Quintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 2

  CHAPTER V.

  The noonday bustle was at its height in the baths of Titus. A constantstream of men, for the most part belonging to the rank of senatorsor the class of knights, flowed steadily through the wide Corinthianportico to the _apodyterium_,[47] where a host of slaves were busy indivesting the new-comers of their toga and tunic.

  An equally dense crowd filled the _elaothesium_,[48] where the body wasanointed with oil, and pressed through into the gymnasium,[49] wherewrestling and discus-throwing were practised. One of the first laws ofold Roman hygiene prescribed exercises of this kind before the bath.When the muscles had thus been thoroughly stretched, the bather wrappedhimself in a light woollen garment and sat down to cool himself.

  This quarter of an hour of cooling on the benches round thewrestling-hall was one of the pleasantest of the day. Nowhere else wasthe chat so humorous or so gracious; nowhere else were the events ofthe day discussed with so much wit and acumen. Here, Martial launchedhis most daring epigrams. Here, Parthenius, the chamberlain, retailedthe most flagrant intrigues and richest scandals. Here the last triumphin the circus was discussed, the proceedings of fair Lycoris, theachievement of some great gladiator, the peculations of a provincialgovernor, the will of a childless senator,[50] the suits pending beforethe centumvirate, the last recitations, banquets, deaths--but whateverthe whims and humors of the loungers might bring uppermost, it wasalways cast in a form of easy grace, and discussed with a peculiarsparkle of light humor.

  On the day in question there was the usual flow of free talk in theluxuriously-furnished hall, and the marble statues, which looked downfrom their purple niches, might have heard, if they could, many acutting speech and many a peal of noisy laughter.

  One of the most reckless talkers, in a group that had gathered roundMartial, was Clodianus; his rubicund face beamed with Dionysiacexcitement. The poet, wrapped over his ears in his sheet, had justdelivered himself of an epigram, in his most pungent style, on anincident in the life of a certain attorney-at-law.[51] This man,Sabellus by name, a perfect model of incapacity, was never chosen toconduct a case by any but people of the lowest class, and from thebeginning of his career had never once been successful. At last he hadgained his first cause. The matter in dispute had been a cart-horsebelonging to a wagoner. His client had offered the triumphant advocatea honorarium paid in kind, and the worthy Sabellus, in the excessof his joy, was talking of the brilliant success of his efforts inevery public place in Rome. The poet described with malicious glee,how Sabellus had already told the story of the great horse case eighttimes, and at each repetition held his head a little higher. Martialconcluded with these improvised lines:

  "All these jubilant airs our friend Sabellus Founds on half a measure of meal and lentels, Three half-pounds of frankincense and pepper, Falernian chitterlings[52] and a Lucanian sausage,[53] A Syrian jug of black and muddy liquor, A jar of Libyan figs that might be fresher."[54]

  The whole story, told with a mixture of infinite relish and irony,was irresistible; but not one of the party laughed so immoderately,so long, and so loud, as the starch adjutant. He could not get overit; laughter as of a cyclops filled his throat; it was as though thehonest clumsiness of the soldier stood revealed in this naive and noisyamusement. His demeanor was so frank and blunt, that it might havesatisfied Caesar himself.

  Still, this loud joviality was somewhat belied by the glances whichClodianus cast from time to time, when he thought himself unobserved,at a corner of the hall, where a man with piercing eyes and a strongaquiline nose, was beguiling the quarter of an hour spent in coolinghimself, by reading. When the loud shout of laughter echoed through theroom like the rattle of thunder, the reader raised his reddened eyelids.

  "What, Stephanus!" shouted Clodianus, holding his sides. "You are oncemore to be seen here? You have neglected us too much these last weeks.Martial grows more audacious every day. He is a splendid rascal, thisHispanian bully; by Incitatus! but he makes mince-meat of our Quirites.The story of Sabellus is delicious, a thing to revel in! And what areyou studying here, in the intervals of discus-throwing?"

  He had slowly gone up to the steward, while the group round the wittyepigrammatist were already drawn into the current of another story.

