Page 12 of Aurelian; or, Rome in the Third Century

  LETTER XI.

  FROM PISO TO FAUSTA.

  A day has passed, Fausta, since the hearing of Probus, and I hasten toinform you of its events.

  But, first of all, before I enter upon the dark chapter of ourcalamities, let me cheer you and myself by dwelling a moment upon onebright and sunny spot. Early in the day we were informed that Isaac wasdesirous to see us. He was at once admitted. As he entered, it was easyto see that some great good fortune had befallen him. His face shonethrough the effect of some inward joy, and his eyes sparkled in theirdeep sockets like burning tapers. When our customary salutations andinquiries were over, Julia said to him,

  'I think, Isaac, you must have sold a jewel this morning to no less aperson than Aurelian, if the face may be held as an index of good orevil fortune.'

  'I have parted with no jewel, lady,' he replied, 'but there has falleninto my hands a diamond of inestimable value, drawn from those mines ofthe Orient, which I may say, not all the wealth of Aurelian couldpurchase of me. Whenever I shall receive such permission, it will giveme highest delight to show it to thee.'

  'Only a single jewel, Isaac?' said Julia. 'Is it but one stone that sotransports thee, and makes thy face that of a young man?'

  'Lady, to confess the truth, there are four--four living stories andprecious--more precious than any that of old blazed upon the breastplateof our high-priest Princess, I have come to tell thee and Piso what nonein Rome besides, as I think, would care to know--and strange it is thatyou Christians should be those whom I, a Jew, most love, and that I, anold and worn-out man, should fill any space, were it no bigger than agrain of wheat, in your regards--I have come to tell you what you havealready discovered, that Hagar is arrived with the young Ishmael, andwith them two dark-eyed daughters of Israel, who are as welcome as theothers. There is not now, Piso, within the walls of Rome a dwellinghappier than mine. Soon as leisure and inclination shall serve, come, ifyou will do us such grace, to the street Janus, and behold ourcontentment. Sorry am I that the times come laden to you with so manyterrors. Piso,' continued he, in a more earnest tone, and bending towardme, 'rely upon the word of one who is rarely deceived, and who now tellsthee, there is a sword hanging over thy head! Fronto thirsts for thylife, and thine, lady! and Aurelian, much as he may love you, is, as wehave already seen, not proof against the violent zeal of the priest.Come to the street Janus, and I will warrant you safety and life. Thereis none for you here--nor in Rome--if Aurelian's hounds can scent you.'

  We were again obliged to state, with all the force we could give tothem, the reasons which bound us to remain, not only in Rome, but in ourown dwelling, and await whatever the times might bring forth. He wasagain slow to be convinced, so earnestly does he desire our safety. Butat length he was persuaded that he himself would take the same coursewere he called upon to defend the religion of his fathers. He thendeparted, having first exacted a promise that we would soon see his newfamily.

  Soon as Isaac was gone I sought the streets.

  Rome, Fausta, has put on the appearance of the Saturnalia. Although nolicense of destruction has yet been publicly given, the whole city is incommotion--the lower orders noisy and turbulent, as if they had alreadyreceived their commission of death. Efforts have been made, both on thepart of the senate and that of the nobles who are not of that body,joined by many of all classes, to arrest the Emperor in his murderouscareer, but in vain. Not the Seven Hills are more firmly rooted in theearth, than he in his purposes of blood. This is well known abroad; andthe people are the more emboldened in the course they take. They knowwell that Aurelian is supreme and omnipotent; that no power in Rome cancome in between him and his object, whatever it may be; and that they,therefore, though they should err through their haste, and in their zealeven go before the edicts, would find in him a lenient judge. NoChristian was accordingly to be now seen in the streets--for nowherewere they safe from the ferocious language, or even the violentassaults, of the mob. These cruel executioners I found all along,wherever I moved, standing about in groups as if impatiently awaitingthe hour of noon, or else gathered about the dwellings of well-knownChristians, assailing the buildings with stones, and the ears of theirpent-up inhabitants with all that variety of imprecation they so wellknow how to use. It was almost with sensations of guilt that I walkedthe streets of Rome in safety, bearing a sort of charmed life, whilethese thousands of my friends were already suffering more through theirhorrible anticipation, than they would when they should come to endurethe reality. But, although I passed along uninjured by actual assault,the tongue was freely let loose upon me, and promises were abundantlylavished that, before many days were gone, not even the name of Piso,nor the favor of Aurelian, should save me from the common doom.

  As the hour of noon drew nigh, it seemed as if the entire population ofRome was pouring itself into the streets and avenues leading to thecapitol. Not the triumph of Aurelian itself filled this people with amore absorbing, and, as it appeared, a more pleasing interest, than didthe approaching calamities of the Christians. Expectation was written onevery face. Even the boys threw up their caps as in anticipation ofsomewhat that was to add greatly to their happiness.

  * * * * *

  The sixth hour has come and is gone. The edicts are published, and theChristians are now declared enemies of the state and of the gods, andare required to be informed against by all good citizens, and arraignedbefore the Prefect and the other magistrates especially appointed forthe purpose.

  * * * * *

  All is now confusion, uproar, and cruel violence.

  * * * * *

  No sooner was the purport of the edicts ascertained by the multitudeswho on this occasion, as before, thronged the capitol, than theyscattered in pursuit of their victims. The priests of the templesheading the furious crowds, they hastened from the hill in everydirection, assailing, as they reached them, the houses of theChristians, and dragging the wretched inhabitants to the presence oftheir barbarous judges. Although in the present edicts the people arenot let loose as authorized murderers upon the Christians, they arenevertheless exhorted and required to inform against them and bring thembefore the proper tribunals on the charge of Christianity, so that thereis lodged in their hands a fearful power to harrass and injure--a powerwhich is used as you may suppose Romans would use it. Every species ofviolence has this day been put in practice upon this innocent people;their perpetrators feeling sure that, in the confusion, deeds at whicheven Varus or Aurelian might take offence will be overlooked. Thetribunals have been thronged from noon till night with Christians andtheir accusers. As the examination of those who have been brought up hasrarely occupied but a few moments, the evidence always beingsufficiently full to prove them Christians, and, when that has beenwanting, their own ready confession supplying the defect--the prisonsare already filling with their unhappy tenants, and extensive provisionsare making to receive them in other buildings set apart for the time tothis office. A needless provision. For it requires but little knowledgeof Aurelian to know that his impatient temper will not long endure thetedious process of a regular accusation, trial, condemnation, andpunishment. A year, in that case, would scarce suffice to make way withthe Christians of Rome. Long before the prisons can be emptied in alegal way of the tenants already crowding them, will the Emperor resortto the speedier method of a general and indiscriminate massacre. No onecan doubt this, who is familiar as I am with Aurelian, and the spiritswho now rule him.

  * * * * *

  Let me tell you now of the fate of Probus.

  He was seated within his own quiet home at the time the edicts wereproclaimed from the steps of the capitol. The moment the herald whoproclaimed them had pronounced the last word, and was affixing them tothe column, the name of Probus was heard shouted from one side of thehill to the other, and, while the multitude scattered in every directionin pursuit of those who were known to them severally as Christ
ians, alarge division of it made on the instant for his dwelling. On arrivingthere, roused by the noise of the approaching throng, Probus came forth.He was saluted by cries and yells, that seemed rather to proceed fromtroops of wild beasts than men. He would fain have spoken to them, butno word would they hear. 'Away with the Christian dog to the Prefect!'arose in one deafening shout from the people; and on the instant he wasseized and bound, and led unresisting away to the tribunal of Varus.

  As he was dragged violently along, and was now passing the door whichleads to the room where Varus sits, Felix, the bishop, having alreadystood before the Prefect, was leaving the hall, urged along by soldierswho were bearing him to prison.

  'Be of good cheer, Probus!' exclaimed he; 'a crown awaits thee within.Rome needs thy life, and Christ thy soul.'

  'Peace, dotard!' cried one of those who guarded and led him; and at thesame moment brought his spear with such force upon his head that hefelled him to the pavement.

  'Thou hast slain thyself, soldier, by that blow rather than him,' saidProbus. 'Thine own faith has torments in reserve for such as thee.'

  'Thou too!' cried the enraged soldier; and he would have repeated theblow upon the head of the offender, but that the descending weapon wassuddenly struck upwards, and out of the hand of him who wielded it, byanother belonging to the same legion, who guarded Probus, saying as hedid so,

  'Hold, Mutius! it is not Roman to strike the bound and defenceless,Christians though they be. Raise that fallen old man, and apply suchrestoratives as the place affords.' And then, with other directions tothose who were subordinate to him, he moved on, bearing Probus with him.

  Others who had arrived before him, were standing in the presence ofVarus, who was questioning them as to their faith in Christ. On the lefthand of the Prefect, and on the right of those who were examined, stooda small altar surmounted by a statue of Jupiter, to which the Christianswere required to sacrifice. But few words sufficed for the examinationof such as were brought up. Upon being inquired of touching their faith,there was no waiting for witnesses, but as soon as the question was put,the arraigned person acknowledged at once his name and religion. He wasthen required to sacrifice and renounce his faith, and forthwith heshould be dismissed in safety, and with honor. This the Christianrefusing steadfastly to do, sentence of death was instantly pronouncedagainst him, and he was remanded to the prisons to await the time ofpunishment.

  Probus was now placed before the Prefect. When it was seen throughoutthe crowd which again filled the house, who it was that was arraignedfor examination, there were visible signs of satisfaction all around,that he, who was in a manner the ringleader of the sect, was about tomeet with his deserts. As the eye of Varus fell upon Probus, and he toobecame aware who it was that stood at his tribunal, he bent courteouslytowards him, and saluted him with respect.

