumbling and creaking, as though the metal + walls of the firmament had burst asunder and fallen in on the earth—on + Alexandria—on the Serapeum. + </p> + <p> + The whole awful force of an African tempest came crashing down upon them; + the wild revel was stilled; the trembling topers dropped their cups, + fevered checks turned pale, the dancers parted and threw up their hands in + agonized supplication, words of lust and blasphemy died on their lips and + turned to prayers and muttered charms. The terrified nymphs that + surrounded Venus sprang from the car, and the foam-born goddess in the + shell tried to free herself from the garlands and gauzes in which she was + involved, shrieking aloud when she perceived that she could not descend + unaided from her elevated position. Other voices mingled with hers—lamenting, + cursing, and entreating; for now the rainclouds burst, and through the + window-openings poured a cold flood, chilling and wetting the drunken mob + within. + </p> + <p> + The storm raved through the halls and corridors; lightning and thunder + raged fiercely overhead; and the terrified wretches, suddenly sobered, + rushed about or huddled together, like ants whose nest has been upturned. + And into the midst of this dismayed throng rushed Orpheus, the son of + Karnis, who had been till now on guard on the roof, crying out: “The world + is coming to an end, the heavens are opening! Father—where is my + father?” + </p> + <p> + And everyone believed him; they snatched off their garlands, tore their + hair and gave themselves up to the utmost despair. Wailing, sobbing, + howling-furious, but impotent, they appealed to each other; and though + they had no hope of living to see another morning, or perhaps another + hour, each one thought only of himself, of his garments, and of how he + might best cover his limbs that shivered with terror and cold. From the + Scuffling mob round the heaps of cast-off clothes came deep groans, + piteous weeping, the shrieks of women, and the despairing moans of the + panic-stricken wretches. + </p> + <p> + It was a fearful scene, at once heart-rending and revolting; Gorgo looked + on, gnashing her teeth with rage and disgust, and only wishing for the end + of the world and of her own life as a respite from it all. These crazed + and miserable wretches, cowardly fools, these beasts in the guise of human + beings, deserved no better than to perish; but was it conceivable that the + supreme being should destroy the whole of the beautiful and wisely-planned + world for the sake of this base and loathsome rabble. + </p> + <p> + It thundered, it lightened, the foundations of the temple shook—but + she no longer looked for the final crash; she had ceased to believe in the + majesty, the power and the purity of the divinity behind the veil. Her + cheeks burnt with shame, she felt it a disgrace ever to have been numbered + among his adherents; and, as the howling of the terrified crowd grew every + moment louder and wilder, the memory of Constantine’s grave and fearless + manliness rose before her, in all its strength and beauty. She was his, + his wholly and forever; and for the future all that was his should be + hers: his love, his home, his noble purpose—and his God. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. + </h2> + <p> + The doubtful light of dawn was beginning to break through the storm-clouds + as they exhausted their fury on the Serapeum, but the terrified heathen + did not notice it. No captain, no prophet, no comforter had come to revive + their courage and hopes; for Olympius and his guests, the leaders of the + intellectual life of Alexandria—and among them the chief priests of + the sanctuary—were tardy in making their appearance. + </p> + <p> + The lightning-flash which had fallen on the brassplated cupola, and then + discharged its force along a flagstaff, had alarmed even the sages and + philosophers; and the Symposium had come to an abrupt end but little more + dignified than the orgy in the temple-halls. Few, to be sure, of the + high-priest’s friends had allowed themselves to be so far scared as to + betray their terrors frankly; on the contrary, when the crack of doom + really seemed to have sounded, rhetoric and argument grew even more eager + than before round Olympius’ table; and Gorgo’s opinion of her + fellow-heathen might not have been much raised if she could have heard + Helladius, the famous philologist and biographer, reciting verses from + “Prometheus bound,” his knees quaking and lips quivering as he heard the + thunder; or seen Ammonius, another grammarian who had written a celebrated + work on “The Differences of Synonyms,” rending his robe and presenting his + bared breast as a target to the lightning, with a glance round at the + company to challenge their admiration. His heroic display was, + unfortunately, observed by few; for most of them, including Eunapius, a + neo-platonic philosopher distinguished as a historian and an implacable + foe of the Christians, had wrapped their heads in their robes and were + awaiting the end in sullen resignation. Some had dropped on their knees + and were praying with uplifted hands, or murmuring incantations; and a + poet, who had been crowned for a poem entitled: “Man the Lord and Master + of the Gods,” had fainted with fear, and his laurel-wreath had fallen into + a dish of oysters. + </p> + <p> + Olympius had risen from his place as Symposiarch and was leaning against a + door-post awaiting death with manly composure. Father Karnis, who had made + rather too free with the wine-cup, but had been completely sobered by the + sudden fury of the storm, had sprung up and hastened past the high-priest + to seek his wife and son; he knew they could not be far off, and desired + to perish with them. + </p> + <p> + Porphyrius and his next neighbor, Apuleius, the great physician, were + among those who had covered their faces. Porphyrius could look forward + more calmly than many to the approaching crisis; for, as a cautious man + and far-seeing merchant, he had made provision for every contingency. If, + in spite of a Christian victory, the world should still roll on, and if + the law which declared invalid the will of an apostate should be enforced + against him, a princely fortune, out of the reach of Church or State, lay + safe in the hands of a wealthy and trustworthy friend for his daughter’s + use; if, on the other hand, heaven and earth met in a common doom, he had + by him an infallible remedy against a lingering and agonizing death. + </p> + <p> + The whole party had sat during some long and anxious minutes, listening to + the appalling thunder-claps, when Orpheus rushed into the banqueting-room, + with the same frenzied and terror-stricken haste as before, among the + revellers, crying: “It is the end-all is over! The world is falling + asunder! Fire is come down from heaven! The earth is in flames already—I + saw it with my own eyes! I have come down from the roof.... + </p> + <p> + “Father! Where is my father?” + </p> + <p> + At this news the company started up in fresh alarm, Pappus, the + mathematician, cried out: “The conflagration has begun! Flame and fire are + falling from the skies!” + </p> + <p> + “Lost-lost!” wailed Eunapius; while Porphyrius hastily felt in the folds + of his purple garment, took out a small crystal phial and went, pale but + calm, up to the high-priest. He laid his hand on the arm of the friend + whom he had looked up to all his life with affectionate admiration, and + said with an expression of tender regret: + </p> + <p> + “Farewell. We have often disputed over the death of Cato—you + disapproving and I approving it. Now I follow his example. Look—there + is enough for us both.” + </p> + <p> + He hastily put the phial to his mouth, and part of the liquid had passed + his lips before Olympius understood the situation and seized his arm. The + effect of the deadly fluid was instantly manifest; but Porphyrius had + hardly lost consciousness when Apuleius had rushed to his side. The + physician had succumbed to the universal panic and resigned himself + doggedly to Fate; but as soon as an appeal was made to his medical skill + and he heard a cry for help, he had thrown off the wrapper from his head + and hastened to the merchant’s side to combat the effects of the poison, + as clear-headed and decisive as in his best hours by the bed of sickness + or in the lecture-room. + </p> + <p> + When the very backbone of the soul seems to be broken, a sense of duty is + the one and last thing that holds it together and keeps it upright; and + nature has implanted in us such a strong and instinctive regard for life—which + we are so apt to contemn—that even within a few paces of the grave + we cherish and foster it as carefully as in its prime, when the end seems + still remote. + </p> + <p> + The merchant’s desperate deed had been done under the very eyes of + Orpheus, and the newer horror so completely overshadowed the older, that + he hastened unbidden to help the physician lay the unconscious man on the + nearest couch; but then he went off again in search of his parents. + Olympius, however, who at the sight of his friend’s weakness had suddenly + comprehended how much depended, in these last hours, on his own resolute + demeanor, detained the youth, and sternly desired him to give an exact and + clear account of what had happened on the roof. The young musician obeyed; + and his report was certainly far from reassuring. + </p> + <p> + A ball of fire had fallen with a terrific noise on the cupola, mingling + with flames that seemed to rise like streams of fire from the earth. Then, + again the heavens had opened with a blinding flash and Orpheus had seen—with + his own eyes seen—a gigantic monster—an uprooted mountain + perhaps—which had slowly moved towards the back-wall of the Serapeum + with an appalling clatter; and not rain, but rivers, rushing torrents of + water, had poured down on the men on guard. + </p> + <p> + “It is Poseidon,” cried the lad, “bringing up the ocean against the + temple, and I heard the neighing of his horses. It was not an illusion, I + heard it with my own ears....” + </p> + <p> + “The horses of Poseidon!” interrupted Olympius. “The horses of the + Imperial cavalry were what you heard!” + </p> + <p> + He ran to the window with the activity of a younger man and, lifting the + curtain, looked out to the eastward. The storm had vanished as rapidly as + it had come up and it was day. Over the rosy skirts of Eos hung a full and + heavy robe of swelling grey and black clouds, edged with a fringe of + sheeny gold. To the north a sullen flash now and then zigzagged across the + dark sky, and the roll of the thunder was faint and distant; but the + horses whose neighing had affrighted Orpheus were already near; they were + standing close to the southern or back-wall of the temple, in which there + was no gate or entrance of any kind. What object could the Imperial + cavalry have in placing themselves by that strong and impenetrable spot? + </p> + <p> + But there was no time for much consideration, for at this instant the + gong, which was sounded to call the defenders of the Serapeum together, + rang through the precincts. + </p> + <p> + Olympius needed no spur or encouragement. He turned to his guests with the + passion and fire of a fanatical leader, of the champion of a great but + imperilled cause, and bid them be men and stand by him to resist the foe + till death. His voice was husky with excitement as he spoke his brief but + vehement call to arms, and the effect was immense, precisely because the + speaker, carried away by the tide of feeling, had not tried to impress the + learned and eloquent men whom he addressed by any tricks of elocution or + choice of words. They, too, were fired by the spark of the old man’s + enthusiasm; they gathered round him, and followed him at once to the rooms + where the weapons had been deposited for use. + </p> + <p> + Breastplates girt on to their bodies, and swords wielded in their hands + made soldiers of the sages at once, and inspired them with martial ardor. + Little was spoken among these heroes of “the mighty word.” They were bent + on action. Olympius Had desired Apuleius to go into his private room + adjoining the hypostyle with Porphyrius, on whose senseless and rigid + state no treatment had as yet had any effect. Some of the temple-servants + carried the merchant down a back staircase, while Olympius hastily and + silently led his comrades in arms up the main steps into the great halls + of the temple. + </p> + <p> + Here the chivalrous host were doomed to surprise and disappointment + greater than the most hopeless of them was prepared to meet. Olympius + himself for a moment despaired; for his ecstatic adherents had during the + night turned to poltroons and tipplers, and the sacred precincts of the + sanctuary looked as if a battle had been fought and lost there. Broken and + bruised furniture, smashed instruments, garments torn and wet, draggled + wreaths, and faded flowers were strewn in every direction. The red wine + lay in pools like blood on the scarred beauties of the inlaid pavement; + here and there, at the foot of a column, lay an inert body—whether + dead or merely senseless who could guess?—and the sickening reek of + hundreds of dying lamps filled the air, for in the confusion they had been + left to burn or die as they might. + </p> + <p> + And how wretched was the aspect of the sobered, terror-stricken, worn-out + men and women. An obscure consciousness of having insulted the god and + incurred his wrath lurked in every soul. To many a one prompt death would + have seemed most welcome, and one man—a promising pupil of + Helladius, had actually taken the leap from existence into the + non-existence which, as he believed, he should find beyond the grave; he + had run his had violently against a pillar, and lay at the foot of it with + a broken skull. + </p> + <p> + With reeling brains, aching brows, and dejected hearts, the unhappy + creatures had got so far as to curse the present; and those who dared to + contemplate the future thought of it only as a bottomless abyss, towards + which the flying hours were dragging them with unfelt but irresistible + force. Time was passing—each could feel and see that; night was + gone, it would soon be day; the storm had passed over, but instead of the + inexorable powers of nature a new terror now hung over them: the no less + inexorable power of Caesar. To the struggle of man against the gods there + was but one possible end: Annihilation. In the conflict of man against man + there might yet be, if not victory, at least escape. The veteran Memnon, + with his one arm, had kept watch on the temple-roof during that night’s + orgy, planning measures for repulsing the enemy’s attack, till the storm + had burst on him and his adherents with the “artillery of heaven.” Then + the greater portion of the garrison had taken refuge in the lower + galleries of the Serapeum, and the old general was left alone at his post, + in the blinding and deafening tempest. He threw his remaining arm round a + statue that graced the parapet of the roof to save himself from being + swept or washed away; and he would still have shouted his orders, but that + the hurricane drowned his voice, and none of his few remaining adherents + could have heard him speak. He, too, had heard the champing of horses and + had seen the moving mountain which Orpheus had described. It was in fact a + Roman engine of war; and, faithful though he was to the cause he had + undertaken, something like a feeling of joy stirred his warrior’s soul, as + he looked down on the fine and well-drilled men who followed the Imperial + standards under which he had, ere now, shed his best blood. His old + comrades in arms had not forgotten how to defy the tempest, and their + captains had been well advised in preparing to attack first what seemed + the securest side of the temple. The struggle, he foresaw, would be + against tried soldiers, and it was with a deep curse and a smile of bitter + scorn that he thought of the inexperienced novices under his command. It + was only yesterday that he had tried to moderate Olympius’ sanguine + dreams, and had said to him: “It is not by enthusiasm but by tactics that + we defeat a foe!” + </p> + <p> + The skill and experience he had to contend with were in no respect + inferior to his own; and he would know, only too soon, what the practical + worth might be of the daring and enthusiastic youths whom he had + undertaken to command, and of whom he still had secret hopes for the best. + </p> + <p> + The one thing to do was to prevent the Christians from effecting the + breach which they evidently intended to make in the back-wall, before the + Libyan army of relief should arrive; and, at the same time, to defend the + front of the temple from the roof. There was a use for every one who could + heave a stone or flourish a sword; and when he thought over the number of + his troops he believed he might succeed in holding the building for some + considerable time. But he was counting on false premises, for he did not + know how attractive the races had proved to his “enthusiastic youth” and + how great a change had come over most of them. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the wind had so far subsided that he could stand alone, he went + to collect those that still remained, and to have the brass gong sounded + which was to summon the combatants to their posts. Its metallic clang rang + loud and far through the dim dawn; a deaf man might have heard it in the + deepest recess of the sanctuary—and yet the minutes slipped by—a + quarter of an hour—and no one had come at its call. The old + captain’s impatience turned to surprise, his surprise became wrath. The + messengers he sent down did not return and the great moving shed of the + Romans was brought nearer and nearer to the southern side of the temple, + screening the miners from the rare missiles which the few men remaining + with him cast clown by his orders. + </p> + <p> + The enemy were evidently making a suitable foundation on which to place + the storming engine—a beam with a ram’s head of iron-to make a + breach in the temple-wall. Every minute’s delay on the part of the + besieged was an advantage to the enemy. A hundred-two hundred more hands + on the roof, and their tactics might yet be defeated. + </p> + <p> + Tears of rage, of the bitter sense of impotence, started to the old + soldier’s eyes; and when, at length, one of his messengers came back and + told him that the men and women alike seemed quite demented, and all and + each refused to come up on the roof, he uttered a wrathful curse and + rushed down-stairs himself. + </p> + <p> + He stormed in on the trembling wretches; and when he beheld with his own + eyes all that his volunteers had done dining that fateful night, he raved + and thundered; asked them, rather confusedly perhaps, if they knew what it + was to be expected to command and find no obedience; scolded the + refractory, driving some on in front of him; and then, as he perceived + that some of them were making off with the girls through the door leading + to the secret passage, he placed himself on guard with his sword drawn, + and threatened to cut down any who attempted to escape. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all this Olympius and his party had come into the ball and + seeing the commander struggling, sword in hand, with the recalcitrant + fugitives, where the noise was loudest, he and his guests hastened to the + rescue and defended the door against the hundreds who were crowding to + fly. The old man was grieved to turn the weapons they had seized in their + sacred ardor, against the seceders from their own cause; but it had to be. + While the loyal party—among them Karnis and Orpheus—guarded + the passage to the underground rooms with shield and lance, Olympius took + council of the veteran captain, and they rapidly decided to allow all the + women to depart at once and to divide the men into two parties-one to be + sent to fight on the roof, and the other to defend the wall where the + Roman battering-ram was by this time almost ready to attack. + </p> + <p> + The high-priest took his stand boldly between his adherents and the + would-be runaways and appealed to them in loud and emphatic tones to do + their duty. They listened to him silently and respectfully; but when he + ended by stating that the women were commanded to withdraw, a terrific + outcry was raised, some of the girls clung to their lovers, while others + urged the men to fight their way out. + </p> + <p> + Several, however, and among them the fair Glycera who a few hours since + had smiled down triumphantly on her worshippers as Aphrodite, availed + themselves at once of the permission to quit this scene of horrors, and + made their way without delay to the subterranean passages. They had + adorers in plenty in the city. But they did not get far; they were met by + a temple-servant flying towards the great hall, who warned them to return + thither at once: the Imperial soldiers had discovered the entrance to the + aqueduct and posted sentries in the timber-yard. They turned and followed + him with loud lamentations, and hardly had they got back into the temple + when a new terror came upon them: the iron battering-ram came with a first + heavy shock, thundering against the southern wall. + </p> + <p> + The Imperial troops were in fact masters of the secret passage; and they + had begun the attack on the Serapeum in earnest. It was serious—but + all was not yet lost; and in this fateful hour Olympius and Memnon proved + their mettle. The high-priest commanded that the great stone trap-doors + should be dropped into their places, and that the bridges across the + gulfs, in the underground rooms reserved for the initiated, should be + destroyed; and this there was yet time to do, for the soldiers had not yet + ventured into those mysterious corridors, where there could not fail to be + traps and men in ambush. Memnon meanwhile had hurried to the spot where + the battering-ram had by this time dealt a second blow, shouting as he + went to every man who was not a coward to follow him. + </p> + <p> + Karnis, Orpheus and the rest of the high-priest’s guests obeyed his call + and gathered round him; he commanded that everything portable should be + brought out of the temple to be built into a barricade behind the point of + attack, and that neither the most precious and beautiful statues, nor the + brass and marble stelae and altar-slabs should be spared. Screened by this + barricade, and armed with lances and bows—of which there were plenty + at hand—he proposed, when the breach was made, to check the further + advance of the foe. + </p> + <p> + He was not ill-pleased that the only way of escape was cut off; and as + soon as he had seen the statues dragged from their pedestals, the + altar-stones removed from the sacred places they had filled for half a + century, benches and jars piled together and a stone barricade thus fairly + advanced towards completion, he drafted off a small force for the defences + on the roof. There was no escape now; and many a one who, to the very + last, had hoped to find himself free, mounted the stairs reluctantly, + because he would there be more immediately in the face of the foe than + when defending the breach. + </p> + <p> + Olympius distributed weapons, and went from one to another, speaking words + of encouragement; presently he found Gorgo who, with the bereaved widow, + was still sitting at the foot of the statue of justice. He told her that + her father was ill, and desired a servant to show her the way to his + private room, that she might help the leech in attending on him. Berenice + could not be induced to stir; she longed only for the end and was + persuaded that it could not be far off. She listened eagerly to the blows + of the battering-engine; each one sounded to her like a shock to the very + structure of the universe. Another—and another—and at last the + ancient masonry must give way and the grave that had already opened for + her husband and her son would yawn to swallow her up with her sorrows. She + shuddered and drew her hood over her face to screen it from the sun which + now began to shine in. Its light was a grievance to her; she had hoped + never to see another day. + </p> + <p> + The women, and with them a few helpless weaklings, had withdrawn to the + rotunda, and before long they were laughing as saucily as ever. + </p> + <p> + From the roof blocks of stone and broken statues were hailing down on the + besiegers, and in the halls below, the toiler who paused to wipe the sweat + from his brow would brook no idleness in his comrade; the most + recalcitrant were forced to bestir themselves, and the barricade inside + the southern wall soon rose to a goodly height. No rampart was ever built + of nobler materials; each stone was a work of art and had been reverenced + for centuries as something sacred, or bore in an elegant inscription the + memorial of noble deeds. This wall was to protect the highest of the gods, + and among the detachment told off to defend it, were Karnis, his son, and + his wife. