第5章

Ifanned，therefore，yoursacreddesires；Istimulatedyoutothestepyouhavetaken。ButyoublamemethatIdidnotrevealtoyouthelittlesoulsandthejugglingtricksofyourcompanions。HadIdoneso，Apaecides，Ihaddefeatedmyownobject；yournoblenaturewouldhaveatoncerevolted，andIsiswouldhavelostherpriest。’

Apaecidesgroanedaloud。TheEgyptiancontinued，withoutheedingtheinterruption。

’Iplacedyou，therefore，withoutpreparation，inthetemple；Ileftyousuddenlytodiscoverandtobesickenedbyallthosemummerieswhichdazzletheherd。Idesiredthatyoushouldperceivehowthoseenginesaremovedbywhichthefountainthatrefreshestheworldcastsitswatersintheair。Itwasthetrialordainedofoldtoallourpriests。Theywhoaccustomthemselvestotheimposturesofthevulgar，arelefttopractisethem——forthoselikeyou，whosehighernaturesdemandhigherpursuit，religionopensmoregod—likesecrets。IampleasedtofindinyouthecharacterIhadexpected。Youhavetakenthevows；youcannotrecede。Advance——Iwillbeyourguide。’

’Andwhatwiltthouteachme，Osingularandfearfulman？Newcheats——new……’

’No——Ihavethrowntheeintotheabyssofdisbelief；Iwillleadtheenowtotheeminenceoffaith。Thouhastseenthefalsetypes：thoushaltlearnnowtherealitiestheyrepresent。Thereisnoshadow，Apaecides，withoutitssubstance。Cometomethisnight。Yourhand。’

Impressed，excited，bewilderedbythelanguageoftheEgyptian，Apaecidesgavehimhishand，andmasterandpupilparted。

ItwastruethatforApaecidestherewasnoretreat。Hehadtakenthevowsofcelibacy：hehaddevotedhimselftoalifethatatpresentseemedtopossessalltheausteritiesoffanaticism，withoutanyoftheconsolationsofbeliefItwasnaturalthatheshouldyetclingtoayearningdesiretoreconcilehimselftoanirrevocablecareer。ThepowerfulandprofoundmindoftheEgyptianyetclaimedanempireoverhisyoungimagination；excitedhimwithvagueconjecture，andkepthimalternatelyvibratingbetweenhopeandfear。

MeanwhileArbacespursuedhisslowandstatelywaytothehouseofIone。Asheenteredthetablinum，heheardavoicefromtheporticoesoftheperistylebeyond，which，musicalasitwas，soundeddispleasinglyonhisear——itwasthevoiceoftheyoungandbeautifulGlaucus，andforthefirsttimeaninvoluntarythrillofjealousyshotthroughthebreastoftheEgyptian。Onenteringtheperistyle，hefoundGlaucusseatedbythesideofIone。Thefountainintheodorousgardencastupitssilversprayintheair，andkeptadeliciouscoolnessinthemidstofthesultrynoon。Thehandmaids，almostinvariablyattendantonIone，whowithherfreedomoflifepreservedthemostdelicatemodesty，satatalittledistance；bythefeetofGlaucuslaythelyreonwhichhehadbeenplayingtoIoneoneoftheLesbianairs。Thescene——thegroupbeforeArbaces，wasstampedbythatpeculiarandrefinedidealityofpoesywhichweyet，noterroneously，imaginetobethedistinctionoftheancients——themarblecolumns，thevasesofflowers，thestatue，whiteandtranquil，closingeveryvista；and，aboveall，thetwolivingforms，fromwhichasculptormighthavecaughteitherinspirationordespair！

Arbaces，pausingforamoment，gazedonthepairwithabrowfromwhichalltheusualsternserenityhadfled；herecoveredhimselfbyaneffort，andslowlyapproachedthem，butwithastepsosoftandecholess，thateventheattendantsheardhimnot；muchlessIoneandherlover。

