Lydonsighed，shruggedhisshoulders，andremainedsilent。Meanwhilethecommongazerslistenedwithstaringeyesandlipsapart：thegladiatorswereobjectsofinterestaswellasthebeasts——theywereanimalsofthesamespecies；sothecrowdglancedfromonetotheother——themenandthebrutes——whisperingtheircommentsandanticipatingthemorrow。
’Well！’saidLydon，turningaway，’IthankthegodsthatitisnotthelionorthetigerIamtocontendwith；evenyou，Niger，areagentlercombatantthanthey。’
’Butequallydangerous，’saidthegladiator，withafiercelaugh；andthebystanders，admiringhisvastlimbsandferociouscountenance，laughedtoo。
’Thatasitmaybe，’answeredLydon，carelessly，ashepressedthroughthethrongandquittedtheden。
’Imayaswelltakeadvantageofhisshoulders，’thoughttheprudentSosia，hasteningtofollowhim：’thecrowdalwaysgivewaytoagladiator，soI
willkeepclosebehind，andcomeinforashareofhisconsequence。’
ThesonofMedonstrodequicklythroughthemob，manyofwhomrecognizedhisfeaturesandprofession。
’ThatisyoungLydon，abravefellow：hefightsto—morrow，’saidone。
’Ah！Ihaveabetonhim，’saidanother；’seehowfirmlyhewalks！’
’Goodlucktothee，Lydon！’saidathird。
’Lydon，youhavemywishes，’halfwhisperedafourth，smiling（acomelywomanofthemiddleclass）——’andifyouwin，why，youmayhearmoreofme。’
’Ahandsomeman，byVenus！’criedafifth，whowasagirlscarceinherteens。’Thankyou，’returnedSosia，gravelytakingthecomplimenttohimself。
HoweverstrongthepurermotivesofLydon，andcertainthoughitbethathewouldneverhaveenteredsobloodyacallingbutfromthehopeofobtaininghisfather’sfreedom，hewasnotaltogetherunmovedbythenoticeheexcited。Heforgotthatthevoicesnowraisedincommendationmight，onthemorrow，shoutoverhisdeath—pangs。Bynaturefierceandreckless，aswellasgenerousandwarm—hearted，hewasalreadyimbuedwiththeprideofaprofessionthathefanciedhedisdained，andaffectedbytheinfluenceofacompanionshipthatinrealityheloathed。Hesawhimselfnowamanofimportance；hisstepgrewyetlighter，andhismienmoreelate。
’Niger，’saidhe，turningsuddenly，ashehadnowthreadedthecrowd；’wehaveoftenquarrelled；wearenotmatchedagainsteachother，butoneofus，atleast，mayreasonablyexpecttofall——giveusthyhand。’
’Mostreadily，’saidSosia，extendinghispalm。
’Ha！whatfoolisthis？Why，IthoughtNigerwasatmyheels！’
’Iforgivethemistake，’repliedSosia，condescendingly：’don’tmentionit；
theerrorwaseasy——IandNigeraresomewhatofthesamebuild。’
’Ha！ha！thatisexcellent！Nigerwouldhaveslitthythroathadheheardthee！’
’Yougentlemenofthearenahaveamostdisagreeablemodeoftalking，’saidSosia；’letuschangetheconversation。’
’Vah！vah！’saidLydon，impatiently；’Iaminnohumortoconversewiththee！’
’Why，truly，’returnedtheslave，’youmusthaveseriousthoughtsenoughtooccupyyourmind：to—morrowis，Ithink，yourfirstessayinthearena。
Well，Iamsureyouwilldiebravely！’
’Maythywordsfallonthineownhead！’saidLydon，superstitiously，forhebynomeanslikedtheblessingofSosia。’Die！No——Itrustmyhourisnotyetcome。’
’Hewhoplaysatdicewithdeathmustexpectthedog’sthrow，’repliedSosia，maliciously。’Butyouareastrongfellow，andIwishyouallimaginableluck；andso，vale！’
Withthattheslaveturnedonhisheel，andtookhiswayhomeward。
’Itrusttherogue’swordsarenotominous，’saidLydon，musingly。’Inmyzealformyfather’sliberty，andmyconfidenceinmyownthewsandsinews，Ihavenotcontemplatedthepossibilityofdeath。Mypoorfather！Iamthyonlyson！——ifIweretofall……’
