Quintus Claudius, Volume 1 of 2

ill,[125] looking over the Forum Romanum[126] and the Sacred Way.[127] Simple and yet magnificent, it showed in every detail t

ong them not a few persons of distinction, members of the senate and upper-class, court officials and magistrates. It was a scene of indescribable variety and bustle. The world of Rome in miniature. Petitioners from every point of the compass eagerly watched the slaves, on whom their admission depended. Rich farmers, who desired to bring a private offering to Jupiter Capitolinus, sat open-mouthed on the cushi

re was the keen, eagle face of the infamous Decemvir, the persecutor of Virginia-a villain, but a daring and imperious villain.-Claudius Crassus, the cruel, resolute foe of the plebeians-Appius Claudius Caecus, who made the Appian Way-Claudius Pulcher, the witty sceptic, who flung the sacred fowls into the sea because they warned him of evil-Claudius Cento, the conqueror of Chalcis-Claudius Caesar, and a hundred other world-renowned names of old

He had already dismissed a considerable number of important personages, when a tall officer, stout almost to clumsiness, was announced and at once admitted, interrupting as he did the strict order of succession. This was no less a person than Clodianus, t

us, throwing himself into a large arm-chai

ar now?" sighed

roubles of these last weeks. We can detect here and there extraordinary symptoms, and f

ou dou

ght it all from Lycoris the fair Gaul.... It is said that this Nazaren

ound the room, as if he

aid the h

lavius Clemens,[13

ho spreads such a report should be found

nse. Still the story is characteristic, and pro

ter as winter approaches. The wildest torrent may be

d Clodianus. "Then nothing o

mentioned an

dare

d w

know that you hate the populace-and the

ay?" asked Cla

friend, it was a frightful scandal, a real storm

ried Claudius

ass in comparison, and the names of those splendid steeds are in every one's mouth to-day like a proverb: Andraemon, Adsertor, Vastator and Passerinus[142]-you hear them in every market and alley; our poets might almost be envious. And the charioteer too, a free Greek in the service of Parthenius the head chamberlain, is a splendid fellow. He stood in his quadriga[143] like Ares rushing int

us Claudius, as t

tribune in the greatest excitement. Caesar ordered the herald to command silence. 'Scorpus,' said he, when the uproar was lulled, 'you have covere

ied Titus Claud

houted from every bench: 'Dost thou hear, oh Caesar? Leave thy intrigue with Julia![147] W

? What has so suddenly broug

gain for his mistress her lost influence. Of course he bribed Scorpus, and the gods alone know how many hundred thousand sesterces the game must have c

the high-priest. "And what answe

aid to tell you

ed himself to grant his prayer. But how did he punish the howling mob that stormed around him? I too regret o

Domitian, too, thought it prudent to smother his just anger and to show clemency. When the herald had once more re

sked the Flamen in

o-day an imperial decree was drawn up, calling upon Domitia[150] to return t

Jul

nus. "With regard to Julia, C

reconciliation will only prove t

me personally. Caesar is in the worst of humors. Do what you

air. "Domitian is waiting for me," he said as he jumped up. "Farewell, my illustrious fr

into the room, and ranged themselves silently in the background, and the "nomenclator," the "name

is waiting in the atrium

on clouded the hi

ntus knows full well, that these morning hou

numerous friends, clients and petitioners, who retired from his presence cheerful or hanging their heads, according as t

n compelled to brook, and offered his father his hand with an affecti

tones, "or perhaps you are but just returnin

ucius Norbanus, the prefect of the body-guard. The noble Aurelius was also

have no objections to raise-I have no wish to deny the right of youth to its pleasures. But you, my son, have made a rule of wh

espect and his defiant temper were

g voice. "I enjoy my life-perhaps too wildly; but I do nothing t

ust allow that the son of the high-priest is to be measured

ame roof with you. But since I am indep

used me to require your presence here to-day, was not your course of life in general. A particular instance of i

r, you excite

e that you have been so rash, so audacious, as to add

s bit

the superscription of the verses. No, if you

ed the room wi

at punishment is inflicted on the wretch, wh

d

said the prie

nd to complete the audacity of it, instead of the name of Lycoris, I placed at the beginning that of our highly-revered Polyhymnia. And now report says-P

not trust too much to the influence of my position or of my individuality. The law is mightier than the will of any one man. When what we are now planning takes form and life, severity, inexorable as iron, will decide in all suc

her.

and ponder on w

h a quick, firm step, and a look of devoted love, of passionate paternal