Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero Read online

  Chapter XIX

  BARELY had Vinicius finished reading when Chilo pushed quietly into hislibrary, unannounced by any one, for the servants had the order to admithim at every hour of the day or night.

  "May the divine mother of thy magnanimous ancestor AEneas be full offavor to thee, as the son of Maia was kind to me."

  "What dost thou mean?" asked Vinicius, springing from the table at whichhe was sitting.

  Chilo raised his head and said, "Eureka!"

  The young patrician was so excited that for a long time he could notutter a word.

  "Hast thou seen her?" asked he, at last.

  "I have seen Ursus, lord, and have spoken with him."

  "Dost thou know where they are secreted?"

  "No, lord. Another, through boastfulness, would have let the Lygian knowthat he divined who he was; another would have tried to extort from himthe knowledge of where he lived, and would have received either astroke of the fist,--after which all earthly affairs would have becomeindifferent to him,--or he would have roused the suspicion of the giantand caused this,--that a new hiding-place would be found for the girl,this very night perhaps. I did not act thus. It suffices me to know thatUrsus works near the Emporium, for a miller named Demas, the same nameas that borne by thy freedman; now any trusted slave of thine may go inthe morning on his track, and discover their hiding place. I bring theemerely the assurance that, since Ursus is here, the divine Lygia alsois in Rome, and a second news that she will be in Ostrianum to-night,almost certainly--"

  "In Ostrianum? Where is that?" interrupted Vinicius, wishing evidentlyto run to the place indicated.

  "An old hypogeum between the Viae Salaria and Nomentana. That pontifexmaximus of the Christians, of whom I spoke to thee, and whom theyexpected somewhat later, has come, and to-night he will teach andbaptize in that cemetery. They hide their religion, for, though thereare no edicts to prohibit it as yet, the people hate them, so they mustbe careful. Ursus himself told me that all, to the last soul, would bein Ostrianum to-night, for every one wishes to see and hear him who wasthe foremost disciple of Christ, and whom they call Apostle. Since amongthem women hear instruction as well as men, Pomponia alone perhaps ofwomen will not be there; she could not explain to Aulus, a worshipper ofthe ancient gods, her absence from home at night. But Lygia, lord, whois under the care of Ursus and the Christian elders, will go undoubtedlywith other women."

  Vinicius, who had lived hitherto in a fever, and upheld as it were,by hope alone, now that his hope seemed fulfilled felt all at once theweakness that a man feels after a journey which has proved beyond hisstrength. Chilo noticed this, and resolved to make use of it.

  "The gates are watched, it is true, by thy people, and the Christiansmust know that. But they do not need gates. The Tiber, too, does notneed them; and though it is far from the river to those roads, it isworth while to walk one road more to see the 'Great Apostle.' Moreoverthey may have a thousand ways of going beyond the walls, and I know thatthey have. In Ostrianum thou wilt find Lygia; and even should she not bethere, which I will not admit, Ursus will be there, for he has promisedto kill Glaucus. He told me himself that he would be there, and that hewould kill him. Dost hear, noble tribune? Either thou wilt follow Ursusand learn where Lygia dwells, or thou wilt command thy people to seizehim as a murderer, and, having him in thy hand, thou wilt make himconfess where he has hidden Lygia. I have done my best! Another wouldhave told thee that he had drunk ten cantars of the best wine with Ursusbefore he wormed the secret out of him; another would have told theethat he had lost a thousand sestertia to him in scriptoe duodecim, orthat he had bought the intelligence for two thousand; I know that thouwouldst repay me doubly, but in spite of that, once in my life--I mean,as always in my life--I shall be honest, for I think, as the magnanimousPetronius says, that thy bounty exceeds all my hopes and expectations."

  Vinicius, who was a soldier and accustomed not only to take counsel ofhimself in all cases, but to act, was overcome by a momentary weaknessand said,--"Thou wilt not deceive thyself as to my liberality, but firstthou wilt go with me to Ostrianum."

  "I, to Ostrianum?" inquired Chilo, who had not the least wish to gothere. "I, noble tribune, promised thee to point out Lygia, but I didnot promise to take her away for thee. Think, lord, what would happento me if that Lygian bear, when he had torn Glaucus to pieces, shouldconvince himself straightway that he had torn him not altogether justly?Would he not look on me (of course without reason) as the cause of theaccomplished murder? Remember, lord, that the greater philosopher a manis, the more difficult it is for him to answer the foolish questionsof common people; what should I answer him were he to ask me why Icalumniated Glaucus? But if thou suspect that I deceive thee, I say, payme only when I point out the house in which Lygia lives; show me to-dayonly a part of thy liberality, so that if thou, lord (which may all thegods ward from thee), succumb to some accident, I shall not be entirelywithout recompense. Thy heart could not endure that."

  Vinicius went to a casket called "area," standing on a marble pedestal,and, taking out a purse, threw it to Chilo.

  "There are scrupula," said he; "when Lygia shall be in my house, thouwilt get the same full of aurei."

  "Thou art Jove!" exclaimed Chilo.

  But Vinicius frowned.