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. + </h2> + <p> + Gorgo sat by the bed of her apparently lifeless father, gazing fondly at + the worn and wax-like features, and listening to his breathing, now soft + and easy and again painful and convulsive, as it fluttered through his + nostrils. She held his cold damp hand tightly clasped, or stroked it + gently, or now and then, when his closed eyelids quivered, raised it + tenderly to her lips. + </p> + <p> + The room in which they were lay on one side of the hypostyle and behind + the right-hand—or western—colonnade; more forward, therefore, + than the veiled statue and to its left hand. The noise of the toilers at + the barricade and the crash of the blows of the battering-ram came up from + just below, and at each thud of the engine the senseless man started + convulsively and a look of intense pain crossed his face. But, though it + was indeed grievous to Gorgo to see her father suffering, though she told + herself again and again that, ere long, the sanctuary must fall into the + hands of the Christians, she felt safe, thankful and sheltered up here, in + her old friend’s half-lighted and barely-furnished room, shut off, at any + rate, from the frenzied wretches of whom she thought only with loathing + and fear. + </p> + <p> + She was wearied out with her night of unrest, but the agitation and + excitement she had gone through were still vividly present to her mind, + and even on the comfortable couch in her own snug room at home her + perturbed spirit would have prevented her sleeping. Her brain was still in + a ferment, and here, in comparative peace, she had time to think over all + she had gone through during the last few hours, and the catastrophes that + had befallen her grandmother and her father. She had exchanged but few + words with the physician, who was still unceasingly busy in trying to + restore his patient to consciousness, and who had assured her that he had + every hope of her father’s recovery. + </p> + <p> + But at length the girl looked up with an eager gaze and said, sadly + enough: “You said something about an antidote to poison, Apuleius? Then my + father tried to escape the final destruction by attempting to kill + himself.—Is it so?” + </p> + <p> + The leech looked at her keenly, and after confirming her suspicion and + explaining to her exactly how the fateful deed had been accomplished, he + went on: + </p> + <p> + “The storm had completely unnerved him—it unmanned us all—and + yet that was only the prelude to the tremendous doom which is hanging over + the universe. It is at hand; we can hear its approach; the stones are + yielding! the Christian’s engines are opening the way for it to enter!” + </p> + <p> + Apuleius spoke in a tone of sinister foreboding, and the falling stones + dislodged by the battering-ram thundered a solemn accompaniment to his + prophecy. Gorgo, turned pale; but it was not the physician’s ominous + speech that alarmed her, but the quaking of the walls of the room. Still, + the Serapeum was built for eternity; the ram might bring down a wall, but + it could not destroy or even shake the building itself. + </p> + <p> + Outside, the hubbub of fighting men grew louder and louder every minute, + and Apuleius, increasingly anxious, went to the door to listen. Gorgo + could see that his hands trembled! he—a man—was frightened, + while she felt no anxiety but for her suffering father! Through that + breach Constantine would enter—and where he commanded she was safe. + As to the destruction of the universe—she no longer believed in it. + When the physician turned round and saw her calmly and quietly wiping the + cold drops from the sick man’s brow, he said gloomily: “Of what use is it + to shut our eyes like the ostrich. They are fighting down there for life + or death—we had better prepare for the end. If they venture—and + they will—to lay a sacrilegious hand on the god, besiegers and + besieged alike—the whole world together, must perish.” + </p> + <p> + But Gorgo shook her head. “No, no,” she cried, with zealous confidence. + “No, Apuleius, Serapis is not what you believe him to be; for, if he were, + would he suffer his enemies to overthrow his temple and his image? Why + does he not, at this supreme moment, inspire his worshippers with courage? + I have seen the men—mere boys—and the women who have assembled + here to fight for him. They are nothing but drivellers and triflers. If + the master is like his men it serves him right if he is overthrown; to + weep for him would be waste of woe!” + </p> + <p> + “And can the daughter of Porphyrius say this?” exclaimed the leech. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Apuleius, yes. After what I have seen, and heard, and endured this + night, I cannot speak otherwise. It was shameful, horrible, sickening; I + could rage at the mere thought of being supposed to be one of that debased + crew. It is disgrace and ignominy even to be named in the same breath! A + god who is served as this god has been is no god of mine! And you—you + are learned—a sage and a philosopher—how can you believe that + the God of the Christians when he has conquered and crippled yours, will + ever permit Serapis to destroy His world and the men He created?” + </p> + <p> + Apuleius drew himself up. “Are you then a Christian?” he asked swiftly and + sternly. + </p> + <p> + But Gorgo could not reply; she colored deeply and Apuleius vehemently + repeated his question: “Then you really are a Christian?” + </p> + <p> + She looked frankly in his face: “No,” she said, “I am not; but I wish I + were.” + </p> + <p> + The physician turned away with a shrug; but Gorgo drew a breath of relief, + feeling that her avowal had lifted a heavy burthen from her soul. She + hardly knew how the bold and momentous confession had got itself spoken, + but she felt that it was the only veracious answer to the physician’s + question. + </p> + <p> + They spoke no more; she was better pleased to remain silent, for her own + utterance had opened out to her a new land of promise—of feeling and + of thought. + </p> + <p> + Her lover henceforth was no longer her enemy; and as the tumult of the + struggle by the breach fell on her ear, she could think with joy of his + victorious arms. She felt that this was the purer, the nobler, the better + cause; and she rejoiced in the love of which he had spoken as the support + and the stay of their future life together—as sheltering them like a + tower of strength and a mighty refuge. Compared with that love all that + she had hitherto held dear or indispensable as gracing life, now seemed + vain and worthless; and as she looked at her father’s still face, and + remembered how he had lived and what he had suffered, she applied those + words of Paul which Constantine had spoken at their meeting after his + return, to him, too; and her heart overflowed with affection towards her + hapless parent. She knew full well the meaning of the deep lines that + marked his lips and brow; for Porphyrius had never made any secret of his + distress and vexation whenever he found himself compelled to confess a + creed in which he did not honestly believe. This great falsehood and + constant duplicity, this divided allegiance to two masters, had poisoned + the existence of a man by nature truthful; and Gorgo knew for whose sake + and for what reasons he had subjected himself to this moral martyrdom. It + was a lesson to her to see him lying there, and his look of anguish warned + her to become, heart and soul, a Christian as she felt prompted. She would + confess Christ for love’s sake-aye, for love’s sake; for in this hour the + thing she saw most clearly in the faith which she purposed to adopt, and + of which Constantine had so often spoken to her with affectionate + enthusiasm, was Everlasting Love. + </p> + <p> + Never in her life had she felt so much at peace, so open to all that was + good and beautiful; and yet, outside, the strife grew louder and more + furious; the Imperial tuba sounded above the battle-cry of the heathen, + and the uproar of the struggle came nearer and nearer. + </p> + <p> + The battering-ram had made a large breach in the southern wall, and, + protected by their shed, the heavy-armed infantry of the twenty-second + legion had forced their way up; but many a veteran had paid for his + rashness with his life, for the storming party had been met by a perfect + shower of arrows and javelins. Still, the great shield had turned many a + spear, and many an arrow had glanced harmless from the brazen armor and + helmets; the men that had escaped pressed onwards, while fresh ranks of + soldiers made their way in, over the bodies of the fallen. The + well-drilled foe came creeping up to the barricade on their knees, and + protected by bronze bucklers, while others, in the rear, flung lances and + arrows over their heads at the besieged. A few of the heathen fell, and + the sight of their blood had a wonderful effect on their comrades. Rage + surged up in the breasts of the most timid, and fear vanished before the + passion for revenge; cowardice turned to martial ardor, and philosophers + and artists thirsted for blood. The red glare of strife danced before the + eyes of the veriest book-worm; fired by the terrible impulse to kill, to + subdue, to destroy the foe, they fought desperately and blindly, staking + their lives on the issue. + </p> + <p> + Karnis, that zealous votary of the Muses, stood with Orpheus, on the very + top of the barricade throwing lance after lance, while he sang at the top + of his voice snatches of the verses of Tyrtaeus, in the teeth, as it were, + of the foe who were crowding through the breach; the sweat streamed from + his bald head and his eye flashed fire. By his side stood his son, sending + swift arrows from an enormous bow. The heavy curls of his hair had come + unbound and fell over his flushed face. When he hit one of the Imperial + soldiers his father applauded him eagerly; then, collecting all his + strength, flung another lance, chanting a hexameter or a verse of an ode. + Herse crouched half hidden behind a sacrificial stone which lay at the top + of the hastily-constructed rampart, and handed weapons to the combatants + as they needed them. Her dress was torn and blood-stained, her grey hair + had come loose from the ribbands and crescent that should have confined + it; the worthy matron had become a Megaera and shrieked to the men: “Kill + the dogs! Stand steady! Spare never a Christian!” + </p> + <p> + But the little garrison needed no incitement; the fevered zeal which + possessed them wholly, seconded their thirst for blood and doubled their + strength. + </p> + <p> + An arrow, shot by Orpheus, had just glanced over the breastplate and into + the throat of a centurion who had already set foot on the lowest step, + when Karnis suddenly dropped the spear he was preparing to fling and fell + without a cry. A Roman lance had hit him, and he lay transfixed by the + side of a living purple fount, like a rock in the surf from which a + sapling has sprung. Orpheus saw his father’s life-blood flowing and fell + on his knees by his side; but the old man pointed to the bow that his son + had cast aside and murmured eagerly: “Leave me—let me be. What does + it matter about me? Fight—for the gods—I say. For the gods! Go + on, aim truly!” + </p> + <p> + But the lad would not leave the dying man, and seeing how deeply the spear + had struck to the old man’s heart he groaned aloud, throwing up his arms + in despair. Then an arrow hit his shoulder, another pierced his neck, and + he, too, fell gasping for breath. Karnis saw him drop, and painfully + raised himself a little to help him; but it was too much for him; he could + only clench his fist in helpless fury and chant, half-singing, + half-speaking, as loud he was able, Electra’s curse: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “This my last prayer, ye gods, do not disdain! + For them turn day to night and joy to pain!” + </pre> + <p> + But the heavy infantry, who by this time were crowding through the breach, + neither heard nor heeded his curse. He lost consciousness and did not + recover it till Herse, after lifting up her son and propping him against a + plinth, pressed a cloth against the stump of the lance still remaining in + the wound to staunch the swiftly flowing blood, and sprinkled his brow + with wine. He felt her warm tears on his face, and as he looked up into + her kind, faithful eyes, brimming over with tears of sympathy and regret, + his heart melted to tenderness. All the happiest hours of the life they + had spent together crowded on his memory; he answered her glance with a + loving and grateful gaze and painfully held out his hand. Herse pressed it + to her lips, weeping bitterly; but he smiled up at her, nodding his head + and repeating again and again the line from Lucian: “Be comforted: you, + too, must soon follow.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes—I shall follow soon,” she repeated with sobs. “Without + you, without either of you, without the gods—what would become of me + here.” + </p> + <p> + And she turned to her son who, fully conscious, had followed every word + and every gesture of his parents and tried himself to say something. But + the arrow in his neck choked his breath, and it was such agony to speak + that he could only say hoarsely: “Father mother!” But these poor words + were full of deep love and gratitude, and Karnis and Herse understood all + he longed to express. + </p> + <p> + Tears choked the poor woman’s utterance so that neither of the three could + say another word, but they were at any rate close together, and could look + lovingly in each other’s eyes. Thus passed some few minutes of peace for + them, in spite of the blare of trumpets, and shrieks and butchery; but + Herse’s kerchief was dyed and soaked with her husband’s blood, and the old + man’s eyes were glazed and staring as they wandered feebly on the scene, + as though to get a last general picture of the world in which they had + always sought to see only what was fair. Suddenly they remained fixed on + the face of a statue of Apollo, which had been flung on to the barricade; + and the longer they dwelt on the beautiful countenance of the god the more + they sparkled with a clear transfigured gleam. Once more, with a final + effort, he raised his heavy hand and pointed to the sun-crowned head of + the immortal youth while he softly murmured: + </p> + <p> + “He—he—all that was fair in existence—Orpheus, Herse—we + owe it all to him. He dies with us.—They—the enemy—in + conquering us conquer thee! They dream of a Paradise beyond death; but + where thou reignest, O Phoebus, there is bliss even on earth! They boast + that they love death and hate life; and when they are the victors they + will destroy lute and pipe, nay, if they could, would exterminate beauty + and extinguish the sun. This beautiful happy world they would have dark, + gloomy, melancholy, hideous; thy kingdom, great Phoebus, is sunny, joyful + and bright...!” Here his strength failed him; but presently he rallied + once more and went on, with eager eyes: “We crave for light, for music, + lutes and pipes—for perfumed flowers on careless brows—we—hold + me up Herse—and thou, heal me, O Phoebus Apollo!—Hail, all + hail! I thank thee—thou hast accepted much from me and hast given me + all! Come, thou joy of my soul! Come in thy glorious chariot, attended by + Muses and Hours! See, Orpheus, Herse—do you see Him coming?” + </p> + <p> + He pointed with a confident gesture to the distance; and his anxious eyes + followed the indication of his hand; he raised himself a little by a last + supreme effort; but instantly fell back; his head sank on the bosom of his + faithful partner and a stream of blood flowed from his quivering lips. The + votary of the Muses was dead; and a few minutes after Orpheus, too, fell + senseless. + </p> + <p> + War-cries and trumpet-calls rang and echoed through the Serapeum. The + battle was now a hand-to-hand fight; the besiegers had surmounted the + barricade and stood face to face with the heathen. Herse saw them coming; + she snatched the dart from her husband’s wound, and fired by hatred and a + wild thirst for vengeance, she rushed upon the besiegers with frantic and + helpless fury, cursing them loudly. She met the death she craved; a + javelin struck her and she fell close to her husband and son. Her death + struggle was a short one; she had only time and strength to extend a hand + to lay on each before she herself was a corpse. + </p> + <p> + The battle raged round the heap of dead; the Imperial troops drove the + garrison backwards into the temple-halls, and the plan of attack which had + been agreed upon at a council of war held in the palace of the Comes, was + carried out, point by point, with cool courage and irresistible force. A + few maniples pursued the fugitives into the main entrance hall, helped + them to force the gates open, and then drove them down the slope and + steps, over the stones that had been heaped up for protection, and into + the very arms of the division placed in front of the temple. These at once + surrounded them and took them prisoners, as the hunter traps the game that + rushes down upon him when driven by the dogs and beaters. Foremost to fly + were the women from the rotunda, who were welcomed with acclamations by + the soldiers. + </p> + <p> + But those who now tried to defend themselves found no quarter. Berenice + had picked up a sword that was lying on the ground and had opened a vein + with the point of it; her body, bathed in blood, was found at the foot of + the statue of justice. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the Christians mastered the barricade than a few maniples + had been sent up to the roof, and the defenders had been compelled to + surrender or to throw themselves from the parapet. Old Memnon, who had + been fighting against his Imperial master and could hope for no mercy, + sprang at once into the gulf below, and others followed his example; for + the end of all things was now close at hand, and to the nobler souls to + die voluntarily in battle for great Serapis seemed finer and worthier than + to languish in the enemy’s chains. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. + </h2> + <p> + The terrific storm of the preceding night had thrown the whole city into + dismay. Everyone knew the danger that threatened Serapis, and what must + ensue if he were overthrown; and everyone had thought that the end of the + world had indeed come. But the tempest died away; the sun’s bright glow + dispersed the clouds and mist; sea and sky smiled radiantly blue, and the + trees and herbage glistened in revived freshness. + </p> + <p> + Not yet had the Romans dared to lay hands on the chief of the gods, the + patron and protector of the city. Serapis had perhaps sent the lightning, + thunder and rain as a message to warn his foes. If only they might abstain + from the last, worst crime of desecrating his image! + </p> + <p> + Nor was this the hope of the heathen only; on the contrary: Jews and + Christians no less dreaded the fall of the god and of his temple. He was + the pride, the monumental glory of the city of Alexander; the centre of + foundations and schools which benefited thousands. The learning which was + the boast of Alexandria dwelt under his protection; to the Serapeum was + attached a medical Faculty which enjoyed the reputation of being the first + in the world; from its observatory the course of the year was forecast and + the calendar was promulgated. An hour’s slumber in its halls brought + prophetic dreams, and the future must remain undivined if Serapis were to + fall, for the god revealed it to his priests, not merely by the courses + and positions of the stars, but by many other signs; and it was a delight + and a privilege to look forward from the certain, tangible present to the + mysteries of the morrow. + </p> + <p> + Even Christian seers answered the questionings of their followers in a way + which portended the worst, and it was a grief to many of the baptized to + think of their native city without Serapis and the Serapeum, just as we + cannot bear to cut down a tree planted by the hand of an ancestor, even + though it may darken our home. The temple ought to be closed, bloody + sacrifices to the god should be prohibited—but his image—the + noblest work of Bryaxis—to mutilate, or even to touch that would be + a rash, a fateful deed, treason to the city and an outrage on the world. + </p> + <p> + Thus thought the citizens; thus, too, thought the soldiers, who were + required by military discipline to draw the sword against the god in whom + many of them believed. + </p> + <p> + As the news spread that the troops were to attack the Serapeum early next + morning, thousands of spectators collected, and filled the temple itself + in breathless anxiety to watch the issue of the struggle. + </p> + <p> + The sky was as clear and blue as on any other fine day; but over the sea + to the north lay a light stratum of clouds—the harbingers perhaps of + the appalling blackness which the god would presently bring up against his + enemies. + </p> + <p> + The men who had defended the Serapeum were led away; it had been + determined in a council of war that they should be treated with clemency, + and Cynegius had proclaimed free and full pardon to every prisoner who + would swear never, for the future, to sacrifice to the god or worship in + his temple. + </p> + <p> + Not one of the hundreds who had fallen into the hands of the Romans had + refused to take the oath; they dispersed at once, though with suppressed + fury, many of them joining the crowd who stood waiting and watching for + the next step to be taken by the Romans—for the final crash of the + universe, perhaps. + </p> + <p> + The doors of the temple were thrown wide open; the temple-servants and + hundreds of soldiers were busied in clearing the steps and approaches of + the stones and fragments of statuary with which the heathen had encumbered + them. As soon as this task was finished the dead and wounded were removed; + among those who still breathed was Orpheus, the son of Karnis. Those who + had been so happy as to escape in the defence of the sanctuary and had + mingled with the crowd were besieged with questions, and all agreed that + the statue of the god was as yet inviolate. + </p> + <p> + The citizens were relieved, but ere long were startled by a new alarm; an + Ala of heavy cavalry came upon the scene, opening a way for an immensely + long procession whose chanted psalms rang out from afar, loud above the + cries and murmurs of the mob, the clatter of harness, and stamping of + horses. It was clear now where the monks had been. They were not usually + absent when there was a skirmish with the heathen; but, till this moment, + they had been seen only in twos or threes about the Serapeum. Now they + came forward shouting a psalm of triumph, their eyes glaring, wilder and + more ruthless than ever. