’Thepeople，’saidthegravePansa，’arealldelightedwiththeresult。
Theyweresomuchafraidthesportsattheamphitheatrewouldgooffwithoutacriminalforthebeasts；andnow，togettwosuchcriminalsisindeedajoyforthepoorfellows！Theyworkhard；theyoughttohavesomeamusement。’
’TherespeaksthepopularPansa，whonevermoveswithoutastringofclientsaslongasanIndiantriumph。Heisalwayspratingaboutthepeople。Gods！
hewillendbybeingaGracchus！’
’CertainlyIamnoinsolentpatrician，’saidPansa，withagenerousair。
’Well，’observedLepidus，itwouldhavebeenassuredlydangeroustohavebeenmercifulattheeveofabeast—fight。IfeverI，thoughaRomanbredandborn，cometobetried，prayJupitertheremaybeeithernobeastsinthevivaria，orplentyofcriminalsinthegaol。’
’Andpray，’saidoneoftheparty，’whathasbecomeofthepoorgirlwhomGlaucuswastohavemarried？Awidowwithoutbeingabride——thatishard！’
’Oh，’returnedClodius，’sheissafeundertheprotectionofherguardian，Arbaces。Itwasnaturalsheshouldgotohimwhenshehadlostbothloverandbrother。’
’BysweetVenus，Glaucuswasfortunateamongthewomen。TheysaytherichJuliawasinlovewithhim。’
’Amerefable，myfriend，’saidClodius，coxcombically；’Iwaswithherto—day。Ifanyfeelingofthesortsheeverconceived，IflattermyselfthatIhaveconsoledher。’
’Hush，gentlemen！’saidPansa；’doyounotknowthatClodiusisemployedatthehouseofDiomedinblowinghardatthetorch？Itbeginstoburn，andwillsoonshinebrightontheshrineofHymen。’
’Isitso？’saidLepidus。’What！Clodiusbecomeamarriedman？——Fie！’
’Neverfear，’answeredClodius；’oldDiomedisdelightedatthenotionofmarryinghisdaughtertoanobleman，andwillcomedownlargelywiththesesterces。YouwillseethatIshallnotlockthemupintheatrium。Itwillbeawhitedayforhisjollyfriends，whenClodiusmarriesanheiress。’
’Sayyouso？’criedLepidus；’come，then，afullcuptothehealthofthefairJulia！’
Whilesuchwastheconversation——onenotdiscordanttothetoneofmindcommonamongthedissipatedofthatday，andwhichmightperhaps，acenturyago，havefoundanechointheloosercirclesofParis——whilesuch，Isay，wastheconversationinthegaudytricliniumofLepidus，fardifferentthescenewhichscowledbeforetheyoungAthenian。
Afterhiscondemnation，GlaucuswasadmittednomoretothegentleguardianshipofSallust，theonlyfriendofhisdistress。HewasledalongtheforumtilltheguardsstoppedatasmalldoorbythesideofthetempleofJupiter。Youmayseetheplacestill。Thedooropenedinthecentreinasomewhatsingularfashion，revolvingroundonitshinges，asitwere，likeamodernturnstile，soasonlytoleavehalfthethresholdopenatthesametime。Throughthisnarrowaperturetheythrusttheprisoner，placedbeforehimaloafandapitcherofwater，andlefthimtodarkness，and，ashethought，tosolitude。Sosuddenhadbeenthatrevolutionoffortunewhichhadprostratedhimfromthepalmyheightofyouthfulpleasureandsuccessfullovetothelowestabyssofignominy，andthehorrorofamostbloodydeath，thathecouldscarcelyconvincehimselfthathewasnotheldinthemeshesofsomefearfuldream。Hiselasticandgloriousframehadtriumphedoverapotion，thegreaterpartofwhichhehadfortunatelynotdrained。Hehadrecoveredsenseandconsciousness，butstilladimandmistydepressionclungtohisnervesanddarkenedhismind。Hisnaturalcourage，andtheGreeknobilityofpride，enabledhimtovanquishallunbecomingapprehension，and，inthejudgment—court，tofacehisawfullotwithasteadymienandunquailingeye。