  'Christian,' said he, 'I sincerely grieve to see thee in such a pass.Ever since I met thee in the shop of the learned Publius have Iconceived an esteem for thee, and would now gladly rescue thee from thedanger that overhangs. Bethink thee now--thou art of too much account todie as these others. A better fate should be thine; and I will stand thyfriend.'

  'Were what thou sayest true,' replied Probus, 'which I am slow toadmit--for nobler, purer souls never lived on earth than have but nowleft this spot where I stand--it would but be a reason of greater forceto me, why I should lose my life sooner than renounce my faith. Whatsacrifice can be too holy for the altar of the God whom I serve? Wouldto God I were more worthy than I am to be offered up.'

  'Verily,' said Varus, 'you are a wonderful people. The more fitted youare to live happily to yourselves, and honorably to others, the readieryou are to die. I behold in you, Probus, qualities that must make youuseful here in Rome. Rome needs such as thyself. Say but the word, andthou art safe.'

  'Could I in truth, Varus, possess the qualities thou imputest to me,were I ready on the moment to abandon what I have so long professed tohonor and believe--abjuring, for the sake of a few years more of life, afaith which I have planted in so many other hearts, and which hasalready brought them into near neighborhood of a cruel death? Couldstthou thyself afterward think of me but as of a traitor and a coward?'

  'I never,' said Varus, 'could do otherwise than esteem one, who, howeverlate, at length declared himself the friend of Rome; and, more thanothers should I esteem him, who, from being an enemy, became a friend.Even the Emperor, Probus, desires thy safety. It is at his instance thatI press thee.'

  Probus bent his head and remained silent. The people, taking it as asign of acquiescence, cried out, many of them, 'See, he will sacrifice!'

  Varus too said, 'It needs not that the outward sign be made. We willdispense with it. The inward consent, Probus, shall suffice.Soldiers!--'

  'Hold, hold, Varus!' cried Probus, rousing himself from a momentaryforgetfulness. 'Think not, O Prefect, so meanly of me! What have I saidor done to induce such belief? I was but oppressed for a moment withgrief and shame that I should be chosen out from among all theChristians in Rome as one whom soft words and bribes and the hope oflife could seduce from Christ. Cease, Varus, then; these words arevain. Such as I have been, I am, and shall be to the end--a Christian!'

  'To the rack with the Christian then!' shouted many voices from thecrowd.

  Varus enforced silence.

  'Probus,' said he, as order was restored, 'I shall still hope the bestfor thee. Thou art of different stuff from him whom we first had beforeus, and leisure for reflection may bring thee to another mind. I shallnot therefore condemn thee either to the rack or to death. Soldiers,bear him to the prisons at the Fabrician bridge.'

  Whereupon he was led from the tribunal, and conducted by a guard to theplace of his confinement.

  * * * * *

  The fate of Probus we now regard as sealed. In what manner he willfinally be disposed of it is vain to conjecture, so various are theways, each one more ingenious in cruelty than another, in whichChristians are made to suffer and die. Standing as he does, as virtuallythe head of the Christian community, we can anticipate for him a deathonly of more refined barbarity.

  Felix too, we learn, is confined in the same prison: and with him allthe other principal Christians of Rome.

  * * * * *

  We have visited Probus in his confinement. You do not remember, Fausta,probably you never saw, the prison at the Fabrician bridge. It seems acity itself, so vast is it, and of so many parts, running upwards inwalls and towers to a dizzy height, and downwards to unknown depths,where it spreads out in dungeons never visited by the light of day. Inthis prison, now crowded with the Christians, did we seek our friend. Wewere at once, upon making known our want, shown to the cell in which hewas confined.

  We found him, as we entered, seated and bending over a volume which hewas reading, aided by the faint light afforded by a lamp which hisjailer had furnished him. He received us with cheerfulness, and at hisside on the single block of stone which the cell provided for itsinmates, we sat and long conversed. I expressed my astonishment that thefavor of a lamp had been allowed him. 'It is not in accordance,' I said,'with the usages of this place.'

  'You will be still more amazed,' he replied, 'when I tell you throughwhose agency I enjoy it.'

  'You must inform us,' we said, 'for we cannot guess.'

  'Isaac's;' he replied. 'At least I can think of no other to whom thedescription given me by the jailer corresponds. He told me upon bringingit to me, that a kind-hearted old man, a Jew, as he believed him, hadmade inquiry about me, and had entreated earnestly for all suchprivileges and favors, as the customs of the place would allow. He haseven procured me the blessing of this friendly light--and what is moreyet and which fills me with astonishment--has sent me this volume, whichis the true light. Can it be that Isaac has done all this, who surelynever has seemed to regard me with much favor.'

  'Never doubt that it is he,' said Julia; 'he has two natures, sometimesone is seen, sometimes th
e other--his Jew nature, and his human nature.His human heart is soft as a woman's or a child's. One so full of thespirit of love I have never known. At times in his speech, you wouldthink him a man bloody and severe as Aurelian himself; but in his deedshe is almost more than a Christian.'

  'As the true circumcision,' said Probus, 'is that of the heart, and ashe is a Jew who is one inwardly, so is he only a Christian who does thedeeds of one and has the heart of one. And he who does those deeds, andhas that heart--what matters it by what name he is called? Isaac is aChristian, in the only important sense of the word--and, alas! that itshould be so, more than many a one who bears the name. But does thismake Christ to be of none effect? Not so. The natural light, whichlightens every man who cometh into the world will, here and there, inevery place, and in every age, bring forth those who shall showthemselves in the perfection of their virtues to be of the very lineageof Heaven--true heirs of its glory. Isaac is such a one. But what then?For one such, made by the light of nature, the gospel gives usthousands. But how is it, Piso, in the city? Are the wolves stillabroad?'

  'They are. The people have themselves turned informers, soldiers, andalmost executioners. However large may be the proportion of the friendlyor the neutral in the city, they dare not show themselves. The mob ofthose devoted to Aurelian constitutes now the true sovereignty ofRome--the streets are theirs--the courts are theirs--and anon the gameswill be theirs.'

  'I am given to understand,' said Probus, 'that to-morrow I suffer; yethave I received from the Prefect no warning to that effect. It is thejudgment of my keeper.'

  'I have heard the same,' I answered, 'but I know not with what truth.'

  'It can matter little to me,' he replied, 'when the hour shall come,whether to-morrow or to-night.'

  'It cannot,' said Julia. 'Furnished with the whole armor of the gospel,it will be an easy thing for you to encounter death.'

  'It will, lady, believe me. I have many times fought with enemies of amore fearful front. The enemies of the soul are those whom the Christianmost dreads. Death is but the foe of life. So the Christian may but liveto virtue and God, he can easily make his account with death. It is notthe pain of dying, nor the manner of it, nor any doubts or speculationsabout the life to come, which, at an hour like this, intrude upon theChristian's thoughts.'

  'And what then,' asked Julia, as Probus paused and fell back intohimself, 'is it that fills and agitates the mind? for at such a momentit can scarcely possess itself in perfect peace.'

  'It is this,' replied Probus. 'Am I worthy? Have I wrought well myappointed task? Have I kept the faith? And is God my friend and Jesus mySaviour? These are the thoughts that engross and fill the mind. It isbusy with the past--and with itself. It has no thoughts to spare uponsuffering and death--it has no doubts or fears to remove concerningimmortality. The future life, to me, stands out in the same certainty asthe present. Death is but the moment which connects the two. You saywell, that at such an hour as this the mind can scarce possess itselfin perfect peace. Yet is it agitated by nothing that resembles fear. Itis the agitation that must necessarily have place in the mind of one towhom a great trust has been committed for a long series of years, atthat moment when he comes to surrender it up to him from whom it wasreceived. I have lived many years. Ten thousand opportunities of doinggood to myself and others have been set before me. The world has been awide field of action and labor, where I have been required to sow andtill against the future harvest. Must I not experience solicitude aboutthe acts and the thoughts of so long a career? I may often have erred; Imust often have stood idly by the wayside; I must many times have beenneglectful, and forgetful, and wilful; I must often have sinned; and itis not all the expected glory of another life, nor all the honor ofdying in the cause of Christ, nor all the triumph of a martyr's fate,that can or ought to stifle and overlay such thoughts. Still I am happy.Happy, not because I am in my own view worthy or complete, but becausethrough Jesus Christ I am taught, in God, to see a Father. I know thatin him I shall find both a just and a merciful judge; and in him who wastempted even as we are, who was of our nature and exposed to our trials,shall I find an advocate and intercessor such as the soul needs. Sothat, if anxious as he who is human and fallible must ever be, I amnevertheless happy and contented. My voyage is ended; the ocean of lifeis crossed, and I stand by the shore with joyful expectations of theword that shall bid me land and enter into the haven of my rest.'

  As Probus ended these words, a low and deep murmur or distant rumblingas of thunder caught our ears, which, as we listened, suddenly increasedto a terrific roar of lions, as it were directly under our feet. Weinstinctively sprang from where we sat, but were quieted at once byProbus:

  'There is no danger,' said he; 'they are not within our apartment, norvery near us. They are a company of Rome's executioners, kept insubterranean dungeons, and fed with prisoners whom her mercy consigns tothem. Sounds more horrid yet have met my ears, and may yours. Yet I hopenot.'

  But while he yet spoke, the distant shrieks of those who were thrusttoward the den, into which from a high ledge they were to be plungedheadlong, were borne to us, accompanied by the oaths and lashes of suchas drove them, but which were immediately drowned by the louder roaringof the imprisoned beasts as they fell upon and fought for their prey. Wesat mute and trembling with horror, till those sounds at length ceasedto reverberate through the aisles and arches of the building.

  'O Rome!' cried Probus, when they had died away, 'how art thou drunkwith blood! Crazed by ambition, drunk with blood, drowned in sin,hardened as a millstone against all who come to thee for good, how shaltthou be redeemed? where is the power to save thee?'

