Volume Ii Part 27 (2/2)
Silverius smiled again, once more blessed the crowd, and then walked quietly to the tent. Belisarius was seated upon a camp-stool, over which was spread a lion's skin; on his right hand sat Antonina, enthroned on a seat covered with the skin of a leopard. Her troubled soul had hoped to find a physician and comforter in the holy Petrus; but she shrank when she saw the worldly expression on the features of Silverius.
As the Pope entered, Belisarius rose.
Silverius, without the slightest inclination, went straight up to him, and laid both hands--he was obliged to stretch his arms uncomfortably to do so--as if in blessing, on his shoulders. He wished to press Belisarius gently down upon his knees; but the general stood as stiffly erect as an oak, and Silverius was obliged to complete his benediction.
”You come as amba.s.sadors from the Romans?” began Belisarius.
”I come,” interrupted Silverius, ”in the name of St. Peter, as Bishop of Rome, to deliver to you and the Emperor the city of Rome. These good people,” he added, pointing to Scaevola and Albinus, ”have attached themselves to me as the members to the head.”
Scaevola was about to interfere indignantly--he had not thus understood his relation to the Church--but Belisarius signed to him to be silent.
”And,” continued Silverius, ”I welcome you to Italy and Rome in the name of the Lord. Enter the walls of the Eternal City for the protection of the Church and the faithful against the heretics! There exalt the name of the Lord and the Cross of Christ, and never forget that your path thither was smoothed by Holy Church. G.o.d chose me for His minister, to lull the Goths into blind security, and lead them out of the city. It was I who won over the wavering citizens to your cause, and frustrated the designs of your enemies. It is St. Peter who, by my hand, delivers up to you the keys of his city, and entrusts it to your protection. Never forget my words!”
With this he handed to Belisarius the keys of the Asinarian Gate.
”I will never forget them,” said Belisarius, and signed to Procopius, who took the keys from the hand of the Pope. ”You spoke of the designs of my enemies. Has the Emperor enemies in Rome?”
Silverius answered, with a sigh:
”Cease to question me, general. Their nets are torn; they are now harmless, and it does not become the Church to inculpate, but to _ex_culpate.”
”It is your duty, Holy Father, to discover to the orthodox Emperor the traitors who hide themselves amongst his Roman subjects, and I call upon you to unmask his enemies.”
Silverius sighed.
”The Church does not thirst for blood.”
”But she may not prevent justice,” said Scaevola. And the jurist stepped forward, and handed a roll of parchment to Belisarius, saying, ”I accuse Cornelius Cethegus Caesarius, the Prefect of Rome, of treachery and rebellion against Emperor Justinian. He has called the Emperor's government a tyranny; he opposed the landing of the imperial army with all his might; finally, a few days ago he, and he alone, voted that we should not open to you the gates of Rome.”
”And what punishment do you propose?” asked Belisarius, looking at the roll.
”Death, according to the law,” said Scaevola.
”And his estates,” added Albinus, ”are lawfully forfeited, partly to the fiscus, partly to his accusers.”
”And may his soul be recommended to the mercy of G.o.d!” concluded the Bishop of Rome.
”Where is the accused?” asked Belisarius.
”He intended to come to you; but I fear that his bad conscience will prevent him from fulfilling his intention.”
”You err. Bishop of Rome,” said Belisarius; ”he is already here.”
At these words a curtain in the background of the tent dropped, and before his astonished accusers stood Cethegus the Prefect.
They could not conceal their surprise. With a look of contempt, Cethegus silently advanced until he stood at Belisarius's right hand.
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