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop marched at their head, in his vestments, under a magnificent + canopy; his lofty stature was drawn to its full height and his lips were + firmly closed. + </p> + <p> + He looked like a stern judge about to mount the tribunal to pronounce + sentence with inexorable severity on some execrable crime. + </p> + <p> + The crowd quailed. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop and the monks in the Serapeum, meant the overthrow of the + statue of the sovereign god—death and destruction. The boldest + turned pale; many who had left wife and children at home stole away to + await the end of the world with those they loved; others remained to watch + the menaced sanctuary, cursing or praying; but the greater number, men and + women alike, crowded into the temple, risking their lives to be present at + the stupendous events about to be enacted there and which promised to be a + drama of unequalled interest. + </p> + <p> + At the bottom of the ascent the Comes rode forth to meet the Bishop, + leaped from his saddle and greeted him with reverence. The Imperial legate + had not made his appearance; he had preferred to remain for the present at + the prefect’s house, intending to preside, later in the day, at the races + as the Emperor’s representative, side by side with the Prefect Evagrius—who + also kept aloof during the attack on the Serapeum. After a brief colloquy, + Romanus signed to Constantine, the captain of the cavalry; the troop + dismounted, and, led by their officer, marched up the slope that led to + the great gate of the Serapeum. They were followed by the Comes with his + staff; next to him pale and somewhat tremulous came some of the city + officials and a few Christian members of the senate; and then the Bishop—who + had preferred to come last—with all the Christian priesthood and a + crowd of chanting monks. The train was closed by a division of heavy-armed + infantry; and after them the populace rushed in, unchecked by the soldiers + who stood outside the temple. + </p> + <p> + The great halls of the Serapeum had been put in order as well as possible + in so short a time. Of all those who, the day before, had crowded in to + defend the god and his house, none were left but Porphyrius and those who + were nursing him. After a long and agonizing period of silence heavy fists + came thundering at the door. Gorgo started up to unbolt it, but Apuleius + held her back; so it was forced off its hinges and thing into the + temple-aisle on which the room opened. At the same instant a party of + soldiers entered the room and glanced round it enquiringly. + </p> + <p> + The physician turned as pale as death, and sank incapable of speech on a + seat by his patient’s couch; but Gorgo turned with calm dignity to the + centurion who led the intruders, and explained to him who she was, and + that she was here under the protection of the leech to tend her suffering + father. She concluded by asking to speak with Constantine the prefect of + cavalry, or with the Comes Romanus, to whom she and her father were well + known. + </p> + <p> + There was nothing unusual in a sick man being brought into the Serapeum + for treatment, and the calm, undoubting superiority of Gorgo’s tone as + well as the high rank of the men whose protection she appealed to, + commanded the centurion’s respectful consideration; however, his orders + were to send every one out of the temple who was not a Roman soldier, so + he begged her to wait a few minutes, and soon returned with the legate + Volcatius, the captain of his legion. This knightly patrician well knew—as + did every lover of horses—the owner of the finest stable in + Alexandria, and was quite willing to allow Gorgo and Apuleius to remain + with their patient; at the same time he warned them that a great + catastrophe was imminent. Gorgo, however, persisted in her wish to be by + her father’s side, so he left her a guard to protect them. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers were too busy to linger; instead of replacing the door they + had torn down, they pushed it out of their way; and Gorgo, seeing that her + father remained in precisely the same condition, drew back the curtain + which was all that now divided them from the hypostyle, and looked out + over the heads of a double row of soldiers. They were posted close round + the lower step of the platform that raised the hypostyle above the nave + and the colonnades on each side of it. + </p> + <p> + In the distance Gorgo could see a vast body of men slowly approaching in + detachments, and with long pauses at intervals. They stopped for some time + in the outer hall, and before they entered the basilica twenty Christian + priests came in with strange gestures and a still stranger chant; these + were exorcists, come to bann the evil spirits and daemons that must surely + haunt this high place of idolatry and abominations. They carried crosses + which they flourished like weapons against an unseen foe, and touched the + columns with them, the pavement and the few remaining statues; they fell + on their knees, making the sign of the cross with the left hand; and, + finally, they ranged themselves like soldiers in three ranks in front of + the niche containing the statue, pointed their crosses at the god, and + recited in loud, angry, and commanding tones the potent anathemas and + mysterious formulas which they thought calculated to expel the most + reprobate and obdurate of all the heathen devils. A host of acolytes, + following at their heels, swung their censers about the plague-spot—the + shrine of the king of idols; while the exorcists dipped wands into a + cauldron carried by their attendants, and sprinkled the mystical figures + on the hanging and on the mosaic pavement. + </p> + <p> + All this occupied several minutes. Then—and Gorgo’s heart beat high—then + Constantine came in, armed and equipped, and behind him an Ala of picked + men, the elite of his troop; bearded men with tanned and scarred faces. + Instead of swords they carried axes, and they were followed by sappers + bearing tall ladders which, by Constantine’s orders, they leaned up + against the niche. The infantry ranged under the colonnades at the sides + were evidently startled at the sight of these ladders, and Gorgo could + perceive by the trembling of the curtain near which she and Apuleius were + standing, how deeply the physician was agitated. It was as though the axe + had been displayed with which a king was about to be decapitated. + </p> + <p> + Now the Bishop came in with the municipal dignitaries; priests and monks, + chanting as they walked, filled the broad hall, incessantly making the + sign of the cross; and the crowd that poured into the hypostyle pressed as + far forward as they were allowed by the chain which the soldiers held + outstretched between them and their superiors. + </p> + <p> + The populace-heathen and Christian of every sect and degree-filled the + aisles, too; but the chain also kept them off the upper end, on to which + the room opened in which Porphyrius lay; so that Gorgo’s view of the + curtain and apse remained unhindered. + </p> + <p> + The psalm rang loudly through the temple-courts above the murmur and + grumble of the angry, terrified and expectant mob. They were prepared for + the worst; each one knew the crime which was to be perpetrated, and yet + few, perhaps, really believed that any one would dare to commit it. + Whichever way she looked Gorgo saw only white faces, stamped with passion, + dismay, and dread. The very priests and soldiers themselves had turned + pale, and stood with bloodless cheeks and set teeth, staring at the + ground; some, to disguise their alarm, cast wrathful and defiant glances + at the rebellious mob, who tried to drown the psalm-singing in loud + menaces and curses, and the echoes of the great building doubled their + thousand voices. + </p> + <p> + A strange unrest seethed in this dense mass of humanity. The heathen were + trembling with rage, clutching their amulets and charms, or shaking angry + fists; the Christians thrilled with anxiety and pious zeal, and used their + hands to lift the cross or to ward off the evil one with outstretched + fingers. Every face and every gesture, the muttered curses and pious hymns—all + showed that some terrible and fateful event was impending over all. Gorgo + herself felt as though she were standing on the brink of a crater, while + air and earth heaved around her; she felt and saw the eruption of the + volcano threatening, every instant, to burst at her feet, and to choke and + ruin every living thing. + </p> + <p> + The uproar among the heathen grew louder and louder; fragments of stone + and wood came flying towards the spot where the Bishop and officials were + standing; but, suddenly, the tumult ceased, and, as if by a miracle, there + was silence—perfect silence—in the temple. It was as though at + a sign from the Omnipotent Ruler the storm-lashed ocean had turned to the + calm of a land-locked lake. At a nod from the Bishop some acolytes had + stepped up to the niche where the statue of the god was shrouded and the + curtain, which till now had hidden it, slowly began to fall. + </p> + <p> + There sat Serapis, looking down in majestic indifference, as cold and + unapproachable as if his sublime dignity was far removed above the petty + doings of the crawling humanity at his feet; and the effect was as + impressive now as it had been the evening before. How beautiful—how + marvellously grand and lofty was this work of human hands! Even the + Christians could not repress a low, long-drawn murmur of surprise, + admiration, and astonishment. The heathen were at first silent, overcome + by pious awe and ecstasy; but then they broke out in a loud and triumphant + shout, and their cries of “Hail to Serapis!” “Serapis, reign forever!” + rang from pillar to pillar and echoed from the stony vault of the apse and + ceiling. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo crossed her hands over her bosom as she saw the god revealed in his + glorious beauty. Spotlessly pure, complete and perfect, the noble statue + stood before her; an idol indeed, and perishable—but still divine as + a matchless work, wrought by the loving hands of a votary of the god, + inspired by the immortals. She gazed spell-bound on the form which, though + human, transcended humanity as eternity transcends time, as the light of + the sun transcended the blazing beacon on Pharos; and she said to herself + that it was impossible that an irreverent hand should be laid on this + supremely lovely statue, crowned with the might of undying beauty. + </p> + <p> + She saw that even the Bishop drew back a step when the curtain had fallen, + and his lips parted involuntarily to utter a cry of admiration like the + others; but she saw, too, that he closed them again and pressed them more + firmly together; that his eye sparkled with a fiercer light as the shout + of the heathen rose to heaven, that the knotted veins on his high forehead + swelled with rage as he heard the cry of “Serapis, Hail, all hail!” Then + she noted the Comes, as he whispered soothing words in the prelate’s ear, + praying him perhaps to spare the statue—not as an idol, but as a + work of art; as he turned from Theophilus with a shrug; and then—her + heart stood still, and she had to cling to the curtain—he pointed to + the statue, with a nod of intelligence to Constantine. The young officer + bowed with military formality and gave a word of command to his men, which + was drowned by the wild cries of the heathen as soon as they apprehended + with dismay what its import was. + </p> + <p> + The veterans were stirred. A subaltern officer, putting the standard he + bore into the hands of the man next to him and taking his axe from him + instead, rushed towards the statue, gazed up at it—and then, letting + the axe sink, withdrew slowly to rejoin the others who still stood + hesitating, looking at each other with doubting and defiant eyes. + </p> + <p> + Once more Constantine shouted his order, louder and more positively than + before; but the men did not move. The subaltern flung his axe on the + ground and the rest followed his example, pointing eagerly to the god, and + vehemently adjuring their prefect—refusing apparently to obey his + commands—for he went to the recalcitrant standard-bearer, a + grey-haired veteran, and laying his hand on the man’s shoulder shook him + angrily, evidently threatening him and his comrades. + </p> + <p> + In these brave souls a struggle was going on, between their sense of + discipline and devotion to their fine young leader, and their awe of the + god; it was visible in their puzzled faces, in their hands raised in + supplication. Constantine, however, relentlessly repeated his order; and, + when they still refused to obey, he turned his back on their ranks with a + gesture of bitter contempt, and shouted his commands to the infantry + posted by the colonnade behind which Gorgo was watching all these + proceedings. + </p> + <p> + But these also were refractory. The heathen were triumphant, and + encouraged the soldiers with loud cries to persist. + </p> + <p> + Constantine turned once more to his own men, and finding them obstinate in + their disobedience, he went forward himself to where the ladders were + standing, moved one of them from the wall and leaned it up against the + body of the statue, seized the axe that lay nearest, and mounted from rung + to rung. The murmurs of the heathen were suddenly silenced; the multitude + were so still that the least sound of one plate of armor against another + was audible, that each man could hear his neighbor breathe, and that Gorgo + fancied she could hear her own heart throb. + </p> + <p> + The man and the god stood face to face, and the man who was about to lay + hands on the god was her lover. She watched his movements with breathless + interest; she longed to call out to him, to follow him as he mounted the + ladder, to fall on his neck and keep him from committing such sacrilege—not + out of fear of the ruin he might bring upon the world, but only because + she felt that the first blow he should deal to this beautiful and unique + work of art might wreck her love for him, as his axe would wreck the + ivory. She was not afraid for him; he seemed to her inviolable and + invulnerable; but her whole soul shuddered at the deed which he was + steeling himself to perpetrate. She remembered their happy childhood + together, his own artistic attempts, the admiration with which he had + gazed at the great works of the ancient sculptors—and it seemed + impossible that he, of all men he, should lay hands on that masterpiece, + that he, of all men, should be the one to insult, mutilate and ruin it. It + was not—could not be true! + </p> + <p> + But there he was, at the top of the ladder; he passed the axe from his + left hand to his right, and leaning back a little, looked at the head of + the god from one side. She could see his face plainly, and note every + movement and look; she watched him keenly, and saw the loving and + compassionate expression with which he fixed his gaze on the noble + features of Serapis, saw him clutch his left hand to his heart as if in + pain. The crowd below might fancy that he lacked courage, that he was + absorbed in prayer, or that his soul shrank from dealing the fateful blow + to the great divinity; but she could see that he was bidding a silent + farewell, as it were, to the sublime work of an inspired artist, which it + pained and shocked him to destroy. And this comforted her; it gave her + views of the situation a new direction, and suggested the question whether + he, a soldier and a Christian, when commanded by his superior to do this + deed ought to shrink or hesitate, if he were indeed, heart and soul, what, + after all, he was. Her eyes clung to him, as a frightened child clings to + its mother’s neck; and the expectant thousands, in an agony of suspense, + like her, saw nothing but him. + </p> + <p> + Stillness more profound never reigned in the heart of the desert than now + in this vast and densely-crowded hall. Of all man’s five senses only one + was active: that of sight; and that was concentrated on a single object a + man’s hand holding an axe. The hearts of thousands stood still, their + breath was suspended, there was a singing in their ears, a dazzling light + in their eyes—eyes that longed to see, that must see—and that + could not; thousands stood there like condemned criminals, whose heads are + on the block, who hear the executioner behind them, and who still, on the + very threshold of death, hope for respite and release. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo found no answer to her own questionings; but she, too, wanted to see—must + see. And she saw Constantine close his eyes, as though he dared not + contemplate the deed that Fate had condemned him to do; she saw him lay + his left hand on the god’s sacred beard, saw him raise his right for the + fatal blow—saw, heard, felt the axe crash again and again on the + cheek of Serapis—saw the polished ivory fall in chips and shavings, + large and small, on the stone floor, and leap up with an elastic rebound + or shiver into splinters. She covered her face with her hands and hid her + head in the curtain, weeping aloud. She could only moan and sob, and feel + nothing, think nothing but that a momentous and sinister act had been + perpetrated. An appalling uproar like the noise of thunder and the beating + of surf rose up on every side, but she heeded it not; and when at length + the physician called her by her name, when she turned from the curtain and + once more looked out, instead of the sublime image of the god she saw in + the niche a shapeless log of wood, a hideous mass against which several + ladders were propped, while the ground was heaped and strewed with scraps + of ivory, fragments of gold-plate, and chips of marble. Constantine had + disappeared; the ladders and the plinth of the statue were covered with a + swarm of soldiers and monks who were finishing the work of destruction. As + soon as the young officer had struck the first blow, and the god had + submitted in abject impotence, they had rushed upon him and saved their + captain the trouble of ending the task he had begun. + </p> + <p> + The great idol was desecrated. Serapis was no more—the heaven of the + heathen had lost its king. The worshippers of the deposed god, sullen, + furious, and bitterly disabused, made their way out of the temple and + looked up at the serene blue sky, the unclouded sunshine, for some + symptoms of an avenging tempest; but in vain. + </p> + <p> + Theophilus had also quitted the scene with the Comes, leaving the work of + devastation in the competent hands of the monks. He knew his skin-clad + adherents well; and he knew that within a very few days not an idol, not a + picture, not a token would remain intact to preserve the memory of the old + gods; a thousand slaves charged to sweep the Serapeum from the face of the + earth would have given his impatience twenty times as long to wait. The + Comes went off at once to the Hippodrome, preceded by hundreds who had + hurried off to tell the assembled multitude that Alexandria had lost her + god. + </p> + <p> + Constantine, however, had not left the temple; he had withdrawn into one + of the aisles and seated himself on the steps, where he remained, sunk in + thought and gazing at the ground. He was a soldier and took service and + discipline in earnest. What he had done he had been forced to do; but no + one could guess how hard it had been to him to fulfil this terrible duty. + His own act was abominable in his eyes, and yet he would have done it + again to-morrow, if it had again been required of him under similar + circumstances. He bewailed the beautiful statue as a lost treasure of art; + but he felt that it was indispensable that it should perish out of the + world. And at the same time he thought of Gorgo, wondering how she—who + had only the day before pledged herself to him, whom he loved with fervent + passion, to whom, as he well knew, his faith was something monstrous in + its contempt for beauty—would bear to learn that he, her lover, was + the man who, like some coarse barbarian, had defaced this noble work and + ruined this vision of beauty, no less dear to him than it was to her. + Still, as he sat brooding and searching the very depths of his soul, he + could not help feeling that he had certainly acted rightly and would do + the same again, even at the risk of losing her. To him Gorgo, was the + noblest of God’s creatures, and how could he have borne to go through life + at her side with a stain on his honor? But he did not conceal from himself + the fact that his deed had opened a wide gulf between them; and it was + with deep pathos that his thoughts recurred to the antique conception of + tragedy—of fate which pursues its innocent victims as though they + were guilty. This day perhaps would witness the sunset of his life’s joy, + would drive him forth once more to war—to fight, and do nothing but + fight, till death should meet him on the battle-field. And as he sat there + his eyes grew dim and heavy and his head fell on his heaving breast. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he felt a light touch on his shoulder, and turning round, he saw + Gorgo standing with her hand outstretched; he started to his feet, seized + it with eager passion and looking sadly into the young girl’s eyes said, + with deep emotion: + </p> + <p> + “I would I might hold this hand forever—but you will leave me, you + will turn from me when I tell you of the deed that mine has done.