Volume I Part 8 (2/2)
He was silent, but Hildebrand bowed his head and kissed the hand which had killed Odoacer.
”These are my parting words to thee, my legacy and thanks for a whole life of fidelity. Now let us dedicate the remaining time to the Goths.
Come, a.s.sist me to rise, I cannot die amid these cus.h.i.+ons. There hang my weapons! Give them to me! No objections! I will, and I can!”
Hildebrand was obliged to obey. With his help the sick man rose, and threw a purple mantle over his shoulders, girded on his sword, set the low helmet-crown on his head, and supporting himself on the shaft of his heavy lance, leaned his back against the thick Doric column in the middle of the room.
”Now call my daughter, and Ca.s.siodorus, and whoever else may be outside.”
CHAPTER VII.
The King remained quietly standing, while Hildebrand threw back the curtains of the door on both sides, so that bed-chamber and ante-room now formed one undivided apartment. All those a.s.sembled outside--for many Goths and Romans had entered meanwhile--drew near to the King in astonished and reverent silence.
”My daughter,” said the King, ”are the letters written which are to announce my death and the succession of my grandchild to Byzantium?”
”Here they are,” answered Amalaswintha.
The King rapidly ran through the rolls of papyrus.
”To Emperor Justinus.--A second: to his nephew, Justinia.n.u.s. 'Tis true, he will soon wear the crown, and is already the master of his masters.
I see by the fine similes that Ca.s.siodorus has written these letters.
But hold!” A cloud pa.s.sed across his face. ”'Recommending my youth to your imperial protection!' Protection! That is too much. Alas! if ever you should be obliged to depend on the protection of Byzantium!
'Recommending myself to your _friends.h.i.+p_, is enough from the grandson of Theodoric.” And he gave the letters back. ”Still a third letter to Byzantium? To whom? 'To Theodora, the n.o.ble spouse of Justinia.n.u.s?'
What! to the dancer of the circus? To the shameless daughter of the lionkeeper?”
His eye flashed.
”She has great influence upon her husband,” interposed Ca.s.siodorus.
”No, no. My daughter shall write to no female who has dishonoured the name of her s.e.x.”
And he tore the roll of papyrus into pieces and threw them on the floor. Then, walking over the fragments, he advanced towards the Goths who stood in the middle of the hall.
”My brave Witichis, what will be thy office after my death?”
”I shall review our foot at Tridentum.”
”None could do it better! Never yet hast thou claimed the favour which was granted to thee beforehand, when thou wert victorious over the Gepidae. Hast thou no wish even now?”
”I _have_ a wish, my King.”
”At last!--that pleases me. Speak.”
”A poor jailer, for refusing to apply the torture and for striking at a lictor, is himself condemned to be put to the torture to-day. Sire, set the man free! To torture is shameful, and----
”The jailer is free; and from this moment torture is abolished in the kingdom of the Goths. Look to it, Ca.s.siodorus! Brave Witichis, give me thy hand. To show to all how much I honour thee, I bequeath thee Wallada, my chestnut charger, in remembrance of this parting hour. And if ever thou art in danger, or--” here he lowered his voice, ”would avoid it, whisper my name into the horse's ear. Who will watch over Neapolis? Duke Thulun was too rough. Those gay people must be won by gentle looks.”
”Yes. Young Totila will be Count of the Harbour there,” answered Ca.s.siodorus.
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