  'It is in thee!' said Julia. 'It is thy blood, Probus, and that of thesemultitudes who suffer with thee, that shall have power to redeem Romeand the world. The blood of Jesus, first shed, startled the world in itsslumbers of sin and death. Thine is needed now to sound another alarm,and rouse it yet once more. And even again and again may the samesacrifice be to be offered up.'

  'True, lady,' said Probus; 'it is so. And it is of that I should think.Those for whom I die should fill my thoughts, rather than any concernfor my own happiness. If I might but be the instrument, by my death, ofopening the eyes of this great people to their errors and their guilt, Ishould meet death with gratitude and joy.'

  With this and such like conversation, Fausta, did we fill up a longinterview with Probus. As we rose from our seats to take leave of him,not doubting that we then saw him and spoke to him for the last time, heyielded to the force of nature and wept. But this was but for a moment.Quickly restored to himself--if indeed when shedding those tears he werenot more truly himself--he bade us farewell, saying with firmness andcheerfulness as he did so,

  'Notwithstanding, Piso, the darkness of this hour and of all the outwardprospect, it is bright within. Farewell!--to meet as I trust in Heaven!'

  We returned to the Coelian.

  * * * * *

  When I parted from Probus, at the close of this interview, it was in thebelief that I should never see him more. But I was once again in hisdungeon, and then heard from him what I will now repeat to you. It wasthus.

  Not long after we had withdrawn from his cell on our first visit,Probus, as was his wont when alone, sat reading by that dim andimperfect light which the jailer had provided him. He presently closedthe volume and laid it away. While he then sat musing, and thinking ofthe morrow, and of the fate which then probably awaited him, the door ofhis cell slowly opened. He looked, expecting to see his usual visitantthe jailer, but it was a form very different from his. The door closed,and the figure advanced to where Probus sat. The gown in which it wasenveloped was then let fall, and the Prefect stood before the Christian.

  'Varus!' said Probus. 'Do I see aright?'

  'It is Varus,' replied the Prefect. 'And your friend.'

  'I would, now at least, be at friendship with all the world,' respondedProbus.

  'Yet,' said Varus, 'your friends must be
few, that you should be left inthis place of horror, alone, to meet your fate.'

  'I have no friend powerful enough, on earth at least, to cope with theomnipotence of Aurelian,' replied Probus.

  'Thy friends, Christian, are more, and more potent than thou dreamestof. As I said to thee before, even Aurelian esteems thee.'

  'Strange, that, if he esteems me, as thou sayest, he should thrust mewithin the lions' den, with prospect of no escape but into their jaws.And can I suppose that his esteem is worth much to me who crowds hisprisons with those who are nearest to me, reserving them there for adeath the most cruel and abhorred?'

  'He may esteem thee, Probus, and not thy faith. 'Tis so with me. I likenot thy faith, but truly do I say it, I like thee, and would fain serveand save thee. Nay, 'tis thy firmness and thy zeal in the cause thouhast espoused that wins me. I honor those virtues. But, Probus, in theethey are dangerous ones. The same qualities in a worthier cause wouldmake thee great. That which thou hast linked thyself to, Christian, is adownward and a dying one. Its doom is sealed. The word of Aurelian isgone forth, and, before the Ides, the blood of every Christian in Romeshall flow--and not in Rome only, but throughout the empire. The forcesare now disposing over the whole of this vast realm, which, at a signfrom the great Head, shall fall upon this miserable people, and theirvery name shall vanish from the earth. It is vain to contend. It is butthe struggling of a man with the will and the arm of Jove--'

  'Varus!--' Probus began.

  'Nay,' said the Prefect, 'listen first. This faith of thine, Christian,which can thus easily be destroyed, cannot be that divine and holy thingthou deemest it. So judges Porphyrius, and all of highest mark here inRome. It is not to be thought of one moment as possible, that what a Godmade known to man for truth, he should afterward leave defenceless, tobe trodden to the dust, and its ministers and disciples persecuted,tormented, and exterminated by human force. Christian, thou hast beendeceived--and all thy fellows are in the like delusion. Do thou thensave both thyself and them. It is in thy power to stop all this effusionof blood, and restore unity and peace to an empire now torn and bleedingin every part.'

  'And how, Varus--seeing thou wouldst that I should hear all--how shallit be done?'

  'Embrace, Probus, the faith of Rome--the faith of thy father, venerablefor piety as for years--the faith of centuries, and of millions of ourgreat progenitors and thou art safe, and all thine are safe.'

  Probus was silent.

  'Aurelian bids me say,' continued the Prefect, 'that doing this, thereis not a wish of thy heart, for thyself, or for those who are dear tothee, but it shall be granted. Wealth, more than miser ever craved,office and place lower but little than Aurelian's own, shall be thine--'

  'Varus! if there is within thee the least touch of humanity, cease! Thywords have sunk into these dead walls as far as into me; yet have theyentered far enough to have wounded the soul through and through. Not,Varus, though to all thou hast said and promised thou shouldst add Romeitself and the empire, and still to that the subject kingdoms of theEast and West, with their treasures, and the world itself, would I provefalse to myself, my faith, and my God. Nor canst thou think me baseenough for such a deed. This is no great virtue in me, Varus. I hold itnot such; nor may you. Go through the secret chambers of these prisonswith the same rich bribe upon thy tongue, and not one so fallen wouldstthou find that he would hear thee through as I have done. Varus, thouknowest not what a Christian is! Thou canst not conceive how little athing life is in his regard set by the side of truth. I grieve that everI should have been so esteemed by thee as to warrant the proffers thouhast made. This injures more and deeper than these bonds, or than allthine array of engines or of beasts.'

  'Be not the fool and madman,' said the Prefect, 'to cast away from theethe mercy I have brought. Except on the terms I have now named, I saythere is hope neither for thee, nor for one of this faith in Rome, however high their name or rank.'

  'That can make no change in my resolve, Varus.'

  'Consider, Probus, well. As by thy renunciation thou couldst savethyself, I now tell thee that the lives of those whom thou holdestnearest, hang also upon thy word. Assent to what I have offered, andPiso and Julia live! Reject it, and they die!'

  Varus paused; but Probus spoke not. He went on.

  'Christian, are not these dear to thee? Demetrius too, and Felix? Whereare the mercies of thy boasted faith, if thy heart is left thus hard?Truly thou mightest as well have lived and died a Pagan.'

  'Again I say, Varus, thou knowest not what a Christian is. We put truthbefore life; and if by but a word that should deny the truth in Christ,or any jot or tittle of it, I could save the life of Piso, Julia, Felix,Demetrius, nay, and all in Rome who hold this faith, my tongue should betorn from my mouth before that word should be spoken. And so wouldstthou find every Christian here in Rome. Why then urge me more? Did Macerhear thee?'

  'I hold thee, Probus, a wiser man than he. All Rome knew him mad. Castnot away thy life. Live, and tomorrow's sun shall see thee First inRome!'

  'Varus! why is this urgency? Think me not a fool and blind. Thouknowest, and Fronto and Aurelian know, that one apostate would weighmore for your bad cause than a thousand headless trunks; and so withcruel and insulting craft you weave your snares and pile to Heaven yourgolden bribes. Begone, Varus, and say to Aurelian, if in truth he sentthee on thy shameful errand, that, in the Fabrician prison, in the samedungeon where he cast Probus the Christian, there still lives Probus theRoman, who reveres what _he_ once revered and loved, truth, and whom hisbribes cannot turn from his integrity.'

  'Die then, idiot, in thy integrity! Thou hast thrown scorn upon one, whohas power and the will to pay it back in a coin it may little pleasethee to take it in. If there be one torment, Galilean, sharper thananother, it shall be thine tomorrow; and for one moment that Macerpassed upon my irons, there shall be hours for thee. Not till the fleshbe peeled inch by inch from thy bones, and thy vitals look through thyribs, and thy brain boil in its hot case, and each particular nerve bestretched till it break, shall thy life be suffered to depart. Then,what the tormentors shall have left, the dogs of the streets shalldevour. Now, Christian, let us see if thy God, beholding thy distress,will pity and deliver thee.'

  Saying these words, his countenance transformed by passion to that of ademon, he turned and left the cell.

  Never, Fausta, I feel assured, did Aurelian commission Varus with suchan errand. Fallen though he be, he has not yet fallen to that lowestdeep. Varus doubtless hoped to prevail over Probus by his baseproposals, and by such triumph raise his fortunes yet higher withAurelian. It was a game worth playing--so he judged, and perhapswisely--and worth a risk. For doubtless one apostate of the rank ofProbus would have been of more avail to them, as Probus said to him,than a thousand slain. For nothing do the judges so weary themselves,and exhaust their powers of persuasion, as to induce the Christians whoare brought before them to renounce their faith. So desirous are theyof this, that they have caused, in many instances, those who were noChristians to be presented at their tribunals, who have then, afterbeing threatened with torture and death, renounced a faith which theynever professed. Once and again has this farce been acted before theRoman people. Their real triumphs of this sort have as yet been veryfew; and the sensation which they produced was swallowed up and lost inthe glory--in the eyes even of the strangers who are in Rome--which hascrowned us in the steadfast courage with which our people have remainedquietly in their homes, throughout all this dreadful preparation, andthen, when the hour of trial drew nigh, and they were placed at the barof the judge, and were accused of their religion, confessed the charge,boasted of it, and then took their way to the prison, from which, theywell knew, death only would deliver them.

  * * * * *

  That, Fausta, which we have long feared and looked for, has come topass, and Probus, our more than friend, our benefactor, and almost ourparent, is, by the Emperor, condemned to death; not, as from the wordsof Varus it mig
ht be supposed, to the same torments as those to whichMacer was made subject; but to be thrown to the beasts in the Flavian, adeath more merciful than that, but yet full of horror. How is it that,in the Roman, mercy seems dead, and the human nature, which he receivedfrom the gods, changed to that of the most savage beast!