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it,” she said firmly. “And it was a hard task even for you—a + painful duty—was it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Terrible! horrible!” he exclaimed with a shudder, as he recalled the + feelings of that momentous instant. She looked sympathetically into his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “And you did it,” she cried, “because you felt that you must and will be + wholly what you profess to be? It is right—the only right; I feel it + so. I will try to imitate you, and rise above the half-heartedness which + is the bane of existence, and which makes the firm path of life a + trembling, swaying bridge. I am yours, wholly yours; I have none other + gods but yours, and for love of you I will learn to love your God—for + you have often and often called him a God of Love.” + </p> + <p> + “And He is a God of Love!” cried Constantine, “and you will know him and + confess him even without teaching; for our Saviour lives in every heart + that is filled with love. Oh! Gorgo, I have destroyed that beautiful idol, + but I will let you see that even a Christian can duly value and cherish + beauty in his home and in his heart.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of it,” she exclaimed joyfully. “The world goes on its way and + does not quake, in spite of the fall of Serapis; but I feel as though in + my inmost soul a world had perished and a new one was created, nobler and + purer, and perhaps even more lovely than the old one!” + </p> + <p> + He pressed her hand to his lips; she signed to him to follow her and led + the way to her father’s couch. Porphyrius was sitting up, supported in the + physician’s arms; his eyes were open, and as they entered he greeted them + with a faint smile. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. + </h2> + <p> + The spacious Hippodrome was filled with some thousands of spectators. At + first many rows of seats had been left vacant, though usually on the eve + of the great races, the people would set out soon after midnight and every + place would be filled long before the games began; indeed the upper tiers + of the tribune, which were built of wood and were free to all comers, with + standing-room behind, were commonly so crowded early in the morning that + the crush ended in a free fight. + </p> + <p> + On this occasion, the storm of the previous night, the anxiety caused by + the conflict round the Serapeum, and the prevalent panic as to the + approaching end of the world, kept great numbers away from their favorite + diversion; but when the sky recovered its radiant blue, and when it became + known that the statue of Serapis had escaped uninjured in the siege of his + sanctuary—when Cynegius, the Imperial legate, and Evagrius, the + city-prefect, had entered the theatre with much pomp, followed by several + senators and ladies and gentlemen of rank-Christians, Heathen, and Jews—the + most timid took courage; the games had been postponed for an hour, and + before the first team was led into the arched shed whence the chariots + started, the seats, though less densely packed than usual, were amply + filled. + </p> + <p> + The number of chariots entered for competition was by no means smaller + than on former occasions, for the heathen had strained every nerve to show + their fellow-citizens of different creeds, and especially Caesar’s + representative, that, in spite of persecution and in defiance of Imperial + edicts, they were still a power worthy of consideration. The Christians, + on their part, did their utmost to outdo the idolaters on the same ground + where, not long since, they had held quite the second place. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop’s epigram: That Christianity had ceased to be the religion of + the poor, was amply confirmed; the greater proportion of the places for + senators, officials and rich citizens were occupied by its adherents, and + the men and women who professed the Faith were by no means behind their + heathen peers in magnificence of dress and jewels. + </p> + <p> + The horses, too, entered by the Christians could not fail to please the + connoisseur, as they punctually made their appearance behind the + starting-place, though he might have felt more confidence—and not + without reason—in the heathen steeds, and more particularly in their + drivers, each of whom had won on an average nine races out of ten. + </p> + <p> + The horses in the quadriga with which Marcus, the son of Mary, made his + appearance in the arena had never before been driven in the Hippodrome. + Demetrius, the owner’s brother, had bred and trained them—four + magnificent black Arabs—and they excited much interest among the + knowing judges who were wont to collect and lounge about the ‘oppidum’, as + it was called, behind the ‘carceres’—[The covered sheds or stalls in + which the horses were brought to wait for the start.]—to inspect the + racers, predict the winner, offer counsel to the drivers, and make bets. + These perfect creatures were perhaps as fine as the famous team of golden + bays belonging to Iphicrates, which so often had proved victorious; but + the agitatores, or drivers, attracted even more interest than the horses. + Marcus, though he knew how to handle the reins—he had already been + seen in experimental races—could hardly hold his own against + Hippias, the handsome young heathen, who, like most of the drivers in the + arena, was an agitator by profession. A story was told of his having + driven over a bridge which was not quite as wide as the outside edges of + his chariot-wheels; and there were many witnesses to the feat he had + performed of writing his mistress’ name with his chariot-tracks in the + sand of the Hippodrome. + </p> + <p> + The betting was freest and the wagers highest on Hippias and the team + belonging to Iphicrates. Some few backed Marcus and his Arabs, but for + smaller sums; and when they compared the tall but narrow-shouldered figure + of the young Christian with the heroic breadth of Hippias’ frame, and his + delicate features, dreamy blue eyes and downy black moustache with the + powerful Hermes-head of his rival, they were anxious about their money. If + his brother now, the farmer Demetrius—who was standing by the + horses’ heads—or some well-known agitator had held the reins, it + would have been a pleasure and a profit to back such horses. Marcus had + been abroad, too, and men shrugged their shoulders over that, for it was + not till the last few days that he had been seen exercising his horses in + the Hippodrome. + </p> + <p> + Time was going on, and the Imperial envoy, who had been elected to preside + as judge, at length took his place; Demetrius whispered a few last words + of advice to his brother and went back into the arena. He had secured a + good place on the stone podium and on the shady side, though there were + several seats vacant among those belonging to his family; but he did not + care to occupy one of these, preferring to keep out of the way of his + step-mother, who had made her appearance with a senator and his wife to + whom she was related. He had not seen her for two days; his promise to + Karnis that he would try to find Dada, had kept him fully occupied, and he + had done his best in all earnest to discover the girl. + </p> + <p> + The honest indignation with which this young creature had refused his + splendid offers, in spite of the modest circumstances of her life, had + roused his respect, and he had felt it an insult to himself and to his + brother when Gorgo had spoken of her with contempt. For his part, he had + never met with any one more fascinating; he could not cease dreaming of + her, and the thought that she might be swallowed up in the foul mire of a + great city made him miserable. His brother had the first claim on her and + he would not dispute it; while he had sought her unweariedly in every + resort of the young and gay—nay even in Canopus—he had only + meant to place her in safety, as a treasure which runs a risk of being + lost to the family, though, when at last its possession is secured, it + becomes the property of the member who can prove the best right of + ownership. But all his efforts had been in vain; and it was in an unhappy + mood that he went at last to the Hippodrome. There the bitter hostility + and party-feeling which he had everywhere observed during his present + visit to his native city, were not less conspicuous than they had been in + the streets. The competing chariots usually arrived at the amphitheatre in + grand procession, but this had not been thought advisable in the + prevailing excitement; they had driven into the oppidum singly and without + any display; and the images of the gods, which in former days had always + been placed on the spina before the games began, had long since fallen + into disuse. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The spina was the division down the middle of the arena. At each + end of it were placed the metae or goals, at a distance from it of + about 13 feet. The spina was originally constructed of wood, + subsequently it was of stone, and its height was generally about 29 + feet. The spina in the Circus of Caracalla was more than 900 feet + long.] +</pre> + <p> + All this was vexatious to Demetrius, and when he had taken his seat it was + in no pleasant temper that he looked round at the ranks of spectators. + </p> + <p> + His step-mother was sitting on the stuffed bench covered with lion-skins + which was reserved for the family. Her tunic and skirt displayed the color + blue of the Christian charioteer, being made of bright blue and silver + brocade of a beautiful pattern in which the cross, the fish, and the + olive-branch were elegantly combined. Her black hair was closely and + simply smoothed over her temples and she wore no garland, but a string of + large grey pearls, from which hung a chaplet of sapphires and opals, lying + on her forehead. A veil fell over the back of her head and she sat gazing + into her lap as if she were absorbed in prayer; her hands were folded and + held a cross. This placid and demure attitude she deemed becoming to a + Christian matron and widow. Everyone might see that she had not come for + worldly pleasure, but merely to be present at a triumph of her + fellow-Christians—and especially her son—over the idolaters. + Everything about her bore witness to the Faith, even the pattern on her + dress and the shape of her ornaments; down to the embroidery on her silk + gloves, in which a cross and an anchor were so designed as to form a Greek + X, the initial letter of the name of Christ. Her ambition was to appear + simple and superior to all worldly vanities; still, all she wore must be + rich and costly, for she was here to do honor to her creed. She would have + regarded it as a heathen abomination to wear wreaths of fresh and fragrant + flowers, though for the money which that string of pearls had cost she + might have decked the circus with garlands from end to end, or have fed a + hundred poor for a twelvemonth. It seems so much easier to cheat the + omniscient Creator of the Universe than our fellow-fools! + </p> + <p> + So Dame Maria sat there in sour and virtuous dignity, looking like the + Virgin Mary as painters and sculptors were at that time wont to represent + her; and her farmer-son shuddered whenever his eye fell on his + step-mother. It did him good, by contrast, to hear a hearty peal of + laughter that came up from the lowest ranks of the podium. When he had + discovered the spot from whence it proceeded he could hardly believe his + eyes, for there sat the long-sought Dada, between an old man and a young + woman, laughing as though something had just occurred to amuse her + extremely. Demetrius stretched his limbs with a feeling of relief and + satisfaction; then he rose, and seeing his city agent seated just behind + the girl, he begged him to change places with him, as he thought it + advisable not to lose sight of the game now it was caught; the old man was + very ready to oblige him and went up to the other seat with a meaning + smile. + </p> + <p> + For the first time since she could recollect anything Dada had spent a + sleepless night. Whether the wind and thunder would have sufficed to keep + her awake who can tell; but the thoughts that had whirled through her + brain had been varied and exciting enough to rob her of sleep. Her own + people who were fighting for Serapis—how were they faring; and Agne—what + had become of her? Then her mind turned to the church, and the worthy old + priest’s sermon; to the races that she was to see—and the face and + figure of the handsome young Christian rose vividly and irresistibly + before her fancy. Of course—of course, she wished his horses to win; + but it was strange enough that she, Karnis’ niece, should be on the side + of the Christians. Stranger still that she had entirely ceased to believe + in all the abuse which, from her earliest childhood, she had heard heaped + on the followers of the crucified Jew. It could only be that Karnis had + never been able to forgive them for having ruined his theatre at + Tauromenium, and so, perhaps, had never known them thoroughly. + </p> + <p> + She had enjoyed many a happy hour at the festivals of the old gods; and + they were no doubt beautiful and festive divinities, or terrible when they + were wroth; still, in the depths of her soul there had for some time + lurked a vague, sweet longing which found no fulfilment in any heathen + temple. She knew no name for it and would have found it hard to describe, + but in the church, listening to the prayers and hymns and the old deacon’s + discourse, it had for the first time been stilled; she had felt then and + there that, helpless and simple as she was, and even if she were to remain + parted from her foster parents, she need never feel abandoned, but could + rest and hope in a supreme, loving, and helpful power. And indeed she + needed such a protector; she was so easily beguiled. Stephanion, a + flute-player she had known in Rome, had wheedled everything she had a + fancy for out of poor Dada, and when she had got into any mischief laid it + all on Dada’s shoulders. There must be something particularly helpless + about her, for everyone, as a matter of course, took her in hand and + treated her like a child, or said things that made her angry. + </p> + <p> + In the Hippodrome, however, she forgot everything in the present pleasure, + and was happy enough in finding herself in the lowest row of places, in + the comfortable seats on the shady side, belonging to Posidonius, the + wealthy Magian. This was quite different from her experience in Rome, + where once, in the Circus Maximus, she had stood in the second tier of the + wooden gallery and had been squeezed and pushed, while no one had taken + any notice of her and she had only seen the races from a distance, looking + down on the heads of the men and horses. Herse never would take her a + second time, for, as they came out, they had been followed and spoken to + by men, young and old; and after that her aunt had fancied she never could + be safe, scenting danger at every turn, and would not allow her ever again + to go out alone in the city. + </p> + <p> + This was altogether a much finer place, for here she was parted from the + race-course only by a narrow watercourse which, as it happened, was + bridged over just in front of her; the horses would pass close to her; and + besides, it was pleasant to be seen and to feel conscious of a thousand + flattering glances centered on herself. + </p> + <p> + Even the great Cynegius, Caesar’s envoy and deputy, who had often noticed + her on board ship, turned again and again to look at her. He was carried + in on a golden litter by ten huge negroes, preceded by twelve lictors + bearing fasces wreathed with laurel; and he took his seat, robed in purple + and embroidery, on a magnificent throne in the middle of the tribune above + the starting sheds; however, Dada troubled herself no more about the + overdressed old man. + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were everywhere, and she made Medius or his daughter name + everybody and explain everything. Demetrius was delighted with her eager + enjoyment; presently, nudging the singer, she whispered to him with much + satisfaction: + </p> + <p> + “Look how the people down below are craning their necks to look at us! My + dress is so very pretty—I wonder where your friend Posidonius gets + these lovely roses. There are above a hundred buds in this garland across + my shoulders and down to my girdle, I counted them in the litter as I came + along. It is a pity they should die so soon; I shall dry the leaves and + make scent of them.” + </p> + <p> + Demetrius could not resist the temptation; he leaned forward and said over + her shoulder: “There are hardly enough for that.” + </p> + <p> + At this unexpected address Dada looked round, and she blushed as she + recognized Marcus’ brother; he, however, hastened to assure her that he + deeply regretted his audacious proposals of two days since, and the girl + laughed, and said that he had come off worst, and that she might have sent + him away a little more civilly perhaps; but the truth was she had been out + of temper to begin with—any one would be cross that was treated as + Dame Herse had treated her: hiding her shoes and leaving her a prisoner on + the deck of a barge in the middle of a lake! Then she introduced him to + Medius, and finally enquired about Marcus and his horses, and whether he + had any chance of winning the race. + </p> + <p> + The countryman answered all her questions; and when, presently, a + flower-girl came along the ranks of seats, selling wreaths of blue and red + flowers and ribbands, Demetrius bought two lovely olive-wreaths to fling + to the winner—his brother he hoped. Medius and his daughter wore red + knots—the color of the Heathen, and Dada, following their example, + had a similar bow on her shoulder; now, however, she accepted a blue + ribband that Demetrius bought for her and pinned it in the place of the + red one as being the color of Marcus, to the old singer’s great annoyance. + Demetrius laughed loudly in his deep bass tones, declaring that his + brother was already most anxious to win, and that, when he saw her with + these ribbands he would strain every nerve, in gratitude for her + partisanship. He could assure her that Marcus thought of her constantly. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of that,” she said simply; and she added that it was the same + with her, for she had been thinking all night of Marcus and his horses. + Medius could not help remarking that Karnis and Herse would take it very + ill that she should display the Christian color to-day of all days; to + which she only replied that she was sorry for that, but that she liked + blue better than red. The answer was so abrupt and short that it startled + Demetrius, who had hitherto seen Dada gentle and pliant; and it struck him + at once how deep an aversion the girl felt for her present protectors. + </p> + <p> + There was music, as usual, in the towers at either end of the row of + carceres; but it was less stirring and cheerful than of yore, for flutes, + and several of the heathen airs had been prohibited. Formerly, too, the + Hippodrome had been a place where lovers could meet and where many a + love-affair had been brought to a happy climax; but to-day none of the + daughters of the more respectable families were allowed to quit the + women’s apartments in their own homes, for danger was in the air; the + course of events in the Serapeum had kept many of the younger men from + witnessing the races, and some mysterious influence seemed to weigh upon + the gaiety and mirth of which the Hippodrome on a gala day was usually the + headquarters. + </p> + <p> + Wild excitement, expectation strung to the highest pitch, and + party-feeling, both for and against, had always, of course, been rife + here; but to-day they were manifest in an acuter form—hatred had + added its taint and lent virulence to every emotion. The heathen were + oppressed and angered, their rights abridged and defied; they saw the + Christians triumphant at every point, and hatred is a protean monster + which rages most fiercely and most venomously when it has lurked in the + foul career of envy. + </p> + <p> + The Christians could hate, too, and they hated the idolaters who gloried + with haughty self-sufficiency in their intellectual inheritance; the + traditions of a brilliant past. They, who had been persecuted and + contemned, now had the upper hand; they were in power, and the more + insolently they treated their opponents, the more injustice they did them, + and the less the victimized heathen were able to revenge themselves, the + more bitterly did the Christians detest the party they contemned as + superstitious idolaters. In their care for the soul—the spiritual + and divine part—the Christians had hitherto neglected the graces of + the body; thus the heathen had remained the undisputed masters of the + palaestra and the hippodrome. In the gymnasium the Christian refused even + to compete, for the exhibition of his naked body he regarded as an + abomination; but on the race-course he had lately been willing to display + his horses, and many times had disputed the crown with the hereditary + victors, so that, even here, the heathen felt his time-honored and + undisputed supremacy endangered. This was intolerable—this must be + averted—the mere thought of being beaten on this ground roused the + idolaters to wrath and malice. They displayed their color in wreaths of + scarlet poppies, pomegranate flowers and red roses, with crimson ribbands + and dresses; white and green, the colors formerly adopted by the + competitors, were abandoned; for all the heathen were unanimous in + combining their forces against the common foe. The ladies used red + sun-shades and the very baskets, in which the refreshments were brought + for the day, were painted red. + </p> + <p> + The widow Mary, on the other hand, and all the Christians were robed in + blue from head to foot, their sandals being tied with blue ribbands; and + Dada’s blue shoulder-knot was in conspicuous contrast to her bright + rose-colored dress. + </p> + <p> + The vendors of food who wandered round the circus had eggs dyed blue and + red, cakes with sugared icing and refreshing drinks in jars of both + colors. When a Christian and a Heathen found themselves seated side by + side, each turned a shoulder to the other, or, if they were forced to sit + face to face, eyed each other with a scowl. + </p> + <p> + Cynegius did all he could to postpone the races as long as possible; he + was anxious to wait till the Comes had finished his task in the Serapeum, + so that the troops might be free to act in any emergency that might arise + before the contests in the Hippodrome were fairly ended. Time did not hang + heavy on his hands for the vast multitude here assembled interested him + greatly, though he had frequently been a spectator of similar festivities + in Rome and Constantinople; but this crowd differed in many particulars + from the populace of those cities. In the topmost tiers of free seats + black and brown faces predominated greatly over white ones; in the + cushioned and carpeted ranks of the stone podium—the lower portion + of the amphitheatre—mingled with Greeks and Egyptians, sat thousands + of splendidly dressed men and women with strongly-marked Semitic features: + members of the wealthy Jewish community, whose venerable head, the + Alabarch, a dignified patriarch in Greek dress, sat with the chief