A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

  CHAPTER I.

  The morning after the events before described, a manifesto announced tothe astonished inhabitants of Ravenna that the daughter of Theodorichad resigned the crown in favour of her cousin Theodahad, the last malescion oL the House of Amelung.

  Italians and Goths were summoned to swear the oath of allegiance totheir new sovereign.

  Cethegus had judged rightly. Amalaswintha had felt her conscienceoppressed by many a folly, and even by deadly sin. Noble natures seekconsolation and atonement in sacrifice and self-denial; and the unhappywoman had been much affected by the reproaches of her daughter andCassiodorus; therefore the Prefect had found her in a mood favourablefor the reception of his advice. The very bitterness of this adviceinduced her to follow it; indeed, to save her people and expiate herguilt, she would even have endured much greater humiliation.

  The change of dynasty was accomplished without difficulty. The Italiansat Ravenna were in nowise prepared for rebellion, and Cethegus fed themwith hopes of a more favourable opportunity. Besides this, the new Kingwas known and liked by them as a friend of Roman civilisation.

  The Goths, however, did not seem inclined to submit to the changewithout more ado. Prince Theodahad was certainly a man--that was in hisfavour and an Amelung, which last circumstance weighed heavily; but hewas by no means esteemed. Cowardly and unmartial, effeminate in bodyand mind, he had none of the qualities which the Germans require intheir kings. One sole passion filled his soul--avarice, insatiable loveof gold. Though very rich, he was constantly engaged in mean quarrelswith his neighbours in Tuscany. He well understood the art ofincreasing his estates by force and cunning, and the weight of hisroyal rank, and how to wrest their property from his neighbours; "for,"says an author of that period, "it seemed to Theodahad that to haveneighbours was a kind of misfortune." At the same time, his weak naturewas entirely subject to that of his wicked but strong-minded wife.

  For all these reasons, the worthiest members of the Gothic nation sawthe accession of such a man to the throne of Theodoric with greatdislike; and the manifesto had scarcely been published, when Earl Teja,who had shortly before returned to Ravenna with Hildebad, summoned theold master-at-arms and Witichis, and invited them to arouse and directthe discontent of the people, and to set a more worthy man inTheodahad's place.

  "You know," he concluded his exhortation, "how favourable is the temperof the people. Since the night of our meeting in the Temple of Mercury,we have incessantly stirred up the nation, and have succeeded in manyof our efforts. The noble self-assertion of Athalaric, the victory ofthe Feast of Epiphany, the prevention of Amalaswintha's escape was allour work. Now a favourable opportunity offers. Shall a man who isweaker than a woman step into a woman's place? Have we no more worthyman than Theodahad amongst us?"

  "He is right, by Thor and Woden!" cried Hildebad. "Away with these weakAmelungs! Raise a hero upon our shield, and hit about on all sides!Away with the Amelungs!"

  "No," said Witichis calmly; "not yet. Perhaps it will come to that atlast; but it must not happen sooner than is necessary. The Amelungshave a great party. Theodahad would never part with the riches, norGothelindis with the power of the crown without a struggle; they arestrong enough, if not for victory, at least for battle. But strifebetween brothers is terrible. Necessity alone can justify it; and, atpresent, that does not exist. Theodahad may try; he is weak, and mayeasily be led. There is time enough to act if he prove incapable."

  "Who knows if then there will be time?" said Teja warningly.

  "What dost thou advise, old man?" asked Hildebad, upon whose mind theremarks of Witichis had not been without effect.

  "Brothers," answered Hildebrand, stroking his long beard, "you have thechoice, and therefore are plagued with doubt. I am spared both, for Iam bound. The King's old followers have sworn an oath that, as long asa member of his House lives, they will allow no stranger to occupy thethrone."

  "What a foolish oath!" cried Hildebad.

  "I am old, and yet I do not call it foolish. I know what a blessingrests upon the great and sacred law of inheritance; and the Amelungsare descended from the gods!" he added mysteriously.

  "Theodahad is a fine child of the gods!" laughed Hildebad.

  "Be silent!" cried the old man angrily. "You modern men understand thisno longer. You think you can fathom everything with your miserablereason. The mystery, the secrecy, the magic that lies in blood--forthis you have lost all sense. Therefore I have held my peace about suchthings. But you cannot change me, with my near a hundred years. Do whatyou like; I shall do what I must."

  "Well," said Earl Teja, yielding, "upon thy head be the responsibility.But when this last Amelung is no more----"

  "Then the followers of Theodoric are free from their oath."

  "Perhaps," said Witichis, "it is fortunate that your oath spares us thechoice, for we certainly wish for no ruler whom thou canst notacknowledge. Let us then go and pacify the people; and let us bear withthis King as long as it is possible."

  "But not an hour longer!" cried Teja, and went away in anger.