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TRATUS
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BY A. H.
BY A. H
GILKES
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LIBRARY VERITAS
SCIENTIA
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
E-PLURIBUS-UNUM
TUCEDR
SI-QUAERIS-PENINSULAM AMOENAMAY
CIRCUMSPICE
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A
"
KALLISTRATUS

"The crowd rushed on him, to take him."

KALLISTRATUS
101974
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
BY
A. H. GILKES
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY
MAURICE GREIFFENHAGEN
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON
NEW YORK AND BOMBAY
1897
All rights reserved
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co.
At the Ballantyne Press
PREFACE
ABOUT four years ago I published a story called
"The Thing that hath Been." Of those who read
the story, some thought that I meant by writing
it to attack the Church of England, to which I
am strongly attached; others that I meant to
attack the system of public school education,
which I think most salutary.
In fact, I only intended to represent the youth
of Socrates as I conceived it, placing him in
English surroundings; thus trying to explain the
feelings which his countrymen entertained towards
him feelings compounded of mistrust and dis-
like, not unmixed with admiration and wonder.
I hope that of those who may read this book,
no one will think that I have done anything else
than simply put in the mouths of the characters
those opinions which I thought that they would
be likely to hold.
THE COLLEGE, DULWICH,
March 1897.
CHAP.
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE.
I. THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE.
II. WAR RUMOURS
·
III. THE PEDLAR
IV. THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
V. TOWARDS ROME
VI. THE TREBIA
VII. AFTER THE BATTLE
VIII. AT ROME
•
IX. SPIES .
X. TRASIMENE
XI. COMMUNICATIONS
XII. CANNÆ
XIII. A MARCH ON ROME
XIV. IKETORIX IN ROME
XV. CAPUA
XVI. DESERTION
XVII. EMANCIPATION
•
XVIII. IN ATHENS
•
•
PAGE
I
8
23
40
50
66
81
97
•
106
128
·
137
145
•
158
•
183
190
204
•
·
2II
220
•
232
vii
T
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THE CROWD RUSHED ON HIM, TO TAKE
HIM
KALLINICE TOOK HER SEAT UPON THE
frontispiece
TRIPOD.
•
•
to face p. 32
HE DREW HIS SWORD, AND SHOUTED,
"UPON THEM, MY CHILDREN
39
95
ix
KALLISTRATUS
PROLOGUE
IN the year 430 B.C. there was no city which
drew the eyes of the world so completely
towards it as Athens. It had been for several
decades at the head of that confederacy which
was formed to maintain the security of Greece
against the Persians. Originally each member of
the confederacy contributed yearly either money,
ships, or men, for the national defence; but in
most cases, sooner or later, these contributions took
the form of money alone; and as, year by year,
the Persians became less and less formidable, and
the surplus of the fund rapidly increased, it was
presently appropriated, by the great Athenian
statesman Pericles, to adorn and strengthen the
city of Athens itself. Temple after temple of
the fairest proportions and most beautiful work-
manship, shrine after shrine, statue after statue,
surpassing all the efforts of later times, was set
A
10
KALLISTRATUS
up within her walls; her riches increased, her
citizens were multiplied, and lived a life of
exquisite luxury and refinement. They seemed
to be the children of the blessed gods, and the
city seemed to be favoured by the brightest and
gentlest of the Immortals. At Athens was the
air most pure and clear, and the streams like
silver; at Athens, according to the story, the
Muses, the goddesses of all accomplishments, had
given to the earth Harmony, their yellow-haired
daughter. Upon Athens the goddess of beauty had
breathed her sweetest breath; and Athens was
the home of Pallas Athene, the immortal queen
of wisdom. The Athenians, rich and at ease,
their long hair crowned with roses, moved in an
atmosphere of wit, wisdom, and beauty, the elect
of the world. Their life was made bright by
social festivals, costly, but at the same time elegant
and tasteful. Nor was this luxury so extreme as
to enervate either mind or body. There were no
braver men, none more enterprising, and none
more accomplished, than the Athenians.
But the imperial greatness of Athens soon
disappeared, first before the attack of Sparta and
her allies; so that in the year 404 B.C., after the
campaigns of Lysander, at last the city itself was
taken, and many monuments of its imperial great-
ness were destroyed. It is a fact, which even
PROLOGUE
3
now grates upon the hearts of those who read,
that to the sound of music made by Spartan lyres
and fifes, the long walls of Athens were destroyed-
those walls which connected the city itself with
the Piræus, its harbour, those walls which pro-
claimed its connection with the sea, and rendered
its supremacy on the sea possible.
When Sparta proved herself unworthy of the
place to which her allies and her armies had
raised her, when she showed that she could not
govern dependencies, even govern them according
to the idea of government which men then
possessed, it was not Athens that shook her
power; it was Thebes, a city which at home and
abroad had the worst record of all the Grecian
states. Epaminondas, the great Theban, led his
countrymen to victory at Leuctra and Mantinea,
and Athenians did little more than accept the
new position. But there was that about the
Athenians which prevented them from passing
into insignificance; and presently, when Philip
of Macedon, by his gold and soldierly cunning,
attacked the liberties of Greece, Athens once
again came to the front. She was no mean city
still, and Demosthenes, her great citizen, became
her champion in the struggle which she, and
Greece under her guidance, made to resist the
advance of the Macedonians. But the efforts of
4
KALLISTRATUS
Demosthenes were in vain; that is, if they are to
be judged by the common measure; Philip grew
in strength and prevailed. But the great orator
cried to his fellow-citizens, in words which charm
and nerve men even now, that no brave effort for
freedom, no unselfish adherence to a righteous
cause, can really be thrown away-can really,
whatever be the issue, be described as simply
vain; and thus, though Philip prevailed, yet the
honours remained with Demosthenes, who lost.
In the days of Alexander, the son of Philip,
matters went worse still for Athens; and, together
with the whole of Grece, she now remained out-
side of the great issues of history. Men's eyes
were fixed upon the East-upon Alexander, upon
his gigantic exploits and wonderful personality.
When he died the whole world was shocked, and
Demades, the Athenian, said: "It cannot be that
Alexander is dead. If he were, the whole world
would stink of his carcass." Alexander died in
323 B.C., and his empire was split up into
sections; of the European section—namely, Mace-
donia-Athens became simply a part, and her
political importance was overwhelmed for ever.
How was it that the course of Athens was thus
downward, that Sparta beat her, that Thebes went
before her, that Macedon beat her, that she lost
her influence and her independence? The ex-
PROLOGUE
5
planation of all this is not to be given by speaking
of military and political reverses, of Ægospotami,
of Chæronea. It is to be found in the character
of the Athenian people. They were not really
able to govern dependencies, and they were not
able to govern themselves. Able, eloquent, and
accomplished as they were, there lay deep in the
heart of the people other forces which destroyed
them. They worshipped beauty, and thus they
lost their admiration for strength. They ceased
to be willing to suffer hardships, and desired to
spend easy, thoughtless lives, when their position
as an imperial people could only be maintained
by self-denial, by wisdom, and by the edge of the
sword. Thus steadiness, earnestness, perseverance,
and principle began to disappear from the national
character; and their Panhellenic feeling, which had
once made all Greece glow with admiration, eva-
porated into an academic luxury; their patriotism
became merely a sentiment; they governed, when
they had dependencies to govern, in a selfish
spirit; they alienated their allies, they became
fickle in their political attachments, and both
grasping and feeble in their policies. Gradually
the state lost its spirit. It could criticise, but it
could not act. Its public men became corrupt,
and accepted bribes from its enemies. The
offenders were from time to time brought to trial,
6
KALLISTRATUS
for the old machinery-the laws of a wholesome
time-was still existing. But though one or
other citizen might be punished, yet the evil
disposition remained a habit in the nation.
Athenians began to bend before what was strong,
not because it was in the right, but because it was
strong; they lost individuality, and at last adapted
themselves to the whims and ways of a master;
and this hardly two centuries after Marathon, not
150 years from the days of Pericles.
And yet there was still about the Athenians
something which no other people in the world
possessed-the power to produce forms of beauty,
and to admire them truly; the power to charm,
to spend leisure in a manner not rough or brutal,
but polite. And again they had a treasure better
and more splendid than any material inheritance;
a treasure which was the heritage of every one of
them, and of which no one could rob them-the
great writings of their great countrymen; written
in Greek, and so written as to make the under-
standing of the Greek tongue something always to
be desired. And thus, though Athens politically
was dead, yet the Athenians lived, and influenced
mankind, sometimes corrupting their simplicity by
the viler appliances of civilisation, sometimes im-
posing upon their ignorance, sometimes amusing
them and ennobling them by teaching them the
PROLOGUE
7
lore which Greeks alone possessed. The exercise
of this influence was not confined to those who
visited Athens. For Athenians were in the early
days of the third century before Christ to be met
with in many places besides Athens. Political
changes continually expelled from the city many
eminent families. The world was beginning in
a certain sense to be Athenian country; and
wherever men were, there Athenians could
make their way, alternately helping and amusing
their company, causing in those with whom
they associated different feelings, sometimes of
admiration, sometimes of awe, and sometimes of
contempt.
CHAPTER I
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
I AM now a man quite old, and I shall soon be
among those below.
If I had known whither I
am about to go, or whether I am about to go
anywhere, I would have pondered chiefly on the
future; but since all this is uncertain, I regard
the past, and remember it, pushing the future
from my mind. And yet the past pains me—
does any man love altogether to think of his
past ?—and even that part of it on which I love
to think, pains me, when I remember what I was,
and see what I am. I am a shadow now, and
once I was substance whom men noted; now I
do nothing and say nothing noticed. I am indeed
a grasshopper, like that which my ancestors wore
in their hair, but that they twittered not; and
I shall die unnoted and unmissed. I pined in
my youth for fame, and for fame did what
now I hate to remember; and yet no post will
tell throughout the world of me dead, no king
nor city will sigh relieved, and no woman will
8
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
9
weep.
more.
Yet I have done what was notable, and
I have seen more than most men see,
and I have been a part of great matters. I
bear very hardly this being nothing; and I am
lonely too, and need company; therefore I will
find it in the past; I will bring up the shades
of men, and tell of them and of me who am
a shade; and men shall speak of me in my
age, as once they spoke of me in my youth.
Thus I will sing of battles and state matters;
and you, men of Athens, among whom I live,
and who regard me not, who talk and flatter the
stronger, you shall know that I am better than
you, you shall know what I have seen, and
wonder at me, because I helped to shake that
which you flatter, even Rome. And
And you Romans,
you Sulpicius, of the white toga and purple
border, who do not even look at me-my name,
who have done greater things than you, and
come from greater men, my name shall go further
yours. And, O city of Rome, despising my
city and me, you shall know that I was a part of
that which nearly destroyed you. Alas for me! it
pains me that you do not hate me or fear me.
One man you hated and feared, and might me
also perhaps, had things gone otherwise.
than yours.
It is a history that I shall tell, not a fancy.
I shall not wander in the world, like Herodotus
10
KALLISTRATUS
whom all men know, nor exchange city for city
to find out truth, like the great Thucydides,
whose names, Greek though they are, will last
out the names of Claudius or Sempronius. I
stay at home, and place together my history, the
history of myself. I have no scribe nor informer
to help me; but my memory alone, and my
brother's tale, and my sister's tale, told to me
by them who are now dead; and thus I sit
alone beside a cold hearth. And I shall have
also a handmaiden, my fancy, who shall prompt
me, and join for me piece to piece; and thus
will I make a new thing, a story of true things
for men to read; not to see, as on a stage, or to
see with thought alone. I too will create, like
Sophocles, and like Euripides, and like Plato ;
and what I say will be truth, though fancy partly.
Was Edipus in the grove at Colonus? Did Medea
of Colchis in truth cry out the words that come
from Stesippus' mouth? Sat Socrates in truth
beneath the plane-tree and bathed his feet? In
truth, I know not; it seems as though he sat.
And so what I write shall stand, though some of
it I saw not; and so me also men will see, when
I write; and know me and my company, which
was; and I shall live, though dead.
Therefore I will write, and write of war, and of
a hero; another as well as myself. For he was a
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
11
me.
hero; and my spirit quailed before his. Though
I could think and plan when I was away from
him, yet when I saw him I could not hold to
what I thought and planned; I became altogether
under him, and his plan put mine away; for his
plan was the best; better than Mago's, better
than Gisco's, better than Mutines'—the best; and
we knew that it was the best. When I saw him,
if I was hungry or faint, I noted it not; I went
where he bade me, and waited where he placed
Neither could I lift my eyes to look on
him, except in admiration and love; for when I
had other thoughts, I could not meet his eyes.
As I think of him now, my heart warms, my
breath pants. There never was a man like him,
nor shall be; brave and glorious, unbroken in
calamity; the centre of the world that was not
Roman, and filling every Roman heart with
hatred and fear; the equal of an army, of a
nation-matchless Hannibal. Alas! as I write,
the spirit of loyalty and love stabs me cruelly
when I think that I forsook and betrayed him.
There are times when I think that what I did was
right. But when I write of him, I am struck
with shame, and gnawed with pain. He is dead;
and he died with every plan foiled, and every hope
defeated; and yet I would that I had stayed at his
side, and had been happier so in the end.
12
KALLISTRATUS
I know not whether it was an evil day for me,
and for my sister, when we saw him first. She saw
him, and loved him with all her heart and soul,
and seemed from that day onwards to have no
eyes for man. All men who saw her laid them-
selves at her feet; who would not, for her
beauty was superb? Even to the day of death
her face and form were divine; no Athene that
Phidias saw and shaped was more a goddess
than she. No man who saw her did not try to
see her again. And even he, whom the Romans
say beat Hannibal,-beat him indeed! so the
armed man beats the naked,-
beats the naked,-even he, the
favourite of the gods, whose name is spread
throughout the world, so that I hate to think
of it, he loved and followed her, so that she
might, had she so chosen it, have ruled the
world. But even to him here were the gods.
unkind; his goddess would have none of him;
me and my brother she loved, as a sister loves;
and Hannibal she loved, as a lover loves, wildly
and steadily, so that to hear his voice made
her face pale, and at the tidings of his death she
died. Now I will write, and write of myself; for
that is my purpose.
I am an Athenian, Kallistratus the Athenian;
but Athens saw I never until I was an old man;
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
13
worn and feeble I came to the places, the names
of which I knew, where my fathers had lived
and done great things, for which some even of
the Romans have respect, brutish though they
are. To be an Athenian is to be noble; and I
am an Athenian of Athenians. My grandfather
in the fifth degree heard Pericles in the 'Eккλŋoía,
and placed in the urn pebbles which directed
fleets and armies, and set up and pulled down
cities. His son marched with Thrasybulus from
Phylæ, and set up again the people, in the power
which they betray. He sat also as juryman in
that trial of which men yet speak, of that strange
man whose name yet lives because he found a
writer to describe him, as mine shall live by my
own writing-I mean Socrates, who was partly a
disgrace, and partly a glory to Athens; he would
have ruined an army, but yet he was a brave
man. My ancestor condemned him, so my father
said, but would not have made him drink the
hemlock. The son of this ancestor of mine was
taxiarch under Chabrias; it seems always under,
under, under, with my race; and I had hoped
to change this. And again by some divine luck
he was with Iphicrates at Corinth, when the Mora
came gaily on to destruction. He brought a
Spartan shield to Athens, and himself carved on
it that which Pericles said: " φιλοσοφοῦμεν ἀνευ
tr
14
KALLISTRATUS
μαλακίας.”
μaλakías." These words were true then, but they
This Spartan shield Alexander
are not true now.
the Macedonian took as a gift when he entered
Athens; where it is now, I know not.
His son,
my grandfather in the second degree, was at Cha-
ronea; he marched out, and marched back-to an
enslaved state. He rebelled against the Mace-
donians, and was expelled by the cursed Antigonus,
who worked the last ruin of our city. Alas me!
had Athens been Athens, and the Athenians been
men, then I had been a man now; the first among
Athenians, the capital of the world. There was
no man then at Athens, for I do not count a
talker a man, to save the Athenian nation and
our place. My great-grandfather was born in
exile, at Nikaia, in the savage Ligurian land; and
from that time no more are the works of my
kindred known. There were none there in Nikaia
to know the worth of our race, and of the gifts
we might have given to them. We lived there,
amusing and teaching and scorning our company,
teaching them such arts as they cared to know,
something of the shaping of weapons, and some-
thing of drill and of moving troops, and of navi-
gating the sea, and something also of cookery :
but these barbarians despised us; their bodies
were strong, and ill fares it with exiles. Truly
said Pericles, that only the prosperity of the whole
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
15
brings prosperity to the individual. In another
generation, Kallicles my grandfather and his
family were again scattered, and moved towards
Illyria. But at last my own father, Kallistratus,
with my mother and their slave Strabo, one
left of many, moved westward to Massilia; and
then presently inland, a five days' journey up
the banks of the great river Rhone, where I
and my brother Kallicles, and my sister Kalli-
nice, the eldest of us three, were born. I have
heard all these things from my father, and he
told me too how he chose a place of dwelling.
My father was a man wise and strong, and there
was no way of life in which he could not live,
and living in it bear rule. He learned at Massilia
the ways and needs of the fiery yellow-haired
blue-eyed giants of the Rhone; he heard of all
that they were from the merchants who travelled
among them, and he made his plans, plans such
as might have made a state, though all that came
of them was the safety of one family. My father
could weave a myth according to fact and fancy;
he could see in that about him all that there was,
even to the depth of men's souls; and thus as he
talked, all things of which he told us rose plain
before us. Thus he taught the history of our
race, and told us of Athens and its glories, of
Troy and Marathon, and how the sea became the
16
KALLISTRATUS
Athenians' home, their half of the world. He
told us also of other nations, of Egypt and Persia;
and through all lands he led us in speech and
thought; while we listened and laughed and
cried. And he told us also of his own times and
wanderings, and how they three, my father, my
mother, and Strabo, coming from Illyria, entered
upon their place on the bank of the river. He
said, and I can see him now, and the circle round
him him with his clear skin, dark eyes, and
laughing lips, his whole face like a god's, and us
sitting around him in our house, each on a stool,
my fair and gentle mother, and Kallicles with
his back bent, his halting leg drawn back, and
my fair strong sister; and withdrawn a little
from us, seated on the lowest stool, but not
from humility (for that, like all else, was but a
pretence with him), but for comfort's sake, Strabo,
with his back on the wall, and his red face
glowing as the fire blaze shone on it, glowing
like a red moon; only that the moon leers not
nor grins, but looks sad always. So we sat and
listened, while my father spoke.
wild rude men whose country this is; and how
they come to this shrine for all the wisdom that
they have. Twenty years ago they had none of
it; they fished, and hunted, and drank and quar-
relled, and killed, and had shrines, or a grove, but
CC
Ye see these
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
17
no deity within it. From the better world there
came to them only sturdy pedlars with their
packs; brave men, but teaching nothing. But,
my sons, one evening, when old Alorcos, whom
ye know, was fishing in the pools beneath the
high western bank, he drove his boat hard by
this hole of Verda; and strange were the sounds
which from that hole proceeded.
Hark, my
children!" He lifted up his finger; we listened
to the sounds we well knew, living always near
them; gasping as of a giant breathing. No
Gaul came here, even in the day, though the
fishing is best here, and now it was evening.
While he listened then in fear, from the hole
three beings moved towards him, and stood still
on the river's brink; one was beautiful as Perse-
phone herself." Here my father looked away
from me, and on my mother with eyes of love;
she rose and threw her arms around his neck,
and said, And one was as stately as Hermes
the herald.❞
(C
"And
CC
My father laughed, and bowed his head.
one," he said, with twinkling eye, as it fell upon
Strabo, with his round belly and red nose, and
one was godlike also, or like a companion to a
god-god's friend—that is Silenus. Then did
Persephone" (My mother cried, "Avert it,
holy goddess")-call with a sweet voice and
B
18
KALLISTRATUS
wave of her hand, pointing down to the net; a
great shoal of fish had swum into it. Alorcos
looked down, and seeing the fish, was afraid :
he looked on each of the three beings, and,
last of all, on great Silenus; then he could
endure no more, but fled. Yet, next day at
dawning, he came with others, and found us.
where he had seen us before. We gave him
balsam for a wound which he had, and sent a
net to the king. From that time we have been
here, teaching and helping, and now we rule the
king and the Ilergetan land, Athenians straight
born. It is strange, my children."
My father looked at me as he often looked
when he was speaking; for my brother was lame
and misshapen, and kept himself behind; but my
sister loved him the more for it.
From that time the glory of the shrine grew,
and its splendour and its size. At first, my father
said, the enclosure was separated from the glade
of the forest only by a string, and the bowls for
purification were wooden. But presently in the
place of the string a wall was built, and at the
gate were placed two brazen bowls. And when
all was fully developed, I will tell you what those
who consulted the god saw.
As they entered the enclosure, before them
there was a portico, resting on four pillars ;
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
19
through this they passed into a dark chamber
of twenty feet in length and ten in breadth.
At the end of it, there swung from the ceiling
a lamp, throwing its light both dimly into the
chamber, and showing also the holy cell behind
it, which was built round the hole of Verda.
As in trembling silence each worshipper stood
on the threshold of the chamber and called
upon the god, my father in priestly robes ap-
peared under the lamp, and demanded what
the worshipper needed of the god. The ques-
tion was given, and the priest retired to the
side, waving a pan, from which smoke and
odour issued. The suppliant laid his offering
on an altar to the right, then my sister or my
mother took her place upon the tripod under
the image of the god, which was enthroned in
a niche in the farther wall; while the priestess
thus took her place, the cell was filled with a
sound of thunder. Then my father, with a
smoking pan in his hand, put the question;
there was again a noise of thunder; the priestess
stood upright, and told in a strange tone the
god's message. Then, trembling, the suppliant
retired. I tell it as I have seen it a hundred
times, and as it seemed to him who came to
the god. At the outer door
my father was
wont to meet the trembling barbarian, and explain
20
KALLISTRATUS
to him the message, with words in which the
wisdom of a god really lay.
It was said to me by Xenodocus the Stoic, that
this was poor mummery-the acting of a lie,
nothing else. But I say that he thought wrongly
of it. It is true that Strabo made the thunder,
sitting in a chamber in the hole, and that my
father made the oracle, knowing each man's
business before he came, or learning it when he
came. But what then? It was as a stratagem in
war; but one that made alive instead of killing.
The Gauls were ruled by it, and were happy and
righteous because of it; and nought else would
have served the turn. Wherefore, hold thy
peace who talkest of lies, or speak only those
who never deceive; then I know I shall hear
nothing against the oracle. And yet my sister
misliked it; from the first she partly misliked
it, and never liked it better. She had a high
heart, as high as Olympus, whither she should
have gone; for there are none on that peak
above her; and Kallicles misliked it as he grew
towards his manhood.
I must write something of Kallicles, saying
what was his nature. We were together in
life sixteen years, till I had been seventeen
years born; and he loved me. I loved him
partly, but I loved myself more. My heart
THE ORACLE ON THE RHONE
21
grows soft in my age when I think of him.
He gave me all he had without grudging; but
I grudged him even the little praise he won.
Not in arms he won it, nor in council; he
was small and crooked as the gods make few
Greeks; and he cared not for state matters, re-
maining unknown and contented thereat. Yet
one power he had. He could make lays and
sing them sweetly. I did not love to hear him,
though others did. I would I had loved better
to hear him. But I thought then that in this
world every man should be for himself; and he
for me, because he was crooked, and younger
than I. I am sorry now. I see in my age,
sometimes, a better way of living; that men
should be more like my brother Kallicles, less
like me; but this is a way in thought only,
not known in life in any city in which I have
been.
My mother loved him most, I think, of us
three, and needed no one else when he was near
her. And he loved her more than I. By merely
loving men and speaking no evil of them, he
made them love him, so that on the Rhone the
Gauls treated him always kindly, and Strabo too;
and at Rome, even Scipio and the rest would have
him with them; and here in Athens, there were
many wept when he died, and brought ornaments
22
KALLISTRATUS
and honey-cakes for his funeral, and cut their
hair. But my mother loved him most of all, and
thought herself happy to die for him; as she
died, bringing to us, her children, sorrow for the
first time that we had known it. For in the
winter, she and he with her went to get wood,
and a wolf attacked them. Then she sent him
before her to the house, and herself fought the
wolf until he had reached it. Then she came
fast towards home, and my father ran to help
her; but she was bitten sorely, and her wounds
were chilled by the winter. So she died. Eight
years old was I then.
CHAPTER II
WAR RUMOURS
I WILL now tell of Strabo, whose life was at first
a part of mine.
He was a slave, but yet he lived
with us not as slaves live with masters.
I re-
member him as he was to me, being yet a boy
by the banks of the swift, clear Rhone. He
seemed to have no thought for the best, nor for
the past; and when my father spoke of either,
he slept. Nor did he think of the distant future;
and when men spoke of it and wondered, he cast
his eyes only to the pantry. But he loved the
present, and himself only, as it seemed. And yet
he loved also my father and my mother, and
Kallinice and Kallicles, and at last proved it
well; me he loved not over-much. The rest of
the world he despised verily; but said nought
of it, fearing to receive injury, against which he
with care guarded himself. He could make a
man laugh; for in his talk there was that which
idlers loved. So when he died the Capuans cried,
"Woe for him!"
23
24
KALLISTRATUS
For seventeen years
years after I was born we
lived on the banks of the Rhone, and, save my
mother's death, little happened to us; only the
coming of the Gauls to the oracle, and the com-
ing of the pedlars with their wares and news.
Four times each year my father went to Massilia,
and stayed there for three nights or more.
He
rode along the bank of the river to Avenio, and
then crossed the plain to the port. Four times
he had taken me, and twice my brother, and once
Kallinice. I felt always happy when I was young
and my life was before me; now each boy is my
master, for I would that I were he; but then I
was myself a boy, and every one when he saw me
looked again at me. Woe, woe is me, I say, for
the time of boyhood!
In those days I made plans to govern the
Gauls as their king. I told my plans to my
father, that he might use them, and the sove-
reignty descend to me. He laughed, and said,
"I am their king already. And hearken, Kallis-
tratus; for thou hast that within thee which
will make thee try to rule somewhere. If thou
wilt rule, think less of thyself. Men rule by three
ways-by force, by sympathy, and by mystery;
by one or all three. Try thou the second of the
three ways." I was silent; and then he said,
Thou understandest me not." It was true, but
WAR RUMOURS
25
I could not bear to say so. I said, "I understand
thee." He smiled half sadly, and turned away.
Long afterwards I understood, when my chance
had come and gone; then I knew that which all
who would rule men must know.
Still I thought on my plans, and meant to
use them to rule the whole world. One day I
went down to the river bank, and hung over the
bank where the water was deep and still, and
looked at my face in the stream. I thought I saw
a king's face. Then I heard a laugh, and turned,
and saw Strabo lying on the bank, and Kallicles
with him, and Strabo's white teeth shining under
his red nose. I said to him, "Why laughest
thou, Strabo ?"
"Nay," said Strabo, "an thou canst not tell
I tell thee not. But a plague on this mistral,
how great it is! It blows dust and chokes a man,
so that he drinks more wine than is according to
the master's wish. I think it comes from a
hydra in yonder mountains, and were there a
Heracles here, he should be welcome to kill it.
Mayhap there is." He looked at me, and laughed
again. "Or an Alexander at least."
re
Mayhap there is," said I, flushing in my
cheeks. Thou fat slave."
(C
Wilt thou not be Heracles and kill it thyself,
Strabo?" said Kallicles, in very gentle mockery.
26
KALLISTRATUS
But no boys, nor no men, either by mockery
or abuse, could ever make Strabo uneasy. He
laid himself down, seeming as lazy as a man
could seem, and said, "I think I will, with the
gods' help."
cr
The gods will not help thee, for thou believest
not in them," said Kallicles: while I fumed for
his raillery of me, and wished to say something
to hurt him.
((
Nay," said Strabo, "I should believe in them,
if I went to kill the hydra;-until the beast
were dead. Though, truth to tell, since I have
attended school, as thy pedagogue, I have some-
what fallen away from Zeus. For the master
hath broken up poor Strabo's beliefs, by his
lectures; so that Zeus, being doubted, is no more
Strabo's friend. And, listening to thy father, I
have found out shocking things of that same Zeus;
and not much better about Apollo, to whom
we pray, and whose sign this is, and who protects
us; for were it not for him, we should have short
lives among these red-headed giants here."
Then said I, "Hold thy peace about my father,
or he shall teach thee with a lesson for thyself,
at my asking, when he returns from Massilia."
"I pray thee ask not," said Strabo earnestly.
"I will be content to have the crumbs from thee,
young Alexander. I pray thee let well alone.”
WAR RUMOURS
27
"Well!" said Kallicles, laughing. "For art
thou 'well'?"
Strabo was about to answer, when I heard steps
descending from the higher bank towards the
river shore; and I stood up to look. I remember
all the events of that night; for from that night
a change was made in my life, and that came
which gave me to fortune and to manhood. For
months past we had heard strange rumours; the
name of Rome sounded more loudly in our ears,
and her hand seemed to be reaching towards us.
I can remember that in the dim past of my early
childhood, my father most often spoke to us of
Carthage; and when he came from Massilia at
any time, most tales of his were about her ships
and her sailors. Yet with his talk of the past
and that which was coming was always some
afterthought of what Rome might do. She
seemed to lie behind all the history that he told
us, like the grim power in the background, which
Herodotus knew, which, both relentless and
mysterious, in spite of Zeus, governed mankind.
It was known to us that Hamilcar, the chief of
his family, had gone to Spain, the fates being kind
to him, and had founded there a kingdom. We
knew that he had grown great in that kingdom,
planning some day to attack Rome.
and his nephew; and Hannibal, his
He was dead,
son, who was
28
KALLISTRATUS
not twelve years beyond my age, was ruling in
his room, and was a king except for the name.
For months we had heard of stirs in Spain, and
that the time was coming some day when he
would move eastward towards Rome, and try to
punish her for Sardinia and Corsica seized, and for
Sicily conquered, and take from her the talents
paid her when the first war was done. It was
partly to learn the truth of these rumours that
my father had gone to the coast now; this was the
tenth day since he went, and we thought that he
would return that night.
I heard steps, and called out, "Who comes?"
"It is Kallistratus if any one," said Strabo.
(6
Not so," said I. "The tread is of a young
man."
Presently down the path through the vines,
passing the corner of the hill, we saw him who
was that which I wished to become-Iketorix the
king. Knowing what I know now, and having
seen what I have seen, I wonder that I wished
for his place, and to govern a race of savages;
but then I was a boy. Alas for me! and now I
over no one.
am old, and have ruled
The man came on, taller by a head than any of
us; he was wild to see, but still grand in shape.
Had I ruled, he should have been near me for my
servant. His yellow hair fell down as far as his
WAR RUMOURS
29
shoulders, and his blue eyes shone brightly. I
can praise men if they deserve it, though my
father thought I could not; that is when I am
above them plainly.
I heard Strabo say, "What a creature! Great
lump of a king! How rejoiced I am that he has
no wits in his yellow head. He loves us not, at
least none of us three. But he fears."
"Not thee," said Kallicles, laughing. He stepped
forward, behind me, and the Gaul as he came
forward frowned to hear him laugh.
frowning, "Bend your heads!"
He said,
Then Strabo came forward and made a low
obeisance.
I said, “We salute only Greeks."
Strabo said, “Think only of their youth, great
king. Older and wiser Greeks salute you." And
again he made a bow as if of unspeakable respect;
indeed, his body could bend no more than he bent
it. What he did then made me angry, as all
that he did made me angry, for his shrewdness
overtopped mine in little things.
Iketorix looked not at him, but at my brother
and at me. He said, “I am a king. Who are the
Greeks? I have fought and conquered. I have
sacked Lugdunum and looked Intutomarus in the
face. Who are the Greeks? What foes have
you beaten, and where is your country?"
