Hypatia - or New Foes with an Old Face

ith his hosts, the Goths, had

tley crowd of foreigners, the hubbub of all dialects from the Crimea to Cadiz, the vast piles of merchandise, and heaps of wheat, lying unsheltered in that rainless air, the huge bulk of the corn-ships lading for Rome, whose tall sides rose story over story, like floating palaces, above the buildings of some inner dock-these sights, and a hundred more, made the young monk think that the world did not look at first sight a thing to be despised. In front of heaps of fruit, fresh from the market-boats, black groups o

bled on to the steps of the slip; 'you are not

id old Wulf. 'I saved y

turned and

onk, and

nywhere. I will ma

already that he should have ten times more need of the said weapons in Alexandria than ever he had had in the de

Why did you not let us have our will with him, Prince W

, thrown with practised aim, whistled right for Philammon's head-he had just ti

and the custom-house officers, and other constables and catchpolls of the harbour, rushe

! we're only Goths; and on a

name the whole posse comitatus tried to look unconcerned, and found sudde

heart on any man yet,' he growled to himself in an under voice, 'but what he disappoi

unwillingly to do so, as hastily as he could, and found Pelagia and her gigantic lover just entering a palanquin. With downcas

ch beautiful Greek-true Athenian. It is quite delightful

ld; I recollect-t

ked Pelagi

d a great battle there-and

paused.... 'How strange! Gi

if we did say it in a joke,'

see us. I have something t

tone, and if he did not shrink back, gave some invo

ut nonsense? Come and see me. It may be better for you. I live in-' and she named a fashionable street, w

led the Amal from within the palanquin.

and ankle, and, like the Parthian, send a random arrow as she retreated. But the dart was lost on Philammon, who had been already hustled away by the bevy of lau

ket of fruit at his feet, was sunning himself on a baulk of timber, meditatively chewing the papyrus-cane, and examining the strange

es

he monks; you won't go

ht direction; what is your grud

real spark in the body of a porter. Therefore, youth,' continued the little man, starting up upon his baulk like an excited monkey, and stretching out one oratorio paw, 'I bear a treble hatred to the monkish tribe. First, as a man and a husband;.... for as for the smiles of beauty, or otherwise,-such as I have, I have; and the monks, if they had their wicked will, would leave neither men nor women in the world. Sir, they would exterminate the human

half laughing, 'who has bee

ntangled herd. She revealed to me the glorious fact, that I am a spark of Divinity itself. A fallen star, I am, sir!' continued he, pensively, stroking his lean stomach-'a fallen star!-fallen, if the dignity of philosophy will allow of the simile, among the hogs of the lower world-indeed, even into the hog-bucket it

hreaded their way through the great Moon-gate into the ample street beyond, drove everything from his mind but wondering curiosity, and a vague, helpless dread of that great living wilderness, more terrible than any dead wilderness of sand which he had left behind. Already he longed for the repose, the silence of the Laura-for faces which knew him and smiled upon him; but it was too late to turn back o

vast semicircle of blue sea, ringed with palaces and towers....He stopped involuntarily; and his little guide stop

n above our heads? Or that Caesareum on our right here? Look at those obelisks before it!' And he pointed upwards to those two world-famous ones, one of which still lies on its ancient site, as Cleopatra's Needle. 'Look up! look up, I say, and feel small-very small indeed! Did Christians raise them, or engrave them from base to point with the wisdom of the ancients? Did Christians build that Museum next to it, or design its statues and its frescoes-now, alas! re-echoing no more to the hummings of the Attic bee? Di

of the later Roman, and here and there an imitation of the grand elephantine style of old Egypt, its gaudy colours relieving, while they deepened, the effect of its massive and simple outlines; the eternal repose of that great belt of stone contrasting with the restless ripple of the glittering harbour, and the busy sails which crowded out into the sea beyond, like white doves taking their flight into boundless space?-all dazzled, overpowered, saddened him.... This was the world.... Was i

ollected his errand, and again aske

little man, leading the way round the great fro

ew masonry in the pediment, or

this a

eum, 'is the last haunt of the Muses-the lecture-room of Hypatia, the school of my unworthiness. And here,' stopping at the door of a splendid house on the opposite side of the street, 'is the residence of that blest favourite of Athene-Neith, as the barbarians of Egypt would de

s the archbi

ace: four hundred columns of marble, now ruined

ow far

les; near the g

te by which we entered th

now your way back, havi

eize the little fellow by the throat, and knock his h

heathen villain, that you have taken

have done with a good purpose. First, politically, or according to practical wisdom-in order that you, not I, might carry the basket. Next, philosophically, or according to the intuitions of the pure reason-in order that you migh

e mov

nic, and held him in a gripe from which the little

ce. You shall go back with me, and show me e

ably. Indeed, the base necessities of the hog-bucket side of existence co

ent back

hom he had been introduced, though only in name, let psychologists tell, but certainly, after he

