Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero Page 3

  Chapter III

  "SHE believes in God who is one, all-powerful, and just," saidPetronius, when he found himself again in the litter with Vinicius. "Ifher God is all-powerful, He controls life and death; and if He isjust, He sends death justly. Why, then, does Pomponia wear mourning forJulius? In mourning for Julius she blames her God. I must repeat thisreasoning to our Bronzebeard, the monkey, since I consider that indialectics I am the equal of Socrates. As to women, I agree that eachhas three or four souls, but none of them a reasoning one. Let Pomponiameditate with Seneca or Cornutus over the question of what their greatLogos is. Let them summon at once the shades of Xenophanes, Parmenides,Zeno, and Plato, who are as much wearied there in Cimmerian regions asa finch in a cage. I wished to talk with her and with Plautius aboutsomething else. By the holy stomach of the Egyptian Isis! If I had toldthem right out directly why we came, I suppose that their virtue wouldhave made as much noise as a bronze shield under the blow of a club.And I did not dare to tell! Wilt thou believe, Vinicius, I did not dare!Peacocks are beautiful birds, but they have too shrill a cry. I fearedan outburst. But I must praise thy choice. A real 'rosy-fingeredAurora.' And knowest thou what she reminded me of too?--Spring! not ourspring in Italy, where an apple-tree merely puts forth a blossom hereand there, and olive groves grow gray, just as they were gray before,but the spring which I saw once in Helvetia,--young, fresh, brightgreen. By that pale moon, I do not wonder at thee, Marcus; but know thatthou art loving Diana, because Aulus and Pomponia are ready to tear theeto pieces, as the dogs once tore Actaeon."

  Vinicius was silent a time without raising his head; then he began tospeak with a voice broken by passion,--"I desired her before, but now Idesire her still more. When I caught her arm, flame embraced me. Imust have her. Were I Zeus, I would surround her with a cloud, as hesurrounded Io, or I would fall on her in rain, as he fell on Danae; Iwould kiss her lips till it pained! I would hear her scream in my arms.I would kill Aulus and Pomponia, and bear her home in my arms. I willnot sleep to-night. I will give command to flog one of my slaves, andlisten to his groans--"

  "Calm thyself," said Petronius. "Thou hast the longing of a carpenterfrom the Subura."

  "All one to me what thou sayst. I must have her. I have turned to theefor aid; but if thou wilt not find it, I shall find it myself. Aulusconsiders Lygia as a daughter; why should I look on her as a slave? Andsince there is no other way, let her ornament the door of my house, lether anoint it with wolf's fat, and let her sit at my hearth as wife."

  "Calm thyself, mad descendant of consuls. We do not lead in barbariansbound behind our cars, to make wives of their daughters. Beware ofextremes. Exhaust simple, honorable methods, and give thyself and metime for meditation. Chrysothemis seemed to me too a daughter of Jove,and still I did not marry her, just as Nero did not marry Acte, thoughthey called her a daughter of King Attalus. Calm thyself! Think that ifshe wishes to leave Aulus for thee, he will have no right to detain her.Know also that thou art not burning alone, for Eros has roused in herthe flame too. I saw that, and it is well to believe me. Have patience.There is a way to do everything, but to-day I have thought too muchalready, and it tires me. But I promise that to-morrow I will think ofthy love, and unless Petronius is not Petronius, he will discover somemethod."

  They were both silent again.

  "I thank thee," said Vinicius at last. "May Fortune be bountiful tothee."

  "Be patient."

  "Whither hast thou given command to bear us?"

  "To Chrysothemis."

  "Thou art happy in possessing her whom thou lovest."

  "I? Dost thou know what amuses me yet in Chrysothemis? This, that she isfalse to me with my freedman Theokles, and thinks that I do notnotice it. Once I loved her, but now she amuses me with her lying andstupidity. Come with me to her. Should she begin to flirt with thee, andwrite letters on the table with her fingers steeped in wine, know that Ishall not be jealous."

  And he gave command to bear them both to Chrysothemis.

  But in the entrance Petronius put his hand on Vinicius's shoulder, andsaid,--"Wait; it seems to me that I have discovered a plan."

  "May all the gods reward thee!"

  "I have it! I judge that this plan is infallible. Knowest what, Marcus?"

  "I listen to thee, my wisdom."

  "Well, in a few days the divine Lygia will partake of Demeter's grain inthy house."

  "Thou art greater than Caesar!" exclaimed Vinicius with enthusiasm.