A Struggle for Rome, v. 3 Read online

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  A STRUGGLE FOR ROME.

  BY FELIX DAHN.

  _T R A N S L A T E D F R O M T H E G E R M A N_ BY LILY WOLFFSOHN.

  "If there be anything more powerful than Fate, It is the courage which bears it undismayed." GEIBEL.

  IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III.

  LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON. 1878. [_All Rights Reserved._]

  A STRUGGLE FOR ROME.

  BOOK IV.--_Continued_.

  WITICHIS.

  CHAPTER XXIV.

  Thanks to the precautions taken by Procopius, the trick had succeededcompletely.

  At the moment in which the flag of the Goths fell and their King wastaken prisoner, they were everywhere surprised and overpowered.In the courts of the palace, in the streets and canals of the cityand in the camp, they were surrounded by far superior numbers. Apalisade of lances met their sight on all sides. Almost without anexception the paralysed Goths laid down their arms. The few who offeredresistance--the nearest associates of the King--were struck down.

  Witichis himself, Duke Guntharis, Earl Wisand, Earl Markja, and theleaders of the army who were taken prisoners with them, were placed inseparate confinement; the King imprisoned in the "prison of Theodoric,"a strong and deep dungeon in the palace itself.

  The procession from the Gate of Stilicho to the Forum of Honorius hadnot been interrupted.

  Arrived at the palace, Belisarius summoned the Senate and decurions ofthe city, and took their oaths of allegiance for Emperor Justinian.

  Procopius was sent to Byzantium with the golden keys of Neapolis, Rome,and Ravenna. He was to give a full report to the Emperor, and to demandfor Belisarius the prolongation of his office until Italy had beencompletely tranquillised, as could not fail to be the case presently,and afterwards, as had been the case after the Vandal wars, to accordhim the honour of a triumph, with the exposure of the King of theGoths, as prisoner of war, in the Hippodrome.

  For Belisarius looked upon the war as ended.

  Cethegus almost shared this belief. But still he feared the outburstsof indignation amongst the Goths in the provinces. Therefore he tookcare that, for the present, no report of the manner in which the cityhad fallen should pass the gates; and he pondered upon some means ofmaking use of the imprisoned King himself, to palliate the possiblerenewal of national feeling in the Goths.

  He also persuaded Belisarius to send Acacius, with the Persianhorsemen, to follow Hildebad, who had escaped in the direction ofTarvisium.

  In vain he tried to speak to the Queen.

  She had not yet fully recovered the effects of the night of theearthquake, and admitted no one. She had even listened to the news ofthe fall of the city with indifference. The Prefect gave her a guard ofhonour, in order to make sure of her, for he had great plans inconnection with her. Then he sent her the sword of the King,accompanying it with a note.

  "I have kept my word. King Witichis is ruined, you are revenged andfree. Now it is your turn to fulfil my wish."

  A few days later, Belisarius, deprived of his constant adviserProcopius, called the Prefect to an interview in the right wing of thepalace, where he had taken up his quarters.

  "Unheard-of mutiny!" he cried, as Cethegus entered.

  "What has happened?"

  "You know that I placed Bessas, with the Lazian mercenaries, in thetrenches of the Gate of Honorius, one of the most important points ofthe city. Hearing that the temper of these troops was insubordinate Irecalled them--and Bessas----"

  "Well?"

  "Refuses to obey."

  "Without reason? Impossible!"

  "A ridiculous reason! Yesterday the term of my office expired."

  "Well?"

  "And Bessas declares that since midnight I am no longer his commander!"

  "Shameful! But he is in the right."

  "In the right! In a few days the Emperor's reply will arrive, accordingto my wish. He will naturally, after the conquest of Ravenna, againappoint me as commander-in-chief, until the war is ended. The news maybe here the day after to-morrow."

  "Perhaps still sooner, Belisarius. At sunset the watchman on thelighthouse of Classis announced the approach of a ship coming fromAriminum. It appears to be an imperial trireme. It may run into harbourat any hour. Then the knot will be loosened."

  "I will cut it beforehand. My body-guard shall storm the trenches andstrike the head off the obstinate Bessas----"

  He was interrupted by the entrance of Johannes.

  "General," he cried, "the Emperor is here! The Emperor, Justinianhimself, has just anchored in the harbour of Classis."

  Cethegus involuntarily started. Was such a thunderbolt from a clearsky, such a whim of the incalculable despot, after such toil, tooverthrow the almost perfect structure of his plans?