Asthethoughtcrossedhim，thegladiatorstrodeonwithamorerapidandrestlesspace，whensuddenly，inanoppositestreet，hebeheldtheveryobjectofhisthoughts。Leaningonhisstick，hisformbentbycareandage，hiseyesdowncast，andhisstepstrembling，thegrey—hairedMedonslowlyapproachedtowardsthegladiator。Lydonpausedamoment：hedivinedatoncethecausethatbroughtforththeoldmanatthatlatehour。
’Besure，itisIwhomheseeks，’thoughthe；’heishorrorstruckatthecondemnationofOlinthus——hemorethaneveresteemsthearenacriminalandhateful——hecomesagaintodissuademefromthecontest。Imustshunhim——I
cannotbrookhisprayers——histears。’
Thesethoughts，solongtorecite，flashedacrosstheyoungmanlikelightning。Heturnedabruptlyandfledswiftlyinanoppositedirection。
Hepausednottill，almostspentandbreathless，hefoundhimselfonthesummitofasmallacclivitywhichoverlookedthemostgayandsplendidpartofthatminiaturecity；andastherehepaused，andgazedalongthetranquilstreetsglitteringintheraysofthemoon（whichhadjustarisen，andbroughtpartiallyandpicturesquelyintolightthecrowdaroundtheamphitheatreatadistance，murmuring，andswayingtoandfro），theinfluenceofthesceneaffectedhim，rudeandunimaginativethoughhisnature。Hesathimselfdowntorestuponthestepsofadesertedportico，andfeltthecalmofthehourquietandrestorehim。Oppositeandnearathand，thelightsgleamedfromapalaceinwhichthemasternowheldhisrevels。Thedoorswereopenforcoolness，andthegladiatorbeheldthenumerousandfestivegroupgatheredroundthetablesintheatrium；whilebehindthem，closingthelongvistaoftheilluminedroomsbeyond，thesprayofthedistantfountainsparkledinthemoonbeams。There，thegarlandswreathedaroundthecolumnsofthehall——there，gleamedstillandfrequentthemarblestatue——there，amidstpealsofjocundlaughter，rosethemusicandthelay。
EPICUREANSONG
AwaywithyourstoriesofHades，WhichtheFlamenhasforgedtoaffrightus——
WelaughatyourthreeMaidenLadies，YourFates——andyoursullenCocytus。
PoorJovehasatroublesomelife，sir，Couldwecredityourtalesofhisportals——
Inshuttinghisearsonhiswife，sir，Andopeninghiseyesuponmortals。
Oh，blestbethebrightEpicurus！
Whotaughtustolaughatsuchfables；
OnHadestheywantedtomoorus，Andhishandcuttheterriblecables。
If，then，there’saJoveoraJuno，Theyvexnottheirheadsaboutus，man；
Besides，iftheydid，Iandyouknow’Tisthelifeofagodtolivethus，man！
What！thinkyouthegodsplacetheirbliss——eh？——
Inplayingthespyonasinner？
Incountingthegirlsthatwekiss，eh？
Orthecupsthatweemptyatdinner？
Contentwiththesoftlipsthatloveus，Thismusic，thiswine，andthismirth，boys，Wecarenotforgodsupaboveus——
Weknowthere’snogodforthisearth，boys！
WhileLydon’spiety（whichaccommodatingasitmightbe，wasinnoslightdegreedisturbedbytheseverses，whichembodiedthefashionablephilosophyoftheday）slowlyrecovereditselffromtheshockithadreceived，asmallpartyofmen，inplaingarmentsandofthemiddleclass，passedbyhisresting—place。Theywereinearnestconversation，anddidnotseemtonoticeorheedthegladiatorastheymovedon。
’Ohorroronhorrors！’saidone；’Olinthusissnatchedfromus！ourrightarmisloppedaway！WhenwillChristdescendtoprotecthisown？’
’Canhumanatrocitygofarthersaidanother：’tosentenceaninnocentmantothesamearenaasamurderer！Butletusnotdespair；thethunderofSinaimayyetbeheard，andtheLordpreservehissaint。"Thefoolhathsaidinhisheart，ThereisnoGod。"’
Atthatmomentoutbrokeagain，fromtheilluminedpalace，theburdenofthereveller’ssong：—
