CHAPTER X.
All this time the wily Barbillus had not been idle. He knew too wellthe whole meaning of a _wish_ of Domitian's, particularly when the wishwas expressed in such a manner, as his desire to conquer Cornelia hadbeen. Besides, the priest had only too much reason to fear the Emperor,in relation to his high pretensions to prophetic powers. More than oncehad Domitian shown his aversion to Chaldaeans, mathematicians, andseers generally, and had banished them from Rome by special edicts.These edicts might at any moment be turned against Barbillus, eventhough he also officiated as the priest of a tolerated faith, andhitherto had had no cause to dread his imperial patron, whom he hadfound means to amuse and manage. Again, and above all, his vanity wasat stake; he felt the failure of the elaborately-contrived mummery aspersonally humiliating, and longed to purge himself of the charge ofclumsiness in the Emperor's eyes.
On the following day, therefore, he set to work again, and began toreconnoitre the ground. His spies, under a variety of excuses, madetheir way into Cornelius' house, eavesdropping and bribing the slaves.Now as a Syrian yarn-seller, now as a shipwrecked sailor humbly prayingthe ostiarius to admit him to shelter, or as a dealer in Egyptiancharms--one or another of the indefatigable Oriental's tools contrivedto see and hear something, without their presence being thought strangein a house where so many came and went. Thus Barbillus learned manydetails as to Cornelia's habits and mode of life, which might possiblyprove of use, though he did not as yet see the connection they wouldhave with his schemes.
However, the results of this system of espionage seemed more tangiblysatisfactory when, on the second day after beginning operations, therewas put into his hands the note which Caius Aurelius had written andleft on the occasion of his nocturnal visit.
The slave-girl, who had not parted with it for anything less than gold,declared that she had plainly seen and heard Cornelia, when she tookit from the Batavian and promised to deliver it to her uncle. Sinceit could hardly be doubted that it was a precautionary warning from afellow-conspirator, it would not be difficult to make it appear thatCornelia must be a party to the plot. To an unprejudiced judge, it wasindeed self-evident that Cornelia had no suspicion of the importanceof this bit of writing; otherwise she would have taken better care ofit, and would not have been so foolish as to leave it lying by thelamp when she went to bed. But all that Barbillus wanted was some validexcuse for a hold over the young girl.
When the note was put into his hands, the day was already waning. Itwas that same eventful day when, in the morning, the Batavian had sohappily escaped, and at night the Christians were doomed to surpriseand seizure. Barbillus decided not to waste an instant; he hurried offto the chamberlain's house, where, after some ceremony on the part ofthe servants, he succeeded in gaining admission.
The courtier was entertaining a highly select circle. They had justrisen from a magnificent supper, and he had conducted his guests intoa handsomely-decorated room, where a variety of entertainments wereprovided for them. Some, heated with their potations of fine wines,went out into the cooler air of the peristyle; among these wereParthenius himself and Clodianus, who stood eagerly talking to themaster of the feast.
"Come--let us talk no more of business;" said Parthenius, half inearnest and half in jest, when Clodianus paused for a moment. "I assureyou, my noble friend, I am almost overwhelmed when I think of the workbefore us. I am half afraid, that with all these arrests we have loadedourselves with a burden that we can hardly carry."
"Why?" asked the adjutant coolly.
"Only think! the flower of the Senate and the Knights! It will hardlybe wise to punish so many and such illustrious captives with death.Merely to banish them would be to endanger the Caesar's power...."
"Then keep them in prison till further notice."
"That will not do either. Do you suppose then, that their relationsand friends would sit with their hands before them? It would be puttinga dangerous weapon into the enemy's hands."
"Really, Parthenius, you talk as if the throne were already tottering.What can the anger of the accused, or the disaffection of their alliesmatter to us? Is not the Palatium strong enough? Are not our soldiersfaithful? Is not Caesar one with all the true feelings of his people?"
"Again I say, put off all serious discussion till to-morrow," repliedthe chamberlain, offering his hand to the adjutant. "The duties of ahost now claim my attention...."
At this moment a servant led the way for a priest of Isis.
"My lord," said Barbillus, bowing, "I have come on the business youknow of. Caesar commissioned me...."