Hypatia, of whom

of Alexandria! In wit, Athene; Hera

they?' aske

of boundless pity and contempt, and was in the act of walking off in the ecst

s, giver of wisdom. Hera, spouse of Zeus, queen of the Celestials.

ue and wonderful person in the mind of his little guide; and therefore asked the

friend of th

hird fingers, and extending it playfully towards Philammon, performed therewith certain mysterious signals, the effect

e individual, to the contemplation of the universal.... Aha!-Here is something wor

he patriar

he solace of the earthworn drudge; in a word, the theatre; which your patriarch, if he could, would convert to-morrow into a-but the philosopher must not revile. Ah! I see the prefect's apparitors at the gate. He is making the polity, as we call it here; the dispositions; settling, in short, the bill of fare for the day, in compliance with

oar arose within, a rush outward of the m

ny voices. 'A Jewish calu

at butcher, who looked as ready to fell a man as an ox. 'He was al

you flog my boys, Master Hierax? how can you expect them to learn if they are not flo

plainly a

how could he prophesy if he

d tortured in the theatre!' thundered a wild hermit, hi

derers! Down with heathen tyrants!'-And the mob, reinforced as if by magic by hundreds fro

calm, though he was fairly off his legs, and hanging between heav

hem and their sabbath, they are always rioting on Saturdays about

ead. Ahem! sectarian differ

speaker, as a sudden opening of the mob let hi

reached the front ranks, where tall gates of open ironwork barred all farther progress, but left a full view of the tragedy which was enacti

on the turbulent mob of Alexandria, with its patriarch, clergy, saints, and churches, and promises to each and all outside, that their turn would come next;

ews, and the watchword which followed it, passed outwards through the crowd, they wheeled round as one man, and poured through s

nded breathless in a quadrangle of mean and new buildings, overhung by the four hundred stately columns of the ruined Serapeium. The grass was already growing on the ruined capitals and architra

ob, was beckoned by him into a corridor, and up a flight of stairs, and into a large, low, mean room, and there, by virtue of the world-wide freemasonry which Ch

through which Philammon could hear plainly the steps

heir own head! It is not enough for them to blaspheme God and His church, to have the monopoly of all the cheating, fo

es' time,' suggested a softer

so to me, and more also, if I do not use that power. To-morrow I sweep out this Au

nt, however righteous, mig

ndria if they would do as much for him! And then to play them off against me and mine, to bring religion into contempt by setting the mob together by the ears, and to end with

holiness?' asked th

pressor of the poor, and a favourer of the philosophy which despises and en

as he seemed to be, hastily lifted the curtain, and somewhat sharply demanded his business. The names of Pambo and Arsenius, however, seemed to pac

ard, and of the few curling locks which the tonsure had spared. But the height and majesty of his figure, the stern and massive beauty of his features, the flashing eye, curling lip, and projecting brow-all marked him as one born to command. As the

If so you have also learned to rule. Your father-abbot ha

I w

at window, then, and

s to obey, and not take measurements. There was a flower in the vase upon the sill. He quietly remov

hall not be afraid now for the se

it a great pity that the young man had not been allowed to

ld. Perhaps you have see

the m

mercy it can deal out. You would not dislike to see God's reprisals to man's tyrann

avenge

zekiel into the inner chambers of the devil's temple, and you will see worse things than these-women weeping for Thammuz; be

rabbis of the accursed nation are below, at your summons

forget you. Bring them up. Peter, take this youth, introduce him to

ompus is especiall

ghten them: let us see whether Cyril cannot; then an hour to look over the hospital accounts; an hour for the schools; a half-hour for the reserved cases of distress; and another half-hour for myself; and then divine service. See that the boy is there. Do bring in every one in their turn, Peter mine. So much time goes in hunting for this man and that

pulation, close to the great food-exporting harbour of the world. Among these, fiercely perhaps, and fanatically, but still among them and for them, laboured those district visitors night and day. And so Philammon toiled away with them, carrying food and clothing, helping sick to the hospital, and dead to the burial; cleaning out the infected houses-for the fever was all but perennial in those quarters-and comforting the dying with the good news of forgiveness from above; till the larg

once round the theatre; Cyril standing at an open window, cursing frightfully, and pelting him with flower-pots; and a similar self-sown after-crop of his day's impressions; when he was awakened by t

mped up to ask the news from the deacons and monks who were hurrying along the corridor outside.... 'Yes, Alexander's church was on fire;' an

and walls, and shining roofs, hung back a moment. That hesitation probably saved his life; for in an instant he saw a dark figure spring out of the shadow, a long knife f

and corners and joined, or seem to join, the pursuit. Suddenly, however, after running a hundred yards, they drew up opposite the

hose fellows

moved out into the middle of the street, and received the fugitives into their ranks. What was the mean