30
KALLISTRATUS
"Wherever it is, great king," said Strabo, "it is
nothing to yours; and as to the sacking of—————
">
But Kallicles, who was by his side, while I
wanted words said, "What wants Iketorix, the
taker of Lugdunum, the looker into the face of
Intutomarus, of these Greeks?"
Even Strabo straightened himself when my
brother spoke, because of his tone; and Iketorix
only said, "I want thy father. I would consult
his god." Then his face flushed, and he said,
"And feared I not thy god, I had smitten thy
unbending head.”
Kallistratus is at Massilia," said Kallicles.
"And the god speaks only when he is here."
Iketorix stood in doubt, and laid his hand upon
a flask which he carried at his girdle, wherein
was a gem set. While I was minded to make
myself chief speaker in this talk, as was my right,
again Strabo pushed himself forward and said,
"It may be that he will speak at my prayer. He
hath ere now," he added, as I pushed him back-
wards. "He thundereth at least, and that is speech
of God. He will speak, I will warrant, if the great
king will make an offering to his mind."
Iketorix looked at Strabo, and thought of the
god, and found the contrast not to his mind.
But then I heard the sound of a horse, and cried,
"Here is my father."
WAR RUMOURS
31
We turned and looked, and presently saw my
father descend the hill. I would I could have
drawn what I saw, as I saw it. Apelles hath
a name, and lives; and had I lived in an Eastern
world, I too might have lived in men's mouths;
but in this Western barbarism were no pictures
drawn or desired. This was a fair picture to
see. On the right and in front the hill of vines,
with the path between the vines, and riding down
the path my father in his woollen dress of purple
colour, with the grey petasus resting closely on
his black hair. On the left the broad breast of
the Rhone. My father came on erect and beauti-
ful, though his horse was spent; we saluted him
with reverence, standing then upright before him.
The voice of Iketorix was no longer proud, and
Strabo's impudence left him.
My father greeted us and then said, "What
wilt thou, Iketorix ?
r¢
""
I will consult thy god," said Iketorix.
My father looked on him steadily and silently.
It was common with us for one of us, most often
Strabo, to speak with each worshipper, and gather
from him what he needed, so that my father, as
he robed himself, might write the answer for the
priestess. But now my father sent Strabo away,
saying, "Go to thy mistress and bid her prepare."
He went himself into the house and wrote the
32
KALLISTRATUS
lines, without a word from any one.
Then he went
into the shrine, where was my sister, and Strabo
in his place in the chamber beneath, his metal
sheet in his hand, and no doubt laughter on his
lips. These were the lines that my father wrote,
in the Gallic tongue :-
"Swarthy and fierce are the horsemen, but young is the
leader who leads them.
1
Level the line of the legion; and it shall win at the
finish."
Then he came to the door-he was like him-
self to the god-and beckoned to Iketorix in
silence. As Iketorix passed the lintel the thunder
was heard, and his limbs trembled. We two,
my brother and I, stood in the doorway and
watched. Iketorix deposited his offering—the
ivory flask on the altar, to the left; then my
father took the incense pan, and the shrine was
filled with fragrant smoke, and the thunder rolled
loudly. Kallinice took her seat upon the tripod,
and my father said in his terrible voice, "What
wants Iketorix of the god?"
I saw the tunic of Iketorix tremble upon his
shoulders as he said, "The Carthaginians are
near; shall my people take part with them or
not?"
Then Kallinice rose with a cry from the tripod,
as my father had taught her; and cried, as though

"Kallinice took her seat upon the tripod."
WAR RUMOURS
33
with a power not her own, the lines which my
father had given her.
Then my father led Iketorix from the shrine,
and we followed, and stood on the level sward
before the temple.
"Heard you the god's utterance?" said Kallis-
tratus.
"I heard," said Iketorix.
it I know not."
(C
"But how to interpret
How went it?" said my father.
Young is a horse," said Iketorix, “and level
a leader who wins at the finish.
think."
So it went, I
There was a noise, as of one choking, from the
place where Strabo stood, and my father turned
and smote him on the back. Then said he to
Iketorix, "Nay, nay, thou art slow to remember."
Iketorix said in anger, "I can strike a head
from its shoulders."
Ay," said my father, "but that will be two
days hence."
"Thou hast heard then that the Carthaginians
are here. They have sent to ask for the passage
of the river."
"Wilt thou grant it?" said my father.
tr
I came to ask the god thereof. But what
he bids, I know not."
"He bids thee know that though the Numidian
C
34
KALLISTRATUS
horsemen are swift, yet since their leader is but
a boy, and since the Roman legions are steady,
the Romans will win at last."
Then I will stand by them, and by my
territory," said Iketorix. "Tell me, Kallistratus,
is this thy thought too?"
I saw Strabo's face become redder, and his
mouth spread, for no man could move in those
days in my company and I not know it,—but he
uttered no sound.
“
"It is the god's," said my father.
I will muster my power," said the king.
"But may I say a word of greeting to Kallinice,
thy daughter?”
"I will greet her for thee," said my father,
frowning. "In two days the Carthaginian will
be here. Gather thy power, and check him here.
The Romans will reward thee for it-by taking
thy kingdom," he muttered; but the king heard
not the last words.
Iketorix bowed his head, and my father bade
him farewell, with head erect and waved hand.
Then slowly Iketorix crossed the sward, and
mounted the hill, always slowly, and turning as
though to see something which he saw not; for
Strabo was all that he saw, since the rest went
inside the doors. Then my father called Strabo
in with us; we sat all, and my father said, "Sit
WAR RUMOURS
35
thou too against thy wall if thou canst. I have
beaten thee for laughing. If thou laughest thus,
thou wilt presently have no head wherewith to
laugh." Then he said to us all, "There is strange
news to tell. Three days before, I saw in Massilia
the Roman scouts; and close to them rest also
the Roman legions. The scouts' news is that
the Carthaginians have passed the Iberus, and
are marching as for this spot, to cross the river
here."
I remember even now the leap which my
heart made. I felt as though I were crowned
already. Then I remember that Strabo's face
grew white, all of it that could; and his chest
sank beneath his shoulders. He said, in a doleful,
shaking voice, “What luck is this? I remeinber
when at Scodra, Fulvius passed by us, and we lost
all, to furnish his legions and feed them, and
received not even thank you' in return. And
thou rememberest it too, I think, Kallistratus ;
though these boys do not, and laugh therefore."
(C
My father frowned as though he would have
smitten some one, and Strabo went on. And
now the Carthaginians come, who are robbers
and cut-throats all, black men, and Iberians,
having no leader at all, only a boy. Old Fulvius
kept some grim order; and we lived at least
when he was gone. But here are savages coming
36
KALLISTRATUS
1
and a barbarian-not even a peasant consul—to
lead them. Let us go higher up the river."
"Peace, Strabo," said my father. "Thou mayest
if thou wilt, but thou wilt go alone."
<<
Oh, master," said Strabo, "and desert you.
No, I will not." He seemed about to weep with
some sort of emotion, but what exactly I know
not; nor did ever a man know Strabo's emotions,
exactly of what kind they were. 'But think, too,
of Kallinice."
tr
Peace, my good Strabo," said my father, "and
weep not. I know thy weepings." So Strabo wept
not.
(C
My sons and my daughter," said my father,
"hear me.
In Athens, in gone-by days, there was
a time in the life of each one of your ancestors
when his phratry accepted him, and he became
a man. That time has come to you, my sons,
and both together receive your manhood, for
you will need it; and use it, too, to look for your
sister's profit. Strange times are coming, and
what will be for us I know not; nor what will
be left in a country when a wild deluge has
passed over it. Rome, in Italy, has planted on
virgin soil an empire; and for three hundred
years each generation of Romans has taken up
the work where their fathers left it, and ad-
vanced with strength and wisdom. Had such
WAR RUMOURS
37
strength and wisdom been at Athens in past
days, we had not been exiles here, but had been
kings in the East. I saw these Romans at Scodra;
they took from us what was ours. They were
rude, but they were strong; and fifty years ago,
on the day that I was born, they began to
struggle with the Carthaginians, and after losses
and eighteen years of war, in ways strange to
them, they conquered. I saw, when I was eight
years old, at Nicæa, a ship which they had built,
great and clumsy, with a crane upon it. That very
ship had clawed, with the help of that very crane,
Thammuz, the Carthaginian admiral's galley, the
best ship in the world since the waves washed
the Paralus to pieces in her last port.
Now
war comes again. The great Hamilcar has made
a great state in Spain. Ay, Kallistratus, I see
the light in thine eye. Thou lovest not to hear
men praised." I flushed in my face, and I heard
Strabo's laugh. Strabo laughed at everything;
and whether another was near to hear him or
not, he cared nothing, but would spend a day in
chuckling even when alone, nor ever needed to
tell to another what that was that amused him.
<<
Hamilcar was a great man, and had he lived, who
can say what would have been? But he is dead,
and his nephew is dead, and now his son rules
in his place, and, like a hot-headed youth, he is
38
KALLISTRATUS
marching on Rome. He is but three days' march
from this place, and here he crosses the river,
if he cross it ever. So much I know. I saw
at Massilia the camp of the Roman legions;
square and soldier-like it lay, as a camp should
be, above the blue harbour. And while I watched
at the northern gate to see Scipio the consul
enter with his captains and his two boys near
him, a scout riding a spurred horse rode round the
head of the harbour; he dismounted and spoke
with Scipio. At first Scipio's face was eager and
pale, then perplexed. 'Soldiers, to quarters!' he
cried. Centurions, to the prætorium!' In the
prætorium they stayed for a time in council;
then there rode out from the camp two hundred
light - horsemen, and paraded before the præ-
torium gate.
I rode here with what speed I
could. Heard ye aught of the horsemen ? Soon
they may be here."
Naught had we heard; but my mind was
fluttered. I said, "Were they a gallant com-
pany?" half fearing to hear them praised.
cr
Ay, boy," said my father, while Strabo
laughed again. "But Xanthus the Tyrian said,
as he paid me for last year's wine, nothing to
the desert horsemen who ride with Hannibal.
They say in Massilia that never have been seen
on earth, not in Alexander's host, not among the
WAR RUMOURS
39
hippeis of our own land, horsemen like these.
Without bridle they ride; they are man and
horse in one."
I longed for a horse, to grow like them; and
Strabo said, "Press thy knees upon thy stool,
and thus they will learn to clip a steed."
I
I would have answered him, but I stood up,
hearing something, and cried, “They are here.
hear a horse's tread!"
Every one was still, and listened. Then hearing
nothing, they were about to speak again; but I
went to the great door of the courtyard, laughing
now at the frightened face of Strabo. There,
near the end of the path, and just setting his
foot on the green sward, I saw a man approach,
and I called to my father, "My father, a man
comes."
CHAPTER III
THE PEDLAR
IN a moment they were all at the door excepting
Strabo, and saw the man. He was a pedlar,
carrying a pack upon his back; the setting sun
threw his shadow across the grass, to our feet.
There was coarse thick red hair under his woollen
cap; his frame was slight for a pedlar's, and
bent beneath the weight of his pack. His clothing
was rough, and his shoes heavy. When he was
within ten yards of us, he laid his pack down,
and stood with lowered head, and frame still
bent, as though he feared us.
"Speak to him, Strabo," said my father, watch-
ing him carefully; "I go to prepare. Come with
me, my daughter."
Strabo advanced towards the pedlar, as many
a time he had advanced towards those who came
to consult the god, and said, "What wouldst
thou?"
I remember well-have I not
well-have I not cause to re-
member?-how the man's voice shook as he said,
40
THE PEDLAR
41
in broken Greek, "I would know which side win.
Can god tell?"
Then Strabo, partly doing as my father had
bidden him, but partly also for himself, and to
have profit and matter to amuse himself, said,
throwing up his eyes, "Yea, verily, that and all
beside, if thou wilt make him thy friend;" and
looking at the pack, he seemed to think of himself
and the god as one. "Dost thou need aught beside?"
"I ask," said the pedlar, "where to go.
cross river here? deep? bridge? people? Do they
love Rome? Will they fight Carthaginian? Do
they love Spanish wares? I Corsican. I ask in
Massilia; they laugh, and would rob me. Justice
goes when war comes. Will you buy? I have
charms of Corsican god, else I had died."
Can
He paused in his frightened scraps of speech,
and stood with his hand upon his breast. I saw
Strabo look at him, and swell with the pride of
a superior bravery. He said, in a very lofty
manner, “The servants of the god do not buy,
but they love Spanish wares; and the god loves
those who are good to them. It will pay thee,
pedlar, to make the servants of the god happy."
((
Take, take," said the man.
And Strabo chose him two gay handkerchiefs
and a knife, saying, "May the god send me more
pedlars; I have throve by this one."
42
KALLISTRATUS
He then went into the shrine, and presently
my father called the pedlar, and he, with stooping
head and bent knees, went into the shrine, and
we two boys behind, and heard my sister cry from
the tripod:
"Wolves and panthers fight; keep stags then away from
the battle:
War and trade are apart; then goods are got without
paying."
The pedlar made his offering. It was a white
Spanish robe; in the corner there was a scroll of
embroidery in Tyrian blue, and a shape as of the
letter S, made twice. When the ceremony was
finished, he lingered in the enclosure, and my
father and sister and Strabo came out from
the shrine.
Then said my father, "How say you, pedlar?
Understood you the god's word?"
CC
Ay, truly," said the pedlar, "and a
and a true
god is he. In war goods got without paying."
He looked at Strabo, who looked at the heaven.
"But talk more. Know Hannibal ?"
"I know naught of him, but that he is nearly
a boy; and this is not a time for boys, nor the
Romans the nation, nor the Alps the place."
The pedlar bent his head, and his cheek flushed.
Then he said, "Gauls here! Count them?"
cr
I know," said my father, "that on the second
THE PEDLAR
43
day from this will be an army on that bank,
to bar the stream; and more yet on the third
day. And on this night two hundred Roman
horse will patrol this place; and, more, within
six days the Roman legions will be here.”
"Six days," said the pedlar.
(C
>>
Know surely?
'Ay," said my father, " and I think that within
eight days the Carthaginians will be moving to the
Pyrenees again, those that live, and thou mayest
sell thy wares in peace.”
"Cannot pass stream?" said the pedlar.
"If they swim," said my father.
“Boats?” said the pedlar.
"The Gauls have some; the rest grow still in
the forest, or are on the cattle's backs."
There was more talk like this; and heedful
was the pedlar of all my father said, always
looking at his pack, and yet as though he
thought of many things besides merchandise.
Then he stood quietly with his eyes fixed on the
ground. Then suddenly he raised his head; his
frame seemed extraordinarily alert and vivid;
and I can remember even yet—ah me, my ears!
my eyes! now I cannot see the spear that is
in Athene's hand, nor hear Euphorion's song-
but I remember even now the pain I felt then,
that he heard the sound before I heard it.
<<
The Roman horse," he said, "here now!"
44
KALLISTRATUS
We listened, and presently the tramp of horses.
was heard quite plainly. It was a gallant sight
to see how the squadron rode down the path in
file, and stirring it was to hear the horses' tramp,
and the jingling of the arms and bridles. At its
head rode the decurio, with a Gaul by his side
for a guide, and his sword drawn in his right
hand. At his left rode an optio. I had heard
my father tell the order in which the Roman
horsemen ride, and though I had never seen
Roman horse before, often have I seen them
since. Behind the Romans, in a mass, which
made the Roman order seem more orderly, rode
some Gallic horsemen, fifty or sixty in number.
When the decurio came on to the turf, he rode
aside, and the horsemen formed into a body ten
deep, obeying readily the commands which he
gave them in a harsh strong voice. Their bucklers
were on their left arms, their breastplates glim-
mered sombre in the twilight; in their hands
they carried each a spear, with a point at either
end. All this I noted well, and remember now,
and how the pedlar watched, with bent head,
from beneath his eyebrows. When the formation
was complete the decurio seemed to deign to
notice us, and rode towards us, as we stood before
the gate of the courtyard. My father, whom I
never saw lower his head before a mortal man,
THE PEDLAR
45
said in a calm voice, "What wouldst thou, Cor-
nelius the Roman, with Kallistratus the Greek?"
But no
'Thou knowest me," said the Roman, some-
what fiercely, at my father's tone.
matter. Hast thou seen aught of the Cartha-
ginians? I look for them. Their scouts are on
the river bank; one have we caught; hast thou
seen none?"
His tone was sharp, and made me angry.
Then, I remember, did Strabo move a step or two
backwards, but the pedlar lifted his pack on to
his back, and seemed oppressed by its weight as
before. Yet he raised his eyes, and bent them
with a keen gaze upon the decurio and his
squadron. I thought it was the first time he had
seen Roman horse, and so indeed it was. My
father answered Cornelius.
I saw the man you
killed. It had been wiser, perchance, not to kill
him; a dead man gives no news."
(C
The Roman frowned again, and said fiercely
(for my father had power to anger him, though
he had no power of any kind upon my father),
Keep to thy trade, oracle seller, or I will kill
thee too."
CC
Then the pedlar moved himself forward, and
falling on his knees, with his head bent, said in
Latin, broken like his Greek, "Saw Punic scout
yesterday."
46
KALLISTRATUS
((
Who art thou? What said he?" said the
Roman sternly.
"Corsican pedlar," said the other; and I
remember how he seemed to tremble, and his
voice to be broken in fear. "Say to me Poeni
here in seven days. Wait for supply; there !"
He pointed to the south-west.
The decurio beckoned one of the officers and
conferred with him; then said he, "So, pedlar,
be it. What hast thou there in thy pack?"
The pedlar threw himself on the ground; his
voice seemed to stick in his throat. "Wares," he
said.
tr
Nothing for soldiers."
He lifted up his hands in entreaty.
"We will see," said the other.
pack upon the ground."
"Spread thy
Trembling, the pedlar obeyed; and on the
grass were spread trinkets and gear.
"Ride forward, Gallus and Capito, who took
the Carthaginian, and choose what you will."
Two troopers rode forward, and each took a
handful of what pleased him, laughing the while.
"Hand me that scarf," said the decurio; "it
pleases me." The scarf was white, and like the
one which the pedlar had offered in the shrine.
"Whence gottest thou this?" he said, frowning,
as he looked at it. "What is this broidering
here ? 'Tis from Saguntum!" he cried.
THE PEDLAR
47
"Come through Spain," said the pedlar,
almost screaming with fear.
army."
"Bought in Punic
"Then," said the decurio, white with anger,
"thou boughtest what was not theirs to sell.
'Tis from Saguntum. Take his pack and share it.
Silence, hound, I say, or thank me for thy life.
And if thou wilt, go back to those robbers who
sold thee this, and say to them that the Romans
bid them hide themselves with their boy leader
behind the Pyrenees again, lest that befall them
which has befallen thee, and worse beyond.
thou priest, learn all thou canst, and I will
reward thee. We ride south again; in six days
the Romans will be here. Into column! Quick
form! About!
About! Advance !
">
And
In two minutes they had disappeared into the
gathering darkness.
"Be comforted, pedlar!" said my father kindly.
And my sister went to him, and lifted him from
the ground where he lay, saying to him, "It is
cruel." My sister never bore lightly the sight of
another's pain.
The pedlar rose at her touch, and bowed to
her, and said, “So ever with Romans! My wares
are but Corsica and Sardinia, and yon decurio
is a statesman in Roman way, and can rob the
weak and find a reason for it."
48
KALLISTRATUS
"Thou seemest more angry than downcast,"
said my father; "and why wearest thou another's
hair? Art thou a pedlar?"
"Art thou a priest?" said the pedlar, speaking
in Greek, and more fluently than before. "Not
if a priest's heart should be at the altar. But
thou art a man, and I know of thy nation and
of thee also. I will be kind to thee, and to this
maid here."
He took her hand and kissed it,
bearing himself like a king; but my sister turned
pale. "Leave this place to-morrow, and take
this maid with thee, and return not for "-he
seemed to reckon "four days. But," and he
smiled strangely, so that I almost shuddered, "if
thy trade be among Gauls, and they defend the
bank, thou wilt lack custom for a while. Nay,
lady, shrink not; war is war, and must be waged
as war will."
My father looked at him, at first with haughty
amazement; then he said, smiling sternly, “I
thank thee, pedlar, or what thou art; but I can
mind my own head."
"And thy daughter's?" said the pedlar, bend-
ing himself with a grand courtesy. "Not for
women will this place be when to-morrow's sun
sets. And now, farewell. I thank thee for thy
thoughts to me, beautiful lady." He bowed to
us, and turned with a smile to Strabo, and said,
THE PEDLAR
49
"And farewell, friend Strabo. Thou hast given
me a lesson in robbery by religion, and I thank
thee."
In a minute he was gone from our sight.
We turned and looked at Strabo, who was gasping.
When he found his voice, he said, "I had paid
him the price, had he asked me.
go up the river farther."
"And wherefore?" said my father.
not wont to love travel, or wild living."
<<
But let us
Thou art
I love my head," said Strabo; “and by yon
man's talk, I am like to lose it here. This is no
place for women, or for me.”
We move us not," said my father. "But
stranger pedlar have I not seen. I did not think
there had been a man alive could move me so."
D
CHAPTER IV
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
It is impossible for me to forget any part of
that which happened during the next three
days. I would forget many things that I have
done in my life; but I cannot. These days I
do not desire to forget. They gave me my first
sight of war. As soon as the night's short sleep
was finished we were all stirring, removing and
hiding all that we could, placing the most valuable
of our possessions in the shrine itself, in Strabo's
chamber there. On the farther bank at mid-
day we saw the white tent of Iketorix pitched,
about two hundred paces from the river, with
two spears planted before it, and a red pennon
above it. The Gauls began at once to muster
round it; from all sides beyond the river they
came, till at evening time they seemed to cover
the plain. Still on our side all remained as it
was. When darkness was coming on, we all
went to the hill which was above our home, and
close to the river's bank. It was a crag from
50
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
51
which the whole country round could be seen.
The plain on the other side was dotted with, it
seemed, a thousand fires; and far to the west we
saw a glow
glow in the sky. "It is the after-glow of
sunset," my father said, after long looking.
"Nay, my father," said I, "the sunset glow is
not there, by one point; 'tis too southerly. Nor
is the after-glow of a sunset like that. Hearken!
what is that?"
Down the stream to the base of the hill
whereon we stood, we saw a boat come to the
shore quietly. Three Gauls were within it; they
came out of it, and moored it to the bank.
'
“They are on the wrong side," said my father.
Why come they here?"
And then another came, and another. "My
father,” I cried, "they are for the Carthaginian."
My father called to the men, saying, “You
stay here?"
"The boats stay," said they, "and many more
beside. The chief that comes has bought
them."
Bought them!" said my father.
Ay," said they, "and many more beside, for
one hundred and thirty furlongs up and down
the stream; and paid for them in white Spanish
money. They muster here to-night.”
For me, my heart whirled with joy. But my
ま
​52
KALLISTRATUS
father said, “I am growing old; my heart de-
lights not in battle as once."
"Nor mine," said Strabo. War is a foul
trade. It is cruel, and rogues and cowards
thrive in it, while honest men starve and brave
men die."
"Take heart then, Strabo," said I, jesting with
him for nearly the last time, and having the
better of it at last.
Throughout the night, wherein we slept not,
the boats continually arrived, and silently; and
of the boatmen some went away and some stayed
not far from the place. Before the sun had
risen, we saw a cloud of dust appear in the sky
towards the south-west. We could hear the
wild notes of the bugle, and see through the
dust the glancing of steel. Then presently the
ground shook with the tread of horses; and I
saw a stranger sight than I had ever hoped to
see. A troop of horse soldiers galloped into our
plain. Their leader was at their head. The riders
were swarthy and strange; their eyes and teeth
glistened. Each was armed with a short crooked
sword and a shield of thick hide. No bridles
had they, nor saddles, but seemed one with their
horses. A lion's skin was flung on the shoulder
of each. The Roman horse had seemed perfect.
beside the Gauls; but they would have seemed
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
53
clumsy beside these; the Roman speed slowness,
and the Roman order disorder. I can see these
horsemen now in my fancy, as I saw them then
and many a hundred times after; a perfect troop
of light cavalry, the best the world has ever seen.
I longed to ride among them, to ride at their
head, to lead them. My heart stood still as I
looked. Then the leader of them (it was Mutines,
as I knew after, the fiercest soldier in the fierce
company, who, mounted, was more like a hawk
in act and heart than a man) rode to my father
and said-
"Thou speakest in the Phoenician tongue; hear
then my lord hath sent me; we camp in this
place, and guard thy home."
CC
:
Thy lord?" said my father.
My lord," said Mutines, "and thine-Hanni-
bal!"
He turned and gave orders to his troop; and
we stood and watched.
Then company after company came up, and
took their places on the bank of the river. Those
nearest to us, beyond the Numidians, wore white
linen coats, soiled by their march; but for them-
selves, they were not fatigued. As far as we
could see, the bank of the river was lined with
soldiers, and all was in order. They came, each
to his position, the pickets were set, and entrench-
54
KALLISTRATUS
ments dug, as I have heard my father say that
great Pyrrhus was wont to form them, the great
Epirot captain. Boat after boat came to the
bank, both up and down the stream; and con-
tinually also the Gauls on the other side came
to the brink of the river and shook their
spears, screaming. On our side all was quiet,
though 84,000 men had turned the solitude into
a packed hive of men. Presently I saw for the
first time the monstrous creatures which some-
times men use for war, and use sometimes to
their own ruin-the elephants. I saw and feared.
them not. Before the sun was high, provisions
began to arrive, brought by natives into the camp,
who moved fearlessly and without harm among
the soldiers. Then when the sun was high, there
was a stir throughout all the camp. Each man
seemed expectant, from the common soldier to
the general, from the boy to the veteran.
Mutines took his gaze from his men, and
seemed to lose some of his fierceness and place
it at the disposal of another. A sound of horse
hoofs was heard, and at a gallop into the camp
rode a knot of horsemen, with one at their
head, Hannibal himself. Each man stood up
unordered, and all the camp broke into a wild
cheer as, without drawing bridle, with head
erect and smiling face, Hannibal rode throughout
t
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
55
the lines, towards the river. Without a guide
or pause, at full speed he galloped up the hill
from whence all could be seen; and first he
looked up and then down the stream, and then
he fixed a keen gaze upon the other bank, and
the Gauls there. Presently he turned to him
who rode nearest, and said something of which
presently all the army knew: "It is not an army;
it is but a rabble."
At this the whole army took heart, and thought
no more of the swift stream.
"Can they pass, my father?" said I.
"Wait," said my father.
Here is more than I
had in my mind, or any other."
Just then the Gauls retired a little from the
bank, and ceased their screaming.
Hannibal sat
still on his horse upon the hill, erect and watching.
I cannot tell how it was that he sat so still and
yet seemed so ready; as though his power were
on both sides of the river, and his knowledge
everywhere. After watching he turned suddenly
like lightning to one behind him, who rode in
haste down the hill. Presently from our house
we could see a movement on the other side, and a
body of men approaching the river bank carrying
bows. They took up a position on the bank,
but before even one flight of arrows was shot, six
hundred shafts flew from our side, and the Gallic
56
KALLISTRATUS
archers broke and fled.
Then the whole mass of
Gauls retired a space from the bank, only watching
until the boats should be manned.
"Well shot, my archers!" cried Hannibal.
Each archer's face was turned to him with de-
light. I felt then that which I felt again and
again in that long distant time, yet only with
regard to this one man. My whole heart went
forth to him, and I had gladly died, had he
bidden me die. "Something for him," I said;
'
tr
anything for him." I know the feeling even
now as I write, old as I am. I am not myself
when I think of him, or write of him.
And now
as I write, I cry to him, "O great shade, hear
me! and know that Kallistratus doth repent!"
Sometimes again I am myself, and would do again
all that I did. A strange something is man-
stranger even than woman; and they, man and
woman, stranger than all the wonders of this
earth, past, present, or to be.
And now came another wonderful thing.
Hannibal left the hill, and rode down through
the Numidians straight to the place where we
stood. My father was still, and the rest of us;
but I went towards him, and choking, said, “I
know you, sir."
sir." And I knew him, knew him for
the pedlar of two days before. My father and
all knew him now, and Strabo tottered for fear:
"I
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
57
Kallinice turned red and pale by turns. He
dismounted from his horse, and greeted my
father; and then turned to my sister, and said,
Sweet maiden, this is no place for thee." Her
face grew pale again at his gentle strong tone,
and as she knew of his solicitude for her. He
stood still, and only looked on her; and it had
been strange had he not looked on her, for beauty
has a power of its own, beside that of kings and
captains; and never on this earth, in marble or
in flesh, was there a face or a form of greater
beauty than hers. At last he spoke again-
"Thou art the goddess in the camp.
And yet
thou shouldst leave it. I pray you, sir, accept an
escort to where you will."
Chief," said my father, "this is our home, and
we cannot leave it for the south without meeting
those to whom a Punic escort would introduce
us badly; and north, east, and west, the country
and the men are worse than aught we shall see
here, though we see blood and wreck. Rather let
us stay here and rest in our home."
"Stay then," said Hannibal, "and may Melcarth
desert me if harm come to you or her.”
My father bowed, and looked slowly from him
to her. He said, "How long stay you here?"
The chief laughed, and said, "Nay, but thou
must wait and see. But before I go I will visit
58
KALLISTRATUS
thee again; and perchance the maid will say a
prayer to her god for the boy Carthaginian, and
his soldiers, and his venture."
He turned him, and was gone. Then my sister
seemed like one in a dream, and turned towards
the shrine. Kallicles, my brother, followed her
downcast, and Strabo was for coming too. When
she reached the door she saw him, and said
with anger, "Begone." Then in a softer tone
she added, "The god I pray to now needs not
thee, nor thy thunder, poor Strabo."
"Poor Strabo I am," quoth Strabo.
pray, let me too enter into thy prayer."
tr
But I
My sister stamped on the ground, and he
shrank before her. But he said-
"I would stand now, if ever, well with the
gods, like the Carthaginian. If the gods befriend
me not now, they shall repent it; for Strabo will
never do them service more, or rattle tin for
them again."
On that same day we stood near to the gate-
way, and we watched the chief ride up and down
among the soldiers, greeting them, and seeing to
their comfort. My brother cried suddenly, “There is
Iketorix." It was seldom that he saw what there
was to see, before I saw it; but he was turned to
the river then, and I was watching Hannibal. We
saw Iketorix come, with his head half a span above
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
59
all others, down to the river's bank; there he
called aloud. All watched him, and Hannibal
stopped in his riding. The followers of Iketorix
fell back, and, with spear in hand, the king stood
alone. He lifted his spear, and parted his feet,
as if for a cast. Thrice round his head he
brandished his spear, and hurled it. It was a
noble cast, and the spear, though it did not clear
the stream, yet fell into the boat tethered nearest
to the shore. Men quickly went to the boat, and
brought the spear to Hannibal; for on it there
was a paper tied. He opened the paper and read,
and then came with it to my father. Thus the
letter was written:
r
False Carthaginian, I defy thee; and if thou
hurtest hair of those within the precinct, I will
cross to-morrow and chase thee away from the
land.
IKETORIX."
Hannibal turned then to my sister and said,
"He hath learnt the Roman's title for me, and
hath the Roman thought. But he who would
protect thee thus is a gallant man, and casts a
spear to purpose."
My sister's face burned, and she said, “He shall
not protect me; protection need I none; and his,
neither before, nor now, nor ever!"
Hannibal looked at her and smiled, and seemed
60
KALLISTRATUS
about to address her. But then I remember it
well-his eyes fell upon a thin blue cloud that
rose from the skirts of the Ventian forest six
good miles away. He set spurs to his horse,
and galloped up the rising ground to the hill-top.