’Andyet，’saidGlaucus，’itisonlybeforewelovethatweimaginethatourpoetshavetrulydescribedthepassion；theinstantthesunrises，allthestarsthathadshoneinhisabsencevanishintoair。Thepoetsexistonlyinthenightoftheheart；theyarenothingtouswhenwefeelthefullgloryofthegod。’

’Agentleandmostglowingimage，nobleGlaucus。’

Bothstarted，andrecognizedbehindtheseatofIonethecoldandsarcasticfaceoftheEgyptian。

’Youareasuddenguest，’saidGlaucus，rising，andwithaforcedsmile。

’Sooughtalltobewhoknowtheyarewelcome，’returnedArbaces，seatinghimself，andmotioningtoGlaucustodothesame。

’Iamglad，’saidIone，’toseeyouatlengthtogether；foryouaresuitedtoeachother，andyouareformedtobefriends。’

’Givemebacksomefifteenyearsoflife，’repliedtheEgyptian，’beforeyoucanplacemeonanequalitywithGlaucus。HappyshouldIbetoreceivehisfriendship；butwhatcanIgivehiminreturn？CanImaketohimthesameconfidencesthathewouldreposeinme——ofbanquetsandgarlands——ofParthiansteeds，andthechancesofthedice？thesepleasuressuithisage，hisnature，hiscareer：theyarenotformine。’

Sosaying，theartfulEgyptianlookeddownandsighed；butfromthecornerofhiseyehestoleaglancetowardsIone，toseehowshereceivedtheseinsinuationsofthepursuitsofhervisitor。Hercountenancedidnotsatisfyhim。Glaucus，slightlycoloring，hastenedgailytoreply。Norwashe，perhaps，withoutthewishinhisturntodisconcertandabashtheEgyptian。

’Youareright，wiseArbaces，’saidhe；’wecanesteemeachother，butwecannotbefriends。Mybanquetslackthesecretsaltwhich，accordingtorumor，givessuchzesttoyourown。And，byHercules！whenIhavereachedyourage，ifI，likeyou，maythinkitwisetopursuethepleasuresofmanhood，likeyou，Ishallbedoubtlesssarcasticonthegallantriesofyouth。’

TheEgyptianraisedhiseyestoGlaucuswithasuddenandpiercingglance。

’Idonotunderstandyou，’saidhe，coldly；’butitisthecustomtoconsiderthatwitliesinobscurity。’HeturnedfromGlaucusashespoke，withascarcelyperceptiblesneerofcontempt，andafteramoment’spauseaddressedhimselftoIone。

’Ihavenot，beautifulIone，’saidhe，’beenfortunateenoughtofindyouwithindoorsthelasttwoorthreetimesthatIhavevisitedyourvestibule。’

’Thesmoothnessoftheseahastemptedmemuchfromhome，’repliedIone，withalittleembarrassment。

TheembarrassmentdidnotescapeArbaces；butwithoutseemingtoheedit，herepliedwithasmile：’Youknowtheoldpoetsays，that"Womenshouldkeepwithindoors，andthereconverse。"’

’Thepoetwasacynic，’saidGlaucus，’andhatedwomen。’

’Hespokeaccordingtothecustomsofhiscountry，andthatcountryisyourboastedGreece。’

’Todifferentperiodsdifferentcustoms。HadourforefathersknownIone，theyhadmadeadifferentlaw。’

’DidyoulearntheseprettygallantriesatRome？’saidArbaces，withill—suppressedemotion。

’OnecertainlywouldnotgoforgallantriestoEgypt，’retortedGlaucus，playingcarelesslywithhischain。