  "You are too kind," replied Stephanus. "But an individual can never bemissed, where good talk is kept up by so many distinguished men. I amworried and out of spirits, and quite out of place among the gay andcheerful."

  Clodianus expressed his regret in a long-drawn "Ah," but his eyebetrayed no sorrow. He seated himself on the couch by Stephanus.

  "It is very true, the air of the city is saturated with anxiety. I havemy own little share of it. You know the old saying: 'A scorpion lurksunder every stone.'" Stephanus smiled.

  "You carry your politeness--or your irony--too far.--You, the mostfortunate man in Rome."

  "I might very well say the same of you. Except the little annoyancesthat Cneius Afranius can cause you, your life is that of a god onOlympus.--To be sure," he added in a lower voice, "that man's tenacityis beginning to look threatening. All the more so since...."

  "Well, finish your sentence."

  "Well, then, you know that until now I have found ways and means ofparrying his attacks, but now...."

  The freedman turned pale.

  "But now...?"

  "Now certain symptoms are revealing themselves--symptoms which make mesuspect, that I shall not be able much longer to elude his thrusts."

  He had spoken these words hardly above his breath. They distilledslowly into the steward's ear like poisonous adders, and seemed towrithe in his very soul.

  "Impossible!" he exclaimed in a choked voice. "You, the influentialfavorite of Caesar...."

  "It is as I say. Why, I cannot myself altogether understand, but Iam alive to the fact. The wind is blowing keenly through all theBasilicas, and if you do not keep a bright look-out you may be wrecked."

  "But, by Jupiter! why have I not heard this till to-day?"

  "Because I fancied at first that I might be deceiving myself....Splendid! First rate, Duilius! That is what I call throwing. Look, looknow--_Io triumphe_. A winner at Olympia could not beat that!"

  "I implore you," whispered Stephanus, "tell me at once...."

  "Keep calm," replied Clodianus. "The Baths are not the place for such adiscussion. Where do you dine?"

  "With Lycoris."

  "Good, I will excuse myself to Furius, and go with you. After supper,in the park, we shall easily secure a few minutes.... Bravo, Septimius!bravo! What wonderful muscles! Praxiteles[55] ought to have had you fora model! By Castor, but you will break every bone in Sempronius' body,sturdy as he is! Well, then," he went on, turning to Stephanus again,"we shall meet at the fair Massilian's table."

  He rose with a friendly nod, and passed through the great door in theinner wall into the _frigidarium_.[56] There he tossed his woollenwrapper over the head of a slave, and descended in all the dignity ofstalwart corpulence into the vast bath. More than a hundred batherswere already sitting in it, up to their shoulders in the transparentwater. Only a few swimmers were disporting themselves at the fartherend.

  Clodianus sat down too, thinking contentedly, and his gaze wanderedround the noble hall. The light, which poured in from above througha circular opening, sparkled and twinkled so gaily on the dancingripples--the splashing from the shells, through which the pipes wereled which constantly renewed the water, sounded so soothing--thegraceful forms of the nymphs in the fresco painting, and of the marblegoddesses on their tall pedestals smiled so seductively, that any onemight have supposed that the radiant expression on the adjutant'sfeatures was nothing more than a reflection from these bright and rosysurroundings.

  But Clodianus saw much more with the mind's eye, than with the eye ofthe senses. Elaborate schemes were disentangling themselves in hisrestless, brooding brain; incredible events rose before his fancy invivid colors.

  A
nd Clodianus looked better pleased than ever, when the tall figure ofStephanus appeared on the threshold. Sternly as the wily steward stroveto conceal his feelings, Clodianus saw at a glance what an effect hisrevelation had had upon him, and he laughed, like a hunter who has hadgood sport in the field.

  "You are as radiant as the sun-god!" said a little man, who went downthe steps at this instant. "It is horribly cold this morning--puresnow-water."

  His teeth chattered, and he shrugged his shoulders up to his ears.

