Quo Vadis - Henryk Sienkiewicz (best ereader under 100 .txt) 📗

Christians need only

put out the lights, as they did when she was intercepted, and scatter in

the darkness, or betake themselves to places known to them only. But

Vinicius and he should arm, and, still better, take a couple of strong,

trusty men to defend them in case of need.

 

Vinicius saw the perfect truth of what he said, and, recalling

Petronius’s counsel, commanded his slaves to bring Croton. Chilo, who

knew every one in Rome, was set at rest notably when he heard the name

of the famous athlete, whose superhuman strength in the arena he had

wondered at more than once, and he declared that he would go to

Ostrianum. The purse filled with great aurei seemed to him much easier

of acquisition through the aid of Croton.

 

Hence he sat down in good spirits at the table to which, after a time,

he was called by the chief of the atrium.

 

While eating, he told the slaves that he had obtained for their master a

miraculous ointment. The worst horse, if rubbed on the hoofs with it,

would leave every other far behind. A certain Christian had taught him

how to prepare that ointment, for the Christian elders were far more

skilled in enchantment and miracles than even the Thessalians, though

Thessaly was renowned for its witches. The Christians had immense

confidence in him—why, any one easily understands who knows what a fish

means. While speaking he looked sharply at the eyes of the slaves, in

the hope of discovering a Christian among them and informing Vinicius.

But when the hope failed him, he fell to eating and drinking uncommon

quantities, not sparing praises on the cook, and declaring that he would

endeavor to buy him of Vinicius. His joyfulness was dimmed only by the

thought that at night he must go to Ostrianum. He comforted himself,

however, as he would go in disguise, in darkness, and in the company of

two men, one of whom was so strong that he was the idol of Rome; the

other a patrician, a man of high dignity in the army. “Even should they

discover Vinicius,” said he to himself, “they will not dare to raise a

hand on him; as to me, they will be wise if they see the tip of my nose

even.”

 

He fell then to recalling his conversation with the laborer; and the

recollection of that filled him again with delight. He had not the

least doubt that that laborer was Ursus. He knew of the uncommon

strength of the man, from the narratives of Vinicius, and those who had

brought Lygia from Cæsar’s palace. When he inquired of Euricius

touching men of exceptional strength, there was nothing remarkable in

this, that they pointed out Ursus. Then the confusion and rage of the

laborer at mention of Vinicius and Lygia left him no doubt that those

persons concerned him particularly; the laborer had mentioned also his

penance for killing a man,—Ursus had killed Atacinus; finally, the

appearance of the laborer answered perfectly to the account which

Vinicius had given of the Lygian. The change of name was all that could

provoke doubt, but Chilo knew that frequently Christians took new names

at baptism.

 

“Should Ursus kill Glaucus,” said Chilo to himself, “that will be better

still; but should he not kill him, that will be a good sign, for it will

show how difficult it is for Christians to murder. I described Glaucus

as a real son of Judas, and a traitor to all Christians; I was so

eloquent that a stone would have been moved, and would have promised to

fall on the head of Glaucus. Still I hardly moved that Lygian bear to

put his paw on him. He hesitated, was unwilling, spoke of his penance

and compunction. Evidently murder is not common among them. Offences

against one’s self must be forgiven, and there is not much freedom in

taking revenge for others. Ergo, stop! think, Chilo, what can threaten

thee? Glaucus is not free to avenge himself on thee. If Ursus will not

kill Glaucus for such a great crime as the betrayal of all Christians,

so much the more will he not kill thee for the small offence of

betraying one Christian. Moreover, when I have once pointed out to this

ardent wood-pigeon the nest of that turtle-dove, I will wash my hands of

everything, and transfer myself to Naples. The Christians talk, also,

of a kind of washing of the hands; that is evidently a method by which,

if a man has an affair with them, he may finish it decisively. What

good people these Christians are, and how ill men speak of them! O God!

such is the justice of this world. But I love that religion, since it

does not permit killing; but if it does not permit killing, it certainly

does not permit stealing, deceit, or false testimony; hence I will not

say that it is easy. It teaches, evidently, not only to die honestly,

as the Stoics teach, but to live honestly also. If ever I have property

and a house, like this, and slaves in such numbers as Vinicius, perhaps

I shall be a Christian as long as may be convenient. For a rich man can

permit himself everything, even virtue. This is a religion for the

rich; hence I do not understand how there are so many poor among its

adherents. What good is it for them, and why do they let virtue tie

their hands? I must think over this sometime. Meanwhile praise to

thee, Hermes! for helping me discover this badger. But if thou hast

done so for the two white yearling heifers with gilded horns, I know

thee not. Be ashamed, O slayer of Argos! such a wise god as thou, and

not foresee that thou wilt get nothing! I will offer thee my gratitude;

and if thou prefer two beasts to it, thou art the third beast thyself,

and in the best event thou shouldst be a shepherd, not a god. Have a

care, too, lest I, as a philosopher, prove to men that thou art non-existent, and then all will cease to bring thee offerings. It is safer

to be on good terms with philosophers.”

