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Home -> Henryk Sienkiewicz -> Quo Vadis -> Chapter XIX

Quo Vadis - Chapter XIX

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter II

3. Chapter III

4. Chapter IV

5. Chapter V

6. Chapter VI

7. Chapter VII

8. Chapter VIII

9. Chapter IX

10. Chapter X

11. Chapter XI

12. Chapter XII

13. Chapter XIII

14. Chapter XIV

15. Chapter XV

16. Chapter XVI

17. Chapter XVII

18. Chapter XVIII

19. Chapter XIX

20. Chapter XX

21. Chapter XXI

22. Chapter XXII

23. Chapter XXIII

24. Chapter XXIV

25. Chapter XXV

26. Chapter XXVI

27. Chapter XXVII

28. Chapter XXVIII

29. Chapter XXIX

30. Chapter XXX

31. Chapter XXXI

32. Chapter XXXII

33. Chapter XXXIII

34. Chapter XXXIV

35. Chapter XXXV

36. Chapter XXXVI

37. Chapter XXXVII

38. Chapter XXXVIII

39. Chapter XXXIX

40. Chapter XL

41. Chapter XLI

42. Chapter XLII

43. Chapter XLIII

44. Chapter XLIV

45. Chapter XLV

46. Chapter XLVI

47. Chapter XLVII

48. Chapter XLVIII

49. Chapter XLIX

50. Chapter L

51. Chapter LI

52. Chapter LII

53. Chapter LIII

54. Chapter LIV

55. Chapter LV

56. Chapter LVI

57. Chapter LVII

58. Chapter LVIII

59. Chapter LIX

60. Chapter LX

61. Chapter LXI

62. Chapter LXII

63. Chapter LXIII

64. Chapter LXIV

65. Chapter LXV

66. Chapter LXVI

67. Chapter LXVII

68. Chapter LXVIII

69. Chapter LXIX

70. Chapter LXX

71. Chapter LXXI

72. Chapter LXXII

73. Chapter LXXIII

74. Epilogue







Chapter XIX

BARELY had Vinicius finished reading when Chilo pushed quietly into his
library, unannounced by any one, for the servants had the order to admit
him at every hour of the day or night.

"May the divine mother of thy magnanimous ancestor Æneas be full of
favor to thee, as the son of Maia was kind to me."

"What dost thou mean?" asked Vinicius, springing from the table at which
he was sitting.

Chilo raised his head and said, "Eureka!"

The young patrician was so excited that for a long time he could not
utter a word.

"Hast thou seen her?" asked he, at last.

"I have seen Ursus, lord, and have spoken with him."

"Dost thou know where they are secreted?"

"No, lord. Another, through boastfulness, would have let the Lygian
know that he divined who he was; another would have tried to extort from
him the knowledge of where he lived, and would have received either a
stroke of the fist,--after which all earthly affairs would have become
indifferent to him,--or he would have roused the suspicion of the giant
and caused this,--that a new hiding-place would be found for the girl,
this very night perhaps. I did not act thus. It suffices me to know
that Ursus works near the Emporium, for a miller named Demas, the same
name as that borne by thy freedman; now any trusted slave of thine may
go in the morning on his track, and discover their hiding place. I
bring thee merely the assurance that, since Ursus is here, the divine
Lygia also is in Rome, and a second news that she will be in Ostrianum
to-night, almost certainly--"

"In Ostrianum? Where is that?" interrupted Vinicius, wishing evidently
to run to the place indicated.

"An old hypogeum between the Viæ Salaria and Nomentana. That pontifex
maximus of the Christians, of whom I spoke to thee, and whom they
expected somewhat later, has come, and to-night he will teach and
baptize in that cemetery. They hide their religion, for, though there
are no edicts to prohibit it as yet, the people hate them, so they must
be careful. Ursus himself told me that all, to the last soul, would be
in Ostrianum to-night, for every one wishes to see and hear him who was
the foremost disciple of Christ, and whom they call Apostle. Since
among them women hear instruction as well as men, Pomponia alone perhaps
of women will not be there; she could not explain to Aulus, a worshipper
of the ancient gods, her absence from home at night. But Lygia, lord,
who is under the care of Ursus and the Christian elders, will go
undoubtedly with other women."