  "Ah! Sextus Furius!" cried Clodianus, a little startled. "I am glad tomeet you. I wanted to let you know, as soon as I quitted the bath, thatI am prevented dining with you to-day. Important business...."

  "That is a pity," replied the noble Senator, who, here, in thefrigidarium, was not by any means an Apollo. "I had a great many thingsto talk to you about."

  "Business?"

  "Concerning the chamberlain. You know we are in treaty over an estateat Baiae?"

  "To be sure.--A most delightful residence. Made on purpose for theraptures of the honeymoon." And he winked significantly. But the littleSenator pursed up his mouth and knit his brows in displeasure, andflourished his elbows so vehemently that the water splashed up allround him.

  "Furius, you are becoming a perfect Fury!" cried Clodianus. Then helaughed at his own precious wit and stirred his side of the bath intocircling wavelets.

  "You seem monstrously happy!" remarked Furius biting his lips.

  "Monstrously! And if I only had a sweetheart as handsome and as hugelyrich as your divine Claudia...."

  "Pooh, nonsense, I have not got so far as that yet. Titus Claudius, atthe eleventh hour, begged for time for reflection."

  "You are in treaty for the estate all the same?"

  "Certainly--what do you think now? If the affair with Claudius fallsthrough, I shall carry my suit next day to Fannia, who is younger, orto Paula or to old Camilla. My honor is at stake. I have already madeevery preparation; dramatic and pantomimic performances, sham fightsand races. I cannot possibly withdraw; I am compromised on every side."

  And again he shivered and his teeth chattered. An instant later hesprang with one leap out of the bath.

  "Good-bye," he said, "I am fast turning to ice. With regard to theestate.--Well, we can talk of that another time." He ran as fast as hecould across the flags and flung himself into the warm water of the_caldarium_ in the farther pillared hall. After warming his chilledlimbs there for a short time, he submitted himself to the operationsof the _tractators_[57] or shampooers with brushes and strigils, andthen, as red as a boiled lobster, betook himself to the dressing-rooms.He presently made his way home, anointed with Egyptian and Phoenicianperfumes, and among the cushions of his luxurious dining-couch did hisbest to forget the chill of the _frigidarium_ and the coldness of hiscoy Claudia.

  Clodianus finished the processes of the bath with an air of profoundsatisfaction, that was observed by all the bathers and acceptedas undoubted evidence of his security in his office. No doubt theimpression that he left behind him, here and elsewhere, must have someeffect on Domitian. Caesar's capricious and vacillating nature wasoften more easily guided by such trifles, than by well-considered anddeliberate action.

  From the baths Clodianus went on foot to the residence of Lycoris,talking as he went with the greatest affability to the clients andslaves who accompanied him. Nay, with one of his clients he exchangedblows in sham fight, regardless of the numerous gazers who respectfullymade way for him, but who were greatly amazed at this rough jesting.

  At the house of the Massilian he met a mixed company. Stephanus hadalready arrived, and he preserved his usual calm and easy indifference,when the adjutant came in. But he gradually made plans and preparationsto involve Clodianus in a tete-a-tete conversation, while Clodianusshowed great cleverness in ignoring and evading these attempts. Theywent to table and were entertained by flute-players and singers. TheLucrine oysters were relished with intolerable deliberateness; thesuccession of dishes was positively interminable--so, at least, itseemed to the freedman, who was quite exasperated by the soldier's hugeappetite.

  At last, at last, they rose, and, after a quarter, another quarter ofan hour's manoeuvring, Stephanus gained his point. He was slowlypacing by the gourmand's side through the splendid avenues, where thelight west wind now and again lifted a brown leaf from the bough andwafted it to its rest on the ground.

  "You see I am in the greatest agitation," began Stephanus, as hiscompanion seemed inclined to continue a conversation begun at thesupper-table. Clodianus suddenly turned quite solemn.

  "To be frank with you," he said, "you have good reason. Why should Itry to conceal it? The situation is most critical Be on your guard,Stephanus; I fear you may need all your keenest wits.--Hark! some oneis behind us; even here we are surrounded by listeners. Only one thingI must say. Afranius is attracting Caesar's liking...."