  "Thou wilt receive food here," said he; "then thou mayest rest. Thouwilt not leave this house till evening, and when night falls thou wiltgo with me to Ostrianum."

  Fear and hesitation were reflected on the Greek's face for a time; butafterward he grew calm, and said,--"Who can oppose thee, lord! Receivethese my words as of good omen, just as our great hero received wordslike them in the temple of Ammon. As to me, these 'scruples'" (herehe shook the purse) "have outweighed mine, not to mention thy society,which for me is delight and happiness."

  Vinicius interrupted him impatiently, and asked for details of hisconversation with Ursus. From them it seemed clear that either Lygia'shiding-place would be discovered that night, or he would be able toseize her on the road back from Ostrianum. At thought of this, Viniciuswas borne away by wild delight. Now, when he felt clearly sure offinding Lygia, his anger against her, and his feeling of offence almostvanished. In return for that delight he forgave her every fault. Hethought of her only as dear and desired, and he had the same impressionas if she were returning after a long journey. He wished to summon hisslaves and command them to deck the house with garlands. In that hourhe had not a complaint against Ursus, even. He was ready to forgive allpeople everything. Chilo, for whom, in spite of his services, he hadfelt hitherto a certain repulsion, seemed to him for the first time anamusing and also an uncommon person. His house grew radiant; hiseyes and his face became bright. He began again to feel youth and thepleasure of life. His former gloomy suffering had not given him yet asufficient measure of how he loved Lygia. He understood this now for thefirst time, when he hoped to possess her. His desires woke in him, asthe earth, warmed by the sun, wakes in spring; but his desires this timewere less blind and wild, as it were, and more joyous and tender. Hefelt also within himself energy without bounds, and was convinced thatshould he but see Lygia with his own eyes, all the Christians on earthcould not take her from him, nor could Caesar himself.

  Chilo, emboldened by the young tribune's delight, regained power ofspeech and began to give advice. According to him, it behooved Viniciusnot to look on the affair as won, and to observe the greatest caution,without which all their work might end in nothing. He implored Viniciusnot to carry off Lygia from Ostrianum. They ought to go there with hoodson their heads, with their faces hidden, and restrict themselves tolooking at all who were present from some dark corner. When they sawLygia, it would be safest to follow her at a distance, see what houseshe entered, surround it next morning at daybreak, and take her away inopen daylight. Since she was a hostage and belonged specially to Caesar,they might do that without fear of law. In the event of not finding herin Ostrianum they could follow Ursus, and the result would be thesame. To go to the cemeter
y with a crowd of attendants wasimpracticable,--that might draw attention to them easily; then theChristians need only put out the lights, as they did when she wasintercepted, and scatter in the darkness, or betake themselves to placesknown 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, recallingPetronius's counsel, commanded his slaves to bring Croton. Chilo, whoknew every one in Rome, was set at rest notably when he heard the nameof the famous athlete, whose superhuman strength in the arena hehad wondered at more than once, and he declared that he would go toOstrianum. The purse filled with great aurei seemed to him much easierof 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 mastera miraculous ointment. The worst horse, if rubbed on the hoofs with it,would leave every other far behind. A certain Christian had taught himhow to prepare that ointment, for the Christian elders were far moreskilled in enchantment and miracles than even the Thessalians, thoughThessaly was renowned for its witches. The Christians had immenseconfidence in him--why, any one easily understands who knows what a fishmeans. While speaking he looked sharply at the eyes of the slaves, inthe hope of discovering a Christian among them and informing Vinicius.But when the hope failed him, he fell to eating and drinking uncommonquantities, not sparing praises on the cook, and declaring that he wouldendeavor to buy him of Vinicius. His joyfulness was dimmed only by thethought that at night he must go to Ostrianum. He comforted himself,however, as he would go in disguise, in darkness, and in the companyof two men, one of whom was so strong that he was the idol of Rome; theother a patrician, a man of high dignity in the army. "Even should theydiscover Vinicius," said he to himself, "they will not dare to raise ahand on him; as to me, they will be wise if they see the tip of my noseeven."

  He fell then to recalling his conversation with the laborer; and therecollection of that filled him again with delight. He had not the leastdoubt that that laborer was Ursus. He knew of the uncommon strengthof the man, from the narratives of Vinicius, and those who had broughtLygia from Caesar's palace. When he inquired of Euricius touching men ofexceptional strength, there was nothing remarkable in this, that theypointed out Ursus. Then the confusion and rage of the laborer at mentionof Vinicius and Lygia left him no doubt that those persons concerned himparticularly; the laborer had mentioned also his penance for killing aman,--Ursus had killed Atacinus; finally, the appearance of the laboreranswered perfectly to the account which Vinicius had given of theLygian. The change of name was all that could provoke doubt, but Chiloknew that frequently Christians took new names at baptism.