Wecarenotforgodsupaboveus——
Weknowthere’snogodforthisearth，boys！
Erethewordsdiedaway，theNazarenes，movedbysuddenindignation，caughtuptheecho，and，inthewordsofoneoftheirfavoritehymns，shoutedaloud：—
THEWARNINGHYMNOFTHENAZARENES
Around——about——forevernearthee，God——OURGOD——shallmarkandhearthee！
OnhiscarofstormHesweeps！
Bow，yeheavens，andshrink，yedeeps！
WoetotheproudoneswhodefyHim！——
WoetothedreamerswhodenyHim！
Woetothewicked，woe！
Theproudstarsshallfail——
Thesunshallgrowpale——
Theheavensshriveluplikeascroll——
Hell’soceanshallbareItsdepthsofdespair，Eachwaveaneternalsoul！
Fortheonlything，then，ThatshallnotliveagainIsthecorpseofthegiantTIME。
Hark，thetrumpetofthunder！
Lo，earthrentasunder！
And，forth，onHisAngel—throne，Hecomesthroughthegloom，TheJudgeoftheTomb，TosummonandsaveHisown！
Oh，joytoCare，andwoetoCrime，HecomestosaveHisown！
WoetotheproudoneswhodefyHim！
WoetothedreamerswhodenyHim！
Woetothewicked，woe！
Asuddensilencefromthestartledhallofrevelsucceededtheseominouswords：theChristiansswepton，andweresoonhiddenfromthesightofthegladiator。Awed，hescarceknewwhy，bythemysticdenunciationsoftheChristians，Lydon，afterashortpause，nowrosetopursuehiswayhomeward。
Beforehim，howserenelysleptthestarlightonthatlovelycity！howbreathlesslyitspillaredstreetsreposedintheirsecurity！——howsoftlyrippledthedark—greenwavesbeyond！——howcloudlessspread，aloftandblue，thedreamingCampanianskies！YetthiswasthelastnightforthegayPompeii！thecolonyofthehoarChaldean！thefabledcityofHercules！thedelightofthevoluptuousRoman！Ageafteragehadrolled，indestructive，unheeded，overitshead；andnowthelastrayquiveredonthedial—plateofitsdoom！Thegladiatorheardsomelightstepsbehind——agroupoffemaleswerewendinghomewardfromtheirvisittotheamphitheatre。Asheturned，hiseyewasarrestedbyastrangeandsuddenapparition。FromthesummitofVesuvius，darklyvisibleatthedistance，thereshotapale，meteoric，lividlight——ittrembledaninstantandwasgone。Andatthesamemomentthathiseyecaughtit，thevoiceofoneoftheyoungestofthewomenbrokeouthilariouslyandshrill：—
TRAMP！TRAMP！HOWGAILYTHEYGO！
HO，HO！FORTHEMORROW’SMERRYSHOW！
BOOKTHEFIFTH
ChapterI
THEDREAMOFARBACES。AVISITORANDAWARNINGTOTHEEGYPTIAN。
THEawfulnightprecedingthefiercejoyoftheamphitheatrerolleddrearilyaway，andgreylybrokeforththedawnofTHELASTDAYOFPOMPEII！Theairwasuncommonlycalmandsultry——athinanddullmistgatheredoverthevalleysandhollowsofthebroadCampanianfields。Butyetitwasremarkedinsurprisebytheearlyfishermen，that，despitetheexceedingstillnessoftheatmosphere，thewavesoftheseawereagitated，andseemed，asitwere，torundisturbedlybackfromtheshore；whilealongtheblueandstatelySarnus，whoseancientbreadthofchannelthetravelernowvainlyseekstodiscover，therecreptahoarseandsullenmurmur，asitglidedbythelaughingplainsandthegaudyvillasofthewealthycitizens。Clearabovethelowmistrosethetime—worntowersoftheimmemorialtown，thered—tiledroofsofthebrightstreets，thesolemncolumnsofmanytemples，andthestatue—crownedportalsoftheForumandtheArchofTriumph。Farinthedistance，theoutlineofthecirclinghillssoaredabovethevapors，andmingledwiththechangefulhuesofthemorningsky。ThecloudthathadsolongrestedoverthecrestofVesuviushadsuddenlyvanished，anditsruggedandhaughtybrowlookedwithoutafrownoverthebeautifulscenesbelow。