  "That would be my ruin," gasped the freedman in dismay.

  "Not yet--you must not lose all hope. It is true that, if I am notdeceived, Caesar will not only allow, but will command Afranius to makethe strictest enquiries.--However, you have a crafty brain. I onlywanted to let you know the state of affairs; in the first place to warnyou, and secondly to show you the reason why my interference is nowat an end. Afranius indeed I might outwit, but...." He shrugged hisshoulders, and his face expressed the deepest concern. Stephanus gnawedhis lips.

  "Then Afranius must be got out of the way," he said, frowning. "I havelong thought I was too easy...."

  "That would do no good. On the contrary; the sudden disappearance ofAfranius would excite comment and remark, and every one would know atonce to whom to attribute it. I tell you once more, it is not Afranius,it is Caesar himself.--Silence! to-morrow come and see me in my villain the Via Praenestina--after sundown.--Nay, hold up your head,Stephanus. If it comes to the worst you can take ship and sail forAfrica."

  "I? Leave Rome! I would die first. Rome is the only place where one canbreathe. I should die in a province."

  "Well, we can discuss that later. See, Lycoris and the noble Norbanushave found us out--a well-matched pair! The conqueror of Dacian armies,and the conqueror of Latin hearts. Come, fair mistress, and decide thequestion; we are disputing as to whether the plane or the elm turnsyellow first. Speak the decisive word."

  Lycoris laughed.

  "If you put me to torture, I do not know. They both turn yellow toosoon to please me." She drew her cloak more closely round her, for theevening was chilly. They turned and went down the avenue together;Lycoris and the two soldiers in eager chat, Stephanus in the silence ofdespair.

  When, after a short walk, they reentered the house, Clodianus laid hishand on the steward's arm and looked meaningly into his eyes. "Hold upyour head," he said with determined emphasis. "You may conquer yet, ifyou are a man."

  The words seemed to work a miracle. Stephanus inferred from them, thatClodianus had not told him everything. This idea, and yet more thepeculiar expression of the adjutant's manner, restored his confidence.

  "To-morrow," he whispered, as he shook hands with the astute officer.Then the party gave themselves up to enjoyment--a gay party!

  It was near midnight, when Stephanus set out homewards. He could nowhardly realize how he had so utterly lost heart at a single blow. Hadhe not sailed with triumphant success round many a rocky shore? Had henot ridden with safety through every storm? The storm that now roaredround him was, to be sure, a hurricane. But Clodianus, that stalwartpilot, was standing at the helm.--In short--the much-dreaded Caesar wasbut a man like other men.--It was folly to run his head against thetroubles of the future! "To-day is mine, and I will enjoy the present."

  In his bedroom he found his favorite, Antinous. The slave flew to meethim with eager eyes, and as soon as the others had withdrawn, Stephanussat down on his couch, and called the lad to him.

  "Well?" he said in a low voice.

  "The game is ours," said the slave. "But it has cost much trouble andpains...."

/>   "Ours? Do not sell the lion's skin, before he is in the net."

  "But he is in the net. I have found out everything, and what I know, mylord, will be the death of him as surely...."

  "Do not go too fast; the Claudians are powerful. Nothing but the mostterrific stroke will fell him."

  "But hear me, and then judge. Quintus Claudius has joined theNazarenes."

  "Impossible! A millionaire has thrown in his lot with the beggars! Itis a lie, boy." Antinous laughed.

  "It sounds like a fable, does not it? But it is the truth all the same.I pledge my head on it: before the week is out Quintus Claudius istaken and sentenced."

  "Boy, you are a jewel!" cried Stephanus beside himself. "If all thisproves true, by the gods, I will have you set in gold."

  "My plan is most simple. To-morrow morning early...."

  "That will do," interrupted Stephanus, who was quite incapacitated bydelight, from attending to details. "I trust it all to you, and giveyou full powers to do whatever you think necessary. As I live, thatwould be a victory--a triumph such as never was heard of! Come here,lad, that I may kiss you." He hugged the boy as if he had lost hisreason.