  But Belisarius, with sparkling eyes, asked:

  "The Emperor? How do you know?"

  "He comes himself to thank you for your victory--never was suchhonour done to mortal man! The ship from Ariminum bears the imperialflag--purple and silver. You know that that indicates the actualpresence of the Emperor."

  "Or of a member of his family," interposed Cethegus thoughtfully, andonce more breathing freely.

  "Let us hasten to the harbour, to receive our Imperial master," criedBelisarius.

  He was disappointed in his joy and pride when, on their way to Classis,they were met by the first courtiers who had disembarked, and whodemanded quarters in the palace, not for the Emperor, but for hisnephew Germanus.

  "At least he sends the next in rank," said Belisarius--consolinghimself--to Cethegus as they went on. "Germanus is the noblest man atcourt. Just, incorruptible, and pure. They call him 'The Lily of theSwamp.' But you do not listen to me!"

  "Pardon! but I saw my young friend Lucius Licinius in the crowd ofpeople who are approaching us."

  "Salve, Cethegus!" cried Lucius as he made his way to the Prefect.

  "Welcome to free Italy! What news from the Empress?" asked Cethegus ina whisper.

  "Her parting word, 'Nike!' (Victoria), and this letter," Luciuswhispered just as softly. "But," and he frowned, "never again send meto that woman!"

  "No, no, young Hippolytus, I think it will never again be necessary."

  They had now reached the quay of the harbour, the steps of which theImperial Prince was just ascending. His noble form distinguished itselffrom the crowd of splendid courtiers who surrounded him, and he wasreceived by the troops and the people with imperial honours and criesof joy.

  Cethegus looked keenly at him.

  "His pale face has become still paler," he remarked to Licinius.

  "Yes. They say that the Empress, because she could not seduce him, haspoisoned him."

  The Prince, bowing his acknowledgments to all sides, had now reachedBelisarius, who greeted him reverently.

  "I return your greeting, Belisarius," said the Prince gravely; "followme at once to the palace. Where is Cethegus the Prefect? Where isBessas? Ah, Cethegus!" he said, grasping the latter's hand, "I am gladto see again the greatest man in Italy. You
will presently accompany meto the granddaughter of Theodoric. To her belongs my first visit. Ibring her gifts from Justinian and my humble service. She was aprisoner in her own kingdom; she shall be a queen at the Court ofByzantium."

  "That she shall!" thought Cethegus. He bowed profoundly and said, "Iknow that you are acquainted with the Princess already. Her hand wasonce destined for you."

  A flush rapidly spread over the cheek of the Prince.

  "But unfortunately," he answered, "not her heart. I saw her here yearsago, at her mother's court, and since then, my mind's eye has beheldnothing but her picture."

  "Yes, she is the loveliest woman on earth," said the Prefect quietly.

  "Accept this chrysolite as thanks for that word!" cried Germanus, andput a ring upon the Prefect's finger.

  They entered the door of the palace. "Now, Mataswintha," said Cethegusto himself, "now a new life begins for you. I know no Roman woman--onegirl perhaps excepted--who could resist such a temptation. And shallthis rude barbarian withstand?"

  As soon as the Prince had partially recovered from the fatigue of thevoyage, and had exchanged his travelling dress for a state-costume, heappeared, with Cethegus at his side, in the throne-room of the greatTheodoric.

  The trophies of Gothic valour still hung on the walls of the lofty andvaulted hall. On three sides ran a colonnade; in the middle of thefourth stood the elevated throne of Theodoric.

  The Prince ascended the steps of the throne with dignity. Cethegus withBelisarius, Bessas, Demetrius, Johannes, and numerous other leaders,remained standing at a short distance.

  "In the name of my Imperial master and uncle, I take possession of thiscity of Ravenna and of the Western Roman Empire," said Germanus. "Toyou, magister militum, this writing from our master the Emperor. Breakthe seal, and read it before the assembly. Such were the orders ofJustinian."