  Livia has been with us; and here, with us, would she now gladly remain.It is impossible, she says, for us to conceive the height of the frenzyto which Aurelian is now wrought up against the Christians. In hisimpatience, he can scarce restrain himself from setting his Legions inthe neighboring camp at once to the work of slaughter. But he is,strange as it may seem, in this held back and calmed by the morebloody-minded, but yet more politic, Fronto. Fronto would have the workthoroughly accomplished; and that it may be so, he adheres to a certainsystem of order and apparent moderation, from which Aurelian wouldwillingly break away and at once flood the streets of Rome in a newdeluge of blood. Livia is now miserable and sad, as she was, but a fewmonths ago, gay and happy. At the palace, she tells us, she hears nosounds but the harsh and grating voice of Fronto, or the smooth andsilvery tones of Varus. As soon, she says, as Aurelian shall havedeparted for the East, shall she dwell either with us, or fly to thequiet retreat of Zenobia, at Tibur.

  * * * * *

  The day appointed for the death of Probus has arrived, and never did thesun shine upon a fairer one in Rome. It seems as if some high festivalwere come, for all Rome is afoot. Heralds parade the streets,proclaiming the death of Probus, Felix, and other Christians, in theFlavian, at the hour of noon. At the corner of every street, and at allthe public places, the name of "Probus the Christian, condemned to thebeasts," meets the eye. Long before the time of the sacrifice had come,the avenues leading to the theatre, and all the neighborhood of it, werecrowded with the excited thousands of those who desired to witness thespectacle. There was little of beauty, wealth, fashion, or nobility inRome that was not represented in the dense multitude that filled theseats of the boundless amphitheatre. Probus had said to me, at my lastinterview with him, 'Piso, you may think it a weakness in me, but Iwould that one at least, whose faith is mine, and whose heart beats asmine, might be with me at the final hour. I would, at that hour, meetone eye that can return the glance of friendship. It will be a source ofstrength to me, and I know not how much I may need it.' I readilypromised what he asked, though, as you may believe, Fausta, I wouldwillingly have been spared the trial. So that making part of that tidepouring toward the centre, I found myself borne along at the appointedhour to the scene of suffering and death.

  As I was about to pass beneath the arched-way which leads to the windingpassages within, I heard myself saluted by a well-known voice, and,turning to the quarter whence it came, beheld Isaac, but without hispack, and in a costume so different from that which he usually wears,that at first I doubted the report of my eyes. But the sound of hisvoice, as he again addressed me, assured me it could be no other thanhe.

  'Did I not tell thee, Piso,' said he, 'that, when the Christian was inhis straits, there thou wouldst see the Jew, looking on, and taking hissport? This is for Probus the very end I looked for. And how should itbe otherwise? Is he to live and prosper, who aims at the life of that towhich God has given being and authority? Shall he flourish in pride andglory who hath helped to pull down what God built up? Not so, Piso. 'Tisno wonder that the Christians are now in this plight. It could be nootherwise. And in every corner of this huge fabric wilt thou beholdsome of my tribe looking on upon this sight, or helping at thesacrifice. Yet, as thou knowest, I am not among them. There is no hopefor Probus, Piso?'

  'None, Isaac. All Rome could not save him.'

  'Truly,' rejoined the Jew, 'he is in the lion's den. Yet as the prophetDaniel was delivered, so may it be to him. God is over all.'

  'God is, indeed, over all,' I said; 'but he leaves us with our naturalpassions, affections, and reason, to work out our own way through theworld. We are the better for it.'

  'Doubtless,' said Isaac. 'Yet at times, when we look not for it, andfrom a quarter we dream not of, deliverance comes. So was it to Abraham,when he thought that by his own hand Isaac his son must be slain. Butwhy to a Christian should I speak of these? Dost thou witness thesacrifice, Piso?'

  'Yes, at the earnest entreaty of Probus himself.'

  'I, too, shall be there. We shall both then see what shall come topass.'

  So saying, he moved away toward the lower vaults, where are the cages ofthe beasts, and I passed on and ascended the flight of steps leading tothat part of the interior where it is the custom of Aurelian to sit. TheEmperor was not as yet arrived, but the amphitheatre, in every part ofit, was already filled with its countless thousands. All were seatedidly conversing, or gazing about as at the ordinary sports of the place.The hum of so many voices struck the ear like the distant roar of theocean. How few of those thousands--not one perhaps--knew for what it wasthat Probus and his companions were now about to suffer a most crueland abhorred death! They knew that their name was Christian, and thatChristian was of the same meaning as enemy of the gods and of theempire; but what it was which made the Christian so willing to die, whyit was he was so ready to come to that place of horror and give up hisbody to the beasts--this they knew not. It was to them a riddle theycould not read. And they sat and looked on with the same vacantunconcern, or with the same expectation of pleasure, as if they were towitness the destruction of murderers and assassins. This would not havebeen so, had that class of the citizens of Rome, or any of them, beenpresent, who, regarding us with favor, and hoping that somewhat mightyet come of our religion advantageous to the world, maintain a neutralposition. These were not there; owing, both to their disinclination towitness scenes so brutalizing, and to apprehensions lest they should bebetrayed into words or acts of sympathy, that might lead to their beingconfounded with the obnoxious tribe, and exposed to the like dangers.All, therefore, within the embrace of those wide-spreading walls were ofone heart and one mind.

  While I sat waiting the coming of the Emperor, and surrounded by thosewhom I knew not nor had ever seen, one who occupied a part of the sameseat, accompanied by his wife and daughters, said to me,

  ''Tis to be hoped, sir, that so terrible an example as this will haveits effect in deterring others from joining this dangerous superstition,and not only that, but strike so wholesome a terror into those whoalready profess it, that they shall at once abandon it, and so thegeneral massacre of them not be necessary; which, indeed, I should beloth to witness in the streets of Rome.'

  'If you knew,' I replied, 'for what it is these people are condemned tosuch sufferings, you would not, I am sure, express yourself in thatmanner. You know, I may presume, only what common report has brought toyour ears.'

  'Nothing else, I admit,' he replied. 'My affairs confine me from morningtill night. I am a secretary, sir, in the office of the public mint. Ihave no time to inform myself of the exact truth of any thing butcolumns of figures. I am not afraid to say there is not a betteraccountant within the walls of Rome. But as for other things, especiallyas to the truth in matters of this sort, I know nothing, and can learnnothing. I follow on as the world leads.'

  'I dare say,' I replied, 'you have spoken the truth. And every one herepresent, were he to speak, would make very much the same declaration. Sohere are eighty thousand citizens of Rome assembled to witness thedestruction of men, of whose crime they know nothing, yet rejoicing intheir death as if they were murderers or robbers! Were you charged witha false enumeration of your columns, would not you hold it basestinjustice to suffer punishment before pains were taken to learn theexact truth in the case? But are you not acting the same unjust andcruel part--with all who are here--in looking on and approving thedestruction of these men, about whose offence you know nothing, and havetaken no pains to inquire?'

  'By the gods!' exclaimed his wife, who seemed the sharper spirit of thetwo, 'I believe we have a Christian here! But however that may be, weshould be prettily set to work, whenever s
ome entertainment is inprospect, to puzzle ourselves about the right and the wrong in thematter. If we are to believe you, sir, whenever a poor wretch is to bethrown to the beasts, before we can be in at the sport we must settlethe question--under the law I suppose--whether the condemnation be justor not! Ha! ha! Our life were in that case most light and agreeable! ThePrefect himself would not have before him a more engaging task. Gods!Cornelia dear, see what a pair of eyes!'

  'Where, mother?'

  'There! in that old man's head. They burn and twinkle like coals offire. I should think he must be a Christian.'

  I was not sorry that a new object had attracted the attention of thislady of the secretary; and looking where she pointed, I saw Isaacplanted below us and near the arena. At the same moment the long peal oftrumpets, and the shouts of the people without, gave note of theapproach and entrance of the Emperor. In a moment more, with his swiftstep, he entered the amphitheatre, and strode to the place set apart forhim, the whole multitude rising and saluting him with a burst of welcomethat might have been heard beyond the walls of Rome. The Emperoracknowledged the salutation by rising from his seat and lifting thecrown from his head. He was instantly seated again, and at a sign fromhim the herald made proclamation of the entertainments which were tofollow. He who was named as the first to suffer was Probus.

  When I heard his name pronounced, with the punishment which awaitedhim, my resolution to remain forsook me, and I turned to rush from thetheatre. But my recollection of Probus's earnest entreaties that I wouldbe there, restrained me and I returned to my seat. I considered, that asI would attend the dying bed of a friend, so I was clearly bound toremain where I was, and wait for the last moments of this my more thanChristian friend; and the circumstance that his death was to be shockingand harrowing to the friendly heart was not enough to absolve me fromthe heavy obligation. I therefore kept my place, and awaited withpatience the event.

  I had waited not long when, from beneath that extremity of the theatrewhere I was sitting, Probus was led forth and conducted to the centre ofthe arena, where was a short pillar to which it was customary to bindthe sufferers. Probus, as he entered, seemed rather like one who came towitness what was there than to be himself the victim, so free was hisstep, so erect his form. In his face there might indeed be seen anexpression, that could only dwell on the countenance of one whose spiritwas already gone beyond the earth, and holding converse with thingsunseen. There is always much of this in the serene, uplifted face ofthis remarkable man; but it was now there written in lines so bold anddeep, that there could have been few in that vast assembly but must havebeen impressed by it, as never before by aught human. It must have beenthis, which brought so deep a silence upon that great multitude--not themere fact that an individual was about to be torn by lions--that is analmost daily pastime. For it was so, that when he first made hisappearance, and as he moved toward the centre, turned and looked roundupon the crowded seats rising to the heavens, the people neither movednor spoke, but kept their eyes fastened upon him as by some spell whichthey could not break.