Despitetheearlinessofthehour，thegatesofthecitywerealreadyopened。Horsemenuponhorsemen，vehicleaftervehicle，pouredrapidlyin；
andthevoicesofnumerouspedestriangroups，cladinholidayattire，rosehighinjoyousandexcitedmerriment；thestreetswerecrowdedwithcitizensandstrangersfromthepopulousneighborhoodofPompeii；andnoisily——fast——confusedlysweptthemanystreamsoflifetowardsthefatalshow。
Despitethevastsizeoftheamphitheatre，seeminglysodisproportionedtotheextentofthecity，andformedtoincludenearlythewholepopulationofPompeiiitself，sogreat，onextraordinaryoccasions，wastheconcourseofstrangersfromallpartsofCampania，thatthespacebeforeitwasusuallycrowdedforseveralhoursprevioustothecommencementofthesports，bysuchpersonsaswerenotentitledbytheirranktoappointedandspecialseats。Andtheintensecuriositywhichthetrialandsentenceoftwocriminalssoremarkablehadoccasioned，increasedthecrowdonthisdaytoanextentwhollyunprecedented。
Whilethecommonpeople，withthelivelyvehemenceoftheirCampanianblood，werethuspushing，scrambling，hurryingon——yet，amidstalltheireagerness，preserving，asisnowthewontwithItaliansinsuchmeetings，awonderfulorderandunquarrelsomegoodhumor，astrangevisitortoArbaceswasthreadingherwaytohissequesteredmansion。Atthesightofherquaintandprimaevalgarb——ofherwildgaitandgestures——thepassengerssheencounteredtouchedeachotherandsmiled；butastheycaughtaglimpseofhercountenance，themirthwashushedatonce，forthefacewasasthefaceofthedead；and，whatwiththeghastlyfeaturesandobsoleterobesofthestranger，itseemedasifonelongentombedhadrisenoncemoreamongsttheliving。Insilenceandaweeachgroupgavewayasshepassedalong，andshesoongainedthebroadporchoftheEgyptian’spalace。
Theblackporter，liketherestoftheworld，astiratanunusualhour，startedasheopenedthedoortohersummons。
ThesleepoftheEgyptianhadbeenusuallyprofoundduringthenight；but，asthedawnapproached，itwasdisturbedbystrangeandunquietdreams，whichimpressedhimthemoreastheywerecoloredbythepeculiarphilosophyheembraced。
Hethoughtthathewastransportedtothebowelsoftheearth，andthathestoodaloneinamightycavernsupportedbyenormouscolumnsofroughandprimaevalrock，lost，astheyascended，inthevastnessofashadowathwartwhoseeternaldarknessnobeamofdayhadeverglanced。Andinthespacebetweenthesecolumnswerehugewheels，thatwhirledroundandroundunceasingly，andwitharushingandroaringnoise。Onlytotherightandleftextremitiesofthecavern，thespacebetweenthepillarswasleftbare，andtheaperturesstretchedawayintogalleries——notwhollydark，butdimlylightedbywanderinganderraticfires，that，meteor—like，nowcrept（asthesnakecreeps）alongtheruggedanddanksoil；andnowleapedfiercelytoandfro，dartingacrossthevastgloominwildgambols——suddenlydisappearing，andassuddenlyburstingintotenfoldbrilliancyandpower。Andwhilehegazedwonderinglyuponthegallerytotheleft，thin，mist—like，aerialshapespassedslowlyup；andwhentheyhadgainedthehalltheyseemedtorisealoft，andtovanish，asthesmokevanishes，inthemeasurelessascent。
Heturnedinfeartowardstheoppositeextremity——andbehold！therecameswiftly，fromthegloomabove，similarshadows，whichswepthurriedlyalongthegallerytotheright，asifborneinvoluntarilyadownthesidesofsomeinvisiblestream；andthefacesofthesespectresweremoredistinctthanthosethatemergedfromtheoppositepassage；andonsomewasjoy，andonotherssorrow——somewerevividwithexpectationandhope，someunutterablydejectedbyaweandhorror。Andsotheypassed，swiftandconstantlyon，tilltheeyesofthegazergrewdizzyandblindedwiththewhirlofanever—varyingsuccessionofthingsimpelledbyapowerapparentlynottheirown。
