Volume Ii Part 20 (1/2)
”So this is the list of the blind partisans of the future Pope Silverius--of my envious enemies? Is it complete?”
”It is. I have made a great sacrifice for you, general,” cried Lucius Licinius, ”If, as my heart impelled me, I had at once joined Belisarius, I should have already shared in the taking of Neapolis, instead of watching here the stealthy footsteps of the priests, and teaching the plebeians to march and man[oe]uvre.”
”They will never learn it again,” observed Marcus.
”Be patient,” said Cethegus quietly, and without looking up from a roll of papyrus which he held in his hand. ”You will be able, soon enough and long enough, to wrestle with these Gothic bears. Do not forget that fighting is only a means, and not an end.”
”I don't know that,” said Lucius doubtfully.
”Freedom is our aim, and freedom demands power,” said Cethegus.
”We must first again accustom these Romans to s.h.i.+eld and sword, or else----”
He was interrupted by the entrance of the ostiarius, who announced a Gothic warrior.
The young Romans exchanged indignant looks.
”Let him in,” said Cethegus, putting his writings into a casket.
There entered hastily a young man, clad in the brown mantle of the Gothic soldier, a Gothic helmet on his head, who threw himself on the Prefect's neck.
”Julius!” exclaimed Cethegus, coldly repulsing him. ”Do we meet again thus? Have you, then, become a complete barbarian? How did you come to Rome?”
”My father, I accompanied Valeria, under Gothic protection. I come from smouldering Neapolis.”
”Aha!” cried Cethegus. ”Have you fought with your blond friend against Italy? That becomes a Roman well! Does it not, Lucius?”
”I have neither fought nor will fight in this unhappy war. Woe to those who have kindled it!”
Cethegus measured him with cold looks.
”It is beneath my dignity, and beyond my patience, to represent to a Roman the infamy of such sentiments. Alas! that my Julius should be such a renegade! Shame upon you, before these your compatriots! Look, Roman knights, here is a Roman without love of freedom, without anger against the barbarians!”
But Julius quietly shook his head.
”You have not yet seen the Huns and Ma.s.sagetae of Belisarius, who are to bring you freedom. Where, then, are the Romans of whom you speak? Has Italy risen to throw off her fetters? Can she still rise? Justinian fights with the Goths, not we. Woe to the people which is liberated by a tyrant!”
In secret Cethegus confessed that Julius was right; but he would not suffer such words to be spoken before his friends.
”I must dispute with this philosopher in private,” he said. ”Let me know if anything occur among the priesthood.”
And the tribunes went, casting contemptuous looks at Julius.
”I should not like to hear what my friends say of you,” said Cethegus, looking after them.
”It is quite indifferent to me. I listen to my own thoughts, and not to those of others,” responded Julius.
”He has become a man!” said Cethegus to himself.
”My deepest and best feelings have brought me here,” continued Julius.
”I feel that this war is accursed. I come to save you, and take you from this sultry air, from this world of deceit and lies. I beseech you, my friend, my father, follow me to Gaul!”