A Struggle for Rome, v. 1

  "You will see whether the aged Theodoric has become a dotard? You hopedthat I was dead? You think that you can refuse the tribute to mysuccessor? You err, spies!"

  And he took up, as if proving its worth, one of the swords which themessengers had laid at his feet, together with its sheath, held itfirmly by hilt and point, and with a slight effort snapped the steel intwo, and threw the pieces on the ground.

  "The Avari carry worthless swords," he said quietly. "Come, Athalaric,heir to my kingdom. They do not believe that thou canst bear the weightof my crown. Show them how thou canst throw my spear."

  The youth bounded to him. The scarlet hue of ambition flushed his paleface. He swung the heavy spear of his grandfather, and hurled it withsuch force at a shield which the messengers had leaned against one ofthe wooden pillars, that it completely pierced it and penetrated deeplyinto the wood.

  The King laid his left hand on the head of his grandchild, and saidproudly to the messengers:

  "Now go, and tell at home what you have seen."

  He turned away; the outer doors were closed, and shut out the amazedAvarians.

  "Give me a cup of wine. It may possibly be the last! No, unmixed! InGermanic fashion--" he repulsed the Grecian physician. "Thanks, oldHildebrand, for this draught, so faithfully given. I drink prosperityto the Goths!"

  He slowly emptied the goblet; and with a hand yet firm and strong hereplaced it on the marble table.

  But suddenly, like a flash of lightning, that which the physicians hadlong expected took place. He staggered, pressed his hand to his heart,and fell backwards into Hildebrand's arms; who, slowly kneeling down,let him gently slide on to the marble pavement, supporting hishelm-crowned head.

  For one moment all present held their breath; but the King did notmove, and, with a loud cry, Athalaric threw himself upon the corpse.