members + of the senate, near the envoy’s tribune. + </p> + <p> + The Alexandrians were not a patient race and they were beginning to rebel + against the delay, making no small noise and disturbance, when Cynegius + rose and with his white handkerchief waved the signal for the races to + begin. The number of spectators had gradually swelled from fifty to sixty + and to eighty thousand; and no less than thirty-six chariots were waiting + behind the carceres ready to start. + </p> + <p> + Four ‘missus’ or races were to be run. In each of the three first twelve + chariots were to start, and in the fourth only the leaders in the three + former ones were to compete. The winner of the olive-wreath and palmbranch + in this final heat would bear the honors of the day; his party would be + victorious and he would quit the Hippodrome in triumph. + </p> + <p> + Lots were now drawn in the oppidum to decide which shed each chariot was + to start from, and in which naissus each was to run. It was Marcus’ fate + to start among the first lot, and, to the horror of those who had backed + his chances, Hippias, the hero of the Hippodrome, was his rival, with the + four famous bays. + </p> + <p> + Heathen priests poured libations to Poseidon, and Phoebus Apollo, the + patron divinities of horses and of the Hippodrome—for sacrifices of + blood were prohibited; while Christian presbyters and exorcists blessed + the rival steeds in the name of the Bishop. A few monks had crept in, but + they were turned out by the heathen with bitter jeers, as unbidden + intruders. + </p> + <p> + Cynegius repeated his signal. The sound of the tuba rang through the air, + and the first twelve chariots were led into the starting-sheds. A few + minutes later a machine was set in motion by which a bronze eagle was made + to rise with outspread wings high into the air, from an altar in front of + the carceres; this was the signal for the chariots to come forth from + their boxes. They took up their positions close behind a broad chalk line, + traced on the ground with diagonal slope, so as to reduce the disadvantage + of standing outermost and having a larger curve to cover. + </p> + <p> + Until this moment only the privileged possessors of the seats over the + carceres had been able, by craning backwards, to see the horses and + drivers; now the competitors were visible to the multitude which, at their + first appearance, broke out into vociferous applause. The agitatores had + to exert all their strength to hold in the startled and eager teams, and + make them stand even for a few short minutes; then Cynegius signalled for + the third time. A golden dolphin, which had been suspended from a beam, + and on which the eye of every charioteer was fixed, dropped to the ground, + a blast on the ‘salpinx’, or war-trumpet, was sounded, and forty-eight + horses flew forth as though thrown forward by one impulsion. + </p> + <p> + The strength of four fine horses whirled each light, two-wheeled chariot + over the hard causeway as though it were a toy. The down-pour of the + previous night had laid the dust; the bright sunshine sparkled and danced + in rapidly-changing flashes, mirrored in the polished gilding of the + bronze or the silver fittings of the elegantly-decorated, semicircular + cars in which the drivers stood. + </p> + <p> + Five blue and seven red competitors had drawn the first lots. The eye + rested with pleasure on the sinewy figures whose bare feet seemed rooted + to the boards they stood on, while their eyes were riveted on the goal + they were striving to reach, though—as the eye of the archer sees + arrow, bow and mark all at once—they never lost sight of the horses + they were guiding. A close cap with floating ribbands confined their hair, + and they wore a short sleeveless tunic, swathed round the body with wide + bands, as if to brace their muscles and add to their strength. The reins + were fastened around the hips so as to leave the hands free, not only to + hold them but also to ply the whip and use the goad. Each charioteer had a + knife in his girdle, to enable him to release himself, in case of + accident, from a bond that might prove fatal. + </p> + <p> + Before long the bay team was leading alone. Behind were two Christian + drivers, followed by three red chariots; Marcus was last of all, but it + was easy to see that it was by choice and not by necessity that he was + hanging back. He was holding in his fiery team with all his strength and + weight—his body thrown back, his feet firmly set with his knees + against the silver bar of the chariot, and his hands gripping the reins. + In a few minutes he came flying past Dada and his brother, but he did not + see them. He had not even caught sight of his own mother, while the + professional charioteers had not failed to bow to Cynegius and nod to + their friends. He could only keep his eyes and mind fixed on his horses + and on the goal. + </p> + <p> + The multitude clapped, roared, shouted encouragement to their party, + hissed and whistled when they were disappointed—venting their utmost + indignation on Marcus as he came past behind the others; but he either + heard them not or would not hear. Dada’s heart beat so wildly that she + thought it would burst. She could not sit still; she started to her feet + and then flung herself back on her cushions, shouting some spurring words + to Marcus in the flash of time when he might perhaps hear them. When he + had passed, her head fell and she said sadly enough: “Poor fellow!—We + have bought our wreaths for nothing after all, Demetrius!” + </p> + <p> + But Demetrius shook his head and smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” he said, “the boy has iron sinews in that slight body. Look how he + holds the horses in! He is saving their strength till they need it. Seven + times, child, seven times he has to go round this great circus and past + the ‘nyssa’. You will see, he will catch up what he has lost, yet. + Hippias, you see, is holding in his horses, too; it is his way of giving + himself airs at starting. Now he is close to the ‘nyssa’—the + ‘kampter’—the ‘meta’ they call it at Rome; the smaller the bend he + can make round it the better for him, but it is risky work. There—you + see!—They drive round from right to left and that throws most of the + work on the lefthand beast; it has to turn almost in its own length. Aura, + our first horse, is as supple as a panther and I trained her to do it, + myself.—Now, look out there! that bronze figure of a rearing horse—the + ‘Taraxippos’ they call it—is put there to frighten the horses, and + Megaera, our third horse, is like a mad thing sometimes, though she can go + like a stag; every time Marcus gets her quietly past the Taraxippos we are + nearer to success.—Look, look,=-the first chariot has got round the + nyssa! It is Hippias! Yes, by Zeus, he has done it! He is a detestable + braggart, but he knows his business!” + </p> + <p> + This was one of the decisive moments of the race. The crowd was silent; + expectation was at the utmost pitch of tension, and Dada’s eyes were fixed + spell-bound on the obelisk and on the quadrigas that whirled round the + bourn. + </p> + <p> + Next to Hippias came a blue team, and close behind were three red ones. + The Christian who had succeeded in reaching the nyssa second, boldly took + his horses close round the obelisk, hoping to gain space and get past + Hippias; but the left wheel of his chariot grazed the granite plinth, the + light car was overset, and the horses of the red chariot, whose noses were + almost on his shoulder, could not be pulled up short in time. They fell + over the Christian’s team which rolled on the ground; the red chariot, + too, turned over, and eight snorting beasts lay struggling in the sand. + </p> + <p> + The horses in the next chariot bolted as they were being driven past this + mass of plunging and neighing confusion; they defied their driver’s + impotent efforts and galloped across the course back into the caiceres. + </p> + <p> + The rest had time and space enough to beware of the wreck and to give it a + wide berth, among them Marcus. The melee at the Meta had excited his + steeds almost beyond control, and as they tore past the Taraxippos the + third horse, Megaera, shied violently as Demetrius had predicted. She + flung herself on one side, thrust her hind quarters under the pole, and + kicked desperately, lifting the chariot quite off the ground; the young + charioteer lost his footing and slipped. Dada covered her face with her + hands, and his mother turned pale and knit her brows with apprehension. + The youth was still standing; his feet were on the sand of the arena; but + he had a firm grip on the right-hand spiral ornament that terminated the + bar round the chariot. Many a heart stood still with anxiety, and shouts + of triumph and mockery broke from the red party; but in less than half a + minute, by an effort of strength and agility, he had his knees on the + foot-board, and then, in the winking of an eye, he was on his feet in the + chariot, had gathered up the reins and was rushing onward. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, however, Hippias had far outstripped all the rest, and as he + flew past the carceres he checked his pace, snatched a cup from a + lemonade-seller, tossed the contents down his throat with haughty audacity + amid the plaudits of the crowd, and then dashed on again. A wide gap, + indeed, still lay between him and Marcus. + </p> + <p> + By the time the competitors again came round to the nyssa, the slaves in + attendance had cleared away the broken chariots and led off the horses. A + Christian still came next to Hippias followed by a red agitator; Marcus + had gained on the others and was now fourth. + </p> + <p> + In the third round the chariot of the red driver in front of Marcus made + too sharp a turn and ran up against the granite. The broken car was + dragged on by the terrified beasts, and the charioter with it, till, by + the time they were stopped, he was a corpse. In the fifth circuit the + Christian who till now had been second to Hippias shared the same fate, + though he escaped with his life; and then Marcus drove past the + starting-sheds next to Hippias. + </p> + <p> + Hippias had ceased to flout and dally. In spite of the delay that Marcus + had experienced from the Taraxippos, the space that parted his bays from + the black Arabs had sensibly diminished, round after round; and the + interest of the race now centered entirely in him and the young Christian. + Never before had so passionate and reckless a contest been fought out on + this venerable race-course, and the throng of spectators were carried away + by the almost frenzied rivalry of the two drivers. Not a creature in the + upper tiers had been able to keep his seat; men and women alike had risen + to their feet and were shouting and roaring to the competitors. The music + in the towers might have ceased, so completely was it drowned by the + tumult in the amphitheatre. + </p> + <p> + Only the ladies, in the best places above the starting-sheds, preserved + their aristocratic calm; Still, when the seventh and decisive round was + begun, even the widow Mary leaned forward a little and clasped her hands + more tightly over the cross in her lap. Each time that Marcus had driven + round the obelisk or past the Taraxippos, Dada had clutched her head with + her hands and set her teeth in her lip; each time, as he happily steered + clear of the fatal stone and whirled past the dreadful bronze statue, she + had relaxed her grip and leaned back in her seat with a sigh of relief. + Her sympathy made her one with Marcus; she felt as if his loss must be her + death and his victory her personal triumph. + </p> + <p> + During the sixth circuit Hippias was still a long way ahead of the young + Christian; the distance which lay between Marcus and the team of bays + seemed to have become a fixed quantity, for, do what he could, he could + not diminish it by a hand-breadth. The two agitatores had now completely + altered their tactics; instead of holding their horses in they urged them + onward, leaning over the front of their chariots, speaking to the horses, + Shouting at them with hoarse, breathless cries, and flogging them + unsparingly. Steamy sweat and lathering foam streaked the flanks of the + desperate, laboring brutes, while clouds of dust were flung up from the + dry, furrowed and trampled soil. The other chariots were left further and + further behind those of Hippias and Marcus, and when, for the seventh and + last time, these two were nearing the nyssa, the crowd for a moment held + its breath, only to break out into louder and wilder cries, and then again + to be hushed. It seemed as though their exhausted lungs found renewed + strength to shout with double energy when their excitement had kept them + silent for a while. + </p> + <p> + Dada spoke no more; pale and gasping, she sat with her eyes fixed on the + tall obelisk and on the cloud of dust which, as the chariots neared the + nyssa, seemed to grow denser. At about a hundred paces from the nyssa she + saw, above the sandy curtain, the red cap of Hippias flash past, and then—close + behind it—the blue cap worn by Marcus. Then a deafening, thundering + roar from thousands of throats went up to heaven, while, round the obelisk—so + close to it that not a horse, not a wheel could have found room between + the plinth and the driver-the blue cap came forward out of the cloud, and, + behind it now—no longer in front, though not more than a length + behind—came the red cap of Hippias. When within a few feet of the + nyssa, Marcus had overtaken his antagonist, had passed the point with a + bold and perilously close turn, and had left the bays behind him. + </p> + <p> + Demetrius saw it all, as though his eye had power to pierce the + dust-cloud, and now he, too, lost his phlegmatic calm. He threw up his + arms as if in prayer and shouted, as though his brother could hear him: + </p> + <p> + “Well done, splendid boy! Now for the kentron—the goad—drive + it in, send it home if they die for it! Give it them well!” + </p> + <p> + Dada, who could only guess what was happening, looked round at him, asking + in tremulous tones: “Has he passed him? Is he gaining on him? Will he + win?” But Demetrius did not answer; he only pointed to the foremost of the + flying clouds on which the second was fast advancing, and cried in a + frenzy of excitement: + </p> + <p> + “Death and Hades! The other is catching him up. The dog, the sneak! If + only the boy would use his goad. Give it them, Marcus! Give it them, lad! + Never give in now! Great Father Poseidon!—there—there!—no! + I can hardly stand—Yes, he is still in front, and now—now—this + must settle it! Thunder and lightning! They are close together again—may + the dust choke him! No—it is all right; my Arabs are in front! All + is well, keep it up, lad, well done! We have won!” + </p> + <p> + The horses were pulled up, the dust settled; Marcus, the Christian, had + won the first missus. Cynegius held out the crown to the victor, who bowed + to receive it. Then he waved his hand to his mother, who graciously waved + hers in return, and he drove into the oppidurn and was lost to sight. + </p> + <p> + Hippias flung down his whip in a rage, but the triumphant shouts of the + Christians drowned the music, the trumpet-blasts and the angry murmurs of + the defeated heathen. Threatening fists were shaken in the air, while + behind the carceres the drivers and owners of the red party scolded, + squabbled and stormed; and Hippias, who by his audacious swagger had given + away the race to their hated foe—to the Blues, the Christians—narrowly + escaped being torn in pieces. + </p> + <p> + The tumult and excitement were unparalleled; but Dada saw and heard + nothing. She sat in a blissful dream, gazing into her lap, while tears of + joyful reaction rolled down her cheeks. Demetrius saw her tears and was + glad; then, pointing out Mary to the girl, he informed her that she was + the mother of Marcus. And he registered a secret vow that, cost what it + might, he would bring his victorious brother and this sweet child + together. + </p> + <p> + The second and third missus, like the first, were marked by serious + accidents; both, however, were won for the Red party. In the fourth, the + decisive race, there were but three competitors: Marcus and the two + heathen winners. Demetrius watched it with less anxiety; he knew that his + Arabs were far superior to the Egyptian breed in staying power, and they + also had the advantage of having had a longer rest. In fact, the final + victory was adjudged to the young Christian. + </p> + <p> + Long before it was decided Dada had been impatiently fingering her + wreaths, and could hardly wait any longer to fling them into Marcus’ + chariot. When it was all over she might perhaps have an opportunity of + speaking to him; and she thought how delightful his voice was and what + fine, kind eyes he had. If only he were to bid her be his, she would + follow him whither and wherever he desired, whatever Karnis and Herse + might say to the contrary. She thought no one could be so glad of his + success as she was; she felt as if she belonged to him, had always + belonged to him, and only some spiteful trick of Fate had come between + them. + </p> + <p> + There was a fresh blast of trumpets; the victor, in obedience to a + time-honored custom, was to drive round the arena at a foot-pace and show + his brave team to the multitude. He came nearer and nearer, and Demetrius + proposed that they should cross the little watercourse that parted the + podium from the arena and follow the chariot, so as to give his brother + the wreaths instead of flinging them to him. The girl colored and could + say neither yes or no; but she rose, hung one of the olive-crowns on her + arm with a happy, bashful smile, and handed the other to her new friend; + then she followed him across the little bridge on to the race-course + which, now that the games were over, was crowded with Christians. + </p> + <p> + The brothers exchanged pleased greetings from afar, but Marcus did not see + Dada till she was close to him and stood, with a shy but radiant glance of + intense delight, holding out the olive-wreath for his acceptance. He felt + as though Heaven had wrought a miracle in his favor. Never before had he + thought her half so lovely. She seemed to have grown since he had seen her + last, to have gained a deeper and nobler expression; and he observed, too, + the blue favors on her shoulder and among the roses that crowned her fair + curls. Gladness and surprise prevented his speaking; but he took the + garland she offered him and, seizing her hands, stammered out: “Thanks—thank + you, Dada.” + </p> + <p> + Their eyes met, and as he gazed into her face he forgot where he was, did + not even wonder why his brother had suddenly turned away and, beginning + some long-winded speech, had rushed after a man who hastily covered his + head and tried to escape; he did not notice that thousands of eyes were + fixed on him, and among them his mother’s; he could merely repeat: + “thanks” and “Dada”—the only words he could find. He would perhaps + have gone on repeating them, but that he was interrupted; the ‘porta + libitinaria’—the gate through which the dead or injured were usually + carried out, was thrown open, and a rabble of infuriated heathen rushed + in, crying: “Serapis is fallen! They have destroyed the image of Serapis! + The Christians are ruining the sanctuaries of the gods!” + </p> + <p> + A sudden panic seized the assembled multitude; the Reds rushed down from + their places into the arena to hear the details and ask questions—ready + to fight for the god or to fly for safety. In an instant the victor’s + chariot was surrounded by an angry mob; Dada clutched it for protection, + and Marcus, without pausing to reflect—indeed hardly master of his + own actions—turned and lifted her into it by his side; then, urging + his horses forward, he forced a way through the crowd, past the caiceres. + He glanced anxiously up at the seats but could nowhere see his mother, so + he guided the exhausted beasts, steaming with sweat and dappled with foam, + through the open gate and out of the circus. His stable-slaves had run + after him; he released himself from the reins on his hips and flung them + to the grooms. Then he helped Dada to leap from the car. + </p> + <p> + “Will you come with me?” he asked her simply; and the girl’s reply was: + “Wherever you bid me.” + </p> + <p> + At the news that Serapis was overthrown Dame Mary had started from her + seat with eager haste that ill-became her dignity and, under the + protection of the body-guard in attendance on Cynegius, had found her way + to her litter. + </p> + <p> + In the Hippodrome the tumult rose to a riot; Reds and Blues rushed from + the upper tiers, down the ranks of the podium and into the dusty + race-course; falling on each other tooth and nail like wild beasts; and + the bloody fray—no uncommon termination to the day, even in more + peaceful times—lasted till the Imperial soldiery parted the unarmed + combatants. + </p> + <p> + The Bishop was triumphant; his adherents had won the day at every point; + nor was he sorry to learn that Olympius, Helladius, Ainmonius and many + other spiritual leaders of the heathen world had succeeded in escaping. + They might come back; they might preach and harangue as much as they + chose: their power was broken. The Church had nothing now to fear from + them, and their philosophy and learning would still and always be valuable + in the mental training of her priests. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. + </h2> + <p> + The great Hippodrome of Alexandria was outside the Canopic gate, on the + northern side of the road leading to Eleusis which to-day was crowded with + passengers, all moving in the same direction. The tumult roused by the + intelligence that Serapis was overthrown made all the more peaceful and + peace-loving of the spectators hurry homewards; and as these, for the most + part, were of the richer classes, who came and went in litters or + chariots, their conveyances left but scanty space on the wide causeway for + foot passengers, still, there they were, in considerable numbers, all + wending their way towards the city, and the heathen who came rushing + towards the Hippodrome behind the first heralds of the disaster, had great + difficulty in making their way against the stream. + </p> + <p> + Marcus and Dada allowed themselves to be carried onward by the throng + which was tending towards the city-walls and the Canopic gate. Phabis, + Mary’s old steward, whose duty it had been to help his young master to + dress after the races were over, had snatched the agitator’s cap from the + youth’s head and flung a cloak over his shoulders, hastily following him + as he went off with the young girl by his side. The old man quite + understood what was in the wind for he it was who had conducted Dame Herse + to his mistress’ presence. He had thought her a shrewd and kind-hearted + woman, and it now struck him that she must certainly have been in the + right when she accused Marcus of designs on her pretty niece. At the time + he had refused to believe it, for he had never in his life detected his + young master in any underhand or forbidden courses; but, after all, Marcus + was his father’s son, and, in his younger days, the old man had often and + often had to risk his skin in Apelles’ love-intrigues. And now it was the + Son’s turn—and if he were to take his fancy for that pretty chit as + seriously as he did most things, if he got the notion into his head of + marrying the little singer—what a storm there was brewing between + him and his mother! + </p> + <p> + The old man did his best to keep up with Marcus who did not see or heed + him, for his eyes and attention were centered on the fair companion who + was clinging to his arm, while he tried to force a passage through the + mob, towards the gate. Miracle on miracle seemed to him to have been + wrought in his behalf; for Heaven had not only sent him Dada, but she was + wearing blue ribbands; and when he asked her why, she had replied “For + your sake, and because I like your Faith.” + </p> + <p> + He was tired to death; but as soon as Dada had put her hand through his + arm he lead felt refreshed as if by magic. His swollen and blistered + hands, to be sure, were painful and his shoulders ached and winced from + stiffness; but as she pressed his arm to her side and looked up gladly in + his face—telling him how happy she was while he responded: “And how + I love you!”