Buttheconsciousnessofinnocencescarcelysufficedtosupporthimwhenthegazeofmennolongerexcitedhishaughtyvalor，andhewaslefttolonelinessandsilence。Hefeltthedampsofthedungeonsinkchillinglyintohisenfeebledframe。He——thefastidious，theluxurious，therefined——hewhohadhithertobravednohardshipandknownnosorrow。Beautifulbirdthathewas！whyhadhelefthisfarandsunnyclime——theolive—grovesofhisnativehills——themusicofimmemorialstreams？Whyhadhewantonedonhisglitteringplumageamidsttheseharshandungenialstrangers，dazzlingtheeyeswithhisgorgeoushues，charmingtheearwithhisblithesomesong——thussuddenlytobearrested——cagedindarkness——avictimandaprey——hisgayflightsforeverover——hishymnsofgladnessforeverstilled！ThepoorAthenian！hisveryfaultstheexuberanceofagentleandjoyousnature，howlittlehadhispastcareerfittedhimforthetrialshewasdestinedtoundergo！Thehootsofthemob，amidstwhoseplauditshehadsooftenguidedhisgracefulcarandboundingsteeds，stillranggratinglyinhisear。Thecoldandstonyfacesofformerfriends（theco—matesofmerryrevels）stillrosebeforehiseye。Nonenowwerebytosoothe，tosustain，theadmired，theadulatedstranger。Thesewallsopenedbutonthedreadarenaofaviolentandshamefuldeath。AndIone！ofher，too，hehadheardnaught；noencouragingword，nopityingmessage；she，too，hadforsakenhim；shebelievedhimguilty——andofwhatcrime？——themurderofabrother！Hegroundhisteeth——hegroanedaloud——andeverandanonasharpfearshotacrosshim。Inthatfellandfiercedeliriumwhichhadsounaccountablyseizedhissoul，whichhadsoravagedthedisorderedbrain，mighthenot，indeed，unknowingtohimself，havecommittedthecrimeofwhichhewasaccused？Yet，asthethoughtflasheduponhim，itwasassuddenlychecked；for，amidstallthedarknessofthepast，hethoughtdistinctlytorecallthedimgroveofCybele，theupwardfaceofthepaledead，thepausethathehadmadebesidethecorpse，andthesuddenshockthatfelledhimtotheearth。Hefeltconvincedofhisinnocence；andyetwho，tothelatesttime，longafterhismangledremainsweremingledwiththeelements，wouldbelievehimguiltless，orupholdhisfame？AsherecalledhisinterviewwithArbaces，andthecausesofrevengewhichhadbeenexcitedintheheartofthatdarkandfearfulman，hecouldnotbutbelievethathewasthevictimofsomedeep—laidandmysterioussnare——theclueandtrainofwhichhewaslostinattemptingtodiscover：
andIone——Arbaceslovedher——mighthisrival’ssuccessbefoundeduponhisruin？Thatthoughtcuthimmoredeeplythanall；andhisnobleheartwasmorestungbyjealousythanappalledbyfear。Againhegroanedaloud。
Avoicefromtherecessofthedarknessansweredthatburstofanguish。
’Who（itsaid）ismycompanioninthisawfulhour？AthenianGlaucus，itisthou？’
’So，indeed，theycalledmeinminehouroffortune：theymayhaveothernamesformenow。Andthyname，stranger？’
’IsOlinthus，thyco—mateintheprisonasthetrial。’
’What！hewhomtheycalltheAtheist？Isittheinjusticeofmenthathathtaughttheetodenytheprovidenceofthegods？’
’Alas！’answeredOlinthus：’thou，notI，artthetrueAtheist，forthoudeniestthesoletrueGod——theUnknownOne——towhomthyAthenianfatherserectedanaltar。ItisinthishourthatIknowmyGod。Heiswithmeinthedungeon；Hissmilepenetratesthedarkness；ontheeveofdeathmyheartwhispersimmortality，andearthrecedesfrommebuttobringthewearysoulneareruntoheaven。’
’Tellme，’saidGlaucus，abruptly，’didInothearthynamecoupledwiththatofApaecidesinmytrial？Dostthoubelievemeguilty？’