Arbacesturnedaway，and，intherecessofthehall，hesawthemightyformofagiantessseateduponapileofskulls，andherhandswerebusyuponapaleandshadowywoof；andhesawthatthewoofcommunicatedwiththenumberlesswheels，asifitguidedthemachineryoftheirmovements。Hethoughthisfeet，bysomesecretagency，wereimpelledtowardsthefemale，andthathewasborneonwardstillhestoodbeforeher，facetoface。Thecountenanceofthegiantesswassolemnandhushed，andbeautifullyserene。
Itwasasthefaceofsomecolossalsculptureofhisownancestralsphinx。
Nopassion——nohumanemotion，disturbeditsbroodingandunwrinkledbrow：
therewasneithersadness，norjoy，normemory，norhope：itwasfreefromallwithwhichthewildhumanheartcansympathize。Themysteryofmysteriesrestedonitsbeauty——itawed，butterrifiednot：itwastheIncarnationofthesublime。AndArbacesfeltthevoiceleavehislips，withoutanimpulseofhisown；andthevoiceasked：
’Whoartthou，andwhatisthytask？’
’IamThatwhichthouhastacknowledged，’answered，withoutdesistingfromitswork，themightyphantom。’MynameisNATURE！Thesearethewheelsoftheworld，andmyhandguidesthemforthelifeofallthings。’
’Andwhat，’saidthevoiceofArbaces，’arethesegalleries，thatstrangelyandfitfullyillumined，stretchoneitherhandintotheabyssofgloom？’
’That，’answeredthegiant—mother，’whichthoubeholdesttotheleft，isthegalleryoftheUnborn。Theshadowsthatflitonwardandupwardintotheworld，arethesoulsthatpassfromthelongeternityofbeingtotheirdestinedpilgrimageonearth。Thatwhichthoubeholdesttothyright，whereintheshadowsdescendingfromabovesweepon，equallyunknownanddim，isthegalleryoftheDead！’
’Andwherefore，saidthevoiceofArbaces，’yonwanderinglights，thatsowildlybreakthedarkness；butonlybreak，notreveal？’
’Darkfoolofthehumansciences！dreamerofthestars，andwould—bedeciphereroftheheartandoriginofthings！thoselightsarebuttheglimmeringsofsuchknowledgeasisvouchsafedtoNaturetoworkherway，totraceenoughofthepastandfuturetogiveprovidencetoherdesigns。
judge，then，puppetasthouart，whatlightsarereservedforthee！’
Arbacesfelthimselftrembleasheaskedagain，’WhereforeamIhere？’
’Itistheforecastofthysoul——theprescienceofthyrushingdoom——theshadowofthyfatelengtheningintoeternityasdeclinesfromearth。’
Erehecouldanswer，ArbacesfeltarushingWINDsweepdownthecavern，asthewindsofagiantgod。Bornealoftfromtheground，andwhirledonhighasaleafinthestormsofautumn，hebeheldhimselfinthemidstoftheSpectresoftheDead，andhurryingwiththemalongthelengthofgloom。Asinvainandimpotentdespairhestruggledagainsttheimpellingpower，hethoughttheWINDgrewintosomethinglikeashape——aspectraloutlineofthewingsandtalonsofaneagle，withlimbsfloatingfarandindistinctlyalongtheair，andeyesthat，aloneclearlyandvividlyseen，glaredstonilyandremorselesslyonhisown。
’Whatartthou？’againsaidthevoiceoftheEgyptian。
’IamThatwhichthouhastacknowledged’；andthespectrelaughedaloud——’andmynameisNECESSITY。’
’Towhatdostthoubearme？’
’TotheUnknown。’
’Tohappinessortowoe？’
’Asthouhastsown，soshaltthoureap。’
’Dreadthing，notso！IfthouarttheRulerofLife，thinearemymisdeeds，notmine。’
’IambutthebreathofGod！’answeredthemightyWIND。
’Thenismywisdomvain！’groanedthedreamer。
