LETTER III.
FROM PISO TO FAUSTA.
You are right, Fausta, in your unfavorable judgment of the Romanpopulace. The Romans are not a people one would select to whom topropose a religion like this of Christianity. All causes seem to combineto injure and corrupt them. They are too rich. The wealth of subjectkingdoms and provinces finds its way to Rome; and not only in the formof tribute to the treasury of the empire, but in that of the privatefortunes amassed by such as have held offices in them for a few years,and who then return to the capital to dissipate in extravagance andluxuries, unknown to other parts of the world, the riches wrung byviolence, injustice, and avarice from the wretched inhabitants whomfortune had delivered into their power. Yes, the wealth of Rome isaccumulated in such masses, not through the channels of industry orcommerce; it arrives in bales and ship-loads, drained from foreign landsby the hand of extortion. The palaces are not to be numbered, built andadorned in a manner surpassing those of the monarchs of other nations,which are the private residences of those, or of the descendants ofthose who for a few years have presided over some distant province, butin that brief time, Verres-like, have used their opportunities so wellas to return home oppressed with a wealth which life proves not longenough to spend, notwithstanding the aid of dissolute and spendthriftsons. Here have we a single source of evil equal to the ruin of anypeople. The morals of no community could be protected against such odds.It is a mountain torrent tearing its way through the fields of thehusbandman, whose trees and plants possess no strength of branch or rootto resist the inundation.
Then in addition to all this, there are the largesses of the Emperor,not only to his armies, but to all the citizens of Rome; which are nowso much a matter of expectation, that rebellions I believe would ensuewere they not bestowed. Aurelian, before his expedition to Asia,promised to every citizen a couple of crowns--he has redeemed thepromise by the distribution, not of money but of bread, two loaves toeach, with the figure of a crown stamped upon them. Besides this, therehas been an allowance of meat and pork--so much to all the lower orders.He even contemplated the addition of wine to the list, but was hinderedby the judicious suggestion of his friend and general, Mucapor, that ifhe provided wine and pork, he would next be obliged to furnish themfowls also, or public tumults might break out. This recalled him to hissenses. Still however only in part, for the other grants have not beenwithdrawn. In this manner is this whole population supported inidleness. Labor is confined to the slaves. The poor feed upon thebounties of the Emperor, and the wealth so abundantly lavished bysenators, nobles, and the retired proconsuls. Their sole employment is,to wait upon the pleasure of their many masters, serve them as they areready enough to do, in the toils and preparations of luxury, and whattime they are not thus occupied, pass the remainder of their hours atthe theatres, at the circuses, at games of a thousand kinds, or in noisygroups at the corners of the streets and in the market-places.
It is become a state necessity to provide amusements for the populace inorder to be safe against their violence. The theatres, the baths, withtheir ample provisions for passing away time in some indolent amusementor active game, are always open and always crowded. Public or funeralgames are also in progress without intermission in different parts ofthe capital. Those instituted in honor of the gods, and which make apart of the very religion of the people are seldom suspended for even aday. At one temple or another, in this grove or that, within or withoutthe walls, are these lovers of pleasure entertained by shows,processions, music, and sacrifices. And as if these were not enough, orwhen they perchance fail for a moment, and the sovereign people arelistless and dull, the Flavian is thrown open by the imperial command,the Vivaria vomit forth their maddened and howling tenants either todestroy each other, or dye the dust of the arena with the blood ofgladiators, criminals, or captives. These are the great days of theRoman people; these their favorite pleasures. The cry through thestreets in the morning of even women and boys, 'Fifty captives to-dayfor the lions in the Flavian,' together with the more solemnannouncement of the same by the public heralds, and by painted bills atthe corners of the streets, and on the public baths, is sure to throwthe city into a fever of excitement, and rivet by a new bond theaffections of this blood-thirsty people to their indulgent Emperor.
Hardly has the floor of the amphitheatre been renewed since thecessation of the triumphal games of Aurelian, before it is again to besoaked with blood in honor of Apollo, whose magnificent temple is withina few days to be dedicated.
Never before I believe was there a city whose inhabitants so many and sopowerful causes conspired to corrupt and morally destroy. Were I to giveyou a picture of the vices of Rome, it would be too dark and foul a onefor your eye to read, but not darker nor fouler than you will suppose itmust necessarily be to agree with what I have already said. Where thereis so little industry and so much pleasure, the vices will flourish andshoot up to their most gigantic growth. Not in the days of Nero werethey more luxuriant than now. Aurelian, in the first year of his reign,laid upon them a severe but useful restraint, and they were checked fora time. But since he has himself departed from the simplicity and rigorof that early day, and actually or virtually repealed the laws whichthen were promulgated for the reformation of the city in its manners,the people have also relapsed, and the ancient excesses are renewed.