’Godalonereadstheheart！butmysuspicionrestednotuponthee。’
’Onwhomthen？’
’Thyaccuser，Arbaces。’
’Ha！thoucheerestme：andwherefore？’
’BecauseIknowtheman’sevilbreast，andhehadcausetofearhimwhoisnowdead。’
Withthat，OlinthusproceededtoinformGlaucusofthosedetailswhichthereaderalreadyknows，theconversionofApaecides，theplantheyhadproposedforthedetectionoftheimposturesoftheEgyptianupontheyouthfulweaknessoftheproselyte。’Therefore，’concludedOlinthus，’hadthedeceasedencounteredArbaces，reviledhistreasons，andthreateneddetection，theplace，thehour，mighthavefavoredthewrathoftheEgyptian，andpassionandcraftalikedictatedthefatalblow。’
’Itmusthavebeenso！’criedGlaucus，joyfully。’Iamhappy。’
’Yetwhat，Ounfortunate！availstotheenowthediscovery？Thouartcondemnedandfated；andinthineinnocencethouwiltperish。’
’ButIshallknowmyselfguiltless；andinmymysteriousmadnessIhadfearful，thoughmomentary，doubts。Yettellme，manofastrangecreed，thinkestthouthatforsmallerrors，orforancestralfaults，weareforeverabandonedandaccursedbythepowersabove，whatevernamethouallottesttothem？’
’Godisjust，andabandonsnotHiscreaturesfortheirmerehumanfrailty。
Godismerciful，andcursesnonebutthewickedwhorepentnot。’
’Yetitseemethtomeasif，inthedivineanger，Ihadbeensmittenbyasuddenmadness，asupernaturalandsolemnfrenzy，wroughtnotbyhumanmeans。’
’Therearedemonsonearth，’answeredtheNazarene，fearfully，’aswellasthereareGodandHisSoninheaven；andsincethouacknowledgestnotthelast，thefirstmayhavehadpoweroverthee。’
Glaucusdidnotreply，andtherewasasilenceforsomeminutes。AtlengththeAtheniansaid，inachanged，andsoft，andhalf—hesitatingvoice。
’Christian，believestthou，amongthedoctrinesofthycreed，thatthedeadliveagain——thattheywhohavelovedhereareunitedhereafter——thatbeyondthegraveourgoodnameshinespurefromthemortalmiststhatunjustlydimitinthegross—eyedworld——andthatthestreamswhicharedividedbythedesertandtherockmeetinthesolemnHades，andflowoncemoreintoone？’
’BelieveIthat，OAthenianNo，Idonotbelieve——Iknow！anditisthatbeautifulandblessedassurancewhichsupportsmenow。OCyllene！’
continuedOlinthus，passionately，’brideofmyheart！tornfrommeinthefirstmonthofournuptials，’shallInotseetheeyet，anderemanydaysbepast？Welcome，welcomedeath，thatwillbringmetoheavenandthee！’
TherewassomethinginthissuddenburstofhumanaffectionwhichstruckakindredchordinthesouloftheGreek。Hefelt，forthefirsttime，asympathygreaterthanmereafflictionbetweenhimandhiscompanion。HecreptnearertowardsOlinthus；fortheItalians，fierceinsomepoints，werenotunnecessarilycruelinothers；theysparedtheseparatecellandthesuperfluouschain，andallowedthevictimsofthearenathesadcomfortofsuchfreedomandsuchcompanionshipastheprisonwouldafford。
’Yes，’continuedtheChristian，withholyfervor，’theimmortalityofthesoul——theresurrection——thereunionofthedead——isthegreatprincipleofourcreed——thegreattruthaGodsuffereddeathitselftoattestandproclaim。NofabledElysium——nopoeticOrcus——butapureandradiantheritageofheavenitself，istheportionofthegood。’
’Tellme，then，thydoctrines，andexpoundtomethyhopes，’saidGlaucus，earnestly。
Olinthuswasnotslowtoobeythatprayer；andthere——asoftentimesintheearlyagesoftheChristiancreed——itwasinthedarknessofthedungeon，andovertheapproachofdeath，thatthedawningGospelsheditssoftandconsecratingrays。