There he stayed for a while, gazing like a hawk,
northward, and towards the west.
Then he gave
a command, and the command went through the
army; but so ordered was everything that there
was little movement. The archers fell back, and
those nearest to the banks went to the boats, and
behind them others, until at leisure they all were
filled, and 10,000 men were manning the boats,
and ready to cross. Soon Hannibal left the hill
and leaped into a boat, and "Row! row!" he cried.
Hurl your javelins! and you, archers, shoot high
overhead across the stream!"
(C
Each man was in his place. The archers shot
flights of arrows ceaselessly on the Gauls, who
crowded to the bank, but were confused and shout-
ing wildly, and each in the other's way.
On our
side all was quiet at first, and then a roar arose
as the boats were quickly paddled across the
stream. On the other side the bank was shelv-
ing, and as each boat neared the shore, each
man within it hurled javelins, of which each had
six. Hannibal himself leaped ashore the first;
and, for a minute, the conflict was fierce on the
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
61
bank; when, suddenly, a loud and terrible cry
arose behind, of 6000 men shouting with one
voice. The Gauls looked round, and saw behind
them their camp in flames. They turned, and
met behind them another enemy, and at once
all was finished, and the Gallic army melted
away, never to return, leaving many dead behind
them. The troops crossed at their leisure, and
before nightfall the whole army was on the
other side, and the Rhone was passed. My soul
was filled with exultation, and the same wild
desire to throw myself at Hannibal's feet, and
win something, and be praised by him. I write
of this because I cannot help writing of it,
foolish though it is; and to think of it, though
it pains me when the thought first comes to me,
yet presently pleases me, and makes my heart
young and fresh again.
In those three days the chief came again and
again to see us; and always I followed him, as a
dog follows his master. But chiefly he spoke with
Kallinice my sister, though sometimes with my
father. And now comes a matter in my life
which was the most fearful that I have ever
known, fearful even in that wild time, and fearful
even to those wild men, fearful to me even in
these last days of my life. We had crossed,
all of us, my father, brother, sister, and I, and
62
KALLISTRATUS
Strabo, to bid farewell to Hannibal, and see the
last of the army before the tents were struck
and it marched onward. In what direction it
would march, we knew not; no one knew, save
Hannibal himself. Then, as always, there was
no knowledge of what would be, in his camp.
Thirty furlongs or more below the camp there
was a Gallic village, and there had we also
been, to see if any remained of the Gauls whom
we had known, who lived there. We found it
empty, and had begun to return, when we heard
the sound of galloping horses, and a squadron
of Numidians rode by us with the speed of the
wind. We walked fast in their track, and,
before we had gone half a furlong, we heard
a sound of heavier horse hoofs, and a Roman
squadron came on at full gallop. At their
head rode Cornelius, the decurio whom we had
seen five nights before. He saw my father,
and cried-
"The Greek, who shelters spies! Die then!"
He drew back his sword, and thrust; my
father fell backward, and in a moment he was
dead. We three knelt around him, and my
sister tried to stop the blood that came from
his wounded throat. We hardly heard the
noise made by horsemen riding round us, nor
knew that the Romans had retired before the
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
63
us.
Numidians, who had returned in force, and were
riding to bury their dead. Kallicles held my
father's head, and knelt beside him, and called
him "father"; but he was dead. Strabo stood
near, and covered his face with his hands. Then
my sister bent, and kissed my father's face; and I
kissed him, and Kallicles also kissedh im. Then
Strabo came nearer, and stood and looked at
Kallicles divined his purpose, and made way
for him. He knelt down and kissed my father's
face. We looked then each on the other, and
saw an older face than we knew. Looking up, we
saw the Numidians on their horses, not far away,
and Hannibal among them.
He rode near to us,
and called my sister by her name- Kallinice!
When she heard his voice, she looked up like a
dreamer, and turned her white sad face towards
him, but still she clung to my father's arm and
neck. He dismounted from his horse and took
her hand, calling at the same time men from the
troop. They dug a grave near, and two Numidians
and my brother and I lifted my father to place
him within it, my sister holding his hand. Strabo
came near, and pushed one of the Numidians
away, and himself took the place. No one spoke
at the strange funeral; but when the grave was
filled, Hannibal said—
tr
tr
"I must leave thee, lady; but if thy brother"-as
64
KALLISTRATUS
he spoke he looked at me-" will march with me, I
will treat him as a gift for thy sake, and show him
the best that a soldier can. Decide not now; but
let him, if he will come, be at my tent at sunrise.
And now, gentle lady, fare thee well; and forget
not Hannibal the Carthaginian, who will remember
thee. Something thou wilt hear of him again, it
may be; but whatever happen, keep this for his
sake." He gave her the dagger that hung at his
side, and kissed her hand; the troop faced about
and rode away, and he with them; but at the
edge of the plain he turned and waved his hand,
and the troop halted, faced about, and saluted
with their swords.
We four crossed the stream again and held
council in the shrine. Kallinice at first held her
peace; but when I said that I wished to go with
Hannibal, and asked her what she counselled, she
said-
"I would that thou shouldst go. And then
when shall we meet again, we three, we four, and
how? Hear me, my brother. To Athens will I
go, as soon as may be, and those who stay with
me; and thus there, either now, or when life is
nearly done, we will meet again. Each day when
I am in Athens I will go, one hour before the sun
sets, to the Maiden's temple, and wait awhile
beneath the pillars of the north side; and there
THE PASSAGE OF THE RHONE
65
{
at last I will meet thee, my brother; and let thy
heart also turn thither as to a home, because there
waits one who will yearn for thee. In thy life I
shall not ever again soothe thy pain, or bring thee
food, as before; but all the more shall my heart be
full of thee. I will pray for thee to that which
lies behind the priest's dress, and the stool of the
oracle; and forget not thou thy sister. And look
to it for thyself, as I too will for myself, that when
thou comest thou mayest hold thy head high and
erect, as one who does not know shame. So fare-
well, my brother, my brother!"
Thus in the dim twilight of the morning, before
the sun lifted himself above the Voconian hill, I,
having kissed my sister and my brother, and
shaken Strabo by both hands, stood before the
tent of Hannibal.
E
CHAPTER V
TOWARDS ROME
I SHALL leave my own story now, telling that
which befell my brother, and sister, and Strabo.
In telling it I shall not very far leave myself,
for their doings bore on mine, and what they saw
touched me nearly.
My father had seen the Roman legions and the
allies, 25,000 strong, at Massilia.
He had seen
the horsemen sent forth to reconnoitre, but the
army remained behind; and I know what was
the talk in the camp, for my brother heard of it
afterwards, and told me of it. That which is
written here is often now of my brother's writing
his very words. With the Consul, when he
brought his two legions to Massilia on their way
to Spain, were two boys, his sons; near of the
same age as my brother and myself. Had I been
born a Roman consul's son, I had gone far,
perhaps even as far as the younger of these two
boys. They two made their father proud; it was
his delight to exercise them in warlike exercises,
66
TOWARDS ROME
67
They took their place on the march with the
common soldiers; and he taught them the manner
of waging war, and also how brave men should bear
themselves in battle. The Consul was in Rome
a man high and haughty; but there was this
about him, that in the camp he was separated by
no luxury from his soldiers. He found his place
ready for him when he was born, and he took
it, as a leader in a great state. The Commons
did not grudge him his power, nor his house,
nor his riches, for when danger came he took
it freely; and he was a leader with a high heart
-not as the peers of Carthage, who govern a
state and, leave to others to defend it with their
bodies.
On the first day that the Consul came to
Massilia, and anchored his galleys in its safe
harbour, he heard that Hannibal had crossed the
Iberus, and perhaps the Pyrenees. Therefore he
sent the horse to scout throughout the district,
and therefore we saw them for the first time.
They kept near the river bank, for so he bade
them, lest they be lost, and that they might
arrange for the defence of the river's passage.
When the ships first came to anchor in the
harbour and beyond, in the roadstead-for they
were too many for the harbour itself—the Consul,
and the two boys, and the staff stood to watch
68
KALLISTRATUS
the squadron of scouts leave the camp. As they
left, the townsmen shouted, because of the beauti-
ful sight; but the younger boy said, in the hearing
of them all, “My father, we stay here, where the
Carthaginians are not?"
t
"Yes," said the Consul, "for wariness is useful
in war.
Therefore have I sent the horse. And
when they return within four days, we shall know
what to do, and where it is best to go.'
دو
The legates wondered that the Consul allowed to
the boy such liberty of talking; it was perhaps
because he was proud of his son's discernment,
and yet would direct it; not expecting that all
would turn out the other way, and he himself
receive a lesson.
"But, father," said the boy, "should we not go
also ? The Carthaginian will not choose a place
near the sea to cross the river, where the mouths
are many, but where it is one stream."
Not yet did his father frown. He said, "Yes,
Publius; but first we must find out where he is,
and not march, without knowledge, with an army
into this wild space. The soldiers also are storm-
tossed, and will fight better for resting. Mark
thou these things, that thou mayest know how
to do when thou leadest men."
"But, father" said the boy.
Then his father frowned, and said, "Peace, boy.
TOWARDS ROME
69
I have told thee.
hast thought, then at length question.'
Think on it, and when thou
>>
"I have thought," said the boy eagerly. "He
has passed the Iberus, and perhaps the Pyrenees.
The soldiers are ready now. Were we fifty miles
up the stream, above the place where the mouths
divide, we could send some horse up stream and
some down, and receive a report in half the time.
And there the soldiers would rest, with no great
march to make before fighting."
cr
Thou
"There is a proverb, 'By what the quicker by
that the slower,'" said his father roughly.
art not yet Consul. Thou art answered."
The boy flushed and held his peace. Some,
and those chiefly the officers, thought him pert;
but some marked him well.
On the fifth day, when the sun was setting, some
of the horsemen came back into the camp, riding
hard, with spent horses; and quickly they rode
to the prætorium with their news that the enemy
had crossed the Rhone. Then the Roman army
marched quickly through the night, and with all
speed reached the place where Hannibal's camp
had been, and our home. As the Consul looked
at the camp, he wondered at its even lines, and
said that the place was well chosen for the
crossing, both because of the stream itself and
also the ground on either side. He said, too,
70
KALLISTRATUS
"This man hath something of cunning about
him ; " yet he doubted not of his own skill. Beside
all else that he saw, he saw, too, my brother and
sister and Strabo. They were brought before him
as he was seated in his tent. Strong soldiers stood
behind him, and the legates sat around him; his
younger son, too, was there. The Consul looked at
the three with bent brows, and said, “ Who are ye?
""
Then Strabo said, bowing very low (it was
always easy to Strabo to bow, though he did it
not very well), "We are Greeks, so please you, sir."
Greeks!" said the Consul, with no compliment
in his voice. "Tell me, if ye can, of this army, and
of him who leads it. Have ye seen it and him?
Then said Strabo, while my brother was silent,
both because he was never forward and because
of the Consul's tone, "We have, and I will tell all
we know."
(C
((
What of him?
He is young?
Very young, if it please you," said Strabo.
Quite a boy, quite unequal to fight with a great
soldier of experience and bravery. Therefore hath
he hurried him, and fled away before you."
The Consul's brow became a little less grim. I
have often wondered that men in high place can
be so foolish as they are. He said, "Were his
troops orderly?"
<<
Most disorderly," said Strabo. Poor black
TOWARDS ROME
71
and white creatures, who cared for him no more
than I care for a Gaul. A horde of plunderers."
Then said my brother, " Peace, Strabo; thou art
lying. Sir Roman, their general is a great man.
He robs none, and is rude to none, but is courteous
even to Greeks. In his camp there is one man
alone while he is there, and that is he."
He
As my brother spoke the Consul was not
angry; at least he showed no sign of anger.
said to one of the soldiers, "Beat the slave who
lied, and keep these three persons as prisoners.
How say you, gentlemen? Shall we follow this
rabble?"
"Follow," said each legate.
"My father, no," said the boy Publius. "He
marches through difficult places; why should we?
Nay, rather let us go to Italy by sea; to meet him
when he is worn with travel, and crush him as
soon as he sets foot on our own land."
((
Spain is my province," said the Consul.
The knee is nearer than the shin," said the
boy; he said it in our own language. His father
frowned; but my brother bowed towards the boy,
and the boy looked at him and then at my sister,
and looked at her then again, as all men did who
saw her, and then he blushed.
His father said, "I cannot lead my army again
into Italy without a deed. Men will mock me,
72
KALLISTRATUS
:
saying, 'I came-I returned; and the Cartha-
ginians passed the Rhone, and the Gauls with-
stood them, and I heard of it only.' I will send
my legions to Spain, where is work for them to
do. But still I will go to Italy myself.”
The boy said, "Fill Italy with soldiers." He
rose from his seat, his face flushed, and his voice
sounded like a trumpet. "Here is a man against
whom Rome will need all her soldiers; it is not
good to divide armies, but to unite them."
re
Italy is full of soldiers," said the Consul; he
and all the rest looked at the boy. And we can-
not desert our friends in Spain."
((
If Italy is ours," said the boy, "we can con-
quer Spain."
(C
'If Italy is ours!" said his father, looking at
him as if he had spoken blasphemy.
wanton boy!"
(C
Thou
"My father," said Publius, "Saguntum has
fallen, though the Carthaginian had but a poor
siege train.
He cannot truly carry a siege train
to Italy; but his country will make one for him,
and send him there all he needs, right to the
Tiber's mouth. They will not leave him forsaken
in Italy, that much is certain. All Carthage will
pour to help him; and he is no common enemy,
even only with what he has. It is a march of
twelve weeks from New Carthage to the Rhone,
TOWARDS ROME
73
and this man has carried 70,000 troops there in
seven. While we look for him he has passed
the river; and passed it, though the Gauls were
collected to prevent him. The people through
whose land he has marched respect him. He is
marching now even into the heavens. Where
hardly a man's foot has trodden he takes Africans,
elephants, horses, and an army. This is not a
soldier like those that the city has known before."
My brother said that as Publius spoke he felt
his soul rapt; my sister stirred, and the blood
rushed to her face. The legates and the Consul
were motionless for a short space when Publius
had ceased speaking. Then the Consul said,
(C
Peace, boy; thou art too long and loud for thy
years. These are Carthaginians, and cannot meet
us by land. One legion is too strong for 20,000
Africans. As to the Numidians, they are swift
but unsteady always, and cannot bear the winter.
The Spaniards are barbarians. Yet I will go to
Italy, and I will show thee how, with the 20,000
soldiers that Manlius and Atilius have, we will
beat this boy, and none of his men shall see their
rocks and their sands again." Then he re-
membered my brother and sister, and said, "Take
away the Greeks, and keep them with the army,
prisoners. Their knowledge will help us."
So down the river went my brother and sister
74
KALLISTRATUS
and Strabo, and I had gone on with Hannibal;
so strange a thing is life, and so strange a havoc
and a parting had five days made for us.
At
In those times was Strabo a happy man.
first he had suffered a beating for lying, but that
beating did not cure him. He became a man of
much mark among all the soldiers. Those who
heard him, and they were all in the camp, learnt
as broad facts that he had engaged with Hannibal
in single combat, and had nearly with his single
arm prevented the passage of the river. Moreover,
that he had shown to Iketorix a way to defend
it, which in so far as Iketorix followed, he had
been a happy man. He told all this with detail
of time, and place, and circumstance, furnished
in plenty according to the demand. The higher
officers did not believe him; but the bottom of
truth that there was in his stories—namely, that
he had actually seen Hannibal and spoken with
him, and seen the Carthaginians make the pas-
sage of the river—brought him importance with
them also. Thus all listened to him. But there
was little merriment at anything which he said;
though there was much that might have moved
laughter in it. The Romans hardly laugh at talk.
That which is, is to them; and they do not desire
to see it played upon, or for men to speak beside
it. If a man so speaks, at first they wonder; then
TOWARDS ROME
75
they despise him.
They speak their word
straightly themselves, though at a pinch they do
not keep it.
At Massilia there was a waiting of seven days,
while the preparations for the two voyages were
being made. In that time did Publius Scipio
come often to the place where my brother and
sister lay. He loved soldiering, but yet he loved
not the company of Roman soldiers, or he loved
many things besides; and those things my brother
loved also, and my sister too. What youth, too,
is there who does not desire to be with a maiden
such as my sister was? Publius had a knightly
heart; and so also he was with his equals when
he was with my kindred. He loved not only the
present time, like his nation, but the past also,
and the future also; and thus he learnt, and
dreamed, and brought heaven upon earth in his
dreams. And my brother, crooked and halt
though he was, yet could tell him many things,
and spoke to him of the glories of our nation, and
of those who had led us in war and peace. And
of the poets and wise men also he spoke-of
Euripides, and of Socrates, and the rest. Sweetly
could my brother talk, and Publius' heart was on
fire when he listened. He loved to hear, and yet
he loved more to hear when my sister also was in
his company. It was strange if any one could look
76
KALLISTRATUS
1
unmoved on such a face and form as Scipio's ;
and yet Kallinice so looked. She looked on him
even as a statue looks on him who gazes at it,
and he gazed at her as one who sees a statue;
and that which was afoot Strabo noted, though
the talk generally he noted not.
"So thus," said Publius slowly, "thou hast told
me that he argued, and believed that the soul
lived when the body died; and thus he proved it.
And then he died-died as a man should, facing
death without a tremor. It is fine to contem-
plate. And yet methinks it had been finer had
he faced death not believing the proof; for if he
believed his proof, he was but exchanging some-
thing evil for something good, and his proof
helped men, but lowered him.”
Then said Kallinice, "It may be so, but at
least he feared not. His heart beat never faster
nor slower, but with the
the measured beat of
courage."
The boy heard her voice, and watched her
throat rise and fall, as its music fell on his ear,
like one entranced; and then said, "Thou lovest
bravery, and each one who sees thee must be
brave."
She turned not her eyes away, but looked on
Publius without confusion and without pleasure;
but he hung upon her lips. Then she spoke
TOWARDS ROME
77
slowly, and more like a dead than a living
creature. "Love is not for me. There is a
goddess to be my friend, a maiden for ever,
Athene Polias; and her I will worship all the
days of my life.”
"And so will I," said Strabo, who had become
very impudent, "in good faith.
I know religion
as well as any one.
rattle when I worship, so soon as these wars are
done."
And I will make the thunder
Publius wondered, and my brother grew red
in shame.
"It is true," he said. "Strabo served in the
shrine."
"And never missed my response," said Strabo.
I have seen many a brave man turn pale when
my worship began."
CC
What was thy response," said Publius, "and
thy worship?"
(C
'I lay in a hole," said Strabo," and shook my
thunder; and the worshippers shook."
My brother's face became still more red. The
Gauls," he said, "were fierce, and we had been
badly treated had we not had some ritual to
make them afraid."
(C
Publius was silent for a while, then he said,
"Twere well not done so; for this is but to defile
religion. It is a pure thing itself, but men deceive
+
78
KALLISTRATUS
with it, and thus people believe not. A man has a
coloured robe, and plays music, and sacrifices kine,
and maybe then he tells the truth, and those who
hear are the better; but the robe and the kine are
naught but deceit. But maybe he tells not the
truth, and speaks not of good living, but of tales
of the gods. And by this he is advantaged, since
the gods are real to those who worship, and they
offer more to the priests therefore, and the priest
is glorified; but religion is not helped, and the
miserable race of men gropes in darkness, and
pushes no further towards right conduct.”
Kallicles was confused, and answered nothing;
but Kallinice lifted her head, and some colour
came into her face, and her eye brightened. It
was Publius' thought that never had he seen any
one so beautiful; and indeed he had not. The
faces of Roman ladies shine only with these
virtues-determination, patriotism, and maternal
love; their faces could not shine like hers, in
which appeared the inheritance of seven genera-
tions of souls alive. She said-
((
Say not so, thou noble Roman. The fear of
the gods is the salvation of the human race. The
way in which the gods are worshipped is but an
incident, an accident, a detail; each prophet pro-
phesies in words that the people can understand.
First he must gather attention, and gather it by
TOWARDS ROME
79
what means he can; and when men will listen,
then only can he teach. Do not thy senators
wear robes, and thy soldiers marks for valour?
Thus it is, when men are caught by what they
see and love, that the whole human race is
gathered towards the government of self, and
the knowledge of God, not gods. So my father
taught me; and perhaps hereafter, so he said,
the race of men will worship one God, and
worship Him not for lucre, nor for honour, nor
for fear, but because they know Him, and there-
fore cannot but worship Him-and this through
teachers only."
went.
Publius said nothing, but his colour came and
He rose, as though he would move towards
his teacher. But to her the thoughts of the last
few days came sadly, and she turned her face
away. Then he said, "Maiden, be my teacher,
and teach me always. For thee I could leave
even this soldiering, and be a priest always at thy
feet."
She did not move her head, but Strabo was
moving his head and lips, listening closely to that
which was now said. Just then the trumpet
sounded, and Publius started, saying, "Maiden, I
must not stay. Thou wouldst not have me
stay?"
Surely not," she said.
80
KALLISTRATUS
"Thou canst love a soldier?" he said, making
as though he would kiss her hand.
A spasm passed over her face, and she burst
into tears. He knew not what passed in her
mind, and was perplexed. The trumpet sounded
again, and Publius left the tent. Strabo followed
him; and when they reached the outside, he
struck himself upon the breast in a mysterious
manner, and pointed to the tent.
"What meanest thou?" said Scipio.
Strabo answered by the same gesture, more
emphatically made than before, and said, “A note
addressed to Strabo shall always reach the lady."
Publius turned from him without a word and
went quickly on his way, and Strabo also went
his way, in no whit out of countenance or conceit
of himself. My sister and my brother remained
within the tent, and my brother spoke of Scipio.
Then my sister, with her arms about his neck,
spoke of Hannibal; and once for all he knew how
that matter stood, and that she loved him as a
god. But never more again he heard it, though
he wrote this for me at Athens, and also let Strabo
play his part in that which was written, though it
was not a fine part.
For to be aught a story
must not be all fine, nor merry, nor sad, but
simply like to life; and life is none of these alone,
but all together.
CHAPTER VI
THE TREBIA
FROM Massilia my brother and sister went across
the sea to Pisa in the six galleys that carried the
Consul and his following. Each man in the ships
had but one fear, that Hannibal might in some
way escape the combat with that part of the
army in which he himself would be. The Roman
legionaries despised the soldiers of Spain and
Africa; and they had reason. They themselves.
were chosen and trained men, inheriting the tradi-
tions of an army which had come triumphant
out of four hundred years of war, which had left
far behind it the reputation of barbaric roughness
that it had in the days of our great captain
Pyrrhus, and knew itself to be disciplined in all
the ways of war. The Spaniards were barbarians,
and Carthaginians had often fled before the
Roman legions, even when fighting for their own
soil. And now these Carthaginians were to be
worn and weary when met by the Romans, having
passed through months of marching in places of
F
81
82
KALLISTRATUS
which men feared even to think.
From the Alps
they would emerge an exhausted and dispirited
and disloyal band, with a leader who was but a
boy, of an age far off from the youngest at which
a Roman might take upon him the smallest of the
great cares of state. But their own leaders were
tried and trusted captains who had been familiar
with war for as many years as Hannibal had
lived. This was the talk in the whole company;
and in the two days' halt at Pisa before the
Consul went northwards, Strabo heard more, which
also I set down. For at a time when he was
walking near the tent of Scipio, "not listening," he
said, “but the voices of Romans were always loud,"
this he heard, while the Consul spoke to his son.
"My son," said the Consul, "Davus tells me
thou art with the Greek girl and boy we carry
with us so far, whenever thou canst be. I would
have thee know that I love not the Greeks, either
inan or woman; and that it befits not a Scipio to
speak to them other ways than as to slaves, or to
learn their manners or thoughts. Thou must be
a Roman, and the best of them, as I show thee
the way to be; but the Greeks show it not.
What talked ye of?"
"Father, of valour and of duty," said Publius.
"Talk not of it," said the Consul; "but it was
ever thus with Greeks-talk!"
THE TREBIA
83
And of God," said the boy.
What god?" said the Consul;
"said the Consul; "and what
need to talk of them? Was it Jupiter, or Mars,
or Hercules? These are Roman gods.”
"Nay, father, but of the Queen of Wisdom."
"Publius," said the Consul, "I will have none of
it. Let thy wisdom be to measure the camp, order
the line of battle. Talked ye not of Venus too?"
Ay, by Hercules," said Lucius his brother,
laughing. For Publius hath been downcast
cr
these four days."
The Consul broke into a loud laugh.
Father," said the boy, "you scold me for what
is not disgraceful; what would be disgraceful, at
this you laugh."
Now, by Hercules, I have no patience with
thee, lad," said the Consul; "with thy rhetoric
and thy woman's nonsense.”
Publius said, "When I am backward in battle,
or soft in marching, blame me.
And for the
maiden, she is not what thou thinkest."
She!" said the Consul.
The boy's voice faltered. "She is the most
beautiful woman in the world," said he.
<<
'Ay, ay," said his father; "love her, my son.
Nothing makes a soldier fight like love. She
shall be shown to all the camp, that all may love
her and fight."
84
KALLISTRATUS
t
Then said Strabo that he moved away because he
felt that they were talking upon private matters,
and he was too delicate in disposition to stay
longer; but in fact he expected that they were
coming out of the tent. Still, for the import-
ance of the matter, he told it to my brother; and,
for the importance of it, my brother heard him,
and told me of it. But in his tent Publius wrote
a letter to my sister, and gave it to her. I believe
that it might be a safety to her in Rome, whither
she and my brother were now to go. The letter
lies before me now, and I set it down here:
"Publius Scipio Kallinicen Græcam salutat.
Quod tu, virgo pulcherruma castissuma, in
Urbem pergis, bene fit, et di ita vortant. Illic
tutius vives quam hic inter prælia et itinera
licitumst. At te di immortales sospitent uti
salva sies donicum ipse salvos rediero. Et si
quis erit per quem tibi suppetia usquam sient,
sciat ille, si deus si homo fuerit, ejus rei ergo me
habiturum gratiam. Me facito ut memineris.
Vivas, valeas!"
My brother and Kallinice and Strabo then
went to Rome, and the Consul and his party to
Placentia, whither he had gathered all the soldiers
that were in Upper Italy. As yet he had heard
But one
nothing certain concerning Hannibal.
evening in October came in Milvor, the Alpine
THE TREBIA
85
scout, and brought news of him. He said: “I
went up the valley of the Taurini, and beyond
it to the place where the valley closes; and
far beyond into the very sky, over the giant
path I went, and saw on the mountain side an
army mounting, with foot and hand. I saw the
white-coated Spaniards; I saw the huge elephants.
I saw them shrink and drop. I saw the Africans
shiver and drop; and the road lined with dead men
and horses. I saw the defile, with mountaineers
on the mountain tops, who poured stones upon the
mass; then I saw the mountaineers fly, dislodged
as if by magic, and the army passed still upwards.
"Sayest thou so?" said the Consul. "How
dislodged?"
""
Because at the time when they were about to
roll the most stones, there came a company be-
hind them and scattered them. I saw when a
rock barred the soldiers' way; I lay on the ground
and watched. The soldiers built a way out into
the air, and passed the rock upon it."
tr
(C
Sayest thou so?" said the Consul again.
By Hercules, these men march well; but march-
ing is not fighting. Sawest thou more? Sawest
thou Hannibal ?"
tr
Him I saw.
I saw the frozen rise and shout
'Hannibal' when he passed. I saw him stop,
while he chafed the frost from their limbs. I
86
KALLISTRATUS
saw him first where the stones fell thickest. I
saw him first where the path was most dizzy.
From morn till night no rest, no pause; in the
front and at the rearguard, pouring courage into
men that had none, and speaking comfort to men
who were weary, and the sick.
upwards, On, on!' he cried.
us.
Pointing always
'Italy is before
It is but this one hill, and it is our own.’
The faces of those who heard Milvor crimsoned
with fury. They smote their spears upon the
ground. "Insolent barbarian!" they cried.
Therefore the Consul advanced from Placentia,
with troops burning to fight; for they thought it
shameful that an enemy should be left south of
the Alps, and in peace, while they bore arms.
All knew also that Sempronius was marching in
haste from Sicily; and the Consul and the army
wished to fight before he reached them, that
none might rob them of their glory, and their
dole of spelt, and their triumph. At daybreak,
therefore, the army moved in force from Placentia,
and up the Ticinus. They crossed its stream,
and wished to meet Hannibal. Three days they
marched; and on the third day the Consul
rode out with his cavalry and outriders.
presently came riding back at a gallop; and
what follows, I can myself tell, and need not my
brother's hearsay, for I was there to see. Hanni-
These
THE TREBIA
87
bal himself, well knowing what was before him,
and ready, was riding in the plain. I rode by his
side, for he would have me with him, that I
might interpret for him, and also, I think, because
he loved me. When the Consul saw his scouts
come galloping back, he cried, "Form close order!"
And then seeing the Numidians before him, he
cried "Charge!" But before the spurs could
reach the flanks of the horses, Hannibal himself,
and with him I, and all our heavy cavalry, burst
upon his centre, which stood firm and strong
before our assault. We wheeled to charge a
second time; and then the Numidians charged,
and I saw the Numidians for the first time in
war. They charged, and at this time, when
near the line of foemen, they swerved, riding
apart to right and left, and passed the enemy's
line; then they turned, and formed a second time
in the rear. Then they charged again from the
rear, like the triremes of Athens in her pride;
and so they rode round and round the enemy,
or rather they flew, until they confused his ranks,
and his line was broken; then we charged again,
and then butchery began. The Consul had the
desire of his soul, and met Hannibal at last. I
saw him urging on his men like a good soldier;
but what could he do, or they? He was in the
front, and he received a wound in his thigh. He
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KALLISTRATUS
would have been slain, for he was beginning to
swerve in his saddle. I saw him reel, and Mutines
close to him; but a boy, fair-faced, of an age such
as mine, leaped to his side, calling back the troop,
and saved him. That was his son, they said in
the camp that evening; and his son it was, so
my brother told me long years afterwards. But
the Roman force was broken. They fled, but
again and again they turned to face us, and
fought, and then rode away, leaving brave men
dead behind. A sore ride they had, until they
saw their camp at last; and the broken, disabled
band rode through the ramparts, with down-
cast faces and stained armour, and horses pant-
ing and with hollow flanks. They say that even
then the Consul, sitting in his saddle, though
his legs had lost their grip of it, and the blood
dripped from his heels, himself dismissed the
troops, and went through each movement before
he retired with a wan face to his tent.
Therefore the army moved back upon Placentia,
the Consul in his litter, wounded, and sick in
spirit. He chafed, and said, "Had I been sound,
my men had not fled. How can I meet Sem-
pronius?" Yet it was necessary that he should
meet him; for on the tenth day, when Scipio
had moved from Placentia to the hills, for fear
of the Numidians, two horsemen came riding into
·
THE TREBIA
89
the camp with tidings. Their tidings were that
Sempronius and 25,000 men were only a day's
march away. On the next day they marched into
the camp, and a cheer of welcome went up from
their fellows, who were more downcast than to
wish any longer to fight alone. It was a sight-I
well believe, as I have heard—a sight to see and
remember; how the unconquered legions marched
into the camp, the standards in front, the cavalry
on the flank, in battle order, with even line and
regular tread. None limped, none looked faint;
though there was no man among them who had
not marched forty days, and in that time passed
through Italy from Messina to Placentia. As the
two hosts joined in camp, and the bugles blew
twice, each Roman felt proud and safe; yet none
was so proud and fearless as Sempronius, the
leader of them. "I will finish this war at a
stroke,” said he, his eyes flashing, and filled with
the fury of battle and the joy of victory.
cr
Publius, hail," said he to Publius, who rode
out to meet him. "How fares thy father?"
