CHAPTER I.
A few days after the death of Mataswintha and the departure of PrinceGermanus, who was deeply shocked by the sad event, a message came fromCastra Nova, which rendered necessary the march of Byzantine troopsfrom Ravenna.
Hildebad had been informed, by fugitive Goths, who had made their wayin disguise through the lines of the besiegers, of the treacherousimprisonment of the King.
On hearing the news, he sent word to Cethegus and Belisarius, throughsome prisoners whom he released, that he challenged them, eithertogether or singly, to mortal combat, "if they had a drop of courage intheir veins, or a trace of honour in their souls."
"He thinks that Belisarius is still in the country, and does not seemto fear him greatly," said Bessas.
"This might be a means," said Cethegus cunningly, of ruining theturbulent fellow. "But, certainly, it needs great courage--such courageas Belisarius possesses."
"You know that I do not yield to him a jot in that," answered Bessas.
"Good," said Cethegus. "Then follow me to my house. I will show you howto destroy this giant. You shall succeed where Belisarius failed." Buthe said to himself, "Bessas is indeed a tolerably bad commander; butDemetrius is still worse, and therefore easier to lead. And I oweBessas a grudge for that affair of the Tiburtinian Gate at Rome."
The Prefect had not without reason feared that the almost extinguishedresistance of the Goths would be renewed on hearing of the treasonpractised on their King.
No exact report had yet reached old Hildebrand at Verona, Totila atTarvisium, or Teja at Ticinum.
They had only heard that Ravenna had fallen, and that the King wasimprisoned.
Vague rumours of treachery accompanied this report, and the friends ofthe King, in their pain and anger, were persuaded that the fall of thestrong fortress and of the brave King had not been effected by honestmeans.
Instead of discouraging them, this misfortune only increased thestrength of their resistance.
They weakened their besiegers by repeated and successful sallies.
And the enemy felt almost constrained to raise the siege, for alreadysigns of an important change of circumstance crowded upon them from allsides.
This change was, in fact, a rapidly progressing reversion of feeling inthe Italian population, at least of the middle classes: the merchantsand artisans of the towns; the peasants and farmers of the country.
The Italians had everywhere greeted the Byzantines as liberators.
But after a short period their exultation died away.
Whole troops of officials followed Belisarius from Byzantium, sent byJustinian to reap without delay the fruits of the war, and to fill theever-empty treasury of the East with the riches of Italy.
In the midst of all the suffering caused by the war, these zealousofficials began their work.
As soon as Belisarius had occupied a town, his treasurer summoned allfree citizens to the Curia or to the Forum; ordered them to dividethemselves into six classes according to their wealth, and then calledupon each class to value the property of the class above it.
According to this valuation, the imperial officials then laid thehighest possible tax upon each class.
And, as these officials were almost necessitated, because of theretention and curtailment of their never punctually paid salaries, tothink of filling their own pockets as well as the Emperor's treasury,the oppression they put in practice became intolerable.
They were not content with the high rates which the Emperor required tobe paid in advance for three years; the special tax laid upon everyliberated town of Italy as a "gratitude tax"--besides the largecontributions and requisitions which Belisarius and his generals wereobliged to demand for the use of the army--for neither gold norprovisions came from Byzantium--but every official sought to extortspecial payments, by special means, out of the richer citizens.
They everywhere ordered a revision of the tax-lists, discovered arrearsowing since the times of the Gothic Kings, even from the days ofOdoacer, and left the citizens the option of paying immense sums forindemnity or of carrying on a ruinous lawsuit with Justinian's fiscus,who scarcely ever lost one.
But if the tax-lists were incomplete or destroyed--which happened oftenenough in those times of war--the accountants arbitrarily reconstructedthem.
In short, all the arts of finance which had ruined the provinces of theEastern Empire were practised in Italy, after the landing ofBelisarius, as far as imperial arms could reach.
Without consideration for the misery of war-time, the tax executorsunyoked the oxen of the peasant from the plough, took his tools fromthe workshop of the artisan, and his wares from the house of themerchant.
In many towns the people rebelled against their oppressors and drovethem away; but they only returned in larger numbers with severermeasures.