ChapterXVII
ACHANCEFORGLAUCUS。
THEhourspassedinlingeringtortureovertheheadofNydiafromthetimeinwhichshehadbeenreplacedinhercell。
Sosia，asifafraidheshouldbeagainoutwitted，hadrefrainedfromvisitingheruntillateinthemorningofthefollowingday，andthenhebutthrustintheperiodicalbasketoffoodandwine，andhastilyreclosedthedoor。Thatdayrolledon，andNydiafeltherselfpent——barred——inexorablyconfined，whenthatdaywasthejudgment—dayofGlaucus，andwhenherreleasewouldhavesavedhim！Yetknowing，almostimpossibleasseemedherescape，thatthesolechanceforthelifeofGlaucusrestedonher，thisyounggirl，frail，passionate，andacutelysusceptibleasshewas——resolvednottogivewaytoadespairthatwoulddisableherfromseizingwhateveropportunitymightoccur。Shekepthersenseswhenever，beneaththewhirlofintolerablethought，theyreeledandtottered；nay，shetookfoodandwinethatshemightsustainherstrength——thatshemightbeprepared！
Sherevolvedschemeafterschemeofescape，andwasforcedtodismissall。
YetSosiawasheronlyhope，theonlyinstrumentwithwhichshecouldtamper。Hehadbeensuperstitiousinthedesireofascertainingwhetherhecouldeventuallypurchasehisfreedom。Blessedgods！mighthenotbewonbythebribeoffreedomitself？wasshenotnearlyrichenoughtopurchaseit？
Herslenderarmswerecoveredwithbracelets，thepresentsofIone；andonhernecksheyetworethatverychainwhich，itmayberemembered，hadoccasionedherjealousquarrelwithGlaucus，andwhichshehadafterwardspromisedvainlytowearforever。ShewaitedburninglytillSosiashouldagainappear：butashourafterhourpassed，andhecamenot，shegrewimpatient。Everynervebeatwithfever；shecouldendurethesolitudenolonger——shegroaned，sheshriekedaloud——shebeatherselfagainstthedoor。
Hercriesechoedalongthehall，andSosia，inpeevishanger，hastenedtoseewhatwasthematter，andsilencehisprisonerifpossible。
’Ho！ho！whatisthis？’saidhe，surlily。’Youngslave，ifthouscreamestoutthus，wemustgagtheeagain。Myshoulderswillsmartforit，ifthouartheardbymymaster。’
’KindSosia，chidemenot——Icannotenduretobesolongalone，’answeredNydia；’thesolitudeappalsme。Sitwithme，Ipray，alittlewhile。Nay，fearnotthatIshouldattempttoescape；placethyseatbeforethedoor。
Keepthineeyeonme——Iwillnotstirfromthisspot。’
Sosia，whowasaconsiderablegossiphimself，wasmovedbythisaddress。Hepitiedonewhohadnobodytotalkwith——itwashiscasetoo；hepitied——andresolvedtorelievehimself。HetookthehintofNydia，placedastoolbeforethedoor，leanthisbackagainstit，andreplied：
’IamsureIdonotwishtobechurlish；andsofarasalittleinnocentchatgoes，Ihavenoobjectiontoindulgeyou。Butmind，notricks——nomoreconjuring！’
’No，no；tellme，dearSosia，whatisthehour？’
’Itisalreadyevening——thegoatsaregoinghome。’
’Ogods！howwentthetrial’
’Bothcondemned。’
Nydiarepressedtheshriek。’Well——well，Ithoughtitwouldbeso。Whendotheysuffer？’
’To—morrow，intheamphitheatre。Ifitwerenotforthee，littlewretch，I
shouldbeallowedtogowiththerestandseeit。’
Nydialeantbackforsomemoments。Naturecouldendurenomore——shehadfaintedaway。ButSosiadidnotperceiveit，foritwastheduskofeve，andhewasfullofhisownprivations。Hewentonlamentingthelossofsodelightfulashow，andaccusingtheinjusticeofArbacesforsinglinghimoutfromallhisfellowstobeconvertedintoagaoler；anderehehadhalffinished，Nydia，withadeepsigh，recoveredthesenseoflife。