"Ah! now I recognize you!" exclaimed Parthenius after looking athim closely for a moment. "You are Barbillus, the stage-manager andprompter at the Temple of Isis. Charmed, by the gods, I am sure!"
Barbillus, who was not particularly pleased at this reception, lookeddown in embarrassment. He did not know whether to take up a jestingtone in reply, or to try to be dignified and haughty; so as to impressthe adjutant, at any rate, even if it were impossible with thechamberlain, who was cognizant of his miserable failure.
"Do you recollect," continued Parthenius, turning to Clodianus with ameaning glance, "that charming creature, whose coarse-fisted slave hadthe audacity...."
"To be sure. Caesar told me of that wonderful intrigue. I always usedto be his right-hand man in such little affairs."
"Then you know the lovely joke about the mask of Osiris?"
"Of course. But let this man speak; he is evidently in a hurry."
"You are right," said Barbillus with dignified calm. "In spite ofthe inconvenient hour I have ventured to disturb the illustriousParthenius, in order to inform him that I have found the ways andmeans...."
"My friend," interrupted the chamberlain, "I see there my friendLatinus, the actor, who is looking anxiously for me. Every second of mytime is precious. Clodianus, would you have the kindness to hear whatthis worthy priest has to say, and in case of need to give him youralways valuable advice. Then, when my actors have done, you can tell mewhat he proposes. And at any rate, Barbillus, if your plans should notnecessitate immediate action, pray remain as my guest."
He waved a polite hand and turned away with a light step. Clodianusdrew the priest a little on one side.
"Now," he said: "What is your news?"
"My lord," said Barbillus, "to begin at the beginning, it would seemthat you too know of the commission with which Caesar has honored me.I am to make up for that little mishap the other evening. Well, Ihave discovered how to solve the problem; this note, if judiciouslyused, will put the coy damsel entirely in your power--by right of law,without the slightest exercise or appearance of arbitrary dealing."
"Show me!"
The priest gave him the note. "Caius Aurelius," he said, "gave her thisnote a few hours before he fled."
Clodianus read every word slowly and thoughtfully, and muttering tohimself: "The Batavian to the noble Cornelius greeting. There is dangerin delay. Remember Rodumna!"
Then a ray of intelligence lighted up his features, and his eyessparkled with sudden fire. Rodumna! as it happened, he knew thelittle town, and one of his clients was a native of the place. Inthe self-same instant it struck him, that Rodumna was not far fromLugdunum, and this was like a flash of revelation; Rodumna, of course,was the head-quarters of the conspirators.--For that a conspiracyexisted, none could doubt after all that had occurred, and Cinna'swell-known connection with Gallia Lugdunensis made the choice of thatprovince as a base of operations probable on the face of it.
Clodianus breathed hard. His keen wit took in the whole situation atonce. If the contents of this note could be kept secret, if he couldsucceed in turning the Emperor's suspicions in another direction, thisunhoped-for discovery would be of incalculable value. It was but apoint to be sure, but that point might serve as the fulcrum from whichto lift the world off its hinges. If his schemes with Stephanus and theEmpress should fall through, here was a new lever ready to his hand,and stronger, more reliab
le, more splendid than the first.
Clodianus made up his mind in an instant. He put on an expression ofalmost ferocious gravity.
"Barbillus," he said with excessive sternness: "You are my prisoner!"
"You are joking!" exclaimed the priest in dismay.
"By no means! This note reveals a secret which, if it became known,would nullify all the measures taken by the government. Till thismoment, not a soul but Caesar and those in his confidence knew that theconspirators were to meet at Rodumna. Accident has put you, too, inpossession of the information. I must have you in safe-keeping."
"That would be an ill return for the zeal I have shown in the matter."
"I am very sorry, but consideration for you must yield to my care forthe safety of the State. The secret must be kept at any cost. Nothingbut your imprisonment will be a sufficient guarantee. Come into thehouse with me, and I will consider where to send you."
"You are resolved on my ruin!" cried Barbillus in despair. "A priestof Isis in prison! only consider; my office, my position, my influencewill be utterly lost. Do you suppose, that all these years and in sucha place as mine I have not learnt to hold my tongue? Silence is thefirst virtue of a priest."