(C
So sorely that
you word by me.”
he cannot ride. So he sends
Sempronius was overjoyed, because the com-
mand therefore was his only. "Greet him from
me," he said, "and tell him that I will visit
him when I have seen my troops bestowed; and
90
KALLISTRATUS
there presently I will bring to his sick-bed the
trophies which his soldiers have won, to cheer
him."
tr
So please you," said Publius, and the train
heard him, "the enemy is strong, and caution
is necessary."
"Was this thy father's message?" Sempronius
said.
"I say it," said the boy.
(C
Thou art a scholar, they say," said Sempronius,
looking scornfully at his pale face. "Keep to
thy books. Since when have boys taught consuls
at Rome? The battle is ours; the place and time
of it is ours."
That which follows now I can tell of my own
self. I had ridden back to the camp, wondering
about my kindred, and where they were. I felt
sick at heart, with that desire which lonely
Odysseus felt when he too was away from his
kindred. I had suffered hardships like him, and
been where he had not been, up even into the
skies. But I was not harmed by mountain or
barbarian, for the general looked heedfully after
me, and I after myself. At last we were in the
lower country again, in the upper territories of
a tribe called Taurini. Sad and dispirited we
were, all save one. We had escaped, a fragment
from the mountains, to fall into the hands of
THE TREBIA
91
man. The mountains were behind us, but the
Romans were before us; and never, I think, was
army in a more desperate state, not even my own
countrymen, the 11,000 after Cunaxa. Until this
time the general had exhorted, and encouraged,
and smiled; now he was sterner.
"We were
there," he said, "and we could not retreat; and
thus we were to depend only on ourselves, and
on him." He bade the soldiers be brave, and
coaxed them no longer. When they still seemed
irresolute, one day he drew up the whole army
in a hollow square, and showed them a sight
such as I think no man ever saw before. Of
the captives he picked out 200 men, and in the
centre of the hollow square he set them to fight
in pairs, telling them and us that the conqueror
of each pair received his freedom, the conquered
died. When this was done, and a hundred men
lay dead, a hundred more stood panting and
bloody, but joyous. He went into the square,
and saluted the conquerors, and cried to his
soldiers thus: "Thus it is with you, my soldiers.
For shame, my men! These have fought for
freedom, and faced death, and they are barbarians.
You are my good men, conquerors in many battles,
and you fight for life."
Still the soldiers, though they took heart of
necessity, yet showed no cheerfulness, nor were
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KALLISTRATUS
}
eager to fight, so great was their fear of Rome.
Then came the battle on the Ticinus river; and
then many Gauls came in to help us. And
then at last we came upon the Romans at the
river Trebia. Forty thousand men they were,
and we were 26,000. They were encamped in
a place of their own choosing, encamped upon
a long low hill, with rising ground beyond; and
we could see the blue line of the Apennines on
the horizon. The sight of the Romans made the
soldiers sad again. They had supports behind
them, we had none; and we were bound to fight in
order to live. We must go forward, and yet how
can we cross that stream, and climb that hill, and
storm those ramparts wherein are 40,000 of the
best soldiers of the world? We watched them
through the whole of a day in December, from our
camp, which was pitched but two miles from them.
On the next morning at dawn we watched them
again. Mago with his company had left our army
in the night, and his place in the camp was empty.
The Roman position was a grim one for us to see.
Even Mutines said little, but looked and pondered,
and Gisco also; nay, even Maharbal pondered, and
gnawed his nether lip.
"They hold a strong position," said Gisco.
(C
They are strongly placed," said Mutines.
As we stood, the trumpet in the Roman camp
THE TREBIA
93
sounded, and we heard its note clear through the
cold air. Then there was a pause, and then again
came the trumpet note clear and full from an-
other part of the camp. We looked at Hannibal.
Yes, gentlemen," he said; “in that camp are two
consuls, and 40,000 men; and fine troops too,"
he added, as we watched them form in battle
array before their camp; and perhaps each soldier
thought, "My body will lie out on that hill-side,
to feed the wolves of the Apennines.”
Then said Hannibal, "Come, gentlemen! you
look thoughtful, and not eager as men should
look upon a day of battle. Behold me, and be
as I am. We will give a lesson to these great
soldiers, who can beat Carthaginians by looking
at them. Never man so rejoiced, either in love
or state, as I rejoice, when I see Romans in line
before me. Come hither, boy," he said to me.
"We still have time to spare. Tell to these
gentlemen the story of Marathon.”
Blithely did I tell them the story my father
taught me, how 15,000 Athenians charged along
Marathon into the Persian host, and crushed
them, and drove them from Greece. As I played
the rhapsodist I saw the eyes of all brighten;
their hands gripped their sword-hilts, and they
looked with joy at the army across the stream.
Maharbal came himself to me, and laid his hand
94
KALLISTRATUS
on my back. I felt glad at that, for all men in
the army honoured him. And Hannibal honoured
him beyond, I think, all others.
((
Ha!" cried Hannibal to the common soldiers
who crowded round. "Is not this better than the
Alps? Ho! Bractes. Ho! Mensit, my sturdy
friend, you shall win glory and riches before
the sun goes down. Now for these soldiers, and
these generals, whose like is not in the world!
What say you, my brave fellows, if I bring them
from their heights, and hand them to you a frozen
fasting band, to slay as you please?"
He laughed, and turned to Mutines, and to Gisco
also, and the rest of his company. Presently then
the cavalry rode out, and we could hear the shout
the Romans gave. They crossed the stream, and
a few companies of infantry behind them. The
Numidians charged the Roman horse who came
thundering down the hill to attack them; but
before the shock came, the Numidians broke and
fled, and Mutines fled, and crossed the stream
again. Pell-mell across the stream the Roman
horse followed them, since they formed on the
other side, but quickly broke again, and Mutines
rode smiling under the ramparts of the camp.
Then Hannibal drew up the heavy cavalry outside
the camp, and the infantry also began to take
up a position there. Then the Roman legions

"He drew his sword, and shouted, 'Upon them, my children.'"
THE TREBIA
95
marched at speed down the hill, to be a support
to the horsemen. Drenched with water were
they as they crossed, for the stream was breast-
high; but they crossed all, and drew up in order,
35,000 men, on our side of the stream; standing,
wet and cold, and fasting, but eager for battle.
The wind blew keenly from the north, and sleet
fell. Then said Hannibal, "To breakfast now,
but let every one have his men ready to move
at a moment." He himself stayed on the ram-
parts, where a jug of milk and some goat's
flesh was brought to him. He ate and drank,
but all the while he watched the Romans; and
if they moved in any part of their line, he
noted it before his teeth closed again. So
the morning wore away, and still the Romans
stood, their numbed hands hardly grasping their
swords and shields and javelins, and the wind
freezing their limbs and clothing. In our camp
the men ate at leisure, and were warm and dry.
Then when the morning was passed, and the sun
had begun to move down the sky, the general
turned to us and said, "It is time."
The troops were formed immediately into line
of battle before the camp; he drew his sword, and
shouted, "Upon them, my children; they are your
own, and their camp and land."
Down the hill the Carthaginian horse and foot
96
KALLISTRATUS
charged on the starved legions; but the battle
warmed the blood of the Romans, and for a
while they gave no ground. They fought like
brave men, and like soldiers, who know their
duty and do it. There seemed tears of rage in
Maharbal's eyes that they were so steady.
rr
Let the elephants charge,” cried Hannibal.
Their limbs are numbed; they will not move,"
said the keepers.
Hannibal still smiled, and said, "No matter.
Fight on, my men, for a short while more, and
all will be your own."
And in a short while a shouting was heard in
the rear of the Roman army, and there was Mago
with 6000 picked men, who fell upon them be-
hind. Then at last the Romans broke, and in
utter rout fled. It was a piteous sight to see
the slaying. Every man's hand was lifted to kill,
and none fell in vain; but the Numidians and
the elephants and the river slew the most. Before
sunset the Roman army was destroyed. It was a
piteous sight to see the slaughter; but we were
masters of Northern Italy.
CHAPTER VII
AFTER THE BATTLE
In the camp that night and for many nights
afterwards there was high festival. In every
tent such cheer was spread as the time and place
offered. The camp was fitted with supplies of
every kind, and the Gauls who peopled the
neighbourhood brought of their best, in flesh
and wine and bread, to feed us. Rugs, and even
mattresses, were in the camp in plenty; and
each man lay, and ate and drank as much as he
desired, and was rested, and talked of the battle,
and dressed his wounds, and oiled himself. For
thirty miles round in all directions horsemen
patrolled the country, so that everything was
safe, and within the camp security gave the rein
to licence. I was young, and had never seen a
victorious army at rest before; and the sight did
not please me. So said I to the general, who
often bade me be with him.
He answered," Drink not thyself, and exceed
in nothing; but others must, if they will."
97
Ꮐ
98
KALLISTRATUS
He himself walked through the camp, and
talked to all, and praised all, and laughed. When
he appeared, each man stood up, though he made
as though he would not have it so; but I think
he was not pleased if they that were sound lay.
They were dirty, these brave soldiers-in war
men do not wash over-much; but he spoke to
each as if they had been sweet, and clean, and
pleasant. Rough and greedy they were; but he
was smooth with them, and blamed them never,
speaking only as though he loved them. So
indeed I think he did; and in warfare, when a
man came before him, he looked first at his
muscles, and the carriage of his head, and then
at his quickness of eye; and soon he knew
afterwards the quickness of his thought. These
things he noted; but he noted not his birth, nor
the fairness of his skin; nor of his soul, whether
it was black or white. He said to me-
These men are rough and coarse, but they
have fought well. I am their general, not their
schoolmaster or judge. If vice is gross, it is not
the more vice for that. Consider others, too;
what they do is not less shameful because their
skin is cleaner. So let the men be foul, but be not
thou like them. There is a better life than theirs,
and thou must live it. I am thy schoolmaster,
boy, as well as thy general, for thy sister's sake."
AFTER THE BATTLE
99
tr
At the banquet in Hannibal's tent on the
evening after the battle, he said to Gisco (Gisco
was the thirtieth in descent from the son of
Dido, and thought of that continually), "The
rabble fought well yesterday," and laughed.
Gisco bowed his slight, lithe figure, and said,
The rabble will, if a noble commands them."
Hannibal stretched out his hand and pinched
Gisco's ear, and laughed again. It was Gisco who
led that day the Spanish battalion; and when
his horse was slain, he stood in front of his men,
thrusting at the Roman lines, and warding all blows
from himself. For all his pride he was a good
soldier, else he had not been where he was.
soldiers respected him, though he angered them.
The
I wonder will the names of Hannibal's captains
ever die. They were borne then throughout the
world, and are borne still; and mine had been
borne too with them, had I been older then;
but in these great times I was only a boy. At
Carthage, far away, all their names were known,
and some rejoiced at the great exploits which
they performed, and many chafed, but all knew
of them. And in my own land, and in Macedon
(which is not my own land, though men call it
so), and in Syria and Bithynia, the noise of the
great fight went, and the names of the leaders;
and all men wondered what would come after.
Uorm
100
KALLISTRATUS
Into our camp came Gauls, and Italians, and
Macedonians, and strangers from over the sea;
and the heart of Italy stood still. But a boy
like me had no power and no command; I could
only hope for it, if I made myself soldierly and
strong; and that I did, and learnt the ways of
the camp, and the ways of the battlefield, and
the meaning of hill and plain and river and wood
to a soldier.
One day when we were near Placentia, I well
remember that I begged the general to give me
a command. I said to him, "I know a soldier's
ways, and I come of a blood that hath led men.
I know, too, how to lead men. Give me a troop,
I pray thee."
He smiled and said, "Canst thou lead men?
Look out then on this plain and tell me how
thou wouldst order thy battle here, with an
army before thee.
It is an easy matter for thee;
therefore look and say."
I looked and said, "I would place the horse
here on the wings, and the slingers and archers;
and the Spaniards on the left, and the Gauls on
the right, and our own brigade (for so we called
it) in the centre. I would send the slingers and
archers and horse forward; and when they had
done their work, I would charge with all my
power, and sweep the enemy from the field."
Maou
AFTER THE BATTLE
101
He laughed, and said to Gisco, who was riding
near, "A good plan, Gisco, is it not? Real
Roman?" But Gisco answered not. He moved
away, and Hannibal talked to me alone, I think
more familiarly than he was wont to others,
because I was a boy. "Now mark me, boy.
Seest thou the river on the left? That would
check thee. And thy Spaniards might be ten
leagues away, for all the help they could give
thee. Nay, seest thou that long hill on the
right? 'Tis three hundred feet high or more.
Let thy Numidians ride for dear life to seize
that hill; but show not on the top; and let
them hold it. And move thy line westwards one
mile, and let thy Gauls march under the northern
ridge. Then the fight is won, before thou dost
begin it. But if thou wilt be surer still, lay
three thousand men in cover yonder beside the
sun"-for the sun was now level on the hills-
and lead not thine own force, unless more need
shows than at the present."
I think that he fancied the Romans were
before him, and looked round disappointed at the
bare plain. Presently he said, "To win a battle
is easy; but to bring men up to battle where
it is a safe thing to fight, choosing ground and
time; to have no sick, nor hungry men, nor foot-
sore; both in the march and on the field to
102
KALLISTRATUS
have men where they should be, and not to
lack wherewithal to feed them, and to keep
them safe in the camp, and save them with
spades and watchfulness-this is the hard thing;
by this must a man be judged, and by the heart
that there is in his soldiers, and by the love they
have for him. For their country all men will
fight; and the Romans beat us there.
For in our
army there is no country; it is each for himself."
I said, "And Hannibal for us all. Who is
country and God to us-if it
said."
may be piously
patted my head.
To do as I do, a
But it may not," he said, and
And yet I am God's servant.
man must have thought beyond himself; but what
I do with my army, God does with the world.
There is something beyond everything that I can
do which masters me and all men. And there
is something in the world which man put not
there, and that the best of it. Thy father called
it Apollo, to the Gauls; and men call it by many
names, and worship it in many ways, and for
many reasons-the worst whereof is love of gain,
and the next worst, fear. Since I am a soldier, I
call it Melcarth, who is in part in me, and can
take keenness from my eye, and darken my
judgment, and can defeat my purpose, and dis-
appoint my hope that is dearest to me.”
AFTER THE BATTLE
103
I remember what he said now, and have thought
on it many times since; for something did defeat
the hope that was dearest to him—the one thing
that he had set himself to do. I knew but did
not understand at this time what was this one
thing. But long afterwards, at Tarentum, Mago
the quartermaster told me of Hannibal's youth,
and I understood. Mago was an old man and
grey, who had been with Hamilcar in Spain. He
never fought now, but no man could arrange an
army in quarters better than he. He told me
that when Hamilcar first begged at Carthage for
an army to fight with Rome, the Carthaginians
said him nay. Then he went to Spain, rolling
his great scheme beneath his breast, to build a
kingdom and fight Rome from it. And, said
Mago, when Hamilcar went (because the work
was rough, and not play for boys), he wished
to leave his sons at Carthage. When Mago stood
before Hamilcar, telling him the tale of the ships,
Hannibal came up to his father's knee (he was
six years old, and a winsome, keen boy), and
he begged his father not to leave him behind in
Carthage. By his fire and begging he so wrought
upon his father that at last Hamilcar led him to
the altar of Melcarth, which was hard by, and
holding the boy's hand on the altar, said an oath
to him, that he would hate the Romans for ever,
104
KALLISTRATUS
1
so help him Melcarth.
The boy followed his
father through the oath. And that oath he
hath kept," said Mago, "and will keep; and every
oath and every promise that he hath made, or
shall make, he will keep."
But this was at Tarentum, long afterwards.
At Placentia, when Hannibal so spoke to me, I
said to him, "Oh, Hannibal, I will serve thee to
the end."
There was a
He looked at me and said, "To the end?" and
seemed to see a flaw in my soul. There was a
flaw, and what there was he saw.
flaw, and therefore my heart is gnawed now, and
I have but my two best friends: the first, great
Hannibal, who was my friend in my youth; the
second, the old man's friend, his memory, which
yet I have, but it is a foe to me, and works me
mischief.
Then said Hannibal, "Thy brother and thy
sister, knowest thou where they are?"
"I know not," I said, "but, I think, in Gaul."
"No," said he, "but in Rome, and lodged near
Scipio's house at the gate.
"
How knowest thou?" said I in amazement.
"I know," said he. "And that slave of thine,
he hath become great at Rome. For there they
see not as we see here. They
look not behind
religion, but see the service only. And thus thy
AFTER THE BATTLE
105
father's slave leads religion there, and finds them
omens and prodigies."
I said, "Will the Romans hear a slave?"
((
They hear him," said Hannibal.
"For things
run not clear at Rome. They cant to win, and
Strabo cants and lies for them. Therefore be not
jealous of Strabo-thou wert just now-for thou
wouldst not lie to win ?"
I said, "No."
((
(C
Wilt thou write to them?" he said.
? "
I will gladly; but how shall the letter go?
Write," said he, "and say to thy sister that
Hannibal the Carthaginian greets her by thee,
and keeps her brother safe, as safe as a soldier
may be, for her sake who pitied him and prayed
for him on the banks of the Rhone."
Shall I write more?" I said.
"Greet thy brother too, and friend Strabo.
Yet stay! Send no greeting from me, nor put
down anything will show whence thy letter comes.
If they find the writing, thy sister and brother
too will die. They will not find it, I think; and
yet thy sister knows not how to conceal."
{
CHAPTER VIII
AT ROME
WHEN my brother and sister and Strabo parted
from the Consul's company at Pisa, they were
sent to Rome. Publius gave them in charge to
the centurion who went with the Consul's de-
spatches, and said, "See that they are lodged in
Rome, near to the Cœlian hill; and let my men
know that he who harms them harms me. And
farewell, Kallinice," he said to my sister, and
kissed her hand. He looked at her as though
she were the one woman in the world, and she
at him as though he were only one man in a
million. Few looked on him as she looked, for he
was very beautiful. His skin was clear and white,
and his features clear cut like a statue's; his eyes
were deep blue, and keen or thoughtful according
to his mood. In these young days he was humble;
none had flattered him then overmuch, and the
grace of boyhood was plain in all that he did.
“I will see thee again at Rome,” he said, “and
I will fight the better for thy sake."
106
AT ROME
107
It
She turned away her head-why, he could
not tell. They went to Rome, and when they
reached Ostia they saw in plenty the signs of the
city that grasped the seven hills; and, for all the
protection of Publius, they felt sinking of heart.
That same sinking of heart have all men who
approach Rome and are not Roman. I have
heard men say, and I have known myself, that
there is no city which so awes men as Rome.
is not the buildings; some of these are stately,
built by the Greeks; but they awe not. It is the
men. In other cities men are intent upon some
pleasures, which the company of others helps;
and in other cities there are some who are soft
and kind and yielding, deferential to strangers,
hoping for something of pleasure or profit from
them. In other barbarian lands Greeks are, in
one way or another, masters, and have high hearts
and ways.
But at Rome all this is reversed; and
as Kallicles and my sister and Strabo approached,
everything told them so. The sailors and pas-
sengers on the vessel all stood at a kind of
attention, and minded themselves carefully. The
captain, when the vessel was at the quay, would
have moored her fifty paces farther to the north
than where the spot was marked for him, and
had nearly tied the fastenings; but a stern soldier
approached, and undid his work, and made him
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KALLISTRATUS
observe exactly the order given to him. A band
of soldiers paraded along the quay, and took
note of everything. There was a crowd of idlers,
greater than seemed wholesome, but they were
orderly, and looked at the soldiers with dread.
The soldiers had a bearing which would have
been high, but for the arrogance there was in it.
"By Heracles," said Strabo, when he had been
jostled into his place, "I see we shall have no
consideration here, unless we change our faith,
and worship what they worship."
"Thou knowest their gods," said Kallicles;
"Mars and Jupiter, Flora, and Saturn and Ter-
minus."
"I know them," said Strabo, "and know them
for rascals. But I mean not them. They worship
them, but yet they worship them not. Read me
my riddle, Kallicles; unless thy head is dizzy
from the tossing at sea. They worship what is
not their gods; canst thou tell me what?"
"Themselves?" said Kallicles, as the centurion
passed them with polished armour, but otherwise
rough and unkempt, his figure upright, and his
step a military strut.
Nay," said Strabo; "yonder mailed peacock
will throw himself away for something."
<<
(C
His sweetheart?" said Kallicles.
Nay, that he will not," said Strabo, "unless
AT ROME
109
he hath the disease of love; that will make him
do anything, but it is but for a time. It is for
Rome that he will always do everything. Rome
is the goddess here; unless we are Roman, we
shall do nothing. I tell thee, Kallicles, my master,
I have already become Roman; I have found
salvation. Thou must find it also."
rr
I must be saved some other way," said
Kallicles, "for I like not Rome, nor wish for
a Roman world-a world of farmers and soldiers,
who talk of crops and drilling. I wonder thou
likest it. Thou wilt sweat in the line too much.
And thou likest not that other life we saw outside
Pisa-of slaves in manacles, hoeing with wooden
hoes, and going for their sleep to a plank bed,
sixty in a prison-house."
'I like it not," said Strabo, "but yet it shall
become my faith, and then it will reach to others,
and not to me. If I have the faith, neither my
manners nor aught beside will matter. I shall
not work, but eat, and see others hoe in chains.
I shall cry Rome!' and all will be well. Thou
laughest, Kallicles, at my stomach; it is not
fatter than yon vagabond's; he may not be
beaten, for he is Roman, and hath corn for
nothing. I will try and mount on the same
road some little way: therefore heigh for Rome,
head of all things!"
110
KALLISTRATUS
They travelled from Ostia in a barge, and
moved slowly up the water, drawn by two mules.
The walls of the city were visible during the
most of the passage, and Strabo's transformation
into a Roman became more complete every
moment. His respectful demeanour was very
marked, but seemed to procure for him no
respect, though it may have saved him from
trouble. Some soldiers were beside the centurion
in the boat, and Strabo approached one of these,
saying-
Sir, it gives me joy, and makes me feel safe,
to see a Roman soldier. I have suffered much,
and been in sad trouble, which the presence of
a Roman soldier would have relieved; and my
troubles vanished when Roman soldiers appeared.
But they did not come soon enough."
The soldier looked at him for a moment with
a stern contempt. Then when his curiosity was
aroused, he said simply, "Where?"
ઃઃ
"I was settled on the banks of the Rhone,"
said Strabo," and had great influence there. I
organised an opposition to Hannibal's crossing
among the Gauls. We needed Roman soldiers,
for they alone can really fight; I could not
induce the Gauls to stand behind me."
It was impossible for the legionary not to be
interested in Strabo's speech. He delivered it
AT ROME
111
with his eyes wide opened, his cheeks puffed, and
his mouth pushed upwards; and the whole body
of passengers crowded round him. He proceeded
with his story, introducing into it the account of
the personal combat between himself and Hannibal.
The crowd were puzzled, but regarded him with
wonder. And Kallicles, seeing Strabo surrounded,
came forward and bade him be silent or tell the
truth; but this command was of little avail.
After they had left the boat they went up
through the streets of that city of which all the
world heard so much. They went under super-
vision; the centurion gave them in charge to a
legionary to attend, while he delivered his de-
spatches. The senate was even then sitting, and
they waited at the edge of the forum, and
wondered with a desolate feeling at the bustle
on the paved streets.
Before nightfall a lodging was found for them
at the foot of the Cœlian hill, on the summit of
which were many great houses, and among them
that of the Scipios. Their lodging was of four
rooms, with boarded floors and boarded walls.
In one room they sat; in the other three my
brother and sister and Strabo slept. In the sitting-
room there were three stools, and a table and two
shelves; in each bedroom was a mattress on the
floor, and a ewer and a basin. Their food they
112
KALLISTRATUS
bought cooked at a tavern near. The refuse from
their living they cast out of the window. They
might perchance have been better lodged, for
my brother carried treasure with him; but they
feared to show anything that they had.
It was a poor exchange for the free and beauti-
ful home on the Rhone-cramped, foul, and noisy ;
but there was no lack of business to look upon.
Each day they saw the ways of the city; each
day there was something new. The ceremonies
of religion, the doles, the crowds of clients, the
festivals, the funerals, the assemblies of the people
in their tribes, with a tribune to harangue them,
the elections, the meetings of the senate, and the
senators and officers going thereto-all this was
wonder to them. Each thing they viewed with
some awe, because of the great interests hanging
to it. The men whom they saw were going to
command armies, and decide the fates of thou-
sands. The resolutions on which Flaccus pon-
dered as he walked to the senate-house, which
puckered the brows of Torquatus, were to have
effects which would be felt through the whole
of the Western world. Everything was on a great
scale. Outside the city walls the Campus was filled
with troops and munitions of war. Legions were
massed there and levies held, and cavalry was
trained, and from that plain the young men of the
AT ROME
113
Roman armies marched to all parts of Italy and of
Spain. The great white hard straight roads which
led from every gate were crowded with people. By
them embassies arrived from state after state, and
embassies were sent ; along them horsemen spurred
foaming horses. Within the walls the streets were
filled with litters, porters, goods, freemen, slaves,
and many sorrowful faces of women; and some-
times from the houses wailing could be heard.
Grain and wine and droves of beasts came up the
river and down the river, and poured along the
roads in waggons. Indeed, there was a continual
sight to see; and for those who knew nothing of
cities the wonders never ended. They presently
had acquaintances; as they walked through streets
Greeks knew them, and spoke to them; and be-
sides this, Strabo insisted that respect should be
paid to the Scipios. On the next day after their
arrival, in the early morning, Kallicles walked up
the Cœlian hill, and faced the porter at the door
of the great house. Strabo went with him to the
door. The porter asked their business.
tr
CC
We come to salute the Scipios," said my brother.
Greeks are ye?" said the porter. "We have
too many Greeks here." But he was silent when
he saw the scrip from Publius that Kallicles bore.
Through groups of slaves, of whom many were
of our own nation, Kallicles walked forward into
H
114
KALLISTRATUS
a great hall in which were many men. Pillars
ran along all sides of it, on which the roof rested.
Beyond the pillars were corridors, and into the
corridors there were entrances from chambers,
the doors of which were mostly closed; but some
were open, and bedding was visible in the rooms.
Where there was wall to be seen it was white-
washed. Round the hall itself were groups of
strange garments, some faded, some new; and
above each group hung on the wall a mask in
wax, representing a man, and coloured so as to be
like flesh. Some sat in great oaken chairs, some
stood upright; some were armed like soldiers,
some wore robes like senators; all seemed strong
and stern. There were thirty of them or more,
ranged round the hall. Kallicles knew them for
the Cornelii of past ages, who had helped to
raise Rome, and set her where she was, as queen
of Italy. On a great oaken chair at the end of
the hall sat Cnæus Scipio, the cousin and deputy
at home of the Consul. By his side stood with
some papers Rhodius, the house-steward. A
slave stood before them, with a pale face, and
trembling. There were many men in the room,
some free, some slaves. As my brother entered,
Scipio said, "What say you of him, Rhodius?"
((
He stole a capon's leg from the table last
night," said the old steward.
AT ROME
115
'Didst thou?" said Scipio.
"No, my lord," said the slave.
Kallicles saw
by his voice that he was a Greek, and he felt his
anger rise.
"My lord, he did," said Rhodius. "Here is
the bone; I found it within his tunic."
The slave dropped down upon his knees, and
began to cry for mercy.
Scipio frowned, and said to a strong slave be-
hind him, “Twenty stripes."
This slave went to the wall and took from it
a thong of leather; the tunic was stripped from
the thief, and twenty stripes were dealt him, so
that from his shoulders downward he was covered
with red marks. Scipio looked carefully on, un-
heeding the howling of the slave, but he counted
the strokes. The rest who were in the hall
laughed, and the more heartily when a stroke
fell where another had fallen before, so that a
gash was made in the back of the beaten man.
When this was done, some of them who had
come on the same errand as my brother came
forward in order, and Scipio gave a word of
careless greeting to each. The one who made his
greeting next before Kallicles fell on his knees
and began to wail when his turn came.
c
What is thy trouble? Have done with thy
wailing," said Scipio.
116
KALLISTRATUS
j
(c
My neighbour wrongs me.
He heaps his
refuse before my door, and hath beaten me and
my eldest son."
"Show me the marks," said Scipio.
The man bared his back, and on it were the
marks of blows.
Who is thy neighbour," said Scipio, “and
how big is he?"
r
"It is big Temnes the Thracian," said Rhodius.
He bullies the people round."
Let him be chosen in the next levy," said
Scipio.
The suppliant's tears ceased to flow, and he
grasped his patron's knees.
Away!" said Scipio.
"And who art thou?"
he said, as my brother bowed before him.
tr
I bring thee a greeting from Publius, thy
cousin," said my brother.
Scipio looked surprised, and turned to Rhodius.
"It is true," said Rhodius.
(C
There are three of
them. One is a maiden very fair, and this boy,
and one a rascally slave. They have seen
Hannibal, and travelled with our legions. This
boy can recite, so please you and my ladies,
many a tale, and sing songs.”
"Out on it!" said Scipio. "These Greeks will
swamp our household. Still it were a cruel thing
to keep them away from my mistresses. Take
AT ROME
117
them, Rhodius, and keep them till I come from
this crowd, and I will hear further of them. Let
the slave and the woman also be here."
Five evenings afterwards, when nine couches
were spread for dinner in Scipio's house, my
brother was summoned to sing to the lords as
they lay at their wine. He wished to refuse to
go,
but Strabo really forced him to go. And he
entered the dining-hall where they lay, nearly
drunken; red-faced and loathsome were they.
While my brother sang, Rhodius hastily entered,
and said, "My lords, there is a messenger come
who brings great news from Sempronius. He and
your cousin, whose wound is not whole, have joined
their armies, and a battle is near. The lords leaped
to their feet. One said, "Longus hath the luck;'
and another, "Where is the messenger?
""
"He is with the prætor," said Syrus. "The
people are gathered round the prætor's house."
"Thither will we all," said the company.
Through the city the next day the glad news
went that the enemy seemed not likely to decline
battle. The people waited in exultation, and my
brother and sister and Strabo waited also, hoping
for news. The senate sat all the next day.
through the night each man's house was open, and
every one waited at the gate and in the streets,
not to miss the first hearing of news. Towards
And
118
KALLISTRATUS
morning a messenger galloped along the northern
way, and through the gate, crying, "A victory!"
But there was no laurel on his despatch. He
carried the despatch straight to the senate-house.
It was in Sempronius' own hand, and it was thus
written" We have fought a battle, and should
have chased the enemy back to the Alps, but that
a storm arose and saved him." The day was
kept as a festival, and the images of the gods were
laid on cushions out in the streets; but at our home
they sorrowed, and wondered how I had fared.
For days the citizens looked for captives, but no
captives came, and, instead of them, the story
that the storm had not only prevented the
Romans from winning a victory, but had brought
defeat to them, and that of 40,000 legionaries
not one-half remained. The news turned the
city from triumph to woe. No one knew who
had been killed and who had escaped; and for
weeks they did not know. The faces of men and
women grew hard, and set, and drooping, because
of anxiety. At last the consuls returned, but not
even then was it known quite surely, for many
soldiers remained at Ariminum, and some had
been sent only to Fæsulæ. In the Campus the
troops were dismissed, and entered the city, bring-
ing gladness to many homes, but sorrow to others
by their tidings.
AT ROME
119
All eyes were on Scipio, who rode yet in pain,
and pale, his sons near him.
He looked years
older than when he had left the mouth of the
Tiber eight months before; he dismounted only
with help, and his black hair was turned in many
places to grey. He leaned, as he dismounted, upon
his son Publius, and every one knew that he had
said in answer to the greeting of Fulvius, "This
victory, my old comrade, was no victory. Alas!
that I should say so. I have seen Roman soldiers
cut down by Spaniards, and flying before
Numidians. The boy Hannibal, believe me,
needs our care. There was but one who knew
this, my son Publius. And but for my son
Publius, I myself had lain on the banks of the
Ticinus. He shall come with me to greet thee
and tell thee all."