’Thousighest，blindone，atmyloss！Well，thatissomecomfort。Solongasyouacknowledgehowmuchyoucostme，Iwillendeavornottogrumble。Itishardtobeill—treated，andyetnotpitied。’
’Sosia，howmuchdostthourequiretomakeupthepurchaseofthyfreedom？’
’Howmuch？Why，abouttwothousandsesterces。’
’Thegodsbepraised！notmore？Seestthouthesebraceletsandthischain？
Theyarewellworthdoublethatsum。Iwillgivethemtheeif……’
’Temptmenot：Icannotreleasethee。Arbacesisasevereandawfulmaster。
WhoknowsbutImightfeedthefishesoftheSarnusAlas！allthesestercesintheworldwouldnotbuymebackintolife。Betteralivedogthanadeadlion。’
’Sosia，thyfreedom！Thinkwell！Ifthouwiltletmeoutonlyforonelittlehour！——letmeoutatmidnight——Iwillreturnereto—morrow’sdawn；
nay，thoucanstgowithme。’
’No，’saidSosia，sturdily，’aslaveoncedisobeyedArbaces，andhewasnevermoreheardof。’
’Butthelawgivesamasternopoweroverthelifeofaslave。’
’Thelawisveryobliging，butmorepolitethanefficient。IknowthatArbacesalwaysgetsthelawonhisside。Besides，ifIamoncedead，whatlawcanbringmetolifeagain！’
Nydiawrungherhands。’Istherenohope，then？’saidshe，convulsively。
’NoneofescapetillArbacesgivestheword。’
’Well，then，saidNydia，quickly，’thouwiltnot，atleast，refusetotakealetterforme：thymastercannotkilltheeforthat。’
’Towhom？’
’Thepraetor。’
’Toamagistrate？No——notI。Ishouldbemadeawitnessincourt，forwhatIknow；andthewaytheycross—examinetheslavesisbythetorture。’
’Pardon：Imeantnotthepraetor——itwasawordthatescapedmeunawares：I
meantquiteanotherperson——thegaySallust。’
’Oh！andwhatwantyouwithhim？’
’Glaucuswasmymaster；hepurchasedmefromacruellord。Healonehasbeenkindtome。Heistodie。IshallneverlivehappilyifIcannot，inhishouroftrialanddoom，lethimknowthatoneheartisgratefultohim。
Sallustishisfriend；hewillconveymymessage。’
’Iamsurehewilldonosuchthing。Glaucuswillhaveenoughtothinkofbetweenthisandto—morrowwithouttroublinghisheadaboutablindgirl。’
’Man，’saidNydia，rising，’wiltthoubecomefree？Thouhasttheofferinthypower；to—morrowitwillbetoolate。Neverwasfreedommorecheaplypurchased。Thoucansteasilyandunmissedleavehome：lessthanhalfanhourwillsufficeforthineabsence。Andforsuchatriflewiltthourefuseliberty？’
Sosiawasgreatlymoved。Itwastruethattherequestwasremarkablysilly；
butwhatwasthattohim？Somuchthebetter。HecouldlockthedooronNydia，and，ifArbacesshouldlearnhisabsence，theoffencewasvenial，andwouldmeritbutareprimand。Yet，shouldNydia’slettercontainsomethingmorethanwhatshehadsaid——shoulditspeakofherimprisonment，asheshrewdlyconjectureditwoulddo——whatthen！ItneedneverbeknowntoArbacesthathehadcarriedtheletter。Attheworstthebribewasenormous——therisklight——thetemptationirresistible。Hehesitatednolonger——heassentedtotheproposal。
’Givemethetrinkets，andIwilltaketheletter。Yetstay——thouartaslave——thouhastnorighttotheseornaments——theyarethymaster’s。’
’TheywerethegiftsofGlaucus；heismymaster。Whatchancehathhetoclaimthem？Whoelsewillknowtheyareinmypossession？’
’Enough——Iwillbringtheethepapyrus。’
’No，notpapyrus——atabletofwaxandastilus。’
