Part 33 (1/2)
THE next day Commodus, officially, in his full regalia as Emperor and Pontifex Maximus, convoyed by a magnificent retinue of gorgeously apparelled gentlemen-in-waiting, equerries, aides, orderlies and pages, and of gaudily uniformed guards, paid a formal visit to the Atrium.
He was received by Lutorius, Causidiena and Numisia, who had been in close conference most of the previous afternoon and until late at night and again most of the morning from dawn. Causidiena, on account of her failing sight, was escorted by Manlia and Gargilia.
After the exchange of ceremonious greetings Commodus asked:
”Where is Brinnaria? Why isn't she here?”
”We thought best,” Causidiena replied, ”that she should not be present at our conference.”
”As to part of it I quite agree,” said the Emperor. ”Fairness to her requires that much of what we have to say should be said in her absence, as she must be free from any suspicion of partic.i.p.ation in some of our arrangements. But part of what we have to say she must hear and some details I must talk over with her. Send for her, and meanwhile, sit down, all of you, sit down, I say.”
Manlia and Gargilia departed to summon Brinnaria.
When she came and had seated herself the Emperor said:
”I've been thinking over this matter ever since you left me. Precious little else did I do yesterday and mighty little sleep did I get last night. I'm not clear yet altogether, but I see daylight on several points.
”What you propose is more or less like interpreting the significance of the appearances seen in the victim's intestines after a sacrifice for a specific object; it amounts to asking a definite question of your G.o.ddess and getting a yes or no answer.
”That is one way to regard it and seems to me correct from the religious point of view.
”But there is another point of view and another way to regard it, not less correct, it seems to me.
”This is a sort of a sporting proposal, like a dicing contest, or any kind of match or wager.
”Now in such matters, it is important, it is of the utmost importance, that there should be no differences of opinion between the princ.i.p.als or among the backers or lookers-on after the contest or during its progress; particularly that no unexpected differences of opinion should crop up after starting the set of actions which determine the decision.
To avoid all such untoward possibilities, every detail must be settled in advance before the matter comes to a test.
”Now, treating your appeal to Vesta not only as a solemn invocation of the G.o.ddess, but also as a sporting chance, I intend to have a definite, unquestionable understanding beforehand on every debatable point.
”You see what I mean?
”Some of the points we others will settle without you, but we shall begin with those which you must settle or share in settling.
”I and Lutorius, Causidiena and Numisia are to be the witnesses to the stipulations and our agreement on any point is to prove that point. I propose to make it impossible for there to be any misunderstanding or disagreement among the four of us, to make it certain that we four think, speak and act unanimously on all points whatever. Nothing must be a.s.sumed, everything must be explicit.
”To begin with, is this a fair statement of your proposal?
”You maintain that you are a worthy priestess of Vesta and wholly acceptable to her. You propose to demonstrate this by asking of her the power to carry water in a sieve in the sight of the whole College of Pontiffs and of such other persons as I may see fit to have present at the test. If you fail you will expect to be tried for misconduct. If you succeed you will expect to be then and there absolved from all accusations and imputations connected with your deportment or behavior.
”Is that a fair statement of your proposal?”
”It is,” Brinnaria replied.
”What kind of water do you propose to carry?” Commodus asked. ”Spring water, rain-water from a tank, aqueduct-water, or what?”
”I a.s.sumed,” said Brinnaria, ”that I would carry water from the river, in accordance with the legend of my predecessor: Father Tiber being himself one of our G.o.ds, one of the sternest to evildoers, yet to the righteous most kindly and helpful.”
”Excellent!” said the Emperor. ”My notion precisely. That is settled. I accordingly appoint as the place of your test the Marble Quay, since the porticoes flanking it shut out the mob and protect the Quay from intruding eyes, and since the s.p.a.ce enclosed by them is ample for the a.s.semblage of the College of Pontiffs, the Senate and the Court officials. Are you satisfied with that place?”