This certainly is not a people who, in its whole mass, will be eager toreceive the truths of a religion like this of Christianity. It will berepulsive to them. You are right in believing that among the greaterpart it will find no favor. But all are not such as I have described.There are others different in all respects, who stand waiting theappearance of some principles of philosophy or religion which shall bepowerful enough to redeem their country from idolatry and moral death aswell as raise themselves from darkness to light. Some of this sort areto be found among the nobles and senators themselves,--a few among thevery dregs of the people, but most among those who, securing forthemselves competence and independence by their own labor in some of theuseful arts, and growing thoughtful and intelligent with their labor,understand in some degree, which others do not, what life is for andwhat they are for, and hail with joy truths which commend themselves toboth their reason and their affections. It is out of these, the verybest blood of Rome, that our Christians are made. They are, inintelligence and virtue, the very bone and muscle of the capital, and ofour two millions constitute no mean proportion,--large enough to ruleand control the whole, should they ever choose to put forth their power.It is among these that the Christian preachers aim to spread theirdoctrines, and when they shall all, or in their greater part, beconverted, as, judging of the future by the past and present, willhappen in no long time, Rome will be safe and the empire safe. For itneeds, I am persuaded, for Rome to be as pure as she is great, to beeternal in her dominion, and then the civilizer and saviour of the wholeworld. O, glorious age!--not remote--when truth shall wield the sceptrein Caesar's seat, and subject nations of the earth no longer come up toRome to behold and copy her vices, but to hear the law and be imbuedwith the doctrine of Christ, so bearing back to the remotest provinceprecious seed, there to be planted, and spring up and bear fruit,filling the earth with beauty and fragrance.
* * * * *
These things, Fausta, in answer to the questions at the close of yourletter, which betray just such an interest in the subject whichengrosses me, as it gives me pleasure to witness.
I have before mentioned the completion of Aurelian's Temple of the Sunand the proposed dedication. This august ceremony is appointed fortomorrow, and this evening we are bidden to the gardens of Sallust,where is to be all the rank and beauty of Rome. O that thou, Fausta,couldst be there!
* * * * *
I have been, I have seen, I have supped, I have returned; and againseated at my table beneath the protecting arm of my chosen divinity, Itake my pen, and, by a few magic flourishes and marks, cause you, athousand leagues away, to see a
nd hear what I have seen and heard.
Accompanied by Portia and Julia, I was within the palace of the Emperorearly enough to enjoy the company of Aurelian and Livia before the restof the world was there. We were carried to the more private apartmentsof the Empress, where it is her custom to receive those whose friendshipshe values most highly. They are in that part of the palace which hasundergone no alterations since it was the residence of the greathistorian, but shines in all the lustre of a taste and an art thatadorned a more accomplished age than our own. Especially, it seems tome, in the graceful disposition of the interiors of their palaces, andthe combined richness and appropriateness of the art lavished uponthem, did the genius of the days of Hadrian and Vespasian surpass thepresent. Not that I defend all that that genius adopted andimmortalized. It was not seldom licentious and gross in its conceptions,however unrivalled in the art and science by which they were made toglow upon the walls, or actually speak and move in marble or brass. Inthe favorite apartment of Livia, into which we were now admitted,perfect in its forms and proportions, the walls and ceilings are coveredwith the story of Leda, wrought with an effect of drawing and color, ofwhich the present times afford no example. The well-known Greek,Polymnestes, was the artist. And this room in all its embellishments ischaste and cold compared with others, whose subjects were furnished tothe painter by the profligate master himself.
The room of Leda, as it is termed, is--but how beautiful it is I cannottell. Words paint poorly to the eye. Believe it not less beautiful, norless exquisitely adorned with all that woman loves most, hangings,carpets and couches, than any in the palace of Gracchus or Zenobia. Itwas here we found Aurelian and Livia, and his niece Aurelia. TheEmperor, habited in silken robes richly wrought with gold, theinseparable sword at his side, from which, at the expense of whateverincongruity, he never parts--advanced to the door to receive us, saying,
'I am happy that the mildness of this autumn day permits this pleasure,to see the mother of the Pisos beneath my roof. It is rare nowadays thatRome sees her abroad.'
'Save to the palace of Aurelian,' replied my mother, I now, as is wellknown, never move beyond the precincts of my own dwelling. Since thecaptivity and death of your former companion in arms, my great husband,Cneius Piso, the widow's hearth has been my hall of state, these widow'sweeds my only robes. But it must be more than private grief, and morethan the storms of autumn or of winter, that would keep me back when itis Aurelian who bids to the feast.'
'We owe you many thanks,' replied the Emperor. 'Would that the loyaltyof the parents were inherited by the children;' casting towards me, ashe saluted me at the same time, a look which seemed to say that he waspartly serious, if partly in jest. After mutual inquiries andsalutations, we were soon seated upon couches beneath a blaze of lightwhich, from the centre of the apartment, darted its brightness, as ithad been the sun itself, to every part of the room.
'It is no light sorrow to a mother's heart,' said Portia, 'to know thather two sons, and her only sons, are, one the open enemy of his country,the other--what shall I term you, Lucius?--an innovator upon her ancientinstitutions; and while he believes and calls himself--sincerely, Idoubt not--the friend of his country, is in truth, as every good Romanwould say--not an enemy, my son, I cannot use that word, but as itwere--an unconscious injurer. Would that the conqueror of the world hadpower to conquer this boy's will!'
