Volume Ii Part 7 (2/2)

He rushed up the incline, sprang upon a stone near Witichis, held on high a roll of parchment, cried with a last effort, ”Treachery!

treachery!” and fell p.r.o.ne, as if struck by lightning.

Witichis and Hildebad ran to him; they had barely recognised their friend.

”Teja! Teja!” they cried, ”what has happened? Speak!”

”Speak,” repeated Witichis once more, ”it concerns the kingdom!”

At this word the steel-clad man raised himself with a superhuman effort, looked about him for a moment, and then said in a hollow voice:

”We are betrayed, Goths! betrayed by our King! Six days ago I received orders to go to Istria, not to Neapolis, as I had begged. I felt suspicious, but I obeyed, and embarked with my thousands. A violent storm drove numerous small vessels towards us from the west. Amongst them was the _Mercurius_, the swift-sailing post-boat of Theodahad. I knew the vessel well; she once belonged to my father. As soon as she caught sight of our s.h.i.+ps, she tried to evade us. I, mistrustful, chased her and overtook her. Her captain carried a letter to Byzantium, in the handwriting of the King. 'You will be content with me, great general,' it said, 'all the Gothic forces are at this moment on the north-east of Rome; you can land without danger. I have destroyed four letters from the Count of the Harbour of Neapolis, and thrown his messengers into a dungeon. In requital, I expect that you will punctually fulfil our contract, and shortly pay me the price fixed.'”

Teja let the letter fall; his voice died away.

The people uttered deep groans of rage.

”I at once turned and landed, and have galloped here for three days and nights without pause. I can no more.”

And, staggering, he sank into the arms of Witichis.

Then old Hildebrand sprang upon the highest stone of his seat, so that he towered above the crowd. He tore a lance, which bore a small marble bust of the King upon its cross-stick, out of the hands of the bearer, and held it aloft in his left hand. In his right he raised his stone-axe.

”Sold!” he cried. ”He has sold his people for yellow gold! Down with him! Down, down!”

And with a stroke of his axe he shattered the bust.

This action was the first thunder-clap that unchained the brooding tempest. Only to be compared to the strife of the elements was the wild storm which now arose amongst the mult.i.tude.

”Down with him! down with Theodahad!” was repeated a thousand times, accompanied by the deafening clash of arms.

Amidst this tumult the old master-at-arms again lifted up his metallic voice, silence once more ensued, and he said solemnly:

”Hear it, G.o.d in heaven, and men on earth: all-seeing sun and blowing wind, hear it! Whereas King Theodahad, the son of Theodis, has betrayed people and kingdom to the enemy; the nation of the Goths, free and full of ancient fame and born to bear arms, depose him from the throne. We deprive thee, Theodahad, of the golden crown and of the kingdom; of Gothic right and of life. And we do this not wrongly, but rightly. For under all our kings we have been ever free, and we would rather want kings than want freedom. No king stands so high, that he may not be judged by his people for murder, treachery, and perjury. So I deprive thee of crown, kingdom, right, and life. Outlawed shalt thou be, contemned, dishonoured. As far as Christians pray in their churches, and heathens sacrifice on their altars; as far as fire burns and earth grows green; as far as the falcon can fly a whole day when the wind supports his wings; as far as s.h.i.+ps sail and s.h.i.+elds s.h.i.+ne; as far as heaven spreads its vault and the world extends; house and hall, and the companions.h.i.+p of good people, and all dwelling shall be denied thee, except h.e.l.l alone. Thy inheritance I divide amongst the Gothic people.

Thy flesh and blood I give to the ravens of the air. And whoever findeth thee, in hall or court, in a house or on the high-road, shall slay thee unpunished, and shall be thanked for his deed by the good Goths, and blessed by G.o.d. I ask you, men of justice, shall it be thus?”

”It shall be thus!” answered the crowd, and struck their swords upon their s.h.i.+elds.

Hildebrand had scarcely descended from the stone, when old Haduswinth took his place, threw back his s.h.a.ggy bear-skin, and spoke:

”We are rid of the perjured king! He will meet with an avenger. But now, true men, we must choose another king. For we have never been without one. As far back as legend and story reach, our forefathers have lifted a king upon the s.h.i.+eld, the living symbol of the power, glory, and fortune of the good Goths. So long as Goths exist, they will have kings; and as long as a king can be found, the nation will endure.

And now it is more than ever necessary that we should have a head, a leader. The race of the Amelungs rose like the sun in glory--Theodoric, its brightest star, shone for a long time; but this sun has been shamefully extinguished in Theodahad. Up! people of the Goths, ye are free! Freely choose a rightful king, who will lead you to victory and glory! The throne is vacant. Goths, I call upon you to choose a king!”

”Let us choose a king!” was the answer, in a solemn and mighty chorus.

Then Witichis mounted the Ting-seat, took off his helmet, and raised his right hand.

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