Volume Iii Part 56 (2/2)
”What news?” asked Cethegus.
”He did not mention what. He said, 'At the same time, Zenon brought me word to open the sealed orders which I carry from the Emperor; for the latter rightly judges that any day may bring about the destruction of the Goths. I opened and'--O master, it is dreadful----”
”Speak!”
”Na.r.s.es said, 'All the great Justinian's littleness is exposed in these orders. I believe he would more easily pardon Cethegus for having enticed him to blind Belisarius, than for having been in collusion with Theodora, for having been the seducer of the Empress! A frightful anachron'--I did not understand the word.”
”Anachronism!” said Cethegus, quietly righting Syphax.
”'For having deceived and outwitted him. The fate which Cethegus almost brought upon Belisarius, will now fall upon his own head--the loss of his sight.'”
”Really!” said Cethegus with a smile. But he involuntarily felt for his dagger.
”Na.r.s.es said further,” continued Syphax, ”that you were to suffer the punishment which, in blasphemous desecration of Christ's death, and contrary to the law of the Emperor Constantine, you had lately introduced into Rome. What can he mean by that?” added Syphax anxiously.
”Crucifixion!” said Cethegus as he put up his dagger.
”O master!”
”Softly! I do not yet hang in the air. I still firmly tread the hero-nouris.h.i.+ng earth. Conclude!”
”Na.r.s.es said that he was a general and no executioner, and that the Emperor would have to be contented if he only sent him your head to Byzantium. But oh, not that! Only not that--if we _must_ die!”
”We?” said Cethegus, who had fully gained his usual calmness. ”_You_ have not deceived the great Emperor. The danger does not threaten you.”
But Syphax continued:
”Do you not know then? Oh, do not doubt it. All Africa knows that if the head of a corpse is wanting, the soul must creep for ages through dust and mire, in the shape of a vile and filthy headless worm. Oh, they shall not separate your head from your trunk!”
”It still stands firm upon these shoulders of mine, like the globe on the shoulders of Atlas. Peace--some one comes.”
The Isaurian who had been sent to Na.r.s.es, entered with a sealed letter.
”To Cethegus Caesarius: Na.r.s.es, the magister militum. There is nothing to prevent your carrying out your wish to go to Rome.”
”Now I understand,” said Cethegus, and read on:
”The sentinels have orders to let you ride forth. But, if you insist upon going, I will give you a thousand Longobardians under Alboin as an escort, for the roads are very unsafe. As, in all probability, an attempt will be made by the Goths, to-day or tomorrow, to break through our lines, and repeated foolhardy sallies on the part of my soldiers have led to the loss of leaders and troops, I have ordered that no one be permitted to leave the camp without my express permission, and have entrusted the watch, even that of the tents, to my Longobardians.”
Cethegus sprang to the entrance of his tent, and tore the curtains open. His four Isaurians were just being led away. Twenty Longobardians, under Autharis, drew up before the tent.
”I had thought of escaping to-night,” he said to Syphax, turning back.
”It is now impossible. But it is better so, more dignified. Rather a Gothic spear in my breast, than a Grecian arrow in my back. But I have not yet read all that Na.r.s.es writes.”
He read on:
”If you will come to my tent, you will learn what measures I have taken against the probably great bloodshed which will ensue if the barbarians venture to sally, as they threaten. But I have still a painful communication to make to you. News, which reached me yesterday evening by sea from Rome, informs me that your tribunes and the greater part of the Isaurians have been killed.”
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