'Aurelian, my mother,' I replied, 'did he possess the power, wouldhesitate to use it in such a cause. But it is easy to see that it woulddemand infinitely more power to change one honest mind than to subdueeven the world by the sword.'
Aurelian for a brief moment looked as if he had received a personalaffront.
'How say you,' said he, 'demands it more power to change one mind thanconquer a world? Methinks it might be done with something less. Mysoldiers often maintain with violence a certain opinion; but I find itnot difficult to cause them to let it go, and take mine in its place.The arguments I use never fail.'
'That may be,' I replied, 'in matters of little moment. Even in thesehowever, is it not plain, Aurelian, that you cause them not to let gotheir opinion, but merely to suppress it, or affect to change it? Yourpower may compel them either to silence, or to an assertion of the verycontrary of what they but just before had declared as their belief, butit cannot alter their minds. That is to be done by reason only, not byforce.'
'By reason first,' answered the emperor; 'but if that fail, then byforce. The ignorant, and the presumptuous, and the mischievous, must bedealt with as we deal with children. If we argue with them, it is afavor. It is our right, as it is better, to command and compel.'
'Only establish it that such and such are ignorant, and erroneous, andpresumptuous, and I allow that it would be right to silence them. Butthat is the very difficulty in the case. How are we to know that they,who think differently from ourselves, are ignorant or erroneous? Surelythe fact of the difference is not satisfactory proof.'
'They,' rejoined Aurelian, 'who depart from a certain standard in artare said to err. The thing in this case is of no consequence to any,therefore no punishment ensues. So there is a standard of religion inthe State, and they who depart from it may be said to err. But, asreligion is essential to the State, they who err should be brought back,by whatever application of force, and compelled to conform to thestandard.'
'In what sense,' said Portia, 'can common and ignorant people beregarded as fit judges of what constitutes, or does not constitute, atrue religion? It is a subject level scarce to philosophers. If, indeed,the gods should vouchsafe to descend to earth and converse with men, andin that manner teach some new truth, then any one, possessed of eyes andears, might receive it, and retain it without presumption. Nay, he couldnot but do so; but not otherwise.'
'Now have you stated,' said I, 'that which constitutes the precise caseof Christianity. They who received Christianity in the first instance,did it not by balancing against each other such refined arguments asphilosophers use. They were simply judges of matters of fact--of whattheir eyes beheld, and their ears heard. God did vouchsafe to descend toearth, and, by his messenger, converse with men, and teach new truth.All that men had then to do was this, to see whether the evidence wassufficient that it was a God speaking; and that being made plain, tolisten and record. And at this day, all that is to be done is to inquirewhether the record be true. If the record be a well-authenticated one ofwhat the mouth of God spoke, it is then adopted as the code of religioustruth. As for what the word contains--it requires no acute intellect tojudge concerning it--a child may understand it all.'
'Truly,' replied Portia, 'this agrees but ill with what I have heard andbelieved concerning Christianity. It has ever been set forth as a thingfull of darkness and mystery, which it requires the most vigorous powersto penetrate and comprehend.'
'So has it ever been presented to me,' added the Emperor. 'I haveconceived it to be but some new form of Plato's dreams, neither moreclear in itself, nor promising to be of more use to mankind. So, if Ierr not, the learned Porphyrius has stated it.'
'A good fact,' here interposed Julia, 'is worth more in this argumentthan the learning of the most learned. Is it not sufficient proof,Aurelian, that Christianity is somewhat sufficiently plain and easy,that women are able to receive it so readily? Take me as an unanswerableargument on the side of Piso.'
'The women of Palmyra,' replied the Emperor, 'as I have good reason toknow, are more than the men of other climes. She who reads Plato and thelast essays of Plotinus, of a morning, seated idly beneath the shadow ofsome spreading beech, just as a Roman girl would the last child's storyof Spurius about father Tiber and the Milvian Bridge, is not to bereceived in this question as but a woman, with a woman's powers ofjudgment. When the women of Rome receive their faith as easily as youdo, then may it be held as an argument for its simplicity. But let usnow break off the thread of this discourse, too severe for the occasion,and mingle with our other friends, who by this must be arrived.'
So, with these words, we l
eft the apartment where we had been sitting,the Emperor having upon one side Portia, and on the other Livia, andmoved toward the great central rooms of the palace, where guests areentertained, and the imperial banquets held.
The company was not numerous; it was rather remarkable for itsselectness. Among others not less distinguished, there were thevenerable Tacitus, the consul Capitolinus, Marcellinus the senator, theprefect Varus, the priest Fronto, the generals Probus and Mucapor, and afew others of the military favorites of Aurelian.