  When he had reached the pillar, and he who had conducted him was aboutto bind him to it, it was plain, by what at that distance we couldobserve, that Probus was entreating him to desist and leave him atliberty; in which he at length succeeded, for that person returned,leaving him alone and unbound. O sight of misery!--he who for thehumblest there present would have performed any office of love, by whichthe least good should redound to them, left alone and defenceless, theylooking on and scarcely pitying his cruel fate!

  When now he had stood there not many minutes, one of the doors of thevivaria was suddenly thrown back, and bounding forth with a roar, thatseemed to shake the walls of the theatre, a lion of huge dimensionsleaped upon the arena. Majesty and power were inscribed upon his lordlylimbs; and as he stood there where he had first sprung, and looked roundupon the multitude, how did his gentle eye and noble carriage, withwhich no one for a moment could associate meanness, or cruelty, orrevenge, cast shame upon the human monsters assembled to behold asolitary, unarmed man torn limb from limb! When he had in this waylooked upon that cloud of faces, he then turned and moved round thearena through its whole circumference, still looking upwards upon thosewho filled the seats--not till he had come again to the point from whichhe started, so much as noticing him who stood, his victim, in themidst. Then--as if apparently for the first time becoming conscious ofhis presence--he caught the form of Probus; and moving slowly towardshim, looked steadfastly up-upon him, receiving in return the settledgaze of the Christian. Standing there, still, awhile--each looking uponthe other--he then walked round him, then approached nearer, making,suddenly and for a moment, those motions which indicate the rousedappetite; but as it were in the spirit of self-rebuke, he immediatelyretreated a few paces and lay down in the sand, stretching out his headtoward Probus, and closing his eyes as if for sleep.

  The people, who had watched in silence, and with the interest of thosewho wait for their entertainment, were both amazed and vexed, at whatnow appeared to be the dulness and stupidity of the beast. When howeverhe moved not from his place, but seemed as if he were indeed about tofall into a quiet sleep, those who occupied the lower seats began bothto cry out to him and shake at him their caps, and toss about their armsin the hope to rouse him. But it was all in vain; and at the command ofthe Emperor he was driven back to his den.

  Again a door of the vivaria was thrown open, and another of equal size,but of a more alert and rapid step, broke forth, and, as if delightedwith his sudden liberty and the ample range, coursed round and round thearena, wholly regardless both of the people and of Probus, intent onlyas it seemed upon his own amusement. And when at length he discoveredProbus standing in his place, it was but to bound toward him as infrolic, and then wheel away in pursuit of a pleasure he esteemed morehighly than the satisfying of his hunger.

  At this, the people were not a little astonished, and many who were nearme hesitated not to say, "that there might be some design of the gods inthis." Others said plainly, but not with raised voices, "An omen! anomen!" At the same time Isaac turned and looked at me with an expressionof countenance which I could not interpret. Aurelian meanwhile exhibitedmany signs of impatience; and when it was evident the animal could notbe wrought up, either by the cries of the people, or of the keepers, toany act of violence, he too was taken away. But when a third had beenlet loose, and with no better effect, nay, with less--for he, when hehad at length approached Probus, fawned upon him, and laid himself athis feet--the people, superstitious as you know beyond any others, nowcried out aloud, "An omen! an omen!" and made the sign that Probusshould be spared and removed.

  Aurelian himself seemed almost of the same mind, and I can hardly doubtwould have ordered him to be released, but that Fronto at that momentapproached him, and by a few of those words, which, coming from him, arereceived by Aurelian as messages from Heaven, put within him a new anddifferent mind; for rising quickly from his seat he ordered the keeperof the vivaria to be brought before him. When he appeared below upon thesands, Aurelian cried out to him,

  'Why, knave, dost thou weary out our patience thus--letting forth beastsalready over-fed? Do thus again, and thou thyself shall be thrown tothem. Art thou too a Christian?'

  'Great Emperor,' replied the keeper, 'than those I have now let loose,there are not larger nor fiercer in the imperial dens, and since thesixth hour of yesterday they have tasted nor food nor drink. Why theyhave thus put off their nature 'tis hard to guess, unless the generalcry be taken for the truth, "that the gods have touched them."

  Aurelian was again seen to waver, when a voice from the benches criedout,

  'It is, O Emperor, but another Christian device! Forget not the voicefrom the temple! The Christians, who claim powers over demons, biddingthem go and come at pleasure, may well be thought capable to change, bythe magic imputed to them, the nature of a beast.'

  'I doubt not,' said the Emperor, 'but it is so. Slave! throw up now thedoors of all thy vaults,
and let us see whether both lions and tigers benot too much for this new necromancy. If it be the gods who interpose,they can shut the mouths of thousands as of one.

  At those cruel words, the doors of the vivaria were at once flung open,and an hundred of their fierce tenants, maddened both by hunger and thegoads that had been applied, rushed forth, and in the fury with which ina single mass they fell upon Probus--then kneeling upon the sands--andburying him beneath them, no one could behold his fate, nor, when thatdark troop separated and ran howling about the arena in search of othervictims, could the eye discover the least vestige of that holy man.----I then fled from the theatre as one who flies from that which is worsethan death.

  Felix was next offered up, as I have learned, and after him more thanfourscore of the Christians of Rome.

  Rome continues the same scene of violence, cruelty and blood. Eachmoment are the miserable Christians dragged through the streets eitherto the tribunals of the judges, or thence, having received their doom,to the prisons.

  Seeing, Fausta, that the Emperor is resolved that we shall not be amongthe sufferers, and that he is also resolved upon the total destructionof all within the walls of Rome, from which purpose no human power cannow divert him, we feel ourselves no longer bound to this spot, and aredetermined to withdraw from it, either to Tibur or else to you. Werethere any office of protection or humanity, which it were in our powerto perform toward the accused or the condemned, you may believe that weshould remain fixed to the post of duty. But the fearful sweep which ismaking, and yet to be made, of every living soul in Rome, leaves nothingfor us to do but to stand idle and horror-struck witnesses of sufferingsand wrongs, which we can do nothing to avert or relieve. Portia sharesour sorrows, and earnestly entreats us to depart, consenting herself toaccompany us.

  * * * * *

  After seeing Zenobia at Tibur, and conversing with her and Livia, whom Ifound there, we have resolved upon Palmyra, and already have I engaged avessel bound to Berytus. A brief interval will alone be needful for ourpreparations. Portia goes with us.

  * * * * *

  In the midst of these preparations, news is brought us by Milo thatAurelian, hastened by accounts of disturbances in the army, has suddenlystarted for Thrace. But I see not that this can interfere with ourmovements, unless indeed.... What can mean this sudden uproar in thestreets?--and now within the house itself.... My fears are true....

  * * * * *

  Fausta, I am a prisoner in the hands of Fronto. I now write in chains,and Julia stands at my side bound also. I have obtained with difficultythis grace, to seal my letter, and bid you farewell.

  * * * * *

  Thus were Piso and Julia at length in the grasp of the cruel andrelentless Fronto. Aurelian's sudden departure from Rome placed thewhole conduct of the enterprise he had undertaken in the hands of Varusand the priest, who were left by the Emperor with full powers to carryon and complete the work which he had begun. It was his purpose however,so soon as the difficulties in the army should be composed, himselfimmediately to return, and remain till the task were ended--the greatduty done. But, as many causes might conspire to prevent this, they wereclothed with sovereign authority to do all that the welfare of the cityand the defence and security of religion might require. I will notcharge Aurelian with an unnecessary absence at this juncture, that so hemight turn over to his tools a work, at which his own humanity andconscience, hardened as they were, revolted--or rather that they,voluntarily, and moved only by their own superstitious and malignantminds might then be free to do what they might feel safe in believingwould be an acceptable service to their great master. I will stillbelieve, that, had he intended the destruction of Piso and Julia, hewould, with that courage which is natural to him, have fearlessly andunshrinkingly done the deed himself. I will rather suppose that hisministers, without warrant from him, and prompted by their own hatealone, ventured upon that dark attempt, trusting, when it should haveonce been accomplished, easily to obtain the pardon of him, who, howeverhe might affect or feel displeasure for a moment, would secretly applaudand thank them for the deed.

  However this may be, Aurelian suddenly departed from Rome, and Frontoand Varus filled his place; and their first act of authority was theseizure of Piso and the Princess. At Tibur we knew nothing of theseevents till they were passed; we caring not to hear of the daily horrorsthat were acted in the city, and feeling as secure of the safety of Pisoand Julia as of our own.

  It was on a gloomy winter evening when they were borne away from theirhome upon the Coelian to the dark vaults beneath the Temple of theSun, Fronto's own province. But here again let Piso speak for himself,as I find recorded in the fragment of a letter.

  * * * * *

  * * * The darkness of the night scarce permitted me to see, he says,whither we were borne, but when the guard stopped and required us toalight from the carriage in which we had been placed, I perceived thatwe were at the steps of the temple--victims therefore in his own regionsof a man, as much more savage than Aurelian, as he than a beast of theforest. We were denied the happiness of being confined in the sameplace, but were thrust into separate dungeons, divided by walls of solidrock. Here, when wearied out by watching, I fell asleep. How long thislasted I cannot tell; I was wakened by the withdrawing of the bolts ofmy door. One, bearing a dim light, slowly opening the door, entered.Forgetting my condition I essayed to rise, but my heavy chains bound meto the floor. Soon as the noise of my motion caught the ear of theperson who had entered, he said,

  'So; all is safe. I am not thy keeper, sir Piso, but 'tis my province tokeep the keeper--that is--visit thee every hour to see that thou arthere. Yet, by the gods! if you Christians have that power of magic,which is commonly reported of you, I see not of what use it were towatch you thus. How is it with thee, most noble Piso?'