The Mauretanian horsemen of Justinian, with African bloodhounds, huntedthe desperate peasants from their hiding-places in the woods, whitherthey had fled to escape the tax-gatherer. And Cethegus, who alone wasin a position to check such deeds, looked on with calculating coolness.
He desired that, before the end of the war, all Italy should havebecome acquainted with the tyranny of Byzantium, for then it would be alighter task for him to persuade the people to rise and, when they hadgot rid of the Goths, to throw off the burden of the Byzantines. Helistened to the complaints of the deputations from various towns, whoappealed to him for assistance, with a shrug and the laconic answer:
"That is only Byzantine government--you must get used to it."
"No," had answered the deputation from Rome, "one does not getaccustomed to what is unbearable. The Emperor may live to see that ofwhich he has never even dreamed!"
To Cethegus this could only mean the independence of Italy; he knew ofnothing else.
But he was mistaken.
Although he thought meanly enough of his countrymen and the times inwhich he lived, he yet believed that he could elevate them by example.
But the thought so natural to his spirit; as necessary to him as theair he breathed--the freedom and independence of Italy--was far toogrand for the comprehension of that generation.
They could only vacillate between two masters.
And when the yoke of Byzantium proved unbearable they began to recallto their memory the milder rule of the Goths; a possibility which hadnever entered the Prefect's head.
And yet such was the case.
Before Tarvisium, Ticinum, and Verona, there now happened on a smallscale, that which was preparing on a large one in such cities asNeapolis and Rome. The Italian country-people revolted againstthe Byzantine officials and soldiers, and the inhabitants of theabove-named three cities supported the Goths in every possible manner.
So, when Totila, backed by the armed peasants of the plains, haddestroyed a great part of their works, the besiegers of Tarvisium wereobliged to cease their attacks, and limit themselves to the defence oftheir camp, thus enabling Totila to draw supplies and soldiers from theneighbouring country.
With a more cheerful spirit than usual he one evening made his round ofthe walls of Tarvisium.
Rosy clouds floated across the sky, and the sun, as it sank behind theVenetian hills, gilded all the plain before him.
With emotion he watched the peasants from the neighbourhood streamingthrough the open gates of the city, bringing bread, meat, and wine tohis half-starved Goths; who, on their part, hurried out into the opencountry, and Germans and Italians, embracing, celebrated the victorywhich they had together gained over their hated enemies.
"Is it then impossible," said Totila to himself, "to preserve andpropagate this amity through the whole country? Is it a necessity thatthese two nations should be eternally divided? How their friendshipembellishes each! Have we not also failed, in that we ever treated theItalians as the vanquished? We meet them with suspicion, instead ofwith generous confidence. We demand their obedience, and neglect to wintheir affection. And it would have been well wort
h the winning! Had itbeen won--never would Byzantium have gained a footing here! The releasefrom my vow--Valeria--would not have been so unattainable. Would thatit were permitted me to strive for this goal in _my_ way!"
His reflections and dreams were interrupted by a messenger from theoutposts, announcing that the enemy had suddenly forsaken their camp,and were in fall retreat to the south, towards Ravenna. On the road tothe west clouds of dust were seen: a large body of horsemen wasapproaching--probably Goths.
Totila received the news with joy, but also with doubt. He took allnecessary measures against a stratagem.
But during the night his doubts were resolved. He was awakened by thenews of a Gothic victory, and the arrival of the victor.
He hurried out and found Hildebrand, Teja, Thorismuth, and Wachis.
With the cry of "Victory! victory!" his friends greeted him, andTeja and Hildebrand announced that at Ticina, and Verona also, thecountry-people had rebelled against the Byzantines, and had aided theGoths in falling upon the besiegers, whom, after destroying theirdefences, they had forced to retreat.
But in spite of this joyful news, there lay in Teja's eyes and voice adeeper melancholy than usual.
"What of sorrow hast thou to communicate, beside this joy?" askedTotila.
"The shameful ruin of the best man in the world!" said Teja, and signedto Wachis, who now related the sufferings and death of the King and hiswife.
"I escaped the arrows of the Huns by hiding amongst the rushes. Thus Istill live. But only for one thing; that is, to revenge my master uponhis betrayer and murderer--Cethegus the Prefect."