Of the conversation at supper, I remember little or nothing, only thatit was free and light, each seeming to enjoy himself and the companionwho reclined next to him. Aurelian, with a condescending grace, which noone knows how better to assume than he, urged the wine upon his friends,as they appeared occasionally to forget it, offering frequently some newand unheard of kind, brought from Asia, Greece, or Africa, and which hewould exalt to the skies for its flavor. More than once did he, as he iswont to do in his sportive mood, deceive us; for, calling upon us tofill our goblets with what he described as a liquor surpassing all ofItaly, and which might serve for Hebe to pour out for the gods, andrequiring us to drink it off in honor of Bacchus, Pan, or Ceres, wefound, upon lifting our cups to drain them, that they had been chargedwith some colored and perfumed medicament more sour or bitter than theworst compound of the apothecary, or than massican overheated in thevats. These sallies, coming from the master of the world, were sure tobe well received; his satellites, of whom not a few, even on thisoccasion, were near him, being ready to die with excess oflaughter,--the attendant slaves catching the jest, and enjoying it withnoisy vociferation. I laughed with the rest, for it seems wise topropitiate, by any act not absolutely base, one, whose ambitious andcruel nature, unless soothed and appeased by such offerings, is so proneto reveal itself in deeds of darkness.
When the feast was nearly ended, and the attending slaves were employedin loading it for the last time with fruits, olives, and confections, atroop of eunuchs, richly habited, entered the apartment to the sound offlutes and horns, bearing upon a platter of gold an immense bowl or vaseof the same material, filled to the brim with wine, which they placed inthe centre of the table, and then, at the command of the Emperor, with aladle of the same precious material and ornamented with gems, served outthe wine to the company. At first, as the glittering pageant advanced,astonishment kept us mute, and caused us involuntarily to rise from ourcouches to watch the ceremony of introducing it, and fixing it in itsappointed place. For never before, in Rome, had there been seen, I amsure, a golden vessel of such size, or wrought with art so marvellous.The language of wonder and pleasure was heard, on every side, from everymouth. Even Livia and Julia, who in Palmyra had been used to the gobletsand wine-cups of the Eastern Demetrius, showed amazement, not less thanthe others, at a magnificence and a beauty that surpassed allexperience, and all conception. Just above where the bowl was placed,hung the principal light, by which the table and the apartment wereilluminated, which, falling in floods upon the wrought or polished metaland the thickly strewed diamonds, caused it to blaze with a splendorwhich the eyes could hardly bear, and, till accustomed to it, preventedus from minutely examining the sculpture, that, with lavish profusionand consummate art, glowed and burned upon the pedestal, the swellingsides, the rim and handles of the vase, and covered the broad and goldenplain upon which it stood. I, happily, was near it, being seatedopposite Aurelian, and on the inner side of the table, which, as thecustom now is, was of the form of a bent bow, so that I could study atmy leisure the histories and fables that were wrought over its wholesurface. Julia and Livia, being also near it on the other side of thetable, were in the same manner wholly absorbed in the same agreeabletask.
Livia, being quite carried out of herself by this sudden and unexpectedsplendor--having evidently no knowledge of its approach--like a girl asshe still is, in her natural, unpremeditated movements, rose from hercouch and eagerly bent forward toward the vase, the better to scan itsbeauties, saying, as she did so,
'The Emperor must himself stand answerable for all breaches of orderunder circumstances like these. Good friends, let all, who will, freelyapproach, and, leaving for a moment that of Bacchus, drink at thefountain of Beauty.' Whereupon all, who were so disposed, gathered roundthe centre of the table.
'This,' said Varus, 'both for size, and the perfect art lavished uponit, surpasses the glories fabled of the buckler of Minerva, whose famehas reached us.'
'You say right; it does so,' said the Emperor 'That dish of Vitelliuswas inferior in workmanship, as it was less in weight and size thanthis, which, before you all I here name "THE CUP OF LIVIA." Let us fillagain from it, and drink to the Empress of the world.'
All sprang in eager haste to comply with a command that carried with itits own enforcement.
'Whatever,' continued the Emperor, when our cups had been drained, 'mayhave been the condition of art in other branches of it, in the time ofthat Emperor, there was no one then whose power over the metals, orwhose knowledge of forms, was comparable with that of our own Demetrius;for this, be it known, is the sole work of the Roman--and yet, to speakmore truly, it must be said the Greek--Demetrius, aided by his brotherfrom the East, who is now with him. Let the music cease; we need thatdisturbance no more; and call in the brothers Demetrius. These are menwho honor any age, and any presence.'
The brothers soon entered; and never were princes or ambassadors greetedwith higher honor. All seemed to contend which should say the mostflattering and agreeable thing. 'Slaves,' cried the Emperor, 'a couchand cups for the Demetrii.'
The brothers received all this courtesy with the native ease and dignitywhich ever accompany true genius. There was no offensive boldness, orpresuming vanity, but neither was there any shrinking cowardice nortimidity. They felt that they were men, not less distinguished by thegods, than many or most of those, in whose presence they were, and theywere sufficient to themselves. The Roman Demetrius resembles much hisbrother of Palmyra, but, in both form and countenance, possesses beautyof a higher order. His look is contemplative and inward; hiscountenance pale and yet dark; his features regular and exactly shaped,like a Greek statue; his hair short and black; his dress, as was that ofhim of Palmyra, of the richest stuffs, showing that wealth had becometheir reward as well as fame.
