The Story of the Odyssey

g. The donative promised by Constantine on the day of his election had been paid, but this had been done only after the great

uestion, which had to be answered in some way within a few days. If it was not so answered, it was tolerably plain that Constantine would meet the fate of Marcus and Gratianus. The Emperor himself (if we are to give him this title) seemed to be very little troubled by the prospect, and remained stolidly calm. His elevation indeed had made the least possible difference to him. He drank a better kind of wine, and perhaps a little more-for his cups had been limited by his means-but he did not run into excess. He was still the same simple, contented, good-natured man that he had always been. But

ons, and three of the officers of highest rank were presen

gan the d

, or it will find mischief to do at ho

"who may have something to say which will influence your decision. He is from Ie

nstantine, with his usua

ed gold. Massive rings of the same metal adorned his fingers. His dress was of undyed wool, and very rudely shaped, a curious contrast to the richness of his ornaments. He was followed into the room by an interpreter, a young native of Northern Britain, who had been carried off by Irish pirates from one of the ecclesiastical schools. He had been taught Latin before his captivity, and, while a captive, had made himself acquainted with the Irish language, which indeed did not differ very much from that spoken in Britain.26 His task of interpreter was not by any means an easy one to fulfil. The Prince broke out into a rapid torr

ied off from Britain. The quarrel had come to blows. All the nation had been divided into parties in the dispute. Finally he had been compelled by his ungrateful subjects to fly for his life. Would the Emperor bring him back? He was liberal, even extravagant, in his offers. He would bring the whole island under his dominion. (As a matter of fact, his dominions had never reached more than seventy miles inland, and he had contrived to make hi

hristian?" a

d been one of the causes of his expulsion. He was, in fact, a savagely bigoted pagan, and had dealt very roughly with one or two missionaries who had

uld attain to that blessing. But I promise to be baptized myself, and to have every man, woman,

ht this zeal to be

?" asked the more practical Julian; "and what

aken aback at thes

all my treasures are yours

"that he has any subjects besides this wretched interpreter, o

raw?" said Juli

could avoid speaking, answered by a

s, and welcome, without our helping them. The men, too, would rebel at the bare mention of Ierne. It is out of t

"but it would be a great work to bring o

h zealous missionaries as you. I am afraid that preaching is not e

dition to chastise those thieving Pict

ggestion of one

to be got?" was

nswered th

rag that you can take from them, and they have a shrewd way of giving at least as many hard blows as

jesty," said an officer who had not spoken before. "We might

uncil had begun its sitting-"The Count is a good

roach to a conclusion, and the council broke up, but with an under

rred which convinced every one-if further convicti

which the men were throwing, when a javelin passed most perilously near his head and buried itself in the wood. It could not have been an accident; no one could have been so recklessly careless as to throw under the circumstances. Constantine was as imp

in th

t, and, as no conclusion was reached, continued on the next

hed by way of precaution. His dress was sober in cut and colour, and he had a small pack such as the wandering dealers in jewellery and similar light articles were accustomed to carry

something to tel

tranger, "but let me firs

ound his waist, a small square of parchment. It was a letter written in a minute but very clear hand, and it had evidently been put for the security of the bearer, who could thus more easily dispose of it in case

oths, Emperor of the World, to Marcus, Em

muttered to himself, "?'Marcus,' indeed! Those who write to the Emperor

to you who are, I understand, asserting against the common tyrant of the world the liberty of Britain and the West. I have not thought it fit to trust more to writing, but commend to you the bearer hereof, the afore

hy of his dignity. You are in the presence of th

ile. "My lord the king will treat as willingly wit

propose? What wo

with him against

ll we gai

e Empire of

hall t

our opportunity. What does it profit you to remain in this island, where nothing is to be won either of glory or of riches. Cross over into Gaul and Spain, which, wearied with oppression and desiring above

pe out of a situation that seemed hopeless, struck every one present with a delight

strength and temper of the forces in Gaul and Spain, about the feeling of the towns, and a hundred other matters, with all of which Atu

grumbled Constans; "obstinate A

2]Julian, "when you are Bishop of Rome. When we divi

d Constantine again, as

g