"No; the Prefect is mine!" said Teja.
"Thou, Totila, hast the first right to his life," said Hildebrand, "forthou hast a brother to revenge."
"My brother Hildebad!" cried Totila. "What of him?"
"He has been shamefully murdered by the Prefect," said Thorismuth,"before my very eyes, and I could not prevent it."
"My strong Hildebad dead!" exclaimed Totila. "Speak!"
"The hero lay with us in the Castle of Castra Nova, near Mantua,"related Thorismuth. "The report of the King's treacherous death hadreached us. Hildebad challenged Belisarius and Cethegus to mortalcombat. Presently a herald arrived, who said that Belisarius hadaccepted the challenge, and expected thy brother on the plain betweenour walls and their camp. Thy brother set forth rejoicing; we horsemenfollowed. And verily, there rode out of a tent, in his golden armour,with closed helm and white plume, with his round shield--well known tous all--the hero, Belisarius. Only twelve horsemen followed him;foremost of all, Cethegus the Prefect. The other Byzantines halted justoutside the camp. Hildebad ordered me to follow him with an equalnumber of horsemen. The two combatants greeted each other with theirspears; the trumpets sounded, and Hildebad rushed at his enemy. Thenext moment the latter lay upon the ground, pierced through andthrough. Thy brother, unhurt, dismounted, crying: 'That was no thrustfrom Belisarius!' and opened the visor of the dying man. 'Bessas!'cried Hildebad, and looked, furious at the deception, towards hisenemies. Then the Prefect gave a sign. The twelve Moorish horsemenhurled their spears, and, severely hit, thy brother fell."
Totila covered his face. Teja went sympathisingly up to him.
"Listen to the end," said Thorismuth. "When we saw this murder, we werefilled with fury. We threw ourselves upon the enemy, who, trusting thatwe should be discouraged, pressed forward from the camp. After a hotfight, we compelled them to fly. Only the speed of his devilish horsesaved the Prefect, who was wounded in the shoulder by my spear. Thybrother lived to see our victory. He caused the chest which he hadbrought from Ravenna to be carried down to the Castle; opened it, andsaid to me: 'Crown, shield, and sword of Theodoric. Take them to mybrother.' And with his last breath he cried: 'He must revenge me andrenew our kingdom. Tell him--that I loved him very dearly!' Then hesank back upon his shield, and his faithful soul departed."
"My brother! Oh, my beloved brother!" cried Totila, leaning against apillar. Tears flowed from his eyes.
There was a moment of reverent silence.
Then: "Remember thine oath!" cried Hildebrand. "He was doubly thybrother! Thou wilt revenge him!"
"Yes," said Totila, and involuntarily he drew the sword--which Tejahanded to him--from its sheath. "I will revenge him!"
It was the sword of Theodoric.
"And renew the kingdom," said old Hildebrand solemnly, and, taking thecrown, he set it upon Totila's head. "Hail to thee, King of the Goths!"
Totila started.
He raised his left hand to the golden coronet.
"What do ye?" he exclaimed.
"That which is right. The dying hero's words were prophecy! Thou wiltsurely renew the kingdom. Three victories call upon thee to take up thestruggle. Remember thine oath. We are not yet defenceless. Shall we laydown our weapons? Shall we submit to treachery and tricks?"
"No," cried Totila, "that we will not. And it is well done to choose aking, as a sign of renewed hope. But here stands Earl Teja, worthierthan I, of proved experience. Choose Teja!"
"No," said Teja, shaking his head, "it is thy turn first! Thy dyingbrother has sent _thee_ this sword and crown. Wear them happily! If thekingdom can be saved, it is thou who canst save it; if not, an avengermust be left."
"But now," interrupted Hildebrand, "now we must hasten to sow the seedsof confidence in all hearts. This is thine office, Totila! See, theyoung day breaks in glory. The first rays of the sun fall into the halland kiss, thy brow! It is a sign from the gods! Hail, King Totila--thouthat shalt renew the Gothic kingdom!"
The youth pressed the glittering crown firmly upon his golden locks,and raised Theodoric's sword towards the morning sun.
"Yes!" he cried, "if human strength can do it, I will raise anew thekingdom of the Goths."