Vinicius, who had lived hitherto in a fever, and upheld as it were, by
hope alone, now that his hope seemed fulfilled felt all at once the
weakness that a man feels after a journey which has proved beyond his
strength. Chilo noticed this, and resolved to make use of it.

"The gates are watched, it is true, by thy people, and the Christians
must know that. But they do not need gates. The Tiber, too, does not
need them; and though it is far from the river to those roads, it is
worth while to walk one road more to see the 'Great Apostle.' Moreover
they may have a thousand ways of going beyond the walls, and I know that
they have. In Ostrianum thou wilt find Lygia; and even should she not
be there, which I will not admit, Ursus will be there, for he has
promised to kill Glaucus. He told me himself that he would be there,
and that he would kill him. Dost hear, noble tribune? Either thou wilt
follow Ursus and learn where Lygia dwells, or thou wilt command thy
people to seize him as a murderer, and, having him in thy hand, thou
wilt make him confess where he has hidden Lygia. I have done my best!
Another would have told thee that he had drunk ten cantars of the best
wine with Ursus before he wormed the secret out of him; another would
have told thee that he had lost a thousand sestertia to him in scriptœ
duodecim, or that he had bought the intelligence for two thousand; I
know that thou wouldst repay me doubly, but in spite of that, once in my
life--I mean, as always in my life--I shall be honest, for I think, as
the magnanimous Petronius says, that thy bounty exceeds all my hopes and
expectations."

Vinicius, who was a soldier and accustomed not only to take counsel of
himself in all cases, but to act, was overcome by a momentary weakness
and said,--"Thou wilt not deceive thyself as to my liberality, but first
thou wilt go with me to Ostrianum."

"I, to Ostrianum?" inquired Chilo, who had not the least wish to go
there. "I, noble tribune, promised thee to point out Lygia, but I did
not promise to take her away for thee. Think, lord, what would happen
to me if that Lygian bear, when he had torn Glaucus to pieces, should
convince himself straight-way that he had torn him not altogether
justly? Would he not look on me (of course without reason) as the cause
of the accomplished murder? Remember, lord, that the greater
philosopher a man is, the more difficult it is for him to answer the
foolish questions of common people; what should I answer him were he to
ask me why I calumniated Glaucus? But if thou suspect that I deceive
thee, I say, pay me only when I point out the house in which Lygia
lives; show me to-day only a part of thy liberality, so that if thou,
lord (which may all the gods ward from thee), succumb to some accident,
I shall not be entirely without recompense. Thy heart could not endure
that."

Vinicius went to a casket called "area," standing on a marble pedestal,
and, taking out a purse, threw it to Chilo.

"There are scrupula," said he; "when Lygia shall be in my house, thou
wilt get the same full of aurei."

"Thou art Jove!" exclaimed Chilo.

But Vinicius frowned.

"Thou wilt receive food here," said he; "then thou mayest rest. Thou
wilt not leave this house till evening, and when night falls thou wilt
go with me to Ostrianum."

Fear and hesitation were reflected on the Greek's face for a time; but
afterward he grew calm, and said,--"Who can oppose thee, lord! Receive
these my words as of good omen, just as our great hero received words
like them in the temple of Ammon. As to me, these 'scruples'" (here he
shook the purse) "have outweighed mine, not to mention thy society,
which for me is delight and happiness."

