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"SHE believes in God who is one, all-powerful, and just," said
Petronius, when he found himself again in the litter with Vinicius.
"If her God is all-powerful, He controls life and death; and if He is
just, He sends death justly. Why, then, does Pomponia wear
mourning for Julius? In mourning for Julius she blames her God. I
must repeat this reasoning to our Bronzebeard, the monkey, since I
consider that in dialectics I am the equal of Socrates. As to
women, I agree that each has three or four souls, but none of them
a reasoning one. Let Pomponia meditate with Seneca or Cornurus
over the question of what their great Logos is. Let them summon at
once the shades of Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno, and Plato, who
are as much wearied there in Cimmerian regions as a finch in a
cage. I wished to talk with her and with Plautius about something
else. By the holy stomach of the Egyptian Isis! If I had told them
right out directly why we came, I suppose that their virtue would
have made as much noise as a bronze shield under the blow of a
club. And I did not dare to tell! Wilt thou believe, Vinicius, I did
not dare! Peacocks are beautiful birds, but they have too shrill a
cry. I feared an outburst.
But I must praise thy choice. A real 'rosy-fingered Aurora.' And
knowest thou what she reminded me of too? -- Spring! not our
spring in Italy, where an apple-tree merely puts forth a blossom
here and there, and olive groves grow gray, just as they were gray
before, but the spring which I saw once in Helvetia, -- young,
fresh, bright green. By that pale moon, I do not wonder at thee,
Marcus; but know that thou art loving Diana, because Auhis and
Pomponia are ready to tear thee to pieces, as the dogs once tore
Actaeon."
Vinicius was silent a time without raising his head; then he began
to speak with a voice broken by passion, -- "I desired her before,
but now I desire her still more. When I caught her arm, flame
embraced me. I must have her. Were I Zeus, I would surround her
with a cloud, as he surrounded lo, or I would f all on her in rain, as
he fell on Dana‰; I would kiss her lips till it pained! I would hear
her scream in my arms. I would kill Aulus and Pomponia, and bear
her home in my arms. I will not sleep to-night. I will give
command to flog one of my slaves, and listen to his groans --"
"Calm thyself," said Petronius. "Thou hast the longing of a
carpenter from the Subura."
"All one to me what thou sayst. I must have her. I have turned to
thee for aid; but if thou wilt not find it, I shall find it myself. Aulus
considers Lygia as a daughter; why should I look on her as a slave?
And since there is no other way, let her ornament the door of my
house, let her anoint it with wolf's fat, and let her sit at my hearth
as wife."
"Calm thyself, mad descendant of consuls. We do not lead in
barbarians bound behind our cars, to make wives of their
daughters. Beware of extremes. Exhaust simple, honorable
methods, and give thyself and me time for meditation.
Chrysothemis seemed to me too a daughter of Jove, and still I did
not marry her, just as Nero did not marry Acte, though they called
her a daughter of King Attalus. Calm thyself! Think that if she
wishes to leave Aulus for thee, he will have no right to detain her.
Know also that thou art not burning alone, for Eros has roused in
her the flame too. I saw that, and it is well to believe me. Have
patience. There is a way to do everything, but to-day I have
thought too much already, and it tires me. But I promise that
to-morrow I will think of thy love, and unless Petronius is not
Petronius, he will discover some method."
They were both silent again.
"I thank thee," said Vinicius at last. "May Fortune be bountiful to
thee."
"Be patient."
"Whither hast thou given command to bear us?"
"To Chrysothemis."
"Thou art happy in possessing her whom thou lovest."
"I? Dost thou know what amuses me yet in Chrysothemis? This,
that she is false to me with my freedman Theokles, and thinks that
I do not notice it. Once I loved her, but now she amuses me with
her lying and stupidity. Come with me to her. Should she begin to
flirt with thee, and write letters on the table with her fingers
steeped in wine, know that I shall not be jealous."
And he gave command to bear them both to Chrysothemis.
But in the entrance Petronius put his hand on Vinicius's shoulder,
and said,-- "Wait; it seems to me that I have discovered a plan."
"May all the gods reward thee!" "I have it! I judge that this plan is
infallible. Knowest what, Marcus?" "I listen to thee, my wisdom."
"Well, in a few days the divine Lygia will partake of Demeter's
grain in thy house."
"Thou art greater than Caesar!" exclaimed Vinicius with
enthusiasm.
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