’Come，come，’saidIone，hasteningtointerruptaconversationwhichshesaw，tohergreatdistress，wassolittlelikelytocementtheintimacyshehaddesiredtoeffectbetweenGlaucusandherfriend，’Arbacesmustnotbesoharduponhispoorpupil。Anorphan，andwithoutamother’scare，ImaybetoblamefortheindependentandalmostmasculinelibertyoflifethatI

havechosen：yetitisnotgreaterthantheRomanwomenareaccustomedto——itisnotgreaterthantheGrecianoughttobe。Alas！isitonlytobeamongmenthatfreedomandvirtuearetobedeemedunited？Whyshouldtheslaverythatdestroysyoubeconsideredtheonlymethodtopreserveus？Ah！

believeme，ithasbeenthegreaterrorofmen——andonethathasworkedbitterlyontheirdestinies——toimaginethatthenatureofwomenis（Iwillnotsayinferior，thatmaybeso，but）sodifferentfromtheirown，inmakinglawsunfavorabletotheintellectualadvancementofwomen。Havetheynot，insodoing，madelawsagainsttheirchildren，whomwomenaretorear？——againstthehusbands，ofwhomwomenaretobethefriends，nay，sometimestheadvisers？’Ionestoppedshortsuddenly，andherfacewassuffusedwiththemostenchantingblushes。Shefearedlestherenthusiasmhadledhertoofar；yetshefearedtheaustereArbaceslessthanthecourteousGlaucus，forshelovedthelast，anditwasnotthecustomoftheGreekstoallowtheirwomen（atleastsuchoftheirwomenastheymosthonored）thesamelibertyandthesamestationasthoseofItalyenjoyed。

Shefelt，therefore，athrillofdelightasGlaucusearnestlyreplied：

’Evermaystthouthinkthus，Ione——everbeyourpureheartyourunerringguide！HappyithadbeenforGreeceifshehadgiventothechastethesameintellectualcharmsthataresocelebratedamongstthelessworthyofherwomen。Nostatefallsfromfreedom——fromknowledge，whileyoursexsmileonlyonthefree，andbyappreciating，encouragethewise。’

Arbaceswassilent，foritwasneitherhisparttosanctionthesentimentofGlaucus，nortocondemnthatofIone，and，afterashortandembarrassedconversation，GlaucustookhisleaveofIone。

Whenhewasgone，Arbaces，drawinghisseatnearertothefairNeapolitan’s，saidinthoseblandandsubduedtones，inwhichheknewsowellhowtoveilthemingledartandfiercenessofhischaracter：

’Thinknot，mysweetpupil，ifsoImaycallyou，thatIwishtoshacklethatlibertyyouadornwhileyouassume：butwhich，ifnotgreater，asyourightlyobserve，thanthatpossessedbytheRomanwomen，mustatleastbeaccompaniedbygreatcircumspection，whenarrogatedbyoneunmarried。

Continuetodrawcrowdsofthegay，thebrilliant，thewisethemselves，toyourfeet——continuetocharmthemwiththeconversationofanAspasia，themusicofanErinna——butreflect，atleast，onthosecensorioustongueswhichcansoeasilyblightthetenderreputationofamaiden；andwhileyouprovokeadmiration，give，Ibeseechyou，novictorytoenvy。’

’Whatmeanyou，Arbaces？’saidIone，inanalarmedandtremblingvoice：’I

knowyouaremyfriend，thatyoudesireonlymyhonourandmywelfare。Whatisityouwouldsay？’

’Yourfriend——ah，howsincerely！MayIspeakthenasafriend，withoutreserveandwithoutoffence？’

’Ibeseechyoudoso。’

’Thisyoungprofligate，thisGlaucus，howdidstthouknowhim？Hastthouseenhimoften？’AndasArbacesspoke，hefixedhisgazesteadfastlyuponIone，asifhesoughttopenetrateintohersoul。

Recoilingbeforethatgaze，withastrangefearwhichshecouldnotexplain，theNeapolitanansweredwithconfusionandhesitation：’Hewasbroughttomyhouseasacountrymanofmyfather’s，andImaysayofmine。Ihaveknownhimonlywithinthislastweekorso：butwhythesequestions？’

’Forgiveme，’saidArbaces；’Ithoughtyoumighthaveknownhimlonger。

Baseinsinuatorthatheis！’

’How！whatmeanyou？Whythatterm？’

’Itmattersnot：letmenotrouseyourindignationagainstonewhodoesnotdeservesograveanhonour。’