  Belisarius stepped forward, received the letter upon his knees, kissedthe seal, rose, opened it, and read:

  "'Justinian, Emperior of the Romans, Lord of the East and West,conqueror of the Persians and Saracens, of the Vandals and Alans, ofthe Lazians and Sabirians, of the Huns and Bulgarians, the Avarians andSlavonians, and lastly of the Goths, to Belisarius the Consul, latelymagister militum. We have been acquainted by Cethegus the Prefect withthe events which led to the fall of Ravenna. His report will, at hisrequest, be communicated to you. We, however, cannot at all agree withthe good opinion, therein expressed, of you and your successes; and wedispense you from your office as commander-in-chief. We order you bythis letter to return at once to Byzantium, to answer for yourselfbefore our throne. We can the less accord you a triumph, such as youreceived after the Vandal wars, because neither Rome nor Ravenna fellthrough your valour; Rome having freely capitulated, and Ravenna havingfallen by means of an earthquake, which was a sign of the anger of theAlmighty against the heretics, and against highly suspicious actions,the harmlessness of which you, accused of high treason, must provebefore our throne. As, in consideration of former merit, we would notcondemn you unheard--for East and West shall celebrate us to alltime as the King of Justice--we refrain from arresting you as youraccusers wish. Without chains--only bound by the fetters of your ownself-accusing conscience--you will appear before our Imperialcountenance.'"

  Belisarius reeled; he could read no further; he covered his face withhis hands and let the letter fall.

  Bessas lifted it up, kissed it, and read on:

  "'We name the strategist Bessas as your successor in the army. Wecharge the Archon Johannes with the care of Ravenna. The administrationof the taxes will remain--in spite of the highly unjust complaints madeagainst him by the Italians--in the hands of the logician Alexandros,who is so zealous in our service. And as our Governor in Italy we namethe highly-deserving Prefect of Rome, Cornelius Cethegus Caesarius. Ournephew Germanus, furnished with Imperial power, is answerable for yourtransport to our fleet off Ariminum, whence Areobindos will take you toByzantium.'"

  Germanus rose, and ordered all present, except Belisarius and Cethegus,to leave the hall.

  Then he descended from the throne, and went up to Belisarius, who wasnow totally unconscious of what was going on around him. He stoodimmovable, leaning his head and arm against a column, and staring atthe ground.

  The Prince took his right hand.

  "It pains me, Belisarius, to be the bearer of such a message. Iundertook it, because I thought that a friend would fulfil such anerrand more gently than any of the enemies who were eager to do it. ButI cannot deny that this last victory of yours cancels the fame of manyformer ones. Never could I have expected such a game of lies from thehero Belisarius! Cethegus begged that his report to the Emperor shouldbe laid before you. It is full of your praise. Here it is. I believe itwas the Empress who kindled the anger of Justinian against you. But youdo not hear----"

  And he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the unfortunate man.Belisarius shook it off.

  "Let me alone, boy! You bring me--you bring me the true thanks of acrowned head!"

  Germanus drew himself up with dignity.

  "Belisarius, you forget yourself, and who I am!"

  "Oh no! I am a prisoner, and you are my gaoler. I will go at once onboard your ship--only spare me chains and fetters."

  It was very late before the Prefect could get away from the Prince, whospoke to him with the greatest frankness on state affairs and his ownpersonal wishes.

  As soon as Cethegus was alone in his rooms, which had also beenappointed to him in the palace, he hastened to read the letter whichLucius Licinius had brought from the Empress. It ran thus:

  "You have conquered, Cethegus. As I read your epistle I thought of oldtimes, when your letters to Theodora, written in the same cipher, didnot talk of statesmanship and warfare, but of kisses and roses----"

  "She must always remind me of that!" cried the Prefect, interruptinghis perusal of the letter.

  "But even in this letter I recognise the irresistible intellect that,more even than your youthful beauty, conquered the women of Byzantium.And this time also I accede to the wishes of the old friend as Ionce did to those of the young one. Ah, how I love to think of ouryouth--our sweet youth! I fully understand that Antonina's spouse wouldstand far too securely for the future if he did not fall now. So--asyou wrote me--I whispered to the Emperor that a subject who could playsuch a game with crowns and rebellion was too dangerous; no generalought to be exposed to such temptations. What he had this time feigned,he could, at another time, carry into earnest practice. These wordsweighed more heavily than all Belisarius's success, and my--that is,your--demands were granted. For mistrust is the very soul of Justinian.He trusts no one on earth, except--Theodora. Your messenger, Lucius, is_handsome_, but unamiable; he has nothing in his head but weapons andRome. Ah, Cethegus, my friend, youth is now no more what it was! Youhave conquered, Cethegus--do you remember that evening when I firstwhispered those words?--but do not forget to whom you owe your victory.And mind: Theodora permits herself to be used as a tool only so long asshe likes. Never forget that."

  "Certainly not," said Cethegus, as he carefully destroyed the letter."You are too dangerous an ally, Theodora, my little demon! I will seewhether you cannot be replaced.--Patience! In a few weeks Mataswinthawill be in Byzantium."