  'That is of little moment; but tell me, if there is anything human inthee, where is the Princess Julia, and what is her fate?'

  'Be not too much concerned,' he replied. 'She is safe, I warrant you.None but Fronto deals with her.'

  'Fronto!' I could only say.

  'Yes, Fronto. Fear not, he is an honorable man and a holy priest.'

  'Fronto!' I was about to add more, but held my peace; knowing well thatwhat I might say could avail nothing for us, and might be turned againstus. I only asked, 'why there was such delay in examining and condemningus?'

  'That is a question truly,' he replied; 'but not so easy to beanswered. Few know the reason, that I can say. But what is there in theheart of Pronto that is kept from Curio? Are thy chains easy, Piso?'

  'I would that they might be lengthened. Here am I bound to the floorwithout so much as the power to stand upright. This is uselesssuffering.'

  'Twas so ordered by Fronto; but then if there is one in Rome who cantake a liberty with him, I know well who he is. So hold thou the lamp,Piso, and I will ease thee;' and, like one accustomed to the art, hesoon struck apart the chain, and again uniting it left me room, both tostand and move.

  'There,' said he, as he took again the lamp, 'for one who hates aChristian as he does death, that's a merciful deed. But I can tell theeone thing, that it will not ease thee long.'

  'That I can believe. But why, once more, is there this delay?'

  'I know not, Piso, whether I should tell thee, but as I doubt not Frontowould, were he here, I surely may do the same, for if there are two menin Rome, Piso, whose humors are the same and jump together, I and Frontoare they. There is a dispute then, noble Piso, between Varus and Frontoabout the lady Julia--' and without heeding my cries the wretch turnedand left the vault, closing after him the heavy door.

  How many days, in the torture of a suspense and ignorance worse thandeath, I lay here, I cannot tell. Curio came as often as he said to seethat all was safe, but there was little said by either; he would examinemy chain and then depart. On the night--the last nig
ht I passed in thatagony--preceding my examination by Varus and Fronto, I was disturbedfrom my slumbers by the entrance of Curio. He advanced with as it seemedto me an unusually cautious step, and I rose expecting somecommunication of an uncommon nature. But what was my amazement, as thelight fell upon the face of him who bore it, to see not Curio but Isaac.His finger was on his lips, while in his hand he held the implementsnecessary for sawing apart my chains.

  'Piso!' said he in a whispered tone, 'thou art now free,--I could notsave Probus, but I can save thee--horses fleet as the winds await theeand the Princess beyond the walls, and at the Tiber's mouth a vesseltakes you to Berytus. Curio lies drunk or dead, it matters little which,in a neighboring vault.' And he set down the lamp and seized my chain.The strange devotion of this man moved me; and, were it but to rewardhis love, I could almost have slipped my bonds. But other thoughtsprevailed.

  'Isaac, you have risked your life and that of your household in thisattempt; and sorry am I that I can pay thee only with my thanks. Icannot fly.'

  'Piso! thou surely art not mad? Why shouldst thou stay in the hands ofthese pagan butchers--'

  'Were this, Isaac, but the private rage of Fronto, gladly would I gowith thee--more gladly would I give Julia to thy care. But it is not so.It is, as thou knowest, for our faith that we are here and thus; andshall we shrink from what Probus bore?'

  'Piso, believe me--'tis not for thy faith alone that thou art here, butfor thy riches, and thy wife--'

  'Isaac! thou hast been deceived. Sooner would they throw themselvesinto a lion's den for sport, than brave the wrath of Aurelian for such acrime. Thou hast been deceived.'

  'I have it,' replied the Jew, 'from the mouth of the miscreant Curio,who has told me of fierce disputes, overheard by him, between Varus andPronto concerning the lady Julia.'

  'Their dispute has been, doubtless, whether she too should be destroyed;for to Fronto is well known the constant love which Aurelian still bearsher. Curio is not always right.'

  'And is this my answer, Piso?' said Isaac. 'And, if I cannot prevailwith thee, shall I not still see thy wife? Over her perchance--'

  'No, Isaac; it would be of no avail. Her answer would be the same asmine.'

  'Nevertheless, Piso, I believe that what I have heard and surmised isso. Fronto and Varus, who have played with the great Aurelian as atoyman with his images, may carry even this.'

  'Were it so, I put my trust in God, and to him commend myself and Julia.For this our faith are we ready to bear all that man can devise or do.'

  Seeing that further argument was vain, Isaac, with eyes that overflowedas any woman's, embraced me and left the cell.

  * * * * *

  On the day which followed the visit of Isaac was I placed before Frontoand Varus.

  It was in the great room of the temple that the Prefect and the Priestawaited their victims. It was dimly illuminated, so that the remoterparts were lost in thick darkness. So far as the eye could penetrateit, a crowd of faces could be discerned in the gloom, of those who werethere to witness the scene. All, whom my sight could separate from thedarkness, were of the Roman priesthood, or friends of Fronto. Not thatothers were excluded--it was broad day, and the act was a public one,and authorized by the imperial edict--but that no announcement of it hadbeen made; and by previous concert the place had been filled with thepriests and subordinate ministers of the Roman temples. I knew thereforethat not a friendly eye or arm was there. Whatever it might please thosecruel judges to inflict upon myself or Julia,--there was none toremonstrate or interpose. With what emotions, when I had first beenplaced before those judges, did I await the coming of Julia, from whom Ihad now been so long parted! Fervently did I pray that the mercy ofFronto would first doom her, that she might be sure of at least onesympathising and pitying heart.

  On the right of the Prefect, upon a raised platform, were set thevarious instruments of torture and death, each attended by its halfnaked minister.

  I had not stood long, when upon the other side of the room the noise ofthe dividing crowd told me that Julia was entering, and in a moment moreshe was standing at a little distance from me, and opposite Fronto--Ibeing opposite the Prefect. Our eyes met once--and no more. As I couldhave desired, Fronto first addressed her.

  'Woman! thou standest here charged with impiety and denial of the godsof Rome; in other words, with being a follower of Christ the Nazarene.That the charge is true, witnesses stand here ready to affirm. Dostthou deny the charge? Then will we prove its truth.'

  'I deny it not,' responded Julia, 'but confess it. Witnesses are notneeded. The Christian witnesses for himself.'

  'Dost thou know the penalty that waits on such confession?'

  'I know it, but do not fear it.'

  'But for thee to die so, woman, is of ill example to all in Rome. Wewould rather change thee. We would not have thee die the enemy of thegods, of Rome, and of thyself. I ask thee then to renounce thy vainimpiety!'

  Julia answered not.

  'I require thee, Christian, to renounce Christ!'

  Still Julia made no reply.

  'Know you not, woman, I have power to force from thee that, which thouwilt not say willingly?'

  'Thou hast no such power, Priest. Thou wert else God.'

  'Thy tender frame cannot endure the torture of those engines. It werebetter spared such suffering.'

  'I would gladly be spared that suffering,' said Julia; 'but not at theexpense of truth.'

  'Think not that I will relent. Those irons shall rack and rend thee inevery bone and joint, except thou dost renounce that foul impostor,whose curse now lies heavy upon Rome and the world.'

  'Weary me not, Priest, with vain importunity. I am a Christian, and aChristian will I die.'

  'Prepare then the rack!' cried Fronto, his passions rising; 'that is themedicine for obstinacy such as this. Now bind her to it.'

  Hearing that, I wildly exclaimed,

  'Priest! thou dar'st not do it for thy life! Touch but the hair of herhead, and thy life shall answer it. Aurelian's word is pledged, and thoudar'st not break it.'

  'Aurelian is far enough from here,' replied the priest. 'But were hewhere I am, thou wouldst see the same game. I am Aurelian now.'

  'Is this then thy commission, had from Aurelian?'

  'That matters not, young Piso. 'Tis enough for thee to know that Frontorules in Rome. No more! Hold now thy peace! Where an Empress has sued invain, there is no room for words from thee. Slaves! bind her, I say! Tothe rack with her!'

  At that I sprang madly forward, thinking only of her rescue from thosemurderous fangs, but was at the same instant drawn violently back bothby my chains and the arms of those who guarded me. The tormentorsdescended from their engines to fulfil the commands of Fronto, and,laying hold of Julia, bore her, without an opposing word, or look, ormotion, toward their instruments of death. And they were already bindingher limbs to the accursed wheels, while Fronto and Varus both drew nighto gloat over her agonies, when a distant sound, as of the ocean lashedby winds, broke upon the ears of all within that hell. Even thetormentors paused in their work, and looked at each other and at Fronto,as if asking what it should mean.

  The silence of death fell upon the crowd--every ear strained to catchthe still growing sound and interpret it.

  ''Tis but the winter wind!' cried Fronto. 'On, cowards, with your work!'

  But, ere the words had left his lips, or those demons could wind thewheels of their engine, the appalling tumult of a multitude rushingtoward the temple became too fearfully distinct for even Pronto or Varusto pretend to doubt its meaning. But why it was, or for what, none couldguess; only upon the terror-struck forms of both the Prefect and thePriest might be read apprehensions of hostility that from some quarterwas aiming at themselves. Fronto's voice was again heard:

  'Bar the great doors of the temple! let not the work of the gods beprofanely violated.'

  But the words were too late; for, while he was yet speaking, O Fausta,how shall I paint
my agony of joy! there was heard from the street andfrom the porch of the temple itself the shouts of as it were tenthousand voices,

  "Tacitus is Emperor!" "Long live the good Tacitus!"