Fulvius turned his harsh face with no great
favour on the white-cheeked boy who bowed
before him. He said, "He shall be welcome;
but I know not whether my cheer of pork and
apples will suit his belly. Perhaps my guests, too,
will trouble him. I have none but Romans; no
Greeks, no slaves, no song. I have heard of thy
friends of the Rhone, boy; bad soldier's baggage
is that."
"What it pleases you to give me,” said Publius,
with scorn in his voice, "that will I thankfully
120
KALLISTRATUS
eat. And I think it will be better food than we
have eaten these eight months."
"That is true," said the elder Scipio, who had
frowned while Fulvius spoke. "Farewell! we will
eat thy pork with thee on the Kalends; now the
boys long to see their mother, and I my wife."
Before Publius had been a day in his house,
indeed almost as soon as he had greeted his
mother and his two sisters, he said, "My mother,
hast thou seen a Greek maiden who has come
from the Rhone bank here, and with her a Greek
boy, who has a face beautiful, but a body crooked;
and a servant red of face, and mannered like a
satyr?"
His mother was a tall matron, with dark hair
braided over her low forehead. She laid down her
embroidery, and said, "These Greeks are not
for thee, Publius. The Romans speak of thee as
too fond of Greeks."
Of his sisters, the harder-featured of the two
said, "Yes, Publius. Galba blames thee for it.
I promise thee I see her not."
The younger said, "I will see her if my mother
will grant me leave.”
His mother said, "Before thou dost, I will
see thy father. This house is a Roman house,
where men work and fight, and women are holy."
My mother," said Publius, “this is a woman
AT ROME
121
holy. Or think you that I would speak to you
of her? And for Cornelia, she shall
she shall go to
Galba when the maid is here, lest she do her
harm."
"I fear not for myself, but for thee," said
Cornelia. "Look to it that they cheat thee not."
"Thou needst have no fear for Publius," said
his mother; "and it is for thy father to rebuke
him, and not for thee."
r
That is as he shall behave in our quarter,"
said his sister. "I will not meddle with him out
of it."
Thus it came about that Kallicles and my dear
sister Kallinice came into the house of Scipio.
None insulted them, and my brother, crooked
though he was, became notable in Rome, and my
sister was loved of the younger daughter of the
Consul. And even Strabo's name grew in Rome.
He too came into the outer hall of the house of
Scipio, and where he went he throve. For he
made men laugh, and all men love to be merry.
man would laugh,
It mattered not who it was, if a
Strabo would find the matter.
There never was
aught, however small, in the company where he
was, but he took all interest in it, and made himself
on one side or the other of it, going beyond those
to whom it really mattered, in his eagerness and
management; and if there was a touch of adroitness
122
KALLISTRATUS
or cunning to be shown, or if a folly was to be
enacted, or a trick put on some one, so much the
better for Strabo. Thus now at Rome he became
not only a Roman, and a believer in Roman glory,
but when he had once been into the kitchen of
Scipio he became a patrician of the patricians ;
he desired all that the patricians desired, and
bowed to every one who wore a gold ring and a
boss, despising the people with all his might.
He heard with indignation that the right to be
consul had been wrested from the patricians, and
that plebeians were admitted to the holy office.
He looked scornfully upon tribunes and the
people in their tribes; and in particular he
despised Flaminius, who was the people's choice
for the consulship in this next year. The elec-
tions for the office were approaching, and every
engine of statecraft or any other craft was Strabo
willing to put into working order, to prevent
what he declared many times in many taverns,
and at many cross streets, to be a disgrace and
a danger to Rome. Often did my brother at
Athens describe to me all that he did; and I
could laugh at it, and at the Romans, even though
in Athens my life was dull.
of those who read will laugh, for they knew not
Strabo, his look and his ways, nor could guess
at the secret delight with which he without noise
But, it may be, none
AT ROME
123
or show welcomed his works himself, and applauded
to himself secretly each one of his pranks.
"Is this a time," he cried, "when an enemy is
on Italian soil; is this a time to try a new man,
and new omens, when the state has need of tried
captains, the favourites of heaven? If the gods do
not send portents to warn us, it will be strange."
In the forum, when it was most crowded, he
stopped at midday before a woman, who carried
an unweaned child in her arms, red-faced, and
born six months. She was Procula, a decent
woman, married to a Roman citizen who was a
client of the Sergian gens. Strabo spread his
arms and strode with his legs. "As I live," he
cried, "the child spake. Speak again, wonderful
infant. He cast up his eyes to heaven, as
though to call Jupiter to witness, and then
down to the infant, and uttered loudly the sen-
tence, “Ne læseritis auspicia." "O just Heaven!"
he bawled, and lifted his hands to pray.
marvel how he could do so, but Strabo neither
feared god, nor was abashed before men.
Capitoline Jove!" he cried, "these are thy
""
words."
I
Throughout Rome the marvel was told, and
many men feared thereat.
Strabo was joyous at
that which he had done.
Campus, where a mule stood
And again in the
harnessed to a barrel
124
KALLISTRATUS
carrying wine for the soldiers to drink when they
should be dismissed, Strabo was near; and indeed it
might be expected that where drink was, there he
would be. Then when Postumius the centurion
gave the word, which he did the sooner because
there was a black rain-cloud in the sky, and when
the soldiers were moving quickly to the barrel,
then, as thunder sounded from the cloud, as is
sometimes even in December, Strabo, standing
upright, did lift up his hands to the cloud, and
then fell prostrate before the mule. The soldiers
looked at him, and he slowly rose, pointing to
its mouth and the cloud; then again he bent
to the mule as though listening, and those near
witnessed a great prodigy. The mule opened its
mouth, Strabo pointing thereto and listening, and
said, according to Strabo, "Ne Flaminium deligite
neu novam viam." That the mule spoke at all was
a portent, but that she spoke in some metre also
made every one attentive, and many fear. This
marvel too was known throughout Rome, and
though some noted that both these miracles had
come under Strabo's guidance, yet many thought,
in that time of doubt, that there might be some-
thing worth heeding in the matter.
This experience that Strabo had of Rome
made him desire to set up as an oracle, as on the
Rhone; but Kallicles bade him desist, first knowing
AT ROME
125
that it was dangerous to do, and secondly, desiring
to deceive man no more. "Thou mayest advise,
Strabo," my brother said, "but without robes or
thunder." Strabo did but laugh, and said:
"Without robes and thunder, advice is an arrow
without a feather. What, Kallicles, my master!
thinkest thou yet that men must be treated as
though they were wise and honest?" Then, not
to lose what he might have, he went to the forum
boarium, where at the corner stands Ofella's booth,
the skinner. There he bought parchment, and
wrote on it silly lines, some in Greek, some in
Latin, some in Gallic, or in Spanish, or in the
Punic tongue; about bulls, and wolves, and stars,
and water, and I wot not what else, all made like
as if the god spake by them about the election to
the Consulate. There were others in the city
who did the same thing, but I think Strabo did it
best; and from all this I doubt not in some way
that disasters befell Rome, for the soldiers feared
their fate ere it came. And this my master
Hannibal desired more than 10,000 men; but of
this I will speak presently. Thus Strabo became
a prophet at Rome, and a prophet, I trow, like
most that I have known, with a red face and a
round belly. Men, even Roman men, feared him
as one who knew more of that which was to be
than another. It was a strange sight on the day
126
KALLISTRATUS
of election, a wintry day, when the centurions
gave their vote, to see each century as it gave its
vote, look at Strabo, as though he held gods'
thunder in his hand; and it was a strange sight
to see Sergius (who lied not, men said, ever)
beckon with the hand to Strabo, and whisper to
him to make him lie; or it may be that Sergius
believed in him, for he was a stupid man, as I
know, since I saw him and spoke for a day with
him at Rhodes.
ແ
Look," said Nævius, with his pale, smiling
face, to Scipio, pointing at Strabo, "behold a
god!"
"Make thou a verse thereon," said Lucius," and
the god's lord shall sing it at our supper."
Nævius looked up and down, and took a tablet
from his bosom, and wrote-
"Quoi Sergius deo, dic, auspicans auscultat?
Uoltumst ruber. Brumalis Phoebus est. Uide, sis,
Quam titubet :-An Uolcanus? At fur fraudulentus :
Ne Maia sit prognatus cautius cauendumst.”
"}
And more like them; verses not over-good, but
quickly made.
And Kallicles sang them; and
neither poet nor singer soon heard the last of
that song.
But for all that Strabo could do, and others
beside Strabo, the people would have their way,
and Flaminius was chosen Consul. A fair and
AT ROME
127
f
true man he was, my brother said, with a full bold
eye, franker and freer than had he been a lord,
and with a laughing mouth; laughing, until the
nobles harried him, so that he laughed less. It
was ill bearding those Roman lords. But Fla-
minius was chosen Consul, and out against us he
marched.
:
CHAPTER IX
SPIES
BUT this god of the Romans, Strabo, was indeed
a very deceitful god, who was minded to run no
risks for them, and thought less of the safety of
their city than he thought of his own dinner;
and for a wine-flask, or, indeed, for the very love
of trickery, would have deserted it altogether.
He had money in plenty given him, not by my
brother, but by the nobles to help their purposes;
and it was his habit to move himself about in the
city, and in the streets and taverns, to talk with
the people there, and bribe them.
He had seen
Hannibal, and this made every one willing to hear
him, if for that alone; and in every place men
crowded round him-slaves from great houses,
mechanics, citizens, some gaily dressed, some
roughly, but all ignorant, and all vicious; the
city was full of such men, men without check
or thought, wishing only for wine and news, and
coarse levity. Strabo spent his time very gaily,
giving himself many airs. That which troubled
128
SPIES
129
him most was, that he knew that he was not
immortal, that he had many evils in his flesh
that continually told him so; that his stomach
was swollen, and his legs too thin to bear him;
that his nose was purple, in places the skin of
it was broken, and sores appeared on it; that
his eyes were weaker than they had been, and
shot with blood, and from them issued thick
matter. My sister said to him-
"Strabo, unless thou amendest thy life, it will
not be long. Thou wilt die."
"Mistress," he said, apparently in great alarm,
"I pray thee speak words of good omen when thou
speakest to me. But what is there amiss in my life?
I am a greater man now than I have been.”
((
"There is this amiss in thy life," said she:
thou art hated of God because thou lovest
thyself; thou dost drink too much wine, by
nineteen parts out of twenty that thou dost
drink. Thy body is swollen, and thy leg thin-
thy blood hot. Thou knowest not thyself, but I
know thee; and God, whom thou dost outrage by
thy life, will presently light in anger upon thee."
I will amend," said Strabo, appearing aghast.
"It is true I have taken liberties with the gods,
and pretended much in their name.
I pray thee
sacrifice thou for me to them.
else whose prayers they hear'
I have no one
I
130
KALLISTRATUS
Then if thou goest out and comest in without
wine-drinking, I will pray for thee," said my
sister.
((
Nay," said Strabo, "pray for me the more
if I do not. It is a hard thing for me that my
business lies chiefly among vintners. Had I been
still a priest, I had done well."
"Thou wert never a priest," said my brother.
"Priests are righteous."
"Is old Catulus righteous?" said Strabo. "And
he is chief pontiff. He is as I am, excepting
that he longs not to be otherwise. And his
business," he added, seeming aggrieved, “lies on
the Capitol, where there is no wine-shop. But
wine is always smelling before my nose."
Strabo went to the tavern which he most
frequented, kept by one Liger, in the Suburra ;
and Liger was for bringing him wine.
(C
Nay, nay," said he, "good Liger, bestow it
upon my friend Macer here, to wash down his
sausage. I have seen a goddess, who hath bidden
me to drink no wine this day."
"Thou see a goddess!" said Liger; while the
company looked all at Strabo, as they always did.
"Even so," said Strabo, putting his head back,
and looking as holy as he could. "The cloud
lowered-thou sawest the cloud, didst thou not,
good Macer?"
SPIES
131
((
cr
'Ay," said Macer, pausing from his eating,
'we saw it."
"She threw a veil over the sky, that she might
not be seen to speak with me.
and said what I have told you.
cannot see these holy ones."
Then she came
Common eyes
Then said Liger, looking with a grin at his cus-
tomers, "Then she need not have veiled herself,
for we could not have seen her any way. And
for me, I can see what goes on upon the earth,
though there be a cloud in the sky."
((
'Ay, ay," said one and another, half laughing,
half fearful.
Strabo looked around with an air of great
superiority, and said, "Ay, thou canst, good
Liger; at least thou canst see a good deal and
make up the rest, for thou lovest not the truth,
oh, shame! But the veil was to hide her from
Jupiter, who wishes not his goddesses to come to
me. She warned me, and I pass the warning on
to thee, for thy salvation."
When he had thus admonished Liger, he
turned to the company, and gave them that
which they wished, namely, what he called infor-
mation and advice; but he drank not. As he
rose and turned to go, Liger plucked him by
the sleeve and said, “Return to me at the third
hour. I have something to say to thee."
132
KALLISTRATUS
Strabo returned, and the tavern was then
empty.
Liger said, “This Hannibal thou knowest-will
he take Rome?"
There was something strange about his tone
and his bearing; he spoke now shortly, more like
a soldier than a tavern-keeper.
"It may be so," said Strabo; then he waited,
for he was very wary.
"And where wilt thou be then?" said Liger
in a low tone, looking at him.
((
((
Where I am now," said Strabo, indifferently,
and perhaps even a better man; for he remem-
bereth me with kindness."
There was a pause again. Then Strabo said,
"Friend Liger, thou hast somewhat to say to me.
Say it, I beg thee; though I guess partly at
what it is."
(6
Thou art a stranger here," began Liger
slowly, his dark keen eye watching Strabo, "and
thou lovest not the Romans. If Hannibal comes,
wishest thou to be safe, and also to earn a reward.
by doing an easy service?" As he spoke he drew
from his pouch a purse, and opened it; it was
full of gold pieces. He said, "These will be thine
if thou wilt write me a paper saying what thou
knowest of the legions-where they go, and who
leads them." As Liger spoke his face was pale,
SPIES
133
but his eyes glistened.
the purse, and told them from one hand to the
other. It is true that as a man grows in age,
so does he desire wealth. Strabo had no wife,
no children, and he had, too, as much money
as he could spend. Still he desired more. The
prospect of deceit also was pleasant to him, and
again he feared what might happen if Hannibal
should take Rome. He hesitated, and looked at
Liger, and said, "What warrant have I that thou
art not playing upon me to betray me?”
He drew the pieces from
cr
Then Liger took off his belt, and lifted his
tunic, and showed him a mark pricked into his
skin, above his flank. It was shaped like a
scimitar. He said proudly, "This is Hannibal's
mark. I am Liger, the wine merchant here;
but "—and here he lifted himself still more and
squared his shoulders "I am also Iachin the
Spaniard, whose castle is on Morena's Crag; and
a prince in my own country. I speak to thee
as an equal, but thou art dust beneath my
feet." His face glowed with anger and scorn.
Then he cried again, "But, alas! in this city all
are dust alike. The only princes are Roman;
the rest are slaves."
Strabo was not much affected by the wine-
seller's recital of his claims to respect.
a poor opinion of chieftains, and was
He had
a little
134
KALLISTRATUS
indignant when placed even to be in the same
list with them; but other thoughts pushed this
thought away from him. He said presently, “Is it
not imprudent of thee, friend Liger, to trust me?"
Liger said, with a cold smile, "Thou thinkest I
am in thy power. I told another that I am to
speak thus with thee this evening; and if thou
betrayest me, that other will lance thy stomach
before the sun sets on thee."
away.
Strabo laid his hand in an uneasy way upon
the organ mentioned, and partly wished himself
But presently, after thinking, he said,
"This mark of thine, friend Liger, or friend
Iachin, or what thou wilt, will it make me safe,
if Hannibal enter the city?"
CC
((
'Ay, truly," said Iachin.
Then set it on me," said Strabo, "and as
gently as thou mayest, for my skin is liable to
inflammation."
But for it thou must do what is needed,"
said Iachin.
८८
What is that?" said Strabo.
fly from the wolf to the tiger.
"I care not to
My days of
fighting are past, thank the gods; and no man
who sees me will expect me to do more than
pray."
"Thy combat with the captain hath been thy
last, I trow," said Iachin.
1
SPIES
135
"Even so," said Strabo, with dignity. "My
power lies in counsel now. As our poet saith
(though thou canst not know what he saith, being
barbarian), βουλαὶ γερόντων, ἔργα τῶν νεωτέρων.
"I need of thee only this," said Iachin: "to tell
me what thou hast heard from the mouth of young
Publius Scipio, when he is at thy house."
"If I tell thee that," said Strabo, "then
shall Hannibal-or the captain, as thou callest
him-have but a love story, which will not order
his army or soothe his soul; for Publius Scipio
pipeth of love, and not legions, when I hear him.
Or else he talketh of virtues, an improving talk,
and may do Hannibal good, though I find it
tedious, having these virtues myself."
During this time the scimitar was making its
appearance on Strabo's lower ribs, and presently
it was finished.
"Now I have done," said Iachin.
thou bring me what news thou canst."
Look that
Strabo, with a smarting flank, but feeling safe,
and insured against all risk, walked home. And
he thought, "Now, how may I get this mark on
Kallicles and Kallinice, that they too may be
safe?" And again he thought, "How
How may I get
the news?"
It was easy to him; and before the next sun
set, he went to Liger, carrying with him two scrolls
136
KALLISTRATUS
1.
which concerned the matter. They were not in
his pocket, but sewn inside his tunic; and while
he had them there they made him tremble, and
his knees totter, so that he was like to faint for
fear as he walked through the streets.
CHAPTER X
TRASIMENE
ALL Northern Italy had been for us through the
winter and spring; and with a renewed force we
marched over the Apennines, and, as many of
us thought, on Rome itself. I had crossed the
Alps, and that was not babies' work; and I have
fought many a campaign since, and seen rough
days. But never have I seen aught that touched
in any way for hardness our advance along the
great plain of Etruria. There are scorching
deserts through which men have carried armies,
and, as I said, there are mountains over which I
myself have marched. But in the desert the
night is comfortable; on the mountain side there
is at least ice or snow to tread. Here in Etruria
we had no comfort and no ground, neither night
nor day. Through marshes waist-high, day and
night we moved; marshes foul and dangerous, in
which the soldiers died as if they had been feeble
folk. Had not Rome been before us, and Hannibal
with us, we had not gone forward. We could
137
138
KALLISTRATUS
not for very grief have gone forward. I think
he grieved himself, though none heard him, nor
even saw him place his hand to his bandaged
head, or do aught but smile. A fair, unblemished
man was he when he entered that swamp; but
he came from it without that which a soldier can
least spare, of which he needs twenty, and hath
but two-an eye. He grieved, too, when he saw
the soldiers perish; for he loved them, and they
were his right hand.
But we passed through the trouble after ten
days, and when we were washed and rested, we
laughed at that through which we had gone,
though there were fewer to laugh than there had
been. For we left 8000 men in that swamp.
When once again we were on dry ground, we
wondered that we had come on. And but for
three things we had not, but the army had
melted away like snow. First, there was the
general himself; this was the chief thing. He
sat upon an elephant that tramped on slowly,
the last left in the army; his head was bandaged
with linen, but he carried it erect, and he spoke
to all, and called and jested. Thou shalt have
my horse when the swamp is passed," he cried
to Barcas, who rode the best of all the Spaniards,
against whom he had ridden his own horse on
the plain at Placentia; and, laughing, lost his
(C
TRASIMENE
139
wager.
To Melcho (who carried, as we knew, a
torque beneath his breastplate, though he denied
it, lest he should be robbed), when he slipped,
Hannibal said, "Shall thy neighbour, or shall I,
bear thy breastplate, poor Melcho?" All the
soldiers laughed. And a second thing that
upheld us was that each day we thought we
should leave the marsh and be on firm ground
again. And the third thing was that we thought
of Rome before us, and had a hope to loot it.
And perhaps a fourth thing I should add-that
the guard marched last, and had a man turned,
it would have been necessary for him to go by
them, and none liked the thought of that. So
we marched on, and reached firm ground on the
tenth day, and then were we happy again.
As soon as we were past the swamp, the next
day even, Hannibal sent for me to his tent, as he
often sent for me; and I know of some men that
were jealous because he sent so often, and warned
him of me. But no man grumbled much, for he
neglected no man and nothing for me, and I
had no softnesses lacked by others. In the tent,
I well remember, were Maharbal and Mutines, and
Mago, and the stately Gisco, who had dressed his
feathers again, and was looking down on all that
were not Giscos. They sat on benches and on
bedding. When I came in I stood.
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KALLISTRATUS
"Sit down," said the general, and I sat. He
handed me a paper, and said, “Dost thou know
the hand that wrote what is there written ?" I
looked, and burst into tears. It was my brother's
writing I saw, and I thought of him and my
sister, and my father and my home.
(C
'I see thou knowest it," said he, very kindly.
"Look now at that." I knew the hand again. It
was Strabo's. He said, "Dry now thy tears, and
read us, I pray, what is written."
I read the writing. Strabo's ran thus: "Flami-
nius will lead, and fight at once.
The people
send him out to heal the mischief the lords have
made. His army is 40,000 legionaries; 10,000
cavalry and light-armed soldiers." My brother's
ran thus: “I know not whether to despise or to
admire this new Consul. He is noisy and vain,
and yet there is some grandeur in him. He
holds the people in his hand, and fears not the
face of man."
(C
"Now go,
I thank thee, lad," said Hannibal.
and be silent." I rose, and bowed, and went; nor
knew I that on those scrolls the fate of 20,000
men lay. But that was the reason why the
general bade me read them; lest anything in
them might perchance escape him, who knew
Greek only imperfectly.
I saw the generals come from the tent, in
TRASIMENE
141
about half-an-hour's time, frowning, and talking
among themselves; and presently we all knew
that the order was to break up the camp, to take
the road to the east, and march beyond Flami-
nius, who lay three leagues from us, blocking
one road in the direction of Rome. Mutines
said, grumbling,
This is new to pass an
enemy that wishes to fight us, and march
towards fresh enemies, leaving one in our rear."
So many said; but for all this we marched, and
made noise with blowing of trumpets and shout-
ing, as was ordered us.
We marched fast upon
Rome, and in one day we covered twenty-five
miles, and on the next twenty-five. Then at
even we halted. We had come to a strange
place. It was near a lake; not much known
till then, but it will be named in history for
ever, so I think-Trasimene. For three miles
the road skirted the shore of the lake, and close
on the other side of the road rose wooded hills,
making a pass. Half the army were posted in
the woods, and 10,000 men were posted at the
end of the pass, where the road left the lake
and the hills. The rest were at the beginning
of the pass, and the general was quartered on a
spur of the hills whence he could see the entrance,
and nearly also the issue of the pass. Where we
had our stand, there we slept-slept from sunset
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KALLISTRATUS
till the sun rose again. When I waked I saw
that the whole valley by the side of the lake
was covered with mist, which rose nearly to the
high summit on which I stood. When we
waked we were still, and lay down, according
to the order given us by Maches, who led our
division that day. He was a stern and swarthy
Spaniard. He said, smiling grimly, "My men,
let no man even whisper, lest a bird hear him."
The whole host was about us, but no bugle was
blown, no sound was heard. For two hours we
waited thus, and then we could hear the clatter-
ing of hoofs in the valley beneath us. We looked,
but we could see nothing through the mist. The
horsemen rode half-way through the pass, and
then all was still again. Then there was a kind
of stir through the woods; the army stood and
took up its arms, but still we waited. The mist
was rising, and we could see the road beneath us
in places, but not plainly. Often a battle is
mostly waiting, and such waiting is not pleasant.
I thought on my brother and sister, and wondered
if I should see them again; and then I thought
of fame, and my name in the world.
He lifted
All at once Maches said, "Hush!"
his forefinger, and we listened. I can hear
quicker than most men; but Maches knew what
to expect better than I, and thus he heard first
TRASIMENE
143
I
now. Far away we could hear a faint sound,
muffled, and steadily growing in strength.
looked at Maches; his lips were set, and his
eyes full of light.
<<
What is it?" said I. I was nearest to him.
"It is an army marching," said he, "that is
all." He was panting with a kind of fury.
The sound grew stronger and stronger; and
presently we could see dimly through the mist
the head of a column appear. The men were
marching quickly, stepping a full pace, but in
loose order. Some sang, some talked. In loose
order marched the Roman army along the side
of the lake; and everything on the hill-side was
still, until their van was within a furlong of the
end of the pass; then a bugle was heard from
the spot on which Hannibal stood, then no more
sounded, and, with yells from every throat, we
charged into the road. I remember distinctly
nothing more, but I heard Maches cry again and
again, "Keep order, boys." I could see presently
the legionaries, with their heavy greaves and
cuirasses, and shirts of mail, and close helmets,
each one with his short sword striking at what
was before him; but what that was he hardly
knew. The mist was still in the air, and the
surprise was overwhelming. They were in no
order, each man was for himself, and that will
4
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KALLISTRATUS
not do in battle. On our side was no manoeuvring,
only that one great manoeuvre which I have de-
scribed. When, at last, we reached the level
of the pass, the road and the ground was red
everywhere with blood, and blood ran into the
lake like water in a rain-storm. In the water
stood thousands and thousands of men, holding
up their hands and crying for quarter.
The
Numidians, their eyeballs gleaming, and their
curved swords flickering above their heads and
around them, urged their horses into the water.
Each time the swords moved a man fell in the
lake, and the dead were piled up along its borders,
so that a man could walk out into the lake on
bodies as on a platform.
At last, when the sun was in the height of the
heaven, the bugle sounded again, and all was
still. Blood-stained each one of us, and weary, we
rested; and most men ate and drank; but I
could only drink, being sick with what I saw.
CHAPTER XI
COMMUNICATIONS
AT Rome, Strabo had the impertinence to affect
the character of one whose advice had been
slighted, and whose wisdom, had it been obeyed,
would have saved the state from disaster. At
heart he was not vexed at the result of the battle,
for the Romans were often contemptuous towards.
him. Nevertheless he exhibited all the signs of
woe, and wept several times in the forum and
in other places; speaking sometimes about the
necessity of attending to the gods, and making
reference to the speeches of the mule and the
baby. All this made for the advantage of the
nobles, and he was allowed to conduct himself as
it pleased him.
My brother said that it was a marvel to see
how, though the whole city was dismayed at the
tidings of the battle by Lake Trasimene, yet the
heart of the people remained unbroken. Men
spoke little, but looked silently one on the other;
only the women wailed. Almost immediately the
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K
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KALLISTRATUS
senate was summoned, and then the crowd
gathered round the senate-house and the doors
of the chief senators, to watch them issue from
their houses. Galba, whom my brother saw,
with head erect, but with a pale face, walked
through the crowd, showing less contempt for
them, looking less disdainfully on them than was
his wont; and when, in the press, one surged up
against him, Galba struck him not, nor even
scolded him, but gave a little place to him.
Whereat some one in the crowd shouted,
yévos éoμév." Scipio the Consular, limping still
from his wound, showed himself downcast neither
in mien nor speech. When Flaminius had been
elected, he had ground his teeth; but now that
disaster had come, he drew himself together,
and was undismayed. It was his son's habit to
come to my brother and sister each evening; this
evening he came earlier than at other times,
rising from his couch at table at the first hour.
ἓν
He said when he came, "I cannot suffer to
stay. There is talk at the table, but chiefly at
the second table, that inaddens me. What
thinkest thou, Kallinice? Did thy countrymen
hate each other as Romans hate Romans? And
did they choose generals by compact, or because
they could most persuade the people, or were
their father's sons?"
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147
Kallinice answered him, "The assembly at
Athens was not like the comitia at Rome. Each
Athenian who sat in it was a man of state.
>>
"And each Roman," said Scipio, "is a man of
stomach, or a man of form. Will there ever come
a time in Rome when a man shall stand for what
he is? And look again, here is another trouble.
This second time now hath Hannibal beaten us.
Sixty thousand Romans are dead; and we govern
yet as if it mattered not whether the men of
Italy hate us or love us, and whether the men of
Rome can fight as well as eat. I have prayed to
Jove in the temple to-day the prayer thou didst
bid me use; and the priestess was in my heart
when the prayer was on my lips. Oh, pray it
for me now, sweet priestess.' He rose from the
stool on which he sat, and stood before her. She
also rose from her seat, and spreading her arms
above her head, so that her hands nearly reached
the roof of the little room, she said—
>>
"O Jupiter, best and greatest, descend into
my soul, and strengthen it and widen it. And
keep this clear for me, that a man is a man for
what he can do, that a city is the men within it,
and not the walls or the nobles only, and that
thou and the fate of Rome art above all; that
justice, truth, and courage are above all selfish-
ness, and ease, and deceit."
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KALLISTRATUS
It seemed as though she were beside herself when
she so spoke, and Scipio beside himself also. He
said, "Thy face fills the place with glory, and thy
soul glorifies thy face."
But she looked not on him, and thought only
of Hannibal with her hungry heart. Then came
in Strabo, with a knot of citizens accompanying
him. He had given to each a scroll, which he
said would keep each man from harm.
"Harm!" said Scipio fiercely; "what meanest
thou by harm?"
"Harm," said Strabo, "to them is danger;
but, in truth, they do not need my scrolls to keep
them from it. Their own hearts are enough."
Scipio said not a word, but went to the door
and called the men, who had shrunk back when
they saw him.
Mark you, Celer," he said, " and the rest of
you, I know you well, and your purpose; and
may the gods leave me if you march not in the
next levy."
Celer stood forward and said fairly, "So you,
my lord, will go, I will go blithely; and the gods
send it soon.
Give us a leader and we will serve
him; but we care not to serve when the leaders
are as they are, and the enemy is Hannibal."
Strabo said then to Publius, "Thy father
calls for thee."
When Scipio was gone, Strabo
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149
said, "Behold a scroll from young Alexander-
from Kallistratus;" and before my brother and
sister he laid my letter. They two wept, and
Strabo also wept, so my brother said; sobbing
with delight to hear of me.
"How gottest thou this, Strabo?" said my
brother.
"No matter," said Strabo. "And here is a
message also, delivered unto me from the great
Hannibal himself. He wrote not, for fear writing
might be found and work you mischief-thee
mischief, lady, I think. He sends you greeting,
and bids you know that Hannibal keeps thy
brother safe from all harm, and loves him for
thy sake."
My sister's face shone with great happiness;
and my brother was happy, and even Strabo
showed his real feeling.
Presently he said, "I know that Hannibal
needs in Rome some one to tell him how matters
go-what troops are moved, and who leads them.
He begs this service of thee, Kallicles, and thee,
Kallinice."
Kallinice rose to her feet, and said, "It is not
true.
He sent not this message to me."
"Why not?" said Strabo.
tr
"I send him news;
and I am one of a band that he has, carrying
his mark, a scimitar, tattooed on my ribs."
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KALLISTRATUS
Kallinice said more vehemently, "It is not true.
Dost thou say so, Strabo ? Tell me."
Strabo looked at her with wonder, and seemed
to search in his soul for some clue to the cause
that so shook her. He said, "I know that he
wishes for news."
cr
But he sent not this message to me?" said
Kallinice.
"Not to thee," said Strabo; "but thou mayest
so help him. And indeed thou, Kallicles, hast
helped him; for I have sent him already a scroll
from thee-from thy scribble that thou makest
each day, that which showed the nature of the
Consul Flaminius."
"Strabo," said my brother, "if thou doest
aught of this kind again, I will no more be thy
friend. A man must trust those with whom he
is friendly." He was angrier than he had ever
been before.
((
Strabo," said my sister, "at one time for this
thou wouldst have been crucified. Thou hast
wronged Kallicles, and thou mightst have sorely
wronged me."