’Thehusbandmanaccusesnotfate，when，havingsownthistles，hereapsnotcorn。Thouhastsowncrime，accusenotfateifthoureapestnottheharvestofvirtue。’
Thescenesuddenlychanged。Arbaceswasinaplaceofhumanbones；andlo！
inthemidstofthemwasaskull，andtheskull，stillretainingitsfleshlesshollows，assumedslowly，andinthemysteriousconfusionofadream，thefaceofApaecides；andforthfromthegrinningjawstherecreptasmallworm，anditcrawledtothefeetofArbaces。Heattemptedtostamponitandcrushit；butitbecamelongerandlargerwiththatattempt。Itswelledandbloatedtillitgrewintoavastserpent：itcoileditselfroundthelimbsofArbaces；itcrunchedhisbones；itraiseditsglaringeyesandpoisonousjawstohisface。Hewrithedinvain；hewithered——hegasped——beneaththeinfluenceoftheblightingbreath——hefelthimselfblastedintodeath。Andthenavoicecamefromthereptile，whichstillborethefaceofApaecidesandranginhisreelingear：
’THYVICTIMISTHYJUDGE！THEWORMTHOUWOULDSTCRUSHBECOMESTHESERPENT
THATDEVOURSTHEE！’
Withashriekofwrath，andwoe，anddespairingresistance，Arbacesawoke——hishaironend——hisbrowbathedindew——hiseyesglazedandstaring——hismightyframequiveringasaninfant’s，beneaththeagonyofthatdream。Heawoke——hecollectedhimself——heblessedthegodswhomhedisbelieved，thathewasinadream——heturnedhiseyesfromsidetoside——hesawthedawninglightbreakthroughhissmallbutloftywindow——hewasinthePrecinctsofDay——herejoiced——hesmiled；hiseyesfell，andoppositetohimhebeheldtheghastlyfeatures，thelifelesseye，thelividlip——ofthehagofVesuvius！
’Ha！’hecried，placinghishandsbeforehiseyes，astoshutoutthegrislyvision，’doIdreamstill？——AmIwiththedead？’
’MightyHermes——no！Thouartwithonedeath—like，butnotdead。Recognizethyfriendandslave。’
Therewasalongsilence。SlowlytheshuddersthatpassedoverthelimbsoftheEgyptianchasedeachotheraway，faintlierandfaintlierdyingtillhewashimselfagain。
’Itwasadream，then，’saidhe。’Well——letmedreamnomore，orthedaycannotcompensateforthepangsofnight。Woman，howcamestthouhere，andwherefore？’
’Icametowarnthee，’answeredthesepulchralvoiceofthesaga。
’Warnme！Thedreamliednot，then？Ofwhatperil？’
’Listentome。Someevilhangsoverthisfatedcity。Flywhileitbetime。
ThouknowestthatIholdmyhomeonthatmountainbeneathwhicholdtraditionsaiththereyetburnthefiresoftheriverofPhlegethon；andinmycavernisavastabyss，andinthatabyssIhaveoflatemarkedaredanddullstreamcreepslowly，slowlyon；andheardmanyandmightysoundshissingandroaringthroughthegloom。Butlastnight，asIlookedthereon，beholdthestreamwasnolongerdull，butintenselyandfiercelyluminous；
andwhileIgazed，thebeastthatlivethwithme，andwascoweringbymyside，utteredashrillhowl，andfelldownanddied，andtheslaverandfrothwereroundhislips。Icreptbacktomylair；butIdistinctlyheard，allthenight，therockshakeandtremble；and，thoughtheairwasheavyandstill，therewerethehissingofpentwinds，andthegrindingasofwheels，beneaththeground。So，whenIrosethismorningattheverybirthofdawn，Ilookedagaindowntheabyss，andIsawvastfragmentsofstoneborneblackandfloatinglyovertheluridstream；andthestreamitselfwasbroader，fiercer，redderthanthenightbefore。ThenIwentforth，andascendedtothesummitoftherock：andinthatsummitthereappearedasuddenandvasthollow，whichIhadneverperceivedbefore，fromwhichcurledadim，faintsmoke；andthevaporwasdeathly，andIgasped，andsickened，andnearlydied。Ireturnedhome。Itookmygoldandmydrugs，andleftthehabitationofmanyyears；forIrememberedthedark