  Freedom and life were in those cries. The crowds from the streets sweptin at the doors like an advancing torrent. Varus and Fronto, followed bytheir myrmidons, vanished through secret doors in the walls behind them,and among the first to greet me and strike the chains from my limbs wereIsaac and Demetrius.

  'And where is the lady Julia?' cried Isaac.

  'There!'

  He flew to the platform, and, turning back the wheels, Julia was oncemore in my arms.

  'And now,' I cried, 'what means it all? Am I awake or do I dream?'

  'You are awake,' replied Demetrius. 'The tyrant is dead! and the senateand people all cry out for Tacitus.'

  I now looked about me. The mob of priests was fled, and around me Ibeheld a thousand well-known faces of those who already had beenreleased from their dungeons. Christians, and the friends of Christians,now filled the temple.

  'We were led hither,' continued Demetrius, 'by your fast friend and thefriend I believe of all, Isaac. None but he, and those to whom he gavethe tidings, knew where the place of your confinement was; nor was theday of your trial publicly proclaimed, although we found the templeopen. But for him we should have been, I fear, too late. But no soonerwas the news of Aurelian's assassination spread through the city, thanIsaac roused your friends and led the way.'

  As Demetrius ceased, the name of "Tacitus Emperor," resounded againthroughout the temple, and the crowds then making for the streets, aboutwhich they careered mad with joy, we were at liberty to depart; andaccompanied by Isaac and Demetrius, were soon beneath our own roof uponthe Coelian.

  With what joy then, in our accustomed place of prayer, did we pour forthour thanksgivings to the Overruling Providence, who had not only rescuedourselves from the very jaws of death, but had wrought out this greatdeliverance of his whole people! Never before, Fausta, was Christianityin such peril; never was there a man, who, like Aurelian, united to anative cruelty that could behold the shedding of blood with the sameindifference as the flowing of water, a zeal for the gods and a love ofcountry that amounted quite to a superstitious madness. Had not deathinterposed--judging as man--no power could have stayed that arm that wassweeping us from the face of the earth.

  The prisons have all been thrown open, and their multitudes againreturned to their homes. The streets and squares of the capital resoundwith the joyful acclamations of the people. Our churches are once moreunbarred, and with the voice of music and of prayer, our people testifybefore Heaven their gratitude for this infinite mercy.

  The suddenness of this transition, from utter hopelessness and blankdespair to this fulness of peace, and these transports of joy, is almosttoo much for the frame to bear. Tears and smiles are upon every face. Weknow not whether to weep or laugh; and many, as if their reason weregone, both laugh and cry, utter prayers and jests in the same breath.

  * * * * *

  Soon as we found ourselves quietly in possession again of our own home,surrounded by our own household, Portia sitting with us and sharing ourfelicity, the same feeling impelled us at once to seek Livia andZenobia. The Empress was, as we had already learned, at Tibur, whithershe had but this morning fled, upon finding all interference of noavail, hoping--but how vainly--that possibly her mother, than whose namein Rome none was greater, save Aurelian's--might prevail, where thewords had fallen but upon deaf ears and stony hearts. Our chariot boreus quickly beyond the walls, and toward the palace of the Queen. As wereached the entrance, Zenobia at the same moment, accompanied by Livia,Nicomachus, and her usual train, was mounting her horse for Rome. Ourmeeting I need not describe. That day and evening were consecrated tolove and friendship; and many days did we pass there in the midst ofsatisfactions of double worth, I suppose, from the brief interval whichseparated them from the agonies which but so lately we had endured.

  All that we have as yet learned of Aurelian is this, that he has met thefate that has waited upon so many of the masters of the world. His ownsoldiers have revenged themselves upon him. Going forth, as it isreported, to quell a sudden disturbance in the camp, he was set upon bya band of desperate men--made so by threats of punishment which he everkeeps--and fell pierced by a hundred swords. When more exact accountsarrive, you shall hear again.

  Tacitus, who has long been the idol of the Senate, and of the best partof the people of Rome, famed, as you know, for his wisdom and his mildvirtues, distinguished too for his immense wealth and the elegance ofhis tastes, was at once, on the news of Aurelian's death, proclaimedEmperor; not so much, however, by any formal act of the Senate, as bythe unanimous will of all--senators and people. For, in order that thechance of peace may be the greater, the Senate, before any formal andpublic decree shall be passed, will wait the pleasure of the army. But,in the meantime, he is as truly Emperor as was Aurelian--and was,indeed, at the first moment the news of the assassination arrived. Hisopinions concerning the Christians also, being well known, theproclamation of his name as Augustus, was at the same time one of safetyand deliverance to our whole community. No name in Rome could havestruck such terror into the hearts of Varus and Fronto, as that ofTacitus--"Tacitus Emperor!"

  After our happy sojourn at Tibur, and we had once more regained our homeupon the Coelian, we were not long, as you may believe, in seeking thestreet Janus, and the dwelling of Isaac. He was happily within, andgreeted us with heartiest welcome.

  'Welcome, most noble Piso,' he cried, 'to the street Janus!'

  'And,' I added, 'to the house of a poverty-pinched Jew! This resemblesit indeed!'

  'Ah! are you there, Piso? Well, well, if I have seemed poor, thouknowest why it has been, and for what. Welcome too, Princess! enter, Ipray you, and when you shall be seated I shall at once show you what youhave come to see, I doubt not--my assortment of diamonds. Ah! the newsof your arrival has spread, and they are before me--here, Piso, is thewoman of the desert, and the young Ishmael, and here, lady, are twodark-eyed nymphs of Ecbatana. Children, this is the beautiful Princessof Palmyra, whose name you have heard more than once.'

  It was a pretty little circle, Fausta, as the eye need behold; andgathered together here by how strange circumstances! The very sun ofpeace and joy seemed breaking from the countenance of Isaac. He caressedfirst one and then another, nor did he know how to leave off kissing andpraising them.

  When we had thus sat, and made ourselves known all around to each other,Julia said to Isaac, 'that she should hope often to see him and them inthe same way; but however often it might be, and at whatever othertimes, she begged, that annually, on the Ides of January, she with Pisomight be admitted to his house and board, to keep with them all a feastof grateful recollection. Whatever it is that makes the present hour sohappy to us all, we owe, Isaac, to you.'

  'Lady! to the providence of the God of Abraham!'

  'In you, Isaac, I behold his providence.'

  'Lady, it shall be as you say--on the Ides of January, will we, as theyears go round, call up to our minds these dark and bloody times, andgive thanks for the great redemption. Were Probus but with you, and tobe with you, Piso, your cup were full. And he had been here, but for thevoice of one, who just as the third lion had been uncaged, fixed againthe wavering mind of Aurelian, who then, madman-like, set on him thatforest-full of beasts. At that moment, I found it, Piso, discreetest todepart.'

  'And was your hand in that too, Isaac? Were those lions of yourtraining? and that knave's lies of your telling?'

  'Verily thou mayest say so.'

  'But was that the part of a Jew?'

  'No,' said Julia, 'it was only the part of Isaac.'

  'Probus,' said Isaac, 'was the friend of Piso and Julia, and thereforehe was mine. If now you ask how I love you so, I can only say, I do notknow. We are riddles to ourselves. When I first saw thee, Piso, Ifancied thee, and the fancy hath held till now. Now,
where love is,there is power--high as heaven, deep as hell. Where there is the will,the arm is strong and the wits clear. Mountains of difficulty and seasof danger sink into mole-hills and shallow pools. Besides, Piso, thereis no virtue in Rome but gold will buy it, and, as thou knowest, in thatI am not wanting. Any slave like Curio, or he of the Flavian, may be hadfor a basket-full of oboli. With these two clues, thou canst thread thelabyrinth.'

  Though our affairs, Fausta, now put on so smiling a face, we do notrelinquish the thought of visiting you; and with the earliest relentingof the winter, so that a Mediterranean voyage will be both safe andpleasant, shall we turn our steps toward Palmyra.

  Demetrius greatly misses his brother, But what he has lost, you havegained.

  What at this moment is the great wonder in Rome is this--a letter hascome from the Legions in Thrace in terms most dutiful and respectfultoward the Senate, deploring the death of Aurelian, and desiring thatthey will place him in the number of the gods, and appoint hissuccessor. This is all that was wanted to confirm us in our peace. Nowwe may indeed hail Tacitus as Augustus and Emperor. Farewell.

  * * * * *

  Piso has mentioned with brevity the death of Aurelian, and the manner ofit as first received at Rome. I will here add to it the account whichsoon became current in the capital, and which to this time remainswithout contradiction.

  Already has the name of Menestheus occurred in these memoirs. He was oneof the secretaries of the Emperor, always near him and much in hisconfidence. This seemed strange to those who knew both, for Menestheusdid not possess those qualities which Aurelian esteemed. He was selfish,covetous, and fawning; his spirit and manner those of a slave to such aswere above him--those of a tyrant to such as were below him. Hisaffection for the Emperor, of which he made great display, was only forwhat it would bring to him; and his fidelity to his duties which wasexemplary, grew out of no principle of integrity, but was merely a partof that self-seeking policy that was the rule of his life. His officeput him in the way to amass riches, and for that reason there was notone perhaps of all the servants of the Emperor who performed with moreexactness the affairs entrusted to him. He had many times incurred thedispleasure of Aurelian, and his just rebuke for acts of rapacity andextortion, by which, never the empire, but his own fortune was profited;but, so deep and raging was his thirst of gold, that it had no othereffect than to restrain for a season a passion which was destined, inits further indulgence, to destroy both master and servant.

  Aurelian had scarcely arrived at the camp without the walls ofByzantium, and was engaged in the final arrangements of the armyprevious to the departure for Syria--oppressed and often irritated bythe variety and weight of the duties which claimed his care--when, aboutthe hour of noon, as he was sitting in his tent, he was informed, "thatone from Rome with pressing business craved to be heard of theEmperor."