""
"By Pollux!" said Strabo, "I see not how.
But I will wrong you, as you call it, no more.
And you will not right yourselves by wearing
the scimitar?"
"Of this matter speak not to me again," said
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151
Kallicles. And Strabo went out somewhat vexed,
and appearing to be puzzled, though whether he
was or not cannot be told; he could understand
most things when he tried. He walked through
the streets, and took his place where he often sat,
because from it a man could see much without
stirring on the walls of Rome. They were about
thirty feet high and twelve thick, and they were
along the crests of the hills, and following the
slopes and valleys between, so as to defend the
city best.
But this height of thirty feet inside
meant a height of sixty feet outside, because
the depth of the foss was to be added to it.
Inside the battlements, at the top of the wall,
there ran a walk all round, reached by steps
leading up to it in many places; and one who
climbed these steps saw a fair sight.
a fair sight. Strabo
knew the best parapets, sheltered from sun or
rain; and he went generally to the broad sloping
steps by the north gate, since they were easier to
mount, and sat near to them. From this place
he could see the Campus, and the soldiers at
their exercises, and the tirones practising; he
could watch the javelin play, and to his left,
down lower, he could see soldiers swimming in
the yellow Tiber. It was his wont to speak of
the exercises as though he had once himself been
skilful in them; as though he had swum each
+
C
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KALLISTRATUS
#
day in the Rhone, which was broader, and swifter,
and more dangerous than the Tiber. And again
he would say, “Ah, my boys, if Jupiter would
bring back to me the past years, I would show
you how to cast, with this arm which once kept
the Gauls in awe." When he saw the riders he
said, “It is well, very well; but a true rider
needs no saddle nor bridle. When I rode, thus
I rode." As though he had ever done more in
riding than watch the Numidians from a tree.
He betook himself to this place now, and com-
forted himself when Kallicles and Kallinice re-
buffed him.
There were many on this northern wall in
these days at Rome, watching with eyes full of
fear the northern horizon, dreading each day to
see the army of Hannibal appear. But the days
went by, and he did not come. The fugitives had
all come in, and scouts made the Romans know
that the enemy had passed Rome and gone
southwards. So for a while men breathed more
freely. But yet there was no ease, and in all the
city only one matter of talk—the war, and talk
only of one man-of Hannibal. It was no longer
said that he was to be despised, that the Roman
armies would sweep him from Italy. Men spoke
of him with whispers and terror, as though he
were some god. The common people were dis-
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153
mayed; but the senate showed no dismay. In
the face of every senator there gathered gradu-
ally a look of set purpose, and the senate edu-
cated the rest. Through the city spread the
same hard feeling, passing from despair into
resolution, and from resolution into confidence.
A Dictator, Fabius Maximus, was chosen, who
went to front Hannibal in Apulia, and then every
one looked earnestly among the candidates for
the Consulship to choose a saviour of Rome;
each man, patrician and plebeian, arguing and
judging according to his light, with only the same
purpose. The meetings of the people were full;
in fact, all business excepting such as was necessary
ceased. Men bought and sold little but clothing
and food, and munitions of war. This my brother
told me, and part of it seems strange to me. I
wonder how it would have seemed in our camp,
and what Hannibal would have said, had we met
together all of us to choose our leaders, and either
all of us or any made plans for the war. And how
also it would have seemed had at last, not one
leader, but two leaders been made for a war and
a battle. But in the city it seems that this was
the manner of it. Men, forsooth, would not be
deprived of their civil rights. Among the candi-
dates was one the people would push forward;
Varro was his name. I have heard much of him
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KALLISTRATUS
from my brother, and I have myself seen him,
but only at a glimpse, as, dusty and beaten, he
galloped along the plain of Cannæ. My brother
said that he had light hair, thick lips, and a red
face, and could speak, for a Roman, very well.
There was no real eloquence in him, but sense
and power.
He had plenty to say, demanding
that men should be made commanders not be-
cause they were noble, but because they could
command. This was good sense; but behind it was
the suggestion that he himself should be chosen
to lead a man not proved as a general, but only
known as a speaker to the people. On the day
of election he was indeed chosen, with Paullus as
his partner; and a great levy was held, and every
preparation made for the war. It is a strange
mixture of sense and folly that is shown by the
Romans in dealing with war; and it is strange
that a people so sensible should not have seen
their folly. The reason is, I think, that they
stayed too much on old plans; and the reason
why they succeeded at last was because, in spite
of their plans, they took so much pains, and had
so much strength of will.
Though their commanders were two, and chosen
as I have said, yet their army was a grand army.
Even Hannibal said that he never saw a finer army
in battle, nor believed that a finer had ever been
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155
in the world. There were 80,000 men in front of
us in Apulia, all good sound soldiers, drilled and
strong. We knew the number and the com-
manders, for we had received notice from Iachin.
In the packet there was a scroll from Strabo,
who had sent most of the information, and from
my brother and sister, all three sent to me with
greeting.
Strabo's letter made me laugh. I did not
know, nor am I easily able to understand, the im-
portance he had at Rome; and had I met him, I
had whipped him for his letter. It ran thus:—
"Strabo to Kallistratus, greeting. I greet thee
and wish thee happiness; and that we may meet
presently I wish, that I may see how thou growest,
and what sort of a soldier thou art become. Thou
must remember that valour is much, but that
discretion and conduct are more; and that as
thou usest all three, so wilt thou thrive. From
Strabo."
My brother's letter ran thus:-
(C
O Kallistratus, my heart yearns toward thee
and to meet thee. Here at Rome we live, and
go up daily to the house of the Scipios, and to
other houses. I sing to those living in them,
and make songs for them, and talk to those who
think highly of themselves, but whose names I
give thee not, for thou knowest not of them. We
156
KALLISTRATUS
have lodging and food and raiment; and Publius
Scipio is our friend. To him I talk, and of things
whereof our father was used to speak to us-men
and women, and the origin of all things, and of
states. To him also, and to others, I teach our
own tongue; and indeed, my brother, to make
continually and carefully a correspondence between
two methods of speech, as we often in part did on
the Rhone, is a strange thing, and makes strange
thoughts in me regarding the nature of things,
and of that which language is. I would I could
speak of these things with thee, if thou wert
in thy mood of thinking which came over thee
sometimes. But indeed still, my brother, if I
were with thee, I should speak, not of this, but of
thee; for I would I knew all that thou sayest,
and doest, and thinkest, and could tend and
help thee, as a man loving may help another,
though he be not over-strong in helping. O my
brother, I am sad without thee, and may the gods
send thee to me, or me to thee, and so give me
the wish of my heart."
As I read this letter my heart became tender;
and I wept, and loved my brother, and longed to
see him.
My sister's letter was:-
"O Kallistratus, I greet thee lovingly, and I
pray that all the gods may guide and help thee,
COMMUNICATIONS
157
Kallicles
and send thee to us some day in peace.
thy brother is well, and lives in Rome, thought well
of, among the best respected and loved. And so
indeed should he be, for there are none here who
are his peers in thinking, and speaking, and song.
Though there is one who learns of him and who
loves him, and was a boy on the old Rhone bank,
but is now near a man; for these times bring ripe-
ness to a man quickly. Publius Scipio is his name,
the son of that Consul who lay at Massilia thou
knowest when. He is rich in soul, and richer still
in activity and matters. The state begins to look
to him as a pilot, and he will grow to great power
at last. He helps us to live at ease and happy in
this Rome; so that we are not bound with iron,
nor crushed with stone, but live as we would.
What the gods have for us on their knees I know
not; but I love thee, Kallicles, and think of thee
morning, noon, and night, and long to see thee.
But if that may not be, yet I remember with hope
the pillar at the Maiden's temple at Athens, the
hope to meet thee there; and that day of meeting,
would that it were here, though it were near to the
end of life. Farewell, my brother dear."
I pondered on this letter. I thought,
I thought, "It is
sorrowful, and there is not spirit in it; and the
young and beautiful should have spirit, and be
happy." So thought I.
CHAPTER XII
CANNE
ÆMILIUS PAULLUS, the Consul, had throughout
the whole year preceding his Consulship tutored
himself for his command, learning all that he
could of Hannibal and his methods. In the
early part of the year, soon after the battle of
Trasimene, he had supped at the house of the
Scipios, before the elder Publius left Rome for
Spain. He had said to the Consular, "I prithee
let me sup with thee, and let me speak to thee
regarding the manner of Carthaginian warfare. If
I go in command, or in half command, I would
gladly do my part as it should be done.”
"Come thou," said Scipio. "It was want of
thought and speech which hindered our plans in
the north. Thou shalt have at thy side Fabius,
and we will speak of the campaign."
The three supped in company, and with them
the two sons of the Consul; and never did men who
supped think less of the meats and the drinks,
though indeed they were of the best.
In Scipio's
158
CANNE
159
house was a cook from Syracuse, who made dishes
which were new then in Rome, showing all manner
of conceits in pastry. In the cellars, too, of Scipio
was wine from Spain, heavy and sweet, and lighter
wine from Gaul, and wine, too, from the Massic
and the Setine hills. But neither conceits with
pastry nor wine moved the guests or the host;
and sick was the cook thereat, and grieved was
the ancient cellarman of the house. The Con-
sular lay at the head of the table, and on either
side Fabius and Æmilius. Beyond Paullus was
Publius, and beyond Fabius was Lucius. On the
lowest couch beyond Lucius lay Cornelius Arvina,
who had just returned from Ariminum, he who
had commanded the cavalry scouts on the Rhone.
The two young Scipios were silent generally
through the supper, listening to their elders.
"I know not how it is," said Scipio, breaking
without a thought or look the pastry figure of a
fully-armed legionary containing some shellfish in
his head, and in his breast eggs quaintly cooked,
and represented as thrusting a Numidian horse-
man through the chest with his lance, "but the
movements of the Carthaginian show some know-
ledge more of us than we have of him. On the
Rhone I thought so, and in the last campaign I
thought so."
Fabius said nothing; indeed, always he spoke
160
KALLISTRATUS
but seldom. A heavy, patient eye he had, and
a strong, heavy jaw. He was not there to make
merriment. Æmilius lifted himself higher on
his elbow. But Arvina called from the lowest
couch, “It is some Greek. I would, Sir Consul,
you would order that Greeks and Spaniards and
Gauls should leave the city."
Publius moved uneasily, but spoke not.
(C
"I killed many on the banks of the Rhone,
and would kill all that I meet in war-time," said
the centurion. They are false by nature; soft,
cowardly, and supple. My blood boils when I
see one."
Publius said,
CC
Thou didst kill a brave man
on the banks of the Rhone, and unjustly; the
gods surely will punish thee. And thou speakest
wrongly of the nation.”
"I say I wrong them not," said Arvina
hotly. "Show me a Greek, and I will show thee
a liar!"
tr
I will show thee one who is not a liar,"
said Publius, starting up, with his arm unbent;
"Kallicles, the son of
of the
the man thou didst
wrongly kill."
And his sister," said Arvina, laughing.
"And his sister," said Publius.
for their truth with my life.
them."
CC
I will answer
Deceit never knew
CANNE
161
:
((
Hear him now," said Arvina. "He speaks
fantastically, like a Greek. I am proud of my
Athenian kinsman."
"Peace, Arvina," said Emilius; "torment him
not. It is good to hear a youth speak who will
answer for another with his life. Five and thirty
years ago I had done the same; and, while I hear
him, time goes backward that space for me."
Lucius laughed, with a certain maliciousness and
mockery in his tone; and Publius regarded Arvina
with absolute scorn. Fabius spoke not a word, but
looked gravely from one to the other of the party,
and then let his gaze rest on the elder Scipio.
(C
How should this war be waged, think you,"
said he, “with least peril to the state?
"In Roman fashion," said Arvina.
enemy, and make straight for him."
(C
Find the
There was silence for a while. Then Fabius
said, "I think not so," but said no more.
"How mean you?" said Scipio, signing to the
slaves to remove the dishes and set on the second
course.
Arvina watched their movements, and looked
at the brand of the flagon which the cellarman
with some pomp brought in, watching also the
mixing of it with water in the bowl; the rest
looked not, but saw each speaker only.
"I would wait," said Fabius, in a straight-
L
:
162
KALLISTRATUS
forward manner and steady tone. "Hannibal
hurts our allies only, being in Italy; he hurts
not Rome, excepting in reputation, which Rome
will soon recover. They will tire of him, and
he will be starved out."
No one spoke. Fabius lay with unmoved face,
apparently not caring to receive an answer.
Presently Publius cried out, lifting himself again
from the couch, and even placing his feet on the
ground, "This confesses weakness, and Arvina's plan
is folly. The way in the middle is best. How did
Hannibal win on the Trebia? By feint and ambush.
And how at Trasimene? By ambush and our un-
wariness. But not for that is he to be left alone
to do as it pleases him. Nay; rather let us be
wary; but let us strike. Come hither, Argon."
He signed to a swarthy man clad in linen, and
turbaned, who had just entered the dining-hall.
While each guest looked in some wonder on him,
Publius said, "Hand wine to this gentleman,"
pointing to Arvina.
Argon, the juggler, with his white teeth
gleaming, ladled the wine from the bowl into a
silver cup, and brought it to Arvina, who took
it, saying, “I thank thee, Publius; thou requitest
kindly. I pledge thee." He put the cup to
his lips, but took it away in blank surprise, for
the cup was empty. The juggler held out his
CANNE
163
hand to receive the cup, and Arvina, in helpless-
ness, gave it to him. He took it, and, apparently
without any movement but that of passing it
beneath a salver that he held in his hand, again
gave it to Arvina; and this time it was full.
While the company, in spite of their thought-
fulness, wondered at the trick, Publius said,
Should Argon show you how the trick is ac-
complished, it is naught. You cannot tell, be-
cause you watch only that which is obvious,
which he thrusts on your eyes. The real
inovements which meddle with the matter and
determine it, he shows not. This juggler is
Phoenician; and as he is, so is his race. What
Argon is in juggling, that is Hannibal in war.
Wherefore he must be met warily; but he
must be met. I would beware of his cavalry,
and his feints and his ambush. I would keep
my soldiers massed and orderly, looking when I
fought that there be no broken ground wherein
men may be hidden. Then 80,000 men must
win against his; 80,000 men fighting in their
own land, against 45,000 in a strange land."
Scipio said to Paullus, "Forgive the boy; he
is over-forward."
<<
Nay," said Paullus, "I thank him."
Fabius still looked from one to another, and
said nothing, but seemed to think.
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KALLISTRATUS
Gallant was the show of the army as it set
forth from Rome, armed with every weapon of
the best. I know not how many mustered at
Rome, but only how many were before us in
Apulia at last. The townsmen stood on the
wall, in the streets, and on the roads, to see the
muster in the Campus; and they saw as good
soldiers as had ever stood beneath the Roman
standards. Strabo looked with the rest, and
said that the mark upon his side first itched,
and then burned, as he looked, as though it
meant to betray him. At the second hour the
Consuls issued from their houses. Paullus came
from his house on the Cœlian hill; he was re-
ceived with respectful shouting, for the people
honoured him. But when Varro came from the
lower corner of the forum, the whole concourse
of people crowded round, and threw up their caps,
and shouted so that the hollow banks of the
Tiber re-echoed the roar. His face shone with
delight; and glad and happy, with a tear in his
eye, he looked round upon the people. His heart
swelled, as what man's would not have swelled,
when he saw how they loved and trusted him.
And can life give a happier, finer moment than
that which was his then? Riches and power are
much, but love and honour are all.
Oh for one
moment of this! I have lived for it; I would
CANNE
165
have died for it; but I have never had it. I
begin now to know why.
In our camp we knew of the muster and
the march, and the number and quality of the
troops. Long before they left Rome, Hannibal
had summoned his chief officers, and me too;
and we had ridden far-on a ride the meaning
of which was in great part hidden from me,
though I knew the main purport of it. As
we rode out for many miles, I thought of the
desolate land around us; and Maharbal thought
of the Romans, and hated them. As he lifted his
eyes to the northward, hatred seemed to gleam in
them, and he ground his teeth. And Mutines
thought of his horse, which he loved more than
any living thing, and tried to save it, and spoke
to it as we galloped on. And Gisco thought of
himself and his ancestors, and even in this cam-
paigning could not reconcile himself to all his
company; for though Maharbal was a noble, yet
Mutines was not. But altogether we thought of
Hannibal, and wondered each of us what there
was in his mind. We were accustomed to ride
thus, and particularly before every movement of
troops. We knew that he thought of the country
as he rode, not of its dreariness, but its shape.
He rode to the top of one eminence after another,
pausing on the highest point of it, and looking
166
KALLISTRATUS
north and south, and east and west. So for
two days we rode, following chiefly the track of
the little stream Aufidus. When we had ridden
throughout the whole district, on the evening of
the second day we rode again to the top of one of
the hills where we had been before; and Hannibal
looked round to all points again. Then we rode
round the base of some rising ground on which
were works and a Roman camp, and then to the
hill-top again; and then to the river bank, and
along it; and he seemed to notice the depth of
the river and the breadth, and the banks. Then
once again to the hill opposite to the Roman
works, and paused again. Then he smiled serene,
confident and strong. He said to me, "It is a
lonely country, boy, is it not? What wilt thou
say if I people it for thee? Mark thou well that
hill yonder, and that road, and that bend which it
makes, and the cover in it." Then he rode near
Mutines, and pinched his ear, as though he loved
him, and said, "Does thy horse love the tread of
the ground? Here may be galloping for thee soon."
Then he turned to Maharbal and said, "Dost thou
see the bend the river makes? How many men
of thy enemies may stand packed there?"
cr
Thirty thousand," said Maharbal.
"And more," said Hannibal, "if they stand
close. And more still if they lie."
"
CANNE
167
It was terrible to see his face whilst he said
this.
He turned last to Gisco, and said, "Thou shalt
see in this summer churls fight and beat down
nobles; and then thou will bear them better.”
In two days we crossed the Aufidus, and
Hannibal sent me, with my first command, at
the head of 2500 men, to take the works and
fort on the hill round which we had ridden. I
heard the name of the hill then for the first
time; the whole world has heard it now-Cannæ.
Before I went he said to me—
"Take thy first command to-day. With the
second Spanish troop, thou wilt carry the hill. Put
the Romans in the garrison to the sword; but let the
Italians go free. Thou rememberest the ground.
Bid thy men march noiselessly; follow the track
in close order; go thyself at the head; wait for
the early dawn for the attack; stay not for any-
thing else. Spare not thyself, but be first within
the works." He shook my hand, and before I left
the tent he looked again on me; because of that
I thought that he loved me.
ness.
I took the men, and we marched in the dark-
The dawn was streaking the sky with grey
as we came to the foot of the rising ground. I
formed my men thirty abreast, in column, and with
drawn swords we stole up the hill. I bade them be
168
KALLISTRATUS
ments.
ready to charge with a shout when I gave them the
word, but till then to march in silence. Soon we had
passed the bend, and I looked to right and left to
see all that was to be seen. Nearer and nearer we
stole, until we were close to the ramparts; but all
was quite still. I stood frightened, because of the
stillness; but then I lifted my sword, and at the head
of the company, as the general bade me, I climbed
the mound, and stood upon the top of the entrench-
Inside were open spaces and huts, and
long, low buildings, filled, as I knew afterwards, with
stores of all kinds. We could guess where the
garrison lay. We descended easily, and hurrying
across the open space, we entered the barrack before
the Romans knew what had happened. We sur-
prised them unarmed; and they made but little
fighting, surrendering in helplessness. I felt a great
joy-first, because I had been in some peril, and
had come safely through it; and secondly, because
I had done that which I had been told to do. But
now there followed a worse matter. The soldiers
of the garrison were all brought into the open
space, and paraded there. I parted the Romans
from the rest; there were 250 of them.
"What shall be done with them?" said the
lieutenant.
"The Romans die," I said. I could say no
other thing; but I was faint and sick to say it.
CANNE
169
The lieutenant to whom I spoke was a Spaniard,
and my friend. He had seen war of all kinds
from his childhood, and made no more of the
matter than if the captives had been sheep. He
smiled at my white face, as I expect and gave
the order. I turned to look for a moment, and
saw the line of prisoners staring at me, with white
faces and set eyes, but erect heads. Then their
eyes were fixed upon the line advancing upon
them. I fell upon the ground, not being able to
stand upright, and lay with my face in my hands
turned towards the ground. I heard the strokes
fall, and many groans, and then all was still.
Nevertheless I lay on the ground without moving.
Then again the lieutenant came to me, and taking
me by the arm, lifted me, and, smiling, saluted
me. He said, "Sir Captain, what shall be done
with the bodies?"
I said, "Let them be buried without the
camp, in the hollow thou knowest. Let them be
covered with earth; and let the Italians do this
service, furnished with spades from the stores.
Let there be a guard of 200 men for them while
they work; and let Mantes come to me."
Mantes was the runner whom Hannibal had
sent with us. When he came, I bade him travel
the five leagues to the camp and tell Hannibal
what I had done. He saluted me and said,
4
170
KALLISTRATUS
"Before the sun is there," pointing to the third
quarter of the sky, "Hannibal shall know."
I then went to see that the guard of the
Italians was set, and set so that it could hinder
any attempt to escape, and deal with any mutiny.
Then I placed thirty men on the fortifications as
sentinels, and then arranged for the breakfast of
all my soldiers. Then I went to see the mass of
graves that the Italians had made. When I was
there, I took in my hand handfuls of dust, and
threw into the air three for every man slain, and
I buried a coin for each (these I found in the
stores), and called three times on Proserpina for
each, and said the last words of farewell; for so
have I heard that the Romans bury their dead.
And whether this all advantaged the dead or not,
I know not; but I had done what I could, and
my heart was lighter. Then I bade the Italians
go free, and thank Hannibal for their freedom.
I have described all that happened here now,
because it was my first command. In spite of
the time long past, I remember it well. I per-
formed well what I had received my orders to
perform; the soldiers said so, and Hannibal said
so; and I was glad.
The men at first had said that I was too young
to lead them, and many of them had muttered
this as we marched through the night, and would,
CANNE
171
I think, have refused to follow me, but that they
dared not to disobey the general. I stayed in
command at the fort; and in two days the army
came up, and lived at ease on the great stores we
had taken. The main body remained encamped,
but detachments of great strength were sent about
in the country, manoeuvring in a manner that I
did not understand, but with purposes that I knew
very well.
I need not tell the end of the fight that
followed not many months afterwards. The
whole world from Gades to Indus knew of
it. On the spot on which we had looked, that
lonely country was peopled, the bend of the river
was packed, with men standing, and then with
corpses lying. The horse of Mutines and his
horsemen found the ground good for galloping,
and churls fought like nobles; Gisco leading and
churls following him, standing where he stood
and going where he went. I remember, when we
were in array, and each man was looking at that
which was in front of him, with strange and wild
thoughts, there occurred a circumstance the like
of which I have never known on a battlefield.
The Roman army was a fine sight, massed in
serried ranks, like living walls; a grand company
of 78,000 men; and each man of ours asked
himself what the end would be, for we were
172
KALLISTRATUS
but 50,000 men in all. One man only seemed
to know, and this was Hannibal. He looked on
the Romans, as he had looked on the ground on
which they stood, before the Romans reached it,
as keenly and as fiercely as an eagle looks from
the sky.
Then we saw his face break into a
smile as he saw the serious faces of those around
him.
Gisco, who was nearest him, said, "It is a
strange thing to see how many men they are.
((
""
Then said Hannibal, looking at him gravely,
Ay, but there is a stranger thing for them than
their numbers, poor things!"
Each man leaned forward to hear; and
Hannibal said, as though he were saying a great
thing, "Dost thou know that all that great host
is poor and helpless after all, base churls? There
is no Gisco there, nor one of his blood. Alas!
base churls!"
The words were presently whispered along the
lines, and the soldiers were bold to laugh; indeed,
there was no holding them, for each man knew
that Gisco held his name and blood in great
honour, and was unkind in his thoughts on that
score towards all the rest of mankind. It was a
strange thing to hear and see the army laughing;
and the Romans also, as we heard afterwards,
wondered and feared.
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173
On that day I rode chiefly with Hasdrubal, and
I had abundance to do, but one thing in particular
which must have been sent for me to do by the
immortal gods. On this day I saw again one
whom I had seen twice before on the Rhone bank,
the centurion Cornelius Arvina; and on that day
I settled the account that there was between us.
We were stationed on the left, and close upon
the river. I did not know the order of battle at
the time, but I could see that the plan of it was
to drive and to draw the Romans into the ground
that lay enclosed by the bend of the river, so
that they might be penned there and unable to
move. First we charged the Roman horse. The
legionaries are good soldiers, but the cavalry are
naught. It is strange that a fighting nation
should not know what is the use of cavalry, and
improve it. Their horses moved badly, and their
riders could not ride them; and though the
Consul, as I heard, was among them, yet they
were a poor force, without good training or power.
I myself saw the Consul for a moment; and I
remember that he was riding a heavy brown
horse. He was in the front, like a brave man as
he was; but his heart must have sunk as he saw
our line and we charged. For a moment the
Romans stood, and then broke and fled, and
never rallied again to fight on that day. Our
174
KALLISTRATUS
horse pursued them for half a league; but I
was not with them, for I saw riding behind the
Consul, Cornelius the centurion. I thought all
at once of my father, and I rode at him. I was
not in the ranks, but before them, so that I could
choose my own point of attack. My horse was
at full speed, and his hardly moving. I had my
sword raised, but lowered it towards his throat,
thinking of the time when he had thus ridden at
my father. I cannot tell why it was
was-whether
that I rode so fast, or that he thought on my
father (for I know that I am like to him), or why
it was-but he looked at me, and did not lift up
his sword to strike me or to parry.
I pierced his
throat just beneath his chin, and he fell, with his
eyes still looking at me. He had killed many
men, and thought little of that, no doubt.
But
I think he remembered that he killed my father;
I think I saw in his face that he remembered. Our
cavalry rode on in pursuit, but I stayed, and dis-
mounted, and stood above the dead man. I unlaced
his helmet, and looked at his face; and my tears.
burst out, and ran like warm streams down my face.
I cried, "My father, my father!" forgetting for a
moment the battle around me. Then I rode on
to join Hasdrubal. And he frowned on me, and
said fiercely, "Art wounded? Or didst thou stop
to plunder? If so, Hannibal shall hear of it.”
CANNE
175
I was still sobbing, and I told him the reason
He looked with wonder at me,
of my stopping.
and said nothing more.
We turned again towards the field; and Has-
drubal sent me to tell Hannibal what we had
done, and, if orders were to be given, to wait
to receive them. I rode over the ground, hardly
marking the horses and the men I saw lying on
it, some dead, some dizzily raising themselves,
maimed and broken. One thing I remember,
that in one place I saw a little company of men,
many of whom were wounded, surrounding one
who was seated on terminus stone. They were
trying to help him, for he was sorely wounded,
and his face was very pale. But I rode on and
did my errand. Hannibal was on the highest
ground, still, and watchful only of the battle before
him. In his view there were 130,000 men,
massed together in a very small space of ground.
The battle was beginning to rage furiously, and
the even formation of lines with which battles
generally begin had disappeared. The shouts
of the captains and the men could be heard
constantly, but the roar was not very great.
Behind the general was a group of forty or fifty
men, one of whom continually when he made a
signal rode to his side, and galloped away to carry
an order to one or other part of the field; and
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KALLISTRATUS
men rode up to him as I rode, bringing tidings.
When I came, I also rode up to him, and gave
my tidings. He hardly turned his eyes from the
field, but said, "Bid Hasdrubal ride in the Roman
rear, attacking the cavalry on their left. When
these are routed, let him, judging his time by
what he knows, charge again upon the Romans,
taking them full in the rear.”
Before delivering my message I had waited
while another messenger spoke, and I had looked
over the field. I saw that the Roman infantry
were delivering charge after charge from short
spaces upon the whole of our line, and that our
troops were giving way, pressed along the whole
front, and withdrawing in the direction of the
bank of the river. The Roman legions were
moving steadily forwards, pressing into the great
space of ground that the river bend enclosed.
As soon as I had received my order I galloped
back, with my heart and my head on fire. I said
to Hasdrubal, “The general says, 'Attack the
cavalry on the Roman left, and then wait till the
time seems to thee come to charge the Romans,
taking them in the rear.' The Romans are at-
tacking, and our men are giving way, and the
plain in the bend of the river is becoming full of
soldiers. When they have
""
Hasdrubal said, and curtly, "Give me the
CANNE
177
general's order exactly as thou didst receive it,
and say no more but that which I ask thee.”
I gave the message again, feeling vexed.
Then he said, "Now for what thou sawest.
""
I said, "I saw the enemy pressing forward, and
our men giving way before them."
Then said he, "Were they falling back straight
towards the river, or to left and right?"
I said, "I cannot tell."
"Seemed they broken?" he said.
"They were not broken."
Then did we ride behind the Roman lines and
charge the cavalry on their left wing, in the rear;
and easily we scattered it. Then did Hasdrubal
turn to his men, and with a light in his face
he said, "My men, we shall win this day such a
victory as no soldiers have ever won before. We
have already done well, but that is nothing to
that which is coming. Form up on me in lines
four deep, by yonder trees, and in two companies.
Keep well together, and when we charge, charge
home, and then not a man among the Romans
shall leave the ground they stand on.”
He galloped then towards the trees, and the
whole division formed in two companies upon him.
Under the trees the ground was a little higher
than the rest, and there Hasdrubal waited; and
for a long time, as it seemed, we stood, until the
M
178
KALLISTRATUS
1.
""
Roman lines had drawn far from us. At last
Hasdrubal rode down to us, and called, " Trot, and
keep line.”
Then when we had gone a mile, he
called, “Halt! Take your dressings!" and for a
short time we did not advance. Then in a voice
like thunder he cried, waving his sword, “ Charge!
and the whole squadron burst upon the rear of
the army in front of them. There has never
been a charge like that, and there never will
be such another. We were told afterwards that
almost directly when we charged, our soldiers
in the front resolutely faced their enemies,
knowing of our movement. For in our army
all was foreseen, and the Romans, though they
were good soldiers, yet hardly even made a feint
or a movement which frustrated our calculation.
In front and rear the enemy were beset, and so
closely were they packed, that their numbers only
encumbered them. For three hours we hewed at
their ranks, until of that great army of 76,000
men, the best troops that ever stood on a battle-
field, 50,000 lay dead. It was a sight, such as
burns itself both on eyes and brain, to see the
Numidians with their sharp swords, curved like
reaping-hooks, striking and slicing men; and the
Spaniards, their arms and white tunics now red
with blood, smiting with their great swords rising
and falling like the axes of woodmen in the forest,
}
CANNE
179
only with a fierceness not known to woodmen. In
the Roman ranks there was despair and silence.
The faces of the soldiers were pale, and their
brows wrinkled; no man could move; in the press
their arms were glued to their sides, and always
nearer and nearer to each one came from all sides
the fringe of slaughter, as the deadly circle con-
tracted more and more. At first I felt exultant,
and then I grew sick and sorry; and when
presently there came from the Roman ranks a
wailing and piteous moan, and I saw their arms
raised above their heads (whether asking for
quarter, or to strike, I know not, but all in vain),
then I could not bear it; I felt too sick to strike.
But all the more Hannibal cried, “On, on, my
men. Slay; let not one escape." Throughout the
fight, until the battle was won, he had been quite
still, but for slight movements, as though his
frame thrilled; he had not spoken except to give
orders. But when we had made our charge, and
all had fallen rightly, then he became like a
tiger, and seemed to have an unquenchable thirst
for blood. Then again, when the slaughter was
finished, he became calm again, and showed no
great exultation. He rode over the field, ordering
that the dead should be reverently buried, and
that the generals on the Roman side should be
buried in their armour. By a stone near the
180
KALLISTRATUS
western bend of the river, where a bridge of wood
crossed the water, was found the body of the
Consul Paullus; and I knew then that it was he
whom I had seen seated on the stone as I rode
to Hannibal. There was a gaping wound in his
breast, and his armour was drenched with blood.
