Corinne, Volume 1 (of 2)

  Chapter ii.

  Not far from the Appian way, Oswald and Corinne visited the_Columbarium_, where slaves are united with their masters; where areseen in the same tomb, all who lived under the protection of one man orone woman. The women of Livia, for example, they who, appointed to thecare of her beauty, struggled for its preservation against the power oftime and disputed with the years some one of her charms, are placed byher side in little urns. We fancy that we see an assemblage of theobscure dead round one of the illustrious departed, not less silent thanhis train. At a little distance from here, is perceived the field wherevestals, unfaithful to their vows, were buried alive; a singularinstance of fanaticism in a religion naturally tolerant.

  "I will not conduct you to the catacombs," said Corinne to LordNelville, "though, by a singular chance, they are under this Appian way;tombs thus having their abode beneath tombs; but this asylum of thepersecuted Christians has something so gloomy, and so terrible in it,that I cannot find resolution to return thither. It does not inspire thesame affecting melancholy as more open situations; it is like a dungeonadjoining a sepulchre; the torment of life accompanied with the horrorsof death. Undoubtedly, we feel penetrated with admiration of men who, bythe power of enthusiasm alone, have been able to support thissubterraneous existence; separating themselves from the sun and fromnature; but the mind is so ill at ease in this abode that it isincapable of receiving any improvement. Man is a part of the creation;he must find his moral harmony in the whole system of the universe, inthe usual order of destiny, and certain violent and formidableexceptions may astonish the mind; but they are so terrifying to theimagination that the habitual disposition of the soul cannot benefit bythem. Let us rather," continued Corinne, "go and see the pyramid ofCestius: the Protestants who die here are all buried around thispyramid, which affords them a mild, tolerant, and liberal asylum.""Yes," answered Oswald, "it is there that several of myfellow-countrymen have found their last retreat. Let us go thither; andthus, at least, it may happen that I shall never quit you."--Corinneshuddered at these words, and her hand trembled as she supported herselfupon the arm of Lord Nelville--"I am better, much better," said he,"since I have known you."--The countenance of Corinne was lighted upanew with that sweet and tender joy which it was accustomed to express.

  Cestius presided over the Roman games. His name is not to be found inhistory; but it is rendered illustrious by his tomb. The massive pyramidwhich encloses his ashes, defends his death from that oblivion which hasentirely effaced his life. Aurelian, fearing that this pyramid might beemployed as a fortress to attack Rome, has caused it to be enclosedwithin the walls which are yet standing, not as useless ruins, but asthe actual enclosure of the modern city. It is said that the form ofthe pyramid is in imitation of the flame which ascends from a funeralpyre. It is certain that this mysterious form attracts the eye and givesa picturesque aspect to every perspective of which it forms a part.Opposite this pyramid is Mount Testaceo, under which there are extremelycool grottos where feasts are given in summer. The festivals of Rome arenot disturbed at the sight of tombs. The pines and the cypresses whichare perceived at various distances in the smiling country of Italy, arealso pregnant with solemn remembrances; and this contrast produces thesame effect as the verses of Horace,

  ----moriture Delli ------------------------------------------ Linquenda tellus, et domus, et placens Uxor,[18]

  in the midst of poetry consecrated to every enjoyment upon earth. Theancients have always felt that the idea of death has its pleasures: itis recalled by love and by festivals, and the most lively emotion of joyseems to increase even from the idea of the shortness of life.

  Corinne and Nelville returned from the walk among the tombs, along thebanks of the Tiber.--Once it was covered with vessels and bordered withpalaces; once even its inundations were regarded as presages; it was theprophetic river, the tutelary Deity of Rome[19]. At present, one wouldsay that it rolled its tide through a land of shadows; so solitary doesit seem, so livid do its waters appear. The finest monuments of thearts, the most admirable statues have been thrown into the Tiber, andare concealed beneath its waves. Who knows whether, in order to findthem, the river will not one day be turned from its bed? But when wethink that the masterpieces of human genius are perhaps there beforeus, and that a more piercing eye would behold them through the waves--wefeel that indescribable emotion which incessantly arises at Rome, undervarious forms, and creates a society for the mind in physical objectswhich every where else are dumb.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [18] Dellius thou must die--------------------- Thou must quit thy land, thy home, and thy beloved wife.

  [19] PLIN. _Hist. Natur._ L. iii. Tiberis ... quamlibet magnorum naviumex Italo mari capax, rerum in toto orbe nascentium mercatorplacidissimus, pluribus probe solus quam ceteri in omnibus terris amnesaccolitur aspiciturque villis. Nullique fluviorum minus licet, inclusisutrinque lateribus: nec tamen ipse pugnat, quamquam creber ac subitisincrementis, et nusquam magis aquis quam in ipsa urbe stagnantibus. Quinimo vates intelligitur potius ac monitor auctu semper religiosus veriusquam saevus.