Vinicius interrupted him impatiently, and asked for details of his
conversation with Ursus. From them it seemed clear that either Lygia's
hiding-place would be discovered that night, or he would be able to
seize her on the road back from Ostrianum. At thought of this, Vinicius
was borne away by wild delight. Now, when he felt clearly sure of
finding Lygia, his anger against her, and his feeling of offence almost
vanished. In return for that delight he forgave her every fault. He
thought of her only as dear and desired, and he had the same impression
as if she were returning after a long journey. He wished to summon his
slaves and command them to deck the house with garlands. In that hour
he had not a complaint against Ursus, even. He was ready to forgive all
people everything. Chilo, for whom, in spite of his services, he had
felt hitherto a certain repulsion, seemed to him for the first time an
amusing and also an uncommon person. His house grew radiant; his eyes
and his face became bright. He began again to feel youth and the
pleasure of life. His former gloomy suffering had not given him yet a
sufficient measure of how he loved Lygia. He understood this now for
the first time, when he hoped to possess her. His desires woke in him,
as the earth, warmed by the sun, wakes in spring; but his desires this
time were less blind and wild, as it were, and more joyous and tender.
He felt also within himself energy without bounds, and was convinced
that should he but see Lygia with his own eyes, all the Christians on
earth could not take her from him, nor could Cæsar himself.

Chilo, emboldened by the young tribune's delight, regained power of
speech and began to give advice. According to him, it behooved Vinicius
not to look on the affair as won, and to observe the greatest caution,
without which all their work might end in nothing. He implored Vinicius
not to carry off Lygia from Ostrianum. They ought to go there with
hoods on their heads, with their faces hidden, and restrict themselves
to looking at all who were present from some dark corner. When they saw
Lygia, it would be safest to follow her at a distance, see what house
she entered, surround it next morning at daybreak, and take her away in
open daylight. Since she was a hostage and belonged specially to Cæsar,
they might do that without fear of law. In the event of not finding her
in Ostrianum they could follow Ursus, and the result would be the same.
To go to the cemetery with a crowd of attendants was impracticable,--
that might draw attention to them easily; then the Christians need only
put out the lights, as they did when she was intercepted, and scatter in
the darkness, or betake themselves to places known to them only. But
Vinicius and he should arm, and, still better, take a couple of strong,
trusty men to defend them in case of need.

Vinicius saw the perfect truth of what he said, and, recalling
Petronius's counsel, commanded his slaves to bring Croton. Chilo, who
knew every one in Rome, was set at rest notably when he heard the name
of the famous athlete, whose superhuman strength in the arena he had
wondered at more than once, and he declared that he would go to
Ostrianum. The purse filled with great aurei seemed to him much easier
of acquisition through the aid of Croton.

Hence he sat down in good spirits at the table to which, after a time,
he was called by the chief of the atrium.

While eating, he told the slaves that he had obtained for their master a
miraculous ointment. The worst horse, if rubbed on the hoofs with it,
would leave every other far behind. A certain Christian had taught him
how to prepare that ointment, for the Christian elders were far more
skilled in enchantment and miracles than even the Thessalians, though
Thessaly was renowned for its witches. The Christians had immense
confidence in him--why, any one easily understands who knows what a fish
means. While speaking he looked sharply at the eyes of the slaves, in
the hope of discovering a Christian among them and informing Vinicius.
But when the hope failed him, he fell to eating and drinking uncommon
quantities, not sparing praises on the cook, and declaring that he would
endeavor to buy him of Vinicius. His joyfulness was dimmed only by the
thought that at night he must go to Ostrianum. He comforted himself,
however, as he would go in disguise, in darkness, and in the company of
two men, one of whom was so strong that he was the idol of Rome; the
other a patrician, a man of high dignity in the army. "Even should they
discover Vinicius," said he to himself, "they will not dare to raise a
hand on him; as to me, they will be wise if they see the tip of my nose
even."