  "Should Ursus kill Glaucus," said Chilo to himself, "that will be betterstill; but should he not kill him, that will be a good sign, for it willshow how difficult it is for Christians to murder. I described Glaucusas a real son of Judas, and a traitor to all Christians; I was soeloquent that a stone would have been moved, and would have promised tofall on the head of Glaucus. Still I hardly moved that Lygian bear toput his paw on him. He hesitated, was unwilling, spoke of his penanceand compunction. Evidently murder is not common among them. Offencesagainst one's self must be forgiven, and there is not much freedom intaking revenge for others. Ergo, stop! think, Chilo, what can threatenthee? Glaucus is not free to avenge himself on thee. If Ursus will notkill 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 ofbetraying one Christian. Moreover, when I have once pointed out to thisardent wood-pigeon the nest of that turtle-dove, I will wash my hands ofeverything, and transfer myself to Naples. The Christians talk, also, ofa kind of washing of the hands; that is evidently a method by which, ifa man has an affair with them, he may finish it decisively. What goodpeople these Christians are, and how ill men speak of them! O God! suchis the justice of this world. But I love that religion, since it doesnot permit killing; but if it does not permit killing, it certainly doesnot permit stealing, deceit, or false testimony; hence I will not saythat it is easy. It teaches, evidently, not only to die honestly, as theStoics teach, but to live honestly also. If ever I have property anda house, like this, and slaves in such numbers as Vinicius, perhaps Ishall be a Christian as long as may be convenient. For a rich man canpermit himself everything, even virtue. This is a religion for therich; hence I do not understand how there are so many poor among itsadherents. What good is it for them, and why do they let virtue tietheir hands? I must think over this sometime. Meanwhile praise to thee,Hermes! for helping me discover this badger. But if thou hast done sofor 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 foreseethat thou wilt get nothing! I will offer thee my gratitude; and if thouprefer two beasts to it, thou art the third beast thyself, and in thebest 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, andthen all will cease to bring thee offerings. It is safer to be on goodterms with philosophers."

  Speaking thus to himself and to Hermes, he stretched on the sofa, puthis mantle under his head, and was sleeping when the slave removed thedishes. He woke,--or rather they roused him,--only at the coming ofCroton. He went to the atrium, then, and began to examine with pleasurethe form of the trainer, an ex-gladiator, who seemed to fill the wholeplace with his immensity. Croton had stipulated as to the price of thetrip, and was just speaking to Vinicius.

  "By Hercules! it is well, lord," said he, "that thou hast sent to-dayfor me, since I shall start to-morrow for Beneventum, whither the nobleVatinius has summoned me to make a trial, in presence of Caesar, of acertain Syphax, the most powerful negro that Africa has ever produced.Dost thou imagine, lord, how his spinal column will crack in my arms, orhow besides I shall break his black jaw with my fist?"

  "By Pollux! Croton, I am sure that thou wilt do that," answeredVinicius.

  "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 thylimbs with olive oil to-day, my Hercules, and gird thyself, for knowthis, you mayst meet a real Cacus. The man who is guarding that girl inwhom the worthy Vinicius takes interest, has exceptional strength verylikely."

  Chilo spoke thus only to rouse Croton's ambition.

  "That is true," said Vinicius; "I have not seen him, but they tell methat 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, andwith this other defend myself against seven such Lygians, and bring themaiden to thy dwelling though all the Christians in Rome were pursuingme like Calabrian wolves. If not, I will let myself be beaten with clubsin 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 girlfrom 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 to-morrowI 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, andsitting down wrote the following words to Petronius,--

  "The Lygian has been found by Chilo. I go this evening with him andCroton to Ostrianum, and shall carry her off from the house to-night orto-morrow. 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; forbesides delight, which was overflowing his soul, he was tormented withfever. He said to himself that to-morrow Lygia w
ould be in that house.He did not know how to act with her, but felt that if she would love himhe would be her servant. He recalled Acte's assurance that he had beenloved, and that moved him to the uttermost. Hence it would be merelya question of conquering a certain maiden modesty, and a question ofcertain ceremonies which Christian teaching evidently commanded. But ifthat were true, Lygia, when once in his house, would yield to persuasionor 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 pleasantthoughts. "Lord," said the Greek, "this is what has come to my head.Have not the Christians signs, 'passwords,' without which no one will beadmitted to Ostrianum? I know that it is so in houses of prayer, andI have received those passwords from Euricius; permit me then to go tohim, lord, to ask precisely, and receive the needful signs."

  "Well, noble sage," answered Vinicius, gladly; "thou speakest as a manof forethought, and for that praise belongs to thee. Thou wit go, then,to Euricius, or whithersoever it may please thee; but as security thouwilt leave on this table here that purse which thou hast received fromme."

  Chilo, who always parted with money unwillingly, squirmed; still heobeyed the command and went out. From the Carinae to the Circus, nearwhich was the little shop of Euricius, it was not very far; hence hereturned considerably before evening.

  "Here are the signs, lord. Without them they would not admit us. I haveinquired carefully about the road. I told Euricius that I needed thesigns only for my friends; that I would not go myself, since it was toofar for my advanced age; that, moreover, I should see the Great Apostlemyself to-morrow, and he would repeat to me the choicest parts of hissermon."

  "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 goin 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;Chilo put on a wig, which he obtained on the way from the old man'sshop, and they went out, hurrying so as to reach the distant NomentanGate before it was closed.