Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero by Henryk Sienkiewicz (nonfiction book recommendations .txt) π
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- Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
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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,βor rather they roused him,βonly 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.
βBy Hercules! it is well, lord,β said he, βthat 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 CΓ¦sar, 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?β
βBy Pollux! Croton, I am sure that thou wilt do that,β answered Vinicius.
βAnd thou wilt act excellently,β added Chilo. βYes, to break his jaw, besides! Thatβs 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.β
Chilo spoke thus only to rouse Crotonβs ambition.
βThat is true,β said Vinicius; βI have not seen him, but they tell me that he can take a bull by the horns and drag him wherever he pleases.β
βOi!β exclaimed Chilo, who had not imagined that Ursus was so strong. But Croton laughed, from contempt. βI undertake, worthy lord,β said he, βto 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.β
βDo not permit that, lord,β cried Chilo. βThey will hurl stones at us, and what could his strength effect? Is it not better to take the girl from the house,βnot expose thyself or her to destruction?β
βThis is true, Croton,β said Vinicius.
βI receive thy money, I do thy will! But remember, lord, that to-morrow I go to Beneventum.β
βI have five hundred slaves in the city,β answered Vinicius.
He gave them a sign to withdraw, went to the library himself, and sitting down wrote the following words to Petronius,β
βThe 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.β
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 Acteβs 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, βIt has happened!β and then she would be amiable and loving.
But Chilo appeared and interrupted the course of these pleasant thoughts. βLord,β said the Greek, βthis is what has come to my head. Have not the Christians signs, βpasswords,β 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.β
βWell, noble sage,β answered Vinicius, gladly; βthou 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.β
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.
βHere 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.β
βHow! Thou wilt not be there? Thou must go!β said Vinicius.
βI
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