Valerius. A Roman Story Read online

  _CHAPTER II._

  Being told that my relation had his residence at no great distance, thefriendly Sabinus insisted upon escorting me thither in safety. We walked,therefore, along two or three proud streets, which brought us near to thePantheon of Agrippa, and there the house was easily pointed out to us; itsporch decorated with recent palm-branches, which the Centurion said musthave been placed there by the joyful hands of some fortunate client. Herehaving thanked this kind person, and left honest Boto among the crowd ofslaves in the vestibule, I was speedily conducted into the presence of thePatrician.

  I found him in a small upper chamber, lighted by a single silver lampsuspended from the roof, enjoying, as it appeared, repose and relaxationafter the exertions of the day. He was reclining when I entered; andalthough supper was long over, some fruits and other trifling things stillremained on the board. At table with him there was no one present,excepting a Greek of solemn aspect, whom he introduced to me as thesuperintendent of his son's education, and Sextus himself, a modest andingenuous youth, who sat at the lower extremity of his father's couch. Hewas indeed a very mild and amiable young man, and I had more pleasure,after a space, in surveying his features, than the more marked lineamentsof the other two. At first, however, nothing riveted my attention so muchas the energetic physiognomy of the Senator. The forepart of his head wasalready quite bald, although the darkness of the short curls behindtestified that age was not the cause of this deformity. His eyes wereblack and rapid, and his eyebrows vibrated in a remarkable manner, notonly when he spoke, but even when he was silent; indicating, as itappeared, by their transitions, every new train of thought and imaginationwithin his mind. His style of conversation was quick and fervid, and hisgestures vehement as he spake; it being apparent, that, from restlessnessand vanity of disposition, he was continually exercising a needlessmeasure of mental activity and anxiety. Not satisfied with his ownsufficient richness of ideas, no thought could be expressed which he didnot immediately seize upon, and explain, even to him by whom it had beenfirst suggested, with much fluency and earnestness of illustration. On theother hand, the guest, who wore a long beard reaching to his girdle,preserved in all things an uncommon demureness of manner, restrainingevery salient movement of his mind, and watching, with the gravity of aNuma, the glancing eyes and sharp features of his patron. A roll of yellowparchment graced his left hand, but the other was employed in selectingfrom the table such articles as were most agreeable to his palate.Licinius, although meagre in person, and at that time parched withdeclamation, seemed to live in such a state of intellectual excitement,that he thought little either of eating or drinking; therefore, theAthenian, resigning, for the most part, his share of the conversation,amused himself, in exchange, with the more trivial gratificationsabandoned to him by his host. Nor, if one might draw any conclusion fromhis complexion and figure, was this the first occasion on whichXerophrastes had exercised that species of humility.

  When Licinius had inquired of me concerning my native place, and alsogiven a few words to the affairs which had brought me to the city, hisconversation was naturally directed to subjects more new to me, if notmore interesting to him. "You would observe," said he, "the palm branchesat my door. They were won to-day by a five hours' harangue before theCentumviri. It is only in contests such as these that men of my order havenow any opportunity to exercise themselves, and preserve some remembranceof those ancient worthies and great public characters that once adornedthe state. To these things, therefore, young kinsman, I entirely devotemyself; nor aim, like other citizens of rank, at passing the day indiversion, and ending it with luxuries. At supper my table is furnishedwith moderate fare, while in other houses I know not how many roastedboars and pompous sturgeons have been regaling with the rich perfume oftheir sauces and stuffing, guests who love the meat more than the man whogives it. This learned person knows how laborious is my course of life,and what an impatient crowd awaits my appearance every morning. His pupilwill, I hope, tread in the same steps, and afford to a future generationthe image of the former Licinius." With these, and the like discourses, heoccupied our ears till it was time to retire; and then intimated that hehad allotted to me an apartment which he expected I would continuallyoccupy during my residence in the city. But being informed that I had aBritish slave with me, he insisted on having this man sent for, that hemight see him, as he expressed it, before the genuine unsophisticatedbarbarian had been corrupted by keeping company with the cunning menialsof the metropolis. Whereupon, it was commanded that Boto should come up,and he was forthwith ushered in by a certain leering varlet, with rings inhis ears, whose face resembled some comic mask in the habitual archness ofits malicious and inquisitive look.

  Not few were the bows and scrapes with which my Briton entered thesepenetralia; nor was the astonishment inconsiderable with which the oratorregarded Boto. "So, friend," said Licinius,--"and you have ventured to cometo Rome, without so much as shaving your beard?" But the merry andgood-natured tone in which these words were uttered, having somewhatreassured the bashful rustic, he gave a sly side-look towards thephilosopher, (who, I think, had never once glanced at him,) and replied toLicinius, "Pardon me, O master, for coming thus into your presence; but Iknew not, till Dromo told me, that beards were worn in Rome only by goatsand the wisest of mankind." The words of the barbarian amused theorator--but, turning round to his own slave, "Ah! Dromo," said he, "do Ialready recognize the effects of your teaching?--beware the whip, corruptnot this good Briton, at your peril." He then asked of Boto variousquestions concerning his recent voyage; to all of which he made answersafter his own fashion, sufficiently sagacious. Great contempt, however,was depicted on the face of the silent stoic during this conversation;which he, no doubt, looked upon as a very unworthy condescension on thepart of Licinius; till at last, having, in a leisurely manner, poured outthe last of the flagon, Xerophrastes arose from his couch and departed. Ashe withdrew, he unfortunately struck his knee on the corner of the table,which elicited from his stubborn features a sudden contortion. This,however, he immediately smoothed of, twisting his involuntary stoop intoan obeisance to the Senator.

  Young Sextus conducted me to my chamber; and we conversed together witheasy juvenile confidence for some time before he left me.