'Let us,' cried the Emperor, 'in full cups, drawn from the Livian fount,do honor to ourselves, and the arts, by drinking to the health ofDemetrius of Palmyra, and Demetrius of Rome.' Every cup was filled, anddrained. 'We owe you thanks,' then added Aurelian, 'that you havecompleted this great work at the time promised; though I fear it hasbeen to your own cost, for the paleness of your cheeks speaks not ofhealth.'
'The work,' replied the Roman Demetrius, 'could not have been completedbut for the timely and effectual aid of my Eastern brother, to whoselearned hand, quicker in its execution than my own, you are indebted forthe greater part of the sculptures, upon both the bowl and dish.'
'It is true, noble Emperor,' said the impetuous brother, 'my hand is thequicker of the two, and in some parts of this work, especially inwhatever pertains to the East, and to the forms of building or ofvegetation, or costume seen chiefly or only there, my knowledge wasperhaps more exact and minute than his; but, let it be received, thatthe head that could design these forms and conceive and arrange thesehistories, and these graceful ornaments--to my mind more fruitful ofgenius than all else--observe you them? have you scanned themall?--belongs to no other than Demetrius of Rome. In my whole hand,there resides not the skill that is lodged in one of his fingers;--nor,in my whole head, the power that lies behind one of his eyes.'
The enthusiasm of the Eastern brother called up a smile upon the facesof all, and a blush upon the white cheek of the Roman.
'My brother is younger than I,' he said, 'and his blood runs quicker.All that he says, though it be a picture of the truest heart ever lodgedin man, is yet to be taken with abatement. But for him, this work wouldhave been far below its present merit. Let me ask you
especially to markthe broad border, where is set forth the late triumph, and ambassadors,captives, and animals of all parts of the earth, especially of the East,are seen in their appropriate forms and habits. That is all from thechisel of my brother. Behold here'--and rising he approached the vase,and vast as it was, by a touch, so was it constructed, turned itround--'behold here, where is figured the Great Queen of--'; in theenthusiasm of art, he had forgotten for a moment to whom he wasspeaking; for at that instant his eye fell upon the countenance ofJulia, who stood near him,--while hers at the same moment caught theregal form of Zenobia, bent beneath the weight of her golden chains--andwhich he saw cast down by an uncontrollable grief. He paused, confusedand grieved--saying, as he turned back the vase, 'Ah me! cruel andindiscreet! Pardon me, noble ladies! and yet I deserve it not.'
'Go on, go on, Demetrius,' said Julia, assuming a cheerful air. 'Youoffend me not. The course of Empire must have its way; individuals arebut emmets in the path. I am now used to this, believe me. It is foryou rather, and the rest, to forgive in me a sudden weakness.'
Demetrius, thus commanded, resumed, and then with minuteness, with muchlearning and eloquence, discoursed successively upon the histories, oremblematic devices, of this the chief work of his hands. All were sorrywhen he ceased.
'To what you have overlooked,' said Aurelian, as he paused, 'must I callyou back, seeing it is that part of the work which I most esteem, and inwhich at this moment I and all, I trust, are most interested--thesculptures upon the platter; which represent the new temple andceremonies of the dedication, which to-morrow we celebrate.'
'Of this,' replied Demetrius, 'I said less, because perhaps the work isinferior, having been committed, our time being short, to the hands of apupil--a pupil, however, I beg to say, who, if the Divine Providencespare him, will one day, and that not a remote one, cast a shadow uponhis teachers.'
'That will he,' said the brother; 'Flaccus is full of the truestinspiration.'
'But to the dedication--the dedication,' interrupted the hoarse voice ofFronto.
Demetrius started, and shrunk backward a step at that sound, butinstantly recovered himself, and read into an intelligible language manyof the otherwise obscure and learned details of the work. As he ended,the Emperor said,
'We thank you, Demetrius, for your learned lecture, which has given anew value to your labors. And now, while it is in my mind, let mebespeak, as soon as leisure and inclination shall serve, a silverstatue, gilded, of Apollo, for the great altar, which to-morrow willscarce be graced with such a one as will agree with the temple and itsother ornaments.'
Demetrius, as this was uttered, again started, and his countenancebecame of a deadly paleness. He hesitated a moment, as if studying howto order his words so as to express least offensively an offensivetruth. On the instant, I suspected what the truth was; but I was whollyunprepared for it. I had received no intimation of such a thing.
'Great Emperor,' he began, 'I am sorry to say--and yet not sorry--that Icannot now, as once, labor for the decoration of the temples and theirworship. I am--'
'Ye gods of Rome!--' cried Fronto.
'Peace,' said the Emperor; 'let him be heard. How say you?'
'I am now a Christian; and I hold it not lawful to bestow my power andskill in the workmanship of gods, in whom I believe not, and thus becomethe instrument of an erroneous faith in others.'