’Iimploreyouspeak。WhathasGlaucusinsinuated？orrather，inwhatdoyousupposehehasoffended？’

SmotheringhisresentmentatthelastpartofIone’squestion，Arbacescontinued：’Youknowhispursuits，hiscompanionshishabits；thecomissatioandthealea（therevelandthedice）makehisoccupation；andamongsttheassociatesofvicehowcanhedreamofvirtue？’

’Stillyouspeakriddles。Bythegods！Ientreatyou，saytheworstatonce。’

’Well，then，itmustbeso。Know，myIone，thatitwasbutyesterdaythatGlaucusboastedopenly——yes，inthepublicbaths——ofyourlovetohim。Hesaiditamusedhimtotakeadvantageofit。Nay，Iwilldohimjustice，hepraisedyourbeauty。Whocoulddenyit？ButhelaughedscornfullywhenhisClodius，orhisLepidus，askedhimifhelovedyouenoughformarriage，andwhenhepurposedtoadornhisdoor—postswithflowers？’

’Impossible！Howheardyouthisbaseslander？’

’Nay，wouldyouhavemerelatetoyouallthecommentsoftheinsolentcoxcombswithwhichthestoryhascircledthroughthetown？BeassuredthatImyselfdisbelievedatfirst，andthatIhavenowpainfullybeenconvincedbyseveralear—witnessesofthetruthofwhatIhavereluctantlytoldthee。’

Ionesankback，andherfacewaswhiterthanthepillaragainstwhichsheleanedforsupport。

’Iownitvexed——itirritatedme，tohearyournamethuslightlypitchedfromliptolip，likesomemeredancing—girl’sfame。Ihastenedthismorningtoseekandtowarnyou。IfoundGlaucushere。Iwasstungfrommyself—possession。Icouldnotconcealmyfeelings；nay，Iwasuncourteousinthypresence。Canstthouforgivethyfriend，Ione？’

Ioneplacedherhandinhis，butrepliednot。

’Thinknomoreofthis，’saidhe；’butletitbeawarningvoice，totelltheehowmuchprudencethylotrequires。Itcannothurtthee，Ione，foramoment；foragaythinglikethiscouldneverhavebeenhonoredbyevenaseriousthoughtfromIone。Theseinsultsonlywoundwhentheycomefromonewelove；fardifferentindeedishewhomtheloftyIoneshallstooptolove。’

’Love！’mutteredIone，withanhystericallaugh。’Ay，indeed。’

Itisnotwithoutinteresttoobserveinthoseremotetimes，andunderasocialsystemsowidelydifferentfromthemodern，thesamesmallcausesthatruffleandinterruptthe’courseoflove’，whichoperatesocommonlyatthisday——thesameinventivejealousy，thesamecunningslander，thesamecraftyandfabricatedretailingsofpettygossip，whichsooftennowsufficetobreakthetiesofthetruestlove，andcounteractthetenorofcircumstancesmostapparentlypropitious。Whenthebarksailsonoverthesmoothestwave，thefabletellsusofthediminutivefishthatcanclingtothekeelandarrestitsprogress：soisiteverwiththegreatpassionsofmankind；andweshouldpaintlifebutillif，evenintimesthemostprodigalofromance，andoftheromanceofwhichwemostlargelyavailourselves，wedidnotalsodescribethemechanismofthosetrivialandhouseholdspringsofmischiefwhichweseeeverydayatworkinourchambersandatourhearths。Itisinthese，thelesserintriguesoflife，thatwemostlyfindourselvesathomewiththepast。

MostcunninglyhadtheEgyptianappealedtoIone’srulingfoible——mostdexterouslyhadheappliedthepoisoneddarttoherpride。Hefanciedhehadarrestedwhathehoped，fromtheshortnessofthetimeshehadknownGlaucus，was，atmost，butanincipientfancy；andhasteningtochangethesubject，henowledhertotalkofherbrother。Theirconversationdidnotlastlong。Helefther，resolvednotagaintotrustsomuchtoabsence，buttovisit——towatchher——everyday。