Nydia，asthereaderwillhaveseen，wasbornofgentleparents。Theyhaddonealltolightenhercalamity，andherquickintellectsecondedtheirexertions。Despiteherblindness，shehadthereforeacquiredinchildhood，thoughimperfectly，thearttowritewiththesharpstilusuponwaxentablets，inwhichherexquisitesenseoftouchcametoheraid。Whenthetabletswerebroughttoher，shethuspainfullytracedsomewordsinGreek，thelanguageofherchildhood，andwhichalmosteveryItalianofthehigherrankswasthensupposedtoknow。Shecarefullywoundroundtheepistlethethread，andcovereditsknotwithwax；anderesheplaceditinthehandsofSosia，shethusaddressedhim：
’Sosia，Iamblindandinprison。Thoumaystthinktodeceiveme——thoumaystpretendonlytotakethelettertoSallust——thoumaystnotfulfillthycharge：buthereIsolemnlydedicatethyheadtovengeance，thysoultotheinfernalpowers，ifthouwrongestthytrust；andIcallupontheetoplacethyrighthandoffaithinmine，andrepeataftermethesewords：\"Bythegroundonwhichwestand——bytheelementswhichcontainlifeandcancurselife——byOrcus，theall—avenging——bytheOlympianJupiter，theall—seeing——I
swearthatIwillhonestlydischargemytrust，andfaithfullydeliverintothehandsofSallustthisletter！AndifIperjuremyselfinthisoath，maythefullcursesofheavenandhellbewreakeduponme！\"Enough！——Itrustthee——takethyreward。Itisalreadydark——departatonce。’
’Thouartastrangegirl，andthouhastfrightenedmeterribly；butitisallverynatural：andifSallustistobefound，IgivehimthisletterasI
havesworn。Bymyfaith，Imayhavemylittlepeccadilloes！butperjury——no！Ileavethattomybetters。’
WiththisSosiawithdrew，carefullypassingtheheavyboltathwartNydia’sdoor——carefullylockingitswards：and，hangingthekeytohisgirdle，heretiredtohisownden，envelopedhimselffromheadtofootinahugedisguisingcloak，andslippedoutbythebackwayundisturbedandunseen。
Thestreetswerethinandempty。HesoongainedthehouseofSallust。Theporterbadehimleavehisletter，andbegone；forSallustwassogrievedatthecondemnationofGlaucus，thathecouldnotonanyaccountbedisturbed。
’Nevertheless，Ihavesworntogivethisletterintohisownhands——dosoI
must！’AndSosia，wellknowingbyexperiencethatCerberuslovesasop，thrustsomehalfadozensestercesintothehandoftheporter。
’Well，well，’saidthelatter，relenting，’youmayenterifyouwill；but，totellyouthetruth，Sallustisdrinkinghimselfoutofhisgrief。Itishiswaywhenanythingdisturbshim。Heordersacapitalsupper，thebestwine，anddoesnotgiveovertilleverythingisoutofhishead——buttheliquor。’
’Anexcellentplan——excellent！Ah，whatitistoberich！IfIwereSallust，Iwouldhavesomegrieforanothereveryday。Butjustsayakindwordformewiththeatriensis——Iseehimcoming。’
Sallustwastoosadtoreceivecompany；hewastoosad，also，todrinkalone；so，aswashiswont，headmittedhisfavoritefreedmantohisentertainment，andastrangerbanquetneverwasheld。Foreverandanon，thekind—heartedepicuresighed，whimpered，weptoutright，andthenturnedwithdoublezesttosomenewdishorhisrefilledgoblet。
’Mygoodfellow，’saidhetohiscompanion，itwasamostawfuljudgment——heigho！——itisnotbadthatkid，eh？Poor，dearGlaucus！——whatajawthelionhastoo！Ah，ah，ah！’
AndSallustsobbedloudly——thefitwasstoppedbyacounteractionofhiccups。
’Takeacupofwine，’saidthefreedman。
’Athoughttoocold：butthenhowcoldGlaucusmustbe！Shutupthehouseto—morrow——notaslaveshallstirforth——noneofmypeopleshallhonourthatcursedarena——No，no！’
’TastetheFalernian——yourgriefdistractsyou。Bythegodsitdoes——apieceofthatcheesecake。’
ItwasatthisauspiciousmomentthatSosiawasadmittedtothepresenceofthedisconsolatecarouser。
