Volume Iii Part 19 (1/2)

Before Cethegus could reply, the sound of trumpets was heard from the south-eastern corner of the Forum.

From the Via Sacra advanced a crowd of people, citizens and soldiers; in their midst were two hors.e.m.e.n in foreign armour.

CHAPTER IX.

Lucius Licinius galloped before them, sprang off his horse, and mounted the tribune.

”A herald from the Goths! I arrived too late to prevent his entrance as usual. The famished legionaries at the Tiburtinian Gate opened it for him.”

”Down with him! He must not speak,” cried the Prefect, rus.h.i.+ng from the tribune and drawing his sword.

But the people guessed his intentions. They surrounded the herald with cries of joy, protecting him from the Prefect.

”Peace!”

”Hail!”

”Bread! Peace! Listen to the herald!”

”No! do not listen to him!” thundered Cethegus. ”Who is Prefect of Rome, he or I? Who defends this city? I, Cornelius Cethegus Caesarius; and I tell you, do not listen!”

And he tried to make a way for himself.

But, thick as a swarm of bees, women and old men threw themselves into his path, and the armed citizens surrounded the herald.

”Speak, herald!” they cried; ”what bring you?”

”Peace and deliverance!” cried Thoris.m.u.th, and waved his white wand.

”Totila, King of the Italians and the Goths, sends you greetings and demands a safe-conduct into the city, in order to tell you important news and to announce peace.”

”Hail to King Totila!”

”We will hear him. He shall come!”

Cethegus had hastily mounted his horse, and now ordered his trumpeters to blow a flourish.

At this well-known sound, all became quiet.

”Hear me, herald! I, the governor of this city, refuse a safe-conduct.

I shall treat every Goth who enters this city as an enemy.”

But at these words a cry of rage burst from the mult.i.tude.

”Cornelius Cethegus, are you our officer or our tyrant? We are free.

You have often vaunted the majesty of the Roman people. And the Roman people command that the King shall be heard. Do we not, people of Rome?”