He fell then to recalling his conversation with the laborer; and the
recollection of that filled him again with delight. He had not the
least doubt that that laborer was Ursus. He knew of the uncommon
strength of the man, from the narratives of Vinicius, and those who had
brought Lygia from Cæsar's palace. When he inquired of Euricius
touching men of exceptional strength, there was nothing remarkable in
this, that they pointed out Ursus. Then the confusion and rage of the
laborer at mention of Vinicius and Lygia left him no doubt that those
persons concerned him particularly; the laborer had mentioned also his
penance for killing a man,--Ursus had killed Atacinus; finally, the
appearance of the laborer answered perfectly to the account which
Vinicius had given of the Lygian. The change of name was all that could
provoke doubt, but Chilo knew that frequently Christians took new names
at baptism.

"Should Ursus kill Glaucus," said Chilo to himself, "that will be better
still; but should he not kill him, that will be a good sign, for it will
show how difficult it is for Christians to murder. I described Glaucus
as a real son of Judas, and a traitor to all Christians; I was so
eloquent that a stone would have been moved, and would have promised to
fall on the head of Glaucus. Still I hardly moved that Lygian bear to
put his paw on him. He hesitated, was unwilling, spoke of his penance
and compunction. Evidently murder is not common among them. Offences
against one's self must be forgiven, and there is not much freedom in
taking revenge for others. Ergo, stop! think, Chilo, what can threaten
thee? Glaucus is not free to avenge himself on thee. If Ursus will not
kill Glaucus for such a great crime as the betrayal of all Christians,
so much the more will he not kill thee for the small offence of
betraying one Christian. Moreover, when I have once pointed out to this
ardent wood-pigeon the nest of that turtle-dove, I will wash my hands of
everything, and transfer myself to Naples. The Christians talk, also,
of a kind of washing of the hands; that is evidently a method by which,
if a man has an affair with them, he may finish it decisively. What
good people these Christians are, and how ill men speak of them! O God!
such is the justice of this world. But I love that religion, since it
does not permit killing; but if it does not permit killing, it certainly
does not permit stealing, deceit, or false testimony; hence I will not
say that it is easy. It teaches, evidently, not only to die honestly,
as the Stoics teach, but to live honestly also. If ever I have property
and a house, like this, and slaves in such numbers as Vinicius, perhaps
I shall be a Christian as long as may be convenient. For a rich man can
permit himself everything, even virtue. This is a religion for the
rich; hence I do not understand how there are so many poor among its
adherents. What good is it for them, and why do they let virtue tie
their hands? I must think over this sometime. Meanwhile praise to
thee, Hermes! for helping me discover this badger. But if thou hast
done so for the two white yearling heifers with gilded horns, I know
thee not. Be ashamed, O slayer of Argos! such a wise god as thou, and
not foresee that thou wilt get nothing! I will offer thee my gratitude;
and if thou prefer two beasts to it, thou art the third beast thyself,
and in the best event thou shouldst be a shepherd, not a god. Have a
care, too, lest I, as a philosopher, prove to men that thou art non-
existent, and then all will cease to bring thee offerings. It is safer
to be on good terms with philosophers."

Speaking thus to himself and to Hermes, he stretched on the sofa, put
his mantle under his head, and was sleeping when the slave removed the
dishes. He woke,--or rather they roused him,--only at the coming of
Croton. He went to the atrium, then, and began to examine with pleasure
the form of the trainer, an ex-gladiator, who seemed to fill the whole
place with his immensity. Croton had stipulated as to the price of the
trip, and was just speaking to Vinicius.

"By Hercules! it is well, lord," said he, "that thou hast sent to-day
for me, since I shall start to-morrow for Beneventum, whither the noble
Vatinius has summoned me to make a trial, in presence of Cæsar, of a
certain Syphax, the most powerful negro that Africa has ever produced.
Dost thou imagine, lord, how his spinal column will crack in my arms, or
how besides I shall break his black jaw with my fist?"

"By Pollux! Croton, I am sure that thou wilt do that," answered
Vinicius.