The adjutant seemed to waver.
"If I could trust you.--But no. It will not do; I cannot undertake sucha responsibility."
"You can, you may in all confidence. You may throw me to the wildbeasts, if a rash word ever passes my lips. Only spare me thisirremediable disgrace. I am thought by every matron in Rome to bespecially favored by the goddess. You are destroying my very existence."
"That would no doubt be a misfortune," said Clodianus relenting. "Well,be it so; once more I will be fool enough to be good-natured. But woeto you, if you abuse my kindness."
"Thanks, thanks, my lord!" exclaimed Barbillus, raising the craftycourtier's hand to his lips.
"The letter itself I will destroy at once," continued Clodianus."Parthenius himself must know nothing of its contents, or he would undoall my precautions. Swear to be secret by all you hold most sacred."
"I swear by the precious head of Barbillus," said the priest, layinghis hand on his heart.
"Very good; now come with me. You must tell the chamberlain some fib.That you hope to persuade the fair one to yield willingly, or anythingelse that comes into your head. I will take care of the rest."
"Would it not be wise, if we were to discuss the details of the fib? Iam anxious not to blunder, for I have already angered Caesar once."
"Then go, keep out of it, and leave the whole matter to me. I will letyou know what I have settled in the course of the evening."
"That will, I think, be the safest plan. My appearing here at so latean hour might excite suspicion: Farewell, my lord. I will never forgetthe grace you have shown your humble servant."
"The best thanks will be in silence."
Barbillus took his leave. Clodianus took a few more turns up and downthe colonnade, rubbing his hands with satisfaction; then he returned tothe reception-rooms.
When the extremely witty, but extremely licentious comedy had beenacted to the end, amid the wild laughter of the audience, Partheniusfound time to speak a few words in private with Clodianus. The adjutanthad thought out his scheme and devised a fable, too simple to seemdoubtful, to justify the priest's unexpected visit.
The lovely Lycoris--who looked more bewitchingly than ever from underher long lashes--was just coming towards them, with the intention ofthanking their amiable host for the delightful treat he had given them,and the amusement she had derived from it, and Parthenius was turningto meet her, when his attention was once more claimed in an oppositedirection. A note from the city-prefect informed him of the escape ofthe Batavia and the disaster of the Charybdis. The letter also reportedthe most positive information, that the Batavia was bound for Liguria.This was inferred from the fact, that after that luckless encounter shetook her course northwards rather than to the west. The city-prefecthad sent express messengers to Ostia, that the chase might, ifpossible, be renewed immediately.
Clodianus, to whom the chamberlain handed the note with a shrug ofvexation, understood the position at once and took advantage of it. Thecity-prefect's mistake as to the direction the fugitives had taken,must be confirmed by spurious evidence and by an affectation of entireconviction, and Parthenius, who was just now very open to persuasion,must be talked over as soon as possible.
"Of course, it is obvious!" said he, as though to himself. "Savo[81]or Albium Ingaunum[82] are the only possible spots.--Well planned,on my word! Their route lies straight there, no islands in the way,and the vast curve of the coast makes it impossible to head them byland. From Liguria they will easily reach the Germanic Highlands,where the Batavian has powerful friends.--I see the whole plot. Theywill inveigle Germania and march across northern Italy with theirflaxen-haired mercenaries and down upon the capital."
"Your keenness is wonderful," said Parthenius. "To be sure, the wholething is as clear as day. But what then, what can I do? The orderfor the pursuit has been issued, and I can but approve, though I amperfectly convinced that it is too late.--Here in Rome one never hasa minute to oneself? Go, slave, tell your master I am obliged tohim.--And now, enchanting Massilian, by Cypria! but if the ship thoseconspirators have sailed in had a heart, it would sail straight toGaul to meet your sisters in beauty.[83]--Tell me now, what you foundto criticise in our comedy.--I see a curl of Attic irony playing roundyour rose-bud lips."