—he felt himself in Heaven, and pain and discomfort were + forgotten. The crush did not allow them to say more than a few words; but + the things their eyes and lips could smile were sweeter and dearer than + anything they had ever known before. + </p> + <p> + They had got through the gate and were in the Canopic way when Dada + suddenly perceived that his lips were white, and felt the arm tremble on + which her hand was lying. She asked him what ailed him; he made no reply, + but put his hand to his head, so she led him aside into the public garden + that lay to their right between the little Stadium and the Maeandrian + circus. In this pretty spot, fresh with verdure and spring flowers, she + soon found a bench shaded by a semicircular screen of dark-tufted + tamarisk, and there she made him lie down. He yielded at once, and his + pale face and fixed gaze showed her that he was in a fainting state. + Indeed, he must be quite worn out by the terrible struggle of the race, + and after it was over he had not given himself time to take a cup of drink + or a scrap of food for refreshment. It was only too natural that his + strength should fail him, so, without feeling at all alarmed but only very + pitiful and anxious to help, she ran back to a fruit-stall which they had + passed at the entrance to the garden from the street. + </p> + <p> + How glad she was that she still had the four drachmae which she had coaxed + out of Karnis in the Xenodochium that evening; she could buy whatever she + liked for her lover. When she went back-loaded with oranges, apples, + hard-boiled eggs, bread and salt, in the skirt of her dress that she + gathered up with one hand, and with a flask of wine and water, and a + gourdbowl in the other-she found him still lying unconscious. However, + when she had moistened his forehead and lips he opened his eyes, and then + she peeled him an orange as daintily as she could and begged him to try + it, and as she was herself very hungry she took a hearty share. She was + enchanted at making him her guest, and at finding that he enjoyed the + simple meal and soon was quite revived. In fact, in a few minutes he had + altogether recovered his strength and consciousness of satisfaction; and + as he lay back with Dada’s hand in his, gazing happily and thankfully into + her sweet eyes, a sense of peace, rest and bliss came over him such as he + had never before known. He thought he had never tasted such delicious + food, or such exquisite wine as the wretched Mareotic from the fruitstall. + He took the apple she had begun eating out of her hand and bit it where + her white teeth had been; he made her drink first out of the gourd-cup, + and, as one of the three eggs she had brought with her was bad, they had + quite a little battle for the last, till he finally gave way and eat it. + </p> + <p> + When they had finished Dada’s purchases to the last mouthful she asked + him, for the first time, where he meant to take her, and he said he + intended placing her in the house of his former tutor, Eusebius, the + deacon, where she would be a welcome guest and find her old companion + Agne. Of this she was sincerely glad; and when, on hearing the title of + Deacon, she questioned Marcus further, and identified Eusebius as the + worthy old man whose discourse in the basilica had so deeply impressed + her, she told Marcus how she had gone into the church, and how, from that + hour, she had felt at peace. A quite new feeling had sprung up in her + soul, and since then she had constantly longed to see him again and talk + it all over with him:—The little she had learnt of Christian + doctrine did her heart good and had given her comfort and courage. The + world was so beautiful, and there were many more good men than bad. It was + a pleasure to love one’s neighbor, and as for forgiving a wrong—that + she had never found difficult. It must be good to live on earth if + everyone loved his neighbor as she loved him and he loved her; and life + could not be a great hardship if in every trouble there was some one who + was always ready to hear our cry and help us, out of pure beneficence. + </p> + <p> + Her innocent talk was to Marcus the greatest marvel of this day of + miracles. The soul which he had dreamed that he was called to save had, of + its own accord, turned to walk in the path of salvation; he went on to + tell her of the things which he felt to be most sublime and glorious in + his creed, and at length he confessed that, though he had always loved his + neighbor for Christ’s sake, never till now had true and perfect love been + revealed to him. No power on earth could now part him from her, and when + she should have been baptized there would be no further difficulty; their + love might last till, and beyond, death, through all the ages of eternity. + And she listened to him, perfectly content; and said that she was his, + wholly his, now, and for ever and ever. + </p> + <p> + There were to-day but few people in the garden which was usually full in + the afternoon, of idlers, and of children with their nurses; but the + disturbance in the streets had kept these at home, and the idlers had + found more to attract them at the Hippodrome and in the crowded roads. + This favored the lovers, who could sit hand in hand, looking into each + other’s eyes; and when old Phabis, who had lost sight of them long since, + at length discovered them in the park, he could see from his lurking-place + as he crept closer, that his young master, after glancing cautiously + round, pressed a kiss on the little singer’s hair, and then on her eyes + and at last on her lips. + </p> + <p> + The hours flew fast between serious talk and delightful dalliance, and + when they tore themselves away from their quiet retreat it was already + dusk. They soon found themselves in the Canopic way, in the thick of the + crowd which they were now occasionally obliged to meet, for those who were + making homewards had long since dispersed, and thousands were still + crowding to the Hippodrome where a brisk fight was still going on. As they + passed his mother’s house Marcus paused and, pointing it out to Dada, told + her that the day was not far distant when he should bring her home hither. + But the girl’s face fell. + </p> + <p> + “Oh no!” she exclaimed, in a low voice. “Not here-not to this great palace + in a street. Let us live in a little house, quite quietly, by ourselves. A + house with a garden, and a seat in the shade. Your mother lives here!” + </p> + <p> + And then she blushed scarlet and looked down. He guessed, however, what + was passing in her mind, and bid her only to have patience, for as soon as + she was a baptized Christian Eusebius would intercede for her. And he + spoke warmly of his mother’s piety and virtues, and asked Dada if she had + seen her at the races. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she replied timidly; and when he went on to ask her if she had not + thought Mary very handsome and dignified, she answered frankly: “Yes—very; + but then she is so tall and grand-looking-she must wish for a + daughter-in-law very different from a poor, forsaken orphan like me—a + mere singer, looked down upon by every one! It is different with you; you + are satisfied with me as I am, and you know that I love you. If I never + find my uncle again I have no one on earth to care for me but you; but I + want no other, for you are my one and only hope, and to live for you and + with you is enough. Only you must never leave me or I shall die! But you + never can, for you told me that my soul was dearer to you than your own + life; and so long as I have you and your love I shall grow better and + better every day; but if you ever let me be parted from you I shall be + utterly lost. Yes, understand that once for all—ruined and lost, + body and soul!—I do not know what it is that terrifies me, but do + let us go on, away from this house. Suppose your mother were to see us!” + </p> + <p> + He did as she wished and tried to soothe her, praising his mother’s + virtues with the affectionate blindness of a son; but she only half + listened to his eulogy, for, as they approached Rhacotis the throng grew + denser, they had no opportunities for conversation, they could think of + nothing but battling their way through the crowd; still, they were happy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [The quarter of the city inhabited by the Egyptians. It was the old + town close to which Alexander the Great built his splendid new + city.] +</pre> + <p> + They thus got to the street of the Sun—one of the main arteries of + the city cutting the Canopic way at right angles—and they went down + it towards the Gate of Helios in the south wall. The Serapeum lay to their + right, several streets leading to it from the street of the Sun. To reach + the house where Eusebius lived they ought to have turned down the street + of the Acropolis, but a compact mass of frenzied creatures came storming + down it from the Serapeum, and towards them. The sun was now fast setting + over the City of the Dead on the western horizon. Marcus tried to get out + of the middle of the road and place Dada in safety by the house at the + corner, but in vain; the rabble that came crowding out of the side street + was mad with excitement, and could think of nothing but the trophies it + had snatched from the temple. Several dozen men, black and white alike—and + among them some monks and even women, had harnessed themselves to an + enormous truck, commonly used for the carriage of beams, columns, and + heavy blocks of stone, on which they had erected a huge but shapeless mass + of wood, the core, and all that remained, of the image of Serapis; this + they were dragging through the streets. + </p> + <p> + “To the Hippodrome! Burn it! Down with the idols! Look at the divine form + of Serapis! Behold the god!” + </p> + <p> + These were the cries that rent the air from a thousand throats, an + ear-splitting accompaniment to the surging storm of humanity. + </p> + <p> + The monks had torn the desecrated block from the niche in the Serapeum, + hauled it through the courts on to the steps, and were now taking it to + the arena where it was to be burnt. Others of their kidney, and some of + the Christian citizens who had caught the destructive mania, had forced + their way into the temple of Anubis, hard by the Serapeumn, where they had + overthrown and wrecked the jackal-headed idols and the Canopic gods—four + huge jars with lids representing respectively a man’s head, an ape’s, a + hawk’s and a jackal’s. They were now bearing these heads in triumph, while + others were shouldering the limbs of broken statues of Apollo, of Athene, + or of Aphrodite, or carrying the fragments in baskets to cast them into + the flames in the Hippodrome after the wooden stock of the great Serapis. + The mob had broken off the noses of all the heads, had smeared the marble + with pitch, or painted it grossly with the red paint they had found in the + writing-rooms of the Sera peum. Every one who could get near enough to the + remains of the statue, or to a fragment of a ruined idol, spit upon it, + struck it or thrust at it; and not a heathen had, as yet, dared to + interfere. + </p> + <p> + Behind the oak block of the image of Serapis and the other trophies of + victory, came an endless stream of men of all ages, of monks and of women, + compelling a large carruca—[A four-wheeled chariot used in the city + and for travelling.]—that had fallen into their hands, and which + they had completely surrounded, to keep pace with them. The two fine + horses that drew it had to be led by the bridle; they were trembling with + terror and excitement and made repeated attempts to kick over the pole or + to rear. + </p> + <p> + In this vehicle was Porphyrius, who had fully recovered consciousness, and + by his side sat Gorgo. Constantine had not stirred from the side of the + convalescent till Apuleius had pronounced him out of all danger; but then + the young officer’s duty had called him away. The merchant had hailed the + news of his daughter’s, union with the companion of her childhood as a + most satisfactory and long-expected event. + </p> + <p> + A party of the Prefect’s guards had been charged to bring the carriage for + Porphyrius to the door of the temple, and the abbot of a monastery at + Arsinoe, who was well known to the Prefect, undertook to escort them on + their road home and protect them from the attacks of the raving mob. At + the spot where the side street intersected the street of the Sun, and + where Marcus and Dada had been forced to stop, unable either to proceed or + to return, a troop of armed heathen had given the Christian rabble a check + at the very moment when the carruca came up, and falling on the foe who + had mocked and insulted their most sacred treasure, began a furious fray. + Quite close to the young lovers a heathen cut down a Christian who was + carrying the besmirched head of a Muse. Dada clung in terror to Marcus, + who was beginning to be seriously alarmed for her when, looking round for + aid or refuge, he caught sight of his brother forcing his way through the + throng, and gesticulating vehemently. The farmer was telegraphing to the + occupants of the carruca as well, and when he at last reached Marcus he + briefly explained to him that the first thing to be done was to place Dada + in safety. + </p> + <p> + Only too glad to be out of the crush and danger, the girl nimbly climbed + into the chariot, and, after hastily greeting the father and daughter, + signed to Marcus to follow her; but Demetrius held his brother back, and + it was hurriedly agreed that Dada should be sent for that evening to the + house of Porphyrius. Demetrius whispered a few words of enthusiastic + praise of the little singer into Gorgo’s ear; then the carriage moved on + again. Many of the heathen who had collected round it recognized + Porphyrius, the noble friend of the great Olympius, and cleared a passage + for him, so that at last he got out of the gate uninjured, and turned into + the quieter street of Euergetes which led to the temple of Isis, the + ship-yard and the merchant’s residence. + </p> + <p> + But few words were exchanged in the chariot, for it was only step by step + and with considerable difficulty that the horses could get along. It was + now quite dark and the mob had spread even into this usually deserted + quarter. + </p> + <p> + A flaring glow that tinged the temple, the wharf and the deep sky itself + with a gorgeous crimson glare, showed very plainly what the populace were + employed in doing. The monks had set fire to the temple of Isis and the + flames had been driven by the northwest wind down into the ship-yard, + where they had found ample food in the enormous timber stacks and the + skeletons of ships. Tall jets of rushing and crackling sparks were thrown + skywards to mingle with the paler stars. Porphyrius could see what danger + his house was in; but thanks to the old steward’s foresight and the + indefatigable diligence of the slaves, it escaped the conflagration. + </p> + <p> + The two brothers, meanwhile, had left the mob far behind them. Demetrius + was not alone, and as soon as he had introduced Marcus to his companion, + an abbot of friendly mien, the monk warmly expressed his pleasure at + meeting another son of Apelles, to whom he had once owed his life. + Demetrius then told his brother what his adventures had been during the + last few hours, and where he had met this worthy Father. + </p> + <p> + While taking Dada down into the arena to join Marcus, he had caught sight + of Anubis, the Egyptian slave who had been his father’s companion in his + last memorable journey to Syria, and who, since the death of Apelles, had + totally disappeared, the countryman had instantly followed him, seized him—not + without a struggle and some little danger—and then had him led off + by the city-guard to the prison by the Prefect’s house. Once secured he + had been induced to speak, and his narrative proved beyond a doubt that + Apelles had perished in a skirmish with the Saracens; the Egyptian slave + had only taken advantage of his master’s death to make off with the money + he had with him. He had found his way to Crete, where he had purchased a + plot of ground with his plunder; but then, craving to see his wife and + children once more, he had come back to fetch them away to his new home. + Finally, to confirm the truth of his story, which—clearing him + apparently of the murder of his master—did not invite implicit + belief, he told Demetrius that he had seen in Alexandria, only the day + before, a recluse who had been present when Apelles fell, and Demetrius + had at once set out to find this monk, enquiring among those who had + swarmed into the city. He had very soon been successful; Kosnias, who + since then had been elected abbot of the monastery to which he belonged, + now again told Marcus the story of his father’s heroic courage in the + struggle with the freebooters who had attacked his caravan. Apelles, he + said, had saved his life and that of two other anchorites, one of whom was + in Alexandria at this very time. They were travelling from Hebron to Aila, + a party of seven, and had placed themselves under the protection of the + Alexandrian merchant’s escort; everything had gone well till the infidel + Saracens had fallen upon them in the high land south of Petra. Four of the + monks had been butchered out of hand; but Apelles, with a few of the more + resolute spirits in the company, had fought the heathen with the valor of + a lion. He, Kosmas, and his two surviving comrades had effected their + escape, while Apelles engaged the foe; but from a rocky height which they + climbed in their flight they saw him fall, and from that hour they had + always mentioned him in their prayers. It would be an unspeakable + satisfaction to him to do his utmost to procure for such a man as Apelles + the rank he deserved in the list of martyrs for the Faith. + </p> + <p> + Marcus, only too happy, wanted to hurry away at once to his mother and + tell her what he had heard, but Demetrius detained him. The Bishop-he told + his brother—had desired his immediate presence, to be congratulated + on his victory; his first duty was to obey that mandate, and he should at + once avail himself of its favorable opportunity to obtain for his deceased + parent the honor he had earned. + </p> + <p> + It rather startled Marcus to find his brother taking its interest in a + matter which, so lately, he had vehemently opposed; however, he proceeded + at once to the episcopal palace, accompanied by the abbot, and half an + hour later Demetrius, who had awaited his return, met him coming out with + sparkling eyes. The Prelate, he said, had received him very graciously, + had thanked him for his prowess and had bid him crave a reward. He at once + had spoken of his father, and called the recluse to witness to the facts. + The Bishop had listened his story, and had ended by declaring himself + quite willing to put the name of Apelles on the list of the Syrian + martyrs. Theophilus had been most unwilling hitherto to reject the + petitions of so good and illustrious Christian as Mary; and now, after + such ample testimony as to the manner of her husband’s death, it was with + sincere satisfaction that he bestowed this high mark of honor on the + Christian victor and his admirable mother. “So now,” added the young man, + “I shall fly home, and how happy my mother will be....” + </p> + <p> + But Demetrius would not allow him to finish his sentence. He laid his hand + on the young man’s shoulder saying: “Patience, my dear fellow, patience! + You must stay with me for the present, and not go to your mother till I + have settled everything that is necessary. Do not contradict me I entreat + you, unless you want to deprive me of the happiness of remedying an + injustice to your pretty Dada. What you most desire for yourself and her + is your mother’s blessing—and do you think that will be easy to + obtain? Far from it, lad! But I can manage it for you; and I will, too, if + only you will do as I bid you, and if the old Heathen’s niece can be + induced to be baptized....” + </p> + <p> + “She is a Christian already!” exclaimed Marcus eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “Well then, she can be yours to-morrow,” Demetrius went on calmly, “if you + listen to the advice of your older and wiser brother. It cannot be very + hard upon you, for you must own that if I had not fought it out with + Anubis—and the rascal bit all he could reach like a trapped fox—if + I had not got him locked up and almost run my legs off in hunting down the + worthy abbot, our father would never have enjoyed the promotion which he + is at last to obtain. Who would ever have believed that I should get any + satisfaction out of this ‘Crown of Martyrdom’? By the gods! It is by no + means impossible, and I hope the manes of the deceased will forgive me for + your sake. But it is getting late, so only one thing more: for my own + share of the business all I claim is my right to tell your mother myself + of all that has occurred; you, on your part, must go at once to Eusebius + and beg him to receive Dada in his house. If he consents—and he + certainly will—take him with you to our uncle Porphyrius and wait + there till I come; then, if all goes well, I will take you and Dada to + your mother—or, if not, we will go with Eusebius.” + </p> + <p> + “Dada to my mother!” cried Marcus. “But what will she....” + </p> + <p> + “She will receive her as a daughter,” interrupted his brother, “if you + hold your tongue about the whole business till I give you leave to speak.—There, + the tall gate-keeper is closing the episcopal palace, so nothing more can + come out of there to-night. You are a lucky fellow—well good-bye + till we meet again; I am in a hurry.” + </p> + <p> + The farmer went off, leaving Marcus with a thousand questions still + unasked. However, the young man did his bidding and went, hopeful though + not altogether free from doubts, to find his old tutor and friend. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. + </h2> + <p> + While Marcus carried out his brother’s instructions Dada was expecting him + and Eusebius with the greatest impatience. Gorgo had charged her + waiting-woman to conduct the girl into the music-room and to tell her that + she would join her there if her father was in such a state as to allow of + it. Some refreshments were brought in to her, all delicate and tempting + enough; but Dada would not touch them, for she fancied that the merchant’s + daughter was avoiding her intentionally, and her heart ached with a sense + of bereavement and loneliness. To distract her thoughts she wandered round + the room, looking at the works of art that stood against the walls, + feeling the stuffs with which the cushions were covered and striking a + lute which was leaning against the pedestal of a Muse. She only played a + few chords, but they sufficed to call up a whole train of memories; she + sank on a divan in the darkest corner she could find in the + brilliantly-lighted room, and gave herself up to reviewing the many events + of the last few days. It was all so bright, so delightful, that it hardly + seemed real, and her hopes were so radiantly happy that for a moment she + trembled to think of their fulfilment—but only for a moment; her + young soul was full of confidence and elation, and if a doubt weighed it + down for an instant it was soon cast off and her spirit rose with bold + expectancy. + </p> + <p> + Her heart overflowed with happiness and thankfulness as she thought of + Marcus and his love for her; her fancy painted the future always by his + side, and though her annoyance at Gorgo’s continued absence, and her dread + of her lover’s mother slightly clouded her gladness, the sense of peace + and rapture constantly came triumphantly to the front. She forgot time as + it sped, till at length Gorgo made her appearance. + </p> + <p> + She had not deliberately kept out of the little singer’s way; on the + contrary, she had been detained by her father, for not till now had she + dared to tell him that his mother, the beloved mistress of his house, was + no more. In the Serapeum she had not mentioned it, by the physician’s + orders; and now, in addition, through the indiscretion of a friend, he had + received some terrible tidings which had already been known for some hours + in the city and which dealt him a serious blow. His two sons were in + Thessalonica, and a ship, just arrived from thence, brought the news-only + too well substantiated, that fifteen thousand of the inhabitants of that + town had been treacherously assassinated in the Circus there. + </p> + <p> + This hideous massacre had been carried out by the Imperial troops at + Caesar’s command, the wretched citizens having been bidden to witness the + races and then ruthlessly butchered. A general of the Imperial army—a + Goth named Botheric—had been killed by the mob, and the Emperor had + thus avenged his death. + </p> + <p> + Porphyrius knew only too well that his sons would never have been absent + from any races or games. They certainly must have been among the + spectators and have fallen victims to the sword of the slaughterer. His + mother and two noble sons were snatched from him in a day; and he would + again have had recourse to poison as a refuge from all, if a dim ray of + hope had not permitted him to believe in their escape. But all the same he + was sunk in despair, and behaved as though he had nothing on earth left to + live for. Gorgo tried to console him, encouraged his belief in her + brothers’ possible safety, reminded him that it was the duty of a + philosopher to bear the strokes of Fate with fortitude; but he would not + listen to her, and only varied his lamentations with bursts of rage. + </p> + <p> + At last he said he wished to be alone and reminded Gorgo that she ought to + go to Dada. His daughter obeyed, but against her will; in spite of all + that Demetrius had said in the young girl’s favor she felt a little shy of + her, and in approaching her more closely she had something of the feeling + of a fine lady who condescends to enter the squalid hovel of poverty. But + her father was right: Dada was her guest and she must treat her with + kindness. + </p> + <p> + Outside the door of the music-room she dried away her tears for her + brothers, for her emotion seemed to her too sacred to be confessed to a + creature who boldly defied the laws laid down by custom for the conduct of + women. From Dada’s appearance she felt sure that all those lofty ideas, + which she herself had been taught to call “moral dignity” and “a yearning + for the highest things,” must be quite foreign to this girl with whom her + cousin had condescended to intrigue. She felt herself immeasurably her + superior; but it would be ungenerous to allow her to see this, and she + spoke very kindly; but Dada answered timidly and formally. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad,” Gorgo began, “that accident brought you in our way;” and Dada + replied hastily: “I owe it to your father’s kindness, and not to + accident.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he is very kind,” said Gorgo, ignoring Dada’s indignant tone. “And + the last few hours have brought him terrible sorrows. You have heard, no + doubt, that he has lost his mother; you knew her—she had taken quite + a fancy to you, I suppose you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! forget it!” cried Dada. + </p> + <p> + “She was hard to win,” Gorgo went on, “but she liked you. Do you not + believe me? You should have seen how carefully she chose the dress you + have on at this minute, and matched the ornaments to wear with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Pray, pray say no more about it,” Dada begged. “She is dead, and I have + forgiven her—but she thought badly, very badly of me.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very bad of you to speak so,” interrupted Gorgo, making no attempt + to conceal her annoyance at the girl’s reply. “She—who is dead—deserves + more gratitude for her liberality and kindness!” + </p> + <p> + Dada shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said firmly. “I am grateful, even for the smallest kindness; I + have not often met with disinterested generosity. But she had an end in + view—I must say it once for all. She wanted to make use of me to + bring shame on Marcus and grief on his mother. You surely must know it; + for why should you have thought me too vile to sing with you if you did + not believe that I was a good-for-nothing hussy, and quite ready to do + your dead grandmother’s bidding? Everybody, of course, looked down upon us + all and thought we must be wicked because we were singers; but you knew + better; you made a distinction; for you invited Agne to come to your house + and sing with you.—No, unless you wish to insult me, say no more + about my owing the dead lady a debt of gratitude!” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo’s eyes fell; but presently she looked up again and said: + </p> + <p> + “You do not know what that poor soul had suffered. Mary, her son’s widow, + had been very cruel to her, had done her injuries she could never forgive—so + perhaps you are right in your notion; but all the same, my grandmother had + a great liking for you—and after all her wish is fulfilled, for + Marcus has found you and he loves you, too, if I am not mistaken!” + </p> + <p> + “If you are not mistaken!” retorted Dada. “The gods forefend!—Yes, + we have found each other, we love each other. Why should I conceal it?” + </p> + <p> + “And Mary, his mother—what has she to say to it?” asked Gorgo. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” replied Dada abashed. + </p> + <p> + “But she is his mother, you know!” cried Gorgo severely. “And he will + never—never—marry against her will. He depends on her for all + that he has in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let her keep it!” exclaimed Dada. “The smaller and humbler the home + he gives me the better I shall like it. I want his love and nothing more. + All—all he desires of me is right and good; he is not like other + men; he does not care for nothing but my pretty face. I will do whatever + he bids me in perfect confidence; and what he thinks about me you may + judge for yourself, for he is going to put me in the care of his tutor + Eusebius.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have accepted his creed?” asked Gorgo. “Certainly I have,” said + Dada. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of that for his sake,” said the merchant’s daughter. “And if + the Christians only did what their preachers enjoin on them one might be + glad to become one. But they make a riot and destroy everything that is + fine and beautiful. What have you to say to that—you, who were + brought up by Karnis, a true votary of the Muses?” + </p> + <p> + “I?” said Dada. “There are bad men everywhere, and when they rise to + destroy what is beautiful I am very sorry. But we can love it and cherish + it all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “You are happy indeed if you can shut your eyes at the dictates of your + heart!” retorted Gorgo, but she sighed. “Happy are they and much to be + envied who can compel their judgment to silence when it is grief to hear + its voice. I—I who have been taught to think, cannot abandon my + judgment; it builds up a barrier between me and the happiness that beckons + me. And yet, so long as truth remains the highest aim of man, I will bless + the faculty of seeking it with all the powers of my mind. My betrothed + husband, like yours, is a Christian; and I would I could accept his creed + as unflinchingly as you; but it is not in my nature to leap into a pool + when I know that it is full of currents and whirlpools.—However, the + present question has to do with you and not with me. Marcus, no doubt, + will be happy to have won you; but if he does not succeed in gaining his + mother’s consent he will not continue happy you may rely upon it. I know + these Christians! they cannot conceive of any possible joy in married life + without their parents’ blessing, and if Marcus defies his mother he will + torture his conscience and lead a death-in-life, as though he were under + some heavy load of guilt.” + </p> + <p> + “For all that, and all that,” Dada insisted, “he can no more be happy + without me than I can without him. I have never in my life paid court to + any one, but I have always met with kindness. Why then should I not be + able to win his mother’s heart? I will wager anything and everything that + she will take kindly to me, for, after all, she must be glad when she sees + her son happy. Eusebius will speak for us and she will give its her + blessing! But if it is not to be, if I may never be his wife honestly and + in the face of the world, still I will not give him up, nor he me. He may + deal with me as he will—as if he were my god and I were his slave!” + </p> + <p> + “But, my poor child, do you know nothing of womanly honor and womanly + dignity?” cried Gorgo clasping her hands. “You complain of the lot of a + singing-girl, and the cruel prejudices of the world—and what are you + saying? Let me have my way, you would say, or I scorn your morality?” + </p> + <p> + “Scorn!” exclaimed Dada firing up. “Do you say I scorn morality? No, + indeed no. I am an insignificant little person; there is nothing proud or + great about me, and as I know it full well I am quite humble; in all my + life I never dared to think of scorn, even of a child. But here, in my + heart, something was awoke to life—through Marcus, only through him—something + that makes me strong; and when I see custom and tradition in league + against me because I am a singer, when they combine to keep me out of what + I have a right to have—well, within these few hours I have found the + spirit to defend myself, to the death if need be! What you call womanly + honor I have been taught to hold as sacred as you yourself, and I have + kept it as untainted as any girl living. Not that I meant to do anything + grand, but you have no idea of what it is when every man thinks he has a + right to oppress and insult a girl and try to entrap her. You, and others + like you, know nothing of small things, for you are sheltered by walls and + privileges. We are every man’s game, while they approach you as humbly as + if you were goddesses.—Besides! It is not only what I have heard + from Karnis, who knows the world and fine folks like you; I have seen it + for myself at Rome, in the senators’ houses, where there were plenty of + young lords and great men’s daughters—for I have not gone through + life with my eyes shut; with you love is like lukewarm water in a bath, + but it catches us like fire. Sappho of Lesbos flung herself from the + Leucadian rock because Phaon flouted her, and if I could save Marcus from + any calamity by doing the same, I would follow her example.—You have + a lover, too; but your feeling for him, with all the ‘intellect’ and + ‘reflections,’ and ‘thought’ of which you spoke, cannot be the right one. + There is no but or if in my love at any rate; and yet, for all that, my + heart aches so sorely and beats so wildly, I will wait patiently with + Eusebius and submit to whatever I am bidden.—And in spite of it all + you condemn me unheard, for you.... But why do you stand and look like + that? You look just like you did that time when I heard you sing. By all + the Muses! but you, too, like us, have some fire in your veins, you are + not one of the lukewarm sort; you are an artist, and a better one than I; + and if you ever should feel the right love, then—then take care lest + you break loose from propriety and custom—or whatever name you give + to the sacred powers that subdue passion—even more wildly than I—who + am an honest girl, and mean to remain so, for all the fire and flame in my + breast!” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo remembered the hour in which she had, in fact, proffered to the man + of her choice as a free gift, the love which, by every canon of propriety, + she ought only to have granted to his urgent wooing. She blushed and her + eyes fell before the humble little singer; but while she was considering + what answer she could make men’s steps were heard approaching, and + presently Eusebius and Marcus entered the room, followed by Gorgo’s lover. + Constantine was in deep dejection, for one of his brothers had lost his + life in the burning of his father’s ship-yard, and as compared with this + grief, the destruction of the timber stores which constituted the chief + part of his wealth scarcely counted as a calamity. + </p> + <p> + Gorgo had met him with a doubtful and embarrassed air; but when she learnt + of the blow that had fallen on him and his parents, she clung to him + caressingly and tried to comfort him. The others sympathized deeply with + his sorrow; but soon it was Dada’s turn to weep, for Eusebius brought the + news of her foster-parent’s death in the fight at the Serapeum, and of + Orpheus being severely wounded. + </p> + <p> + The cheerful music-room was a scene of woe till Demetrius came to conduct + his brother and Dada to the widow Mary who was expecting them. He had + arrived in a chariot, for he declared his legs would no longer carry him. + “Men,” said he, “are like horses. A swift saddle-horse is soon tired when + it is driven in harness and a heavy cart-horse when it is made to gallop. + His hoofs were spoilt for city pavements, and scheming, struggling and + running about the streets were too much for his country brains and wore + him out, as trotting under a saddle would weary a plough-horse. He thanked + the gods that this day was over. He would not be rested enough till + to-morrow to be really glad of all his success.”—But in spite of + this assertion he was radiant with overflowing satisfaction, and that in + itself cheered the mourners whom he tried to encourage. When he said they + must be going, Gorgo kissed the little singer; indeed, as soon as she saw + how deeply she was grieved, shedding bitter but silent tears, she had + hastened to take her in her arms and comfort her like a sister. + </p> + <p> + Constantine, Gorgo and old Eusebius were left together, and the young girl + was longing to unburden her over-full heart. She had agreed to her lover’s + request that she would at once accompany him to see his sorrowing parents; + still, she could not appear before the old Christian couple and crave + their blessing in her present mood. Recent events had embittered her happy + belief in the creed into which she had thrown herself, and much as it + pained her to add a drop to Constantine’s cup of sorrow, duty and honesty + commanded that she should show him the secrets of her soul and the doubts + and questionings which had begun to trouble her. The old priest’s presence + was a comfort to her; for her earnest wish was to become a Christian from + conviction; as soon as they were alone she poured out before them all the + accusations she had to bring against the adherents of their Faith: They + had triumphed in ruining the creations of Art; the Temple of Isis and the + ship-yard lay in ashes, destroyed by Christian incendiaries; their tears + were not yet dry when they flowed afresh for the sons of Porphyrius—Christians + themselves—who, unless some happy accident had saved them, must have + perished with thousands of innocent sufferers—believers and infidels + together—by the orders of the Emperor whom Constantine had always + lauded as a wise sovereign and pious Christian, as the Defender of the + Faith, and as a faithful disciple of the Redeemer. + </p> + <p> + When, at last, she came to an end of her indictment she appealed to + Constantine and Eusebius to defend the proceedings of their + co-religionists, and to give her good grounds for confessing a creed which + could sanction such ruthless deeds. + </p> + <p> + Neither the Deacon nor his pupil attempted to excuse these acts; nay, + Constantine thought they were in plain defiance of that high law of Love + which the Christian Faith imposes on all its followers. The wicked + servant, he declared, had committed crimes in direct opposition to the + spirit and the letter of the Master. + </p> + <p> + But this admission by no means satisfied Gorgo; she represented to the + young Christian that a master must be judged by the deeds of his servant; + she herself had turned from the old gods only because she felt such + intense contempt for their worshippers; but now it had been her lot to see—the + Deacon must pardon her for saying so—that many a Christian far + outdid the infidels in coarse brutality and cruelty. Such an experience + had filled her with distrust of the creed she was required to subscribe to—she + was shaken to the very foundations of her being. + </p> + <p> + Eusebius had, till now, listened in silence; but as she ended he went + towards her, and asked her gently whether she would think it right to turn + the fertilizing Nile from its bed and leave its shores dry, because, from + time to time, it destroyed fields and villages in the excess of its + overflow? “This day and its deeds of shame,” he went on sadly, “are a blot + on the pure and sublime book of the History of our Faith, and every true + Christian must bitterly bewail the excesses of a frenzied mob. The Church + must no less condemn Caesar’s sanguinary vengeance; it casts a shade on + his honor and his fair name, and his conscience no doubt will punish him + for such a crime. Far be it from me to defend deeds which nothing can + justify...” + </p> + <p> + But Gorgo interrupted him. “All this,” she said, “does not alter the fact + that such crimes are just as possible and as frequent with you, as with + those whom I am expected to give up, and who...” + </p> + <p> + “But it is not merely on account of their ill deeds that you are giving + them up, Gorgo,” Constantine broke in. “Confess, dear girl, that your + wrath makes you unjust to yourself and your own heart. It was not out of + aversion for the ruthless and base adherents of the old gods but—as + I hope and believe—out of love for me that you consented to adopt my + faith—our faith.” + </p> + <p> + “True, true,” she exclaimed, coloring as she remembered the doubts Dada + had cast on the truth of her love. + </p> + <p> + “True, out of love for you—love of Love and of peace, I consented to + become a Christian. But with regard to the deeds committed by your + followers, tell me yourself—and I appeal to you reverend Father—what + inspired them: Love or Hate.” + </p> + <p> + “Hate!” said Constantine gloomily; and Eusebius added sorrowfully + </p> + <p> + “In these dark days our Faith is seen under an aspect that by no means + fairly represents its true nature, noble lady; trust my words! Have you + not yourself seen, even in your short life, that what is highest and + greatest can in its excess, be all that is most hideous? A noble pride, if + not kept within bounds, becomes overweening ambition; the lovely grace of + humility degenerates into an indolent sacrifice of opinion and will; + high-hearted enterprise into a mad chase after fortune, in which we ride + down everything that comes in the way of success. What is nobler than a + mother’s love, but when she fights for her child she becomes a raving + Megaera. In the same way the Faith—the consoler of hearts—turns + to a raging wild-beast when it stoops to become religious partisanship. If + you would really understand Christianity you must look neither down to the + deluded masses, and those ambitious worldlings who only use it as a means + to an end by inflaming their baser passions, nor up to the throne, where + power translates the impulse of a disastrous moment into sinister deeds. + If you want to know what true and pure Christianity is, look into our + homes, look at the family life of our fellow believers. I know them well, + for my humble functions lead me into daily and hourly intercourse with + them. Look to them if you purpose to give your hand to a Christian and + make your home with him. There, my child, you will see all the blessings + of the Saviour’s teaching, love and soberness, pitifulness to the poor and + a real heart-felt eagerness to forgive injuries. I have seen a Christian + bestow his last crust on his hapless foe, on the enemy of his house, on + the Heathen or the Jew, because they, too, are men, because our neighbor’s + woes should be as our own—I have seen them taken in and cherished as + though they were fellow-Christians.