This was uttered firmly, but with modesty. The countenance of theEmperor was overclouded for a moment. But it partially cleared up again,as he said, 'I lay not, Demetrius, the least constraint upon you. Thefour years that I have held this power in Rome have been years offreedom to my people in this respect. Whether I have done well in that,for our city and the empire, many would doubt. I almost doubt myself.'
'That would they, by Hercules,' said the soft voice of Varus just at myear, and intended chiefly for me.
'My brother,' said Demetrius, 'will be happy to execute for the Emperor,the work which he has been pleased to ask of me. He remains steadfast inthe faith in which he was reared; the popular faith of Athens.'
'Apollo,' said Demetrius of Palmyra 'is my especial favorite among allthe gods, and of him have I wrought more statues in silver, gold, orivory, or of these variously and curiously combined, than of all theothers. If I should be honored in this labor, I should request to bepermitted to adopt the marble image, now standing in the baths ofCaracalla, and once, it is said, the chief wonder of Otho's palace ofwonders, as a model after which, with some deviations, to mould it. Ithink I could make that, that should satisfy Aurelian and Rome.'
'Do it, do it,' said the Emperor,' and let it be seen, that theworshipper of his country's gods is not behind him, who denies them, inhis power to do them honor.'
'I shall not sleep,' said the artist, 'till I have made a model, in waxat least, of what at this moment presents itself to my imagination.'Saying which, with little ceremony--as if the Empire depended upon hisreaching, on the instant, his chalk and wax, and to the infiniteamusement of the company--he rose and darted from the apartment, theslaves making way, as for a missile that it might be dangerous toobstruct.
'But in what way,' said Aurelian, turning to the elder Demetrius, 'haveyou been wrought upon to abandon the time-honored religion of Rome?Methinks, the whole world is becoming of this persuasion.'
'If I may speak freely--'
'With utmost freedom,' said Aurelian.
'I may then say, that ever since the power to reflect upon matters sodeep and high had been mine, I had first doubted the truth of thepopular religion, and then soon rejected it, as what brought to meneither comfort nor hope, and was also burdened with things essentiallyincredible and monstrous. For many years, many weary years--for the minddemands something positive in this quarter, it cannot remain insuspense, and vacant--I was without belief. Why it was so long, before Iturned to the Christians, I know not; unless, because of the reportswhich were so common to their disadvantage, and the danger which has sooften attended a profession of their faith. At length, in a fortunatehour, there fell into my hands the sacred books of the Christians; and Ineeded little besides to show me, that theirs is a true and almightyfaith, and that all that is current in the city to its dishonor is falseand calumnious. I am now happy, not only as an artist and a Roman, butas a man and an immortal.'
'You speak earnestly,' said Aurelian.
'I feel so,' replied Demetrius; a generous glow lighting up his palecountenance.
'Would,' rejoined the Emperor, 'that some of the zeal of theseChristians might be infused into the sluggish spirits of our own people.The ancient faith suffers through neglect, and the prevailing impiety ofthose who are its disciples.'
'May it not rather be,' said Fronto, 'that the ancient religion of theState, having so long been neglected by those who are its appointedguardians, to the extent that even Judaism, and now Christianity--whichare but disguised forms of Atheism--have been allowed to insinuate, andintrench themselves in the Empire; the gods, now in anger, turn awayfrom us, who have been so unfaithful to ourselves; and thus thisplausible impiety is permitted to commit its havocs. I believe the godsare ever faithful to the faithful.'
'What good citizen, too,' added Varus, 'but must lament to witness theundermining, and supplanting of those venerable forms, under which thisuniversal empire has grown to its present height of power? He isscarcely a Roman who denies the gods of Rome, however observant he maybe of her laws and other institutions. Religion is her greatest law.'
'These are hard questions,' said the Emperor. 'For, know you not, thatsome of our noblest, and fairest, and most beloved, have writtenthemselves followers of this Gallilean God? How can we deal sharply witha people, at whose head stands the chief of the noble house of thePisos, and a princess of the blood of Palmyra?'
Although Aurelian uttered these words in a manner almost sportive to thecareless ear, yet I confess myself to have noticed at the moment, anexpression of the countenance, and a tone in the voice, which gave meuneasiness. I was about to speak, w
hen the venerable Tacitus addressedthe Emperor, and said,
'I can never think it wise to interfere with violence, in the matter ofmen's worship. It is impossible, I believe, to compel mankind to receiveany one institution of religion, because different tribes of men,different by nature and by education, will and do demand, not the same,but different forms of belief and worship. Why should they be alike inthis, while they separate so widely in other matters? and can it be amore hopeful enterprise to oblige them to submit to the same rules intheir religion, than it would be to compel them to feed on the samefood, and use the same forms of language or dress? I know that formeremperors have thought and acted differently. They have deemed it apossible thing to restore the ancient unity of worship, by punishingwith severity, by destroying the lives even, of such as should dare tothink for themselves. But their conduct is not to be defended, either asright in itself or best for the state. It has not been just or wise, aspolicy. For is it not evident, how oppression of those who believethemselves to be possessed of truth important to mankind, serves but tobind them the more closely to their opinions? Are they, for a littlesuffering, to show themselves such cowards as to desert their ownconvictions, and prove false to the interests of multitudes? Rather, saythey, let us rejoice, in such a cause, to bear reproach. This is thelanguage of our nature. Nay, such persons come to prize suffering, tomake it a matter of pride and boasting. Their rank among themselves is,by and by, determined by the readiness with which they offer themselvesas sacrifices for truth and God. Are such persons to be deterred bythreats, or the actual infliction of punishment?'