  He was ordered to approach.

  'And why,' said Aurelian, as the stranger entered, have you sped in suchhaste from Rome to seek me?'

  'Great Caesar, I have come for justice!'

  'Is not justice well administered in the courts of Rome, that thou mustpursue me here, even to the gates of Byzantium?'

  'None can complain,' replied the Roman, 'that justice hath been withheldfrom the humblest since the reign of Aurelian--'

  'How then,' interrupted Aurelian, 'how is it that thou comest hither?Quick! let us know thy matter?'

  'To have held back,' the man replied, 'till the return of the army fromits present expedition, and the law could be enforced, were to me morethan ruin.'

  'What, knave, has the army to do with thee, or thou with it? Thy matter,quick, I say.'

  'Great Caesar,' rejoined the other, 'I am the builder of this tent. Andfrom my workshops came all these various furnishings, of the true andfull value of all of which I have been defrauded--'

  'By whom?'

  'By one near the Emperor, Menestheus the noble secretary.'

  'Menestheus! Make out the case, and, by the great god of Light, he shallanswer it. Be it but a farthing he hath wronged thee of, and he shallanswer it. Menestheus?'

  'Yes, great Emperor, Menestheus. It was thus. When the work he spoke forwas done and fairly delivered to his hands, agreeing to the value of anobolus and the measure of a hair, with the strict commands he gave,what does he when he sees it, but fall into a rage and swear that 'tisnot so--that the stuff is poor, the fashion mean and beggarly, the artslight and imperfect, and that the half of what I charged, which wasfive hundred aurelians, was all that I should have, with which, if Iwere not content and lisped but a syllable of blame, a dungeon for myhome were the least I might expect; and if my knavery reached the ear ofAurelian, from which, if I hearkened to him, it should be his care tokeep it, my life were of less value than a fly's. Knowing well the powerof the man, I took the sum he proffered, hoping to make such compositionwith my creditors, that I might still pursue my trade, for, O Emperor,this was my first work, and being young and just venturing forth, I wasdependent upon others. But, with the half price I was allowed to charge,and was paid, I cannot reimburse them. My name is gone and I am ruined.'

  'The half of five hundred--say you--was that the sum, and all the sum hepaid you?'

  'It was. And there are here with me those that will attest it.'

  'It needs not; for I myself know that from the treasury five hundredaurelians were drawn, and said, by him, for this work--which well suitsme--to have been duly paid. Let but this be proved, and his life is theleast that it shall cost him. But it must be well proved. Let us nowhave thy witnesses.'

  Menestheus at this point, ignorant of the charge then making againsthim, entered the tent. Appalled by the apparition of the injured man,and grasping at a glance the truth, all power of concealment was gone,conscious guilt was written in the color and in every line and featureof the face.

  'Menestheus!' said Aurelian, 'knowest thou this man?'

  'He is Virro, an artisan of Rome;' replied the trembling slave.

  'And what think you makes him here?'

  The Secretary was silent.

  'He has come, Menestheus, well stored with proofs, beside those which Ican furnish, of thy guilt. Shall the witnesses be heard? Here theystand.'

  Menestheus replied not. The very faculty of speech had left themiserable man.

  'How is it,' then said Aurelian in his fiercest tones, 'how is it thatagain, for these paltry gains, already rolling in wealth--thou wiltdefile thy own soul, and bring public shame upon me too, and Rome! Awayto thy tent! and put in order thine own affairs and mine. Thou hastlived too long. Soldiers, let him be strongly guarded.--Let Virro nowreceive his just dues. Men call me cruel, and well I fear they may; butunjust, rapacious, never, as I believe. Whom have I wronged, whomoppressed? The poor of Rome, at least, cannot complain of Aurelian. Isit not so, sirrah?'

  'Rome,' he replied, 'rejoices in the reign of Aurelian. His love ofjustice and of the gods, give him a place in every heart.'

  Whether Aurelian would have carried into execution the threat, which ina moment of passion he had passionately uttered, none can tell. All thatcan be said is this, that he rarely threatened but he kept his word.This the secretary knew, and knew therefore, that another day he mightnever see. His cunning and his wit now stood him in good stead. A doomedman--he was a desperate man, and no act then seemed to him a crime, bywhich his doom might be averted. Retiring to his tent to fulfil thecommands of the Emperor, he was there left alone, the tent being guardedwithout; and then as his brain labored in the invention of some device,by which he might yet escape the impending death, and save a lifewhich--his good name being utterly blasted and gone, could have been buta prolonged shame--he conceived and hatched a plan, in its ingenuity,its wickedness, and atrocious baseness, of a piece with his wholecharacter and life. In the handwriting of the Emperor, which he couldperfectly imitate, he drew up a list of some of the chief officers ofthe army--by him condemned to death on the following day. This paper, ashe was at abo
ut the eleventh hour led guarded to his place ofimprisonment, he dropt at the tent door of one whose name was on it.

  It fell into the intended hands; and soon as the friendly night had comethe bloody scroll was borne from tent to tent, stirring up to vengeancethe designated victims. No suspicion of fraud ever crossed their minds;but amazed at a thirst of blood so insatiable, and which, without causeassigned, could deliver over to the axe his best and most trustedfriends, Carus, Probus, Mucapor--they doubted whether in truth hisreason were not gone, and deemed it no crime, but their highest duty, tosave themselves by the sacrifice of one who was no longer to be held aman.

  After the noon of this day the army had made a short but quick march toHeraclea. Aurelian--the tents being pitched--the watch set--thesoldiers, weary with their march, asleep--himself tired with the day'sduty--sat with folded arms, having just ungirded and thrown from him hissword. His last attendant was then dismissed, who, passing from the tentdoor, encountered the conspirators as they rushed in, and was by themhewn to the ground. Aurelian, at that sound, sprang to his feet. Butalone, with the swords of twenty of his bravest generals at hisbreast--and what could he do? One fell at the first sweep of his arm;but, ere he could recover himself--the twenty seemed to have sheathedtheir weapons in his body. Still he fought, but not a word did he uttertill the dagger of Mucapor, raised aloft, was plunged into his breast,with the words,

  'This Aurelia sends!'

  'Mucapor!' he then exclaimed as he sank to the ground, 'canst thou stabAurelian?' Then turning toward the others, who stood looking upon theirwork, he said, 'Why, soldiers and friends, is this? Hold, Mucapor, leavein thy sword, lest life go too quick; I would speak a word--' and heseized the wrist of Mucapor and held it even then with an iron grasp. Hethen added, 'Romans! you have been deceived! You are all my friends, andhave ever been. Never more than now--' His voice fell.

  Probus then reaching forward, cried out, unfolding at the same momentthe bloody list,

  'See here, tyrant! are these thy friends?'

  The eyes of Aurelian, waking up at those words with all the intentnessof life, sought the fatal scroll and sharply scanned it--then closingagain, he at the same moment drew out the sword of Mucapor, saying as hedid so,

  ''Tis the hand of Menestheus--not mine. You have been deceived.' Withthat he fell backwards and expired.

  Those miserable men then looking upon one another--the truth flashedupon them; and they knew that to save the life of that mean and abjectspirit they there stood together murderers of the benefactor of many ofthem--the friend of all--of a General and Emperor whom, with all hisfaults, Rome would mourn as one who had crowned with a new glory herSeven Hills. How did they then accuse themselves for their unreasonablehaste--their blind credulity! How did they bewail the cruel blows whichhad thus deprived them of one, whom they greatly feared indeed, but whomalso they greatly loved! above all, one whom, as their master in thatart which in every age has claimed the admiration of the world, theylooked up to as a very god! Some reproached themselves; some, others;some threw themselves upon the body of Aurelian in the wildness of theirremorse and grief; and all swore vengeance upon the miscreant who hadbetrayed them.

  Thus perished the great Aurelian--for great he truly was, as the worldhas ever estimated greatness. When the news of his assassination reachedRome, the first sensation was that of escape, relief, deliverance; withthe Christians, and all who favored them, though not of their faith, itwas undissembled joy. The streets presented the appearances whichaccompany an occasion of general rejoicing. Life seemed all at once moresecure. Another bloody tyrant was dead, by the violence which he hadmeted out to so many others, and they were glad. But with another partof the Roman people it was far otherwise. They lamented him as thegreatest soldier Rome had known since Caesar; as the restorer of theempire; as the stern but needful reformer of a corrupt and degenerateage; as one who to the army had been more than another Vespasian; who,as a prince, if sometimes severe, was always just, generous, andmagnanimous. These were they, who, caring more for the dead than for theliving, will remember concerning them only that which is good. Theyrecounted his virtues and his claims to admiration--which wereunquestionable and great--and forgot, as if they had never been, hisdeeds of cruelty, and the wide and wanton slaughter of thousands andhundreds of thousands, which will ever stamp him as one destitute ofhumanity, and whose almost only title to the name of man was, that hewas in the shape of one. For how can the possession of a few of thosecaptivating qualities, which so commonly accompany the possession ofgreat power, atone for the rivers of blood which flowed wherever hewound his way?

  * * * * *

  I have now ended what I proposed to myself. I have arranged andconnected some of the letters of Lucius Manlius Piso, having selectedchiefly those which related to the affairs of the Christians and theirsufferings during the last days of Aurelian's reign. Those days werehappily few. And when they were passed, I deemed that never again, sofast did the world appear to grow wiser and better could the samehorrors be repeated. But it was not so; and under Diocletian I beheldthat work in a manner perfected, which Aurelian did but begin. I haveoutlived the horrors of those times, and at length, under the powerfulprotection of the great Constantine, behold this much-persecuted faithsecure. In this I sincerely rejoice, for it is Christianity alone, ofall the religions of the world, to which may be safely intrusted thedestinies of mankind.

  END.

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