"And thou wilt act excellently," added Chilo. "Yes, to break his jaw,
besides! That's a good idea, and a deed which befits thee. But rub thy
limbs with olive oil to-day, my Hercules, and gird thyself, for know
this, you mayst meet a real Cacus. The man who is guarding that girl in
whom the worthy Vinicius takes interest, has exceptional strength very
likely."

Chilo spoke thus only to rouse Croton's ambition.

"That is true," said Yinicius; "I have not seen him, but they tell me
that he can take a bull by the horns and drag him wherever he pleases."

"Oi!" exclaimed Chilo, who had not imagined that Ursus was so strong.
But Croton laughed, from contempt. "I undertake, worthy lord," said he,
"to bear away with this hand whomever thou shalt point out to me, and
with this other defend myself against seven such Lygians, and bring the
maiden to thy dwelling though all the Christians in Rome were pursuing
me like Calabrian wolves. If not, I will let myself be beaten with
clubs in this impluvium."

"Do not permit that, lord," cried Chilo. "They will hurl stones at us,
and what could his strength effect? Is it not better to take the girl
from the house,--not expose thyself or her to destruction?"

"This is true, Croton," said Vinicius.

"I receive thy money, I do thy will! But remember, lord, that to-morrow
I go to Beneventum."

"I have five hundred slaves in the city," answered Vinicius.

He gave them a sign to withdraw, went to the library himself, and
sitting down wrote the following words to Petronius,--

"The Lygian has been found by Chilo. I go this evening with him and
Croton to Ostrianum, and shall carry her off from the house to-night or
to-morrow. May the gods pour down on thee everything favorable. Be
well, O carissime! for joy will not let me write further."

Laying aside the reed then, he began to walk with quick step; for
besides delight, which was overflowing his soul, he was tormented with
fever. He said to himself that to-morrow Lygia would be in that house.
He did not know how to act with her, but felt that if she would love him
he would be her servant. He recalled Acte's assurance that he had been
loved, and that moved him to the uttermost. Hence it would be merely a
question of conquering a certain maiden modesty, and a question of
certain ceremonies which Christian teaching evidently commanded. But if
that were true, Lygia, when once in his house, would yield to persuasion
or superior force; she would have to say to herself, "It has happened!"
and then she would be amiable and loving.

But Chilo appeared and interrupted the course of these pleasant
thoughts. "Lord," said the Greek, "this is what has come to my head.
Have not the Christians signs, 'passwords,' without which no one will be
admitted to Ostrianum? I know that it is so in houses of prayer, and I
have received those passwords from Euricius; permit me then to go to
him, lord, to ask precisely, and receive the needful signs."

"Well, noble sage," answered Vinicius, gladly; "thou speakest as a man
of forethought, and for that praise belongs to thee. Thou wit go, then,
to Euricius, or whithersoever it may please thee; but as security thou
wilt leave on this table here that purse which thou hast received from
me."

Chilo, who always parted with money unwillingly, squirmed; still he
obeyed the command and went out. From the Carinæ to the Circus, near
which was the little shop of Euricius, it was not very far; hence he
returned considerably before evening.

"Here are the signs, lord. Without them they would not admit us. I
have inquired carefully about the road. I told Euricius that I needed
the signs only for my friends; that I would not go myself, since it was
too far for my advanced age; that, moreover, I should see the Great
Apostle myself to-morrow, and he would repeat to me the choicest parts
of his sermon."

"How! Thou wilt not be there? Thou must go!" said Vinicius.

"I know that I must; but I will go well hooded, and I advise thee to go
in like manner, or we may frighten the birds."

In fact they began soon to prepare, for darkness had come on the world.
They put on Gallic cloaks with hoods, and took lanterns; Vinicius,
besides, armed himself and his companions with short, curved knives;
Chilo put on a wig, which he obtained on the way from the old man's
shop, and they went out, hurrying so as to reach the distant Nomentan
Gate before it was closed.




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