Part 11 (2/2)
Carinus poured the wine that remained in the drinking horn upon the floor, in token that he drank some one's health, and then handed it to Manlius.
”To the health of the beautiful Glyceria!”
”And to yours, Carinus,” replied Manlius, giving his own in exchange.
”Manlius,” said Carinus, the blood mounting to his face, ”do you know that I have already had one husband of Glyceria slain?”
”You did well, Carinus; but for that I could not become the second.”
”Do you know why I had him killed?”
”Because he concealed his wife from you. Fool! Have the G.o.ds created a sun that some one may take possession of it and allow others no share in its light? Those who s.n.a.t.c.h a beautiful woman from the world, and then demand that she shall be loved by no one else, are thieves and robbers!”
”It might seem strange to you, Manlius, if I should take you at your word. You must know that I love your wife madly.”
”That is your affair, Carinus. I do not keep her locked up. The way to her is open to every one.”
”It is easy for you to play the magnanimous. She herself secludes herself sufficiently. While hundreds of thousands of men tremble at a wave of my hand, all my power cannot win the love of this one woman.”
”And how Glyceria _can_ love! Ah, Carinus, I know that when, in the evening, the door opens to me which you always find closed, you would joyfully permit me to occupy your throne and reign in your stead so long as you fill my place as bridegroom.”
Carinus sprang up as if an electric spark had thrilled him.
”_Hecataea!_ I will take you at your word! Take my throne, command my slaves, my empire in my name, have my favourites killed, make the lowest in Rome the highest, empty my treasure-houses, and, for all this, merely give me the key of your bridal-chamber.”
”The bargain is made; here is my hand. Give me the parchment and stylus. Listen to what I write to Glyceria, and send it to her dwelling: 'G.o.ddess of my love! I shall spend the hours between evening and morning with you. My heart longs for your words of consolation.
The cypress-branch has wounded my brow; your rose-wreath may subdue its flames. When the evening star, the lamp of lovers, begins to s.h.i.+ne, extinguish yours that, if tears should dim my eyes, you may not see them, but only feel my kisses. Until dawn I shall be with you, and in possession of my happiness. Your languis.h.i.+ng husband, Manlius Sinister.' Send this letter by a slave, and put on this ring, which you must show at the door. Then you will be admitted, and Glyceria's women will conduct you where she awaits you.”
Carinus listened greedily to every word from Manlius, who coolly handed him the ring and the letter. Trembling in every limb, he could not speak, but motioned to a slave to deliver Manlius' letter to Glyceria.
The courtiers whispered together in astonishment.
”What a fortunate man you are,” aevius whispered in the ear of the new favourite. ”Why did not I have the good luck to possess Glyceria's love, that I might cast it from me with the same indifference?”
The slave soon returned with a letter from Glyceria to Manlius.
The latter handed it to the Caesar:
”It is yours; read it!”
Carinus, with trembling hands, unrolled the parchment; his eyes sparkled as he read:
”Manlius! Your lines quiver in my hand. A thousand emotions are raging in my heart; fear, longing, holy horrour, and wild love. I am under the ban of an irresistible spell. I wish you might not come, but if you do, I shall be unable to resist you. I feel within my breast the power and the desire to destroy the whole world, but at a breath from you all my strength fails; I am nothing more than a weak, loving woman, who loses her reason in her love. Oh, do not come! Glyceria.”
”That means: 'Oh, come!'” said Manlius laughing, propping himself carelessly on one elbow upon his couch.
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