Vergilius: A Tale of the Coming of Christ

e great father of Rome, but only her lover,

unted a chair and stoo

ng," said he, as they turned to him. "Were my head a

father?" said A

have heard, to be rule

, little tyrant, an

smiling at the

cheeks red with blushes, her eyes upon

floor. "If the great king dared, I am sure he would cut off my head,

ove away." Her voice

t girl, to have so much

e. Then said the emperor: "B

and years!" s

nce appealed to all best in the heart of the o

, taking the arm of her lover and leadin

itted?" So spo

he company of my mother

ith not a jewel. Now she led her lover to a

they sat down; "tell me again-say to me again how you love me."

very moment I have seen your face-now glowing with happiness, now white and lovely with sorrow. And, dear, I love its sorrow-I confess to you that I love its sorrow better tha

her lips against his ear, the simple message: "I love you, I love you, I love you." Then: "But I forgot," said she, pushing him away, a note of fear in her voi

you forget?"

In some way it is-it is such a pity, I dare not suf

e, embracing her, "they

siu

islands of the blest and kn

to draw he

ou go. Indeed, I

, her hand caressing his brow. "I do love the feel

until-until you have

term is onl

he. "And although you were never to return, yet w

and sat thoughtful, he

h that little touch of sorrow in your face.

She stopped near the feet of Arria. It was her grandmother, the Lady Claudia, once a b

quickly, bowed low,

f my friend, when you w

were young you went a

art of war,"

other," said the girl,

ell me why it is that y

-let her

your hand. Then something in your eyes captured the heart of me-something better than beauty. It is th

udia rose and came and put her hands upon

llo's lyre. I thank the gods I have seen it all again. But you are going away to-morrow. Son of V

g knight. "'Tis for two years, so sa

re so are women. Last night I dreamed a wonderful dream of you two, and of a sweet, immortal love between men and women. S

e youth declared, his arm about Arria. "It

y," said the girl. "So much-it w

audia. "Who may say where it shall end?" She came near them as she spoke and offer

et it bear you up as I leave the palace. Promise you will not cry out. If you

id she, bravely, but with a

went away with sweet words, to return, if ever, hardened

r Vergilius, I will

, as he led her to the

time ago. Rest your

in your eyes. Let me s

go

er curls and let them

ith a sprig of vervai

ep," she repeated, her voice t

ve a queen. Her eyes followed him, and sud

eep," said she, brokenly. Aga

and glory, forget not

ssing her, "this hour shall

ttles and the praise of kin

t will be easy to remember. Let us be brave. I am

beyond all art, sublime indeed with love and sorrow and trustfulness and

me strong. See, dear love. Look at my face and see how brave I am." Her voice, now calm, had in it some power

turned and brought a lyre that lay on a table near them. She took it in her hands. Then it

prayer; he put all his soul into o

nquet-hall. "I can hear his voice," she wh

distant voices. She stilled her sobs and listened. She

hush fell. She ran to the white statue of the little god Eros, and