’Ho——whatartthou？’
’MerelyamessengertoSallust。Igivehimthisbilletfromayoungfemale。
ThereisnoanswerthatIknowof。MayIwithdraw？’
ThussaidthediscreetSosia，keepinghisfacemuffledinhiscloak，andspeakingwithafeignedvoice，sothathemightnothereafterberecognized。
’Bythegods——apimp！Unfeelingwretch！——doyounotseemysorrows？Go！
andthecursesofPandaruswithyou！’
Sosialostnotamomentinretiring。
’Willyoureadtheletter，Sallust？’saidthefreedman。
’Letter！——whichletter？’saidtheepicure，reeling，forhebegantoseedouble。’Acurseonthesewenches，sayI！AmIamantothinkof——（hiccup）——pleasure，when——when——myfriendisgoingtobeeatup？’
’Eatanothertartlet。’
’No，no！Mygriefchokesme！’
’Takehimtobedsaidthefreedman；and，Sallust’sheadnowdecliningfairlyonhisbreast，theyborehimofftohiscubiculum，stillmutteringlamentationsforGlaucus，andimprecationsontheunfeelingoverturesofladiesofpleasure。
MeanwhileSosiastrodeindignantlyhomeward。’Pimp，indeed！’quothhetohimself。’Pimp！ascurvy—tonguedfellowthatSallust！HadIbeencalledknave，orthief。Icouldhaveforgivenit；butpimp！Faugh！Thereissomethinginthewordwhichthetougheststomachintheworldwouldriseagainst。Aknaveisaknaveforhisownpleasure，andathiefathiefforhisownprofit；andthereissomethinghonorableandphilosophicalinbeingarascalforone’sownsake：thatisdoingthingsuponprinciple——uponagrandscale。Butapimpisathingthatdefilesitselfforanother——apipkinthatisputonthefireforanotherman’spottage！anapkin，thateveryguestwipeshishandsupon！andthescullionsays，\"byyourleavetoo。
Apimp！Iwouldratherhehadcalledmeparricide！Butthemanwasdrunk，anddidnotknowwhathesaid；and，besides，Idisguisedmyself。HadheseenithadbeenSosiawhoaddressedhim，itwouldhavebeen\"honestSosia！\"
and，\"worthyman！\"Iwarrant。Nevertheless，thetrinketshavebeenwoneasily——that’ssomecomfort！and，OgoddessFeronia！Ishallbeafreedmansoon！andthenIshouldliketoseewho’llcallmepimp！——unless，indeed，hepaymeprettyhandsomelyforit！’
WhileSosiawassoliloquisinginthishigh—mindedandgenerousvein，hispathlayalonganarrowlanethatledtowardstheamphitheatreanditsadjacentpalaces。Suddenly，asheturnedasharpcornerhefoundhimselfinthemidstofaconsiderablecrowd。Men，women，andchildren，allwerehurryingorlaughing，talking，gesticulating；and，erehewasawareofit，theworthySosiawasborneawaywiththenoisystream。
’Whatnow？’heaskedofhisnearestneighbor，ayoungartificer；’whatnow？
Whereareallthesegoodfolksthronging？’Doesanyrichpatrongiveawayalmsorviandsto—night？’
’Notso，man——betterstill，’repliedtheartificer；’thenoblePansa——thepeople’sfriend——hasgrantedthepublicleavetoseethebeastsintheirvivaria。ByHercules！theywillnotbeseensosafelybysomepersonsto—morrow。’
’Tisaprettysight，’saidtheslave，yieldingtothethrongthatimpelledhimonward；’andsinceImaynotgotothesportsto—morrow，Imayaswelltakeapeepatthebeaststo—night。’
’Youwilldowell，’returnedhisnewacquaintance，’alionandatigerarenottobeseenatPompeiieveryday。’
Thecrowdhadnowenteredabrokenandwidespaceofground，onwhich，asitwasonlylightedscantilyandfromadistance，thepressbecamedangeroustothosewhoselimbsandshoulderswerenotfittedforamob。Nevertheless，thewomenespecially——manyofthemwithchildrenintheirarms，orevenatthebreast——werethemostresoluteinforcingtheirway；andtheirshrillexclamationsofcomplaintorobjurgationwereheardloudabovethemorejovialandmasculinevoices。Yet，amidstthemwasayoungandgirlishvoice，thatappearedtocomefromonetoohappyinherexcitementtobealivetotheinconvenienceofthecrowd。
