Volume I Part 35 (1/2)
”Which _did_ belong. Your predecessor, Zeno, ceded the West to Theodoric and his Goths when they had overthrown the usurper Odoacer.”
”Theodoric was to be the Viceregent of the Emperor, not the King of Italy.”
”Admitted. But after he had become King--as he could not fail to do, for a Theodoric could never be the servant of another--the Emperor Anastasius, your uncle Justinus, and, later, you yourself, acknowledged him and his kingdom.”
”That was under the pressure of necessity. Now that they are in need, and I the stronger, I revoke that acknowledgment.”
”That is exactly what I call unjust.”
”You are blunt and disagreeable, Tribonia.n.u.s, and a tough disputant.
You are excellently fitted to compile my pandects. I will never again ask your advice in politics. What has justice to do with politics?”
”Justice, Justinia.n.u.s, is the best policy.”
”Bah! Alexander and Caesar thought differently.”
”But, first, they never completed their work; and, secondly----”
He stopped.
”Well, secondly?”
”Secondly, you are not Caesar, nor are you Alexander.”
All were silent. After a pause, the Emperor said quietly:
”You are very frank, Tribonia.n.u.s.”
”Always, Justinia.n.u.s.”
The Emperor quickly turned to the third of his advisers:
”Well, what is your opinion, Na.r.s.es?”
CHAPTER XIII.
Na.r.s.es was a stunted little man, considerably shorter than Justinian, for which reason the latter stooped, when speaking with him, much more than was necessary. He was bald, his complexion a sickly yellow, his right shoulder higher than his left, and he limped a little on the left foot, supporting himself upon a stick with a golden crutch. But his eagle eye was so commanding, that it annulled any disagreeable impression made by his insignificant figure, and lent to his plain countenance the consecration of intellectual greatness, while the expression of painful resignation and cool superiority about his mouth had even a singular charm. When addressed by the Emperor, Na.r.s.es quickly banished from his lips a cold smile, which had been excited by the jurist's moral politics, and raised his head.
”Emperor,” he said, in a sharp, decided voice, ”I would dissuade you from this war--for the present.”
The Emperor bit his lips in vexation.
”Also from reasons of justice?” he asked, almost sarcastically.
”I said: for the present.”
”Why?”
”Because what is necessary precedes what is pleasant. He who has to defend his own house should not break into strange dwellings.”