'The error has been,' here said the evil-boding Fronto, 'that theinfliction of punishment went not to the extent that is indispensable tothe success of such a work. The noble Piso will excuse me; we are butdealing with abstractions. Oppress those who are in error, only to acertain point, not extreme, and it is most true they cling the closer totheir error. We see this in the punishment of children. Their obstinacyand pride are increased, by a suffering which is slight, and which seemsto say to the parent, 'He is too timid, weak, or loving, to inflictmore.' So too with our slaves. Whose slaves ever rose a second timeagainst the master's authority, whose first offence, however slight, wasmet, not by words or lashes, but by racks and the cross?'
'Nay, good Fronto, hold; your zeal for the gods bears you away beyondthe bounds of courtesy.'
'Forgive me then, great sovereign, and you who are here--if you may; butneither time nor place shall deter me, a minister of the great god oflight, from asserting the principles upon which his worship rests, and,as I deem, the Empire itself. Under Decius, had true Romans sat on thetribunals; had no hearts, too soft for such offices, turned traitors tothe head; had no accursed spirit of avarice received the bribes whichprocured security, to individuals, families, and communities; had therebeen no commutations of punishment, then--'
'Peace, I say, Fronto; thou marrest the spirit of the hour. How came wethus again to this point? Such questions are for the Council-room or theSenate. Yet, truth to say, so stirred seems the mind of this wholepeople in the matter, that, in battle, one may as well escape from thedin of clashing arms, or the groans of the dying, as, in Rome, avoidthis argument. Nay, by my sword, not a voice can I hear, eitherapplauding, disputing, or condemning, since I have set on foot this newwar in the East. Once, the city would have rung with acclamations, thatan army was gathering for such an enterprise. Now, it seems quiteforgotten that Valerian once fell, or that, late though it be, he oughtto be avenged. This Jewish and Christian argument fills all heads, andclamors on every tongue. Come, let us shake off this daemon in a new cup,and drink deep to the revenge of Valerian.'
'And of the gods,' ejaculated Fronto, as he lifted the goblet to hislips.
'There again?' quickly and sharply demanded Aurelian, bending his darkbrows upon the offender.
'Doubtless,' said Portia, 'he means well, though over zealous, and rashin speech. His heart, I am sure, seconds not the cruel language of histongue. So at least I will believe; and, in the meantime, hope, that thezeal he has displayed for the ancient religion of our country, may notbe without its use upon some present, who, with what I trust will provea brief truancy, have wandered from their household gods, and thetemples of their fathers.'
'May the gods grant it,' added Livia; 'and restore the harmony, whichshould reign in our families, and in the capital. Life is over brief tobe passed in quarrel. Now let us abandon our cups. Sir Christian Piso!lead me to the gardens, and let the others follow as they may our goodexample.'
The gardens we found, as we passed from the palace, to be mostbrilliantly illuminated with lamps of every form and hue. We seemedsuddenly to have passed to another world, so dream-like was the effectof the multitudinous lights as they fell with white, red, lurid, orgolden glare, upon bush or tree, grotto, statue, or marble fountain.
'Forget here, Lucius Piso,' said the kind-hearted Livia, 'what you havejust heard from the lips of that harsh bigot, the savage Fronto. Whocould have looked for such madness! Not again, if I possess the powermen say I do, shall he sit at the table of Aurelian. Poor Julia too! Butsee! she walks with Tacitus. Wisdom and mercy are married in him, andboth will shed comfort on her.'
'I cannot but lament,' I replied, 'that a creature like Fronto shouldhave won his way so far into the confidence of Aurelian. But I fear himnot; and do not believe that he will have power to urge the Emperor tothe adoption of measures, to which his own wisdom and native feelingsmust stand opposed. The rage of such men as Fronto, and the silent pityand scorn of men immeasurably his superiors, we have now learned to bearwithout complaint, though not without some inward suffering. To be shutout from the hearts of so many, who once ran to meet us on our approach;nor only that, but to be held by them as impious and atheistical,monsters whom the earth is sick of, and whom the gods are besought todestroy--this is a part of our burden which we feel to be heaviest.Heaven preserve to us the smiles, and the love of Livia.'
'Doubt not that they will ever be yours. But I trust that sentiments,like those of Tacitus, will bear sway in the councils of Aurelian, andthat the present calm will not be disturbed.'