’Aha！’criedtheyoungwoman，tosomeofhercompanions，’Ialwaystoldyouso；Ialwayssaidweshouldhaveamanforthelion；andnowwehaveoneforthetigertoo！Iwishtomorrowwerecome！’
Ho，ho！forthemerry，merryshow，Withaforestoffacesineveryrow！
Lo！theswordsmen，boldasthesonofAlcmaena，Sweep，sidebyside，o’erthehushedarena。
Talkwhileyoumay，youwillholdyourbreathWhentheymeetinthegraspoftheglowingdeath！
Tramp！tramp！howgailytheygo！
Ho！ho！forthemerry，merryshow！
’Ajollygirl！’saidSosia。
’Yes，’repliedtheyoungartificer，acurly—headed，handsomeyouth。’Yes，’
repliedhe，enviously；’thewomenloveagladiator。IfIhadbeenaslave，Iwouldhavesoonfoundmyschoolmasterinthelanista！’
’Wouldyou，indeed？’saidSosia，withasneer。’People’snotionsdiffer！’
Thecrowdhadnowarrivedattheplaceofdestination；butasthecellinwhichthewildbeastswereconfinedwasextremelysmallandnarrow，tenfoldmorevehementthanithithertohadbeenwastherushoftheaspirantstoobtainadmittance。Twooftheofficersoftheamphitheatre，placedattheentrance，verywiselymitigatedtheevilbydispensingtotheforemostonlyalimitednumberofticketsatatime，andadmittingnonewvisitorstilltheirpredecessorshadsatedtheircuriosity。Sosia，whowasatolerablystoutfellowandnottroubledwithanyremarkablescruplesofdiffidenceorgoodbreeding，contrivedtobeamongthefirstoftheinitiated。
Separatedfromhiscompaniontheartificer，Sosiafoundhimselfinanarrowcellofoppressiveheatandatmosphere，andlightedbyseveralrankandflaringtorches。
Theanimals，usuallykeptindifferentvivaria，ordens，werenow，forthegreaterentertainmentofthevisitors，placedinone，butequallyindeeddividedfromeachotherbystrongcagesprotectedbyironbars。
Theretheywere，thefellandgrimwanderersofthedesert，whohavenowbecomealmosttheprincipalagentsofthisstory。Thelion，who，asbeingthemoregentlebynaturethanhisfellow—beast，hadbeenmoreincitedtoferocitybyhunger，stalkedrestlesslyandfiercelytoandfrohisnarrowconfines：hiseyeswereluridwithrageandfamine：andas，everynowandthen，hepausedandglaredaround，thespectatorsfearfullypressedbackward，anddrewtheirbreathmorequickly。Butthetigerlayquietandextendedatfulllengthinhiscage，andonlybyanoccasionalplayofhistail，oralongimpatientyawn，testifiedanyemotionathisconfinement，oratthecrowdwhichhonoredhimwiththeirpresence。
’IhaveseennofiercerbeastthanyonlionevenintheamphitheatreofRome，’saidagiganticandsinewyfellowwhostoodattherighthandofSosia。
’IfeelhumbledwhenIlookathislimbs，’replied，attheleftofSosia，aslighterandyoungerfigure，withhisarmsfoldedonhisbreast。
Theslavelookedfirstatone，andthenattheother。’Virtusinmedio！——virtueiseverinthemiddle！’mutteredhetohimself；’agoodlyneighborhoodforthee，Sosia——agladiatoroneachside！’
’Thatiswellsaid，Lydon，’returnedthehugergladiator；’Ifeelthesame。’
’Andtothink，’observedLydon，inatoneofdeepfeeling，tothinkthatthenobleGreek，hewhomwesawbutadayortwosincebeforeus，sofullofyouth，andhealth，andjoyousness，istofeastyonmonster！’
’Whynot？’growledNiger，savagely：’manyanhonestgladiatorhasbeencompelledtoalikecombatbytheemperor——whynotawealthymurdererbythelaw？’