out to see the world, and I seem, at thi

; while Philammon, considering discretion the better part o

ed mob at the en

, advancing stealthily, and the whole party took to flight, led once more by Peter, who seemed det

a foot's pace; but he had not gone a dozen yards

ere to be murdered! I am a Chri

nd a comely negro-woman, weeping, and shive

ey tore my shawl and tunic off me before I could get away from them; and then our own people ran over me and trod

orway, where her colour hid her well enough, and had just time to ensconce himself behind a pillar, when the foremost pursuer reached him. He held his breath in fearful suspense. Should he be seen? He would not die without a struggle at least. No! the fellow ran on, panting. But in a minute more, another came up, saw him suddenly, and sprang aside startled. That start saved Philammon. Quick as a cat, he leapt upon him, felled him to the earth with a single blow, tore the dagger from his hand, and sprang to his feet again just in time to strike his new weapon full into the third pursuer's face.

over to the poor negress, considering them fairly enough as his own by right of conquest; but, lo and behold! as she was overwhelming him with thanks, a fresh mob poured into the street from the upper end, and were close on them before they were aware .... A flush of terror and d

ou here? A prisoner? And we have another. He ran right into our arms up the

el.' Whereon the two worthies were speedily tied together by the elbows; and the part

d from death. Instead of thinking her ungrateful for not staying to tell what he had done for her, he was thankful to her for having saved his blushes, by disappearing so opportunely.... And he longed to tell her so-to know if she was hurt-to-Oh, Philammon! only four days from the Laura, and a whole regiment of women acquainta

ntre, who, hauled, cuffed, questioned, and cursed by twenty self-elected inquisitors at once, thought

ng figures poured across the road, dropped their spear-butts on the pavement with a single rattle, and remained

asked Philammo

an soldiers,' answere

s close as he dared.... And these were Roman soldiers!-the conquerors of the world!-the men whose name had thrilled him from his childhood w

officer, as he took him to be, from the gold ornaments on his helmet and cuirass,

re you not quietly in your be

' answered Philammon, thinking

h the b

are murdering

en. Turn in, men,

ampling and jingling, into the dark jaws of the guardhouse-gate, while

who make and unmake kings and Caesars!' 'Only a riot!' He, and the corps of district visitors-whom he fancied the most august body on earth-and Alexander's church, Christians murdered by Jews, persecution of the Catholic faith, and all the rest of it, was simply, then, not worth the notice of those forty men, alone and secure in the sense of

nswer, she shut the blinds, leaving them to halt, inquire, discover gradually and piecemeal, after the method of mobs, they had been following the nature of mobs; that no one had seen the church on fire, or seen any one else who had seen the same, or even seen any light in the sky in any quarter, or knew who raised the cry; or-or-in short, Alexander's church was two miles off; if it was on fire, it was either burnt down or saved by this time; if not, the night-air was, to say the l

aken in-that Alexander's church had never been on fire at all-that the Jews had murdered a thousand Christians at least, though three dead bodies, including the poor priest who lay in the house within, were all of the thousand who had yet been seen-and that the whole Jews' quarter was marching upon them. At which news it was considered advisable to retreat into the arch

eager heads; while Peter rushed downstairs to heat the large coppers, having some experience in the defensive virtues

while you have been snoring!'-and a volley of similar ejaculations, greeted the soldiers as they passed, and were

ctly well that the unarmed ecclesiastics within were not to be trifled with, and

and might have continued till daylight, had not a window in the courtyard

reak. The superiors of the parabolani are to come up to

y others, in the great man's presence: he was sitting at

and having outrun me, was attacked by the prisoners,' sai

ologetically, 'and I was forced to take this one's

d, and shoo

u not read, "If a man smite thee on

ay, as Master Peter

way, eh? my w

his blandest tone, "If they persecute

'And why could not

as a-a poor black woman, wounded and trodden down, and I

. I shall remember th

t.-Stay, I think

. Peter, thou shalt go to her to-morrow with the physician, and see if she is in need of anything. Boy, thou hast done well. Cyril never forgets. Now bring up those J

ght in, but kept a

e, 'that they have each of them rings o

n! An evident conspir

you rascals? Answer me,

in Alexandria is mine, if the kingdom of God means anything; and you shall find it out. I shall not argue with you, my good friends, anymore than I did with your Rabbi

worthies w

istribute them to trusty and godly Catholics in your districts. Wait one hour, till the city

holiness?' asked

ree plunder of the Jews' quarter, outrage and murder only forbidden. As I have said it, God

he next hour over the hall fire, eating millet cakes, drinking bad beer, likening Cyril to Barak, Gideon, Samso

to follow them, wh

y. Lie down here and sleep in the anteroom. Three hours hence

r, and slumbered like a child, till he was awak

n greater than Barak the son of Abinoam, not wit

Church has her organisation, her unity, her common cause, her watchwords, such as the tyrants of the earth, in their weakness and their

r you!' shoute

gdom of God.' An

lammon's first d