 

Speaking thus to himself and to Hermes, he stretched on the sofa, put

his mantle under his head, and was sleeping when the slave removed the

dishes. He woke,—or rather they roused him,—only at the coming of

Croton. He went to the atrium, then, and began to examine with pleasure

the form of the trainer, an ex-gladiator, who seemed to fill the whole

place with his immensity. Croton had stipulated as to the price of the

trip, and was just speaking to Vinicius.

 

“By Hercules! it is well, lord,” said he, “that thou hast sent to-day

for me, since I shall start tomorrow for Beneventum, whither the noble

Vatinius has summoned me to make a trial, in presence of Cæsar, of a

certain Syphax, the most powerful negro that Africa has ever produced.

Dost thou imagine, lord, how his spinal column will crack in my arms, or

how besides I shall break his black jaw with my fist?”

 

“By Pollux! Croton, I am sure that thou wilt do that,” answered

Vinicius.

 

“And thou wilt act excellently,” added Chilo. “Yes, to break his jaw,

besides! That’s a good idea, and a deed which befits thee. But rub thy

limbs with olive oil to-day, my Hercules, and gird thyself, for know

this, you mayst meet a real Cacus. The man who is guarding that girl in

whom the worthy Vinicius takes interest, has exceptional strength very

likely.”

 

Chilo spoke thus only to rouse Croton’s ambition.

 

“That is true,” said Vinicius; “I have not seen him, but they tell me

that he can take a bull by the horns and drag him wherever he pleases.”

 

“Oi!” exclaimed Chilo, who had not imagined that Ursus was so strong.

But Croton laughed, from contempt. “I undertake, worthy lord,” said he,

“to bear away with this hand whomever thou shalt point out to me, and

with this other defend myself against seven such Lygians, and bring the

maiden to thy dwelling though all the Christians in Rome were pursuing

me like Calabrian wolves. If not, I will let myself be beaten with

clubs in this impluvium.”

 

“Do not permit that, lord,” cried Chilo. “They will hurl stones at us,

and what could his strength effect? Is it not better to take the girl

from the house,—not expose thyself or her to destruction?”

 

“This is true, Croton,” said Vinicius.

 

“I receive thy money, I do thy will! But remember, lord, that tomorrow

I go to Beneventum.”

 

“I have five hundred slaves in the city,” answered Vinicius.

 

He gave them a sign to withdraw, went to the library himself, and

sitting down wrote the following words to Petronius,—

 

“The Lygian has been found by Chilo. I go this evening with him and

Croton to Ostrianum, and shall carry her off from the house to-night or

tomorrow. May the gods pour down on thee everything favorable. Be

well, O carissime! for joy will not let me write further.”

 

Laying aside the reed then, he began to walk with quick step; for

besides delight, which was overflowing his soul, he was tormented with

fever. He said to himself that tomorrow Lygia would be in that house.

He did not know how to act with her, but felt that if she would love him

he would be her servant. He recalled Acte’s assurance that he had been

loved, and that moved him to the uttermost. Hence it would be merely a

question of conquering a certain maiden modesty, and a question of

certain ceremonies which Christian teaching evidently commanded. But if

that were true, Lygia, when once in his house, would yield to persuasion

or superior force; she would have to say to herself, “It has happened!”

and then she would be amiable and loving.

 

But Chilo appeared and interrupted the course of these pleasant

thoughts. “Lord,” said the Greek, “this is what has come to my head.

Have not the Christians signs, ‘passwords,’ without which no one will be

admitted to Ostrianum? I know that it is so in houses of prayer, and I

have received those passwords from Euricius; permit me then to go to

him, lord, to ask precisely, and receive the needful signs.”

 

“Well, noble sage,” answered Vinicius, gladly; “thou speakest as a man

of forethought, and for that praise belongs to thee. Thou wit go, then,

to Euricius, or whithersoever it may please thee; but as security thou

wilt leave on this table here that purse which thou hast received from

me.”

 

Chilo, who always parted with money unwillingly, squirmed; still he

obeyed the command and went out. From the Carinæ to the Circus, near

which was the little shop of Euricius, it was not very far; hence he

returned considerably before evening.

 

“Here are the signs, lord. Without them they would not admit us. I

have inquired carefully about the road. I told Euricius that I needed

the signs only for my friends; that I would not go myself, since it was

too far for my advanced age; that, moreover, I should see the Great

Apostle myself tomorrow, and he would repeat to me the choicest parts

of his sermon.”

 

“How! Thou wilt not be there? Thou must go!” said Vinicius.

 

“I know that I must; but I will go well hooded, and I advise thee to go

in like manner, or we may frighten the birds.”

 

In fact they began soon to prepare, for darkness had come on the world.

They put on Gallic cloaks with hoods, and took lanterns; Vinicius,

besides, armed himself and his companions with short, curved knives;