He was borne by six soldiers to a grave dug hard
by; and Hannibal himself watched the burial, and
saluted the body as it was borne past him. As I
looked and saw Hannibal standing near, and the
Africans bearing the body, another scene came into
my mind.
I saw the Rhone bank, and my brother
and sister and Strabo. I felt like a boy again,
and I wept like a boy, for the second time on that
day. Hannibal saw me weeping; he came to me
and said, "I know why thou weepest. Pray to thy
gods to keep thy heart so that thou canst weep
always." I told him of the death of Cornelius,
and he laid his hand on my head without speaking.
I remember, too, seeing sacks brought out from
the stores in the fort I had taken, and filled with
a freight no man could have guessed ever that
they would bear-the rings of gold drawn from
the fingers of Roman knights who were dead
on the battlefield. These sacks were filled with
2000 rings; they were sealed and laid before
the tent of the general. He penned a letter,
to go with these sacks to Carthage, telling the
f
CANNE
181
Carthaginians of that which had happened, and
reminding them that it had been done without a
ship, or a man, or a coin from Carthage, and that
now he asked for all these three. I myself heard
him say at the festival held two nights after, when
after the mess banquet he talked with his captains,
that perhaps his countrymen would send him none
of these three things, and that then he must look
to Spain for help. He said also, "We have won
a battle, a great battle; but we have not yet con-
quered Rome."
Maharbal turned away with a shrug of his
shoulders, for he was not one to hide his feeling.
Hannibal said to him, smiling, "Thou art a
soldier, and canst win a battle; but thou art not
a statesman."
Maharbal turned to him and said, "I say not
that I am a statesman; but here is a city con-
quered by thee, and thou dost not take it."
"I would it were conquered," said Hannibal.
Hast thou forgotten Saguntum, and the labour it
gave us?
Rome is more than twenty Saguntums.
A state cannot be conquered excepting by a state;
and either Carthage must do it, or Spain, or per-
haps Italy. But Italy is Roman as against us, by
instinct."
I never heard him say so much as this as to
the prospect either of war or statesmanship; but
182
KALLISTRATUS
I think Maharbal had vexed him. He knew also
that all the captains thought with Maharbal,
being flushed with victory. I also thought with
Maharbal; but since then I have seen that we all
thought wrongly; that in marching on Rome we
should have staked everything, to win or lose every-
thing, with the chances all against us. Hannibal
knew the number of men in Rome, the stores, the
temper of the men, the thickness and extent of
the walls; and he knew also that we were power-
less to conquer it as we were. It was not for love
of Rome, nor for want of enterprise, that he held
off; and we were wrong, as all men that ever I
knew were wrong, when they let their judgment
cross Hannibal's. In forming his judgments he
left nothing unknown that a man could know, and
in acting upon them he left nothing to chance.
His soldiers never missed rations or pay, nor had
what it was impossible to do set before them for
doing; and I think that there was not a town or
road or river in Southern Italy that he knew not.
Two things only I think in all these campaigns he
did not know, and met with greater check than he
expected—the Alps, and the swamp in the Tuscan
country. Over both of these he triumphed, but
at a greater price than he would have paid had
he known beforehand what it was to be, though I
cannot say this for certain.
CHAPTER XIII
A MARCH ON ROME
THE years that passed in my life until the battle
of Canna was fought, have been such as I love to
remember, Those that are to follow, I remember
without pleasure. Until the battle of Cannæ I
had been advancing, and I was hopeful. But
after Cannæ my fortunes began to dwindle; there-
fore I shall shorten my story now. The latter time
has not answered my hope. I have always been
a marked man, but I have had no glory. As time
went on, my place grew worse. From being a
captain of a thousand, I became a captain of a
hundred; not because I was a worse soldier—for
I was a better-but because our army always
decreased. We had few reinforcements, and the
cities in Italy began to shrink from us. At first
many of them joined through fear of us, and in
hatred of Rome; and for a year we seemed to
be on the high tide of success. But then it
began to be plain that they did not desire to
be free from Rome in such a way as to be at
183
184
KALLISTRATUS
the mercy of the Carthaginians. There is much
in race, and they were one in race with Rome;
from the Carthaginians they differed even in the
colour of the skin; and they asked themselves,
in what would their secession from Rome end?
In a Carthaginian dominion, in their submission
to men from the other side of the sea, like to
themselves neither in manners, nor in speech,
nor in colour, nor in religion. Therefore, pre-
sently, those cities that joined us became luke-
warm in giving us help, and after a time no
more cities even parleyed with us. Those that
were our allies would not work as we worked,
nor drill themselves for fight, nor contribute
money. They had no stomach for hardship in
the cause which they were supporting. From
time to time the Romans regained those that
had taken part with us, and the fate of these
made men pause in falling away from Rome.
I can remember that the knowledge of all
this grew gradually within me, and made me
change my thoughts as to my service with
Hannibal. I became discontented, not thinking
that I showed myself so; but there was little
that escaped the notice of Hannibal. Now that
I am old, I see more plainly what should be
done by men, judging by the pleasure and pain
of recollections; and I would with all my soul
A MARCH ON ROME
185
that I had been loyal to Hannibal, who never
was anything but loyal to every one.
In these times, after a year a sense of failure
began in some measure to appear in the minds
of many of the chief officers; but none of them
failed their captain-none save me.
In him no
sign of despondency appeared, though better than
any of us he knew how matters were going. But
he was always the same-calm, clear of sight,
resolute, unbroken, brave, courteous whatever
fortune brought him. Therefore, now I honour
him more when I think of these days than when
I think of his triumphs; and yet in these days I
was poor-spirited, and I left him.
Our greatest loss was the loss of Capua. I
well remember when Capua fell. I should have
had good reason on my own personal account to
remember it, had I known who was inside of it;
but I knew not then. I remember it because,
with Capua, fell also the Carthaginian cause in
Italy. While we were doing all we could to
retain it, by marches and by battles, and were
successful in all that we tried, but just in that
one thing for which we were doing all, I well
remember that in that time I saw what was a
marvel to us all Hannibal angry, vexed at
trifles, peevish, fretful, resentful of personal
slights. During that time his assurance of per-
186
KALLISTRATUS
sonal superiority seemed to leave him; he amused
himself no more with Gisco and with his captains.
For the whole of one month all seemed to go
wrongly. Men were sulky in the camp, and
when he took his determination to march upon
Rome, he took it, not, as men said, because he
hoped to become master of the city-how could
that be, when he did not march on it after
Cannæ ? Neither did he believe that the Romans
would break up the siege of Capua to follow him
when he marched. He, and the Romans also,
now knew his limits too well for that. But
he marched on Rome chiefly to restore the old
temper among his troops, and to show his con-
tempt for his adversaries in the field, and that
he could do as he pleased in Italy. Besides this,
he desired to see the city that he hated; and in
going to it thus, there was some sort of fulfilment
of that which he had promised himself when first
he left Spain. He guessed, also, that it might be
he would never again be able to do even as much
as that which he was doing towards it. These
were the reasons why we made that march of
which there was so much talk through the
world.
"Soldiers," he said, before the troops marched,
speaking to them all, more in a laughing way
than seriously; "Soldiers, the enemy will not
A MARCH ON ROME
187
meet us. Let us march on Rome itself, and
plunder its gardens, and see the pale faces of
the Roman soldiers as they stand on the
wall." Then with merry laughter, which cloaked
a sad heart, he carried out the project, and we
marched to the very gates of Rome, leaving,
indeed, men to watch the lines at Capua, and
report any movement there. Alas! no report
of movement reached us; the lines remained
as they were, and Capua fell. But before it
fell, we had marched all round Rome, and
harried the country according to our pleasure
showing that no Roman was safe in Italy, not
even under the very walls of Rome itself.
It is a strange experience for a man to see at
last that place of which he has heard much even
from childhood. Thus I felt strangely as I saw
the city; and I was one of the very few who ever
looked on it with a feeling of mastery. I saw the
city, the roads leading to it, the spaces outside,
the Tiber, the walls, and the gates. I wondered
constantly whether my brother and sister were
there, and tried to see them among the crowds
which we saw.
For we saw men and women on
the walls and in the streets, looking with fear on
us; we heard the noises in the city, we saw the
roofs of the houses, and the white temples on the
hills; and we made out what each thing was that
188
KALLISTRATUS
we saw, and what each sound meant; there were
many in the army who could help us to know.
On the day before we marched away, Hannibal
rode round the eastern side. I rode with him,
and in our company was Mago, and Hasdrubal,
and Gisco, and thirty riders more.
Hannibal
said:
(C
We have now seen the last
seen the last of this inert
"
city; to-morrow we will advance towards our old
quarters. Our mocking is finished; a play should
not last too long. How say you, gentlemen? Shall
we mark the last act by some scornful deed?
Then, with his lance in his hand, he galloped,
and we galloped behind him, to within a spear's
cast of the wall. There he reined his horse, and,
with a scornful laugh, hurled his spear against
the wall. It was a very noble cast, and I re-
member, even now, thinking of my leader with
pride, knowing that there was no leader or soldier
in Rome could cast a spear so grandly. It
reached the topmost tier of the wall, and stood
quivering in the woodwork of a tower.
We
laughed as the Romans near fled from that part
of the wall; and then we rode away, and most of
us presently left the sight of Rome for ever. We
rode away into Southern Italy, and I thought
that now my chance of seeing my brother
and sister was gone, for that Rome and them
A MARCH ON ROME
189
I should never again see. I was wrong, for
Rome I saw many times, and them also; and
at that time they were not in Rome, but in
Capua, and were even now suffering with the
suffering Capuans. They had reached Capua
but seven days before the Romans closed around
it; and I will tell why they left Rome, and
how they came to Capua, and what befell them
there. It is a sad story, and yet it is not sad;
for it shows that which is finer than success to
see, namely, great nobleness.
Uorm
CHAPTER XIV
IKETORIX IN ROME
STRABO had become more feeble in his body,
and his merriment was not so great as it had
been. He drank much wine, but repented
when the drinking was passed; and he loved
to speak—no, not loved to speak, but persisted
in speaking of the end of life, and wondered
what would come after. He bethought him of
everything that he had done that might give
offence to a god, and offered a sacrifice thereon,
to purge it. From every stranger he asked about
the gods that he knew, and the rites that they
loved, and made sacrifice to all of whom he
heard, in one way or another.
He would go
to the side of boats and ships bound for all
places, and lay in them little strips of his parch-
ment with the legend, "Strabo sends this to
Jupiter Ammon-or to Venus of Eryx"; and
if the sailors feared bad luck from the offering,
or scorned it and threw it overboard, he would
say, :On your heads be it!" He kept a scroll
190
IKETORIX IN ROME
191
for record of all the gods to whom he had made
offerings, as he called them-some little paste of
wet flour moulded into the shape of a cow, or a
pig, or what not—and before he died the list was
197. So many friends had he, so he thought, to
greet him below. But yet he was not happy;
and yet also he ceased not to lie and to boast-
not for his profit, I think, so much as because
he found amusement therein, and because it was
according to his nature.
On a day in June, three years after Cannæ,
he mounted the northern wall, and sat, as he
was wont, on the battlements looking over the
Campus, and at the men there exercising. He
was, as usual, discoursing on his own merits
to those who listened, and sat in complete lazi-
ness, speaking of his empire on the Rhone, and
telling many other tales, as to which, had he
received a lash for every one which was false,
he had been beaten to death; speaking of Gauls,
chieftains, and commons trembling at his nod, and
guided by his wisdom-when there appeared on
the northern road a cavalcade of strange appear-
ance, which drew the attention of his listeners
from him. It was a squadron of thirty horsemen.
Each rider was in height six feet, broad, square,
and strong. The horses were small but wiry,
and moved with ease under their great burdens.
burgor M
192
KALLISTRATUS
""
They came on slowly, each man seeming to know
that he was good to look upon. Every man on
the plain not under arms turned to look at them,
and the northern walls were presently crowded
with citizens who had come to look at the sight.
When the strangers came near the gate, Strabo
cried in extraordinary astonishment, “Iketorix !
And for once he spoke truth. He descended the
steps and went to the gate with friendly feeling.
When Iketorix rode in at the gate, Strabo in his
highest manner advanced and spoke to him; and
the crowd looked with reverence and curiosity at the
meeting between the two. Iketorix, when he saw
Strabo, looked at him, and his face reddened; he
dismounted from his horse, and Strabo stood still,
like a potentate, to receive him. Iketorix said-
"Is thy mistress well?"
She is," said Strabo; "and so am I.”
Commend me to her," said Iketorix.
that I beg leave to visit her."
Say
"And you
"I give you leave," said Strabo.
may have the advantage of seeing me also.
lives with me."
(C
Where, I beg you?" said Iketorix.
to visit her in chief."
She
I come
"Ask any man in the street, or the forum, or
the senate where Strabo dwells, and he will tell
you," "said Strabo very loftily. "Farewell."
IKETORIX IN ROME
193
He extended his hand upwards as though he
blessed Iketorix, and departed through the re-
spectful throng
The Gauls went on to the forum, and, being
lodged near it, made so much of their interest,
that the chieftain was brought into the senate,
on the next day, to do his business. Stately,
grave, and stern, the Roman fathers sat round
on their benches the Consul seated on the great
curule chair in the centre of the ring. And
stately entered through the great portals Iketorix
and his two henchmen.
"Who art thou, and whose errand dost thou?"
said the Consul, Sempronius Gracchus; he was
the same who had fought against us at the
Trebia.
"I am Iketorix the Gaul-a king; and I do
no man's errand. I speak my own; and this is
not the first time that a Gaul hath spoken to
Roman senators in the Roman senate."
The senators frowned; the Consul said, "Say
thy word."
"I say it," said Iketorix, not fearful at the
silence and the sternness around. "I come a
king of 100,000 warriors who withstood Hannibal
on the Rhone bank, helping Rome, to propose
an alliance with Rome, and asking for a legion
to garrison the river bank."
N
194
KALLISTRATUS
"Wherefore should the Romans send a legion
to the river Rhone?" said the Consul coldly.
'To hinder that which happened, lest it happen
again," said Iketorix. "In Spain is Hasdrubal,
who will march into Italy as Hannibal marched.
He can be stopped on the Rhone."
"Art thou the king?" said the Consul.
(C
I am," said Iketorix.
"Have not thy countrymen driven thee out? ”
said the Consul sternly. And dost thou not
want the Roman legions to restore thee? Thou
art not a king, nor an ambassador, but a sup-
pliant; and thou hast lied to the Roman
senate."
not.
Iketorix held his head up high, but spoke
The Consul said, "Stand forth, Intutomarus."
Then Intutomarus stood forward, and said that
he was lord of Iketorix's kingdom; and that
but for his following of thirty warriors, Iketorix
had no warriors to help him; and this was
proved against Iketorix. Then the Consul said,
"What vote give you, Torquatus?"
""
"I say that he deserves death; for what thou
sayest is so, and he denies it not."
"What vote give you, Regulus?"
"I say that he deserves slavery," said Regulus.
"Let him and his retinue be taken into the market
IKETORIX IN ROME
195
!
and sold under the spear. They will make fine
grooms and porters."
Twelve lictors approached the three men, and
after a short struggle the three were overpowered
and bound; and the senators voted on the ques-
tion of their treatment, without the manifestation
of any excitement. The next day the thirty were
sold under the spear.
Strabo had told Kallinice of his meeting with
Iketorix; and she said to Publius Scipio, "I have
somewhat to ask of thee."
Scipio was overjoyed to hear it, saying, “I hope
it is a hard thing."
It is," said she, "that thou bring Iketorix,
and take him to thy house, letting him be thy
porter or serve thee; and treat him kindly, even
if he be at first stubborn."
Thus Iketorix came into the house of Scipio,
and became the porter at the door. His necklet
was taken from his neck, and he bore it easily—
more easily than his companions their slavery;
they were laid in irons for many days before
they were willing to serve their masters. The
little slaves in the house mocked Iketorix, but
he answered not nor beat them. His service
was to open the door to knocking, and the first
who knocked when he had taken his place were
Kallicles and Kallinice, who came to thank Publius
196
KALLISTRATUS
for the grace he had granted them. They greeted
Iketorix, and his face went red and pale, and the
tears burst from his eyes.
"Iketorix the king is a slave," he said to
Kallinice, "and for thee."
My sister touched his arm, and he trembled.
Then they went forward, and through the gate,
and into the ladies' hall, where the younger
Cornelia was, and Publius.
"I thank thee," said my sister. "If the Romans
will be kind thus, they shall rule the world."
"They shall rule the world," said Scipio.
"But I think not with kindness." Then fell they
to talk of the world and its ways, and statesman-
ship.
My brother said, "There must be kindness in
empire. Obedience is not the only virtue of sub-
jects, nor command the only virtue of rulers; but
rather, if one word is to be found, it is 'develop-
ment.'
> ""
"Thou lovest not the great Roman type," said
Scipio; "loyalty, and steadiness, and courage."
CC
'I love it, but it should add to itself. Thou
must provide virtues for leisure as well as for
fighting, if thou wouldst be a true governor,
and know something of beauty and truth as
well as power.
And know, too, that there is
beauty beside that of form; beauty in words,
IKETORIX IN ROME
197
beauty in sights, and "—and here my brother's
voice faltered—"beauty in sorrow and in de-
formity."
Scipio's face coloured, and he rose to his feet,
with generosity shining in his face. He said,
"Thou speakest of deformity. Let me speak too.
I would take thy body, to have thy soul."
Kallinice raised herself too, and bowed to him;
and Cornelia looked timidly at that which she
hardly understood.
And men
Publius said, "Have I pleased thee, Kallinice?”
"Ay," said she, still standing, while the great
chamber seemed too small for her, "and the gods
also. The day shall come when Rome shall be
as thou sayest a queen with many crowns.
Thy hand shall crown her with one.
shall tell of the manner of the crowning as long
as there are men on the earth." Then she turned
pale, and wept-why, my brother knew, but
Publius knew not. As they began to go out
there was a loud knocking at the door of the
house, and they held back. Iketorix had forgot
his place, and the door was opened by another.
Lucius Scipio stood without. He said, "Iketorix,
why opened you not the door?"
Iketorix stood above him, and answered nothing.
Lucius pointed to the darker part of the house,
and a slave came forward with a thong in his
198
KALLISTRATUS
hand. Six strong slaves followed him. They
laid their hands on Iketorix, with laughing.
"Six lashes," said Lucius.
But then Publius, and my brother, and Kallinice
Publius said, thinking of Kallinice, “I
came.
pray thee forgive him this time, Lucius."
"I will not," said Lucius; and six blows de-
scended on the shoulders of Iketorix.
"Now," said Lucius, " open the door for me."
Iketorix stood still.
((
Again," said
Lucius,
making a signal to the slave with the lash.
My sister approached Iketorix, and said, "I
pray thee open the door." Iketorix opened it
without a word, and then my brother and sister
went out.
Lucius laughed, and said, "Publius, thou seest
I have conquered. Thou art too gentle."
Publius said, "Lucius, some day, when thou
managest men, things will go wrongly with thee."
tr
Then said Lucius, " And I tell thee, Publius,
Thou
some day, even soon, things will go wrongly with
thee, for the Greeks thou hast about thee.
art said to think more of them than of Romans,
and it is thought or known that they are traitors.
Even to-day in the senate the Consul spoke, not
of thee, but of these Greeks thou dost consort
with. Two traitors have been found, both Greeks,
and they will be crucified to-day."
IKETORIX IN ROME
199
As he spoke there was a roar outside the
house, so loud that the two young men both
went through the house again towards the street.
Standing under the great stone porch, they saw
a strange sight. Six lictors were in the way, and
in their charge Kallicles and Kallinice, whom they
had seized. Around them was an excited crowd,
roaring and hooting, crying, "Death to the Greeks,
the traitors!" The younger Scipio went to the
lictors, and said, "What do you?" Behind him
was Iketorix.
We take these Greeks, man and woman, to
the prætor, on the order of the Consul. The charge
is treason. A letter hath been found on a shep-
herd passing through the southern gate, written
by their slave, so it is believed, to Hannibal.
The prætor Sergius sits now in the forum, and
two lictors bring the slave also before him."
The lictor was a short, strong man, armed with
his axe and rods, and he spoke not without a
certain exultation of tone, as being a client of
Galba, and not loving Greeks.
Publius, and behind him Iketorix, followed the
prisoners to the forum, and there already was
Strabo, pale and trembling.
"Stand forward, Nillo, and give thy testimony,"
said the prætor.
The court was crowded to its full capacity,
200
KALLISTRATUS
and outside the streets
Romans.
were
full of angry
There stood forward a young man with fair
hair and blue eyes. His features were sharp, his
nose hooked, and he seemed as sleepless and
keen as a weasel. He said,
He said, "I was posted as
under-warder at the south gate, to watch those
who passed, since the Consul had suspicion of
treachery. At nightfall, as the gates were being
shut, I challenged a man who passed, nearly
the last, going on to the Appian Way. He an-
swered not, but moved quickly forward into the
darkness. I discharged my arrow upon him; he
fell, and I found him near the causeway dead,
with the paper in his buskin which the prætor
holds."
A deep murmur of fierce approbation was
made by the crowd. The prætor stood up in
his place; he held a paper in his hand.
"This is the writing," said he: "The lines will
close round Capua in thirteen days.' Under-
neath there is the letter S, and a scimitar
drawn. I ask the prisoners, 'Do they know the
paper?""
Kallicles answered, "No." Kallinice answered,
"No." Strabo answered, "No." The first two
spoke strongly, and without fear; but Strabo
seemed more dead than alive.
IKETORIX IN ROME
201
The prætor frowned, and said, “Stand forward,
Festus, and give thy evidence."
Festus, who was a lictor of the Consul, stood
forward, with his axe and rods inclined on his
shoulder. He said, "Yesterday, at the first
watch of the night, I saw the dead man leave
the house wherein the three prisoners live.”
Then said the prætor, "For this year the
senate hath believed that Hannibal hears news
of what they determine. Suspicion hath fallen
in many places, and once on these prisoners
before this. Now it hath fallen thus again.
It is a matter of state import that the treachery
should be stopped. The male prisoner, the young
one, hath been known also to deride Rome and
Romans in song and speech. How say you,
judges? Is this treachery proven?"
An urn was being taken from the great closet
near the chair of the prætor, when a loud cry was
heard from the concourse outside the bar. It
was from Iketorix, who had made his way into
the court with Scipio. He called loud, "Stop!"
and then again, "I, Iketorix the Gaul, have
testimony."
The prætor said, "Advance and give it."
Iketorix advanced into the body of the court,
and stood in front of the three prisoners, looking
at Kallinice the while he spoke. He said, "The
202
KALLISTRATUS
writing is mine. The treachery is mine. These
Greeks know none of it."
(C
How sayest thou?" said the prætor.
placest thy head in a lion's mouth."
“Thou
The people lifted their hands threateningly
towards him, and seemed as though they would
have torn him to pieces, did they but stir.
Strabo seemed amazed. Iketorix said, “I came
to Rome three days ago, pretending an embassy.
I came to be a spy for the Carthaginians." Still
as he spoke, he looked at my sister strangely
and piteously, and with reproach. She looked
on him as upon one who is lost. With his
eyes still on her, he said, "These Greeks know
nothing of it. I left the door of Scipio's
house last night when night fell, and gave the
writing to him who placed it where yon ferret
found it."
He folded his arms, and looked once round at
the faces ravening upon him, and then again at
my sister. In the tumult she heard him say,
Lady, he who has been a king endures not to
be a slave; and since I can die for thee, thus I
do." There was no time for him to speak more,
for the people burst upon him, and laid their
hands upon him. Still until they held him he
looked at Kallinice, as though the rest, prætor,
court, and people, were naught to him. Then,
IKETORIX IN ROME
203
before the lictors could help him, he was done
to death; and they rescued a dead man only
from the people's fury.
Then said the prætor, "The gods have spoken
through the Roman people. Their will be done.
But yet suspicion remains with these three,
and these are not times when suspicion may
be disregarded. How say you, judges? Can
they remain ?"
"No," said each judge. "Let them quit
Rome straightway, not returning to their homes.
This is the sentence. Lictors, take them to the
gate."
CHAPTER XV
CAPUA
THUS, without speech or further communication
with the Romans, did Kallicles and Kallinice and
Strabo quit Rome, marching on the Appian Way.
As they passed the tomb where the Scipios lay
buried, my brother turned aside and made an offer-
ing to the dead; but no more did they see any of
those who had greatly befriended them, nor knew
they ever in what repute their memory was with
Publius. But when they thought on all that had
happened, they feared his interpretation thereon.
As they walked beyond the tomb, on the way,
Strabo said, "Had not the people been so quick,
I think I had spoken."
"Was it thy scroll?" said my brother.
.cc
"Ay," said Strabo; "and I sorrow more than
I have ever sorrowed but once in my life."
What my sister thought about Strabo's state-
ment that he would have informed against him-
self, I do not know; but my brother had more
than doubt that it was not true. Nevertheless he
204
CAPUA
205
said little, knowing that men, even the best of
them, are but human, and having ever looked
upon Strabo as in the second class of men for
goodness.
My sister was very sorrowful, not because
she feared the future, but because she grieved
for the past. Presently she said, "Let us go to
some city that is not Roman. My soul loathes
Rome."
CC
((
Let us go to Capua then," said Kallicles.
Nay," said Strabo; "that will be presently in
siege."
((
tr
Hannibal will save it," said my brother.
"Let us to Capua, at first," said my sister,
'and then to Athens."
Strabo considered what reason he could give
against Capua. But there was none; for a
Roman city he too feared, and he thought also
that the greatest city was the hardest to take.
Thus without more words they went on to Capua,
Strabo saying, "This move is less to us than to
others. We have learnt wisdom by travelling.
I have my belt on me, and thou too, Kallicles, and
thou too, Kallinice. We are without a home, but
not without what is better and will get a home
for us-money.”
Thus they went to Capua; and they were
within the walls of Capua when we viewed the
206
KALLISTRATUS
city from without, a month later. And there too
one of them, Strabo, stayed for ever.
When they reached the city gate, riding all three
on mules, they were led before the senate. For
here everything was done in copy of Rome; but
the stern, strong spirit of Rome was not there,
and they all three drew their breaths more freely.
One man, Vibius Virrus by name, seemed to lead
the others. He asked them their name and busi-
ness, and they told him freely, speaking now as
equals to equals, and not as slaves and of no
account. Strabo also showed the mark upon his
rib, and spoke much of his sufferings. They were
welcomed by the people and by the senate heartily;
and Strabo threw himself at once into the politics
of Capua, as he had thrown himself into Roman
politics, even with the treachery included in his
behaviour. The life at Capua was light, and my
sister liked it not, nor my brother, and they kept
themselves alone; but Strabo had no disgust at
it, but rather a liking for it, and was in the midst
of it, always boasting; and when he spoke of his
time at Rome, it seemed that almost he was to
seek the Consulate in the next year; he said that
many had begged him to canvass for it. He
drank much, and seemed less ashamed of drinking
than he was when in Rome; indeed, in Capua few
men or wemen felt shame. The slaves and the
CAPUA
207
citizens would have him with them in the taverns,
and there was he continually, drinking and lying,
and bidding the citizens trust to Hannibal.
In twenty days the Roman armies closed
around the city; then my sister rejoiced, and
her eyes were light. She thought with all the
others that now Hannibal would come.
66
I shall
see him and do something for him,” she thought.
But the Roman lines were close, and strongly
guarded. Then the Carthaginian army was seen
far away, circling on the hills, and sometimes
coming down into the plain. And sometimes a
convoy was threatened, sometimes a feint was
made. Then presently, to all men's dismay, the
army withdrew. Still men expected a return of
it; but it returned not. Then Strabo became
more Roman in his way of thinking, and planned
how he might do the Romans some service, and
so be safe. He was practised in the ways of
deceit, and knew how to make himself a traitor.
He applied for the post of accredited spy to Rome,
and offered incredible advantages if it were secured
to him. But the post was held already, and
indeed by very many men. Still he would be
doing something; and thus at last the senators
fell into a suspicion of him, and he was accused.
So, to save himself, he became very Capuan in
speech, and advised a sortie, saying that he knew
208
KALLISTRATUS
of slackness in a part of the lines; and he con-
fessed that he had indeed communicated with his
friends in the Roman lines, but only to lure their
army to ruin. The senators approved of the
sortie, and lots were drawn to settle who should
be of the party. Five hundred men were to go.
One lot fell on Kallicles; he told me this when
we met, long after, with weeping and sorrow; say-
ing also, "My brother, Strabo, whom we mocked
as a coward, was not always a coward;
and I
too at last saw that he was not, and I honoured
him for the first time in my life. My brother
said:
:
"I knew not of the sortie or the lot-drawing,
only afterwards I knew it; for Strabo invented
all his story to save himself from imminent danger.
It was necessary that on that night one inan
from our habitation should go to the market-
place and answer to my name; and go, not to
victory, but to death. My brother, on that night,
at evening, Strabo came home pale and silent.
I said, 'Strabo, for shame! thou art drunken
again. Does it not shame thee to live like a
beast?' Kallinice looked at him scornfully, and
spoke not. So he sat until the night fell, and
within the room it became dark. He moved not,
but looked from one to other of us, and sobbed.
My sister said, 'Strabo, my father would have
CAPUA
209
I
schooled thee better than we have schooled thee.'
'Thy father! Kallistratus!' said Strabo, bursting
into maudlin weeping. Presently we heard the
tramp of many feet passing in the street.
said to Strabo, for he knew what was done in
the city, 'Who walks so late, and men so many?'
He rose from his seat, pale, and muttering
words without sense.
Then he stared at me, and
seemed as if he would choke; then the sound of
the last footfall died away, and all was quiet.
Then he arose again from his seat, and fell at my
sister's feet, and kissed them. She spurned him
from her, but he clasped her feet with his arms
and kissed them, though heartily she scorned
him. Then he rose and came to me, seeming
to stagger, and sobbing. He felt on my neck and
kissed my cheeks.
cheeks. I smote him fiercely on the
face, but he did not heed nor wince, only he
moved towards the door. Thereby hung his sword.
He took it down, and buckled the belt round his
body. I scarce knew whether to beat him again
or to laugh, so strange a figure he seemed. His
fingers fumbled while he buckled the belt on him,
for it was long since he wore a sword; while I
stamped in anger, and was wiping my cheek from
that which I thought the pollution of his kiss.
When the belt was buckled he faced us, unmind-
ful of our anger and scorn. Ah! my brother, I
210
KALLISTRATUS
counsel thee, be not over-hasty with any man,
slave or other. There is more about each man
than the rest know, and I would give all I have,
beside thee and my sister, to have withheld my
scorn that evening. As he stood we wondered
at him. His tears had ceased, though his breast
still heaved somewhat. There seemed some
greatness about him, in spite of his shape and
face. Then he said, 'Farewell, Kallinice! Fare-
well, Kallicles! Ere morning dawns you will
forgive me.'
(C
He went out, and alive we never saw him
again. He answered to my name in the market-
place, and marched on the Roman lines, to what
he well knew was death. Fifty men alone of the
five hundred that left the gate that night returned
to the gate again. Kallinice and I mourned for
him. That was all we could do; for there he
died, even under the Roman lines far away."
When Capua was taken, my brother and
sister were sold as slaves, and bought by one
Marcus Bobius, who was a colonist, and a good
man. He lived at Venusia. There they lived
for fourteen years, until he died. By his will he
set them free, and they went c Brundisium; and
from thence, according to their plan, they crossed
to Athens, and there they lived until I saw
them.
CHAPTER XVI
DESERTION
I HAVE said that I had been long discontented
with my place, and that I longed to change it.