Thus conversing, we wandered on, beguiled by such talk, and theattractive splendors of the garden, till we found ourselves separated,apparently by some distance, from our other friends; none passed us, andnone met us. We had reached a remote and solitary spot, where fewerlamps had been hung, and the light was faint and unequal. Not sorry tobe thus alone, we seated ourselves on the low pedestal of a group ofstatuary--once the favorite resort of the fair and false Terentia--whoseforms could scarcely be defined, and which was enveloped, at a few pacesdistant, with shrubs and flowers, forming a thin wall of partitionbetween us and another walk, corresponding to the one we were in, butwinding away in a different direction. We had sat not long, eithersilent or conversing, ere our attention was caught by the sound ofapproaching voices, apparently in earnest discourse. A moment, and weknew them to be those of Fronto, and Aurelian.
'By the gods, his life shall answer it,' said Aurelian with vehemence,but with suppressed tones; 'who but he was to observe the omens? Was Ito know, that to-day is the Ides, and to-morrow the day after? The ritesmust be postponed.'
'It were better not, in my judgment,' said Fronto, 'all the other signsare favorable. Never, Papirius assured me, did the sacred chickens seizeso eagerly the crumbs. Many times, as he closely watched, did he observethem--which is rare--drop them from their mouths overfilled. The timeshe has exactly recorded. A rite like this put off, when all Rome is inexpectation, would, in the opinion of all the world, be of a moreunfavorable interpretation, than if more than the day were against us.'
'You counsel well. Let it go on.'
'But to ensure a fortunate event, and propitiate the gods, I wouldearly, and before the august ceremonies, offer the most costly andacceptable sacrifice.'
'That were well also. In the prisons there are captives of Germany, ofGaul, of Egypt, and Palmyra. Take what and as many as you will.
If weever make sure of the favor of the gods, it is when we offer freely thatwhich we hold at the highest price.'
'I would rather they were Christians,' urged Fronto.
'That cannot be,' said Aurelian. 'I question if there be a Christianwithin the prison walls; and, were there hundreds, it is not a criminalI would bring to the altar, I would as soon offer a diseased orill-shaped bull.'
'But it were an easy matter to seize such as we might want. Not, OAurelian, till this accursed race is exterminated, will the heavenssmile as formerly upon our country. Why are the altars thus forsaken?Why are the temples no longer thronged as once? Why do the great, andthe rich, and the learned, silently withhold their aid, or openly scoffand jeer? Why are our sanctuaries crowded only by the scum and refuse ofthe city?'
'I know not. Question me not thus.'
'Is not the reason palpable and gross to the dullest mind? Is it notbecause of the daily growth of this blaspheming and atheistical crew,who, by horrid arts seduce the young, the timid, and above all thewomen, who ever draw the world with them, to join them in theirunhallowed orgies, thus stripping the temples of their worshippers, anddragging the gods themselves from their seats? Think you the gods lookon with pleasure while their altars and temples are profaned orabandoned, and a religion, that denies them, rears itself upon theirruins?'
'I know not. Say no more.'
'Is it possible, religion or the state should prosper, while he, who isnot only Vicegerent of the gods, Universal Monarch, but what is more,their sworn Pontifex Maximus, connives at the existence anddissemination of the most dangerous opinions--'
'Thou liest.'
'Harboring even beneath the imperial roof, and feasting at the imperialtable, the very heads and chief ministers of this black mischief--'
'Hold, I say. I swear by all the gods, known and unknown, that anotherword, and thy head shall answer it. Is my soul that of a lamb, that Ineed this stirring up to deeds of blood? Am I so lame and backward, whenthe gods are to be defended, that I am to be thus charged? Let the lionsleep when he will; chafed too much, and he may spring and slay atrandom. I love not the Christians, nor any who flout the gods and theirworship--that thou knowest well. But I love Piso, Aurelia, and thedivine Julia--that thou knowest as well. Now no more.'
'For my life,' said Fronto, 'I hold it cheap, if I may but be faithfulto my office and the gods.'
'I believe it, Fronto. The gods will reward thee. Let us on.'
In the earnestness of their talk they had paused, and stood just beforeus, being separated but by a thin screen of shrubs. We continued rootedto our seats while this conversation went on, held there both by theimpossibility of withdrawing without observation, and by a desire tohear--I confess it--what was thus in a manner forced upon me, andconcerned so nearly, not only myself, but thousands of myfellow-Christians.
When they were hidden from us by the winding of the path, we rose andturned toward the palace.
'That savage!' said Livia. 'How strange, that Aurelian, who knows sowell how to subdue the world, should have so little power to shake offthis reptile.'
'There is power enough,' I replied; 'but alas! I fear the will iswanting. Superstition is as deep a principle in the breast of Aurelianas ambition and of that, Fronto is the most fitting high-priest.Aurelian places him at the head of religion in the state for those veryqualities, whose fierce expression has now made us tremble. Let us hopethat the Emperor will remain where he now is, in a position from whichit seems Fronto is unable to dislodge him, and all will go well.'
We soon reached the palace, where, joining Julia and Portia, our chariotsoon bore us to the Coelian Hill. Farewell.