Volume Iii Part 21 (1/2)

He held much about the same part of Rome as he had before occupied under and against Belisarius.

”Salvius Julia.n.u.s must have another hundred Isaurians to protect the bolt of masts on the river,” he commanded. ”The Abasgian bowmen must hasten to join Piso at the bolt of chains. Marcus Licinius will remain on the bulwark of the Forum.”

But now Lucius Licinius announced that the rest of the legionaries, who had not been present at the scene on the Forum, because they had been on duty in the now barricaded portion of the city, were become very unruly.

”Ah,” cried Cethegus, ”the odour of the roast meat for which their comrades sold their honour, tickles their nostrils! I come.”

And he rode up to the Capitol, where the legionaries, about five hundred men, were standing in their ranks with a very gloomy and threatening aspect.

Looking at them with a searching eye, Cethegus slowly rode along their front.

At last he spoke.

”For you I had reserved the fame of having defended the Lares and Penates of the Capitol against the barbarians. I hear, indeed, that you prefer the joints of beef below there. But I will not believe it. You will not desert the man who, after centuries of helplessness, has again taught the Romans how to fight and conquer. Whoever will stand by Cethegus and the Capitol--let him raise his sword.”

But not a blade was seen.

”Hunger is a more powerful G.o.d than the Capitoline Jupiter,” said Cethegus contemptuously.

A centurion stepped forward.

”It is not that, Prefect of Rome. But we will not fight against our fathers and brothers who are on the side of the Goths.”

”I ought to keep you as hostages for your fathers and brothers, and when they storm the bulwarks, throw to them your heads! But I fear it would not stop them in their enthusiasm, which comes from their stomachs! Go--you are not worthy to save Rome! Open the gate, Licinius.

Let them turn their backs upon the Capitol and honour!”

And the legionaries marched away, all but about a hundred men, who stood still irresolutely, leaning on their spears.

”Well, what do you want?” cried Cethegus, riding up to them.

”To die with you, Prefect of Rome!” cried one of them.

And the others repeated: ”To die with you!”

”I thank you! Do you see, Licinius, a hundred Romans! Are they not enough to found a new Roman Empire?--I will give you the post of honour; you shall defend the bulwark to which I have given the name of Julius Caesar.”

He sprang from his horse, threw the bridle to Syphax, called his tribunes together, and spoke:

”Now listen to my plan.”

”You have a plan already?”

”Yes. We will attack! If I know these barbarians, we are safe for to-night from any a.s.sault. They have won three quarters of the city.

Before they think of the last quarter, their victory must be celebrated in a hundred thousand tipsy bouts. At midnight the whole company of yellow-haired heroes and drinkers will be immersed in feasting, wine, and sleep; and the hungry Quirites will not be behindhand in excess.

Look! How they feast and sing below there--crowned with flowers! And very few barbarians have yet entered the city. That is our hope of victory. At midnight we will sally forth from all our gates--they will not dream of an attack from such a minority--and slay them in their revels.”

”Your plan is bold,” said Lucius Licinius. ”And if we fall, the Capitol will be our tombstone!”

”You learn from me words as well as sword-strokes,” said Cethegus, smiling. ”My plan is desperate, but it is the only one now possible. Is the watch set? I will go home and sleep for a couple of hours. No one must rouse me before that time. In two hours come and wake me.”