I was familiar with Hannibal, and had lost that
reverence for him which I once had; I had lost
it because I was not great enough to feel it. I
was, I think, twenty-eight years old when Capua
fell, and when the ruin of Rome seemed at last
not a thing to be accomplished. I did not see
then, what I see now that life has less hold on
me, that a man may be greater in adversity than
in success, and that so it was with Hanni-
bal. Wherefore I became listless, and longed for
change. I remembered my father's sayings in the
old days, and the oracles which he made. He was
sure that the Romans would win, and I also was
I believe that Hannibal himself, too,
sure now.
thought so.
Too well I remember one day when we had
ridden round a part of the wall of Tarentum
(which, as to the city itself, was once our own),
211
212
KALLISTRATUS
1
as we drew bridle on the little hill to the east-
ward from which the long street in the city
can be seen, that Hannibal looked silent upon
the street for a while, and we saw an old
man in armour, with a retinue, ride into the
square. He dismounted at the gate of the pry-
taneum, and the soldiers made a guard for him
as he entered, and saluted him. We were only
a little more than a bowshot from the city walls,
and saw the old man plainly. He was bent with
age, and his movements were feeble. Hannibal
called me from the troop, and Mutines was jealous
as always. Hannibal, who knew always what
each man's thought was, said, “Nay, Mutines, the
question I shall ask cannot be answered by thee.
I must carry my confidence once more to the
well." What he meant I did not know; and
when I asked him that evening, he laughed only,
and said that some day I should know, but that
the Athenians were always dull in wits. But
when he called me I rode to him, and he said-
What did thy father say to me and Iketorix
ten years ago? Was it not that the Romans
would win?"
"Yes," I said.
"And what thinkest thou?"
I said smoothly, "One swallow does not make
a summer."
DESERTION
213
Again he laughed, and said, "We trade with
Attic coin; I had rather with Punic.
Or say
not with Punic, for that is too like Attic; say
Hannibal's. But that I am not a king, and coin
no money. Nor shall I," said he, turning round
to me.
"If the gods please,” said I.
"And if my soldiers please, and my friends-
my friends."
As he said these words, I could
not keep the red from my face, or the shame
from my heart. Then his manner changed, and
he spoke to us all in another tone.
him who entered. Was it not Fabius?"
"Fabius," said we.
rr
(C
Ye saw
rr
Is it
'He looks a noble master," said he.
not so?" said he to me. And he added, looking
at me as before he had never looked, Be at
my tent at sunrise to-morrow."
८८
The retinue looked strangely at me, and in the
camp that evening each man hardly greeted me.
In the morning at sunrise I went towards the
door of his tent, as I had done ten years before.
I was sick now, to know that he loved me not.
I advanced, not knowing well what awaited me.
There were four soldiers at the tent door. I well
remember who they were-Soctes, and Carpas,
and Dacis, and Mangras. In the army the
soldiers would even fight for the post of guarding
214
KALLISTRATUS
his tent, though it was irksome to stand sentry
the day through and the night through. They
looked coldly at me, and I entered. He was
there, placed exactly as I had seen him ten years
before when I first at sunrise entered his tent,
his armour and couch the same to see, and his
bearing. I see him now; the sound of his voice
is still in my ears, the look of his eyes still
makes me cower. I see him now, seated, erect,
with black hair, and unfurrowed brow, and eye
of fire, with swarthy skin, and short lip curled,
his head poised like a stag's. I would I had
thrown myself at his feet, and begged him for
grace; but I stood uncertain before him. Then
he spoke. "Ten years is long for thee to keep
faith; thou hast broken it, and made communi-
cation with Romans in Tarentum. But I have
kept my faith with thee. Thou hast longed to be
with Romans; therefore go.'
I could not speak; I could not think. I had
done as he said. I was shamed and stunned.
I stretched my arms towards him and sobbed.
He rose and turned his head half away from me,
lifting his arm. I turned and went from the
tent, and Dacis and Mangras walked behind me.
I mounted my horse and rode from the camp,
a man without a friend or a hope.
As I rode and the sun shone, and after long
DESERTION
215
riding I ate and drank, my heart became higher.
I began to forget the past, and to think of the
future. I hoped still that I could make a great
name for myself. I was a soldier now, and I
knew the ways of war as Hannibal waged it;
thus I thought I should be welcome among the
Romans. I said to myself that it had not been
a thing likely that I should remain to help a
cause which was none of mine, when it was nearly
lost, nor my country's; and that if Hannibal had
been kind to me, so had I been of service to him,
and interpreted men's speech for him, and been
a good officer, and even a good leader of troops.
Thus I rode, not knowing either myself or the
Romans, and presently at evening I rode straight to-
wards the Roman lines. I was taken at once before
Marcellus; and saw for the first time him on whom
the Romans so much trusted, calling him the sword
of Rome. He was taller than Hannibal by the
half of a palm's breadth, and more thickly set; a
stern, strong man, without lightness or imagination,
or pity or feeling, save a desire to uphold Rome.
Hannibal had never beaten him, so his soldiers
said. I knew better, but I did not contradict
them. But I thought, "What does he near Venusia
then?"
Two soldiers rode through the lines with me.
The lines were straight and soldier-like. The
216
KALLISTRATUS
soldiers bade me dismount when I was at the
gate, and presently I was before Marcellus.
"Who is this?" he said, fixing his stern eyes
upon me.
"A Greek who has deserted from Hannibal,"
said one of my escort.
"A spy?" said Marcellus, frowning.
spy.
But I
I cried out, "I would I were a
have parted from Hannibal for ever.
I was at his
right hand for ten years, and now he hath driven
me away.'
""
Marcellus looked at me with more interest,
but not less scorn. "Punic faith!" he said, and
laughed.
I saw that everything against Hannibal would
help me, and that in many ways I needed help. I
said, "Yes.
I have formed his plans for ten years,
and now he hath turned me away with only my
sword and my horse. Nay," said I, looking ruefully
at my sword, which my guide held, "they are
taken. They are but like the rest of the world,
which will be taken too, by armies such as this
evening I have seen.” I saw that many in the
tent smiled. "Nay," I said, "why smile you?
It is so.
There are no armies like these; nor
no state like Rome: if it is beaten once, it is the
stronger for it, and wins now everywhere. When
I am in the Roman army I see the reason of it
DESERTION
217
There is strength, order, courage, and there is a
leader also. If ever I stood before a great leader,
I stand now. I have lived with Hannibal, but
he is feeble and false, and has won but by luck.
Here is the true leader."
I know now that I did a shameful thing in so
speaking, and so indeed I knew then; but I was
in fear and in hope, and I felt that the grimness
of the spirits round me became less harsh as I
spoke. I hid half my face, as though I were
afraid to look upon Marcellus. The Romans mur-
mured a little in approval, and Marcellus was
not displeased. It is strange, as I have since
always noted, that the Romans will accept any
flattery and suspect nothing. They mostly them-
selves tell the truth; but, I think, not because
they love it, but because no Roman has the wit
to invent a lie that any man could believe. And
this is the reason that they think they hate lying.
Marcellus asked me many questions, all of which I
answered as it pleased me, thinking of my own posi-
tion. He said, "How many men has Hannibal ?”
I said, "Twenty thousand."
"Looks he for reinforcements from Carthage?"
"No, for none."
Marcellus conferred with his officers, and then
said sternly to me, "This is strange. His country
will send him nothing?'
218
KALLISTRATUS
I said, "Not strange, if thou knewest Hannibal.
All men hate him-his own countrymen worst
of all, and the Italians next. They look to Rome
and Marcellus as deliverers. Hannibal knows
that his day is done; that it was done when
Marcellus was made general of the Roman armies.
But he stays, because he hath nowhere to go.'
""
I was presently sent away, and kept for weeks
in the camp, being sent for from time to time to
give information. I was with a guard night and
day, chained to me by a chain. It was a bitter
place for me, worse by a thousand times than that
I had left; and I sorrowed heartily. I cannot
write of these years of my life; they did but
disgrace me. I was sent to Rome, with no place
of my own, and no friends but those which I
made by flattery. When I was in Rome, I sang,
I recited, I danced; no man respected me. At
last, when Publius Scipio came back to the city
from Spain, I wrote in praise of him, and he
called me to him-he knew me and my story-
and, in kindness, placed me among his manu-
scripts, and spoke with me often. And there I
copied and changed writings from my own tongue
into the Roman tongue, spending my day with a
pen in my right hand, and no other thought than
the making of a letter or the substitution of a
phrase, or writing also, from time to time, the
DESERTION
219
annals of the family of the Scipios. All lies were
they that I wrote, but they pleased, and got me a
home and bread. At last Publius Scipio crossed
to Africa, and then did Hannibal leave Italy, and
a howl of joy went up from every city. The very
sky exulted. Then came the news of Zama, then
the news of peace; and always I was writing and
working in the library, not flattering much now,
for my spirit had risen beyond that, and there
was iron in my soul. Then was Scipio's home-
coming and the triumph. I saw the captives,
and almost wished myself with them; and I
saw the flag which had waved over the tent of
Hannibal, and his pennon, and the standard of
the Spanish battalion. I wept till I could weep
no more, and went back to the library, only
longing to forget both myself and everything.
CHAPTER XVII
{
EMANCIPATION
Publius
It was
He
I HAVE but a few more things to tell.
Scipio loved not life in Rome overmuch.
too small and too much Roman for him.
was not sorry to go from it at any time, and
when in Rome he fretted always. Nine years
after Zama, he went as ambassador with two
others to Ephesus, and gladly, to treat with King
Antiochus, who was there. He took me in his
company, that I might chronicle all that he did.
We landed at Ephesus, and there was King
Antiochus, and there also was-Hannibal.
Then said Scipio, "I will meet him again, and
thou shalt be with me, and write that which we
say, for men to read afterwards. When I meet
Hannibal, the world should know what is said."
I heard him speak, with feelings which I can-
not describe; nor say with what thoughts I went
again into the presence of my master.
We went in the seventh month, in a full
company, each man eager to see what he would
229
EMANCIPATION
221
see. Every one talked to me of Hannibal, never
heeding that which I felt. The Romans never
heeded what was felt by another, and, indeed,
they never knew or guessed. Every officer
made interest with Scipio that he might be in
the chamber of meeting; and with gay dress, and
bright armour, and decorations, each man went,
thinking that Hannibal should see the men that
had beaten him out of Italy. The meeting was
in the prytaneum; for, since there were many
with Scipio, he so ordered. He rode to the
door, and I rode with him, dressed in my
gown. Scipio took his seat in the chief place,
and his officers stood round him, each one
thinking himself a great commander. Then the
door opened again, and—a soldier entered. My
head swam, tears rushed down my cheeks, I
gasped for breath, and sobbed aloud. Twenty
years had passed since last I saw him, and
time had marked him sorely.
His hair was
worn from his forehead, deep wrinkles were
ploughed into his skin, his movement was less
alert, and his look was less buoyant. In old
days his body moved as though chains would
not have held it; but now his movement was
less vivid and alert. Hope deferred and disap-
pointed, baffled policy, the life of the hunted
man, always seeking, never finding, and com-
{
222
KALLISTRATUS
One
pelled, if he would find at all, to humour the
miserable kings of provinces in the East-all
this had marked his face and bearing. But,
for all this, he was the one man in the room,
and the officers and Scipio seemed smaller-
yes, and felt smaller-when he entered.
man was with him-Iachin, a Spaniard, who
had been his agent in Rome, and escaped from
it. Iachin looked with a haughty bearing on
the Roman company, as though he would assert
that his master was greater than any among
them, and himself to be as great. In Hannibal
there was none of this; simply erect and like
a soldier, with a set face, courteous and grand,
he entered and stood. Scipio rose and looked
at him. He stood and looked at Scipio. Which
felt master, I cannot say. Certainly, in that room
was the one man that Scipio and the Romans
one and all feared, feared beyond all cure; and
certainly, also, had the gods given to Hannibal
his dearest wish, they would have placed him, with
an army that he had trained, in the field before
Scipio, let him choose what troops he would.
chair was brought for Hannibal, and until it came
Scipio sat not; then they both sat.
A
Scipio began to speak; he said, “Again I meet
that Hannibal whose name fills the world."
Hannibal smiled sternly and said, "Thou
EMANCIPATION
223
meetest Hannibal. It may be that my name
filled the world; for I have fought against Rome."
He bowed his head courteously as he spoke.
"The Romans speak of thee still," said Scipio,
as of a terror to them, and a captain the like of
whom no Roman hath ever met in battle." He
had a hard task to speak and yet be courteous,
and not seem to be praising himself while he
spoke. He would have done it, had there not
been a certain thought of himself all the while;
and thus his courtesy was not perfect. Perhaps
Hannibal's task was easier, but he did not fail in
it, nor did he use the keen weapon of talk, sarcasm,
until that which may always call it forth, namely
vanity, appeared very plainly in Scipio.
Hannibal said simply, “I think they do me too
much honour, for there hath been a better cap-
tain than I am against them."
Scipio mused for a moment, then he said,
"Whom then placest thou first among captains?"
"Amongst all captains meanest thou?" said
Hannibal.
"All captains," said Scipio, raising himself, and
looking at Hannibal with a confidence that had
grown on him latterly. The company also
thought to hear but one name, "Scipio's." But
Hannibal still pondered. At last he said, quite
simply, though I think he knew what was ex-
224
KALLISTRATUS
1
pected, and what those round him would feel,
"Alexander the Macedonian."
There was a coldness in Scipio's voice as he
said, “And why?"
"(
Because," said Hannibal, still speaking like
one who pondered on a matter, "because he did
most to bring together in war that which is most
necessary-weight and movement.
His phalanx
It could move, and it could stand.
It was a moving castle, made of pikes and the
bodies of men."
had both.
"Then," said Scipio, in a voice constrained,
"whom dost thou place next?
""
Hannibal half smiled, and mused again. Then
he said, "Pyrrhus," naming my own countryman.
Scipio did not speak, but frowned; and Hannibal
went on, "Because he knew better than any, and
taught men better how to choose a camp and
strengthen it. There are no camps chosen and
formed better than those of Pyrrhus in South Italy,
though he first taught men the science of it."
Scipio then said, half contemptuously, “And
whom next?" The Romans count themselves the
children of Mars, and they are a martial nation;
but their generals are naught. Hannibal sat a
thought more erect, and there was a proud light in
his eye as he answered again simply, "Myself."
The Romans breathed hard, and stirred in
EMANCIPATION
225
anger. Scipio was disturbed, so much that he
spoke in a bitter sarcasm not worthy of a true
"What then wouldst thou have said hadst
thou beaten me? It was a thrust by a keen
blade, but there was a keen blade to meet it.
man.
""
Hannibal said, "Then should I have placed
myself before Pyrrhus, and before Alexander.”
cr
Scipio's face flushed, and the Romans broke
into applause. "Bene, bene!" they cried. He
taketh Scipio from the rank, as incomparable,"
and each man turned towards Scipio and saluted.
Those thick-witted Romans! They saw not
the meaning that lay in Hannibal's speech,
strange though it is to say so. But I think
Scipio knew, and he blushed the more, and seemed
uneasy. He knew that Hannibal meant, "Had I
with my poor army at Zama, hampered as I was,
beaten thee with thine, I should have done what
no commander ever born could have done."
They talked, these two, for yet an hour, and
always it was Scipio who asked and Hannibal
who answered. I remember the last thing he
said was that which I had heard him say once
years before, "States with walled cities cannot be
conquered by armies, but by states only. Thank
the gods, Scipio, that behind
you and
your armies
there is a state, though it is one that some men
have small cause to love.”
P
226
KALLISTRATUS
I think the interview did not please Scipio.
He went from it like a pupil from a lesson, and
for an hour at least had been neither flattered
nor execrated, but estimated only at his value as
a man, with kindness and courtesy, by a man fit
to value him, a greater than he was himself. I
did not speak to Hannibal, nor see him at all
again. He mounted his horse at the door, and
when I could seek him he was gone, with Iachin
in his train-Iachin alone. Men said that when
he was in the camp of Antiochus there was
another man, whom they called a general, above
him; that before this man Hannibal brought
his plans, and this general did scrutinise them
and commonly reject them, once saying to him,
This is not war you offer. I have served many
years, and I know what war is." Many others
also thought little of him, as I know, having
heard them talk. Thus Hannibal did naught,
proposing nothing, for nothing came of what
he proposed; still he was not fretful nor
grumbled. Truly, a mad place the world is.
When I think of this, I think too of a thing
which I saw at Ephesus, in the house of Lep-
tines, where Scipio was feasted. Leptines was
an Asiatic Greek. In his garden, which lay
(a great garden) behind his house, there was a
cage, in which there sat, on a bar stretched from
EMANCIPATION
227
к
side to side, the finest eagle I think that ever a
man saw. Leptines was proud of it, and after
supper we walked round the cage and saw it.
Leptines tried to make it unfold its wings, but
it would not. It sat on the bar and regarded us
not. Its keen eye, which could look at the sun,
blinked drowsily, from indifference to that which
it saw around it. Its wings, which could have
carried it to heights unknown to man, were
motionless by its side. Its strong talons only
clasped the bar; its brave heart beat, but for
nothing. It fluttered not in its cage, nor tormented
itself to our sight; but its life was lost. Then as
we looked there flew a sparrow in through the
bars; it fluttered round the cage, clinging first to
one perch and then another, satisfied, and twitter-
ing the while. This is what it seemed to me to
say, O creature great but heavy, strong but
useless, thou canst not fly; it is a pity for thee
that thou art not skilled for it. But I can fly,
and reach the house-tops, and pass up and down
in the streets. Pray let me teach thee how to
fly. Thou seemest to have something by thee
like wings; perchance thou couldst learn to fly,
though not so well as I fly, who have been born
to it, and always practised it. Yet perchance
thou couldst fly enough for some purpose."
The sight of Hannibal made me hate my
228
KALLISTRATUS
place. The sight of his constancy, the ease with
which he rose to a greater height than Scipio,
talking with him; the calmness of soul with
which he viewed Scipio's renown, the majesty
of constancy with which he went again to his
own purpose, as though this only in all the world
were fit company for him, filled me again with
admiration for him. I loathed my own slavish
life, and presently I begged Scipio to send me to
Athens, that there I might copy volumes for him,
knowing myself that there only I could gather
again my respect of myself. He sent me, and
my heart glowed with high thoughts once more
as I left the Romans and neared my country.
I thought of my father, my mother, and Kallicles
and Kallinice, and became something of a man
again, distinguishing between good and evil. I
was Roman no more, nor Carthaginian; but when
I saw Athene's spear shining like a beacon far
away, my country spoke to me, and I became
Athenian. Presently Salamis was on my left
hand, and before me the Piræus, and temples on
the Acropolis, unmatched for beauty.
Then I landed, and saw the soil of my
country. The sun was past the meridian. I sat
in bewilderment on a stone on the quay, as far
from the present as a man can be. Then I turned
my head towards the temple of the virgin goddess,
EMANCIPATION
229
1
and thought of my sister's speech, the last I had
heard her make. Many times in these days it
had been my chief thought; but the sight of my
fatherland, and the placing of my feet on Athenian
soil, put even my sister from my thoughts for a
while. But now I rose and went towards the temple,
not heeding whom I met, nor that on which I trod,
nor the sky above me; and so at last up the hill
to the Acropolis, and to the Maiden's temple. No
man can see it unmoved, and yet I so saw it,
thinking only of my own.
Then I lifted my eyes,
and saw the great statue of Athene, the shining
of whose spear I had seen even when I was on
the sea; and seeing the statue, I seemed to see
my sister. I fell on my knees before it, and
cried, "O Athene, goddess dear, give me back my
own." I rose and went forward panting, and sat
beneath a pillar on the north side, and waited,
dreading lest I should wait for nothing. The
sun went slowly down the sky, and the shadows
grew longer slowly. At last as I trembled, slowly
from the city a woman came. When I saw
her I rose, and my heart beat so loudly that it
seemed as if it would strike my breast asunder.
Tall and most stately she climbed the hill, dressed
in white garments, and in her hand a staff, and
on the staff a fillet of wool fastened. Her hair
was grey, and her face pale, and furrowed with
230
KALLISTRATUS
t
deep wrinkles, and it was as though sorrow her-
self sat throned in her eyes; in them there was
a look yearning, not tearful, but dry of tears
long ago. As she came nearer and nearer I
noted all this, and watched her earnestly. I saw
her lift her hands before the statue. Her voice
came to me where I stood, in tones deep and full.
She said, "O Athene, goddess mine, hear me on
thy throne. Maiden pure in heart, hear me, thy
maiden pure in heart. Other goddess have I none
to call but thee. O maiden, save my love, and
be at his right hand in his need. And save my
brother, and lift up his head, and send him to
me; in glory or shame, yet send him back to
me." I lifted my arms, and with a cry I went,
I know not how, towards her; and I remember
no more until I waked again, and found her
hand soothing me, as she was wont to soothe
me thirty years before. She brought me water
and bathed my head, and her tears fell like
joyful rain. She kissed me, and said, "Thou
art come, Kallistratus, the well beloved, the
longed for. O glad day! glad to me and to
my brother."
(C
My brother!" said I; "lives he still?"
He lives," said she; "and when thou canst
stand upright, we will go to him.”
I stood upright, and went with her down the
EMANCIPATION
:
231
hill; and we three lived that evening in happi-
ness, speaking of all that had passed since we were
together last. But one thing turned my sister
from me, that I had not stayed with Hannibal.
Still, when I spoke of him as I felt, and of my
regret, and of all my trouble, she forgave me,
though she wondered at me.
1
CHAPTER XVIII
IN ATHENS
THIS is the last piece of my record, and it is
sorrowful. There is in it nothing but that which
comes at last to every one, and must finish every
record. The life which we lived at Athens was
never much to my mind. It was all too small.
My sister seemed content with it, and my brother.
They saw their neighbours, and talked with them,
and, if they were sick, visited them. But
I cared nothing for this, nor yet for the as-
sembly, and the quarrelling about customs and
tonnage, and elections of men to manage such
small matters. One day was like another, and I
have been very weary of them all.
Then my brother grew more feeble. One
morning when Kallinice was buying our food, and
he lay on his pallet, he said to me, "Brother, I go
a long way to-day."
I guessed what he meant, but I loved not to
speak of such things with him.
to me as if his affairs were small.
It always seemed
I said, "Babæ !
I said,
232
IN ATHENS
233
there is no need to speak of things like this
now."
66
Ay," said he, "but there is.”
I looked at
him, and saw that his face was changed. I knelt
beside him, and kissed him.
>>
He said, speaking with labour, "My brother,
love Kallinice, and tend her. For that only I
would live. Otherwise the world is too rough and
full of noise for men who are weak and womanish.'
He said this, and his face was drawn, and he began
to pant. I had seen many men die, but never a
man in his bed. I wished for Kallinice. Soon
she came. He opened his eyes and looked at her,
and at me; then his breath grew shorter, and
while she kissed him, and he smiled, even then
he died.
It was a strange thing to me, that when next
day he was carried out, the whole city came to
his burying. The street from sunrise was full of
people. At the grave a choir of maidens sang a
hymn made by him, and then Nikostratus the
prytanis stood on high and spoke; he called my
brother "Tyrtæus," and praised him. There was
a sound of weeping, but Kallinice wept not. But
she looked round the throng with her eye kind-
ling. His grave was covered with ornaments and
offerings which the people made for him to the
shades below.
234
KALLISTRATUS
!
From that day, each morning Kallinice laid a
flower on the place where he lay; and then she
went to the Piræus to see if a ship had come in, and
talked with the sailors, and heard what news there
was. She seemed to hunger for news, and to want
something which came not to her. She visited
any that were sick, and nursed them, and talked
to children-never, I think, smiling excepting
when she beheld a child. Very wasted she grew,
and old to see; her hair became as white as snow,
and the wrinkles were ploughed ever deeper on
her face.
One day-it is now near a year ago, and this is
the second year of the one hundred and forty-
ninth Olympiad and the fifth day of waning Boe-
dromion-came Kallinice from the Piræus sooner
than her wont. On the morning of that day a
ship had come from Smyrna which had talked
with the sailors of a trireme that was going in
haste to Rome. Tidings it bore, tidings to the
great city, which all there would rejoice to hear;
not that a battle had been won, not that a pro-
vince had been subdued, but the trireme went
with all haste, with the haste of those who bear
great tidings. Far away from Rome, or Greece,
or the great cities of the world, had that happened
which they were to tell. No armies were there,
no noise had been, no hurrah, no wailing. It was
IN ATHENS
235
but the death of a man of which they were to tell
--not a prince, or the head of a host; but one man,
a solitary forsaken man. In a lone place died he.
Four only were there to see when he died; and
round the house wherein he was only thirty men,
who crept like murderers on him. And yet from
that place the tidings of that death were heard
through the whole world. Each man, wherever
men were, said to his neighbour, “Hast thou
heard?" and each man, when he heard, was still
and pondered. In Rome, the great city, which
had no fears now, but glory only, whose nobles
and citizens conjured everywhere with her name-
in Rome each man heard, and breathed more
freely. For Hannibal was dead! When Kalli-
nice heard it, at the Piræus, she came back to the
house and sat upon her chair, and said, " Hannibal
is dead. The slayers stood round his house; then
he took from his finger a ring, and swallowed
what was therein, and died." She leaned for-
ward, and rested her head on her hand, and
sobbed like a little child. I sat and watched
her. Then she rose and said, with sobs-
"O Hannibal, brave and tender and true, lord
of thyself and mankind, who knit men's hearts to
thee by thy greatness, in which was no flaw. O
Hannibal, sad, lone, disappointed, was there none
to help thee? Sad and outcast thou didst die, O
236
KALLISTRATUS
king of men, who yet hadst no servant, no friend,
nor any hope to be disappointed, when thou
didst die. Oh hear me now! From the day thou
didst mark me first, I loved thee; loved thee more
than maiden ever loved a man.
In my heart has
purely there. I
would I had died for thee, my prince and love."
I checked her not, for my heart was full, and
I heard her speak of the strange matter of her
loving, whereof I had not guessed. Then pre-
sently went I down to the quay. I saw there,
round the crew of the trireme, gathered all that
was Roman in Athens, all asking and talking
and laughing, and saying, "He is dead! He is
dead!" My anger rose, and rose more and more
as I watched, until I felt on fire with fury. Then
to the captain of the ship, from the crowd, there
went a man, old and grey, yet stark and unbent.
By his side there hung a sword, the like of which
I had not seen for many a long year. It was long
and straight, and edged on both sides, and I knew
it for one that some of the Iberians were wont to
carry. His limbs were stiff as he moved, but his
shoulders were square, and in his eye there was
light. I thought, " That man hath been once other
than he is now; he hath been taught to do a
soldier's duty;" and I marked him well. He went
to where the captain of the ship stood-a tall man
been thine image ever, tended
IN ATHENS
237
-and loud and strong; and standing squarely
before him, said, with a pale face, "How say you,
sir ?-that Hannibal is dead!"
((
">
"Ay," said the captain, "old beggar man, dead
as yon stockfish! And the world is rid of him,
and has one butcher and liar the less." Then he
laughed again, and all those round him laughed
with him.
I saw the face of the other flush, and a sob
rose in his throat, which checked his speech.
Then as the captain misnamed Hannibal, he
frowned and looked terrible to see.
cr
Be silent," he cried. I thought, “That voice
have I surely heard before; it is a voice that
hath given command to soldiers ere now; and
the man too I know." But the captain laughed
the more, yet reddened in face, with some anger;
then he said, “How now, beggar!" and smote the
other hard in the face.
tr
Smite me," said the old man; I care not.
But say not one word against the dead, or thou
shalt answer to me for it."
The captain looked angrily on the old man,
and smote him again in the face, so that some
in the crowd called "Shame!"
Shame!" The old man
spoke no word; his spirit seemed to have left
him.
Then the captain cried, "Away with thee,
238
KALLISTRATUS
coward and kill-joy! else I will send thee where
the butcher Hannibal is gone."
When he said this, the spirit came again to
the old man; his face was set as though it had
been hewed out of flint. He spoke not a word,
but drew his sword from his side, and placed
himself as a man ready to fight. The captain
drew not, only looked surprised, and laughed
again, but less loudly. Then the other struck
him with his sword lightly; and I knew by the
way he handled it that he had skill in the use
of it. I wondered still more where I had met him
before. Then the captain drew, and swept his
great sword around; but the other gave no ground,
nor received any wound, but fought, though
stiffly, yet with excellent fence, and pressing on
the other, he drove him backward; then he
rushed in with a Spanish cry, and drove the
sword through his body. Then he drew it back
and looked at it; he seemed amazed, and to
wonder at himself. The crowd rushed on him,
to take him; he made no movement to stand
against them; and they haled him, as if he
had been just a simple old man and child-like,
and as harmless as a child, to the court. The
dicasts were sitting, and I heard them try him.
The dicasts were afraid, for the slain man was
a Roman, and the crew, who were Roman also,
IN ATHENS
239
were in the court. Men gave witness of the deed,
but the old man seemed not to hear what they
said; but sometimes he muttered to himself.
At last the dicasts asked him, had he anything
to say, that he had killed this noble Roman?
He looked on them and said nothing, as though
to speak were superfluous. Then asked they
him again, more in wonder than otherwise;
and the Romans in the court were noisy, and
pressed forward. Hast thou aught to say,
said the dicasts, "that thou didst kill this noble
Roman ?"
((
دو
Why, so I did,
At Cannæ, in the
Then he looked up and said, "This noble
Roman, that I did kill him?
and many another Roman too.
plain, and by the lake, and on the river, I killed
them, and no man questioned me, 'Had I aught
to say ?' He laughed, half scornfully, half
carelessly; and then his voice became stronger,
and sounded like a trumpet in the ears of all
the people.
Charge! charge!" he shouted.
Upon them in the road! Slay them! Yes, I
slew them; but they did naught but try to
withstand my master. But this man miscalled
him in his talk. There was a time”—and he
lifted up his hands-
his hands-"when as we marched no
man dared-no, nor wished-to whisper even to
the air against him; when Roman nobles shook
tr
240
KALLISTRATUS
In the field he
dead, he buried
at the very voice that spoke his name, and, when
they saw him, ran as sheep run.
slew them; but when they were
them, and he did grace to them.
he is dead, shall men miscall him? No, not when
Dacis is near."
And because
He moved towards the Roman crew, who had
at first threatened him, but were still now. And
I knew him for Dacis the Spaniard, with whom
Hannibal himself sometimes fenced, and who had
guarded his tent the last time that I was his
soldier. He faced them, and said, “Come, come,
have you aught to say? Give me my sword,
and I will hear it." Then he seemed to look far
away, and to be as if he beheld an army fighting.
"Here they come," he cried. Give ground, give
ground a whit! Fall back! but keep order; this
is not flight. A pace to the rear! Our time will
corne! Incline to the left; to the left yet more,
my boys! So, so!"
Then he lifted up himself and peered beyond
the court, while his face seemed on fire, and
his hair bristled on his war-worn face.
He comes. Now charge!
Hasdrubal," he cried.
forward! charge!"
((
'Tis
His voice seemed more loud and piercing than
a mortal's, and very strange. He sank down on
the ground, and rose not again. They threw his
IN ATHENS
241
corpse down the cliff, for they feared the Romans ;
and I went home and told Kallinice all that had
been done. She roused herself to hear me; and
at night we went to the place where his body lay,
and buried him, speaking farewell to him. The
next day she sat in the house still, and making
no sign, only with her hand on the hilt of the
dagger, the gift she had from Hannibal. So she
sat, and I sat in sorrow; and in the evening she
laid herself down, and I kissed her, and she died.
So died they both; and I am left. Soon too I
shall die. I can meet without shame all of those
that I have met here; but Hannibal I cannot.
O great prince! hear me.
I do repent.
THE END
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