—There you will find a striving + after all that is good, a never-fading hope in better days to come, even + under the worst afflictions; and when death requires the sacrifice of all + that is dearest, or swoops down on life itself, a firm assurance of the + forgiveness of sins through Christ. Believe me, mistress, there is no home + so happy as that of the Christian; for he who really apprehends the + Saviour and understands his teaching need not mar his own joys in this + life to the end that he may be a partaker of the bliss of the next. On the + contrary: He who called the erring to himself, who drew little children to + his heart, who esteemed the poor above the rich, who was a cheerful guest + at wedding-feasts, who bid us gain interest on the spiritual talents in + our care, who commanded us to remember Him at a social meal, who opened + hearts to love—He longed to release the life of the humblest + creature from want and suffering. Where love and peace reign must there + not be happiness? And as He preached love and peace above all else, He + cannot have desired that we should intentionally darken our lives on earth + and load them with sorrow and miseries in order to will our share of + Heaven. The soul that is full of the happy confidence of being one with + Him and his love, is released from the bondage of sin and sorrow, even + here below; for Jesus has taken all the sins and pains of the world on + himself; and if Fate visits the Christian with the heaviest blows he bears + them in silence and patience. Our Lord is Love itself; neither hatred nor + envy are known to Him as they are to the gods of the Heathen; and when he + afflicts us, it is as the wise and tender pastor of our souls, and for our + good. The omniscient Lord knows his own counsel, and the Christian submits + as a child does to a wise father whose loving kindness he can always + trust; nay, he can even thank him for sorrow and pain as though they were + pleasurable benefits.” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “That all sounds very beautiful and good; it is required of the Christian, + and sometimes, no doubt, fulfilled; but the Stoa demands the same virtues + of its disciples. You, Constantine, knew Damon the Stoic, and you will + remember how strictly he enjoined on all that they should rise superior to + pain and grief. And then, when his only daughter lost her sight—she + was a great friend of mine—he behaved like one possessed. My father, + too, has often spoken to you of philosophy as a help to contemning the + discomforts of life, and bearing the sports of Fate with a lofty mind; and + now? You should see the poor man, reverend Father. What good have all the + teachings of the great master done him?” + </p> + <p> + “But he has lost so much—so much!” sighed Constantine thinking of + his own loss; and Eusebius shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “In sorrow such as his, no philosophy, no mental effort can avail. The + blows that wound the affections can only be healed by the affections, and + not by the intellect and considerations of reason. Faith, child! Faith is + the true Herb of Grace. The intellect is its foe; the feelings are its + native soil where it finds constant nourishment; and however deep the + bleeding wound of the mourner may be, Faith can heal it and reconcile the + sufferer to his loss. You have been taught to value a fine understanding, + to measure everything by it, to build everything on its decisions. To you + the knowledge you have attained to by argument and inference is supreme; + but the Creator has given us a heart as well as a brain; our affections, + too, stir and grow in their own way, and the knowledge they can attain to, + my child, is Faith. You love—and Love is part of your affections; + and now take my advice; do not let that reasoning intelligence, which has + nothing to do with love, have anything to say in the matter; cherish your + love and nurture it from the rich stores of your heart; thus only can it + thrive to beauty and harmony.—And this must suffice for to-day, for + I have already kept the wounded waiting too long in the Serapeum. If you + desire it, another time I will show you Christianity in all its depth and + beauty, and your love for this good man will prepare the way and open your + heart to my teaching. A day will come when you will be able to listen to + the voice of your heart as gladly as you have hitherto obeyed the dictates + of your intellect; something new will be born in you which you will esteem + as a treasure above all you ever acquired by reason and thought. That day + will assuredly dawn on you; for he whom you love has opened the path for + you that leads to the gates of Truth; and as you seek you will not fail to + find.—And so farewell. When you crave a teacher you have only to + come to him—and I know he will not have long to wait.” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo looked thoughtfully at the old man as he went away and then went + with Constantine to see his parents. It was in total silence that they + made their way along the short piece of road to the house of Clemens. + Lights were visible in the viridarium and the curtains of the doorway were + drawn back; as they reached the threshold Constantine pointed to a bier + which had been placed in the little court among the flower-beds; his + parents were on their knees by the side of it. + </p> + <p> + Neither he nor Gorgo ventured to disturb their wordless devotions, but + presently the ship-master rose, drawing his fine, stalwart figure to its + full height; then turning his kind, manly, grave face to his wife, who had + also risen to her feet, he laid one hand on her still abundant white hair + and held out the other which she took in hers. Mariamne dried her eyes and + looked up, in her husband’s face as he said firmly and calmly: + </p> + <p> + “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away!’ She hid her face on his + shoulder and responded sadly but fervently: + </p> + <p> + “Blessed be the name of the Lord!” + </p> + <p> + “Yea—Blessed!” repeated Clemens emphatically but he passed his arm + across his eyes. “For thirty-two years hath He lent him to us; and in our + hearts....” and he struck his broad breast, “in here, he will never die + for you or for me. As for the rest—and there was a deal of property + of our own and of other folks in these wood-piles—well, in time we + shall get over that. We may bless the Almighty for what we have left!” + </p> + <p> + Gorgo felt her lover’s hand grasp hers more tightly and she understood + what he meant; she clung closer to him and whispered softly: “Yes, that is + grand—that is the Truth.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. + </h2> + <p> + In the great house in the Canopic street it was late ere all was quiet for + the night. Even Demetrius, in spite of his fatigue, broke through his rule + of “early to bed”; he felt he must see the reaping of the harvest he had + sown for his brother. + </p> + <p> + It had been no easy task to persuade Mary to accede to his importunities, + but to his great joy he at last succeeded. + </p> + <p> + He would have met with a rough dismissal if he had begun by praising Dada + and expressing his wish to see her married to Marcus; he had gained his + point inch by inch, very quietly; but when he had explained to her that it + was in his hands to secure the martyr’s crown for her husband she had + turned suspicious and ironical, had made him swear that it was true, + threatening him with punishments in this world and in the next; but he had + let it all pass over his head, had solemnly sworn as she desired him, + pledging not merely the salvation of his soul but his possessions in this + world; till, at length, convinced that it really was in his power to + gratify the dearest wish of her heart, she had yielded somewhat and + altered her demeanor. Still, he had not spoken a word to help her through + her deliberations and bewilderment, but had left her to fight out the hard + struggle with her own soul; not without some malicious enjoyment but also + not without anxiety, till the first decisive question was put to him by + his stepmother. + </p> + <p> + She had heard that Dada was quite resolved to be baptized, and having once + more made sure of the fact that the girl was anxious to become a + Christian, she next asked: + </p> + <p> + “And it was Marcus who won her to the faith?” + </p> + <p> + “He alone.” + </p> + <p> + “And you can swear that she is a pure-minded and well-conducted girl?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, with the firmest conviction.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw her in the arena—she is pretty, uncommonly charming indeed—and + Marcus...?” + </p> + <p> + “He has set his heart on the girl, and I am sure that his passion is + sincere and unselfish. On the other hand I need hardly remind you that in + this city there are many women, even among those of the first rank, whose + birth and origin are far more doubtful than those of your son’s little + friend, for she, at any rate, is descended from free and respectable + parents. Her uncle’s connections are among the best families in Sicily; + not that we need trouble ourselves about that, for the wife of Philip’s + grandson would command respect even if she were only a freed-woman.” + </p> + <p> + “I know, I know,” murmured Mary, as though all this were of minor + importance in her eyes; and then for some little time she remained silent. + At last she looked up and exclaimed in a voice that betrayed the struggle + still going on in her soul: + </p> + <p> + “What have I to care for but my child’s happiness? In the sight of God we + are all equal—great and small alike; and I myself am but a weak + woman, full of defects and sins—but for all that I could have wished + that the only son of a noble house might have chosen differently. All I + can say is that I must look upon this marriage as a humiliation laid upon + me by the Almighty—still, I give it my sanction and blessing, and I + will do freely and with my whole heart if my son’s bride brings as her + marriage-portion the one thing which is the first and last aim of all my + desires: The everlasting glory of Apelles. The martyr’s crown will open + the gates of Heaven to him—who was your father, too, Demetrius. Gain + that and I myself will lead the singer to my son’s arms.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a bargain!” cried Demetrius—and soon after midnight he had + retired to rest, after seeing Mary fulfil her promise to give a parental + blessing to the betrothed pair. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks later Dada and Gorgo were both baptized, and both by the name + of Cecilia; and then, at Mary’s special entreaty, Marcus’ marriage was + solemnized with much pomp by the Bishop himself. + </p> + <p> + Still, and in spite of the lavish demonstrations of more than motherly + affection which the widow showered her daughter-in-law, Dada felt a + stranger, and ill at ease in the great house in the Canopic way. When + Demetrius, a few weeks after their marriage, proposed Marcus that he + should undertake the management of family estates in Cyrenaica, she jumped + at the suggestion; and Marcus at once decided to act upon it when his + brother promised to remain with him for the first year or two, helping him + with his advice and instructions. + </p> + <p> + Their fears lest Mary should oppose the project, proved unfounded; for, + though the widow declared that life would be a burden to her without her + children, she soon acceded to her son’s wishes and admitted that they were + kind and wise. She need not fear isolation, for, as the widow of the + martyred Apelles, she was the recognized leader of the Christian + sisterhood in the town, and preferred working in a larger circle than that + of the family. She always spoke with enthusiasm to her visitors of her + daughter-in-law Cecilia, of her beauty, her piety and her gentleness; in + fact, she did all she could to make it appear that she herself had chosen + her son’s wife. But she did not care to keep this “beloved daughter” with + her in Alexandria, for the foremost position in every department of social + life was far more certain to be conceded to the noble widow of a “martyred + witness” in the absence of the pretty little converted singer. + </p> + <p> + So the young couple moved to Cyrenaica, and Dada was happy in learning to + govern her husband’s large estates with prudence and good sense. The gay + singing-girl became a capable housewife, and the idle horse-loving Marcus + a diligent farmer. For three years Demetrius staid with them as adviser + and superintendent; even afterwards he frequently visited them, and for + months at a time, and he was wont to say: + </p> + <p> + “In Alexandria I am heart and soul, a Heathen, but in the house with your + Cecilia I am happy to be a Christian.” + </p> + <p> + Before they quitted the city a terrible blow fell on Eusebius. The sermon + he had delivered just before the overthrow of Serapes, to soothe the + excited multitude and guide them in the right way, had been regarded by + the Bishop of the zealot priests, who happened to be present, as + blasphemous and as pandering to the infidels; Theophilus, therefore, had + charged his nephew Cyril—his successor in the see—to verify + the facts and enquire into the deacon’s orthodoxy. It thus came to light + that Agne, an Arian, was not only living under his roof, but had been + trusted by him to nurse certain sick persons among the orthodox; the old + man was condemned by Cyril to severe acts of penance, but Theophilus + decided that he must be deprived of his office in the city, where men of + sterner stuff were needed, and only allowed the charge of souls in a + country congregation. + </p> + <p> + It was a cruel blow to the venerable couple to be forced to quit the house + and the little garden where they had been happy together for half a + lifetime; however, the change proved to be to their advantage, for Marcus + invited his worthy teacher to be the spiritual pastor of his estates. The + churches he built for his peasants were consecrated by Eusebius, whose + mild doctrine and kindly influence persuaded many laborers and slaves to + be baptized and to join his flock of disciples. But the example and + amiability of their young mistress was even more effectual than his + preaching. Men and women, slaves and free, all adored and respected her; + to imitate her in all she did could only lead to honor and happiness, + could only be right and good and wise. Thus by degrees, and without the + exertion of any compulsion, the temples and shrines on the Martyr’s + inheritance were voluntarily abandoned, and fell into ruin and decay. + </p> + <p> + It was the same on the property of Constantine, which lay at no more than + a day’s journey from that of Marcus; the two young couples were faithful + friends and good neighbors. The estate which had come into Constantine’s + possession had belonged to Barkas, the Libyan, who, with his troops, had + been so anxiously and vainly expected to succor the Serapeum. The State + had confiscated his extensive and valuable lands, and the young officer, + after retiring from the service, had purchased them with the splendid + fortune left to Gorgo by her grandmother. + </p> + <p> + The two sons of Porphyrius had, as it proved, been so happy as to escape + in the massacre at Thessalonica; and as they were Christians and piously + orthodox, the old man transferred to them, during his lifetime, the chief + share of his wealth; so that henceforth he could live honestly—alienated + from the Church and a worshipper of the old gods, without anxiety as to + his will. The treasures of art which Constantine and Gorgo found in the + house of Barkas they carefully preserved, though, ere long, few heathen + were to be found even in this neighborhood which had formerly been the + headquarters of rebellion on behalf of the old religion. + </p> + <p> + Papias was brought up with the children of Marcus and Dada Cecilia, while + his sister Agne, finding herself relieved of all care on his account, + sought and found her own way through life. + </p> + <p> + Orpheus, after seeing his parents killed in the fight at the Serapeum, was + carried, sorely wounded, to the sick-house of which Eusebius was spiritual + director. Agne had volunteered to nurse him and had watched by his couch + day and night. Eusebius had also brought Dada and Papias to visit them, + and Dada had promised, on behalf of Marcus, that Agne and her brother + should always be provided for, even in the event of the good Deacon’s + death. The little boy was for the moment placed in Eusebius’ care, and it + was a cause of daily rejoicing to Agne to hear from the kind old man of + all the charming qualities he discovered in the child who was perfectly + happy with the old folks, and who, though he was always delighted to see + his sister, was quite content to part from her and return home with + Eusebius, or with Dada, to whom he was devoted. + </p> + <p> + Orpheus recognized no one, neither Agne nor the child—and when + visitors had been to see him, in his fevered ravings he would talk more + vehemently than ever of great Apollo and other heathen divinities. Then he + would fancy that he was still fighting in the Serapeum and butchering + thousands of Christian foes with his own hand. Agne, whom he rarely + recognized for a moment, would talk soothingly to him, and even try to say + a few words about the Saviour and the life to come; but he always + interrupted her with blasphemous exclamations, and cursed and abused her. + Never had she gone through such anguish of soul as by his bed of + suffering, and yet she could not help gazing at his face; and when she + told herself that he must soon be no more, that the light of his eyes + would cease to shine on hers, she felt as though the sun were about to be + extinguished and the earth darkened for all time. However, his healthy + vigor kept him lingering for many days and nights. + </p> + <p> + On the last evening of his life he took Agne for a Muse, and calling to + her to come to him seized her hand and sank back unconscious, never to + move again. She stood there as the minutes slowly passed, waiting in + agonized suspense till his hand should be cold in hers; and as she waited + she overheard a dialogue between two deaconesses who were watching by a + sleeping patient. One of them was telling the other that her sister’s + husband, a mason, had died an obdurate heathen and a bitter enemy of the + Christian Church. Then Dorothea, his widow, had devoted herself to saving + his soul; she left her children, abandoning them to the charity of the + congregation, and had withdrawn to a cloister to pray in silence and + unceasingly for the soul of her deceased husband. At first he used to + appear to her in her dreams, with furious gestures, accompanied by + centaurs and goat-footed creatures, and had desired her to go home to her + children and leave his soul in peace, for that he was in very good + quarters with the jolly devils; but soon after she had seen him again with + scorched limbs, and he lead implored her to pray fervently for mercy on + him, for that they were torturing him cruelly in hell. + </p> + <p> + Dorothea had then retired into the desert of Kolzoum where she was still + living in a cave, feeding on herbs, roots, and shell-fish thrown up on the + sea-shore. She had schooled herself to do without sleep, and prayed day + and night for her husband’s soul; and she lead obtained strength never to + think of anything but her own and her husband’s salvation, and to forget + her children completely. Her fervid devotion had at length met with full + reward; for some little time her husband had appeared to her in a robe of + shining light and often attended by lovely angels. + </p> + <p> + Agne had not lost a word of this narrative, and when, next morning, she + felt the cold hand of the dead youth and looked at his drawn and + pain-stricken features, she shuddered with vague terrors: he, she thought, + like Dorothea’s husband, must have hell-torments to endure. When she + presently found herself alone with the corpse she bent over it and kissed + the pale lips, and swore to herself that she would save his soul. + </p> + <p> + That same evening she went back to Eusebius and told him of her wish to + withdraw to the desert of Koizoum and become a recluse. The old man + besought her to remain with him, to take charge of her little brother, and + not to abandon him and his old wife; for that it was a no less lovely + Christian duty to be compassionate and helpful, and cherish the feeble in + their old age. His wife added her entreaties and tears; but a sudden chill + had gripped Agne’s heart; dry-eyed and rigid she resisted their prayers, + and took leave of her benefactors and of Papias. Bare-foot and begging her + way, she started for the south-east and reached the shores of the Red Sea. + There she found the stonemason’s widow, emaciated and haggard, with matted + hair, evidently dying. Agne remained with her, closed her eyes, and then + lived on as Dorothea had lived, in the same cave, till the fame of her + sanctity spread far beyond the boundaries of Egypt. + </p> + <p> + When Papias had grown to man’s estate and was installed as steward to + Demetrius, he sought his sister many times and tried to persuade her to + live with him in his new home; but she never would consent to quit her + solitary cell. She would not have exchanged it for a king’s palace; for + Orpheus appeared to her in nightly visions, radiant with the glories of + Heaven; and time was passing and the hour drawing near when she might hope + to be with him once more. + </p> + <p> + The widow Mary, in her later years, made many pilgrimages to holy places + and saintly persons, and among others to Agne, the recluse; but she would + never be induced to visit Cyrenaica, whither she was frequently invited by + her children and grandchildren; some more powerful excitant was needed to + prompt her to face the discomforts of a journey. + </p> + <p> + The old Heathen cults had completely vanished from the Greek capital long + before her death. With it died the splendor and the power of the second + city in the world; and of all the glories of the city of Serapis nothing + now remains but a mighty column—[Known as Pompey’s Pillar.]—towering + to the skies, the last surviving fragment of the beautiful temple of the + sovereign-god whose fall marked so momentous an epoch in the life of the + human race. But, like this pillar, outward Beauty—the sense of form + that characterized the heathen mind—has survived through the ages. + We can gaze up at the one and the other, and wherever the living Truth—the + Spirit of Christianity—has informed and penetrated that form of + Beauty, the highest hopes of old Eusebius have been realized. Their union + is solemnized in Christian Art. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: + + Christian hypocrites who pretend to hate life and love death + Christianity had ceased to be the creed of the poor + Great happiness, and mingled therefor with bitter sorrow + He may talk about the soul—what he is after is the girl + He spoke with pompous exaggeration + It is not by enthusiasm but by tactics that we defeat a foe + Love means suffering—those who love drag a chain with them + People who have nothing to do always lack time + Perish all those who do not think as we do + Pretended to see nothing in the old woman’s taunts + Rapture and anguish—who can lay down the border line + Reason is a feeble weapon in contending with a woman + To her it was not a belief but a certainty + Trifling incident gains importance when undue emphasis is laid + Very hard to imagine nothingness + Whether man were the best or the worst of created beings + Words that sounded kindly, but with a cold, unloving heart +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Serapis, Complete, by Georg Ebers + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SERAPIS, COMPLETE *** + +***** This file should be named 5507-h.htm or 5507-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/0/5507/ + +Produced by David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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