Nosoonerhadhisshadowglidedfromherpresence，thanwoman’spride——hersex’sdissimulation——desertedhisintendedvictim，andthehaughtyIoneburstintopassionatetears。

ChapterVII

THEGAYLIFEOFTHEPOMPEIANLOUNGER。AMINIATURELIKENESSOFTHEROMAN

BATHS。

WHENGlaucusleftIone，hefeltasifhetroduponair。Intheinterviewwithwhichhehadjustbeenblessed，hehadforthefirsttimegatheredfromherdistinctlythathislovewasnotunwelcometo，andwouldnotbeunrewardedby，her。Thishopefilledhimwitharaptureforwhichearthandheavenseemedtoonarrowtoaffordavent。Unconsciousofthesuddenenemyhehadleftbehind，andforgettingnotonlyhistauntsbuthisveryexistence，Glaucuspassedthroughthegaystreets，repeatingtohimself，inthewantonnessofjoy，themusicofthesoftairtowhichIonehadlistenedwithsuchintentness；andnowheenteredtheStreetofFortune，withitsraisedfootpath——itshousespaintedwithout，andtheopendoorsadmittingtheviewoftheglowingfrescoeswithin。Eachendofthestreetwasadornedwithatriumphalarch：andasGlaucusnowcamebeforetheTempleofFortune，thejuttingporticoofthatbeautifulfane（whichissupposedtohavebeenbuiltbyoneofthefamilyofCicero，perhapsbytheoratorhimself）

impartedadignifiedandvenerablefeaturetoasceneotherwisemorebrilliantthanloftyinitscharacter。ThattemplewasoneofthemostgracefulspecimensofRomanarchitecture。Itwasraisedonasomewhatloftypodium；andbetweentwoflightsofstepsascendingtoaplatformstoodthealtarofthegoddess。Fromthisplatformanotherflightofbroadstairsledtotheportico，fromtheheightofwhoseflutedcolumnshungfestoonsoftherichestflowers。OneithersidetheextremitiesofthetemplewereplacedstatuesofGrecianworkmanship；andatalittledistancefromthetemplerosethetriumphalarchcrownedwithanequestrianstatueofCaligula，whichwasflankedbytrophiesofbronze。Inthespacebeforethetemplealivelythrongwereassembled——someseatedonbenchesanddiscussingthepoliticsoftheempire，someconversingontheapproachingspectacleoftheamphitheatre。Oneknotofyoungmenwerelaudinganewbeauty，anotherdiscussingthemeritsofthelastplay；athirdgroup，morestrickeninage，werespeculatingonthechanceofthetradewithAlexandria，andamidsttheseweremanymerchantsintheEasterncostume，whoselooseandpeculiarrobes，paintedandgemmedslippers，andcomposedandseriouscountenances，formedastrikingcontrasttothetunickedformsandanimatedgesturesoftheItalians。Forthatimpatientandlivelypeoplehad，asnow，alanguagedistinctfromspeech——alanguageofsignsandmotions，inexpressiblysignificantandvivacious：theirdescendantsretainit，andthelearnedJoriohathwrittenamostentertainingworkuponthatspeciesofhieroglyphicalgesticulation。

Saunteringthroughthecrowd，Glaucussoonfoundhimselfamidstagroupofhismerryanddissipatedfriends。

’Ah！’saidSallust，’itisalustrumsinceIsawyou。’

’Andhowhaveyouspentthelustrum？Whatnewdisheshaveyoudiscovered？’

’Ihavebeenscientific，’returnedSallust，’andhavemadesomeexperimentsinthefeedingoflampreys：IconfessIdespairofbringingthemtotheperfectionwhichourRomanancestorsattained。’

’Miserableman！andwhy？’

’Because，’returnedSallust，withasigh，’itisnolongerlawfultogivethemaslavetoeat。Iamveryoftentemptedtomakeawaywithaveryfatcarptor（butler）whomIpossess，andpophimslilyintothereservoir。Hewouldgivethefishamostoleaginousflavor！Butslavesarenotslavesnowadays，andhavenosympathywiththeirmasters’interest——orDavuswoulddestroyhimselftoobligeme！’

