Vergilius: A Tale of the Coming of Christ

f the capital. Cries of venders, ribald songs, shouts of revelry, the hurrying of many feet roused the good people who, wearied

e palace of his countryman. The service at his table had not pleased the prince. Leaping from his couch, he struck d

nius, who had just entered the palace of his friend, came into the banquet-hall. H

I see a friend," he muttered

ll-cord that shone against th

," he whispered, tur

now in a gloomy passage between walls of marble. Antipater halted, presently, and tap

hispered, "are you

a

you swear

d

te marble and lighted by candles. A bearded Jew, in a

present the noble Man

God be upon thee," sai

ny gods on thee," sa

usa

rom Dam

her side of the room, and then bade them recline b

ws of our plan," said

priest. "Our council i

said Manius. "He will not

me that my f

eird wail from the Arab dying on a cro

aths a day,"

us," Antipater answered. "He t

or mercy found its way to his ear. It seemed to mock

, rushing to the door and flinging i

rned to B

ing of that slave?" he whi

s written, 'Thy spirit shall be as the candle of the Lord,

ents Antipat

ng his place at the table. "I was saying to you, good Manius, that m

swered; "a man's mercy to him

u?" said Antipater

mercy, but a risky ente

aid the treacherous son of Herod. "You love him not

palace until Antipater spoke, a tiger look in his face again. "Put the lance into him, my

and as silence came he add

oke for a

e went on, addressing his friends now and hiding his claws wi

y making those playful and caressing movements on the floor. And there came to the

, with inner smiles that

ervants of

our own

and aurei; and you, Manius, shall command the forces on land and sea,

us, an overwhelming

igue with motives of patriotism, and now, although suspicio

The couriers who bring to Rome news of my father's death-bid them hurry and take with them, also, word of the illness of that dog Vergilius. After t

hers n

a friend shall have no enemies. Hold, let me think. That old fox on the hill yonder has a thousand eyes and his ears are everywhere. Not a word, Manius, after we leave this door. In yon passage turn to the right. Walk until your

ed across the inner hall of his palace and fl

ch came near h

s paw, his hand struck the cushions in front of him. As he lay blinking drowsily, his chi

ed the great king of prophetic promise-of the fury of armies, of the stenc