  "Now go, be off--I must rest."

  "Sleep well!" said Antinous. "You may rest on laurels." And he ran off.

  "Capital, glorious!" murmured his master. "Now--now, fair Domitia...."

  In the excitement of his feelings he hid his head in the pillows; aslight shudder shook his meagre frame. He clenched his fists, andclosed his lips tightly.--Thus he fell asleep; and his deep anddifficult breathing sounded loud in the still, dimly-lighted room.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [47] APODYTERIUM, ([Greek: apodyterion]) the room where the clothing was removed at the baths. See Plin. _Ep._ V, 6, where a dressing-room at the bath of a villa is mentioned.

  [48] ELAOTHESIUM, ([Greek: elaiothesion]) the anointing-room, the oil-room. See _Vitr._ V. 11, 2.

  [49] GYMNASIUM, ([Greek: gymnasion] from [Greek: gymnos], naked) the wrestling-room.

  [50] WILL OF A CHILDLESS SENATOR. See note, 324, Vol. I. That such stories of wills formed one of the principal subjects of city gossip (_fabulae urbis_) appears in Juv. _Sat._ I, 144, where the failure of a will attracts attention, and Plin. _Ep._ VIII, 18, where the will of Domitius Tullus is mentioned. The passage runs as follows: "The most contradictory rumors are circulating through the whole city. Many call him ungrateful, false and faithless.... Others, on the contrary, praise him, because he disappointed the unworthy hopes of these people." And at the close of the long letter: "Now you know all the city news, for nothing is talked of except Tullus."

  [51] AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF A CERTAIN ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. The following episode was suggested by Mart. _Ep._ IV, 46, where a lawyer named Sabellus, is derided precisely as here described. There, however, the point in question did not concern the payment for a lawsuit won, but the customary gifts at the Saturnalia. The lines given as improvised verse, a little farther on, are to be found in Martial (verse 5-10.)

  [52] FALERNIAN CHITTERLINGS, from the Etruscan city of Falerii. The inhabitants of this city were called Faliscans.

  [53] LUCANIAN SAUSAGE. The old Romans were passionately fond of sausages. They had black-pudding (_botuli_) liver and common sausage (_tomacula_) which were to be had hot in the streets from little tin ovens, smoked sausage (_hillae_) and Lucanian. (_Lucanicae_, so called from the province of Lucania in Lower Italy, famed for its sausages) which were usually eaten with spelt-flour bread. See Mart. _Ep._ XIII, 35:

  "Daughter of a Picenian pig, I come from Lucania; By me a grateful garnish is given to snow-white pottage."

  [54] MARTIAL _Ep._ IV., 46. "All these airs and all this exaltation are excited in Sabellus by half a peck of meal and as much of parched beans; by three half-pounds of frankincense, and as many of pepper; by a sausage from Lucania, and a sow's pauch from Falerii; by a Syrian flagon of dark, mulled wine, and some figs candied in a Libyan jar, accompanied with onions, and shell-fish, and cheese. From a Picenian client came a little chest that would scarcely hold a few olives, and a nest of seven cups from Saguntum, polished with the potter's rude graver, the clay workmanship of a Spanish wheel, and a napkin variegated with the laticlave. More profitable Saturnalia, Sabellus has not had these ten years."

  BOHN, Class. Lib.

  [55] PRAXITELES. A celebrated Athenian sculptor, creator of the famous Cnidian Venus, a master of the graceful and charming. Clodianus only means to say: a great sculptor; otherwise something about Lysippus would have been more appropriate to the subject--two wrestlers.

  [56] FRIGIDARIUM. The cold bath, in distinction from the caldarium, the hot bath. Rooms, similar to those described here--are found, though of smaller size, among the excavations at Pompeii.

  [57] TRACTATORS, (_tractatores_). The name of the slaves who, after the bath, rubbed and kneaded the body and limbs. (See Sen. _Ep._ 66.) According to Mart. _Ep._ III, 82, slave-women (_tractatrices_) also performed these services, but probably only in private houses.