’WhatnewsfromRome？’saidLepidus，ashelanguidlyjoinedthegroup。

’Theemperorhasbeengivingasplendidsuppertothesenators，’answeredSallust。

’Heisagoodcreature，’quothLepidus；’theysayheneversendsamanawaywithoutgrantinghisrequest。’

’Perhapshewouldletmekillaslaveformyreservoir？’returnedSallust，eagerly。

’Notunlikely，’saidGlaucus；’forhewhograntsafavortooneRoman，mustalwaysdoitattheexpenseofanother。Besure，thatforeverysmileTitushascaused，ahundredeyeshavewept。’

’LongliveTitus！’criedPansa，overhearingtheemperor’sname，ashesweptpatronizinglythroughthecrowd；’hehaspromisedmybrotheraquaestorship，becausehehadrunthroughhisfortune。’

’Andwishesnowtoenrichhimselfamongthepeople，myPansa，’saidGlaucus。

’Exactlyso，’saidPansa。

’Thatisputtingthepeopletosomeuse，’saidGlaucus。

’Tobesure，returnedPansa。’Well，Imustgoandlookaftertheaerarium——itisalittleoutofrepair’；andfollowedbyalongtrainofclients，distinguishedfromtherestofthethrongbythetogastheywore（fortogas，oncethesignoffreedominacitizen，werenowthebadgeofservilitytoapatron），theaedilefidgetedfussilyaway。

’PoorPansa！’saidLepidus：’heneverhastimeforpleasure。ThankHeavenI

amnotanaedile！’

’Ah，Glaucus！howareyou？gayasever？’saidClodius，joiningthegroup。

’AreyoucometosacrificetoFortune？’saidSallust。

’Isacrificetohereverynight，’returnedthegamester。

’Idonotdoubtit。Nomanhasmademorevictims！’

’ByHercules，abitingspeech！’criedGlaucus，laughing。

’Thedog’sletterisneveroutofyourmouth，Sallust，’saidClodius，angrily：’youarealwayssnarling。’

’Imaywellhavethedog’sletterinmymouth，since，wheneverIplaywithyou，Ihavethedog’sthrowinmyhand，’returnedSallust。

’Hist！’saidGlaucus，takingarosefromaflower—girl，whostoodbeside。

’Theroseisthetokenofsilence，’repliedSallust，’butIloveonlytoseeitatthesupper—table。’

’Talkingofthat，Diomedgivesagrandfeastnextweek，’saidSallust：’areyouinvited，Glaucus？’

’Yes，Ireceivedaninvitationthismorning。’

’AndI，too，’saidSallust，drawingasquarepieceofpapyrusfromhisgirdle：’Iseethatheasksusanhourearlierthanusual：anearnestofsomethingsumptuous。’

’Oh！heisrichasCroesus，’saidClodius；’andhisbilloffareisaslongasanepic。’

’Well，letustothebaths，’saidGlaucus：’thisisthetimewhenalltheworldisthere；andFulvius，whomyouadmiresomuch，isgoingtoreadushislastode。’

Theyoungmenassentedreadilytotheproposal，andtheystrolledtothebaths。

Althoughthepublicthermae，orbaths，wereinstitutedratherforthepoorercitizensthanthewealthy（forthelasthadbathsintheirownhouses），yet，tothecrowdsofallrankswhoresortedtothem，itwasafavoriteplaceforconversation，andforthatindolentloungingsodeartoagayandthoughtlesspeople。ThebathsatPompeiidiffered，ofcourse，inplanandconstructionfromthevastandcomplicatedthermaeofRome；and，indeed，itseemsthatineachcityoftheempiretherewasalwayssomeslightmodificationofarrangementinthegeneralarchitectureofthepublicbaths。