Lycoris did in fact make a few sarcastic remarks on the piece and theperformers; but from that she went off into harmless chat of suchdelightful gaiety and sweetness, that Parthenius could not wearyof listening to her melodious voice or of gazing at her round andsnow-white shoulders. Never before had she seemed to him so perfectlyenchanting; her lips smiled promise and her eyes flashed passion.Parthenius--a finished connoisseur in all the tricks and graces of thestage of the time--never suspected that this lavish display of hercharms and fascinating wiles was a branch of the art; that Lycoris wasacting a comedy, and that Stephanus was the manager of the drama.Stephanus himself, no doubt, was but a puppet in the hands of thiswitch, whose ambition aimed at the highest mark that ever dazzled thefancy of a Roman--at the sceptre of the world.
Stephanus himself was one of the guests, and with him all was _couleurde rose_. While Lycoris was devoting herself to entangling thechamberlain, Stephanus was exchanging a few polite phrases with theadjutant.
"Listen," said Clodianus in a low voice, as Stephanus turned toleave him; "I wish to warn you--Cneius Afranius is on the list ofthe proscribed, but this in no way prevents Caesar from taking theopportunity you know of...."
"What!"
"Gently--we are watched. Will you come to see me in the course of theweek? I will let you know the day and hour.--Good; now enjoy yourself,and of all things trouble yourself last about me--take no notice of me."
New, and still new surprises, had been provided to entertain thecompany. A whole troupe of very slightly-attired dancing-girls fromGades, with butterfly-wings and floating hair, crowded into the lowerend of the hall, and began their mazy dance. When this was ended, ashower of rose-scented spray,[84] that fell from above like a finemist, cooled the revellers deliciously; and finally soft music invitedthe company out into the pleasure-grounds, where a brilliant display offireworks turned night into day.
Through all these entertainments, the _blase_ adjutant made a greatshow of enthusiastic enjoyment. He laughed immoderately, he shouted,he even sang, and praised their liberal and amiable host in a stirringspeech--their host, who, in the midst of his pressing cares andunresting exertions, could still find time to make a study of amusingand delighting his friends. He devoted himself to winning the goodgraces of a young Greek girl, who had lately come to Rome from theisland of Cypris. He affected a fervent accent, as he called her Cypriain person; swore by the sanctuary of Paphos[85] that a smile from thelovely Myrrhina would outweigh for him all the treasures of India, andquoted the famous line of Catullus:[86
] "Let us live, my Lesbia, andlet us love."
"On my word, that Clodianus is a true son of Epicurus, as he representshimself in his book!" exclaimed a client of the house, who had modestlyheld aloof.
"And no wonder," retorted another. "Wealth and good fortune are pouredinto his lap! His whole life is sunshine. Even the affairs of statehardly trouble him at all; he has no ambitions--no fears--no anxieties.He plucks the present[87]--_carpe diem_, as Horace sings, and never foran instant troubles himself about the future. Who would not change withhim!"
FOOTNOTES:
[81] SAVO. Now Savona on the Riviera.
[82] ALBIUM INGAUNUM. The modern Albenga, south-west of Savona.
[83] IT WOULD SAIL STRAIGHT TO GAUL TO MEET YOUR SISTERS IN BEAUTY. The women of Marseilles, and especially those belonging to the neighboring city of Arles, are distinguished even at the present day for a beauty resembling the type of the Hellenic ideal of feminine loveliness.
[84] A SHOWER OF ROSE-SCENTED SPRAY. This delicious method of cooling the air, which was by no means rare in wealthy and noble houses, was called _sparsio_ (sprinkling). In theatres, etc. the spectators, on particularly hot days, were cooled by such _sparsiones_.
[85] PAPHOS ([Greek: Paphos] more accurately [Greek: Palaipaphos], Old Paphos, to distinguish it from [Greek: Paphos nea] New Paphos) a city of Cyprus, the principal seat of the worship of Aphrodite. Here the foam-born goddess was said to have risen from the sea. See Hor. _Od._ I, 36: III, 28 etc.
[86] QUOTED THE FAMOUS LINE OF CATULLUS. See Cat. V, I: _Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus!_
[87] HE PLUCKS THE PRESENT. See Hor. _Od._ I, ii, 8. The expression "he enjoys the present day" is a literal translation of the "_carpe diem_" used there--just as the phrase: "without troubling himself about the future" corresponds with Horace's "_quam minimum credula postero_."