Thismightilypuzzlesthelearned——asifarchitectsandfashionwerenotcapriciousbeforethenineteenthcentury！OurpartyenteredbytheprincipalporchintheStreetofFortune。Atthewingoftheporticosatthekeeperofthebaths，withhistwoboxesbeforehim，oneforthemoneyhereceived，onefortheticketshedispensed。Roundthewallsoftheporticowereseatscrowdedwithpersonsofallranks；whileothers，astheregimenofthephysiciansprescribed，werewalkingbrisklytoandfrotheportico，stoppingeverynowandthentogazeontheinnumerablenoticesofshows，games，sales，exhibitions，whichwerepaintedorinscribeduponthewalls。

Thegeneralsubjectofconversationwas，however，thespectacleannouncedintheamphitheatre；andeachnew—comerwasfasteneduponbyagroupeagertoknowifPompeiihadbeensofortunateastoproducesomemonstrouscriminal，somehappycaseofsacrilegeorofmurder，whichwouldallowtheaedilestoprovideamanforthejawsofthelion：allothermorecommonexhibitionsseemeddullandtame，whencomparedwiththepossibilityofthisfortunateoccurrence。

’Formypart，’saidonejolly—lookingman，whowasagoldsmith，’Ithinktheemperor，ifheisasgoodastheysay，mighthavesentusaJew。’

’WhynottakeoneofthenewsectofNazarenes？’saidaphilosopher。’Iamnotcruel：butanatheist，onewhodeniesJupiterhimself，deservesnomercy。’

’Icarenothowmanygodsamanlikestobelievein，’saidthegoldsmith；

’buttodenyallgodsissomethingmonstrous。’

’YetIfancy，’saidGlaucus，’thatthesepeoplearenotabsolutelyatheists。

IamtoldthattheybelieveinaGod——nay，inafuturestate。’

’Quiteamistake，mydearGlaucus，’saidthephilosopher。’Ihaveconferredwiththem——theylaughedinmyfacewhenItalkedofPlutoandHades。’

’Oyegods！’exclaimedthegoldsmith，inhorror；’arethereanyofthesewretchesinPompeii？’

’Iknowthereareafew：buttheymeetsoprivatelythatitisimpossibletodiscoverwhotheyare。’

AsGlaucusturnedaway，asculptor，whowasagreatenthusiastinhisart，lookedafterhimadmiringly。

’Ah！’saidhe，’ifwecouldgethimonthearena——therewouldbeamodelforyou！Whatlimbs！whatahead！heoughttohavebeenagladiator！A

subject——asubject——worthyofourart！Whydon’ttheygivehimtothelion？’

MeanwhileFulvius，theRomanpoet，whomhiscontemporariesdeclaredimmortal，andwho，butforthishistory，wouldneverhavebeenheardofinourneglectfulage，cameeagerlyuptoGlaucus。’Oh，myAthenian，myGlaucus，youhavecometohearmyode！Thatisindeedanhonour；you，aGreek——towhomtheverylanguageofcommonlifeispoetry。HowIthankyou。

Itisbutatrifle；butifIsecureyourapprobation，perhapsImaygetanintroductiontoTitus。Oh，Glaucus！apoetwithoutapatronisanamphorawithoutalabel；thewinemaybegood，butnobodywilllaudit！AndwhatsaysPythagoras？——"Frankincensetothegods，butpraisetoman。"Apatron，then，isthepoet’spriest：heprocureshimtheincense，andobtainshimhisbelievers。’

’ButallPompeiiisyourpatron，andeveryporticoanaltarinyourpraise。’

’Ah！thepoorPompeiansareverycivil——theylovetohonourmerit。Buttheyareonlytheinhabitantsofapettytown——speromeliora！Shallwewithin？’

’Certainly；welosetimetillwehearyourpoem。’

Atthisinstanttherewasarushofsometwentypersonsfromthebathsintotheportico；andaslavestationedatthedoorofasmallcorridornowadmittedthepoet，Glaucus，Clodius，andatroopofthebard’sotherfriends，intothepassage。

’Apoorplacethis，comparedwiththeRomanthermae！’saidLepidus，disdainfully。‘